Family diner

~I believe the root of all evil is the abuse of power

While everyone was slowly waking up, or still sleeping, Kayla was running around the block. Her music in her ears, her ghost that she didn't know anything about jogging next to her... It was another glorious morning as Kol described it.

"Is there any day when you actually try to get some decent rest or are you a vampire in disguise" he asked while Kayla was preparing herself for school. He understood now why Kayla was so unhappy. Every morning seemed exactly the same in her life. Wake up early, run, shower, have a fast breakfast... school. The only thing that seemed to be different was her outfit. Well, not the color, though. Kayla walked peacefully towards school, thinking about the answers to today's test.

Elena and Bonnie stood near the school entrance but Kayla chose to ignore them. She really doesn't want to talk to her. She promised two days ago to light the candles with her on the night of the comet, but she didn't go. Elena made it clear that she was pretty angry about that.

Kol crosses his arms and rests his back against the lockers. 4 good reasons to leave you by Solence, sounds into her ears. She places her books in her locker. "Why are you so moody today, love' asks Kol and looks at the teenager, dressed in a black sweater with a hood over her head. Her long black hair hangs partly in front of her face. Her black skinny jeans had a rip on both legs and dark blue socks appeared above her low-converse sneakers. Kol looks at her. "When I'm here, really here. I'm taking you shopping darling" he says.

With a deep sigh and a loud bang, she closes her locker. "Damn" she curses and looks at Tyler who appears from behind it. "You have a death wish mate" growls Kol. "Tyler what do you want?" "I just want to talk alright?" "Well I don't, you made it pretty clear that you and me.. isn't a good idea." "Come on Kayla, you know it isn't like that." "No, what is it like then" scoffs Kayla and makes an attempt to walk away from him. "Kayla" growls Tyler and grabs her shoulders. "Let go of me Tyler" she demands. "Listen to the girl mate" groans Kol, annoyed that he cannot help her. "Tyler, there is nothing more to be said." "I disagree," he says and pushes her back against the lockers. "Tyler, please you are hurting me. Let go of me. It's over!" "Let go of her" growls Kol angry. Black veins appear under his eyes.

"Everything alright here," asks a soft voice. Kayla, whose hood was dropped, looks at Stefan who stands next to Tyler. "None of your business, Salvatore." "Forgive me but it is. I need to speak with Kayla, in private", Stefan says, and looks comforted to Kayla. Tyler bites the inside of his jaw. "We are not done here, you are mine" he growls low, and let's go of Kayla. Hastily, he walks away and leaves Kayla and Stefan alone. "Are you sure you are alright in your head mate" growls Kol. "Are you alright?" he asks. Kayla picks up her dropped ear tops and swallows. She nods. "Thank you." Stefan nods politely. "Come on, Elena wanted to talk with you," he says and points towards the courtyard. "Feeling like the knight in shining armor aren't we... mate" scoffs Kol.

Kayla looks up at Elena and swallows. "Kayla, Dinner, at our house. 8:00. You, me, Stefan and Bonnie. They two will spend some quality time and she'll get to see what a great guy he is. Mission accomplished, right?" "What mission," asks Kayla and looks at Stefan. "Oh bloody hell. Two things I hate, mate, and that are being bored and family gatherings" scoffs Kol. "Kayla" yells Kol and tries to push her to the side. Kayla looked surprised. A breeze oozed through her hair. Stefan hastily catches the football in front of Kayla her face. He quickly throws the ball back to Tyler. Elena laughed. "That throw was insane. I didn't know you played football." " used to. It was a long time ago." "Why don't you try for the team" asks Bonnie. " Yeah, I don't think so." "So you don't like football" jokes Elena. "No, I love football. I think it's a great sport. But in this case, I don't think football likes me. You saw Tyler over there, and we both know how Matt feels." "They don't know you. To them, you're a mysterious loner guy. Wouldn't it hurt to be part of it? Make some friends." "Fuck them" jokes Kayla. Elena looks at Kayla. She bites her lip. "Says the girl who spends her time alone writing in a cemetery" jokes Stefan. He looks over at Kayla. "And the girl who wakes up earlier to run alone." Kayla bites her lip. "Oh bite me" she jokes. Stefan smiled. "Be careful love, he might accept that offer." " Yes, come on. There's more to me than just a gloomy graveyard girl. There's a whole other Elena that you have yet to meet. She was into everything, very busy" jokes Elena and looks at Kayla. "And a girl running alone in the morning could be so much." Kayla lifts her shoulders. "Well, I look forward to meeting her. And when will that be?" "Soon. She's working on it. Isn't it Kayla" jokes Elena and pokes Kayla. Kayla fakes a smile. "How do you know I run in the mornings?" Stefan smiles. "I've seen you running by once. I'm a runner myself. Maybe we can run together sometime." "Yeah, I like that" Kayla answers and continues her way to History class. "Darling, don't trust that Salvatore" says Kol angry.

