Thank you so much for your reviews already :) glad you like it. Here is chapter 2. I'm a good girl ;) so unfortunately not really got much knowledge on what goes on in the court room so i'm sorry if it isn't quite upto realistic standards. I fear realistically Jen would go down for this, but we'll see what happens :)
The day of Jen's trial had finally arrived. It had come around quite quickly actually, but for Jen and Tilly it had seemed like an eternity.
Diane and Liam had managed to get Jen out on bail when it had all gone down, but she'd spent most of her time locked away in her room, scared to face the world, the snide remarks, the knowing, judging looks, and of course her beautiful Tilly. The terms of her bail stated that she couldn't see or speak to her, yet both women hopelessly longed for each other. Tilly had hoped Jen might text or try and contact her in some way to tell her that she was ok, that they would be ok. She hoped maybe they might bump into each other accidently, or she might get a glimpse of her in the village, just something to put her mind at rest. However, Jen knew that if she saw Tilly even just for a second, then she would crumble. The one person she wanted to see, needed to see, was well and truly forbidden now. How could something so right be so completely wrong.
Tilly wanted to comfort her so badly, but she knew she'd make things worse for Jen if she tried to contact her. She already felt solely responsible for everything. If only she'd seen past herself to see what would happen once their relationship had been revealed. The courage Jen must have had to walk into Keeler's office knowing full well she was about to destroy her own life. Tilly broke down in tears at the thought of it. She'd blamed Jen for the life of lies they'd been wrapped up in, neither spotting Esther spiralling downwards. She'd wanted to feel right in herself after letting Esther down, but despite her maturity, and deep down her love for Jen, she had neglected to see just what it would mean to reveal it all. She had ruined everything and vowed never to forgive herself.
Tilly felt trapped. Trapped by her thoughts, trapped by her parents, trapped in a pointless world without the one person that breathes life into her. Tilly's parents were shocked and disgusted when they had heard the news from the police officers that had visited the house the afternoon of Jen's arrest. It couldn't sink in that their daughter had been taken advantage of by her teacher. Their first port of call was to march down to the college and demand explanations on how this could happen, how no one could have seen it. Tilly couldn't get through to them at all. They didn't want to know, they needed to be angry at everyone else for the time being, forgetting completely how it was affecting Tilly. They started keeping tabs on her, constantly needing to know who she was texting, where she was going. She finally snapped. 'Would you just leave me alone! Anyone would think this was all about you two the way you carry on. Well its not! Its about me, and its about Jen! She didn't take advantage of me whatsoever! We love each other unconditionally! Have you ever stopped to ask me what happened? How I feel about it all?...No!' Tilly was losing control. She'd had enough of them badmouthing Jen and blaming her for everything bad in their lives. 'You want to know what happened?! It was me, alright! We met before we knew she was a teacher, and I pursued her. Jen tried to stop it all, but she didn't stand a chance because I wanted her! Take a look in the mirror at yourselves before you go slagging her off! She is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and unlike you she makes me feel really good about myself. You should be thanking her for picking up the pieces of me that you two made me into with your constant university talk and pressurising me to fulfil your dreams!' She realised she'd got a bit carried away, and she knew deep down that it was actually an instant mutual attraction between herself and Jen, but her parents were barely prepared to listen to her, so she figured she'd rather they started having a go at her than laying it on Jen all the time. She wanted them to know how amazing Jen was even though she knew they'd never let themselves see it, they'd never let themselves see past their own opinions, as usual!
Jen woke early, nothing out of the ordinary as she was always an early riser, but today was different. Her stomach churned at the thought of the day ahead, the beginning of the rest of her life, the decision on the rest of her life.
Herself and Tilly had each been called to have video recorded interviews throughout the many weeks of statements and continuous trips into the police station. These would be played out to the court today for the Jury to observe, along with Jen's colleagues and a selection of both womens' friends and family, all sat nervously ready for their stint on the stand, ready to portray Jen in the best light possible. Witnesses were being held in a room up the corridor, ready to go when called, and Jen was pacing outside the court room, constantly fidgeting with her hands as time ticked by.
Back inside the court room Tilly was sat between both parents, with George and Phoebe directly behind. The judge entered the room and Tilly's heart sank as the realisation of it all was beginning to hit home. What happens if Jen goes down for this!? She'd obviously visit and everything, but how on earth would Jen cope? What if she stopped her visiting? Her mind whirred with the numerous 'what ifs' as though she had already sealed Jen's fate. Her mind stopped suddenly as the door opened and Jen walked in following her lawyer.
Jen's heart was beating way too quickly as her nerves had her drawing in short quick breaths, she felt like she was going to faint. She scanned the room for a familiar face and was not disappointed as Tilly was already locked onto her, beaming her a reassuring smile making her heart melt and settle into a more rhythmic state. Her worries seemed instantly insignificant, she could just drown in Tilly's beautiful glistening eyes right there and then. Her churning stomach eased as she focussed her thoughts on the matter at hand, focussed her energy on getting though this for Tilly, getting through today for the sake of them both.