CHAPTER 7
The Mikaelsons were here…oh boy, things were about to get strange. Lizzie froze up when she tried to greet the newcomers; mostly because they were so damn shiny. Like, their eyes had this, gleam inside them that was absent in other supernaturals. Except Hope, but only when she was in a killing mood. Thank god for Josie picking up the slack so quickly. Twin intuition freaked some people out, but Lizzie was very thankful for it in the moment. "Welcome to the Salvatore School," she hears Josie say alone. Oops, they usually did their twin thing with that greeting to unnerve people. It was Lizzie's idea to start that protocol in the first place.
The tall dark Adonis spoke first, after Hope had finished hugging him and her Aunt Freya to half-way to death, "I'm Marcel Gerard, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Lizzie extended her hand for a handshake, but Marcel gently rotated her hand, folding her fingers and lightly kissed her knuckles.
Lizzie felt herself turn red. It was involuntary. Hope sent Marcel a reproachful look, while Freya just slapped his shoulder light-heartedly. "I–I'm Lizzie Saltzman."
"And I'm Josie, it's a pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Gerard." Josie spoke up to save her twin from further embarrassment. She did not extend her hand, and settled for an awkward wave, that had both Mikaelson women grinning.
Marcel inclined his head to the second Saltzman twin, completely aware of his usual effect on young ladies (and young men), not insulted whatsoever the dark-haired one didn't want the 'princess treatment' (Hope's words) like her sister. His gesture was only mostly gentlemanly; the rest was trolling. Though to be fair to Josie, she still hadn't recovered from her accidental innuendo regarding Hope's blood, so Marcel's charm went right over her head.
They quickly whisked Hope away, it made sense, they wanted to talk about family…and stuff? Lizzie wasn't really sure, but she and Josie were alone once more, so now they could talk about the elephant in the room. As soon as Lizzie got herself under control again…she was not expecting to swoon so early in the morning, least of all over one of Hope's crazy family members. He wasn't a Mikaelson though, was he? Hope never talked about a Marcel Gerard before, at least, not by name.
There was still a little time before their first class started, enough time for them both to have comfortable showers, if they rushed breakfast.
Just when Lizzie was opening her mouth to ask Josie about their new situation, Hope popped her head back in the doorway; "Your dad gave you two the day off from classes, to process the whole new status quo thing. See you two later," she winked at Josie as she disappeared once more, causing the brunette siphoner to blush uncontrollably again.
After a moment of silence, Lizzie inevitably broke it with her question of , "How long have you been crushing on Hope?"
Jose spun to face her twin with a petrified look on her face, "I–I don't–,"
"Cut the bullshit Josie, you're blushing down to your collarbone because she winked at you just now. Not to mention what you said before her family got here."
Josie fidgeted for a moment before saying, "I don't know?" Noticing Lizzie's unconvinced raised eyebrow, she amended, "I've always wanted to like her, but she's always been such a loner. But recently though? Have you noticed she's spoken to us more in the last month than since we've met her?"
"I have noticed that," Lizzie said slowly as she crossed the room to get dressed, shedding her nightclothes as she went.
"I don't know Lizzie! I don't have a Eureka! moment for you. I'm not even really over Penelope yet, so this new crush is just going to turn into a huge fucking mess," Josie predicted as she slumped back to her bed, beginning to re-order her less–than–chaste collection of graphic literature. Hope had re-applied the glamour to Sunstone vol. 1 before Lizzie noticed her twin's penchant for reading lesbian bondage graphic novels. Thank whatever gods may be for small mercies, and Hope's swift tactfulness.
"I'm not angry that you have a crush on Hope, Josie," Lizzie said as she put on a new bra, "It's just a little disheartening that you kept your feelings for her to yourself."
"I don't have to tell you everything Lizzie," Josie retorted as she got up to change for the day as well. Instead of changing shamelessly in front of her twin like Lizzie did, Josie opted to take her clothes into the bathroom with her, locking the door. From behind the door, Lizzie could hear still hear her sister's measured breaths, forcing herself to calm down. This conversation was over.
Lizzie had clearly said the wrong thing, making Josie upset…again…Lizzie softly let out a word Caroline would've been on her case about, and promptly left the room, having put on jeans and a tasteful blouse. Lizzie needed a walk, shower be damned.
On her way out to the grounds, Lizzie decided to nab a yogurt from the kitchen. No harm in having a little sustenance to help her nurture her mild self-loathing. Of course her favourite flavour was gone. Because of course it was.
The blonde Saltzman closed the fridge, only to be faced with a smirking Penelope Park, who was holding the last of Lizzie's yogurt. "What do you want, Satan?" Penelope's smirk deepened as she luxuriously ate the last spoonful of Lizzie's snack.