Bored Kol sighs and pounds his lips. "You know your teacher is terrible. He continues to get his dates wrong" he scoffs. "World War II ended in...Did anyone get anything? Miss Juan?" "1945." "Kayla" he whispers when Tanner, his eyes drop on her. Kayla, too busy coloring the dark flames in the church, doesn't notice her teacher's burning eyes. "Pearl Harbor? Miss Kayla Gilbert?" Kayla looks surprised. "December 1941" whispers Kol. "Eh.." "December 7, 1941" answers Stefan. Kol takes a deep sigh. "Thank you, Miss Gilbert." "Anytime," Stefan says over the laughter of his classmates. "The fall of the Berlin wall." "9 November 1989. I'm good at dates, sir." "Are you? How good? Keep it on the year. Civil Rights Act." "1964." "John F. Kennedy assassination." "1963." "Martin Luther King." "'68." " Lincoln." "1865." "Roe vs. Wade." "1973." "Brown vs. Board." "1954" " The battle of Gettysburg." "1863" "Korean war." "1950 to 1953." "Ha! It ended in 1952" says Tanner enthusiastically. "Uh, actually, sir, it was '53." "Look it up, somebody. Quickly." A student looks in the book and smiles. "It was 19..53" The students laugh and cheer enthusiastically. Tanner growls and rubs his hair. Kol just sighs and drops his head in his hand.

Hastily everyone grabs their things and stands up. Kayla rips the drawing off her pad and walks to Tanner. "Here sir" she says. Tanner looks at the drawing impressed and nods. "Now that is art... About a small detail, said in the middle of class. I start to think that you pay more attention, as it seems miss Gilbert", he says. Kayla nods gratefully. "You'll pass" he simply says and places the drawing away. Kayla smiles softly. "Thank you" she says and leaves class. "That's fast arranged," says Kol, amused. "I wish everything went that smoothly." Kayla looks up at Tyler. He stands right outside the school gate, waiting for someone. She bends her head down and continues her way home, already panicking about tonight's dinner.

"Kayla" shouts Elena again. Kayla takes a deep sigh and looks into the standing mirror. Her slender body is dressed in a deep black V-neck dress. "Darling, you look dashing," says Kol impressed. Kayla puts her hair in a sideways braid and walks downstairs. Elena smiles and looks over at Bonnie. "Told you she would come." Bonnie grins and claps her hands. "You look smashing", Bonnie yells. Kayla rolls her eyes. "It is not like you gave me any choice." "Tell me about it love" scoffs Kol. "Can I do your make up?" "No" says Kol and Kayla in unison.

"So you were telling," says Elena and opens a bottle of wine. "You explain it. Last night, I was watching Nine-o, a commercial break came on and I'm like, I bet it's that phone commercial. And sure enough, it's that guy and the girl on the bench. He flies to Paris and he flies back. They took a picture.""Oh, come on. That commercial's in a constant loop." Kayla sits down on the kitchen counter. She started to sharpen her pencil. "Fine. Well, how about this? Today I'm obsessed with numbers. 3 numbers. I keep seeing 8, 14, and 22. How weird is that?" "Maybe we should play the lottery. Have you talked to your Grammy?" "She's just going to say it's because I'm a witch. I don't want to be a witch. Do you want to be a witch?" "Who would want that" scoffs Kayla. "I do' whispers Kol defeated. " I don't want to be a witch." Elena pours food into a bowl. "And putting it in a nice bowl isn't fooling anybody." "Ok, serving spoons. Where are the serving spoons?" "Middle drawer on your left," says Bonnie and Kayla at the same time. Kayla looks up at Bonnie. "Ok, so you've been in this kitchen like a thousand times." "Yeah, that's it." Kayla looks up when the doorbell rings. "I'll get it" she sighs and stands up. Bonnie takes a quick look at Kayla her drawing pad. On the first page she turns, she sees a beautiful drawing of a witch. Not one with a pointy hat, as the stories go. But a beautiful seductive lady, with a sexy dress and flames coming out of her hands. Elena took a fast look at the drawing. "Did she... how? Wow" Bonnie whispers. "Do you have any idea how rude that is?" asks Kol irritated.

His irritation only continues to grow while Stefan, Elena, Bonnie and Kayla eat in silence. Kol puts his nose up when Kayla hands Elena the bowl of salad. "Are you humans or bunnies because I'm confused?"

