In my last years there were bruises on my face
In my dawn and new day
I finally got away
But my head's all messed up and he knows
Just what to say

No more dawn and new days
I'm going back to stay
Why say bye bye?
When it only makes me cry

I still

"And now that the court has found Douglas Bristol guilty on all counts, I have been asked to allow Mr. Witter to speak." Judge Stein looked to Pacey and nodded. "Please, Mr. Witter."

Pacey buttoned up the suit jacket he was wearing and stood. He felt his father squeeze his hand, but he didn't look back. Knowing that all eyes were on him, including those of Joey, Dawson, Jen, Doug, his parents, and especially Mr. Bristol, he felt slightly nervous.

He pulled a piece of wrinkled notebook paper out of his pocket and held it out in front of him. The whole courtroom was attentive and silent. Many of his classmates stared at him with empty gazes. It was incredibly intimidating and he almost couldn't find his voice.

But his father was in the third row. He smiled at Pacey. He mouthed words Pacey couldn't really comprehend at the moment, but that made him feel safe and happy.

"I'm proud of you."

"I love you."

"Do this."

"You can."

"We're here for you."

Pacey smiled back and nodded. It was a small smile, a very private smile. No one else could know that he was happy right then. They thought he was miserable, they thought he was scared. But he wasn't anymore.

"Thank you, Your Honor," Pacey remembered to say. His lawyer nodded gratefully.

"There are only a few things I'd like to say today. And not all of them are directed at you, Mr. Bristol." He watched his former teacher wince. Good, he thought.

"A few months ago, something happened that took away a lot of things in my life. I lost my sense of pride, self-worth, self-confidence, self-esteem among other things. But most importantly, I was so preoccupied with the thought that I was to blame, that it was all my fault, that I had lost my common sense.

I know now that I didn't do anything to deserve this. And I know that I have friends and family who care so much about me. And I almost pushed them all away. I almost let them all go.

I want to say thank you to everyone who was there for me. You saved me from myself." Pacey wiped away the single tear that had rolled down his cheek. "Thank you, Mr. Bristol, for showing me what an extended family I have. I forgive you for what you did because a lot more good than bad came from this."

He turned to the judge and smiled to show that he was done. "Thank you, Mr. Witter."

Pacey walked back to his seat just as the applause began to start. Mr. Witter was the first to stand up, followed by his mother, his brother, his sisters, Dawson, Joey, and Jen.

He looked at his father and whispered, "It's over."

THE END.

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