Vampire Diaries Imagines

Wherever He Is - Klaus Mikaelson

I knew better than to expect him to come.

But I sent the invitation anyway.

It had felt stupid, writing it out and slipping it into the envelope with shaky hands. Even more ridiculous dropping it into the mailbox, knowing full well how unlikely it was that he would leave New Orleans for something as ordinary as a high school graduation.

Klaus Mikaelson didn't do ordinary.

And honestly, he didn't owe me this. He'd made it clear the last time we spoke-how complicated things were in New Orleans, how his family and the city itself were constantly shifting beneath his feet. He couldn't afford to leave, not when his enemies were waiting for the slightest sign of weakness.

But still... I hoped.

I sat among my classmates, the afternoon sun warm against my skin as the ceremony dragged on. I smiled politely, clapped when the principal made her speech, and stood to cross the stage when my name was called.

I looked.

I couldn't stop myself-I scanned the crowd almost instinctively as I stepped down from the stage, searching for a glimpse of familiar dark blond hair, a tailored suit, that intense gaze that always seemed to find me no matter the crowd.

But he wasn't there.

Of course, he wasn't.

I swallowed the quiet pang of disappointment, forcing a polite smile as I rejoined my classmates. What had I expected? That he'd sweep in dramatically at the last minute, flashing that infuriatingly charming smile? That he'd appear out of thin air with some witty comment, just to remind me that he'd never truly left me behind?

Stupid.

I sat through the rest of the ceremony, listening to speeches I barely processed, clapping when it was appropriate, and smiling when people congratulated me. My friends chattered around me as we moved toward the parking lot, making plans for parties later that night. But I drifted quietly toward the edge of the crowd, feeling restless.

"YNN!" Elena's voice cut through the noise, and I turned to see her weaving through the crowd toward me. Caroline and Bonnie followed close behind, each wearing wide smiles.

"You coming with us?" Caroline asked, her eyes bright. "We're heading to the Grill for drinks before the party tonight!"

I smiled faintly, but it didn't quite reach my eyes. "Maybe later."

"Oh, come on!" Bonnie warned playfully, but her smile softened when she caught the quiet hesitation in my expression. "Wait, are you okay?"

"Yeah," I lied easily. "Just tired. It's been a long day."

They accepted that and drifted back toward the crowd. I lingered near the edge of the parking lot, slipping my graduation cap off and running my fingers along the smooth material.

He didn't come.

You knew he wouldn't.

But it still hurt.

I sighed and turned toward the road that led out of the school, feeling the weight of disappointment settle in my chest. I hadn't realized how much I'd counted on seeing him-how much I'd needed to know that I still mattered to him after all this time.

I took a step toward the sidewalk-

"Leaving so soon, love?"

My breath hitched.

I froze, slowly turning toward the sound of that deep, familiar voice.

And there he was.

Klaus stood just a few feet away, leaning casually against the hood of a sleek black car, hands tucked lazily into the pockets of his tailored suit. His hair was slightly tousled, that signature smirk curving at the corner of his mouth. But his eyes-those piercing blue eyes-were fixed entirely on me.