Hope Shepherd

New Friends

Author's note: Hey everyone! I'm sooooo sorry for not posting in awhile. I actually recently got a surgery nothing major and I'm all good! I'm trying to get back into writing. This story will not be ending anytime soon but it's going to going under some major editing. Hope you all keep reading!

POV Hope: "Hoooooppeee time to get up!" I woke with a startle as I heard Owen yelling through the door. "What!" I said loudly walking to the door to open it. "Kelsie's family invited us over for the day remember?" he said smiling. I groaned, "I'll get dressed now." I changed my clothes doing my best not to catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The last time I did I felt the need to cover up my belly with concealer even though no one would see. I sighed, now I'm stuck at it, I better just turn it away. I turned it all the way around so I couldn't see it. I quickly threw on some mascara, grabbed my phone and left my room to head downstairs.

"Good morning!" I greeted Owen and Amelia who were having coffee. "How you doing honey?" Amelia asked. "Alright I guess I only woke up twice last night," I informed. "That's good, remember if you need to get us up at night you can," she reminded. "Yes, I know." I grabbed some toast and my own cup of coffee. "You looking forward to today?" Owen asked. "Mmm I guess so," I mumbled chewing my toast.

Heading Out

POV Hope: We got in the car and headed over to Kelsie's house. I started to feel a bit jittery, but that could just be the coffee. Amelia turned her head back to look at me. "What?" I asked looking back at her. "Nothing, are you sure you're fine? You're pinching your arm," she mentioned. I glanced down at my red skin. "I'm fine just nervous I think," I explained. "Don't worry so much, try to have fun," she smiled. I nodded.

The car pulled into a driveway. The nerves were starting to get to me so I tried breathing deeply. "hey, it's going to be alright. Anything, just get us okay?" Amelia said. "We can have a codeword if you need," Owen suggested. I nodded. "How about instead of that you can page us, and we'll pretend we have to leave," Amelia proposed. "You know what I like that idea better," he agreed. They both looked at me expectantly. "Okay," I said simply putting on a small smile.

I hopped out of the car standing behind my parents as they walked to the front door. Amelia turned around to look for me and she pulled me to her side. Owen hit the doorbell and we stood for a few seconds. The door opened and the Stone family was there. "Hi everyone!" Kelly greeted. Owen and Amelia both said hi back. Amelia nudged me forward, "hello Mrs. and Mr. Stone," I greeted. "Oh Kelly and John is fine," she grinned. "Come up to my room!" Kelsie said to me. I looked over at my parents and they both nodded.

I followed Kelsie up the stairs to her bedroom. "So this is my room," she said. I looked around seeing a beachy theme, blue walls, white furniture, tapestry, twinkly lights, and a guitar on a stand. "Looks so cute," I said with a smile. "Since it was pretty cold up in Canada I always love the beach in the states when we come down," she explained. We chatted about what we were into and some of the new music that came out. I kept my guard up, but I began to relax.

"Do you think he looks cute?" she asked pointing at a picture of a guy in a band on her phone. That was not good, it sent my mind to a bad place. I needed to keep my cool in front of Kelsie, "Um yeah I guess so." I quickly said before turning away. "You okay?" she asked. Crap... "Yeah sorry, I just haven't had the best experience with boys," you tried to explain without actually revealing anything. "Oh okay sorry," she said pressing her lips together. "It's alright you didn't know," you replied. "Well if you ever want to talk about it in the future we can, I know we don't know each other that well yet, but I hope we become good friends," she grinned My heart warmed knowing that she cared even though we barely knew each other. "Thanks," I smiled, the most genuine smile in a long time.

"Girls lunch!" Kelly called from downstairs. We stood up and ran down.

POV Amelia: Owen and I chatted with Kelly John. They seemed like kind people and we were hitting it off pretty well. I worried about Hope up there alone, but I knew she'd get me if she needed it. I started to twirl my hair. Owen leaned over and touched my hand. "She'll be fine," he whispered.

Kelly called the girls down for lunch and I turned my head to see them thundering down the stairs. Hope walked right up next to me. I put my hand on her arm. "I'm good mom," she beamed. I could see the light in her coming back, my daughter was becoming herself again. I held back my tears to hug her.

We started lunch at the table. I looked a Hope's plate worried she wouldn't eat. I could see Owen was looking too. She looked hard at the food before picking up corn on the cob and a taco. I breathed a small sigh of relief, Hope caught it shooting me a look. By the end of lunch there were no major problems and the girls had even exchanged numbers.

In the car on the way home

"How was it?" I asked. "Actually, better than I thought," she smiled again. I teared up again this time they spilled over. "Mooom no don't cry," she said. Owen took a hand and held mine. "I'm just so glad you're happy," I choked out trying not to sob. "We're so proud of you princess," Owen said. "I love you both," she said.

POV Hope: After I came home I opened my phone to see that Kelsie had already texted me. "Had so much fun today!❤️" I sent a text back "me too!" This day turned out better than I could ever hope for.

A/n part 2: anything you all want to see? Maybe more fluff between Hope and Amelia?