"So, you gonna tell me where we're going this early?" Hope asks as she looks at Josie from the passenger seat of her Jeep wrangler.
"Well, I thought we'd stop and get some donuts first." Josie says without taking her eyes off the road.
"That's an excellent idea considering someone got me out of bed so early." Hope says with a laugh.
"I didn't hear you protesting too much. Besides you would go anywhere I asked you to, no questions asked." Josie smirks at her friend.
You have no idea. Hope thought.
"Ok fair point. So what's the plan after donuts?"
Hope can see Josie is avoiding eye contact while stopped at a red light.
"I actually just wanted to kidnap you and go to my house for the day. Lizzie and my mom are still out of town and I was too embarrassed to tell you I didn't want to be alone."
Josie says shyly.
"Jo, why would you be embarrassed? I know how it feels to not want to be alone in a big house." Hope says as she places her hand on Josie's thigh.
Josie's face warms at the touch.
A beat passes and Hope squeezes her leg.
"Also Jo, the light is green."
"Shit, sorry." Josie says as she starts driving again.
Stop being awkward Josie thinks to herself. Hope is going to know something is off. The point of this is to convince yourself that you are just a hormonal girl and you're not falling for your best friend. Get it together! Maybe this is a bad plan.
"I know you do. I just feel like I'm always asking you to be there for me even though I've been so MIA with you lately." The brunette says guiltily.
"Hey stop that, I know you've been busy with Landon. I would never ask you to jeopardize your new relationship to accommodate me." Hope tries to keep her voice neutral although the thought of Landon makes her want to vomit.
"That's the thing though, I'd much rather be hanging out with you. It's not a competition, because if it was you'd win every time." I can't believe I said that out loud. What is wrong with you Josie? This is going swimmingly.
Saved by the bell Josie thinks as they park at the donut shop.
The girls walk up to the counter and an elderly woman comes up to greet them.
"Good morning ladies. What will it be?"
Josie points to Hope, "She'll have a Boston cream filled and an old fashioned please."
"And she'll have a strawberry glazed with sprinkles and a jelly filled." Hope smiles while looking at Josie.
The woman smiles at the girls while filling their order. "You ladies must be really close." The woman laughs out.
Wish we were closer. Hope thinks while shaking her head. While Josie is trying to hide the warmth that has risen to her cheeks.
"Yes we're the bestest of friends. Hope tells the woman behind the counter as she rings up their order.
"I had a best friend like that when I was your age. Ended up marrying her." The elderly woman winks at Josie and hands her the donuts and some change.
Josie chokes on her own saliva,
while Hope tugs on her hand dragging her out of the shop.
"Thanks for the donuts. And congrats on, umm, all of that." Hope shouts over her shoulder to the woman while pulling a coughing Josie along with her.
"Are you ok Jo?" Hope looks at her best friend with concern.
"Uh huh, yes, yeah I think I'm good. Just swallowed wrong I think." Josie says as she opens her car door.
Hope hops in beside her.
Before either of them can comment on the awkward exchange, they arrive at Josie's house and head inside.
"I thought we could get into pajamas and just watch movies all day if that's cool with you?" Josie says as she rummages through the fridge for beverages.
"Sounds good to me. I swear I have more clothes at your house than I have at my own." Hope says with a chuckle.
Once drinks are secured the girls make their way to Josie's room. Hope goes immediately to Josie's dresser and pulls out two sets of pjs and tosses one to her friend.
"I'm just gonna go change in the bathroom." She tells the brunette while closing the door.
Even though they usually just change clothes in front of each other, Josie is thankful for the separation right now.
Get your shit together Saltzman. Stop being a perve and change your clothes. Don't think about your mostly naked best friend in your bathroom right now. Yes this pep talk is really helping Josie thinks.
Once changed, the girls pile onto the bed and Josie starts looking through her computer for a movie. Josie notices her friend is sitting much further away from her than usual.
Feeling bold for a second, Josie pats the middle of the bed without looking up from her laptop. She feels relief when she feels the bed dip beside her.
Once huddled up with their sides pressed together, the girls start the movie while eating their breakfast.
"What are we watching?" Hope asks between bites.
"I let Netflix choose. It's just going to play something random." Josie's tells her.
An hour later whatever netflix chose was long forgotten and the girls were talking about their week apart.
"I don't know Hope. I just don't feel excited to see him like I did a month ago. All he wants to talk about is Star Wars and D&D. I used to find it endearing in a nerdy type of way, but now I'm like, can we talk about absolutely anything else? I'd settle for talking about the freaking weather at this point." Josie says exasperated.
"Maybe you could talk about the Lord of the Rings?" Hope chuckles and Josie shoves her a little.
"Hey I'm being serious. Maybe there's something wrong with me."Josie says as she looks at her lap. "You know he tried to take my bra off last time we were making out in my car? I distracted him by pulling away and asking about Ewoks." Josie laughs half heartedly. "I'm just glad he couldn't figure out how to actually unhook it."
"Boys are the worst I swear. I'm glad I never said yes when Raf asked me out last year. I might have punched him if he tried to feel me up." Hope says as she places her hand on Josie's shoulder.
"Ugh don't remind me. I remember watching him drool every time he saw you at lunch. I'm glad Lizzie was there to tell him to close his mouth because people were trying to eat."
Josie laughs.
"Guess I missed my chance since he is drooling over some other poor girl. now. Thank goodness. Also, gross."Hope fake gags. "And there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. Just because you are losing interest doesn't make it wrong. Maybe you and Landon aren't meant to be. We are only in high school after all. Not like we need to decide on forever right now. " Hopes says as she looks in Josie's eyes.
Mesmerized all Josie can think is, I could decide on forever with you Hope Mikaelson. Today, tomorrow and forever.
