WHEN LOLA WAS TEN SHE DEVELOPED A CRUSH ON SCOTT DAVISON. He was a cute boy who had lived across the street with sandy blonde hair and chipped teeth. When Lola told him of her crush shyly the next day at school...he laughed in her face and called her gross. So yeah...
Now at twenty-two, Lola Bennett didn't get asked out often. She was one of two Black girls in a majority White town, it was hard to get a date. The last time Lola had been on a date it was with a guy who called her 'My beautiful exotic Nubian queen'...
So, yeah, Lola didn't go on dates often which was why she was freaking out.
"You need to relax," Carly rolled her eyes as she watched Lola frantically dig through her closet.
"Relax? You want me to relax?" Lola said panicked, "I'm going on a date, Carly! A...A date with a guy whose way out of my league."
Carly rolled her eyes again. "He's not out of your league. You're hot. He's hot. Fuck then in five to ten years have his babies."
Lola wrinkled her nose, "I'm not going out with Elijah just because he's hot," she muttered, sighing in disappointment as she threw another rejected outfit out of her closet.
Carly frowned as laid on Lola's bed, "Then why are you going out with him? Is it for money? Cause' I wouldn't blame you."
"It's not for money. Damn, I'm not that poor," Lola told her.
Carly glanced at Lola's still broken bed frame that she refused to use Elijah's check for. "Sure," she muttered sarcastically. "Then why are you going out with him?"
Lola shrugged, "I...I don't know," she muttered, her face feeling hot. "He's nice to me and...he's sweet. I don't wanna talk about."
"I told you to sleep with the guy not catch feelings."
"You're the one always saying I need a love life," Lola shot back. She pulled out a pair of black high heels from the back of her closet. "Found em'"
Carly eyed the heels in Lola's hands. "You're gonna fall on your ass in those. You can barely walk in the heels at work. What makes you think you can wear those?"
"I can walk in heels," Lola protested. She easily put on the pair of strap mpg heels and shakily stood. She took a deep breath, "See I can walk in heels," she did a small turn to show off only to end up fumbling to the floor.
Carly snorted, "If walking in heels means busting on your ass you get an 'A' plus."
Lola sighed, "This date is gonna be a disaster. What was I thinking?"
Carly shrugged, "You were thinking of doing something nice for yourself for once. It's called self-care. Besides the date will be fine, just make sure to give him a kiss before you leave."
Lola's face turned red, "I have to kiss him," she muttered.
"Lola, you already fucked him. Kissing him should be easy."
"So what am I supposed to do? Just grab him and lay it on him?"
"Pretty much, yeah," Carly replied, "and if you forgot to kiss him after he left you better chase his ass down."
ELIJAH THOUGHT LOLA BENNETT WAS A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES.
He watched slightly in awe as she squirmed underneath his gaze on her doorstep. Her thick curly hair was out and framed her heart shaped face. Her makeup seemed to be minimal with only mascara and shiny cherry tin tied lip gloss. She wore a red halter dress with a black denim jacket and high black heels.
Elijah Mikaelson thought she was stunning.
Lola glanced at her dress uneasily, "Sorry...I know you told me to dress formal but this the most expensive thing I owe," she muttered, glancing at Elijah expensive suit.
His suit probably costed more than her car and the dress she was wearing costed thirty bucks. Just standing next to Elijah made Lola feel poor.
"Nonsense," Elijah said, "you look beautiful."
Lola blushed and looked down, "Thanks."
Elijah, being the gentleman the was, held out his arm for her to hold and Lola latched onto him like a deer that had just learned to walk. He raised a brow but didn't comment as she stumbled her way to the car. The car ride was filled with mostly comfortable silence with Elijah listening to classical music on the radio and Lola having no idea what to say.
The restaurant was huge. It has French creek colored wallpaper with chandeliers made of shiny diamonds. When they arrived to a French expensive restaurant Elijah spoke the French to their hostess. Not knowing French, Lola had no idea what he said besides introducing himself but whatever it was made the hostess's go comically wide and rush them to possibly the nicest table in the restaurant.
Lola could only stare the menu in front of her like it was written in Chinese, "Um..." she started, "I...I can't read the menu," she told him quietly, scared the other rich people around her would stare.
Never in her life had Lola felt so out of place. Everyone around her was white and rich with their clothes and bodies decorated in the world's most expensive fabric and jewels while she was here in a dress she got on clearance from Forever 21 on Black Friday.
"That's fine," Elijah said easily. Lola could only feel stupid as he rattled off all of the dishes on the menu by memory and she knew not a single on of them.
"I've never had anything like that..." she told him when he finished. "Elijah, the most expensive thing I've ever ate was a burger from Five Guys...maybe we should go somewhere else..." she muttered, rubbing her arm. "I can't afford these prices anyway."
