Hosie~ One Shots

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover Part 2

Instead, she made her way to the bar, where Hope was already waiting, her eyes lighting up as Josie approached.

"Hey," Hope said, smiling warmly. "I was starting to think you changed your mind."

Josie smiled back, sliding onto the stool beside her. "Not a chance."

Hope chuckled, taking a sip of her drink before setting it down. "Well, I'm glad you actually came. I was starting to think you might change your mind."

Josie raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly. "Why would you think that?"

Hope hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "Because... it's always like that for me." She let out a short, dry laugh. "I've been ditched more times than I can count. People either get bored, get distracted, or just decide I'm not worth their time."

Josie frowned. "That's awful."

Hope shrugged, forcing a small smile. "It is what it is."

Josie studied her for a moment, then shook her head. "Well, for the record, I don't do that. If I say I'll be somewhere, I'll be there."

Hope met her gaze, something unreadable flickering behind her eyes. Then, slowly, she smiled—this time, a little softer, a little more real. "Good to know."

And just like that, the tension melted away. They slipped into easy conversation, and for the first time in a while, Hope didn't feel like she was waiting for someone to leave. Josie was here, and she wasn't going anywhere.

Josie sighed, running a hand through her hair. "And, uh... I'm sorry about my sister. She can be a lot, and she shouldn't have talked to you like that."

Hope shrugged, swirling her drink. "It's fine. I'm used to people like her."

Josie frowned. "That doesn't make it okay."

Hope glanced at her, something unreadable in her expression, before letting out a small laugh. "No, it doesn't. But I've met plenty of people who judge me before they even know me. It's not the first time, and it won't be the last."

Josie shook her head. "Still. She doesn't even know you, and she just assumed the worst."

Hope smiled, a small, almost amused curve of her lips as she watched Josie.

Josie caught the expression and tilted her head, confused. "What?"

Hope shook her head slightly, still smiling. "You're different from other people I've met."

Josie blinked. "What do you mean?"

Hope took a slow sip of her drink before setting it down. "Most people wouldn't care. Or if they did, they wouldn't say anything. But you—you're sitting here apologizing for something you didn't even do. And you actually mean it."

Josie felt warmth creep up her neck. "Well... yeah. Because it was wrong."

Hope's gaze softened. "That's the difference. You don't just say things to be polite—you actually care."

Josie wasn't sure why that made her heart beat a little faster, but it did. She looked down at her drink, swirling the liquid before glancing back at Hope. "I mean... shouldn't that be normal?"

Hope let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Maybe. But it's not."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The noise of the club faded into the background, and all Josie could focus on was the quiet way Hope was looking at her—like she was something rare, something worth paying attention to.

Josie cleared her throat, breaking the moment. "Well... for what it's worth, I think people should treat you better."

Hope smirked. "Maybe. But this? Right now? Not so bad."