Work Hard, Play Hard

Twelve. Trial

"All rise." The court clerk said as the judge walked in. It was my court date. The attacker whose name I now know was being charged for assault and battery.

"You may be seated." He said as everyone sat back down. I was next to my lawyer, George Matthews. He was recommended to me by one of the officers.

"I would like to call my client, Carolyn Carlson to the stand." He said as I walked to the stand nervously.

"Ms. Carlson. Please recount the night you were attacked." The judge said in a sympathetic tone.

I gulped. "Um, I was walking to a friend's house when I heard a man coming up behind me and..." I said, becoming distracted as I watched Cam Kellington, the attacker staring at me with a smirk on his face. I wanted to punch him so hard.

"And... Ms. Carlson, please continue." The judge said, impatiently.

"I will." I said bluntly. "Then he started saying things to me and when I proceeded to run away, he grabbed me and pulled me to the ground." I said as tears filled my eyes.

"Okay, what were his words to you?" He asked.

I looked at my lawyer, unsure if I should continue. He nodded at me and mouthed "continue, it's okay."

"He said that, he said, um..." I stuttered, unable to gather my words.

"Ms. Carlson." The judge said sternly. I knew he wanted me to continue, but I couldn't.

"Your honor, my client is in distress. Please stop antagonizing her. Give her time." My lawyer said, sympathetically.

"Fair enough." The judge said. "We'll take a recess, everyone." He said as he walked out the courtroom.

I ran off the stand to my lawyer and burst into tears.

"I'm sorry I couldn't continue. I'm sorry." I said, as I covered my face with my hands and bawled.

"Hey, it's okay. That's why we're here. Take your time. After the recess, just go back up there and say whatever you need to. I'm here." He said as he smiled and handed me a tissue.

The recess ended and there I was back up on the stand.

"Please continue, Ms. Carlson." The judge said, lacking emotion.

"Yeah..." I said taking a deep breath. I could see my lawyer looking at me with anticipation.

"I was walking and he attacked me. He tried to assault me then I kicked him and ran away." I said with a sigh.

"Okay, did you know Mr. Kellington before this incident?" The judge asked, lowering his glasses to look at me.

I was quite intimidated.

"No, your honor. I did not." I said as I tucked my hair behind my ear.

"So, what could have been his motive to attack you?" The judge asked, as if I were crazy.

I could feel my blood boiling. He thought I was some joke. I knew he wasn't taking me seriously and it made me angry.

"You know, I don't know. He is sitting right there isn't he?" I said as I pointed to him fearlessly. "Ask him." I said as I got up and walked off the stand.

My lawyer glanced at me with confusion on his face, motioning for me to go back on the stand, but I didn't. I walked out of the courtroom. My patience was no longer there.

The one person I needed the most was no where to be found. He left me, abandoned me in my time of need. Jace.... it was all him.