Hosie~ One Shots

Break Up ?

Hope stood at the edge of the dock, her staff gripped loosely in her hand, waiting for Alaric. The lake shimmered under the afternoon sun, a peaceful sight that usually helped her clear her mind. Today, though, her thoughts felt heavier. She hadn't slept well the night before, haunted by strange dreams and vague feelings of unease. Training would help, she figured. It always did.

She heard footsteps behind her and turned, expecting to see Alaric. Instead, Lizzie was walking toward her. Hope smiled, genuinely happy to see her. "Hey, Lizzie, what's up?"

Lizzie's face was clouded with worry, her usual sharp demeanor softened by something Hope couldn't quite place. Hope's smile faltered. "What's wrong?" she asked, stepping toward her.

"It's Josie." Lizzie's voice was quieter than usual, her words hesitant.

A wave of concern crashed over Hope. Her heart sped up as a million possibilities ran through her mind. "What's wrong with Josie? Is she okay? Is she hurt? Should we inform your dad?"

Lizzie shook her head, avoiding Hope's frantic gaze. "No," she sighed, clearly reluctant to continue. "Josie told me to... break up with you on her behalf."

Hope froze, the words hitting her like a punch to the gut. She blinked, unable to process what she had just heard. "What?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"She can't do this anymore, Hope. She doesn't love you anymore, and she wants to end it now."

Hope took a step back, her staff slipping from her hand and clattering to the dock. She could feel her chest tightening, tears stinging her eyes. "What? What did I do? Did I upset her or something? Did I not tell her that I love her enough? Did I not give her enough attention? Enough cuddles? Dates? Hope and Josie time?"

Lizzie stood there, her eyes filled with an apology she couldn't voice. "I'm sorry, Hope."

Hope's legs gave out, and she fell to her knees, her hands covering her face as the tears spilled freely. She couldn't breathe. How could Josie not love her anymore? How could everything fall apart so suddenly?

Lizzie lingered for a moment longer, but when Hope didn't say anything else, she turned and walked away, her footsteps fading until all Hope could hear was the sound of her own sobs.

A few minutes later, Alaric finally arrived. "Hope, sorry I'm late. I needed to talk to Dorian—" He stopped mid-sentence when he saw her, broken and trembling on the dock. His face softened immediately. "Hope? What happened?"

Hope got up shakily, wiping her face with the sleeve of her shirt, but she couldn't meet his eyes. "Can we skip today's training? I don't feel well. I... I just want to leave."

Alaric nodded, understanding filling his eyes. "Of course we can, Hope. Take all the time you need."

Hope nodded, her voice barely audible. "Thanks."

Without another word, she turned and walked away from the dock, her heart shattered, each step feeling heavier than the last as she headed back to the school alone.

Josie sat curled up on her bed, a book resting open on her lap. She had read the same paragraph at least five times now, but her mind refused to focus. Something felt off, an uneasiness she couldn't shake. She sighed, flipping the page half-heartedly, when suddenly a soft knock echoed through her room.

Surprised, Josie got up and opened the door, her breath catching when she saw Hope standing there. Tears were streaming down her face, her eyes red and puffy from crying.

"Hope?" Josie's eyes widened in alarm. "What's wrong?"

But before Josie could say anything more, Hope stumbled into the room, her voice trembling as she cried, "Why did you break up with me?"