Early the next morning, Hope makes her way back to the Salvatore School to retrieve Landon before school. Once in Dr. Saltzman's office, MG is sent to get Landon from his room. Hope takes a seat across from Alaric to wait. "That was a close call last night, you planting yourself in front of my daughters and Landon. It's a good thing they couldn't see your eyes glowing. Once Raf wakes up, we'll need to be sure that he doesn't remember those details."
Hope shakes her head at him, "It was his first transition, I doubt he'll be able to remember much of anything. If he does, that could be a problem. He and I share a few friends back at Mystic Falls High, and I can't have them questioning anything. Plus he's the only person who I've introduced to any of my family members." Hope looks down to fiddle with her rings on her fingers. She wonders for a moment what it might be like if someone besides Alaric were to know her identity and her story, if it would be all that bad. But then she thinks about all of the people the Mikaelson family has let into their lives, all of whom have been hurt because of them. She can't have anyone getting hurt because of her.
"Are the Machado twins, Ethan and Maya, still trying to get you to try out for the football team?"
Hope nods, "Yeah, they are, but I haven't decided yet." Honestly, she hadn't put much thought into it.
"Lizzie and Josie are both doing football again this year. I think it may be good for you to do something like that. It may help with the whole 'normal human life' thing you're going for." Just as Alaric gets the words out Lizzie and Josie both rush into the office, already ready for their classes.
"Dad, when is Hope going to-" Josie is interrupted by Lizzie, who clearly notices Hope before her sister.
Lizzie's eyes are wide, "Oh my god, you have to tell me where you got your shoes." Hope smiles at the two of them, and Josie tries to hide a blush. If Hope notices the pink tint to her cheeks, she doesn't mention it. She chooses to answer Lizzie instead.
"Oh um, I got these in Chicago about a month ago, I'll send you the link to the online store if you'd like?" Lizzie nods her head frantically.
"Thank you, Hope." She then turns to Alaric. "Dad, can we throw a party at the old mill Friday night? The wolves want to celebrate the new addition."
Alaric raises an eyebrow at his daughter, "No drinking?"
"Of course not, Dad. We're not heathens." Lizzie turns her head, winking toward Josie. Hope notices and tries not to laugh.
Alaric must not notice because he just gives Lizzie a skeptical nod, "Sure, just be careful out there." Lizzie practically jumps up and down in excitement. Hope and Josie exchange an amused look. Josie has an idea when she locks eyes with her.
"Hope, why don't you come too? If you're not too busy," She has a hopeful look in her eyes, one that Hope doesn't miss.
"Ooh, yeah, great idea Jo! Hope, you should totally come." Hope knows it's not the best idea. These girls can sense her power, and the wolves will be there, but she can't seem to say no when she looks into Josie's eyes.
"I can try to stop by for a bit." She notices Josie's smile grow.
Before anything else can be said, MG comes in with Landon, Raf following close behind. "Good, you're up. Raf can you tell me what exactly you remember from last night?" Alaric stands from his seat.
"Uh, I remember going into the church, and the dude asked Landon to wait outside. Then, um, I remember my bones breaking...and I remember you and Hope..." Raf turns his head to Hope, "You did something with your hands... to the exorcist that made him fall or something, I can't really remember..." Hope is relieved that he doesn't remember her werewolf side peeking out.
She places a comforting hand on his arm, which Josie doesn't like at all, not that she's in any position to be jealous over this girl she barely knows. "That's all completely normal, okay? The important thing is, you made it through your first transition. They will get easier each full moon." Raf nods at her, but still looks a little confused.
"So, you're a witch? Landon tried to explain to me on the way here." Hope nods her head and Raf seems to be trying to take it all in.
"I know you're friends with Ethan and Maya back at Mystic High, they can't know what I am, or what you are, okay?" Hope reminds Raf. He agrees with her.
"MG, we need to erase Landon's memory now." MG takes a step toward Landon who looks him in the eyes. MG compels him to forget everything, tells him he's going to ride to school with Hope, and his friend has finally found a home at the Salvatore School. Landon blinks a few times once MG is done with the compulsion.
