Ace's POV
Have I died and gone to heaven? Has Rose been transformed into a beautiful angel? Rose sits next to me in the limo. Her bouncy pink hair is wavy and glistens in the sun. Her makeup is sparse but brings out her best facial features. She's wearing a red blouse with a matching skirt. She kisses me on the cheek and gives me a dazzling smile.
"Ready to win?" She asks me.
"Uh...uh…" I stammer, my face turning a bright red.
"What Ace means to say is, hell yeah," Wes interrupts surreptitiously reaching for something in the mini fridge.
"If just one bottle of champagne is missing, Burnett, I'll have no problem reporting you to the police for underage drinking," Ethan says without turning his head.
"17's close to 18, right? And I look older than 18 anyway," Wes responds, obviously upset at being caught.
"Wes."
"Fine…"
Ethan smirks. "Trust me, Wes. I've been at this game longer than you have."
Rose turns to me.
"Ace, you look tired. Did you get enough sleep last night?" She asks.
"There were some people outside my house making so much noise...they had firecrackers...they sounded like gunshots…"
"Oh, Ace…" She brushes a loose strand of hair out of my face. "Are you ok?"
"A little shaken up, but I'll be fine, Rosie," I say. To be honest, I feel a little lightheaded, but I'm sure it's nothing. We pull up at a diner next to the courthouse. Everyone is staring at us when we come out. I recognize a few students from Lakeside. They whisper rather loudly amongst themselves.
"Is that Rose?"
"Why does she look so different?"
"Probably used her boyfriend's money, the little gold digger."
"Maybe she's representing who she really is on the outside as well as the inside."
"Yes," I interrupt their not so secret conversation. "A queen. My queen."
I link my arm with Rose's and take her into the diner. She tries not to show it, but she's smiling a little.
"You really think I'm a queen?" she whispers shyly to me. I brush a kiss on her lips.
"Of course not," I whisper back. "I know you are."
We sit at a table in the back, hounded by reporters and paparazzi.
"Mr. Cruz, tell us why you continue to stay with Rose after all she's done to you?"
"Actually, she-"
"Ms. Edwards! Are the rumors surrounding your romantic relationship with Jessica's cousin Uma Nguyen true?"
"Who told you-"
"Mr. Zhou, how do you feel being in the middle of what looks like a love square? Is there anyone you're leaning towards?"
"But I'm dating-"
"Ms. Parker-"
"I'm a dude, asshole!"
"Whatever, kid. The people want details on your transition? Is it for real or is it all a ploy for attention?"
"I don't think that's any of your-"
They keep pelting us with questions and snapping pictures of us. One of them I recognize as the same rude girl who insulted Rose while we were shopping for a cake for my birthday. She shoves her cell phone in front of Rose's face.
"Hey, Ms. Brinkwater, how does it feel going in the complete opposite direction as your super famous brother Roscoe?"
"Ever heard of innocent until proven guilty? I know you aren't a real reporter,"she snaps, smacking the phone out of her hand. Ethan winces. That was a poor move on her part. This only makes her look even worse than she already is. The reporters are having a field day. The girl scowls and snatches her phone back.
"Geez, Jessica was right about you," she sneers.
"Lauren!?" Rose gasps.
"Rose." her voice is cool and clipped. "I was hoping I'd seen the last of you. I have to say, you don't look half as atrocious as you usually do."
"I see you're still doing Jessica's dirty work," Rose retorts. Ethan gives Rose a stern look, making a cutting motion over his throat with his hands.
"Please. I dumped her weeks ago before your little boyfriend's party. When I'm done here, she'll be the one begging to take me back."
"Done doing what?" I demand. Ethan is overtly clearing his throat, trying to get us to shut up. Our "audience" is eating up this drama.
"That's for me to know and for you to find out," she taunts, sashaying away. " Oh, and if you see Jessica, tell her Asher says hi~."
The reporters grow bored and soon leave. The rest of our group stares at me and Rose.
"Ugh...I messed up, didn't I?" Rose groans.
"Hey, at least you didn't smash her face in with your plate and douse her with your drink," Aiden comments, causing everyone to glare at him. "Oh...sorry."
"Let's...just head to the courthouse…" Rose says quietly.
When we get there, Jessica, her lawyer, and a bunch of her fans are already there. I lace my fingers with Rose's as we pass the jeering students.
