Chapter 9

It is Friday afternoon and school is over. I am very happy that I don't have any meeting today. Which is great because Alaric, Lindsay and I all made plans to go to The Grill later tonight.

I smile to myself as I drive home. I am just so glad I am actually making friends.

"What are you so happy about?" Kalinda asks me, breaking my train of thought.

I had completely forgotten she was in the car.

"Nothing, just happy I am actually making friends," I say taking a quick glance at her.

"Yeah, with my teachers," she mumbles.

I laugh, and she looks at me annoyed and sighs.

"Why are you so against me making friends with your teachers?" I ask curiously.

"I don't know. I just find it weird," she shrugs.

"So, are you going to tell me the reason why you want me wearing this necklace yet?" I ask changing the topic as I pull into the driveway.

"You are just going to have to trust me," she smiles and hops out of the car.

I will get the answer out of her at some point.

"Are you doing anything tonight?" I ask Kalinda as I make my way to the living room where she was sitting on the couch.

"No," she answers. "Why?"

"Because I am going to The Grill tonight with Alaric and Lindsay," I inform her. "I just wanted to let you know. Plus, I didn't want to worry about coming home, and you not being here."

She rolls her eyes, "Even if I were I wouldn't technically need to inform you."

"But you're not though, right?"

"No," she confirms. "When are you going?" she asks curiously.

"Eight," I answer.

"You're not going to come home drunk are you?" she asks and then bursts into laughter.

"That will be the day," she chokes out through laughter.

"I will have you know that I am driving there, and you know I don't like drinking. I am just going there to talk to them, and it gives me something to do," I say as her laughter dies down.

"Goodness forbid you actually have some fun, Paige," I roll my eyes at the comment and get up from the couch. "I'm going on a walk. I'll be back in time to make supper," I call walking to the front door. I grab my jacket because it was kind of chilly today.

"Bye," she calls and I hear her start to giggle. I glance at my cell phone and see it is 3:00. I have two hours to kill before I would have to return home and make supper.

I walk down the street not necessarily having any destination in mind; I just wanted some fresh air. "How are you today, Paige?" I hear someone ask from behind me. I recognize the British accent almost immediately.

I hesitantly turn around and put on a smile. What Alaric said on Monday rings through my head, I mean I still don't know what to think of him, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be polite.

"I am doing good today. How are you, Elijah?" I answer and then ask in return.

"I am doing fine, thank you for asking," he says with a smile. "It's been a while since we have seen each other," he says walking closer to me.

"It has," I agree.

"How have you been doing?" he asks curiously. "Is the teaching job going well?"

"Yes, it is going fine. I was exhausted there for a little bit, but I have gotten used to it," I shrug.

"I am glad that you are adapting to it."

"I am," I confirm. "How have you been doing?"

"Fine. I have been dealing with some family issues," he says, and I can tell he doesn't want the topic pressed.

"Oh," is all I can think of to say.

Elijah stands there and looks at the woman before him. He glances at the necklace around her neck.

Well, that's interesting. Now, where would she come across something like that?

He sees her blush and realized that he had been staring at her.

"I'm sorry for staring, but I am just curious as to where you got that necklace," he says.

He notices that she hesitates to speak for a minute.

"My father gave it to me. He got my sister and I one," she says, and he sees her face fall into sadness thinking about her father.

"Well, it's a lovely necklace," he says giving her a smile. Although it won't protect you against me.

He is not sure as to whether she knows about vampires or not. It is possible that she doesn't even know that there is anything in the necklace.

"Thank you," she replies, and he watches as she blushes once again.

He looks at her pink tinted cheeks and starts to feel something, but quickly pushes it away.

He finds himself becoming lost in her blue eyes. She really is quite attractive. He snaps himself out of those thoughts. Why am I thinking like this? He asks himself.

"You're welcome," he replies realizing he was staring again. "You know I still feel bad that we were interrupted during our dinner on Saturday," he says. "Would you care to join me again, say tomorrow, and hopefully we will not be interrupted?" he asks but as soon as he does he almost wishes he could take it back. Almost.

