A A R O N

There were a thousand better things Hermia could've done today, and yet she was sitting beside me in my dad's old jeep, watching the world blur past through the passenger window.

I didn't ask her to come. Not really. I just... didn't want to go alone.

"You haven't seen her in years?" Hermia asked softly.

"Not since I was seventeen."

She glanced over at me. "You okay with this?"

I didn't answer. Because, no. I wasn't.

Delilah Richards wasn't just a lawyer. She was the lawyer. The one the state called when they were desperate. The one criminals either feared or hired. She lived in a two-story glass fortress at the edge of town, like she couldn't stand being too close to real people.

And she was my mother.

The house looked the same. Sleek, perfect, cold. I parked by the curb, killing the engine. Hermia pulled her hoodie tighter and blew into her hands.

"She really lives here alone?"

"She lives in her office most of the time. The house is for show."

I walked up to the door and rang the bell. For a long moment, nothing happened.

Then a muffled voice. "Just a second!"

The door swung open. She looked surprised. Barefoot, hair damp like she'd been in the shower, holding a towel in one hand and a glass of water in the other.

"Aaron?" Her voice cracked slightly. "I-what are you doing here?"

"Can we talk?" I asked.

She hesitated, eyes shifting to Hermia.

"This is... Hermia..." I hesitated and we exchanged a glance.

"A friend." Hermia substituted with a brief smile at me and then at my mother.

Delilah Richards nodded slowly and stepped aside. "Come in."

The inside smelled like pinewood and lavender. Polished floors, minimalist furniture, zero warmth.

It wasn't messy. Just empty. Like a showroom no one really lived in.

We all settled at the kitchen island. Hermia sitting next to me and she on the other side. She offered water. We declined.

I slid my phone across the table. "This is Sally Whitmore Parker."

She picked up the phone and scanned the article. "Attempted murder." Her brow furrowed.

"She's Hermia's best friend," I said even though I was aware she knew that already. "And she didn't do it. There's more to it than what the police have."

Delilah Richards leaned back slightly. "What do you mean?" There was something challenging to her voice. As if she was daring me to speak up for her.

Hermia spoke up instead, voice calm. "Ma'am, she was attacked. Her brother was high. Daniel, another guy that goes to our school tried to assault her. It got violent when she fought back. Somehow her brother intervened and he died as a result. Daniel fled the scene and there's no proof that he was there at that time."

"Okay and was her brother still alive when Daniel left?"

"We think so," I said.

"I wasn't talking to you son."

My jaw ticked and I rolled my eyes. I was about to speak when Delilah Richards turned to Hermia.

"Were you at the crime scene?"

Hermia exchanged a confused glance with me and when I nodded encouragingly she muttered a no.

Delilah Richards nodded slowly. "Where is she now?"

"Juvenile holding. They're prepping her for trial." Hermia swallowed. "She's not a criminal. She's scared. Confused."

Delilah Richards studied us for a long moment. She didn't look angry. Just tired.

Just when I expected her to decline to take up the case, she set her eyes on me.

"She needs proper representation. And you're asking me to give that. If I'm correct?"

I chipped in, "Because she doesn't have anyone else. And neither did we. Not really."

Silence settled in the room.

Delilah Richards exhaled and stood. "I'll look into it. That's all I can promise right now."

It wasn't a yes. But it wasn't a no either.
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Back in the car, Hermia leaned her head against the window as we drove in silence.

"Your mom's not what I expected," she said eventually.

"Same-" I gave emphasis by rolling my eyes.

Hermia cut in, "She didn't seem cold."

"She didn't used to be nice," I glanced over. "You handled her well."

Hermia chuckled. "I did?"

It was better if she thought she was the reason Delilah Richards decided to consider taking up the case, and not because of a compromise I made.

She gave a small shrug. "Didn't want to make things worse."

"You didn't," I shrugged. "You helped."

My voice had dropped a little. Softer. She looked surprised but soon looked out the window immediately after.

I didn't know what she was thinking. I sighed and continued to drive.

While there was silence, I noticed she was looking at me. I glanced at her and she looked at me then, really looked.

"You okay?"

I wanted to say yes when she dared me with her killer glance and raised brows. I chuckled a breath and shook my head.

"No. But... thanks for coming."

"You're not welcome."

I laughed. "I expected a sarcastic reply."

From the corner of my eyes, I saw her fighting her own smile.
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A/N: The next update would continue to be on Fridays. Thanks for your patience while waiting for these chapters.