Where the White Rose Withers

by Harell Smiley

  Spencer enters the courtyard, making her way back to the ballroom. “Jason?” She called. He nervously stops in his tracks. “What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t planning on coming.” Spencer asks. “I just wanted to take care of a few things, that’s all.” Jason fakes a smile. In the window she sees the gun behind his back. “Well, prom is kind of boring. They haven't even played good music yet. Maybe they have. I just came because my mom wanted me to be a normal kid. But I’m going to go to my locker.” Spencer made an excuse to leave. “Where did you just come from? Building three chem lab?” Jason asked. “I was checking to see if I left my book in there. But this week was so much with the police and investigation, I am exhausted.” Spencer explained calmly. Jason looked over at building three and looked back at Spencer. “Have a good night. Nice lipstick.” Jason smirked walking off.

  Spencer walks into prom, now trembling. “Mr. English.” She says, tears playing follow the leader down her cheeks. “What’s going on?” Mr. English leaned in. “Jason went to building three. Danielle is in there.” Spencer answered now crying. Peers are watching. Mr. English starts to storm off in a jealous rage until Spencer grabbed his arm. “Jason has a gun.” She says.

  The loud music vibrates the windows as everyone dances on the dance floor. “You know, when they said prom will be held at school I thought it was going to suck. But it’s actually really fun.” Crystal says, taking a sip of her spiked punch. “Hello, earth to Amber. Are you listening?” Crystal snapped her fingers. “Sorry. I’m just thinking about Dani. What she said.” Amber says, playing with her desert. “That bitch is a natural born liar. Don’t worry about her.” Crystal rolled her eyes. Amber stormed out into the courtyard. Trish and Crystal followed.

  “What is your problem?” Crystal yelled. “What is yours? Danielle did nothing to deserve any of this. We bullied her when all she wanted was friends.” Amber yelled. “You better watch who you are talking to like that!” Crystal pointed at Amber. “Guys can we just stop?” Trish got between them. “Danielle is a liar. That’s all she will ever be good at. Her good looks and lying. That will get her very far.” Crystal barked. “You guys. I have information. A serious one.” Bethany interrupted. “What are you wearing?” Amber said in a judgmental tone. “Shut up.” Crystal snapped. “Spill it.” Crystal ordered. “The night of the sleepover, Danielle snuck out of the penthouse. I followed her. She met this man and kissed him.” She confessed. “So, we all do that once in a while. That’s not information.” Crystal rolled her eyes. “The man was Mr. English. I wasn’t lying.” Bethany added. “Still not a liar?” Crystal turned to Amber. “Let’s find this little harlot and expose her.” Crystal storms off to find her. “How about we just leave her alone? She didn’t do anything to us!” Amber yelled. “What is your problem? You haven’t been a good friend for a while. If you don’t want to be friends then leave!” Crystal yelled back. “You know what. I’ve been here through everything. I’m sorry, I don’t jump every time you need to talk about some random guy you fucked or new drug you tried. I raced over and held you on the bathroom floor while you cried. If that isn’t a true friend then I guess we were never friends. Fuck our memories, fuck your fake feelings and fuck you Crystal!” Amber stormed off.

  Danielle exits the bathroom and starts making her way down the hallway. “So, this was all a game to you?” She hears a voice in the side hallway. Jason. “Jason, please leave me alone.” Danielle keeps walking. “You’re all I have!” He yells. “No. I am not. We are in two different worlds. We would never have lasted. I did you a favor.” Danielle argued back. “How? By cheating on me?” Jason asked. “What are you talking about?” Danielle asked, knowing exactly what he meant. “Tell me the truth.” Jason now held the gun at her. “Jason. Put the gun down.” Danielle yelled. “Tell the fucking truth!” Jason screamed. Eyes swollen from crying. Snot seeping from his nose like syrup. “God how could I be so fucking stupid! You tricked me. I love you Dani. So much. Why couldn’t I be enough? Why can’t I ever be enough?” Jason yelled. “You want the truth? I had a student teacher affair with Mr. English. It was wrong, but it happened. I tried to back away from him. I figured if I started dating someone he will leave me alone. And then I saw you. There was something about you that caught my eyes. You made me happy. But he wouldn’t stop. I didn’t want to be labeled as a girl that was hooking up with her teacher. I am sorry. But this isn’t the answer Jason. I can’t be with you because I am damaged. Always have been and always will be. I’m a freakin’ mess.” Danielle played the role well.

