screw endgame

"Go, Timberwolves!" I clap slowly as the cheer team finishes up practice. Maya pants, sweat dripping off her forehead as she does their routine again.

Suddenly, my phone starts to ring. "Hello?"

"Annie, what's up?"

I frown. "Um, not much? Kaleb, why are you calling me?" I ask. I hadn't talked to the vampire in a long time. It felt weird to hear his voice.

"Listen, Sebastian isn't real."

"Are you talking about Lizzies vampire boy toy she called me crying about?" I ask. "I already know."

Kaleb clears his throat. "Well, MG thought Lizzie was going crazy, but now MG is seeing this dude too."

My eyes widen. "What?"

"Ow!" I hear MG yelp.

Kaleb sighs, "He's some old guy that's been desiccated in a box. I guess when me and MG moved the blood fountain, Sebastian got a taste. So now he can tap into some minds." The vampire explains.

I hear MG shout at someone, but no reply. "A little help here, Annie?"

My eyes are wide as I watch Maya walk over with her gym bag. "Uh, uh, yeah. Yeah I'll come, um, help with that." I blurt. "I'll see you guys soon." I click my phone, shoving it into my pocket.

"Hey, ready for burgers?" Asks Maya. I open my mouth, but I'm not sure what to say. I gesture to my phone, and her face falls. "You're ditching, again?"

"It's not ditching!" I say. "It's...rescheduling." Maya scowls at least as I let out an awkward sigh. "I'm sorry,"

The girl holds up her hand, shaking her head. "It's cool." She gives me a small smile. "I'll catch you later."

I go to say something, but she just walks away. "I hate humans." I pout.

♚

I walk into the school, and I'm immediately bombarded by colors and balloons. Slowly walking through, I catch sight of Landon. "Hey," He turns around, nearly jumping at the sight of me. "What's going on?" I ask.

"Uh, it's the decade dance." He explains, as if it's so simple.

I nod slowly. "Do you know where I can find Josie?" He looks at my confused when I turn to see Josie walking down the stairs. "Never mind, found her." I hum, smiling before walking away. "Hey, Saltzman!"

The brunette glances up at me, her eyes widening. She stands up straight, adjusting her skirt. "An-Annie. Hey." She stammers. "What are you doing here?" She asks softly.

"Oh, you know. My good ole vampire friends need my help." I say awkwardly. "Where's Lizzie?"

"She's running errands or something." Josie shrugs. She gives me a slight up and down look before adjusting her weight. "How are you and that girl?"

I tilt my head to the side. "Maya?" I ask. "I think she's a little mad at me." I confess. "I've been so busy helping Hope, or your dad, or just someone here, that I don't think we're moving past the Awkward Going Out Stage." I whisper softly.

Josie's eyes widen. "Really?" She looks dow at her shoes. "That's surprising."

"Why?" I ask. The witch shrugs sheepishly.

"I don't know. You're just....so you. I don't know how anyone wouldn't want to just...I guess just be with you."

I give a closed mouth grin, that I don't know would be considered a grin. "Says the one that dumped me because I was on the other end of the country." I say under my breath.

"Is it always about you and your family, Stasia?" She asks me, annoyed.

"Actually, for me? Yeah, it is. Family comes first, you should know all about that." I snap back. Josie's eyes flutter as she thinks about it for a moment. Her eyes soften in realization. She does know. Because of Lizzie. "You're welcome for saving you and your sister last night." I snarl before walking past her to find Kaleb and MG.

♚

"The school's up this way." Hope Mikaelson says. Her and Lizzie, without anyone's knowledge, are stuck in a game. Well, sorta.

And Lizzie, thankfully, got her memory back. "If only there were something to talk about on the way." The blond hums "Some burning question. Some mysterious choice that demanded an explanation."

Hope rolls her eyes. "Okay, fine. I was gonna tell everyone that I was back. But then I saw Landon and Josie. And how happy they were." She explains. "And when I found Annie, she was living a happy, normal life. The life she deserved. It just seemed like you all were better off without me."

Lizzie stops in her tracks. "What is wrong with you? Do you really have that much of a martyr complex that you couldn't just oh, I don't know ask one of us how we were doing?" She snaps.

