AN: OMG, where have I been? I'm an asshole, and I accept it fully. It is very close to the end of this, so what will happen?
Playing With Fire
Odd things always happened at the Mikaelson's, but Jake thought he had seen it all. There was a dance coming up, and the social committee, or mainly Rebekah from what he'd heard, had picked the 'Roaring Twenties' according to the giant posters plastered over every free surface in school. Jake didn't mind the dances; he actually quite enjoyed them – strangely relaxed, slipping between light conversations with just about every member in school, watching the ladies or the sophomores trying to spike the punch.
You could ask Rebekah... That thought started a riot inside his head. Could he ask her? The only guys who took dates were the jocks who never stayed with whichever cheerleading bimbo they'd asked, or blackmailed into going with them, or the guys actually getting something compared to his single ass. After their 'chat' the week before, they had grown closer, but to Jake it felt like they were in a weird place between 'just friends' and 'in a relationship'. At least, according to every chic-flick his mother had forced him to watch with her, to make sure he 'understood' the female mind. And for the ice-cream – that was a good motivator. Facebook described them perfectly: 'It's complicated.' Very complicated… Original Vampire, over a thousand years old, and an infatuated sixteen year-old from an outdated family. His infatuation led him right there: outside Mikaelson Manor. Well, more specifically, down the street from Mikaelson Manor.
Originally, he was going to text and ask, but he had a feeling Rebekah would've turned him down instantly, dating or not. So it meant a stop off for flowers, and asking in person, the very thought terrifying him. He leaned over for the flowers, but stopped, watching closely from inside his car as the Salvatore brothers walked, or at least one of them, stumbled, down the drive. The older of the two vampires looked awful, black shirt ripped to rags, pale skin sweaty and grey, dark flecks of blood and painful scratches littered across his exposed chest. Stefan hurried him into a dark SUV, not noticing his classmate. Jake raised an eyebrow, watching the Salvatore's speed away, and another duo dashed down the drive.
Rebekah? The blonde tugged on her friend's arm, the other girl rambling along, steps wavering as if she was drunk, head lolling to the side. The teen boy's eyes narrowed, recognising Sarah's trance-like state. Compulsion. As if hearing his thoughts, the Original's head snapped in his direction, face relaxing into relief until Sarah wandered aimlessly into her friend, knocking Rebekah back to her senses. The vampire and human rocketed over to the small car, one more hastily than the other, and Jake got out of the car, looking over the loner girl, before turning to Rebekah.
"Did you mean to melt her brains?" He demanded, coming out angrier than he wanted it to, not really meaning it.
"Can you just get her home?" She snapped, and Jake looked up, seeing the puffy eyes and faint silver tear tracks. "Please?" He nodded, not saying a word, slipping back into the driver's seat, as Rebekah guided herself and Sarah into the back. His eyes flashed towards the vampire, who refused to look at him, then at the bouquet in the front seat. Shit, I've ruined this.
He was a little surprised at the house Rebekah had him stop outside, while she half-dragged Sarah to her door. After dumping her inside, the blonde vampire meandered back to the car, Jake peeking at her though the windows. "Can I give you a lift back?" He asked, trying to remedy the situation. Be classy Jake, she's from another century – literally. Rebekah nodded wordlessly, and opened the passenger door, stopping when she saw the flowers. She looked at him, cocking her head to one side, as if a little confused. He grinned. "They're for you." Her lip twisted upwards for a few seconds, as she lifted them and slid into the seat, noticing how his grin got bigger.
Rebekah lifted them, trying not to show just how pleased she was by the gesture, but then frowned. "Did you get these from a gas station?" She asked, a hint of a disapproving tone in her voice, wanting to smile watching him flounder.
"There are no florists in Mystic Falls; it took me an hour to figure out where I'd find them!"
Rebekah raised an eyebrow. "Outside your house?" She reminded him, and he nodded slowly.
"My mother scares me more than you do," he mumbled under his breath, and the Vampire tried not to snort. Of course she does.
While the bouquet had broken the icy atmosphere, the silence between them quickly became deafening, his confidence wilting. He gripped the wheel tighter, biting the inside of his lip. Just go for it, Jake. "So how's the dance coming along?" He asked, and Rebekah shrugged her shoulders in a very non-committal, non-Rebekah way. Jake bobbed his head, tapping on the steering wheel. Jeez, what's up with her? Like I can talk, grow some balls man and ask her out. He cursed internally and steeled himself. "So, have you got a date for the dance yet?" He asked, surprised when the vampire laughed humourlessly.
"You're the second guy to ask me that." She said bitterly, and Jake visibly slumped in his seat. So she does have a date – God... "No," Wait! "No, I don't have a date; I'll probably need to compel one."
"I'll take you," he blurted, and Rebekah raised an eyebrow, appraising him silently. Jake stilled, watching her scrutinise him, trying to read her impassive face. Way to make a bloke feel good, Rebekah. He smiled adorably at her. "Happily. I bought flowers and everything."
"Gas station flowers," she reminded him. "Okay." Jake blinked dumbly at the blonde still in his car. Did she... agree? "So you'll pick me up here at around 7:30?" It was a question that sounded more like a demand. Wordlessly, he nodded, grinning like an idiot. The Original rolled her eyes. "Idiot," she muttered, a smile hidden in her words.
The teen just smiled away, like the cat with the cream, watching as Rebekah slid out of his car gracefully, and stroll up to the doors. He shook his head, laughing at himself. Seriously Jake? Stop grinning like a madman – you've dated girls before. You're taking her to the Decade Dance, not to your bed. He laughed to himself. But none of them were like Rebekah, the cheerleading Original Vampire. He turned the engine back on, not noticing the blonde halt in surprise on her doorstep before cautiously entering, the door swinging shut behind her ominously.
