Chapter Text
Josie Saltzman had been through a lot more than a normal teenager should, but it made her the person she is now, a high school graduate, about to start her first year at college. At least, that’s what she likes to introduce herself as. Siphon witch, struggling with codependency, with a complicated family history, isn’t really something she would like to talk about.
“Hey, I’m Josie. I guess I’m your new roommate?” Josie introduces herself with a smile as she drags her luggage into her dorm room.
“Laura. That side’s mine, don’t touch it.” Laura says, and walks out.
“Oh…um, okay” Josie quietly says to herself. Okay, so that was one kid, and maybe she was having a bad day. Josie is sure that she’ll find a lot of people she can fit in with easily.
Her phone rings and she rolls her eyes with an affectionate smile, “I thought we were trying to work on our codependency.”
“Well, I’m sorry if I’m worried about my twin whom I’ve shared 18 years of my life with.”
“I’m fine, Lizzie. I just reached my dorm, and I’m about to unpack my things. How are you and dad?” Josie asks, holding her phone between her shoulder and her ear, as she unzips her suitcase.
“He isn’t drinking anymore…than usual, but he shaved that god awful beard, so I’m taking it as a win. I’m doing really good, that’s actually why I called you. MG finally asked me out!” Lizzie exclaims.
Josie’s eyes widen, and she pauses her task of unpacking, “He did? Lizzie that’s such great news! I’m so happy for you! Hang on, I’m getting another call.”
“Who’s more important to you than me? Don’t put me on ho-” Josie hears Lizzie say, before she puts her sister on hold, and answers the other call.
“She said yes!” Came a loud voice that made her pull her phone away from her ear, “Lizzie said yes! I asked her out, and she said yes. Jo, can you believe it? It’s finally happening!!”
“I do believe it; cause Lizzie is on the other line on hold.” Josie chuckles, “So, you finally asked her out, after a whole year of knowing she likes you back.” Josie teases, “But I’m proud of you, MG.”
“I’m so happy right now, Jo. I’ve got it all planned out. This will be the best date ever.” MG says, and Josie can just imagine the huge grin on the boy’s face.
Josie rolls her eyes with a smile on her face, “I know you do; you’ve been planning that date for years now. I need to go back to Lizzie now though, she does not like being kept on hold for long.”
“Oh, I know. I’ll call you later tonight, you better tell me all about your new college life. Bye, Jo.”
“Will do. Bye.” Josie disconnects the call, and what greets her on the other line is Lizzie’s yelling.
“Josette Lucas Saltzman, how dare you put me, your dearest, and only sister on hold for so long?!”
“MG called.” Josie says quickly, before Lizzie could go on a rant.
“Oh, what did he say? Did he talk about me?” Well, that was a complete one-eighty. Josie should use the boy’s name more to distract the blonde when needed.
“Yes, he was telling me that he asked you out, and that he is really happy.”
Lizzie sighs happily on the other side like the love sick teenager that she is, “He did? He’s so adorable. Have you ever noticed how dreamy his eyes are?”
“Yes, he did, and no, I have not noticed that, and as much as I would absolutely love to hear you talk about his dreamy eyes, I really need to finish unpacking.”
“Ugh, you’re no fun. Bye.”
After that eventful phone call, Josie finally sets out to unpacking, and arranging her side of the room. Once satisfied, she notices that it was already sun down, and that she was too tired to go out, so orders some food in, and opens her laptop to search for a movie.
Josie’s non magic life goes on pretty normally, she makes a few friends, and starts settling into her new life after about two weeks…okay, she has one friend from the music club she signed up for, but that’s still progress. Her roommate barely talks to her, and Josie had a hard time remembering her name; she had to check their door multiple times to memorize it during the first week. In her defense, she remembers names better when the person actually talks to her on a daily basis.
By the time her second weekend arrived, she had decided to go out, and experience the city. She was in New Orleans, after all, the city was filled with magic to the brim, and she was craving to feel it running through her veins again.
Her college was located at the edge of the city, and she could imagine why. New Orleans was a city with more supernatural population than the human one, so she figured it would be safer for a bunch of unsuspecting college kids to stay away than be dinner to a newbie vampire.
“Café du Monde…Café…Where is this damn thing?” Josie mumbles to herself while walking and eyeing the names of the places she sees.
“Hey! Watch where you’re going!” Obviously, Josie just had to bump into someone in a city that is considered to be dangerous, and where she knows no one.
“I’m so sor- Jade?” Josie cuts her apology short when she realizes that it’s the girl that used to baby sit her and her sister when they were fourteen.
“Josie? Is that you? Look at you all grown up, I barely recognized you.”
“Yep, the one and only. I totally recognized you, cause’ you look the same, since you know, you’re a vampire and all.” Josie states the obvious in a ramble, that may or may not have been because of the tiny crush she had on the older girl when she was a kid. Lizzie had teased her with the old movie reference, ‘My babysitter’s a vampire’, which she thinks her sister watched because of MG. “Sorry, I’m rambling.”