"Look, I know that it seems kind of-

"Dumb? Selfish? Controlling?" Lizzie lists.

Hope sends her a look. "Painful."

"No one's been better off without you. Landon and Josie are just filling a void left by you and Annie, which my sister totally caused." Lizzie rolls her eyes. "Your sister doesn't even know how to function like herself, so she's trying to become a weird fake human that doesn't have feelings. My dad is lonely. Raf's a mess again, and apparently I'm hallucinating boyfriends." Lizzie rambles. "If my broken mind can remember you, then maybe that spell Josie did could bring everyone's memories back." She says. "You and Landon are made for each other, and so are Annie and Josie, which is why you need to tell him and Josie before they do the deed."

Hope takes all of this in, but only says one thing. "You hallucinated a boyfriend?"

Before Lizzie can answer, the two of them are shot with darts. "Tell you in a second." She groans before collapsing.

♚

We lift the lid off the wooden coffin, revealing a very dead looking Sebastian before us. "Yeah, he's real, all right but damn. Dude smells worse than that blood fountain." Kaleb groans.

I wave my hand in front of my nose, hoping to make the smell go away. "Shut up. Your face look like beef jerky." I hear MG snap.

"Oh, is he here?" Kaleb asks. "Tell him to talk to me." I stare between the two vamps, very intrigued.

MG turns to the side, "Um, he says that you have to be on, like, the same spiritual wavelength." Kaleb and I share strange looks when MG blurts. "Annie, he said he wants to talk to you.

I cross my arms over my chest. "Oh yeah? And why's that?"

"Because you're a lot smarter than these fools." I turn on my heel quickly to see a tall man before me. He has amazing features, and a charming stare. "Hello, Love."

"Why am I the only one who can't see this dude!?" Kaleb shouts.

Sebastian walks around me, breathing me in as I raise my brow. "The rancid blood that those two turnips bumbled on me was inadequate. But with enough fresh blood, I will surely be restored."

"Yeah. No way we're doing that." MG scoffs.

Kaleb looks at me. "Doing what?"

"Not even if I can give you what you want?" He begins to step towards MG. "Hmm? Elizabeth Saltzman all to yourself. Without my competition."

"Come on, MG, what's he saying?"

I put my fingers up to Kalebs lips. "He's just getting to the good part." I whisper, listening closely.

"Set me free, Milton, and I give you my word, I will leave this town at once."

MG purses his lips, glancing at me and Kaleb. "He wants for us to wake him up."

♚

"Let me get this straight." Alaric says, sitting down. The four of us stand in the library, MG and I sitting on a table while Kaleb stands near by. "You don't know who this vampire is or how he got down there, just that he's been desiccated for some unknown reason, and he wants you three to wake him up."

The vamps and I all look at each other. "That pretty much covers it." I shrug.

"And why didn't you tell me when they called?" Asks Alaric.

I raise a brow. "Honestly? I thought Rafael went crazy again and bit them." The two boys look at me, offended, while I toss my hands up in defense.

"Well, unless I'm missing something I would say let him rot." Alaric says, giving his opinion.

Kaleb rolls his eyes. "We don't even know what he's doing down there in the first place." He says.

Alaric clasps his hands together, giving us a simple shrug. "Neither do I, but it's safe to say that no one is desiccated for being too nice."

"Okay, but that doesn't mean he's guilty." Kaleb argues. "And even if he is, what crime equals that kind of time?"

"Hypothetically, the slaughter of a couple dozen villages." Says Ric. He eyeballs MG, who hasn't said a word. "You're awfully quiet over there, MG."

He looks at me for help, but I just shrug. "Um I'm I'm leaning Kaleb's way on this one. Vamps before...non-vamps." He says awkwardly. Kaleb gives him a what the hell look, and I just roll my eyes.

"I know I'm not in charge here anymore. Now, if you want my vote, I say don't do anything till you know more about this guy."

"I-I respect that, Dr. Saltzman, but he said he'll leave town. We should at least give him a shot to keep his word." MG rambles.

I look at my friend. "Ric is right, MG. This guy was put in that coffin for a reason. We should do our research before we decide if we want him roaming the world." I explains shrugging.

