Penny's POV

I sit nervously and wait for the judge to enter the court room. I glance every now and then at Michael and find him staring at me. I'm starting to doubt myself. I don't know if I can handle this. Pam places her hand on my shoulder and whispers,

"You'll be fine. "

I nod. Pam already has a game plan. I remember the conversation we had about it.

Pam sat across from me at my dinner table. She had notes out and a copy of the video I had recorded. Jason was with me since he was basically there also.

Pam grabbed her own and wrote something down. Then she said,

"Penny, I will ask you multiple questions about your relationship with Michael, then I'll move on to the video. So, first, tell me, just so I'll know, what happened exactly from the beginning. "

I took a deep breath and explained everything. From the first day of school, to the apple he offered, to my emotion breakdown, to the tour he gave me, to the kiss we had, to the sex we had, to my apology to him for the sex, to the dinner incident, to the night visit, then to the day I was in his house searching for evidence.

She nodded and wrote down most of my words. She then asked,

"And Jason, tell me everything you know. I want to make sure both stories are the same. "

He said, "I came into the picture after the dinner incident. I saw and recorded the incident that happened that night. "

Then he explained what happened that day I went into Michael's house. Pam nodded and wrote down what he said. Then she said,

"Penny, Jason, after I question you two, the defense will question you both. I need you to stay calm and don't get agitated. The defense will try and misinterpret your words. Just answer calmly and that won't be able to happen. We can do this Penny. "

"All rise. "

Pam stands up. I stand up with her. The bailiff continues,

"The Court of the Second Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division, is now in session, the Honorable Judge Harrison presiding. "

"Everyone but the jury may be seated. Kevin, please swear in the jury. "

I sit down and bite my nails. Kevin, the bailiff, finishes swearing in everyone.

"Members of the jury, your duty today will be to determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty based only on facts and evidence provided in this case. The prosecution has the
burden of proving the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. This burden
remains on the prosecution through the trial. The prosecution must prove that a crime was committed and that the defendant is the person who committed the crime. However, if you are not satisfied of the defendant's guilt to that extent, then reasonable doubt exists and the defendant must be found not guilty. "

I zone out the judge's voice. I peek over at Michael. His eyes lock onto mine. My heart starts to beat fast as an evil smiles spreads across his lips. I accidentally knock over the pitcher of water.

Everyone's eyes are on me. Judge Harrison asks,

"Miss Stinson, are you OK? "

Pam has her hand on my shoulder. I look at her, then at Judge Harrison. I say,

"I'm... I'm fine. "

She nods and continues talking. Pam whispers,

"Are you OK? "

I nod and say, "The look in his eyes scared me. "

She nods and whispers, "Just don't look over there anymore. You'll be fine. "

I nod and take a deep breath. Pam stands up to give her opening.

Michael's POV

I'm messing with her head. This is perfect. I fooled Fredrick yesterday with the pills. I never took them. I smirk. Penny thinks she can mess up our relationship? I'll just kill her like the others.

Nice and slow. I visit the bodies of the other two all the time. They're my trophies. Soon, Penny will join the collection.

Fredrick stands up to do whatever it is he does. I relax back in my seat. I look behind Penny and see her family sitting in the front row. I hope they enjoy the show.

After this, they will no longer have a daughter. Penny's attorney stands and says,

"I call Penny Stinson to the stand. "

I smirk. The show has begun.

Penny's POV

The bailiff looks at me and says,

"Please raise your right hand. "

I raise my right hand.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? "

"I do. "

I sit down. I look at Pam. She nods. I take a deep breath.

"Good morning, Miss Stinson. "

"Good morning. "

She looks down at some papers then stands and asks,

"Could you tell the court Mr. Jackson's relationship to you? "

I glance over at Michael, but then look back at Pam.

"He's my sociology teacher. "

"Bullshit! "

Michael's outburst frightens me. The jury gasps. Judge Harrison bangs her gavel and yells,

"Order in the court! Mr. Dawson, control your client! HE is the one facing prison time. "

Mr. Dawson nods and whispers something harshly to Michael. Michael balls his hands into a fist then releases them. He nods. He seems fine now. Settled.

Judge Harrison says, "You may continue, Mrs. Lee. "

Pam nods and looks at me. She says,

"When you first met Mr. Jackson, did he seem strange to you? "

"Objection! Relevance? "

Judge Harrison says, "I'll allow it. "

Pam says, "You may answer the question, Penny. "

I say, "He seemed like a cool teacher. "

Pam nods and asks, "When did you notice something was wrong? "

"Um, the day he sent me to detention. "

"What happened that day? "

"He sent me to detention because I didn't have my homework, so when I arrived, he started adding time to my stay because I was talking. So, I stormed out. He followed me and asked....

