"That's what happened, your Honour." I say.
It's been 3 months, and it's now the court hearing of Robin's case. I have just explained what happened, in my POV. It was so awkward, these last few months, having to walk past Robin's mum in the street.

The judge stares at me with widened eyes. I look around me, to check if he was looking at me.

There was a crowd of people behind me. Total strangers. I had no clue who almost all of them were.

Then just in front of the crowd were my mum, and Robin's mum.

Urgh. I hated Robin's mum. She had cried so much today- lies after lies spilled out of that dirty mouth of hers. She was probably friends with the strangers behind me. I bet she bribed them. Hmm.

"Miss Brown..." Oh, the judge was calling me. Oops.

"Yes, your Honour" I replied.

"You may sit down now. We are now leaving the decision to the jury" the judge says, looking towards the jury, who soon exited the big hall.

I walked back over to my mum and gave her a tight squeeze. This might be my last one. So I need to savour every moment.

-----

The jury entered again. A tall, thin man stood up and said the words I was dreading,

"Your Honour, the jury have decided, that Mrs Brown is guilty, and we also think that some sort of punishment should be given to Miss Brown, as she was the one who decided on playing hide and seek"

I gasped, and looked at my mum, who had the same expression as me.

I heard whispers from the jury, and I saw the tall, thin guy whispering to Mrs Waters. Urgh. So it was bribery. There was no point complaining, because every time I did, she would just start crying, and everyone would feel sorry for her.

I wondered if the judge would agree.

Suddenly, there were two BANG BANGs. Everyone stopped their quieet chat and looked twoards the judge immediatley.

"I declare Mrs Brown, GUILTY. She will serve a 10 year prison statement. Miss Brown will get 100 hours community service. Case over, unless there are any quick questions."

I can't even begin to describe how I felt in that moment. I wanted to kill myself. But I wanted to kill Mrs Waters even more.

Then, I realised something. If mum was going to...jail. I can't even bring myself to say that sentence. But, she is going to jail. Meaning there is no adult in the house to look after me. And I'm only 10. I turned 10 last month. Who will look after me?

I ask the judge, "Your Honour, I have a question, who will be living with me?"

He replies, "With your father, of course."

"But my Dad... is..."

"Your Dad is...?"

i look back at my mum, already in tears.

"He's in the army. We don't think he's alive, because he hasn't come back for his holidays, which were a few months ago" I say

"Well, we have to get you living somewhere" the judge says, no sympathy shown, at all.

"Would you like to live in a care home?"

I thought about it for a moment. Living in a care home meant the chance of a new family. I didn't want that. But then what other option was there?

Either way, I would have to live with someone else.

I asked the judge, "is there another option, your honour?"

"Well, looking at your records here, you don't really have any other family. I guess the only other option is living with Mrs Waters."

No. No way. I was not doing that. She ruined my life.

I looked towards her, she had a smirk plastered across her face.
I looked towards my mum, looking for any sign of communication. All I got was a blank face. I guess there's only one obvious option.

"I'll... go to the care home. " I said, reluctantly.

"That settles it," said the judge, "case over. Officers, take Mrs Brown away"

I looked back at my mum. Still, no emotion. Why? I gave a limp wave and she just turned away and let the officers drag her away.

That's the last time I saw my mum.

----

"Hi there, Louise, is it?" A bouncy young woman approaches me. She has short brown hair, smiling eyes, and pearly white smile. She wore a great sweater, with stripes on it, and she smelt like baby powder.
"Yes, its Louise, who are you?" I asked her.
"My name is Liv, I am the owner of Old Oak Care Home." She says, with a smile, "as the judge said, you will be living in a care home, until your mum comes out of...prison" she said reluctantly, probably wondering how to bring up the topic of my mum going to jail.

To be honest, I didn't know what impacted me more.
My mum going to jail, or the fact that my mum didn't even say goodbye.

Those two thoughts swirled in my mind as Liv took me to a black polo outside.

FINALLY DONE :))

OMG I JUST HAD AN IDEA but IT RUINS EVERYTHING IVE PLANNED FOR THIS BOOK SO FAR! i don't know what to do now ARGHHH
OKAY I decided I'm going to do it! But I will combine both ideas!
SORRY in advance if I get the whole court thing wrong lol

shoutout to  @_Cupcake_haZ_  for being really active!
go check out her book!