Hellooooooo my darlings! Here is ze next chapter! I hope you like it. And thanks for the lovely reviews, favourites and follows I've been getting. Always fantastic to know people are eager and enjoying my story.
Audrey walked into the hotel room with Maggie. She fell onto the couch in exhaustion and sighed dramatically. After tonight, all Audrey wanted to do was sleep. To her, sleep sounded way more appealing than being handfed strawberries dipped in chocolate by a male model. After she finally got let out of Kol's compulsion, Elena, Caroline and Maggie all asked if she was all right. According to Elena, Kol is the mischief-maker of the Mikaelson family; he broke her friend Matt's hand just for amusement and he has clearly found a new toy in Audrey. Smashing. The four girls split shortly after and said their goodbyes, with both parties leaving with a 'be careful'. That seemed to be mandatory in any good bye in this town; so much bloody danger.
Maggie leaned on the kitchen sink, fiddling with her daylight ring. She was deep in thought, but after tonight's events, she too was drained.
"You alright, Mags?" Audrey asked, noticing her sisters fidgeting. Maggie looked at Audrey and shrugged, but then thought better of it and sat next to her sister.
"We never got to talk. Got a little side-tracked by a cocky Original and some tequila." Audrey noted with a slight laugh.
"Yes, I know we didn't but I guess now we can." Maggie suggested.
"Mags, lets just get out of here. Go home. There's no point staying here." Audrey gestured around the room, implying that 'here' meant the entirety of Mystic Falls.
"I'd still like to stay." She replied firmly.
"Maggie, come on, he's hurt you and we are not staying here a second longer for him to do it again. What the bloody hell did you see in him anyway!?" Audrey exclaimed; she was seriously getting frustrated with Maggie's lost puppy syndrome. She never truly understood what Maggie saw in him, all that she knew was that he made her happy, and if Maggie was happy then that was enough for her, but regardless she was still sceptical.
Maggie sighed, and them smiled sadly at Audrey.
"Look, Klaus clearly isn't interested in me anymore, actually scratch that, he was never interested to begin with-" Audrey tried to butt in with some kind words, but Maggie raised her hand to silence her sister, "no let me finish. And you know what? I will tell you what I saw in him, because I've never told you before. Everything Klaus told me before is true, and I knew it was true but I simply I chose to ignore it because Klaus made me feel good about myself; you know, to be getting attention from an Original vampire, that he actually knew my name and that he didn't fawn over you instead."
Audrey frowned in question at her sister's forward statement.
"Oh come on Audrey, even when we were human; you were the sister that always got the attention. I just stood in the background. You were the sister that collected marriage proposals like it was tax; you were fun, lively, and confident. Everything I'm not. You could hold yourself so well in society with wit and charm, and for a time I was okay with that, but I guess insecurities got the best of me. And when Klaus came along, I jumped at the opportunity no matter how much of horrible person he is… you know me, I'm seriously love sick," she chuckled but there was no humour in her eyes, "so I got a little infatuated, but infatuated with the idea that I was getting attention from this charming and attractive guy who wasn't looking at you that I ignored how poorly he treated me. Now that I think about it, if you didn't avoid the Original Family like they were a plague I'm sure he would've jumped onto you in an instant, but he didn't see you enough for that to happen…" Maggie trailed off and looked out the window. Audrey just simply stared, her mouth hanging open.
"Oh Maggie, I had no idea. I, I, I'm so sorry." Audrey stuttered completely dumfounded. She was mentally kicking herself. How could she not see this!? This is her little sister and she never put the pieces together! She always knew that Maggie battled with confidence issues but she thought that Klaus just swept her up in all his Original charm and that Maggie, like her, was a sucker for men with a big vocabulary. She honestly thought that her sister was seriously smitten; besotted with not Klaus but with the attention Klaus gave her; it was giving her these confidence boosts that completely disregarded what a dick he was.
"You don't have to apologise," Maggie replied, but Audrey was unconvinced, "I look back and I can see all the many times you told me to end it with him because of how horribly he treated me and I completely ignored you thanks to me feeling so bloody insecure." Audrey looked at Maggie shaking her head. She could tell that Maggie didn't fully mean what she said; there was an undercurrent of anger that was bubbling its way to the surface.
"I feel like a fucking idiot. A complete brain retarded moron. I can't believe I never saw this, I should've never left so often, I would have seen this!" Audrey shouted, standing up, furious with herself.
How could she be so oblivious? Her own sister was practically suffering and she was off travelling the world for her enjoyment thinking Maggie was a love-struck fool, a lost puppy who wouldn't listen to the voice of reason.
