Strangers With Secrets

Chapter 1.

"Ryan hunny, come on. We can't be late" my mom calls up to me from the bottom of the stairs

I stand there staring at myself in the mirror, studying the girl before me. There's no sparkle in her eye anymore and there's bags under her eyes. I look down at my pink dress, trying my hardest not to wipe my sweaty palms on it. I take one last look and make my way down the stairs knowing that my whole world was going to change within the next few hours

"Ryan, grab your sister please" my mom says while rushing around the room, throwing random things inside her purse

I sigh and walk over to the couch where Riley is watching some child cartoon, giggling and not having a care in the world. It's not like she's old enough to understand what's going on but part of me was angry that she was able to laugh in a time like this. I push the anger to the side and step in front of her, causing her tiny lips to form into a pout as she crosses her arms

"Me was watching that Ry Ry" she whines and deepens her pout

"We have to leave Riley" I tell her in a calm voice, trying to refrain myself from taking my mood out on her. I stick my arms out towards her and she allows me to pick her up. I walk towards the door while Riley still pouts about not getting to finish her show. I buckle her into her seat and climb in the front seat.

The drive to the court house is excruciatingly silent and time seems to slow down as we pull up to the front. There's news reporters everywhere, waiting to bombard us with questions we don't have the answers for.

My mom reaches over the center console and gives my hand a squeeze before giving me a nervous smile. I give her a small smile back and get out of the car, quickly making my way to the front of the building. I keep my head down to avoid the flashing of the cameras in my eyes. I finally make it inside the court house and I frantically look around for my mom and Riley. Once I spot them, my nerves calm and I walk over to them. My mom is talking in a low voice to my dads lawyer who's name is Ron and I can hardly hear what's being said so I stand there looking around. 

In the distance, standing over by the entrance to the court room, I recognize the man that's comforting the woman beside him as Johnny's father and the woman being comforted as Johnny's mother. Johnny's mother was a very nice lady. I met her once or twice whenever Johnny and I would run into each other outside of school. I see her wiping her eyes, indicating that she's crying.

Just as I feel tears rising up in my eyes, Riley tugs on my hair, causing me to snap my head at her and scowl

"Are you both ready?" Ron asks, taking a step back to look at both my mom and I at the same time.

I gulp visibly and my mom just nods and we walk into the court room. After being seated, about 5 minutes go by before my dad is being walked into the room by police officers. He's in hand cuffs and an orange jump suit just like the movies. My mom gasps faintly, taking in the sight of her husband. I can barely look at him, this was all his fault

"Daddy!" Riley chirps when she recognizes him and it catches the attention of everyone in the court room, including my father. His eyes lock with mine after giving a sad smile in Riley's direction. I look away quickly, avoiding his gaze

'Be strong Ryan, you got this' I repeat to myself over and over again, making myself believe it

"All rise" an officer says and court begins

There was a lot being said that I don't understand but I certainly don't misunderstand the part when my father pleads guilty. The judge sentences him 8 years in prison with no parole for the death of 10 year old Johnny Kit. My father doesn't take his eyes off my mother, Riley and I as he's being dragged out of the court room until he can no longer see us.