Chapter 1: We Are Not the Same
Bonnie and Caroline were dancing around their new apartment and decorating. Bonnie packed away some plates and wine glasses while Caroline giggled at pictures of them at their first university party during fresher's week. Now they were 20 year's old and sharing a pretty decent apartment with a view and the coolest spots were only a walk away. They were free from living with their parents' rules.
Caroline lit her cigarette and flipped through some vinyl records she gasped "I was obsessed with this band in college. They haven't made anything in 3 years. The drama was insane". Bonnie sipped her wine and looked at the record "The Divine?"
"Made out with a guy to a few of their songs" Caroline laughed. Bonnie Bennett was an inspiring singer and writer. She did a few gigs around town and part time worked as a waitress at her mother and step father's restaurant and pub. Caroline has big business dreams but worked as a secretary at a big law firm. Her boss can be a bitch.
Bonnie bit down on mini blueberry muffin and finished her coffee as she walked on the pavement. She was still haunted by past trauma, the therapy and moving to England worked but sometimes her mind wandered. Her mother was reluctant when she decided to enrol in the music bachelor's programme. It was the only thing she loved. Bonnie's favourite place to hang out was the 'Music Pot'. She got to write music here, read books, listen to vinyl and look at guitars she wishes she could get. She sat on the carpet floor behind a shelf of books on drums. She was humming and making notes. She began singing. He peeked behind the shelf and observed her carefully.
"Ugh I hate that" she whispered to herself making tiny scratches in her little book. He sat next to her and took off his sunglasses "Someone got their heart broken". Bonnie shift down a bit "And you're wearing way too much eyeliner for 11am"
"Ahh American with a twang..South London" he smiled. She got up and packed her bag up. She swore he was either drunk or on drugs. He seemed deranged.
" I'm sorry, love I'm in your space. I know how you Londoners can get. Don't worry I'm only here for this shop. Everything is better in the North" he bragged. Before she could utter another word, one of the employees came up to him with a guitar case "All wrapped up for you Mr. Mikaelson"
"Smells perfect. Well see you around, songbird" he winked walking away.
Caroline was whipping up some shrimp linguine in their newly spacious kitchen. She was babbling her head off about her bitchy boss who makes her do stuff she wasn't require to do. Bonnie was busy staring out the window thinking about the odd guy at the music shop. She thought her songs and how she could be better.
"Anyway I heard from Hayley today. She's coming back tomorrow" Caroline said setting the food on plates in the table. Bonnie smiled. Hayley was their best friend and like a big sister . She was 22 year old model trying to be the next big thing. She did a few shows in New York. Bonnie was excited she was coming she needed Hayley's support and energy for her little gig tomorrow night at her mum's and stepdad's spot.
'The English Hog' was filled with locals of Camden and regulars of Abby and her husband Mick. Abby hummed to the tunes blasting in the restaurant. She placed orders on the tables and told each table her daughter was singing tonight. She was excited, she supported Bonnie's love for music but was protective. Hayley was fluffing Bonnie's silk pressed hair in the back. She green eyed beauty was shaking the nerves put her fingers as Caroline squeezed her fingers and reassured her it was ok. The regulars loved her music and her voice. Bonnie's lavender silk dress hugged her curves. She was so innocent and felt uncomfortable with her body.
Abby approached a table with two men; one was busy on his phone while the other was lighting his cigarette "What can I get you boys?" she looked between them she could tell they weren't from around here.
"A cuppa. Probably this Raspberry one. No sugar" he said with a smile.
"Tea at 9pm on a Friday?" she asked trying not to laugh.
"I'm on a cleanse" he smiled.
"I'm not. Two shots of Tequila, love" the other man said. Abby made a note and walked away.
"What is going on in the Mikaelson's world? Klaus working on anything?"
Elijah chuckled "Half the time I don't think he's present. He sleeps and mopes around. Sometimes he drives all over England. Enzo has been busy writing and writing for people in America"
"And the new drummer?"
