What’s that I smell? Barbeque? Oh no, it’s just Paula getting grilled.

Step one: Ruin witness’s credibility. Status: Complete. Step two: Obliterate the witness’s confidence. Status: Complete.

Step three: Get the prosecution on the judge’s bad side. Status: Complete.

Kristal stood triumphantly while the prosecutor limped away with his tail in between his legs.

———————-

 Ashley headed out a few hours ago to pick up some food and whatnot, so Kristal and I are lounged out in the loft while I try to explain the entire story behind Paula’s beef with me.

“…but I came home late after we partied, so she flipped out on me. I didn’t even know she would be at the house. She works so much a barely see her twice a week.”

“And this was after she slapped you?”

“Yeah. It was really weird. I was about to go upstairs to my room and she called me downstairs, so I was really confused. Then she started asking all these random questions about school and my life because,” I use air-quotes, “she didn’t know anything about her own daughter.”

“Wow,” she chuckled.

“I got pretty mad that she just happened to decide she wanted to get to know me again after four years of being absent, and I told her. She got pissed and then she slapped me. After that, I crashed at Madison’s house for a few days, and then that’s when I went partying with Ashley.”

She nods. “I think I’m starting to understand.”

“So back to what I was saying, I got back from the club and she and I got into an argument, which was when she decided to kick me out. When my dad found out about the whole thing, he kicked her out.”

“She actually left?”

 I nodded. “There wasn’t much she could do. The house is in my dad’s name, so he decides who can and can’t stay.”

Kristal looked deep in thought. “She never came back after that?”

“Not at all. She even made her friend come and get her stuff out.”

The redhead’s features contort in confusion. “So then why the hell does she know about you and Ashley?”