Page 48 of Reverse Perspective

“What? Why are you yelling?” He grabs me by the shoulders and smiles brightly at me. Everyone stops and watches, unsure of what’s going on.

“They pleaded guilty,” he says, grinning.

“What? Really?” I ask, clapping my hand over my mouth when a sudden wave of emotion hits me.

“Mhmm,” he says. “They pleaded guilty and received three years per charge.”

“They got six years?” I ask as tears roll down my cheeks.

“Yeah,” he says as he wraps his arms around me. “It’s over now, Sadie. The judge is placing an order of protection upon their release and they are banned from contacting you all while in prison.”

“That judge didn’t fuck around,” Dean says, rubbing my back as I sniff back my tears.

“Not at all,” Todd says as he pulls away and wipes the tears from my face.

“I don’t know why I’m crying,” I say.

“It’s a lot to take in,” Todd says. “Let’s go eat and celebrate.”

When we pull into the parking lot of the diner, I feel rejuvenated knowing that Alex and Angela are being held accountable for their disgusting actions. I hop out of the truck and wait for the guys to get out. The rest of our group, minus Leo and Billy, are here also. Leo had some errands to run and Billy had to go to his shop and work on something for a customer.

“It’s a good day,” I say as I hug Mason.

“Don’t be so sure,” he says softly as he squeezes me.

“What do you mean?” I ask as I pull away to look at him.

“Don’t let them bully you, Sadie,” Mason says as he points behind me. I turn and it feels like all of the air has been sucked out of my lungs.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I huff. They are standing outside of their car, looking at the car beside them. I am confused as to what they are doing until I see him get out.

“Who is that with them?” Dean asks.

“Oh, no… No, no, no. There is no fucking way they would do this to me,” I say as I back myself against the truck.

“What? Who is that?” Lance asks.

“That’s Paul,” I say flatly. “They brought Paul with them.”

“What the fuck is wrong with them?” Todd asks. “I highly advise you three keep your mouth shut and don’t touch him.”

“Why?” Dean snaps.

“It’ll just make it harder on me,” I say. “As long as he doesn’t touch me, I can handle him.”

“He touches you and he’s dead,” Mason growls.

“Why are you here?” I ask my parents when they get close enough to hear me.

“That is no way to greet your parents,” Mom frowns.

“Fine,” I say. “Hey, Mom. How are you? You been okay? I’ve been good. You know, just being a harlot and all.”

“Do you always have to be so sarcastic?” Dad asks with a disapproving drown.

“Yes,” I deadpan.

“I think it’s best that the four of us sit down and talk without the rest of your little group around,” Paul says. I ignore him and look at Mom.

---