Never Judge



"Exactly one week, as promised." Al said as he smiled at Cara. 

The corner of her lip twitched as if to smile, but she turned away.

"Cara, can we talk?" Al asked as he reached out and grabbed her by the arm, stopping Cara from walking away.

Cara looked at Al tentatively then at Eric, as if asking him if she needed to be wary of his cousin or not.

"It's fine, actually I think you'll be happy with what Al has to say." Eric assured Cara as he grinned at her. "Don't worry, if he does something stupid, I'll drag him right out of the room."

Cara nodded and waved for them to enter. 

"Sit." She told Al as she gestured towards the couch across her. "So what did you want to talk about?" 

"I've been trying to negotiate with my dad." Al began.

"I know, my dad let me know that you were constantly trying to get your dad to let me out." Cara said. 

She didn't show any hint that she was happy about Al's actions.

It frustrated Al, but he figured it was one of the reasons why he liked Cara so much. She wasn't an open book. She wasn't predictable like most people. 

"So what did your dad say?" Cara asked, clearing her throat. 

Of course she would want her freedom, who wouldn't?

"He said you can leave and go to school, but you would always have to be with me or Al. Those were his terms." Al said as he looked down. 

Eric knew it was all part of his cousin's act.

Eric might not like the fact that Al was lying to Cara, but he understood where Al and his Uncle Cedric were coming from.

"I'm assuming he didn't agree." Cara said with a sigh as she looked down at her hands.

She was broken by the fact that she was still trapped in her room. 

"Did he really try?" Cara asked as she looked up at Eric. 

She knew that between the two cousins, Eric would be more honest.

He didn't have to protect the Underworld like Al did.

"He did." Eric lied for his cousin. "You should have seen him beg Uncle Ray." 

Cara looked at the cousins suspiciously.

Her father had told her that Al was doing what he could to have her released, and now Eric was saying he begged his father. 

Cara couldn't help but wonder if she was really worth all that effort to Al.

"Look, let him finish what he has to say." Eric said as he smiled at Cara. He had a playful glint in his eyes, making Cara turn to Al.

She raised an eyebrow at him.

Al in turn simply sighed and shook his head.

"Calm down, Eric." He scolded his cousin as crossed his arms over his chest and crossed his legs.

Al took a deep breath and spoke.

"He might not have agreed to give you complete freedom, but he agreed to let you go to school" Al told Cara. "I don't have to be with you at all times, but Eric does."

Cara was shocked that Al had managed to get his dad to let her go. 

It was very unlike the King of the Underworld to negotiate, she doubted that he negotiated much with his son either.

"I know that you still don't trust me." Al confessed. "I know you won't want to be around me much, but I think Eric will be more manageable for you."

Cara nodded. 

Al desperately wished that she would feel comfortable around him again, but he knew better than to rush things.

"Are you okay with this arrangement, Cara?" Al asked with a concerned look on his face. 

"It's not like we can get a better deal from your dad." Cara shrugged. 

She was smiling, at least she was smiling again. She hadn't smiled at Al since they fought and Al locked her in her room. 

"Okay, go get dressed, get your school bag and we'll head to school." Al excitedly said as he stood up and walked over to drag Cara deeper into the room.

"Waitm, what? I can go today?" Cara asked in shock as she stared at Al who was dragging her to her closet.

"Yes, today." Al chuckled. "So come on. People at school miss you."

"Really, they miss me?" Cara questioned as she searched through her closet for something appropriate to wear.

"He's not lying. They have been asking us why you haven't been in school." Eric told Cara as he leaned against the wall.

Al on the other hand had made himself comfortable on Cara's bed.

"That one! The navy shirt and white skirt!" Al called out as she stopped and pulled out the outfit he had mentioned. 

"Your mom picked this out for me, she said it was cute." Cara blushed as she remembered the gorgeous Ayanna Lawrence praising her and telling her how she wished she had Cara's proportions.

"I'm sure it will look good on you." Al said with a smile as Cara walked into her bathroom and changed. 

It didn't take her long to step back out with a blush on her face.

"You look gorgeous." Al suddenly said, making him cover his mouth as he realized he spoke his thoughts.

"Al's right Cara, you look good." Eric added as he tried to defuse the situation.

"Thanks guys." Cara smiled as she walked over to her school bag.

Al was quickly by her side, helping her pack her notebook and laptop to take to school.

A notebook accidentally opened as Cara tried to put it in her bag. 

It had curse words written next to Al's name, making her panic and quickly close the notebook, but it was too late. Al had already seen it and frowned in response.

"It's fine, I know I've been an ass." Al said silently, not wanting to make things awkward with Cara.

"Are you guys done? I'm hungry." Eric grumbled as he tried to peek at what they were doing.

"I'm done!" Cara said laughing as she grabbed Al by the wrist and led him and his cousin out of the room.