Chapter Fourteen (Court Case)

Rachel POV

"They can't do that!" I yelled "I'm almost 17 and am older enough to choose where I live! Technically I could live by myself or with Aunt Sue or one of the cheerios even Noah" I continued rambling

"Well let's not go there" Mum replied clearly not liking the idea of me living with my boyfriend

"They can't force her to live with them" Ruby stated

"They're never home anyway" Rachel bitterly added

"Girls, don't worry about it. I'll sort it out" mum pulled us both into a hug

Two rather uneventful weeks past and finally the court date had arrived; it all happened quickly normally there was months of waiting.

"I thought of another reason why I can't move back with them" I said while we drove to the court house

"And what is it this time" Mum sighed, she was used to hearing my reasons every day for the past two weeks

"I just finished decoration my room" I said gleefully causing Mum and Ruby to roll their eyes

- Rach,

Don't worry about a thing, you will get to live where you want and if not I'll hide you at mine ;)

- Puck

I giggled at Noah's text especially his offer to hide me.

"What's so funny?" Ruby asked trying to peer over the seat to read the message

"No of your business nosy" I replied whacking her hands away

"What can't you share it with your dear twin?" Ruby asked sweetly

"Fine you can see it" I relented. Once she saw it she began to laugh as well

"Okay now you have to tell your mother what was in the text" Mum said

- Noah

I know a few people who won't approve of that living situation

- R*

"Sorry but its privileged information" I replied my tone suggesting I wasn't sorry one bit

"Please Rachie" Mum pleaded

"How about we bargain, I'll tell you if you buy me some new sheet music, do we have a deal?"

"Fine" Mum agreed

"Okay well Noah being the wonderful boyfriend he is offered to hide me at his place if the court says I have to live with my dads'. You know like a permanent sleepover" I wiggled my eyebrow suggestively, making Ruby laugh and Mum to visibly pale at the idea.

"No, no I don't like that plan. It's bad enough that you have already spent a week at his place" Mum said getting worked up

"Mum I'm just kidding" I laughed and then added quiet enough so only Ruby could hear since she was still leaning on my chair "Sort of"

Once we arrived at the court house I was suddenly nervous, what if the judge decided I couldn't stay with mum? Should I show off my amazing talent in attempt to aw to jury? Is there even a jury?

"Rach calm down" mum said once I started to hyperventilate

"I'm fine" I took a few deep breaths "Do you think the judge would like to see my list of reasons why I have to live with you?" I ask curiously

"I guess it can't hurt" she shrugged. I made sure the list was in my bag before exiting the car and entering the courthouse with my mum and Ruby by my side.

"We are convened here today to discuss custody of Rachel Barbra Berry" the judge said once we had taken our seats "Both parties have opted to not have legal representation to keep the case as low cost as possible. Mr. Berry you have the stand"

"Thank you your honor. Well first I would like draw the courts attention to the fact that we legally custody of Rachel and Shelby has broken the law by contacting Rachel as she signed a contract stating she would not seek Rachel out until she was 18" Dad told judge, turns out there isn't a jury. My dad's continued portraying Shelby as the bad guy. I could tell that the judge was beginning to side with them.

"Mum can I build up my own case?" I whispered as daddy was finishing their case

"You can try but I will step in if I feel the need" she whispered back

"Ms. Corcoran you may have the floor now" the judge informed her

"Actually I will be building my own case, I have a list containing 32 reasons why I will be living with Mum" I handed the judge a copy of my list and began to read some aloud "Reason one, my mother will be able to further my Broadway career as she sings and her voice is amazing, reason two I am older enough to choose who I live with…. Reason thirteen I would like to get to know my twin sister who my fathers have forbidden me from seeing… Reason thirty-two I have already decorated my room and it would be a waste of money if I didn't use it" this list was my main point, before I finished I decided to give them a few more facts about my dad's and then the only living outcomes I would accept "Another reason why living with mum will benefit me more is that she is around all the time, she is there to pick me up from cheerios or to attend my competitions and concerts, my dad's however are never around they have been gone for months and neglected to release any of the issues I was having then. I may almost an adult but that doesn't mean I not need love and attention. And finally no matter what the court decides I will either be living with my mum, aunt or boyfriend, this is merely a formality" I stated before re taking my seat.

"After much deliberation I have decided to grant custody to…." The judge spoke after a lengthy break

AN: Sorry if that isn't what happens in court. I'm losing interest in this story but I need to end it, who do you want to get custody and it will probably only have one more chapter left