Free Turtle Bay by Tiffany King Page B

distraction from my impending court appearance the next day.
    Butch and Buttercup chattered the entire time. I grunted and joined in anytime they roped me into responding, but otherwise I worked in my own bubble, trying not to think about the trouble both Josh and Evan had gotten me into.
    Eventually the last of the paper was removed, and it was amazing how much better the room looked. Butch claimed that with the man-eating flowers gone and a fresh coat of paint coming, it would finally be a worthy bedroom. We munched on pizza while Butch and Buttercup debated over how to decorate the room, including compromising on a color they could both live with. I knew their chatter was for my benefit. It was their way of trying to take my mind off what lay ahead in court the following day.
    By the next morning, after another sleepless night, I was ready to face the judge and accept my punishment, bad or good. The courthouse was buzzing with activity just like the police station had been when we all got busted. I met with the public defender ten minutes before things got started, surprised by how nice she was. She explained that half the charges against me wouldn't hold up. She was confident that in spite of my previous record, I would get off with a slap on the wrist. Her reassurances along with Butch and Buttercup's presence made it so I could at least breathe without passing out.
    The inside of the courtroom was larger than the small courthouse in Huntsville, but still looked overcrowded from the many sets of parents and kids sitting inside. My stomach knotted up as I took in the intimidating room. Oddly enough, I suddenly felt homesick for the first time since we'd moved to Florida. I spotted Farrah near the front row, sandwiched between two people who I assumed were her parents. She looked pale and on the verge of tossing her cookies.
    With a hand on the small of my back, Butch led me down the center aisle until we found a half-empty row where we could sit. I crossed my legs, flanked on either side by Butch and Buttercup. My left foot tapped up and down anxiously while I waited for my name to be called. My palms were uncharacteristically clammy and sticky, so I wiped them nervously on my skirt as the judge entered the room and sat down to start the proceedings. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been this nervous. Not even my last court appearance in Kansas had been this bad.
    Evan walked in accompanied by the same suit I'd seen with him at the police station, along with a distinguished-looking man who belonged on the cover of GQ . I was sure it was his father. The resemblance was there. In spite of their late arrival, Evan's case was called immediately, which made me suspect more than immaculate timing on their part. I guess when you had money you made the rules.
    I listened intently as all his charges were read. They were similar to mine with the exception of his extra drug possession charge. Hearing everything read aloud had me convinced Evan would get punished severely. Certainly more than a little slap on the wrist. His lawyer did some fast-talking, though, and before I knew it Evan received nothing more than a hefty fine and a measly twenty hours of community service. His verdict allowed me to breathe easier since I knew my charges weren't half as bad. Hopefully the fine wouldn't be in the same ballpark, but I would pay Butch and Buttercup back, whatever it turned out to be.
    Evan tried to get my attention as he left, but I looked away. As far as I was concerned this whole mess was his fault. Him and his good time bullshit.
    Several other cases were called before mine. It was evident looking around the room whose parents had money because of the well-dressed attorneys sitting at their sides. The rest of us had to make do with the same public defender. I couldn't tell if that was a good or a bad thing. No one was receiving any jail time, but the community was on the verge of being well served because the judge was handing out