Hey guys, here's Chapter 58! I hope you enjoy it. Comments and feedback are always appreciated! I read every single one. Also, please let me know if you spot any mistakes. I upload revisions all the time, and I will correct any errors that are pointed out to me. Just make sure to be specific so that I can find what you're talking about.
I hope this chapter is a fun one. Sorry it took so long! I plan to start Chapter 59 right away rather than switch back to Love in the Balance. As much as I love this story, I'm excited that the epilogue is fast approaching. Thank you again to everyone who has stuck with the story this far!
Please note that this story is a work of fiction. I might use parody names for pop culture references: including songs, books, movies, and celebrities. However, they are not meant to accurately represent the real people or media. This is a fictional universe. As always, this is a world without STI's, and everyone involved in sexual activity is at least eighteen years old.
-Witty
~Ian~
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" the judge asks after reading a form filled out by the Foreman.
"We have, Your Honor," the Foreman replies. "We find the defendant, Keith Strulk, not guilty."
Stephanie tenses beside me, her hand squeezing mine as Kelsey screams and passes out. Steven has an arm around Kayla and Lexi, who are both sobbing into his shoulders. Both of Lexi's siblings looked stunned, and Marcia has her hands over her mouth as her eyes widen in shock. Ashley looks like she's ready to kill and is completely ignoring Josh's attempts to console her.
Keith slowly turns his head, a haughty smirk adorning his features. The sight of Lexi and Kayla crying seems to bring him great amusement. Then his gaze lands on Stephanie. She lets out a breath, pressing herself against me. I wrap an arm around her shoulders protectively, wishing for the ability to do more.
My head jerks up as I hear a groan and a scream. Or maybe a scream and a groan. The police are dragging Lexi away, covered in blood. Is she hurt? She's screaming. Most of the blood is running down her chin, her eyes are wild as she struggles against the two officers.
"Rot in Hell, you fucking bastard!" Lexi's spewing spittle at the crumpled, bloody form of Keith on the ground.
The scene changes and I'm laying in bed holding Stephanie as she cries and shakes. Her parents are constantly fighting, local gang activity is surging, and the news of Kelsey's death is pushing my girlfriend over the edge. I'm trying to be supportive, but everything just keeps getting worse and worse.
Now we're in my room while Stephanie screams into the phone. Lexi has been committed, unfit to stand trial. Nicole spends all her time at the ward, trying to coax Lexi out of the fugue she's in. Lexi only responds when Steven visits, but even then only to cry that he can't see her this way. Eventually, he stops coming as it only drives her to harm herself. Kayla is spiraling, despite the efforts of Hazel, Marcia, and Ashley. Our ex-girlfriend is disappearing for days at a time, returning in torn clothes with the smell of alcohol on her breath.
Stephanie and I are at MIT, standing outside in a quiet corner as we argue in hushed voices. She wants to go home. Kayla's getting worse. At first she was just going to parties and spreading her legs for every guy in the place. Now she's on suspension for getting caught having sex with a professor in his office.
It's over. I'm single. Convincing Stephanie not to return to Ashwood was a huge mistake. Kayla's been going to raves, parties heavy with gang activity and drug use. There are videos of Kayla having sex all over the internet. Lexi is still undergoing therapy, but what I hear is that she just rocks back-and-forth and cries.
I wake up with a gasp, my eyes opening to look up at the unfamiliar ceiling. It takes a few moments for my sleep-addled brain to separate my nightmare from reality. Just a dream. Just a dream. It's Saturday, the day after graduation. Kayla is still at her graduation party and Keith is in jail. The trial hasn't even happened yet. Stephanie is safe, too. I'm with her right now, at her mom's apartment.
I can feel Stephanie's body against mine. Her head is resting on my chest and her arm is around my waist. She's safe. Her body is warm against me, her breathing soft and steady. One of Stephanie's long legs is draped over mine and she seems completely relaxed.
Amazing memories from last night play in my mind as I realize Stephanie is naked. We're at her mother's house because her father is absolutely against me spending the night. Her mom isn't too enthused with the idea, but she's allowing it because of everything Stephanie's been through. The awkward tension in the air is tough for me, but it's so worth it.
I've woken from a nightmare and feel like I'm now in a wonderful dream. I'm actually laying in bed with a naked woman draped over me. It's hard to believe I was a virgin just a few months ago, expecting to retain that status for a very long time. Finding the courage to ask Kayla out has really changed the trajectory of my life.
"You okay?" Stephanie mumbles, jerking me out of my ruminations.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay," I say slowly. "Just a bad dream."
"Do you wanna talk about it?" she offers, sitting up and brushing her raven hair out of her face.
I don't respond right away. The blanket is now around Stephanie's waist, exposing her large, beautiful breasts. There was a time where I wondered if seeing boobs would eventually get old. Now I have my answer; nope, they'll be mesmerizing for the rest of my life. I know there are some who think a woman's breasts are just for feeding babies, but the science disagrees. Humans are the only primates with engorged breasts all the time, not just while breastfeeding. So, yes, they are for nursing, but they are also for attracting a mate. And I am very, very attracted.
"Hey!" Stephanie exclaims, snapping her fingers in front of my face. "Eyes up here."
"Sorry," I blush slightly as I look up into her sparkling brown eyes.
"I guess the dream couldn't have been that bad," she comments, making no effort to cover herself.
"It was, but your boobs are magic," I reply with a smirk.
"Mm, they really are," Stephanie purrs, running her fingertips along her chest, just above her breasts. "How about you tell me about your nightmare, then maybe I can come up with a way to make you feel better?"
"Keith was found not guilty," I state plainly.
"Oh," she winces, biting her lower lip as the mood changes.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up," I let out a breath.
"No, it's okay," Stephanie replies, shaking her head. "He raped me. There's going to be a trial, and it's going to be a big deal. What else happened?"
"Things just got worse and worse," I explain. "For Kelsey, for Lexi. For Kayla. It got really bad, let's just leave it at that. And I felt helpless, not able to do anything for either of you."
"You're here for me, and your support will help me get through this," she insists, leaning forward to kiss me. "Are you feeling guilty about Kayla?"
"Yes," I confirm, nodding. "I know we both have to come back here for the trial, but I still feel like we're abandoning her."
"Kayla has a lot of people in her life to support her," Stephanie shrugs. "I miss her, but I really think the breakup is for the best. Let's face it, Kayla would choose her father and friends over us without a second thought."
"It's not a competition," I reason.