Chapter 7- A Letter and Determination

A few days later, the official letter arrived. It was addressed to Jade and covered all the necessary legal elements she would need to know before the court date, which was set to happen in just a few months' time.

"I'm not an expert on court matters, but this is moving along faster than usual." Mrs. Valentine declared once she had read the letter and sat it down on the table. Jade was thinking along the same lines as dread churned inside her, the prospect of going to court looming closer than expected. Part of the dread she felt was because of the knowledge that she was now 18, she would be doing her time in a real prison. It took a lot to scare the goth girl, but prison was one of those. Her mind briefly flashback to when they took a holiday to Yerba, a place in which she had no desire to revisit, when they had landed themselves in prison. That had been bad enough, but at least she had her friends. Well, kind of friends. On the inside she would be all alone for something that was complete and utter bullshit.

Her mind had a million things spinning around all at once, most of the thoughts on the detailed letter she had received not moments ago. The letter had clearly outlined that she could either plead guilty or not guilty. If she declared she was guilty, an instant sentence would be bestowed upon her with a maximum of 5 years imprisonment and a minimum of two years' parole. If she pleaded against, it would mean the fight would carry on and they would need to gather real hard evidence. Since the only evidence they had gathered was the conversation Cat had overheard, they had no real evidence to back up her innocence.

Mrs. Valentine muttered something about ringing a lawyer and close friend of the family's before wandering off into the next room. Jade pulled a chair out from under the kitchen table and sat down before her knees could buckle out from under her. Anger flared up inside her, real anger that she hadn't felt for so long. She stared at nothing, barely aware of Cat's presence in the room. Cat never liked seeing Jade like this. The usually perky red head was terrified. She couldn't bear to lose Jade. Being thrown in jail would completely break her. Especially if it was for something she didn't do. Instinctively, Cat reached for the other girl's hand, giving it a gentle but reassuring squeeze. Barely feeling it, Jade squeezed back, giving reassurance to her friend that she hadn't completely lost it, not yet.

A lengthy amount of time passed before Mrs. Valentine returned to the room, a look of both sympathy and determination on her face.

"I spoke to Mr. Jacobson. He said he would pay you a visit early tomorrow morning to discuss your options." She informed them both, walking further into the room. "We'll beat this." Cat's mother added sternly, similar to the same line she had said just a few nights ago. Jade gave a shaky but equally stern nod as she finally broke the trance she had been in, locking eyes with the woman who had become her second mother. "Thank you." She told her sincerely as she stood from the chair, placing it back under the table.

Since receiving the letter, Jade finally felt like she could beat this. Yes, the odds were stacked against her. But weren't they always? She leaned over, giving Mrs. Valentine a half embrace, surprising them both with the sudden affection. Jade pulled away, leaving a smiling Mrs. Valentine behind and headed upstairs to the guest bedroom with Cat trailing behind her.

By the time night fell, Cat and Jade had compiled a list of pro's and con's for pleading both guilty and not guilty. Along with this list, they had brainstormed a few ideas on how to beat the charges that were being pressed against Jade. Jade no longer felt the shock, only pure anger and determination. Instead of lashing out at other's when she got angry, she was now channelling that anger into beating this case. Cat could see the change too. In her eyes, it only made Jade more stunning. She couldn't help but stare in awe at the new and improved Jade. It gave her hope that they really could defy the odds and be together once the case was over.

Mrs. Valentine called them down for dinner and they presented what they had done. She set their food down on the table and read what they had come up with. Even though it really wasn't that helpful, it gave them something to focus their energies on. Instead of discouraging them by saying the only thing useful at this time is a lawyer, she handed back the laptop and said no more.

Once they were back upstairs, now laying on Cat's bed as they watched 'The Little Mermaid', Jade's mind began to spin as it did earlier that day. Noticing Jade was distracted, Cat paused the movie and rolled over to face her friend.

"You can't take your mind off it, can you?" Cat more stated than asked, knowing Jade better than anyone else. She wore a serious look, something not usually associated to the red head's usual fun and perky attitude. It seemed they had both matured through this experience.

"What if I plead not guilty but get sentenced anyway? It's her word against mine. I'll get hit with a double sentence and get put away for something she's faking." Jade let out an irritable sigh as she stared up at the bright pink ceiling with star and unicorn stickers.

"But won't you get the same if you plead guilty?" Cat questioned with a concentrated frown, something else that was an uncharacteristic move in Cat's favour. Jade shook her head in reply as she rolled over onto her side so she too was facing the red head.

"If I plead not guilty I get to keep my self-respect but nothing more if they do end up finding me guilty. If they do, I get double the sentence and no parole. I'd have to wait the full ten years. If I plead guilty for something that she's faking, I'd get 5 years outright. No evidence would be given, I'd go straight to jail." Jade explained as calmly as she could, the dread and fear creeping up on her like a bad rash. Cat's already saddened expression grew as the words sunk in. She wouldn't see Jade for AT LEAST two years if she pleaded guilty. And not guilty, ten years.

Cat didn't know what to say or what to do. Her heart ached for the girl next to her, even if she had been trying to hide those feelings since telling her about how she felt. She tried to think of something fun, anything they could do together to take their minds off the impending court date.

Suddenly, Cat leapt out of bed and onto her feet, much as an actual household cat would. An excited smile formed on her lips in an instant as her eyes lit up at the prospect of the idea she just had. Without informing a confused and puzzled Jade, Cat walked around to the other side of the bed, throwing off the covers. She grabbed Jade's arm and began to tug, encouraging her to get up.

"Come on! Get up!" Cat jumped excitedly, never letting go of Jade's arm.

"Where are we going?" Jade asked with a small frown but got up anyway, shoving her feet into her boots.

"We're going to Karaoke Dokie!"

AN:- Hey guys I would just like to say a HUGE thank you to those still reading this story. As I said I plan on actually finishing this story and I have it all mapped out. Also I would like to apologise if the legal stuff is inaccurate. I got most of my information from Home and Away (for those who are Australian) except for the years. Those who watch the show will know what I'm talking about. This was pretty much just a filler chapter, just stating what she's up against when she goes to court. The next chapter will be more interesting I swear. I needed the next plot line to start in a new chapter. Once again thank you for reading and thank you for those who are reviewing. They are greatly appreciated