This is an idea I got from watching Switched At Birth (not the actual switched at birth plot, but a side plot from a later season) though I tweaked it a bit. Somehow I just had to include this Kol and Hayley angst.

Kol never thought he'd be happy to return to school. He's spent a whole week out in his younger space. Elijah still had to work so he was mostly home with Hayley. She rarely left his side. They went to the park where she compelled everyone to think nothing of a teenager running around and acting silly. There were trips to the zoo and the arcade. They'd also stay at home, curled up and watching movies. When Elijah came home, they'd go out to eat or the theater. He spent every night in their bed.

Now, it's back to reality. While that means homework and boring teachers, he also gets to see his friends again. The only other person he knows like him is Marcel and they're still not on the best of terms, even when they're smaller.

"What was wrong with you anyway?" Tate asks.

"I had the flu," Kol lies as he pulls his lunchbox from his bag. That's what the doctor's note says anyway.

"You sure get sick a lot," Evan points out.

Kol shrugs. "I've never had the best immune system."

They've managed to dodge Kol getting truancy reports as it's rare he drops during the school day. Combined with the school believing that Kol had some sort of disease that lead to him being homeschooled, it's believable that he may need to miss a day or two here and there. The compelled principal doesn't think anything of it, so long as he keeps up with his work.

Kol unzips his lunchbox. For awhile, he was buying the school's meals but they switched vendors and the new food is disgusting. His mom agreed to start packing as Kol usually forgets in the morning.

Just as he's pulling out the various ziplock bags, he finds a heart shaped sticky note stuck to one of them.

I hope you're having a good day, Lovebug. Call me if you need me. Love, Mama.

Kol's face turns red as he quickly crumples up the note beyond visibility. That's been a downside of Hayley packing his lunches. She cuts his sandwiches into hearts and leaves embarrassing notes. He's lucky that his friends haven't caught on yet.

"You hear the Halloween dance might be canceled?" Evan asks.

Kol arches a brow. "Why?"

"A bunch of the chaperones caught the flu. Guess it's going around."

"Isn't that thing supposed to be kind of lame anyway?"

"Nah. A bunch of people blow off the actual dancing and hang out outside. Some pull pranks."

Kol puffs his lips as he thinks about it. "Sounds potentially not boring."

"Well, now it probably won't happen," Tate says, picking apart his stale hot dog bun.

Kol sighs. He can't believe he's disappointed over some stupid school dance. When he went to MFHS, he tended to skip events like that. Now, he wants to take part in all that traditional hoopla. He swears this is his last go around in high school, might as well make it count.

Then again, he's a freshman. He still has plenty of time.

It's rare for Hayley, Kol and Elijah to have dinner on their own. Tonight, however, everyone else is out. Rebekah and Matt have a date night. Klaus took Caroline and Marcel to see some play. So, the three of them gather in the kitchen rather than the dining room.

"Did you wash your hands, baby?" Hayley asks as Kol slips into the chair.

He holds back an eye roll. "Yes, Mama."

"Good. Here, I fixed you a plate."

She places it in front of him. The steak is cut up already and there's more veggies than he would've grabbed. Kol sighs, stabbing his fork into the meat. Elijah and Hayley settle down, getting to work on cutting their own.

"So," Hayley says. "Anything exciting happening at school?"

"Not really," Kol replies as he takes the first few bites. The steak is cooked to perfection. His dad's really learned his way around a grill.

"The Halloween dance is at risk of being shut down," Elijah offers up the conversation.. "Not enough chaperones."

Hayley frowns, glancing at Kol. "Were you going to that?"

Kol shrugs. "Yeah, but what can you do?"

"I'd volunteer myself, but that's the night Klaus and I are meeting with some of the witches to see if we can barter for more daylight rings for his and Marcel's men," Elijah says. "I know Matt offered, but even then, I think they're still one short of the official minimum per the school handbook."

Kol tries to hide his relief that his dad can't come. Matt won't be so bad. Sure, he won't let Kol get away with anything but he'll keep his distance and be cool. Just as he is when they go to the football games.

Hayley tilts her head. "Just one more volunteer?"

Elijah nods. "Aye."

"Why didn't you ask me? I would've done it."

Kol grips his fork as Elijah smiles. "You would?"

"I only managed to attend a few dances back in my day, and those were only junior high before my parents threw me out." She shrugs. "It could be fun."

Kol tries to keep his voice even. "But don't you have plans with Caroline?"

"We were just going to put together the treat bags for Halloween, but we can do that on Thursday." Hayley smiles. "It'll be fun. I'll get to dress up. I never get to see you with your friends."

