Page 38 of Girl Violence

Dying in bed did give Josette a chance to think things through, and she decided Jenna was right. ItisVince’s loss. Whatever he has going on is his problem. And although thinking about him makes Josette want to punch a pillow, or his face, while simultaneously kissing him, it’s time to forget about him. For real this time.

There’s someone out there for her, probably somewhere in Alaska. But he’s out there. Tyler and Vince are experiences some higher being clearly wanted her to have before she gets to the good stuff. Preferably with a guy who won’t fight his feelings for her and give her that good time Vince is going on about but refuses to show her.

It’s another Saturday evening, and Josette is feeling better. She’s scrolling through Instagram when she stumbles upon a few comments about another party happening. Like always, the usual yearning to go out hits her, even though she’s sceptical about going.

She used to have fun, and she’s desperate to get out of the house, though it will be the first time to show her face since an explicit picture of her ended up online.

Fuck it. She needs to let off steam. Not everyone in that group is bad news, and hopefully not everyone saw her naked.

After showering, Josette dresses in a pair of skinny jeans, a crop top, and her favourite pair of vans. After straightening her long dark brown hair and putting makeup on, she heads downstairs. She’s about to grab a jacket when there are footsteps behind her. “Where are you going?”

“Out for some wonderful fresh air now that I’m feeling better.”

“It’s a bit late for fresh air, isn’t it?” Her dad’s eyebrow rises. “I saw a girl a little younger than you went missing in Wales on the news. She was found dead this morning. Murdered and raped—”

“Good job; we aren’t in Wales.” She shudders, shrugging on her jacket, untucking her hair from the collar.

“That’s not the point. There are murderers everywhere.”

Yeah, there’s one next door to her—killing her feelings. “I’m not going far, I promise. And I have my phone.”

“Ask Vince to go with you.” Josette tries not to make it obvious, but hell no. She nods instead, trying to look neutral.

“I was just heading over there now.”

That seems to calm him, and he gives her a thumbs-up. “Not too late.”

Waving, Josette turns and leaves. After their argument, he’s been a little more lenient on her, but she knows one sniff of trouble, and she’s back to being grounded. Doesn’t seem to stop him from scaring her in the meantime.

Once outside, she glances at Vince’s house, seeing a few lights on inside, but she turns away. Josette hasn’t seen him and doesn’t plan to.

Walking past the gate into the park, she moves a little faster than usual toward the music, thanks to her dad telling her about that poor girl. She arrives unfashionably early, but the music is already blaring, and she can see the usual crowd. There’s lots of laughter and chatter. It’s different tonight. Maybe because Austin and his freaky friends aren’t here. It seems more relaxed.

Turning to where Austin is usually parked, Alyssa, Ian, and Tyler are the only ones standing by Tyler’s car. The three of them are talking about something that looks heated, and without helping it, Josette makes her way over to them. She should leave them alone, but she doesn’t want them thinking they had one up on her.

One by one, they turn Josette’s way as she approaches. They even look surprised to see her. What? Did they think she would hide after putting her picture online?

“Hey, Jo.” Tyler goes to hug her with his usual smile. She avoids him, but it just makes him laugh.

“Are you on drugs?” she says to him, turning in Alyssa’s direction, who looks at her with her lip curled into a snarl. “Alyssa. How are you doing? You don’t have any more naked pictures of me you wish to share with the world, do you?”

She rolls her eyes and turns to Ian. “Seriously?”

Ian goes to laugh but clears his throat when he sees Josette staring at him. Walking over to him, she puts the tip of her nail below his chin, forcing him to look at her. “My bad. It’syouwith the pictures of a naked minor with no consent.”

“Ah—”

“You know what happens to people like you, Ian?” she interjects. “They go to prison and get boyfriends, which I’m sure you would love. And Tyler.” Josette turns to him as Ian looks like a deer caught in headlights. “Since you like kissing each other and all.”

“What did you just say?” Alyssa’s head snaps in her direction, and she smiles victoriously, seeing Tyler turn shades whiter.

Ian chuckles. “You need to chill, Josette, babe. No need to get bitchy.”

His words make Josette feel dirty, especially when she sees his eyes flutter down her body. Disgusted, she takes a giant step back and goes to turn around when something catches her eye.

It’s Vince. He’s here, but he isn’t alone. Across the clearing, on the other side, he’s making out with some girl against the bonnet of a car.

Alyssa’s cunning laugh punctures the ringing in Josette’s ears. She feels her touch on her shoulder as she steps up behind her. “Maybe if you learned how to fuck a guy properly, they’d stick around.”

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