What is this woman doing to me? He thinks as he waits for her answer.

I don't know what to say. I mean, I really want to say yes, but Alaric's words are haunting me.

"Yes," I say. Until he gives me a reason not to trust him, I can't really judge him. Plus, I don't want to be rude.

"Excellent," he says with a smile. "Does 1:00 work for you?"

"Yes, that should be fine," I assure.

"Until tomorrow, Paige," he says and gently kisses the top of my hand.

"Goodbye," I say feeling myself blush as he walks away.

I walk for a little while longer until I decide to head back home.

"I'm home, Kalinda!" I call once I am in the house.

"Ok!" she calls from upstairs as I walk into the kitchen. Since I have a little over three hours before I am meeting Lindsay and Alaric at The Grill, I decide to make chicken and mashed potatoes for supper.

"Ok, whatever you are making smells delicious," Kalinda says walking in.

"Thank you. It's chicken and mashed potatoes with corn and peas," I say setting the table.

"Yummy!" she exclaims helping me set the food on the table.

During dinner we talk about almost everything on our minds. I ask her yet again about the necklace, but she avoids it. After we eat she offers to clean the dishes, so I can get ready for tonight.

By the time I finish getting ready it is 7:50.

I hurry down the stairs and grab my purse and jacket and head for the door.

"Bye, Kalinda!" I call and then rush out the door to my car.

When I reach The Grill, it is 8:05.

Well, I'm only five minutes late, not that bad. I think to myself as I get out of the car and walk into The Grill.

"Hey, Paige, over here," Lindsay calls from the bar.

I walk over to where Alaric and her are sitting and take a seat by Alaric.

"Hi Paige," he greets.

"Hi, Alaric. Hi, Lindsay," I say greeting them as well.

"Hi," Lindsay smiles.

"What would you like to drink?" the bar tender asks me.

I order a strawberry wine cooler.

"Not big into drinking are you?" Lindsay asks curiously.

"Not really," I say as the bar tender hands me my drink.

"How old are you?" she asks curiously.

"21," I answer taking a sip of my drink.

"Oh, wow. So you've only started drinking," she states. "When is your birthday?"

"October 5," I answer.

"I'm sure by then you will be more adventurous as to what you get to drink," she says with a confident smile.

I just smile in return.

I mean she is nice and all, but I don't really think she thinks before she says anything. She seems so full of energy. I think to myself.

"I think you are annoying her, Lindsay," Alaric says.

"No, it's fine," I smile.

"See, Alaric," Lindsay says, happy he wasn't right.

Alaric rolls his eyes.

I giggle.

Alaric finishes off his drink and orders another one, and soon after Lindsay does the same.

I have barely drunk half of mine, and they are already on their second glasses of rinks.

"Hello, Alaric. How are you today?" someone asks from beside us.

I look over to see a man with blond hair and blue eyes.

I look over and see an annoyed, yet angry look on Alaric's face.

"Who's this?" the man asks me. I not he has a British accent like Elijah's. "I haven't seen you around before."

"I'm Paige Emerose," I say introducing myself. "I just recently moved here with my sister about a week ago."

"Pleased to meet you, Paige," he smiles. "I'm Klaus Mikaelson," he introduces himself.

That explains the British accent. I bet he is one of Elijah's siblings.

"You, too," I smile, as he kisses the top of my hand.

"What do you want, Klaus?" Alaric says, and I can see he is angry.

"I'm going to go to the restroom," Lindsay says excusing herself.

"No need to be rude, Alaric," Klaus says and orders a drink. "I'm just trying to be friendly."

"Sure," Alaric mumbles.

I wonder why they don't like each other.

When Klaus receives his drink he takes a sip. I see him stare at my necklace.

"I see you are already trying to protect the new people in town," Klaus says to Alaric gesturing toward my necklace.

I see Alaric glance at it.

What in the world does he mean by that? I think. What in the heck is up with this necklace? What did Kalinda give me?

