TRAPPED

17

Adrien

"Celine will have to be present in court." My lawyer tells me. "You'll go through the obvious things, and we'll describe why Isabel is unfit. But, ultimately, part of the decision will be who Celine chooses. But if she can't state a reason she shouldn't live with you, as well as have evidence to support it, then that could play a part in you getting custody."

I nod, then wipe at my jaw. "Right. Okay."

"The hearing is tomorrow, at twelve p.m. Is Celine enrolled in a school?"

"Not yet." I respond.

"Okay, just make sure she's with you, then." He says. "She probably won't be asked any questions, apart from that final one."

"Okay." I repeat. "What if she doesn't want to come?"

"Celine has to be there." He clarifies.

     I nod again. "Alright."

Celine

My grandmother looks at me from across the large mahogany desk.

     "Celine," she begins, a soft smile curving up the edges of her lips. Her voice is tinted with a French accent weighed down by years living in England. "We're all so happy we get to see you again."

     I just look at her.

     "However," she says as I lean back in the chair. "Your behaviour toward your father has been unacceptable. He's just tried to build a relationship with you and welcome you back into our family and you in return have caused trouble. So much trouble, that you've had to come stay with us because you're upsetting him and everyone around you.

     "And clearly there's a reason. So you're going to tell me. Right now."

     "You shouldn't talk so fast." I say, narrowing my eyes into a glare. "Your dentures might fall out."

     Her eyebrow arches. "You can have a smart mouth, Celine, but that's only going to get you so far. Quick replies isn't going to get you through school, nor through the rest of your life. So while you're thinking up your next insult, others are working hard to make something of themselves. What do you want to be when you grow up?"

     I shrug, even though I do know. I want to be an Olympic figure skater. I want to win medals and I want to be the most well known figure skater in the world.

     But I don't share that with her. I don't like sharing what I hope for the future with anybody.

     "What things do you like to do in school?" She questions, voice oddly soft.

     "I don't like school." I say.

     "You don't like anything in school? Everybody likes something." She replies.

     I shake my head.

     "How about English?"

     "Can't spell." I say.

     "You can learn to spell certain words." She says.