Chapter 7

-Sunday Afternoon-

Elijah was sitting on a couch in the mansion his brother, Niklaus, had recently renovated, thinking about Saturday night. He honestly had no idea why he had decided to ask that woman to dinner. It is not like he knew her.

Maybe it was out of pity. He thinks. I mean her parents had just recently died, and she was all alone with no friends, sitting in a park.

It was possible he just felt sorry for her and wanted her to have a little fun. Although the more he thought about it, the more that answer seemed less and less right.

I mean she is a pretty woman, with her black hair and sea blue eyes. He thinks but quickly slaps himself mentally.

He didn't have time to think that way about some woman, especially since his mother was back from the dead, so to speak.

I need to focus on what her intentions are because I don't truly believe a word she is saying. And then there is that ball that we are planning on having in a little while. He thinks going over the plans in his head. I wonder if I should invite her. I bet she would look lovely in a ball gown.

He is quickly pulled out of his thoughts as his brother, Kol, walks into the room.

"What were you thinking about?" he asks curiously taking a seat on one of the chairs in front of the couch.

"That is none of your business, brother," Elijah answers.

"I was just curious," Kol defends. "I had walked by a little while ago and you were staring with a blank look on your face."

"Am I not allowed to think?" Elijah asks rather harshly.

"Of course you are. No need to get angry, brother. Kol says in a rather bored tone, although he did like making his brother annoyed.

"Is there any other reason as to why you came in here, besides to disturb my thoughts?" Elijah asks annoyed as he sees his brother smirk.

"Not really," Kol shrugs and puts his hands behind his head and smiles as his brother leaves the room annoyed.

My family. Elijah thinks as he walks up the stairs to his room to continue his thinking, where he hopefully wouldn't be disturbed.

Unfortunately his thoughts returned to that woman, Paige that was her name.

He just honestly didn't have time for this, but that woman was stirring feeling in him that he hasn't felt in a very long time.

He sighs and decides he would think later on about what to do about his mother. He walks out of his room and decides to take a walk. Maybe the fresh air would clear his head. He hopes as he walks down the sidewalk.

-Monday Morning-

I pull into the school parking lot and Kalinda quickly jumps out.

"Have a good day!" I call as she walks in. I gather my things and head in as well, to my classroom.

I only teach three classes a day which are chorus, which anyone can join, select choir, any guy or girl by audition, and women's choir, any woman by audition. I also have a study hall at the very end of the day, but other than that I have three free periods, but that includes lunch, so technically two free periods.

I sit down at the piano and wait for my first period students to file in. The first thing I taught was chorus for everyone.

Soon enough the bell rings and my students are sitting down ready to go. I quickly take attendance and once finished, I begin warming the kids up.

"Now class, please take out the piece we were singing yesterday. Let's start on page two, measure 10," I say giving them their starting note.

For the next forty-five minutes we sing and then the bell rings. They file out of the classroom.

My next period was free so I decide to get on my laptop and look for some songs the kids might be interested in singing.

I sigh to myself after a while of searching and look at the clock. It is 8:55 only five minutes until this period is over. Too bad it is only Monday. This teaching job is getting tiring and it's only been a few days. Granted I probably don't need to work because we are basically rich, but it feels good to make your own money. Plus it's not like I really have a social life. At least this gets me out of the house.

The bell rings, signaling the next period, which was woman's choir.

I put my laptop away and wait for my students to file in. once they are in and the bell rings I take attendance, and then we sing.

"Kelsi, I want you singing soprano on this song," I say as we start to work on our next piece.

"Alright," she says and takes a seat next tot the rest of the sopranos.

For the rest of the class period we sing and listen to a few demonstrations of their songs.

The bell rings signaling the next period, which was lunch. I grab my lunchbox from my office and head to the teachers lounge.

I know it's probably silly seeing a grown woman carrying a lunch box, but I never liked school food when I was in school, and I don't plan on eating it now.

I reach the teachers lounge and notice there is only two people in it: Alaric and some woman. Everyone else must have decided to eat in his or her rooms.

"Hi, Paige," Alaric says as I sit down in front of him.

"Hi, Alaric," I smile.

"Paige, this is Lindsay Calaway, the art teacher. Lindsay, this is Paige Emerose, the new chorus teacher," Alaric says, introducing us.

"Nice to meet you," she smiles and we shake hands.

"You, too."

"How are you liking teaching here?" she asks curiously.

"It's fun, but tiring," I say getting my sandwich out of my lunchbox.

"You have only been here for a few days, and you're already exhausted?" she questions. "Well, I can tell you it just gets worse from here."

"Lindsay, you don't have to be so negative, it's not that bad," Alaric assures joining in the conversation. "I'm sure it will get better once you get use to everything."

"Yeah," I agree taking a bite of my sandwich.

