Today is Friday.
'Today is Friday' Rhea thought to herself as she stepped into the bathroom. Two days to Christmas already but that is not what was important to her right now, today is the final hearing of Claire's father in the court. As expected, Rhea needs to go to the court to give her best friend emotional support.
She took her bath and dressed casually. She picked her phone and headed downstairs to meet her family.
"Rhea dear, did you sleep well?" Her mother asked.
"Yes mum, good morning" She greeted engulfing her mother in a small hug.
"Good morning to you too darling" Laura responded with a bright smile. "When will you be leaving for the court?" She asked.
"Carter is going to pick me up, so I am waiting for him" Rhea answered.
Claire was like a second daughter to Laura ever since she became friends with Rhea. Laura was a mother figure to Claire who respected so much. As soon as Rhea got news about the verdict of Claire's father, she did not hesitate to let her mother know about it.
"I really wish we can all be there for our dear Claire. This is the time she needs us most. Do you think we should all go to the court?" Laura voiced.
"No mum, it is okay if I go. I am sure Claire understands too. Do not worry mum" Rhea said softly.
"Okay then, if you say so. You and Carter should watch over her very well okay"
"Yeah, I know. We will" Rhea nodded in affirmation. Just then, a horn was heard, indicating Carter's arrival.
"Mum, Carter is here. I should go already" Rhea said.
"Okay, you guys should be there for each other okay.. my regards to Claire. Tell her to be strong" Laura told her daughter.
"Alright mum, see you later". With that, Rhea walked out of the car and joined Carter who Immediately drove off. Throughout the entire car ride, the two were silent till they got to the court.
The car was stopped at the gate of the court and the two went through the security processes before they were let in. Carter parked the car and they came out. Rhea looked around and spotted Claire who was standing with an elderly woman who was her lawyer. Taking long strides, they walked up to her.
"Hey" Rhea said to her friend. She looked closely at her to gauge her emotions but everything seems alright. Rhea released a breath she was holding unknowingly.
"You guys are here. Thank you" Claire gave a small sincere smile.
"You will be good" Carter assured her and she nodded. She glanced at her watch and said in a small voice.
"It is time". Carter gave her a small nod of reassurance and she turned around. The woman from earlier beckoned to her to hurry. She got to the woman and the two entered into the court.
"We should go ahead too" Carter said to which Rhea nodded in response. They walked into the courtroom and took a seat where they could easily see Claire.
Claire sat with her lawyer, she looked very calm and comported on the surface but Rhea knew her well enough to know that she was feeling uneasy.
The court proceedings began after the entrance of the Judge. The case was presented and soon Claire was summoned to the witness box. She stood up with her head high and walked to give her testimony. Her eyes met with her two friends who cheered her up.
Claire took the customary oath before giving her statement. When she finished, she stepped down and returned to her seat. Her lawyer patted her back before she sat down. After so much argument back and forth, Claire's father was found guilty and was sentenced.
The proceedings came to an end and Claire's father was marched out of the court room with two policemen tagging behind him. Rhea and Carter hurriedly walked to their friend and Rhea engulfed her in a warm hug.
The three walked out of the courtroom. Claire's father was about to be ushered into the van that would take him to the location he would be serving his jail term.
"I need to speak to him" Claire said, her eyes was glued to her father. Carter cocked a brow but did not say anything.
"Are you sure you really want to do that?" Rhea asked.
"Yeah, I need to" She said with a voice of certainty.
"We will go with you" Carter offered. Since she wanted to, he did not argue with her.
Together, the three walked towards the van.
"Stop!" Claire ordered and her father who was quick to identifying her voice stopped and turned to her. The policemen escorting him made way for Claire. They stood guard by the side.
"Dad...." Claire called in a small audible voice. The man in question was taken aback. Guilt flashed through his eyes. He opened his mouth but no word came out.
"You may have not been the best man in my life but you are still my father. Seeing you this way aches my heart. It really hurt... a lot. But it is for the best, I hope that whenever I see you sometimes again in future, you will be a better man. Then, I can at least call you father" Claire said. She stubbornly not blink so that the tears she held will not fall.
"C–claire...." he started but choked on his word. He was at the verge of tears. He looked at his daughter who he had abandoned since she was born. He had chosen drugs ten times over his own flesh and blood but here before him stood a mature lady that was still willing to call him father. His emotions was in turmoil.
He was speechless although he has a lot to say. He raised his hand towards his daughter but all of a sudden, the policemen who felt their time together was up walked to Claire's father and tried to haul him into the van. He caressed her face and Claire leaned into his touch. The policemen separated the two and violently shoved Claire's father into the van.
"What are you doing! He is my father—" Claire choked. Rhea quickly pulled her into a hug.
"They are taking him away, away from me again..." Claire sobbed continuously. Rhea patted her back.
Carter just kept on looking at Claire. He had never seen her this weak and a part of him just wanted to pull her into his arms and relieve her of her worries. But could he?
After a while, Claire became calm and it was time to go home. They walked to the parking lots.
"Give your car keys to Rhea, I'll take you home" Carter suddenly said.
"Why..." Claire sniffed. "I can drive myself, I am not a kid"
Carter did not say a word but gave Claire a really hard look. Claire folded her arms and avoided Carter's gaze.
"Let me" Rhea urged and Claire threw her keys at her. She grumbled and stumbled to Carter's car. She entered and closed the door with a loud thud. Carter nodded. 'Better that way' he thought.
"Just drive home so that Aunt will not be worried, you can leave Claire with me. I will look after her" Carter said to Rhea.
"Ah.. thank you. I will drive her car back home tomorrow. You should take care of her okay" Rhea said.
"Trust me" Carter assured. With that, Rhea entered the car and drove off.
Carter entered the car and glanced at Claire who sat still with her eyes closed. He held out his hand to stroke her shoulder but stopped midway.
"Are we going to remain here till tomorrow?" Claire said with a cracky voice.
Instead of giving a response, Carter started the engine and drove off. During the drive back, he kept throwing side glances at Claire who still had her eyes closed.
A large part of his heart really wanted to shower her care at this moment but he held his emotions in him. He tightened his hands on the steering till his fingers turned white. Thoughts of Claire messed up his brain and Claire had no idea. This made him question himself, 'when did this happen?'
They got to Claire's apartment and entered. Claire refused to talk to him and walked straight to her room.
"What do I do with you?" Carter asked himself and after a while of long silence, he voiced. "Claire".
He entered the kitchen and opened the fridge. He hurriedly prepared pancakes. He served it on a plate and smeared it with honey. He prepared a glass of juice and took everything to Claire's room. He knocked.
"What" Claire answered after a moment of persistent knocking.
"Open up" Carter answered. He waited patiently and soon, he heard the sound of Claire movement in the room. She opened the door and he walked in.
"You should eat something" Carter said.
"I am not hungry" She murmured.
"I am not asking if you are, just eat up" He motioned to the pancakes. Claire mumbled something under her breath and walked to the food. Carter raised a brow looking at her. She picked a pancake and bite it.
"Happy now?" She asked and he smiled before walking out of the room.
'All better now' He picked his phone and texted Rhea.