Landon says his goodbyes to Raf and begins to make his way out to Hope's car. More students are starting to enter the hallways now, heading to the dining hall for breakfast. Josie stops Hope in the hall before she can make her way out, "Hope!" She raises her voice to get her attention.
Hope stops walking and turns around to face her, "Yeah?"
"Um, Lizzie and I got our first list of spells for our Ancient Incantation class, and I was wondering if you would still feel up to helping us study a little bit," Josie is honestly just trying to find more and more excuses to be around Hope. She's a mysterious person, she's attractive and kind. Who wouldn't want to get to know her? As Josie is talking, she doesn't notice Penelope, her ex girlfriend, walking into the hall with her friends. She also doesn't hear her whisper to her friends, "Watch this." Penelope takes the textbook in her hand and says a spell to send it flying toward Josie. Just as it's about to hit her in the head, Hope sticks a hand up in the air, catching the book without ever moving her eyes from Josie's.
Josie flinches and looks toward Penelope, who is now glaring in Hope's direction, but Hope doesn't tear her gaze from Josie, "Sure I'd love to, maybe I can come by before the party this weekend?"
Josie turns her eyes back to Hope and smiles widely."Wait so you are coming to the party then?"
Hope gives her a playful smirk, "Well I figured I'd join, since you were so eager to see me this morning." She jokes with her, remembering how Josie entered the office asking for her, and Josie can't control the blush forming across her cheeks. "I should probably get going for now though. Landon's waiting for me." Josie nods her head in response.
Hope turns and walks in Penelope's direction, still holding the textbook. She reaches out, handing it to the other witch, who continues to glare at her, "Oh, thanks. My mistake, it must've slipped from my hand." Penelope smirks at Hope and the few witches behind her chuckle.
Hope doesn't laugh though. Josie notices the hard expression on her face, almost protective, "Yeah, I'm sure it did." Penelope grabs the book, about to take it from Hope's hand when Hope grips it tighter. Penelope looks back into Hope's eyes, annoyed. Hope's eyes are narrowed into a glare, "Don't let it happen again." Her tone is firm, nearly threatening. Then Hope releases the grip she had on the book and Penelope stumbles a little bit. Hope says nothing else as she turns around again to make her back toward the door, locking eyes with Josie and giving her a small smile as she does. She looks just past Josie to see Alaric down the hall, watching the interaction between the witches. He nods at her, almost like a silent 'thank you' for protecting his daughter again. She nods back and makes her way out to her car.
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Once at Mystic Falls High, Landon and Hope split up, and Hope makes her way to her locker between Ethan and Maya Machado. The three of them have been friends for about a year now. Their mom is the sheriff, Ethan is the quarterback for the football team, Maya is wide receiver. Everyone at school knows the twins have been crushing on Hope for almost two years, but Hope doesn't notice. Actually, she doesn't notice anyone at the school with a crush on her. Maya is the first to see her approaching their lockers, "Good morning gorgeous."
She smirks at Hope, who doesn't hesitate to jokingly flirt with her brother Ethan. She knows it annoys them when she gives the other more attention, "Wow Ethan, have you been working out?" She places a hand on his bicep looking back at Maya who rolls her eyes.
Ethan just laughs and rolls his eyes at the two girls messing with each other, "So, have you decided about trying out for the football team?"
Hope thinks back to her conversation with Alaric earlier, about his daughters being on their football team. She thinks it could be fun to be on a team with her friends and have games against the Salvatore Stallions. She would see more of Josie, then. She's rather liked being at the Salvatore recently, actually having interactions with the students there. "Sounds like fun, I'm in."
Maya and Ethan look at eachother with a mixture of excitement and shock, "Really?"
Hope nods, "Yeah, why not?" The warning bell rings, and Hope shuts her locker. "I'll see you two at lunch." The three of them head their separate ways to class.
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Note: Let me know any character dynamics you'd like to see or topics you'd like to be discussed.
Next part: The weekend comes quickly, and Hope heads back to the Salvatore School to help the Saltzman twins with their spells before going to the party for Raf.