For MySlowlyVanishingSoul, who request a follow up to the bonkai high school AU. Thanks for the request and I hope the sequel isn't a letdown!

Bonnie checked out her outfit for the fifth time and answered Caroline's text as vaguely as she could. Caroline wanted her to come over to watch movies with her and Elena, but since she had a date with Kai, she couldn't go. Of course, she couldn't tell her friends that because she knew they didn't like Kai. And if they found out she was dating him, they would probably get annoyed with her. The last time, she had annoyed Caroline, they had iced her out for two weeks.

Caroline fired off several more texts telling her to come over anyway. Starting to panic, Bonnie put her phone away after putting it on silent.

With one last glance in the mirror, she decided her outfit would do. Besides, she was running out of time. She had already changed ten times.

Her nice black T-shirt and black pencil skirt would just have to do. Especially, when they were paired with her chunky ankle boots. She wore a lot of heels and with Kai being as tall as she was, she still felt short around him even in heels. She threw her hair up into a high ponytail and applied some nude lip gloss. The doorbell rang just as she was putting in her gold hoops.

"I've got it dad!" she shouted.

But too late, she could hear Rudy's heavy steps approaching the door and groaned. She had hoped he would be at work tonight, but for once, he wasn't working late.

"I've got it!"

Bonnie raced down the stairs, grabbing her purse as she went.

She skidded to a halt at the bottom of the steps when she saw her dad and Kai talking. Kai looked as chipper as always and luckily, he had none of the attitude he usually had when he talked to adults. Although in all fairness to Kai, she had only seen him around the teachers at school really and she could understand why he didn't like most of them.

"Hi Mr Bennett -"

"Hopkins," Rudy corrected sternly. "Who are you?"

"I'm Kai. I'm a friend of Bonnie's from school."

"Oh, right. Her study partner," Rudy said and Bonnie could tell just from his tone of voice he was scrutinizing Kai.

"Yup, that's me," Kai chuckled. "Anyway, I'm here to pick her up for our date. Is she ready yet?"

Kai peered over Rudy's shoulder and when he saw her, he gave an adorable little wave with his fingertips. Bonnie grinned and waved back.

"Date? What date?"

"Gotta go, dad. I'll be home by curfew," Bonnie said as she rushed past her dad.

She grabbed Kai's hand and dragged him after her.

"Bonnie!" Rudy shouted then sighed loudly when he realized she wasn't coming back.

"It was nice meeting you Mr Bennett!"

"It's Hopkins," Bonnie said as she hopped into his passenger seat.

"What? Your last name is Bennett, right?" Kai asked when he got into the driver's seat. "Have I got your name wrong? Because boy that's embarrassing."

He turned the key in the ignition.

"Yeah, but my family has this matriarchal tradition. So when I was born I took my mom's last name."

"Cool."

Kai kept up a steady stream of chatter until they arrived at the Mystic Grill. That's when Bonnie became a little more on edge. If any of her friends saw her with Kai, she would never hear the end of it, but she was pretty sure they were all staying in tonight so she pushed those thoughts aside.

They sat at their regular booth and they looked at the menus. Ones Bonnie probably knew by heart by now.

"So are we gonna pretend we don't know what we want or are we just gonna order the usual?" Kai asked with a mischievous smile.

That smile, it never failed to make her heart skip a beat. She blushed and looked down at the menu, hoping to hide her red cheeks. Kai's ego was a healthy size, he didn't need to know how irresistible she found him.

"I don't know, they might have added something new since Tuesday."

Kai laughed. "Yeah, right. This menu hasn't changed in our entire lives."

"Probably not," Bonnie agreed with a wry smile.

Inwardly, Bonnie cringed when Vicky Donovan came over to wait on them. She had hoped Vicky would flake on her shift, she did regularly.

Vicky's eyes narrowed and looked between the two of them before a sly, knowing smile passed her lips.

"And what can I get the two of you? Your usual or something special since this is obviously a date?" Vicky said with that sly smile still in place.

Bonnie felt heat rush to her cheeks and she looked down nervously. If Vicky told Tyler, she would never hear the end of it. Worse still, the animosity between Kai and her friends might get even worse. She had suspected for a long time that Damon and Tyler started fights with Kai. She had no idea, who normally came out on top, but she worried about Kai. He was a big guy, but there was only one of him and as far as Bonnie could tell aside from his twin, Jo, she was his only friend at school. It wasn't like anyone would rush to help him out.

"Just the usual Vicky," Kai said with a dazzling smile. "Ooh and chocolate milkshakes. You want a milkshake, Bonster?"

Bonnie nodded and turned an even deeper shade of red. She hoped her dark skin would hide her blush.