"Who said you're paying?" Elijah countered. "It's a date, Loretta—"
"It's just Lola—"
"I invited you out so I'll be the one to pay," he added, a small smile covered his lips. "I won't have to pay a single thing anyway."
Lola tilted her head, "Why?"
"I own this establishment."
Lola felt sick. Like actually throwing up, spilling her guts, and crying while vomiting sick. "You...own this place?" She asked faintly.
Elijah nodded, "For the pass couple years now, yes."
Lola swallowed, "You really are out of my league," she muttered feeling a bit insecure. "When I'm around you I just feel.."
He raised a brow, "You feel?"
"Poor," she said quietly, "really, really poor. Like seriously poor."
Elijah looked like he didn't know what to say in response to her very true fact so instead he said: "You'll never want for anything around me."
Lola flushed, "Thanks."
Elijah eyed her, "You're uncomfortable," he said. It was fact and Lola couldn't disagree.
Here she was, the only Black person in a room full of White people (yes, she noticed the stares) and the poorest person in the room with the richest and hottest guy in the room.
So yeah, Lola felt uncomfortable.
Even more she felt...embarrassed. Lola was never one to be embarrassed about being less fortunate but this...she just felt so humiliated. She didn't think Elijah meant to do this on purpose but...
"It's just..." Lola glanced around. "I feel really out of place," she told him honestly. "Maybe...maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe we're just too different...I..." she stood up and grabbed her purse, "I think I should go..."
Before she could make a move to leave, Elijah grabbed her arm, "Lola, wait...what do you want to do?"
She frowned, "What?"
He gestured around, "Clearly this is making you uncomfortable. I apologize, I didn't take into consideration your financial status when our date site—"
"You didn't do anything wrong! It's me I—" Lola started to protest.
"So, what do you want to do?" Elijah asked gently, taking her hand. "Please?"
Lola bit her lip. She eyed Elijah before sighing.
IT TURNS OUT ELIJAH HAD NEVER HAD MCDONALDS BEFORE.
Lola found it amusing to introduce him to the concept of chicken nuggets and over salted French fries
Elijah wrinkled his nose as he eyed a nugget, "This is...not what I envisioned..." he muttered.
Lola couldn't help but smile a bit, "You asked where I wanted to go," she offered. "How did you think night tonight was going to be like?"
Elijah hummed, "I would take to dinner—"
Lola gestured to her nuggets and fries, "Which you are."
A small smile covered his lips, "And then get to know you a bit."
"You do know me."
"Know more about you is what I meant to say," Elijah said carefully.
Lola nodded slowly, "I'll tell you what. I'll answer any question you want if..."
Elijah raised a brow, "If?"
"You should at least try a chicken nuggets."
Elijah wrinkled his nose, "I would rather not."
Lola rolled her eyes, "Just try it," she held up a nuggets towards his lips. "It's good, I promise."
He made eye contact with her and his gaze faltered a bit at the sight of Lola's small smile. Lola didn't smile often, he noticed that the same way he noticed she seemed a lot more relaxed now.
Sighing, he gave in and allowed Lola to feed him a chicken nugget. She watched his expression carefully but eventually Elijah cleared his throat.
"I suppose...processed food is not as bad as I originally thought," he said regretfully and watched a large smile blossom on Lola's face. The simple sight of her smile made a small smile curve his features.
"Alright," Lola said finally, "Any question you want, I'll answer it."
She watched happily as Elijah dipped his fry into sweet and sour sauce before eating it.
Elijah paused, "Where do you see yourself in ten years?"
"That's it?" Lola asked.
"What did you expect me to ask?"
She shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe what my biggest secret is? I mean.. I don't really have one or I don't know just—"
"Lola."
She blushed, "Right...uh...I don't know," she said honestly. "Bonnie will be in college by that time so...maybe if I get enough money I'll be a graduate from law school. I'll be thirty-two so...maybe a husband or fiancé. I don't know, I don't really think I need to be in a relationship to be happy. And then...a baby I guess."
That caught Elijah's attention, "You desire children?"
Lola nodded, "Yeah, I don't want a bunch. Bonnie's practically my child. One...two kids max...not until I'm at least thirty-five though."
Elijah could imagine it. Lola being young, beautiful, and successful in a beautiful house. She live with a loving husband and pregnant with twins; one boy, one girl.
Children...Marriage...things he could never give her because of his vampirism. Both things that Lola deserved.
He swallowed because—
Lola deserved everything.
"Anything else?" Lola asked.
"What do you hate the most?" He asked almost weakly.
"That's easy," Lola stole a fry off his tray. "I hate liars. It drives me crazy when people lie to me. You?"
"I suppose you could say I hate when people don't keep promises," he offered.
Lola raised a brow, "Really?"
"I dislike it when people make promises they cannot keep. I hold the same standards to myself," he told her honestly.
Lola hummed thoughtfully, "I can respect that."
