Ghostly Matchmaker, Announcements and The Trial
Ghostly Matchmaker, Announcements and The Trial
Liberty heart got caught in her throat "what" she asked unable to comprehend what was just told to her, May smiled and placed her arms around Liberty "we got them Lib" just hearing those words were enough to bring Liberty to her knees her body shook in shock, relief and fear- shock of the news, relief that they were caught but fear of the justice wouldn't prevail. Liberty looked up at Nick she was almost scared to ask but she knew she had too.
"Who, who are they??" Liberty asked her voice trembling with anguish, fear and anger,
Nick sighed his face fell and Liberty knew that the news wasn't going to be good, she asked again "guys answer me" she said in frustration and in panic.
"Lib, maybe we should go in the other room" May told her darting her eyes from Nick to Liberty, Liberty became increasing frustrated and started to shout "guys, just tell me"
Nick swallowed hard and took a deep breath "it was it was…" as hard as Nick tried the words just couldn't come out.
May took Liberty's hand and lead her to a chair "Liberty, sit please" May gently guided to sit. Liberty's eyes darted from Nick to May and back to Nick again, her worry turned to anxiousness, he became extremely restless in her sit and felt she was going to explode just sitting there and watching them struggle to tell her.
"Guys just tell me "Liberty shouted
May took a deep breath and opened her mouth," It was Anna and one of her friend" as May was telling Liberty everything felt like it was going in slow motion, Liberty became short of breath and everything became a blur she felt like she was back in time again like when they told her JT was gone, her heart immediately sunk, she felt the tears form in her eyes and her body jolt up from the chair her eyes darted over the crowd, she could see mixed feelings, feelings of compassion, feelings of sorrow, feelings of anger. Liberty felt her body shake and her heart sinking, tears feel from her eyes and she took off running with Nick in tow leaving everyone stunned.
Liberty ran as fast as she could fast then she had ever ran before, she ignored Nick pleads with her to come back and she kept running she bolted towards the only place she has ever felt safe in her life, back to Degrassi.
Liberty stood in front of her old school and realized how much she wish she could be a part of that world, she always felt safe when she was in Degrassi as if the school was her sanctuary, Liberty walked up to the entrance of the school and sat on the staircase she cried and cried the feeling of loss, loneliness and pain taking over. What she would give to have those years at Degrassi back without a care in the world, her life seemed so much easier then.
"Lib" A voice called out
Liberty turned to see JT standing behind her, "what are you doing here?" Liberty asked as she wiped the residue of the tear off her cheek.
"I know what you're thinking Liberty and your wrong", JT smiled as he finished his sentence that the first time he has ever said that. Liberty rolled her eyes "I don't know what you're talking about"
This time JT rolled his eyes "don't act dumb Liberty, you know what I mean and you need to talk about it with some one this is serious"
Liberty shook her head "ill get over it" she said as she shrugged her shoulders
"Liberty" JT began
"Fine whatever, I'll talk to some one" Liberty finally caved
Suddenly "Liberty" a voice called as he came out of the shadows, "what are you doing? talking to yourself" Nick asked Liberty's cheeks began to changed in to five shades of red. JT saw this and laughed, Liberty gave him a death stare that shut him up fast.
"Liberty what are looking at?"
Nick asked as looked around. Liberty quickly turn back towards Nick "hmmm oh um nothing"
Nick walked to were Liberty was standing "Liberty, why did you run out? Aren't u happy were finally got them"
Liberty shook her had and began to cry, "Hey, hey, hey what's wrong Lib?" Nick asked as he took her in his arms
Liberty pulled away from Nick's embrace and wiped her tears. "It's my fault" Liberty cried
"What?" Nick was immediately stunned. Liberty turned away from him hugging her body to shield herself from the cold
"Liberty, you can't be serious; this is not your fault" Liberty kept her back towards Nick, not wanting to look him in the eyes. Nick gently grabbed Liberty and turned her towards him
"Lib, you're the victim here how could this possibly be your fault"
Liberty began to cry again "she threatened me and I didn't think anything of it, May told me to tell someone and I didn't listen"
"Whoa, Liberty she threatened you "
Liberty nodded "I should have listen, I should have told someone"
"Liberty, you have to tell me what she said"
Liberty nodded and began to tell Nick the story.
