Three's a crowd.

"Girl or Boy?"

Lizzie POV 

I was heading back to me and Josie's room but I couldn't think straight. The last moment with Hope was playing over and over again in my head.

"Oh Lizzie. I love you."

It was a shock to my system hearing the words coming from Hope. In all my years no one has ever said that to me before. Out of all the countless relationships I have had I don't think anyone has ever cared that much to actually say it. I was at a loss for words hearing that coming from Hope. I wasn't really sure what I was going to do with that information. 

Did I love Hope back?

Love was such a strong word and I just wasn't sure yet. The last thing I wanted to do was lie to her. Hope deserved better than that. I was just going to have to think about it to see if I could come to a decision or whenever or not I did. It might take me some time but better to be 100% sure than just guessing it.

I finally made it back to school and then to my room.

I opened the door and Josie was inside. 

"Hey Josie. I am sure we have a lot to talk about right now but......"

"YOU HAD SEX WITH PENELOPE!"

Okay I knew that was going to come out sooner or later. Might as well face it head on and get it over with.

"Yes I did."

"When did it happen? How did it happen? Was it once or more times?"

"Josie, calm down before you pass out. It happened a few weeks ago. I was drunk at the time and so was Penelope but I was in the right state and knew what I was doing. We did it a few times but it was all on the same night."

Josie seemed to calm down a bit but still seemed kind of shocked.

"Sorry, Lizzie. I am just trying to wrap my head around this new information. It is all so sudden and with everything that happened tonight, this is one of the things that shocked me to my core. I am not mad that you slept with Penelope. Just a bit upset that you thought that you couldn't have told me."

I was tearing up a bit.

I grabbed Josie's hands as we sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Josie. I wanted to tell you so bad. I don't think it was because I was scared of you accepting me but more to do with me accepting myself. I was scared for a long time and it took me forever to come to terms with it. I'm sorry I didn't tell you but it had nothing to do with you. I promise."

Josie pulled me in for a hug.

"It's okay, Lizzie. I am just happy I know now. Thank's for being honest with me even if it took a weird game to do it. It was really brave to do what you did tonight. It shouldn't have happened in that situation because everyone deserves a chance to come out in their own way. I love you so much Lizzie and couldn't be any more proud of you right now."

"I love you too, Josie."

We were both wiping away tears.

"I have one more thing to ask you if that is okay? You said you are with someone now. That person isn't Penelope?"

"No, it's someone else."

"Girl or Boy?"

"Girl. One who I care about a lot."

Josie smiled.

"I am so happy you found someone. I know you might not be ready to tell me who it is yet but just know that I am here for you. No matter what."

"Thanks Josie. That means a lot. I am here for you too. I know that device Penelope had revealed that Jade might not be telling the whole truth so if you need to talk let me know."

"Okay. I am going to talk to her tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes but right now we both could use some sleep. It's been a long night."

We both got into bed and I fell asleep almost instantly. 

It didn't stop a certain girl coming into my dreams all night.

Josie POV

I woke up the next day in the afternoon. Lizzie was gone when I looked over so I got up and got dressed for the day. It was a Sunday so most of the students were either still in bed or out in the town shopping. I headed for the library and Jade was sitting in one of the chairs going over a few books.

"Hey Jade."

Jade looked up and a huge smile over her face.

"Hello Josie."

I sat down opposite Jade and smiled at her.

"What you up to?"

"Just going over some revision. I have this test tomorrow in history of magic and I am still a bit foggy on it. I thought going over some of the parts I'm unfamiliar with it would help."

"Yeah. I usually do the same with a test coming up. They can be a bit nerve wrecking at times."

Jade nodded and closed the book.

"Josie about last night. There has been something I have been keeping from you and everyone else. I want to tell you because I don't want there to be any secrets with us as we move forward. If that is okay with you."

"Jade, everyone has their secrets. I won't force it out of you but it is up to you if you want to tell me or not. Don't feel pressured into doing it if you don't want to."

Jade looked determined.

"No. I want to tell you, really."

I nodded and waited for her to continue.

"It wasn't long after I came here. Maybe a week or two. I didn't really have any friends because I mostly kept to myself and didn't really try to include myself. I was in the library one Saturday night just like always. No one else was there and then I heard movement from the bookshelves. This girl was there going through the books looking for one. I didn't pay much attention after that because it wasn't weird for someone else to be in there. But then she came up to me and asked what my name was. I said it and then she said hers. Jessica."

I was shocked that Jade knew Jessica.

"I didn't really know anyone so we kind of hit it off right away and started hanging out. It was slow at first but we just kept going out more and more. She never told me who she really was and would go places without telling me and then just show up again. I was happy to have a friend so I never questioned what she did. It wasn't until I found out she died that the truth came out. I promise you now Josie that I never knew about the letters or helped her like that in any way. I would never hurt anyone like that, I swear. That's the reason I never wanted to tell anyone. Please believe me."

I put my arm on her shoulder and tried to comfort her.

"I believe you Jade. I know we have only knew each other for only a couple of days but I feel like I already know you. We will keep this between us for now but at some point we will have to tell Hope."

Jade nodded and was trying to calm down.

"There is something else. I saw someone with Jessica once. They were walking into the forest and it was right around the time the first party was being set up and no one knew who set it up. Jessica was carrying a big bag and talking to the person."

"Who was it?"

"Penelope."