homecoming. | EDITING

thirty six

justin

It was 8:30 in the morning when I heard an abrupt knock on my door. I groaned and covered my head with a pillow, hoping that Khaila wouldn't wake up and that they'd just go away. But they didn't.

After 5 minutes of the noise, I finally gave up and went to answer it. "What?" I snapped, but quickly changed my tone of voice when I saw two police officers. "I mean, may I help you?"

"Justin Bieber?"

"Yes sir?"

"You're arrested for abusing two children: James Carter and Nicholas Carter. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be held against you in the court of law."

He reached for the handcuffs but I pulled back. "What? I've never touched those kids, their father has. I'm innocent!" I claimed in all seriousness. "Sir, you're restraining from a cop-"

"Look, man, my daughter's in there. We can't just leave her here. Let me atleast call her to pick our daughter up and explain, please."

He sighed,"If she isn't here in 15 minutes then we're leaving and she'll have to come to the station and spend the night in a foster home."

I cringed,"Okay." And they sat in my living room while I practically ran to Khaila's bedroom and woke her up. "Khaila, baby get up." She groaned and moaned and tossed in turn, notifying me that she didn't want to.

I lifted the cover and picked her up,"Khaila, get up. Now." I said sternly. I never talked to her in anything but a gentle manner, but now it was important. She quickly woke up and looked at me with sad eyes,"What is it, daddy?"

"Pack all the clothes you want, you're staying at mama's for a while," I said, dialing Jada's number. She cheered in a sleepy voice and did as I said.

"Hello?" Jada answered in a tired tone. "Jada, you need to come to my house, quick."

"Why?"

"I don't have time for questions," my voice trembled,"Just get here in under 10 minutes, alright? It's important." She sighed,"On my way," and hung up.

I took a deep breath and sent a text to Nicole.

>>> come over right now, your ex set me up.

I tucked my phone and helped Khaila pack the majority of her things. Who knows what this man told the police, it could land me in a cell for months, years. But I was innocent, and the truth always shows one way or another.

"Justin?" I heard Jada call my name and I took Khaila and carried her and her things downstairs quickly. I hugged Jada and she looked at me, confused,"What's going on?"

"I got framed, Jada. They're saying I'm a child abuser," I said, starting to tear up. She hugged me again and I cried on her shoulder.

"8 minutes," the police officer announced. "Okay!" Jada rolled her eyes and then rubbed my back during the hug,"Who framed you? And why did they say a child abuser out if all things?"

"It was Nicole's sons' dad. He's abusive, and I guess he doesn't like me so he blamed me for the abuse. It's all bullshit, Jada. I'd never do that."

"You want me to fight the bitch? Cause I already got a bone to pick with he--"

"Baby!" It was Nicole, running towards me from her car. I broke the hug with Jada and ran over to Nicole. "Nicole," I said,"He told them that I did this to your kids. I'm going to jail for something I didn't do!"

"What?" She looked at the officers,"It's a misunderstanding, Justin didn't do it. He's lying--"

"Ma'am, your silence is greatly appreciated --"

"Shut up before you make the police angrier, stupid!" Jada shouted at Nicole, and Nicole was quiet.

"Daddy, I'm scared," Khaila said, clinging onto my knee. "Times up, Mr. Bieber," the short fat police man said, holding out the handcuffs and walking my way. "Please move the child out the way --"

"Where are you taking him?" Khaila shouted,"Let him go!" She started crying and swinging at him when he handcuffed me and Jada picked her up. I wanted to cry at the pain my heart felt. This was deeply heartbroken. The man put me in the backseat of the squad car.

"Justin," Nicole cried out, standing with her mouth covered. "Shut up crying, oh my God you're worst than Khaila."

I sighed and looked my daughter dead in the eye while the two women were arguing,"I love you, Khaila. I'll see you, soon."

She wiped her tears and waved at me,"Bye daddy."

I cried at the scene fading behind me as the car drove me away. Deep in my heart I knew that Khaila was out of my grasp, and Jada would definitely be getting custody back.

The city won't let Khaila stay with an alleged child abuser.

Game over, Jada. You won.