SHE PROMISED ( the originals )

0006. JUST ENTERTAIN ME, GOSH DERN IT

SHE PROMISED
( part one, chapter six )

DAVINA HAD TEXTED HER a lot since their meeting but unfortunately, Elle had to cancel a few of their plans because of the shop. Cordelia, despite the fact being the manager at the Witch Hazel, had been quite busy handling the funeral arrangements for their estranged aunt (and the occasional dates here and there). Of course, Davina was a bit upset but she understood; Elle had her own plans and her own life that didn't (fortunately) revolve around the Mikaelsons and vampires and New Orleanian mayhem. Though, when they did hang out, it was rather fun and interesting; the other day, they had a cute movie marathon of movies from the nineties.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Elle leaned on the counter and looked up at the clock. It read two fifty-one and she let out an even louder sigh. It wouldn't be another three hours until she could close up the shop. When she was younger, she loved when she was working at the shop for it just kept her from home; now she couldn't wait to go home. Elle stood up, rolling her shoulders and heading into the backroom, pushing the colorful tapestry to the side as she walked through the doorway. Inside was the peeling leather couch pushed up against the wall, where Elle often found herself napping during her breaks. Heading over to fridge, she opened it up to spot there were only a few water bottles left with three packets of string cheese left in on the door shelf. "Note to self: restock work fridge," she murmured to herself.

Hearing the bell ring surprised her and Elle shut the fridge behind her. She pushed the tapestry out of the way again, spotting a boy searching one of the tables. "Can I help you, sir?" she asked and when he turned, Elle almost chuckled. "Oh, it's just you. Well, you already know where everything is... so, you know, no help for you."

He laughed at her childishness. "Now, don't be like that, love," he grinned. "What if you've got something cool and exotic imported all the way from Kathmandu and I'd like to see it?"

Elle tilted her head, almost in a mocking manner. "Then there'd be a sign advertising it, Kaleb," she said. "What are you doing here?"

Kaleb was her best friend, having met nearly a month after Elle had moved to New Orleans. The two had gotten along splendidly over their love of music and art and witchcraft, and because Kaleb was a normal teenager, he got to go to high school and help sneak Elle into some parties. A small part of her was itching to go to another one 一 ugh, withdrawals. There were some times where he'd flirt with her, but it was all in the name of good fun.

He rearranged the earbuds dangling around his neck. "I can't be here to see my amazing and wonderful best buddy Ellie-poo?" When she raised a brow at him, Kaleb rolled his blue eyes. "All right, fine, I got bored, okay?" He held his hands up in defense.

"Are you telling me the great and amazing Kaleb Westphall got bored in beautiful New Orleans, a city that never sleeps?" Elle asked dramatically, waving her hands with flair. "I thought you never got bored."

"Well, you are sorely mistaken."

She leaned on the counter, resting her chin in her hand. "So, what, did you expect me to be your knight in shining denim?" She gestured to her signature denim jacket, decked out in her spectacular pins.

"I did, yes," Kaleb said, flicking at the rainbow ribbon she had pinned on that morning. He always liked when she switched some out, showcasing her newest additions. He grinned when he saw the small eggplant pin he got her last week. "Showing your pride, are you?"

"How else will people know?" Elle said, almost like she was teasing him. "Anyway, I can't be of much entertainment; I'm too busy running the store."

"Where's Cordelia?"

Elle placed a hand on her forehead with a dramatic flourish. "Making the arrangements for our dearly departed and beloved Aunt Whats-Her-Name."

Kaleb raised a brow. "You don't even know her name?"

"Correction: I didn't even know she existed until last week. Apparently, Joseph and his sister weren't the best of siblings, and they haven't talked in years." Speaking his name was like she spitting venom, but she didn't let her hatred show on her face. One thing about their relationship was that Kaleb had no idea what happened to Elle and she made sure it remained that way. Kaleb did not ever need to know what truly happened to her; she didn't want him to look at her differently. "And apparently, Cordelia's so heartbroken about it that she's devoting herself to arranging her funeral, but to be honest, I think she's just avoiding me."

"And why would she be doing that?" Kaleb asked.

Elle sighed. "I may or may not have gone into the Abattoir." The teenage warlock's eyes looked like they were about to bulge from his skull. "Marcel and the Mikaelsons needed my help... ooh, that sounds like a band I'd definitely listen to."

"Wait, Ellie, you got into the Abattoir?" Kaleb asked, leaning forward against the counter. "What for?"

"Marcel allowed me to do a tracking spell to find Niklaus Mikaelson's baby momma." She picked at something under her thumbnail.

"You got to do magic?!" He completely ignored the fact that she had revealed that Klaus was going to be a father.

Elle looked at Kaleb, who looked ecstatic. Since Marcel had banned magic, Kaleb had always looked like he had lost a part of himself. Despite the fact the warlock wasn't necessarily powerful, he loved the rush magic gave him and had relied on it heavily. Now that his crutch was gone, it was strange to go on and live his every day life without having it with him.

She gave a shrug. "It was one spell, and it was a locator spell." She didn't want to make a big deal out of it, but his smile had fallen and his shoulders sagged. "Look, why don't we... why don't you keep me company and after hours, we can go out? Grab a bite to eat? It'll be my treat."

Kaleb smirked. "It better be somewhere nice, Mitchell, or I swear, I will throw a brick at you." He then started to chuckle to himself.

"Oh, my God, it was one time! Let it go!"

A/N: yes this is the same kaleb
that kol inhabits in season 2