College Affair

Chapter 36

Josie's POV
    It has been what seems like weeks since I last spoke to Hope. I know it hasn't been that long but it does feel that way. I'm mad at her so why should I speak to her? I thought she would never say anything like that about me but she did. She isn't who I thought she was. I don't know if I even want to see her again at this point. I can't believe I trusted someone again and got heartbroken because of them. I will just ignore her today like I have been. I can't talk to her. I don't want to hear what she has to say, whether it's the truth or just excuses. It hurts that she said those things about me, behind my back. I wanted to tell her that I love her. Now.. I'm not so sure anymore.

I get up that morning and quickly change and leave. I don't want Lizzie to ask me anymore questions. She can already tell something is off with me but I don't want to talk about it. If I do, I would have to tell her the whole truth. How Hope and I have been sneaking around as girlfriends and that she never knew. It would probably hurt her. It's best if she doesn't feel any pain, and I am the only one who does. I walk off to my first class, knowing I was pretty early but I didn't care. Anything to get away from Lizzie's questions.

Hours pass and it's time for my last class already. I know she is going to be sitting in our spot, looking at me, wishing I would sit with her. I just can't. When I walk in though, she isn't there. Maybe she will come in after me. I sit in the back. After a few minutes, everyone piles in and the class soon starts. I look around and I didn't see those beautiful redish brown locks that I loved looking at. Where is she? Wait, why should I worry where she is? She hurt me, I shouldn't care. But.. where is she though?

After class, I headed back toward the house. When I walk in, I hear the girls chatting, but my mind is elsewhere to really focus on them. Why wasn't she in class? Did she just not show up because she knew she would have to see me? Was she in her other classes? Did she get hurt?! Or in trouble?!

"Josie!" I hear Lizzie yell to get my attention. I must have been lost in thought to hear them trying to speak to me.

"What?" I asked her, hoping it wasn't another one of her questions about why I'm acting weird.

"Was Hope in class today?" Cleo steps in, asking if I had seen Hope.

Just hearing her name makes me feel so many different emotions. Yeah I am mad at her, but also worried. What if she got hurt? Why do I also miss her? Is this what true love is? Missing someone, who hurt you, enough to where you want to see them? I never felt that way with Penelope. I just never wanted to see her again. I would be lying if I said, I didn't miss Penelope any when we broke up, but I never wanted to see her. So why do I want to see Hope? Why do I want to make sure she is safe and not hurt, if it isn't true love? Does true love even exist?

"Jo?" She spoke up again. I got distracted by my thoughts again.

"Uh no, she wasn't." I say softly.

"Her car was gone this morning, I noticed." Kym spoke up.

"You noticed it was gone and didn't mention it or think anything of it?" Lizzie asked.

"I assumed she went to go see her family before class or get those beignets she loves so much. I thought she would've been back before class. And you clearly didn't notice." Kym replied to Lizzie.

Hearing Kym say beignets, it made me think of eating beignets with Hope. She really does love those things. And she always looks so cute when she gets the powder on her lips or nose. Why can't I stop thinking about her? I should be forgetting about her. So why can't I?

"I'm gonna try calling her and if there is no answer, I will call her aunt Freya and see if she's seen her. I'm sure Keelin has already told her that Hope wasn't in her class." Cleo says before walking to another room to make the calls.