I sat down looking at the water in front of me crying, I inhale the smoke trying not to remember the fact they forbid me to see Ellie. I let a soft sob out while I sense Justin's and Clay's eyes on me.
"I can't see her like this," Justin whispers not wanting me to hear their conversation.
"She needs space." Clay whispers back.
"She needs me." I actually do need him. I want to feel his arms around me comforting me, I kept looking at the water and some fish swimming here and there. I didn't notice he was already sitting next to me.
"Hey." I sniff exhaling the smoke away, he wipes a tear away making me close my eyes as my heart breaks in two.
"Don't cry." I tilt my head while he caress my cheek with his thumb. "I hate seeing you hurt." I wrap my arms around him laying my head on his chest. He picks me up, putting me on his lap as he kisses my temple.
"She's my baby." I crumble into his arms as he shushes me.
"I know."
~//~
I hold Clay's hand, squeezing nervously before Justin's trial begins, he squeezes my hand back as he gave me a look that meant hope. My heart melts seeing a soft smile appearing in his face.
"He's gonna be fine." I nod laying my head on his shoulder. "It's time." He whispers as Denis stands up walking to Justin.
Justin seems so small near all these people. It's so weird seeing him like a lost puppy, he used to be so happy and act like a bad boy and now he's shy, scared he'll mess things up all over again. I know he won't commit the same mistakes he made in the past, but I miss looking at his sparkling eyes and his beautiful smile.
"How was your friendship with Mr. Walker?" Denis starts.
"Being friends with him, it was all about loyalty. But it was also about fear." 'Fear?'
"And how would you describe Mr. Walker's relationship with girls? Where they fear-based as well?"
"Yes, sir. They were like conquests to him. He would always brag about what he'd done with girls. And then he'd call them sluts for hooking up with him."
"And did he ever mention an 'on-again, off-again' relationship with Hannah Baker to you?" I feel like my heart is going to pop out of my chest at any moment.
"No, sir, because it never happened. Maybe they hung out, but there's no way he would've hooked up with her and not told me about it." He looks at me and I nod encouraging him.
"Because he liked to brag, as you said."
"Exactly, and because she was always with Winter." Denis nods as he puts his hands inside his pockets.
"How would you describe Hannah?" Clay squeezes my hand, I laid my free hand on top of his grinning.
"She was very kind and funny. I liked her from the first time I saw her. We only had one real date, but it was... it was nice." I can see he's remembering the night they kissed and took her photo. "I walked her home, then I went home. But I couldn't sleep." I lean forward, interested in his confession. "And I got in, like, a fight with my mom's boyfriend. I texted Hannah and she said to come over. I mean, I couldn't text Winter because she wasn't talking to me... and I saw her at Jeff's house, before my date with Hannah. Anyway, Hannah just let me sleep there all night. She slept on her own floor."
"Why didn't he call me?" I whisper to myself disappointed.
"Afterwards Bryce saw me walking to a different direction from my home, and noticed I slept at somebody's house. I knew Bryce wasn't gonna leave it alone. I knew I had to tell him something. I don't know why it was more important to me than doing it right by Hannah. Friendship, I guess. Being a man. Wanting him to think I was more than I was somehow. Maybe Bryce sent it around because he was jealous. Or maybe because he's just cruel. I don't know." He shakes his head. "I don't know why people send around photos like that."
