Don't Blame Me: Genius

Surviving The Truth

~Hope Pov~
Sheriff Station
The metal bars screeched as the Deputy closed the cell in our faces. The room was bright but had a much darker meaning. Just like I imagined, it was freezing. The bench I sat on sent a chill layering over my body. I sat still, I sat straight, looking at my hands in my lap. I shivered as I let out a breath of anxiety. I turned towards Tess. She hugged her knees tightly, her head laid gently upon them. She bit her nails forcefully.

"Tess.." I said softly. I laid my hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah I know, it's my fault," she turned to me with a sad smile.

"I wasn't going to say that," I didn't want to make her feel bad but technically.

"We're going to be alright, Hope. We just have to stick-,"

"-stick together, I know." I turned back to my original place.

Tess scooted closer to me, "why are you acting so pissed off?," she questioned me.
I snapped my neck towards her, "I'm not acting pissed off. Why would I be pissed at you?,"

"You tell me! I can't read your mind Hope!," she exclaimed. There was a moment of silence. Tess pleasantly waited for my response.

"I-I just. Why did you have to hit him?," I looked up at Tess with furrowed brows. She paused at my accusation.

"What?" I repeated my question once more. "He was going to hurt you, Hope. What did you want me to do, let him?,"

I shook my head, "Well, I wasn't expecting that," I shared. "Oh, believe me. Neither was I." Tess scoffed. She ran her hand through her beautiful red hair. The shaking of her leg told me she was nervous, even aggravated. "Do you care?," I asked her. She gasps, almost like she was asking me not to go there.

"I mean you were just going to leave him there and-," I started in. Tess interrupted.

"Hope, he was going to hurt you. Now tell me what you would've done in that situation.," she rose and stood in front of me, crossing her arms.

"I'd try to figure something out." I softened my voice.

"Yeah, well not everything is sunshine and rainbows Hope. Sometimes misery loves company." Tess shouted, flailing her arms.

I cleared my throat once I felt a lump of tears. "Well, I don't want to be miserable. And right now I definitely don't want your company." A tear escaped from my eye and I turned my back to Tess. I felt her sit down on the bench again and let out a sigh.
——
Around Two Pm
After sitting here for an hour, I heard familiar voices coming through the door. "There you go ma'am,".

"HOPE!" My mom shouted rushing towards the holding cell. "MOM!!" I jumped up, ready to run into her arms only to acknowledge the metal bars between us.

"Hold on ladies," Deputy Peyton pulled open the cage to let me out. I ran into my moms arms and she hugged me the tightest. I looked back to see that Tess was still being held. "Wait. Tess?" I questioned Peyton. "Right. The sheriff needs to speak with you both... separately,"

My mom pulled me aside, "Hope, I was filled in on everything. Why didn't you tell me anything?" She whispered through her teeth. "There's nothing to tell mom, I didn't do anything." I assured her.

"Really cause they seem to think so. Actually, scratch that. They seem to know so.," she bulged her eyes. My eyes started to water and I shook my head. "No, mom I didn't." She let out a sigh. "I got your back but I have extra attorneys lined up if you need them, let's go". My mom was the best defense attorney in LoveBurn, I didn't need an extra.

Mom and I got ushered to an all white room. It was a simple, hollow out room with a white rectangular table and three chairs underneath it. Peyton motioned me to have a seat, I did. My mom took the seat next to me. I tensed up at the cool feeling of the chair that twinned with the metal bench I once sat on. Peyton took a stance beside the table as the Sheriff walked into the room, shutting the door behind him.