The Defendant ✧ (Bill Gambini x reader)

5.

"You've been awfully quiet recently."

Dad took a seat at the table next to me as we ate breakfast together. "I guess I've just had a lot on my mind" I replied nonchalantly. "Don't we all?" He chuckled as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Dad?"

"Hm?"

"Let's say a person knew a piece of information that could help an innocent person, what should they do?" I asked curiously. "That's an odd question" he commented with a raised eyebrow. "Just a tv show I'm watching, the storyline is...Interesting to say the last" I white lied. 

"Well, it's only fair that they come forward to help those in need" he answered. "But what if they're scared of getting in trouble?" I pressed. "Even so, it's the right thing to do. It's a small price to pay but at least you've helped someone" he advised. I thought for a moment.

"Yeah, you're right. Thanks, I can't wait to finish that series" I kept up the deception.

We then went on to talk about other things. Later that day, I decided I was going to come clean and admit myself as a witness. I was walking down the street towards the courthouse when I heard cursing nearby.

It distracted me, I checked it out to find Mr Toler scrubbing at the front window. "Hi, Mr Toler, what's wrong?" I asked curiously. He owned the local candy store in town, a very sweet man. "Some delinquents have vandalized my display" he sighed. I felt bad for him.

I knew I didn't have much time but it was only kind of me to help him. I grabbed a sponge from the soapy water in the bucket and began to scrub too. "You're a dear girl Y/n" he smiled in relief. "It's no problem" I smiled back.

"Did you hear about the murderers? The prosecution team have found witnesses that place them at the crime scene" he gossiped, my eyes turned wide. "That's uh...oh wow" I didn't know what to say.

When we were finished, he turned to me. "So, where are you off to?" 

"The courthouse to watch the trial" I answered. Mr Toler looked like he was going to have a heart attack. "Oh dear, you shouldn't be at a place like that with those killers" he shook his head. "Well, you see they're innocent" I insisted. 

He went quiet for a moment as he thought. "Are you sure? How do you know?" He questioned. "It's just...A gut feeling. They don't deserve to be in jail" I said firmly. Mr Toler looked at me before nodding. "Okay, I believe you. I hope everything goes well" he sympathised. 

We waved goodbye to each other and I began to speed off. I had almost made it when Sydney stopped me in my tracks, her friends by her side. "Omg hey! We're going to the Picturehouse, let's go" she beamed. "Oh- I can't I'm busy," I said almost breathlessly.

"With?"

I didn't even get to answer.

"-Look I'm sure whatever it is can wait! This movie is supposed to be really good plus we can get snacks" she prattled, pulling my arm in the opposite direction.

"But-" 

"Ohh your hair looks so good today!" She complimented. Sydney was super bubbly and I couldn't get a word in edgeways. I looked over my shoulder at the courthouse in the distance as we walked away, I knew I would have to try again soon.