Fight With Me

Chapter 3

Josie POV

Hope and I were packing for an overnight stay at a motel during our hunt for the flying golem when Dad walked in.

"So," he said casually, like he wasn't ruining my ability to function, "you and Hope will be in room 120. I'll be in 130."

He raised an eyebrow at me, clearly noticing my reaction. I tried and failed to hide the way my stomach flipped at the thought of sharing a room with Hope.

"Okay, load up the truck. It's about a two-hour drive," Dad continued, grabbing his keys.

I climbed into the backseat next to Hope, my heart still racing. The hum of the road and the quiet between us felt strangely comforting. About thirty minutes in, I popped in my earbuds and let the music lull me to sleep.

⸻

Hope POV

By the time we reached the motel, Josie was practically drooling on my shoulder.

She looked cute in a way that made me look away before thinking too hard about it. I nudged her gently. "Hey Josie, wake up. We're here."

She blinked awake. "Oh. Sorry. Was I sleeping on you?"

"Yeah, but it's fine," I said, shrugging.

She got out of the car quickly, clearly embarrassed.

"Alright," Dr. Saltzman said, grabbing the keys. "You two grab your bags. I'll get the room cards."

The parking lot was dim and quiet except for the buzzing lights overhead.

Josie glanced at me with a smirk. "So, tribrid, are you okay with sharing a room with me?"

"I don't mind," I said, matching her teasing tone. "As long as you don't try to kill me, Jo."

She rolled her eyes. "What an ass."

"It's a gift," I said, grinning.

Dr. Saltzman came back before she could respond. "One night," he warned. "No sneaking out."

Josie laughed. "I don't think Hope understands cooperation."

"I'll behave," I said sweetly. "Promise."

She smiled, and we headed toward our room.

⸻

Josie POV

It was 2 a.m., and I was exhausted. All I wanted was sleep.

Hope slid the key card into the door and opened it. "Well, this should be interesting," she said as we stepped inside.

I stopped dead in my tracks. "One bed? You have got to be kidding me."

Hope smirked. "Relax. I don't bite. Well, not unless I'm in the mood, of course."

My face burned. "I'm going to change," I muttered, retreating to the bathroom.

When I stepped out a few minutes later in my pajamas, I froze. Hope was standing there in a sports bra and basketball shorts like it was completely normal. My eyes couldn't help lingering.

"Like what you see?" she asked, catching me staring.

"As if," I snapped. "Can you just put a shirt on?"

"Fine. Anything for you, Josie," she said, flashing a grin that made my heart skip.

She finally put on a shirt and lay down on the far side of the bed. I got onto the other side, turning my back to her and trying to calm my racing thoughts.

My phone buzzed.

Hope: Hey J ;)

I bit my lip.

Josie: Ew. How did you get my number, stalker?

Hope: I think you just answered your own question.
Hope: Turn around.

I lowered my phone and turned over to find Hope's face inches from mine.

"Ever heard of personal space?" I whispered.

"It's not really my thing," she said with soft curiosity. "So, question. Why do you let Lizzie take charge of everything?"

I groaned. "You're exhausting."

"Admit it," she said. "You like me."

"That's not—" I stopped and sighed. "I don't know. I guess I never really get the chance to be me."

Hope studied me. "Well, with me here, I think you will."

I raised an eyebrow. "We'll see."

"We will," she said, smiling.

Silence fell between us.

"I want to apologize for Lizzie. She's not great with change," I added quietly.

"It's okay," Hope said softly, glancing down. "I'm used to people not liking me."

She turned away and drifted off soon after. I lay there staring at the ceiling, my thoughts spinning.

There was no way I had feelings for Hope Mikaelson. No way.

She was confident, bold, infuriating. Her eyes, that stupid smirk, the way her hair—

Okay, stop. You just met her.

Still, would it really be so bad if I did?