Don't Blame Me: Genius

Malia

~Hope Pov~

"FREEZE. HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM." time stopped as we turned towards the man with a badge.

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say, can and will be held against you in the court of law," the policeman said.

You're probably wondering how I got here. It started this weekend and it's only fair to take you back to the beginning.
~
Thursday Evening

"And when you finish writing your report, send it to me," Mr. Fallen said. I quickly snapped back into the present. "In a few moments we will be going next door for your last courtroom testimony,".

My mom got me an internship for the summer. It's just minor training before the real training. I'm currently a baby lawyer right now, or at least that's what we're being called. This is what I've always wanted to do, follow in her footsteps. This was an eight week program, this is my last day, and I've loved every bit of this.

"Hey lady, you awake," Malia elbowed me with a smile. Malia was the first person to bring me out of my shell. I was extremely nervous and shy when this first started. She's walked alongside me, been my partner in every presentation and been a great friend ever since. "Hey, yeah I'm here" I whispered back, and gave a grin to the brown eyed beauty in front of me. "I don't think I put this much work in when I was in school, now?," I titled my head and gave an eye roll. Malia let out a huffed laugh. "One thing about Mike is he's going to make you work," she smiled and I retorted with a smile.

"Malia, are you distracting my interns? I would hate to have you come back next year.," he spoke with conviction. She lowered her head. Mike Fallen. Malia Fallen. Father. Daughter.

I started to zoned out again, we had been sitting here at this conference room table for about three hours and were about to move on to more. You'd think I would be used to it by now. "Can I go to the bathroom?," I asked politely.
"It's your bladder not mine," Fallen snarked.
I snuck off downstairs to the break room to call Tess. I miss her. Her and I don't get to see each other much this summer since I have this internship and the fact that she has a job. It's been hard, but we try.

Voicemail: You've reached Tess! I don't do voicemails so call back later, bye!

Ah! I love that voicemail. FaceTime is kind of like our thing now. I'm up early but she goes to work in the afternoon until nightfall. When I get home she's still at work so our schedules don't really align. When we started this we had an understanding that we would do everything to include one another, whether it be activities or decisions. It seemed, for a while now, that the understanding was falling apart.

——
Courtroom testimony was a bitch. Asking one million questions, which may not be the right question, then getting docked for not having your shit together. There was actual blood, sweat and tears everyday.

"You did really well up there," Malia complimented me as we walked out of the building. "And you looked amazing while doing it,". It didn't take a genius to know that Malia was crushing on me. She was touchy, a flirt, and the eyes told it all.

I smiled, "Thank you. You did great too!,".

"Wanna go get full, I'm starving," Malia asks, followed by a laugh.

I took out my phone, "umm let me just.." I trailed off, seeing that Mr. Fallen was heading towards us.

"Hope, can I speak with you?," he asked politely. He'd never been this kind in showing. I guess we need more leaders like that. "Yes sir," I said, giving him permission to pull me aside.

"Hope. You have been phenomenal these eight weeks. Determined, hardworking, pedal to the metal attitude. This definitely comes natural to you and you stuck out to me," Mr. Fallen spoke in a sure tone. I was nervous as to what was going to happen next.

My stomach twisted as he reached into the inside of his blazer pocket. He pulls out a small tan envelope. "This here is my letter of recommendation for any Law School you choose to go to. You will be great!," Mr. Fallen hands me the small envelope and walks away. I am crying right now.

Malia walks back over to congratulate me with a hug. "You know you're special, he's only ever done that for one other person," she raised an eyebrow. I raised an eyebrow asking her to continue.

"When Mike and his wife first adopted me, he told me all his school stories. Some girl named Amira, his top intern. She got three recommendations from him for three schools the summer before college," Malia told me. I registered every piece of information.

"Amira, you say?," I asked, and she nodded her head. "Anyway, how about that food," I grinned.
——
I drove to the destination. Malia chose this new cafe in town called 'Moo-vie Bites' with the best indoor park vibe. They had a big screen projector where you could watch a movie while you eat. The walls were painted green grassy fields and had mock moocows set up at each corner. We sat down at one of the picnic tables. "What do you think you'll get," she asked me.

"Well if I'm being honest, I want to take one of these styrofoam cows home," I laughed. She joined me.
"Maybe after we eat, we can sneak one out," Malia gave a wink. She was so light, sweet, and hilarious.

I ended up with a plate of nachos, Malia chose wings. "This is pretty great. I think we should com- hey are you okay?," Malia asked me.

I was looking at my phone with a frown, Tess hadn't called me back. I know she's at work but damn, they have to get a break. This is our last weekend until school started back. Our Senior fucking Year! I was going to get some in time with my girlfriend.

I told Malia I was going to head home. Since I now have my license, I was free. My mom had surprised me with a senior year gift. I came home to a beautiful bright red Toyota Camry the day before I started. My moms exact words were "You're not walking and I'm not driving you across town every day,".

I went home to find my bedroom door decorated in balloons and letters that spelled, 'Congratulations Senior'. When I walked in my mom and Tess were standing in the middle of my room with a cake and party blowers. So this is what she has been doing. I immediately ran to Tess, lifted her and spun her around.

"Mmm, I've missed you," I kissed her.
"I've missed you,"
——
We were sitting around the kitchen table looking and loving each other. We were eating the marble flavoring cake my mom had bought. My mom looked at us and was excited to see us happy, that felt good. I caught a glimpse of Tess' facial expression, I didn't know if she was happy, and that didn't make me feel good.

During our conversations I was waiting for the right time to smear this cake all over Tess' face. It's basically a traditional thing for us. When she wasn't paying attention, I quickly took my finger and wiped icing on her nose. The evil grin that formed across her face, I knew I was in trouble.

"Kiss me, bite me or fight me. But you can't icing me," I gave her a wink, then Tess started to chase me up the stairs.

My phone rang instantly, and I didn't know if it was important or not so I answered it. It was Malia. "Hey Malia, what's up," I said. As soon as I saw the frown on Tess' face I knew I needed to end the conversation. Tess wasn't a big fan of Malia. I mean, yeah she was flirty and she might have had a crush but she was harmless.

AN; Thank you for reading, please comment:)