Chapter 6: Shake It Out
Unlike the day before I was the last to be awake. After wrapping myself in my robe and skipped down the stairs. To my surprise Bonnie had left early, leaving just me, Elena and Caroline, and of course Jeremy. I walked into the kitchen to see Jeremy munching on cereal, and Caroline awkwardly sitting beside him. What was I thinking when I told her? I'd give it a few days until she'd tell someone, I wasn't particularly embarrassed, but Jeremy on the other hand I didn't know.
"What's on the agenda today then guys?" I asked from behind the fridge door. I grabbed the orange juice and joined them at the table, awaiting a reply.
"Well cheerleader training is today…" I grumbled and sipped my drink. "You said!" Caroline whined as I rubbed my eyes.
"Yeah I know, but I'm going to embarrass myself…" Caroline smiled and took hers and Jeremy's empty bowls to the sink.
"Ok today you can watch and I'll teach you some of the stuff when we get back" I reluctantly nodded and watched as Jeremy listened in.
"What are you going to do today Jer?" I asked cheerfully, he seemed surprised that I was talking to him, he must have remembered last night. He shrugged his shoulders so I realized there wasn't much else to say.
"Do you want to borrow any gym stuff?" Caroline asked to break the silence; Jer gave a small chuckle and walked towards the stairs.
"She has stuff with her…even her dance stuff" He called out. I bit into my lip knowing Caroline would want me to teach her some moves, but luckily she didn't bring it up. She looked up to the clock, hinting that we'd have to go soon.
"I'll go get ready" I said as I walked past her. I knew she hated being late, and that she was a control freak. So it was best to go along with it.
After changing into some gym shorts and a t-shirt I once again bumped into Jeremy on the landing. I said nothing and went to run down the stairs but he stopped me.
"Jane I'm sorry about last night...I don't know what came over me" I smiled sweetly and hugged him.
"Don't worry about it Jer, no harm done. Anyway come to the practise, I won't have you sitting around here all day"
"I'll look like a creeper watching you…" I laughed and rolled my eyes.
"No you won't, I'll sit with you for a while. And if anyone asks you're with me ok?" He reluctantly nodded and then retreated to his room to change.
I forced them to jog to the practise, much to their annoyance. But I just laughed the whole way. When we got there Care hadn't even broken into a sweat. I looked at her in disbelief.
"Jee Care, do you have sweat glands?" I asked with a puff, she just smiled and continued to run towards the other cheerleaders.
After a quick introduction I joined Jeremy on the side of the pitch as I watch them warm up, by Caroline's orders I had to but I did my own. As I did the splits she joined us again but in a foul mood.
"What's up Care?" I returned to a sitting position and looked up at her bitter face.
"She's here!" She pointed over towards a young blonde girl doing flips in the air, I didn't understand but Jeremy seemed to. We got up, they both were tense but I didn't understand why. The girl watched me before walking towards us. A smirk crossed her face as she saw Caroline react to her presence. She extended her hand and awaited my response; I lightly took her hand and shook it.
"I'm Rebekah" She stated with authority, she scowled at Caroline before returning to her smiley self. "I hear you're a ballerina…" I was stunned; I shot Care a look realizing she'd blabbed.
"I had to tell them or they wouldn't accept you in!" She whined making Rebekah cringe, I sighed but just returned my attention to my new acquaintance.
"Yeh I am…Do you know much bout it?" I asked, trying to sooth the tension, it could be cut with a knife.
"Yes I've watched a few in my time" I snorted and redid my pony tail.
"In your time? You're talking like an old woman; you're only…18-19?" She seemed amused by what I said, but didn't reply. This town was getting weirder by the day, vanishing men and Caroline not having any sweat glands, what had I returned to?
I always found exercise relieving, shaking out the stress of everything. Although dancing (proper dancing) was miles better. After a while of watching and joining in I noticed the man from the funeral in the distance, watching me closely. I swore I'd seen him a few times when being out; it was like he was stalking me. I then remembered what he had said when giving me the envelope. I turned to Jeremy who was sitting beside me.
"What's this towns big secret?" He was stunned for some reason, his eyes darted side to side trying to conjure an answer. I sighed and rolled my eyes. "I'm an outsider now…I can't know. Is that it?" He replied 'yes' too quick for my liking. I knew he knew, and he was lying. But I kept my trap shut, it was best to go with my original plan. Get the information out of Damon, or Caroline, she couldn't keep secrets well.
Jeremy had gone to meet Matt at the grill and Caroline stayed behind giving prep talks for a while longer, so I journey back to the house alone. I regretted wearing shorts and not bringing a coat, there was now a cold breeze passing me.
Suddenly I was dragged into the wooded area and pushed against a tree. I screamed but a hand covered my mouth. I trembled with fear and at the memory of the last time I'd been attacked. I slowly opened my eyes to see Kol standing in front of me, I calmed slightly as he pulled away his hand.
"What a-are you doing?" I asked, my voice quivering. He stepped back and shoved his hands into his pockets.
"I forgot to tell you something when we last met…" Goosebumps appeared across my body so I rubbed my arms. He raised an eyebrow as he surveyed my body. "Why didn't you bring a coat?"
"Because I'm a friggin moron, that's why" I spat back, but soon regretted my words. "Sorry…" He smirked at me, I seemed to amuse him. He removed his jacket and wrapped it around my bare shoulders, his hands brushing against my skin, sending a shot of pleasure through my body. "Thank you…You were saying?"
He chuckled slightly and walked around me, he acted so casual, despite dragging me off the street.
"I don't want you telling anyone that I helped you that night…You haven't have you?" He narrowed his eyes at me in anticipation.
"No I haven't. Do you have a reputation or something?" He gave a light chuckled before nodding.
"You could say something like that" He smirked at me and stepped closer, I felt his breath on my skin. "Promise me you won't tell anyone"
"I swear" I smiled back.
"That cut healed up nicely by the way" I laughed and shook my head.
"Nah, it hasn't yet. My friend showed me how to cover it up…I don't think it'll scar, I'm treating it like mad" I laughed to myself.
I froze as he grazed his thumb across where it was, he looked at it intensely as he continued to stroke my cheek. I began to feel awkward and I knew he could tell. He broke himself from the trance and vanished. I stepped forward and looked around like I always seemed to do when meeting him; it was almost like a habit. I noticed I still had his jacket wrapped around me, so I put it on properly and continued to walk back. He'd show up again and I knew he would, this jacket was Armani! Kol was rapidly growing on me, but I'd keep that to myself, especially since I'm not allowed to speak of him.
