Evoke

Chapter Thirteen

Mystic Falls
August 25, 1864

I was a shameful person. I was an awful wife and a disgusting friend. And yet, it didn't deter the content, happy feeling inside me.
I had woken up next to Harry this morning, a mixture of complete elation and disgust inside me. If neither of us were married, this would most likely be the happiest day of my life. But we were, and to each others best friends. I felt so wrong, and yet being next to Harry was so oddly right.
He was upset when I shot out of bed and slammed the bathroom door. I could hear him yelling for me to come back out and talk about what happened, but I couldn't. I was so conflicted in myself and I was ashamed. How could I do that to Janelle or Kenneth? How could I be so selfish? I had spent almost four years resisting my feelings for Harry, and I'd gone and ruined it all. I was a terrible person.
"Nella, for goodness sake, come out and we can just talk," Harry said for the umpteenth time, knocking on the door. Sighing and knowing that I would be stuck in this room forever if I didn't, I opened the door and stepped out. He had a dress in his hands and gave it to me.
"It was going to be Janelle's birthday present, but I think it will look much better on you. I can buy her another," Harry said gently. It was and I felt terribly guilty for accepting it, but the only other dress I had was the one from last night. Harry helped me into it - I always struggled to tie my corset on my own and the crinoline skirts made everything much harder to do. When I was finally in my outfit, Harry and I went downstairs and he began to prepare a small breakfast for us both.
"I know how you're feeling, Nella," He said after we had both eaten. "But I don't regret it for one moment."
"I don't regret it either," I said quietly, hating the fact that it was true. "But it cannot happen again. I can't deal with all of this guilt. I don't know whether I'll be able to look Kenneth or Janelle in the eye ever again. Oh, goodness, Kenneth-"
"Kenneth thinks you went home with your family last night," Harry said.
I frowned. "How do you know?"
"I asked if Stefan would cover for you," Harry revealed.
"He knows?!" I exclaimed, feeling worse.
"He only know that you came home with me," Harry tried to console me, but it wasn't working.
"Stefan's not stupid, Harry, he'll work it out," I sighed, sitting back in my chair.
"I'm sorry," Harry murmured.
"No, Harry- don't be sorry. I will treasure last night for the rest of my life," I said, reaching across the table to take his hands. "I love you, I really do. I wish I didn't feel as guilty as I did - I wish I could just enjoy all of this. But I can't. And I'm sorry for that."
"You've got no reason to be sorry, Nella, it was my fault."
"It was no one's fault," I corrected. "We both made this decision together. But it cannot happen again."
"I know," Harry said quietly. "I know."
"As much as I would like it to," I added and Harry smiled at me.
"You should probably head home," Harry said, standing up.
"I might visit father first," I replied. "At least that way my cover is not a complete lie."
"I admire your morality, Nella," Harry said. "You're too lovely to everyone."
I smiled and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Harry, for everything."
"It was my pleasure," Harry responded gently. "I hope to see you soon."
"Of course," I nodded. I began to walk to the door.
"Would you like me to get the carriage ready?" Harry offered.
"No, thank you," I shook my head. "I think the walk will do me some good."
"As long as you're sure," Harry said, embracing me once again. He kissed my cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too," I replied, brushing my hand across his cheek. "Come over soon."
"Of course," Harry smiled, opening the door for me. "Goodbye, Nella."
"Goodbye, Harry," I said, leaning up to quickly kiss his lips before I stepped out of the door and into the sunlight. Now was time to get back into the real world, where Harry and I don't exist together.
I began my walk away from Harry's home and towards Veritas, taking my time, admiring my beautiful town. There were gorgeous, red Cardinal flowers and Great Blue Lobelias in the meadow to the left of the road, dotting the landscape with color. It was a therapeutic walk, and as I came into the main part of town, past the church and towards the apothecary, I couldn't deny that I was in such a lovely place.
I was so distracted by the beauty of my home that I didn't notice Katherine approach me until she tapped me on the shoulder.
"Hello, Nella," She smiled.
"Oh, hello, Katherine," I replied, smiling politely. "How are you?"
"Very well, thank you," Katherine said. There was a glint in her eye that made me a little nervous. "I'm sure you're in a wonderful mood."
I frowned. "Why would you think that?"
"Walk with me?" She said. It was more of a demand than a question and I agreed warily. When we had walked some fifty yards out of the centre of town, Katherine turned to me with a sly look on her face.
"I know you were with Harry last night," She told me.
"How?" I asked calmly, despite the growing panic inside me.
"Stefan told me that Harry asked if he could cover for you," Katherine said casually. "He tells me everything
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I want something from you and this is the perfect way for me to get it," Katherine said.
"You're going to blackmail me? Sweetheart, you do realise I can have you removed from this town with a snap of my fingers."
Katherine pursed her lips for a moment. "Fine. I won't blackmail you."
"Thank you," I nodded.
"But I still want something from you," Katherine added.
"And what's that?" I asked.
"Your friendship."
"You were going to blackmail me to be your friend?" I frowned.
"Well, now that you say it like that, it sounds rather ridiculous," Katherine said. "But yes. You see, Stefan won't truly love me unless I have his sister's approval."
"Why are you sharing all of this with me?"
"Isn't that what friends do?" Katherine asked.
"Well, I suppose so. But I never actually agreed to be your friend."
Katherine blinked at me. "I really don't want to compel you, Nella."
"What?" I frowned.
"Oh, yes, I'm a vampire," Katherine revealed in a light tone.
"You're what?" I breathed, eyes wide, as I stopped in the middle of the path.
"Oh, come on, Nella," Katherine said, gripping my shoulders and looking into my eyes intensly. "I'm not going to hurt you and you're not going to tell anyone else. I've shared this with you because I'm trying to be your friend."
"You're not very good at this, are you?" I asked. Some odd sensation had come over me and I suddenly didn't care that the woman beside me was a vampire. My father had warned me that vampires were real just after my mother's death. I've no idea how he knew, but he wanted me to be safe knowing that they were real.
"No," Katherine admitted as we began walking again. "I've not had a proper friend in 400 years."
"You're 400 years old?" I asked.
"I don't look it, do I?" Katherine asked. I had to smile at her. Maybe I could try being her friend...
"Alright," I said. "I will be your friend."
Katherine smiled brightly and she suddenly looked much younger. "Thank you, Nella!"
"That's alright, Katherine," I said.
It was true to say I was actually rather excited about the idea. Since I can remember, my only true friend has been Janelle, but since I met Harry, I've felt as if our relationship had changed. So knowing that I may just have a friend that I can talk to about Harry made me very happy. Even if she was a vampire who may kill me, that didn't seem to matter.
On the rest of our walk back to Veritas, we discussed all sorts of things - she was very intelligent and incredibly fun company. And when we reached my father's estate, Stefan was waiting. He beamed when he saw Katherine and I arrive, smiling and acting like we had been friends for absolute years. I may well have just befriended my future sister-in-law. But I suppose only time will tell. And Katherine hasn't even met Damon yet - he is due home in just a few days now.
When I would look back on this day in years to come, I realised that it was the day that my whole life changed. It was the day that I was introduced to a real-life vampire and the day that Harry and I had pretended that our relationship was actually feasible. And it was the day that I realised that my life wasn't simple as I had previously hoped and seen it to be.
What I didn't realise was that after today, my life would get highly complicated, doubly difficult and infinitely longer.