"Fuck you, bitch!" I heard Kelsey scream. "You broke my nose!"
I looked down at my hand for a second that was covered in blood. But right when I heard Kelsey's voice, I couldn't even help myself- my hand flew at her face again. Hard. And it was like I was in a wind tunnel, and I was barely there as she hit the floor.
"Oh my god." I heard Francesca say, kneeling down next to Kelsey.
I looked down at my hand. It was drenched. My heart was pounding. I could hear Kelsey screaming dramatically. I didn't even care. The bitch deserved it.
The first thing that popped into my mind was Ava. Fuck. How was I going to explain this.
It all seemed to happen in a blur. The ambulance being called for Kelsey. The cops showing up. I don't even know who called them- but I did know Kelsey was hurt.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you."
The cop, who was a woman who looked to be in her forties, and another who was a young male cop, stated that to me as they put handcuffs on my wrists. I could feel panic arising in my chest as I heard the snap of the handcuffs.
Fuck. I was being arrested. This was actually happening.
I was lowered carefully into the back of the cop car and the door was slammed shut.
I knew I was probably being driven to the county jail. I also knew that somehow I was going to get out of that jail tonight. There was no fucking way I was staying there. No way in hell.
I don't even know how much time passed before we got to the county jail. The cops walked me into a cell. Then then released me out of my handcuffs. And I sat down on the bed. I couldn't believe I was in jail. I was freezing, as I sat there in the cell. The cops had made me give them my purse when we got to the jail, and all I could think of was that Ava was probably trying to contact me. And that she was probably worried sick. But I couldn't talk to her. And as much as I wanted to call her when I got my one phone call- whenever the hell that would be- I knew I had to call my dad. God, I wanted to call Ava so fucking badly. But my dad was going to be the one who was going to get me the hell out of here.
I wasn't even sure how much time had passed when the female cop who has read me my rights showed up at my cell. It had been very quiet the whole time I was there. I was staring at the ground, in a complete daze of the events of the night.
"Josephine, you can make your phone call." she said to me.
I got up and followed her to the phone. In that moment, I was extremely thankful for memorizing my dad, my moms, and Ava's numbers. After April went missing I decided to do that- just in case I ever ended up somewhere and needed to contact someone.
I dialed my dads number, and I took a very deep breath.
"Josephine Cecilia Fiori, why the hell am I getting a call from jail at midnight?" my dads voice came over the phone. He sounded exhausted. And angry. And the fact that he used my middle name- he was mad.
"I punched a girl who said April deserved to be missing." I said.
I heard my dad sigh, "You must've punched her pretty hard to be in jail."
That's when I knew I slightly had him. His tone had softened.
"Yeah. I think I did. I still have dried blood on my hand."
"I'm going to head over now. Talk to the cops and see how much bail is. Josephine, I hope you know that this isn't going to be something that is just done and over with after tonight." my dad said.
"I assumed so." I said. Even though I hadn't even really thought of that. What implications were going to come in the day after this.
I wasn't sure once again how much time had passed until the door to my cell was opened.
"Josephine, you can go." the same female cop said to me.
I immediately got up from where I had been sitting on the bed. I felt absolutely drained.
My dad was at the front of the police station. He had papers in his hand. He wasn't in his usual nice button ups and dress pants I was used to seeing him in. He was in black joggers and an Adidas sweatshirt.
I walked over to him and he gave me a hug. A long hug. And it was then that I felt tears spring to my eyes but I blinked them back.
"Let's go home." was all he said. He then handed me a plastic bag that had my purse in it. I caught a glimpse at the clock on the wall as we walked out. It was past 1 am.
"Ava is in the car." my dad said, "I called her and told her what happened."
"She is?" I said. Thank fucking God. In this moment, I truly needed her.
As I was walking toward my dads Mercedes next to him, I saw the passenger side door open. Ava got out. She was wearing sweatpants and a hoodie and her hair was up in a ponytail. She must've gotten home from the city already and been getting ready for bed when my dad called her.
Being in her arms and was the best feeling. We stood there for what felt like forever and hugged. I could feel tears rolling down my face. I couldn't hold back anymore.
Eventually, she sat in the back of the car and I got in the passenger seat next to my dad. None of us said anything on the way home. It was a 35 minute ride, but the silence was needed. Every so often I would turn around and look at Ava, who would give me a small smile.
I glanced at my phone in the car. I saw I had multiple missed calls and messages from her. I felt awful knowing she must've been extremely worried and panicked when I wasn't answering.
We eventually got to my house. I saw Ava's Jeep parked out front.
"Do you want to stay over?" I asked her. She nodded. I saw lights still on in my house. And when the three of us walked in, I knew why.
My mom came rushing over. I was expecting her to start yelling at me and telling me how badly I fucked up, but instead she hugged me. She smoothed my hair and said, "We will talk about this tomorrow. Get some rest, honey."
Kylie was standing behind her. "I'm glad you're okay." she said.
"Me too." I responded.
I changed into pajama shorts and a sweatshirt and wiped off my makeup with a cleansing wipe right when I got up to my room. I was absolutely exhausted. I needed sleep.
I saw my clock said it was past 2 am as I turned off the lights in my room and laid down. Ava slid in under the covers next to me. She had been basically silent this whole time.
"I was so worried about you." she said as we laid next to each other in the dark. I was finally feeling somewhat at peace after this turbulent night. For a split second in my head I thought about Kelsey- and just hoping I didn't do too much damage to her face.
"I'm so sorry." I said, and turned to look at her, "The whole time I was in there I kept thinking about how I wanted to talk to you."
"I really thought something truly awful happened to you." she said.
"Well nothing did. I promise I'm okay." I said, and leaned in to kiss Ava. After I pulled away I saw her wipe at her eye with her hand.
"Are you crying?" I asked her, holding on to her hand. "There's nothing to cry about."
"I know. I'm sorry. I just can't help it, I'm just really glad you're okay."
I leaned over in bed and kissed her forehead. "I am. Everything will be fine too." I said.
And I wasn't sure who I was trying to convince as I said that- her or myself.