"What's wrong, baby? "

"Then I said...

"Don't call me that and you know what's wrong. You're basically bullying me in school. "

"To which he replied...

"I'm trying to make our relationship look like a regular teacher-student relationship. "

"Then I said....

"Our relationship? "

I hesitate, but finish what I was saying. "That's when he said...

"I still have the scratches on my back. "

Pam asks, "What did he mean? "

I swallow the lump in my throat and say,

"The day before.... We had sex. "

Pam asks, "Was it consensual? Or did he rape you? "

I begin to tear up as I say, "It was consensual. "

Pam hands me a tissue, then says,

"Please explain to the jury why you had sex with Mr. Jackson. "

I dab at my tears then say,

"I was very vulnerable at the moment. I had just moved and I wasn't doing good at school and no one would talk to me. I guess his touch soothed the pain. "

Pam nods and says, "I have no more questions. "

Judge Harrison says, "Mr. Dawson your witness? "

He stands and says, "Good morning, Ms. Stinson. "

I say, "Good morning. "

He buttons his suit jacket and says,

"This is quite the pickle you've gotten yourself into. "

"Objection! Badgering the witness! "

Mr. Dawson says, "I'm simply making small talk. "

Judge Harrison says, "This is a trial, not a blind date. Go straight to your questions. "

He nods and asks, "Ms. Stinson, you said you were vulnerable and that's why you had sex with Mr. Jackson? "

I nod and say, "Yes. "

"Did you enjoy it? "

Pam stands and yells, "Objection!
"

Dawson looks at her and asks, "On what grounds? "

She didn't have an answer. Judge Harrison says, "I'll allow it. Answer the question Ms. Stinson. "

Damn it. I swore I wouldn't lie. I stutter,

"Y-yes..."

Michael smiles big. I look down at my hands. Mr. Dawson asks,

"Did you in fact leave scratches on his back? "

I say, "I'm not sure. "

"You're not sure? Well maybe this will boost your memory. "

I look up at him. He goes over to Michael and says,

"Stand up. "

I look at Pam. She shrugs her shoulders and sighs. She can't do anything. This is legal. Dawson says,

"Judge, if I may, I would like to submit my first line of evidence. Mr. Jackson has been in the county jail and he didn't have time to get his back photograph so we have to have a live view. "

Judge Harrison says, "Go ahead. "

Dawson says, "Please remove your jacket and shirt. "

No. No. No. Michael takes off his jacket and unbuttons his shirt. He removes his shirt. The scars from my scratches are still there. Dawson says,

"This is the evidence you left behind. You call my client a psychopath. But who would get this close? Who would leave such sexual evidence? "

I yell, "He nearly killed me! "

Michael yells, "I fucking love you! "

I yell back, "You're delusional! He hasn't even taken his medicine! What kind of lawyer are you!? You have him come to court still delusional. "

Michael points at me and says, "I'm not delusional! Stop calling me that! "

He lunges at me, but the bailiff grabs him and takes him to the ground. Judge Harrison bangs her gavel multiple times and yells,

"Order! Order in the court! "

We all stop. Judge Harrison sighs and says,

"The jury will disregard the events that just happened. Recess until tomorrow morning. 8am sharp. Court is adjourned. "

Dawson drags Michael to their side of the courtroom. I step down and walk over to Pam. She says,

"You did good, Penny. He's giving himself away. Tomorrow when we show the court the video, he'll be found guilty. I'm positive of it. "

I nod and say, "I'm just glad today is over. "

She pats my shoulder and nods. She goes to gather her stuff. I join my family. My mom and dad hug me. Mom says,

"Don't worry, Penny. This should be over soon. "

I smile and say, "I'm glad y'all are here. "

We leave the courtroom. Before we can leave the building, Michael yells,

"Hey, Penny! "

I turn, scared of what he might say. He smiles and says,

"Good game today! "

Dad yells, "Don't talk to my daughter you sick bastard! "

Michael says, "Mr. Stinson, you should've seen the way I was fucking Penny. With every stroke she moaned louder. "

I yell, "Bitch! "

Dad yells, "You're dead! "

He tries and hits him, but the guards had separated them. Dawson runs out of the courtroom and yells,

"Michael! Stop! "

He looks at Dawson and puts his hands up. He says,

"I'm cool. "

Jason and I drag dad in the other direction. I say,

"Come on. Let's go. "