Chapter 17

EPOV

My son is a dumbass and he turns my hair grey. All on his own too. He has three, I mean four now, other siblings and he alone is turning my hair grey.

A couple weeks after his interview with the detectives he was told that the state wanted to pursue him on a 2nd degree assault case. He was completely distraught when he got the news.

"I've been out of High school for two weeks and I am already failing at adult!" He exclaimed.

"Ha. You think this is adulting? You are going to have a hard time paying bills This is just a hard time for you. We all have them Mase."

He rolled his eyes." You get what I'm saying! Like I just started and I'm messing up already!"

I, on the other hand, wasn't as concerned as he would've liked. We had a good lawyer and if Jenks wasn't nervous then neither was I. Things were moving as quickly as they were because he knew his shit and I was going to trust that.

While we were waiting for trial Angela broke up with him because he would go through times where he ignored her. This was what he did to everyone when he was upset stressed. That lasted about two weeks, he begged her and they got back together.

She got completely shitfaced on Independence Day, there was a big fight with her Mom. It was all over her new brother that Angela had some aversion to. That was a no go for Mase, family was everything to him. He ended up breaking up with her, she begged him and they got back together.

I was thoroughly annoyed by both of them.

I felt bad that I was happy she had already left for New York. He was sad but holding up because he was more concern about his trial.

I love him! I wish he knew how much and that I am here to help him but he is busy being a dumbass. He was acting as if he was about to go to jail for years. He stopped all living during to time before the trail hoping his character would win him a slap on the wrist. What he didn't realize was that his character already did that.

Our Lawyer, bless him worked very hard to talk to many of the parents at the party who backed my son and supported him. Even Zafrina stepped up on his behalf even though we told her she wasn't need.

She said that she felt guilty over what she'd done to him. She ended up telling Jenks that she manipulated him. He was in shock by the out pouring of support.

So here we are Wednesday, August 8th Masen's day of reckoning. He was terrified.

The states attorney started by saying that young men of affluent backgrounds shouldn't get slaps on the wrist and that jhe should be made an example.

I laughed at the thought that we were affluent. Upper middle class maybe but not affluent.

In Jenks's statement he brought up Masen's background, He has been an excellent student and read just a couple of the character statements from our community members.

Jenks also played on that our family was "pillars of society" with his grandfather's being a police chief and a top surgeon. I taught small children music and his mother offered free meals to the homeless during the holidays.

I think we were pushing the mush down their throats because at the end of Jenks speech the judge asked what Masen had to do with our accomplishments.

I was getting nervous as the States Attorney went off on vigilante justice and how Masen and Eleazer have tied the Seattle Police Departments hands if MaKenna wanted to pursue a case against Peter.

As the case went on I couple see my son losing his little confidence in Jenks. But Jenks had a trick up his sleeve when Peters parents, Charlotte and Garrett were willing to testify on Masen's behalf.

They were awesome, they both talked about how Masen was the captain of the lacrosse team and that he was always helpful to his team members. How they were embarrassed of their son's behavior. I think they won his case of at least I hopped.

The whole trial only took about an hour; we chose to waive his right for the jury. Jenks was confident that the judge would side with us.

And he did… kind of.

He found Masen not guilty of the assault but then said "I do find him guilty of obstruction of justice and sentence him to 1 year in prison, execution suspended, no probation, and 5,000 dollars in fines. Mr. Cullen I hope you learn that you should not take the law into your own hands..." He continued to talk to Masen as I panicked. What does that mean?

Jenks was happy, but we were all confused! I hated that my son had a record at all. The admission board at Dartmouth could revoke his acceptance because of this.

Before the Judge slammed his gavel he asked if there were any questions and I made a point to get Jenks's attention.

"Could you ask him about getting his record expunged?" I whisper yelled from behind them.

"Edward, He's under 18, his records are sealed. After he turns 18 the only thing that will be on his record are felonies." He turned to Masen. "Do you plan on committing a felony?"

"God no!" He exclaimed too loudly, as always, and caused the Judge to acknowledge our side conversation.

"Alright then." He turned back to the Judge.

That was a relief because I think the paper work only mentioned felonies not misdemeanors.

"Council, does your client understand what's going on here?"

"Yes, Your honor. I was just explaining it to his father."

"Do you understand now Mr. Cullen?" He was looking at me but both me and Masen nodded.

When we talked out of the courtroom Jenks explained that "1 Year in prison execution suspended, no probation.' meant that he's off the hook for jail time but on for the fine.

Masen signed up for a payment plan because I refuse to pay for this. Unfortunately, it didn't take effect until he was 18 so I was on the hook for the first payment. If he wanted to be 'Captain save a hoe' then would have to do it on his own dime. It was bad enough that Charlie was paying for the lawyer.

