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Chapter 9
As the girls stood in line for their morning coffee fix they stared at the TV in the coffee bar. It was almost the end of their second week back from winter break.
"Can you believe this? It looks like snow and they're not talking a dusting," Elena said.
"It makes me cold just thinking about it," Bonnie shivered and clutched her coffee cup.
"You know you can't actually get cold right?" Caroline whispered.
"Yeah, I know."
"Alright I'd better get to class and see how my paper faired," Elena said as she stood and arranged her scarf before buttoning her navy wool coat. About that time Klaus walked in and headed towards the counter.
"Good morning ladies," he smiled as he passed.
"Good morning Mr. Mikaelson," the four girls greeted and there was a moment of silence before they erupted into giggles.
"Okay I'm off to history of design," Bekah smiled as she fastened her bright red coat that matched her red tights and coordinated with her pleated, plaid skirt. Her lamb-lined Ugg heeled booties paired perfectly.
"Have fun," Caroline grinned. She and Bonnie were the last two at the table.
"How are you doing?" Caroline asked Bonnie.
"You mean since I found out two days ago," Bonnie said and Caroline nodded. "Well I got rid of my contacts, toned down my perfume and I've got to replace two lamps and three plates. Plus I keep having these moments where I'm just so aware of everything. Kol's been taking his responsibility to heart – in fact I'm surprised he's not – oops; there he is," Bonnie smiled as she noticed Kol approaching.
"Okay I'll see you at…I'll see you when I see you. I've got too many rehearsals." Bonnie smiled at her and then rose from her seat.
"Allow me," Kol said as he helped Bonnie slip into her bright orange wool jacket that stopped at her knees. She had deep blue denim on and orange leather flats. Her blouse was navy blue silk – simple but classically chic. She was glad that she had let the other girls talk her into 'upscaling' her wardrobe.
"You look nice today," Kol grinned as Bonnie slung her messenger bag across her shoulders.
"Thanks, you look nice too but then you know that," Bonnie replied and they walked out onto the pathway. Kol placed his hand to her back but a moment later a girl pushed between them. Kol glared at the girl's back as she passed.
"Did you hear we might be getting snow?" Bonnie asked.
"That's what I heard," Kol smiled then he turned serious, "How are you doing today?"
"I had two this morning and I'm feeling okay right now. I've only got the three classes this morning."
"I know," Kol smiled, "and I thought after English lit maybe you might want to have lunch with me?"
"I'd like that," Bonnie smiled and they arrived at her classroom.
"Text me if you need me Bonnie. I mean it."
"Thanks Kol" He lingered a moment like he had something else he wanted to say or do and then without another word he was gone.
Bonnie sat through a lecture on early Salem followed by a lecture on Wiccan compare and contrast with mainstream religious practices and then she was in Elijah's class. As she waited for class she listened to someone a few rows up and far left tapping their pencil. Someone else was setting up a laptop and there was a whole symphony of people opening and closing three-ring binders, an army of shuffling feet and enough conversations to rival a beehive. It was happening again.
"Take deep breaths," Elijah's voice broke through and Bonnie noticed he was knelt beside her. She closed her eyes but that only made it worse and she opened them again. "You're okay Bonnie. I'm right here. Are you hungry?"
"No it's just sounds," Bonnie whispered, "but it's going away now." She offered him a smile of reassurance and noticed that everyone was watching. Elijah rose gracefully and walked down to the podium to begin class.
He started by passing back the papers and soon there were plenty of groans. When Bonnie got hers she was pleasantly surprised by her 82. It wasn't what she wanted by any means but given the sea of red that had flooded her paper she was just thankful that it wasn't a D. Once everyone had their papers he began to go over common mistakes that the group had made.
"Now anyone that scored under a ninety-five I expect a corrected copy at the beginning of Monday's class," Elijah said. When the bell sounded Bonnie waited for the vast room to empty before she stopped by the podium. Elijah was gathering his materials for the next class.
"Thank you…for earlier"
"You're quite welcome," Elijah replied. "I am sorry that my brother put you through this."
"It's okay really," Bonnie said honestly, "Kol's doing a good job of being a sire and since everyone I know is a vampire anyhow…"
"Kol doesn't give his affections often but when he does he cares deeply," Elijah said thoughtfully. Bonnie stared at Elijah for a long moment as he continued to pull out papers and prepare for the next class. When he didn't say anything further she left the room and was a little surprised to find Kol in the hall.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm okay. I let myself get overwhelmed by all the sounds but Elijah helped."
