Rafael’s eyes roamed around the packed dining hall, finally landing on Josie giggling away with a few of her witch friends. Rafael headed in her direction, away from the crowded wolf table that was shouting and throwing food at each other.
“This seat taken?” he asked, motioning to the chair that wasn’t occupied by her entourage. 
“Actually, none of them are taken.” Josie smiled up at him and rested her elbows on the table. “The girls were just heading off to class.” She smiled wider and gave them pointed looks until they nodded and said their goodbyes. 
“You seemed like you were missing your sidekick,” Rafael noted as he sat.
“Yeah. Lizzie wanted to go to Mystic Falls High.”
“And you didn’t want to go with her?”
Josie leaned in, talking quietly. “I think she wanted something new to throw herself into after she moved on from Honor Council.” She sat back and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “You didn’t want to go with Landon?”
“I think he could use a little space. I’ve been a bit smotheirng since him and Hope broke up.” Rafael stabbed at his food. 
“Yeah.” Josie’s head tilted back as she laughed. “I know all about smothering siblings.”
“Lizzie?”
“Yeah.” Josie tucked her hands into her lap. “It feels like every waking moment of my life is being suffocated by her, and I just can’t get away.”
“Well …” Rafael’s smile grew. “... today seems like a good start.”
“Yeah.” Josie nodded along, her own smile growing. “It does.”
“Do you want to hang out today? Both work on making space for ourselves?”
“That sounds amazing.”