3rd Person POV
SADIE: When Landon stumbled into me covered in paint, also getting paint on my hoodie, I knew the day was only going to go down from there...
"I have some news. Many of you, like me, have forgotten that we are hosting this year's Miss Mystic Falls Pageant." Dr Satlzman says in the assembly hall with Lizzie next to him
SADIE: And I was right...
A bunch of students start groaning, Sadie as well
"Trust me, I know." Dr Satlzman says. "But the rotation is set in stone. So, let's take the opportunity to maintain our image as a normal school for the rich and awful. As usual, anything remotely magical, enchanted, vampire, wolf or witch-related must be kept tucked away, hidden, and under lock and key. Now... with your chore assignments."
He hands the floor to Lizzie
"Okay, so we'll split into teams." Lizzie says
***
SADIE: The day only got worse when Dr Saltzman made us move rats from the basement
"Hey, Hope." Landon says, walking in with rats in cages. "You have any idea where these guys go?"
"Yeah, anywhere but with the birds." Hope says. "The ravens and the finches are fine, but the rats drive the owls crazy."
Landon puts the cages down
"So I've been thinking about why you've been acting so weird." Landon says
"Suddenly everyone's got a psychology degree around here." Hope mutters
"No, I just, I just think you have cold feet." Landon says
"About what?" Hope asks
"Us." Landon says. "You know, we're good. We're finally in a solid relationship based on honesty and openness and... I'm indestructible. You're relatively indestructible. We finally have a long, clear road ahead of us, you know, with no obstacles."
SADIE: And the bad day continued when I saw a familiar face...
Sadie runs into the room and over to Hope and Landon
"We got incoming." Sadie says
"What now?" Hope asks
Roman walks into view
"That." Sadie says, pointing
Hope looks over
Roman waves
Landon looks
"Who is that?" Landon asks
Hope and Sadie share a look
"Um... That is Roman." Hope says. "My ex-boyfriend."
"Oh." Landon says
"Dr. Saltzman's been a little overwhelmed, so, uh, I've been doing a little... recruiting recon for him lately." Roman explains. "But he asked me to come in today and lend a hand."
"Oh, you know Sadie and, uh, this is Landon." Hope says
"Her boyfriend." Landon says. "And a Phoenix. By the way, which is... so cool."
Sadie face palms
"I better go find Dr. Saltzman." Roman says, leaving
"That was a little alpha male of you." Hope says
"I mean, is that the -year-old vampire ex you may have mentioned murdered your mom?" Landon asks
"It is." Hope says. "Though I don't hold him responsible for what happened anymore."
"I'm gonna go hide more rats." Landon says
Sadie looks up to see him leave
She looks over at Hope and sees her looking after him with a nervous look
"It's gonna be okay." Sadie tells her
"Yeah, I hope so." Hope says. "I just need something to get my mind off of everything."
***
Sadie is walking down the hallway with books in her hand as she approaches the library
Lizzie intercepts her, grabbing her arm and pulling her down a different direction and the two continue walking
"Why?" Sadie asks
"Because I need your help with something." Lizzie says
"Can it wait?" Sadie asks. "I already got my hands full."
"This can't wait." Lizzie says, speeding up and turning to stop in front of Sadie
Sadie stops
"What?" Sadie asks
"I want you to run for Miss Mystic Falls." Lizzie says
"Are you out of your mind?" Sadie asks, pushing around Lizzie and walking down the hall
Lizzie catches up with her
"Come on, Nightshade." Lizzie whines. "You're gorgeous and your orphan story is great."
"No way." Sadie says, continuing
Lizzie follows
"Come on, we're the blonde squad." Lizzie pouts
"Look, as much as I'd love to go for Miss Mystic Falls and do my makeup and wear a pretty dress..." Sadie starts, stopping which causes Lizzie to stop. Sadie's slight smile drops as she realizes. "...I will be spending this time of year like I do every year...in my room and far away from people."
"Why?" Lizzie asks
"What do you mean, why?" Sadie asks. "I'm a liability, like your father says. Dr Satlzman doesn't want anything to go wrong...can't risk me getting angry and going haywire." She looks down and sighs
"I didn't know that." Lizzie says
"Well now you do." Sadie says. She looks up. "Can I go to the library now?"
Lizzie side steps out of the way
Sadie passes her
***
"Blonde squad, where are we going?" Hope asks as Lizzie and Sadie lead her through the woods
"You are a ticking time bomb." Sadie says
"We're gonna show you how to take care of it before you hurt someone, or worse, cost us the pageant." Lizzie says
"Really?" Sadie scoffs
"I'm fine." Hope says
"Yea, no." Sadie says
"I just needed some air." Hope tells the girls
Lizzie and Sadie share a look before stopping and turning to Hope
"You are far from fine." Lizzie says. "You are one small moment away from a meltdown, trust us. We know the signs. You know that feeling inside, like a balloon constantly filling up, always on the verge of popping?"
"Maybe." Hope says
"Well, let it pop." Lizzie says. "Scream as loud as you can."
Sadie and Lizzie move to stand behind Hope
Hope screams and her magic shoots from her hands
Then all is silent
They start walking back to the school
"You know? I actually feel a lot better." Hope says. "But I think I need to go back up to my room. I need to call it a day."
"No, you are not dropping out on me." Lizzie says. "If I'm right, which I am, our win probability is still at 87%. Even after that abysmal rehearsal. So buckle up, we're in this till the bitter end."
Landon passes by and stares at Hope
"In a situation like this, which one of us is supposed to apologize?" Hope asks
"When it comes to jealousy? Always the guy." Lizzie says
Landon and Hope walk to each other
"Hey." Hope says
"Hey." Landon says. "I'm so sorry, I was totally insensitive, and I just, I...Where did this statue come from?"
