Chapter 2

Hope's POV

All of my classes on Tuesday went fairly well, thankfully no other incidents have occurred since Monday. However, I couldn't stop thinking about the wolf outside my window the other night, it seemed too strange for it to be a coincidence that a wolf just happened to be outside of my dorm just staring at me. Though as mother has always told me, my imagination runs on overdrive so I'm just probably just dramatizing the whole thing. I quickly took my place in the back of the room and got out all my workbooks for Art History. The teacher may be eccentric, but I have a feeling it's going to end up being my favorite class.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jacob Anthony taking his seat next to me.

"So how come you haven't texted me yet, did you lose my number" he asked.

I scoff a little and said "No it's been an overwhelming few days, you know with living in a new city and all that.

"I figured your probably not from around here" he stated.

"How" I asked with a hint of actual curiosity.

"Just an intuition, so where are you from by the way" he asked sounding genuinely interested.

"Carlisle, Pennsylvania" I answered.

"Why come so far away from home?" he asked looking sort of confused.

I just shrugged and said "Well I am majoring in art history, and I know New Orleans is well known for its culture in the arts, so I want to get absorbed into it as much as I can before I go study abroad after college."

"That's cool, trust me you can't get no more cultural diverse than here in the party city of Louisiana" he said.

"I'm just focused on getting through my studies, I don't really do the party thing" I said.

"Awww come on, you know what I mean. You have people of all different kinds of cultures flocking here every day to showcase some of what their home countries have to offer. Like for instance this Friday, the city's having a cultural festival where people will be displaying and selling some spectacular artwork. You should come with my friend Mandy and me to it, you might find something you like there" Jacob offered.

I smiled softly and said "I'll think about it"

Jacob looked like he wanted to say more, however Professor Wolff decided to show up. As soon as I saw her enter the room, my eyes widen at her appearance. Not only was her hair tied up in a mess again, but she had what appeared to be large roses in her hair, and wore a pink dress with all sorts of crazy designs over it. I have never seen anyone wear something so eccentric and different before in my life, either she was mad or just did not care about how people viewed her, in retrospect I got to give her credit there.

"Now class before we dwell into the early renaissance, would someone care to explain to me what they think art is" she asked as she sat crossed leg on her desk.

"It's about expressing yourself through anything through writing to painting" one girl said.

"Nope" Professor Wolff said emphasizing the P.

"Wait how can there be a wrong answer, art is defined by how the artist views the world around them" a male student asked.

"While that may be partially true, there is a much bigger picture to the arts than what people may realize" Professor Wolff said and then started to scan the room.

Suddenly her eyes met mine and she said "Aw Miss. Winters, how about you give us your definition."

I silently cringed once she called on me, I hate being the center of attention and having everyone's eyes on mine.

"Um, I don't know, I just think art as a whole not only defines on how we view the world, but also how we view ourselves in definition of how we choose to express who we really are" I said surprised that I got my word out.

"Correct ten bonus points for you Miss Winters" she said as she scribbled on her note pad.

I was kind of surprised that I actually got that right, and so was everyone else in the class based on the looks on their faces.

As the class went on, I found myself really liking Professor Wolff, she made the coursework really interesting by not only showing us from the history, but also it applies to our everyday lives. I found it amazing how she would just completely stop in the middle of class, to lecture students on misbehaving in her class, even though half the time her back was turned to us.

"Okay for your first assignment, I want a 6-page paper on any particular artist contributions to society, this will be due one week from today. Class dismissed" she said.

"So you still want to meet up on Friday" Jacob asked as we got up of our seats.

"I don't know yet, I'll think about it, I just don't want to get lost in the city" I answered.

He rolled his eyes and said "You won't get lost as long as you stick with Mandy and me, we know the city like the back of our hands."

Before I could reply I heard my cell phone ringing, and I hurried up and quickly got it out of my purse.

"Oh crap" I said as I saw my mother's number appear. I never got the chance to talk to her on Monday and Tuesday I gave her a quick text that I would call her later.

I quickly turned back to Jacob and said "Sorry, I got to go I'll text you later when I Decide." And with that I quickly made my way out of the classroom.

I quickly made my way to the lounge area, where thankfully there were no other students around. I pressed speed dial on my phone and my mother answered after the second ring.

