We're more than friends

Chapter 1

Hope's POV

"Landon and I are doomed."

I was sitting on the edge of Raf's bed. Rafael was sitting next to me, apologetically. My head was pounding so much I had to hold it to keep myself from collapsing. I felt awful. How could I do this to him? If I had never gone into that damn simulation everything would be fine. I could have ignored everything and been with Landon, but that wasn't possible anymore. There always seems to be something that stops us from getting our happily ever after.

"Hey, hey. It's just a simulation." Raf said as he started to reach for my hand but ultimately decided against it.

"Then why does it feel so real?" I stated as I shed a tear.

*
That night I couldn't sleep. My bed was hard, it was too warm, the walls were closing in. I had to get out. I threw my covers off, swung my legs out of bed and reached for my shoes. I put them on and left.
The halls were deserted which didn't surprise me. It was way past curfew, and no one wanted to leave their dorms since the news of Josie turning dark had spread. I couldn't blame them. They hadn't seen her, but I had. She truly had changed. The dark magic has taken control.

I had found myself in the lounge room of the school. Since it was empty, I decided to sit in front of the fireplace and watch the flames until they died down. I pulled my legs to my chest and rested my head on my knees.

I found myself thinking back to the day I was here with Landon. We had just fought the Oneiroi and I went to look for my little phoenix. Once I did however, he was with the guys playing music and having a good time. So, I wound up in front of the fireplace. He must have seen me since barely a minute had pasted before he, himself, was sitting next to me. He had made this whole speech about how he would fight for me because I was worth fighting for but, lately I feel like this relationship is too much. He's always telling me I can do it, that I'm a hero but being a hero has put his life in danger over and over again. I keep choosing something else over him. He nearly died last time. The simulation only confirmed what I knew deep down.

I felt a light tap on my shoulder that caused me to come back to reality. I turned to see what it was when I saw Lizzie Saltzman looking at me. Josie must have been on her mind. Her hair was a mess and her eyes were red as if she had just cried.

"Hey, sorry. I said you name but you didn't hear me." She said softly.

"No worries." Was all I managed to say as I turned my attention back to the flames.

I could hear shuffling as Lizzie sat down next to me. I felt her staring at me. She was probably trying to find something to say.

"What's wrong?" She finally asked after a few minutes.

"Nothing."

I didn't feel like talking and I doubted Lizzie wanted to hear about my boy troubles when she had more important stuff to think about.

"Hope Andrea Mikaelson. I can tell when something is on your mind. Now spill."

It took me a moment to think about what I wanted to say, trying to hold back my tears.

"Just ... some boy trouble. Nothing for you to worry about." I chuckled slightly, trying to throw her off guard.

I could feel Lizzie's gaze shift to the last few flames in the fireplace. She seemed disappointed. Maybe she wanted something to distract her after all.

We watched as the last few flames died down. The moonlight shone through the windows, helping us find our way back to the hallway leading us up to the girl's dormitories.