They hate me (and I hate me too)

Chapter 5

Turns out staring out at the stars was not as therapeutic as shown in the movies. It didn't quiet any of the thoughts swirling in Josie's mind like a fucking tornado or help ignore the guilt building up in the pit of her stomach. To make matters worse, it was freezing outside. Her thin jumper and skirt were doing nothing to fight the cold night air brushing up against her. A shiver ran its way down Josie's spine from a larger gush of wind, making Josie pull her legs closer towards her chest in a losing battle to feel some resemblance of warmth.

Any other day, Josie would have simply gone back inside instead of sitting on the stone steps of the school's entrance, but this was the first time since she'd gotten back that she felt like she could breathe. Ever since Lizzie let slip Hope's condition, Josie felt this lump in her chest constricting all air to enter her lungs, growing the longer she stayed away from the tribrid. She simply had to see her. When she had opened that door to see the girl sleeping peacefully like a princess awaiting prince charming to sweep her off her feet, she felt some relief; albeit faintly. Landon showing up to do exactly what the movies had portrayed countless times brought out something in Josie. Before she could act, however, her sister had already swooped in and stopped Landon. She couldn't help but smile a little at her sister scolding her ex, but her attention was quickly brought back to the once sleeping girl bolt upright in bed with a panicked look in her eyes. Hope had muttered her name and passed out again right after, leaving Josie to wonder what all of that was supposed to mean.
That was two hours ago, maybe three. Josie had stayed for an hour beside Hope's bed, waiting for her to wake up again. Unfortunately, so did Landon and Lizzie, which meant she had to suffer through Landon's gloating of his plan working and Lizzie's constant reminder that what he did was ethically wrong. Josie agreed with her twin of course, but she was too worried and honestly too drained to get into a debate with her ex about why he shouldn't be going around kissing unconscious girls, even if they were his girlfriend. Instead, she had muttered something along the lines of getting a glass of water and left the room. That's how she wound up here, sitting outside in what may be one of the windiest nights they've had in weeks.

A soft blanket was gently placed around her shoulders causing Josie to turn her head to see who was kind enough to come out and give it to her. Her eyes widened in shock as she recognised her mother smiling down on her. "Mum?" She asked in disbelief.
Caroline patted Josie's shoulder before joining her on the steps. "Hey, sweetie."
"What are you doing here?"

Caroline pulled the blanket closer around Josie whilst smiling lovingly at her daughter. "I wanted to see my daughters. I've missed you." She said, still fidgeting with the blanket but caught Josie's gaze at the last words.

Unbeknownst to Josie, a single tear had shed from her eye that Caroline quickly wiped off for her. "I've missed you too, mum." Josie croaked before being pulled into a hug.

Josie melted into her mother's embrace. It had been too long since she had felt her mother's strong arms wrapped around her. She felt like a small child again without any worries or consequences. She loved it. She loved her mum. She wished she could be around more often instead of travelling around the world to look for a solution to the merge that probably doesn't even exist. Her rational side knew her mother was doing this for her and Lizzie, but that knowledge didn't quiet down the part of her that yearned to be by her mother's side.

The hug was broken far too early for Josie's liking. She shivered once they pulled away from each other. Caroline, ever the attentive mother, started rubbing Josie's shoulders. "What do you say we head inside and make some hot chocolate?" She asked, stopping her administration.

"I would love that." Josie said, whilst nodding.

"Great." Caroline stood up and Josie quickly followed.