IT WAS NINE IN THE MORNING AND LOLA BENNETT WAS TIRED. But then again, when wasn't she tired?
Unlike most twenty-two year olds who were most likely sleeping in or doing college work on a Saturday morning, Lola was working her job as a maid at the Jamison household. On the weekends when she wasn't working at Tiana's place Lola worked for the Jamison household every Saturday and Sunday cleaning their mansion spotless. The mansion was so big it took two whole days to clean it which was why Lola worked both Saturday and Sunday.
The Jamison family weren't that bad compared to some of the other rich families in Mystic Falls. They were an older white couple with at least eight kids which explained why their house always needed to be cleaned. It was annoying but Lola tried not to complain because it was good pay.
"Loretta."
Lola internally cringed at the sound of her first name and looked up from her place on the kitchen floor as she scrubbed the floor clean on her hands and knees. "Yes?"
Richard Jamison pointed his thumb in the direction of the living room, "Your phone is ringing," he told her. He didn't say much after that, he just turned on his heel and walked back into his office.
Lola stood and ripped off her gloves, she shoved them in her soap bucket and walked into the kitchen. The sound of Toni Braxton's He Wasn't Man Enough echoed throughout the large living room from her phone.
Lola quickly accepted the call without looking at the contact, "Hello?"
No one replied.
Lola frowned, "Hello?" She asked again. Then a speck of hope flew through out her body, "...Elijah?"
"Loretta, who is Elijah?"
Lola nearly dropped her phone at the sound of her father's voice, "D-Dad?" She sputtered. She cleared her throat, "Uh...hi? No offense but...why are you calling me? I mean Bonnie's birthday was a month ago and mine isn't until November. So..."
Lola knew she was being rude but it's not like her father was never rude to her. Her dad never called nor did he ever come home. Sure, he'll come home on the holidays and send a gift card on their birthdays but otherwise he was just like Abby, non existent.
He didn't even bother to show up to their gram's funeral which made Bonnie cry. Then Lola ended up calling him giving him the most epic tongue lashing of his life for missing Gram's funeral and not being there for Bonnie. They hadn't spoken on the phone since. Lola tried not to get mad but when it came to Bonnie her patience completely flew out the window.
"I'm your father, Loretta. Treat me with some respect."
Lola bit her tongue, "Sorry."
"Now who is Elijah?"
Lola spoke through grit teeth, "He's a...friend. Look, I'm at work so I can't talk for long."
She almost wanted to add how she could've been in college instead of working if he just came home and took care of his children like he was supposed to but didn't. She didn't think it was her dads or anyone's business about her...friendship(?) with Elijah.
Elijah who she hadn't seen in two days...Lola shook her head.
"Is her your boyfriend?" Rudy asked impatiently, "You know that—"
"He's not my boyfriend!" Lola said harshly. She winced and Mr.Jamison poked his head out of his study at the commotion. She mouthed an apology to him and he went back inside. "H-He's just a friend, okay, I promise. Nothing more nothing less. Now, I really need to get back to work."
A friend who she had sex with once but still a friend nonetheless or at least Lola liked to think they're friends.
Ruby paused, "I need you and Bonnie to attend the Historical Society Volunteer day in my absence. It's today at ten o'clock."
"I'm at work," Lola told him, "I can't afford to just take a day off. We'll end up homeless, literally."
"Loretta, we are descendants from a founding family, someone must be there in my absence."
Lola almost told him that she didn't give a shit but instead she said, "I can't take a day off of work just because we're part of a founding family. It's not required and we really need the money this month."
Bonnie wanted to go the Masquerade Ball this month with her friends and Lola was going to make sure Bonnie had the best experience there if she killed her. Bonnie had seen a new dress she liked and Lola had been saving up for the past two weeks trying to surprise her with it.
