The Brightest Stars

Annabelle

My hands tremble as I sit back down at our table. I'm scared, but there's this adrenaline through my veins. It's amazing...

Just as amazing as it is to watch Max give his closing argument in order to defend Max Paulson. His broad shoulders up straight and his voice affirmative. He knows what he's doing and he's here to tell the people his part of justice. His voice was loud and booming only making my heart beat faster with excitement.

I had told my friends during the break about the research I made. All I needed was the witnesses to confirm it. The crazy thing about this is that each one of us takes a role and isn't allowed to share our details with each other. This is the part I love the most. It's all an uncertain mess until the pieces fall together if you just listen.

I'm certain we've won. I've never been this sure in my life, but I know what I just did up there and I know that I did it well.

We wait for our teacher to come toward us and stand behind us. He gives my shoulder a light squeeze that I understand as pride. One of the judges whispers in the judge's ear and he stands to say, "Mister Suarez and his group of students will continue on to the next on-set of the competition."

The moment he slams the gavel, our group jumps up to celebrate. As Luna gives me a tight hug, I see my friends yell in celebration. I let go of Luna as she goes off to hug Xander and my eyes find my sister. I lightly run with a wide smile to pick up my excited niece. She giggles in my arms as I twirl with her. My sister gives me a tight hug and kisses the top of my head. Among all the noise, I can hear her sweet voice telling me the pride and love she has for me. Zack gives me a proud pat on the shoulder and I can barely hear his voice. He must be saying some sort of joke about me being up there.

But my eyes find a certain boy from the opposing team. He gives me a look of disgust and anger. I don't let my eyes look away from him until he looks away and disappears among the crowd.

A happy squeal rips my eyes from that boy and I turn to see Kristen coming up to me with a wide smile. Immediately, the whole world and its problems disappear as I fall into her jumpy embrace. "Ah! My best friend is a lawyer! I totally did not fall asleep this whole time!"

"The fact that you're saying that makes me doubt your every word," I say.

Kristen giggles and lightly grabs Christina's cheek as I balance her on my hip. "You're right. You should definitely doubt me."

"Hey!" Strong arms wrap around me from behind and I recognize that voice. I turn around and let my one free arm wrap around AJ's neck. I let his embrace be a part of this joy I haven't felt in a long time. "You were beautiful up there," he whispers in my ear.

"Thank you," I say with a warm smile. "We should step outside so we can meet up with the rest of our friends." They follow me outside and Kristen goes off to congratulate Luna as they walk just behind us. Christina finds a bobby pin in my hair and a few strands of hair fall on my face. I give her a wide smile of surprise and say, "You found it!" We share a happy giggle together and leave behind the debate room.

In the parking lot, everyone cheers as Luna, Max, and I appear. Skyler comes over to give me a tight hug and asks to carry Christina. I let her and I finally have my arms free to hug a few classmates and the rest of our friends. I smile at the image of my cousin and Julia coming together to congratulate me. A few members of the opposing team actually pass by to congratulate us from afar, but we stay silent as Mister Suarez comes up.

"Oh C'mon!" he says with a wide smile. "Don't let me ruin the party!" Our group cheers and he goes to congratulate each one of us.

He stops by me and gestures for Luna and Max to come over. "I'm so proud of all of you. I knew that you three would be great at taking on the role of lawyers." He gives us a pat on the shoulder and waits until Luna and Max go off with our friends. "Annabelle," he says quickly before I start to leave. "There's someone that I would like for you to meet."