Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 12: Mr. Connery
GABBY'S PERSPECTIVE
This is it. I thought as I looked at myself in the mirror. Chad and Troy were sitting outside in the bedroom waiting on me. I'm in the bedroom. Oh my G-d I'm so nervous. I really want to live in Albuquerque. I'm not sure if I can stand another day here, let alone the rest of the school year, and we're not even a month into school. I sighed, and with one last glance opened the door. I stepped into the bedroom.
"I'm ready." I said, the guys nervously nodded, we were all on edge with the trial pending and everything. We walked to the elevator and waited until it took us to the lobby. We walked in and saw all our friends there. Jack and Lucy were with Mr. Hogan, our lawyer, and all our friends' parents were out eating breakfast and would meet us at the courthouse, which was only 10 minute drive from here.
We all dressed professionally today, hoping that every little bit would help. All the guys had on suits with ties, even though they didn't have to. Troy's tie was blue, which brought out his eyes stunningly. Chad's was red, "East High colors" was what he told me. Jason's was green, Kelsi's favorite color, Zeke's was pink, obviously Pay's favorite color. And Ryan's was purple, and matched his purple hat. Oh Ryan is hilarious.
Taylor was wearing a white v-neck blouse with black slacks and black heels. Kelsi had a on a dark green dress that was fairly conservative with a brown scarf and brown heels. Martha was wearing a dark blue skirt and a purple button down. Pay had on a deep pink tweed skirt with a matching jacket and a white button down underneath, with pink heels. I was wearing a navy blue, clean cut skirt with a white print top and gold heels.
We all quickly said our greetings and Pay handed us our coffee and Chad a muffin, so he wouldn't complain, and we made our way to our cars. Once we got to the court house we met all the adults inside in the lobby. I had never really met any of the parents except for the Evans and they were all so nice. I still can't believe they let their kids spend all this time with me when they don't really know me.
Anyways, we went into the room. Julie and Jim were sitting in their seats with their lawyer on one side of the room. Jack, Lucy and Mr. Hogan took their seats, it had been arranged that Our group of friends could squeeze in the first pew on our side of the courtroom, and that I could sit with them. I sat between Pay and Troy, who sat on the edge, so that it would be easy for me to get up. Pay and Troy were also going to testify.
We all rose as the judge came in. She was a kind looking lady who was in her mid 50s or so. I looked over to the jury. I had, luckily met most of them. All except for one, actually I had helped in the store, I smiled as I saw that Mr. Harrell was there in the juror's box, he knew how much I wanted to be in Albuquerque. Oh and there's Mrs. Buford, she hates the way Julie treats me. This was actually looking good. Troy squeezed my hand for support and I smiled confidently to him.
"Pay," I got Sharpay's attention away from Zeke for the moment, "I know everyone but one juror in the box. And they all know that I don't want to live here, and most of them hate the way that Julie treats me."
"Oh goodness Boo that's perfect, we should win this case hands down then." She gave me a peck on the cheek and a hug. I sighed and laid my head on Troy's shoulder he slipped his arm around my waist and held onto my hand with his free hand.
"The court will come to order." Okay, here goes nothing. For a while a bunch of older people were called to testify, they gave their perspective on the matter and everything was looking good for us. Then Mrs. Knight came up and gave what she saw.
Then they called Troy up. Troy spoke clearly and confidently, he kept his eyes pretty much locked on me as he told the jury what he had witnessed in the store, then he spoke about me wanting to get out of the town. Next Sharpay testified. Sharpay was a convincing speaker as it was. She was very proper and organized, despite her pink attire, which was actually very unprofessional in my opinion, she carried herself in a way that makes people stop and respect her.
I sighed when I was called to the stand. They asked me the same questions over and over again, and I answered as best as I could. I kept my eyes locked with Troy's and almost had a break down when the other lawyer began accusing me of these random things, which I thankfully didn't have to answer. Then the lawyer began to yell at me, shooting rapid fire questions at me, a tactic that I so wasn't prepared for.
