Sixteen

I was straightening Dimitri’s tie as he was looking down at me.

“What do you think this means? This is quick right?” We stood next to his car about to go into court. His solicitor had called us that morning at 11am to say the jury had come back. Dimitri was a pack of nerves and I was trying to be the cool one for once.

“Very. They had what an hour yesterday and then like two this morning.”

“Is that a bad thing or a good thing?” He asked me, his face full of panic. I wanted to say good but I still had an awful feeling in my stomach. We made it into the courtroom and before he went into the glass box I pulled him close. Like reading my mind he put his ear to my mouth.

“I love you. Whatever happens we’ll deal with it. You’re stuck with me now,” grabbing my face he kissed my lips.

“I love you”. I walked back to the public gallery and sat down. Dimitri’s co-defendant gave him a hug and they shared a laugh before sitting down.

“All rise!” Standing up again I watched the jury come into the c