A Secret To Be Kept (Hosie)

Chapter 11: Actually, time doesn't heal

AN: I'm back I'm back I'm back! Soooooo, this is where the fun begins! These next few chapters have been a blast to write and I anticipate some great reactions from you guys. There's one iconic line from Lizzie this chapter (you'll know it when you read it ;)) and I have to give creds to an edit I saw on Instagram. Saw it a while back and knew I had to use it so creds to the owner of the line! With no further ado please enjoy!

- B

Day 334

POV Hope

"Nice training today Raf," I wipe the dripping sweat off my forehead.

"Yeah, you too." Rafael grabs his water bottle and chugs the whole thing down.

"I'll see you later then." I start walking out of the gym.

"Hey, is everything alright?" Rafael calls out after me.

"What'd you mean?"

I know exactly why Raf is asking but the last thing I need is someone pitying me so I act confused.

"I don't know, you just seemed a bit distracted today is all." Rafael shrugs his shoulders.

"Everything's fine." I try to brush off his concern.

"Well, if you ever need to talk you know I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Raf."

I turn back around and head back to my room.

Today counts 334 days since Josie left. I know it's silly that I'm still keeping count but I can't help it. Today also would have been our 1-year anniversary.

People always say that time will heal but why does it feel like time only makes things worse?

I finally arrive at my room. I open the door and my eyes linger on the stack of postcards sitting on my desk.

For the first few months the twins were gone, Lizzie sent me postcards from different parts of Europe they were traveling but as the months past the postcards became less frequent. I used to like Lizzie's Instagram posts as well but constantly seeing Josie in pictures only hurt more so I ended up deleting Instagram altogether.

A part of me wanted to throw them away because anything Lizzie did reminded me of Josie but Lizzie and I have come too far to be friends for me to throw it out (quite literally) just like that.

I grab my things for the shower and head to the bathroom.

After I get cleaned up I walk over to the library to meet up with MG and Kaleb.

"Hey, you alright?" MG asks as I walk up to him and Kaleb.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that today?" I say in an aggravated voice.

"Sorry, you just looked a bit down," MG says apologetically.

"It's fine. Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. Just a long day is all but I'm fine." I brush off the concerns once again.

"We should probably get on this research Dr. Saltzman wants us to do. The faster we finish the quicker I'm out of here." Kaleb walks over to a bookshelf and starts roaming through the titles of each book.

"What are we looking for again?" MG lightly scratches his head.

"We're trying to figure out where the whispering cauldron came from and what it does," I explain.

"That sounds like some witchy woo stuff. So, why are we doing this? Shouldn't the witches be the ones doing witchy woo research?" There's an annoyance in Kaleb's voice.