DESIREE'S P.O.V.

"There. That is not so bad, is it?" Gianna said.

Normally, I keep a positive attitude. I am not bothered by the little things, like bullying and...something called racism. I still do not get racism. I do not get most stuff. Bullies. Homework. Robbery. Murder. Selfishness. Am I the only one?

Gianna and I stood in front of her mirror and admiring the dress. Actually, I was appalled by it. I do not have a problem with dresses. I just loathe wearing them. They show too much of my skin. I am not insecure about my body. Dresses are not me. I am abnormal - and want to keep it that way.

I growled like a dog and crossed my arms. "No way will Possum see me wearing a dress."

"Why do you not want Possum to see you with a dress? He will think that you are the prettiest girl - aside from me."

I walked out of her room. "He already knows that. If he did not, we would not be together. I am not a model. A dress is useless when the guy loves you."

She followed me. "You are still wearing the dress."

"Why? We are just going to the courthouse."

"You should look presentable during court. You do not want people to assume that you are a little on the crazy side, do you?"

"Since when did clothes determine if you are a psycho? And I am weird and proud of it."

"If it were up to me, Desiree, I would let you wear your unique clothing. But I am not the judge. She expects us to dress properly. Make a good impression."

"I can make a great impression without some dress. So who would you like me to impress first?"

She cracked a smile. "Not actual impressions."

This was the second-longest morning for me. First was when I baked corn pancakes with real corn and topped with ketchup and raisins. Mmm. Now I want some. We met the boys at said courthouse. I was excited to run in Possum's arms. But I did not want him to spot me. Not in a dress. I got a splendid idea and started ripping the dress.

Gianna pressed her hands to her cheeks. "The heck are you doing?! You are ruining the dress!"

"No. Making it better."

"My grandma bought you that dress."

"Then tell her to never buy me a dress again."

She rubbed the bridge of her nose. "If she asks why the dress is a mess...say that you were attacked by bears."

"But that is a lie. I would never lie. If I did...why bears? Why not people?"

"Attacked by people is too normal for you. But you will be attacked by them today."

"By bears?"

"No. By the people who want you jailed."

I was on the verge of tears. I could not understand why folks - who know the real Olivia now - wanted me to be sentenced. I could not survive in prison. I am not some criminal. A murderer. I prevented Olivia from carrying out her plan. Parents would be grieving for their kids if I never stepped in. I am a hero - in a twisted way.

Do I regret killing Olivia? Yes and no. I wish that there was another way. I wish that she and her buddies were still alive so they could answer for what she could have done. Killing her was the only way to protect the kids. I tried telling the police. I went to them - with evidence - and told them her plan. But most laughed at me. I turn the other cheek when I am laughed at. Not this time. It baffled me how they were not taking me seriously.

Would you believe me if I stated that a serial killer is at my school?

Most of those cops were not believing me because I am not like them. I am not normal. They figured that I was playing a cruel joke - even though that I had proof! If I were a cop, I would check it out to be on the safe side. I might have scrambled brains, but my heart is big. I am not stupid. I know when someone is hurting.

"I can safely say that had I not done it, every child here would be dead," I said. I clasped my hands in my lap. I was in court and sitting next to the judge. I gazed up at her. "If you look at the list, you will see the names of all the students whom Olivia wanted to kill. She was...fine with it. She could care less who she hurt."

Mary Sue was reading the list. "I see that Gianna is the first student on this list. She is your friend. Correct?"

"She is not only my friend. She is my best friend."

She set the paper down. "Is Gianna with you today?"

"Yes. And our boyfriends too."

"Is there anything else that you want to add?"

I gulped before facing Olivia's, Chloe's, and Kimberly's parents. "I...I am sorry that your daughters are gone. I truly am. I wish that things would have gone smooth. I know how difficult it is to realize that they were...them. I will keep you in my prayers."

Olivia's mom jumped from her seat. Tears were rolling down her face. "Moron." She pointed at me. "I-I do not need you to pray for us. For me. I do not need to hear a murderer's side of the story."

I looked down.

"Look at me! Look at me, coward!"

Possum rushed to me and hugged me. I buried my face in his chest.

Mary Sue pounded her gavel. "Order in the court! Boy. I love this job." She shook the gavel at the mom. "I will hold you in contempt if you talk one more time."

The mother sat back down. "I am a grieving parent."

"Gianna's turn."