* * *

Its been three weeks since my mums funeral. It has been extremely tough for me, I had gotten so used to hearing her voice almost every day. Now, I had no-one to talk to like a daughter would with her mother. Just thinking about her brings a tear to my eye, she will never see me graduate school, go to college, get married, have kids. She will miss out on all the milestones in our lives. I've cried at night almost every night since finding out about mum. My heart now permanently has a hole in it that will never be healed.

I knew dad had connections but I never knew how serious his connections were. Somehow within two weeks he managed to get charges laid against Henry and the clinic. I've learnt that dad not only has lawyers in his pockets, he had police and judges. The power my dad had slightly worried me but at this point, it was doing us a favour. It was getting justice for my mum. My dad was currently in court with Oliver pressing charges against Henry, he was more than confident that by the end of the day, Henry will be locked up. I refused to go and didn't want Alena being in that environment. We did not need to hear the gory details about what happened to mum. I couldn't bear sitting there and listening to what happened to her before she died. I couldn't even mention mum without crying. Because I didn't want to go Drew and Isaac had promised they'd go on my behalf and to keep me posted about what happens.

So, here I was in school trying to concentrate when all I could think about was what was happening in court and if Henry was going to pay for what he did. School was going good, I still got the occasional stare but all the bitchiness and rumours abruptly stopped which has me believing that Jaxon and Lucas had something to do with it. My gut feeling was generally right and the smug looks that Jaxon and Lucas were carrying around lately was enough for me to confirm my feelings were right. The lunch bell rang through my ears and within a blink of an eye, everyone escaped out of class, I let out a sigh as I packed my belongings before finally getting up to leave.

"Avery."

"Yeah, Mr Reid?" I asked as I stopped walking.

"You are quite extraordinary with the way you write and the words you use to describe people." Mr Reid calmly said as he was collecting his belongings.

"Thank you" I said, flattered with the compliment.

"I have a friend who works at University of Melbourne and had been gushing about your work to her. She's intrigued and encourages you to apply for their Bachelor of Arts program." He said as he walked out with me.

I stopped abruptly as I took in his words, speechless that he would do that, "Ar-are you serious?!" I asked, excitement evident in tone.

"Yes. I know you mentioned once that you had no intentions of applying for University. But, I strongly recommend you apply for UOM. You will never get another opportunity like this." Mr Reid said, winking as he walked away.

I couldn't wipe the smile off my face as the words sunk in. "Thank you Mr Reid!" I called out to him before jogging into the cafeteria. I stopped just as I got to the door, I didn't want everyone to see that I had just received the best news ever. This was information I needed to be careful with who I told, the last thing I needed was more heat from these guys. As soon as I walked in, I sat down next to Mason and Michelle glad that my little mishap with Nikki didn't get to the guys. The last thing I wanted was our little fight to have affected our group in any way.

I placed my phone on the bench, screen facing up as my eye kept moving between the guys and my screen. The longer I waited, the more anxious I was getting. I wanted to message the guys so bad but I knew phones were not allowed to be on during court hearings, so I didn't bother. But the problem I had was that I had no idea when the court hearing finished. I let out a sigh as I looked up, locking eyes with Jaxon. Jaxon winked before patting the next seat next to him, tempting me to get up and sit with him for a bit. What's one day right? Its not like the entire school didn't know I was dating him and surely my friends understood if I wanted to sit with him for one day.

"Guys, I'm going to go sit with Jaxon for a little, is that okay?" I asked as I gathered my lunch.

"Yeah, no stress."

"As if you are asking!"

"Tell him to keep his hands to himself and we good."

I let out a supressed laugh at Mason as he repeated the words he once used before when I wasn't talking to Jaxon. Mason laughed back as he winked at me. I could feel all eyes on me as I slowly walked over to Jaxon, tray in hand hoping that I wouldn't fall. Knowing my luck, this would be the time I stack myself because someone decides today is the day they stick their leg out. It would have been interesting if someone actually had the audacity to try and trip me over, would have made for great entertainment for me to see how Jaxon would have reacted but of course nothing happened as I successfully made my way to him. He immediately moved over so that I could sit next to him.

"Eyyyyy, my favourite girl." Lucas said as he smiled.

"Hey, Lucas." I said as I let out a light laugh.

After being greeted by the rest of his group he leaned closer to me and placed a soft kiss on my temple, "Any word?" He whispered.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I shook my head in denial, "It's driving me crazy, I just need to know what's happened."

He slowly rubbed my back, "It'll work out. Don't stress."

"You guys are so stinking cute." Ethan said as he threw a few pieces of popcorn at us, causing me to laugh out. These guys were the best at keeping you distracted from your worries. The smile drained from my face when my phone beeped multiple times, without looking at it I excused myself from the table before walking outside to the garden. I didn't trust myself and how I would react if I saw "Henry got away with it."

Thu, Aug 11, 01:00 PM
Drew: Henry's lawyer tried to pin it all on the clinic.

Thu, Aug 11, 01:00 PM
Drew: We're finding out now what the verdict is.

Thu, Aug 11, 01:01 PM
Drew: You'll be happy to know, mum got her justice. He just got life.

I stared at my phone as I read the last message over and over again, I couldn't believe the words I was reading.

'He got life in prison.'

'We got justice for mum.'

"Hey." Jaxon spoke calmly, still causing me to jump as I quickly turned to face him.

"So, what's the outcome?" He asked.

I shook my head slowly as I tried to find the words, "H-He got life in prison. He's got life in prison." I repeated myself thinking it would help sink the information in.

"That's fantastic news! Why don't you look thrilled?" Jaxon asked, creasing his eyebrows in confusion.