"Loretta, we need to make an appearance or—"
"Look," Lola quickly cut him off, "I...I understand it's important to you that someone from our family makes an appearance there, truly I get that. But it's important to me to make sure Bonnie is provided for and I need this job to make sure it that. So, if I have to make a choice over Bonnie or you it will always be Bonnie. I'm not going. If it was really that important to you, you would've came down here yourself and attended. Now can I please get back to work?"
Rudy was silent and for a moment Lola thought he hung up. "I'll pay."
"What?"
"You're at work to pay for the bills and mortgage, correct?"
"Um...yeah?"
"I'll send you a check large enough to pay the bills and mortgage for two months if you go."
Lola choked on her spit, "T-Two months?"
Truth be told, he should've always been paying for the bills and mortgage since it was his house and not Lola's but she wasn't going to press him about it when he was offering her money.
That would be two months of not worry about an eviction notice or hiding old underpaid bills from Bonnie. Two months of zero stress. Two months of bless. Sure, she'd still be working but she wouldn't have to stress about bills...she could even put some money in her college savings account.
Lola would have to leave work early but she would just have to spend all of tomorrow cleaning the rest of the mansion, it would be worth it.
Lola cleared her throat, "It's a deal."
"THIS IS ALL PART OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. THANKS TO THE GENEROUS DONATIONS OF THE FELL FAMILY, WE ARE NOW STANDING OF THE SITE OF OUR NEWEST PUBLIC PARK," Carol Lockwood said in the microphone with a plastic looking smile on her face, "Thank you to everyone who has shown up today to lend a helping hand. Thanks."
Bonnie and Lola shared a look as the respectfully clapped with the crowd.
"Are you sure you don't mind being here?" Lola asked Bonnie. "Because I don't mind driving you home."
Bonnie shook her head, "It's fine," she smiled a bit. "Plus I get to see Elena and Caroline so it's not so bad. Speaking of which," she glanced in the direction where Caroline and Elena were talking as if asking for permission.
"Oh! Go ahead," Lola smacked a kiss on Bonnie's cheek, "Have fun and remember—"
"Make good choices," Bonnie finished as she walked away, playfully rolling her eyes, "I know!"
Lola sighed. She happy Bonnie had friends but she really wished Bonnie more than only two.
"Lola?"
Lola froze and whirled around to find Mason Lockwood standing behind her. She swallowed down the sick feeling in her stomach, "Hey...um...look I really—"
"Can we talk?" Mason interrupted her. He paused, "please."
Lola swallowed before reluctantly nodding. Mason guided her to a more secluded area towards the restroom.
He didn't say anything and Lola didn't know what to say. What the hell was she supposed to say? Honestly, Lola was just happy she didn't start crying like the last time.
Lola cleared her throat awkwardly, "Um..."
"Lola," Mason started to say softly, "I'm so sorry."
Lola looked up at him feeling a bit startled.
"I...when I yelled at you for having an abortion, I'm sorry about that. I was stupid and young...I do wish you had told me but I should've have reacted the way I did," he told her apologetically, "I've always felt bad about the way I handled it...you didn't deserve that."
She didn't know why but for some reason Elijah's words echoed throughout her head.
"You should date a man who's willing to put in effort for you," Elijah told her, "not someone who makes you wonder if you should make the first move."
Lola swallowed,"You're right...I didn't deserve that," she said, "I don't regret what I did because I know that I did what was best for me and my situation. What you said...it really messed me up for a long time but...I'm doing better now. I don't know if I forgive you but thanks for your apology I guess."
Mason opened his mouth but then closed it, seemingly understanding her answer. "By the way...it's probably not my place but you should try to stay away from the Salvatore brothers," he said the last part quietly, glancing around.
Lola frowned, "Um...Why?" She asked.
Mason clenched his fist, "They're just...don't trust them. They're dangerous. Just watch your back around them, okay?"
"I'm still waiting for you to explain to me why they're so dangerous?" She asked scratching her head.
"I...fuck, I can't but just trust me they're not—"
"Loretta!"
