Chapter 3

Hope's POV

It's already been 3 weeks into the first semester, and I'm actually enjoying my time here. I've already had my first exams in most of my classes, and I'm proud to say that I got all A's on all of them. There was an in service day on Monday, so which gave all the students a long weekend. Jacob, Mandy, and I have started to become closer as friends, it might be too soon to say that they've become my best friends, but they're the closest thing I've ever had to best friends in my whole life. Usually after all of our classes we hung out, in the lounge area or we went out to a nearby restaurant near the school. I've tried to convince them to take me back to the French Quarter, so I could go back to Mikaelson's Antique shop and browse around some more and talk with Davina, but every time I mentioned it, they always appear to change the subject right away. If I wasn't so sure that I would get lost, I would just go myself.

"So did you guys hear, the student council is throwing a huge party in the Alexander' hall's lower level tonight" Jacob said as he jumped over the couch and and laid his head on Mandy's lap.

Mandy saw my confusion and said "Every year the student council has a welcoming party for the new year of school, takes place in a different building every year."

"And the faculty actually allows it" I said unsure that the school would just let a party on campus that is run by the few that can actually drink.

"As long as the cops aren't called, they really don't give a damn as long as the place is cleaned up by morning" Jacob said with a smile.

"You can count me in, it will be my class college party I'll be able to attend" Mandy said.

"Yeah legally" Jacob said in response, causing Mandy to roll her eyes.

"What time does it start" I asked already knowing what my answer would be. After all it's not like I plan on getting drunk or nothing like that, in fact alcohol just doesn't appeal to me at all, but since Jacob and Mandy were going It will be fine.

"It starts at 7, but we should leave by 8 because by that time the party will really be going wild" Jacob said making a funny face as to prove his point, causing Mandy and I to laugh.

"Well sorry to cut this short, but I got to get to work I don't need my boss hanging all over my back" Mandy announced getting up from her seat, causing Jacob's head to fall onto the rough sofa.

"I'm sure he would love that" Jacob said winking at Mandy.

"Pervert" Mandy said as she gathered her stuff. "See you guys tonight" she said as she left.

"So what are you doing the rest of the day Hope" Jacob asked, this time sitting up on the sofa.

I just shrugged and said "Nothing, probably just going to go back to my dorm and watch something on t.v."

"You want to go grab a bite to eat first, because I don't know about you, but I'm starving" he said putting his hands to his stomach.

"Why not let's go" I said, not understanding at all why my stomach was starting to feel strange.

Jacob and I ended up going to this nice little Italian restaurant called Ronaldo's, where he ended up getting some strange dish that I never heard of, while I got some Chicken parmegian. Truth be told, I was a little nervous being alone with him, because to me this actually feels like a date, but it really wasn't one at all.

"So what did you get on Professor Ingrid's paper" Jacob asked before he took a sip of his Coke.

"A 100" I replied sheepishly, I really don't want him to think that I'm some kind of know it all.

Jacob scoffed teasingly and said "What a surprise there, I never met anyone in my life who has been able to get perfect on a paper, maybe like 95's but nothing higher than that,"

I chuckled a little and said "Well my grades are very important to me, and I try to put my all into my papers, especially if it's something that is related to art."

"How long have you known you wanted to study art" Jacob asked.

"As long as I can remember, my parents have always encouraged my passion, by signing me up for ballet, art, and other types of similar classes. In fact, my mother was so hopeful that I would choose the Art institute of Pittsburgh so that I would be closer to home, and I seriously considered going so I could be closer to them" I explained.

"If you don't mind me asking, why exactly did you decide to come to New Orleans I mean I understand the whole art thing, but it seems like there's more to it than that" he asked looking extremely curious.

I felt my heart starting to race and my palms starting to sweat. I wasn't sure if I should tell him or not about my adoption from New Orleans, I mean I wasn't ashamed of the fact, but I've never once told anyone about it but it never seemed relevant. Suddenly my mother's words about taking chances came into my mind, and I decided that it's time that I let someone in for a change.

I took in a deep breath and said "You see, my parents adopted me from New Orleans when I was a baby, and when I got the brochure for the university I realized I wanted to see more of the city I was born in, since it's really my only link to my biological parents.

For a moment a look came on to Jacob's face, one that I couldn't describe, but then it went back to a blank expression.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause any bad memories or anything"

"Oh you didn't, I'm grateful that I ended up with parents that love me instead of being shuffled around foster care all my life" I said.

"Well if it makes you feel better, I understand the feeling of wanting to more about your parents and might have been" he said with an expression of longing.

"I don't understand" I asked confused.

"My parents died when I was around 13 years old, and I was left to be raised by my grandfather and boy was he strict with me" he replied.

