Secrecy (Hosie)

Part 46: Backsliding

Hope spends the first several days of her spring break in New Orleans with her family, helping Rebekah and Marcel with wedding planning, eating beignets, and being careful to steer clear from the prying eyes of supernatural factions of the French Quarter when she leaves and returns to the family compound. She and Josie texted and called every day while Hope was out of town, sometimes just to say 'hi', others to fall into deep conversations, either way it was nice to finally be talking regularly.

Unfortunately, she did have to deal with a single monster attack, but with the help of her family, it wasn't a difficult task to defeat the creature.

She just landed at the airport after her flight home from Louisiana, putting her luggage into the trunk of her car and driving toward the Salvatore School to pay her friends and Josie a brief visit, as promised.

She parks her car at the school, making her way toward the front entrance and inside. She only texted Alaric she was on the way, intending to surprise everyone else.

Raf is the first to see her, since he stands in the hallway talking with Jed, "Little Red!" He jogs up to her and wraps her in a crushing hug before pulling away again, "Jed and I were just about to head to the gym to spar with MG and Kaleb. Josie, Lizzie, and Cleo will be there too. Wanna join?"

She doesn't see any reason to decline. She's already here, might as well make the most of the little time she has with her friends, "Sure, that sounds perfect. I can kick your asses before returning home."

Jed chuckles at that, "I have no doubt."

They all make their way towards the gym, not saying a word about Hope's presence when they enter. Instead, Hope just picks up as sparring stick and makes her way toward the group, sneaking up behind MG as Jed and Raf watch with raised brows.

After a moment of the girls and Kaleb and MG being so wrapped up in their conversation to notice that they've been joined by more than just Raf and Jed, Hope suddenly speaks behind MG, making him practically jump out of his skin, "So are we gonna get to work, or no?"

Everyone's heads turn toward her immediately, huge smiles forming on each of their faces.

Josie springs from her spot on the bleachers, wrapping her arms around Hope's neck and pulling their bodies close together in an embrace, "I missed you."

Hope wraps an arm around her waist, pulling her impossibly nearer, "I missed you too, Jo."

When they reluctantly pull away, Josie reaches for Hope's hand to hold, while MG lightly pushes her shoulder, "Damn, Hope. I almost thought my ears were deceiving me."

Hope wraps Lizzie into her own hug when she stands to her feet, responding to MG, "Well, someone has to kick you guys into shape." She shoots a smirk at him for good measure. Then wrapping Cleo and Kaleb into a brief hug, continuing to hold onto Josie's hand.

"You can't take on all of us, Hope. There's not a chance."

Raf speaks before Hope does, "I wouldn't make that bet if I were you bro. She could most likely beat us blindfolded."

Jed smirks to them, "I'd be willing to take that bet."

Hope raises an eyebrow at them, looking to Kaleb for his input, "Sorry, Hope. I'm with the guys on this one."

Hope nods, "Okay, guess you'll all have to learn the hard way then." Hope releases Josie's hand and mutters a spell, causing a blindfold to appear in her hand.

Kaleb clears his throat, suddenly growing nervous at Hope's display of confidence, "Wait, no using offensive spells either."

Hope smirks at their growing anxiousness, "Alright, no sight, no offensive magic. Anything else?"