I woke up to someone shaking my shoulder. I open my eyes to see Ares next to me and remember that we were heading to SoHo for dress shopping. Fun. "We're here. Come On sleepy head." He tells me while pulling me out. Of course he's excited to shop. "Relax, would you?" I hear a chuckle as I say that and we're out of the car. "It's impossible for him to relax when it's about shopping." Noah tells me with a wide grin and I just know he's very amused and is going to enjoy my misery. Why did I suggest this again? I glare at Noah who just laughs and take Ares's hand that is not dragging me. I sigh and prepare myself for a torture filled afternoon. Ares is not going to be impressed with my lack of interest. We soon reach a shop I don't get to read the name of and before I can object I'm dragged to a sitting area. Oh great we're in a very expensive shop since there are couches to sit with personal helpers? I don't know what they're called. I probably should've mentioned a budget. "Ares I don't think this the right place." I tell him as he finally let's go off my hand and is about to approach one of the people, he turns around abruptly and looks at me like I just said the most oddest thing in the world. "What? This is the perfect place to get a dress. You don't like it?" Ares asks me with a sad look. What do I say? "Ares this place seems amazing but I don't think you understand that I probably couldn't even afford a scarf here. I'm sorry but I was thinking more of a simple dress shop and not a boutique." I tell him with a somewhat sorry smile, at least I hope it is. He smiles as he hears my concern. Okay weird, also worries me. I hear Noah laugh from beside me. When did he come next to me?

Before I can say or ask anything Ares skips towards the people who just seem to have gone to heaven. Probably cause he's famous, he is a fashion designer. "Uh, he heard me right?" I ask Noah who smiles at me before nodding. "He did hear you. He just doesn't, well to put it nicely he doesn't care if you can afford anything here or not. You said dress shopping and everything else was a blur to him, he probably didn't even hear the part where it's supposed to be for your friend too busy imagining what colors would suit you." Great. I can't believe he didn't tell me before. Actually I can Noah is a jerk. "I hate you so much right now." I tell Noah who just smiles creepily in return. "Okay sweetheart, I told them what to get for you, just sit and relax. As for the price, you don't have to pay. Consider it a gift from me." Ares says as he stands in front of us with a broad smile. Oh god he looks so happy I don't want to tell him, but I will because I'm not trying on dresses. "Ares, the dress isn't for me. I wanted to buy it as a gift for my friend and I can't take such an expensive gift from you. I'm sorry." I tell him and his face falls as soon as I finish. "Oh." That's all he says before turning around once again. I'm not going to follow him and let him have his way. "Don't worry, just wait he's not going to give up so easily." Noah tells me with his creepy smile while putting his arm around me. I sigh knowing he's right since Ares isn't actually calling off all the people, he's just pouting by the counter thinking about something. "This is going to be worse than any shopping trip with Caroline. Isn't it?" I ask Noah even though he doesn't know Care. "I don't know who that is but yes, it's going to be the shopping spree you'll never forget. Come on we should go sit. He'll join us soon." Noah says and pulls us towards the couches.

Five minutes later Ares cane and sat down next to us with a huge smile. Why is he smiling? "So what does your friend look like? We can find a dress for her and then for you." As soon as Ares finishes his sentence I look towards Noah silently asking if there's a way out. He shook his head. "I have a picture of her. Wait I'll show you." I take my phone and show him a picture of Care. "Alright. Green would look wonderful on her. How tall is she?" Ares asked and I thought about it before answering, "She's maybe two or three inches taller than me." I hope I'm right. "Okay let's get to work." Ares stands up just as people come back with dresses, lots of them. "Do I have to try all of those?" I asked Noah who looked absolutely amused. "No, he'll probably only like two or three, even though he designed all of them." Noah says. Guess he owns the boutique then. "Thank god." I sigh out and Noah gives me look saying this wasn't going to be that easy. As Noah had said Ares only came back with three dresses. He handed me the first dress it was black floor length, it had full sleeves made of white illusion lace with black flowers? on them. I took it and went towards the changing room. I put it on and then went back out, knowing Ares will be the one to actually choose what I get. I stand in front of Ares who examines the dress going in a circle around me. "Alright next one." He says and hands me another one which is red. I put it on, the dress has sleeves up to my elbow and reaches a little above my knees. I liked the first one better. I go out and Ares again examines the dress before wordlessly handing me the last dress. I put it on and look in the mirror. The dress is black with red flowers and green vines and leaves all over and has spaghetti sleeves, it also drags along the floor. I sigh and step out, this is the last one I keep telling myself. Ares again circles me and I see Noah standing there looking too. I give him a small glare that he doesn't notice.

