The Letter

“Where are you going?” Austin asked while making dinner.

“Oli’s court date is today, it starts in an hour, I have to go.”

I rushed out the door and into the car. I quickly drove to the courthouse and waited. When the people in the room he was supposed to be in left I rushed in and waited. “Who are you here for?” The judge asked. “The Oliver Sykes case sir.” I replied. He didn’t say anything else. I sat there and waited for 45 minutes. Oli came in and I moved over right behind him. He was dressed up in a suit and his hair was all nice looking. I saw Austin come in 10 minutes after everyone else did. He sat down next to me.

The judge started talking and Oli stood up and said some stuff, then I unknowingly stood up, my mind was in another place. “Sir, may I speak?” I said talking to the judge. “Does it have anything to do with the outcome of this man?” He replied. “Yes sir it does.” “Please take a seat.” He said pointing to the witness chair. I walked up there and sat down in the chair. “Sir, my name is Ashley Manson, I’m the victim of the defendant. First off. Oliver is not capable of any of the things the accuser, Ricky Olson, said about him. I’ve known Oli for almost 2 years. And he had never once shown any signs of being an abuser. Second, I have someone to prove that point.” Hannah Snowdon walked through the court doors. I smiled at her and she smiled back.

“Hello sir, I’m Hannah Snowdon, Oliver’s ex-girlfriend. There’s been rumors started by Ricky Olson that are not true. Oli never tried to poison me, I cheated on him and that’s how it ended.” Then she sat down next to Austin.

“See, Ricky is a liar. I know for a fact that Oli would never hurt someone, he was hurt way too much as a child for that. And third. I’m dropping all charges, I’d much rather you charge the person who deserves it. Ricky Olson.” I said.

The judge looked down at me, then he told the council to approach the bench. He said something about how they needed to go arrest the other guy. Oli was tearing up.

“Sir.” I said to the judge, “I’m sorry for the trouble, but I do believe that it was Ricky. Oliver wouldn’t be capable of this. I know this for a fact.”

“Ma’am I think you for your honesty, I don’t want to accuse the wrong person. Though he did shoot you, I’ll let him tell his side on that. You may step down. Oliver you may come up.”

I walked back to the seat next to Austin and listened to Oli talk. “I only shot her because Ricky had a gun pointed at me. There was cameras all around, you can check them. But he had a gun pointed at me.” The judge grabbed a paper from his desk and signed it, “Officer, go get the tapes from the surrounding businesses.” One of the court officers left. We took a 40 minute recess. When we returned the judge had a TV and tapes sitting next to it. Oli returned to the defendant’s table area, and I sat down behind him. “Please play tape number one.” The judge said. The bailiff played the tape. There it was, me hugging Ricky and Ricky with a gun to Oli, and Oli with a gun to my back. We watched, and at the last minute, it looked like Ricky was about to shoot him. Oli moved the gun down and shot my leg. He moved it down to save my life…

I cried a little and Austin hugged me. “Oliver Sykes, please stand.” The judge demanded. Oli stood. “Under the new evidence you are here by dismissed from this case, but both you and Mrs. Manson are required to stay in the United States until further notice. And will be called in to help prosecute Mr. Olson. Is that understood?” “Yes sir.” Oli replied. “This court is adjourned.” He said banging his gavel.

Oli walked back to me and smiled. “I’m so sorry that happened Ashley…” Oli whispered into my ear. Now I had to make the choice. Oli or Austin, or neither and find some really cute guy who’s actually my age. LIKE LIAM! But I can’t see him anytime soon because I have to stay here, fuck. “What are you going to do?” Austin asked, referring to Oli. “Oli why don’t you stay with us for a while?”

“I’d love that.” He smiled.

We walked outside and were swarmed by the press. Oli stood behind me and Austin in front. We pushed our way through these people and got into our cars. Oli road with me. “Hey Ash?” He asked looking down at his hands. “What is it Oli?” “Thank you for that… the least I could do is take you out to dinner, a very late dinner.” “I’d love that Oli.” I looked at the clock and realized that it was 11PM. God it was late, but I was very hungry. We stopped at this vegan place and ate the gross food. I was not vegan, I did not like vegan food, but I ate it anyways. Austin texted me and asked when I would be coming home, I told him after dinner. “You should get that fixed.” Oli said pointing to my lighthouse tattoo. “Ha, I should, but the memory makes me think of the good times, so I won’t.” I said picking at my food. “Whatever floats your boat darling.”

When we finished eating I drove back to my place. Oli slept in the guest room, I made my way to mine and Austin's room. He was laying on his side snoring. I sighed and changed into my pajamas. I tossed and turned, and tried to go to sleep, but I just couldn’t. I was way too stressed to sleep. I went downstairs and made myself some tea and sat down on the couch. Moments later I heard footsteps come down the stairs. Oli appeared in just his boxers. “Couldn’t sleep either love?” He cooed. “I tried.” I laughed.

He sat down next to me and just wouldn’t stop staring at me, it made me blush, “What?!” I asked laughing. “I never noticed how beautiful your eyes were.” That just made me blush harder. He continued to stare at me, he moved his head closer and kissed me passionately. It surprised me at first, but then I started kissing him back. God I missed his lips, I missed his taste, I missed him. “Tides will bring me back to you…” Oli whispered, parting from our kiss. Tides brought you back Oli, they brought you back…

Notes