Chapter 14: The Hearing

Today was the day of the hearing, Judgement Day. The hearing was at the Town Hall, Mother wanted to make us arrive in style so instead of driving there, we rode in luxurious black limousines. "Alright, today is the day we shine, so look good and rock that look, we don't want to be publicly disgraced," Mother told us.

The limousines arrived at the Town Hall, already the paparazzi was swarming us and were asking questions, "So do you think you're going win the case?" "What do you think about VJ?" "Do think this is fair, Mr Landgraab?" The questions were endless, our lawyer just told us to answer questions so we don't look bad.

We finally entered the court room, Judge Judy called out to everyone to arise and to my left was VJ Alvi, his father and Miraj. The jurors of the trial was; Morgana Wolff, Gobias Koffi, Molly French, Monika Morris and Cycl0n3 Sw0rd. All of these Sims were just unknown to me; I have never seen them in town.

The judge called out our names and explained what the case was; she asked us questions, in a very harsh tone, "Is it true that you made these claims, Mr Landgraab?"

"No, your honour."

"Are you sure? You know that you are under oath."

"Yes, I am sure."

"Don't treat me with disrespect Mr Landgraab." She shouted.

"Oh, sorry your honour."
"You better be..." Judge Judy muttered.

Our lawyer stood up, "Your honour, I have proof that the accused Mr Landgraab did not cause harm."

"Show me it." The Judge demanded.

"Ah, it's a testimony."

"Bring her in."

Claire entered the room wearing her beautiful purple dress. I couldn't stop staring at her but then I glanced at VJ and he was staring too, I felt angry, how can he look at my girlfriend like that?

Claire slowly walked in looking nervous, the smile on her face was half happy, half distraught. I tried to look at her, to reassure her but she was too busy soaking up what was about to happen. She stepped into the chair. The lawyer then laid questions on her, "Were you there when Mr Alvi was attacking Mr Landgraab?" The Lawyer asked.

"I was there during the fight." Claire answered.

"What happened during this fight? Who started it?"

"Well VJ started it; when he threw an apple at the amethyst that Malcolm was going to give but the apple hit it and the amethyst smashed to the ground. Malcolm got furious."

"So it was my client who started the fight." The lawyer asked looking shocked.

"Yes, he started it; he threw the first piece of food that would spark a war."

"A war?" The lawyer asked inquisitively.

Claire had said too much and made the incident more badly than it already was, I wish I could have told Claire not to over exaggerate things.

"Not a war but a complication arose."

"So slander?" The lawyer asked.

"Um, well VJ did say some really hurtful things to Malcolm; he never said anything mean back though."

"So you're blaming my client for EVERYTHING?" The lawyer shouted.

"Objection! The defendant is being argumentative to the witness." My lawyer called out to the judge.

"Sustained. John, don't shake up the witness." Replied the judge loudly.

"Okay, so Mr Landgraab didn't do much to my client." The lawyer asked calmly.

"Other than defending himself no, he did not do much."

I thought to myself, Claire was always defending me and I never appreciated it. She was telling the truth, I had nothing wrong to VJ but he just wanted to stir up trouble.

"Everyone we are now going into Recess, the jury will present their verdict on the case." Said the judge.

Everyone was puzzled why Recess was called so early, had he already made his mind on the case? The jurors couldn't leave the building let alone the room they stayed in. I wonder what they are thinking? Who's going to win? No-one knew, the paparazzi were all over us when we exited the court.
"So Malcolm, who do you think is going to win?" asked John Burrows, who worked for SimNation National News.

"I don't know, it's really up to what the jurors decide on the case, I hardly even know them, if VJ wins he wins, it's not my choice, as long as there is solid evidence and fairness, then sure, if I win, well I don't know, I guess I've won but all I want is to end this problem, once and for all." I replied to the reporter soaking up every word I say.

"So to you, it doesn't matter?" The reporter asked.

"No, it does John; I've been worried about it all week." I replied; only a couple of seconds later regretting what I just said.

"About who will win or not?"

"A little but also what will happen afterwards, if it's going to be smooth sailing or a rough way down", I sighed, "I just never have had something like this happen before, something that I somewhat played a role in affected the whole family, it feels like a burden that I have to fix." I answered.

Ten minutes later, the court was back in session, the verdict was about to be given, it took five minutes to get everyone inside and seated.

"Can the accused rise, and the jurors will rise to present their verdict on the case." The judge said sternly.
VJ, his family and his lawyer stood up, he was the one that did most of the talking. I couldn't believe the moment that I was waiting for was about to end in a few minutes, I could feel my heart beating faster and faster as the moment got closer and to a close.

Then Morgana Wolff stands up, "We find that this case is hard one to decide on, with both parties had good and solid arguments, but one stood out on us because it was the truth and as a group we have decided that..."