Defendants with Cameron Dallas

Chapter 8

"A verdict was reached today in the case of Hannah McHale." I listened to the news anchor on the TV intently.

"The jury finds the defendant, Mrs. Hannah McHale, guilty on the count of first degree murder." A reporter outside of the courthouse said to the camera.

I winced at her name. Mrs. Hannah McHale.

Cameron wrapped his arm around me. "It could be worse, they could've called her Mrs. Hannah Dallas."

I nodded and continued to watch the screen. A part of me didn't want to watch because I had been in the courtroom when the verdict was reached, but another part wanted to know what the media thought.

"It's a truly landmark conviction, stating that because of her prior attempt to take her father's life, she is guilty of premeditating his murder." The news anchor paused. "John do we know when the trial will resume?"

"Yes, in two days the court will reconvene to begin the court proceedings of the kidnapping charges." The reporter continued. "The courthouse announced today that it will be holding another lottery for twelve seats inside of the courtroom."

"You heard it here everyone, if you want to see the Cameron Dallas kidnapping trial in person be sure to get your lottery tickets!" The news anchor smiled. "That's all for now and we'll see you again at six."

I clicked the off button on the remote and the TV screen went black.

Cameron leaned in and kissed me softly on the cheek. "How do you feel?"

I sighed deeply. "It could have been worse, I guess." I picked at my thumb nail. "They didn't say much."

"For now at least." Cameron chuckled.

"I just don't like how our life has become some kind of show." I looked him in the eyes. "I want to be able to go out, eat dinner at a restaurant with you."

"Well, now that you mention it..." Cameron smiled playfully.

"Cameron Alexander Dallas, what are you up to?"

"Well Shawn and I were talking, and we know the past few weeks have been pretty rough, so we decided to do a night out."

"Cameron, that's sweet but, you know there'll be cameras everywhere."

"We understand and we really just want to do something nice for you." "I know there's been some tension between us because of the trial and I just want to go back to when we were happy."

"Cam, I want to be happy too but, a night out doesn't change the fact we are still in the center of a very public trial."

"Kate, please, I want to have a nice night out."

I wrapped his hands in mine. "And I'm not saying we can't but, I need you to realize we still have a lot of things we need to take care of."

"So is that a yes you'll go out?"

"Fine, where do you want to go?" I said half-heartedly.

"Well there's actually a bar very similar to the one we met at near here so Shawn and I thought we could all go dancing and drink Shirley Temples."

I sighed. Somehow that night felt like a lifetime ago. I was such a different person. The world felt like a different place. It was a time when no one knew my name, I didn't have a camera on me every day.

I twisted my ring around my finger nervously. "Ok, Cam whatever you and Shawn want."

"What's wrong?" He brushed a lock of my hair out of my face.

"It's just that that night was the beginning to all of this." I motioned to the apartment around us.

"It was, but that night was also the night that I met the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with." Cameron's eyes sparkled.

To him that night was a happy one, and for a long time it was for me too. I guess it isn't anymore because I realized that that night was the night I lost the life I had before. I loved Cameron, no doubt, but sometimes I wished that I was still that small town fanfic writer.

"Let's go relive all of the good parts of that night." Cameron pulled me into his lap.

I buried my face in his shirt and tried to cling to the good parts of that night. I fell in love that night, but that was also the night the rug was ripped out from under me.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. I slipped off of Cameron lap and walked to the door. I opened it cautiously.

"Hey, Kate." Shawn smiled down at me.

"Oh hey, Shawn." I held open the door. "Come on in."

I walked up behind Cameron who was still sitting on the couch and grabbed his shoulders. "Cameron Dallas you did not tell me Shawn Mendes was going to be coming to our apartment." I said through my teeth.

"What's wrong?" He turned around to look at me.

I motioned to my clothes. "I'm literally wearing hello kitty pajama bottoms."

"I think they're cute." Shawn chuckled.

"Well thank you... I guess?" I glanced in the direction of our bedroom. "I'm gonna go get ready." I pecked Cameron quickly on the cheek.

After grabbing a pair of ripped jeans and a pale yellow soft cotton shirt I stood in the mirror just staring at myself. "What is life?"