I began having flashbacks to my father and how his yelling led to hitting and began to hyperventilate. Everything became blurry and I didn't know what was going on. The whole court room erupted in noise as I felt someone begin to grab hold of me. I struggled and gasped out, "Troy."
"Move." Troy demanded and he (apparently) pushed an old man, who was a doctor, out of the way. The old man retaliated and took control. He kept trying to get my breathing under control but he couldn't. I was just about to pass out, when I felt a strong pair of arms go around my waist.
"Ella it's Troy I want you to look at me in the eyes." He lifted my chin up and I looked into his ocean blue eyes, and registered that it was Troy. "Breathe" he directed. Then he himself started taking deep breaths, I followed his lead and a minute later I was sobbing in his arms.
The whole courtroom went silent as I sobbed loudly into Troy's chest. He held me and whispered comforting words in my ear until my sobs subsided. He sighed and I looked up at him.
"My dad." I whispered.
"He's in jail, El, he's not going to hurt you. Ever. I promise baby girl, I promise." He leaned down and kissed me sweetly. I smiled into the kiss and when we pulled back I laid my head back down on his chest and listened to his heart beat steadily.
That was all it took. The head juror, Mr. Connery, who I didn't even know gathered up all the jurors. "I don't need to hear the rest of the trial to know what needs to be done." He said, "I think that she needs to be in Albuquerque with the Bolton's." The entire jury agreed and the head juror approached the judge. "We've reached a verdict."
"The trial isn't over." The judge pointed.
"So?" the juror challenged
The judge sighed, "What's the conclusion."
"It is a unanimous decision that Gabriella Elizabeth Montez should be in the custody of Jack and Lucille Bolton." The gang heard this and cheered. I began crying again.
"El, what's wrong now? We've got custody." Troy asked, wiping her tears away with the pad of his thumb.
"I'm just so happy!" I cried as I hugged Troy tightly. The whole gang gathered around us and began talking quickly.
"Oh my G-d! This is so perfect!"
"Wait until you see EHS it's amazing!"
"This is awesome, maybe we'll even have the same schedule!"
"You get to meet Darbus!"
"She's freaky"
"She's like a dragon."
"Dad'll make sure you're in our homeroom!"
"This is absolutely fabulous Boo!"
"I know right?" I squealed and began jumping up and down with Kelsi, Taylor, Martha, and Sharpay.
"Why do girls ALWAYS have to jump?" Chad complained. I laughed and threw myself into his arms.
"I love you so much Chad, you're freaking hilarious!" I laughed loudly.
"Sugar and flour fight." Zeke and I screamed at the same time.
"You have to promise me you'll try out for a musical." Ryan shook his finger at me. I laughed and agreed.
"You're coming with us?" Jason asked with hopeful eyes.
"Yes!" I screamed. And he picked me up and spun me around.
I pulled away and looked at Troy. I ran into his open arms and he caught me. I wrapped my legs around his waist, "I love you Troy Alexander Bolton." I said.
"And I love you Gabriella Elizabeth Montez" And we kissed, passionately, then and there, with half of the town watching. All the girls in our group sighed and Chad picked up a piece of paper, rolled it in a ball, and threw it at us. It hit Troy in the head and we pulled away.
"Run." I said, and Chad ran like there was no tomorrow with me chasing him. Yes this is my happy ending, until Julie spoke.
"WAIT ONE MINUTE!" she yelled, and we all fell silent. "The trial isn't even over."
"The jury doesn't need the trial to be over." The Mr. Connery announced. "This is it. If you'd like to go through the motions then fine, but it's over." Julie huffed her anger and marched out of the courtroom with her family following meekly behind her.
"Let's go get you packed up Gabby, then we'll get on a plane and go home." Lucy said as she wrapped an arm around me.
"Home." I said, and smiled, I liked the sound of that.
AN: Okay there it is. I hope everyone liked it. I'd love 15 reviews for this chapter because I know Runaway does better than any other story of mine. It's not over yet. I'm going to keep it up with Gabby at EHS. So don't worry yet!
Mollie XOXO