Altogether unusual

The decision

'It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.'

Voltaire

Eve is long gone when I finally leave the apartment. She is an early bird, as usual. I need to spend the entire morning in the library. I have a school assignment for which I have done zero research. And I don't enjoy it either. Not the school, the assignment. Something modern art. I don't understand it at all. I am sorry, I really don't get it. Picasso? Ok. But brush strikes on a canvas... Damn me if I get any of it. But I need the credits. Plus, I have never heard of an information not worth having. School has been the last of my concerns lately, with the smallest amount of time assigned to it. I just do what I have to do to be able to stay afloat. I hope in the future I'll be able to dedicate more time to it. After all, this is what I've been after ever since I can remember having wishes. It never ceases to amaze me how priorities can change depending on the circumstances.

When I get to the saloon, around one in the afternoon, I know I have to dive into the work which expects for me in there. There are two tattoos scheduled for today, not very complicated, but the concentration at least keeps my mind off Jonathan. And the things Eve has said. Of course I've fantasised about living together. But it is too early, isn't it? Even if this would sort out our time problems. I am not experienced in these things, I don't want to ruin what we have because I am so desperate to see him. We'll just have to figure out another way to keep the connection. Yeah, definitely too soon to move in together.

The final stop of the day is the gym. One more week and I will finish the community service. I cannot say the experience has not been enjoyable. However, the way I got here was not very pleasant.

When we came back from Ireland, the trial was lingering above my head. And as I said before, it didn't look good for me. First of all, I was a trained fighter, which had put David in an advantageous position, since he didn't seem much when you looked at him. Not to mention he wore this innocent, scared face for the entire trial. In close proximity to that, he was the one who went to press charges. Why haven't I listened to my parents in the first place, I cannot tell. Not only it would have been the correct thing to do, but the moral thing to do. I had only myself at heart and the fact that I escaped him with just a few bruises. But, you know, his injuries were brand new when the doctors examined him, mine had a few days. Then, Sylvie came forth and told about the fight we had, in her own vision, of course. My lawyer had advised me to go with the truth there, which I did, but it only proved that I had been lying to my principal, who could not testify for me. She did say what had happened and what I had done, but the fact that I had not been true to my word at the end, only proved me to be unworthy of any trust. My mother had a blast dressing me up for every session, but it didn't help much. I am scary beyond all reason. No suit, deux-piece or business dress will make you think differently. Not because I cannot be classy, but because David, Sylvie and David's lawyer took care of that particular aspect. They painted me blacker than I have ever been. Too bad I am not in a gang, because otherwise they would have had a blast showing that detail to the judge.

Eve came to testify, but, even if she is the daughter of a priest, being my best friend made her biased. It was a good point for me that I have normal friends, that she is so lovely and sincere, although that was the most I could obtain. At least this is what my lawyer told me. "Never exclude a positive point gained, Ms. Dabney." He said.

The day Jonathan had to testify, I was in the narrow street bordering one side of the court of law building, smoking a cigarette. I was nervous because I knew he is not a person to be liked, like Eve is. Moreover, he really hates David for what he tried to do to me, and as much as I would have wanted him there with me every day, we decided his absence would do wonders. His attitude would have never helped my cause.