Flashback……………
"Stay away from my boyfriend or your gonna get what's coming to you "Anna spat furiously
"Is that a threat?" Liberty raised an eyebrow
"I guess so, you'd better watch your back, I'm not nice when I'm angry" and with that Anna slammed the door
End of Flashback
"If I just listened to her maybe this wouldn't have happened" Liberty said crying into Nick's chest
"Liberty this isn't your fault, Anna was the one who did this she should be blamed, not you"
"But maybe if I listen to her this wouldn't have happened "
Nick took Liberty in his arms "Liberty I swear to you we will get her and we will make them pay, ill be here for you for as long as you need me, I'm never going to go away"
Liberty laughed
"There is the smile that I love" Nick smiled and held her from the cold
Liberty smiled
JT watched on, knowing that Liberty is going to be ok without him
"Come on lets go back to the party" Nick suggested
Liberty nodded and smiled
Just as Liberty started to walk she tripped and fell right into Nick's arms
Nick laughed "once a klutz always a klutz" Nick grinned
Liberty felt her entire body turned to gello; she turned 5 shades of red and was grinning like crazy. Nick and Liberty's eyes locked and their body came closer, closer until they were inches away from each others lips, Liberty could feel Nick's hot breath on her face which gave her chills, her body ached for him and the feeling became unbearable. Nick made the first moves his lips gently touched Liberty's, his lips moved across her gently teasing her, Liberty felt he knees buckle and her heart pounding her body aching for more. Liberty slowly moved her arms around Nick's neck and Nick put his arms around Liberty's waist, Nick began to forceful kiss her Liberty didn't object to this and began to forcefully kiss him. Liberty could feel her heart beat skip a beat with every kiss, she finally felt the happiest he has been in so long, the kiss lingered for a while before they pulled away. Nick and Liberty smiled as they finally realized how much they truly cared for one another, Nick and Liberty were silent before Nick began to talk,
"Liberty, what does this mean?"
Liberty smiled "I want to be with you Nick, I wanted to be with you for so long but you were with Anna, and I couldn't be the reason why you broke up"
Nick smiled "I wanted to be with you for so long to but I guess I was to chicken to tell you "
Liberty laughed "well now that we both want to be together I guess we should start a relationship"
Nick nodded "I would love that"
"Me too" Liberty grinned
"Good now lets get going I don't want you to miss the most important party of the party"
"What's that" Liberty asked confused
"Opening the presents" Liberty laughed
"Of course"
"Lets go then" Nick gently took Liberty's hand
However Liberty suddenly realized something, she was walking on smooth pavement how could she have tripped, he mind immediately to the only solution "JT" she smiled
Liberty turned to see if JT was still there but she couldn't see him
"Liberty is something wrong"
Liberty turned to Nick, "nothing, nothing at all" she smiled
Meanwhile back at the party……….
"I hope Liberty is ok" Emma said pacing for the fifteenth time
"I'm sure she is fine guys beside Nick is with her" May told them
"I wonder why she was so upset by hearing that you finally got the guys who did this to her" Toby asked
May shrugged her shoulders "No idea"
Nick and Liberty stood out side the restaurant, Nick was about to walk in when her realized that Liberty wasn't moving
"Liberty, what's wrong?"
