The Musician | Marcel Gerard

Chapter Seven

 Vera went back to her usual street corner the next day, and Marcel would hang around to listen whenever he had the time. Sometimes he would walk home with her in the evening if he was still there by six. Sometimes she would ask him about being a vampire and running a city, or she would tell him about the rock music she played and listened to. Marcel soon realized she could be very talkative when she wanted to be.

 "So, is that the plan?" Marcel asked her on one occasion. "Get of New Orleans, go become a famous rock musician?" 

 She nodded. "That's the plan. It's 1972, after all; all the young people are loving rock 'n roll these days, maybe even some of the older people. What about you?"

 He shrugged. "Can't say, really. We have mostly jazz music here, and I'm usually too busy to go looking for new music."

 Vera smiled. "Then, Mr. Gerard, you have not truly lived until you've started listening to some rock 'n roll."

 For those next few weeks, Vera and Marcel found that they truly enjoyed each other's company. Vera realized that if Marcel was an okay guy, then maybe there could be other okay vampires in the world, and Marcel began to think more about music in ways he hadn't in a long time, long before he had to worry about running a city.

 Whether this was just an infatuation or possibly something deeper, no one could be sure. Whenever you saw the two hanging on the street corner and walking down the street towards Vera's place, all you could really see were two people who seemed to be very fond of each other.

~~~~~~ 

 "Well, thank you walking home with me again," Vera said as they stopped outside the bakery. "You know, you don't have to. I'm perfectly capable of walking myself home."

 "I'm sure you are," Marcel replied, "But this always gives me a chance to talk with you, and I like talking with you."

 "Even though I'm the one that does most of the talking?"

 He nodded. "Even though." 

 They smiled at each other, and were standing so close together that, later on, Marcel just supposed he thought it would be a good idea at the time.

 He leaned over and kissed her. 

 As he did, his mind somehow drifted away from Vera and off to somewhere else, another lady. He thought of her blond hair and gorgeous smile, the way she would look at him and say his name so fondly.

 Marcel broke away from the kiss and said softly, "Rebekah..."

 Vera furrowed her brow. "Who's Rebekah?"

 "Um...," Think of something, he thought. "Just...someone I used to know."

 "Really? Well, she must have been pretty special if you were thinking of her while kissing me. And let's not forget you started that kiss."

 "Look, Vera," he said, "It was a long time ago."

 "Then why are you still thinking about her?" Vera asked. "Why would you kiss me, and then suddenly start thinking about her?" She sighed. "Don't answer that. I don't even want to know. Good night, Marcel."

 "No, wait-" 

 He watched her go inside, knowing she would be locking the door, locking him out.

 What was wrong with him? Why would he say Rebekah's name while kissing Vera?

 Because he liked Vera, sure enough.

 But perhaps Rebekah Mikaelson had not quite left his heart.