"When the trial starts," Ethan says. "Each and every one of you has to be focused. That means no joking around, no stealth kissing when you think no one's looking. And Aiden, I know this is going to be hard for you, but at some point you will have to testify and point out Jessica...that means actually looking at her."
"I know," Aiden says softly.
"Don't worry, babe. I promised I'd stick with you no matter what. And that's what I plan to do," Jason comforts him ruffling his hair. Aiden smiles a little, a blush starting to creep onto his cheeks. When Ethan isn't looking, I see Jay sneak his arm around Aiden's waist.
I zone out during the opening statements. Ethan seems to know what he's doing. They call me to the stand. They swear me in.
"Bartholomew de la Cruz, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God?"
"Yeah."
Ethan approaches the stand.
"Mr. Cruz, what is your relationship with the accused?"
"She's my girlfriend's bully."
"How long has she been bullying the plaintiff-"
"OBJECTION," interrupts Jessica's lawyer. "Mr. Cruz cannot testify about how long this alleged "bullying" has occurred unless he was actually with the plaintiff at the time."
"Withdrawn," Ethan grumbles. "When did Rose-"
"Objection! Why are we suddenly on a first-name basis?"
"When did Ms.Brinkwater first tell you about what was happening?"
"The day the students from Oliver Berry High transferred here. A week before my birthday, January 5th."
"What did she tell you?"
"Objection!" goes Jessica's freaking lawyer again. "He's leading the witness!"
"Overruled, Mr. Price. Watch yourself," the judge shuts him down. The lawyer scowls and sits down.
"She at first didn't want to tell me, but I later found out about how Jessi- the defendant is the main reason for her previous eating disorders."
"Have you had any interactions with the defendant during this time period?"
"Yes. She stalked me and Ms. Brinkwater at the mall once. She interrupted one of my dates with Ro- Ms. Brinkwater.She cornered me in the nurse's office in school and...kissed me," I admit, hoping Ethan won't go any further.
I swear I hear Mr. Price snort. Asshole. I narrow my eyes at him.
"Mr. Cruz, have you seen the defendant physically harm Ms. Brinkwater?"
Before Mr. Price can object, I answer.
"Yes," I respond through gritted teeth. "She punched my girlfr- Ms.Brinkwater in the stomach in an altercation."
"Has she been violent with Ms. Brinkwater since?"
"No."
"That will be all, Mr. Cruz," Ethan says before returning to his seat. "No further questions, your honor.
Mr. Price soon takes Ethan's place. He leers at me. I wonder how much money he was paid to do this.
"Mr.Cruz, has Ms.Brinkwater ever lied to you?" he asks. I swallow hard.
"Yeah…"
"How often does she lie?"
"When she's trying to protect me. Ignorance is bliss, right?" I answer. Mr.Price doesn't look amused.
"What makes you think she wasn't lying to you about Jessica bullying her?"
"Because she was clearly traumatized. And I believe her."
"Ok, let's go through a timeline of the past two months. What happened when you first saw the defendant?"
"She hugged Ms.Brinkwater. Ms.Brinkwater freaked out and...threw her into a fountain…"
"Seems a bit excessive, don't you think?"
"Objection," Ethan states calmly. "Leading the witness."
"Sustained."
"Let me rephrase," the lawyer says. "Was Ms.Brinkwater's reaction justified?"
"If you knew the things she's been put through, I'm pretty damn sure it was justified!" I snap. Ethan cringes. The others shift uncomfortably in their seats. I lock eyes with Rose. She looks away.
"Careful, Mr. Cruz," the judge chides me. "Watch your mouth or I'll hold you in contempt of court."
Mr. Price smirks as he says, "Seems you have a thing for wild women, Mr.Cruz. Now, on this alleged date of yours that the defendant ruined, what did she do to ruin it?"
"She crashed our date with her ex boyfriend Mr. Zhou."
"Well, my client days that Ms.Brinkwater committed an aggravated assault against her in which she poured a drink all over her and threw food at her. Is this true?"
"Well, yes, but-"
"Did Ms.Brinkwater apologize for her actions?"
"She didn't need to-"
"Moving on to the fight that occurred. Why did my client engage in such an altercation with Ms. Brinkwater?"
"Uh...um...we set her up to it?"
"Who's we?"
"M-me and Wesley Burnett."
"Why?"
"We needed evidence against her so she'd leave Ms.Brinkwater alone."