Liberty sighed "I'm just nervous, that's all, and I don't know what to say "
Nick smiled and took Liberty's hand "ill guess tell them you were overwhelmed"
Liberty nodded and Nick lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it
"Let's go inside, ok"
Liberty nodded
As they walked inside everyone's eyes fell on them and they all walked up to were they were
"Is everything ok, Liberty?" Toby asked
Liberty nodded and smiled "its fine, I just got overwhelmed with the news that's all"
"Glad to have you back, Lib" Emma said hugging her
Liberty smiled "well now that, I'm back how about we get back to the party"
Everyone nodded and Liberty smiled, Emma, Manny, Kendra and May realized that Liberty and Nick were holding hands and realized that there was more to the story then Liberty was telling them. The party continued well in to the night with Liberty and Nick spending it together holding hands and dancing the night away, the presents were opened the cake was cut and the corny speeches were made. There was laughter and tears and a trip down memory lane with pictures of Liberty from a baby till now, Liberty cringed at the photos, she cringed at her fashion choices, her hair styles and her nerdy look however Nick looked on in amusement he was finding this all hilarious and was dying of laughter. The night went on and Liberty and Nick decide to let everyone know what was going on between them
"Could I have everyone's attention please, Nick and I have and announcement to make"
All eyes were on them Liberty began speaking "Nick and I would like you guys to know that's we are officially dating"
May grinned happily "I knew it" she said out loud
Liberty and Nick both smiled The night wore on and the party began to die down and by 12.30 everyone had gone home, May was staying over Liberty's house and Nick rented a hotel for a couple of nights until he gets himself sorted out he was going back to Massachusetts for the trial anyway with a few weeks until the trial began. Although Liberty has a great time her mind was still on the trial and the outcome, the next day Nick called the Officer Stanley Anderson to tell him about the threats that were made to Liberty before the attack occurred. Weeks went by and the trial day finally came, Liberty, her family and friends all went to Massachusetts to show Liberty their support for her. In the time leading up to the trail both Anna and her accomplice has recanted their confessions so the whole case was relying on this trial. Liberty knew this and that's what made her so nervous and scared.
Liberty paced nervously which seemed like the hundredth time, she scared, panicky and nervous, Nick saw this and walked up to were his girlfriend was and pulled her in to a hug and whispered in her ear "everything will be ok", Emma, Manny and Kendra followed with the support. Liberty's father comforted Liberty and told her that they will try to break her so she will have to be strong. Liberty was silent for the first time in her life she was scared and vulnerable, her body shook violently and her stomach turned, she felt ill then all of a sudden " Excuse me" Liberty ran to the nearest bathroom and vomited all of the content in her stomach. Her body violently trembled and her knees buckled, her mother and her friends went to check on her and found he in this terrible state,
"We should take her home" Angela Van Zandt told them as she guided Liberty to the door,
"I cant mother, I have to do this trial this is the only way I will get justice, I need to do this" Liberty told them as she straighten out her blouse rinsed out her mouth and took a few deep breathes before she walked out of bathroom towards the court room. Liberty felt her body tremble as she took Nick's hand everyone walked inside and Liberty took some deep breathes "here goes" Liberty told herself
She walked in with Nick and May by her side ready to face her perpetrators and what had happened.
The court was hustling and bustling with people, Liberty looked about and saw the guards, the witnesses and the supporters she nervously bit at her fingers; a habit she has since she was a kid and one that her friends hated. Nick put his hand on Liberty's shoulder and rubbed it to let her know that he is here for her; Liberty smiled and locked her hand with Nick's. Harold Van Zandt saw this and smiled he was happy his daughter was happy and was finally getting all the love that she deserves, Angela Van Zandt smiled also seeing this affection between Liberty and Nick but the calm setting became short lived when the judge arrived "ALL RISE, the honorable judge Phillip Anderson residing " the guard stated. As the judge entered the court room was silent and everyone stood up
"You may be seated "The guard stated
Liberty felt he stomach tied in knots as the hearing was underway. The trial was tedious, until the cross- examination began, that's when Liberty's stomach turned.
"Your honor, I call Miss Liberty Van Zandt to the stand" the opposing lawyer called
Liberty made her way up to the stand and sat on the hard uncomfortable chair; she looked around the room and realized that all eyes were on her, she began fumbling with her hand.
"Miss Van Zandt, is it true that you were raped on the night of- November 9th 2008?"
Liberty look a deep breath, she went to open her mouth but nothing came out, for the first time she actually felt out of place and lost, she stuttered unable to the words out.
"Answer the question Miss Van Zandt' the judge told her
Liberty stutted "ye…..yes I I I was raped on the 9th of November 2008"
"Miss Van Zandt did you see who the attacker was?"
