Beyond the Reasons || JUSTIN FOLEY

Thirteen

JENSEN HOUSEHOLD
IMOGEN'S POV

Well, after my day in court. It was Clay's turn. After feeling Sonya out on my own, I was nervous for my brother. I, of course was going to have to sneak into the courtroom. Clay was there for me, so I needed to be there for him too. Living with Justin, was weird as hell. My parents try and make me sit down for dinner every night, but I tell them it's baby steps, so again, when I went downstairs that morning, Justin was sitting at the table with my parents, eating breakfast.

"This is still weird." I commented as I walked into the doorway of the kitchen.

"Very weird." I heard next to me, which made me jump as Clay was now standing next to me.

"You jerk, don't scare me like that." I said.

"You guys should have some pancakes. They're fucking amazing." Justin said, I looked at my parents, bewildered that they didn't say anything.

"So Justin gets a free pass to cuss, but I have to watch my language? Unbelievable." I said, rolling my eyes. My mom just gave me a look, while my dad cleared his throat.

"I'll get you both a plate." My dad said.

"Not hungry." I immediately said back.

"Clay, your dad is going to take you to court today. Imogen, honey. . since you just went through it yesterday, you don't have to go to school today, if you don't want to." My mom said.

"Great." Clay said, walking over to the table and he took a pancake from Justin's plate.

"I wish I could be there as well." Mom said.

"Really, no problem. I've got this, and you've got alt-Clay here, so. .-" I laughed and cut my brother off, while rolling my eyes.

". .-Oh my gosh, Clay, are you jealous? You're the one who brought him here." I said to him. Clay looked at me and just rolled his eyes, to which I gave a satisfied smile. Then my dad stood up with a plate of pancakes in his hands as Clay walked away.

"Immy?" He said. I looked at Justin, who was looking at me, then I looked at my dad, and shook my head.

"Not hungry."

•

LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL

"Why are Imogen and Zach waiting right there. . and why are they smiling like that?" I heard Alex say as he walked down the hallway where Zach and I were waiting by the vending machine. I was about to sneak out and go to court, but I wanted to be here when we all told Alex happy birthday together, and then after court, I would probably go home and rest before his party.

We all turned the corner to see a banner that was hanging up and it read Happy Birthday Alex, of course and Alex smiled at all of us. "You guys got a banner made?" Alex asked.

"It was a group project." I said. "Jess and I made the design, Clay ordered it online, and Zach put it up." I said, smiling at him.

"Wow, that's. . that's really, really nice you guys." Alex said. Jessica laid a hand down on his shoulder as we all smiled at him, and then of course all nice moments have to be ruined.

"Aw." We heard Bryce's voice behind us, then he came up to Alex and roughly put his arm around his shoulder. "Happy Birthday, buddy." He said.

"Oh, sweet banner." Another voice said. None other than Scott Reed, who is still a big question mark in my book. Who is he? "Is your mom bringing cupcakes later?" He asked. He was standing on my side by looking at Alex.