Falling in love with Josie Saltzman was definitely one of the best decisions of your life. Well, maybe it was less of a decision and more of an eventuality; like anyone could stop themselves falling in love with her. You pretend it started when you saw her accidentally set fire to her potion and managed to put it out before she thought anyone noticed. (It was from the moment you met her).

You were 13 and foolishly thought that the first girl you dated would be the one for you. (Oh how you had no idea what was to come). You let her lead you astray (it was all your fault), and your grades dropped because she was so much more interesting than school. "I'll do the math homework with you later if you come with me to the lake now." (Naively you always forget that later would never come)

You never understood how two people could be so toxic for one another while being in love, because if you loved them wouldn't you just want the best for them all the time? (You do want that, and you don't figure out for years that maybe it was you all along). When the two of you finally break up, you think you'll never love again, because you're 15 and you don't know any better. You steal her half her posse of friends out of spite.

You're in a corner of the library one day pretending to stare at a book in front of you and Josie appears in the corner of your vision. You'd looked over at her and she introduced herself as though there's anyone who doesn't know the headmaster's daughter. You mutter your name in a drawl and force a fake half smirk on your face and she gives you a bright smile before asking to sit next to you.

"We don't have to talk; I just saw you here and thought you might like some company as you read."

You'd kind of shrugged before turning your attention back to staring at the book in front of you. You both read in silence until the bell rang and she stood, shooting you her thousand-watt smile, "I'll see you around." You'd wondered if that's what Icarus felt like when he made his wings.

You fell together gradually, mainly because Josie kept turning up when you were trying to study in the library, and you found that smiles came easier when she was around. Sometimes you would both study in silence, and other times you'd whisper about magical theory. It turned into naps in your room on warm afternoons when the air itself felt like a comforting blanket around the both of you.

You woke up one afternoon, turning over to face her as she was blinking awake herself, and you'd felt your heart start hammering in your chest. The overwhelming urge to kiss her sat beneath your ribs, pulling at your bones. Everything in you went "fuck it" and you leaned forward to brush your lips against hers before pulling back, breath caught in your lips. A smile slowly spread across her face and she said, "Do it again."

You felt like Icarus flying.

Lizzie never really liked you to begin with, she always thought you were too rebellious. Just because you didn't want to do the classwork doesn't mean you didn't want to learn. You just didn't want to learn in the conventional way. With Josie by your side you began to learn patience, taking the time to make notes in class that you hoped would make sense at the end of the day. (They always did, with Josie leaning over your shoulder)

You couldn't stop giving snark to Lizzie though. There were times when you thought she might've even appreciated it. Josie would always give you a look when the two of you started bickering and you'd reluctantly shut up, because while you enjoyed your banter with Lizzie, you definitely did not want to get on Josie's bad side.

The two of you fell disgustingly in love. To the point you would accidentally wear somewhat matching outfits some days and you had to turn around and change because you couldn't stand to be that stupid lovesick couple. You thought the both of you would never end.

Turns out you did. By your own fucking hand. Some days regret eats you alive and all you want to do is run back into her arms. Other days you're so fucking angry at her for not trying harder that you have to go into the forest and hurl lightning bolts at trees until you can't breathe. (You always feel like you can't breathe these days)

Selfishly, (you don't know how to be anything else), you don't feel bad about taking advantage of MG. Mainly because you knew he was too nice to let this get between your somewhat friendship even if he was more Josie's friend than yours. You reason that you're just helping him get attention from the worse Saltzman.

The next night, Josie fucking sets you on fire. Sure, teasing MG like that was a dick move, but seriously? You were just chatting to your friends in the courtyard when suddenly your arm was on fire and quickly spreading. You can't stop the scream coming out of your mouth and you yell for someone to just put it out. You can't remember who got over their shock long enough to douse you in water and you're stood there dumbly gasping for air. Your eyes dart around, and you see the back of Josie's head as she quickly disappears around a corner.

