When We Were Young

I let out a breath I didn't even realise I was holding as my plane landed in New York. I'd needed a break from my life in Mystic Falls, so I'd taken the easy way out and ran away. Some people would call me juvenile and tell me I was being irresponsible, and maybe I was, but I just didn't see it that way, or maybe I just didn't want to. I felt suffocated and without any warning I felt my eyes well up. I held it together pretty well, an even manage a small smile as I stepped outside of JFK and felt the hot may sunshine engulf me.

I walked over to the first available cab and jumped in the back, and soon the airport was disappearing behind me and about an hour later we were driving through Manhattan.

'What hotel you goin' to lady?'

Shit I hadn't thought of that.

'Um, I'm not sure? I don't actually know any.'

Fuck. I was panicking now. Shit. Shit. Crap, I just couldn't stop swearing as the panic within me surged and I felt my hands clamming up. Maybe everything from the last 32 hours was starting to hit me all at once? And then I started to cry. Not like pretty tears that run gently down your face either, I'm talking full on heart wrenching sobs, puffy eyes with running mascara and even some minor snot. I'm not usually one to let myself go in front of stranger but my whole world, my whole life even had literally just fallen apart and I wasn't sure it could be fixed either.

'Jesus Christ, you know what? I'm just gonna drop you off at the last hotel I was at. I didn't fuckin' sign on for this shit.'

The cab driver then proceeded to turn the radio right up. Probably just as well if he ignored me. When my horrendous crying had finally reached a manageable state, I rolled down one of the windows and stuck my head out to appreciate the New York sights that were flashing past, times square included. We finally pulled up to hotel in the bustling times square called the Mikaelson. I quickly paid the still annoyed looking driver, grabbed my bag and dashed out onto the busy street.

Both the outside and inside of the hotel looked amazing. The air conditioning was very much appreciated I noticed as I walked up to the front reception desk. A pretty blond was stood behind it. Her perfect sunshine curls tied back in a loose ponytail.

'Hello ma'am, welcome to The Mikaelson, how may I help you?'

She looked incredibly startled by my arrival. I then I realised why. I had just spent the last hour crying my eyes out, I must've looked a right state.

'Hi, um...I was wondering if you had a room available?'

Could I sound any less decisive? I shook my head in disapproval at my own thoughts, glad that the receptionist had chosen to politely ignore me, and tap away on her computer, as she smiled serenely.

'Ok, we are a little busy but…I have a junior suite at $800 a night?'

She looked up. My expression apparently suggested that was a little bit out of my price range.

'Or I have a single at $350. But it only sleeps one.

I nodded.

'Oh, okay,'

I fished around in my handbag for a credit card.

'It's just me. Well, I just found out my boyfriend was cheating on me and we broke up and I had to leave home and I thought, well, where's better to get away to than New York? And,'

I paused and looked up. She was still smiling at me, but with a healthy dose of terror in her eyes.

'Sorry, I'm sorry. A single would be fine.'

I was blushing so bad.

'And how long will you be staying with us?'

She asked, tapping away again. I guessed she was alerting everyone to the fact that there was a desperate woman checking in. My photo was probably being handed out to the whole staff with a 'do not engage in conversation.' Note.

'Sorry?'

I asked, I hadn't thought that far ahead.

'When will you be going home?'

She said slowly.

'I – I don't have a home.'

I said equally slowly.

'So, I don't know.'

I was dangerously close to tears and I really didn't want to let them go in the reception of the swankiest hotel I'd ever stepped into. But, wow, I really didn't have a home.

'Well, I kinda just wanted to know when you would be checking out, but the room is free for the next week, shall I put you in for a week and see where we go from there?'

She suggested. I nodded and handed over my credit card. She exchanged it for a sexy black room pass key, emblazoned with a silver M.

'Room 1126 on floor eleven, take the elevator and then turn left. It's at the end of the corridor.'

I nodded numbly and took the key, tripping over my own bag as I turned.

'Can I help you with anything else Miss Gilbert?'

The blond inquired. I turned and tried to smile, shaking my head.