We were so happy that the trial was over because Masen had to be on campus by Monday. We are flying out on Saturday and although I was happy for him to have his case behind him. I was sad my son was leaving, I knew I was going to miss him.

MPOV

My family and friends had been so good to me throughout all the drama of this summer. From the lawsuit to Angela and I fighting every ten minutes.

My Grandpa Charlie pulled strings to have my case moved up. It was two weeks before my last day to check into campus and before my 18th birthday so I could be charged as a minor.

I was shocked and moved by the out pouring of support. By the trial date I had over 50 character references, we only used 25 of them but still it was awesome.

On Saturday, before we left to catch my flight my mother and sisters were in tears. Going on and on about how they will miss me. My mother went on a tangent about how much she was proud of me.

It felt good because I was feeling bad about myself lately. I was really working on making better choices and taking a moment to think before I act.

In example; MaKenna came to see me the night before I left.

"So, I just want to say thank you again. I don't think I would've left that situation without you." I nodded. I didn't want her thanks, especially when I was regretting my actions." I'm happy the courts found in your favor!" I nodded again." Well, how is Angela doing? Does she like New York?" I didn't like her tone but I answered her anyway.

"She is loving New York! I'm a bit jealous. Her roommate is a Junior from Florida and they get along well. So she's been taking her out and showing her around." I actually hated Emily.

She was cynical and sarcastic. Every time we talked with her around she would say" Oh, he's still around?". Like seriously, what does that mean."

Angela said she was that way because she broke up with her boyfriend before she came to school so she could be 'free'. I asked Angela if that was what she wanted but she always said she wanted to be with me.

"That's good I guess. Don't you miss her. If I recall correctly, you are a very sexual person. I bet your hurting." I was taken aback.

"MaKenna, Don't."

"What? I'm just saying. I could help you out if you need me to." She lowered her voice as she looked directly into my eyes "If I'm being honest, I do miss you Masen."

I shook my head to clear it. She always knew how to get into my head but this time I wasn't going to make the same mistakes of the past. I was able to resist her before and I'll do it now.

"MaKenna, I think it's time for you to leave." I said firmly.

"what? Are you serious?" She was pissed but I didn't care. I was learning lessons from my mistakes and cheating on her was one of my biggest.

"MaKenna, I'm not cheating on my girlfriend."

"Fuck you Masen! You cheated on me just fine! I was your girlfriend, what makes her so special?"

"You know that is a lie! I hated every moment I spent hurting you! I, like you, still haven't forgiven myself. Neither you or Angela deserve that. She is no more special than you are! You both are! I shouldn't've cheated on you and I'm not going to cheat on her."

She started to cry and it was gut wrecking but I wasn't cheating, not again.

"Whatever Masen! All I know is that you felt bad after you were caught!"

"You don't think you have enough going on with all that Peter shit! Why add this to your plate! Take a minute Kenna. Get your shit together before you jump in anyone's bed!"

She was pissed at that, she yelled "Fuck you!" in my face and stormed out of my house.

Peter ended up getting arrested for harassment and voyeurism. Yes, he was a peeping tom, he got caught peering through Makenna's window by her neighbor. He was violating her restraining order so that didn't give him bail, also he'd turned 18 so he was charged as an adult.

I couldn't figure out why MaKenna would want the drama of me cheating on Angela with her but I was happy to be leaving.

My Dad and I landed in New Hampshire that evening around 7:30 pm. We traveled the whole day 6 hours and 45 minutes in the air and a 1hour layover in New York and another in Boston.

I got to see Angela for a brief moment while in New York. I got to meet Emily, she was as bitchy in person as she was over the phone.

We checked in to the closest hotel to campus because I had to wait until tomorrow to check into the dorms.

We found a small diner that was between the two locations. When we walked in we were greeted by a beautiful young lady by the name of Ashely. I wish I could accurately describe her.

She was short with a medium frame, very curvy with curly long dark hair. Her skin was olive complexed and beautiful! I was infatuated and immediately felt bad for it.

After she gave us our drink order and gave us a minute with the menu she came to get our food orders.

"Have you guys had enough time to look those over?" her voice was a sexy bedroom raspy kind of like Emma Stone's. Fuck! I was never coming back into this place!

I was going to stay away from here as best I could! She was too tempting, I just wanted to get to know her and that was the bad part.

"I'll get the steak and eggs." My dad looked at me waiting for my order. His face said that he knew I barley looked at the damn menu.

"Ahh, I'll take the burger?" I said it like a question and she laughed at me.

"Well sir, if you're asking me I'd say yes, that is a good choice." She smiled and I couldn't help but grin back at her. "Would you like the bacon burger or the reg?"

"Umm the bacon? I guess" she laughed her raspy sexy laugh again and went to place our orders.

When I looked back at my Dad he wore a knowing smirk. "I'm staying the hell away from here!" I said seriously.

"Yeah right." He chuckled. Damn!