"Jo!" I loudly called as I ran out of the courtroom. I could hear the talking from outside the door, but I didn't care. I needed to speak to Jo. I needed to apologize. I clearly didn't treat her secrets right.
I walked through the doors, and I was now standing outside of the courtroom. I saw a couple people standing there, staring at me suspiciously. I didn't give them time to say anything, because I was already walked away, in search of Jo.
"Jo?" I called, walking past more confused people, who obviously recognized me. I turned the corner, and suddenly, I ran into someone.
We both hit each other; the impact knocked us both to the floor. I groaned and rubbed my now throbbing forehead. I looked up and saw whom I ran into. It was Jo.
"Jo," I breathed out. Now I had to figure out what to say to her. I ran after her, but I didn't even know where to begin. I seriously need to plan out my actions before I go through with them.
"What Niall?" She mumbled, fixing her skirt and clothes which had become messed up from the fall. I pulled myself up to my feet and held my hand out for Jo. She sighed, but took my hand anyways, "What Niall?" She snapped.
"I'm sorry," those were the only words I could think of right now. I wish I could be the type of guy that immediately knew how to comfort a guy, but I'm not. Those guys only exist in books.
"Like sorry ever meant anything," Jo mumbled, starting to walk off in the other direction. I quickly grabbed her arm to stop her. Jo groaned and turned around to face me, "What Niall?" She snapped again, "Yeah, you feel bad, I know it. But, this court case won't ever matter to you! You won't lose anything from it, but I will!"
"I will lose you," my voice was soft, like I didn't want to hurt her anymore. I watched as Jo's eyes slowly looked up and reached mine. Her eyes were glass, all I could see was my reflection.
"No you wouldn't," Jo mumbled a lame reply. I sighed, "Oh come on, Jo, you know that you won't ever talk to me again. If Asher isn't guilty, you'll go straight back to him and never speak a word to me again."
"Maybe I wasn't going to ever speak to you again if you did win. After all, Asher would be in jail. It wouldn't make me too happy. Besides, I told you that I didn't want to be friends, it causes way too many problems."
"At least I'll know you're safe is Asher if in jail," I mumbled. Jo didn't try arguing because she knew it was true. She sighed, "Niall, we really aren't meant to even be together as friends. See how many issues it caused?"
"You aren't dead."
Jo fell silent at my words. Those were the words that no one had said, but we both knew were true. If we hadn't have met, Jo wouldn't be dead. I wouldn't be dead either, but she doesn't know that. I don't want her to ever know that.
"Why were you going to kill yourself?" The words rolled off my tongue before I could stop them. But I desperately wanted to know the answer. I kind of already knew, but I wanted Jo to say it.
"No, Niall," she sternly said, "I can't tell you. You'd probably use it against me in court," Jo snapped. I groaned, "Oh come on, Jo! Can't you just understand that I'm trying to help you? Maybe one day you'll see it, but sometimes you just have to let things go."
"What in the world were you two thinking?" Jo and I immediately turned around and saw a buff, tall security guard standing behind u. I swallowed, "Um, we had to talk?" It was more like a question than a statement. Like i was asking if he would believe it.
"Get back in the courtroom, you idiots," he mumbled, taking me and Jo's arm. He pulled us towards the room, but Jo dug her heels into the carpet when we were in front of the big wooden doors, "I don't want to go back in."
"You damn celebrities," he mumbled. That statement bothered me. It seemed to bother Jo more, though, "Well, you know, those damn security guards bother me, too. Having no feelings, like some stereotypical guard. I don't think you realize what I've ben through. So, don't go saying crap like that."
"Just go in," he mumbled, trying to push us in. Jo crossed her arms, "I don't need the staring and judging of outside appearances and actions. Those people in there don't know me. They can say what they want, but they won't ever know."
"Just be philosophical in the court room," he finally was able to push Jo in there, with me following behind. Everyone's eyes fell back on us, the ditchers. I really liked what Jo said, "I don't need the staring and judging of outside appearances and actions. Those people in there don't know me. They can say what they want, but they won't ever know."
