They hate me (and I hate me too)

Chapter 4

Josie woke to a murderous pulsing between her eyes. She pulled the covers over her and scrunched the pillow further under her head. Curling closer in on herself, Josie let Morpheus lull her back to sleep.

Seconds later, to Josie at least, she awoke once more to a pounding on her door. Josie grumbled, pulling the covers off her face to check the time. The clock beside her bed showed 10 o'clock am. Her deadline was twelve. She had planned on staying in bed for another half an hour at least before taking a shower and packing up. Yet life never gives you what you want and now Josie had to get out of bed, only to get rid of the incessant pounding on her motel door.

Scratching her head, Josie unlocked the door and pulled it open with a yawn.

"Yes?" She asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"Well, I was expecting more than that as a greeting, but it'll have to do." A familiar voice answered.

Josie's head snapped up, her eyes widening in shock. "Lizzie?" Her voice filled with surprise. "What are you doing here?"

The blond twin rolled her eyes before placing her hand on the door and pushing it further open. Josie stumbled back a few steps, her hand still gripping the door handle, as Lizzie walked, wiping her hand against her jeans.

She spun around once she reached the middle of the room. "I'm, dear sister, here to save you from these godforsaken motels you've been staying at these past few days and drag you back to school."

"No."

"No?"

"No."

"What do you mean no?"

Josie sighed, closing the door with a small thud. She let her back rest against it and brought her hand to her temples. A few moments passed in silence with Josie leaning against the door and Lizzie observed her from her bed. The brunette doesn't recall hearing her sister move but wasn't surprised by that, after all, Lizzie had a knack for sneaking around.

"Well?" Lizzie asked, breaking the silence.

"I'm not going back Lizzie." Josie breathed, slumping against the door and closing her eyes.

"Why not?"

"I can't."

"You mean you won't."

"No, I can't."

The room fell silent once again. For a moment Josie thought she was alone, but then heard some quiet shuffling from the bed and opened her eyes curiously. There she saw her twin fluffing the pillow before leaning it against the headrest and positioning herself against it. Josie frowned slightly at the shoes on the bed but ultimately didn't care, she was handing her key back in less than two hours, she wouldn't have to be the one doing the cleaning. Josie peered up to her sister who's gaze had never left her. Her arms were crossed and she bore an expectant look on her face.

Sighing once again, Josie spoke. "You don't understand. I can't go back, not after what I have done."

"Yes you can, Jo."

The eldest twin shook her head then took a step forward. "I burned the school down. I threatened everyone in it. I tried to merge with you. I nearly killed Hope. I actually killed Alyssa." Josie shook her head and took a deep breath. "I don't deserve to go back, not after all of that. It's best if I stay away." Josie's voice fluttered slightly. Bowing her head, she fixed her gaze on the speck of dust in front of her toes.

Lizzie scoffed.

"Best for who Josie? 'Cause surely not for you, and don't you dare say for me 'cause we both know that's bullshit. So, tell me sister, best for who?" Lizzie asked, a hint of irritation evident in her tone.