You're so fucking livid you nearly storm up to her to yell all the things that would hurt her the most in front of the entire school. You don't though, you go to your room and seethe about it. Chopping the rest of your hair to match the length of the singed part and washing the acrid smell out of it. You almost can't believe it because turns out Josie does have some fucking guts after all.

You remember the first time Josie ever tried black magic, the both of you curious teenagers and it was just a teeny tiny spell, right? Except that night you had to hold Josie's hair back as she violently threw up black. It also cemented Lizzie's dislike for you because the next morning had her throwing up as well. Your hands shook as she screamed at the both of you for doing something so foolish before stalking of to find Alaric. You swallow hard and promise yourself you wouldn't lead Josie astray again. Except, Josie Saltzman is her own force of nature, and Lizzie Saltzman will blame you every single time.

Truth be told, now that you aren't with Josie anymore, it's really hard to keep your mouth shut about Lizzie. Dear god you knew you could be a bitch sometimes but you're an angel compared to the shit Lizzie Saltzman pulls sometimes. Well, her or Alyssa Chang. That chick has a stick shoved so far up her ass there are roots growing.

So yeah you came from a really powerful coven and you weren't the best at being humble sometimes, but you tried! You really didn't need Lizzie waving your privilege in your face wherever you went because you like to think that a lot of what you earn is based on merit. Okay so yeah you sucked at being humble but there's a difference between lack of modesty and shoving someone's face in shit.

Another part of freedom now you weren't with Josie meant you could do stupid things to help her out even if she hated you for it. (Oh, how many times can you bury the embers of a blazing fire?) So yeah maybe you wanted to shred Josie's dignity for making you lose yours. You know if word ever got back to your mother about how you were humiliated, you'd get a beat down, love Josie or not. So you go for the throat: turn Lizzie against her. (Bonus for fucking with Lizzie in the process)

You can't help but smirk when you see Josie's pale face the morning before she has to take the field for the annual Mystic Falls vs Salvatore flag football game. You'd never play yourself of course (the idea of you losing anything was a joke, let alone on purpose). There's no guilt when you sidle up to the twins to comment on the fact that maybe Josie throwing up was a reason. Like, you don't know, being pregnant? (that one was a little low, but you're still filled with anger). You smirk and put your hands up when Lizzie glares at you and Josie in kinder words tells you to fuck off.

"Already gone, Jojo," but before you do, you just can't resist having the last word. "Oh, by the way, hot tip for ya, maybe the next time you try to burn your ex's hair off, make sure she can't rob a lob."

You throw a wink and a two fingered salute at them before striding away. You try to press your lips into less than a grin.

You decide to grab a book and sit on one of the lawn chairs the school has because the sun is shining and you can't resist soaking up the rays like a cat. As you settle down to bake, you spot Raf and Hope arguing next to Dr Saltzman's car and you frown at the pair. You make it your business to know what goes on in this school and you didn't know the two were acquainted seeing as Hope made it her life goal to keep away from everyone. Soon, you spot Dr Saltzman throw his hunting bag in the boot and he obviously says something that pisses Hope off because she turns abruptly and gets into the car, slamming the door behind her. Dr Saltzman rubs at his face and sighs as he waits for Raf to finish tinkering with whatever under his car before the both of them get in as well.

The opportunity arises an hour later when you spot the twins walk past, talking about Raf. You roll your eyes because while you could admit he had a nice body, you weren't a fan of werewolf instincts mixed with testosterone. Still, you can't help but throw the fact that both the object of their attention and their father have hopped on the Hope-train out of town instead of watching their game this afternoon. You smirk when they say nothing and walk away. Your anger has its own fireplace in your chest.

The smug feeling you carry throughout the day quickly falls away when MG appears in front of you and he looks pissed. You can't help but mentally pat yourself on the back for thinking of a reason for why you used him before he confronted you today. "Oh come on MG, no one likes the nerdling approach." He's easy to fool, and you throw in the fact that Lizzie actually saw him for once.

"Ugh I guess, but if you ever pull a stunt like that again you're on your own, Peez."

"Deal. Now let's go watch this shit show."

"Hey! I'm playing!"

"I know, God help us all."