'Head check?'

I could only make jokes for so long before I evaporated. She looked confused or concerned? I sighed, and made my way up to my room. The room was actually bigger than my living room and kitchen combined together. I was quite impressed. I made my way to the window and looked down at the bustling streets, and took my phone out my pocket to check for calls. My bottom lip trembled as I realised I had voicemail. From him. I firmly pressed on the delete button and decided to have a bath. I needed to de-stress.

As I ran the bath I slowly peeled off my sweaty travel clothes, and turned to face the large full sized mirror. I stared at my naked body, and couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with me. And why did he have to turn to her? I shook my head and got into the bath, and let out a long sigh. A sigh that soon turned into a sob. Soon I was crying my eyes out. This time I couldn't follow Katherine's advice and keep it inside like a winner. I mean I deserved to cry, didn't I? My fiancée had just cheated on with my best friend at her own fucking wedding! And what had I done? I'd ran away to a place I didn't know and had never been before. With no friends and no one to support me. What was I thinking? I was starting to wonder maybe I should just go home; I didn't know what the hell I was trying to prove here.

By the time I'd finished crying and thinking about what the next step in my life should be, the water was starting to get cold. I got out and wrapped myself into a large white fluffy towel and went to check my bag for a fresh outfit. I didn't have a lot of options. In reality when I'd decided to leave and go on my big adventure, I hadn't packed very well. Two tops, a pair of jeans, one clean bra, and three pairs of knickers didn't leave me with a lot options. I sighed, I would need to go shopping. Which brought me to problem number two. I was booked into the Mikaelson for a week, but what I be doing after that?

As I stood pondering all these frazzled thoughts running through my brain, a light knock on my hotel door interrupted my thoughts. I opened the door and was then face to face with the blonde receptionist, and big trolley load of food.

'Hi, Miss Gilbert I'm Caroline from the reception? Can I come in?'

I merely nodded and let her inside.

'I wasn't sure that you would have all the essentials.'

She presented the trolley with a flourish. It was stacked with piles of giant cookies, boxes of cereal, a kettle of steaming water, hot milk, cold milk, pancakes, toast and a big box of beauty products.

'And you know, you mentioned a break-up, and no-one should be on their own after a break-up. This is our complimentary 'all men are shits' break-up service.

She picked up a cookie, snapped it in half and grinned.

'God, thank you, and its Elena, please.'

I said feeling incredibly grateful.

I took the half cookie she offered and stood awkwardly, taking it in.

'This is wonderful, thank you, I was starving.'

'Well, we're a whatever, whenever hotel, and I'm a whatever, whenever kind of person.'

She said, hopping on the bed.

'You can kick me out if you want to, I'm know I'm totally overstepping my concierge boundaries. I just thought, if I'd come to New York after a break-up with one tiny travel bag and no hotel booked, what would I want? So I hit the supplies room, dug out some pyjamas,'

She pulled out a pair of white cotton button up PJs from the bottom of the trolley.

'Slippers, socks, cleansing stuff, sewing kits – I don't know, everyone seems to need a sewing kit – and all the food I thought I would want if I was post-break-up.'

She didn't take one breath, for the entirety of her little speech. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but I was more than happy for this girl to keep talking until I made a decision.

'Thank you again, I suppose I do need pyjamas, I hadn't thought about it really. About anything actually.'

Caroline chewed thoughtfully on another cookie.

'Want to join me for a drink? My shift just finished.'

I found myself nodding, and she chucked my clothes at me. I instinctively made towards the bathroom, but I had a feeling Caroline wouldn't mind if I just got changed in front of her. She had already flicked on the tv and was nodding along to a music video.

'I'm guessing it was a bad break-up if you just kinda fled.'

I didn't say anything.

'Too bad to talk to a stranger about?

She asked.

'It's ok I'm the hotels resident shrink.'

I sighed again.

'Well, I haven't really talked about it to anyone so far. I literally just found out my fiancée is cheating on me so I decided to take a holiday to sort my head out.'

