"Lizzie, um, why are all the answers that you've prepared for me about death and grief?" Hope asked Lizzie who was placing a big box with a bow on it, on the bed
"The Q and A portion of Miss Mystic Falls isn't just about A-ing the Q's, Hope. You and Dana's mom have a lot in common. She lost Dana, you lost your mom and your dad."
Hope scoffed, "I'm not.. I'm not struggling anymore. I've dealt with it and moved on." Hope said unconvincingly
Lizzie looked away clearly not believing her and pulled the top off the box on the bed and removed the white cover to reveal a dress. It was blue and silver, with diamonds lining the waist in a beautiful design.
"This was my Mother's, I asked her if you could borrow it and she said it was only right seeing as.." Lizzie trailed off still looking the dress
"It's gorgeous.. Seeing as what?" Hope asked looking Lizzie in the eyes
"Your father gave it to my mother, apparently they used to have a thing. We can alter it to fit you." Lizzie said smiling sadly
"My dad chose this dress?" Hope asked as her voice cracked
"He did." Caroline said standing outside the open door, "And I know for a fact that he would want you to wear it as well, if you'd like." Caroline said walking in slowly
Lizzie turned and smiled at her mom before looking back at Hope who began to hyperventilate. She felt like she couldn't breathe and she couldn't help but let out tears as she began to sob, Lizzie ran forward to hug Hope, "It's okay. Just let it out." Lizzie whispered into Hope's ear as Caroline smiled sadly watching the two, seeing the way Hope cried into Lizzie's shoulder and how Lizzie whispered into Hope's ear, Caroline smiled to herself, who would've thought the story would repeat itself again, Caroline thought to herself before walking out quietly, letting them have their moment.
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Josie walked out of the room and into the hall after finishing her interview portion of the contest just as Penelope walked up to her, after waiting outside the whole time, "How'd the interview go?" she asked curiously
"Great. Totally blew it." Josie said before turning around to walk away
"Hey, hey." Penelope said with serious concern trying to stop Josie
"I think we should talk about how you really feel about this." Penelope added looking Josie in the eye
"Okay, sure." Josie said smiling walking closer to Penelope
"Or maybe I could just write it all down with this." Josie said pulling out the pen Penelope gave her and everyone else for Christmas
"I was wondering how you quoted my exact thoughts on Miss Mystic Falls, word for word. Then I remembered I wrote it all in my diary, using one of the pens you gave everyone for Christmas. You spelled it. You're using it to spy. I siphoned one. There's enough magic in it to levitate an elephant." Josie said angrily handing Penelope back the pen
"You caught me. Yeah, I've been reading your journal. I've been reading everyone's journal. But I am only using the information for good, like convincing you to win Miss Mystic Falls." Penelope said honestly
"Even if I hadn't already tanked it, I don't want to win, because then I'd be beating Hope, and Lizzie wants Hope to win and she's my friend. So all of your selfish, obnoxious and evil meddling was for nothing." Josie said apathetically as she walked away
Penelope looked down at the ground sadly, yet another reason to go, she thought to herself.
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—————- fyi, I'll have a surprise on the last chapter! ❤️
