*

When I got home, I saw Mia sitting on the swing set. Unlike last time, she wasn't reading a book; she was sitting there and watched me roll into the front yard. I stopped next to her, "Whatcha doing?" I asked.

She responded by kicking her legs, making her sway slightly.

"Want me to push you?" I offered.

The idea seemed to horrify her as she shook her head fiercely. I laughed and left her to her swing to head to the garage. When the garage creaked open, I saw two girlie bikes sitting in there. I thought they likely belonged to Robyn and May. Somehow fitting my bike back into the garage, I pushed the door closed and managed to secure it.

While I was fiddling with the lock, I heard something, a different creak. I turned and saw Bonnie, in her wheelchair, reaching up to the fence and eventually opening the back gate. I found this confusing and moved away from her view. I watched as she rolled across the backyard and finally to the back door. She turned the doork.n.o.b deliberately slowly, as if scared to make any sound, and managed to open the door and slip inside quietly.

I would've written this off as usual, but she was wearing her school uniform still. I checked the time on my phone; it was close to three hours after school. I came out from my hiding spot and looked at the back gate, how had she opened that? Approaching the entrance, I saw that the barrier was higher, not lower, similar to where pool gates have their locks so kids can't get in pools unsupervised. I had to extend my arm to unlock the hatch for the back entrance.

I pushed the hatch up to see how Bonnie opened the gate when someone grabbed my other hand. I turned and saw Mia tugging on my side, "You alright?" I asked kneeling down to her.

She nodded but continued to tug on my hand until I stumbled after her into the house. I managed to drop my bag at the door as she continued to pull me along until we were in the stairwell. "Okay, you dragged me here, what do you want?" I asked.

Mia just looked up at me and flashed a smile before walking away without explanation. When I called to her, she ignored me and continued down to where I a.s.sumed to be her room. I was left there confused. "Don't get offended," Estelle said.

I turned to see her poking her head out from the kitchen doorway, a melting icicle dripping down the side of her arm. She was trying to lip it up as she approached me. "She does that to all of us," she informed.

"But why?" I asked.

Estelle shrugged as she nibbled on the pink ice, "What were you doing?"

I sighed through my nose and shook my head, "Nothing. I was locking up my bike," I informed.

Estelle smirked as she stood before me. "That so?" she asked. I could tell she didn't believe me, but she didn't press it. "Whatever."

"The other girls home?" I asked.

Estelle managed to save some of her ice-block before it slipped off the stick. "Dunno, everyone usually makes their way here eventually. Have you met Alexis?" I nodded. "Then you know where she is." She went to go back to the kitchen, but both she and I jumped at the sound of a screech;

"Estelle!"

She turned back to me, shoved her ice-block in my hand and ran away before I could object. Riley came sprinting down the stairs, stopping at the bottom to wheeze, "Have you seen Estelle?" she asked.

I was too busy trying not to gag at the icicle in my hands. "Umm… she's not here. I can tell you that," I replied watching as the ice started to melt, sliding closer to my fingers.

I held it upside down but watched as the whole thing started to slide down the stick.

Riley stared at me oddly as I tried to save it, but simultaneously keep it off my hand. Eventually excusing herself, she continued calling out for the princess in the next hallway, even going to far as to go outside.

"Is she gone?" Estelle poked her head out from behind a decorative pot plant.

"She went outside," I informed.

She sighed as she slumped out from the behind the plant and took back her ice-block. My fingertips were sticky and stained with red from the treat. She didn't seem bothered that I touched it as she engulfed the remaining ice-block in her cheeks. She started munching on the sugary treat as a harsh noise caught out attention with an ear-itching drone.

"Attention!" Ava bellowed.

At the top of the stairs, Ava and Amia stood ringing their golden bells, determined to get everyone's attention. I could tell it was Ava because she still proudly wore the oversized jacket she had gotten from Ashely. "I call everyone to attend!" Ava screeched.

Estelle grumbled as she tossed the popsicle stick at the pair. Ava ignored it and continued ringing the bells. Robyn appeared from the upstairs hall and leaned on the railway, scratching at her skin as she winced at the vibrations. Upon seeing her scratch, my skin started to itch.

