Hosie~ One Shots

Spring Break

The air was heavy with excitement as Josie Saltzman stepped off the plane and onto the warm tarmac of Honolulu, Hawaii. She was surrounded by her closest friends—Lizzie, MG, Kaleb, Cleo, Jed, and Ben—all buzzing with anticipation for their last spring break together. This was meant to be two weeks of sun, sea, and fun, a way to escape from the pressures of school and the messes of life back in Mystic Falls. For Josie, though, the trip was a necessary distraction. It had only been a few weeks since her breakup with Penelope Park, and the wound was still fresh. She needed this getaway to clear her head.

As the group arrived at their beachfront hotel, laughter and playful banter filled the air. Lizzie immediately declared that they'd spend the first night partying, hitting the best spots on the island. Everyone was on board, and by the time the sun had set, they were all dressed and ready to hit the town.

The nightlife in Honolulu was vibrant and alive, the streets packed with people dancing, drinking, and celebrating the freedom of spring break. Music poured from every direction, and the group made their way to a popular bar by the beach. Inside, the atmosphere was electric. Colored lights flashed over the dance floor, and the bass thumped in time with the carefree energy in the room.

Josie found herself nursing a drink at the bar, a little more introverted than usual. While her friends were laughing and dancing, she couldn't shake the lingering ache from her recent breakup. She wanted to join in, to let go and enjoy herself, but it was hard. The memories of Penelope were still too sharp.

"Hey, you okay?" Lizzie asked, appearing at Josie's side for a brief moment.

"I'm fine," Josie lied, flashing her sister a half-hearted smile. "Just taking a breather."

Lizzie gave her a sympathetic look but didn't push. "If you want to dance, just grab me. Or anyone."

As Lizzie rejoined the others on the dance floor, Josie sighed, sipping her drink and scanning the room. That's when she noticed a man standing beside her, a little too close for comfort.

"Hey there," he said with a grin. "You look like you could use some company."

Josie immediately felt uncomfortable. "I'm fine, thanks."

"Come on," he persisted, leaning closer. "How about a dance? You're too pretty to be sitting here alone."

"I said no, thanks," Josie repeated, her voice firm but polite. She shifted slightly, hoping he'd take the hint, but the man didn't seem to care. He stepped closer, his hand brushing against her arm. Her pulse quickened, but not in a good way.

Before she could figure out how to handle the situation, she heard a calm, confident voice from behind her.

"There you are, sweetheart. Sorry I'm late," the voice said. "I was looking everywhere for you."

Josie turned to see a woman standing beside her, casually slipping an arm around her waist as if they had known each other for years. The woman was striking, with piercing blue eyes and dark waves of hair that fell effortlessly over her shoulders. She shot Josie a quick, reassuring glance before turning her attention to the man.

"You heard her," the woman said, her voice sharp but steady. "She's not interested."

The man frowned, clearly disappointed, but with a quick glance between the two of them, he grumbled something under his breath and walked away. The tension melted from Josie's shoulders, and she exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

"Thank you," Josie said, turning to the stranger who had just rescued her from an awkward and unsettling encounter. "I didn't know how to get him to leave."