"We, we figure out what Sebastian really wants." Says Kaleb.

MG frowns. "How are we gonna do that?"

"You leave that to me." Kaleb says. "All right?" MG looks at the three of us before storming off. Kaleb sighs as he looks at me, then back at Mr. Saltzman. "Thanks for the wisdom, man."

"To be honest, I'm surprised you'd even want my opinion." Alaric says. "You know, after you guys voted me out."

Kaleb looks back at me before looking at Ric. "Uh, look, uh confidential ballot and all, but I am the only one who voted for you to stay."

Ric and I share a look, realizing one thing.

Josie voted Alaric out.

♚

"Rise and shine, brother vampire." Kaleb hums, giving Sebastian just a little more blood. "Talk to me like the rain, and I will lie here and listen."

"You're a poet." The two of us look up to see Sebastian, or his spirit, in the doorway.

Kaleb chuckles. "Nah, that's Tennessee Williams, bruh."

"But tell us what we want to hear, and there's more where that came from." I say, gesturing to the blood bag in Kalebs hand.

Sebastian steps closer to me. "What do you wish to know?" He hums.

"What kind of vamp you are." Kaleb demands. "The kind that rips rabbits or throats?"

"I am a man who has made mistakes," He admits. "but if-if you revive me, I will not make them again."

Kaleb and I look at each other, then turn back to Sebastian "Awesome, perfect, great. We're not interested." I huff, taking the bag from Kaleb.

"Isn't that what you wanted to hear?"

I jump in surprise, seeing Sebastian has moved behind us. "You know, this school's already full of poseurs denying their basic instincts." Kaleb rants. "We were hoping you were different. Guess not."

Sebastian chuckles, grabbing Kalebs shoulder. "I am in this state for the very sin that you desire." He explains. "I fed on so many humans back in my day that it was no longer for hunger, it was merely sport. The cobblestones, they ran red with blood."

Kaleb and I smile at each other, getting the answer we've been waiting for. "Well, in that case," Kaleb speeds, shutting the coffin before speeding back to my side. "We'll burn you after the party." I chime.

"You deceived me." Sebastian smirks, pointing at us.

Kaleb and I share a snicker, while Kaleb takes a sip from the blood bag, the two of us turning on our heel and walking off. "Are you going to the party?" He asks me as I walk down the hall with him.

I shrug. "I don't know, I think I'm just gonna go back to town-"

"I have a outfit for you." I turn around slowly, seeing Josie in a gorgeous white gown. I furrow my brow, watching her step closer. "I've been thinking about what you said before. And I've came to an insane realization."

"And what would that be?" I ask. Kaleb steps to the side, wanting to watch whatever comes next.

Josie bites her lip, looking down. "Today, me and Landon were going to have sex." I exhale sharply, turning to walk away. I didn't want to hear about Josie and Landon's sex lives. Josie grabs my wrist, pulling me back to look at her. "But I don't want to." Her hand encloses in mine, her brown eyes having a slight twinkle. "Stasia, I was so jealous three months ago. I still am."

"Jealous of what?" I ask, shaking my head in confusion.

"I was jealous of love." She says sharply. "I was so afraid of losing you to someone else, I developed this crazy idea in my head that if I tried to leave you and 'move on' it wouldn't hurt as bad." Her eyes are glossy as she bites her lip again. "But seeing you at the Mystic Falls Grill, with that girl, I wanted to rip her face off." The two of us laugh, knowing Josie definitely could've. "And, and I haven't been able to forget you. No matter how hard I try to fill in this void with Landon. I can't forget how in love I am with you." My eyes widen in surprise as she takes my other hand. "I love you, Anastasia King. And if you want me to shout it from the rooftops, write it in the stars with magic, or kill another demon," We laugh again, tears running down both our cheeks. "I will do it all. As long as you forgive me for being stupid, and selfish, and evil-"

I cut her off, my hands framing her face as I pull her in, locking our lips together. Landon and Rafael jog over, stopping in their tracks next to Kaleb. Raf looks at his friend in confusion, and looks even more confused when Landon is smiling.

Kaleb looks over at the Phoenix. "Did Annie just steal your girl?" He asks.