"So, where did you move here from?" she asks after a few moments of silence.

"Florida," I answer.

"Really? Why the heck would you leave Florida and move to a town like this?" she exclaims.

"Well, my parents died in a fire and my sister and I agreed that we could not live there anymore because of the bad memories," I say and watch her expression grow sorrowful.

"Oh my gosh! I am so sorry," she says apologetically.

"You didn't know," I say not wanting her to feel bad.

"You mentioned you had a sister. What is her name?"

"Kalinda."

"Oh my goodness. I have her in one of my art classes. She is an excellent student and a great artist," she says excitedly. "Do you have her in any of your history classes, Alaric?" she asks turning to look at Alaric.

"Yes, I do, and she is an excellent student. I can tell she really enjoys history," he says obviously proud of her effort in class, just like Lindsay.

"Well, I am very glad to hear she is doing good in both of your classes," I say, finishing my food.

"Well, I should probably head back to my class. Lunch is going to be over soon," Lindsay says standing up. "Bye Alaric, bye Paige," she says and then walks out the door.

"Bye," Alaric and I say in unison.

"Would you like to go to The Grill and grab a drink with me after school?" Alaric questions.

"Sure," I answer with a smile.

"Great," he says standing up. "See you then," he says and leaves.

"Bye," I say.

I head back to my classroom and wait for my select choir students to file in.

At least the day is almost over.

The rest of the day goes surprisingly fast, and I am happy when the bell rings.

"Hey, I don't need a ride home," Kalinda says walking to the room. "Caroline is going to take me."

"Okay," I say. "That actually works out, because I am going to go to The Grill with Alaric and grab a drink."

"Ugh, I told you no making friends with my teachers," she says with a teasing smile.

"Oh, well live with it," I shrug and smile.

"See you," she says and leaves.

"Bye," I call back, but I doubt she heard me.

I get out to the parking lot and see Alaric standing by my car.

"Ready to go?" he asks with a smile.

"Yep," I say and he leaves and walks to his car.

Once I get there, I turn my car off and wait for Alaric to get out of his car, and then I quickly get out of mine.

Once in he leads me over to the bar and orders a beer, and I order a wine cooler. I wasn't big on drinking.

The bar tender has our drinks to us in no time, and as soon as we receive them Alaric takes a sip of his.

"You know, there is a reason I asked you here," Alaric says, staring at me.

"Oh?" I question, starting to feel uncomfortable.

"I saw you here with Elijah on Saturday," he says and takes a drink.

"You were here?" I ask wondering how the heck I had missed him.

"Yep," he confirms. "Now getting back on topic. You should stay away from him, Paige."

"Why?" I question waiting for what his answer would be.

"He is just bad news and not the type of guy you want to associate with."

I shift in my seat wondering what the heck he meant by that.

"What do you mean?" I ask afraid to hear what he was going to say. I take a sip of my drink and try to calm my nerves.

"It's hard to explain. It's just that he and his family have caused some issues," he says but doesn't make eye contact.

"Like?" I press wanting answers.

"Just trust me when I say he isn't all he appears to be. That includes his family as well," Alaric says staring off into space, obviously thinking about something.

It bothers me so much that he won't answer the question.

I start to become really panicked.

I mean had I gone out with an ex convict or maybe he was some leader of a gang or what. I take a deep breath. There are just so many thoughts running through my head.

"Just promise me that you won't get involved with and stay away from him," Alaric says bringing his attention back to me.

"Why though?" I ask.

"Just trust me," he says with hope.

"I can't trust you though unless I get an explanation," I say not ready to back down.

He sighs and finishes off his drink.

"Please just listen to me. I promise it will benefit you in the long run," he says standing up from the bar and leaving money on the counter.

I notice that it is enough to pay for both of us.

"You don't have to pay for mine," I say as he starts to walk away.

"It's fine," he calls. "Goodbye, Paige."

"Bye, Alaric," I call back and then sigh.

I still don't know what Alaric was talking about. I finish up my drink and then head to the car.

My thoughts drift to Saturday night with Elijah.

He didn't seem like a person to stay away from, in fact he seemed like a perfect gentleman.

But looks can be deceiving. I think as I pull into my driveway.

"Kalinda, I'm home," I call as I walk into the house.

"Ok," she calls from the living room.

I walk up the stairs to my room and lay down on my bed.

I am just so confused. I close my eyes and drift into a light sleep. When I wake up, I see it is suppertime so I go down stairs to the kitchen and start making food.

I decide on making Caesar salads and fruit cocktail as well.

"Dinner is ready," I call to Kalinda.

"Coming," she calls walking into the kitchen.

"This looks good," she says sitting down.

"Thank you," I say with a smile.

There really isn't much talking during supper.

After supper she does the dishes and I walk up the stairs to my room.

I fall asleep thinking about everything that has happened.