On The Block // Jamie

07

Jamie had been in prison. He took Aaron's place. When Aaron told me the whole story, I felt sick to my stomach. I decided to step up and take care of Aaron and Stef. I picked Stefan up from school somedays, I cooked their dinner once or twice a week and occasionally cleaned the flat because neither of the boys would.

I went to visit Jamie a couple times. I kept him updated on what was happening in ends, about the redevelopment and all that bullshit. I offered to take Stefan and Aaron to see Jamie but they denied my offer.

Anyways, it'd been a couple months and a court date was settled. The judge had received new evidence or sumtin and the case reopened. This could be Jamie's chance of getting out. Aaron, Kit and I went down to the courthouse together. Stefan refused to come.

The three of us were stood behind the rail of the courtroom as Jamie was brought in. He was put on a stand which was surrounded by clear plastic screens. He was dressed surprisingly smart in his suit and he had a tiny beard on his chin. He glanced at the judge before looking over at us three. Kit nodded at Jamie and I gave him a small smile, which he returned.

"Mr Jackson, does the Crown accept the continuity of the video?" The judge began, the three of us sat back down.

"It does, your honour," Mr Jackson replied.

"And what is the Crown's view on the confession?" The judge questioned.

"If I may, your honour?" A woman wearing a white wig asked, when signalled, she stood up. "If the video is genuine, logically the confession must be false."

The Jackson guy stood up again, "The Crown is offering no evidence in this case," He stated. The judge nodded and noted something down on her paper.

Jamie kept looking between the judge and the three of us. We all had the same expression of hope yet fear and determination on our faces.

The judge looked at Jamie and then spoke, "In the circumstances, Mr Tovell," She began and we all held our breaths, "I will direct a verdict of not guilty."

I sighed of relief and a wide grin spread on my face. Jamie sighed and smiled. Aaron and Kit had the same expression of relief as me.

•

Aaron, Kit and I were sat quietly together outside the courtroom, waiting for Jamie. There was a buzz of conversation going on around us but the three of us were silent. Kit still seemed slightly panicked, not sure why, and Aaron was looking at his hands.

"Yo," We suddenly heard and we looked up in unison. Jamie approached us with his tie loosened and a clear plastic bin bag in his hand. He dumped the bag on the floor and went over to Aaron, the brightest grin on his face.

The two dapped and then hugged, with the same smile on their faces. "Come on!" Aaron said, grinning.

"Smelling good, bro," Jamie said, weirdly sniffing Aaron's jacket. He then let go off his brother and went to Kit, "Fresh home!" The two dapped and hugged, "Fresh fucking home where I belong,"

They broke out of the hug and then Jamie embraced me in his arms. We broke apart and he started to kiss me. I gripped on his neck and his arms were on my waist. Before the kiss deepened, Kit pulled us apart. "Yoo, watch the tongue, fam," He said and I side eyed him while Jamie waved it off.

"Lowe it," Jamie said and then started to kiss me again

"Cuz," Kit said, pulling Jamie away again, "You man got tonight to do that,"
Jamie gave him a blank stare and I hit his arm, my face going red. Kit laughed at me, causing me to fold my arms and look away.