A Love Split in Three

Chapter 17

Hope had avoided seeing Lizzie for a week and Penelope and Josie walked on eggshells around each other, neither one of them knowing what to say or do after their hot and heavy makeout last week.

Everything became a little easier after that first week because after that, Caroline took the twins on a trip to Paris to visit their aunt Bonnie. Penelope and Hope became sort of friends during that week. Penelope and Hope talked about the merge and how worried they both were, Penelope also told her about the slip she had after the party and Hope told Penelope about how stupid she felt for letting her feelings for Lizzie back in.

They told each other what they couldn't tell anyone else, Penelope even told Hope about her mom's new job in Belgium and how they're considered to transfer her to an all witch school. Hope was not happy about that, she thought that she had finally had someone she could completely talk to and wouldn't judge her, well she would but not in a rude way but in a joking around type of way and honestly it felt good to have someone to talk to. Unfortunately for them, the twins come back today, and right on time for the annual school talent show.

"Goodmorning, Saltzman lover." Hope said as she sat down next to Penelope who was talking to Rafael

"Goodmorning, fellow Saltzman lover." Penelope said sarcastically, as Hope's smile quickly faded away

Hope quickly plastered on a fake smile, "Nope, I'm over the-"

"Queen of mean?" Penelope interrupted taking a bite from her croissant.

"Hey? Uhh.. What are you two talking about exactly?" Rafael asked confused

Hope quickly took the croissant from Penelope and took a piece, popping it into her mouth,"Mmm. Sweet, sweet carbs."

"Someone's in a good mood, I think." Raf said, understanding that Hope didn't want to talk about whatever it was Penelope mentioned

Hope shrugged her shoulders, "Hmm.. I must've just woke up on the right side of the bed, I guess."

"For the first time ever." Penelope rolled her eyes biting her croissant again

"You're so funny, Penelope! Maybe you should tell Lizzie that instead of doing the same routine every year that she should just have you do a standup comedy act!" Hope said clapping her hands at the end in mock enthusiasm

"Haha! And maybe you should recite spoken word poetry, I mean you do have a way with words right?" Penelope asked referencing to the letters she wrote for the twins birthday

"Okay, I'm just gonna go before you two go from passive aggressive statements to attacking each other with fireballs." Raf said standing up and putting his backpack over his shoulder

At that, the Saltzman twins walked in, hand in hand with their heads held high smiling as if they had no care in the world.

"Remember what mom said. We are airy clouds floating high above a turbulent sea of drama." Lizzie said to Josie

"Two clouds who are not triggered by seeing ex love interests." Josie said, referring to Hope unknowingly

"Who also do not make out with ex girlfriends." Lizzie added in gesturing to Penelope who was sitting on the couch next to Hope in front of them with their backs facing away from the twins

"Thanks to mom, I have a silver lining." Lizzie continued, lifting up her wrist to look at her new shock bracelet

"Saltzman Twins 2.0" Josie said linking her arm through Lizzie's and walking up to Penelope and Hope

Both Hope and Penelope looked up at the sounds of heels clicking and stopping right by the couch they were on

"Goodmorning, Hope." Lizzie said smiling

"Hi." Hope said plastering on a fake smile

"How was the trip, Josie?" Hope turned her gaze away from Lizzie and on to Josie, purposely leaving Lizzie's name out of her question

"Excellent, thank you." Josie said awkwardly making eye contact with Penelope who was also getting a little fidgety beside Hope

"Welcome back." Penelope said regaining her cool composure

"Thank you." Lizzie answered, before Josie got the chance to

"Now that we got the pleasantries out of the way, is everyone as excited as i am about tonight?" Lizzie said trying to change the topic and make things less awkward

"Of course, the witch performance wouldn't be the same without you two." Hope said looking at Josie the entire time and smiling

"I mean, why wouldn't I be excited to perform the same dance number, again." Penelope said glaring at Lizzie in a subtle-ish way

"Thank you.. Hope." Josie said giving Penelope a look, before grabbing Lizzie's arm and walking away, but not before Hope and Lizzie made eye contact once again