Fight With Me

Chapter 2

Hope's POV

I was greeted by a pair of twins. The blonde one didn't seem to like me much, but Josie... Josie was actually kind. We spent most of the tour talking while Lizzie—yeah, that was her name—took the lead.

"So, if you consider it, you'll be happy to live and learn here at the Salvatore School!" Lizzie practically shouted, causing both me and Josie to jump.

Josie shot me puppy eyes, clearly trying to persuade me. I took a deep breath before answering. "Seems safe, but... I've always learned and lived by myself. I'll get used to it, though."

Lizzie's expression tightened in annoyance, but Josie looked excited at my answer.

"Great! We'll go tell our dad that you, Hope Mikaelson, will be joining us!" Lizzie exclaimed with a forced smile.

"Come on, Jo," she added, but Josie shocked me when she replied, "Go ahead, Lizzie. I'm gonna hang out with Hope."

As Lizzie walked off, I wondered why Josie had stayed. Before I could overthink it, Josie broke the silence.

"So, how about we get smoothie bowls, and you can tell me more about yourself?" she said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I smiled, her warmth contagious. "I'd like that," I replied. She grabbed my hand, and we walked off together.

Lizzie's POV

What the hell? Why would Josie willingly stay with her? Hope Mikaelson is already so annoying, acting like she can just waltz in here and steal my sister with her nice-girl routine.

"Daaaaaad, I think you'll be pretty pleased with me," I announced as I barged into his office.

"And why is that?" Dad chuckled.

"Hope has agreed to stay at the school," I said, standing a little taller.

"That's great, Lizzie. Where's Josie?"

I grimaced. "Ugh, don't remind me. She stayed behind with her."

"One—watch your language. And two—promise me you'll try to befriend Hope. She's been through a lot and doesn't have anyone."

I sighed dramatically. "She's kinda annoying, but fine. I'll cooperate." I walked out of the room, still fuming. Hope had somehow already gotten under my skin, and I hadn't even had a proper conversation with her yet.

Hours Later

I was heading to the kitchen for a late-night snack before bed when I heard laughing. Of course, it was the tribrid and my sister.

"Hey, Lizzie, right?" Hope's voice cut through my thoughts.

"Excuse me?" I snapped, already on edge.

"Well, you seemed pretty annoyed with me during the tour, so I just wanted to clear any bad energy between us."

I glared at her. "Listen, freak. I don't know what you're trying to pull with my sister, but this ends now." I moved to grab Josie's arm, ready to drag her back to our room, but Hope was faster—and stronger than I expected. She yanked Josie away from my grasp, and Josie—my sister—hugged Hope, whispering something in her ear.

Hope just smiled at me.

I felt rage boiling inside me as I stormed back to my room, with Josie following close behind, looking annoyed. How had Hope already gotten into Josie's head? I wanted to throw a chair at her. This was going to be a long few weeks.

Hope's POV

After my conversation with Josie, I could already tell we were going to be good friends. Maybe more, who knows? She's cute, and unlike most people, she actually cares.

I was heading to my room when Dr. Saltzman stopped me.

"Hope, we have a problem."

"What kind of problem?" I asked, immediately alert.

"How does a monster golem sound?"

"A golem? Why is there a golem here?"

"I don't entirely know, but let's deal with it before jumping to conclusions, alright?"

"Right," I nodded. "Should I wake up the twins?"

"You don't have to, but it wouldn't hurt."

I was rushing to pack my things when I bumped into someone—Josie. I quickly filled her in on the situation, and without hesitation, she grabbed a go-bag and ran with me back to Dr. Saltzman, both of us trying to be as quiet as possible so we wouldn't wake the other students.

When we reached the office, Dr. Saltzman was unconscious, and a stone statue was looming over him.

"Get off him!" I shouted, chanting a spell, but nothing was working. "Josie, grab my hand and repeat after me!"

We chanted together, over and over, until the golem started to lift. It floated for a moment before flying off, unable to withstand the magic.

"Well, I guess that's one way to handle things," Josie said, her voice still worried.

"We might need to go after it," I replied, glancing at her.

"Yeah, maybe like swinging a bat over its head," she joked, though I could sense the tension in her tone.

"Josie, I don't think a bat's going to be strong enough," I said, a small smile creeping onto my face.

"Well, nothing good can come from it running away," Dr. Saltzman said, groaning as he got to his feet. "Looks like we're going to be taking a road trip."

Josie and I exchanged a look before we both followed him out of the office.