"Too young to know what he's getting himself into" Elijah laughed. Abby brought their drinks. They smiled. Elijah sipped his tea and looked up at the cosy stage with tiny lights. He watched Bonnie nervously adjusting her microphone and looking at everyone staring at her. He glanced over and saw Caroline and Hayley cheering her on "Hello everyone I'm Bonnie and I wrote a song ...well a few songs I want to share with you tonight. This is Frozen" she said nervously grabbing the microphone.
If we could live in this moment
And just hold it
Keep my head on your chest
I'd never leave this bed
The flowers will be blooming
The leaves will be turning
And snow will be falling while we're making love
And the sun will be shining
The flowers still are blooming
Then leaves will turn again
But time will be frozen for us
Elijah sipped his tea and stared at her in amusement; her voice, her movements, her face, her vulnerable demeanour but certainty.
"I know that look, don't get any ideas Mikaelson" his friend said. Elijah smiled. After the entertainment Bonnie hanged around the bar with her friends having fruity cocktails and rating guys in the bar. Hayley was flirting and teasing the bartender.
"Miss Bonnie?" She turned around to Elijah smiling at her. Bonnie smiled tightly and stepped back "Can I help you?:
Abby glanced across from the room while serving tables, she frowned at Elijah's demeanour.
"I enjoyed your performance. I can see you performing at even bigger venue..o2 arena, Glastonbury, Madison Square Garden... your own songs of course" he said extending his card to her. Bonnie looked at him carefully and took the card from him "Mayhem Records?"
"Mostly Rock n' Roll but maybe it's time to expand our horizons"
Abby snatched the card out of Bonnie's hand "No, Nope and hell no. Bonnie is fine on her own she doesn't need your sleezy label, sir". Bonnie gritted her teeth she was embarrassed buy she didn't have the best experience the last time.
"We aren't sleezy. Just a small independent label. Thank you for the tea" he said as he left. Bonnie stared at her mother and rolled her eyes. She fumed and sulk all the way back to her apartment. Caroline and Hayley were busy drinking cheap corner shop wine and stuffing their faces with crisps. Caroline put on some pop record from the 80s she got from the music shop.
"That guy from tonight works at a label and wanted to talk to me. Like this could be my shot...my stupid controlling mother" Bonnie said.
"Every guy in London is working for a record label...it's just to get into your pants. You have to be smart" Hayley said.
"Maybe...it's called Mayhem label...some guy name Elijah Mikaelson"
"Elijah Mikaelson? Mikaelson? That's the band I told you about..The Divine? I was obsessed with them. His brother Klaus is the lead singer" Caroline yelled in excitement. She ripped out their vinyl from 2016. "Elijah and Klaus started a label a few years ago. Bonnie fuck your mum you have to talk to him"
Bonnie stared at the vinyl cover and frowned. She had seen Klaus face before. He was the odd guy at the music pot. Caroline and Hayley stalked the band and their label while Bonnie skipped through a few songs of theirs after a few minutes.
Klaus stood on his balcony as the spring rain in Didsbury pattered on his face. He was flooded with memories of her. Her smile. Her green eyes. Her rage. Her tears. The night it all ended. Klaus didn't realise Enzo was screaming at him.
"Fuck...what?" Klaus said.
"I have some lyrics for you to look at. Stop moping around" Enzo frowned.
" Fine leave it on my desk"
Bonnie looked at the raindrops while she sat by the window of her favourite coffee shop a few walks from her flat. The cup of coffee warmed her hands and calmed her nerves. Her head shot up when she saw Elijah walking towards her with a smile. He sat opposite her and her shoulders tightened. She didn't want to mess this up.
"Well if I'm being honest you aren't technically what my label would be looking for. We are more of a rock n' roll sound. But you're interesting to watch" he said signalling the waitress. He ordered Lemon Tea.