Maggie's eyes started to swell with tears and she stood up, slight anger radiating off her.
"I needed you Audrey," she said quietly, "I needed my sister," her voice cracked as she gained volume, "but you were always off on some voyage half way across the world so I never saw you, and when I did see you all I got from you was how stupid I was to be spending my time with Klaus and that I should end it. I wanted to tell you why, but I just didn't know how! I only stayed with him because he made me feel good about myself, well when he was in a good mood that is…" Maggie's voice broke and she blinked back tears but to no avail as several small drops of water travelled down her porcelain cheek.
Audrey gasped. Maggie's confession made her heart shatter and her guilt began swallowing her whole.
"Maggie, I travelled because I loved it, but if you told me you needed me I would've have stayed with you in an instant. I would not have left your side. Ever. But you assured me constantly, no matter how many times I told you to end things with him, that you were happy, he made you happy. I could clearly see that you were way more invested in your relationship then he was but I let it go, because you, being the talented liar that you clearly are, told me you were okay! And I fucking believed it. Don't think for a second that I don't feel like absolute shit, because I do. I do Maggie, I really do." Audrey cried and leaned against the wall. She did not see this coming. To be perfectly honest, she did receive lots of male attention; she just never thought that it would drive Maggie to Klaus.
"You should have told me Maggie. You should have bloody told me." Audrey whispered as she slid down the wall till she hit the floor with a thud. She pulled her knees up and cradled her head with her hands. Tears began rimming her eyes. The more that she thought about it, the more it made sense. Maggie was getting what she wanted: acknowledgment, attention, and she was receiving it from someone who wouldn't give it to just anyone so it probably made her feel special.
Before she knew it, Maggie sat next to her, resting her head on her shoulder. She took a deep breath and sighed.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you, I was just upset and flustered I guess. Bloody emotions, always getting the best of us…" Audrey laughed, sniffling as she wiped away tears. "I know it was all unintentional. I know you would never hurt me deliberately. You're my sister and I love you, but I was just upset that I didn't have my sister when I needed her, and that when she looked at Klaus and me, she didn't get it. She didn't know the truth, but I guess I'm to blame in some respects. Even if you weren't in England all the time, the times you were I could have easily sat you down and told you. Clearly Klaus' refreshing honesty was what I needed to be truthful with you." Audrey stared at the floor in defeat. No matter what Maggie said, Audrey was feeling terrible.
"Were you even happy with him at all?" She questioned.
"There were times, when yes, he could be truly charming but then there were other times when he was just vile. He'd say one nice thing the completely contradict it so I never really got anywhere." Maggie rolled her eyes. Audrey continued staring at the floor; avoiding her sister's gaze.
"I never meant to steal the spotlight from you. I never meant to get all the attention. I never wanted you to be second, because you're not." Audrey spoke quietly, feeling ashamed.
"Oh Audrey, I know you never did, but it happened and there's nothing to be done about it." Maggie replied sadly. She was feeling horrible, she came to Mystic Falls expecting to reunite with Klaus so she could continue getting her little confidence boosts but instead he ended up telling her, deadpan, the thing she didn't want to hear, and it sent her over the edge, leaving her exploding in sadness, exhaustion, frustration and defeat. She didn't want Audrey to feel guilty; she just wanted her to know the truth.
"Maggie I want you to know that you're the most remarkable person I know, and all those men were interested in me for all the wrong reasons. It was only because I flirted with them all, that they showed interest. With you, you're so much more. Yes you're more reserved and coy but you don't prance around like me… I ask for a show, you don't, that's what makes you so amazing. So special."
Maggie laughed and wrapped an arm around her sister.
"You don't ask for a show, Audrey, you are a show. You're this big ball of energy and charisma and people are just drawn to you. It's not you're fault, but thank you."
Audrey sat up, feeling a little better and looked down at Maggie.
"How about this Mags, from now on, you be more honest, and you tell me, even if I'm distracted with God knows what, you tell me, because whatever it is, I'll listen. And I'll try to be there for you. I'll try to be there for my sister and not let myself be so bloody oblivious!" She chuckled at the last part, a small smile slipping onto her face. Maggie smiled brightly and pulled her into a hug.
"I'm so sorry." Audrey mumbled into her sister's hair.
"Stop apologising! I'm the one that should be sorry!"
"No, you're not!"
"Oh My God, stop being so stubborn." Both girls laughed, separating and wiped away their remaining tears.
"So are we going back to England now?" Audrey asked, "it's honestly up to you, whatever makes you happy." She smiled sincerely.