Carol Lockwood walked in their direction.
"Yes?" Lola asked.
"Thank god, you're here," Carol said quickly, grabbing Lola by the arm and leading her away a bit forcefully. "We need someone on the lemonade hand out station."
Lola didn't response, instead she just watched as Mason stared back at her with a worried gaze.
"ONE LEMONADE PLEASE."
Lola looked up from the bowl of lemonade in front of her to see Damon Salvatore smirking at her. Next to him was a man the same height with well groomed light brown hair, green eyes and a stubborn jaw.
"Wonderful to see you again, Lola," Damon added charmingly. He turned to the other man, "Stefan, haven't you met Lola before? Lola Bennett."
Lola's eyes zeroed in on Stefan whose name she immediately recognized. So this was Elena boyfriend? The guy that Bonnie said had a hot back (she didn't know how a back could be hot but whatever)? To Lola he wasn't that impressive but Bonnie and Lola had different taste.
Lola held out her hand, "Hi."
Stefan shook it, "It's nice to meet you," he told her kindly but he seemed visibly irritated by Damon's presence.
"So...Lola," Damon dragged her name out, "Any embarrassing stories to tell us about our beloved Bon-Bon? Any baby photos you'd like to share? I can't believe she's never mentioned us before."
"Damon," Stefan said warningly.
Damon rolled his eyes, "What? it's a simple question, Stefan."
Lola narrowed her eyes, "I don't have any stories or anything to share. But I do find it weird that you, a grown ass man, is calling my seventeen-year-old sister by a nickname. You're probably older than me by what? A year or two? What interest do you have in my baby sister?" She asked. She glanced at Stefan, "Is there something I need to know? Because if I find out you, a grown man, are involved with my sister it's going to be a problem."
Lola would by no means be okay with Bonnie hanging out with a grown man and she was sure Bonnie knew that. Lola may not be too strict but she wasn't irresponsible, she wasn't going to let her little sister run around with a grown man. And if Lola found out that Bonnie and Damon were dating or doing anything outside of being acquaintances...all hell would break loose and she was sure Bonnie knew that.
Lola didn't play when it came to Bonnie. She had shown that when she went to Bonnie's history class two years ago and interrupted Mr.Tanner's class to curse him out for calling Bonnie stupid for failing his history exam in front of everyone. Mr.Tanner ended up giving Bonnie an apology under the order of the principal.
"Don't worry, sweet cheeks," Damon winked and lifted up his glass of lemonade. "Me and Bonnie are nothing. I promise." He took a sip of the lemonade and gaged. He spat out the lemonade like it was poison and Lola took a step back.
"Shit! Are you alright?" Lola asked quickly.
Damon heaved over, "Ver—Ver—"
Stefan quickly grabbed Damon's collapsing body and hoisted him up from under his arms, "He's just having an allergic reaction," he told Lola quickly. "I'll take him away to get some Air, he'll be fine later."
Before Lola could even reply Stefan had dragged away and seemingly disappeared in the crowd.
Lola sighed and shook her head. She tried not to think too much about it, it wasn't any of her business.
Suddenly music started fo blast from Lola's phone.
"Can you kiss me more?
We're so young, boy
We ain't got nothin' to lose, oh, oh
It's just principle
Baby, hold me
'Cause I like the way you groove, oh, oh"
Lola answered the phone with a small sigh, "Lola Bennett speaking."
"Hello, Lola."
Lola's lip twitched, "Hi," she said softly. She started to warder off until she was closer to the woods for some privacy.
"It's good you answered. I needed something good to come from today," Elijah said.
"Hearing from me is good?"
"Hearing from you is always good."
Lola smiled and a giddy feeling ran through her chest. It was weird she hadn't felt this way in years. "What's up?"
"I was hoping you'd be interested in going to dinner with me?"
"I—" Lola hesitated, "D-Dinner with me?" She sputtered.
