Family Friends- A Noah Schnapp Fanfiction

*twenty five*

     A/N- the way that the legal stuff in the next few chapters will be depicted isn't realistic and I'm aware of that. I've never been in the situation that the characters are in, so I can't make it identical to real life. I will be protesting the situation in a way that makes sense for the plot and for me. :)

Get up, get dressed, pretend to eat breakfast, brush your teeth, brush your hair, put on your shoes, get into the car.

     That's all I could remember from that morning. This was the last way I wanted to spend my Saturday: going to town hall to see the boy who tried to drug me and my friend. This was the first time in a long time that it was my whole family in the car. Usually, my parents are working and it's just Viv and I. It felt weird to sit in the back seat. It felt even weirder to have Viv next to me. It felt like when were kids again.
     I watched the car pull into the parking lot at town hall. It came to a gradual stop and we all sat still for an extra second, holding onto the peace. "Ok, let's go," my mom said in the most normal voice she could form. We all unbuckled our seatbelts and got out. I immediately saw the Raskin's mini van along with Jordan's mom's car. They must have gotten here already. I felt a little more comfortable knowing that there were people I knew inside.
      Viv stuck by my side as we walked into the tall, brick building. It was the kind of building that you could tell had been built ages ago. I could imagine the intense echo that must fill the inside when someone speaks.
     "Let me get the door," my dad interrupted before Viv could grab the handle. She backed up so my dad could fit through. He must've felt a need to be in control. The door swung open and I felt a cool breeze from the air conditioning against my bare arms. A woman was waiting at a desk carved into the wall a few feet to the left of the entrance.
     "Hello," she greeted in a mousy voice. "Can I help you?"
     "Hi, I'm Alyssa Marcus I think we spoke on the phone," my mom greeted.
     "Oh, Mrs. Marcus," the young woman realized. "Yes, we were expecting you guys." I watched the woman's small eyes look at me subtly. I could only imagine the things she was thinking. I wished she knew all of the details. I didn't do anything wrong. She proceeded to ask my mom for her ID and some other stuff that I wasn't paying attention to. "Well you can head on into that office over there," she smiled.
     "Ok, thank you," my mom responded. I couldn't help but watch the woman the whole walk to the office door. I really hoped she didn't think I did something to cause James' actions. I didn't realize how much it would bother me. My mom opened the door and I saw Julia and Jordan jump in their seats. Mostly Julia.
     "Hi," my mom said quietly as we all walked in. I smiled like how you do when you see someone in the halls that you're friends with, but not close enough to say hi. Julia and Jordan returned the favor. Mr. and Mrs. Raskin, Mrs. Kaller and Mrs. Siegel were sitting on chairs in the back of the room. The Siegels and Kallers must have come together. Their parents are close friends. Julia, Noah Kaller and Jordan however, were sitting on a couch in the center of the room across from a desk. I joined them.
     "This is insane," Jordan whispered to me.
     "I'm really nervous," Julia admitted. There was a quiver in her voice. I put my hand on her knee.
      "It'll be fine. Just tell the truth and they'll see right through any lies James tells," I repeated my mom's advice. Julia nodded.
     "And Sam, I just need to say I'm sorry," she said shamefully. I sent her a confused look that asked why she was apologizing. "I think deep down I remembered that it was James who slipped something into my drink at the party. I don't think I wanted to admit it to myself." We went quiet for a moment. I felt like I knew deep down that Julia knew. She was just too tough to accept it.
     "Don't apologize," I responded. "It's ok." She smiled emotionally and hugged me. I hugged back. As we were separating, I heard the door crack open. This time, Julia, Jordan and I all instinctively jumped in our seats. I saw Noah, Chloe, and Karine walk in. They were all dressed up like the rest of us, but it was almost unsettling to see.
     The second Noah walked in, he started walking right towards me as if it was an order given. I must have felt it too because I stood up. He then reached me and wrapped his arms around me. Everyone was silent and I could tell all eyes were on us. Since my dad took my phone away, I hadn't spoken to Noah since the dance. "I'm here," Noah whispered quickly before separating from the hug. It was so simple, but so affective. I felt my heart rate slow down and my shoulders released tension. I sat back down and Noah and Chloe joined us.
     "Earliest i've been awake on a Saturday," Karine whispered chuckling gently. I know she was just trying to lighten the mood.
     "Jordan made me pick her up coffee," Mrs. Siegel smiled. I could practically feel Jordan roll her eyes. You know it's a big deal when even Jordan is silent.
     "Thank you all for coming," Mrs. Raskin said in a (clearly fake) cheerful manner.
     "Of course," Noah Kaller responded. Once the silence was broken, everyone had quiet, mini conversations. I heard my mom take a deep breath followed by Karine putting her hand on her shoulder. I watched them from my peripheral vision.
     "Hey," Karine whispered. "It's ok, Alyssa."
     "I know," my mom whispered back. "I just hope they don't give Noah a hard time." I looked over to Noah. Thankfully, he was whispering with Chloe and not listening. In that moment, I forgot that I was also going to be spoken to, and probably more intensely than Noah. In that moment, all I cared about was Noah