𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄| 𝐉.𝐅.

13: What do we do now?

"It's truly hurts me to think that my actions have caused anyone emotional distress. When I think of the pain that I maybe have caused, I-I just...well, I feel awful. Everyday, I wish that I could go back in time." Bryce starts. "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. I'm trying everyday to be a better man, to be the man that my parents raised me to be." He adds, looking back at his mother and father.

My breath hitches as my mom wraps her arm around my shoulder and my brother holds my hand.

"And to be a positive influence at Liberty High. It is my sincerest hope that you will allow me to do so. Thank you, sir." Bryce concludes, then going back to his seat.

"Does the county accept the allocation?" The judge asks.

"We do, your Honor. Prior to sentencing, the victim would like to exercise her right to make her own statement." My lawyer says to him.

"Proceed." The judge nods and I look at my parents and brother.

They nod at me with comforting grins and I nod back, getting up from my seat and walking to the stand.

"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 say, looking up at the judge.

"Go right ahead." The judge says and I nod, looking down at my paper.

"The first weekend in September, my parents were out of town and my older brother was at his girlfriend's house. I wanted to host a party, like I thought a popular cheerleader should." I pause. "My boyfriend was there. Your friend Justin. We had been drinking. We decided to go up to my room. I remember making out with him." I pause again. "And then, I...and then I started to fall asleep or...or pass out. I just...I just remember thinking that I just needed to close my eyes for a few minutes." I say, pausing again.

I try and hold back the tears as I feel his eyes on me. But I don't dare to face him. Not yet.

"Then he...then he walked out of the room. And then I remember waking up to you pulling off my underwear. I remember feeling you push yourself inside of me." I sniffle. "I may not remember all of the details, but I will never forget the sheer terror of feeling your weight on top of me." I say, now turning to him. "Of not being able to breathe." I state, now turning back to the judge.

I meet his eyes and I take a deep breath, getting myself together.

"Your Honor, when we leave this courtroom, Bryce walker gets to leave convinced that he chose the wrong girl to have sex with. I get to leave constantly looking over my shoulder for monsters dressed up as the popular kid, constantly on edge and assuming the worst in every boy. The sentence you decide today can tell Bryce Walker what he did was wrong. It can say that to every other boy, every man who behaves like he does. And it can say to victims like me that our story matters." I state. "Thank you." I finally say, folding up my piece of paper and I walk back to my parents and brother.

"Prosecution has our fourth a sentencing recommendation." The judge says, checking his beige file. "Does the defense have anything to contribute?" He asks, shutting his file.

"Your Honor, this is a terribly unfortunate event. And two young lives have been changed forever. Bryce has lost all his scholarship offers. The school district has cancelled what might week have been a championship season. There is regret on all sides." The man. "We urge the court to let these two young people start rebuilding and return to their lives." He concludes.

"This is a tragedy all around." The judge starts, taking off his glasses. "As a judge, it's my role to look at both sides. And California law requires every judge to consider rehabilitation and probation for first-time offenders. I'd like to see these two young people look hard at their lives and their choices. But I don't want to do any further damage." The judge says, putting his glasses back on. "Mister Walker...I expect you to walk the straight and narrow, young man. I'm sentencing you to three months probation. So, ordered." The judge says, pounding his gravel and my face drops.