The Black Sheep

Trail, Day 1

"Zaya," I move my eyes up at my lawyer, trying not to stare at the jury. "I know this must be hard for you, but I need you to tell me what happened at the second party."

"I was bringing my dog inside from using the bathroom. Halfway up the stairs, Tyler called my name. I said hi and continued up the stairs. He cornered me at my door which in the moment, I thought was just him trying to make friendly conversation. Zion called him downstairs to talk to him. I followed him because I knew he was going to do something bad. Chez and Bravon, his friends were holding him by his arms and Zion made him publicly apologize to me. I made them let him go and I took up into the upstairs bathroom because Chez dug his nails too deep into his arms and punctured the skin. We talked while I cleaned it up."

"Did anything stand out during you cleaning his cuts?"

"He said how he liked my awkwardness, but I thought he was just being nice. I'm not good at socializing so I had no idea how to react to that."

"Was that the last time you talked to him?"

"No, the next time we talked was that following Monday at school when he gave me a kiss candy as a thank you for cleaning up his cuts."

"And in that weekend, did you ever drop hints or flirt with him?"

"No, in fact at the first party, I out loud in front of a crowd, to my brother said that he's not my type."

"You have a boyfriend right?"

"Not at the time, but yes I do now," I glance behind him and smile at Caleb.

"Your boyfriend, Caleb Henderson is actually here in this room," he points to Caleb and the jury looks over at him. "They're two completely different people, in looks and personality. I've personally met Caleb, he's comedic and black as everyone can see. He's a lovable dude. Why isn't Tyler your type?"

"Well for one, he has a reputation of being the school player so that was a reason right off the back. I didn't trust him. And two, I'm not really into white guys."

"Thank you. Nothing further," he says before walking back to his seat.

"Zaya, you said at the first party that you actually physcially attacked your brother so he wouldn't hurt Tyler, correct?"

"Yes."

"Why's that? You had no connection to him so why would that bother you?"

"Petty violence is uncalled for and stupid."

"And then your brother sent him up to your room to apologize but he stayed up for there for a whole hour?"

"Yes."

"And all you did was talk about documentaries and serial killers?"

"Yes."

"Did he make any remarks or sly comments towards you?"

"Yes multiple."

"And you didn't find that odd or a sign of affection?"

"My house is constantly filled with boys. Those remarks don't phase me. And besides, I can't tell if a guy is flirting with me or not. Dating and boys are all so new to me still."

"Did he touch you at all?"

"He touched my hands and my arms a few times."

"And at that second party, in the bathroom, I was informed that while you cleaned his cuts, you stood in between his legs, right?"

"It was the only way I could clean his arm with the counter in the way."

"That entire time, you didn't stop to think that he might get the wrong message from this?"

"By me cleaning his cuts? No."

"No further questions."

"5 minute recess," the judge says.