Saved//Green Day

Chapter 31, Part 2

Chelsea's POV

"Amber Johnson, your first witness please," the judge says. Amber stands up and says, "I'd like to call Chelsea Martia to the stand."

This'll be fun...

I walk over to the witness stand and swear to tell only the truth and nothing but the truth. I sit down in the wooden chair and look at everyone besides my mother. Adie and Billie both smile at me, which makes me feel more comfortable, but I'm still really nervous. Amber, the blonde haired, green eyed, short woman walks in front of me and asks, "So, Chelsea, what were you doing the night of your father's death?"

"Listening to my mom and dad fight...and then, once the fighting got a little more violent, I grabbed my little sister and I locked us in my room.... That's when I heard the gun shots and opened my door, only to find my dad...h-he was lying on the floor a-and there was blood everywhere—" I begin to feel like I can't breathe and start to gasp for air. "Mr. Retrolli help your client off of the stand please," I faintly hear the judge order. Mark helps me off the stand and Billie grabs the other side of me to balance me out. "Let's take a recess," the judge uses her gavel against the stained oak wood. We step outside the courtroom and I can finally breathe again. "Just take deep breaths in and out,okay? In...and out. In...and out," Billie coaxes me with an arm around my shoulders. I do as he says and finally start to calm myself down. "I'm sorry," I say once I've calmed down enough. "Don't apologize for that. You were scared and nervous; It's okay, okay?" he says, pulling me in tightly for a hug. Adrienne, Jakob, and Joey eventually walk out of the courtroom as well and sit next to Billie and I while Mark stands up.

"It's gonna be fine—" Adrienne gets cut off by Mark, "Sorry to interrupt, but I just remembered something important; Chelsea, don't you still have that recording of your mom saying she did it?" I nod my head and pull out my phone. Mark smiled.
*
"Mark, I am told you have new evidence?" the judge inquires. "Yes, your honor," Mark begins, standing up with my phone in his hand, "My client has actually recorded her mother admitting to the crime—" "Objection! This evidence wasn't in the case file!" Amber says, again interrupting. "I'll allow it," the judge says, a slight sparkle in her eye. "Thank you, your honor," he begins, walking towards the jury, "Now, when Chelsea was picked up from the hospital about a month ago, her mom was aggravated with her and admitted to the whole crime. Tell me what you all think of this." He presses the 'play' button on my phone and her words echo throughout the entire courtroom. 'Listen here you little whore, you don't talk to me like that. If I ever hear you say that sh*t again, I'll kill you just like I killed your father.' There's gasps from every direction including Adie, Billie, Mike, and Tré. The jury murmurs loudly and everyone looks at my mother. Her mouth is agape, and fear strikes her. "Mrs. Martia? Can you confirm this is you?" Mark asks sharply, hiding a smug grin behind an expressionless face. She nods reluctantly, and the judge uses her gavel again to quiet down the court.

Once everyone is quiet, Mark sits back down and the judge looks over at both attorneys. "Do either parties have any more questions for any of the witnesses?" the judge asks. Mark stands up and smiles at me, "Yes. If we could please have Sophia Martia to the witness stand?" My heart pounds and I look in the crowd of witnesses. I don't know how I missed it, but she's sitting there and runs up to the stand. I smile and grab onto Adie's hand tightly. Adie smiles at me as I watch my sister intently. "Hi, sweetie. I'm Mark and I'm just going to ask you a few questions, if that's okay?" Mark asks. Sophie nods and Mark continues, "Can you tell me what you and your sister were doing on the night...your dad..." "Fell asleep?" Sophie asks. "Yes. Do you remember what you were up to?" "Mommy and daddy were yelling at each other and Chelsea took me upstairs into her room. She said we were playing hide n' seek with mommy, so we hid underneath her bed. And then there was a loud sound and Chelsea said to stay quiet, so I did. And then all of these people in uniforms showed up and took me with them," Sophie says rather quick. The jury take some more notes. "Thank you, Sophie. I need to ask you, was Chelsea with you the entire time you were playing hide n' seek?" Mark questions.