"Uh, I-I don't know, somebody probably moved it up here when they were cleaning?" Hope says. "Looks like one of the statues from the basement."
"Call me crazy, but doesn't this look like MG's mom?" Landon asks
"I think it is MG's mom." Hope says
They had gotten Dr Satlzman and MG out there
"Who would do this to my mom?" MG asks
"Well, not just who would... Who could?" Hope says
"It could be a bad spell translation, a potion mishap?" Dr Satlzman says
"Or a monster." Hope says
"There's no reason a monster would be here." Dr Satlzman says
"Unless this sentient jar of artisanal mayonnaise activated a new artifact." Lizzie says. "What did you touch?"
"Everything." Landon says. "We cleaned the school from top to bottom, remember? But if we're just gonna throw out wild theories, here's one: what if the person who did this showed up today, out of nowhere, acting all buddy-buddy, manipulating romantic feelings to get someone's guard down?"
"Do you seriously suspect Roman?" Hope says
"Yeah, we all should." Landon says. "The timing is too convenient."
"I thought you were sorry for acting jealous." Hope says
"I was sorry, but now I'm vindicated." Landon defends
"All right, Lizzie, Hope, Sarah, you keep an eye on the contestants. MG, we're gonna search the campus." Dr Satlzman says. "Landon..."
"I'm gonna go ask Roman some questions." Landon says, walking away
"Yeah, super helpful." Hope calls after him. "Ask a vampire how he turned a woman to stone."
"All right, everyone stay alert and be careful out there." Dr Satlzman says
***
"Though I still struggle daily with a profound sense of l-loss..." Hope reads from the paper in the twins' room. "Lizzie, um, why are all the answers that you've prepared for me about death and grief?"
Sadie sits on the bed with a notebook
Lizzie told her to do something about the pageant but now she's just doodling
"The Q and A portion of Miss Mystic Falls isn't just about A-ing the Qs, Hope." Lizzie says. "You and Dana's mom have a lot in common. She lost Dana, you lost your mom, your dad, Landon almost. Nightshade has a similar situation but she didn't wanna do the pageant."
"I can't." Sadie says from her doodles
"I'm not... I'm not struggling anymore." Hope says. "I've dealt with it and moved on."
Lizzie opens a box with a dress
"Wow." Sadie breathes, getting up from the bed and looking at the dress
"This was my mother's." Lizzie says. "We can alter it to fit you."
"It's gorgeous." Hope says
Sadie touches the dress, it was amazing
***
Sadie sits on her bed in her room
She had said goodnight to the others around 4 pm and Dr Saltzman and Emma locked her in her room
"Miss Sasha Stoteraux, escorted by Bartholomew Fell Jr." The announcer says as Sasha and Bartholomew walk down the stairs
Sadies watches from a table that Dr Satlzman gave her for the night
She sighs, watching another contestant go down the stairs
"Miss Josette Saltzman, escorted by Miss Penelope Park." The announcer says
Sadie watches them walk down the stairs
Everyone claps
Josie trips down the stairs and knocks the girl in front of her out
Sadie gasps and so does the audience
Josie gets up and talks to Penelope
Another contestant is announced
Sadie watches Hope walk down the stairs
She's gorgeous
But she's walking down with Roman instead of Landon
The contestants all dance to the music
Sadie lays down on her bed with the tablet above her face
"May I have your attention, please?" The announcer says. "Without further ado, it is my honor to announce our very own Miss Mystic Falls. From the Salvatore School, Miss Hope Mikaelson."
Sadie smiles, sitting up as the camera zooms in on Hope
But she doesn't look very happy
She's in tears
Sadie could feel rumbling from her room
"Uh oh." Sadie whispers
She gets up and runs to her door
But it won't open -- Emma had spelled her door
"Damn it." Sadie says, running back over to the tablet
Lizzie runs forwards and hugs Hope
Hope cries
***
Sadie's door opens and she springs up into a sitting position
Lizzie is in her doorway
"Hello?" Sadie says
"Here." Lizzie says, walking over and sitting on the bed, handing Sadie a box
"What is it?" Sadie asks
"Open it." Lizzie says
Sadie opens the box and it's a light pink dress
"Wow..." Sadie whispers. "This looks like..."
"What Miss Mystic Falls girls wear?" Lizzie says. "I had it tailored for you...I had no idea you were never allowed to attend and when you said that...I could tell you wanted to do it."
Sadie smiles, looking at the dress
"Now hurry and put it on." Lizzie says. "And when you're done, meet me in the hall."
Lizzie walks out and closes the door
Sadie puts the dress on
She opens the door and sees Lizzie standing there with a smile and a tablet
"Now what?" Sadie asks
"Would you like to dance?" Landon's voice asks, walking down the hall in his normal jeans and a hoodie
Sadie nods with a smile
Landon takes her hand and they dance to the song
Landon spins Sadie around and she laughs
The song ends
"Thank you." Sadie tells him
Landon nods
"Hey, I'm gonna go get some air." Landon tells the girls
"Okay." Lizzie says
Landon leaves
Sadie walks over to Lizzie and stands in front of her for a second before pulling her into a hug
Lizzie is startled at first but soon hugs back
They pull away
"Thank you." Sadie says with tears in her eyes
"I'm sorry my dad is so hard on you sometimes." Lizzie says
Sadie shrugs
"But I'm more sorry that I've been hard on you." Lizzie says. "You're actually pretty cool."
"Aww, you're actually pretty cool too." Sadie says with a smile
The two girls hug again
SADIE: What we didn't know at the time was that Landon had watched us hug, and then grabbed a bag he stashed at the end of the hall and left to...well that'll come up later
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