"Are you serious? You're joking right?" Hope asks while trying not to choke on the pizza they are currently eating.
"I am dead serious! Nobody has heard from her since she transferred." Josie says genuinely. "I almost didn't believe Lizzie because you know how she loves gossip, but MG confirmed it." Josie says sadly.
"I never thought I'd say this but I feel bad for her, Penelope isn't the nicest person but she doesn't deserve for people to talk so much shit about her. I hope she's ok. And I wonder who the girl is." Hope looks towards Josie who's lost in thought. Hope clears her throat.
"Sorry, I spaced out." Josie says shaking her head as she musters up some courage.
"You're my best friend right? Like, no matter what?" Hope is worried about the expression on her face.
"Of course Jo. What's wrong?" Hope says honestly. "The look on your face is kinda freaking me out though, I'm not gonna lie." Hope holds out her pinky. Josie smiles and locks her pinky with Hope's. "Pinky promise, no matter what."
As soon as their pinky's are hooked together, Josie rushes out "Penelopekissedmeunderthebleacherslastyearafterthefootballgame."
Hope blinks once, twice, a third time with her mouth hanging open. "Wha-Did you jus-what?" Finding it impossible to form a sentence.
Now Josie is finding her lap to be the most interesting thing in the world. "Penelope---she kissed me. Un-under the bleachers after the football game." Josie stutters barely above a whisper.
"Jo, look at me." Hope lifts her best friend's chin with her finger never letting go of her pinky. When Josie finally looks up, there are tears in her eyes and it breaks Hope's heart.
"Hey, it's ok, don't cry please." Hope tries to comfort her friend by pulling her into a hug. Thankfully Josie reciprocates, finding comfort in the crook of Hope's neck.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Josie says quietly as she sobs. "I just didn't want you to stop being my friend. I don't think I could live without you." Josie is full on bawling now.
Rubbing her best friend's back, Hope takes a few seconds to gather her thoughts.
I didn't see this coming. This is ironic. Holy shit speak Mikaelson. You're best friend is gay panicking in your arms. Why does she smells so good? Focus!
"Jo, there is absolutely nothing you could ever do to make me stop being your friend. I could never live without you either. I promised, remember?"
After a few more minutes of crying, Josie finally pulls away from the embrace. The love she sees in her best friend's eyes gives her the courage she needs.
"She offered to walk me to my car after the game and said she left her bag under the bleachers. I didn't think anything of it so I went with her. When we got under the bleachers she turned around and backed me into a pole. I felt like I couldn't move. Then she touched my face and told me how beautiful I was. It felt like an out of body experience until I felt her lips on mine. By the time I realized what was happening she had pulled away and was walking towards the parking lot. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you, I didn't even tell Lizzie." Josie rushes out looking at her best friend for any sign of panic. Hope's expression is hard to read.
"Did you---umm" Hope is choosing her words carefully. "Did you---did you- like it?"
"Honestly?" Hope nods her head at her friend to confirm. "It was different than kissing a boy, not bad different, just different. I think about it a lot more than I probably should." Josie is full on blushing and Hope looks shocked? Angry? Sad? Josie can't decipher.
Hope is silent again The green eyed monster is trying to overshadow the hopefulness she is feeling at the moment.
"You don't have to keep secrets from me ya know?" Oh the irony in that sentence Hope thinks.
"I know, you're the only person I trust enough to keep all my secrets. I was just scared. But full disclosure?" Hope nods for her best friend to continue hanging on her every word.
"I think I might be gay."
