Peter heard Nate's mutterings. He was going to miss him too, but Nate already knew that. "Is it okay if I have Jen come here to finish the project?" He figured maybe something came up and now JEn's mom was mad at him too. BEsides, he wanted to talk to Jen, without her mom thinking there was any conflict between teh two of them.

Angie looked up from her own cup and said "Sure, just don't make a mess with your project" she said with a wink.

Peter answered, "Thanks." He went to another room to call Jen. "Hey, you want to come over to Nate's to work on the project?"

Jen wondered why they were doing this at his house. Did what she said about her siblings and her mom working Saturday upset him? A small part of her thought it should. She wanted somebody to care. "Yea, sure."

A few minutes later, Jen showed up at Nate's. Praying her and Peter could still date or be good friends, she rang the doorbell. He answered and smiled at her, "Come on in." When she made her way inside, he held her hand. "Are you okay, Jen?"
Her heart warmed at the fact he seemed to actually care abou ther this time. His kind eyes looked into hers. "I'm just stressed. I think Dad being in jail has caught up with my family. My mom now has all these bills she has to [ay by herself and my siblings are usually cranky and selfish."

Peter took this in. This was his fault. If he hadn't almost kissed her, then her dad would not have been in jail for pulling his hair out. He held her hand closer to his. "Promise to let me know if you need me?"

Jen knew he was being honest. She swung her arm, along with his. "I do need you. When you were talking to Zach about soccer, I kind of felt..left out."

Peter felt a wave of remorse. "Sorry. Look, no soccer ball can ever compare to you, got it?"

She smiled, when he smiled that irresistable smile of his. "Got it."

Ryan said good-bye to Peter and headed back to his house. He texted Miley: hey, whats up?

Miley was dress-shopping with Chrissa, when Ryan texted her. SHe texted him back: "Just getting a dress for Chrissa. I'm so happy for her!"

Ryan texted back: hey, thats great. cant wait 2 c u both at the dance.

The next day was the high school dance.

Chrissa was getting ready in her room. She put on the dress she and Miley had picked out yesterday and looked at herself in the mirror.

Miley had finished with her dress, hair and makeup and was now standing behind Chrissa. "You look gorgeous."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter, Jen, Chloe, and Amanda met at Justin and Maralyn's house, planning for the funeral that will take place tomorrow. Justin turned to Peter, "Think we can be pallbearers?"
Peter answered, "Sure."

Chloe gave Maralyn a hug. "Hey sis! Seems like I haven't seen you in ages," she commented.

Chrissa blushed a bright red. "Thanks, you look great too. I'm nervous about the dance. I can't dance well."

Maralyn hugged her sister right back. "I miss you too." She looked sadly at her husband. hoping they would not have to plan his funeral anytime soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miley said, "DOn't worry. Just have fun. Ryn and Ben will be here any minute."

"Okay, okay." Chrissa tried to relax, but she was still a bit nervous.

Chloe saw Maralyn look at Justin, and she gave her sister another hug. "I was so sad when I heard the news. I can't believe they're actually...dead." Tears pricked at her eyes, and she tried to brush them away.

Maralyn felt tears coming down her eyes too. She whispered, "Just to think that could be my husband in a few months I can't go to the funeral." She shook her head. "I can't. I can't go and sit there and think that could be Justin in a few months. I can't. GIve my regards for me, okay? I don't even think I will make it through the trial when it comes up. Will you go to the trial for me when it comes up?"