Harold Van Zandt knew where the lawyer was heading with this, he fought the urge to jump us and take charge of the situation.
Liberty knew she was in big trouble "No I did not"
The lawyer smiled "was this because you were drinking heavily the night in question, and you could have mistaken this man in being your attacker?"
"No" Liberty replied
"But you were drinking the night in question"
"I had one drink that's……" Liberty was cut off
"A simple yes or no answer would be fine MISS Van Zandt"
Liberty knew what he was trying to do, he was trying to create doubt in the jury that she was intoxicated and couldn't have know who had raped her.
"So Miss Van Zandt, how do you know for certain that this is the man that raped you? Or just maybe you came on to him and had consensual sex"
"Objection your honor, misleading, the jury will think the client is sexually promiscuous" Liberty's lawyer said
"Accepted, the jury will ignore the last comment, Mr. Tepton please reframe from making tasteless comments like those in the future"
The lawyer continued "Ok, so Miss Van Zandt, did you at anytime see the face of your attacker?"
Liberty looked down at her hands and didn't answer
"Answer the question, Miss Van Zandt" The lawyer told her
"Objection your honor, badgering the witness "Liberty's lawyer again exclaimed
" Mr. Tepton, this is your final warning if you continue this behavior, I will have you evicted from my court room"
"Sorry judge"
"Now Miss Van Zandt, did you or did you not see the face of the rapist?"
"No" Liberty said
"No further questions your honor"
Now it was time for Liberty's lawyer to cross examine her.
"Miss Van Zandt, how many drinks did you have the night in question"
"One, it was a coke"
"One, you didn't even have a alcoholic drink"
"Yes, that is correct"
"So there is no way that you were intoxicated at the time"
Liberty nodded "yes"
"So tell me Liberty, did you feel different after drinking your coke?"
"Yes, I felt nauseous, I started to sweat and have blurred vision"
"And what did the doctor say about these symptoms?"
"That it came from a drug called Pentamol Caratism"
"Do you take this drug?"
"No"
"Is there anyway, you could get your hands on this drug?"
"No, the doctor said it was a prescription drug and it needs to be prescribed in order to be accessed"
"Let it be known that the drug that Miss Van Zandt has stated is a drug prescribed to the defendant, no further questions"
Soon enough Liberty stepped down from the post and Anna and Matt took the stands, firstly Liberty's lawyer was the first to cross examine.
"Anna, isn't it true that you were jealous of the relationships that your boyfriend Mr. Milano has with his best friend Tara and Liberty"
"No" Anna spat
"Really, cause there was several occasions that you threatened Tara and Liberty"
"I don't know what you're talking about" Anna ignored him
"Well if you don't want to admit it then I here is the statements that both Tara and Liberty both made to the police" He shoved the papers in her face, Anna remained silent
"I thought so"
"Isn't it true that you are prescribed these pills that were found in Liberty's drink?"
Anna sighed "yes"
"Here is exhibit A, the pills that were found at the defendant's apartment with her name on it" he passed in on to the jury
"So Anna, both has the motives, means and the opportunities to commit this crime, not to mention that she also knew the perpetrators, as well as the fact that nobody else in the university has records of holding this drugs"
The courtroom was quiet "No further questions"
Soon after others were questioned including Matt, May and Nick, finally the final closing argument. First was Mr Tepton – " Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, there is only circumstantial evidence to link these two people to this heinous crime, don't let these petty circumstantial evidence trick you and let you think that these innocent individuals could do such a crime"
Then it was time for Liberty's lawyer to make his final statement
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, this young women was going to a party thinking of having a good time after her exams, she didn't think that this would ever happen to her, don't let these two get away with this serious crime. What is it was your daughter, your niece, your sister, your grand-daughter, these is too much evidence against them don't let this slide, give this young girl the justice she deserves. Find these two guilty"
The jury left the court room to make the decision and Liberty, her family and her friends waited nervously for the verdict. It only took 45 minutes for the jury to come to a decision. They came back in and took there seats, the leader of the jury stood up.
"How do you find the defendants" the judge asked
"We find the defendants ……………………………"
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