Hopeless

Crush

Josie's POV

It's been one week since the school's power couple broke up. One week since the pair parted ways, not speaking since. One week since I have seen the spark of defiance in Hope's eyes that was usually so hard to miss.

"How's she doing?" I ask Rafael as we sit together in the upperclassmen lounge.

"Who?" he answers my question with a question, seeming to be genuinely confused as to who I'm talking about.

"Hope," I answer. "She used to be such a fighter, but now she just looks..."

Rafael doesn't make me find the right word. A silent understanding passes between us as our eyes meet, and he carries on with his own answer. "She's coping," he says. He lowers his voice as people walk by, not wanting them to overhear his best friend's current struggle, and I wait patiently until he continues. "I never thought that her and Landon were going to work out, anyway, but he's surprisingly taking it better than she is."

"Surprisingly?" I echo, unable to believe my ears. "He lied to her time after time."

"He loved her," Raf counters, immediately jumping to his foster brother's defense.

"You don't deceive the people you love," I calmly respond. He doesn't reply for a moment, knowing that I'm right.

When he finally speaks again, the werewolf's expression is nervous yet hopeful, and I feel my stomach clench at what he says. "You know... I never really told anybody this, but I had never been jealous of Landon before. Until he started dating Hope, that is. I... I have feelings for her, Josie. I like Hope Mikaelson, and I was never able to do anything about it when she was with Landon, but now..." He smiles a bit, choosing his next words wisely. "Now, I think I can. I'm already helping her through the breakup. Now we just have to see where it leads."

Suddenly, I feel nauseous. It's almost as if the thought of Rafael and Hope - together - repulses me. Then, I realize that it does. His words make an unfamiliar feeling take place in my body. My heart leaps into my throat. My stomach drops the other way. My teeth grit on their own accord as I subconsciously clench my jaw. I feel my face set into a hard expression, my eyes cold as they blur, seeing red. And that's when it hits me: I don't want Rafael to make a move on Hope.

No. I don't want anybody to make a move on Hope.

I... I still like Hope. I still have feelings for Hope Mikaelson.

"I gotta go," I rush out, then I grab my backpack and sprint for the doors, not even giving Raf the chance to ask where I'm going or why so sudden.

I burst into my room at lightning speed, startling my sister. "Jesus, Josie!" she exclaims as she places her hand over her heart dramatically. "Give me a heart attack, why don't you?"

I would normally snort at her dramatics, then make a quip about how maybe that was my goal. But now is so not the time. "Sorry," I mumble.

Lizzie watches me as I make my way to my desk, rummaging around in the drawers. Not finding what I am looking for, I move on to my nightstand. It has to be in here somewhere, I think to myself. Our room isn't that big, and only one side is mine.

I feel Lizzie's gaze on me, never faltering, but I ignore it as I dig through the top drawer on my nightstand. Then my fingers close around the talisman and a small, victorious smile comes to my face. I straighten up, then clasp it around my neck, my fingers lingering on the cool metal as my smile turns lovestruck.

"That's what was so urgent? A necklace?" Lizzie asks me, breaking me out of my trance. Her voice sounds incredulous, almost as if she is unable to believe her eyes.

I debate correcting her - it's not just a necklace; it's the necklace that Hope gave me for my birthday - but I don't feel like crossing that line tonight. I don't feel like crossing the line where I tell my sister that I have feelings for her enemy. Maybe someday, but... not tonight.

"Yes," I reply, my answer simple. Short and sweet. She won't suspect a thing.

With the talisman around my neck and thoughts of Hope racing through my mind, I climb into bed, suddenly beat. "Goodnight, Lizzie," I mutter as my eyelids flutter closed.

"Night, Jo," she responds, and that is the last thing I hear until my alarm starts blaring the next morning.

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You know, maybe I didn't post yesterday like I said I would. Maybe don't @ me tho. Maybe here's the second chapter to abate your Hosie needs @wolfwing2012