This one shot came to mind after watching 3x13 so of course it's not that up to date. Also, I chose to give Kol a slightly different character, I know he would never act like this, but alas, I didn't know back then. Like everyone I hoped Kol to be somehow nicer :)

The story wasn't read by a beta and I am not a native speaker so please forgive the mistakes. :)

Enjoy it!

Nice to meet you Kol

It was late Sunday evening and Elena had her journal opened up laying in her lap. There was so much that happened yet she could just stare at the blank paper. Not only that Caroline had lost her father to an unknown killer after he survived Tyler's attack with help of Damon's unwillingly given blood, no, Alaric was killed, again, and came back, again, but this time she was the one who had to kill him in order to get his ring work after an attack of said unknown killer and Bonnie and her mom were still weak after whatever was in the locked coffin escaped and Damon kept ignoring her calls. She had no idea what happened this last weekend and she didn't want to start thinking about Stefan.
She started flipping over the pages of the leather-bound book randomly, reading an entry here and there. Compared to now, what she expected to be hell a few months ago was nothing. Now she understood what Caroline and also Jenna felt like when they were left out of the secrets. It felt even more dangerous and for the first time she doubted her own words "We always survive". Elena wasn't sure about that anymore.
Furthermore school had started weeks ago and although her mind was on everything but studying she knew she had to graduate. Unlike Caroline she was still human and did not plan on changing this too soon. Ergo she had to go to school, tomorrow. It wasn't too late and right now probably the one place where she did not stumble over vampires every minute. Maybe it was time to get back to normalcy...unfortunately wherever she was right now there wasn't a road that led in her aimed direction.
She picked her cell phone checking for any missed calls or messages. Nothing. What had she expected? Damon who apologized for not filling her in? Not really. Quickly she texted Matt.

'See u 4 school tomorrow?'

The answer came in an instant.

'Sure. Nice to have you back there again :) See u.'

For the first time that day Elena couldn't help but smile. At least one normal human left. Still it was not easier to get to sleep. Her thoughts kept her wide awake like almost every night involving everyone she cared about. Whenever she managed to fall asleep she woke from a nightmare only an hour or so later. She saw Klaus killing Damon or Jeremy or Bonnie or Rick. it didn't help knowing that Alaric mostly returned from the dead and Jeremy was safe in Denver. She woke trembling and sometimes crying. There was no way back.
This night was no exception. Elena didn't know when she drifted away but when her alarm clock rang in the morning she had barely slept a few hours and she still remembered the nightmare that kept her from getting something to drink because she feared she would find dead bodies in her kitchen.

A look in the mirror showed her what she already knew, she looked horrible. Pale, with dark rings under her eyes and dull, messy hair. The shower and make up only helped little but with her lately developed acting skills she would make it through the day.
Alaric was in the kitchen, fully healed yet a little weak. He already had his cup of coffee when she entered and offered her another one. "Do you think this will work?" he asked instead of a 'good morning'. Elena just grabbed her cup, shrugging. "Depends on what you mean." She knew what he meant but she didn't want to discuss it so she just concentrated on the dark brown liquid inside her cup. Somehow she would rather like to drown herself in it than continuing this whole drama. Rick understood and left her alone, it was something she really appreciated about him. A look at the clock told her she would have to leave if she wanted to be on time, so she just grabbed her bag and keys and left. Of course her first day at school wouldn't go without problems. Head master Bryson was the first one to see her and immediately called her to his office, asking her why she hadn't been at school for so long.
"I am sorry but there's been a lot going on." He nodded understandingly. "I heard about your aunt's death and your brother's departure. I understand your situation, Miss Gilbert, you don't have to worry about consequences. Yet you have to catch up your study but I am positive you'll manage." Elena had expected a lot but not this kindness. Normally her headmaster was not this easy-going. "Thank you director Bryson. I'll try. Can I go to class now? I am sure Mr. Kroner wouldn't be happy if I missed the beginning of his lesson." She tried to smile but failed. "Sure. Good luck, Miss Gilbert. Oh and by the way, I am pleased to hear that you found support in Mr. Saltzman." She nodded and made her way outside his office.

