Ch. 11 Trial
Jackson stared nervously as the courthouse. It was his trial for the fight. All of his friends- his wonderful friends- were testifying for him. His step dad was already inside. He had no idea what to do- he was so nervous.
Finally a police guard gripped him roughly by the arm. He gritted his teeth as he led him into the courtroom and sat him down in one of those guarded chairs. Finally, the judge came in- (All Rise) - and Jackson stared down at his shoes.
(AN: Since I know absolutely nothing about the courtroom (Judging shows aren't my style) I'll just skip to the testimonies.)
Melissa walked up, stared at Jackson, and sighed.
"I know everyone here thinks that what happened just before we left was all Jackson's fault. But it wasn't. It was those boys' fault. He was really happy that he got to go on this trip, ironically I know, and those people who he once counted as friends just called him names and stuff. I know he wasn't supposed to be there, but he really wanted to tell them. Anyone can understand that. And it wasn't his fault the fight broke out. He tried to break it up, even. And even if it might have been his fault, he truly is a good person. He didn't want to be the leader back on the island, but he was the best one we could have. And he is extremely loyal, and he comforts us really well, and… well," Melissa blushed, "he is the most caring boyfriend I could ever have. I love him. And everyone who knows me knows that I don't really hang out with people who aren't that nice, and… well, if I am in love with him that means he's one of the best people out there. And if you lock him up," Melissa glared at the judge, this wasn't a jury case, "You got to be prepared to lock me up with him, because I'm not leaving his side. Not now," Melissa walked over to where Jackson was sitting, and stood on the side of the chair that the guard wasn't sitting on, "not ever."
The judge gave her a look. Daley walked up to give testimony, as did Nathan, Lex, Abby, Eric, and Taylor. All talking about how Jackson was the best leader they could have ever had how he was a good person. Melissa reached out and squeezed his hand. He smiled weakly at her.
It was long and invigorating. The prosecutor kept saying on how he was being fake to the other survivors, on how he was a trouble maker. Melissa was red in the face- that wasn't true. The defender kept talking about how he showed natural leadership skills and was caring about his friends. That was true, and it made Melissa smile.
Finally, it was a recess while the judge thought. Melissa sat near Jackson as he waited outside.
"You know I meant that," Melissa murmured softly.
"I know you meant that," Jackson smiled weakly at her. Melissa leaned over and gently kissed him. Jackson lifted his hand to the back of her neck, supporting the kiss.
They deepened it for a little while, before Melissa gently broke away.
"Melissa, please," Jackson pleaded, "I need all the comfort I can get right now," he looked desperate. Melissa hated to see him like that.
"Okay," she whispered, and kissed him again. She gently wrapped her arms around him and he did likewise. Both comforted by the other's love, it was when the guard issued a cough that they broke apart.
"I love you, good luck," Melissa murmured.
"I love you, Mel," Jackson choked out before he was led back into the courtroom. Melissa was comforted by Daley and Nathan as they walked back in.
The judge looked calm and collected as Melissa stared daggers at him. Her message clearly said: Lock my boyfriend in jail and it's you who are a goner. He just smirked at her.
Melissa sat down nervously in a chair, shaking slightly. When she looked over at Jackson, she saw that he was shaking too. Juvie does a lot to a person…
"All rise!" the guard said lazily. The judge had gone back out and had just come backing. Melissa stood reluctantly- who knew whether the judge was sending him to jail or not.
The Judge looked around at everyone.
"After much deliberation, the verdict I have come up with is…"
Melissa bit her fingernails.
"Innocent. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, he is on probation for a year. If he so much as enters that neighborhood without my permission, you have a half year in Juvenile Hall. Understood?"
Jackson nodded, but was beaming. Melissa wanted to get up and run to him.
The judge nodded at him, smiled at Melissa, and left the courtroom. The bailiff cried, "dismissed!" And everyone got up. The prosecutor looked grumpy. Melissa ran to Jackson. He immediately opened his arms and Melissa jumped into them.
"Congratulations," she smiled into his neck.
"I love you so much," Jackson whispered into her hair. They continued swaying when the rest of the gang and Jackson's step father walked over and patted him on the back. Jackson didn't let go of Melissa the entire time.
"Want to come back to my place?" he murmured into her hair.
"Yes," she whispered back.
F29DWN
Jackson walked into his house, Melissa right behind him. His step dad had to take the night shift instead of the day one because of the trial, and so wouldn't be back till 10 AM the next morning. Jackson walked over to the phone.
"I'm going to get pizza. Do you want anything on it?" Jackson asked pleasantly.
"No, nothing," Melissa smiled.
"Okay cool, me too," Jackson grinned and dialed the number. Melissa picked up her own cellphone to call her parents.
"Hey mom?" she asked uncertainly.
"Yeah Melissa? How did the trial go?"
"Great, mom, he was cleared! So I'm staying over at his place, is that okay?"
"Sure, is his father home?" her mom said cheerfully.
"Yes," she said brightly, deciding to lie. She wanted to stay over badly.
"Okay, wonderful. You have your stuff over there from when you stayed over before, so..."
"I'll see you at, like, 10:00 tomorrow, okay?" Melissa smiled.
"Okay sweetie. See tomorrow," and she hung up. Melissa turned around to Jackson, who was grinning at her.
"Want to watch a movie?" he asked.
"Sure," Melissa smiled. They sat down and began watching Star Wars Episode 2. The pizza came and went. Soon the movie was over and Melissa began to fall asleep on Jackson's shoulder.
Jackson rested himself- it had been a long day- until Melissa began to shift beside him.
" Jackson?" she murmured, getting up and yawning.
"Yeah?" he smiled at her.
"I love you. I'm so happy you're cleared," Melissa smiled at him and sat down on the couch.
"I love you too, Melissa. And I would be dying right now if I had to leave you," he murmured softly, and kissed her. They began kissing more passionately by the second, when they were (subconsciously) horizontal. Melissa gasped and broke away.
" Jackson," she panted, "do you really think this is a good idea?"
"I have condoms upstairs. Well, my dad has condoms for when I become a 'man' according to him," Jackson gasped.
Melissa looked at him with completely trusting eyes, "okay."
Jackson smiled, and picked her up bridal style, "might as well do this properly in my bedroom."
Melissa giggled softly.
F29DWN
Lex stared around at the nurse's office. It was a few days after Jackson's trial, and he was in the nurse's office for the millionth time. This time the bullies had broken his arm. Anne and Robert sat across from him, worried looks on their faces.
"Well, I'll have to send you to the hospital," the nurse sighed and picked up the phone. All three tweens stared at their shoes until she hung up.
"An ambulance and your parents are coming. I'll be right back," she got up and left.
"I can't believe you have to change schools after this," Robert said sadly.
"I can't believe we're not going to see you again till high school," Anne cried.
"You'll see me when I hang out with you guys. Just not in school," Lex sighed.
Robert patted his shoulder, but Anne walked over to him, placed her hands on his shoulder and kissed him. His eyes widened when she pulled away.
"Sorry," she mumbled, but Robert cheered and Lex smiled at her.
"Wannagoouttomorrow?" he stammered. She smiled and nodded as the nurse came back in with Lex's parents.
(1, 452 Words) What a jam-packed chapter. Cases cleared, virginities lost, first kisses… and only one more to go!