"Hope Victoria Winters" she said with a surprisingly calm tone, but you can hear the anger underneath it and she was using my full name which means she is not at all happy.

I didn't get a chance to speak because she went on a full rant, "Why haven't you called, your father and I have been worried sick about you. Another day I probably would have called the school myself or come up there in person."

I sighed and said "Mom I'm sorry for not calling, it's been a hectic couple days here at school.

Something in my tone must have alarmed her of something because the next thing she ask me was "Are people giving you trouble."

I put my hand on my head and said "Sort of I suppose"

"What do you mean by sort of" she asked with curiosity, causing me to smile.

"Some people have been pretty nasty to me, but a boy named Jacob asked me to go to this cultural festival on Friday with him and his friend."

"Are you serious a boy" she exclaimed like she just won the lottery.

"Mom it's not what you think, he has a girlfriend named Mandy I think" I said, not completely sure whether he said that was his girlfriend or not.

"Who cares, your making friends that's wonderful" she said.

"I'm not sure if I want to go" I said honestly.

"How come" she asked confused.

"I don't know what if they're just inviting me so that they ditch me later on, or what if it's some cruel prank" I asked.

"Hope please listen as your mother I'm telling you this because I love you, your problem is that you overthink too much, you get so worked up whether people will like you or if they're going to harass you, you just give up before it even begins. I'm not saying you should go if you don't want to, but I just want you to take chances even if they're small, they'll still pay off in the end."

As I listened to my mother, I realized she was right about me, I've always been afraid to take chances with other people in fear of being ridiculed or stabbed in the back. Now that I think about it seems ridiculous that I'm still this way, I mean I'm 18 years old and thought that short lifespan, I haven't had a single friend.

"Hey mom can I call you later, I have someone I need to text" I asked having already made up my mind.

"Ok, but call me back ok young lady, don't think you're off the hook just yet" she said.

I giggled and said "Ok mom I will.

I quickly hung up the phone and took out the number Jacob gave me on Monday. I took a deep breath and kept telling myself to just take this one chance and see where things go from there.

(2 days later- Friday)

I was a little surprised that despite being near the end of August, the chilly weather was already starting to settle in. So I decided on wearing one of my lighter red hoodies, and put my heaver jacket on over it, with a pair of jeans. To say I was nervous was a complete understatement, but I just got to go out and wing it as they say. When I left the Martha Hall, I quickly walked to the entrance of the school and was surprised to find Jacob right away. He was talking to who I presumed was Mandy. She had long chestnut hair, and what appeared to be hazel eyes. I was surprised at her height, she had to be at least 5'9 or 6'0 inches tall. I had the strange feeling I have seen this girl before. Suddenly I started to feel self-conscious again, and the irrational part of me was telling me to run back into my room and lock the door. However, before I could make a decision Jacob just happened to spot me.

"Oh hey Hope" he said walking up to me with a grin on his face.

"Hey how's it going" I asked trying to be casual.

"Good" he then turned to his friend and introduce us.

"Hope this is my good friend Mandy Wright; Mandy this is my new friend Hope Winters" he said.

"You were right, she is a cutie" she said with a teasing smile, that caused me to blush. Now that I was so close to her something about her seemed familiar.

"Have we met before, you seem familiar" I asked.

"I'm surprised you seemed to recognized me, we met briefly at the bathroom on Monday" she said.

I was left speechless; I didn't expect to run into her again.

"I'm so sorry for being so rude earlier" I said after realizing how I acted.

She just shrugged and said "It's no big deal, trust me first year of high school is always ruff. Now let's go we got a lot to show you."

I was taken by surprise when she grabbed my hand and started to drag me around.

Maybe this won't be so bad after all I thought.

(Hours Later-Sunset)

"I can't believe how beautiful this city is" I said as we continued to walk through the Art district. It was amazing in just a few short hours; we've seen almost every part of the city. The art here was incredible, I was able to buy a few little artifacts, I am so glad I did end up deciding to come here after all.

"Yea the one thing about New Orleans, is that you never run out of anything to do" Jacob said.

As we walked throughout the city, I learned that both Jacob and Mandy grew up here, but Mandy ended up moving away at 3 years old due to a family conflict. Jacob was major in computer design, and Mandy who is actually a senior is majoring in early childhood and will be graduating this May.

