Disclaimer: Me no own, you no sue!
A/N: Hello fellow TVD lovers. I presume some of you, like myself, are Jeremy lovers! What a delicious man he is. I'm keeping this author's note REALLY short because I'm extremely tired, but I sincerely hope you all enjoy this story and I plan to update it as regularly as I can! Love you all and please review!
Summary: It's not the question of Jeremy's interest in her; it's the question of how long Bonnie can resist her interest in him. However, will newcomer Luka succeed in sidelining Jeremy? What exactly do these self-proclaimed warlocks have in store for our favourite witch? As romance finally blooms for Bonnie in Mystic Falls, so does danger.
CHAPTER 1: THE PLAYDATE
Bonnie ran her fingers through her hair distractedly as she quickly strode over to Mystic Grill. The day was exceptionally ugly, the sky a morbid grey, depressing on the whole. She smiled at the thought, nothing unusual for her lovely little town of Mystic Falls. It was raining lightly, although Bonnie didn't entirely mind it. She found the rain able to soften her sometimes unruly hair, a task that not many aside from her were able to accomplish. Bonnie wasn't surprised that basically everything about Mystic Falls was magical, right down to the weather. Lame…she chuckled slightly at her analogy. Hopefully she would be able to provide better conversation during what was quite obviously not a date with her best friend Elena's younger brother. Or was it a date? Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Bonnie narrowed her eyes in thought as she began to doubt herself. The profuse sweating began in that moment. Lovely, she thought. Sweating already and her date or non-date hadn't even commenced. So much for being a goddamned WITCH. She most certainly had not encountered an anti-perspiration spell as of yet. Hopefully, her stench would succeed in sending Jeremy running for the hills. Bonnie could hear the soles of her shoes echo as they slapped the pavement of the parking lot, the sounds muffled slightly by the rain slowly pooling into the uneven terrain of the cement. Regardless of what the kid Gilbert thought, this would not be a date, she began to assure herself. Bonnie had promised herself she would stay away from Jeremy in the instant she felt an inkling of attraction towards him the other night at the masquerade ball. She had failed miserably.
Although fleeting, Bonnie indeed began to feel herself gravitate in the direction of Jeremy's new found confidence and understanding of her predicament. His presence had been intoxicating at the time, not to mention his slightly altered appearance. Bonnie had always thought in passing that Jeremy would eventually grow up to be a keeper, but never did she consider him for herself. He had always possessed boyish good looks, that just recently amplified in a manner that Bonnie could not help but notice. She no longer felt at ease around him in the way that she did before all this had occurred. She felt-intimidated. It was the only accurate way to describe how she felt as ridiculous as it sounded.
It was ridiculous. Jeremy should be the last male for her to feel uncomfortable around. He had most definitely seen her at her worst. Not including when her Grandmother was killed, but all the times Jeremy had witnessed her without a speck of make-up on her face and clad in her most horrifying sweat pants and baggy t-shirt combo, scarfing down what was likely half her weight in Doritos. Really attracitve. She cringed slightly at the thought. Bonnie wrote-it-off however. It was quite obvious that her discomfort was only due to his newly attained manhood. And at once, all seriousness dispersed and she openly laughed at her use of the word manhood, something her and Elena would have tirelessly guffawed over. Nothing quite made Bonnie launch into hysterical laughter like the time her and Elena played 'PENIS', screaming the word louder each time it was said at the dinner table in both Jenna, Alaric, and even Jeremy's presence. Bonnie decided that Alaric had never looked more disturbed in his life. Jeremy spoke the truth; he had grown up, quite unlike her.
"Penis. Penis. Penis. Penis." Bonnie chanted quietly under her breath as she looked around the parking lot littered with cars.
Bonnie's thoughts once more returned to Jeremy. Fuck it. There was absolutely nothing wrong with spending some time with him! They were friends, just like they always had been. Maybe things hadn't changed as much as she thought. With this realization, a wave of relief washed over her and she smiled to herself. She finally had reached the entrance of Mystic Grill. She rid her umbrella of the water droplets that collected upon it. Struggling to close it and finally succeeding, she took one final breath in an attempt to collect herself and entered. Warmth overtook Bonnie as she strode into the popular getaway for the majority of the Mystic Falls youth population. Bonnie glanced around her familiar surroundings, taking in numerous familiar faces as she did so. She flushed slightly at the thought of her classmates witnessing her hanging out with Elena Gilbert's kid brother. Good God, she shook her head with a smile teetering on the edge of a laugh and began to dread the next couple hours. Bonnie headed towards the pool tables, located at the very back of Mystic Grill. As she walked, she heard her name being called.