  Around the corner, Mr. English was getting arrested from Danielle’s confession. The other police waited for their moment. Nate and Sarah entered the hallway and stopped at the sight of the gun. “What are you doing? Put that down bro!” Nate yelled with his hands up. “What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be here you rapist!” Jason then pointed the gun at Nate. “Jason no! Look at me. I’m here. Just focus on me.” Danielle baited him back towards her. “You don’t have to do this. You can build a future. You can be enough. Outside of this school. I never believed you couldn’t.” Danielle tried to talk him down. “You hurt me. A lot. Hurting you wouldn’t do anything, but make me feel even worse.” Jason says. A few moments passed and Jason aimed the gun toward Nate again. “But to get better, you have to get worse.” Jason says. Gunshots echoed through the halls, mixing with Sarah and Danielle’s screams. Another gunshot sounds. And another.

  And another.

  11 . the eighth commandment

  Day I.

  T hey say the courtroom is one of the most serious places you will ever be in your life. Aside from the grave and in a hospital bed. They also say You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor . The Rose family sat in the front row in the courtroom. Judge Rollings takes his seat. “This is the case of Carl Terril vs Spencer Loving . We will be hearing this case a little differently.” Rollings announced.

  Carl sits at the front table with his three lawyers. Mr. McCormack stands from his seat. “I call Miss Loving to the stand.” The lawyer swayed slowly over to the stand as she gave her oath. Spencer wore a navy-blue dress that fell to her knees with a white collared shirt underneath, like some school girl. Don't forget the blazer. Her hair curled down in front of her.

  “Is it true that on the night of March 15 th, you were at the house party with Mr. Terril?” He asks. “Yes. I was invited.” Spencer answered. “Invited by whom? If I may ask.” Mr. McCormack held his hands behind his back. “Nathaniel Rose.” Spencer started to tear up. “You stated and reported that you were sexually assaulted by my client. Is that true?” Mr. McCormack asks next. “Y-yes I was raped.” Spencer answered in a quiet voice; barely anyone could hear her. The crowd leaned in, scooting to the edge of their seats. “Do you know the difference between sexual assault and rape, Miss Loving?” Mr. McCormack made a face at her answer. “Yes. Rape is penetration, assault is touching, grabbing or other forms of touching. Next question please.” Spencer challenged him.

  “Is it true that you willingly went into a bathroom with Mr. Terril at said house party?” Mr. McCormack continued. “You were the only one in the bathroom with him.” He added in a low tone. Spencer lowered her head and nodded. “I’m sorry, but can you speak up, please.” Mr. McCormack says. “I was helping him clean himself up after a drink was thrown on him.” Spencer said, and she began to cry. The room started to buzz with whispers. “A drink that contained ketamine mixed with Rohypnol. Did you plan on drinking more with him?” Mr. McCormack asked. “No! I never had any intentions of that.” Spencer yelled. “Order in my court.” Judge Rollings demanded. “I have no further questions.” Mr. McCormack said, walking away from the stand with a huge smile on his face.

  Ms. Barnes, the other attorney, went up to the stand holding a piece of paper. “Can you please read what this says, Spencer. Loud enough so that the people in the back may hear you.” She hands her the paper. Spencer sat up, wiped a few tears from her red eyes and read what
was on the paper. “ I think you’re really cute. I hope to one day be able to have a chance with you - Spencer Loving. ” She was shocked at the note. Ms. Barnes nodded and took back the paper. “This note was found in the textbook of Mr. Terril. It is possible that Spencer saw an opportunity at the party and took it. Then, not realizing what had happened, she came home, told her mother a lie, and reported it to the police.” Ms. Barnes explained. “Are you saying I was taking advantage of Carl while he was drunk?” Spencer asked, angrily. “Those words never came out of my mouth Miss Loving.” Ms. Barnes smiled. “Is it possible that he ignored this note and rejected you at the party?” She then asked. “No. Because I never wrote that. I know my handwriting. And that is not it.” Spencer shot back. “It happens every day to young, beautiful girls. Why is it not possible for you?” Ms. Barnes asks. “Because he wasn’t the one I had a crush on. Never have and never will. I saw he was drunk and struggling and decided to help him. That was my only mistake.” Spencer replied. Ms. Barnes nodded and went back to her seat.

