Back To The Beginning

Chapter 13

Hope's POV: Looking between Lizzie and...myself, I pinched the bridge of my nose in annoyance before leveling her with a annoyed gaze. "Okay, before you get mad, I can explain", Lizzie started, looking up with a tired expression. "I forgot to eat anything yesterday, so I stopped by the kitchen for a quick snack and may have forgot that I'm not technically a heretic yet", she explained, causing me to frown.

"You...forgot", I asked her slowly. 

"Yes, keep up", she told me, causing me to roll my eyes, catching my double doing the same. "So I spit the blood out on the notes, and tried wiping it off, but it only made it worse. I was so excited that you may have found something to fix whatever this is, so I read over your notes, but then...this happened", she said, gesturing around the room. "So, actually this is your fault", she shrugged, causing me to glance over at her in disbelief. 

"My fault? How is this my fault", I gaped. 

"Well, if you had been here, then you could've stopped this", she explained as if it was obvious.

"Lizzie, stop yelling at...yourself", the other Hope frowned, looking between us oddly. "And tell us what's going on", she said, looking like she would rather be anywhere but here. "Why did I wake up on the floor earlier, and...why are there two of you", she asked. "And why are you a vampire", she questioned, turning her gaze to Lizzie. 

Before either of us had time to explain, a bright light filled the room before I found myself standing outside the Salvatore School in front of Landon, and Rafael. I frowned in confusion, before spotting another Hope standing behind Dr. Saltzman. Noticing the similar expression in her eyes, she looked around for a moment before finally locking eyes with myself. 

Is that Lizzie?

"Son of a bitch", she cursed, causing everyone to look over at her in confusion.

Yep, that's definitely Lizzie. 

I rolled my eyes halfheartedly, unable to hide the affectation smile spreading across my face as my knees shook, causing me to allow myself to lean heavily into Josie, struggling to stay standing. "Welcome to the Salvatore School", I spoke up, bringing the attention away from Lizzie as she sent me a thankful glance. "We're your tour guides", I added, attempting to keep my mind on what's happening in front of me instead of the increasing pain in my head.

"I'm Josie", she spoke up a little awkwardly. 

"I'm Lizzie. Sisters", I said, trying to keep the amusement off my face as Lizzie's expression quickly soured. 

"Twins", Josie continued.

"Fraternal. Obvs", I added, attempting to swallow back a small laugh as Lizzie crossed her arms over her chest almost childishly.  

"Rafael, why don't you go ahead with the girls while I talk to Landon", Dr. Saltzman suggested, as Lizzie winced, bringing a hand to her forehead. 

"Morning, Hope", Josie and I greeted, linking arms with Rafael as Lizzie rolled her eyes, no doubt picking up on my teasing tone.

"More like despair", I heard Lizzie mutter.

"I heard that", I shouted over my shoulder.

"No, you didn't", she shot back.

"Didn't have to", I pointed out, causing her to huff.

"Everyone behave", Dr. Saltzman spoke up, causing me to smile as the pain seemed to subside.

 Talk about a serious case of Deja Vu.

"Love you, dad", Josie waved, as I looked over my shoulder, catching Lizzie's small smile as if she was enjoying an old joke. Shaking my head, I turned around before leading Rafael through the school.