Lingering Stares and Something More
Authors Note: Hello! I am back with a brand new story. Let me know if it is worth continuing! Xoxo
Chapter 1: First Impressions
Rebekah POV
I carried the last box and set it on the rug. The box was overflowing with magazines and books. My paperback copy of Harry Potter sat on top and a fashion magazine was crushed at the bottom. I peeked out of the window and saw my new neighbor Matt checking his mail. I hadn't seen him since high school. He looked kind of sexy in his sweatpants that bunched at his bare feet and his black t-shirt that was wrinkled from sleep. His hair was perfectly messy, and he yawned as he pulled out the white envelopes mixed in with colorful advertisements. He didn't look up as he sorted through the mail in his hand and walked back inside.
Even as I went through the many boxes stacked in my house, I could not get him out of my mind. I found myself periodically glancing out the window just hoping to see him again. Looking once again, I saw a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes walking out of the home. She pulled out keys and locked the door before opening the garage and getting in a car. She pulled out and I sighed. Of course he isn't single.
I got another glimpse of him when he came outside to turn on his sprinkler. When he walked out, he wasn't wearing a shirt and I could see that he was perfectly defined. His muscles bulged as he turned the nozzle. He stood up again as the blonde pulled back into the garage. She walked up to him with a pep in her step, and began rambling on about something I couldn't make out. I could tell he was barely paying attention. He just nodded and smiled, and when she went inside the house he rolled his eyes and followed behind. So maybe not a girlfriend…maybe a sister.
I jumped when I heard someone walk into the house.
"What's wrong, sweetheart? A bit jumpy are we?" He mocked me.
"Oh shut up Nik!" I hit him with a rolled up fashion magazine and giggled.
He just chuckled and set his leather bag on the table next to door. I heard his keys clink when he tossed them into the bowl on the same table.
"I just didn't hear you drive up." I said matter-of-factly.
"I was just teasing you. That is what big brothers do." He smiled.
I swatted him again with the magazine that was still in my hand. He just smiled before walking into the back bedroom that he had claimed as his own. I let him shut the door before looking out the window to gawk again. When I turned my head I saw him staring at me from his yard through the window by the front door. I blushed when I realized he had caught me staring and quickly shut the blinds.
Matt POV
I had seen the new girl when she was carrying in the boxes. I desperately wanted to run out there and tell her that those boxes were much too heavy for her to carry and swoop in like a white night, but decided against it. Okay maybe I had purposely walked out without a shirt just to see how she would react. I felt like an idiot when Caroline had driven up and talked my ear off about some stupid party at the Grill. I felt worse when I glanced out the window and saw the cute blonde talking to someone else. A guy probably taller and honestly much better looking.
Although I couldn't hear what they were saying, I saw her smile. She had the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. I craved to hear her laugh, something probably just as beautiful as the rest of her. When she saw me looking at her I noticed her cheeks turning a shade of bright pink, and she shut the blinds abruptly. I sort of guessed that I wasn't the only one who had noticed the new neighbor across the street and I smiled.
Caroline walked out in a couple dresses and got angry when I didn't pick one.
"Honestly Care, they all look the same."
"They are completely different! The first one was bright coral, the second one was melon, and the third one was rose! All completely different colors and designs!"
She huffed as she walked back into her room and cursed the fact that I wasn't born a girl.
She was actually dragging me to this party. Apparently the person throwing it was sort of a celebrity and had invited her. I didn't recognize the name, 'Niklaus Mikaelson' but I guess he was throwing a party for his sister that was new to town.
As the sky darkened, Caroline dragged me to the car and pushed me into the front seat.
"Do I really have to go?" I whined, only half joking.
She smiled her bright grin and answered bubbly, "Of course! Come on Matty it will be fun!"
I just rolled my eyes and stared out the window. When we pulled out of the garage I saw the new neighbor and her guy friend walking down their driveway. Caroline squealed in a high pitch.
"That's Niklaus Mikaelson! You know, the one who's party we are going to?" She smiled as she pulled over and rolled down my window to speak to them.
"Fancy seeing you here," Niklaus said with a smile on his face. He obviously liked my sister. He was exactly the kind of guy I would expect her to fall for. He was wearing dark pants and a shirt that was buttoned too low. Necklaces dangled off of his neck as a bent down to make eye contact with Caroline.
"I guess we are neighbors!" Caroline said way too excitedly. "We were just on our way to the party, would you like a ride?"
"That would be lovely." He said much too contently. I didn't like him.
Rebekah POV
I smiled as Nik introduced me to him.
"This is my sister, Rebekah. She is new to town so I thought that this party would help her get acquainted with the locals."
The blonde girl spoke up, "I'm Caroline and this is my brother Matt. Nice to meet you, Rebekah."
Nik and I slid into the backseat. No one said anything for a few moments, but the awkward silence was broken when Caroline spoke.
"So where are you from, Rebekah?" She questioned me.
"I have been in New York. I moved there to go to college after high school and fell in love with the city. Have you ever been to New York?" I questioned Matt.
"I have never been anywhere," He said glumly. Before the filter between my brain and mouth kicked in I eagerly said, "Maybe I could take you."
The silence dragged on after my awkward outburst. I could almost hear Nik's teasing smirk. I stealthily kicked him in the shin and mentally threw a string of curse words his way. When we pulled up to the Grill Caroline practically sprinted into the party.
"Sorry about that. She is just such a kid at heart." Matt muttered, embarrassed.
I could tell that he was throwing that comment at Nik, who had not taken his eyes off the young blonde. If I had to guess, I would say that Caroline was twenty five. So maybe it was not fair that Matt, who was about twenty seven, was calling Caroline a kid. Of course he was her big brother, and I know Nik does the same to me. I was twenty six and Nik was twenty eight and often referred to me as a 'little girl' or 'child'. I guess it was just a brother thing, but I still chuckled a little.
"No worries, I thought it was adorable," Nik mumbled.
I could tell he was pissing Matt off the way 'adorable' rolled off of his tongue, so I changed the subject quickly.
"Isn't this supposed to be a surprise party?" I questioned Nik.
"Yes, so don't let your time in drama school go to waste, sweetheart," He joked.
I just smiled in response. When I got out of the car, I turned too quickly and ended up bumping heads with Matt.
"Ouch!" I muttered.
"Sorry, Rebekah," He groaned, rubbing his skull in discomfort.
"I'm such a klutz," I said quickly, nervously chuckling to lighten the situation.
I hoped he couldn't hear the embarrassment in my voice. I guess he saw my blush because he looked at me with his big blue tender eyes.
"Hey, don't worry about." He whispered, his voice sweet.
I had a hard time not melting under his gaze and I had to force myself not to smile. When I had gathered my purse from the ground he hooked his elbow through mine, and we walked into the party together. I knew somehow that my life would change in that moment. Whether positively or negatively, I was unsure, but I knew I was ready to find out. I finally looked at him as we walked and flashed him a grin. Then something happened...he smiled right back with not an ounce of hesitation.