My Yellow

Part 30 - Rose

Trials pt 1

"Okay okay okay," I breathe, smoothing out my black dress shirt. I turn to Theo, he fixes the tie on his suit. "Do I look okay?" I ask him.

"You look fine," Theo nods and stands up. "Are you ready?"

"Not at all," I weakly laugh and make eye contact with myself in the bathroom mirror. I look pale, sickly even.

"Come on flower," He says gently. I look over at him, he gives me a small smile, a shadow of a dimple on his cheek.

"Alright," I walk out of the bathroom and stand in front of him. "Thank you for coming with me."

"Don't thank me, I wanted to go," Theo nods and walks to the door of our room and open it. He holds it open for me, and I step out.

"Rose!" Maddy shouts my name and jogs up to me. "Here," She hands me a water bottle and some gummy worms. "In case you get hungry or something."

"And this," Keeho walks up behind her and reaches handing me a jacket. "For when it gets cold."

"Thank you guys, I'll be okay," I laugh a bit and hand the jacket to Theo, he slings it over his shoulder. "I'll be okay I promise." I nod at Maddy, she looks like she is about to cry. She walks close to me and gives me a big hug.

"I love you Rose," She whispers.

"I love you more," I say, hugging her back.

"I love you most," Maddy squeezes me tighter and pulls back. "Good luck you two," She nods. "Oh here Theo," Maddy reaches into her pocket and grabs out keys. She hands them to Theo. "Be safe."

"We will," Theo smiles. I stare at him. That's a full smile. We both start walking. We go to the front doors and he holds them open for me. I stop in front of him.

"Yanno," I tilt my head. "You're really cute when you smile," I watch his cheeks heat up, the tiniest smile forming on his lips.

"Go," He motions to the outside with his head. I smile more.

"I mean it," I say walking outside, Theo behind me. "Smiling is nice on you, you should do it more often."

"Nah I'm good," Theo says as we walk to a company car. He unlocks it and I get in the passenger seat, he gets in the divers seat. He turns on the car, then we start driving. The car ride silent. I stare blankly ahead for a long time, anxiety starting to fill me. I feel like we just started driving when Theo stops the car in a parking lot. I turn my head to him.

"We're here already?" I ask.

"Yeah, it took us like 20 minutes." He turns off the car and gets out. I get out with him.

"Oh," I shake off the nerves, or at least try to. "I guess I was in my own world."

"Mhm," Theo nods. I shut the door to the car and walk to his side. We head into the building. I stop and stare at the receptionist. "Go on," Theo says softly. "I'll be with you." I look over at him and nod. I walk to the receptionist and smile a little.

"Hi I'm here for.." She cuts me off.

"Yes your lawyer is waiting for you in room A3, on the third floor. She will help you get to the court room from there," She doesn't even look up from her computer. I bite the inside of my cheek.

"Okay," I look at Theo, he gives a thumbs up. I head to the elevators and press the button to go up. Theo and I wait for the elevator. "I'm really scared," I whisper.

"You're gonna be okay," Theo looks at me, I look at him. I have never so badly wanted to hug someone than I do right now.

"You think so?" I ask as the elevator doors open, Theo and I step inside.

"I know so," Theo hits the button for the third floor. We stand in silence listening to the elevator music. The elevator stops and we get out. We walk to A3 and Theo opens the door, stepping in first. I follow behind him. Dea, my lawyer, stands up and smiles at us.

"Hi Rose and Theo, come sit down," She motions to the chairs across from her. Theo and I sit down. "So the trial starts in about 20 minutes, but I have good news!" She claps.

"Do tell," Theo leans back.

"If the jury makes their decision today, you won't have to come back tomorrow," She gives me a smile. I feel a weight lift off of my shoulders.

"That's great," I nod. "What are the chances of that excatly?"

"Pretty well, you just need to be honest. Tell them everything. Don't leave anything out." Dea taps her pen.

"Okay," I take a small breath. "When do I go to the stand?"

"As soon as I'm done making my case," Dea tilts her head. That's way sooner than I thought. I feel panicked again. "Are you ready to get going now?"

"Um yeah I guess," I stand up quick, the chair falling back, Theo catches it and lifts it back. "Sorry," I whisper.

"It's okay," Dea laughs a bit. She seems so calm considering what she was making a case about. I shift. "Let's go, the court room is down the hall."

"Rose are you ready?" Theo asks, I just shake my head. "It'll be over before you know it." I purse my lips together. I look at Dea, she gives me a pity smile. She walks to the door and holds it open. I hesitate, but then walk out. The door shuts and I feel Theo stand next to me, Dea starts walking and we follow. She goes to two closed wooden doors and opens one and steps in, I follow suit and Theo walks behind me. My heart picks up, I see John sitting at a table. Dea goes to a table near the one he is at. I stand by her, Theo next to me.

"Theo you can sit by her, if they question it explain what happened," Dea whispers to us. Theo nods. I walk and sit down in a chair and Theo sits by me, I turn my head and make eye contact with John. My heart is pounding. I feel my fingers and toes go cold, then I feel something warm on my hand. I look down and see Theo holding my hand, his thumb rubbing along mine. I look at him, he isn't looking at me. I feel him squeeze my hand as the judge starts talking.