American Dream ✦ Maloley

XXIX ♔

I'm not going to lie, this chapter kinda jumps around a lot. But hang in there.

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I was released from the hospital the same day that Nate was set to go to court. I was let out just in time to go to the hearing. I was anxious to find out Nate's fate, and I was going to be devastated if he had to go to prison because of a scumbag like Dillon. Sam hadn't heard from Lindsay, he was still pretty upset about breaking up with her but he realized it was the right thing to do. We forgave him, and the two of us had a long heart-to-heart, and there were many tears and a lot of yelling, but it was all necessary. 

"Are you ready to go?" Sam asked while poking his head into my room. I ran my hand through my hair and nodded. He walked in and extended his arm, and I grabbed his hand. "It's going to be okay," he said sensing how nervous I was. I nodded and he pulled me in for a hug. 

"I'm just afraid he's going to be put away, all because of that rat."

"Don't think that way," Sam said. I followed him out of the hospital and saw that he already had a cab waiting for us. He opened the door for me, and I slid into the backseat with him following me. He told the driver where we needed to be, and the driver simply nodded his head and began to drive. "Maybe he'll get lucky and just be put on probation--that's better than being put away, right?"

"Yeah, I guess," I frowned. "He wouldn't even be in this situation if I wouldn't have messed up. I should have been more careful, then we could have got the information and got out without any harm done."

"Don't blame yourself," Sam shook his head. "This is my fault, I should have listened to you from the very beginning. I should have never gotten mixed up with them, I was just so desperate to find a distraction from you. It was a shitty thing to do, especially since Nate is my best friend. I should have controlled myself, being in love with his girlfriend was a shitty thing of me to do. I'm sorry, Phil. I honestly am, for everything. For kissing you in the alleyway, for sabotaging dates just because the girls weren't you, for not listening to you about Lindsay, and for getting us all in this mess."

"You're back now, and that's all that matters," I said to him. He smiled weakly and pulled me in for a hug. 

When we arrived at the courthouse, Sam paid the driver and we saw everyone standing around outside. They all wore the same facial expression--nervous. Gilinsky pulled me in for a hug and it took all of my strength to fight back tears. I was terrified for Nate, I didn't want him to get sent away. 

"It's time," Kenny said causing us all to shudder. We nodded and I held Sam's hand as we all walked into the large building. I was too anxious and upset to take in any of the surroundings--I didn't even want to be there. We walked into the courtroom, and took seats in the front row behind where Nate would be standing. More people filed in as well, and I saw Carter and Lindsay walking in. Sam caught sight of them as well, and he looked down. Lindsay was wearing a devious smirk, and I glared at her. 

"It's not worth it," Sam whispered to me. He looked upset, but I knew he was trying to subside it. I kissed his cheek and looked back up at Lindsay who was still staring. A door opened and I saw Nate being escorted in by two of the guards. His face fell when he saw me, and I let a couple tears slip from my eyes.

"You're going to be okay," I mouthed to him.

"I love you," he mouthed back. I nodded and Sam held me tighter. Nate's lawyer--who happened to be Nash's cousin--joined him, and Dillon and his lawyer walked in as well. Nate had a solid look of distress, it looked like he hadn't slept in days, and he also looked afraid. The judge entered the room and the case number was read off.