It's practically noon when I woke up alone, well basically. I heard Manny snoring, silence from Evan, but Kevin was most definitely not there. I slid out of Kevin's bunk and quickly skimmed over the bus, seeing if he was there or not. He wasn't to be seen, but as soon as I got to the front of the bus I heard him, and an unfamiliar voice. I listened in carefully, even though I know better than to eaves drop.
"So, at one thirty in two weeks?" Kevin questioned.
"Yes, is that alright?" The stranger replied with another question.
Kevin spoke up, "I believe we will be free. You see, we are on a tour and I'm not exactly sure when times we have open for later dates. I know that we are done soon, but I'm not sure if soon is under two weeks."
"Alright, Call me at this number when you figure it out. I'll let the court know all the details. Have a great day. Goodbye." And with that, I assume the man left.
Noting that the conversation was over, I briskly moved away from the door, and turning around in a way to make it look like I've just walked from the bunks as Kevin entered the bus.
"Good morning, sleepyhead." Kevin walked up to me and planted a kiss onto my forehead. "Just wake up?"
I nodded before speaking up. "Why were you outside?"
"Oh, it was a guy who came by from court. Our lawyer for your case, actually. He gave me the date for when we have to be there. One thirty in exactly two weeks. I'm sure we wont be busy. And if we are, we are most definitely post-poning whatever gets in our way." His lips formed a soft smile. "Things are going to be okay now for you."
And with that, I trusted him that things will be okay. I hope they are, and I see no reason as to why they wont be. We have each other now, and we're dealing with something that's been causing me a large amount of distress. Maybe I can finally be left to be happy, again. I need to be...
"Really? That's great." I tightly wrapped my arms around him, my chin rested in the crook of his neck. "Thank you. For helping me get back to normal. Well, you know what I mean."
"Yeah, I do." We pulled apart, staring at each other momentarily. "We all care for you, Alix. If it seems so or not."
We just left it at that, appreciating the silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, it was calming. Well, that is until a loud shout echoed through the bus.
"Manny! What the hell!" Evan shouted as Manny came running out to us, laughing.
"What in the world?" I manage to say before Evan runs out after Manny, dripping wet.
"He fucking woke me up!" Evan says trying to keep calm before retorting to a shout, "By dumping damn water on me!" He paused, staring at us, for a couple minutes before laughing with the rest of us.
Manny apologized through his stiffled laughs. We all spent a few minutes calming ourselves down.
"Sooo, anyways. Will any of you guys care to explain what happened yesterday?" Evan said, breaking a small silence.
"All three of us went to a club yesterday, and , um, Alix saw his rapist and we called the cops. We've got a date for our trial in court." Kevin explained and we waited for Evan to respond.
Almost a minute passes, and Evan has the same expression, until it changed to a small smile. "Thats.. thats great news, but when is the court date? Its not interrupting a concert, right?"
"It's in two weeks exactly. We will have another small break by then. I'd say it perfect timing. And we don't even need to worry about losing the case. It's in our favor." Kevin responds again.
As Evan and the rest talk about the wonderful news, I cant help, but wonder if this guy had any family members. I could be ruining his relationship with them... although he does deserve it.
"Oh shit, what time is it?" Manny blurts out of nowhere.
"Like, twelve." I manage to say before Manny pushes past us and rushes to the bathroom. "Since when has Manny scheduled his bathroom breaks?" I got a laugh out of Evan and Kevin before Manny ran out of the bathroom and into the bunk area.
"Manny, what in the world are you doing?" Evan called out and we waited for a response.
"I met a girl named Cherise at the club last night, Alix and Kevin should remember her. Anyways, we've got a date in about ten minutes and I have to meet her at a diner." He spoke fast as he was getting ready.
"Why have we never went out in a group before?" Evan asked, obviously feeling left out.
"It seems that one of us is always busy, or sleeping." Kevin said and I nodded in agreement.
Manny came back towards us, dressed in clothes that were clearly new. "See you guys later." And with that Manny was gone.
Kevin sat down on the couch, turning on the TV that was built into the wall. "Anyone want to order pizza?" He asked.
~2 WEEKS LATER~I have been sitting in a stall in the bathroom of the court, hunched over and rocking slightly. I try to shake the anxiety and fear away, but its clung tight onto me.
"Alix?" I hear Kevin's voice as he enters the bathroom.
I took a deep breath and got out of the stall. I walked straight towards him and wrapped my arms around him, as he did the same. "Kev, I'm scared. I know I shouldn't be, but... I don't want to look at him."
"You don't have to. And once this is over with, you wont have to see him ever again. Chin up and lets get out there. Its starting soon."
I nodded and we walked in and Kevin sat in the stands and I sat in the plaintiff booth. An officer stood at the front and called our attention.
"All Rise. Honorable Judge so an so is preceding into court room." The officer moved aside and the judge walked in and took her seat.
"Please be seated." She said in a stern, but somehow friendly voice.
The case went through like any other. Both sides making their points. I was sure that I was to win this, but the judge seemed to fall for the 'I led him on' bit. This worried me, but I realized that her expression hasn't changed much from when we started, so the chances are that she isn't believing it.
The case seemed to go on for a bit longer than I expected, but we were about to find out her verdict.
Everything was silent, and I had felt my stomach twist and turn and she took in a breath, "The jury finds the defendant guilty of rape. I sentence you to seven years in prison. Court dismissed."
I felt my heart skip, and my stomach had stopped turning. Some tears fell onto the table below me. I looked over to the man as he was escorted, by two police, out of the court room. I turned around and I saw Kevin, Manny, and Evan all rushing towards me. We all grouped into a hug. We pulled apart and we thanked my lawyer.
"Lets go celebrate!" Kevin cheered, and we all agreed.
.
