Double Life

61

Riley

"Are you ready?" Dad asks me from downstairs, I take one last look at myself in the mirror and fix the strands  framing my face while the rest of my hair was scraped back into a bun
I let out a heavy sigh and walk towards my dad "yeah I think so" I timidly say making my way downstairs

"It'll be okay, you've got this" dad softly says pulling me into a hug "Is James and Piper coming with us too or are they going with their family?" Dad asks
"They're travelling with his family, I think they've just left" I softly say pulling away and straightening my dress

"We'll in that case, we must get a move on" dad said causing me to nod my head and follow him out to the car
The drive was only half an hour but it felt so much longer then that, my entire body was full of nerves that I never thought was imaginable

We pulled into the car park the same time as James and his family did which I was extremely thankful for. As soon as we all get out of our cars James and I embrace ourselves into a comforting hug
I'm not sure how I'd be getting through this if I didn't have James by my side

Once we had finished with the greetings and got ourselves composed we walked inside the court house where our lawyer was waiting for us
"Hey everyone I'm Daniel it's nice to see you all" Daniel greets us with a smile

"How're you all feeling?" Daniel asks us "Really nervous I'm not going to lie" I confess causing James and Piper to do the same
"It'll go alright just make sure you tell the truth and answer the questions asked okay? First up we have James then Riley and finally Piper will go" Daniel informs us causing all of us to nod our heads

—

It's been three hours since we left the court room, all of our statements went as good as they could go and we're just waiting for the jury to make their decision. I don't see it going in Beth, Amanda or Maisie's favour however there's that parts of me full of doubt

Things like this never go according to plan do they?

I could hear footsteps heading in our direction so I turn my head to see who was coming, it was our lawyer with a small smile on his face
"The jury is ready"Daniel softly speaks making us all gather are things ready to walk back in and take our seats

I could feel my whole body trembling with fear and I'm pretty sure James could feel it to, James grabbed my head and stroked his thumb across the back of my hand to calm me down
It helped to calm me down enough to stop myself from shaking which I was thankful for, I didn't exactly want everyone in this room to visibly see me shaking

I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't hear the jury or the judge walk in the room but I listened at the perfect time
"How do the jury find the defendant Beth to these crimes of harassment, bullying and abuse?" The judge said "Guilty, your honour" the jury answers quickly

"How do the jury find the defendant Maisie to the same crimes?" The judge asks
"Guilty, your honour" the jury responds

"How do the jury find the defendant Amanda to the same crimes?" The judge asks again
"Guilty, your honour" the jury says

Relief erupts throughout my entire body as James and Piper embrace us in the biggest hug with our family joining shortly after
Finally the abuse will end