A Love Split in Three

Chapter 4

"This game is an opportunity." Lizzie stated, as her and Josie walked down the hall together, towards their room

Lizzie was already prepared, with her jersey on and her hair up, as she discussed her game plan with Josie, who was in a cute white top and spacebuns. "We can show him how seriously we are taking this by making sure that our secret stays protected out there on the field. Tomorrow, we will lose even more epically than we normally do." She finished with a small smirk on her face

Josie smiled up at her twin, "Win by losing. That's the spirit"

"Yes, Jo. And then everyone will see that I am the perfect candidate to present us witches." Lizzie added as she opened the door to their room

"Oh." Josie said as she walked towards her end of the room

"Josie, focus." Lizzie said to Josie who was picking up some materials to make posters for.. Lizzie's campaign

Josie nodded, looking up at her twin who used a spell to change from her football jersey to an all white suit. She then show her the different colors she could use for it, from red, to pink, to blue.

Lizzie sighed, "None of this is working."

"You know, you're not going to lose the election over an outfit." Josie said starting on a poster

"I'm not worried about losing the election. I'm worried about what I'm going to wear to my victory rally." Lizzie said still looking at herself in the mirror, Josie glanced at Lizzie and then went back to work.

Lizzie spoke again, "The outfit makes the speech" She then continued to change the colors of her suit again

"How do I look?" She said still admiring her reflection

"Maybe you should wear something that shows your fellow witches that you're going to take this seriously. It's a big responsibility." Josie said putting down the posters and looking at Lizzie

Lizzie then stopped looking at herself and began to walk towards Josie, "That is why I am perfect for the job." She sat down on her bed before continuing "I'm a tastemaker. An influencer. People don't really know what they want until I tell them that they want it. They need me." Josie nodded slowly before looking back at the posters

-------------------------

"What are you doing here?" Landon asked, shutting the door to Dr. Saltzman's office

Hope stood up from where she was previously sitting, "Dr. Saltzman wanted me to administer your tests, starting with some weird mystical blood analysis." Hope said glancing at the desk that held the equipment.

"Really? He didn't think that your biases towards me would get in the way of the accuracy of the tests? Seeing as they determine whether or not I get to stay." Landon said surprised

"Well one I'm not biased" Hope scoffed, "Two, I asked Dr. Saltzman if the honor council can determine whether or not you stay so these tests are just to find out what you are, and I already texted Rafael asking him to take care of the votes while we do this. And three I can differentiate between my feelings for you and a task." she crossed her arms trying not to smile

"Well in that case.." Landon crossed his arms as well and stared at Hope and waited for her to admit what they both already knew.

"Okay.. maybe I'm a little biased" She said as the corners of her lips slowly grew into a full blown smile, as they just looked at one another laughing softly

-----------------------------

Penelope sat on the stairs with her little group of fellow witches, sipping away at their milkshakes talking about the election that was announced earlier

"Lizzie Saltzman only cares about Lizzie Saltzman. If your interests don't line up with hers, you're witch non grata." She said to the others as Josie walked up behind her.

She continued not noticing, "I personally believe that you deserve a better candidate."

"So you're running for honor council just to spite her." Penelope stood up walking up the steps to her ex

"That's low Penelope, even for you." Josie said now standing face to face with Penelope

"You used to like it when I went low." Penelope teased

Josie looked away embarrassed, "You know what I mean."

"You don't even like extracurricular activities, let alone anything that involves a moral compass." Josie continued

Penelope reached forward grabbing Lizzie's campaign poster Josie was holding, "Oh, and your one-witch ethics committee is okay with double plagiarism?"

Josie grabbed the poster from Penelope's hand, "It is not like Hope was an option. Bow out now, or I will crush you." Josie said seriously, staring Penelope in the face

"Oh honey, you crush on me. And deep down you know I'm right. Your sister's unfit for office." Penelope responded

------------------------

The wolves were in the school gymnasium, working out per usual, "Alright I got a medieval history paper due at 2:00 who's on that?" Jed asked his pack once he finished sparring with two of his other wolves

"I'll do it." Rafael said leaning on the wall by the entrance, Jed glanced at him obviously confused on why he suddenly wanted some part in the pack

"..But I need a favor." Raf said walking up to Jed

"You've been in the pack for five minutes, and you want a favor from your alpha?" Jed said crossing his arms looking at Rafael

Rafael pushed, "You're obviously going to be elected to the honor council. If it comes down to it, will you do what you can to keep Landon in?"

"That's a great idea, foster kid. I'll bring that up at the first meeting."

Rafael smiled relieved

"So I can make sure your boy gets the boot."

"Why? " Rafael asked confused, growing angry

"I joined the pack. Yo, I'm following all the stupid rules that you made." Wolves did have a short temper and the newer ones like him always have a hard time controlling it

"Well, consider that punishment... for not respecting my authority when you got here. The rule is this, what the alpha says goes. And I say Landon goes." Jed said looking Rafael straight in the eye before patting his shoulder and walking away.

-----------------------

"One..Two.. Three.. Fo-" Hope counted down until Landon collapsed tiredly on the grass

"Four pushups.. So you obviously don't have super strength."

"I could've told you that, I'm not exactly lean and muscular" Landon replied sitting up, looking at Hope

Hope sighed and sat down next to him and laughed softly, smiling at him with her pearly white teeth. He always did know how to make her laugh

He had been failing test after test all day, but neither one of them wanted to stop for different reasons. Hope was afraid that Rafael wouldn't be able to convince all three factions and that if he continued failing all these tests, he would have to leave and Landon, he just needed to feel like he belonged here, he just wanted to be special.

He wanted to belong somewhere.