I need to help win the case rather than worry about everyone staring at me. The room was silent, yet I still walked over to the witness stand. I sat down, and the judge looked at me with a look of surprise, "Okay, can we continue?"
I think he's talking to me, "Yeah, I'm ready." This time I was sure. I knew Jo may not be too happy with all I say, but I don't care anymore. I just need to know that she's safe.
"You said Jo was going to kill herself, correct?" The lawyer asked me. I nodded, so he continued, "Do you happen to know the reason why she would go to extremes?"
I shook my head. I decided to leave it at that. Words always seem to create problems.
"Okay, can you explain what you saw when you walked into Jo and Asher's home?" The lawyer asked. I nodded and proceeded, "I walked in and saw how messed up the house was. Broken items scattered the floor; everything was turned over. I heard the yelling coming up from upstairs, so I headed up the stairs and opened the door where the yelling was originating from. I opened up the door and there I saw them. Asher and Jo were there. Jo was hunched up in a corner, as Asher screamed at her. Ashton fell silent when he noticed that Jo was staring at me. He turned around and saw that I was standing there. Asher tried to act like he didn't do anything to her, but I realized that he had raped and abused her. I was pissed. Asher called Jo something like his property... he said that she belonged to him, and I just snapped... I tackled him to the ground and started beating up Asher."
"Do you have any reports of actually seeing Asher abuse Jo physically or sexually?" Asher's lawyer asked. Shit... I don't have any proof. I didn't even see Asher hit or try to rape Jo. How in the world will I be able to prove what Asher did?
"No," I mumbled. Chatter broke out through the room. The judge slammed down his gavel a couple times to get their attention, "Silence in the court!" He demanded, causing the room to fall silent again.
Asher's lawyer continued, "So, the only proof we have from you is word of mouth?" He inquired. If all I have is words, I think I'll run my mouth, "Yes, all I have is words, but I was able to notice the small things that were going on in Jo's life that no one else was noticing. She seemed to break her bones a lot. She'd make some random excuse that she didn't seem to believe herself. Before I came into the house, I ran into a lady who lived next door. I had heard commotion when I went on a walk, and then I ran into their, I guess, neighbor. She told me how her neighbors, Asher and Jo, had been screaming at each other ever since they moved in, which was about over a year ago."
I glanced over at Asher who was now clenching his fists. He glanced at Jo, but she was concentrated on what I had to say.
"Mr. Horan, did you see anything alarming when you became friends with Jo?" The lawyer asked. I nodded, "Yes, she had come to my house crying before... She was wearing a fancy dress, like she had just gotten out of a party. She came to my house with no coat on, blue from cold. It looked like she had been kicked out of her own home or something. She stayed at my house for the night, because she had nowhere else to go. She wouldn't tell me anything, but I didn't want to scare her away, so I let it go... Earlier, Jo told me that she had been suffering through depression. And I think I can easily guess who caused that."
"Thank you, Mr. Horan, is there anything else you would like to add in?"
I shook my head, "No, that's all."
"You may go back," the judge said. I mechanically pulled myself up to my feet and headed back to my seat. I dug my nails into my palms when I felt everyone watching me. I hated the way that everyone would continuously stare at me as I walked. If I messed up, that would be the end.
I finally plopped down on my seat, nearly letting out a sigh of relief. I leaned back in the chair, feeling relieved that some more stress had left my body. Now, my portion in the trial was done for now. I don't know if they are going to call me up again, but I do know that I have said all I know that will help them without revealing any of my own secrets.
The attention was on Asher, "Mr, Lee, what would you like to add in about all of this?"
The room fell silent, as everyone patiently waited for Asher's response. Asher's features were emotionless. Well, it doesn't surprise me, he is emotionless. He has no humanitarian qualities to him at all. He's just a body, nothing more.
"I am guilty," Asher said.
