Hosie~ One Shots

When Paths Collide Part 3

Hope leaned deeper into the couch, her fingers absently tapping against her knee as she tried to shove the thoughts of Josie away. The house felt too quiet, and the emptiness gnawed at her. She considered turning on some music or distracting herself with a show, but nothing sounded appealing.

Her phone buzzed suddenly, startling her out of her thoughts. She grabbed it from the coffee table, her heart leaping for a brief, foolish second—only to drop again when she saw Lizzie's name flash across the screen. Still, she was glad to hear from her best friend. She answered the call.

"Hey, Liz," Hope said, trying to sound upbeat.

"Hey, you." Lizzie's voice was warm but curious. "So... any luck finding your mystery woman?"

Hope sighed, feeling the weight of her fruitless search pressing down again. "No," she admitted. "I've tried everything I could think of. I searched on social media, even went back to that street, hoping she'd just be... there, like some kind of sign from the universe. But nothing." She paused, running a hand through her hair. "It's like she's disappeared into thin air."

There was a short silence on the other end, then Lizzie spoke, her tone gentle. "I'm sorry, Hope. That sounds so frustrating. But hey, you wanna come over tonight? I've got a stash of ice cream, and we can watch bad movies and just... not think about anything serious for a while."

Hope felt a flicker of relief at the offer. It was exactly what she needed. "That sounds perfect," she said, her voice softening. "Thank you."

"Great! Oh, and heads up," Lizzie added. "My sister's here for a while, so she'll probably join us. I hope that's okay. She's staying with me, and she's dying to hang out with my friends."

Hope's curiosity piqued. Lizzie had mentioned her sister before, but they'd never actually met. "That's totally fine! I've been wanting to meet your famous sister anyway."

Lizzie laughed. "Famous, huh? Well, I hope you're ready. She can be a handful sometimes."

Hope found herself smiling, even if her chest still felt heavy. "I'll be there soon," she promised.

"See you in a bit," Lizzie said. They ended the call, and Hope set her phone down, her heart feeling slightly lighter. Maybe a night with her best friend was exactly what she needed to get her mind off Josie, at least for a little while.

She grabbed her keys, slipped into her shoes, and headed out the door. The drive to Lizzie's house was familiar and comforting, the sunset sky now fading into the deep blue of early evening. Hope took a deep breath, determined to let go of the ache, if only for a night. Little did she know, tonight would hold more surprises than she could ever imagine.

Hope pulled into Lizzie's driveway, the soft glow of the porch light casting a warm and welcoming aura over the front of the house. She took a moment to gather herself, inhaling deeply before climbing out of her car. The evening air was cool, and she found a strange sense of comfort in the familiarity of Lizzie's place.

Walking up to the door, Hope knocked lightly. She didn't have to wait long before it swung open, revealing Lizzie with a bright smile.

"Hey, you!" Lizzie exclaimed, stepping forward to pull Hope into a warm hug. "I'm so glad you came."

Hope hugged her back tightly, feeling some of the tension melt away. "Me too," she said, her smile small but genuine.

Lizzie stepped aside and ushered her in. "Come on, let's get you settled. We're fully stocked for a night of ice cream and terrible movies."

Hope followed Lizzie through the cozy hallway, the house smelling faintly of vanilla and something floral. They made their way into the kitchen, where an assortment of snacks was already spread out on the island. Bowls of popcorn, a line of ice cream tubs in various flavors, and an array of toppings were arranged with care. A few mismatched soda bottles and a bottle of wine completed the setup.

"You've really gone all out," Hope said, her eyes widening at the spread.

Lizzie grinned, reaching for two glasses. "Of course! Only the best for you. Besides, my sister helped set all this up. She's determined to make a good impression."

Hope chuckled, feeling her curiosity spark again. "I'm already impressed. Where is she, by the way?"

"She's upstairs," Lizzie replied, opening a bag of chips and offering it to Hope. "Probably finishing up some reading or something. I'll introduce you two in a bit."

Hope grabbed a handful of chips, feeling herself relax into the atmosphere. She and Lizzie began gathering drinks, debating between soda and wine for the evening. Lizzie's laughter filled the space, and Hope felt a genuine smile forming on her lips.

But despite the comfort and the growing sense of ease, there was still a small, restless part of her that couldn't help but wonder. She shook off the thought, determined to focus on the night ahead. After all, Lizzie's sister was only one floor away. Little did Hope know just how familiar that encounter would soon feel.

Hope sat on Lizzie's plush couch, her legs curled up beneath her as she absentmindedly twisted the hem of her sweater. She tried to focus on the comedy playing on the screen, but her mind was far away, still wrapped around the woman she had met that night—the one she couldn't stop thinking about.

"How are you feeling?" Lizzie asked gently, breaking Hope from her daze. Her best friend turned to her with a look of genuine concern.

Hope let out a frustrated sigh, leaning her head back against the couch. "Honestly? Desperate," she admitted. "I've never felt this way about someone I barely know. I can't get her out of my head. It's like she's haunting my dreams, and I feel so... restless. But I'm not giving up. I'll keep looking until I find her, even if it's a lost cause."

Lizzie's lips curved into a knowing grin. "You're really that determined, huh?"

Hope's eyes narrowed slightly at her friend's expression, but before she could ask why Lizzie was smiling like that, they both heard the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Hey, Lizzie, when did you say your friend would be here?" a familiar voice called out, casual and curious.

There will be another part of this story :)