After changing back to my comfortable clothes Ares sat me on the couch and started to show me the dresses he thinks would look great on Care. He was letting me choose since it was my gift. They were all various shades of green. I looked through all of them, one caught my eye. It was a dark green, it had halter neck and had lace top with sequins, it flared from the hips, it was also backless and floor length. "I like this one. What do you think?" I show Ares the dress I liked and he gives me wide smile showing his approval. We were finally done and Ares had ordered the dresses to be delivered at my address. We had spent 2 hours in the boutique and it was almost 4, so we left for Broadway. "How long will it take us to reach?" I ask Noah as we sit in the car. "An hour to Broadway. Then from Broadway an hour to Little Italy, which is only about 15-20 minutes away from Empire State Building." Noah tells me and I give him a smile. He isn't that bad. He smirks at me through the mirror. "Well I told you about myself, its your turn." I tell Ares as he turns to look at me. "What do you want to know?" He asks me with a slight smile. "Well how did you guys meet? How old are you? What about your family?" I ask him all the questions I could think of.

Ares and Noah laugh and I sink back in my seat in embarrassment. "To begin with I am well over 300 years and Noah is well over 600 years. I don't have any family, neither does Noah; at least not anymore. As for our meeting it was over 250 years ago. We met in New Orleans. I was shunned by my coven for my fathers actions. He betrayed the coven for money, gave away their secrets. I didn't have a mother or siblings and I couldn't stay after being shunned, so I decided to leave. I had enough money to buy myself a ticket to America, so I did." Ares tells me with the slightest of sadness in his voice. I take his hand in between mine in some sort of reassurance. Noah looks at Ares before saying. "We met on the ship. I was escaping from my family, I didn't like New Orleans whatsoever. It was quite a cliché, we both ran into each other and I got a hold of him before he could fall." They both chuckle at that and I smile. "I apologized to him over and over. People were staring, mostly out of curiosity as to what Noah would do. See, I didn't have any money so I was obviously in rags and Noah was dressed as though he were a King or Prince. At that time it was fine to do as you wish on the lower class. I was too scared to even look up to see who I bumped into." Ares tells me with a sad smile remembering what it was like. "When Ares bumped into me I was rather ready to snap, but when I looked at him I was too... occupied in staring to do anything. Living for so long I had already known I was attracted to men more so than women. And seeing Ares even in rags he looked too beautiful to let go. When I came back to my senses I only chuckled at him before saying it was okay. We both went our separate ways after that. I couldn't stop thinking about him though so I decided to befriend him." Noah says with a genuinely happy smile. "When he offered to be friends, I was a bit hesitant; but then he told me he knew I was a Warlock and told me could help me. I agreed to travel with him as I had nothing to loose. Over the time I fell for him quite hard actually. It took me a decade to accept my feelings and when I did I told Noah how I felt. I was ready to be slapped or worse thrown off the building." Ares recalls with a fond smile. "I was surprised when he did confess so much so that I just stood there for a few minutes in shock; processing his words. He had his eyes closed too scared of what would happen. When I regained the control on my body, I whispered Took you long enough before kissing him." Noah says while looking at Ares with a wide smile and eyes full of love. "When he kissed me I was shocked to say the least. But it was also the happiest day of my life." Ares whispered while holding Noah's hand and smiling. I sit back with a smile but decide against saying anything in the fear of ruining their mood.

The ride after that is silent with Noah and Ares holding hands and occasionally smiling at one another. I decide to text Jer to pass time and to get to know what he thinks.

Elle

Hey Jer.