She glanced at Elijah's suit that stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the casual dressed people in the fast food restaurant.
"Next time we go on a date," Lola said, "I'm making you wear jeans."
A shy smile found home on Elijah's face. "You are saying there will be another date?"
Lola flushed, "I—w-well yeah I guess if you want to! Maybe even kiss or have sex too—wait no! No sex! Not that your bad at sex because you're not! You're great amazing—phenomenal—I mean—"
Elijah chuckled and Lola groaned. She slapped a hand over her forehead, "I'm gonna shut up now. God, you must think I'm so annoying."
"On the contrary," Elijah pulled Lola's hand away from her face and caressed it. "I found you enchanting, Lola."
Lola's face turns so red it resembled a cherry and Elijah laughed.
BEFORE THE END OF THEIR DATE ELIJAH MIKAELSON LEARNED A LOT ABOUT LOLA BENNETT.
Like how she only ate popcorn if it has pepper on it or how she had one dimple on the left side of her cheeks when she smiled really big. He learned she had a love for comic books and a slight obsession with Batman. She didn't smile often but when she did the entire room lit up. She didn't have cable or any steaming television network other than Netflix. Her favorite color was pink and when she was deep in thought she stroked her chin like she had a imaginary beard. When she got really excited her curly hair bounced more almost as if levitating. He also noted though she claimed to not wear perfume she always seemed like sweet vanilla and coconut. She only ate fries with ketchup on it and hated seafood. She had always wanted another tattoo and could say the alphabet backwards.
Elijah had been on many dates before in his life but never had he ever felt so disappointed about having to say goodbye to a date. But then again, none of the other women he had been on dates before were anything like Lola Bennett.
He watched a bit sadly was Lola stood on her doorstep ready to say goodbye.
Lola awkwardly shifted on her feet. Her heels were off and in her hands now after Elijah convinced her she didn't need heels to impress her so now she stood barefoot on her porch. "So this is where we say goodbye..."
Elijah tucked his hand into his pocket, "I believe so..."
Lola bit her lip. She hadn't been on a date in so long she didn't know how to properly end on. "Thanks for taking me out, I had a really good time," she tucked a curl behind her ear, "Sorry if a date at McDonalds isn't what imagined. We can go somewhere else next time...if you want there to be a next time?"
"I would love to go on another date with you, Lola," Elijah told her honestly.
Lola couldn't help the smile that blossomed across her face. "Great...I'll see you later, Elijah."
For some reason a small look of disappointment crossed his face but it quickly vanished. "Until then."
He wanted until Lola was safely inside. He sighed against the steering wheel before turning on the engine and pulling out of the driveway.
Lola smiled shyly at him before shutting the door and sighing as she leaned against her front door. A giddy smile crossed her face and she almost wanted to scream. Elijah really was just...everything. Lola had no idea what could make someone like that interested in someone like her.
And then she remembered something.
Carly shrugged, "You were thinking of doing something nice for yourself for once. It's called self-care. Besides the date will be fine, just make sure to give him a kiss before you leave."
Lola's face turned red, "I have to kiss him," she muttered.
"Lola, you already fucked him. Kissing him should be easy."
"So what am I supposed to do? Just grab him and lay it on him?"
"Pretty much, yeah," Carly replied, "and if you forget to kiss him after he left you better chase his ass down."
A Goodnight kiss. She knew she had forgotten something.
Swearing under her breath, Lola flung open the door and without even thinking about it she rushed down the sidewalk, barefoot and all. "Fuck! Wait! I forgot something!"
He wasn't far from her house when he stopped the car. Elijah's car stopped in the middle of the road, not even checking if anyone was behind him or if he even put the car in park. He get out the car. "Lola, what—"
Not even a second later Lola was in his arms. He made a small sound of surprise against her lips as he caught her. Lifting her a couple feet of the ground, her short legs dangling, with her arms around his neck. Elijah pulled her tightly against his body as his arms found home around Lola's small waist.
The kiss on was only for a second but that one second felt like forever.
Eventually Lola pulled away and Elijah had to force himself to put her down.
Lola cleared her throat, "I…I forgot to kiss you Goodnight, sorry." She told him. "Sorry if it wasn't the best…I haven't kissed anyone in a while."
Elijah appeared to be dazed but eventually snapped out of it, "I've been dying to kiss you all night."
Butterflies erupted in Lola's stomach. But she tried to keep her cool, "So…until next time?"
He leaned over and planted a soft kiss on her cheek, "Until next time, Lola."
Thank you so much for reading!
Please comment it helps me update faster!
For anyone still reading, I have a Bonnie Bennett fanfic posted on my page it's called 'Betrothed'!
Lola and Elijah are definitely my favorite couple to write!
Is there anything between them you want to see?
Idk if anyone noticed but Lola has never told Elijah her last name. If he did in previous chapters it was an accident on my part.