The Beginning and the Memory// 13RW

18 Permission

      I flinched at the booming of my mother's fist on the door, followed by numerous curse words and one quiet 'ow'. My heartbeat was out of control while we waited- impatiently- for Mr. or Mrs. Walker to answer the door, her fist not letting up but only for a few seconds.
     My breath hitched in my throat at the click of the lock turning, my mother stepping back slightly when Mrs. Walker stepped into the doorway.
      She smiled politely, "Mrs. Andrews, Emmalee, What brings the both of you here?"
     "As a matter of fact, we are here about something your son has done," my mother's voice was cold, her arms crossing over her chest.
      Mrs. Walker furrowed her eyebrows, looking between the both of us, "what has Bryce done?"
      "He RAPED my daughter."
      "Mom!" I grabbed her arm, "Come on, let's just go, please-"
     "No," Mrs. Walker stopped me, sympathy etched in her face, "this isn't the first I've heard of Bryce misbehaving like this."
      I looked at her with tears in my eyes, "Mrs. Walker.. Bryce has raped multiple girls, including Hannah Baker. He was her breaking point, and could very easily be someone else's."
      She pursed her lips together, her fingertips dancing on the door, while she looked between the both of us. I looked away as a few tears involuntarily fell down my cheeks.
      "If they allow you to testify," Mrs. Walker started, "I want you to tell them about Bryce. Tell them about everything he has done."
       My mother looked down at me, but I couldn't look either of them in the eye or I would burst into ugly sobs. I just nodded while I looked out at the vacant street, a few stray leaves tumbling in the breeze.
      "Thank you for being so understanding," my mother spoke softly, and I watched her place her hand gently on Mrs. Walker's shoulder.
      "He needs to be punished for his actions, and there's no way that will happen unless it's brought to the case," Mrs. Walker spoke knowingly, the disgust towards her son clear in her voice. My heart thumped irregularly at the thought of me being the one to send Bryce Walker to jail.
     
       "Whoa, your mom went to the Walkers' house?" Alex raised his eyebrows in disbelief, Jess beside him looking mortified while I nodded, "how did that go?"
     I looked down at my fidgeting hands, "she wants me to testify," I told them, "Mrs. Walker does."
     Justin almost spit out his water, "holy shit."
      Zach ran his hand over his face, "fuck."
      "What are you gonna do?" Jess sat forward, her fist over her mouth.
     I shook my head slowly, still picking at my fingernails, "I.. I guess I'm going to do it."
     Zach shook his head in protest, standing to pace the room, "what if Bryce doesn't get jail time? What if this all backfires and he does some more fucked up shit to you, Emm?"
      I looked up at him, "then he does," I looked between all of them, "at least I'll get to say that I tried to help Hannah's family's case."
      "But, Emm," Justin spoke up, looking carefully between all of us before continuing, "there's no way that they are going to believe you-"
      "Justin, really?" Jess snapped, "don't you think that if that's the case, you should testify on her behalf, not to mention every other girl that Bryce has ever taken advantage of?"
     I nodded, "that's it, Jess."
     They all looked at me with confusion, and I looked to Justin.
     "You were there that night," I began, "in that room, when Bryce pushed you out and locked the door. You are a witness, and you're a guy, they'll believe it when it's coming from you."
      Justin laughed with disbelief, "are you crazy? I could probably get into some shit for not turning it in before!"
       "If it were you," I stated with tears in my eyes, "if it were any of you.. I would do anything for you guys," I sniffed, wiping the tears from my face, "I would do anything to get justice for you guys, including getting myself into some kinda messed up shit. I just want to do this for us," I gestured between Jess and I, then pointed to the ceiling, "and for Hannah. Because we all deserved so much better."
       Jess sniffed, rubbing the tears from her eyes while she nodded furiously.
       "I love you all so much, and I wish that I could have told Hannah that before it was too late."
       Zach wrapped his arm around me, leaning his head on my shoulder. I rested my head on his and the others gathered in around us in a group hug.
     "Alright," Justin spoke softly, "let's get justice."