"Great, two milkshakes. I'll be right back," Vicky winked conspiratorially at Bonnie.

Startled, Bonnie realized Vicky understood and wasn't going to tell anyone. She was surprised, but she shouldn't have been. After all, she knew about the drugs Vicky did and her secret fling with Jeremy. A fact she had never shared with anyone.

"What's with you?" Kai asked leaning forward. His elbows here on the table and his head in his hands. He was peering at her with keen interest and curiosity.

"Nothing," Bonnie lied and smiled, but even she felt the tension to it.

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Do I look stupid to you Bon?"

That actually brought a wry smile to her lips. "No, Kai. I think everybody knows you're a big brain."

"Not the only thing about me that's big," he winked.

Bonnie groaned and rolled her eyes. "You're such an idiot."

"Thought I was smart?"

"Changed my new."

"But seriously, Bon what's wrong?"

She sighed and decided to go with honesty. Even if it would probably hurt his feelings.

"Look, I know you and my other friends don't exactly get along, but I like you. It's just -" she sighed and looked away. "They aren't going to like it and I don't know what kind of trouble this date is going to cause."

"Probably lots of snide comments," Kai said with a shrug. "Besides, what do you care what they think?"

"Care what who thinks?" Jo asked.

She shoved Kai aside and sat down in the booth next to him. A boy, Bonnie only sort of knew as Luka sat down next to Bonnie.

"Hey guys," Luka said.

"What are you doing?" Kai asked giving Jo a little shove back.

"Don't act all tough with me," Jo huffed and elbowed him.

Bonnie exchanged a worried look with Luka, who shrugged.

"Oh, relax you two," Kai said with a laugh. "We aren't going to kill each other."

"Probably," Jo agreed. "So what movie are we going to see?"

"Exactly who invited you, Sissy?"

"I invited myself, duh."

"Uhm, Jo I thought you said we were invited on a double-date."

"I lied, obviously."

Bonnie was shocked and looked at Kai. Kai looked back like it's up to you.

"The more the merrier."

"Great," Jo said. "So whose opinion aren't you supposed to care about?"

"Her friends."

"Oh, the ones that are so mean with you in class," Jo said with a nod. "Yeah, I wouldn't worry about anyone stupid enough to mistake you for an idiot, Bon."

Bonnie blushed again. "Can we change the subject?" she grumbled.

"Yes, let's," Kai said shooting an annoyed look at his sister.

Vicky returned to take Jo and Luka's orders. It was amazing, but by the time the food arrived, Bonnie was having fun. She was laughing and joking with others. Occasionally, she would catch Kai's eye and there would be genuine warmth there. With her friends, Bonnie always kept her guard up. With her friends she never knew when jokes were going to turn to snide remarks or mocking. She wasn't always their target, they all seemed to take turns trying to get at each other. And to be honest, Bonnie had spent so much time with them, she assumed all friends were like that.

But she was starting to wonder if maybe, she wasn't wrong. Kai and Jo bickered, but there was no maliciousness to it. No hidden or secret meaning in their words. And once they were done bickering, it was done. They were friends again and she supposed siblings fought, it was normal. Being an only child, she didn't have much experience with siblings, but Jeremy and Elena fought all of the time. Especially when they were kids. And Katherine was always at war with Elena, but there was something more serious about their arguments.

When they had finished eating, they still had some time before the movie started. So they decided to play pool. Bonnie hadn't played much before mostly because Caroline and Elena just used the pool table as an excuse to flirt with boys.

They played in teams, Luka and Jo against Bonnie and Kai. After her first shot failed miserably Kai chuckled and came up behind her.

"I was just starting to think there was nothing you weren't good at," Kai said still chortling. "But lucky for you I am awesome at pool."

"Yeah, I'll believe that when I see it," Bonnie snorted.

"Then prepare to be amazed."

Kai lined up a perfect shot and managed to sink three balls in one go. Bonnie and Luka gaped at him. Jo elbowed Luka.

"Hey, head in the game. Kai's good, but I'm better and I need to win this."

Bonnie looked at Kai with a raised eyebrow.

"Your sister takes this game seriously."

"We both do. It's life or death."

"We've been competing at games ever since we can remember," Jo said.

"And the loser has to do the other person's chores for the next week," Kai told her. "So we better win this because Jo has to vacuum the whole house and I so don't wanna do that."

Bonnie grinned. "Alright, but you're going to have to carry the team."

"Same," Luka said to Jo, who flashed a wolf-like smile that made her look like Kai.

