Imaginary Men

Chapter 1

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       Autumn had always resented her parents. She hated how they wanted her to be this poster child of a founding family. She could never measure up to their impossible standards. At times when the pressure from them was so high she had even wished they were dead. This wish turned into reality when her father passed. Today was the wake and Autumn was nothing close to ready. She hadn't gotten out of bed for the past week, even Kol and Finn were no help. But today was different, today meant something. Autumn woke up with a goal, a goal to just for a day please her father.

      "Good morning dear, you're up early," Finn greets warmly. Over the past ten years of living with the two brothers following her around she loves most how calm and warm Finn's presence is. Autumn sniffles, her nose still runny from crying the night before. It pained Finn and Kol to see Autumn like this. They hardly ever see her cry as she tends to hold in her feelings but lately crying is all she seemed to do.

       "Good morning Finn and Kol," Autumn responds rubbing her eyes in an attempt to get rid of her sleepiness. She stretches her arms before pulling herself out of the bed. Getting ready with two men constantly by you is a challenge Autumn is accustomed to at this point. However, it still has its challenges. "Kol, maybe it's not a good idea to chase Daisy around," Autumn suggests in a scolding manner. Daisy is a bunny who  is Autumns I'm sorry your dad died gift from her mom. Luckily Daisy has become Autumns new best friend much to Kol and Finn's dismay.

"Sorry Angel, I'll stop," Kol responds, shoulders slouching. Usually Kol would continue his pestering until Autumn could convince him to stop but today was different. Autumn was feeling better and Kol would stop at nothing to avoid ruining it for her. Autumn playfully rolls her eyes and quickly goes to the bathroom to change. "Well Finn, things certainly seem to be looking up for our lovely mate!" To Kols suprise Finn doesn't seem as happy as him about the improvement in Autumn's mental health.

"Brother, I think that for Autumns safety we must tell her about the supernatural. We can't keep her in the dark forever," Finn confesses leaving Kol with a worried expression which was uncommon for Kol as he is usually unserious. As Kol opens his mouth to reply Autumn walks into the room with a stunning black dress on, made of silk and a dainty bow in the back. Both the vampires lose any focus on their previous conversation, in awe of their mate in front of them.

"What is it? Do I look stupid? Be honest, I mean I can change-" Autumn rants.

"You look stunning, Dear. I could never think of you as stupid," Finn soothes. Autumn lets out a sigh of relief as Kol eagerly shakes his head in agreement. Autumn had always thought of Kol as a golden retriever, in the way he's always excited and overly dramatic about nearly everything. Autumn flinches at the sound of her mother's persistent knocking, snapping her out of her thoughts. She bites back a groan of annoyance and walks over to the door.

"Autumn honey, do you need help getting ready?" Her mother asks with a shakey voice. This shocks Autumn as she had rarely seen her mother look so genuine, so real. Autumn had hardly thought about how hard the loss must be for her own mother. Though she didn't need any help she could see her mother was dying for a distraction. 'What would dad want me to do?' Autumn thinks to herself.

       "Yes actually, could you do my hair?" Autumn asks waving the clip on bow in her hand. Carol smiles and nods, getting situated to do her daughter's hair for this tragic occasion. "So Mom, how are you doing?" Autumn mentally face palms feeling stupid asking the question knowing her mother was in fact not doing very well.

       "Well, I haven't cried in front of anyone yet so I would say I'm doing alright." Carol rarely opened up to her daughter so this came to a shock for Autumn. Autumn looks down at her feet strapped into uncomfortable flats. She had always hoped her mother would open up to her but now that the time has come Autumn is unsure of how to respond. It Autumn was like any other normal girl, she'd have to come up with a response herself but luckily she was not any normal girl. She looks over to Finn and Kol who are sitting on her bed and gives them a panicked look as a signal for help.