"Yes, with you. Who else would I be asking?"
"I...I don't know like some model or something?" Lola muttered. "I...why...why are you asking me?"
Are you asking me on a date?
"I—"
BAM! BAM!
Two gun shots rang out so loudly Lola screamed and dropped her phone. Everyone around her started to run in different directions trying to get away, a couple people took cover under some tables and a couple mothers grabbed their children and shielded them with their body.
Lola screamed as two more gun shots rang out and covered her head.
"Loretta," Elijah called, "Loretta! What's the matter?! Is something wrong?!"
Lola scrambled to pick up her phone, "I-I" she sputtered as her hands shook. As she looked around, her eyes scanned the crowd desperately trying to find a young girl who could be mistaken as her twin but she didn't see her anywhere.
"Bonnie!" Lola yelled over the commotion, pushing through the crowd. "I-I Elijah—my sister I-I can't find her! I have to go!"
"Loretta—"
Without thinking, Lola hung up and sprinted into the direction of the woods, "BONNIE!"
LOLA STUMBLED THROUGH THE WOODS.
"Bonnie!" She called worriedly. "Bonnie!"
She walked around cautiously. She knew the sound of gunshots came from this direction and the last thing she wanted to was to come face to face with a shooter. She just hoped Bonnie was okay.
"Lola?"
Lola whirled around to see Bonnie standing a couple feet behind her with a worried looking Elena and Caroline behind her.
Lola sighed in relief, "Oh thank god," she muttered. "C'mon, we need to go now. I-I just heard gunshots and...we need to leave. Let's go," she said urgently.
"What? No!" Elena protested, stepping between. "Bonnie can't leave! We have to save Stefan and Damon!"
Caroline bit her lip, "Elena..."
"Stefan and Damon?" Lola questioned, "Save them? Look, I don't know what trouble they're in and frankly I don't care. What Jenna allows you to do isn't my business but I'm not letting Bonnie stay here."
"Bonnie, please," Elena plead desperately, "they could die!"
Bonnie glanced between Lola and Elena before looking down at her feet, "Elena—"
"Dying?" Lola asked, "What are you—look, we're leaving now," she already started walking in the other direction when she noticed Bonnie not following her. She stopped and narrowed her eyes, "Now, Bonnie."
"Lola—"
"Bonnie, please," Elena pleaded, "they'll die without your help—"
"What are you even talking about?" Lola demanded.
"You don't have to listen to her," Elena protested, "She's...she's not your mom. She can't tell you want to do. Please we have to help them!"
Something biter entered Lola's stomach. She knew she wasn't Bonnie's mom but she might as well as been. She didn't see Abby around anywhere.
"Elena!"Bonnie snapped harshly.
"Bonnie, we're leaving," Lola said darkly, "Now. Don't start."
Bonnie knew what Lola's words really meant: Don't make me act a ass in front of your friends.
Hearing the firmness in her sister's words, Bonnie looked apologetically towards her friends before following her sister.
THE CAR WAS SILENT.
Bonnie nervously looked out the window while Lola focused her eyes on the road.
"You know we need to have a conversation, right?" Lola told Bonnie. "What the hell was going on back there?"
Bonnie swallowed, "I don't know what you mean," she said weakly.
"Don't bullshit me," Lola said a bit snappily, "You're a terrible liar, Bonnie. Don't lie to me, you know I hate—"
"You hate liars," Bonnie sighed, "I know."
"Just..." Lola's face softened, "What's going on? You never hide anything from me. Bonnie, we tell each other everything."
Lola was going to ignore the fact that she herself was a hypocrite because she had yet to tell her younger sister about her...friend(?)( potential love interest?).
"I...I," Bonnie swallowed, "Damon is on drugs!" She spat out quickly.
"What?"
"That...that's why we were in the woods. Damon's a recovering addict and recently relapsed. That's why we're in the woods we we're trying to stop him and Stefan had already went after him so we were trying to catch up!"
