Wish You Were Here

Part 31: Testify

                                                                                 *Cass's POV*

It's been a week since the assault, and every day has been a little better. The little bit of bruising I ended up with is nearly faded away, removing all physical evidence from my body. I've been sleeping more, a little more every night.

I know I'm only sleeping because I'm not sleeping alone. The nightmares still appear but I've yet to wake up screaming while Calum is here. I'm glad I haven't... I don't want to scare him any more than I already have.

Today is the day though, the first court date and I'm told it's the only one I'm required to attend. I don't have to testify, and I'm not going to. I did choose to write something though, a letter to address him and the jury.

I'll have to read it in front of the whole courtroom, Connor and his lawyer included. All of the boys, and Rachel are coming.

I got a surprise phone call from Ron one day and decided that if I'm going to treat him as family he should know. He cried when I told him and asked if he could come, so I said yes. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but he wants to be there for me, he wants to be a figure I've never really had before. I'm willing to accept that from him, and work to have some sort of healthy parental figure in my life.

I straighten out the plain black dress I'm wearing. It falls right at my knees, and I put black tights and black ankle boots to match. I put on a cardigan in case it's cold. Everything is simple from my hair and makeup down to my plain outfit. I don't want anyone to look at me more than they already will be.

A knock sounds at the door, and I shout for them to come in as I secure my mother's gold bracelet around my wrist.

"Cass, babe, you look lovely. It's about time to go though if you're ready?"

He looked effortlessly handsome like he always does, wearing black pants and a blazer with his favorite boots. Sometimes it's almost obnoxious how good he can look without trying.

I nod and turn away from my dresser after closing my jewelry box. I'm not sure why, but I felt like I needed her with me for this, so I found her bracelet to wear. He held out his hand for me and I took it, lacing our fingers before following him down the stairs.

I was as ready as I'd ever be to face him like this. The other boys and Rachel in the kitchen waiting for us, the boys mostly dressed the same but each having their personal touches. Ray wore a black dress that was more fitted than mine, but stopped past her knee.

I try one last time to shake my nerves as we all file out to the car.

The short drive to the courthouse had my nerves going crazy though no matter how hard I tried to push them down. I didn't want to see him, I'm terrified of how I'll react when I do.

It's almost as if I floated into the room, I don't recall Ashton parking the car, or us walking into the building. It's as if I was suddenly placed in the bench seat and the last few minutes never happened.

The judge enters and we follow the direction to rise.

Once she's seated, we all sit down again. That's when they finally brought him in. He'd been out on bail, that much I knew. It's something I never told Calum and the boys, I didn't want them knowing he was walking free this past week. When he walked in with his lawyer, looking cleaned up and wearing a suit, I felt Calum tense up completely beside me.

He looked down at me immediately, towering over me even when we're sitting.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you... someone posted his bail. He's a rich kid so I expected it but I just... I'm sorry." His jaw is clenched as I speak, but he softens entirely only a moment later. He knows it's my battle, and that I need his support right now.