Bonnie turned to her right, only to lock eyes with Luka, the attractive newcomer who she most certainly, would rather have been on a date with. Luka had spoken to both her and Jeremy earlier that day, attempting to locate the office. It was too bad that he didn't speak to her before Jeremy had decided to ruin her life by asking her here. Her hang out 'sesh' with Jeremy most certainly called for Elena, Stefan, and Damon waving the Awkward Turtle at her and shaking their heads in disapproval.
She visualized Damon tutting at her in disappointment, wagging his ring clad finger in her face. "Really Bonnie, the Gilbert kid? And I thought I had no standards!" He would smile deviously, a twinkle appearing in his green eyes as he would pour a glass of Cognac for himself, only furthering the progress of his alcoholism.
Bonnie snapped out of her thoughts as she noticed Luka out of the corner of her eye, talking animatedly to a man sitting across from him.
"Bonnie!" Luka's face broke into a smile.
"Hey Luka!" Bonnie replied warmly, looking back and forth from Luka to who she now presumed was his father "How did you find everything on your first day?"
"It'll definitely take some getting used to." Luka looked into her eyes and then to his lap.
He clearly wasn't thrilled with Mystic falls, not that Bonnie blamed him. Without knowledge of all the supernatural happenings around him, it wasn't a surprise that Luka would find Mystic Falls for the lack of a better word, bland.
"Please join us!" Bonnie turned to Luka's father who continued to smile contently as he examined her face.
Bonnie's eyes scanned the entirety of Mystic Grill searching for Jeremy. He was nowhere in sight, perhaps he had forgotten their play date. She inwardly snickered at her hilarity, or lack thereof.
"Thank-you, I'm waiting to meet a friend anyways." she spoke in her politest voice and flashed the two men a shy smile, nervously giggling.
Luka slid further into the booth in which he and his father were seated to allow for Bonnie to comfortably sit. Clad in square framed glasses, Luka's father smiled kindly and watched her as she settled in, not removing his eyes from her once.
Pedo. Bonnie's smile faded as she grew continually uncomfortable.
"Bonnie Bennett," Luka's father began, "I've come across a few Bennett's in my time, any relation to the Bennett's out in Salem?" he smiled once more, this time inquisitively.
Bonnie froze at the reference to her relatives in Massachusetts. "Actually, yes." she didn't allow her voice to falter. Perhaps these two men weren't as normal as they claimed to be. She needed to find out.
As if on cue, Bonnie noticed Jeremy's frame enter Mystic Grill nonchalantly. Jeremy's eyes landed on her instantly. He momentarily paused, quite obviously taking in the scene before him. Just as she hoped for, he decided to approach. A wave of relief washed over her as he finally reached the booth in order to collect her (rescue her).
Bonnie jumped to her feet and stood next to Jeremy, her back slightly turned to Luka. Jeremy looked down upon her; the height difference between them was quite startling at times. She shot him a devious smile and turned back to Luka, allowing her hair to whip Jeremy's arm. She had to see for sure if her suspicions were correct. Bonnie then initiated the plan she had formed only moments before.
"Enjoy your dinner Luka and considering the size of this town, I'll obviously see you at school." she laughed goodheartedly and let her hand fall loosely onto his shoulder, allowing for her touch to appear as a goodbye gesture.
Upon contact, the blood within Bonnie's veins began to warm and pump at a faster rate. She felt blood rush to her face as her fingertips tingled, as if sparks of electricity were shooting from the pads of her fingers. Luka possessed witch blood, she was sure of it. Not only could she sense his presence now just as well as she did her own, a familiar smell struck her nostrils, the smell of the woods and spices, of ginger and oak, although distinct to her Gram's; the scent of saffron and cherry wood.
Bonnie aligned herself with Jeremy, still uneasy from the revelation that had just occurred. Two male witches? It had been odd enough to run into her distant cousin, Lucy. It would have been a nice family reunion, however according to Bonnie; it would have been preferable in more desirable circumstances.
"Sorry for the lateness." Jeremy spoke smoothly, her name rolling off his tongue in a way individual to him only. She loved the way he said her name. He shot her a relaxed grin, his lips rising slowly in an upward motion. She supposed his stoner mannerisms had slightly stuck, not that she minded. Bonnie absentmindedly smiled to herself.
Bonnie then felt Jeremy's fingers graze the small of her back; he dragged them back and forth, causing the hair to rise on the nape of her neck and the air in her lungs to cease from flowing out. Goosebumps littered her arms. She giggled nervously as she looked up to him. The look on his face spelt worry.
