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Arrivals and Rivals

Authors Note: Hello lovely readers , so sorry for the delayed post of Chapter Three.

But alas here it is. So on that note I just wanted to thank all of you who have followed, favorited, and reviewed. It means a lot to me.

Previously beta'd by Cuinawen !

I forgot to mention this , but this story is set in New Moon and The Vampire Diaries Season Three.

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with The Vampire Diaries and Twilight. All recognizable characters belong to S. Meyer and Julie Plec. No copyright infringement is intended.

Now on with the story !

Song Choice- What Makes a Man by West life

I sat in the parking lot contemplating my choice to leave behind all I had known, but unfortunately it was too late to second guess myself and turn back to Forks. I know now that I had not been living and maybe Jeremy could help me live again. Or so I hoped, but the question was, what about our past? I mean it wasn't as if either of us could just ignore it.

I had always felt happy when I spent the summers in Mystic Falls, especially as I grew to know and love the people there...

Jeremy and I had gotten closer as I spent time in Mystic Falls. We had connected on so many levels it that was almost unreal. But as we got older it was different, we were transitioning from being kids into our teenage years.

Freshman year came upon us, and I knew things would surely change, and I was right. As Jeremy and I entered our freshman year we began to grow apart. We developed an on and off again friendship where there would be some days we connected as we had as kids, then other time where we barely spoke.

It also didn't help that we were always busy. This continued throughout sophomore year and into junior year. But it really hit home when all throughout junior year we didn't talk at all. I had tried to reach out to him, but it seemed as if he could care less. Also with his parents passing I had absolutely abandoned my need to call him to try to lessen his stress.

Months had passed before I could finally work up the courage to call him again. Senior year had come and passed, and I had realized I needed him, he grounded me like no other person had. Best friends forever.

I had cracked after Ed- him had left and though my emotions had since returned, but not my happiness. I remembered calling Jeremy twice in my comatose state of mind, and neither time had ended well. Jeremy had yelled and I cried. But after several months of sulking I manned up, got my shit together, and finally called him just after graduation.

It seemed like neither of us knew how to start at first, but after the awkward "hello" we reconnected as if no time had passed at all. Now here I was freshly rejuvenated and looking for some kind of solace while I eased my way into becoming the girl, no woman I am supposed to be.

Getting out of the car I picked up my duffel and carry on which held all of my electronics. Not that I had that much but I liked to keep them in close proximity in case I had to bolt. I wasn't sure where to go from the parking lot, so I stood there until I could muster the confidence to call Jeremy at the late hour.

Deciding that standing in the bitter cold wasn't my cup of tea, I eventually whipped out my cell to call him. Waiting for the familiar ring I tapped my foot, the sound load in the quiet midnight hour. After a few rings I began to lose hope but just as I was about to hang up a deep groggy voice answered with a sleep filled, "Hullo."

I paused a brief minute before I answered in a tired voice "Hi Jer, its Bella. I'm here" I waited for a response but nothing was returned. Sighing, I felt like I wanted to break down.

I guess our makeup of sorts wasn't enough after all. Tears filled my eyes as I closed the phone. Tear after tear escaped as I walked to my car unlocking it and practically falling into it in exhaustion. Closing the door, I full on sobbed in grief. Jer had once again let me down, or was it me that let myself down?

I slowly pulled out my keys knowing I should try to find a cheap hotel, and I was just about to start the car when a knock sounded on my window. Breathing heavily I wiped my tear stained face and pulled the window half way down. "Yes?" I voiced.

"Hello Bella." A deep unfamiliar voice crooned and I pulled back in fear. I guess he noticed my expression because he reached in through the window to rub my shoulder.

"It's okay," he continued on, "I'm a friend of Jeremy's, and I saw you out here alone." Not having the words to answer him, I numbly nodded.

He continued to rub my shoulder in a comforting pattern until I had completely stopped my heavy gasps for air. Now I was a little calmer I wasn't as afraid of him, but failed to realise he had unlocked the door and pulled it open.

Suddenly finding myself swept up in his arms in an embrace, I cautiously wrapped my arms around him leaning into him. Just seconds had passed but to me it could have been minutes or hours. He pulled back first and studied me closely. Nodding in approval he extended his hand out in an old world manner.

"Hello there, my name is Kol... Kol Mikaelson."

Momentarily stunned I looked at the man who had come to my rescue, despite knowing nothing about me. "Bella." I whispered in reply, but I knew he knew this.

Kol seemed to revel in this sign of affections from me, but I was still in shock that a complete stranger would come to my rescue without an ulterior motivation. He had one, and so did Jake and sadly I had played to both of them, but no more. Kol was a saving grace but if he had an ulterior motive, I'd kick his behind, or at least scold him worthy of an award. Yeah I was not shy Bella, I was new improved bad but lovable Bella.

Deep in my thoughts I didn't really notice Kol had led me to a door, until he opened it and ushered me inside. Closing it with a push of his foot he then locked it, but made sure I knew I was welcome to leave with a look into his depth-full eyes.

All the drama flooded back then, like a waterfall and I finally crashed. Falling onto the ground I re-entered my emotional state. Kol walked over to me to once again embrace me and then scooped me up bridal style to gently set me on his bed. It was soft and plush and smelt so masculine. I reveled as he had earlier, in the fact that he had come to my aid.

As I cried myself out, exhaustion over took me, so Kol tucked me in and I dozed off to slumberland.

Kol sat at the batting cages watching Jeremy hit and miss the oncoming baseballs. This continued for an hour or so until Jeremy got tired. Kol then stood up to take his turn, showing off his strength to hit every one that flew his way.

Onlookers cooed and clapped some even winking at him. Kol of course took it all in like he lived just for this. He came back to Jeremy after a while and let the rookie's try to outdo him. Watching them in disdain Kol laughed at their attempts, as they failed and sulked, not noticing at first that Jeremy had taken a call.

Briefly listening, he heard the last words, "I'll be there, I'll call you."

Assuming Jeremy was getting a visitor, he waited for Jeremy to finish as he wanted to rib him for details. But as fate would have it, a rookie yelled out it was his turn. Gosh darn it he'd been so close but knew patience was the key. So at closing time he waited for Jeremy to rib him then, and boy, did he.

Bella, oh he couldn't wait to meet her. Jeremy had planned to wait up, but obviously fell asleep waiting and so didn't resurface. Just after midnight he heard an approaching car. Bella, she was here. Peering out his window, he saw her call who he assumed to be Jeremy, and then wait his arrival without any luck. So Kol, ever trying to outdo the boy, stepped up to help his friend or whatever he was.

Striding out, he tapped on her window and proceeded to try to be charming. It worked, but as Kol thought it was going to be a game, he had switched on his emotions. Instead he had then found himself feeling something for the girl, no woman, known as Bella.

After meltdown, after meltdown, he led her to his room to let her rest. No dishonesty in his actions, he just cared. Whether she knew it or not.

Sighing he headed towards the couch, getting blankets and a pillow from the closet on the way. Settling down, he slipped into slumber. He would deal with everything tomorrow.

Authors Note: Thanks for reading Chapter Three, Please consider leaving a review !

Until next time...

carreira