I didn't know how to reply to him, so I just kept quiet. I wasn't sure what was more surprising that the both were able to share such intimate details of our lives with each other, or that the happy go lucky guy that I've known for the past few weeks has dealt with such tragedy as losing his parents at such a young age. It made all my problems seem insignificant to his.

"Finally the food arrives, I'm starving" he said as the waiter places our food in front of us.

I couldn't help but smile, because now I found a new admiration for Jacob. I mean despite the obvious differences in our situations, he has been able to find real happiness, unlike me who grew up in a stable environment with nothing but love. I don't think I'll ever understand why that is, but I suppose that's one of life's little mysterious.

Normal POV

Ingrid Wolff, current art history professor at the university of New Orleans, was walking through the French Quarter with an expression of annoyance on her face. She finally reached her destination, Mikaelson's Antique Shop.

As if one cue Davina Mikaelson came out of the back and said "Welcome to Mikaelson's antiq-." However, she stopped midway when noticed who has entered the shop, and she then looked pretty annoyed.

"Don't give me that face Davina, I'm the one who should be pretty annoyed, calling me day in and day out like this. I do happen to have a life you know" Ingrid said with her arms cross.

"Please tell us, besides teaching children, what do you actually do" Kol asked as he came out of the back and sat in a chair near Davina.

"Don't act stupid Ingrid, we know why we've been calling, the girl that came to our shop a few weeks ago" Davina said.

"You know you need to be more specific, I happen to a ton of girls shall I go down the list" Ingrid asked.

"You know which girl I'm talking about, the one called Hope Winters. There's something strange about her" Davina said.

"Now come on dear, isn't there something strange about all of us" Ingrid said obviously trying to avoid the question.

"So you do know something if you're obviously trying to avoid it. I may no longer be a vampire anymore, but the spirits are obviously trying to tell us something about this girl that we can't figure out and you should have seen Salvatore's face when he met her, her blood must smell magnificent for him to be able to freeze like that" Kol said with his famous smirk.

"Plus, why all of a sudden did you resign from you post in the community to be nothing more than a college professor and the timing of this whole thing seems to be too perfect" Davina asked with conviction in her eyes.

Ingrid just smiled and said "You two are really throwing it out to me aren't you, but let me say this don't involve yourself with my business unless it concerns you and trust me this particular situation will concern everyone involved in the community at some point, but for right now just don't worry about it."

After that Ingrid left the shop leaving a confused Davina and Kol behind.

Hope's POV

As I was leaving Martha's hall, I couldn't help but get the feeling that I was being watched. I shook my head thinking it must be my imagination, and quickly started to head towards Alexander's hall where I would meet Mandy and Jacob. Surprisingly there really wasn't too many people wondering outside, it was just me and my thoughts. Suddenly there was movement coming right behind, and I spun my head around and saw that nobody was there. My heart was starting to speed up, and I was contemplating whether or not I should head back. I turned around and suddenly collided into someone.

"Oh my god I'm so sorry" I said before I looked up and saw something familiar about him.

He puts his hands up in a defensive way and said "Don't worry I'm not a murderer, I was just actually leaving the party."

Suddenly the memory came back to him, he was that guy who came into Mikaelson's shop last time I was there.

"Aren't you that guy from Mikaelson's shop from last time" I asked.

He just smirked and said "Well I see my good looks have made such an impact on you."

I couldn't help but smirk as well, but he seemed a bite old for college parties and there's absolutely no way he was a teacher here.

"Aren't you a bite old for college parties" I asked with sort of teasing voice.

"Who's says your too old to have fun, but if you're heading to the party it's absolutely dull to the max" he said.

I could feel a blush creeping on my face, because he absolutely had to be one of the most gorgeous men I have ever seen in my life and I'm not the type of person to judge people based on their looks.

"Why don't you come with me and see what a real party is like" he offered while staring directly into my eyes.

"You know we only just met and I haven't even gotten your name" I said, causing him to look at me with confusion that went as quickly as it came.

"How rude, the name's Damon Salvatore" he said extending his hand.

"Hope Winters" I replied while shaking his hand.

"So what do you say, come with me and I'll show you what a real party is all about" he asked again.

I've always prided myself in the doing the things that I know are right, but at this moment even though I know it really wasn't a good idea to just go out with a guy that I just met, something is just calling out to me to go out there and explore this wonderful city.

After internally debating it I said with a smile "Ok let's go."

He smiled and offered me his hand, which I took. The feeling I was experiencing was almost indescribable, I felt like I was about to explode from all this happiness I was feeling. I can tell this is going to be one of the best nights of my life.

Author's note

Hey guys sorry about the long update, it's been pretty hectic lately but I wanted to get something out to you guys. I had to split this up into 2 parts because of length issues, so part 2 will be uploaded sometime this week. Part 2 we will defiantly dwell more into the supernatural world than what I have been. So please continue to read and review.