Jer

Hey Elle, how's the tour?

Elle

I didn't go to the tour. I'm actually travelling with the two people I told you about. I know it sounds crazy but I'm starting to trust them. Their names are Noah and Ares. Noah is the vampire and Ares is a Warlock. So what are you doing?

Jer

It does sound crazy. But if you trust them... I am studying. I won't let you down. And if you do trust them you should definitely take up their offer. It seems safer, at least you won't be alone.

Elle

I guess you are right. I'll talk to them afterwards. And you could never let me down, I'm proud of you Jer. Don't worry too much.

Jer

Thanks Elle. I'll text you later? Elena found out I remember everything and that you told me everything you knew, so she's eating my ears away with her stupid lectures about how it's not safe. She tried to get Damon to erase my memories but he refused and so did Stefan. I guess I have you to thank for that :)

Elle

Oh, all the best with Elena and text me when you can. Love you.

Jer

I will text as soon as I can. Love you too.

I put my phone in my bag and take out a Hershey's bar. I see Ares was looking at me with a raised eyebrow so I do the same. "Do you have another one?" Ares asks me and Noah looks through the mirror to make sense of what Ares is saying. I don't answer instead take out another one and hand it to him. Ares gives me a smile and turns around to eat his bar while I eat mine. We soon reach Broadway and Ares goes off to look what shows are there. "Thanks." Noah whispers as he turns to face the backseat. "What for? Shouldn't it be me who says thank you?" I ask him also whispering. "No you don't need to thank us. This day was the most fun we've had in some time. Besides I was thanking you for letting Ares have his way, he doesn't have a friend; never has had one. So thank you." I don't say anything just smile at him. Ares comes back with three tickets in his hand. "I got us tickets for Beauty and The Beast. We still have half an hour though. Any plans?" He asks us. "We could find a small cafe or something like that." Noah suggests. Ares just shrugs and the car starts. We reach a small cafe within a minute and Noah goes to park the car as me and Ares go in and sit. "What do you want?" Ares asks as we sit down while looking through the menu. "I'm not really hungry. Thanks." I tell him with a slight smile. I lean back into my seat still feeling a bit tired. "Alright then. I'll just go order." Ares says and leaves. I close my eyes for a few seconds before reopening them to see Noah sat in front of me with a smile which quickly fades into a smirk as I jump in fright. "Seriously? Give the human a little warning next time." I tell him as I get comfortable in my seat again after the fright and try to get my breathing under control. I hear him laugh at my comment and smile a bit. I close my eyes again knowing I'm safe since Noah's here. And that thought scares me a bit, I haven't even known them a day and I still feel safe with them. I hear a tray being set down on the table and open my eyes to see Ares is back. "Here drink. You're going to need it." He tells me and hands me a mocha. Yes I can recognize coffee by their smells and yes I know it's weird deal with it. I look to Noah and he just shakes his head to my unsaid question. I take the cup from Ares and hold it with both my hands, the warmth of the cup a nice contrast to the cold weather. Ares and Noah talk among themself and I lean back looking around.

