Hosie~ One Shots

The Masquerade Ball

The grand hall of Mystic Falls High School glittered under the soft glow of chandeliers, the room alive with the swirl of vibrant costumes and the sound of laughter. Tonight was the annual Masquerade Ball, a tradition that had stood the test of time in this small town. Both the students of Mystic Falls High and the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted had been invited, and the evening promised an air of mystery and excitement as everyone reveled in the anonymity of their masks.

Hope Mikaelson stood by the entrance, her heart pounding beneath the layers of her intricate gown. She wore a dark, elegant dress that flowed around her like shadows, her face hidden behind a black lace mask that obscured her features. It had been months since she'd sacrificed herself to Malivore, since she had been erased from the memories of everyone she loved. No one remembered her—neither her family nor her friends. Not even Josie Saltzman, the girl who had once held her heart.

Hope took a deep breath, pushing down the ache in her chest as she scanned the crowd. She had only come tonight to feel close to them, to see their faces, even if they no longer recognized hers. It was a quiet kind of torture, being surrounded by people who had once meant everything to her, while she was nothing but a stranger to them.

As Hope wandered through the throngs of masked dancers, she caught sight of a girl standing alone near the punch bowl. Her breath hitched as she recognized the graceful curve of her neck, the way she tilted her head as she looked around the room. Josie. She was dressed in a gown of deep emerald green, the color a perfect match for her hazel eyes. Her mask was a delicate shade of gold, adorned with small, sparkling gems that caught the light with every movement.

For a moment, Hope froze, her heart caught between the desire to rush forward and the fear of being unnoticed. But then, as if feeling her gaze, Josie looked up, her eyes meeting Hope's from across the room. There was a flicker of something in those eyes—curiosity, perhaps?—before Josie smiled softly and began to walk toward her.

Hope swallowed, trying to steady her breathing as Josie approached. She had imagined this moment a thousand times, dreamed of it in the lonely hours of the night. And now, here she was, standing mere feet away from the girl she loved, the girl who no longer knew who she was.

"Hi," Josie said, her voice as warm and inviting as Hope remembered. "I don't think we've met before. I'm Josie."

Hope's lips curled into a small smile beneath her mask. "Nice to meet you, Josie. I'm Hope."

Josie tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "Hope, huh? That's a beautiful name."

Hope's heart fluttered at the compliment, even as she fought to keep her emotions in check. "Thank you. You look beautiful tonight."

"So do you," Josie replied, her voice dropping to a soft murmur. "I almost didn't come to this thing, but now I'm glad I did."

Hope's breath caught in her throat as she realized that, for the first time in months, Josie was looking at her with interest, with that same spark that had once lit up her world. It was all she could do not to reach out and touch her, to close the distance between them and reclaim what had been stolen from her.

But instead, Hope merely nodded, her voice steady as she replied, "I'm glad you came too."

They fell into easy conversation, the hours slipping away as they talked and laughed, the rest of the world fading into the background. They danced together under the glittering lights, their movements perfectly in sync, as if they had danced this way a thousand times before. With every turn, every step, Hope felt herself falling all over again, just as she had the first time she had looked into Josie's eyes.

But the night was drawing to a close, and as the final dance ended, Josie's smile turned wistful. "It's getting late," she said softly. "I should probably head back to my school."