"You okay?" he shot her a look of concern as they walked. Jeremy glanced back at Luka at his father, not bothering to hide the look of disgust on his face.
Bonnie attempted to rid her mind of Luka and his father and it was then that the butterflies returned to her stomach, she was finally with Jeremy. She composed herself and speedily entertained different directions for the conversation Jeremy wanted to have; preferably, far away from Luka and his father. Yes, Jeremy was aware of the supernatural; however she thought it best for him to remain in the dark about Luka and his father, at least for now.
"Why yes Jeremy, in fact I'm ecstatic knowing that within no time you shall be delivered a hearty serving of ass-whooping à la Bonnie Bennett." she pushed Jeremy playfully, attempting to knock him of his course towards the pool tables. The feel of his toned arms under her hands was sort of enjoyable. Sort of being extremely. Extremely being she was now sweating AGAIN. She mentally kicked herself. She was sure Damon would happily offer to do so in reality.
Bonnie examined Jeremy in that moment as they walked onwards. Standing at 6'1, Jeremy most certainly dwarfed Bonnie. He was at least a foot or more taller than she was. Jeremy wore a tight fitting white t-shirt with the number 86 emblazoned across his chest in red. He had quite obviously tossed the plaid shirt he wore over it on right before he left for school, in a manner that was likely careless. He had decided to complete his outfit with a pair of fitted dark blue jeans. Funnily enough it probably took Jeremy all of ten seconds to throw the masterpiece together that Bonnie was currently ogling. An opening ensued and Bonnie took the liberty of gazing at Jeremy's package. Her eyes widened and she inwardly punched herself. Repeatedly.
ELENA'S BROTHER. ELENA'S BROTHER. ELENA'S BROTHER. ELENA'S BROTHER. ELENA'S BROTHER. ELENA'S BROTHER. ELENA'S BROTHER. ELENA'S BROTHER. ELENA'S BROTHER. ELENA'S BROTHER. ELENA'S BROTHER. ELENA'S BROTHER. Bonnie screamed in her mind.
"Wow, EPIC FAIL, Bonnie. It was a valiant attempt though," Jeremy lazily winked at her and stuck his hands into his pockets and nudged her slightly in return.
Hardly a moment of silence passed and Jeremy spoke up again.
"You ready to lose sweetheart?" he nodded his head towards the pool table and allowed for a smile to appear on his pink lips.
"Less talk, more pool!" Bonnie challenged, squinting her eyes and sticking out her tongue in Jeremy's direction.
"You know, I don't plan on going easy on you just because you're a girl," Jeremy teased her "OH and don't even attempt any of that hocus pocus, cheating is not very a very becoming quality in a young lady such as yourself." Jeremy grinned, adjusted his backpack and began to incessantly poke Bonnie's side.
Bonnie continued to enjoy Jeremy's touchiness more and more; however she couldn't help but look around at her peers hoping no one would notice their blatant flirtation. Why had she ever doubted this hangout in the first place? All the spell casting she had been doing lately most certainly had fried her brain.
"Who needs magic when you'll probably end up annoying me to death?" Bonnie glared at Jeremy playfully, securing her purse further up her arm.
Bonnie and Jeremy had reached the pool tables at last.
"What can I say? I've always been a hit with the ladies." Jeremy sing-songed, dropping his backpack on a vacant stool nearest to their pool table. He ran his hands through his messy brown hair and looked around, contemplating how to begin setting up.
Bonnie reached for a cue and began to chalk the tip of it generously. She watched as Jeremy searched for all the necessary equipment they required. He tossed the pool triangle onto the green felt of the table, littered with stains of spilt drinks from nights past. Many likely traced back to herself and perhaps the sometimes obnoxious Caroline.
Bonnie searched for something to fill the silence.
"So it's pretty obvious that you haven't learned from that black eye I gave you back when we were kids. You couldn't even beat me at wrestling and I'm pretty sure you weighed more than me!" Bonnie blew the excess chalk of her pool cue to emphasize her point and allowed herself to break into a flirtatious smile. She raised her eyebrows suggestively knowing that she had most certainly embarrassed him.
"You HAD to bring that up!" Jeremy smacked his forehead, his protective ring, secured on his hand catching the light "Have some class, woman! After all, I was only six, and you being the seven year-old should have known better than to damage this-" Jeremy poked his cheek, "flawless face."
"If you keep telling yourself that Gilbert, it might come true," she began to collect the assortment of balls from the pocket nearest to her, "Or you might just end up with another black eye." Bonnie winked at him, unable to stop herself from breaking into a smile at the memory.
