"Julia!" Paulie snapped, slamming the hotel room door behind her. "What the fuck's the matter with ye?"
"The fuck's the matter with me? That prick had it coming!" She sat down on the bed with her arms crossed.
"Did you see Eppy? I don't suppose you saw anything but red--" Paulie shook her head. "She was right pissed."
Julia didn't look at her. Her eyes flicked around the room, landing anywhere but hers. "Well, I was right pissed, still am."
"D'you know how much trouble she's gotten us out of? Gotten you out of? And this isn't only about you, either."
"You're right. Now he'll think twice before trying that with another girl."
She sat down next to Julia, arm brushing against hers. "Julie, please..." She let out a heavy sigh. "It's horrible press. They'll think you're mad. That we're all lunatics n' go around clobbering people for fun."
"What am I meant to do, stand there and just...just..." She finally looked up at Paulie and saw those doe eyes looking back. They were still like home, even in deep frustration.
The dam broke, and Julia began to cry. Like a reflex, Paulie went to hold her.
"What am I meant to do?" Julia buried her face in her shoulder. "What am I meant to do?"
"I don't know." She said weakly. "Don't break anyone else's nose while I try and figure it out." She ran her fingers through Julia's auburn locks and stared out the window through a small gap in the curtains. Her hair was so soft now that they were all putting product in theirs. She supposed that was one good thing about having to keep up appearances.
She watched as somewhere, far away, a light went out.