Page 87 of Falling With a Spin

Chapter 32

Emma

It’s been two months since Hunter's mom called me, telling me that Chad had done what we expected. Two months since, I went to my auditions for Juilliard, and that was the happiest day of my life.

When Taylor and I arrived at Juilliard, the nerves that I anticipated happening felt like a slight buzzing in the back of my mind. They were there but not as noticeable. Everything for the audition was picked with a fine toothcomb. You Broke Me First by Tate McRae was the song choice. It was fitting, considering everything I’m currently going through. When I got in front of the judges, all my worries and nerves went away, and I didn't miss a beat. The countless hours I put into the studio paid off, and I left feeling so proud of myself. Two months later, I still feel that way.

Hunter still doesn’t know that we went, and maybe that's wrong of me, but I still stand by what I told Taylor. I don’t want to get his hopes up about this. He would be thrilled and excited for me. But how would he react when the rejection letter came? Disappointed? Ashamed? Felt as if his time was wasted on helping me?

I want to keep this for myself. To have something that I only know as I go through all of the chaoticness and planning. It makes everything more breathable.

It makes the walk up the court steps easier, even with having Hunter, Taylor and Kiley with me.

When we walk inside, it’s as if an elephant is sitting on my chest and it becomes harder to breathe, my heart racing with each step towards the room we are assigned to.

“Alright, Emma,” Kiley says, stopping in front of the security checkpoint, “we have to go through security, and then we’ll head to the courtroom that we are assigned to. Once we get in there we’ll sit up front like how we discussed and do a quick recap of what you will say.”

My mouth becomes dry, and I attempt to nod my head, but she turns around, stepping through before I can get a word out. Hunter squeezes my hand and steps on through, and I follow him with Taylor behind me.

As we follow his mom down a hallway, chills spread across me. It’s cold in here, and the sweater I’m wearing doesn’t help. Except it’s different, one that's only found in the darkness, where it makes you want to run the other way.

We stop at a wooden double door, and I realize that we didn’t just walk down a hallway but also up a flight of stairs. My body is pretty much on autopilot at this point, a robot doing whatever the controller says to do. The controller is my mind.

Kiley opens the door, and it takes everything I have not to look over at Chad sitting with his lawyer, but I do it anyway. He is looking at me with wolf-like eyes as they roam down my body, a smirk pulling at his lips. It causes my stomach to twist in knots, and the breakfast I somehow managed to eat this morning threatens its way back up.

I quickly look away and take a deep breath in. The quicker we get this started, the faster it will be over with, and I won’t ever have to see Chad again. But when I feel Hunter go rigid beside me, I tighten my grip on his hand. Afraid that if I let go, he’ll go after him.

We get to the gate that separates us, and Hunter pulls me in for a kiss and whispers, “I love you, baby,” before taking a seat next to Taylor.

I walk through the small gate and take a seat just as Chad calls my name. Closing my eyes, I ignore him and picture myself in the studio, moving through the music.

“Okay,” Kiley's stern voice pulls me out of my calmness, and my racing heart beats back up, “based on what we planned and the pictures you sent, do you remember what you will say?” She gives me a questioning look.

“Yes.” Straightening my back and bringing out the confidence that's hidden. “I will explain to him what happened in each of the pictures and what happened at and after the party.” A shaky breath leaves my lips. “I will go into as much detail as possible to help the case.”

“Perfect.” She turns around just as a guard comes out, telling us to rise.

“Chad Prescott VS Emma deKanter is now in motion.” The sound of the judge's gavel slamming against the wood gets engraved into me.

It feels like hours have passed by the time I’m called to the stand by Chad’s lawyer. Standing up, I walk over to where the security guard is, putting my hand on the bible. Sitting down in the chair, I take a deep breath in just as his lawyer stands up. He looks about the same age as Alec, confidence spewing from him and hands in his pockets as he walks towards me and looks at the ground, brows furrowed in concentration. When he looks up, the knots in my stomach tighten.

“Hi Ms. deKanter, I’m Anthony Calver. Mr. Prescott’s Lawyer. How are you doing today?” He leans against the podium and my breathing becomes heavier the more he stares at me. Looking towards Kiley, she gives me a small smile and a nod.

“I’m doing the best I could be with the situation we are currently in.”

“Yeah, I suppose that could be true. Can you explain to the court why we are here?” He turns, walking away.

I scrunch my face in confusion because shouldn’t he know? Or is he trying to throw me off track with questions to get me to trust him?

Apparently, my answer isn’t quick enough because he turns around, narrowing his eyes.

“We are here because I’m pressing charges against Chad Prescott.” My voice doesn’t come out as soft as expected, and there is something fierce behind it.

“Yes, the charges following rape-” my eyes squint close when he says the word right at me. “- abuse, both verbal and physical.” He finishes off the list as if he’s checking off groceries.

“Your Honor,” Kiley's voice came out loud and clear, “there is no need for these questions when we all know why we are here.”

The judge sits back in his chair with his hands clasped together, the look of boredom plaster on his face as he lazily moves his gaze to her, waving his hand at Anthony. “Proceed on, Anthony.”

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