Make Quiet Things Heard

Chapter 11 : Is There Someone Special? (Ep. 6|Part 1)

Hope's POV

After I left Josie by her door I went back to my room, replaying what just happened. She kissed my cheek and she asked me to be her escort. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of being Josie's escort. I've been really happy these last few days and it's all because of Josie. It's now the next morning it's Lizzie and Josie's birthday. I am currently in the middle of a mandatory session with Emma, and we talk about everything that happened since our last session. "Have you made a friend?" she asks. "Yeah. Josie" I say smiling.
"Well, that's great progress" she states.
"It's her birthday today did you get her anything?" she asks.

"Yeah, I got her a talisman of sound, it makes quite things heard. I'll magically transport it to her our session." I say.
"Why did you give her that kind of necklace?" she asks.
"Josie has very great ideas and has a lot to say, but she never speaks up, and I thought that the talisman could help her" I explain.
"Well that's very thoughtful of you Hope." she says.
"Do you think she'll like it?" I ask.
"If it came from the heart she will love it" she replies.
"So tell me about what you and Josie have been doing." she says.

"We've been hanging out, we've been talking about her love life recently. I've been trying to help her with her problems." I say. She nods.
"She asked me to be her escort for today." I add. Emma looks at me weirdly. I then realize what she's thinking.
"As friends! I'm escorting her as a friend" I explain myself.
"Okay that's great tell me more" she says. "That's about it really. " I say.
"Okay well how does having Josie as a friend make you feel? " she asks.
I think about my answer for a minute.

"Being friends with Josie has made me really happy. The way I haven't been in a very long time. Josie makes me feel something I've never felt before. Ever since we became friends I always feel this constant need to be near her. Need to protect her and need to make her happy." I explain. "That's what you feel with your friends right?" I ask.
"No, it isn't. From what you're telling me. It seems that you like Josie" she states.
"What?! No, I don't she's just my friend." I defend myself.
"Okay. Okay. Why don't you describe Josie for me." she suggests. "Um okay."
Then I think of the best way to describe Josie.

"Josie is..... Perfect. She is sweet and kind. She's very powerful. She is protective of the people she loves. She is the kindest and selfless person I know. Most importantly she's so beautiful. Josie is just...Perfection." I say smiling at the thought of Josie. I look up and see Emma smirking as if she's saying 'You just proved my point'
"Wait! Does this mean I like her?! Do I like Josie?! No-no-no. I can't be. We're just friends. Best friends. I can't have feelings for my best friend. Right? " I ask getting confused.
"It's okay Hope. We can't control our feelings. We like who we like. And you obviously like Josie." she says.

"I-I like Josie? I mean I had a little cr-rush on her when I was 14 but that was 3 years ago! My feelings can't be back. But she makes me happy the way no one else can, Josie is such a beautiful angel that can make anyone happy. Her smile can light up my day, her laugh is music to my ears. I could get lost in her eyes for days... Oh my god, who am I right now? " I say. "A normal teenager?" Emma replies. I am still overwhelmed by the emotion I've just shown in talking about Josie, but Emma smiles, clearly happy at the progress I have made.
"Though I do love hearing you talk about something as simple as having a crush on Josie, you do not need a counselor, Hope...You need a friend." Emma squeezes my shoulder affectionately before walking out the door leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I don't like Josie. She just my friend, my best friend. But it wouldn't change a thing even if I do like her, she doesn't feel the same way. She likes another girl. But the girl she likes is just like me then maybe she can like me someday. Wait, now that I think about it, the girl she likes is very similar to me, she even said that the girl she likes, liked someone who broke her trust just like with me and Landon. Then she even asked me about him after I said to ask for confirmation. And she even asked me to be her escort! Does Josie like me? Am I the girl she likes? No, it can't be. I need someone to talk to.