Torn

Truth Hurts

The judge is the next to speak.

"Please be seated. Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Calling the case of the Biscon County Prison versus Courtney Cortez. Is the prosecutor prepared?"

"Yes, Your Honor," Duncan's lawyer responds.

"Is the defense prepared?"

"Yes, Your Honor," Courtney's lawyer responds.

The judge nods. "Let us commence."

The prosecutor stands and turns to the jury. "Your Honor, and ladies and gentlemen, Courtney Cortez is being charged with vandalization of prison property and deceiving public officials. We have a witness that can attest to seeing the sexual misconduct firsthand, and a few witnesses that heard the screams during the sexual misconduct. Moreover, we have a few witnesses that heard her lie to Biscon County Prison's officials."

Scott leans over to Courtney and whispers, "The sexual what now?"

"Now's not really a great time, Scott," she replies, her voice bordering annoyance. Courtney knew she shouldn't be upset with him, but she couldn't exactly explain what sexual misconduct means to him. Not without breaking his heart, anyway.

"What about the screaming?" Scott looks over at her with concern. Courtney avoids making eye contact.

"Never mind about that. It's not important."

Scott sighs and decides to keep the rest of his questions to himself.

The prosecutor calls a few witnesses that attest to hearing Courtney call Duncan her ex-boyfriend, and Bernard attests to the fact that she claimed he was her boyfriend after her meeting with Duncan.

"Mr. Evans, have you considered that my client, in the heat of the moment, made a mistake?"

"I have not considered that, no," Bernard replies.

"Let it be known to the jury that any deceit resulting from Ms. Cortez's statement was accidental. Given the stress of the situation and the gravity of her mistake, many of us would have done the same."

Immediately after this questioning, Scott goes up to disprove Bernard's statement.

Courtney's lawyer speaks first. "Do you promise that the testimony you shall give in the case before this court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"I do."

"Please state your first and last name."

"Scott Hill."

"What would you like to testify today, Mr. Hill?"

"Well, you see, Courtney didn't lie about being Duncan's ex. In fact, I'm her girlfriend-"

Duncan bursts out laughing. "Oh man, you can't make this up!" A few of the jurors laugh as well.

"Anyways," Scott continues. "Courtney was telling the truth. She may have made a mistake, but we all make those sometimes."

"Thank you Mr. Hill."

"The prosecution may cross-examine the witness," the judge states.

The prosecutor steps forward for cross-examination.

"Mr. Hill. Are you certain that Mr. Nelson and Ms. Cortez are not involved in any sort of relationship?"

"I'm sure. She's with me." Scott smiles after speaking.

"That's all for now, Mr. Hill. This brings us to our next point. Within that meeting hour, sex-"

"EH-HEM!" Courtney loudly interrupts. "I'd like to shed some insight on what happened from my perspective. I'm calling myself up as a witness."

The prosecutor stares at Courtney, mouth agape and wide-eyed. "That's not exactly how this works-"

"I'm sorry, I wasn't asking permission."

"Fine then. Do you promise that-"

"Yeah, yeah."

Duncan, once again, bursts out into laughter, repeatedly slamming his fist onto the table. His lawyer glares at him until Duncan stops and smiles nervously. The jurors look among themselves in confusion.

"So, I'd like the court to note that this is all Duncan's fault. He forced himself onto me and now I'm facing the repercussions for his actions. If anything, I should be suing him."

Courtney's lawyer opens her mouth to speak, but Duncan does so before she can begin.

"Oh yeah? I'm sorry darling, but I didn't force you to take off my pants."

The jurors gasp and Scott looks at Courtney, eyes widened from shock.

Courtney immediately turns to Scott in an attempt to begin explaining. "Scott, I didn't-"

Duncan smirks. "Oh, but she did."

"Can it, Duncan!" She yells, tears filling her eyes.

The jurors break out into murmurs and the judge slams his gavel repeatedly.

"That's enough!" He yells.

Scott leaves the room before Courtney can say anything else and before the judge adjourns the session.

"I hate you, Duncan!" Courtney hisses before she leaves the courtroom to chase Scott.

Duncan turns to his lawyer, who is shooting daggers at him with his eyes. Duncan rubs the back of his head nervously.

"Sorry dude."

His lawyer sighs. "You're lucky we have a significant number of witnesses. She'll definitely be found guilty of the sexual misconduct charge after this incident. Although after this dilemma, I'm sure the judge will call for a private court session and make the decision himself."

"Sounds good to me."

His lawyer hesitates. "This is kind of unprofessional, but whatever you tell me, it will remain confidential."

"Go for it, man."

"Why did you do it? Surely you must have known there would be consequences."

Duncan shrugs. "What can I say? I love that woman. I didn't think, I just did it. And even though I have to go through all this court bullshit, I don't care. I'd definitely choose to do it again."

"I understand. You should tell her how you feel."

Duncan thinks for a moment. "Yeah. I guess I should." Duncan looks up, newfound confidence in his eyes. "You know what? I'll do it right now."

Duncan's lawyer nods. "Good luck. If you need me, I'll be discussing reaching a settlement with Ms. Cortez's lawyer."

As Duncan decides to go after Courtney, many thoughts run through his head. Courtney didn't mean it when she said she hated him, right? If she did, he was fucked. But hey, better to be hated than blanked. It's also better to be straight up rejected than to be stuck in the "Is this a hate or sexual tension?" limbo.

Duncan leaves the courtroom and steps outside.

Time to tell her how I feel, Duncan thinks, bracing himself for the worst.
-♡-
This chapter is so chaotic I love every second of it. >:) LEGAL STUDIES MAJORS/LAWYERS DO NOT INTERACT!!