Guilty. Cedric's heart sunk. Thanks to Christine, that it was only a parol,Thank God.
Everyone left and Gabriel stood, yanking his sleeves down.
His Mom and Dad run up to him and hugged him, telling him how much they were sorry.
Cedric doubted the wounds would ever heal, no matter how many sorrys they threw to him. Eventually they let go of Gabriel, then walked away.
"It's alright" he whispered "i'm fine now" Gabriel's met Cedric's gaze.
Christine coughed, a signal, and everyone left the room without a word. The doors closed and it was just Gabriel and Cedric.
Cedric met his older brother's hazel eyes. His blonde hair as messy as always. Cedric never realized that Gabriel was slightly taller than him.
Cedric took his brother's wrist and pulled the sleeve, examining the cuts. He touched one lightly and Gabriel winced.
"Why?" Cedric asked.
"You don't understand how bad it was" he replied.
"I do, Gabe. I had a dream"
"Oh" Gabriel murmured.
Cedric said nothing. He isn't sure how he even had that dream. Maybe some physic brother mind connection or something.
He released his brother's wrist "I'm just glad you're alright, it'll be so much fun with an older brother" he told him.
Gabriel let out a small laugh, his eyes falling to the floor chewing his lip.
"Cedric thank you so much, after all I put you through, after a I put Robbi through, and still you helped me" he said, his eyes brimming with tears.
Before he could say anything else, Cedric hugged him. Gabriel tensed, and hugged him back. They stayed like that for a minute then Cedric pulled away.
"Of course I will help you" He told him "Brothers?"
"Brothers"
Together they left the courtroom to join everyone else.
Everyone hugged Christine in a giant group hug, causing her to laugh warmly and grin.
"Without you Gabriel would probably been thrown in prison!" Robbi said.
"That's my Tine" Thomas purred.
"We brought the van"Cedric's Mom said "We can all fit inside and drive back home"
Everyone was up for the idea. They all wanted to get home, so they all took turns driving. The trip took only a day. When they got home, Gabriel had to check on his parol officer.
All the gang's parents were all happy and furious, except Thomas, who had moved out.
Robbi's mom was switching with the phrases "I'm so glad you're home and safe" and "you're grounded for life!"
Christine and her mother were hugging tightly, neither saying a word. Cedric couldn't help but wonder where her father was.
In the end, when everything settled down, the gang sat under the big oak in august sunshine.
The trial and the ordeals had been nearly two months ago, Cedric, Robbi, Christine and Thomas graduated high school.
Mark went on to be a senior, but at the moment it was summer, so he was out of school.
Nobody ever wanted to go back to the restaurant, so they just met in the big oak, Zack and Billy were also there since Cedric promised them to live in their house since they helped him found Robbi.
They all lay their back against the thick trunk, talking. Cedric lay between Robbi and Gabriel, looking up at the green leaves above them.
Cedric told Robbi everything on what happened, and also the dude that showed them the address of the restaurant, Robbi laughed at that part.
Cedric, who had his hands behind his head, moved them down. His right hand hit grass, and his left hand hit flesh. He then met gazes with Robbi.
He noticed that his hand was on top of Robbi's hand he quickly pulled away, Both of them blushing.
Gabriel has his eyes shut, his breathing evenly. His mood had improved a lot since he was fitting in.
He was still precarious, but it was amazing how much he had changed in two months.
Mark's watch beeped "ah, I gotta go guys, just got a new job, don't wanna be late in the first day" He stood and dusted himself off.
Everyone said bye to Mark, as he started down the street towards his house to grab his car.
Christine and Thomas stood "we gotta go now Thomas broke something in his house" Christine said. Thomas just shrugged and laughed nervously.
"okay, bye guys" The gang said as the two left.
Now it's just the three of them, Robbi had her eyes close, soaking up the sun.
Cedric and Gabriel met glances. Cedric pleaded with his brother using his eyes, hoping he would get the message.
Gabriel grinned devilishly, looking between Cedric and Robbi, then nodded.
He didn't seem to care if his brother being with Robbi. He told Cedric that he felt a little awkward if he ever dated her, and it was obvious that she liked Cedric more not him.
"I have to go home and do something" Gabriel said lamely, standing up and stretching his arms in attempt in nonchalance.
"Hey we're coming too" Zack and Billy said as they stood up following Gabriel.
"See you guys" Gabriel, Zack and Billy said to the two.
Then it was just Cedric and Robbi. The only noise was the leaves whistling softly overhead the summer breeze.
Cedric scooted closer to Robbi, trying to be subtle.
"You know Robbi..." He said.
"hm?"
"Was what you said before Gabriel kidnapped you was true?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Cedric" Robbi said, dramatically and innocent.
Though, Cedric knew that she knew what he was talking about.
"You know...when you said you loved me..." Cedric said, feeling his cheeks heat up.
"oh yeah, that" Robbi said, tracing her fingers on the ground.
"was it true?" he asked quietly, they were inches apart now. Robbi looked up at him, and her eyes gleaming.
She quickly kissed his nose "what do you think?" she asked, she was blushing pink as well.
They were silent for a moment, staring at each other. Cedric gently held her face in his hands.
Then they both lean in and their lips met.
The world around them didn't matter anymore. Cedric felt his whole body tingling, his nerves going haywire. It was like he was floating.
The only thing that exist was Robbi.
Her soft lips, her faint scent, her delicate cheeks in his hands, she kissed back gently and they stayed like that until air became necessity.
They broke apart, breathing heavily as they stared into each other's eyes.
"I love you" Cedric whispered.
"I love you too" Robbi replied, wrapping her arms around him and settling her head on his chest.
He put one arm on her back and lean his head against the tree, they stayed like that in silence, enjoying the beauty of moment.
Cedric's heart was thumping in his chest. He kissed Robbi. She kissed back. She loved him. She loved him. It took all of his willpower to keep himself from cheering of joy like a child.
Yes. This was how it's supposed to be.
This was perfect.