  Mr. Haley then approached the stand. “Are you mentally ill? Are you sure you didn't write that note? Why did you leave a note instead of just telling him yourself?” He asks. “Objection!” Mrs. Myers proclaimed. “What relevance does my client's mental state have to the case?” She added. “Agreed.” The judge said. “Mr. Haley, are you badgering the woman in order to confuse her?” Judge Rollings asks. Haley blinked his eyes innocently. “No, your Honor, I would never.” He held his arms open. “Then, carry on.” Judge Rollings continued. “I never wrote that note.” Spencer glared towards Mr. Haley. “That is all.” He went to take his seat. “Thank you, Miss Loving. I would like to call Danielle Rose to the stand.” Mrs. Myers requested.

  Danielle strutted up to the stand in her tight red dress and black blazer. “Miss Rose. Please dress appropriately for court.” Judge Rollings comments. “Given what is in my closet, this is appropriate.” Danielle answers with a smile. She flipped her orange curly hair behind her and crossed her legs. “Miss Rose, it was reported that you bullied Spencer Loving. Is that true?” Mrs. Myers asks. “Not at all. My former friends and myself gave her a makeover and helped her social skills in school. We did not bully her.” Danielle answered. “That is not what the report says here.” Mrs. Myers read the paper. “It says you and your brother, Carl, and your friends lured her there.” Mrs. Myers pointed out. “Lured? I was not at the party, nor did I tell her to go. She wasn’t ready for that scene. I was with my former boyfriend at the time.” Danielle stated. “The boyfriend that brought a gun to prom? Rest his soul. The one you confessed to having a student teacher affair with Mr. George English to?” Mrs. Myers asked. Danielle raised an eyebrow. “Yes.” She answers, looking at her family. “You also kept the knowledge of your brothers past a secret from her, putting her and your friends in potential danger. Is that correct?” Mrs. Myers added. “It's not my business to disclose with others. Especially when there are public resources online.” Danielle commented back, now having an attitude. “But she was your friend. And you let that happen to her, was this something you planned with your brother?” Mrs. Myers asks. “Spencer and I created a new friendship.” Danielle started. “My apologies, I was talking about Brielle Loft.” Mrs. Myers corrected herself. “Don’t you dare question my friendship or loyalty to Brielle. She was family to me.” Danielle slammed on the stand. “Miss Rose. Control your temper.” Judge Rollings ordered. “I guess what I am trying to get at is, why did Spencer go to that party? Where she was raped. Told by your own flesh and blood to go. Who has a past of such violent and aggressive nature. Danielle. Why did she go?” Mrs. Myers asks. “That should have been a question, to ask her. I am no one’s keeper. I gave her a makeover. That was it.” Danielle smirked. “She was your charity project. You took it upon yourself to change a girl whose life would have remained undisturbed. Did she ask you to change her?” Mrs. Myers asked, creeping closer to the stand. “She didn’t, yet she didn't say no to it either. The new clothes, hair and makeup she liked it. She said this was a change that she needed. Sometimes people are scared to speak up or change because of the people around them. But, she didn't have any fear lying to the police about my brother and myself allegedly luring her to that party that we didn’t attend. Funny how that works out. She had a lot to say at prom though. Hm.” Danielle answered. “That is all Miss Rose.” Ms. Myers took her seat, as did Danielle.

  “We will continue this trial tomorrow morning at nine A.M. on the dot. Court dismissed.” Judge Rollings banged the gavel.

