In Her Eyes The Violets lie

Chapter 22

"What?” Josie was shocked to say the least, "Why would you say something like that?”
Hope looked calm or downright emotionless, “I’m saying what I see. Be honest with yourself or not, whatever lets you sleep at night." She shrugged, something had changed. It was like someone had switched Hope’s emotions off. Josie didn't know why but she felt scared, scared of what Hope would say next. She shrank under Hope's cruel scrutiny. “I don't wanna talk about it." Josie said.  Hope was about to say something but Josie's mother interrupted, “Come on kids, it's time to light up the bonfire!” Josie and Hope walked back to the pit where Uncle James had gathered up a bunch of sticks. He was currently trying to show everyone that he could light a fire with two stones, caveman style and he was failing badly. Josie watched in horror as Penelope went to him and said, “Let me try?" Josie was sure that her uncle would be furious but surprisingly he handed her the stones and stepped back. Penelope lit the fire without breaking a sweat, “Dad used to take me camping often. And taught me all the skills I need to survive in the wilderness." She said, laughing.

“Well good, cause Kevin here doesn't know shit." James said. “Like father like son.” Kevin replied and everyone started laughing.
“Alright, let's get food on the table. I'm starving." said Aunt Elaine. They all sat down on the outdoor table. Hope sat beside Josie and thankfully the other seat beside Josie was already taken. Josie looked up and the chair right in front was taken by none other than Penelope. Josie sighed. Aunt Elaine had taken up the task of serving everyone. Josie got busy talking to Kevin.“Elaine, josie is allergic to shrimp.” Penelope said suddenly, Josie looked down at her plate and aunt Elaine was about to give her the shrimp curry. “Oh, sorry.” said aunt Elaine, “You two must've been close. I don't think even her mother remembers this." At that Josie's Mother spoke up, “Oh shut up Elaine. I was just about to say, Penelope beat me to it." Aunt Elaine laughed and moved on to other plates. Beside her, Hope had an annoyed look on her face. Josie was feeling frustrated, why was Hope being so difficult. It's like she's jealous or something.
~~~

After dinner Hope went back to their room, Josie stayed back to catch up with everyone. Josie's family was nice, they'd never let Hope feel like an outsider. But after what happened with Josie had soured her mood, and seeing how Josie looked at Penelope had made it worse. So, she didn't stay long. Hope doesn't know why she's so jealous of Penelope, she wasn't like this before. And anyway she's just an ex, who is in a relationship with Josie's cousin. There's nothing that could happen between them. But still, there was this smugness in Penelope that Hope instantly hated. Hope was lost in her hatred for that girl when someone knocked on the door, “Door’s unlocked.”
Josie walked in and crashed on the couch. She didn't say anything for a while, Hope thought she fell asleep and was about to put a blanket on her when Josie said,“Why are you acting like this?” Hope froze, “like what?” Josie sat up, “Oh come on, one moment you are acting all angry and annoyed and the next you are all caring." Josie looked tired, all that driving had taken a toll on her. “You’ve been like this the whole night, will you please tell me what I did? I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry for whatever I did to upset you.” Hope didn't realize that this had been bothering Josie. “ It's nothing.” Josie's eyes turned cold, “Great, that's sorted then.” She gets up and leaves, Hope doesn't try to chase after her.

~~~

Josie sat by the lake. There was a mysterious beauty to the lake at night, Lizzie was always weirded out by it but Josie liked the deafening silence and the cool breeze. Coming to the lake had helped her calm down a bit, she still couldn't figure out what was going on with Hope. “Are you thinking of joining the lady of the lake?” Josie turned to see Penelope, she sat down beside Josie. “What are you doing here?”
“oh same as you I guess, The lady of the lake was calling my name.” Penelope said. Josie wasn't having any of it, “What are you doing with my brother?”
“I am dating him. What else?”

"Oh cut the bullshit, I can tell you are not happy with him, I also know my brother. It's not him. Are you trying to hurt me? Is that what it is?" Josie said.
Penelope frowned, "Not everything is about you. I like him."
"But you don't love him…not in the way he loves you. I've seen the way he looks at you." Penelope doesn't meet her eyes. Josie sighed,"Penelope, don't hurt him, please–" She paused,"Don't hurt yourself."
Penelope looked up, her eyes shining, "I am not trying to hurt him, Josie. I'm sorry that I hurt you. I know I hurt you a lot, I'm sorry. I know you might not forgive me for leaving you when you needed me the most, but know that I'll always be asking for that forgiveness. Just believe me when I say that I like him, maybe not as much as he likes me but I'm trying."
Josie tentatively reached out to intertwine their fingers together, “I think a part of me will always love you, Penelope. A part of me will always care for you. And I forgave you a long time ago. It wasn't your fault that we didn't work out. Right person, wrong time.” Josie shrugged. “You think I'm your right person?" Penelope said in her classic smug tone. Josie laughed, “I think there can be multiple right people. In the end it's about  time, the right time can only come once."

Penelope looked up at the night sky, “Then don't waste time, Josie."

~~~

A/N

Hi, thanks for reading✨ Sorry for making y'all wait, I have board exams going on right now. So, life is in shambles.... Which is great for my writing. Hope you liked the conversation between Josie and Penelope as much as I did.