Chapter Text
It’s the end of the world.
At least, that’s what it feels like. To a nine year old, having all your classmates and even your teacher gang up on you, calling you a liar and demanding you to return something you never stole certainly feels like the end of the world.
Phoenix can’t stop the tears if he tried, slowly dragging himself over to the new kid, head bowed.
Apologize for something you didn’t do, go home, tell your parents that you need $38 to repay a classmate, and get grounded for the rest of your life because of it.
He wants to sob even more at those thoughts, of what’s to come. Still, he needs to get through the first step before he could worry about the rest. He opens his mouth, trying to get the words out, when a voice stops him .
“He shouldn’t have to apologize!”
Phoenix looks up, eyes widening as he realized who said that.
A few feet in front of him stood the kid who lost his money. Expression serious, back straight with his hand outstretched into a point.
“The only thing that belongs in a trial is evidence.” He slams his other hand onto his desk, glaring around the room. “You should all be ashamed!”
It was silent for a minute, even the teacher was stun for a moment.
“M-Miles-”
“Look, it wasn’t you who stole my money right?”
Phoenix looked at Miles, silver eyes digging into his own.
“N-No,” he mutters, voice still raw from crying.
“Then you shouldn’t apologize. Everyone’s been shouting that you did it, but no one has proof.” His gaze turns back to their teacher. “That’s why he’s innocent!”
Phoenix could only stare in awe, eyes trained on Miles even as their teacher speaks.
“But Miles, it was your money.”
As their classmates start to speak up again, another voice cuts in.
“Why don’t you all shut up?”
Phoenix doesn’t even need to turn around to know that it’s Larry. Before the teacher can reprehend him for his language, he continues on.
“You’re all ganging up on one person. He said he didn’t do it so he didn’t do it.”
Silence crashes down once more. Phoenix risks a glance around, watching the accusatory and angry expressions shift to guilt and uncertainty. Finally, after a few agonizing seconds, his teacher sighs.
“Very well. I’ll replace the money myself.”
The rest of the day was a bit of a blur. Some people apologize to him, them moving the desks out of their impromptu courtroom arrangement, and then their regular class lessons resume. It wasn’t until lunchtime that he was able to speak to Miles.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For speaking up for me. For trusting me.”
Miles lets out a huff and smiles.
“There’s no need to thank me. You didn’t steal my money and they didn’t have any proof that you did.”
“But you didn’t have to trust me.” That’s the part he doesn’t understand. Even though he really didn’t steal the money, Miles didn’t have any proof of that fact. It would be so easy to blame him, just like everyone else did. “How can you just trust me?”
“Because a lawyer always has to believe in his clients.”
“Lawyer? Clients?”
“Yeah,” Miles nods, expression shinning. “My father’s a defense attorney. I get to see him in court sometimes. He’s amazing.” Phoenix smiles, listening as Miles talks on about his father’s cases, how he wants to follow in his footsteps. Suddenly he changes directions. “Hey, you should come over sometime.”
“W-What?”
“Yeah. We should hang out.”
Phoenix stares. Did Miles want to be friend? He’s only ever had Larry as his friend. Before he could confirm, Miles’s voice broke through his thoughts.
“W-We don’t have to. If you don’t want to…” He was looking down at the floor, but it was easy to tell he was sad.
“Oh, no, I- Miles I would love to be friends.” He reaches out, grabbing the other boy’s hand. “Come on. Let’s eat lunch together.”
Miles laughs, nodding. Together they headed off to the lunchroom.