"I'm really scared for her," Beca whispered to Chloe.
Chloe put her arms around Beca and hugged her. "I'm scared for her, too," Chloe said.
The girls went through security and found room where the bail hearing would be held and found seats. They waited and listened as others who had been charged stood before the judge and learned their fate regarding bail and getting out of jail for the time being.
"This judge is harsh," CR whispered. "He's given every single person nothing less than $250,000 bail."
All the girls were starting to get more anxious as each minute ticked by. Finally they heard Aubrey's name and saw her come from the side door to stand before the judge. Mr. Posen and another man walked up to stand beside her.
"Assistant District Attorney Samantha Logan for the Prosecution, Your Honor," an attractive African American woman said.
"Joseph Richardson and Benjamin Posen, attorneys for the Defense, Your Honor," Mr. Richardson, the Atlanta attorney that Mr. Posen hired, said.
Ms. Logan turned to the judge and said, "Your honor, Ms. Posen is charged with armed robbery. We have video evidence placing her at the scene, waving a gun around, and stealing jewelry. We recommend $500,000 bail."
"Mr. Richardson," the judge said. "Anything you'd like to add."
"Yes, Your Honor," Ben Posen said. "Ms. Posen currently attends Barden University and has close ties to the community. We feel $500,000 is a bit much."
"Ms. Posen is shown in a video brandishing a gun and stealing jewelry from a Pawn shop," Ms. Logan states. "Her family has money and we feel she is a flight risk. We do not feel that $500,00 is too much."
"What other evidence do you have, Ms. Logan?," the judge asks.
"We are currently waiting for the test results on some blood and hair that was found at the scene," Ms. Logan responds.
"I want the record to show that our client willingly submitted a DNA sample for comparison," Mr. Richardson said. "She wants to clear her name as soon as possible."
"So noted. Bail is set at $150,000," the judge says and bangs his gavel. "See the bailiff on your way out."
Aubrey is taken back through the doors she came in. Mr. Posen has a word with Mr. Richardson and Mr. Richardson leaves. Mr. Posen grabs his briefcase and heads back to where the girls are sitting.
"What does all that mean?," Chloe asks.
"Her bail is $150,000," Mr. Posen says. "I have my banker on standby so we can get a cashier's check immediately and get her out of here. I'm going to go place the call now."
He left pulling out his phone. The girls remained seated. They were confused and unsure of what happens next. Mr. Posen got Chloe's attention and waved for the girls to exit the court room. Once they were all out and gathered around Mr. Posen he said, "I'll have the check for her bail in about 15 minutes. Once it's paid, I just have to wait for them to release her. That should take about another hour. You girls should head back and I'll bring her back to Barden once she's released. Does anyone have any questions?"
There were no questions so the girls all went back to the bus and headed back to Barden. Chloe was sitting next to Beca and was watching her. Beca hadn't really said much the whole day and Chloe was getting a little concerned.
"Hey," she nudges Beca's shoulder. "Are you sure you're doing okay."
"I honestly don't know," Beca said looking around the bus. She wanted to make sure no one could hear what was being said. "I realized something today that scares the shit out of me," she continued. "I really like Aubrey and I'm afraid she's going to go to prison and I'll never find out if there is something there for us." Tears sprang to her eyes.
Chloe hugged her and said, "Oh, sweetie, don't be discouraged. She'll be home later today and I think you should tell her how you feel. We don't know how long it will be before the trial and she's going to need something good to come from all this."
"But what if she doesn't like me like that?," Beca said wiping the tears from her face.
"Trust me," Chloe said. "She likes you like that. She told me a few weeks ago that she'd wish she had the courage to ask you out. But then Stacie asked her out and she was so sincere about wanting to be with Aubrey that she gave Stacie a chance."
"Do you think it's too soon?," Beca asked. "I mean it's only been like 2 days since she called it quits with Stacie."
"I don't think so," Chloe said. "But if you feel like you should wait, then wait. Do what you feel comfortable doing."
"Thanks, Chlo," Beca said. "You truly are a great friend."
Chloe smiles at Beca and says, "Maybe I just like the idea of my two best friends getting together. She's an aca-girl, your'e an aca-girl, and you could have aca-children. To whom I will be an aca-awesome godmother. It's aca-inevitable."
"You're an aca-dork," Beca said with a chuckle.
Once the girls arrived back at Barden Beca went with Chloe to wait for Aubrey. They were getting nervous because they hadn't heard anything yet from Mr. Posen or Aubrey. It had been well over two hours since they spoke to Mr. Posen and Aubrey should have been released by now.
Chloe's phone finally pinged and Mr. Posen was informing them they were already on their way back to Barden and would be there in about 30 minutes. Chloe texted back and said they were going to order food so they could eat once they arrived.
About 30 minutes later there was knock on the door. Chloe rushed to answer it. It was the Chinese food they had ordered. Chloe was taking the takeout containers out of the bag when the door suddenly opened. Aubrey had barely taken two steps into the apartment when she was attacked by Beca and Chloe both. She hugged them and they held onto each other for several minutes. They finally broke apart when Mr. Posen coughed behind them.
"Oh, my gosh!," Chloe said. "I"m sorry, Mr. Posen. Please come in."
Mr. Posen chuckled lightly. "It's quite alright, my dear," he said. "It's just good to know Aubrey has so many friends who care so much about her."
"We all love Aubrey," Chloe said.
Aubrey looked exhausted. The last 48 hours have taken their toll on the girl. She flops down on the sofa and Beca asks if she wants something to eat. Aubrey nods and Beca rushes to the kitchen to fix a plate with Aubrey's favorites and takes it to her in the living room.
"Here you go, Brey," Beca said handing Aubrey a plate of food.
"Thanks, Beca," Aubrey said.
Beca smiles at her and returns to the kitchen where Mr. Posen and Chloe are getting their food. Beca fixes her plate and they all head back into the living room with Aubrey. Everyone is quiet while they eat.
Beca finally breaks the silence. "What's next, Mr. Posen?" she asks.
Mr. Posen wipes his mouth and says, "Well, there really isn't much we can do until the DNA test results come back. Once we have those then, if necessary, we can start working on our strategy and prepare for trial. If the results turn out in Aubrey's favor as we expect them to, we will get the charges dropped and expunged from her record. Otherwise, it will follow her everywhere even if she never went to trial."
"They can do that?," Beca asked. "Leave the charge on her record even when it turns out she wasn't the one responsible?"
"Don't worry," Mr. Posen said. "We are not going to let that happen."
Chloe was watching both Beca and Aubrey. She could see that Beca was sneaking glances at Aubrey the entire time. She could also see Aubrey sneaking glances at Beca. She smiled softly. Somehow, no matter what happens, she knew that her two best friends were going to end up together.
Unbeknownst to Chloe, Aubrey's father also saw the two sneaking glances at each other. His brows were furrowed slightly as he thought about what this meant. He was always hard on his daughter and expected her to follow the path he had set forth for her. He never really gave a thought about his daughter's sexual orientation. She has dated several boys who, if he was honest, were not good enough for her. She hasn't brought around any girls but from the looks between her and Beca, that may change soon. The more he thought about, the less it really bothered him. Sure, he was a hardass when it came to his daughter, but he did love her. If she loved a woman, then he would be happy she found someone special. He smiled at the realization; he was truly growing and it felt pretty good.
The quiet was suddenly shattered when Mr. Posen's phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and frowned.
"Benjamin Posen," he said answering the call.
He listened intently for a moment and all three girls jumped when he yelled, "Are you fucking kidding me?"