Fortunately she arrived in class in time and sat down on her usual seat. There were a few others that she greeted politely saying her standard phrase. "How are you? I am fine." She wasn't but no one noticed.
It was then that only seconds before the ringing, Tina Fell the only member of a founding family she really minded entered the room. In tow she had her girlfriends, Elena knew them but never talked to them in private and a guy who was definitely new to school. It was obvious that Tina tried to get to him, invading his personal space, giggling and whirling around him. Typically her. Elena just rolled her eyes trying to ignore her barbie voice. If she had to choose between Tina and Rebekah she would always take the Original and that meant a lot since she feared the vampire would kill her the second she had the chance to.
"Oh Elena Gilbert what an honour! I didn't know you were still in town, thought you left with your precious Stefan..." Tina interrupted her thoughts, her tone condescending. "Well I obviously did not. Is there anything I can do for you?" She didn't want to provoke a fight like Caroline often did whenever Tina got on her nerves but still her tone was dripping with sarcasm, nothing Tina would ever understand. "No, actually not, I'll let you know in case you can. Since you're already here I can introduce you to our new student. Elena, this is Kol. Kol, this is Elena Gilbert." 'Kol- what a strange name...' Elena thought but before she could say anything Mr. Kroner entered and started the English lesson. She tried to focus on what he said but sometimes her gaze wandered to the new student. He seemed different and she couldn't quite ignore the feeling that he wasn't just a normal teenager. 'God Elena, you gotta stop suspecting immortal killers behind every corner. Not everyone is mainstream, there's nothing wrong about him!'
Tina kept trying to get his attention during class but to Elena's satisfaction Kol didn't notice and if he did he ignored her. Unlike Mr. Kroner who was quickly annoyed by her constant wriggling and hawking. "Is there something you want to say Miss Fell?" Everyone looked at her as she tried to keep her composure. "No, sir." "Then I'd be happy if you stopped disturbing my lesson." Elena tried to hide a smirk.
Unfortunately Tina quickly got over this exposure and during break she seemed to have already forgotten it. She showed Kol around pretending like she possessed him or something. Kol didn't look too happy but honestly Elena didn't care much. Last year she would've offered help but this year she was too preoccupied with the supernatural drama to even think about it. All she wanted to do was getting the day done and go home.

During lunch she sat with Matt in the cafeteria, talking about school. It was awkward to talk about normal stuff but it also felt good to not have to discuss vampire problems. The relaxed atmosphere lasted until a certain blond slut arrived crying "Oh look at that Elena and Matt just like in old times! Are you together again?" Matt had difficulties controlling his temper but Elena calmed him down. She had dealt with that before and it meant some normalcy, at least in a weird way but weird was better than not at all.
Before they could do anything about it, Tina sat down next to them together with three of her friends and the new guy, Kol. "By the way, Matt, have you already met our new student, Kol? Kol, this is Matt Donovan, Elena's ex-boyfriend." Matt looked like he would kill her in an instant. Kol smiled at them, extending his hand and said "It is nice to meet you two." Elena couldn't help but notice his smooth and warm voice. She shook his hand and answered "It's nice to meet you too Kol, welcome to Mystic Falls. Why don't you sit down?" Unlike Tina and her girls he hadn't just taken a seat but remained standing. Now he sat down between Tina and a girl named Melly- short for Melissa.
While Tina kept babbling about something, Elena inconspicuously scrutinized Kol. She was well aware of his handsome appearance but as it seemed he was not and if he was he didn't show it. He had light brown hair, styled out of his face- a little like Stefan just shorter, and dark eyes that remembered her of someone. he wore dark blue jeans and a grey button down shirt with one of these leather necklaces. Definitely a guy with taste.
Her observation was interrupted by Matt's cell phone. "Sorry Elena, I got to take care of that. See you after school?" he sounded very sorry. She just nodded. "Sure." Probably it was Caroline and she understood that she needed him so there was no reason to argue.
After Matt left, Tina looked at her expectantly. "So, where is Stefan? He can't be far away since you're only available as a double. Or did you two break up? Trouble in paradise? In that case, Kol, you shouldn't get used to her company, she will be too busy receiving pity and have everyone indulging her to attend school..." She was clearly gloating.

