— Truth Hurts

BALLET SEEMED TO be the only thing tying Natalia Bexley together. Her mind had been flooded by Hannah Baker and she'd been poisoning her every thought with negativity. It's been hard with court and everything else, and she didn't know how to talk to her friends like a normal person.

Her arms were held out, delicately floating like feathers. She floated across the floor as she followed the routine she'd done when she was young. Her moves were a lot more sloppy due to her long break.

She was once a talented dancer and now her feet hurt too much because of the pointe shoes and she struggled perfecting her pirouettes.

Her dance teacher came in and made a disapproving noise as Natalia tripped over her own foot after doing a Grand Jete. She swallowed with embarrassment as she stood up.

"You're improving, but not quick enough." Madam Valerie said as her eyes silently critique her student.

"I'm sorry. I've been trying to practice as much as I can. I promise I've got this."

"A boy is waiting for you at the front desk. Said it's urgent." Madam Valerie informed her student with a sour expression. "I say, Natalia, with all of the potential you've had, you could've been a star."

"And now?"

"Have a good day, Natalia." Her teacher smiled as she walked in the other direction toward the other students exit into the den of the studio.

Natalia took off, changed and made her way toward the front desk.

She got worried when she seen Tony standing there, fiddling with his ring. He stared up at all of the plaques, spying the ones with Natalia's name on them.

"You are really into this ballet shit, aren't you?" Tony quizzed as Natalia bent down and tied her shoes. She looked up at the plaques and pictures of her and other girls.

"Not at first. My mom wanted to be a prima ballerina, but she broke her ankle. After that she couldn't land anything and couldn't even do basic skills without stumbling. So, she signed me up."

"Interesting." Tony mumbled, honestly speaking. He never suspected how seriously she took this.

"Is there a reason you came here? I mean, it's not like you and I go out for coffee dates often." Natalia quipped as she folded her arms.

Tony pursed his lips and lead her outside.

"Justin's testifying." Tony told her and she nodded as she clutched her bag.

"That's good."

"I want you to go." Tony continued and Natalia shrugged. Looking back at a class full of girls giggling loudly.

"Fine."

"You're the right person to help motivate him, Natalia. He thinks of you as a sister and seeing you, knowing your story will help." Tony added and the girl sighed tossing him her bag.

"Let's go then."

✺ ✺ ✺

JUSTIN'S GLOSSY EYES almost immediately found Natalia with hope. She offered him a weak smile since he'd paused and he looked back at the lawyer. She knew talking about Bryce was hard, it was hard for anybody while going against the force that was Bryce Walker.

"Being friends with him, it was about loyalty." Justin told the lawyer. "But it was also about fear."

"And how would you describe Mr Walker's relationship with girls? Were they fear-based as well?" Dennis, the lawyer, asked.

"Yes sir." Justin replied, his gaze lingered on Natalia for a moment. "They were like conquests to him. He would always brag about what he'd done with girls. And then he'd call them sluts for hooking up with him."

"And did he ever mention an 'on again, off again' relationship with Hannah Baker to you?" Dennis inquired.

"No sir." Justin responded truthfully. "Because it never happened. Maybe they hung out, but there's no way he would've hooked up with her and not told me about it."

"Because he liked to brag, as you said?" Dennis questioned. Natalia knew he bragged too since it went around the school about them. She couldn't remember at first until she'd really thought about the night.

"Exactly." Justin confirmed.

"How would you describe Hannah?" Dennis asked.

"She was really kind and funny." Justin answered. "I liked her from the first time I saw her. We only had one real date, but it was... it was nice. I walked her home, then I went home. But I couldn't sleep. And I got in, like, a fight with my mom's boyfriend. I texted Hannah, and she said to come over. I knew Bryce wasn't gonna leave it alone."

✺ ✺ ✺

FOR THE REST of the time, Natalia silently prayed to whoever was listening to make Hannah come out on top of Liberty High. With enough courage from Jessica, things may work in their favor.

Natalia and all of her friends sat in the lobby of the police department. Zach had his fingers laced with hers while she waited anxiously. It wasn't all she wanted, but it was enough to fill the void.

Justin came out first, sitting next to Alex. Then Jessica, with her parents behind her. Everyone rose up when they seen her.

After hugging Alex, Jessica hurdled toward Natalia, who eagerly accepted her love. The two whispered things in one another's ears, Jessica laughed. They were really best friends that hated one another most of the time.

✺ ✺ ✺

THE NEXT DAY in court decided it all. Natalia felt Hannah's presence this day. She could feel her hope. She swore she could. It was all around in the air. It was all Natalia could feel in her veins. After doing the girl, so wrong, could they redeem her name?

"All rise."

All of them did that. Natalia looked at Jessica who stood beside her. Hope. No negativity could ruin this none. She tried to keep her spirits high, but her brain told her to calm down.

The judge came out and sat.

"Be seated."

Everyone crashed down like a wave. Anxiety made Natalia's eye twitch. She'd been incredibly impatient. The jury had been brought in not long after.

"Madam Forewoman, have you reached a verdict?" The judge quizzed and the lady stood.

"Yes, we have, your honor."

"What say you?" The judge asked.

"We the jury, in the case of Andrew and Olivia Baker versus the Evergreen County School District, find the defendant not responsible."

Natalia's guts churned at these words. She swallowed hard enough for Jessica to hear beside her. Her eyes found Bryce, looking as cool as a cucumber, looking around. A scoff escaped her throat, loud enough for most to hear.

✺ ✺ ✺

THEY STOOD ON the steps of the courthouse, listening to Olivia Baker as she spoke to several reporters. Her heart ached as she listened. The presence of hope turned to pity and wondered if Hannah was there at all.

"Fucking Bryce." Clay muttered as he looked over his shoulder.

Natalia looked too, and let out a shaky sigh. It never got easy looking him in the face and ever since she defended herself it became harder. This had been the first time they'd been this close since she came out with the truth.

"Bryce Walker. You're under the arrest for two counts of felony sexual assault." Alex's father said as he handcuffed Bryce making Natalia swallow hard.

"You two made big fucking mistakes." Bryce spat as he'd been pushed through the crowd.

"Justin Foley. You're under arrest as an accessory to felony sexual assault." Another officer said, handcuffing Justin.

Exasperated, Natalia let out a sigh as tears beaded at her waterline. One little chapter closed, but only for another one to open.

... SAVIOR COMPLEX