Elena walks up to Rebekah in the hallway. "Your brother sent me flowers," she tells her. She wonders if it's a mistake, letting Rebekah know about Kol's interest in her. But Elena isn't really sure how to manage that interest without getting people killed, and she's hoping that maybe Rebekah will reveal something helpful – whether inadvertently or not.

"Pathetic," Rebekah replies, seeming unsurprised. She doesn't even look at Elena as she pulls a few books out of her locker. "You ran Elijah out of town; he's so wracked with guilt."

Elena wants to protest that it isn't her fault that Elijah fled Mystic Falls after leaving Elena in the tunnels with Rebekah, but she's trying to stay off topic. "Not Elijah. Kol."

"Kol?!" Rebekah hisses – and suddenly she is entirely focused on Elena. "What did you do to iKol/i that he sent you iflowers/i?"

"I didn't do anything!" Elena protests.

Rebekah raises an eyebrow, shooting her a disbelieving glare.

"It was just a few drinks, and a few games of pool," Elena tells her. "Really, it was nothing."

"Then why are you telling ime/i this?" Rebekah practically snarls.

"Well… he asked me to dinner," Elena admits. Rebekah curses – not even really under her breath – about stupid brothers who are itrying/i to get daggered again. She stalks off before Elena can say another word.

Elena sighs. She doesn't have Kol's phone number. (Does he even ihave/i a phone?) So much for hoping Rebekah would reveal something helpful, or play the messenger to let Kol know that Elena is flattered, but she (very respectfully) declines his invitation…

Kol shows up at her house that evening in tight jeans, a tighter t-shirt, and a leather jacket – holding ianother/i bouquet of flowers. This time, it's a lovely arrangement featuring blue hyacinth.

Elena can't help but smile – just a little! – as she takes the flowers from him. She really shouldn't encourage him, but the flowers are… sweet. (After Elena thinks that, she reminds herself that Kol almost iate/i Matt last night, and that's why she's in this situation.)

"You look lovely," Kol tells her. Elena raises an eyebrow, looking down at herself. She hasn't changed from the clothes she wore to school – her favorite jeans and a nice sweater. "Lovely" might be overstating it, a bit.

She tries not to be flattered by the compliment, or by the way Kol looks at her with those dark brown eyes.

"Let me put these in water," Elena responds, to buy herself some time to think. She doesn't invite him in – and he doesn't ask – as she goes to the kitchen to grab another vase. The hyacinths look pretty next to the red carnations she received from him this morning.

Elena knows that her friends will freak out if she goes to dinner with Kol. Damon and Stefan will be furious. And judging by Rebekah's response, she and Klaus probably won't be too happy either.

But Elijah has left town – and with him, her only semi-ally in the Original family. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea, to try to earn another?

Elena goes to dinner.

Kol takes her to the Grill. (Because of course he does – where else is there to go in Mystic Falls?)

Matt is working. His eyes widen when he sees Elena walk in with Kol at her side, their arms linked together. Elena shoots Matt a look, trying to silently warn him not to get involved.

Matt doesn't heed her warning, of course. He walks up to them immediately, and his face is starting to flush red. When Matt goes to open his mouth, Elena is afraid that he's going to say something to provoke Kol.

But before Matt says anything, Kol reaches out and pats Matt on the cheek – all threatening condescension. "Do stay calm, darling. You don't want to make a scene," Elena hears Kol murmur into Matt's ear as they walk around him to the bar.

Shit.

Maybe this iwas/i such a bad idea…