"He's a good brother and a great mentor. Of course he's also likely listening," Kol grinned. He started walking down the hall and she joined him.
"Look it's snowing!" Caroline yelped about four that afternoon. She had just come back from her private vocal rehearsal and would have another until principle's rehearsal at seven. Elena rushed to the window and then hurried to pound on Rebekah and Bonnie's door. Soon the four of them were outside staring up at the white, flake-producing sky.
Quite a few of the students were out watching the first of the snow. It had been so cold the last couple of days that the accumulation was quickly beginning to stick. By dinnertime there were a couple of inches already.
Kol was listening to his headphones and reading his accounting assignment on his bed when he began to smell really good food. After about fifteen minutes he gave in and closing his book decided to see where the good smell was coming from. His honed vampire senses led him to a very familiar door. He knocked and his sister opened it with a smile.
"You're right on time," she said as she ushered him in. Elena and Caroline were seated atop cushions on the floor. There were a few more vacant cushions all arranged around the coffee table.
"What is that incredible smell?" Kol grinned.
"Bonnie has made this incredible soup with steak, Portobello mushrooms, lentils, roasted red peppers, potatoes, baby carrots, greens and this broth that you just have to – " they had been stirring the pot as Rebekah listed the ingredients and she had picked up the spoon to offer her brother a taste when they were cut off.
"Put that spoon back! It's almost ready!"
"Damn vampire hearing," Rebekah muttered as she returned the spoon. The toaster released the bread about that time and Bonnie appeared adding those slices to the others in a basket. There was a knock at the door and Rebekah opened it to admit Elijah. She hugged him tightly before Kol gave him a quick hug.
"It smells delightful all the way down the hall," Elijah pronounced. "Thank you for the invitation."
"Okay guys with Elijah here let's move everything to the breakfast bar. Some of us can just stand," Elena announced.
"No, not at all," Elijah protested. "I have eaten on the floor before." Elena, Bonnie and Caroline watched in amazement as he slipped off his shoes and settled on the pillow next to Elena's. Kol carried the pot to the table and then Bonnie served everyone. Soon everyone was savoring the soup.
It was almost midnight now and the campus was quiet though the snow was continuing to come down. The dinner group scurried down the steps of the dorm and as they reached the path Bonnie discovered it was iced over as she slipped and landed in the grassy snow on the other side.
"Bonnie are you okay?" Caroline worried. Kol had Bonnie on her feet a moment later and the group scurried along to a very large hill with only a few trees.
"Okay I went and bought these sleds that you begged for," Elijah said.
"Oh you are going to love this!" Elena enthused.
"Okay…you push this wooden bar up here back and forth to steer but it's a sled – not a sports car – so it doesn't turn on a dime." The originals looked skeptical.
"Okay we'll show you," Caroline grinned. "Come on Elena." Caroline lay down on the sled and Elena began to push her. When the sled picked up speed Elena jumped on top of Caroline and both girls laughed and squealed with delight as they raced down the hill.
"That looks like fun!" Kol grinned.
"It is," Bonnie smiled.
"Do you want me to push you?" Bonnie asked. "You can sit on it or lie down." Kol lay on the sled and Bonnie pushed him. He came close to a couple of trees but managed to survive all the way to the bottom. He flashed back to the top with vampire speed.
"Did you like it?" Bonnie asked.
"You didn't get on," Kol frowned.
"I didn't know you wanted me to. There doesn't have to be two people," Bonnie explained.
"I want you to go with me," Kol said.
This time Elena managed to get Elijah sitting on one and as it started going she settled her knees on the back of the sled and gripped his shoulders. Unfortunately Elijah forgot about the steering and they veered towards a park bench! Elijah grabbed Elena's arms and rolled them off just as the sled passed under the bench unscathed.
Elijah had rolled on top of Elena and he pushed her hair back from her face to look her over.
"Elena are you alright?" he worried. She giggled up at him.
"Let's go again! This is great!"
"Look out!" Rebekah yelled about that time and the two just managed to get out of the way as she skirted around the bench with a yelp of victory and continued down the hill. Unfortunately just as she was getting up Kol plowed right into her knocking the three of them into the snow. Caroline stood at the top of the hill doubled over with laughter.
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