Niklaus was not stalking her. No matter what Elijah or Kol said, he was simple guarding her from a distance… without her knowledge.
She wasn't a child of the village but everyday Niklaus could find her sat in this clearing focusing on something he could never see. Her pale hair, almost white as it flows down her back in perfect curls and slays out around where she sits. Everyday another dress of bright colours, today was a sunny yellow that she seamed to favour above the greens and purples he had seen her in before.
Ever fibre of Niklaus' body yearned to go to her. Like some animal was residing below the surface clawing to get to her, to claim his rightful ownership of his Snowdrop beauty. He hadn't even spoke to her but knew she was perfect from him, he moves slightly forward in an restraint attempt to get closer to her. A small rustle accompanied the movement and she stilled.
Niklaus began to panic internally, 'what if she thinks I'm some type of stalker? Don't be stupid, just go out and talk to her. But what if she hasn't picked up that I'm here'
"I know you're there" she calls out, 'Damn'. Her voice was more like a melody than I could have ever thought possible. "come out, you've spied on me enough".
I slowly walk out from behind the tree, head bowed as I move closer to her now relaxed form. She pats the ground next to her and I scramble to take the offered place. She turned to face me and I'm struck silent by her face.
She had the most radiant face.
Clear doe eyes, the colour of pure silver witch shimmered blue when the light hit them, sat delicately within their sockets. She had marks in the form of 2 stripes under each eye. I yearned to know their meaning but worried it would be pushing it for a first meeting. Her full lips a pale pink and so utterly kissable it's scandalous. A perfectly thin, slightly pointed nose and high cheekbones giving an air of regality no village woman had ever shown. A scar stretching from just under the right eyebrow running towards her chin, a heartbreaking sight for me to witness on a face otherwise bare of any imperfections.
I'd never been able to see the details of her face before and so I drank them in now, dying to remember every detail as though I would never see them again, 'you probably won't now she knows you have been stalking her. Wait…'
"You knew I was there this whole time?" I gasp out, embarrassment filling me and my ears no doubt turning red.
"Every time you mean?" She questions innocently. But her eyes betrayed her, amusement shone in those silver-blue pools, I found myself drowning in them.
I'd never wanted the ground to swallow me more, the implication she had known I was there every day just watching her making me feel like a pervert. But before I could get up and flee she started to laugh. Her bell like laugh making me question what was funny. I opened my mouth to ask but before I could she spoke, hypnotising me again.
"you're kind of cute when you're embarrassed" I let out an indignant huff, 'cute? Im not cute!', before I could respond her head shot up and she kept to her feet.
"I have to go" I tried to not let the disappointment show on my face, 'She clearly would never come back her again now she has confirmed I was stalking her'. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
My head shot up, she was looking straight at me waiting for a response. I started to splutter and jumped up, startling her into taking a step back. "I'll walk you home!" Her eyes widened "you should walk alone at night" I rush out trying to comfort her and still get my way.
She smiled at me sadly, my heart sputtered seeing the rejection coming "It's not a good idea." My head bowed again 'she'll never come back now, I are out like a freak'
"My father would be angry" I just nod along, "he doesn't like people to turn up unannounced".
I sigh, getting ready to walk away, and never come back. Before I can say anything that would tell her its okay she shocks me with her next words, "I will let him know you will be walking me home from now on".
My head shot up but she had already turned and was walking out the clearing, "wa… wait" I shout to her before she walks into the woods. She turns around, smiling while she waits for me to speak "My… names Nik. Niklaus".
She gifts me with a thousand watt smile and a light giggle "well Nik-Niklaus, I'm Calissa"
With that she walks out the clearing fully into the surrounding forrest. My heart pounding in my head, I run home smiling like a maniac.
Once I reached the house Elijah and Kol began teasing me about my mood, making jabs at my stalking and mentioning how strange it was. Everything they said would just wash over me, not spoiling my mood at all.
I happily helped out, finishing jobs that I knew should have been done hours before. My head in the clouds as I worked, my heart with Calissa. It wasn't until we had sat at the table for evening meals and Kol made another vague jab at my days activity that my mood was ruined.
Mikael had shot me a disapproving look and after we had all finished he grabbed my arm, dragging me outside. He demanded I explain and when I didn't answer straight away he back handed me to the ground.
The next morning dread filled my stomach as I saw the mark staining my face from my fathers hand. 'she's going to know I'm weak and pathetic now' I almost didn't go…