Josie stood and watched the envelope in her hands. She couldn't believe Penelope won the talent show for her. Lizzie was talking about two of them going to Spain together and how that would be good revenge to Penelope, but Josie didn't listen… She just saw Lizzie running around the room and going through closet and dirty laundry looking for what to pack. Raphael got up from Josie's bed and came to her. He placed his hand on her shoulder and that got her out of her deep thoughts.

''Jo…''

She gave him a smile. Her mask was back.

''Yes, dinner… We should get going. I talked to my dad and he said we can stay out until eleven.''

He smiled at her and took her hand. He knew that with Lizzie there, they will not be able to really talk. Grill was pretty quiet for the Saturday night. They found nice place in the corner and took a seat. They ordered and there was an awkward silence. Raphael knew what he had to do and his heart was braking for that.

''Jo…''

''Yes…''

''Are you ok?''

''Yes, I am just a bit tired. This was a strange and stressful day.''

''I agree… Not every day you get wooed by trip to Spain.''

She just looked at him not knowing what to say.

''I… I can give it back to her.''

''No, you shouldn't…''

''Than what?''

''I think you should ask her to come with.''

''What?''

''It's not just your dream trip… It's your dream trip. Something you wanted when you dated. Even if we go together…She will be there in every step you take.''

''Raphael…''

''Josie, I get it… I loved someone as much as you love her…''

Now Josie felt weird. She was sitting on a date with her boyfriend who is talking about her and her ex being in love. This was some strange parallel universe she was in.

''What?''

''I know you love Penelope and I know she loves you back…''

''She doesn't….''

He smiled…

''What?''

''You are one interesting person Josie Saltzman.''

''Why?''

''You are having dinner with your boyfriend and he tells you that you and your ex are still in love, yet your first instinct is to say that SHE is the one not loving you anymore…Not YOU…''

''Oh…''

''I'm sorry… I was not…''

''It's ok… I know you have feelings for her… And for the record…She does… She loves you…That is why she got into the contest and why you are going to Spain.''

''What?''

''Lizzie never even mentioned taking you on the trip if she wins. I watched Penelope's face change into rage and her hands forming fists… She wanted to kill Lizzie for that behavior, but she took the high road there and did something even better. Penelope entered and won the thing so you could go…even if it was with me.''

''You read too much into things.''

''No, I am just seeing things as they are.''

''And what am I doing?''

''Hiding from what is really happening.''

''Raphael.''

''I am not sure what happened with you… I don't want to ask, but I have some ideas.''

''What are they?''

''She opened up to you more than she did to anyone else…and you were not there for her because you had to run after Lizzie.''

''It's not like that.''

''Josie…''

''Lizzie has issues…''

''So do you…. So does Penelope… So do I… And does that mean that if I need you and she calls, you will not be there for me?''

''Raphael, we are twins… We are…''

''No, I get being a sibling…not so much the twin things….But I know that Landon wouldn't ever try to get between us…that he would respect my relationship. He and Cassie were not really fond of one another, but I never heard him say a bad word about her. And what is Lizzie doing? She calls her Satan every chance she has and I notice how many times Penelope is not saying or doing anything just because of you.''

Josie wanted to say something.

''Correct me if I am wrong…but that girl has some wicked magic powers… And she did nothing to harm Lizzie? She says things, makes small pranks that do not involve magic… My guess is that she is pretty good with that entire dark magic thing…and yet, she is still alive and there to get on everyone's last nerve. I don't want to see Penelope Park go wild!''

Josie could only imagine how that would be… She knew that Penelope had a thing for forbidden things. She knew that as much as Hope knows about the dark magic, Penelope knew as well.

''You are right. She knows a lot about dark magic and she did use it few times… She did it with Hope.''

''That explains why they are so close.''

Josie looked at him a bit surprised.

''They are close?''

''Yes… I often see her in the woods during the night. She waits for Hope when she goes for the run.''

''She does?''

''Yes, they are friends…''

''Since when?''

''Some detention…''

''Some?''

''Lizzie got them in trouble… They didn't rat on her.''

Josie took a sip of her drink…

''That means they are coming for her….''

''Do you blame them?''

''I honestly don't know what to think. I sometimes feel like she should get what she is asking for, but then I remember she is my sister…and you don't wish stuff like that to your sibling…''

''But she deserves it?''

Josie just looked at him.

''I can't say that.''

''She is in one piece just because of you. She is lucky Penelope and Hope love you.''

''Why do you say that?''

''She is messing with two witches that could take on the entire school…and she is alive to tell the story…''

Josie had to think about it…

''I don't know what to say… I am very confused by everything.''

''I care about you Josie…That's why I think you should give it a shot with Penelope… She deserves to be happy and so do you… And you do make each other happy. I saw you when she performed… You were taken by her performance. I agree that it was something out of this world…. And I will admit that almost everyone in that room fell in love with her a little…but there was something else in the way you watched her... That is what everyone should want… Someone to look at them the way you look at Penelope and she looks back at you.''

She looked at him not knowing what to say.

''I have no doubt that we could make it work, but I don't want you to settle for me. If I am being honest… You have a chance to fix things. Person you love is alive. I would never have a chance to be with Cassie again. Maybe she is not the love of your life? Maybe it turns out that getting back together was a mistake because the feelings are gone…But at least you tried… You didn't give up. You don't have ''what if?'' questions in your head if you deal with it right away. Someone else might come and you will miss your chance.''

''You mean Hope?''

''I don't think Hope has a thing for her… I do think they share very special bond, but it's not anything sexual…or whatever in that way. I think they are both lonely and they bonded over that. She loves Landon and Penelope can relate to the pain of not being with someone you love and setting them free for their own good.''

''You really think about two of us?''

''I had many chances to watch you. You are not the same person when she is around. There is some spark in you that is missing when she is not around.''

''I can't be with her… Lizzie will flip.''

''So what? It's your life and your feelings… It is very clear that you love her. Fight for what YOU want… And only blind person and Lizzie can't see how much you want to be with Penelope.''

She had to laugh to that comment. Yes, Lizzie was really giving her best not to see how much Josie wanted to be with Penelope, even when they were dating or when she had crush on the girl. Lizzie just didn't want to see it… She wanted all of Josie's attention.

''I guess you are right.''

''I am always right when it comes to these things.''

Raphael took care of the bill and they went back to school. They stood in the hallway just standing there.

''Where does this leaves us?''

''At being friends.''

Josie smiled at him.

''Thank you…''

She went back to his room and he went to the kitchen to get something to drink. He found Penelope sitting on the kitchen counter eating ice cream from the bucket. They just stood there and had no idea how to behave or what to say to one another. It was very tense and awkward.