Learning to Forgive (ON PAUSE)

Chapter two

Cole gives Peter a questioning look. He opens his mouth but quickly closes it, remembering the rules of Circle Justice. Peter looks at him and mouths 'I'll talk to you after.'

"Today Peter Driscoll and Cole Mathew return from the island. Cole returns after almost two years. Peter, one year." The Keeper says as she looks around.

Peter and Cole await for the meeting to move forward, Peter inches slightly towards Cole. Cole brushes it off without a thought.

"And now today and for the next week we shall discuss and decide what happens to Cole. If he will go to jail, or if he'll be put on parole and let free."

As the Keeper speaks Peters's lawyer stands and motions for the feather. The Keeper looks over at her and passes the feather to her. Peters's lawyer clears her throat and looks at Cole.

"Cole Mathew still should not be allowed to go free. Being on an island will not have the same effect as it would on being in jail."

What? Cole narrows his eyes at her. I have changed. I've change more than you will ever know! He feels Peter stiffen slightly at his lawyers words.

"I think that half a year of jail time will surely have an effect and give Cole an example of what consequences will happen. He has yet to be punished for his actions."

"That's not true!" Peter spoke angrily as he struggles to stand up. He would have fallen if Cole hadn't been quick on his feet and catches Peter. Cole helps Peter regain balance and Peter makes a grabbing motion to the feather. His lawyer hesitantly hands him the feather.

Peter looks around the group and speaks with confidence Cole wish he had at the moment.

"Cole has changed! He has had consequences for his actions! He know what he did was wrong, and he feels sorry and guilty for it!" Peter spits out as his parents eyes widen with shock. "You aren't the ones who spent a year with him! If he really wanted to hurt me again then he had damn near enough time to do so!" Peter gasps and struggles to catch his breath. He gives the feather to Cole and sits down shaking slightly.

Cole is at a complete lost for words and passes the feather down to Garvey, who was next to him. Garvey looks at the two boys before standing up.

"I agree with Peter. I think being beating and torn open by a Bear is punishment enough. These two boys are healing together better than what they were alone." Garvey pauses for a moment to look at Cole and Peter. Peter is panting lightly against Coles shoulder and nods weakly.

Garvey continues. "And don't forget, it was Cole's idea to bring Peter to the island." The lawyer nods and opens her hand for the feather.

"Yes. It's was Coles idea, but is was also his idea to smash Peter's head into the sidewalk." Peter raises his head meekly at the reminder.

And that's how Circle Justice went for the rest of the day. Bickering back and fro between Garvey and the Lawyer.

After two more hours of conversation the Keeper held the feather once more and stood to talk. "I think that we should all go home and think about what has been said and seen tonight. Tomorrow we will continue this debate with fresh thoughts."

With that the first day of Circle Justice had end. Everyone was getting up to leave and gather their things.

Peter grabs Cole's arm and drags him out of the room. Once they exit Peter stops walking and turns back to Cole, who was waiting patiently for Peter to speak.

"Thank you, for tonight." Peter says slowly as he looks anywhere but at Cole. Cole smiles and tilts his head.

"Why did you move seats when we started?" Cole pops the unspoken question they where both waiting for.

"Because," Peter starts. "I didn't want you to be alone near your father." Cole looks at Peter for a few moments before nodding slowly.

"Why? I thought you still don't trust me. Why move and also stand up for me?" Cole's mind if filled with endless questions as he suddenly feels heavy and blank. He feels tiredness fill his whole body as chills shoot down his spine unwelcomely.

Peter sighs and shakes his head. "I don't know Cole. I just acted on impulse." Cole nods stiffly as he sees Garvey and Edwin in the distance looking at them.

"Well, thank you."

"No."

"No?"

"I am the one saying thank you, not you."

"But I am thankful for you."

"Cole."

"Peter."

The two stare at each other before starting to laugh. Peter has to lean into Cole for support and Cole snickers like crazy. At Peter's contact Cole feels as if a thousand sparks shoot throughout his body.

He shrugs it off.

Once everyone starts to leave Garvey walks over to Cole with a smile. "Way to go Champ!" The Tinket elder says as his eyes shine proudly.

Cole turns to look over at Garvey confusedly. "What do you mean?"

"What?" Garveys' voice has a trace of shock in it. "You didn't lash out once at Peter's lawyer! And you helped Peter when he needed help!"

"Oh" Was all Cole responded with. He looks out at the bright sky. They've been in the library since six, and now the sun was setting.

Garvey and Cole stand comfortably in silence as the cold air chills Cole as he breaths it in. He looks at all the cars as they start to leave.

"Guess what Champ."

"What?"

"I convinced the Judge to let you stay at the detention center till the case ends."

Cole shoots his head towards Garvey with new found happiness as a large smile crawls its way onto his face.

"You're joking!"

Garvey chuckles, "Nope! I did it after the meeting ended! So you're home free for now." Cole feels pressure lift off his shoulders at the new found information.

"Thank you so much Garvey!" Garvey chuckles and gives a small shrug.

Garvey and Cole wait in the cold for awhile longer before starting to leave. They head back to Garvey's car and get in quickly, for the cold was starting to take affect.

They ride off to the detention center listing to music and singing along to it happily and light heartedly.

// Peter's lawyer never had her name told in the books so that's why I have not called her anything. I might just give her a name... any suggestions?//