Justin had been trying to stay strong for everybody, but Brad's death got ot him too. They were really good friends. Brad had befriended him when no one else
would and helped get him and Maralyn back together. At least he had apologized for the way he treated June. At least she would not have had to die with that in her head and in her heart. She knew he was sorry and was trying to be a better man than he was when they were dating. Still, he wasn't a better man. He killed someone and might go to prison for the rest of his life or die. Maybe going to the funeral would not be such a great idea. I mean I am Brad's friend, but..
"Justin?" Peter's voice broke through his thoughts.
He turned to see his young cousin, looking at him with concern.
Peter asked, "Are you thinking about Brad or the trial?"
Justin answered, "Both. Actually, I also was thinking about June?"
Peter glanced out the window, at the bare trees, then back at Justin. "You know she forgave you, right? For when you were, you know."
Justin nodded. "Do you think I should go to the funeral?"
A sadness went over Peter's eyes. "Want my honest opinion?"
Justin said it for him. "You think I shouldn't go?"
Peter gulped, then said, "That's exactly what I was going to say. I mean you don't want someone wagging their finger at you, telling you that you deserved it because you accidentally, you know."
Justin agreed, then noticed his cousin was shutting his eyes against tears. He put an arm around his cousin."Are you okay?"
Peter shook his head, but didn't talk.
Justin asked. "Why aren't you talking?"
Peter lowered his voice. "I don't want to sound like a girl."
Justin smiled at his cousin, then turned somber and realized for some reason his cousin was hurting. "Who called you a girl?"
Peter sniffed, "Everybody!"
Justin took invetory of Peter's medium hair, boyish clothes, growing muscles. Then, he saw his cousin's moist eyes and knew why. Peter had cried in school, obviously. Apparently, some of the bullies must have found out or seen it. Still, he was sure being called a girl was only part of the problem. "What is on your mind right now, Pete?"
Peter wiped his eyes. "This could be your funeral we are planning in a few months."
Justin held his little cousin in his arms, as Peter sobbed onto his chest. "Hey, I have a good lawyer. Okay? I will fight this and do everything in my power to not go to jail or get the death penalty, okay? God will see us thorugh this, okay?"
Peter said, "You are so brave."
Justin said, "God is the one giving me strength."
Peter rubbed his arms. "I know God gives strength, but I feel so weak. It's just been one thing after another this year." Peter leaned over the sink. "I used to be stronger."
Justin said grimly, "Me too, Peter. Me too."

Kevin and Chuck leaned over Connie’s shoulder as she flipped through the surveillance camera footage from the murder scene “They are wearing masks dang-it” said Chuck “Wait what’s that?” said Kevin pointing at a patch on a mans back “Zoom in” Connie replied “Ok” she zoomed it in Chuck said “Yep that’s it, a hammer with an eagle perched on top” Kevin asked “Could you get the eye in the sky footage for this area please?” Connie said “How do you kn-“ Kevin cut in “I’m an army ranger” Connie just snorted and pulled up the top secret footage. “There’s the van” said Chuck “Yeah, back it up and follow the van” Connie hit rewind as the van drove backwards till it arrived at a warehouse “There is where the were basing their operations from” Chuck looked at Kevin “Lets go”
---
Ben and Ryan pulled up in Ben's bronco which had the cap off he, honked the horn playfuly.
((OCC:
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1296/3981/3239490001_large.jpg ))

Miley squealed when she heard the horn. She and Chrissa raced into Ben's bronco. "Beat ya, Chrissy!' She said, "Hey Ryan!" She grinned when she saw Ryan in his tux. He looked so handsome.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Justin ran a hand over his short hair, which was gelled forward. It could be gone in a few months if he had to spend life in jail. His hazel eyes seemd to darken a little. He rubbed the back. He rocked his short hair but would not look good shaved. Still, there were more important things for him to worry about. If he got the death penalty, his baby would have to grow up without a father and Maralyn would be left a single mother. She would have to raise the little baby on her own. She would have no man to provide for her and protect her from the evils that could happen to a mother and her child. Peter and Miley would be left without their supporter. A tear fell from his right eye. He felt his cousin's warm touch. Peter had a look of determination in his eyes. "I will witness in court and fight for you."
Justin stroked his cousin's hair. "You have to be an actual witness."
Peter cursed, then blushed. "Sorry."
Justin patted his back. "That's okay. Just try to stop okay?"
Peter nodded. "You're kind of like a father figure, almost."
Justin gave Peter a sad smile. He wanted to tell Peter that is why he was afraid of dying, but decided against it. It would only make Peter and himself sadder.

As they drove toward the warehouse Kevin called Justin "Hey Justin, look me and Chuck are on the trail of the men who killed Brad, you know that reporter? Well we think he's a cortell member, well these men who killed Brad work for the same cortell as the reporter"

Justin was shocked at the information Kevin gave him. "Oh really? Oh this is good. Then, there is no reason why we should be in jail or get the death penalty. Write down everything and one of you can talk to the judge. They have to believe this. We can even report the newspaper station! I can't wait to tell everyone the good news!'