"She was never mine." Landon hums, smiling again.

I pull away from Josie, leaning my forehead on hers. We both giggle, before looking back at the boys.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready to PARTY!" Yells Kaleb.

♚

My friends and I walk down the stairs, Josie and I holding hands. I dressed as Heather Duke, wearing a green velvet tank top and a green plaid skirt with heeled boots. Kaleb rushes to MG while I stay with Josie, Landon, and Raf.

"In the span of an hour, I was talking about sex, dumped for Annie Mikaelson, and then saw the girl who dumped me kissing Annie Mikaelson." Says Landon, I laugh, hugging my close friend. He wraps his arm around me, the four of us laughing. "What an interesting day,"

I look Landon up and down. "What are you dressed up as, anyway?" I ask him.

Landon gasps, offended. "It's so obvious!"

Rafael and Josie both shake their heads. "I don't get it." Landon scoffs, shaking his head.

"I'm E.T!"

We glance at MG and Kaleb, who are in the midst of a dance off. Kaleb grabs Landon, pulling him and Raf to the floor, Josie and I squeal as the boys pull us in as well, all of us dancing in the middle of the floor. Raf, Landon, and I wrap our arms around our shoulders, jumping up and down to the beat while laughing. Kaleb does a cool move, causing us all to cheer. Josie and I wrap our arms around each other, dancing to the music with our friends.

"Have any of you seen Hope?" Asks Rafael.

Landon shakes his head. "Not yet, but I'm sure she'll show up!" He yells over the music. I nod reassuringly, Josie kissing my cheek.

"Come on!" I yell, tugging Rafaels sleeve. "Just dance with us!"

Rafael chuckles as we all encourage him to do so, before dancing with us once again.

♚

The party calms down, transitioning into a slow song. "Would you, Josette Saltzman, like to dance."

"Why of course," Josie giggles, taking my hand. We find ourselves to the middle of the floor, our hand around each other. We sway back and forth, a smile on our faces. "I've missed you." Josie confesses.

"I can't explain how much I've wanted you to say that." I hum. Josie and I sway once again, Landon winking at us.

Josie blushes, looking back at me. "What about that human girl? Weren't you two-?"

"Dating?" I ask. "Oh, no. We went out on a few dates, but we're kinda," I look up, trying to find the right answer. "On different wave lengths." I hum. Josie smiles again, pulling me closer as we dance slowly.

♚

Lizzie and Hope rush down the stairs. "Hurry, we can still stop them-" They stop in their tracks, seeing Annie and Josie dancing on the floor. "What the hell?" The blond asks herself.

Hope looks at her sister. "Wasn't she flirting with Maya?"

"Wasn't she with Landon?"

Kaleb walks by, glancing at the two witches. "Actually, uh, Landon and Josie just broke up because Josie's still in love with Annie and Annie is still in love with Josie." He explains, walking away.

Hope and Lizzie stare at each other, confused before looking back at Annie and Josie. "That was unexpected."

♚

Josie and I fall onto her bed, her hair clip falling out as we share laughs. "I missed you way too much." I say, kissing her again.

Before we can go any farther, we are cut off by a pen scribbling away. I climb off Josie, the two of us frowning in confusion. Josie crawls onto the floor, pulling out a notebook. "Penelope gave me this." She says.

"What is it?"

"It's a notebook that detects what anyone writes with those stupid pens." She says, talking about the magical pens Penelope gave everyone for christmas one year. She opens it to a page. "It's Landon," She says, gesturing to the diary entry.

I skim it over. "He's a prude." I grumble, before flipping through the pages. Suddenly, I come across a page with the title; A SONG ABOUT HOPE.

Josie sees it too. "Hope? As in-"

"The were-witch girl I met at school?" I ask. "Why would Landon write a song about her?"

Josie and I look down at the notebook. "Annie, look." She points to another entry involving the name Hope.

HOPE MIKAELSON; the tribrid that seems to hate my guts.

"Her last name." I whisper.

"Stasia-"

I cut Josie off. "We're going to need to find more on Hope." I jump off the bed, grabbing my over shirt from before the party.

"Where are you going?" She asks me.

I turn back to Josie, breathing heavily. "I gotta make a phone call."