1 The Ball

Jenna Sommers was walking up to the Mikaelson's Mansion. She had been intrigued by this ominous invitation left on the door step this morning. Technically she wasn't invited, but that didn't stop her, not these days. A lot of chatter had been going on at home about this evening and in particular about someone named Esther. What kind of aunt would she be if she didn't at least check on her niece once in a while? She had left too many things to Elena before, gave her too much freedom and look where that got her. Look where it got the both of them.

The door of the mansion opened and Jenna slipped in with the couple waiting at the entrance. The house looked big from the outside, but the inside sure made it look huge. Everything was bright and open and filled with lovely music from a string quartette. Jenna navigated with ease between the people passing her with a smile on her face. This was her new self. Always with a smile on her lips because she knew at any moment something could happen that would wipe it right off again. Now that she knew about the evil and dark things this place really had to offer, it seemed that this was the only way to get through on her own. Because that is what she was now. She was left on her own. Alone.

Once more the big double doors were opened by the two men standing on either side of it. Jenna instinctively looked over and saw her niece enter. She looked so beautiful in her dress with her hair and make-up. Jenna couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. She missed having Elena around her. Sure she had lied to her, left her in the dark and chose only to reveal the truth to her in the very last moment when it was almost too late.

Who was she kidding, it was too late. A fact she was reminded of everyday since the night of the sacrifice. Yet she wasn't angry with Elena. Deep down she knew Elena only wanted to keep her safe. Jenna only wished her niece and the others would've had a little more faith in her. Maybe then she wouldn't be stuck in this mess.

It didn't take very long before Elena ended up with a Salvatore on either side of her. Like a moth to a flame, Jenna thought, although she wasn't sure if Elena was the flame or the moth in this analogy.

For most of the evening Jenna followed Elena around. Occasionally she would stop and listen to the gossip exchanged between the guests. Another habit she had picked up over the last few months. Out of the corner of her eye Jenna saw Elena heading for the stairs. She looked nervous about something. After a few turns Elena was joined by Elijah, but Jenna was too far away to hear what they were saying, and by the time she caught up to her niece, she was already knocking on a door. Jenna had a bad feeling about this. There was nothing she could do of course, but she could always keep an eye on Elena. Or so she thought.

"Well, this is odd." She tried to enter the room by imagining herself inside of it. Usually that was all it took, but not this time. Something, or maybe someone, was stopping her from entering. Frustrated Jenna sighed and walked back to the ball room and watched the people dance. She felt so out of place between all the impeccable dressed people who kept dancing around in circles. She needed to get out of here. She came here tonight out of curiosity, but curiosity was slowly turning into frustration and worry. She didn't want to feel sorry for herself tonight.

It was quiet outside. Jenna wandered around aimlessly until she heard a familiar bright voice which could only belong to Caroline Forbes. Jenna turned the next corner and spotted Caroline standing beside a horse with the one person she had been avoiding all evening.

Klaus Mikaelson.

Jenna did not like him one bit. He was the one who had grabbed her, fed her his stupid vampire blood and killed her…twice! He killed Elena, made Stefan lose his humanity, turned Tyler into a hybrid and has now succeeded in bringing his family back together.

Jenna was brought back from her anger fueled thoughts when Caroline's voice drifted over to where she stood. She hadn't heard their entire conversation, but Caroline didn't look very pleased.

"…but I also like people and they actually like me. I'll be inside." Caroline turned around and left Klaus standing beside the horses. He watched her go inside, but didn't make a move to follow.

"Ouch!" Jenna chuckled and was about to leave again when Klaus turned around.

He looked into her direction. It couldn't be a coincidence. People did not look at her anymore, through her yes, but not at her. Now she didn't know what to do. So she did the first thing that popped into her head. Still smiling, she raised her right hand and cautiously waved in Klaus' general direction.

He frowned.

Her smile dropped off her face.

He saw her.