but I'll just let you live-

aftermath of the party

Hope rushed after Josie without a second thought, her voice catching in her throat as she called out, "Jo, wait, please!"

Josie kept walking, refusing to look back. The jealousy swirling inside her felt irrational, but that didn't stop it from making her chest ache. She didn't know how to explain it to Hope without sounding foolish. Landon's presence had stirred something in her, and she hated feeling this way.

Hope finally caught up and gently grabbed Josie's arm, pulling her to a stop. "Please talk to me. What's wrong?" she asked, concern evident in her eyes.

"Nothing," Josie mumbled, avoiding eye contact. "I think I've had too much to drink. I just need to lie down."

Hope wasn't buying it. She held Josie's hand, her grip firm yet comforting. "I'm not letting this go. I know you, Josie, and I know this has something to do with Landon's stupid crush question."

Josie's gaze faltered, her eyes welling up. Hope stepped closer, her voice softer now. "Jo, I love you so much. You have nothing to worry about. You're the one for me—always and forever."

Josie sighed, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I know that, and that's why I feel even worse for feeling like this. It's just... new for me. Landon's only been here a day, and already, he's interrupting us, taking up your time. I know you're his rock, but it doesn't make it easier for me to deal with the fact that he has a crush on you."

Hope wrapped her arm around Josie, guiding her into her room. "It's just for a few days, Jo. Once Landon's settled in, you'll have me all to yourself. But I do need to help him for now. Can you stay the night here, so we can be together?"

"You know I can never say no to you," Josie replied softly, and Hope smiled, pulling her closer. They changed into Hope's oversized t-shirts and curled up on the bed, finally finding some peace in each other's arms.

Just as they were getting comfortable, Hope's phone rang. Josie groaned softly. "Who's calling you this late?" she whined as Hope shifted to grab her phone.

"It's Landon," Hope said, glancing at the screen before answering. Josie's heart sank a little, the weight of her earlier thoughts creeping back. She tried to push it aside, knowing Hope loved her, but it still stung.

"He just wanted to check up on us since we didn't go back," Hope said, returning to bed and cuddling Josie again. Josie hummed in response, though her mind was far from at ease. She wanted to focus on the moment, to let herself melt into Hope's warmth, but the unease wouldn't leave.

Morning came too quickly, and as they got ready for class, Hope could sense that something had shifted with Josie. She wanted to ask, but the fear of not having the right words held her back.

When they entered the cafeteria for breakfast, they were greeted by Jed. "Hey, Hosie!" he grinned, and though they both smiled at the nickname, Josie's felt a bit forced.

The rest of the squad was already at the table, except for MG and Lizzie. Landon, Rafael, and Jed were there, and it didn't take long for Landon to ask, "Where's MG and Lizzie?"

Landon glanced at Josie, curious. "Was Lizzie in your room?"

Before Josie could answer, Jed chimed in, "Josie sleeps with Hope."

Rafael choked on his pancakes, and Hope's cheeks flushed pink. "Not like that!" she shot back, laughing. "Josie just stays over in my room a lot."

Jed smirked, while Landon's expression darkened slightly. Moments later, MG and Lizzie walked in, their disheveled appearances earning teasing nudges from Jed.

Josie wrinkled her nose. "Please tell me you didn't... on my bed?"

Lizzie rolled her eyes. "We were drunk, so who knows? And honestly, you practically live with Hope now, so why does it matter?"

Breakfast passed quickly, and as they wrapped up, Jed announced, "I've got a free period!"

"Same here," Rafael added. "Anyone else free to hang out?"

Landon, looking lost, handed Rafael his schedule. "I can't figure mine out."

Rafael checked it over. "No free period for you, man. You've got class with Hope, Josie, and Lizzie."

"Ew," Lizzie groaned.

"Behave," Josie warned, giving her sister a look.

Hope turned to Landon. "Come with us. We'll all walk together so you don't get lost."

As they left the cafeteria, the awkwardness between them lingered. Josie tried to keep her emotions in check, but every second with Landon felt like another wedge being driven between her and Hope. Landon hovered a little too close to Hope, and every time she smiled or laughed at something he said, it gnawed at Josie's insides.

When they reached the classroom, Hope sensed Josie's tension and took her hand. "You okay, babe?" she asked softly.

Josie gave a tight smile, squeezing Hope's hand back, but didn't say anything. Before Hope could press further, Landon spoke up.

"Hope, can we talk after class? I'm still confused about the whole squad thing."

Josie's irritation spiked, but she kept quiet. Hope glanced between them, torn. "Sure, we can go over it later," she said, squeezing Josie's hand reassuringly before turning to Landon.

Throughout class, Josie tried to focus, but her thoughts were consumed by Landon's presence. He was taking up too much space—not just physically, but emotionally. After class, Landon immediately approached Hope, and Josie couldn't hold back any longer.

"Landon," she cut in, her voice sharp. "Can I have a moment with Hope? Alone?"

Landon hesitated but nodded. "Yeah, sure," he said, though he clearly wasn't happy about it.

Once he was out of earshot, Josie turned to Hope, her frustration bubbling over. "I can't keep pretending this doesn't bother me. Every time he's around, it feels like there's less space for me, and I hate it."

Hope sighed, pulling Josie into a quiet corner. "Jo, I get it, I do. But I promise you, no one—especially not Landon—is going to come between us. You're my everything."

"I know you love me, Hope," Josie said, her voice soft but shaky. "But I can't help feeling like he's slowly wedging himself between us, and I'm scared."

Before Hope could respond, Landon's voice echoed down the hallway. "Hope? You coming?"

Josie stiffened, but Hope didn't move. "Give me five minutes," she called back, staying close to Josie.

"See?" Hope said, her eyes gentle. "You always come first."

Josie let out a shaky breath and nodded, but deep down, she couldn't shake the nagging fear that this wasn't over. Something was coming, and it wouldn't be long before their relationship was truly put to the test.