* * *

It's been a quiet couple of weeks which makes me anxious, we are now in the month of September and I have no idea where the year has gone. They say that no news is good news but I feel like there is a dark storm brewing and I am helpless to it's powers. For the last two months roughly, all I feel like I've done is dissect every message and conversation had with Noah. Oliver made me screenshot every message, every time he called me, go through the conversation that happened at the diner, had to get Drew involved with that one. I think I even had to re-enact that night at least twice with Oliver so that he could "feel like he was there." The worst part for me was having to talk about the scar Noah left, I think Oliver has a timeline of photos from when it first happened to now, he wanted to show the jury the pain and ordeal I had to go through with this scar. My dad warned me that there was a method to his madness so I never questioned or fought back. If this was going to help him lock up Noah, I was going to do whatever I needed to help do that.

"We have a court dates booked in for this month." Oliver mentioned casually to my dad as he gathered his papers.

My eyes widened in shock as I heard those words, "What?! Wh-What do you mean this month? I thought these cases begin within a year or something like that?"

Oliver shook his head absentmindedly. "We have proven that Noah is a risk to you and this community, so judge fast tracked it to this month. Did you not tell her?" Oliver turned to my dad to question him.

"There was no need. I didn't want her talking herself out of it. Get excited about it, Avery." Dad said as he leaned over the dining table to squeeze my hand.

My eyes moved nervously between my dad and Oliver who had now closed his suitcase before looking at me, "I need you to be prepared both mentally and emotionally. You need to be ready to face Noah and talk about everything you have hated mentioning. We have already gone through what questions you may face. Just need to stay level headed."

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I nodded nervously. I was not prepared for this fight. Was this a fight that I could win? What happens if he gets free? What happens if the law can't even hold him down? All these questions running through my head were making my palms sweaty and my heart beat louder and faster.

"You have nothing to worry about sweetheart, you will have us all there. He won't dare do anything to you in court." Dad reassured me. I nodded in agreement as they both got up, ready to leave my house.

"We are taking this bastard down." Oliver confirmed as he winked at me.

"Thatta boy." Dad said as he patted Oliver's back. I couldn't help but smile at the confidence these two always seem to bring. It was reassuring, that's for sure. They always made me feel confident and invincible. I was ready mentally but I wasn't sure if I would ever be ready emotionally to face Noah.

"Do you think we'll win?" Alena asked.

I turned in surprise to see her sitting on the stairs, "How long have you been sitting there?"

"Can I lie?" She asked.

I placed my hands on my hips as I faced my sister, she knew I didn't like her listening to the details of what happened. I was okay when she was there and we were talking about generic details but with all the gory details, it wasn't something I wanted her to experience.

"I'm sorry. I just wanna be there for you." She mumbled.

I let out a sigh before sitting next to her and placing an arm around her shoulder, "You have been there for me. You have been the best sister ever."

Her eyes lit up as she looked at me, "I have?"

"Of course! I don't know what I'd do without you Alena." I whispered as I leaned forward to kiss her on her temple.

"I love you Avery." She whispered

"I love you too Aly-Cat."

"Now go get ready, Drew said he wants to take you and Michael to the movies." I said.

"What about you?" Alena asked.

"I have a date with Jaxon." I said as I smiled.

"I like Jaxon." Alena states confidently before getting up.

I smiled as she said those words, "Yeah, me too."

* * *

Once I had my shower I decided it was time to make a little effort for our dates. I had been getting away with barely any makeup and natural hair, but this time around I wanted to straighten my hair and put a little makeup on. And that I did. It was amazing how refreshed you felt once you had you hair done. I let out a sigh as I sat down at my desk before pulling out my makeup bag. As I opened my bag, my eyes caught the applications that have now piled up on my desk for University. I was still unsure if I wanted to go to Uni, well aware that I had already applied for one Uni.

F L A S H B A C K

I squinted my eyes at the sound of the school bell that seemed to blare through my ears. Our entire level had been dragged into the fitness hall for an hour long meeting. This was the only time my friends and Jaxon's friends sat together. I smiled at Jaxon as I sat on the floor next to him. He had already gotten comfortable with his legs stretched out while leaning back on his palms. As soon as I sat down next to him he placed a quick kiss on my cheek.

"Quiet down. We have a lot to get through today." Principal Smites stated.

We all cheered out loud when Mr Reid stood up to take the stage.

"Strut your stuff Reid!"

We all let out a laugh as Mr Reid laughed along, "Thanks, Lucas. Always the encouraging one."

"Woo!" Lucas responded.

"As most of you know, exams are around the corner. You will start to finish up class over the next few weeks to allow you spare periods to study hard. You should all already be thinking about University or start to have some kind of plan in place. If you don't know what you want to do, feel free to speak to any one of us, or even the school guidance counsellor. This is what we are here for, to see you all succeed. Once exams are done, it will take a few weeks for the results to come in and will be mailed out to you. Does anyone have any questions?"

I turned to my right when I saw Lucas raise his hands but laughed quietly into my hand when Jaxon grabbed it and forced him to lower his hand. I don't think anyone knew Lucas as well as Jaxon did. I shook my head at Lucas who was now mockingly pouting at Jaxon.

Was I the only one who had no idea what I wanted to do? Going to University wasn't even a possibility until recently, now I felt like I was rushing my decisions for the sake of being able to say "This is what I want to do?" I was so fucking terrified that I was going to make this big decision and then hate it a few months into it.

E N D F L A S H B A C K

I let out a sigh as I shook my head. I was going to do what I did best, and that was pushing the idea of University to the back of my mind. I had only applied to UOM but apparently I should be considering others. Jaxon arrived just as I had finished getting ready and Drew said he was about ten minutes away.