  Danielle got into the car with her family in an awkward silence. “Dad-” She started. “We will talk at home.” He says with a stern tone. “Nate, when you get on that stand they are going to tear you apart. You need to be ready for anything that comes at you. I will be representing you. We will get past this.” Donovan informs him, going through papers. “Nothing to worry about honey. We will be okay. Just keep your head up and out of the spotlight.” Hazel says. “Hey, you okay?” Nate asked, placing his hand on Danielle’s knee. “I’ll be fine.” She whispered as she caught a single tear on her cheek. “Kids, now you know how vicious lawyers can be. I hope this teaches you to not do anything that causes you to need one.” Felton says, pulling into the driveway.

  The family met in the living room. Danielle and Nate sat together on the couch, Felton in his favorite chair. Hazel and Donovan lingered in the back, feeling the anger building up in Felton. “How long has this been happening?” Felton asked. “Since the beginning of the school year.” Danielle answered. “Did he...” Felton trailed off, interrupted by the thought of the two having sex. “No. Nothing like that happened. He flirted, I flirted. Maybe a kiss or two was exchanged. That was all.” She explained, now crying. “He is an adult in an educational role! He is a pedophile.” Felton punched the glass table, cracking it. “So you go to parties, do drugs, bully people in school, sleep with your teacher and you don’t see that there’s a serious issue?” Felton lists everything. “Sounds like I had a busy year this year.” Danielle inspects her nails. “You just love to make our family look bad, don't you?” Felton asked. “You are a disgrace.” He added. “Babe.” Hazel says, shocked at the words coming from his mouth. Danielle’s face hardened. “Yes. I am. Next to rapists and killing friends in a failed attempt to get their businesses, I am a huge disgrace. I always looked up to you daddy. How you worked, how you made things happen. How you socialized. I was amazed. Now, I see a failure. A failure of a businessman, a failure of a man and a failure of a father.” Danielle hit him in the softest part. “Dani!” Donovan snapped. Shocked at his daughter’s reply, Felton let a tear drop. “Look at that. Now we are both hurt. Hope it was worth it.” Danielle strutted to her room.

  Dinner was awkward and silent. Nate received a text message. He looked at it under the table. “No phones at the dinner table.” Hazel reminded him. “Sorry mom.” He says, turning down the brightness.

  Unknown : Control your bitch or this picture will be used tomorrow.

  Attachment: 1 Image

  Someone had a picture of Nate and Elijah the night of the party. “I have to go.” Nate dashed out of the house and into the car. “Erica! Are you home?” He asked in a panic. “Yes. Why?” She replies. “What is wrong?” She added. “I'm on my way.” Nate hangs up.

  Erica waited outside of her home, pacing nervously. She sees the car pull up in the driveway and Nate jumps out. “What is going on?” She asks, kissing him. “Carl sent this to me. If you testify tomorrow, he will release this picture. I can go to jail.” Nate informed her. “Nate. I will not let him get away with rape. I let that football team and a bully destroy my sister and she is dead. I will not let that happen to this girl.” Erica replied, her voice getting louder with anger. “I can’t go to jail.” Nate says. “I ignored your past. And now you want me to protect another rapist? Leave! Now!” Erica stormed to the door. Nate grabbed her arm and pushed her against the front glass door. “Please!” He whispers, realizing he was losin
g his temper. “Goodbye.” She says, walking into the house.

  Day II.

  Court was in session for the continuation of the trial. Judge Rollings entered and got settled in his chair. The room is silent as he takes a sip of water, everyone waiting on his instruction. “Let’s start.” He says. “Your honor, I'd like to call Crystal Lopez to the stand.” Mrs. Myers announced. Crystal walked up to the stand. “Miss Lopez, you are friends with Danielle Rose correct?” Mrs. Myers asks. “Were friends.” Crystal corrected. “Oh, mind if I ask why did the friendship end?” Mrs. Myers turned towards Danielle. “No one wants to be friends with a girl whose brother is a rapist. So, we all stopped talking to her.” Crystal explained. “Within good reason.” Mrs. Myers comments. “Has she ever forced you to bully or torment another student?” She added. “She’s a classic mean girl. We all decided to give Spencer a makeover though. And Spencer never rejected it.” Crystal explains. “Thank you.” Mrs. Myers says, then calls Amber who explained the same thing and nothing but good experiences with the Rose family.