"He didn't give it to me, my father did," I lie again for the second time today.

"Is that so?" Klaus says and take another drink. "Does she know anything about this town?" Klaus asks Alaric curiously.

I look over at Alaric and see his facial expression turn to confusion and he looks at me.

"What do you mean? I am confused," I say honestly.

"Now you're not playing dumb are you, sweetheart?" Klaus asks me, and I cringe slightly.

His voice almost sounded menacing.

"N…no," I stutter. He stares at me some more, and I start to squirm under his gaze.

"Hmm," he says. "I'm sure you'll find out soon enough. Especially since you are associating with him," he looks over at Alaric, and smirks when he sees Alaric's face go white.

"I think it's time for you to leave, Klaus," Alaric says threateningly.

"Don't tell me what to do, Alaric. But, you're right. I've got some things to take care of," Klaus says standing up. "It was nice meeting you, Paige," he says with a smirk and ten leaves.

I cringe again. That smile or smirk or whatever it was did not seem sincere.

"Hey guys. Sorry I took so long. I didn't want to interrupt your conversation so I talk to Sarah for a little bit," she says gesturing to a table that a woman is seated at.

"It's fine, Lindsay," Alaric says, but I can tell he is still upset over Klaus's words.

She smiles.

"Alaric, what was he talking about?" I question as he orders another drink.

"Nothing," Alaric answers. "He was just trying to scare you off."

"You know what guys, on second thought, I think I'm going to head out. See you both Monday," Lindsay says standing up.

"See you," Alaric and I say in unison.

"Now, Alaric, please tell me what he meant. Why did he ask if you were trying to protect me? What is up with this necklace? Is he Elijah's brother? I ask all in one breath.

"I already told you he meant nothing. Yes he is Elijah's brother. It would benefit you to stay away from him as well. About that necklace, just make sure you keep it on at all times," he answers, finishing yet another drink.

I take another sip of mine; trying to calm the anger I am feeling.

"I think you've had enough drinks!" I exclaim, as he is about to order another. "And please, why must I keep this necklace on? What is so important about this necklace?" I ask really annoyed and irritated that he won't answer.

"It will benefit you and protect you," is all he says.

"Protect me from what? It is just a necklace!" I exclaim furious he wasn't answering.

"Paige, just please promise you will keep it on," he says almost like a question.

"Why should I?" I question angry. "I mean you won't even tell me why!" I exclaim.

First Kalinda! Now him! What the heck!

He sighs obviously frustrated. "Just trust me."

I let out a huff of frustration.

I wonder if there is something wrong with the town. I think as a possibility. All though what would Kalinda know that I didn't. Ugh, this stupid necklace! I scream in my head. People need to stop telling me what to do. I am plenty old enough to make my own decisions.

"Well, I think I am going to go. Goodbye, Alaric," I say not caring if I sounded rude.

"Bye, Paige," he says and I see him order another drink as I walk away.

I am going to have to talk to Kalinda long and hard about this necklace. Now I am starting to think she didn't just give it to me out of the kindness of her heart. I think angrily as I drive home.

Once I reach home, I park in the driveway and hurriedly get out of the car, and into the house.

"Kalinda, where are you?" I ask walking up the stairs.

"Can't it wait until tomorrow?" she asks. "I'm tired."

"I want to know why you gave me this necklace!" I call through her door. "And no excuses! Tell me now! What do you know that I don't?"

I wait for a reply, but it never comes.

"Kalinda!" I call angrily. "Answer me now! There was another reason you gave it to me besides wanting to be nice, wasn't there?" I ask.

"Paige, please just trust me that is all I am asking. Please!" she calls desperately through the door.

"I will get it out of you and for your sake it better not be anything bad or dangerous," I call threateningly, and walk to my room. I flop down on my bed and scream into my pillow.

I wish someone would just be honest with me. I think as I stand up and get ready for bed.

Once finished I lie down and try to fall asleep.

Unfortunately for me, I can't fall into a deep sleep and wake up a lot during the night.