Fight With Me

Chapter 13

⸻

Hope's POV

"Princess, are you okay?" I ask, keeping my voice steady even though my leg still stings.

Josie looks at me like I've lost my mind. "What do you mean, am I okay? You're bleeding."

I shrug it off, forcing a small smile. "I'll heal. I promise."

She doesn't look convinced, but her shoulders loosen just a little.

"Hey," I say after a second. "We could go get something to eat. Or... actually—never mind."

She still won't look at me.

I reach out and gently tip her chin up so she has to meet my eyes. "You don't have to pretend you're fine," I say quietly. "If you want to talk, I'm here. If you don't, I can just sit with you. Either way."

That's when she breaks.

She leans into me hard, arms wrapping around my waist like she's afraid I'll disappear. I hold her without saying anything, rubbing slow circles into her back, letting her shake it out.

After a while, her breathing evens out.

"Do you want to talk now?" I ask softly.

She nods and shifts, turning so she's facing me, settling onto my lap. She takes a breath before speaking.

"I don't know what's gotten into her," she says. "She's difficult, yeah, but she's never been like that."

"Jealous?" I ask, careful.

She hesitates, then nods. "Maybe. I just don't understand why. You didn't do anything to her. And yeah, we've been spending more time together, but she's my sister. She's supposed to—" Her voice cuts off.

I rest my forehead against hers. "I know."

⸻

Hope's POV

By the time we calm down, both of us are exhausted. Whatever happened earlier feels heavier now that we're sitting in it.

I'm still thinking when something clicks. A memory snaps into place so suddenly I almost laugh.

"Oh," I say. "Oh wow."

Josie lifts her head. "What?"

"I think I know what this is about."

She sits up fully. "You can't just say that and not explain."

I smirk a little. "Remember when we first met? When you and Lizzie were waiting outside?"

Her eyes narrow. "Yeah?"

"Lizzie was flirting with me. Hard."

Josie freezes for half a second before I add quickly, "And I didn't notice. At all."

Her expression softens, confused now. "Okay...?"

"I noticed you," I say simply. "And I think Lizzie noticed that."

The realization hits her slowly.

"She's not mad because I'm spending less time with her," Josie says. "She's mad because you picked me."

"I think so," I admit.

Josie leans into me again, quieter this time. She stays there until her breathing slows and her eyes finally close.

I ease her onto the bed, grab one of my shirts for her, then lie down beside her.

She curls in without waking.

I stay awake a little longer, staring at the ceiling, listening to her breathe, knowing tomorrow is going to be complicated, but for now, she's here, and she's safe.

And that's enough.