"A drug addiction?" Lola said slowly, "but he seemed fine earlier."
"He has a high tolerance," Bonnie said quickly, "there was a chance he could have been overdosing so we were trying to find him before it was too late. And because I know first aid Elena thought I could help..."
Lola narrowed her eyes. It would make sense why Damon was acting so weird today...Bonnie did know first aid... "Okay..." she relented, "but I don't want you hanging around him. He's a grown man Bonnie, your seventeen, it's not right. Understand?"
Bonnie hesitated before nodding, "Okay, I understand," she paused, "I'm really sorry about what Elena said she's just—"
"Don't be," Lola tightened her grip on the wheel, "she didn't say anything that isn't true. I...I'm not your mom," she muttered.
"She was still out of line," Bonnie protested, "I'll talk to her about it, I promise."
Lola stayed quiet before shaking her head. She pulled the car into the drive way and parked it. Lola sighed and leaned her head against the steering wheel. She shut her eyes, "Head inside, I'll order pizza for dinner."
"Lola—"
"I just..." Lola sighed tiredly, "I need a minute...please."
Bonnie frowned before leaving and going inside the house.
Lola rubbed her face tiredly. She knew she wasn't Bonnie's mother but hearing was like taking a slap to the face. She really should've cursed out Elena for even trying to get Bonnie to defy her words. Lola was an adult, Bonnie's current guardian. But still...
Lola couldn't help but think Bonnie was lying to her.
TAP! TAP!
Lola yelped as someone soundly tapped on her car window. She turned and a giddy feeling filled her chest.
Standing outside her car door, leaned over slightly concerned was Elijah.
Lola rolled down her window, "Hi," she ran a hand through her hair, trying to tame her mess of curls only to wince when she pulled a tangled piece of hair.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm just...have a bad day," Lola ran a hand over her face, "Sorry for hanging up like that, there was a shooting somewhere in the woods and I couldn't find Bonnie and I just...today is not my day. Wait...what are you doing here?"
Surprisingly Elijah glanced away almost shyly, "You seemed frantic on the phone...I came to see if you're well?"
Lola blinked, her stressing feelings completely vanished. "You...you care about me..."
Elijah frowned, "Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
For some reason his short sentence took Lola's breath away. She blushed, "Uh...I...thanks."
Elijah nodded and straightened his posture, "Now seeing your fine. I suppose I'll see you around."
"Um...r-right...bye," Lola sputtered. Elijah shared her a small quick of a smile before heading in the direction of his car. Lola sunk into her seat and quietly rolled up her window.
And then she remembered something:
"I was hoping you'd be interested in going to dinner with me?"
"I—" Lola hesitated, "D-Dinner with me?" She sputtered.
"Yes, with you. Who else would I be asking?"
Lola's face felt hot and without even thinking about it she rolled down her window and stuck out her head, "Hey! Um, still wanna go to dinner?!"
Elijah froze, "Yes, of course," he said instantly.
"Is it a date?!" Lola cringed a bit at the question she asked but it was necessary.
The last thing Lola needed was to get her hopes up and—
"Yes."
Lola's face resembled the color of a cherry and for a moment she almost thought she had died and gone to heaven. "U-Uh...fuck! I mean, no, not fuck as in I want fuck you. I mean, not that I don't because you're y'know you! And well I already did but...I'm gonna shut up now."
To her surprise Elijah laughed and she instantly felt embarrassed.
"Shit! Sorry...I know I'm annoying—"
Elijah slowly stopped laughing, "You are enchanting, Lola Bennett," he told her.
"I'm..." Lola felt a bit tongue-tied, "Pick me up next Friday…it's my day off!"
Elijah nodded, a small smile crossing his features, "It's a date."
Lola rolled up her window and watched as Elijah drove away. She sunk into her seat and bit her lip. "I have a date," she muttered slightly in shock.