For Elena this was the turning point, until a certain extent she was used to this but there were borders that were not to be crossed. "How dare you Tina! This is none of your business and I warn you. Stop talking about things you don't understand and leave me alone or I won't be able to guarantee for anything!" She jumped from her seat glaring at her furiously before she turned on her heel and disappeared through the doors. On her way outside she fumed with anger. So much to normalcy! Right now she would rather deal with Klaus than with that bitch. Elena wasn't a person that was easily mad. She didn't care about these issues and it was hard to piss her off but Tina managed to get her majorly pissed within minutes. Outside she searched for quite corner of the school yard and sat down in the grass trying to calm herself. Kol had recognized her immediately. The human doppelganger his siblings had talked about. She looked just like Tatia and Katarina and it was obvious how upset she was. Surely being human and the centre of interest for original vampires wasn't easy. He had no idea how she could be still alive since Klaus was already a hybrid but there was an explanation. It wasn't important though. After all she had to know what was going on and having people like this Tina around didn't help either. He understood that she was pissed and if he hadn't promised his brother not to kill anyone he would've ripped that slut apart. Kol didn't know why but he felt sorry for the doppelganger. No human deserved to be part of this drama especially not a teenage girl like sweet Elena.
Back then he had understood his half-brother's wish to get rid of his mother's curse. he hadn't particularly cared for one of the other Petrova doppelgangers, they weren't as innocent as this girl. Kol couldn't deny his interest in her, he wanted to know the story he had missed but there wasn't a real way to find out since Klaus wouldn't tell him the truth and Elijah didn't know all of it. The only way was to ask her yet she would never talk to him considering who he really was. Maybe he didn't have to tell her immediately, though...He watched her leaving then asked "Why did you do this? Has your mother never taught you how to treat people?" He wanted to follow her when he felt a tiny grip on his wrist. "Stay! This is just Elena, my gosh. It's not like it's important." The original easily got rid of her hands. "Just shut the hell up!" Then he turned towards her looking straight into her eyes. "You'll never be impolite to your classmates again nor boss anyone around. You'll never try to get to me or any boy again and next time you see Elena you'll apologize for your behaviour, are we clear?" He compelled her. "Yes." "Great, then you'll all forget about this conversation." With these words he left, leaving 4 confused girls behind. It was not difficult to track Elena. He found her sitting in the cool grass, far away from anyone else. She did not notice him until he stood right beside her and when she did she looked up startled. "Kol? God, you scared me!" He smiled at her apologetically. "Sorry about that. Mind if I join you?" Elena just shrugged. "For what? Sitting in the grass, contemplating? If that is so interesting for you..."

"I actually hoped to get to know you a little. You know, I don't really believe what this Tina told me." This time, Elena let out a snort. "Well, you shouldn't. She always tells tales to make herself seem important, but she never attacked me like this. Seems like she wants to possess you. No one envies you this position, trust me." Kol couldn't suppress a laugh. "I think I got rid of her quite successfully." "I highly doubt it. You won't get rid of her until you're of no interest to her anymore and this will take looong so don't look forward to this year too much and give up your girlfriend-plans, she'll scare them away..."
"Are you making fun of me? Don't you dare to laugh about me!" he mock-threatened her. Elena couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, sorry about that." she mimicked him. "No, seriously" she continued, "I don't think she'll give up on you." "Oh well, as I said, I was quite convincing..." he trailed. "Let's better not bet on that. Why don't you tell me a little about you?" she suggested. That request brought him in a rather uncomfortable situation. He didn't want to lie to her yet he couldn't tell her who he really was, although it would hold some kind of humour, wouldn't it?
'Hey Elena, I know I look like a normal guy but since you've already come across vampires I figured you wouldn't mind me being a thousand years old and brother to the person who constantly ruined your life and took away your boyfriend. By the way I spent the last century in coffin so I sometimes can't fully control me, does it bother you if I attack you every now and then?'
Great plan.
"I'm sorry, if you don't want to talk about yourself, it's alright..." Elena couldn't hide her disappointment but she understood if people didn't want to talk about their past, she did not either. "No it's just that there is nothing exciting to tell you..." "Well maybe you can explain your name, it's rather unusual, isn't it?" Little did she know the name was quite normal...in the 10th century. Quickly he invented a story. "It short for Kollin...but during elementary school there was another boy named like this and somehow I felt cool having a strange nickname...don't ask me why but I adapted it anyway." He smiled at her, it sounded like true story...unfortunately it wasn't one.
Elena smiled back. She was happy that her former suspicion had been proven wrong.
"Anyway, Elena, what about you?" Kol asked, shooting her an interested glance.
"Nothing's with me, I am quite normal..." she fake-smiled. What a lie, and they both knew. However the Original realized that she didn't want to talk about herself either. What a shame, actually, they had a lot to tell each other, if she just knew, but he wanted to keep the truth hidden for little longer. Elena Gilbert definitely deserved normalcy."So what are we supposed to talk about then...? I am boring, you say that you're boring...nothing to tell each other..." Kol really didn't want to stop talking to her. "Well...although it is just as boring...maybe we can start with an easy theme...school!" Elena knew that this handsome guy was probably interested in everything but school however it was a safe haven... no strings attached.
"Good start...so tell me, Tina was too busy undressing me mentally to tell me about school life and such things...anything I have to take care of?"
"Not really. There's little to know concerning cliques and groups. Only keep in mind to not challenge Tyler Lockwood. He's a good guy and the mayor's son but he's impulsive and aggressive when it comes to territorials, so better try to not be too successful in football and keep your hands off of Caroline Forbes...oh and to just to mention it, she's the head of the dance committee and the cheerleaders so I wouldn't go for that just now." Elena smiled when she thought of her best friend. Although Tyler was currently occupied somewhere far away and their relationship wasn't the best right now, Kol would have to know.
"Don't worry. Though, I have to say I am quite the talent when it comes to cheerleading. I am born to wear these short skirts...", he said in a serious tone. Of course he was mocking her. Elena couldn't help but laugh at the idea of Kol in a skirt. Fortunately they were saved from awkward conversation as the bell gave a shrill ring, calling them to their next lesson.
She sighed and looked towards the main entrance where students gathered, all on their way to class. "What is your next one?", she asked Kol who was already on his feet while she had remained seated. "History. Although I don't know where to find the room yet."
"Well, lucky you, this is my class as well. And you're even luckier, it's a Tina-free zone." She smirked at the thought of Tina's face when she found out about her having a class with Kol but without her. "Great!" He offered her a hand and pulled her up the second she accepted it. He used a little too much strength and had to steady her to not topple over. Elena had of course noticed the fact but she refused to give it a second thought. Kol was a normal guy, period. Together they walked to class and Kol took the seat beside hers without even thinking about it. Rick was already there and she greeted him with a huge smile on her face. Alaric was always one to be sceptic and a new guy who befriended his kind-of-daughter certainly occurred him as strange but the smile on her face calmed him down. When everyone had taken a seat, he started talking. "Guys, here's the thing. Officially we're supposed to talk about World War One now but with Headmaster Bryson's OK I'd like to suggest another project. And no, we're not doing the battle of Willow Creek again. Normally we do only American History but what do you think of a little trip to European history?" Now he had everyone's attention. Most of Rick's ideas were pretty interesting.
"To be honest, the Middle Ages weren't much fun, but there's one story that I find very entertaining. How about I tell it to you and next lesson we discuss it. Who wants can express their opinion in an essay to improve their grades. Who's in favor of it?"15 hands went immediately up in the air. This would be way better than a boring analysis of a speech. "Great. Has anyone of you ever heard about the investiture conflict?"It was rather relaxing, listening to Alaric who was a really good storyteller although he always denied it. "...as the young boy he was back then, Henry couldn't reign the empire himself so his mother did it for him until he became of age. Yet she wasn't strong enough to make the princes actually obey her and it was then that a monk arrived. His name was Hildebrandt. He offered to teach Henry what he needed to know and give advice. The mother declined..."Elena found herself looking over to Kol every few minutes. She watched him while he seemingly listened carefully to Alaric's story.
Of course he noticed her glances, but he was also following the teacher's every word. He knew what happened anyway but still, it was a story that was quite popular in his first century as a vampire. After returning to the old world he had lived in a small northern-italian city which was also part of the conflict between the German king and the Pope.
When Alaric quoted the famous letter sent by said king he couldn't help but mouthing the lines he had known for so long. Although he had known them in the original language, of course. Elena tried to read his lips and when she managed to do so she was more than surprised to see that he was quoting even quicker than Rick. 'Strange...', she thought. No normal high school student knew about history that well. She decided to ask him after 's quite common that time passes faster when you enjoy yourself and therefore it was no surprise that the bell rang sooner than most students expected. Everyone got up, heading out and not little of them were talking about what they just heard.