"Now we saved the best for last, The French Quarter" Mandy said with such enthusiasm.

"It's one of the oldest neighborhoods around, there's been very few reconstruction done to it over the years, which makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions around" Jacob explained before I could ask.

"Oh wow" was my only response once we entered the neighborhood. This was completely different from any other parts of the city, it was more crowded and people seemed more into partying than they were into buying. A lot of people were crowded around this one place called Rousseau's and several other restaurants. However, the one shop that eventually caught my eye was Mikaelson's Antique shop, such a clique name, but none the less I was drawn to it.

"We better start heading back, it's starting to get dark" Jacob said.

"Can we stop there before going back" I asked pointing to the shop.

"We really should start going back, a lot of crazy stuff happens once the sets" Jacob explains.

"Like what Vampires coming out to suck on our bloods" I asked with a sarcastic voice, though by the look on Jacob and Mandy's faces they didn't find it too funny.

I just rolled my eyes and said "Look I won't be in long, I just want a quick browse."

They attempted to call me back, but I was already making my way over to the shop.

When I entered a little ding went off, to single my arrival, and not much later a woman about her mid 30's with shoulder length black hair came out of the back.

"Hello welcome to Mikaelson's Antique shop, the name's Davina Mikaelson and how may I help you today" she asked.

"I'm just browsing around" I said taking in all the amazing paintings and objects.

"I can see that you're an Art lover as well" she asked with a smile.

"Yes, for as long as I can remember. I've always wanted to create something amazing. Did you do all these paintings by yourself they're amazing?"

"Goodness no, I'm not that great. A lot of them were done by my brother in law, he's a painter, so my Husband and I usually pay 50 -50 for all the work that we sell of his" she explained.

"Did I hear my lovely wife talking about me" a British voice called out.

This time It was a man, who appeared to be in his early to mid-twenties coming out of the back. The first thing that came to my mind, was how gorgeous he was, he had brown hair that slicked up with brown eyes and appeared to be 6 foot tall.

"Please Kol, when will you ever get over that ego of yours" Davina asked with a playful tone.

"When you get over that little sassy attitude of yours" he replied.

"So I guess that means never than" she replied.

The man named Kol then turned to me and studied me for a moment before saying "Ah a new customer I see, the name's Mikaelson, Kol Mikaelson." He then extended his hand.

"My name's Hope Winters" I said shaking his hand. His expression was probably the same as mine, because I'm trying to figure out where on earth I have heard that name before.

However, before our conversation could continue, the door opened and this time a male came in. He had jet black hair with gorgeous blue eyes, who appeared to be in his late to early thirties.

Kol simply walked away from me and stood in front of the new customer and said "Ah my least favorite Salvatore, what pleasure do I owe this visit."

"Oh shut it, you know why I'm here. Where's that maniac brother of yours, I have a bone to pick with him, he-"he suddenly stopped speaking and looked right at me, which I must admit was frightening

"So who's the girl I never smelt anything like her before" he said with a smile that made want to run for the hills. However, my feet didn't want to move, I was shaking too bad.

Thankfully when the door opened again, it was Mandy and Jacob that came in. They looked worried once they saw all the people near me.

"Come on Angel we better hurry, the gates will be closing soon" Mandy said grabbing my wrist and dragging me outside.

"Yea no need to get in trouble on the first week of school" Jacob said as he closed the door.

Mandy kept a hold of my wrist as we sprinted our way back to the school.

"Who was that guy" I finally asked as he made our way back into the campus.

"He's a dick that you really don't want to mess with, actually anyone with the name Mikaelson or Damon Salvatore you really don't want to mess with or be around in general" Jacob said looking at me, completely serious.

"Why" I asked curious.

This time It was Mandy's turn to speak "Trust us, they are not good people at all its best you don't ever associate with people like them. That's why you never want to be in that part of the neighborhood at night.

What on earth did they mean by that, were they some kind of drug dealers or what, but then what on earth did that one guy mean by me smelling like nothing he has ever smelled before. I don't think Mandy or Jacob will tell me more, but now I was really curious about these people.

Author's Note

Well there's chapter 2 and I hoped everyone liked it. Sorry it's taking me so long to get this chapter out, but I hoped that since I made it long it compensates. I know all of you have question regarding Kol and Davina and I promise they will be answered within due time. So please continue to read and review.