Hosie~ One Shots

The Secret Admirer

At fourteen, Hope Mikaelson had already experienced more than most people twice her age. As the daughter of Klaus Mikaelson, she carried the weight of a powerful legacy on her shoulders. Yet, there was one thing she hadn't quite figured out: love.

One crisp autumn morning, as Hope made her way to her locker at the Salvatore School, she found a small, neatly folded piece of paper tucked inside. Curious, she opened it, revealing a handwritten note in delicate script:

You have a smile that lights up even the darkest day. I hope you never stop smiling.

Hope's heart skipped a beat as she read the words. She glanced around, trying to see if anyone was watching her, but the hallway was as busy as ever with students rushing to their classes. Tucking the note into her pocket, she couldn't help but wonder: Who could have written this?

Over the next few weeks, the letters continued to appear. Each one was different—sometimes a compliment, other times a small poem or a sweet note about how special she was. Hope found herself looking forward to them, her heart racing with anticipation every time she opened her locker.

One day, she received a note that read:

I saw you practicing magic today. The way you control your power is amazing. You're stronger than you think, Hope. Don't ever doubt yourself.

Hope's curiosity grew. She started to pay more attention to her surroundings, looking for anyone who might be watching her with the same admiration that filled the notes. But no one seemed to act any differently around her—except for one person.

Josie Saltzman.

Josie Saltzman was two years younger than Hope, but they had always shared a special bond. Josie was kind, thoughtful, and always seemed to be there for Hope when she needed someone to talk to. Recently, however, Hope had noticed something different about Josie—something that made her think twice about the younger girl.

It was the little things that caught Hope's attention. The way Josie would blush whenever their hands accidentally brushed against each other. The way she always seemed to know when Hope was feeling down, offering her a comforting smile or a gentle word of encouragement. And then there were the small gifts—an extra cookie at lunch, a flower left on her desk, a borrowed book that seemed to perfectly match her current mood.

One day, Hope received another note:

You're not just powerful, Hope. You're also kind. The way you helped that first-year student today showed how much you care. It's one of the many reasons why I... The note trailed off, leaving the rest of the sentence unfinished.

At first, Hope dismissed the idea that Josie could be her secret admirer. Josie was her friend—practically like a little sister. But as the days passed, Hope couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Josie's kindness than met the eye.

One afternoon, after receiving yet another note that spoke directly to something only someone close to her would know, Hope decided she needed to get to the bottom of this mystery. She thought back to the recent events and the notes she had received, and all signs seemed to point to one person.

With a determined heart, Hope approached Josie after their last class of the day. "Hey, Josie, can we talk for a minute?"

Josie looked up, her eyes wide with curiosity and perhaps a hint of nervousness. "Sure, Hope. What's up?"

Hope led Josie outside to one of the school's gardens, where they could talk privately. The late afternoon sun bathed the garden in a warm glow, and Hope could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she turned to face Josie.

"Josie," Hope began, choosing her words carefully, "I've been receiving these letters... these really sweet letters. And I've been trying to figure out who's behind them."

Josie's cheeks flushed pink, and she glanced down at her shoes, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. Hope took a deep breath, feeling a mix of emotions—hope, uncertainty, and something she hadn't quite identified yet.

"I think it's you," Hope said softly, watching Josie's reaction closely.

For a moment, there was silence between them. Josie bit her lip, her eyes still focused on the ground. Then, she nodded, a small, shy smile forming on her lips. "It is."

Hope's heart swelled with emotion. She had been right, but now that she knew, she didn't know what to say. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, her voice gentle.

Josie looked up at her, her eyes shining with a mix of fear and hope. "I didn't know how to... I didn't know if you'd feel the same way. You're older, and... well, I didn't want to make things weird between us."

Hope felt a warmth spread through her chest at Josie's words. "You didn't make things weird," she assured her. "In fact, those letters... they've meant a lot to me."

Josie's eyes met Hope's, filled with a vulnerability that made Hope's heart ache. "I've liked you for a long time, Hope. But I didn't think you'd ever like me back."

Hope stepped closer, reaching out to gently take Josie's hand in hers. "Josie, I didn't realize it at first, but... I think I've always had feelings for you too. I just didn't see it until now."

Josie's breath hitched as she looked up at Hope, hope blossoming in her eyes. "Really?"

Hope nodded, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Really. And I'm glad you wrote those letters because they helped me see what was right in front of me."

From that day forward, things changed between Hope and Josie. They were still best friends, but there was something more between them now—something sweet and tender, filled with the promise of young love. They spent more time together, walking through the school's gardens, studying in the library, and sharing quiet moments that felt even more special now that they knew how they felt about each other.

Hope found herself smiling more, feeling a lightness in her heart that hadn't been there before. And Josie—Josie was happier than she had ever been, knowing that her feelings were returned by the girl she had admired for so long.

One evening, as they sat by the lake watching the sunset, Hope turned to Josie with a playful smile. "So, what's next for us, Secret Admirer?"

Josie blushed, but she couldn't hide the smile that spread across her face. "I guess we see where this takes us," she said softly, her fingers brushing against Hope's.

Hope nodded, feeling content and at peace in a way she hadn't in a long time. "I like that idea."

And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the water, Hope leaned in and kissed Josie, sealing their newfound love with a promise of more letters, more memories, and more moments to come.

The notes didn't stop after their confession. Every now and then, Hope would still find a letter tucked into her locker or left on her pillow—each one filled with words of love and affection from Josie. And every time she did, she would smile, knowing that she had found something special in the person she had always known but was only just beginning to truly see.