Hoe for Hosie

Inside Out

tw: homophobic slurs, verbal abuse, homophobia.

They say embracing your differences can be an advantage, adding spice to your life while highlighting your originality and authenticity in a world often dominated by conformity.

•••

Josie's PoV

I couldn't appreciate my differences while living under my father's roof.

I always did what he wanted—being the perfect daughter, excelling in school. But despite meeting his expectations, I wasn't happy, nor was I perfect.

I yearned to reveal my true self to my friends and classmates, to announce that I was in love with Hope Mikaelson, who loved me in return.

It had been a year since Lizzie and I transferred to a new school, a move prompted by our father disowning us when we embraced our true gender identities.

Now, we live together with our girlfriends.

•••

Flashback:

One year ago,

"God, why do they have to be showing that stuff?" My father's voice cut through the air sharply. His comment struck me like a bullet, but I managed to muster a nod and a thin smile in response.

My dad and I were on the couch watching TV when footage of the pride parade flashed across the screen. He scoffed.

"You're right, it's not like it's breaking news and they have to cover it," I retorted sarcastically.

"I just think a man should be with a woman. That's how it's always been. I mean, gay couples can't even have kids!"

A lot of straight couples can't have kids either, but I don't see you questioning their right to exist.

I wanted to say that.

I wanted to tell my dad about myself. I wanted to explain that I'm attracted to men, women, non-binary people—any gender identity, really.

But I couldn't. He would disown us—me and my twin sister, Lizzie.

Lizzie is bisexual, and we both have girlfriends: I have Hope, and she has Penelope. We met them at school; they're best friends.

No one knows about our relationships because our father is the headmaster.

If we want privacy, we always go to Hope or Penelope's houses because their parents accept them for who they are.

I wish our father would accept us like their parents do.

But he won't, because he's a fucking homophobic. He's always told us not to date girls, claiming he didn't raise us to be sinners. He believes being part of the LGBTQ community would tarnish our family name.

So, keeping our relationships with Penelope and Hope a secret is our only option.

Now, we looked like creeps staring at Hope and Penelope across the room as they talked with our classmates, Amara and her friend, Alyssa.

It seemed like they were flirting with our girlfriends.

I couldn't help but feel jealous whenever I saw that, just as Lizzie did when Alyssa flirted with Penelope.

But we had to obey our father's orders.

"Hey," Rafael and Jed greeted us as Jed sat next to me and Rafael sat beside Lizzie.