THE STARKS ALLEY

28

KELSIE'S POV

I DIDN'T KILL KRISTIE

I don't understand how I got here. I can't explain how I feel to have been convicted for the murder of my best friend, Kristie. I do not understand how the jury found me guilty of such a gruesome accusation.

I was a prisoner at the women's maximum prison and it had been a week since Kelly, Dale and I had been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Kristie. We were each others' alibis and apparently that was hard evidence.

We had the best lawyers in the continent and my mom was very supportive all through the process. I was positive that we could win the case and it was therefore a huge shock when we lost. We were each handcuffed immediately after the decision had been made. My mom tried to stop them but she was held back and Kent comforted her as we were taken away.

"Hey yo!!" My loud inmate shouted, disrupting me from my thoughts. It was hard to focus on anything in that cell. I had never uttered a word since I got here and I wasn't ready to speak to anyone.

"I'm speaking to you pretty face!!" Britt shouted even louder.

"Some of us are trying to concentrate," Sonia shouted, waving her book in the air. She had been nothing but nice to me and she made sure I was not bullied by the other inmates both inside and outside of the cell.

"What is she in for anyway?" Jenna, the final member of our cell asked, "It must be so bad because she never speaks about it, or about anything for that matter." They all looked at me, waiting for me to say something in my little corner.

I only looked at my white shoes until they gave up on trying to make me talk.

"I keep telling you, daughters of popular TV stars don't talk to people like us," Britt said.

I was actually getting ready to see my mom. She was the only one I could depend on and she came to see me each and everyday which was encouraging. The cells were opened and we all stepped out fast, grasping the little freedom we had.

I don't belong here

"Hey sweetie, I'm sorry I couldn't find any almond milk. I know how much you love that," my mom said, hugging me tightly. We both sat down.

"You're still doing the... silent thing with me?" She asked, "It's not my fault, Kelsie! If anything, I did my best and you know it!" She banged the table loudly and I covered my ears in fear. The hall fell silent and I could feel everyone's eyes on us. I've always craved attention but not now, not this time.

"I... I don't mean to shout hunny. I'm just frustrated okay?" She said, holding me, "I need you to speak to me Kelsie." I wasn't planning on saying anything at that moment, but I hoped that she knew that I was grateful for her visiting me. Visiting hours were over and I strolled back to my cell where I found Sonia still reading her book silently.

"You momma loves you for sure," she commented, slowly flipping the current page and maintaining her attention on the page, "Be grateful you got her." She then looked at me and I nodded, slightly smiling. She then turned back to her book, "Not many Hispanic moms like their kids. I'd know that."

"How did you know I was Hispanic?"

"So you can actually talk!" She exclaimed, "Jenna and Britt owe me right now." She then jumped from her bed, "Now, why are you here?" Just then, Britt and Jenna arrived at our cell.

"Sorry we interrupted your make out sesh," Britt said, throwing her hands in the air. It was normal for them to walk in on other inmates making out and well, other advanced stuff I am not willing to get into. They had relationships with each other, even when one came in straighter than raw spaghetti. These were serious relationships and in the one week that I had spent there, I had seen so many fights over girls and women crying because of heartbreak and even playas. It was a whole other world of love in itself.

"I'm in for murder."

"She's a talker and a killer?!" Jenna shouted in awe, "The first one is more shocking to be honest." Britt agreed with her and they were both shocked. Sonia was practically speechless.

"I didn't do it."

"The oldest excuse in the book; denial," Britt said, "And how exactly didn't you do it?"

The sarcasm in her voice pissed me off and that made me to march off to my bed and I covered myself up with my blanket.

"Hey, this conversation is between you and I. Don't listen to them," Sonia said, sitting on my bed, "I'm just glad you finally spoke up."

"She was my best friend. I would never do anything to hurt her," I began and I found myself telling her the whole story. Sonia was a good listener and she was easy to talk to. Opening up to her was the best feeling I had since I arrived at the women's maximum prison. That's when my friendship with Sonia began.