The case against us.

Chapter 1 - The Boy I Couldn't Stand

There are some people you meet and immediately know you are never going to like them. Maybe it's something about the way they speak, the way they look at you, or simply the feeling you get when they walk into a room. For me, that person was Sebastian Carter. I had known him for less than a semester, yet somehow he had already managed to become the most irritating person at Blackwood University. The worst part was that he seemed to enjoy every second of it.

I sat near the middle of the lecture hall with my notebook open in front of me, trying to concentrate on Professor Reynolds as he discussed a case involving criminal intent. Around me, students typed on laptops, flipped through casebooks and whispered quietly to one another whenever the professor turned toward the board. I had been awake since six that morning, fueled by two cups of coffee and approximately four hours of sleep, but I refused to let exhaustion affect my concentration. Criminal law was one of the few subjects where I actually enjoyed being challenged, and I had spent most of the previous evening preparing for today's discussion.

Professor Reynolds stopped beside his desk and looked around the room. "All right. Let's see what you've made of the case. Miss Bennett?"

I looked up immediately. Yes, Professor?

Assume you are representing the defendant. What would be your strongest argument?

I glanced down at my notes before looking back at him. I would argue that the prosecution hasn't established intent beyond reasonable doubt. The evidence suggests the defendant was present and involved, but presence alone doesn't prove that he intended the outcome they're accusing him of causing.

Professor Reynolds nodded. And the witness statement?

The witness statement establishes opportunity, not necessarily intent. The prosecution can use it to support its argument, but it can't rely on it as proof of what was happening inside the defendant's mind.

A few students around me nodded. Professor Reynolds looked pleased, which was usually a good sign. I relaxed slightly, already preparing to sit back and listen to the next question.

Then a voice came from behind me.

But you're overlooking the second part of the statement.

I knew exactly who it was before I turned around.

Sebastian Carter sat three rows behind me, looking far too comfortable for someone who had just interrupted my answer. His dark hair was slightly messy, as though he'd run his fingers through it on the way to class, and his blue-gray eyes were fixed on me with an expression that was far too amused. He had a habit of looking at people as though he already knew exactly how they were going to react to him.

Unfortunately, he usually did.

I turned fully in my seat. I'm not overlooking anything.

You mentioned the first part, he replied. You didn't address the second.

Because the second part doesn't change the argument.

His eyebrows lifted. It doesn't?

No.

Professor Reynolds watched the two of us with an expression that suggested he was enjoying this far more than he should have been. Mr. Carter, perhaps you could explain your point.

Sebastian stood and walked toward the front of the room. He didn't look nervous. He never looked nervous. Sebastian could probably walk into an examination room without having studied and somehow convince everyone else that they were the ones who were unprepared.

He explained his interpretation of the evidence, pointing out a detail I had deliberately chosen not to focus on because I didn't think it was strong enough to support the prosecution's argument. Unfortunately, the longer he spoke, the more I realized that his argument actually made sense.