Caroline stood up and gestured to the door and mimed drinking out of a glass, dear god yes. I grabbed my key card and purse and we left the room.

Two martinis later, I realised I'd found a genuine friend, or maybe that was the alcohol talking but I didn't care. I was having a great time; I was having fun. God knows I'd earned the right to be have a little fun. Just as I ordered my third drink, the most gorgeous guy I'd ever laid eyes on came into the bar. And he was headed straight towards us! I quickly turned to Caroline.

'Who is that guy?'

I asked quietly.

'That's Kol Mikaelson, the youngest Mikaelson son. It's his mother and father that own the hotel. He's sixteen, still in school. He and his family live here in the penthouse suite.'

Caroline said smirking. I gave her a confused look as to why she was smirking.

'He's a massive player, slept with half the girls in his school. I just can't wait to see the look on your face when he tries to flirt with you. He doesn't where to draw the line.'

I laughed at her response, when a smooth English accented voice broke through it.

'Caroline darling lovely to see you.'

Caroline rolled her eyes and smiled.

'Isn't it past your bedtime Kol?'

He mock glared at her, before throwing me a quick glance.

'Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?'

Caroline sighed and raised her eyebrows, and gave me a quick smile.

'Elena this is Kol Mikaelson, Kol, meet Elena Gilbert.'

I smiled and sipped my drink.

'Nice to meet you.'

I held out my hand to shake his, but he quickly lifted it and turned my hand round to kiss my palm. I tried hard to repress the shudder that went through my body, glad Caroline wasn't paying attention and failed to notice, Kol however did, and smirked widely at me.

'Likewise.'

He whispered before clearing his throat. Caroline's head snapped back up at this and she waved as he said goodnight to us and walked off. I was still a little to stunned to speak and I blushed when he turned round and winked at me. I couldn't stop staring at his broad back.

'Earth to Elena!'

Caroline snapped her fingers in front of my face, and when I jumped she laughed.

'So shopping tomorrow? It's my day off tomorrow, so I can meet you in the lobby at 9 sharp?'

I tucked one of my dark chocolate waves behind my ear.

'Uh yea, sure! I might head back to my room; jet lag is starting to kick in.'

Caroline smiled brightly at me and kissed me on the cheek.

'Night babe, don't be late tomorrow!'

I nodded and stumbled off my stool. Me and Caroline sniggered and she waved me. Huh maybe the previous cocktails were starting to kick along with my exhaustion. I was finally in the elevator when a hand held open the door, and in sauntered Kol Mikaelson. God why did he have to be so attractive? God, why did I have to think that? I'm 28, and he was 16. Wrong, it was so wrong to find him good looking. I smiled sheepishly.

'What floor love?'

He asked as he looked me up and down, and if possible he looked even more smug.

'Uh eleven'

I slightly slurred out. Was I drunk? Crap. My thoughts were interrupted once more as he spoke.

'You're right below me.'

He said winking at me. I blushed even harder at the obvious innuendo. Finally, the door pinged, and I took my weight off the wall, but almost hit the ground, when two strong muscled arms caught me and then I was cradled to a very muscular chest. I giggled as I opened my eyes and was met with a very amused looking Kol.

'Come on sweetheart.'

Before I had time to think, he swiftly picked me up and gently held me close to him as he walked me to my room. I let my heavy head fall into his neck as I sub-consciously snuggled into his inviting embrace. Suddenly he was laying me down on my bed and tugging off my shoes. Without even thinking I reached out and grabbed his hand.

'Don't go.'

He looked confused but also very tempted. He was definitely a love 'em and leave 'em guy.

After a moment's hesitation he finally spoke.

'Move over then.'

He said quietly. As I tried to move, he turned off the lights, and then the mattress dipped as he got in beside. I looked up at him through heavy lashes.

'So much for moving.'

He whispered teasingly. Even in the dark I could sense Kol smirking at me. I shrugged and lay my head on his chest, and smiled drunkenly when I felt his arms tense before he sighed and wrapped them securely around my waist and the other round my back.

I could've sworn I felt his lips brush across my forehead as I slipped into a deep sleep.