Jo sank two balls and Luka none. Then it was Bonnie's turn again. As she was lining up her shot, Kai came up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her. His body was warm and strong, she could feel his taut muscles against her form. She felt small and turned a furious shade of red. She had always known Kai was tall. How could she not with the way he towered over her? But it was the first time it had really hit her. He was huge.

Kai ran his hands teasingly along her arms and goosebumps raised up in response to his touch. His breath fanned her cheek and she had to fight not to turn her face into his. She smelled his cologne, it was sharp and fresh. It reminded her of an ocean breeze. It was a heady masculine scent.

His rough hands covered hers, showing her how to grip the pole. Heat coursed through her and she was sure her face was scarlet. Kai turned his face into hers and brushed her cheek with his nose. His touch was light and teasing. Electricity and heat sparked everywhere he touched. She felt too hot and flushed. She wanted Kai to keep touching her, she wanted to grab him and drag him somewhere private, but that wasn't an option.

Kai guided her hands to make the shot and she nearly sank a ball.

"Awesome," Kai said heat filling his voice.

Still, blushing and feeling like she might never stop, Bonnie took a step back. Fortunately, the movie was starting soon and they could go. Unfortunately, Damon and Tyler walked in with Katherine in tow.

Katherine was tossing her curls around, making them bounce around her face as she mocked Damon. Katherine loved nothing more than angering Damon.

Jo saw them as well and paled. Her blue eyes widened and she darted a quick, worried look at Kai.

"Come on, let's go out the backway," Jo said.

"No way!" Luka said. "We aren't scared of those posers."

"Not a chance!" Kai said. "I'm not going to run away just because Bonnie's little friends don't like me."

"Fine, but they outnumber you so let's just go right away," Bonnie said.

Without thinking, she grabbed Kai's hand. She dragged him along after her. Or tried to. It was more like he was sauntering behind her, a cheery smile on his face.

"You have great hands, Bonster. You really should hold my hand more often."

Bonnie rolled her eyes.

Damon and Tyler were within a few feet now. Damon was watching Kai and Bonnie was starting to wonder if they didn't look for any excuse to go after Kai. That didn't sit right with Bonnie, who had never liked violence. She had also never liked ganging up on people.

"What the hell is this?" Damon asked looking down at their interlocked hands.

Bonnie squared her shoulders and kept marching straight ahead. She hoped Kai would follow her example.

"Awe, someday a girl will hold your hand too," Kai said with a winning smile and a condescending tone of voice.

Bonnie tugged on him and sped up. Laughing Kai followed. He slung his arm around her shoulder when they passed through the door. He reached out to ruffle her hair and she swatted his hand away with a laugh.

"Knock it off!"

"Awe, Bonster, you're so cute when you get all embarrassed."

"Why do you have to rile them up more?"

"Oh, I don't know," Kai said playfully. "Maybe because they are arrogant jerks, who try to jump me whenever I'm alone?"

Bonnie froze. She slipped out from underneath his arm and turned to look at him, shocked. She had known they fought, but she hadn't known it was that bad.

"Do they really do that?"

"Yes. And if you don't believe me, ask your so-called friends."

Bonnie felt ill.

"That's horrible!"

"Yeah, those guys are horrible," Jo agreed. She came up behind them with Luka. "But I wouldn't worry about them. You've clearly upgraded your group of friends, now let's go before we miss the movie."

Bonnie felt a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach. This whole conversation was leaving her with an uneasy feeling. Maybe her friends weren't that nice after all, but what would they do then once they realized she was dating Kai?

And what if things didn't work out between them? Then who would she have left? But that was a problem for another day and she tried to push all of those thoughts aside. The uneasiness faded a little when Kai took her hand again. This time he laced their fingers together and she blushed when he held the passenger door open for her.

Jo and Luka were getting in their car. Bonnie watched them curiously and when Kai got in the car with her, she asked him about them.

"I didn't know they were dating."

"It'll probably last about a week knowing Jo," Kai said but it was without malice.

Bonnie giggled. Then she grew serious.

"Look I'm sorry about Damon and those guys."

Kai shrugged. "They're dicks. Whatcha gonna do about it?"

"I don't know," she whispered.

Kai turned on the radio. Probably an attempt to cover the awkward silence that quickly filled the car. Bonnie tapped her fingers against the door and when she glanced at Kai, she noticed he looked tenser than usual.

By the time they arrived at the movie theater, Bonnie was pretty sure Kai wasn't going to ask her out again.

"Look, Bonster," Kai said leaning against the car. She stopped and waited with bated breath. "I know me and your friends aren't exactly pals, but I'm cool with that so long as it is for you."

"Yeah, I am fine with it. It's just a little awkward."