Now, the hell do I know about Twenties Fashion? Flapper dresses and funny hats? I don't think I could pull off either of those... Jake sighed, running a hand through his hair. His mom was the one good with fashion and that stuff – not that he wasn't, or his mom still bought his clothes, she was just better. It was a mom thing: the immaculate style guide and the ability to find any charger. Moms were good at that. I have that waistcoat from Aunt Rachel's wedding... does that count? Why am I putting so much effort in this time? The only people that do these things properly are the swots organising it... Which includes Rebekah, crap. Jake groaned. It'll have to do, he decided, wandering through to his living room, throwing a 'Fast and Furious' DVD into the player; and settled down onto the sofa. Got a date to the dance with a hot blonde cheerleader... How many other guys can say that?
The ginger cleared his throat, and rapped at the door, taking a moment to straighten his bow tie. His hands went nervously to his hair, checking it was still carefully gelled in place. How his mom had gushed before he escaped to pick up Rebekah, it was like she'd never seen her son so formal. Alex had thankfully been absent from that little scene. Jake frowned impatiently at the double doors in front of him, and knocked again, knowing if Rebekah was inside, she'd have to hear him.
He jogged over to the window and peered through the glass. Inside was the usual opulence expected from the Mikaelson's, but the two blonde Originals were nowhere to be seen. Jake glanced down at his watch. 7:37pm, it read, and the teen bit his lip, knowing he was a little late. He thought Rebekah would've pounced before he even got out of his car, a whirlwind of glamour, chiffon (another example of his mother's influence) and beautiful rage. That would've been Rebekah – perfectly elegant and poised in her anger, a cold vampire with fire in her blood.
Did she go without me? Jake thought, and instantly rejected it. No, she's too proud to walk in there without a date, especially if people know I'm taking her. Hesitantly, he tried the door handle, a little unsettled when it gave way. Do they not lock their doors? Then again, who would steal from vampires? Jake tiptoed over the threshold, glancing around the hallway for his blonde vampire. And hopefully not her brother. "Rebekah?" His call echoed throughout the house entrance and up the stairs. This better be some wacko joke Rebekah, he scowled, making his way around the spiralling staircase, his instincts beginning to flare. Where was she?
Is she… standing me up? The thought disgusted him and Jake shook himself. No, she wouldn't, I mean – she's not actually that heartless right? He peered inside every room, looming from the doorway, trying to disturb as little as possible. No need for angry vampires hunting me down because I messed with their stuff. Jake grimaced, his own anger building, pain and bitterness at its core. He stormed outside, back to his car and slammed the door. How dare she! He let a breath out of his nose, and hit the steering wheel, a small voice of reason whispering doubt in his ears. What if she's in trouble? How the hell would I help? I have no idea where she'd be, but – An idea struck him, and he sped away, mind elsewhere as he drove.
The gym looked better than ever, but it held no interest for Jake. Instead, he was scanning the crowds angrily, searching for a certain blonde, or a few vampires that might know something, to chew out. Damn, where is she? I look like a right… Sarah! He spied a different girl. She would know where Rebekah is – girls tell each other everything, the weirdo's. Jake began to walk over, but stopped himself. However, she doesn't know anything about the 'real' Mystic Falls or Rebekah, so why should she know where the hell that vampire is? Jake still tried.
"Hey Sarah," he said awkwardly, and the girl jumped, scrambling fingers through her hair. Typical. "Have you seen Rebekah?" he asked casually, trying to keep his tension out of his voice. The girl sighed, crossing her arms.
"No," she murmured, a little sadly, and Jake strained to hear her quiet voice over the music, and because he'd already narrowed down on the Salvatore brothers in the middle of the dancing fray – they usually knew what was going down in Mystic Falls. "I was meant to meet her here, but she hasn't shown…" Suddenly, she peered up at him curiously. "Aren't you her date to the dance?" She asked, and Jake stiffened, gritting his teeth. He didn't mean to glare down at her, and guilt bloomed in him as she blushed, blue eyes darting downwards. "Oh, oh, guess I wasn't the only one stood up by her." Does she mean to be so annoying? Jake closed his eyes and sighed. Be nice Jake, you're in a bad mood, it's not her fault. "Just can't believe she'd leave me here." Her mumbles only made his guilt deepen. Why do I feel like I'm going to regret this?
Jake turned to face her fully. Fate was either on his side or laughing in his face as the music slowed. He held out his hand. "Sarah, would you like to dance with me?" Her pink dusting turned to a scarlet block at his question. He felt the urge to tack on 'just as friends!'. Well, I think she'd get the message. Sarah didn't meet his eyes but held out a hand for him to take and neither looked at each other as he led her out to the dance floor.
The teen held her firmly and stiffly and further from himself than others around them. He eyed her quickly and looked away before he got caught. Jake accidently met Matt Donovan's eye, and the jock raised his eyebrows at him and Sarah. Jake rolled his eyes, shaking his head. He could feel Sarah tensing and looking up at him but he didn't meet it. Rebekah… I hope you're okay – the only reason you'd miss this is if you're being strapped down. He grimaced and let go of Sarah, the awkward swaying stopping.
"I need to go, I'm sorry, but I really, really do." He blurted, watching Damon and Stefan Salvatore leave, but saw the girl's shoulders droop a little. Great now she's alone again, and this time it's my fault. "You look really nice though – I'm sure someone else will ask for a dance." While she had flushed at the compliment, she then snorted and he cringed.
He pushed it away as he left, stalking after the vampire brothers, the heat and music from the gym dropping into cool silence outside in the halls. He moved to catch up with them, ask them about Rebekah, but his phone flared to life, and when he answered it, all thoughts of his blonde Original left him.