Looking For Tomorrow // II

Chapter Five

Planning Miss Mystic Falls with Caroline was not how I thought I would be spending my weekend. Currently, Caroline was micromanaging the details of the decor while I was preparing the contestants on where they'll be going to after walking down stairs.

After dealing with teens for 20 minutes, Caroline asks me to deal with the people handling the decor outside while she deals with people inside. Three girls carrying flower arrangement walk up to me, confusion on their faces on where they need to go.

"These flowers go in the back. You need to memories the floral chat that Caroline made for you or she won't be as nice about it as I am. Now go." I tell them, shooing them off, looking back at the clipboard.

"Now, how did I know I'd find you at the helm of the ship?" Nik's voice captures my attention from my right. I look at him, then back at my clipboard with a small smile.

"More of a Co-Captain of said 'helm'. But I'm busy, so is there a good reason you're here? or do you just like to distract me?" I question him, in a light teasing tone.

"I was just wondering what time we should come to the pageant tomorrow?" Nik asks, causing me to look at him again as he takes a few steps closer to me.

I raise an eyebrow at him, "I don't recall you asking me to be my date." I tease him more, trying to hold back my laugh.

"Well considering how we feel for one another I only assumed I'd be escorting you as your date." Nik says to me.

I take a step closer to him, minimizing the space between us. "And how do we feel about one another?" I whisper, silently challenging him.

Nik raises a hand to my face, pushing some hair behind my ear, before sighing. "Clara, will you give me the honor to be your date to Miss Mystic Falls?" he asks me softly, but yet not quite a whisper.

I give him a sly smile, and take a step back, "We have to be here by 2, black tie optional, my dress is light blue." I tell him slowly walking away, then turning around to get back to work. "See you later." I call over my shoulder, as I go back into the house.

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The pageant was in full swing, many people attending. Caroline dragging me away from Nik to 'fix the flowers the right way', causing us both to go into micro manage mode, for honestly no reason. She has me making sure all is nice downstairs while she goes up to check on the girls so that everything can get started.

I walk around the dining area and see some empty champagne glasses just sitting on a table. I walk over to a busboy who honestly wasn't doing anything, smiling at the pageant attendees as I do so, "Hey, there are empty glasses for you to pick up. Please do your job before Caroline finds out that you aren't." I tell him.

He nods quickly, obviously fearing the wrath of Caroline, and walks away from me to do his job. I walk over to the Orchestra, seeing as they are playing an overly slowly tempo song for this party. "Can you guys please pick up the tempo, it's a party after all." I tell them and they nod. I walk away and the music immediately picks up.

Nik walks up to me, stopping me in my tracks, "And how am I doing?" he asks.

I let out a sigh, "You're, perfect." I tell him. He gives me a smile, causing me to smile. I glance towards the main part of the house, "Lets go, it's about to start." I tell him. He nods and holds out his hand for me, and I gladly take it as we walk over.

We watch in the main room along with many others, the rest of the guests outside to watch the dance. Caroline goes up to the present stage, "Hi, everyone, I'm Caroline Forbes. As the reigning Miss Mystic Falls, it is my honor to introduce this year's Miss Mystic Falls Court." she announces, having everyone clap. We watch as she announce the girls names and then begin to walk down the stairs one by one to their escorts. All the girls go with their respective dates except April who when with Matt because Jeremy didn't show up.