"Ava! What's this about?" Landon yelled over the top.

"Important meeting, Lawson," she informed, "Requires the entire household's attendance."

Moments later, Bonnie appeared down the hallway, pus.h.i.+ng her chair along with Mia following close behind. Everyone that gathered physically recoiled from the noise.

Ava stopped and announced, "Amia has approached me because Amada caused quite a distressing incident today," Ava said.

Estelle laughed, "Yeah. I heard. How's your s.h.i.+rt?"

Amia puffed her chest out, "Ruined. But I'm not giving this jacket back."

"She had demanded a Trial by Court. The defendant being Amada, the charges," Ava pulled out some paper, taking this role seriously as Amia folded her arms and listened, "Causing the mutilation of school property, the almost humiliation in front of peers, and general brother stupidity." Ava rolled up the paper and scanned the room for Amada, who was absent. "Where is the accused?"

"Probably hiding," Amia said, and quietly added, "Coward."

I nudged Estelle, "What's a Trial by Court? I'm scared to ask."

Estella smirked, an evil gleam forming in her eyes. "It's how our dorm decides the consequence of bad behaviour inflicted on each other." She tapped her fingers against each other in a manic display of satanic joy, "Just like in court, the defendant pleas their case as to why they shouldn't get a punishment, and the plaintiff calls upon evidence to prove their point." She barely suppressed a toothy grin. "If found guilty the accused get a punishment decided by the judge."

I was growing uncomfortable with the glee forming on Estelle. "Umm… well, who's the judge?"

"That would be me," Ava informed putting her hands on her hips, "But there won't be any trial if we can't find him."

"I declare a mistrial, and therefore he must be shot with a Nerf Gun!" Amia announced, pointing to the ceiling in a dramatic display.

"Objection!" Estelle countered but said nothing else.

Bonnie made an audible grunt of annoyance as she rolled her eyes, folding her arms and slumping in her chair. Mia paid careful attention.

"Sustained," Ava defused, "That's the wrong use of mistrial Amia. And you can't just decide, Amia. He needs a chance to defend himself."

"Defend himself from what? I'm evidence!" Amia snapped unzipping the jacket to show her broken blouse b.u.t.tons.

"Everyone deserves a fair trial," Estelle said as she paced before the foot of the stairs. She started stating random lines of dialogue, at first I had no clue what she was talking about, but I recognised some quotes from Sherlock Holmes movies and John Grisham novels.

"Calm down, Watson," Ava said as Robyn slid down the railing of the stairs and stumbled to her feet. She tapped her on the shoulder and started signing. Only a handful of small gestures, but Ava nodded and leapt off the remaining stairs to march to the kitchen. Out of curiosity, I followed, and the other girls trailed behind.

When I entered the kitchen/dining room, Ava was opening small cupboard doors. "What're you doing?" I asked.

"Looking for Amada," Ava replied matter-of-factly, "He's a small guy, he can fit anywhere."

The girls took their seats at the dining table, none of them talking to each other while they waited. Once again slightly uncomfortable, I shuffled to the kitchen, where Ava was rummaging through the walk-in pantry.

"What's going on?" I asked, "This seems formal."

"Just go with it," she replied in a hushed tone, "It entertains everyone for a moment and gets them together."

I glanced back at the table, half of them were on their phones. "Very social," I breathed. I turned back to Ava, "Are you looking for Amada?"

Ava nodded, "He likes to hide in small s.p.a.ces."

I was taken aback by this statement as Ava abandoned the pantry to look somewhere else. "Robyn told me she's seen him hide in the kitchen cupboard before. Good enough place as any."

I glanced around the kitchen, noting the sizes of all the cupboards. I recalled how big Amada was, while he was a lean little kid, it couldn't have been comfortable fitting himself inside a pots and pan drawer. I remembered hiding when I was afraid; afraid of getting in trouble or getting hurt usually. What was Trial by Court?

My thoughts were interrupted when Ava made a startled gasp as she jumped away from one of the larger drawers. "Amada, come out of there."

From where I stood I couldn't see him but was amazed he was able to fit in it as he emerged, awkwardly stepping out of the drawer. He looked dishevelled as he dropped his gaze to the floor and rubbed his arm as if it was sore. His body language made it look like he was being scolded, but Ava spoke very softly to him. "Amada, Amia has requested a Trail by Court because of something that's happened today. Okay?"

