Chapter 12: Unlucky Thirteen

"Thirteen."

"Isn't it an unlucky number?"

"Well in Italy 13 is considered lucky so I suppose I shouldn't be worried."

"But the problem is I don't live in Italy."

"I can't believe I'm starting my teenager life from today."

"Am I really going to act differently now? Be more difficult and more dramatic."

"Would I complicate the most simplest thing?"

"But how would I realize that I'm changing?"

"Well my body is definitely changing. Why the hell girls need to grow breasts?"

"And most important question, now that I am finally thirteen, am I allowed to have a boyfriend now? Or is it still too soon?"

"You know talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity." Kol said as he leaned against the doorframe of Shanyra's room. Shae was talking to her reflection in the mirror which was nothing unusual for her.

"Or sign of imminent genius." She said looking at Kol with a sweet and proud smile.

"I see. So genius, would you give me an approximate time of when you're coming downstairs. The guests have already arrived." Kol said as he walked inside the room. There was a huge party at the mansion today and the occasion was Shanyra's birthday. The originals and Caroline have arranged for everything.

"First tell me how do I look?" Shae asked posing stylishly before Kol. She was wearing a beautiful off white dress. Her hair was styled beautifully thanks to Caroline and Rebekah. And of course she was wearing light make ups as well to look perfect. Shae looked just like a fairy princess in her outfit. Kol checked her from head to toe. She truly looked beautiful. But the original wasn't going to admit that. Not out loud.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, I'll give you a solid 4." Kol said thoughtfully as if he came to that decision after a lot of consideration. Shae's jaw dropped as she gaped at him with disbelieve in her eyes.

"What? 4!"

"Yes, but since it's your birthday and since I'm a generous person, I'd give you 5, okay 5.5. But that's the highest I could give you." He said quite enthusiastically.

"You are the most horrible judge ever Kol." Shae said scoffing at him. She looked back at the mirror again and smiled at her own reflection.

"I think I'm 10 on 10." She said looking at herself with pride. Kol on the other hand shook his head to himself.

"You know you can stare at yourself all you want after the party is over." He said. A playful smirk was gracing his lips.

"I can't help it Kol. Oh lord! Why am I so beautiful?" Shanyra said dramatically and afterwards she sent herself a flying kiss in the mirror. A light chuckle escaped Kol's breath. He just couldn't help it.

"How can you be so narcissistic at such a young age?" He asked while walking closer to her. Shae shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly at Kol.

"Is it really my fault? I live with you remember. Not to mention, I consider you my idol." She said grinning at the original who playfully glared at her in return.

"I'm not a narcissist darling." Kol defended himself.

"I only say I'm handsome because that's the truth. An undebatable fact." He said with a smirk.

"Say that to yourself." Shae retorted back immediately. After living months with Kol Mikaelson, she'd believe about anything but the fact that Kol was not a narcissist. The original rolled his eyes at Shanyra.

"Okay, come on now, chip chop, people are waiting for you." Kol hurried her but she made no move to leave the room as she kept staring at herself in the mirror. Not precisely to gaze at herself but to irritate the original. Kol knowing what she was doing, wrapped an arm around her shoulders and rather forcefully led her out of the room. Shanyra has grown a little taller in these months. She reached Kol's shoulders now, barely though. While walking down a corridor, Shae inhaled a deep breath and a smirk appeared on her lips.

"Someone is wearing my favorite cologne today. Nice." She said appreciating it. Kol didn't bother denying it either that he was wearing it for her.

"Well, it is your big day today after all." He said.

"Or you are trying to impress me. Though you didn't have to do that. The answer is yes anyway" said Shae.

"Of which question?" Kol asked curiously.

"Well in case you're planning on asking me to be your girlfriend today. I just don't want you to be nervous about it." She said smirking. The original couldn't help but laugh at that. Shaking his head to himself, he said-

"Sorry to disappoint you love but I'll not propose to you. You are just not my type." Kol said smirking causing Shae to hit his shoulder playfully while smiling herself.

"Liar. Admit it, I'm very much your type. Besides, you don't have any other option but me." She said confidently to which Kol scoffed arrogantly.

