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OMG WE HIT 1 MILLION READS!!!!
I won't make this long but I just wanted to take a second to thank you each and every one of you for reading. I am so beyond amazed and never thought I would actually see the day where I would get this far.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart and I hope you enjoy this next part:
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All the days started to melt into one another, no one day feeling distinct from another in an particular aspect.
Serena still hadn't pushed me to go back to school in person so I was still keeping up with all of my work online. Knox, unable to take so much more time off of school, had resorted to stopping by to visit as many days out of the week as he could.
My new therapist, Terri, was honestly growing on me a lot. I was skeptical at first of course - I mean, who wouldn't be skeptical when used to a therapist as horrible as Wendy? However, Terri was actually really understanding and was happy to talk to me about whatever was on my mind.
I wasn't sure if I could really admit this out loud but I was truly starting to feel more normal, or at least better.
Now with winter break approaching quickly, I had a lot more studying to do in preparation for midterms. I was grateful for the distraction regardless of the exponential work load.
I was sitting at the dining room table when Serena walked through the archway, speaking on the phone with an apprehensive look on her face.
"Okay. Yeah, that's great news. I'll let her know and we'll see...no, she knows how important it is. I - Okay. We'll keep in touch," Serena sighed before ending the call, a hint of a frown tugging at the corner of her mouth.
My pencil hung loosely between my finger tips, completely forgotten as I waited for an explanation about what was going on. I had to be the 'she' that she was talking about and from the tone of voice Serena was taking on, I'm sure that it couldn't be pleasant news.
Serena pocketed her phone, sending me a weak smile as she took a seat across from me.
"Who was that," I finally asked, breaking the building tension.
Serena hesitated which wasn't like her in the slightest. She has always been so diligent about keeping me in the loop on things, diligent about making feel anything but lost or misled.
Whatever she had to say couldn't have been this bad - couldn't have been so bad that she'd actually keep things from me.
"Well...luckily the police finally picked up Calvin and he has a scheduled court date," Serena started, her voice gentle as she picked her words carefully.
I nodded my head in acknowledgment, encouraging her to continue. I understood that I've been in a fragile state but I couldn't wrap my head around why this news was making Serena so nervous to tell me.
"The district attorney was just letting me know that although they have a lot of evidence against him, without your testimony on the stand, there's still an unfortunate possibility that the jury might not convict him or if they do, they might not give him the maximum sentence," Serena finished with a tight lipped frown.
Her words sent hot dread coursing through my veins. I knew what she was implying but I wasn't sure if I was strong enough to actually do it.
"Are you - are you saying I have to testify if I want any justice to actually be served," I asked, my voice cracking at the end of my question.
Serena nodded her head solemnly.
"Anyone could understand if you don't want to do it, Annie," Serena assured as she took my hands into her own.
I shook my head, my mouth opening and closing in disbelief.
"I-I have a restraining order against him - they can't expect m-me to actually go up there can they," I asked incredulously.
I've hardly left the house for over a month now except to go to my therapy appointments. I don't know how anyone thought this would be a good idea.
"Annie, from my understanding, that protection is still in place.
I don't think he'll actually be in the room when you're on the stand.
I can't promise that you won't see him in the court house but I will do everything in my power to make this as comfortable for you as I possibly can," Serena urged, her tone strong and loving.
I gulped, the dry lump in my throat growing. As terrifying as facing that horrible boy again would be, the idea of him freely walking among the world against was far more catastrophic which is exactly why I knew I would have to do it.
I would never feel safe ever again if I didn't make sure that Calvin was put away for good.
I nodded my head, words almost failing me as I barely managed to force out, "I'll do it."
Serena's face softened in a sorry smile as she tucked my hair behind my ear.
"I'm so proud of you, Annie. You've always been stronger than you give yourself credit for.
I'll give the district attorney a call back so she knows to start preparing that part of her case," Serena gave my hands a loving squeeze before she departed the room, already pulling out her phone to make the call.
I sighed under my breath, wasting no time shutting my textbooks. I knew I wouldn't be able to focus on getting anything else done now.
Retreating to my room, I took out my phone with shaky hands in order to call Knox. He would want to know that Calvin was finally off the street for now.
"Hi baby," Knox greeted in a warm hum, his voice a calming presence even if it was just through the phone.
"Hi," I sighed, plopping onto my bed as my body finally relaxed for the first time today.
"How's my perfect girl," he asked in an almost tease.
I fought down my blush as I tried to refocus on what I meant to call him about.
"Calvin got arrested," I confessed in a quick breath, his name leaving a horrible taste in my mouth.
Knox grunted, "'bout time."
I could feel his entire mood switch through those simple words.
As much as I was glad that Knox didn't kill Calvin - since it would have landed him in jail instead - I wasn't entirely sure Knox felt the same way. In fact I could recall a couple times that Knox whispered under his breath about how much he wished he had in fact killed him.
Not that I blamed Knox for feeling that way. I felt more than grateful for Knox's endless support, especially with this situation.
"I know, I'm relieved but...they're asking me to testify," I continued, my heart racing once again at the idea of facing him.
A beat of silence passed before Knox spoke again, "and do you want to testify?"
I hesitated. The quick and easy answer was no but I also knew I could never forgive myself for not doing everything I could to make sure that Calvin would rot in jail for as long as possible.
"I'm going to do it," I replied in finality.
"That's my strong girl," he praised back.
"But Knox, I - um, would you come with me - to court, I mean," I asked, practically word vomiting the question out in a senseless jumble.
"You don't even need to ask, Annie. You know I'll be there for you, always." Knox confirmed, instantly easing the tightness of worry in my chest.