Spinelli walked around the town, her hands in her pocket, trying not to think about tomorrow, when she would be going back to school. She didn't want to go back to her old elementary school. Going there would just remind her of times she couldn't go back to. She had been walking around for over an hour, not really paying attention to where she was going. When she finally stopped, Spinelli looked up and found that she was in front of Kelso's. She hadn't been here in years; a soda shop that sold bubble gum and trading cards somehow lost its appeal as you got older, but Spinelli found herself pushing open the glass door and walking in.

The shop was exactly like she remembered it; she wondered if old man Kelso himself was still here…

She walked to the front counter, where there was only one other customer who had her back to Spinelli.

"There you go, dear," a man, who Spinelli assumed to be a slightly more aged Mr. Kelso, said, handing the girl a milkshake. "Enjoy."

"Thanks," the girl said, turning around. Spinelli blinked. The girl was none other than Gretchen.

The two girls stared at each other for a few seconds, and then without a word, Gretchen walked out of the shop.

"What can I get you?" Mr. Kelso asked Spinelli.

"Oh, um," Spinelli said, turning her attention towards him. "I-I guess I'll have a chocolate shake." She wondered whether Mr. Kelso recognized her…

"Coming right up," he smiled.

Spinelli sat down at one of the stools. It seemed like only yesterday her and her former friends were all sitting here, cheering on Mikey as he tried to eat Mr. Kelso's twelve-scoop deluxe sundae.

"You look like you do with some extra chocolate in your shake," Mr. Kelso said kindly, sprinkling some chocolate sprinkles

"Thanks," she said glumly.

"It's certainly been a day of old faces," he said, grinning.

Spinelli looked up. "You mean you remember me?"

"Of course I do; you and your friends used to be my best customers, Spinelli," he laughed. "You six used to come in here every day after school. I was just telling Gretchen how much I missed you all before you came in."

"Yeah, well, I guess we sort of-"

"Grew up," Mr. Kelso finished knowingly. "Yes, I suppose this place has lost its appeal to teenagers with all those new-fangled coffee cafes and yogurt places popping up on every corner."

"Not entirely," Spinelli smiled, taking a sip of her shake. "This is really good."

"Why thank you," he replied. "Now, if you don't mind my asking…I was sort of curious to know why you aren't all here together?"

Spinelli sighed. "You mean me and the others? Gretchen, Mikey, Gus, T.J. and Vince?"

"Yessiri."

"Well…we just sort of stopped hanging out in middle school," she told him. "You know, we all got new friends, had different interests..."

"Shame," he said, wiping down the counter. "It's not too often you see a group of friends as close as you six were."

"It's fine," she shrugged. "Like I said, we all got new friends now, so we're not completely alone or anything."

"I see," he said heavily, taking her empty glass. "Well, so long as everyone's happy, I suppose that's the best anyone can wish for."

Spinelli nodded as she hopped off the stool. "See you around, Mr. Kelso." She headed towards the door, but then stopped.

"Mr. Kelso," she said, turning back around. "Did you hear about Gus?"

"I heard alright," he sighed.

"You know he's pleading innocent?"

"I know."

"Do-Do you think he really is?"

"Spinelli," he said. "That boy nearly had a nervous break down after he stole gum from my shop seven years ago. He had some real good morals, that boy. And if he said he didn't do it, well, I'm going to believe him."

Spinelli said nothing, and continued out of the store.

….

"You were never bullied?" Jerome Baker said to his client, frowning.

"No, not really," Gus shrugged. "I used to get teased about my size in middle school, but that was nothing. Besides, I grew before I reached high school."

"No home problems? Parents fighting? Money issues? Abuse?"

"No!" he exclaimed. "What does this have to do with anything?"

"Look, Gus," Jerome sighed. "Your case doesn't look good. If I'm going to get you off, I'm going to have to make you look sympathetic to the jury."

"Or," Gus said. "I could tell them the truth when I take the stand."

"You're not taking the stand," Jerome said shortly.

"What?"

"I'm not going to have you lose me my case by going up there and making a fool of yourself!" he snapped. "Besides, you go up there and that gives the prosecution a chance to badger you. No, it's too risky."

"Jerome," Gus sighed. "Do you think I'm innocent?"

"Doesn't matter what I believe," he said, closing his briefcase.

Gus that statement right there answered his question.

"Remember, don't talk to any press without me," he said, signaling the guard to open the cell.

"Griswald, stay put," the officer said, letting Jerome out. "Your mother's here to see you."

Gus's parents came about once a week. Gus could tell this whole ordeal was taking an immense toll on his parents; especially his mother. When she entered the cell, Gus saw that her hair was messy and uncombed and her face was thinning.

"Mom," Gus said weakly.

"Hi, baby," she said softly. "You eating okay in here?"

"Yeah, mom," Gus nodded. "Where's dad?"

"He's at work," she said. "I bought you a suit for the trial."

"Thanks," Gus said. Then he broke down. "Mom," he sobbed. "What's going to happen to me? No one believes me, they won't let me tell them what happened, and it's not fair!"

His mom caressed his hand. "It's going to be okay, Gus."

"You believe me, right?"

"You're my son," his mom said firmly.

"But is that the only reason you believe me?"

"Griswald, time's up!" the guard called.
"But she just got here!"

"That lawyer of yours used up your visitation time for the week," the guard snapped. "Mrs. Griswald, out here, please."

"I love you, Gus," she said to her son as she walked out of the cell.

…..

thanks so much for reading, you guys. Anyway, I just set up a Twitter. If you want, please follow me shahnawz94