Kol and Elena walked out together, doing small talk on the way to her car. "How did you know the letter?" she asked, surprising him with the question.
"What do you mean?"
"Please, don't try to back out. I've seen you quoting what Rick said even before he actually spoke it out. How did you know the famous words of Henry IV ?"
Kol tried to back out anyway. He had to lie again, as it was slightly impossible to admit that he lived through the time.
"My history teacher in my home town did a lot of that stuff...", he explained, knowing it was a rather poor excuse. Elena's look held doubt but she couldn't say anything against it. What should she do anyway? Accuse him of being an immortal vampire? Surely not, so she forced herself to believe what he moments later they reached her car.
"There we are. Can I give you a ride home?" she offered.
"No, thanks. My brother's picking me up, I think..." He couldn't tell her he lived in Klaus' mansion, after all.
"Alright then...- " she just wanted to add something when she saw him. It was impossible. He couldn't be there. He was supposed to be dead. Not as in dead dead but as in daggered dead, lying in a coffin.
Yet, there he was, leaning against an expensive car, wearing his usual suit, although his hair was slightly shorter than when she had last seen him.
When he noticed her look he smiled at her politely, as if nothing was wrong and made his way over to them.
"Elena, everything okay?" Kol asked and her gaze went back to him.
"Yeah, sure. I just need to deal with someone...I'll see you tomorrow." she answered absentmindedly. Kol had seen his brother but decided to keep quiet about it. As far as he knew, Elena knew him very well, but apparently, his dear brother had something else in mind. "Elijah!""Elena, wonderful to see you again. I am pleased to see that you're unharmed." All the words were stuck in her throat. All the things she wanted to say. That she understood his actions back then, that she needed his help and that she was sorry ,not for something in particular, just for everything.
Yet she couldn't speak out any of it. "Wh-what are you doing here?""Oh, don't worry, I am just here to pick up my baby brother.

How did you like High School, Kol?"

Thanks for reading :) Please, tell me what you think! I'd really love some feedback!