He lifted his eyes and gulped as he nodded. Ava gestured for him to sit with the other girls. It was such a strange moment to witness. All the girls dropped their phones to watch him sit down, his sister glaring at him with folded arms as he sat across from her. Estelle patted him on the back, "Don't worry, kid. I'll represent ya," she put on a fake accent, I couldn't tell if she was taking this too seriously or if she was mocking it, "They ain't got nothing on us, see? We'll get out of this scot-free." This accent made everyone smirk, even Bonnie who had been looking sour.

Ava sat at the head of the table and knocked on the table with her fist like a mallet. "I bring this trial to order." Ava had a remarkable skill at taking the attention in the room, a calming yet authoritative presence. "So, there are four agendas today," she informed pulling out a different piece of paper, "First off, after eight weeks we've finally gone through the Fibre Bran Cereal, do we want to buy anymore?"

There were neutral grumbles and shrugs from everyone. Ava moved on, "The school announced this already, but they've sent it out to the dorms just in case, but there's been a recent stranger danger incident. A man in a white approached a young boy-"

"Blah, blah, blah! My client is innocent!" Estelle yelled as she punched the table.

Ava sighed as she dropped the paper on the table and allowed her to take the floor. "He is a victim of unfortunate circ.u.mstance, plain and simple. Amada has established his presence at the school as one of the girls - one of us. And when someone suspected otherwise, he fled. He ran from the Amazon we all know as Ashley Morris. Everyone here would run away from her if pursued," she looked at Bonnie, "Or roll." Bonnie rolled her eyes.

"So yes, maybe there is a correlation between Amada and the incident of Tuesday the 2nd at 11:02 am."

"It was earlier than that," Amia chimed.

"Objection, your Honour! The accuser is intimidating my client!"

I raised an eyebrow as Ava dismissed Estelle's claim. "You're doing a good enough job of that already," she countered.

Estelle stuck her tongue out as she continued, walking behind Amada and grabbing his shoulders triumphantly. "But he did not break the b.u.t.tons on Amia's blouse," she informed, "We have witnesses that can clearly state that Ashley Morris was the perpetrator." She made a sudden gesture to me, "I call upon Landon Becks!"

My name startled me as I jumped. I was instructed to sit down.

"Please state your name to the court," Estelle instructed.

I looked around to the other girls, who all had blank expressions. "Uhh…" I looked to Ava for help, and she offered a shrug, "Landon Becks."

"Landon, yes or no, did Amada break Amia's blouse?"

"No."

"Was he the one who humiliated her by doing this?"

"I… guess not?"

"And would you or would you not describe Amada as stupid?"

The question, like this whole trial, took me off guard. "No. Of course not."

"There you have it," Estelle rested her hands on the table again, "A witness purely stating that Amada didn't break Amia's s.h.i.+rt, didn't initiate the humiliating act, and isn't stupid. I rest." She promptly sat down.

There was a long pause as everyone took in the strange argument. Amia slowly stood up, representing herself in this trial. "First of all, thank you all for coming, this shouldn't take long."

Estelle made a deliberate and loud scoff. Ava hushed her.

"So, let me get this straight, you acknowledge the correlation between Amada running away, Ashley chasing after him and, ultimately, Ashley a.s.saulting me?" Amia had a better dramatic presence then Estelle. Her movements were slow, her words a chilling hum that put everyone in a state of both unease and intrigue. I found myself hanging on her every word, the serious tone she demonstrated as she picked apart Estelle's performance and recounted of what had happened. When she said my name, my trance broke, "And since you're so fond of your witness, Estelle, I also call upon Landon Becks."

My mouth felt dry as Amia's once friendly stare turned icy, a strange determination behind them that I couldn't help but admire. "Yes or no, Mr Becks. Did you see someone a.s.sault me?"

Her words were so harsh, I almost stuttered, "That's a bit strong, but yes."

"And by who?"

I took a glance at Amada, who had started sinking further down his chair, half his body under the table. "Ashley Morris…" I had seen her throw Amia against the lockers. When I replayed the event in my head, I wondered if I needed to report that incident.

