It was the first day of the court case. Eleanor felt nervous, not only because she may not get justice, but also because her protective instincts kicked in after the rape. She used Brittany's pregnancy tests once she got home, always getting a positive result, even across a month's time.
She shifted in her bench, wondering why she couldn't bring herself to get an abortion. As the doctor told her, it would be dangerous to carry the litter. But it would be more dangerous for someone as small as her to get the abortion. Most clinics would turn her down because of her height, and some even because she is overweight.
"Eleanor Miller, please come to the stand," her attorney said. She reluctantly got up, and started to recite her confession between heavy breaths. She never expected any of this to happen. Her best friend hadn't talked to her for three weeks in fear of her safety. Then, when they talked, he was shyer than normal. Then when she tried to explain the situation, he ran off sobbing. He had always been very sensitive, sure, but this was going too far. She hadn't thought to look into his teary green eyes and wonder if he had been traumatized as well.
"Ms. Miller, is that all you had to say?" asked the judge.
"Yes, ma'm," Eleanor replied, returning dejectedly to her spot on the bench. Her slacks felt tighter on her than they had before, and she couldn't button the matching jacket. She'd sworn that they fit a few weeks ago for the press conference. But then again, her cravings worstened, to the point that Jeanette locked the refridgerator at night. As if it wasn't already hard enough to stop eating already before the incident. And it has only been one month. Imagine how much worse she'd feel in another eight.
"David Seville to the stand," their attorney called. At least he might try to be optimistic for her sake.
"Mr. Seville, is it true that your son raped the defendant?" the judge asked.
"Yes, one of them," Dave replied.
"Can you tell me about his character?"
"Alvin's always caused trouble and expressed sexual desire earlier in life than his brothers. He's very sneaky, even manipulative to an extent. He always used his younger brother in his schemes."
"Simon or Theodore Seville?"
"Theodore. To continue, Alvin is also very impulsive and hot-headed most of the time. When they went missing for a few months at nine, it was none other than he who dragged them into a diamond smuggling operation. He doesn't take punishment well, or any form of criticism really."
"Thank you for telling us Mr. Seville"
Dave was just stating to the court what they had known for a long time. Eleanor shifted her position on the bench, excusing herself from the court room before he came back. Once out, she headed towards the restroom because she was feeling nauseous. Although she could not physically throw up, it was still an unpleasant feeling. She was in a stall for a half an hour when Jeanette came in.
"Are you feeling allright, Ellie" Jeanette asked from outside of the stall.
"No, nauseous" Eleanor replied.
"The doctor told me that you couldn't take certain medicine during the pregnancy," the taller Chipette replied. "But I got you this motion sickness band for car rides."
"Thank you," the blonde Chipette replied. "I can't use it right now. Can you get me a Payday and cheese crackers from the vending machine?"
That wasn't the weirdest combination the bespectacled Chipette had seen her sister eat, but it still raised suspision. In just one month, the blonde Chipette's cravings had gone out of control. But it made sense for someone who didn't feel satiety to begin with. It made Jeanette think of the previous Saturday, when her little sister woke up at two in the morning craving angel food cake with walnuts. No bakery was open at such an unreasonable hour, nor did they sell angel food cake with walnuts. Eleanor went to the kitchen to make it herself.
Eleanor was still huched over the toilet when Jeanette came back with the Payday and cheese crackers. They were slid under the stall, the blonde Chipette immediately starting to eat. "We should bring snacks next time," she suggested.
"How much?" the older Chipette asked.
"I dunno, maybe two backpacks," her sister replied "It's a long day."
"I've seen you binge before," Jeanette said. "That won't last you an eight-hour court day."
"It's called eating your feelings," Eleanor retorted.
"It depends," the bespectacled Chipette replied. "We may not be able to bring snacks if Theodore is stable enough to come."
"Why not?" the younger Chipette replied. Her older sister just glared as though she knew the answer.
The sisters went back to the court room together, holding hands. Shortly after they were seated, the judge called Jeanette for a character questioning.
"Is it true that you are the defendant's sister?" the judge asked.
"Yes, I am," the clumsy Chipette replied. Her words were getting mangled together, her voice getting quieter.
"What is her character like?"
"Eleanor is very caring, and slightly too protective of Brittany and I. She tends to put others before herself, and is very willing to help out."
"Continue"
"She does many of our household tasks, like sewing and cooking. She participated in school sports, notably football and rugby, until this year."
"Why is she not playing sports anymore?"
"Our school recently joined a playing network, and she is not up to their fitness standards."
"Why is that?"
"Eleanor does not feel satiety after eating, so she eats more than she should. Brittany has teased her about it for years."
"Has your sister flirted with anyone your own age?"
"No, not that I've seen."
"What kind of kids does she hang out with in school?"
"Basically anyone who is nice to her."
"Has she gotten into trouble?"
"Once, when she stole sponge cake from her cooking class in fourth grade."
"So, your sister is a good kid"
"Yes, your honor."
"You are dismissed" Jeanette walked to the bench, then nearly fell on the end of it. After she got up, she sat nervously on the bench. She fell over, meeting a set of dull blue eyes. Simon had been sitting next to her the whole time, and she didn't know it.