"You've any idea how many ladies checked me out in this party alone." He said boastfully making Shanyra roll her eyes at him.

"What were you saying earlier about not being a narcissist again?" She said making the original smirk widely.

They finally got downstairs in the hall where everyone was gathering and waiting for the birthday girl to arrive. People of all ages were there in the crowd, attending this party. Kids from Shanyra's school and their parents. Caroline invited over her friends as well which meant Elena, Bonnie and even Damon was here too. Hayley was also attending the party with her baby girl. Shae adored baby Hope very much and insisted that she must be at her birthday party. Unfortunately, the child's life was always in danger being Klaus' daughter and all. One person or another was always threatening to kill her. That was so unfair. Anyway, everyone started wishing Shanyra one by one as she walked through the crowd and met the guests. Though she was more eager to speak with her loved ones than the stranger people.

"Shanyra, you look beautiful honey" said Liz as she kissed the birthday girl.

"Thank you aunt Liz." Shae hugged her aunt saying that. Though she called Liz her aunt but she was much more than that. She was like a mother to her now. At times, Shae hoped that her aunt would just adopt her.

"Shae, time to cut the cake." Caroline said and she took her to the table where a huge birthday cake was waiting for her. Shanyra stood in front of it and Rebekah lit the candles for her. Exactly thirteen of them.

"Come on Shae, make a wish." Someone from the crowd yelled. A blush appeared on her cheeks. Shae closed her eyes and made a wish. Kol couldn't help but wonder what was she wishing for. Then Shae opened her eyes again and blew the candles. Everyone clapped and cheered for her. Then she cut the cake as everyone sang 'happy birthday' to her. The party went on hours after that. The DJ played the music and songs. Everyone danced especially the kids. The adults enjoyed themselves as well. It was way past twelve o'clock when the party finally ended and everyone went home. Shanyra however didn't want to go to bed yet even though she was feeling quite exhausted. Instead she stood in the balcony and stared at the stars in the night sky. A heavy sigh escaped her breath. Shae didn't know why but she was suddenly feeling worried. Her life was too good, too perfect to be true. And she feared that suddenly it'd be over before she knew it. Moreover, she wouldn't be able to do anything about it either. What if all these was just a dream? What if she wakes up one day? Shae hoped that day never comes to pass. She dreaded the mere thought of it, handling it for real would be far too much for her.

Shanyra was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't even realize that Kol was standing there, right behind her. The original came seeking Shae as he wanted to talk to her. But when he found her; he stopped himself from speaking up and announcing his presence to her. Seeing Shae so absentminded to her surroundings, a smirk appeared on Kol's face. He walked closer to her with stealthy steps and suddenly wrapped his arms around her from behind. Shanyra jumped up and yelped loudly. Her heartbeat increased instantly. The original started laughing at her facial expression. She actually turned pale for a moment. After Shae calmed down enough and her heartbeat slowed down, she glared at Kol heatedly. She also pushed him away from her angrily.

"How mature of you Kol. You almost gave me a heart attack." Shanyra yelled at him as she complained. Her hands were on her hips as she watched Kol with narrowed eyes. The original pressed his lips together to stop himself from laughing more but small chuckles escaped his breath anyway.

"You should've seen your face. It was hilarious." Kol couldn't help but mock her, making Shae roll eyes at him. She turned away from him and huffed in anger. She even crossed her arms over her chest to show that she was feeling touchy. Kol sighed out and proceeded to apologize knowing She wouldn't talk to him until he did.

"Sorry darling. I just couldn't resist it." Kol said truthfully. Shae turned to face him again but she still looked pissed off.

"Why do you vampires love sneaking up on people so much? Is it like a side effect or something?" She asked with annoyance in her voice.

"May be" replied Kol with a smirk, making Shanyra roll her eyes to herself.

"Between the two of us, I'm the one thirteen here Kol." She said making a point.

"So?" The original asked with a shrug off his shoulder. Shae opened her mouth to give him a proper answer to that but then she changed her mind suddenly.

"Never mind." She said and dropped the topic abruptly. Then asked-

"What are you doing here anyway?"

"I was looking for you" replied Kol being serious this time.

"Well you found me. Now what?" Shanyra asked curiously.