Kol doesn't say that there's a reason for that. Why is his mom suddenly so interested in all this? She's never volunteered before.

"I won't embarrass you, I promise," Hayley says, squeezing his hand. "I'm the one who convinced your daddy not to call you your nicknames at school, right?"

All Kol can do is nod. He could make a big deal of it, but he thinks of how excited Tate and Evan were for the dance. If they ever found out there was a way it could've gone on, they'll likely never let him live it down.

Just as they equally would if Hayley embarssses him.

"I think this is a great idea," Elijah says, smiling. "I'll let the head of the PTA know in the morning."

"I'll talk to her. I've been meaning to join." Kol stares down at his plate with wide eyes. "They're always asking for volunteers and it's not like I have much else to do."

Kol stuffs his mouth with food. If he says what is on his mind, he's going to get in trouble. Big trouble. Why in the world is his mom doing this? If she wants a job so badly, she could get it literally anywhere else. It's bad enough he has Elijah walking the halls, but now his mom is going to be at every bake sale and school car wash?

Why in the world did he get stuck with the overly involved parents?

"Kol, slow down," Hayley says, rubbing his back. "You're going to choke. Here, have some water."

She holds the glass up to his lips. Kol takes it away from her, swallowing his food and taking a sip of water. Hayley gives him a Look, a very maternal one telling him to be careful. He can't hold an eye roll back this time.

"Kol," Elijah warns. "Mind your mama."

Kol mutters under his breath. It goes ignored as the family resumes their dinner.

Friday afternoon, Kol stands out in front of the school with some of the guys. Evan and Tate are still inside, but MG and Landon have joined him. The three toss around a football, Kol holding back his strength as he tosses it. Matt's taught him some basic moves. No tackling or anything, but more so sim and touchdowns. His parents won't let him join the team, but at least he can keep up with his friends who are.

"What are you going as tonight?" Landon asks, tossing the ball to MG.

"Miles Morales, pre-Spider-Man."

Kol snorts. "So, just regular clothes?"

"I was too lazy to get a costume and now all the good ones are sold out."

"Told you to get there earlier."

MG rolls his eyes, tossing the football straight for his chest. Kol quickly catches it. "And you're going as?"

"A cereal killer. Just pinned a bunch of little boxes of Lucky Charms and junk to an old jacket. Jammed some plastic knives in them and squirted some fake blood."

The costume had been his mom's idea. Elijah found it a bit on the nose, but he was vetoed. If Kol can't laugh about his past, he'll just overthink it. Hayley made it for him, even though Kol tried to claim he could do it himself.

"That's actually not so bad," Landon says. "Better than my Marty McFly costume."

"Huh?" Kol asks, tilting his head as he tosses him the ball.

"You've never seen Back To The Future ?"

"Am I supposed to know what that is?"

Landon shakes his head. "Dude, sometimes I wonder if you lived under a rock."

A rock. A coffin. What's the difference really?

"My dad wasn't really big on TV," Kol only half-fibs. "Until he met my mom, we just watched documentaries on Ancient Egypt or whatever."

MG laughs. "Sounds like a good time."

Kol opens his mouth to say something, when he hears a familiar voice. "Hey, sweetheart!"

He tenses up, not turning around.

"Isn't that your mom?" Landon asks.

Kol faces him. "I don't know, is it?"

MG glances over his shoulder. "Yup. Damn, she's younger than your dad."

"I was adopted, remember?"

Kol doesn't have the energy to go into the whole backstory they've concocted. He hears his mom's footsteps draw closer. She taps him on the shoulder and he reluctantly turns around. Hayley stands there holding a bunch of bags from the party store. A huge smile is on her face as she notes Landon and MG. They're the few friends he has that his parents approve of.

"Hey, Mrs. Mikaelson," MG says with a small wave.

"Hi, boys. Playing football?"

Kol nods, holding back from clicking his tongue. "What are you doing here?"

"Just setting up the gym with the rest of the PTA."

"The rest?"

"Joined this morning."

Kol grimaces, but he's unsure if his mom notices.

"Do you need any help carrying that?" Landon offers.

Hayley's smile widens. "Thanks, Landon. That'd be great. Here…" She adjusts the bags to take her keys out of her pocket. They fall in Kol's hand. "Baby, help your friend. I have more in the trunk."

Kol's cheeks burn. MG stays behind to help her with the bags she already has, while the other two head to the car.

"Your mom's really nice," Landon says.

Kol rolls his eyes. "I guess."

"I mean, no offense, but your dad's kind of a hardass. I expected her to be the same."

