"He just kept going." The girl on the stand sucked in a shaky breath as she continued to sob. "We all told him to stop, but it was like he was possessed or something."

Everyone in the courtroom turned to me. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't say anything because I didn't remember. Had I really been that drunk?

The judge's voice pulled me back from my thoughts. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You may step down now."

As the girl I had known since freshman orientation stepped down from the stand, she made it a point to keep as much distance between her and I as she could. It was like she thought I would jump up from my seat at any moment and attack her. I would never do that though, I've never been that kind of person. But by the look of fear in her eyes as she walked by, she had me doubting myself.

"Agh!"

Like most mornings, I found myself lying on the floor next to my bed. Maybe I should just sleep down here since I ended up in this position everyday no matter what. I hated that I couldn't remember what I did, but instead knew every detail from my trial. That was the one thing I wished I could forget, everyone's eyes on me - judging, hating me for what I did. I doubt they would ever accept an apology.

The judge had assigned me therapy only once a week all the way up until my final trial date. I was surprisingly all right with how it had gone last Thursday and hoped that today's session would end up the same.

"Good morning, honey!" My mother smiled brightly.

"Morning," I mumbled as I glanced around the kitchen. "Where's dad?"

She hesitated for a moment before she averted her eyes to the ground. "He left early for work."

"Oh." And as much as it was a weight off my shoulders not to have him glaring at me, I knew that I was the exact reason he wasn't here.

I poured myself a half cup of coffee as my mother set a plate of eggs and sausage at the table for me.

"You don't have to cook breakfast for me every morning," I spoke as I took a seat.

"I know, but it helps keep me occupied, or else I'd only be thinking about-" She cut herself off quickly, looking almost ashamed.

"You can say it, you know." I took another sip from my mug before I stared down at the muddy water.

"I don't want to." She shook her head.

"Well mom, it fucking happened!" I slammed my cup down on the table and glared up at her, not really knowing why I was yelling at her.

"Calum!" She warned. "Don't talk to me like that."

An irritated groan escaped me as I turned away from her. I stood from the table and left the kitchen like I did most days, with my food untouched.

I left my parent's house earlier than normal in hopes of having enough time to stop for coffee and a snack before I headed to therapy. It took about five minutes to get to the closest starbucks and I made it a point to park on the far side of the lot. I walked quickly across the pavement and checked my phone for the time as I opened the door and stepped inside.

Why hadn't I just gone through the drive-thru? I gulped back my insecurities as I made my way toward the counter. I could feel everyone's eyes burning into my back. They knew, everyone in this entire town knew who I was and what I had done. The feeling only got worse after I placed my order and turned around and almost ran into someone.

"Sorry," I mumbled, not even glancing toward the person, knowing full well they would just be glaring at me like all the rest.

"My fault," The quiet voice spoke and I stopped dead in my tracks. "Shouldn't have been standing so close."

I turned back to see none other than Skyler Park. I don't think she realized at first who I was as she stared up at me with eyes just as wide as my own. I stood there dumbly for a moment before I turned and headed straight for the exit.

"Sir! Your order!" One of the workers called after me, but I just kept walking.

My back pressed up against the cool brick wall as I stood outside the coffee shop trying to even out my breaths. I was always anxious now, paranoid that everyone was just going to automatically hate me no matter what. I guess panic attacks were a side effect to beating the shit out of someone.

"You forgot this." I practically jumped out of my skin as I whipped around to face the person who had spoken.

Skyler stood in front of me with two coffees stacked in one hand and two take away bags in the other. She shakily held out the two coffees and I could see that the top one had my name on it. I took it from her without a word, trying my hardest not to stare at the faded, yellow bruises on her cheek.

"Better now?" She asked as she handed me one of the paper bags.

I nodded, not understanding how I had so easily lost my voice. Skyler smiled before she turned and looked around the parking lot as if in search for something.

"So where did you park?" She asked simply.

"W-what?" I stuttered out.

"We're headed to the same place, aren't we?" She looked up at me like I was the idiot.

"You don't even know me," I spoke.

But she just kept smiling, the cut on her lip healed and barely visible. "You just ran out of a starbucks because you were so anxious, you can't be that threatening."

I involuntarily rolled my eyes. She had no idea. Finally I had found someone in this town who didn't know what had happened. Or maybe she did and was playing stupid. But if that was the case, she probably wouldn't choose to get into a car with me.

"If we don't hurry you're going to miss your session." Skyler gestured in a random direction.

Without a word I pulled my keys from my back pocket and led her across the parking lot to my car.

We drove in complete silence. The only sounds made came from the radio and the crinkling from our take away bags as we ate. I tried my hardest not to look at her, but it was almost impossible with those bruises still on her face.

"I got into a fight with a door." It was like she had read my mind.

It was obvious that she was lying, but I said nothing to contradict her. "Must have been a pretty angry door."

To my surprise she snorted back a laugh. How could she be so alright with someone doing that to her? Maybe it was because she was used to it. Or maybe it was the fact that I was a total stranger and she wanted to keep the mood light. But we were both headed to a mental hospital so we each knew the other was a little fucked up in some way.

We had finally made it to our destination, but unfortunately a few minutes late for me scheduled time. Skyler and I walked quietly toward the entrance and I made sure to reach the door before her so I could hold it open.

"Thanks." She stopped short and we stood there in the doorway for a second in silence. "I'm Skyler, by the way."

I stopped myself before I let the 'I know' escape my lips and instead I just smiled. "Nice to meet you. I'm Calum."

"Oh, I know." She had a sly smile on her face as she finally stepped over the threshold and into the building. Her confidence was unwavering and it intrigued me to no end.

Doctor Gram stood in the waiting room filling out some paperwork by the front desk as we entered. He lifted his bald head, obviously surprised to see the two of us together.

"Calum." His face returned to normal. "I didn't think you were going to show up."

"These sessions are mandatory, aren't they?" I mumbled as Skyler kept a close eye on me.

"They most certainly are." He turned to the girl next to me. "Skyler, how are you today?"

"We're not in session yet, sir." She shot back in a friendly manner.

He chuckled and nodded his head knowingly. "Force of habit, I guess."

His gaze then turned back to me. "Shall we?"

I nodded before I took one last glance at Skyler as she made her way over to the same chair she had sat in when I first saw her the week before. Force of habit, I guess.