"No! I'm so happy about it but I'm just shocked a little still, hasn't quite sunk in." I said as I switched my phone screen off before placing my phone in my pocket. We both began to make our way back to class just as the lunch bell went off.

Jaxon wrapped an arm around my shoulders bringing me closer to him, "He's now out of your life."

Those words were music to my ears. Henry was now out of our lives... For good.

* * *

I stood still as I stared at my mother grave, thankful to my dad for burring her here close to us. After school I picked up Alena, got some flowers and immediately came to visit mum. We wanted to share the great news with her, that we got justice for her. Now, we just had to take the clinic down. I let out a sigh as I began our weekly routine, I'd clean the tombstone from the dirt and dust, and Alena would throw out the old flowers and replace the water in the vase with fresh water. It was something we did almost every week, it was our way of spending time with mum.

Just as we finished my phone rang, not surprised that it was my dad calling.

"Hi nugget."

"Hi dad" I greeted as I let out a laugh.

"Heard the news?" he asked

"That I did. It's great news." I said.

"Well, we decided to have a little get together at our house to celebrate your mums life and the justice we got for her."

I smiled at the kind gesture as my eyes began to water, "That's amazing, dad. Thank you."

"Anything for my girls. I'll see you soon."

As I hung up I looked at Alena who was quietly staring at me, I smiled as I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, "Let's go to dads house."

"Yes! I love going there. Ashley's cookies are to die for!"

"Always thinking about food." I sarcastically responded as I laughed at my sister who was now patting her stomach.

"Its my best skill."

I laughed at her as I roughed up her hair with my fingers, I waited until she got into the car before hopping in. As I turned the car on my phone beeped.

Thu, Aug 11, 04:30 PM
Jaxon: Hey, Drew just messaged me telling me to come over cause of some celebration? Are you going to be there?

Thu, Aug 11, 04:31 PM
Me: Yeah I am

Thu, Aug 11, 04:32 PM
Jaxon: Want me to pick you up?

Thu, Aug 11, 04:33 PM
Me: Nah its ok. Isaac is going so he's going to take Alena and me with him. Thanks anyway babe

Thu, Aug 11, 04:33 PM
Jaxon: No worries. See you soon x

By the time we got home, Isaac had already showered and gotten changed. I let out a sigh as I sat on the couch waiting for Alena to finish from the shower.

"How are you feeling?" Isaac asked as he looked at me.

I shook my head as I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know. One minute I'm happy about justice being served then the next I'm extremely angry, to the point where I want to punch someone. It's exhausting. I can't tell if it's normal behaviour or if I'm beginning to lose my mind."

Isaac sat forward and leaned his forearms against his knees as he looked at me, "It's completely normal. I felt that way when Annie died, the only reason I made it out alive was because of you and Noah."

I looked into his eyes as my heart began to ache when I think back to that day, "You got through it cause you're strong." I whispered as I gave him a sad smile.

"So are you." He said before getting up to go into the kitchen, patting my shoulder on the way.

We made our way to dads house once we all freshened up and were ready. It's amazing how once upon a time I used to be nervous going to my dads house, now I felt at complete ease. I guess it's true what they say, time does heal the broken heart. Except, now my heart was broken for a completely new reason. One which I wasn't sure will ever get mended.

With Ashley in the Kitchen and dad on the Barbeque, Isaac, Jaxon, Drew and myself sat in the living room. Jaxon placed his arm around my shoulder bringing me closer to him, just as I leaned my head back to rest on his shoulder I felt a pillow hit my face.

"Ew. Stop it." Drew mocked, making us laugh.

"You're such a prick." Jaxon said in between chuckles before throwing the pillow back at Drew.

"Yeah well, sucks to be you. Anyway, can we talk about College?" Drew said.

I raised my eyebrow at him as I turned to face him, "You want to go to College?" I asked.

"Yeah, I think its time I got my degree in business." Drew said as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Dude, I plan on going back as well. I want to study architecture." Isaac said.

"What about you?" I asked Jaxon.

"Im thinking engineering." He responded aimlessly.

"So, lets make a deal. We all apply for Uni's that are close to each other or in the same state at least." Drew said.

"Aww, you gonna miss me?" Jaxon asked.

"I was talking to my sister." Drew mocked as he smirked at Jaxon.

"Where she goes, I go so don't forget my face." Jaxon said as he smiled at Drew who was now laughing.

"Okay, deal. Lets look at Universities inside Melbourne, near the city even. This town doesn't really have much going on." Isaac stated.

I didn't have the heart to tell Isaac and Drew I had already applied for University of Melbourne, the night I was filling out the details I had spoken to Jaxon about it who ultimately convinced me to apply. I made him apply too, didn't take much convincing because he had received the paperwork a few days prior but was waiting to speak with me about it first. So, we both have already applied for it but I felt a pitch of guilt hit my heart as we now sat here talking about College.

"What do you guys think about University of Melbourne?" Jaxon asked.

Isaac scoffed, "The chances of all four of us getting in are pretty slim."

"Who cares, lets just apply and we'll also apply for the others, Swinborne, Monash..." Jaxon drifted off.

Drew looked at us for a few seconds before smiling, "Fuck it. I'm in. What's the worst that will happen?"

"We get rejected." I stated.

"Lets do it. Tonight, we all apply and submit it tomorrow morning." Isaac stated. I smiled as I nodded. I looked over at Jaxon who smiled and winked at me. I smiled back as I leaned forward to kiss him on his cheek. I knew exactly what he did and I appreciate him so much more.

First step was applying, second step was praying we all got in.

* * *

A/N: Hi bears! We are officially in the countdown to the end of the novel, under 15 chapters left to go.

Next Chapter: Jaxon called and has demanded he take Avery on a date.