" I did listen to your brother's stuff. Pretty cool but I don't want to change or stick to one genre. I'm not sure if I do genre" Bonnie said. He chuckled "I like that and I don't want to stick to certain artists I want to expand my options and I want you to record a song with us maybe two maybe an album if you're comfortable"
Bonnie stared at him. Her heart almost fell out her body. Once again she had another shot at stardom but she worried if she could trust Elijah.
"You don't have to rush. Our label is in a very beautiful place in Manchester much better than here. You are free to write your own stuff whatever your comfortable with"
Bonnie smiled and shrugged "Can I bring a friend with me? I probably would be free on weekends"
Elijah nodded.
[ The Great Escape by Boys like Girls]
Caroline sipped her wine and danced around her bedroom. She hung up tiny lights with Polaroids Her phone pinged and she took a look. Another guy from the shitty dating app she's been on for a few months. She's been regretting her new year's resolution about putting herself out there and dating after Matt. The app was filled with sexed up weirdos and catfishes. Caroline rolled her eyes "Whatever Just Stefan...what kind of screen name is that?" She threw her phone on the bed when she heard Bonnie walked in.
"CARE I NEED YOU TO GO TO MANCHESTER WITH ME THIS WEEKEND!" Bonnie yelled.
"Why should I sacrifice my Netflix and wine weekends to go to the North?" Caroline placed her hands on her hips.
"Elijah is going to sign me..he wants to record with me...like fucking me...I'm freaking out! I don't want to go alone nor tell my mum" She yelled. Caroline clapped and jumped up and down "YESSSSS! WE NEED TO TELL HAYLEY"
"I did..she's busy this weekend but she wants me to update her" Bonnie said smiling.
It was no secret Klaus was struggling to live. To breathe in the mornings. He was plague with nightmares and regrets. The last two years was hell and back. He wondered why and how he was alive. He read sweet texts from her but wasn't interested in opening up too much. She was always busy travelling. She was a food blogger, model and socialite. She was pretty and a good fuck but she was never like her. The one he grew up with and shared music with. His muse. He lost.
Elijah yelled for Klaus . He ignored for a second and groaned as he stormed out his room. He leaned over the bars and looked down at Elijah "What? I'm busy"
" Yeah and I can fly. I want to tell you something"
"Did we fire Sebastian already? Alan was the best drummer" Klaus said.
"No. I have plans to sign someone today" Elijah said. Klaus stared at him "What? Who?"
"She is incredible. She's not technically Rock n Roll but I think she belongs here. Enzo is back there showing her the studios. She is really good" Elijah smiled.
"What the fuck?" Klaus frowned. Bonnie walked out with Enzo chuckling while showing him her book with lyrics. Caroline was behind them. Klaus stared at her "You ...songbird" Klaus whispered. Elijah between him and Bonnie.
"You two know each other"
" We had a weird encounter at my favourite record store. I thought he was high or drunk"
" I was being friendly. You're signing a generic pop girl, great we are officially sell outs" Klaus snapped.
"Generic? Me? I am not" Bonnie folded her eyes.
"Yeah our label doesn't do girl next door with heartbreak to make a hit off her ex" Klaus said. Bonnie pressed her lips. Elijah apologised to Bonnie and dragged Klaus away.
"Don't listen to him. He's grumpy about his heartbreak. I like the lyrics" Enzo said smiling.
"I want to have my own creative control and work with people who would understand me" Bonnie said boldly. Enzo nodded "I would love to produce your music but there's actually someone you can reach out to. Her name is Margaret James don't call her Margaret. She use to sing in Camden and Hackney. She had a band back in the day. She is insane at writing and producing. She can play any instrument" he explained writing her address down on a piece of paper.
"Brixton? Why do I feel you should reunite with her" Bonnie smirked. Enzo laughed "I think you may need her more than me. Welcome to Mayhem Records, Bonnie"