Josie is delighted when Jade chuckles and waves her off, instead of giving her an awkward stare, “Don’t worry, it’s cute.”
Well, nobody can blame Josie for the slight blush that appears on her cheeks for being called cute by her old crush. Snapping out of it quickly, Josie clears her throat, and continues her apology, “I’m sorry for bumping into you, I was searching for a place.”
“Which place? Maybe I can help you out?” Jade asks, “I’m actually quite surprised to see you in New Orleans by the way.”
“And why’s that?”
“Well, your dad definitely gives out the over protective parent vibe. No offense, but I really thought he would never let you and your sister out of his sight.” Jade replies, “Is your sister here too?”
“It took a lot of convincing, but moving out for college was a necessary change, and no, Lizzie is still in Mystic Falls.” Josie answers with a smile, “And, Café du Monde, have you heard of it? I’m supposed to be meeting my aunt, but I can’t find the damn place.”
“That’s cause you’re in the wrong street, see that alley behind you? Just go straight, and you should be able to find the cafe.” Jade points.
“Thank you. I’ll see you around?” Josie asks, hopefully, and Jade nods, before walking in the opposite direction.
Josie follows Jade’s directions, and walks into the café to find her aunt sitting with coffee in her hand. “Josie, here.” She waves her over with a smile when she sees Josie standing near the entrance, “How have you been?” she asks, giving her a hug in greeting.
“I’m good, Aunt Bonnie. How are you?” Josie smiles.
“I’m fine, how’s college going? Your mother was a little concerned with your choice of city, can’t say I blame her.”
“Is that why you asked me to meet you? Because mom wanted to check on me? I’m not a child anymore, I can handle myself.” Josie defends herself. She was really tired of her family questioning her every choice and babying her.
“Hey, she’s your mother, she’s allowed to be worried, and do I really need a reason to check on my niece? I was in town because your mother wanted me to help a family of a friend she cares about, and when I heard you were here too, I offered to check in with you.” Josie opens her mouth to speak, but Bonnie beats her to it, “I’m your aunt, I’m allowed to be worried too.”
Josie pouts, but decides to let it go. Her family has always been protective of her and Lizzie, she figures there’s nothing she can do about it, “Fine. College is going well so far, classes are a little different with no magic, but it’s not too bad, just a little boring.”
Bonnie chuckles, “Yeah, well, we never had a supernatural school to grow up in, so-”
“Aunt Bonnie, are you going to do the old people thing and tell me I’m lucky that I had the opportunity to even go to a supernatural school?”
“And here I thought your sister was the sassy one.”
“But you were going to say that, weren’t you?” Josie raises her eyebrow, and Bonnie rolls her eyes, confirming Josie’s words, and making her giggle.
Josie and Bonnie talk for a while more, before Josie asks her aunt something that has been on her mind for a while now, “Have you ever felt like something is missing in your life?”
“Am I the cool aunt you talk relationships with? Always thought that I lost that to Elena because of my traveling, but hey, now I have something to boast about.” Bonnie laughs.
“Aunt Bonnie, this is serious, please.” Josie whines.
Bonnie raises her hands in surrender, “Sorry, continue.”
“I just…I’ve been feeling so empty, and no matter what I did, nothing ever worked.” Bonnie tries to speak, but Josie stops her, “I have already tried dating, been in a couple of serious relationships too, but no luck. I don’t think this feeling has anything to do with my romantic life, I actually think it might be…magical? Because, as soon as I arrived in New Orleans, I instantly felt better, like I was in the right place.”
Bonnie nods, taking in everything, “I haven’t heard of anything like this happening to witches, but I’ll look into it while I’m here, and let you know.”
“Thank you. I didn’t really know who else to talk to, Lizzie has been supportive, but I think she’s still pissed at me for leaving.”
“She probably just didn’t want to see her twin move so far away from her.” Bonnie reaches out, and squeezes Josie’s hand with a smile.
Josie smiles in return, and thanks her aunt again, before they both realize that they had to leave, “You sure you don’t need my help with that friend you were talking about?”
“I think two witches that have been practicing magic longer than you’ve been born, should have it under cover.” Bonnie chuckles, “But, thanks for offering.”
“I’m pretty well educated in magic too, you know? Top of my class?”
“Top of your class with the books I’ve written and have been written on me?” Bonnie smirks.
“Fine, fine. I get it.” Josie laughs, “It was really nice seeing you again, Aunt Bonnie. Don’t leave New Orleans without meeting once more.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
They hug, and part ways, Josie feeling a lot better than she had for two weeks after seeing two familiar faces in a new city. On her way back to her college, she has a lingering feeling of being watched, but brushes it off after turning back multiple times and seeing nothing.
Right when she is about to reach her college, Josie quickly siphons from her a bracelet she wears for emergencies, to turn around and blast a spell on her stalker, “Who are you? Why are you following me? What do you want?”
“Easy on the questions, babe.” The person replies, and removes their hoodie, revealing themself. Realization colors Josie’s face as they continue, “Care to put me down now?”