However Long It Takes

Chapter Seven - The Pageant

You arrived at the pageant with Rebekah, which turned many heads, to say the least. You don't think you've ever seen her with any friends since joining the high school, not that you had been paying overly close attention, anyway. Still, the time that you had spent together this afternoon was enjoyable and you felt like you had bonded quickly. Having everyone look at you made you nervous, and you almost wanted to leave. Surprising you, Rebekah interlocked her arm with yours and led you toward the party. Your anxiety faded away as you felt her confidence oozing off of her. You really did want to be her friend.

As you walked around the party, arm in arm, you searched for Klaus. Despite trying not to think about him, your mind continuously wandered back to him. And after less than five minutes of being there, you locked eyes with the immortal hybrid. A shy smile spread across your features and Rebekah followed your gaze, smirking before guiding you in his direction. His expression was unsure, and you worried that maybe he was having second thoughts. He was dressed in a black suit with a light blue dress shirt and gray tie. He looks... So handsome.

When you reached him, Rebekah unlinked her arm from yours and snatched a glass from a waiter walking by. "Nik," she greets him coldly. "Surprised to see you here," she comments.

"Yes well, I normally wouldn't waste my time with this sort of thing," he responds, his hard blue eyes staring into yours. Your heart pounded in your chest as you listened to the siblings. "Charlotte, you look... ravishing." His compliment erupts a fire in your chest and you can feel your cheeks heat up.

"Thank you. You look very handsome," you return the compliment awkwardly. Klaus grins before returning his gaze to his sister.

"And why are you here, sister?" he asks, taking a step toward you.

"You know I love a good party, Nik," she responds, looking around boredly.

"Well, if you'll excuse us, sister, I will be stealing my date now," Klaus offers his strong arm with a confident grin and you shyly place your hand in the crook of his arm.

"I'll see you later, Rebekah?" you ask before he can guide you away. She seems taken aback but smiles nonetheless and nods.

"Absolutely." You return the smile and let Klaus lead you off.

"Since when are you chummy with my sister?" he asks, slowly walking toward the back of the decorated tables. You love the way his accent sounds when he says sister – it sounds more like "sistah." Everything about this man is so charming.

"Today, I guess," you chuckle. He looks over at you for a moment, but you can't tell what he's thinking. Suddenly, his face drops into a scowl and you notice Damon is approaching.

"Klaus. What are you doing here?" Damon asks with narrowed eyes. Elena is eyeing your interlocked arms with a disapproving and confused expression.

"You've got a lot of nerve. After all you have done as of late." Your hand in Klaus's arm tightens and he takes notice, his scowl falling ever so slightly.

"Come on, let's get a drink," you say, looking at Klaus and ignoring the other two. His eyes soften and he leads you away. Instead of grabbing you a drink, he grabs an entire bottle of champagne and two glasses, then starts guiding you down a path and away from the party.

Klaus walks beside you in comfortable silence, glancing over at you with a grin at times. "What?" you ask after the second time you catch him grinning at you.

"Nothing," he starts, approaching a bench and eyeing you once again. "I just enjoy you."

"You... enjoy me?" you chuckle in embarrassment and confusion.