After The Rain✔️

Trial Prep

"When were you going to tell us?" Robbie asked waving a paper in front of me.

"I was going to tell you, just not until afterward," I mumbled.

"Molly, we were going to find out considering Robbie's family got notice about Randy," Braydon said.

"I know. It's just so hard. I don't even want to do this," I said with my eyes becoming teary. I stood up, "Do you honestly think I want to relive that night over again? Not like I don't already." Tears fell down my cheeks. It was true. Most nights I close my eyes and all I can see are flashes of that night. The weight on me, the pain, the whispering dirty things into my ear. All of it was horrible.

Braydon gently touched my arms and said, "Hey, we know. That's why we'll be with you every step of the way. Molly, you're not alone in this."

Hunter and Robbie were rubbing my back as I sniffled. I hated being a blubbery mess.

******
My parents and the guys went with me to meet with the district attorney except Robbie. Since his brother was one of the guys, they thought it was best he wasn't there. He wasn't happy about it, but he understood. I felt bad for him.

We sat in the DA's office and he talked to me.

"Molly, the court date is set at one month. We have to prep you to be on the stand which means you have to handle all my questions and all the defense questions. Understand?"

"Yes," I said.

"The defense is going to ask why you didn't report this immediately. They are going to poke holes in everything you say and try to discredit you."

"Why? It's not like I am lying."

"It's their job. It's their job to make the victim look like they are at fault because they are there to get an acquittal for their clients. Molly, I don't deny you're telling the truth, but rape is a he said, she said. Even with it being at a party, they are going to rip apart all the evidence," he said to me.

"Makes people not even want to come forward," I mumbled.

"Exactly, but guess what? We have things working in our favor. One is you had never been sexually active before that night and two, your lack of friends."

I cringed when he said that. I hated the fact I had a lack of friends, but what I did had, were two friends who were with me that night.

"Listen to me, for the next month, we will prep and go over question after question until you're ready and sure of yourself. You do your part, now let me do mine," he said.

I sighed as we got up. I knew this next month would be rough. At this point even I was unsure how it was going to go.

*******
Over the next month, I met with the DA to go over testimony and what I should and shouldn't say. To say it was a grueling process was an understatement. I was not allowed to discuss the case with anyone including my friends. I was also cautioned not to have any contact with the Knight family whatsoever.

I understood even though it sucked. They lived right behind me. The only way I could even remotely talk to Robbie was through Braydon or Hunter. Most of the month I spent at school, home or the DA's office, going over everything. The trial was set for after the New Year. This also meant I was excused from school during trial.

I sat in my bedroom looking out of my window. To think I sat here at the beginning of the school year griping about how lonely my life was or how my mom always nagged me and I had to spend every weekend at my father's. What I would give anything for that to be that way.

My life changed in two months, all because of one night, one horrible night.

I heard a knock at the door, "Molly?"

"Come in."

My door opened and I didn't need to turn around to know it was Braydon and Hunter. This was the norm for them to come over after trial prep.

"You okay," Hunter asked.

"Let's see Christmas is in a few weeks, I have to prepare for a rape trial, and I can't even hang with one of my friends, but I'm just peachy."

"Yeah, but it won't always be that way," Braydon said.

I turned around and looked at him. I stood up and said, "Two months ago I was worried about having to choose between you and him! Now I have to deal with a rape trial because I decided to go to some stupid party! The wallflower gets raped by the almighty jock! If that isn't irony for you, I don't know what is," I shouted.

I was so angry with all of it, all because of one stupid night. Life was so not fair.

"Look, we get it. You made a choice and had to deal with the outcome of said choice but guess what, that choice, that night doesn't define you. It doesn't define Braydon and it doesn't define Robbie. Two guys took it upon themselves to make a conscious choice by slipping you that drug and videotaping that night. They chose to rape you. You didn't ask for it. So, stop owning the blame for someone else's stupid choices. Molly, you are so much better than that. Don't let them win," Hunter pleaded with me.

"I can't help it Hunter. I feel like it is my fault."

"But it isn't, not now, not ever. For once in your life show them you aren't a wallflower. Show them you are a human being and you aren't going to take their shit anymore. Fight Molly, damn it, fight! Get angry, get furious but fight! Don't let them win! They might have thought they won that night, but don't let them win this time!"

I looked at Hunter then at Braydon who nodded in agreement. I needed to fight. I needed to fight back and show them, I wasn't going to go away quietly. I wasn't going to be treated like I was nothing anymore. I was going to show them I wasn't going to be a wallflower anymore.

I looked at Braydon, "Remember when you gave me that make over a while back?"

"Yep, and I learned my lesson. Never do that again."

"Can you do it again?"

He gave me a look, "What the fuck?"

"Please Braydon," I begged him.

"Are you fucking serious?! You took all the clothes back! You tossed the contacts and makeup! I'm surprised you kept the hair though," he said, waving his finger at my head.

"I know, I know. But I need something that is proper for the court. I need to show them that I'm a lady," I said to him.

"Fine, I will set you up with some outfits for court, but that's the only thing I will do. Makeup and contacts obviously aren't your thing," he said to me.

"That's fine, contacts bother me and makeup makes my skin itch. I just need some decent clothes," I said.

I knew if I changed my look completely the DA would throw a fit and the jury wouldn't buy the fact I was indeed a wallflower. Even if I hated being called that, right now it worked in my favor.

By the time the month had passed, I was so ready for court. I was also ready for a break and Christmas was almost here. For once I didn't feel a sense of dread around the holidays.