I didn't really talk to them and they didn't seem to mind. I was done with my coffee and so were Ares and Noah. We were all just relaxing in our seats. "We should go. The show will start in five minutes." Noah says and I look up to see him already standing while Ares is still sitting. "Okay. Let's go." I agree and stand up and Ares does the same. We reach the theatre and find our seats and sit down. That was amazing. The whole play? yeah since it was acted out by people it can be categorised as a play; right the play was awesome. The actors were all fitting, they suited their roles. I loved Beauty and The Beast even more now. "Well, that was truly amazing sweetheart. You have a great choice." Ares tells me as we walk out of the theatre. "Thanks Ares. It really was amazing." I tell him and give him a hug and he wraps his arms around me tightly. I smile and pull back so that I can hug Noah. Noah freezes a bit when I hug him but then relaxes and hugs me back tightly. "Thanks you guys. I don't think I would've had so much fun on the tour. It was magical." I tell them and they laugh at my choice of words. "Alright. Lets go get dinner, I'm hungry." Ares says and drags both me and Noah towards the valet parking. Noah tells us to wait there and goes to get the car. Me and Ares got in the car. Ares turns to me as we take off towards Little Italy and asks, "What else do you like to do, other than painting?" I look at him before answering, "Well I like reading, mostly fiction and I actually like archery. Ooh I also love sleeping." Ares and Noah laugh before Ares again questions, "How did your parents die? It's okay if you don't want to answer." I smile a little at him letting him know it's okay. "Well my sister had decided to skip family night and go to a party. Me and my brother had stayed back since well I hate parties and my brother wasn't that into parties. Half way through the night Elena calls crying about a fight with her ex, my best friend Matt. My parents decided to go pick her up, I was supposed to go with them but stayed behind since dad was worried Aunt Jenna would burn the house down. About an hour later we get a call from the Sheriff saying that there was an accident and our parents hadn't made it but Elena had. Everything after that was a blur up until reaching the hospital where Sheriff Forbes explained that the car had skidded and had gone off Wickery Bridge." I explain and I can feel tears falling. I wipe them away. "Sorry." I say hating that feeling of hopelessness and weakness. I close my eyes trying to control my tears when a pair of arms wrap around me and I hug back feeling safe. I cry remembering how exactly I felt that night. I grip onto Ares tightly trying and failing to control my tears all the while Ares is whispering over and over again that it's okay. I manage to control my tears a bit and pull away just slightly. "That's not the worst you know. When it clicked that all of this could've been avoided if Elena had just stayed home I wished that she would've died instead. I hated her, she took away our parents. I... I punched her you know at the funeral I was so angry, she killed them and had the audacity to go up to say a few words for them. I controlled my anger but she kept talking and when she walked down and kept her flower at their graves first I snapped. She didn't have the right to say the parting words or cry or keep her flower first, so I went up to her and punched her. I remember I screamed about how she was the reason they were dead before Matt and Ty dragged me away. I hate her still sometimes, when I realize that my dad won't be there when I go back home; he wouldn't ask me about my course or if I felt lonely there and all the anger and hate comes back. And I hate myself when it happens." I tell Ares, before taking a deep breath and whispering a sorry. I turn to look around to look through the window instead of having to see their probably disgusted faces. Instead I find myself wrapped in Ares's arms again. "It's okay Elle. It's okay that you hate her, that it angers you. You shouldn't avoid or oppress your feelings like that. It's okay Elle." I feel my heart speed up when he calls me Elle. Only Jer's ever called me Elle and I hug him back feeling safe just like when I'm with Jer. For the rest of the we sit in silence, Ares does let me go but not fully; he still has one of his arm around me with my head on his chest.

We reach Little Italy which was a neighborhood and not a restaurant like I thought. In Little Italy we go to a place called 'Il Cortile' and I excuse myself to the bathroom. I wash my face and just look in the mirror for a minute or two before taking a deep breath and going outside and back to the table where Ares and Noah are sitting. "Hey. We already ordered, hope you don't mind." Noah says as I sit down. "No it's fine." I tell him, my voice barely above a whisper. I clear my throat before deciding to end this odd silence. "I'm fine. You guys don't have to worry. I'm sorry about that, I've never really talked to anyone about my parents death." I tell them with a small smile. The both smile back and just as Ares is about to say something a waiter comes and serves them both wine. I think. As he leaves Ares looks at me before saying, "So did you at least break her nose with the punch?" I laugh a little before answering, "Unfortunately no. Although she did make it seem like it, even went to a doctor. It was funny mostly because the doctor was looking at Elena like crazy and so was Sheriff Forbes who Elena had dragged with us because I was 'unstable'. After everything I was asked to go see a therapist to get my anger under control. Not that he was helpful whatsoever, I'm pretty sure he didn't even have degree. Everyday he would ask me write why I punched Elena and then he would read for 45 minutes even though it was barely 20 lines and at the end of the session he would tell me, 'Its okay Miss Gilbert. Grief has funny ways of showing itself.' And I would've to stop myself from screaming at him." I say with a laugh remembering telling Jer about this and then Jer suggesting I should just punch him and say grief has a funny way of showing itself to him. "Sounds fun." Noah tells me with his trademark smirk. I just laugh and take a sip of my water. Our food soon comes and it ranges between pizza, pasta of all kinds and shapes and other things I don't recognize. I was going to question their sanity but decided to go with it. After a fulfilling dinner we left for our last destination: Empire State Building. We reached there in 20 minutes. I checked the time to see it was 10:30. While Noah had gone to 'arrange' our visit so that there won't be any interruptions me and Ares were leaning against the car. "I... I would love to be your friend Ares. I'll take your offer." I tell Ares as I turn to face him. His face breaks out into a smile and he hugs me tightly, I do the same while laughing lightly. Noah comes back and Ares tells him that I accepted their offer with so much excitement that I feel bad for even considering rejecting it. Noah smiles at me in thanks and I give him a smile back. We start towards the elevator that will take us to the 86th floor where the observation deck was. We enter the elevator and head up.

