𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 ━━ HOPE MIKAELSON.

22

"IF YOU'D ASK ME a week ago, I would've told you I knew the different between myth and fact," Alaric began, staring at all his students as he walked around, "I would have said that supernaturals were limited to the species under this roof. I would've said that folklore and fairy tales were just stories."

Alaric glanced at Jaxon who was playing thumb war with Pedro, a grin stretched on his face as he paid no mind to Alaric's words but Alaric knew that he was listening. He couldn't stop a small smile from forming on his own lips as he took a deep breath and continued his speech, "but I can no longer say that any of this is true 'cause just a few days ago, we were confronted by the existence of a dragon."

Surprised and shocked looks were clear on the other students' faces as Alaric continued, "and then today, our campus was terrorised by a gargoyle come to life." Alaric's eyes fell on Hope then his daughters and then Jaxon who was letting Pedro win all the time as Alaric said, "some of us were forced to fight. We won. This time. They were drawn here by a knife that went missing earlier this week. And for whatever reason these creatures consider us their enemy, in their minds, we're the villains because we won't give them what they want. We don't even know why they want it."

Alaric paused, looking at his students again, "but we're gonna find out. I can't say for sure what their true intentions are... I can't say there won't be more attacks. That's why I'm telling you this, to warn you... To ask you to look out for each other, to do what's best for one another because we're more than just a school, we're a family. And we will stand together, we will fight together and we will win or lose this battle together no matter what comes next."

Jaxon's phone beeped with a message from Jeremy Gilbert— a man he met through Alaric and Caroline— telling him that he has found Rafael and Landon and that they had been both sent back to the school. He let out a sigh at the message, looking at Alaric who was already looking at him before mouthing, 'they are here' to him. The headmaster only nodded in response, dismissing the other students.

"Come with us," Josie said to Jaxon who furrowed his brows in confusion, eyes darting between her and Lizzie in confusion, "nope."

"Come on, don't be a dick now." Lizzie grabbed his hand, "let's have some siblings bonding time." Without giving him the chance to say anything, the twins grabbed his hand on either side and dragged him to the couch while the other students dispersed.

"What's up with the sudden 'let's involve Jaxon in our girls talk'?" He asked his two adoptive sisters who shrugged, smiling at him.

"I wanted to thank you for what you did today," Lizzie spoke, "you healed me although it wasn't much because of that potion— but nonetheless you did heal me and for that I want to thank you."

"Lizzie's being nice," Jaxon mocked, "I'm scared. Is the world ending?" Rolling her eyes, Lizzie said, "look, you've always been there for Josie and I... And we can't help but to think that we are awful sisters to you because we've never been there for you."

"What we want to let you know is that if you need anything, we're here." Josie smiled softly, "always. We love you and we want you to know that."

"Ric, I think another monster broke in," Jaxon taunted making the twins huff. He smirked at that, shaking his head, "no, but seriously— what's gotten into you two?"

"Nothing." Lizzie sighed, "like we told you, realisation hit us."

"And Hope might have told me what she did so." Josie added making Jaxon furrow his brows at her, "you and Hope? Okay, something seriously is wrong."

"We need to put our differences aside sometimes..." Josie said, "and Hope is quite nice." Her eyes fell on Hope who was leaning against the wall and watching the three. Jaxon scoffed at Josie's words, "she is nice. She's just a bitch sometimes."

"People make mistakes," Josie spoke, noticing them look of sadness that crossed over Hope's features making her aware of the fact that she was listening to their conversation, "and they regret it. You need to give them a chance to explain themselves... Or ask for forgiveness."

"No," Jaxon shook his head, "she doesn't deserve to be forgiven after what she did. You don't understand, It's like—" he sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration, "—there are some things that I've been trying to forget but she thought it would be fun to make me relive those things again and for what?"

"So what? You're going to hate her your entire life?" Josie asked while Lizzie was busy eating what MG came to give her. Jaxon nodded, clenching his jaw, "yeah, That's exactly what I'm going to do."

"Don't be stupid," Josie sighed, "you heard dad's speech. We need to be there for each other now more than ever. Things are happening, bad things. And..." Josie paused, remembering something, "... You saved Hope earlier with the gargoyle. You took a cut for her, so you don't hate her."

"Exactly so," Lizzie looked at him, "you're going to suck it up and forgive her if she apologises."

"If."