A Love Split in Three

Chapter 32

"So one of us is going to have to kill the other one?" Josie asked quietly as Lizzie looked at her twin dreadful

"More like absorb. When Gemini twins turn 22 the merge will determine who will lead the coven that only one will survive." Alaric responded

"That's why I travel the globe so often, I've been trying to find a solution." Caroline added

"But if there's no one left from the Gemini coven, why do we still have to do it?" Lizzie asked

"Because it's a curse, Elizabeth. I know I should've told you both sooner I just didn't know when. When do you tell your children something like that?" Alaric sighed, tearing up at the though of losing one of his daughters

"How could you handle that news at six? Eleven? When exactly is the right time to tell your children.. That you don't know if you'll be able to protect them?" Caroline sniffled, trying to hold back from crying

"When I look at you sometimes I still see you as little girls riding your bikes for the first time, learning to walk, dancing on my feet. And I look at you, I see all of that, so I was never ready to tell you... I'm still not." Alaric finished

Caroline sighed wiping away her tears and plastered on a smile, "Come here girls" she said as Lizzie and Josie stood up and hugged their parents tightly

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Lizzie and Josie walked out of their dad's office after finally asking him and Caroline about the merge. The truth was out.

"Jo.." Lizzie said getting Josie's attention

"Yea?" Josie asked softly not knowing what to say to her twin

"You should go talk to Penelope, now." Lizzie said, already knowing Penelope was leaving

"Crap." Josie whispered suddenly remembering Penelope and what she said in the letter. Josie quickly sprinted down the hall, still in her dress and heels, heading for the main entrance, hoping she wasn't too late. She still couldn't believe it, Penelope was telling her along and she just couldn't hear it. She wouldn't listen and now it might be too late.

Josie couldn't handle the thought of never seeing Penelope again, it would be too much. For the one person, who fought for her the entire time to just leave. Leave thinking I meant all those awful things I said to her

As Josie finally reached the main entrance she saw Penelope walking towards the door suitcase in hand, "You weren't going to say goodbye?" Josie yelled as her voice cracked slightly, stopping Penelope before she reached the door

Penelope sighed, turning around slowly to meet the only woman who could repeatedly break her heart and still manage to make her love her, "I did, in my letter."

"Which I'm guessing you finally read." Penelope said now standing face to face with Josie who was a few feet away

Josie looked down for a moment before looking back up at Penelope, "Belgium?" Josie asked

"My mom got a job. And there's a great witch-only school, so I don't have to deal with wolves or vamps or Lizzie." Penelope shrugged smiling mockingly

Josie walked closer, "Penelope. Don't leave."

"You know, for weeks, I have been hoping that you would give me one reason to stay. Instead, you gave me a thousand reasons to go. Losing on purpose, always putting yourself second. My heart can't take it. And I will not wait around and watch what happens to you next." Penelope said holding back tears, the two now standing directly in front of each other

"You mean the merge? Yea I know about that now, and I know that you only broke up with me to make me stronger for it. I know everything Penelope. Everything." Josie said fighting back her tears

Penelope was shocked, "How did you find out?" she asked letting out a breath that she had been holding in for what seemed like months, she was relieved that Josie finally knew the truth

"Hope told me to ask my dad about it, and my parents told me about the merge and I put the rest together." Josie said sniffling slightly, she didn't want Penelope to see her cry

"Hope.. of course." Penelope chuckled dryly, rolling her eyes, which caused a tear to roll down

"What do you mean by that? I thought you two were best friends" Josie asked confused

"I saw you two earlier.. And it's okay. I'm not upset, not anymore. You have every right to move on. I want you to move on. I want you to be happy and safe." Penelope said reassuringly, trying her hardest not to cry

"No.." Josie whispered as she let out a quiet sob

"I don't want to move on Penelope. Look I- I needed to kiss Hope to finally understand what my heart has been telling me this whole time. I like Hope, but i'm in love with you, Penelope." Josie reached forward to wipe away the tears that rolled down Penelope's soft damp cheeks and stared into her tear-filled hazel eyes trying her hardest to remember every detail of her face in case this really was the last time they'll ever see each other. Penelope was choking back sobs at hearing that Josie loves her too, she really did think she hated her

"Please don't leave. You're the only one that's ever cared enough about me to notice the things that I hide from people and from myself. You're the only one that's ever cared enough to pay attention." Josie sobbed

"When you broke up with me, it also felt like you broke me, but I know now why you did it. I understand. I honestly really wish you wouldn't have done that, because I don't want to beat Lizzie, I don't want to hurt her. She's my sister and I love her. But not only that, if I do end up losing the merge we would have wasted so much time by not being together. So please, stay. I need you, I love you Penelope." Josie pleaded as more tears rolled down her already damp cheeks

Penelope pressed her forehead against Josie's as they both choked back quiet sobs and tears ran down their cheeks, "I love you too Jojo. I love you with my obnoxious, selfish, evil heart." Penelope sobbed through her laugh

"If you love me don't leave.." Josie begged

"Okay." Penelope whispered in her ear before kissing Josie softly.