As Bonnie went from pocket to pocket, she fondly recalled exactly why she had decided to beat Jeremy's ass that day. Bonnie remembered that she and Elena had arranged to play together that afternoon, and Bonnie planned on bringing along her new set of Disney Princess inspired Barbies for the occasion. Bonnie and Elena were extremely excited of the prospect of only one Ken, and numerous Barbies to spare. Abandoning their key chain littered backpacks in Elena's room, the two young girls dashed to the television in hopes of catching the latest Sailor Moon and a glimpse of the dashing Tuxedo Mask. Unknown to their knowledge, Elena's younger and not to mention exceedingly annoying brother planned otherwise for that of the Disney Princesses. After taking in the all too short episode of Sailor Moon, Bonnie and Elena returned to Elena's bedroom, ready to commence numerous makeovers on Ariel, Jasmine and the others, in hopes of impressing Ken. However, to both Bonnie and Elena's horror, the beautiful dolls lay stripped of their clothing and decapitated in quite a terrifying manner on the whole, the stump-like remainders of their necks colored a blood red. With Elena's assistance, Bonnie in a fit of rage managed to straddle Jeremy as he watched Transformers and tirelessly pummel him with her small fists. For a small little girl, Bonnie was truly a force to be reckoned with. Bonnie however was truly pleased that she indeed did not injure Jeremy's now rather handsome face. The black eight-ball she had just plucked from the pocket nearest to her slipped from Bonnie's grasp.
"If only your coordination was as good as your looks, eh Bonnie?" he snickered, darting after the ball she dropped, making a reference to the tumble she took earlier that day. He placed it into the triangular arrangement now placed directly in front of Bonnie.
"That was obviously your fault Jeremy! I saw your face and got so scared I purposely dropped my books in order to run to safety!" Bonnie grinned, rolling her eyes at him playfully.
"Bonnie that's impossible I was behind you-" Jeremy began laughing.
"That's what she said." Bonnie automatically interjected. Her eyes widened in realization of what she had just said and she slapped her hand over her mouth and began to giggle.
"That must've been wereface who creeped the shit out of you so bad –wait a minute -hold the phone…did Bonnie Bennet just attempt a dirty joke?" Jeremy announced in bewilderment looking around wildly for other witnesses.
"Wow Jeremy get your mind out of the gutter." Bonnie jokingly attempted at a recovery, although she secretly hoped he hadn't actually heard.
"So what else goes on in that freaky little mind of yours Bennett?" Jeremy attempted in a seductive voice, and began to laugh so hard he snorted.
"That's for me to know and for you to never find out, hmph!" with this Bonnie took her first shot, missing the white ball almost entirely, shifting it a centimeter closer to the triangle of balls that was her responsibility to break.
"Tsk, tsk Bonnie, hasn't anyone taught you how to play pool?" Jeremy crossed is arms in mock disappointment, teasing her. He leaned his frame against the table.
"Jeremy, we're not all gifted at nerdlife sports like you are." Bonnie smirked, locking eyes with Jeremy as she bent over the table to line up another shot.
Bonnie attempting to focus, failing to notice Jeremy taking in the view, a smile plastered on his face ranging from one ear to the other.
"You speak the truth Ms. Bennett. Five pool championship wins and three ping-pong tournament first place finishes truly speaks volumes about my talent in such sports." His statement was drenched in mock accomplishment.
"If you can call them sports…" Bonnie muttered jokingly under her breath as she continued to adjust her pool cue.
"If you want to stand a fighting chance at beating me Ms. Bennet, I suggest you get on your knees…" Jeremy paused for a great deal of time. Bonnie closed her eyes and shook her head, the smile on her face threatening to break into a laugh, "and beg of course." Jeremy shot Bonnie an innocent smile. He shrugged at her and his smile grew bigger.
"A boy can dream, Gilbert," Bonnie shook her head laughing. "Now stop distracting me!" she attempted to shoot him a serious look but failed.
"I have that affect on women." Jeremy now seemed to possess a perma-grin, his crossed arms emphasizing the wideness of his chest.
"Say please and I'll show you how to play." Jeremy continued, grinning stupidly at her knowing that she would soon give up, he however was quite entertained nonetheless.
Bonnie groaned aloud. "FINE. Jeremy," Bonnie cleared her throat "pretty...please." She planted one hand on her face and shook her head in embarrassment, thrusting the pool cue at him with the other, ready to never see it again.
"Ah…I love hearing the words 'please' and 'Jeremy' in the same sentence." Jeremy began to chalk up the pool cue once more, looking at Bonnie for a moment, and then allowing himself to shoot her a dazzling smile followed by an extremely slow wink.
Bonnie's face flushed. Things were only going to get worse from here.
