Don't Blame Me: Genius

Cabin Fever

~Hope Pov~
One Week Later
I'm standing in the view of my bedroom window. Peyton hasn't moved from in front of Tess' house. His police car has been parked across the street for a week. I believe he's been sleeping in his car too. I've seen the sheriff stop by with dinner a few times, some for Peyton and some for the Larous. Don't ask me why. Ever since we were given our phones back, Tess and I have been talking, or texting rather. She told me about how she lied nervously, how she thought she was protecting me, and how she was oh so sorry. The feeling of agony hits me hard, I'm starting to miss her terribly. It's been one whole week that I've been cooped up in this house. The walls are starting to close in and my oxygen will probably cuff off in a few minutes. Maybe it's cabin fever. Maybe it's the suffocation I feel from Mommy.

Monday Evening
"Hey, what are you doing?," Mommy doesn't knock, opening my room door. I swear she acts like she lives here. She's been getting too comfortable and I don't like it. I turn away from the window to face her, "I'm trying to plan my escape, why are you in my room?,"

"Your mom made dinner, come on down," she told me. "I might, if you learn to knock," I smiled sarcastically. She rolled her eyes and closed the door. I eventually made my way down the stairs to both adults having a mild conversation. They were so into it they didn't realize I was there.

"What are you trying to do Liz?," mom asked.

"I'm trying to get her out of this. Their stories don't line up and the only real evidence is Hope's print," mommy said. "Hope didn't actually confess that Tess did anything, and she won't. She needs to stay away from that girl,"

My mom huffed, "Whatever. You could easily have that print thrown out,".

Mommy shook her head, "you're letting your feelings cloud your judgment Ami, be her attorney not her mom," she spoke softly.

"Yeah well, you know that's kind of hard when you've been doing one her whole life," she glances to her right, seeing me. "Hope! Hey, dinner is ready," she nervously rubs the nape of her neck.

I huffed out a laugh, "oh no, please continue, I was just about to pull out the popcorn," I titled my head, my lips pursed slightly and eyes narrowed.
My parents argued over all things law. The one reason why they broke up. The late nights mommy spent as an officer, the busy days training as a detective. It was too much to not see each other I believe.

There was a knock at the front door. The first knock we've gotten in a week, I was excited. I ran to open the door. Standing there was a brown haired beauty that I've seen many times before. I was shocked, I didn't think she'd ever make an appearance here.

I cracked the door allowing half of my body to show. "Malia?" I bugged my eyes at her presence. "Hey lady! I haven't heard from you, came to make sure you were okay," she smiled. She reminds so much of Ren. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just busy is all," I answer quickly. "Oh okay. Well I haven't seen you at school are-," I interrupted her, "-no, I've been busy". I don't mean to be rude but she has to stay out of this.

"Hope who is at the door-," Mommy swung open the door. She's really starting to piss me off with this shit. "Who is this?," she asked.

Malia's eyes instantly darted to my red headed look alike beside me. "Umm, I'm a friend of Hope. I just came by to see her,". She's shaking at the badge on mommy's belt buckle.

"Well hello friend of Hope, I'm Hope's mom. Her other mom. It's nice to meet you uhh....," mommy trails off holding out her hand for a greeting.

"...Malia" she shakes her hand. "Hmm Malia.," Mommy looks at me and I drop my head.

Malia didn't stay. Of course not, the vibes were completely off. I stomped up to my room, I wasn't even hungry anymore. Both parents followed me but got caught in the threshold as I slammed my door in their faces. "HOPE MARIE STARR!" My mom screamed. "OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW," she demanded. Fine. I turn back to open the door. "You can come in, she can't.," I said to mom.

"What's the issue, Hope?" Mom said, stepping into my room.

"Issue? I have ISSUES mom!," I hollered. "I'm possibly a criminal right now. I have cabin fever. That woman in there is driving me fucking crazy. I've missed her for ten years, mom. Why is she even here if she's not going to protect her own daughter? Oh and let's not forget I'm missing out on school and my friends. Dammit mom, I miss Tess!,". I cried, falling to the floor. Mom caught me in her arms. She held me tight.

"Shh, okay okay. Hope I need you to calm yourself," mom comforts me. "You don't need to worry about any of this. You don't need to know what goes on behind the scenes, just what we bring to you at the table,"

"Are you talking to me as my attorney or my mom? Can't tell the difference," I sniffed.

Mom sighed, "Both, baby. Look, this stay at home system is the best for now. I know you miss everything and everyone. Hopefully you'll get things back to how they were," she explained to me.

I looked up with sad eyes, "Hopefully?," my voice quivered. "Eventually," mom corrected herself with a smile. Mom gave me another hug as we stood. She pointed to the doll on my bed. "Now, Is she still worth something?," she asked me. A simple sigh left me, "maybe".

Monday Night
I look out my bedroom window once again. I see deputy Peyton snoozing in his car. He's literally the worst at keeping watch on someone.

Me: Hey, are you busy?
Tess: Can't really do anything.
Me: Duh. Where is your mom?
Tess: Asleep, why?
Me: Unlock the front door for me.

I stop at the top of the stairs, peeping to see that both of my parents had fallen asleep with multiple papers and files spread out across the living room table. I tiptoe down the steps and maneuver my way quietly through the livingroom to look through the papers. I take quick looks at familiar words.

Fingerprint. Missing persons. Tess Larou. Christian White. Anonymous Information?