"She can be, trust me. But she tries to balance him out. Sometimes a bit too much."

Landon arches a brow. "What do you mean?"

Kol pops the trunk. There's about half a dozen bags. "I mean, look at all this." He grabs half, while his friend gets the rest. "No one told her to do all of it."

"She's just trying to help."

"So's your foster mom, but she's not here."

Landon shrugs. "There could be worse things."

Kol isn't sure he agrees, but realizes Landon may not be the best person to vent to. He's been in the system pretty much his whole life, only getting a good family a couple of years back.

So, he changes the subject to their upcoming math test, which is enough to change the mood. Luckily, his mom is too preoccupied with decorating by the time they drop off the bags. She doesn't even notice when the three of them head off to class.

Hayley is still there when the final bell rings. She's sent Kol a text to wait for her, promising she'll be quick. Elijah left early to prep with Klaus for their meeting, so this is his only way to get a ride home.

Kol loiters outside the gym, fiddling with his phone. Tate walks over adjusting his backpack.

"Need a ride?"

Kol shakes his head. "My mom's almost done. Supposedly."

"Damn, she's still here?"

"Yup."

"I peaked my head in before. I don't think any of the dances have looked like that. All the other moms left."

"Yeah, well, my mom doesn't have a life. So, she likes to insert herself into mine."

It's only then Kol allows his senses to fully turn on and he smells his mother's perfume. Tate slowly slinks away, barely getting out a quick goodbye. Kol turns around. Any trace of his mom's smile is gone. Hurt is written in every feature of her face. Kol swallows, instant guilt taking over.

"Mama…"

Hayley purses her lips, shaking her head. "We need to go home."

"But…"

"Let's go."

Kol stands there for a moment, trying to find the words to say to take it all back. He isn't sure he totally didn't mean it, but she wasn't supposed to hear that. Why was then the time she chose to walk out of the gym?

Hayley strides past him without another word. Kol is given no choice but to follow. His mouth opens and shuts along the way, only incoherent noises coming out.

Hayley gets in the car first. Kol slowly enters the passenger side. She simply starts the car and pulls out of the space.

"Mama?" Kol whispers.

Silence.

"Mama, come on. I was just venting."

Hayley keeps her eyes on the road. Kol bites his lip.

"You're going to give me the silent treatment the whole way home?"

Hayley's voice comes out strained. A mixture of hurt, anger and trying not to cry. "Kol, I'm trying to keep myself from saying things that will hurt your feelings. So just, be quiet."

Kol slides down in his seat, folding his arms over his chest.

When they get home, Hayley goes to her room. Kol knows better than to follow. Instead, he gets a head start on his homework. She'll be over it in a few hours. He truly was just venting. She was never meant to hear it. Besides, he wouldn't have said it anyway if she hadn't been doing all of this! He never asked her to!

Kol remains up in his room for the rest of the afternoon. Elijah pokes his head in to say goodbye. Kol is sure he's oblivious to the goings on. His dad would likely lecture him to kingdom come over what he said. Maybe even ground him or spank him. Instead, he gives him a kiss, tells him to be good at the dance and promises he'll be back by bedtime.

No one else comes up to see him, not even Matt. It's not until he's finishing putting on his costume that there's a knock at the door. Upon granting them entry, Rebekah walks in. She's wearing the Barbie costume she picked up at the store. Matt's due to go as Ken. Kol tilts his head.

"Do you have a party to go to tonight?"

Rebekah shakes her head. "I've come to fetch you. Matt's got the truck running."

"What do you mean?"

"The dance starts in 15 minutes."

"Yeah, but since when are you going?"

Rebekah gives him a disappointed Look, one he hasn't seen in quite some time. "Since there needed to be a replacement chaperone. I'll be in the truck."

Kol frowns as he exits the room. He heads down the hall to the master and pushes open the door. Hayley sits in one of the rocking chairs, reading the latest book she picked up from the library. Rather than wearing her Little Red Riding Costume, she's in her clothes from earlier.

"Mama?" She looks hp from the book, a hint of sadness still in her eyes. Just as fast as it appears, it's gone once again. "Why aren't you dressed?"

"Rebekah's going in my place."

"But why?"

"You made it clear you didn't want me there, Kol. You need your space, so I'm giving it to you."

Kol sighs. "Mama, that's not what I meant…"

"No, Kol, you made it perfectly clear I have no life and I'm intruding on yours. So, I won't do that anymore."

Kol shakes his head. "This isn't fair! No one asked you to get involved in this thing to begin with. I wasn't wrong. You inserted yourself."