"But it doesn't have to be. I'm not dating your friends, I'm dating you," Kai said taking her hand. He laced their fingers together and pulled her against him. He put his free hand on her waist. Even through her jeans, she could feel the warmth from his hand. "And I don't care what they think."

Bonnie smiled and looked up at him. "Then I guess I don't care either."

"That's the spirit," Kai flashed a wicked smile that made her stomach do a flip.

He touched his forehead to hers and her eyes were drawn to his lips. Her breath caught in her throat and she tensed, waiting. His lips touched hers in a featherlight touch. Electricity sparked through her and she leaned into him. Her chest was flush against his and she could feel every hard muscle of his taut, lean form.

Kai was so tall even when he bent down toward her, she had to stand on her tiptoes. Her arms snaked around his neck and he deepened the kiss. Both his hands were on her waist, fingers digging into her flesh.

XXX

Come Monday, Bonnie was still glowing from her date with Kai. It had started out a little shaky, but in the end it had been fun. During the whole movie, he had kept his arm around her shoulder and she had nuzzled into the crook of his neck during the scary parts. And afterwards, Kai had driven her home, which ended up with the two of them making out on the porch until her dad turned on the porch lights, which was her cue to go inside. That had been embarrassing, but Kai had laughed it off and called out an apology to her dad for keeping her out past curfew when she opened the door.

Embarrassing end aside, it had been the kind of date Bonnie always wanted to go on. Fun and with a guy, who gave her his full attention. And she had an easy-going tone with Kai, they had inside jokes and report. In a way, it was like skipping the first date.

When she got to school and went to her locker to get her history textbook, Bonnie was sure nothing could puncture her happy mood. As it turned out, that was not true. Caroline and Elena showed up with Damon. None of them looked happy.

Bonnie caught sight of Vicky at the end of the hallway, she grimaced and disappeared in a flurry. Bonnie sighed. She wanted to fault Vicky for her cowardice, but she couldn't. Vicky was dating Tyler and if anyone found out about her and Jeremy – well it wouldn't be pretty.

So much for having my back, Bonnie thought.

"Hey guys," Bonnie said smiling.

"You were on a date with Kai?" Caroline said in a shrill high-pitched voice.

"Kai?" Elena said her voice filling with worry. "You know what he's like."

"Yeah, he's a nice guy," Bonnie said closing her locker door.

"A nice guy?" Caroline gaped.

"He's a douche," Damon remarked.

"Whatever," Bonnie said.

She tried to walk away, but Damon blocked her way. "Hold up there, Bon-Bon."

"Move, Damon."

"Look, I don't want you to get blindsided. You obviously don't know what that little twerp Kai is like."

"And what is he like?" Bonnie demanded.

Her temper flared up. They were always ragging on Kai, and her, but she couldn't figure out what either of them had done wrong. Kai and Jo were right, her friends were shitty. And Bonnie was supposed to what? Just take their judgement and their crap? What for? Because she didn't measure up to whatever insane standard they had?

"You know, a jerk," Caroline stage-whispered.

"Uh-huh," Bonnie said evenly and completely unimpressed. "Well I don't think he's a jerk and I can date whoever I want."

Movement at the corner of her eye caught her attention, she saw Kai grinning at her.

"You can, but just because you don't get asked out a lot doesn't mean you should you know, go out with just anyone," Elena said lowering her voice to a confidential whisper.

But Bonnie finally saw it for what it was, condescension.

Bonnie smirked and shrugged. "Oh, 'Lena, I don't care what you think. You know when you used to let Stefan and Damon fight about you I felt bad for you. Stuck in the middle of their drama, but I get it now, you like it. You like making them vie for your attention and honestly, it's sad. And I'm over it. I'm over all of you."

With that, Bonnie turned on her heel to walk away. Unfortunately, Damon caught up with her.

"Listen, Judgy, you can't date Kai."

"Why not?"

"Because he's Kai."

"Uh-uh," Bonnie said studying him. Finally, she realized the problem with her relationship with Damon too. "You can't keep me around until you're ready. Dismiss me and belittle me yet want me all to yourself. That's not how it works Damon so get over yourself because you're not worth it."

Just like that Kai was standing next to her. He was towering over Damon and grinning from ear to ear.

"And if you'll excuse us Damon, we have study hall."

Kai took her hand and they walked away together.

Thanks for reading and reviewing! Let me know what you thought of the follow-up. Reviews give me life. I'm fireismyelement97 on tumblr so leave an ask for a kennett or bonkai drabble.

Izzy

Guest: You know I never thought of it that way before, but now that you mention it, it does have a Buffy and Spike vibe to it, doesn't it? Thanks for reading and reviewing!

BonkaiFan4Life: Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!