We reach the observation deck which is empty thanks to Noah's compulsion. Not that I understood the point of it. We went around looking through all the binoculars before going up to the 102nd floor. We clicked a lot of photos from there before going back to the 86th floor from where the skyline was more clearer. I clicked the picture of New York skyline from all sides before clicking pictures of Ares and Noah who were laughing and talking and occasionally dancing. I know it sounds weird but it was cute. After clicking lots of pictures, we stayed there for about 20 more minutes just enjoying the view and the cold weather. When we reach back down I check the time to see its 11:30. "Hey Noah? How long will it take to get back to Brooklyn?" I ask Noah a bit worried since I have to wake up early tomorrow. "Don't worry it'll only take half an hour at the most." Noah assures me and we get in the car. This time Ares takes the wheel and Noah sits in the passenger seat. "I have question." I announce. They both look at me before Noah gestures to continue. "Don't you need blood? I mean you haven't fed in the whole day. Also is blood a daily necessity or like when you feel really hungry?" I ask Noah genuinely curious about how vampires function. "I do need blood, but I can control myself. And as for consumption needs it depends on the vampire, everyone has different needs." Noah replies. Okay then. "Uh, where will you train me?" I ask Noah again. "In our house, we'll show you where it is. Where do you live?" Noah answers and asks. I try recalling the exact address. "Uh Caton Ave, Westminster Road. Yeah that's it. I think." I tell Noah who chuckles a bit before saying, "That's good, we live only a block away. We'll show you before dropping you off." I smile and relax back before taking out the Polaroid's I kept in my bag and start looking through them. "Do you mind?" I look up to see Noah gesturing towards the pictures and I shrug while handing him the pictures I already looked through. I hope they don't mind me taking their pictures without asking. He looks at the pictures before showing Ares while smiling and I sigh out in relief. "Can we keep a few of them?" Ares asks me and I smile, "Yeah sure I just want a few to keep as a reminder. You can keep the ones you like." I tell him and he smiles at me so does Noah.

Noah and Ares kept about 10-12 pictures while letting me keep the others. We soon stop in front of a huge building. We all step out and towards the lobby. "You guys live here?" I ask them while looking around the lobby which has a royal feel. "Yes we do. What were you expecting?" Noah asks me leading me towards the reception. "I was expecting a three storey mansion." I tell him and he laughs before talking to the man at the desk in a language I don't understand. "Alright this is Jack he's our ...friend. He has been informed to not stop you when you come. We live in the penthouse. You can just up without worry." Noah tells me. I nod and we leave so that they can drop me home. We reach within a minute as I tell them which complex is mine. "I live on the 4th floor." I tell Ares as we stand near the door. "Alright. When will your classes be over tomorrow?" Ares asks me as Noah looks around. "Around 1. Why?" I ask and Noah looks at me and smiles. "You should come over as soon as you're done . We can start tomorrow itself." Noah tells me and I nod agreeing. I hug both of them and wish them a goodnight before thanking them again. I enter my apartment tired and somehow manage to change into some shorts before lying down on the bed, setting an alarm for 6 before turning the lights off and sleep takes over as soon as I close my eyes.