"I think we should see it through. We don't really travel together a lot and this town is nice. It's small and the people are kind… so far. Besides everything's paid for so let's just do it!" Audrey giggled and raked a hand through her hair.
"Yes dear sister, let us be adventurous!" She replied theatrically.
"But before we do, I'm thinking we sleep. I honestly am having trouble keeping my eyes open."
"Okay! Let us be adventurous tomorrow!"
Both girls continued to laugh and giggle, as they got ready for bed. Two queen-sized beds sat side by side with a single bedside table separating them. They snuggled in and fell asleep instantly. Maggie was content that she finally got everything off her chest and that even by the end of it; Audrey still loved her and things didn't take a turn for the worst like she feared. Audrey went to bed happy as well, though she was still rattled by it all, she was pleased that Maggie was being honest with her and told her the truth. With this newfound understanding and honesty, both girls went to sleep knowing that they were closer than ever.
Kol walked into the living room of Klaus' home to find his brother sitting on an armchair sketching, and his sister flicking through the different channels, dominating the entire leather sofa. He was feeling nothing but pure delight as he made his way home after his evening with Audrey. She was simply enthralling, and he couldn't wait to see her again, to wind her up and to have a little fun. He was bored and now, because of her, he wasn't, so he should give her thanks seeing as he was such a gentleman.
"Ah sister, how is that psychology report going?" Kol asked as he flopped onto the couch, forcing Rebekah to quickly move her legs so her brother wouldn't squish them. She glared at him, and her glare worsened when he snatched the remote from her. He too began flicking through channels and happily settled on Girls Gone Wild. Rebekah rolled her eyes at both his smug-filled comment and his vulgar choice of a TV show.
"I couldn't make much progress without my example now could I? How is that girl of yours going?" She asked genuinely curious.
"Oh yes, Audrey! Nik! I bumped into the Ashby girls at the bar! Isn't that just marvellous!" Kol said to his brother, a grin spreading across his face. Klaus smirked, clearly amused by his brother's enthusiastic approach to Audrey that contradicted his earlier attitude to when he first me her.
"Wish I was there. What did she say to you this time little brother?" He asked, looking up from his paper.
Rebekah looked at Kol questioningly, her brows furrowed.
"This time? That wasn't the first time you met this girl Kol?" Rebekah asked; positioning herself so she was facing him. Kol quickly paled, he did not want Rebekah to find out the extent of Audrey's 'ego stumping' otherwise she'd never let him live it down. He felt like kicking himself for bringing it up, and he could tell that Klaus realised what was running through his head. Klaus smiled sinfully and did the exact opposite of what Kol wanted.
"Oh Rebekah, love, you don't know! Well I know the Ashby girls quite well, actually I know one of them quite well, Margaret, the other not so much, but they stopped by and Audrey had a little fun with Kol. Isn't that right?" Kol glared at Klaus. Rebekah could see the tension between the two and her curiosity was reaching new heights.
"Oh do tell." She said eagerly. Klaus chuckled and filled her in and by the end, Rebekah was laughing sharply.
"Oh my Lord, Kol. Ruined by a vampire that's most likely a quarter of your age, oh the shame. You must be devastated." Rebekah teased.
"Well at least I had a conversation with the girl. How's Matt going?" Kol shot back, a smirk replacing his earlier scowl. Rebekah sent daggers his way.
"No thanks to you we haven't been chatting much." She replied sternly and Kol laughed.
"So Nik, how do you know them?" Rebekah asked, changing the subject and ignoring Kol's mockery.
"The younger one was a plaything. I treated her better then others and that was it. She came back to say hello and I shooed her away. I have other more important things to tend to." Klaus replied simply still drawing.
"Yes, how is darling Caroline?" Kol asked, knowing he was entering dangerous territory. Klaus stopped drawing, grabbed the pencil and sent it flying Kol's way. Kol dodged it and it ended up being lodged into the wall. Rebekah and Kol both looked at the wall and back towards Klaus who pulled out another pencil and continued drawing. Kol snickered and set the remote down.
"Touchy issue. Noted," Kol got up and began walking out of the room, "good night siblings of mine, it has been lovely talking to you, as always." He bowed formally and swaggered up to his room.
He fell on his comfy bed, a huge grin painted across his face; he couldn't wait till tomorrow to see Audrey, even if Audrey didn't want to see him, he didn't doubt that they were going to talk and just talking to her was so entertaining! His last thought was what he planned on saying to her tomorrow but decided that improvisation was much more fun and before he knew it, sleep suddenly took hold of him.
Like? Dislike? Let me know! Be sure to leave a review. Next chapter will be up within a week. And as always; cheers for reading! :) xx
