We're more than friends

Chapter 11

Hiya! How's your month been? Sorry for the late update, life happened and I had the worse writer's block. I've rewritten this chapter like five times. I just didn't like it.

I hope you like it :)

Comment what you think, I don't bite!

Hope's POV

The sun was starting to set as we left the Salvatore Boarding School. The different shades of pink, purple and orange hit Josie's face perfectly, revealing her freckles and accentuating her pouty lips. The sight took my breath away. I had a sudden urge to paint Josie like this. I wasn't even aware I had stopped walking until Josie looked at me, her head tilted slightly in confusion. The new position let the sunset reflect off her brown eyes, making her eyes even that more inviting to stare into.

"What is it?" She asked, her eyes piercing mine.

"You're beautiful." The words slipped out. My eyes widened. Had I just said that to Josie? It's obvious of course, Josie is gorgeous, but to say it to her before we were about to meet my family.... It's the definition of bad timing. My gaze flicked to anything and everything except Josie. I didn't want to see the face that she was making. However, when she muttered a shy thanks, I glanced at her. A faint tint of red was visible on her cheeks. The involuntary action from her part made my heart flutter and a proud smile appear on my face. "Come, the car's this way." I said after a few moments of staring at Josie.

We walked over to the garage that stood on the far right of the school entrance. Reaching inside my pocket, I pulled out a clicker and pressed it. The doors to the garage opened, the lights turning on automatically, revealing my car uncle Elijah had gifted me before he died. I walked over to the keys dangling from the hook and unlocked the car.

"My lady." I said to Josie, opening the passenger door and bowing slightly, gesturing for her to get in. With a small chuckle, Josie complied. After closing the door, I walked over to the driver's side and hopped in.

The drive to the Mystic Grill was made in silence, except for the soft hum of the song playing on the radio. Stealing a few quick glances to the girl on my right, I noticed she was playing with her fingers as she looked out of the window.

"Don't worry. They're going to love you. Aunt Freya already does." I said to her, turning my face to her, keeping an eye on the road.

She nodded, gracing me with one of her smiles. "You're right. Besides, she has a promise to keep." My eyebrow quirked at that.

"What exactly did she promise?"

"Nothing of your concern." She replied vaguely. Moments later we were parked in front of the grill. I jumped out of the car, then proceeded to open Josie's door. She grabbed her purse then followed me inside.

As the door chimed, my entire family turned around, their previous conversation turning to a sudden halt. Their eyes kept dancing between Josie and I. Auntie Bex threw me a knowing look. Aunt Freya was the first to greet us, followed closely by Keelin and Nik.

"Hey Josie, glad you could make it." She said after giving me a short hug, turning towards Josie, opening her arms to embrace her. Once they pulled apart, Keelin and Nik were by my aunt's side. "This is Keelin, my wife, and our son Nik."

"It's nice to meet the both of you." Josie replied kindly, glancing between the two strangers in front of her.

"Well, she certainly is well mannered. Certainly not Caroline's doing." Rebekah snarked lightly, probably meaning it as a joke. I hoped.

"Careful sister, the little witch was powerful enough to bring back an entire town's memories of our niece. I wouldn't want to poke the bear; she is Caroline and Ric's daughter after all." Kol said, joining his sister's side, placing a hand on her shoulder in order to stop her from moving forward.