Hayley bites her lip. She places a marker in her book and sets it on the table. "Do you know why I did that Kol?"

"Because you were bored?"

"No. I did it for you. I knew how excited you were for the dance, but the school wasn't getting a lot of volunteers. Since you think you know everything, did you know there's a shortage of them, not just for this, but in general?" Kol ducks his head. He didn't know that. "I know how much you want to have a normal high school experience. But those things don't put themselves on. I was just trying to help."

"Mama…"

"Is that really what you think of me? That I have no life? No purpose outside being here and waiting for you to come home?"

Kol once again grows quiet. Hayley sighs, shaking her head.

"I found a replacement for tonight. I'll try to do the same for my spot on the PTA." She picks up her book. "Have fun at the dance."

Kol watches as she moves her marker from the book and goes back to reading. He doesn't know what else to say, so he disappears out the door.

The dance is pretty cool. Okay, more than cool. The entire gym is decorated from head to toe in decorations, of orange, purple and black. There's a DJ in the corner, playing not just the top 40, but some classics too. A fog machine is set up and a photo booth with props. The tables are set up with just about every type of Halloween snack that one could think of.

Kol can hear the other kids talking about how they've never seen the dance this great. Most of them don't even bother to go outside, having too much fun at the actual event.

The chaperones are mostly off to the side. Rebekah mans the refreshment table, ensuring the cliched punch spiking scene from movies doesn't happen. She hasn't said much to him. At least Matt is being cordial. Not exactly the same as usual, but not the total ice out like his sister.

Kol somewhat understands. Rebekah may be his sister, but she and Hayley have developed a close bond over the years. Same with her and Caroline. She's the only one who gets how much work their husbands can be.

Halfway through the dance, Kol finds himself outside to decompress from the noise. He can still feel the vibration of the beat, but the cold air acts as a distraction. Standing still, Kol feels something poking him from the inside pocket of his jacket. He reaches in and finds one of his sensory poppers. It's one shaped like a pumpkin. Has to be brand new.

Kol bites his lip as he pokes the little bubbles. A few minutes later, Matt appears beside him.

"Taking a break?"

Kol nods. "Trying to avoid sensory overload."

"I figured. Just wanted to check on you." He looks down at the popper. "You were smart to bring that."

"I, uh, I didn't even think to pack one. My mom must have put it in there when she made the costume."

"Ah."

Kol can tell from the look on his face that Matt wants to say more. Yet, he's silent.

"I messed up, huh?" Kol asks.

Matt nods. "I'd say so."

"Why aren't you giving me the silent treatment like Bex?"

"Because one of us should be able to talk to you about this."

"And she can't?"

"I think it's a sensitive subject for her. I mean, you have to understand, for the longest time all Rebekah heard was that the only thing she'd be good at is being a mom. Which is something she wanted to do, but she has other goals."

"Yeah, and she's getting a job. That won't change once you guys adopt."

"Maybe not. But can you see why she'd be a little hurt by your comment?"

"It wasn't to her though."

"It was to someone she cared a great deal about."

Kol sighs. "I didn't even mean for her to hear it! And she wouldn't have, if she weren't there."

"That's really the angle you wanna take on this one, bud?"

Kol bites his lip. He flips the popper over to work on the other side.

"Do you know why your mom doesn't work?" Kol shakes his head. "Someone has to be home, in case you feel younger. Elijah can't take a lot of time off. So, Hayley agreed to be a stay at home mom. They agree on this long before he became your teacher. He planned on working in some capacity. But your mama knew you'd need someone at home. And she wanted that to be her. Caroline offered, but Hayley insisted. She knew you'd need her."

Guilt hits Kol like a freight train. He truly never considered that. The rare time he feels young at school, Hayley just appears. She's always there for him when needed. Elijah certainly never neglects him, but he has more responsibilities.

Hayley doesn't even want to leave him when she has to. He's reminded of the several date nights she skipped because he was feeling clingy.

"I'm an ass," Kol mutters.

"You were. But then, all teenagers are." Matt pats him on the back. "I'm not saying you can't get frustrated with your mom. I'm sure she can get annoying. But it's all about how you handle it. While also not taking her for granted."

Kol nods. "I get that now." He sighs. "I screwed it all up. She won't want to do anything for me anymore."

"I don't think that's true."

"She said she'd quit the PTA."

"Do you want her to?"

"I…I don't know."

Matt nods. "Why don't you take the rest of the dance to think about it? I'd say we'd take you home, but Rebekah and I have to stay."

"I get it. Trust me. Plus, I think maybe she's the one who needs a little space right now."