After taking one final look into the mirror I quietly walked down the stairs. I stopped in my track when I heard Jaxon and Isaac whispering, but I couldn't make out what Jaxon was saying.

"Are you serious?" Isaac whispered.

"How many photos were crossed out? Does he know about this?" Isaac asked.

"Are you gonna tell her?"

What photos? Who was "he" who Isaac was referring to? Why were they whispering?

"Avery, you look so pretty in that black dress!" Alena squealed when she appeared from the kitchen. I smiled as I continued my way down the stairs, trying not to look like someone who was just eavesdropping.

"Thanks Aly-Cat."

"How do you make the bottom poof up like that?" She asked, confusion written on her face.

I let out a laugh as I patted my dress down, "Its a skater dress, it's designed this way."

I shook my head in amusement as she shrugged her shoulders before walking over to sit with Isaac. I noticed Isaac was focused on the TV and Jaxon was now standing, smiling at me. I kept my eyes on him as he walked towards me before leaning down slowly to plant a soft kiss on my lips, "Someone looks beautiful tonight. Ready to go?"

"Have fun kids!" Isaac spoke out.

"Miss me heaps!" Alena called out before giggling to herself as we closed the door.

The ride to the movies was peaceful. I feel like it had been a long time since we just had time to ourselves. Last time we were alone, I found out about my mum. Tonight, I just wanted it to be him and me, no interruptions, no problems, nothing. I just wanted a normal date. It was comical as we debated on what kind of movie we wanted to watch. I wanted horror, he wanted action and it got to the point where we had to flip a coin. I won, of course. Once our movie was done, we made our way towards Pancake Parlour which luckily for us was in the same complex of the movies so we didn't actually have to leave the building.

"Admit it." Jaxon said as he slid open my chair for me.

I let out a groan before sitting down, "Fine. It was a terrible movie. We should have watched your pick."

He smiled ear to ear as he sat across from me, "Thanks babe."

After ordering our pancakes and milkshakes we sat there in bliss as we held hands. Our conversation went from school, our siblings, to me opening up about Mum. It was the first time I spoke about her to Jaxon since her funeral. Words could not express how much I missed her and wanted her back in my life.

I shook my head, indicating to change the subject as I felt the lump in my throat. He quietly passed me a tissue as I wiped my tears away, trying not to ruin my makeup or end up looking like a panda.

"He's locked up now. He's paying his dues babe." Jaxon whispered as he squeezed my hand.

I scoffed at that idea, "Yeah, at the cost of my mums life."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that" Jaxon whispered.

"I know you didn't babe. I'm sorry." I responded as I squeezed his hand back in reassurance.

Jaxon licked his lower lip slowly before leaning over the table, I smiled as I also leaned forward allowing him to peck me on the lips.

"Thank you for being there." I whispered, kissing him once more on the lips before leaning back into my chair. Just in time as our pancakes arrived nice and hot.

"How are things with you and Isaac?" I asked.

Jaxon shrugged his shoulders as he began to eat at his five stack, "Its like nothing bad happened. I don't hate Isaac. Truth is, the longer I thought about it, the more I realised I'd do the same if it was Lucas or Drew."

"So mature of you." I mocked as I smiled at him.

He raised an eyebrow at me before leaning forward to steal one of my strawberries, "That's what you get."

Once we were done with our pancakes we walked out, hand in hand as we began to leave the building. I couldn't help but smile as I thought about how perfect tonight was. We stopped just as we got to the car, Jaxon spinning me around before bringing me closer to kiss him on the lips. I smiled as he snuck his hands around my waist. Our kiss deepened as my hands slowly moved up along his chest before wrapping them around his neck.

Our kiss was short lived when Jaxon was stripped from my touch. I looked in confusion as I saw another guy had tackled Jaxon, I screamed out in panic when I saw him kick Jaxon in the stomach. The guy turned his head to stare at me, it was at this point I wanted to run when I saw Noah standing there.

"He doesn't get to touch what's mine!" Noah yelled as he began to walk slowly towards me. I stumbled back until my back hit the door of Jaxon's car. I watched with fear as Noah raised his hand to touch the side of my face but was short lived, I watched as Noah got pulled into the ground by Jaxon. Jaxon was quick to jump on top of Noah before he began to punch Noah in the face, repeatedly.

"Don't.fucking.touch.her!" Jaxon yelled out in between each blow to the face he gave Noah.

I screamed for help when I saw a few guys walked a few meters away. They looked at each other before running towards us to break the guys apart.

"I'll fucking kill you Noah. Stay away from us!" Jaxon yelled out as he got pulled away from Noah. I quickly stood in front of Jaxon and placed my palms onto his face to get him to look at me.

"You can't touch me. I'm a free man." Noah mocked as he got pushed further away from us. He wiped his lip from the blood that was pouring down his face as he walked backwards.

The guys pushed Noah in the opposite direction, making him leave. I watched him as he turned to wink at me, "I'll see you soon, baby."

Jaxon went to push past me to tackle Noah again but the guys grabbed onto him again just in time. They let go once Noah was out of sight, walking away once I thanked them and reassuring them it was okay.

"You okay?" Jaxon asked as he placed his palms on the side of my cheeks, wiping the tears I didn't even know had fallen down my face.

"Yeah, my hearts in my throat though. I was so scared he was going to hurt you." I whispered.

Jaxon wrapped his arms around me before kissing the top of my head, "I'll always protect you babe."

I believed him but there was something in Noah's eyes. It's like he had a plan that no one knew about and he always had that smug look on his face. I couldn't wait for our court hearing. I was going to do everything I could to get him locked up.

* * *

A/N: I swear, I love Jaxon more and more to the point where it might be unhealthy. Anyone else with me? No? Okay *leaves quietly*

Next chapter: Guess whose trial begins!!