Mr.Price turns to the judge.
"Your honor, I have reason to believe that Mr. Bartholomew de la Cruz is an unreliable witness."
"On what grounds?" the judge asks.
"For starters, his history with the district student council. Second, he has admitted to Ms.Brinkwater's apparent dishonesty and to attempting to frame my client. And third...is the fact that it's come to my attention that he's suffering from PTSD."
"W-what?!" I splutter. The judge looks at me.
"Is this true, Mr. Cruz?"
"Ugh, yes."
"Has your mental illness been a hindrance to your everyday life?"
"Of course not!" I retort. The judge narrows his eyes at me. Mr.Price's eyes glimmer with smugness.
"Your honor, I have in my possession several accounts from students detailing Mr. Cruz's irrational behavior. This includes, but is not limited to: blank stares, hyperventilation, cryptic ramblings, and being prone to fits of anger."
I want him to be so, so wrong, but he's so, so right about everything! My blood boils with outright rage.
Price continues, "Mr. Cruz, do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"I'm not the one on trial here...and yes. It's true, but I'm determined not to let my setbacks define me," I say though gritted teeth.
"If I may ask, what causes this behavior in you?"
"Objection," Ethan interjects. "Relevance."
"Overruled. Answer the question, Mr. Cruz."
"It's caused...by what I went through after the student Council disbanded."
"Care to elaborate?"
I sigh.
"Let's just say people weren't happy with my actions. I almost lost the people closest to me...I almost saw my loved one die in my arms."
My eye threaten to fill with tears, but I blink them back.
"And how did that happen?"
"She was on her motorcycle...she was trying to save me...the car hit her and her motorcycle fell on her, knocking her unconscious…"
I sharply inhale when I envision Rose's limp body in my arms. Suddenly, I'm frozen into place. Oh God, not again.
Mr.Price's voice gets fainter and fainter.
I don't remember much of what happened, but when I come to, Rose and Ethan are standing over me.
"Ace, are you alright?" Ethan asks, concern all over his face.
I get up. Mr.Price is shuffling his papers. He hides his gleeful smirk when he sees me.
"I see you're back from nap time, Mr. Cruz?" He taunts cooly. "Your Honor, I think we can all agree that Mr. Cruz is incapable of giving a solid testimony…"
"Actually...Let's have A 30 minute recess so Mr.Cruz can recompose himself. If nothing changes, then I'll consider dismissing the witness."
Rose turns to me worriedly.
"Ace-"
"I need some air," I say quickly, brushing past everyone and heading into the men's room. Thankfully it's empty. Someone knocks on the other side.
"Ace? It's Wes. You doing OK in there?"
"Yes…" I growl, glaring at my reflection.
I'm already blowing this case badly because of my stupid PTSD! The whole courtroom must think I'm crazy. Not that I blame them. What the hell did someone like Rose see in me? I glower at myself in the mirror. I see pre-Council me, selfish and cruel. Then I see post-Council me, bruised, a shell of my former self. I see myself the night I had that awful hallucination. My eyes are ringed and red. My hair's messy and out of place. My entire body is shaking. Finally, I see myself now, all dressed up in some fancy suit...who the fuck did I think I was fooling? My dad was right, I am a screw up and a disappointment. I try to contain my anger -at myself, at my dad, at Jessica, at everyone who ever doubted us- but I can't help it.
My fist shoots into the mirror, shattering it almost immediately. I recoil, clutching my now bleeding hand in my other hand. Wes pound on the door.
"Ace, I don't know what the hell that was I just heard, but I'm coming in," he says, opening the door. He freezes when he sees the broken mirror and my bloody hand. "Oh my God, Ace. Your hand."
"I know," I hiss. "Look, don't tell Ethan about this. I'll be fine."
"Ace...this is far from fine. We need to get you some help."
"I don't need any help!" I snap, a sob betraying my indifference. "I'm just getting in the way. Rose doesn't need me. I'm useless to her anyway."
"Of course she does! But not if you're acting like this! Come on, let's go find the rest of them."
"You go on ahead. I'll...catch up."
"Ace."
"Just go away!" I tell at him, balling my fist. Ouch. The glass shards cut into my skin. Wes s cowls, but leaves anyway. A few minutes later, I hear someone's voice.
"Cruz."
"Wes, I told you I was fi-"
I stop in my tracks when I see who's in front of the door.
