CHAPTER - TWO
JOSIE SALTZMAN

Her father had gone to see Hope again. This time, early in the morning.

Josie wanted to tell her father something. After her recent spat with her sister, Lizzie, she had realized she wanted her own room. Last night, she could not come to do that when he had come to hug them good night. Not in front of Lizzie. She didn't know how Lizzie would react. What if she had one of her episodes?

She wasn't sure she could take any more of those. Penelope had been right. She had done all she could for Lizzie. She wanted to do things for herself now. Perhaps a new room would be a good place to start. It didn't matter if she had to share it with someone, just not her sister.

And so she had gone to his room and found he had already woken up. Then she had visited the gym where her father often trained in the morning. Wasn't there either. And lastly to his office where he looked over the affairs of the boarding school. Not there either.

Students were just waking up for a fresh day of lectures and getting done with their morning chores. Queues lined up outside the cafeteria. Her father came here last. He preferred that the students have their breakfast first. But he at least stood at a corner and supervised the kids. Surprisingly, he wasn't there either. It was only when young Pedro came up to her and told her that he saw the Headmaster going into Hope's room did she finally understand.

Why had her father gone to Hope's room in the morning? What did he need her for… this time? It pained her that he went to Hope whenever he was in a bind. Did he have no faith in their skills… in their education? They might be siphon witches, but they were powerful in their own right. And they knew a lot of spells. And she… she was a bookworm. Whenever she had free time, she would immerse herself in books. So, if she didn't know any, she would always find out. But, he went to Hope.

She had tried to be friends with her, but the Mikaelson girl was always a loner. From the primary grades to high school, she had kept to herself, more so since her parents sacrificed themselves to keep her safe. She understood what that meant to her. Hope blamed herself. She wished she could take her pain away and get to be friends with her. Perhaps that might force her father to tell her everything.

To that end, she felt jealous of Hope.

She saw her father coming out of Hope's room, the creases on his forehead indicating some kind of trouble. Hope came out soon after, her face indifferent to the surroundings, her eyes focused on the cafeteria and the food they were serving. Her fast stride told her she was in some kind of hurry. What was she and her father planning? A frown encroached on her forehead. So many questions… she wanted answers.

As Hope made herself comfortable at one of the secluded tables and busied herself with eating a burger, she made her way towards her and sat on the chair without showing Hope the courtesy of asking her permission.

"What did Father want?" she asked, breathless from all the hurried pacing.

Hope's brows contorted and her back relaxed against the spine of the chair. "Nothing!" she said. "Just a talk about my grades and the classes I am about to take. He wasn't happy that I had suggested incorporating offensive magic into the curriculum."

Josie frowned. "You mean dark magic?"

Hope nodded.

"Of course, he wouldn't," she stressed on the last word. "Dad hates black magic. And why would you even suggest it? It is bad… really bad…"

"Says the pot to the kettle!" Hope winked.

"What?" Josie asked. "Wha… what do you mean?" Her voice came out in stutters.

"A week or so ago, I saw you use dark magic to burn Penelope's hair," Hope replied.

She was clearly enjoying this.

"That… that was a…one time…"

Hope laughed as she had not done in her life before. Everyone stared at them, surprised that Hope had laughed.

"Really?" Hope asked, still laughing. "What about the time you set my room on fire?"

"That was a stupid incendiary spell… I was trying to get your attention…"

"Get my attention? Why?" Hope cocked a brow up wide.

Josie fell silent. Oh, the girl was smart! She was baiting her into admitting something she had kept close to her heart. She wouldn't give Hope the satisfaction.

"But seriously, what was Father doing in your room?" she asked, changing the subject.

Hope smiled and returned to eating the burger in her hand. "I told you already… it doesn't matter how many times you ask me that question… my answer will never change!"

Her hands clenched. Oh, why wouldn't she just tell her?

"I don't believe you!" she remarked, bluntly.

Hope chomped at the last bit of the burger. "What makes you not believe me?"

Josie heaved a deep breath. "Because my father wouldn't be so troubled if he has already been angry at you… Besides, I have seen my father's mood really worsen by the day. He's up to something and all that time studying his vision board… he's hiding something."

"He's not hiding anything," Hope said. "And if he is, you should go ask him."

"I'm asking you!" she stressed. "He wouldn't answer honestly."

"And you think I would?"

"I hoped you would, although I might be wrong about you."

Hope's face straightened all of a sudden. "I gave my answer already," she said, standing up. "And I have got somewhere to go."

"What about the classes, Mikaelson?" Josie asked, in a demanding tone. "You can't just skip them."

"I have the Headmaster's permission, Josie," Hope answered. Taking her empty plate, Hope left and exited the cafeteria, leaving her sitting alone at the table.

"I'll find out the truth, Hope," Josie vowed. "Trust me on it."