A Love Split in Three

Chapter 11

Hope had not seen Penelope today and that might have been a good thing because there was no telling what 'kind' words she'd have for her.

I tried to get my mind off the entire conversation I had with Lizzie but it was hard seeing as my mind couldn't help but keep drifting off to the emptiness in her voice when she asked me if she was a lost cause. At that moment it felt like my heart had stopped for a moment, and not in a good way.

"Obviously nothing's going to come out of it, I mean I literally just got out of a relationship but I just can't help but think about.. Someone."

"I just can't stop thinking of the smell of vanilla and their piercing blue eyes, it's just completely taking over my head and it's driving me crazy. I thought I left all these feelings behind last year and then all of a sudden with just one conversation between the two of us.. It all just came rushing back at full speed hitting me like a train." Hope ranted all in one breath

"Oh, my god. Who am I right now?" Hope asked herself

Emma laughed, "A normal teenager?"

"Though I do love hearing you talk about something as simple as having a crush. You do not need a counselor, Hope. You need a friend." Emma said as a folded piece of paper floated in, Emma picked it up gently as she read it, "Look's like someone's in trouble with the headmaster."

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"This makes no sense, dad. Why are we being punished?" Lizzie asked, as Josie and Hope followed him, around the library confused

Dr. Saltzman continued reorganizing the books on the shelves as he responded, "Because you started a brawl at a charity football game that risked exposing what we really do here." 

"Well you weren't mad last night when you congratulated Josie, on her win." Lizzie replied

He continued walking, "Oh I was mad last night. My undying love for my daughters just happened to trump my rage. I volunteered everyone in the game, so stop complaining." He said as stopped walking to look at the three girls

He added, "You're lucky that it's just community service and not actual jail time."

"Can I at least offer a rebuttal in my defense, if it pleases the court?" Lizzie asked, as Dr. Saltzman gave her the go to continue, "First of all, I was provoked. My response was totally proportional considering the levels of abuse that I was forced to endure. And secondly.. if anyone should take the blame, it's Josie." Lizzie added

"What?" Josie asked shocked, that her sister would put all the blame on her

Lizzie continued, "I'm sorry. I totally cracked under cross, but if you had just let Rafael catch the ball-"

"You'd still be in trouble." Dr Saltzman interrupted

"Really, Lizzie? Come on.." Hope said disappointed that she'd put the whole blame on Josie after their talk yesterday

Lizzie glanced at Hope quickly before looking down at the ground, trying to hide a blush of embarrassment, "I'm sorry, Jo."

Josie nodded, before softly saying, "Thank you.. Hope." confused as to why she'd defended her and why Lizzie listened to her, where was the hatred?

"Speaking of, the bus leaves in ten minutes, and I expect all three of you to be on it, working together today, harmoniously and without drama. End of debate." Dr Saltzman said

"I wasn't even at the game. Why am I being punished?" Hope asked

Dr Saltzman turned to look at Hope, "You're not, you are keeping an eye on them, seeing as you didn't keep an eye on them yesterday or one on Landon. Any problem?" He asked

"No." Hope sighed

"All right, now, go, all of you. Come on." He said 

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"Public service awaits." Hope said getting off the bus

Dorian stepped off the bus as well, "All right, listen up. It's a beautiful day. You got options, litter, weeds, graffiti. Your choice.

Rafael took the picker, Dorian handed him, "It's bad enough we get punished, while the Mystic Falls Whatever-Wolves get a pass, but there ain't no way in hell I'm picking up their garbage." He said passing the picker to Lizzie

Lizzie lifted her hands up in disgust, "Uh, I don't do trash either."

Hope used this as an opportunity, "I love trash, as of this moment." she said as she grabbed the picker from Raf's hand. The further she stayed from Lizzie the better.

"Looks like we're scrubbing paint today." Lizzie said turning to Josie, not wanting to be around Hope either

Josie crossed her arms, "Dad told us to work together, okay, harmoniously."

"Yeah, and he also said without drama, and we all know when you put Hope and I in a group together, it's a recipe for disaster. So I will be remaining drama-free over by that wall of graffiti. Are you coming or not?"

"I think, i'd rather be in a group with someone who's first instinct isn't to throw me under the bus." Josie said walking over to Hope

"Fine. Anyone else?" Lizzie asked as she began to walk away, everyone else following her

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Mg, stood on a step ladder wiping the window with graffiti as Lizzie and Rafael watched, "Come on, Mg, any slower and you'd be going in reverse." Lizzie complained

"Look, I'm doing the best I can without vamping in public." Mg responded

Rafael turned the bucket upside down as he sat on it, "That's just plain pitiful bruh."

"Well, at least he's trying. I don't see you pitching in." Lizzie replied

"Cause this whole thing's wack. What, we get punished for wanting to win a game fair and square?" Rafael scoffed

"It wasn't fair. We're supernatural, they're human." Mg replied, as they heard laughter behind them

"Hypothetical question." Connor started, as he, Dana, and their others friends approached them

"Great." Rafael sighed

Lizzie took a step back, "How bad would it suck if whoever did this graffiti just came back tonight and put it right back up again?" Connor asked

Sighing, Lizzie crossed her arms and took a few steps forward, "Well, whoever it is, I hope he improves his spelling." She replied, referring to the graffiti on the wall that says, 'Salvatore is 4 loosers'

Dana ignored, Lizzie and turned towards Mg who was still on the step ladder, "Hey, Mg."

"Dana. What's good?" He replied

Lizzie interrupted, "Uh, he's busy, Dana."

"Um, he can speak for himself, Saltzman." Dana replied

"You know what, I was just getting ready to grab a break." Mg interrupted the two

"Mm." 

Lizzie turned to look at Mg shocked that he would blantanly go off with the enemy, "Mg.." she began as Connor then spilled his milkshake all over Lizzie, as she gasped, the other laughing at her, and Rafael just pissed off.

"That's my bad. My bad." He said mockingly

This day just kept getting worse and worse.