"Hope please say something, anything." Josie looks at her best friend with pleading eyes. Hope has been silent for several minutes just staring at her.
"Sorry Jo, I'm just processing." That's a lie Hope thinks. I've been full on panicking and happy but also jealous because Penelope Park had her lips on yours before me and I'm a little pissed at myself.
"Take your time. Just don't hate me." Josie pleads. Hope lays down on the bed and drags Josie with her enveloping the taller girl against her chest.
"I couldn't, wouldn't ever hate you. Thank you for trusting me with your secret. I just can't believe I didn't know. Maybe I'm a little shocked, but don't take my silence as disapproval. I'm so proud of you." Hope whispers in the brunettes hair placing a kiss on the crown of her head.
"Thank you. I haven't told anyone else because I wanted you to know first. But you were the one I was most scared to tell. Everyone else can fuck off if they don't like it." Josie lightly chuckles in relief.
"Anyone who gives you shit will have to answer to me, understood?" Hope says sternly.
"What would I do without you?" Josie sighs throwing her leg over Hopes waist snuggling closer.
Hope slightly stiffens at the contact and Josie starts to pull her leg away apologizing.
"Oh my god Hope I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I'm such an idiot sometimes." Josie stops rambling when she feels Hope tug on her leg putting it back in its previous spot.
"Please don't do that." Hope says placing her hand in the small of Josie's back while holding her in place. "Don't be any other way than who you've always been, especially with me. I don't want you to be uncomfortable with me or awkward or any of that. I don't want you to hide any part of yourself with me. I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me forever."
Josie relaxes in her friend sinking further into Hope's embrace. They lay there in comfortable silence for a long time. Hope isn't sure what time it is when she texts her mom to let her know she's staying the night at Josie's house and not to worry.
When she realizes Josie is asleep, Hope pulls the blanket up over them with her free hand, never letting go of her best friend in the process. She kisses the crown of her head once more and pulls her as close as possible as she whispers,
"I wish I was as brave as you."
