Why Her? (13 Reasons Why)

Chapter 10

"The beginning of the end"

[Vanessa Baker's POV]

Everything was as it should be. Each of the guys was called to testify on behalf of my parents, since they knew Hannah well. Apparently they knew her better than I did, but nobody knows. Even I didn't know until I realized everything that had happened in the last five months. After Tyler, any of the boys could come, including me. But that does not lead to the case now. We are all wrong. Alex tried to commit suicide, Jessica is still traumatized; Zach has become increasingly nervous, Courtney and Marcus are still the same hypocrites as ever. Elsewhere, I have been happier. My lies would come to an end and I could finally go back to Moldova. My life would continue... Right?

Since the trial began, I had not left my home. I rambled mentally through the memories I had had in the months I spent at Liberty and the false friendship I had to strike up with everyone. I didn't leave my room, I only ate on extreme occasions. Nor is it my desire to be present at my parents' divorce. My mother found out that Dad was cheating on her and it was complete chaos. Now that my mom plans to move, I see no future for my stay at Evergreen. I looked out my window and saw that Mom came in with a new hairstyle and almost uncontrollable anger. She had more than five sale posters vandalized and for me it was the last straw, too. But there was nothing she could do.

"Vanessa!", she exclaimed, "Come down a second, please! It's important".

I had to go down the stairs to the living room and look askance at her. Her new version of herself suited her.

"Your hair looks good," I praised her.

"You've become thinner", she looked at my bare abdomen, "You must eat something, the trial begins tomorrow".

"Like the return to Liberty," I muttered.

"If you wanna to return another day--"

"I can't, I promised Jess that I'd go with my unconditional support".

"How's she doing? Did she say something to you?

"Nothing bad, we still don't know what's gonna to happen. I don't know what will happen as soon as they know who I really am".

"Oh, my baby", she gave me a big hug, "Dennis told me that we cannot start the trial arguing about the tapes because it would not help at all".

"It is not that we can give them as a gift, the school would lie about them".

"But your testimony will help. You've been there for months and you know Hannah very well".

"Mom, I knew Hannah enough to not realize what was happening. So clearly I haven't heard anything since our birthday".

"Eat something, Nessie," she started calling me that since the divorce with Dad, since Nessa was what he used to call me.

And I lowkey feel awkward because that's also the Lake Ness' monster. Creepy.

"I must sleep a little. I've had my eyes wide open since yesterday and at least I have to get to that high school with the best smile".

"And less pale, my love. Rest a little", she kissed my forehead and I went back to my room.

I slept the next few hours like a baby. Then, I got up and got ready to go to my next hell like new.

I was skating over the fence when my cell phone started ringing. It was Tatiana, who had not spoken to me since I had been in Liberty for the first month.

"Uite, cinema s-a arătat să sune! (Look who deigned to call!)", I replied.

"Vanessa, s-a întâmplat ceva foarte rău (Vanessa, something bad has just happened)", she said seriously.