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I sit on the edge of the bed, cracking my knuckles together and racking my brains in for an idea. Jack had left a few minutes ago, promising to come back soon.

We were at his house, up in his room, paging through the court syllabus from 11 years ago to find any sort of dirt we could use to bring down Delilah and Jack's father in their weak case. We were vying for any sort of crack in their plan that we could build on. To prove how and why Delilah should stay in jail.

I mean...Legally, she should be on the chair right now. Too bad New York isn't a death row state...

I impatiently pull out my phone and tap Jack a text.

Where are you??

The boy just ran out, saying he had an idea and that I wouldn't regret it. What is he doing out there?

A few seconds later, I get a reply.

Driving back. Up in 5.

I sigh and shove my phone back into my pocket. He'd better be up in five because we've been at this for hours now. I have to get home. Besides, what if any one of Jack's parents get back and finds me?

I shift around on Jack's bed and flop back on a pillow. We don't have that much time before the trial. Thinking about everything that Delilah's done to me...It's enough to keep her in for the rest of her pitiful existence. But I don't doubt that Jack's father has the power to shorten that sentence. Considerably.

A few seconds later, the door bursts open and I jump to life, letting out a small scream. Jack closes the door behind him, bending his waist and placing his hands on his knees. He pants hard, and I realize that he's run all the way up here.

His eyes shine with satisfaction, and I make room on the bed for him to take a seat. He moves a hand-knitted quilt to the side before sitting down, hanging his head in his hands.

"I think I've done it...."

I lean forward, looking at him peculiarly. "Done what?"

He looks up, a big smile lighting his face. "So, I went down to the opposing law firm across the street. The smaller one, the one my parents don't work for. Apparently....The court has no idea that Delilah and my Dad are related!"

A beat passes before I realize what he's telling me.

"So if we tell them, your father's whole position...Whole stance on the case changes as bias!"

Jack nods. "Exactly! My Dad no longer has the power to be attorney for his sister, well, step-sister, if they know!"

"So we have to tell them."

Jack's eyes are hooded and he looks down at the floor. "Yeah, and we can get my Dad off the case."

"But there will still be a case?"

He nods, and I swallow hard. We're going to get Aaron Travels off the case...But after that Jack has no ties to me.

He can just leave me to deal with Delilah on my own as it's no longer his responsibility. He will have gotten back at his dad, and I am no longer his liability.

I let out a deep breath and then shakily get to my feet.

"That's great. I mean, if your Dad's off that would mean her chances of getting out are greatly reduced. I can work with that...."

Jack pulls at my wrist, forcing me to sit back on the bed. He looks at me sternly, pausing in his gum-chewing to speak.

"Do you honestly think I'm going to leave you alone on the case after all the work we've built up to?"

I purse my lips and smile. "Well, the t-thought did c-come to-..."

I trail off and avert my eyes. Why am I finding it so difficult to speak?

Jack laughs and moves his fingers along my hand. I shudder and he laughs harder, aware of the effect he's having. It's the same effect Noah used to have...

I draw back and he leans on his elbows, staring up at me.

"I've already committed myself to this, Oaklyn. And I have ever since I saw your face on my Dad's file and met you at school that first day."

I smile a little and nod. "Thanks for that."

After a moment or so, I perk up. "You've stopped calling me Hazel."

He nods and raises an eyebrow. "Yeah? I have for a while now, in case you didn't notice."

I shake my head. "I didn't..."

Jack straightens up and tentatively leans forward. "I guess I've just been waiting for you to tell me why that name has such a big effect on you. It sounds deep."

I nod. "It is."

I pause and then shake my head. "It was my birth name. The one my parents gave me, and you would think it has sentimental value, right? Well, ever since I moved to Wisconsin from the orphanage, I've gotten it changed. I didn't want anything that reminded me of my old life from back when. Clean slate, you know?"

I snap my hairband against my wrist and inwardly cringe. Why did I tell him something so intimate? In the short span I've known him, I guess I've just been comfortable opening up. Especially since I've had to do a lot of that on this case, and he's been doing a lot of that to me too, voluntarily.

Jack studies me, tilting his head to one side like a curious puppy. The silence between us is unnerving.

I stand up to leave, swinging my backpack over my shoulder.

"Well, I should probably go. Before it gets too dark..."

Jack grabs my hand again, pulling me down for the second time.

"Do you ever think...I could be the one to do that?"

I shake my head. "What?"

"Do you ever think I could be the eraser? To clear your slate?"

He studies me calculatingly as if he's trying to read my mind. He shifts a little closer and I stay still, rooted in shock. He looks back at me, his eyes shining with interest.

I catch my breath in my throat, lost in his gaze. He moves forward, his fingers inching along my arm, pulling me closer.

Before he can do anything, however, the door is thrown open and Amara runs into the room.

" Jack! The cookies you made me taste like sandpaper, why can't you buy those quality ones from the store? You're a terrible cook, you know that?"