Beyond the Reasons || JUSTIN FOLEY

Twenty-Four

COURTROOM
IMOGEN'S POV

One month.

It's been a month since the Baker's lost their trial. A month since Bryce and Justin both got arrested. I sat in the courtroom with my parents sitting on either side of me because it was time for Bryce to hopefully get jail time like he deserved. Jessica and her parents were here as well, and I was nervous. Something in my gut was telling me that Bryce wasn't going to get the punishment that he deserved. But listening to Bryce lie, it was making me sick.

"It truly hurts me to think that my actions have caused anyone emotional distress. When I think of the pain that I may have caused, I. . I just. . Well, I feel awful. Every day, I wish that I could go back in time. I was used to a certain culture of partying and hookups, and many of us never questioned it, but it is time to question it. And I know that I need to be the one to set an example." He said.

I squeezed both of my parents hands, because it made me sick how easily Bryce could lie through his teeth. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a great liar and I have a great poker face, but when the weight of a situation is severe and hurt and pain and people were involved, I would never lie. If I caused pain, I would take responsibility and fully apologize.

"I'm. . I'm trying every day to be a better man, to be the man that my parents raised me to be." He said, and he turned to look at his parents. He was going to speak, and then I was going to speak, and then Jessica was. "And to be a positive influence at Liberty High. It is my sincerist hope that you will allow me to do so. Thank you, sir." Bryce said, picking up his piece of paper.

"Does the county accept the allocution?" The judge asked

"We do, Your Honor." Our lawyer said while standing up. "Prior to sentencing, the victims would like to exercise their rights to make their own statements." He said.

"Proceed." The judge said. My mom gently squeezed my hand and my dad kissed me on the cheek before I stood up. We were in the row in front of Jessica, and when I went to walk past her, she gently grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

"Love you." She mouthed to me. I smiled at her.

"Love you too." I mouthed back before taking my place in front of the judge. I took a deep breath before looking up at the judge.

"Your Honor, thank you for this opportunity to address the court. If it's alright, for the first part of my statement, I'd like to address the defendant directly." I said. He nodded his head.

"Go right ahead." He said. I took a deep breath, not turning around to look at Bryce.

"We met in 5th grade, and you welcomed me into your group effortlessly. I never knew that sweet kid who made that sweet gesture would turn into a person who would go from being one of my best friends to someone who hurt me. The first weekend in September, my parents were still out of town. I wanted to host a party before going back to school, like I thought the captain of the cheerleading team should. My boyfriend was there. Your best friend, Justin. We had been drinking. We decided to go up to the guest room since I had been staying with Jessica all summer." I said, and I had to pause to take a breath, because I realized I was holding mine.

"I remember making out with him. And then I. . and then I started to fall asleep, or pass out. I just. . I remember thinking that I just needed to close my eyes for a few minutes and then I'd be okay. Then he. . then he walked out of the room. And then I remember waking up to you pulling off my underwear." My voice broke off as I started to cry. I told myself to try really hard not to cry, but in this situation it was hard to not cry.

"I remember feeling you push yourself inside of me. I may not remember all of the details, but I will never forget the sheer terror of feeling your weight on top of me, of not being able to breathe." I said, and this time, I did turn around to look at Bryce. Like I said at the beginning of my statement, we used to be best friends, and that sweet boy that was my best friend turned into a sick monster that I don't even recognize anymore.