Author's Note: uhhh I'm really starting to remember why i liked writing this lol. i just hope you guys will like it, too. (:

When I woke up, Eli and I were still intertwined on his couch. I glanced down at Eli's bare chest and blushed. My phone alarm went off. I reached over and turned it off. When I rolled back over, Eli was awake and looking at me. He pulled me tighter to him and kissed me.

"Moring," he said.

"Hi," I smiled.

"Sooo," he said awkwardly. "Let's go to school?"

I sat up, pulling the throw blanket we had on us up with me. "Lets." I agreed.

.

.

.

Once we were at school, we went to our classes like it was any other normal day. I found Eli during lunch. I sat down next to him and kissed him.

"Well, hello," he smiled.

"Hi."

Fitz came up to us. "Oooo, smoochy-smoochy. So when's the big court date?"

I knew he was trying to get me mad, but I refused to get angry. "I dont know," I admitted, calmly. "It should me any day now,"

"Well, I wish Spinner the best of luck,"

I nodded. "Thank, Fitz. I know he would appreciate it,"

He kinda smiled. "Have fun ruining his life,"

Before I could answer, he walked away. I let my breath out fast, trying not to cry.

"You handled that really well," Eli said.

"I'm not gonna let him get me mad. I know what Spinner did was wrong and I know he needs to pay for it,"

"Wow," he said in awe. "The group home really helped,"

"Well, it was mostly you and KC helping me,"

"Glad I could be of service,"

I kissed him again. Someone cleared their throat and I turned to see who it was. "Can I talk to you for a sec?" KC asked.

"Uh, sure," I stood up and followed him to the cafeteria doors. "What is it, KC?"

"The court called Todd - they dont have your new number. You, uhm, have to testify against Spinner tonight,"

My balance swayed. KC caught me. "I know it'll be hard, but I believe in you. You can do this,"

"Tonight?" I whispered. I pushed away from KC and my balance swayed again. I was dizzy. I caught myself on a nearby trash can and threw up into it.

When I stood up straight, KC grabbed me and pulled me to him. "You'll be fine. Eli and I will be right there. You dont have to go through it alone,"

Eli came over to us. "What happened? What's wrong?"

"She has to testify tonight,"

Eli put his hand on my back. "Remember what you just said, Julia. Spinner did bad things. You want him to pay,"

"Right. Okay."

The bell rang. KC grabbed my shoulders and looked at me. "Julia. You'll be okay. We'll be there for you. Dont worry," he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a piece of gum. I held my hand out for it, muttering "thanks" under my breath as I popped it into my mouth.

"I gotta get to class, but I'll meet you out front at four o'clock,"

I nodded. "Okay. Thank you, KC,"

Eli took my hand and squeezed it. "I can do this," I told myself.

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.

.

Me and Eli met KC on the stairs after school.

"C'mon, we can take my car," Eli offered and we all crowded into his hearse and drove to the court house.

I got out and took a deep breath. Eli took my hand and we all walked into the room.

I sat next to my lawyer while Eli and KC took a seat in the stands.

I didnt look for Spinner. I stayed staring at the table, not wanting to see him. Testifying against Spinner was the hardest thing I've ever done.

I was called up to the stands. I kept my eyes focused on Eli and KC.

"So, Miss Mason," The lawyer asked me. "Can you explain the first physical abuse to you from Gavin,"

I took a deep breath and turned my eyes to my scars. My three scars. I looked back up at the lawyer with confidence. "The first time Gavin hit me was the first day of school. I called him stupid and he backhanded me,"

The lawyer nodded. "So you egged him on?"

"He's my brother," I defended myself. "I've called him stupid a million times. Its what siblings do. That's no reason to back-hand me,"

The lawyer nodded. "The second time,"

"He saw some..." I took a very long and deep breath, then admitted it to everyone. "Cuts on my wrist. He got mad at me and threw me down. He punched me and kicked me,"

"So, you were unstable and physically hurting yourself at this time?"

"I wouldnt say I was unstable, but yes. I did hurt myself,"

"Would you say you were in a good mental state? I mean your father was just sent to jail and your mother and brother had just died. You cant possibly be okay after that,"

I glared, my eyes watering. "I wasnt okay. But that has nothing to do with the fact that he hit me,"

"Do you think Gavin was in a well mental state?"

"No," I admitted.

"So by insulting him, dont you think you might have sent him off the edge?"

My tears overflowed and I coughed a little, trying not to sob. "I guess so,"

Spinner's lawyer's lips tightened into somewhat of a smirk. "Okay, and the last altercation?"

I sniffled. "I was at school and I struggled with him and he threw me down."

"What happened after you were thrown down?"

"I'm not sure. I was unconcious. I woke up in the hospital,"

The lawyer nodded again. "Thank you, Miss Mason," she dismissed.

I got up and practically ran back to my seat. I never looked once at Spinner.

"Jury calls: Mr. Elijah Goldsworthy to the stands,"

I looked up. Eli, confused, walked up to the seat.

"Mr. Goldsworthy, can you tell us what went on during the time Julia was unconcious?"

Eli looked directly at Spinner. "She had to get seven stitches in her forehead from hitting the curb. She was knocked out for six hours and the doctors said it would have been a lot worse, had they not got there in time,"

"Were you there during any of the altercations?"

"The third one."

"What exactly happened, in your point of veiw?"

"Gavin grabbed her by the top of the arms and shook her violently before throwing her onto the concrete. Her forehead the the edge of the curb."

"Thank you, Mr. Goldsworhty,"

Eli went back to the seat.

"Lastly, jury calls: Gavin Mason to the stands,"

My eyes stayed glued onto the table. If I even stole a peek at Spinner that was it - it would be over. I would drop the charges and beg him to forgive me.

"Mr. Mason, would you say that you were mentally unstable at the time?" his lawyer asked.

"No," he said. "I was stable,"

I could tell my the throat clearing, that his lawyer wasnt too happy with the answer. "But your family was going through emotional problems. You were in a depressing state,"

"I was sad, yes. But I hit her. I beat my sister. I'll admit it, because I'm not gonna lie. Everything was building up inside of me and I took it out on her. Everything Eli and Julia said was the truth,"

My silent tears spilled over.

Everything else was all said and done. Spinner was given ten months in jail and the court was dismissed.

Eli and KC came up to me. Eli pulled me into the tightest hug. "You did great," he said in my ear.

KC nodded.

"May I say something to my sister before I go?"

I pulled out of Eli's grasp and turned to look at Spinner, hand-cuffed in front of me. A cop in either side of him.

I squeezed KC and Eli's hands.

"Julia, I'm so sorry. You dont have to forgive me and you shouldnt, but I need you to know how truly sorry I am,"

"Spinner, you're my brother and I love you, but...I dont forgive you,"

Spinner nodded and was taken off.

I turned to Eli and let him hold me while I bawled my eyes out.

author's note: yeah. i dont really have much to say. the next chapter though is very thrilling and dramatic if i dont say so myself. reviewsssssss.