HARD TIMES ━ lip gallagher²

08 | jail cell

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THERE WAS BEEPING. THERE was a lot of beeping. Amara made a grunt as she shifted on her bed. Peeling her eyes open felt like she was lifting weights as heavy as cars, but when she finally managed to do so, she realized she was in a hospital room. She jolted up in her bed immediately. "What the- what-?"

"Oh, good, you're awake," a nurse said, coming into the room. "How are you feeling?"

"Uh," she stammered, looking around. "Confused."

The nurse continued to type on her computer for a moment before she turned to Amara. "You got into a car accident last night. The vehicle went up into flames, you're lucky there was a policeman stationed just a couple of hundred feet away from you, or else you would've burned with it."

Amara shook her head. "I- I'm still... Very lost."

"You had a significant amount of alcohol in your system when you came into our care last night."

Fuck. It suddenly hit her then. After her and Lip's conversation went south, she'd driven around to find a bar that was actually open and wouldn't card her. Everything was a blur after that, her mind felt so foggy as she stared at the wall.

And before she knew it, tears welded up in her eyes and she let out a strangled sob, hiding her face in her hands as the nurse looked around awkwardly. "Sorry," Amara apologized, wiping her nose, and shaking her head. "Um, I didn't like, break anything or lose an arm, right? Or hurt anyone else?"

"No, no," the nurse shook her head. "You had slight damage to your left ankle, however. It's sprained, but that appears to be the worst of your injuries."

Amara nodded weakly, still trying to wrap her head around it. "Can I go?"

The nurse shook her head. "Unfortunately not. There are some police officers outside who wish to speak with you. Your clothing is in that bag, they'd made it clear they want to see you as soon as possible."

Amara debated on climbing out the window as the nurse left. Cops were never a good sign. Especially since she fucked up this badly. After pulling on her clothes that had a few new cuts and rips in them, she stepped out of her hospital room. Immediately, she was greeted with two male officers.

"Amara Gilbert?"

Amara's insides lurched. "That's me."

They pulled out handcuffs. She nearly broke down right then and there as one stepped behind her to tighten them around her wrists. "You're being arrested for driving under the influence, underaged drinking, and destruction of company property. You have the right to remain silent. If you do say anything, it can be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to have a lawyer present in any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you. Let's get moving."

Amara took a deep breath and let the cop lead her down the hall. Things could not get any fucking worse, could they?

☆

"I would like to make a call," Amara said once she reached the front desk, her hands still secured around her. The woman barely looked up in response.

"Once everything is set you'll be able to do so. Until then, sit back down."

Amara closed her eyes and glanced over her shoulder. "How long will I have to serve time for a DUI?"

The woman raised her eyebrows. "First offense?"

"Uh," Amara shrugged. "Yeah."

"If you don't get bailed out before then, Illinois has the right to keep you for thirty days, only because it's your first offense. After that, it's sixty days or more. Now sit back down."