"I haven't given you a birthday present yet" said Kol. Shae immediately got excited. Even though she received many gifts, from many people but obviously she cared about Kol's present the most and couldn't wait to find out what it was. It wasn't really about getting a present. It was about getting a present from Kol Mikaelson. Her soul mate. The most important person in her life, literary.

"Where is it?" She asked excitedly. Shae could barely stop herself from jumping up and down.

"Patience is a virtue love." Kol said smiling. But Shanyra was dying from anticipation. The original reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box. It was nicely wrapped with a bow on top. He gave it to Shae and watched intently as she excitedly unwrapped the gift. However, once Shanyra opened the box, she found nothing inside. It was completely empty. She frown in confusion at first but then she realized what was happening and she glared at Kol.

"A prank. Seriously Kol!" Shae angrily shoved the box back in his hand and started to walk away with a big pout on her lips. But Kol didn't let her leave. He blocked her way in vampire speed.

"This isn't a prank Shae." Kol said seriously.

"This is my way of telling you that I have nothing that I could give you." He said making her frown at him with confusion.

"What do you mean?" Shae asked with soft but confused tone of voice.

"Shae, you are keeping me alive. You have given me a friend. But what could I possibly do for you to return the favors? There is nothing I can give you or do for you that will ever be enough." Kol said, really meaning it because that was what he believed. Shanyra stared at him with unblinking intense eyes as he kept talking.

"I will always be in your debt. Always. And all I could do is thank you for everything." The original said from the bottom of his heart.

"I've never thanked anyone before. Not even you, until now. But you already know that, don't you? My gratitude is my present to you Shanyra. Happy birthday!" Kol said and he kissed her forehead. He waited for Shae to stay something in return but she remained quiet. For a second, Kol thought whatever he said was too heavy for her to understand. But that wasn't true. Shanyra perfectly understood what Kol was saying to her. She just didn't know how to react to it. What should she say in this emotional situation? She didn't know. And she let Kol know that as he was expecting a response from her.

"I don't know what to say Kol." She said truthfully. The original smiled at her for that.

"You don't need to say anything love. I just wanted you to know that I feel very grateful for everything you did and still doing for me. And I'll always try to keep you happy and safe. I promise." Kol said enthusiastically as he cupped Shae's face with one hand and gently caressed her temple with his thumb. Shanyra remained quiet for a moment before speaking up again.

"I appreciate you feeling like that but if you ask me, you have nothing to feel grateful for as it is me who should feel grateful to you. You've gotten me out of hell Kol and gave me a better life. You take care of me, keep me safe. My own father doesn't even know that I exist and my mother, well you know all about her. Like them, you could've just ignored me or not care about me. Hell, you could've kept me locked up in a dungeon instead of providing me all this comfort. You could have chosen to be harsh with me instead of being my friend. And all I'm doing is keeping you alive which at this point is more for me than for you because I cannot imagine a life without you anymore. So yeah, I don't really see any reason for YOU to feel grateful to me." A moment of silence passed between them.

"I thought you've turned thirteen today. How come you are acting like a twenty five year old?" Kol asked with amusement in his voice. The air was getting too intense so he had to lighten it up.

"I can be mature when I want to be." Shae stated it as a matter of fact.

"So why don't you 'want' to be mature all the time?" Kol asked with mirthful voice. Shae shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly at him and said-

"Where's the fun in that?" The original shook his head to himself.

"Now as you haven't given me a real gift, you need to do something for me." Shanyra said in a demanding tone of voice. Kol rolled his eyes to himself but agreed anyway.

"What do I need to do princess?" A smile spread across her lips and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Dance with me."

Kol sighed out heavily but the smile on his lips proved that he was more than happy to oblige. He offered his hand to Shae which she took eagerly and excitedly. Kol swirled her once before pulling her close to him. They danced with music that only they heard. Shae wasn't an expert but Rebekah has taught her a few simple dance steps. She giggled as Kol swirled her again. Maybe thirteen wasn't going to be unlucky for Shanyra after all. Maybe it would prove to be a good year for her. She would find that out with passing time no doubt but for the time being, she simply enjoyed dancing with her soul mate.