Toxic

Baby Steps

Hope woke up at 5 am the next morning. She threw on a pair of black jeans, a simple burgundy t-shirt, and her black leather jacket. She laced up her black combat boots and was out the door way before the sun came up.

She quietly made her into the kitchen to grab a granola bar for a quick breakfast. After eating and throwing away the wrapper, Hope turned a corner and was startled to ocome face to face with Lizzie Saltzman.

"Ah, holy fuck! Lizzie!" Hope shouted, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. 

"Where are you going dressed for a funeral?" Lizzie asked snarkily, looking Hope up and down.

"Very funny," Hope rolled her eyes. "If you must know, I'm on my way to my first therapy appointment."

Hope figured that in the morning before classes was probably the best time since she was usually busy later in the day doing homework and training. And Josie.

Hope smirked at the thought.

Hope suddenly realized they had been standing there in silence for quite some time, and Lizzie was glaring daggers at her.

Hope wondered if Lizzie had somehow gained the ability to read minds and knew the thought she just had about Josie.

"Listen up, Mikaelson. You may have convinced my sister that you're going on some miraculous journey to change, but the second you lay another hand on her I'm calling bullshit."

"Good, you should."

"What?" Lizzie blinked in confusion. She had expected her words to anger Hope, not for her to agree.

"You think I want things to be like this? If I ever hurt her, call me out."

"You're okay with me calling you out?" Lizzie was wrapping her head around it all.

"I encourage and expect it," Hope corrected. "Josie is the love of my life. And I fully intend on marrying her one day."

"We'll see about that. Baby steps, Mikaelson," Lizzie put on a fake smile and walked away.

Hope rolled her eyes once more before leaving the Salvatore School for her appointment.

"Hi, sorry I'm late. I got a little lost finding this place," Hope was breathing heavily.

"No worries, Hope.  This isn't a strict therapist/patient kinda deal where I charge you by the minute or something. I'm doing this as a favor to you and your family so we have some timing flexibility," the woman explained.

"My name is Camille, but you can call me Cami," she extended her hand to shake Hope's. "Where shall we begin?"

"Um, well, I kinda have a problem," Hope said vaguely

"Anger issues?" Cami guessed.

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Hope, sweetie. I knew your father. I had a hunch," she stated. "Anyways, continue."

"So, it's about me and my girlfriend..."