Amia smirked as she leaned over the table and towards me. "How about before Miss Morris came into the picture? I was with you, what were we discussing?"

I remembered talking about cla.s.ses. "You told me about how you were alone in your cla.s.s," I said.

She nodded, "Indeed. And what stopped our discussion?" She started walking behind people, prompting everyone to look behind them as she circled the table.

"Someone was yelling down the hallway," I was slowly being forced to tell the truth.

When Amia touched my shoulders my heart leapt, my breathing hitched as a strange sensation ran down my spine. She didn't seem the notice, "And what happened next?"

I took another glance at Amada, who's eyes cast down again. He looked guilty. "Amada ran up to you and kneed you in the stomach."

"And…?"

I gritted my teeth, Amia wanting me to say it.

"And switched places with you, making it look like you were the one who ran down the hallway," I finally said.

She stood behind her brother and leaned down to his ear, "Checkmate, bro."

"Your Honour she is intimidating my client!" Estelle announced.

"Stand down, Estelle," Ava replied as Amia walked back to her seat.

"I. Was. Violated, ladies. Placed in a situation I had zero say in" Amia said, emphasising each word, "Because of my brother's actions the Amazon of my year a.s.saulted me! This kind of behaviour needs a consequence, does it not?"

There were a handful of murmurs between the girls.

Ava placed a hand on Amia's shoulder, signalling her to sit down as she took the floor. "Alright, down to a vote. Who thinks Amada is at fault?"

I watched hands shoot up into the air, each girl either having a calm expression or one which read 'seriously?' Even Estelle raised her hand. "What kind of attorney are you?" Amada asked.

"What can I say, kid? She's good, we lost."

Ava took back the attention. "Proposals for punishment?"

"I wanna shoot him with a Nerf gun!" Amia demanded, sc.r.a.ping her chair across the ground when she abruptly stood up.

"Amia, be reasonable," Amada countered standing up himself, "If I didn't do something she would have caught me. The whole school thinks I'm a girl, what was I supposed to do?"

"Gee, I don't know, maybe not throw me under the bus? You're the one who insists on dressing like me!" Amia snapped. All the fun and satire evaporated from the room as the twins argued, even Estelle started slouching in her chair as the argument loomed over her.

Amada's cheeks flushed, and I watched as he failed to steady his breathing. "Amia, that's not the time for it. If I get found out, I'll never hear the end of it. I'd be humiliated!" The moment the final word escaped his mouth, his expression softened while his sister's hardened.

She scoffed, the faintest headshakes forming, her tone sombre. "So, it's alright for me to get humiliated?" Without another word, she left the table and disappeared to another part of the house. I had managed a quick glance before she left the room, she seemed on the verge of crying.

Amada's hands balled into fists on the table as he too stomped out of the room in a similar state. The rest of the girls sat in a moment of awkwardness; Bonnie being the one to break the chain. "Well if we're all done here," she gave Ava a mocked smile. She dismissed her with a wave of the hand.

Mia followed Bonnie out of the room leaving myself, Ava, Robyn and Estelle.

"Does stuff like that happen often?" I asked.

Robyn started signing something at me. Ava translated, "'It's been getting worse since high school started.'" She agreed with Robyn, "Amada and Amia are two peas in a pod, but they aren't the same person, not even the same gender. They can't act the same; otherwise, they b.u.t.t heads." She sighed through her nose.

"Has anyone tried talking to Amada about changing the way he dresses?" I quizzed. If Amada wanted to change his reputation as being a girl, I thought a change of clothes would've been a start.

Estelle shook her head. "I haven't. I know it's beginning to bother Amia, but I don't know what to say that." For the first time since I met her an expression of worry crossing her face. "I can't tell if it's a cross-dressing ident.i.ty thing or just severe social anxiety. Either or it may be too late the make him change his clothes."

"So wait, no one has tried talking to him?" I asked.

There were more rounds of murmurs, and head shakes. "It's a touchy subject for Amada," Ava expressed, "Best not to get into it." With that, Ava too left the room, Estelle soon following, leaving me sitting across from Robyn, who only offered a small smile until she also went.