Hoe for Hosie

Art Project

Josie's PoV

School sucks, literally.

"Hey there, sunshine!" I didn't need to glance up to know who had just greeted me—it was Hope Mikaelson.

To put it bluntly, Hope was an insufferable jerk, and if given a choice, I'd prefer partnering with just about anyone else for this Art project.

Mr. Hawkins, our teacher, seemed to have a twisted sense of humor in pairing me with her.

"Let's just get this over with," I muttered without looking at her.

"Alright, whatever you say, sunshine," she replied, her fake nickname grating on my nerves.

"Hey Jo, hey Fido!" Lizzie chirped happily as she spotted us in the corner.

"I've told you a thousand times, I'm not a dog," Hope snapped through clenched teeth, while Lizzie chuckled.

"Well, you sure act like one," Lizzie retorted, kissing me on the cheek.

Hope and I weren't friends, but she hadn't been a jerk to me until everything changed a couple of weeks ago.

Jade had publicly asked me out at school, and given Salvatore Boarding School's gossip mill, the whole student body now knew about it—including Hope.

"Whose room, yours or mine?" she asked abruptly.

"Mine."

•••

Pottery was my thing, especially making pots for my plants.

"Okay, let's get to it then," Hope said, gesturing towards the materials on my table.

I nodded silently as I sat down. Since she didn't know how to shape clay, I began instructing her.

"Shall we?" I prompt, eager to focus on our project rather than her.

"Sure," she murmured softly.

For a while, we worked in silence, and I started to relax now that I had something else to concentrate on besides Hope.

•••

Everything was going smoothly until I felt her gaze at me.

Or maybe I was imagining it.

Glancing sideways to confirm, I found her openly staring at me. When our eyes met, Hope quickly looked away, worrying her bottom lip.

"Hope, you need to focus!" I exclaimed with a slight blush, keeping my eyes on the ceramic pot in front of me.

She held up her hands defensively. "Sorry, okay? I just... I mean, you're really cute, and I got distracted."

I bristled. I prepared to lecture her about toying with emotions, but then I hesitated.

"Is this fun for you, Hope? Because I'm not laughing! I can handle teasing and stares, but what you're doing is low—flirting and staring, just to show Jade you can have me!" I paused to catch my breath, glaring at her defiantly.

Silence

"Is that what you think, Jo?" Hope finally said, her voice was low and detached. "Do you really think I'm doing this to prove something to Jade? Have you ever considered that people flirt because they like someone? Or that they stare because they find someone attractive?"

If I was angry before, now I am furious.

"Yes, Hope! I've considered that! People flirt when they're interested, like you do with girls—like you've done with nearly every girl at our school! And suddenly, when you find out your mortal enemy likes me, you start acting flirty? What a coincidence!"