"Why don't you tell Stefan about your family, Bonnie," asked Elena. "Um, divorced. No mom. Live with my dad." Kayla just eats on, ignoring the conversation. " No, about the witches. Bonnie's family has a lineage of witches. It's really cool." "Cool isn't the word I'd use." "Well, it's certainly interesting. I'm not too versed, but I do know that there's a history of Celtic druids that migrated here in the 1800s." Kayla looked surprised. She starts to notice that Stefan knows-abnormally, a lot about history, dates, and the old-fashioned ways. "Now that's a story that I think is interesting," says Kol and looks with new interest at the witch. " My family came by way of Salem." "Wait till my brother hears this" jokes Kol. "Really? Salem witches?" "Aren't they the ones who burned not so far away from here" asks Kayla. Stefan nods. " I would say that's pretty cool" says Stefan. "Really? Why?" "Salem witches are heroic examples of individualism and nonconformity." "Right" scoffs Kol.

Surprised, everyone looks up when the doorbell rings once more. "I'll get it", Kayla says and wipes her mouth. Hastily she swallows and opens the door. "Carolyne" asks Kayla and looks at Damon beside Carolyne. "Surprise" shouts Carolyne, enthusiastic. "Darling, surprises are supposed to be fun" groans Carolyne. "Bonnie said you were doing dinner, so we brought dessert." "Eh, okay. I guess that's okay. Damon" she greets and allows Damon to kiss her cheek. "Please come in" she says. Damon smirks and looks at the doorstep as he walks over it. "Oh love you didn't" Kol curses. "You have a beautiful home", he says. Thank you, says Kayla and walks back to the dinner table. "What are you doing here" asks Stefan rudely. "You don't mind right" jokes Damon. "It's fine"' jokes Elena. "We were just finishing," says Stefan. "No, it's alright," says Elena.

After dessert, Kayla sits uncomfortably between Damon and Stefan on the sofa. She doesn't know why, but it feels like she is sitting between two angry bears.

"I cannot believe that Mr. Tanner, let you be on the team. Tyler must be seething. But good for you. Go for it" jokes Caroline. "That's what I always tell him. You have to engage. You can't just sit there and wait for life to come to you. You have to go get it" answers Damon and pokes Kayla. Kayla fakes a smile while she looks at Damon. "Yeah, Elena wasn't so lucky today. It's only because you missed summer camp. God, I don't know how you're ever going to learn the routines" scoffs Caroline. And Kayla, you would be so good for the team. If only you tried." "Oh that is so not my thing" scoffs Kayla. Damon looks at her with a smile. "Don't even think about it, Mate" threatens Kol, who leans against the fireplace. " I'll work with her. She'll get it" says Bonnie. "I guess we can put her in the back" sighs Caroline. Kayla bites her lip, knowing this hurts Elena. "You know, you don't seem like the cheerleader type, Elena" jokes Damon. "Oh, it's just 'cause her parents died. Yeah, I mean, she's just totally going through a blah phase. She used to be way more fun. And I say that with complete sensitivity." "Hey Caroline... Don't be a bitch" says Kayla angry. "Owtch, remember; I love pretty things with sharp tongues," says Kol amused. Caroline looks angry at Kayla. "You know" she begins, but Damon stops her. " I'm sorry, Elena. I know what it's like to lose both of your parents. In fact, Stefan and I have watched almost every single person we've ever cared about die." "We don't need to get into that right now, Damon." "Oh, you know what, you're right, Stef. I'm sorry. The last thing I wanted to do was bring her up. Mmm." Kayla swallows and stands up. "I"m gonna collect the dishes," she sighs and takes the plates to the kitchen.

Elena follows her quickly with the plates. "Thank you" she says softly as Kayla rests her head on Elena's shoulder, "One more" says Damon, and walks inside. Damon hands Kayla a glass, but she misses it. Before it hits the floor, Damon grabs the glass. "Nice save" jokes Kayla. "Thank you" jokes Elena and takes the glass before Kayla drops it again. I like you two. You know how to laugh" he says to Kayla. he turns to Elena;" And you make Stefan smile, which is something I haven't seen in a very long time." "Earlier, did you mean Katherine" asks Elena. "Mm-mh" says Damon and dries the dishes from Kayla. "How did she die" asks Kayla. "In a tragic fire" sighs Damon. "Is it long time ago" asks Elena. "It seems like it was yesterday." "What was she like" asks Kayla. "She was beautiful. A lot like you in that way. She was also very complicated and selfish and at times not very kind, but very sexy and seductive." Kayla smiled. "Oh, now I know where I know you from Mate. You were the ones who stole Katherina from us"' scoffs Kol. "Oh just WAIT till my brother hears this." "So who dated her first" asks Elena. "Nicely deduced. Ask Stefan. I'm sure his answer differs from mine. I'd quit cheerleading if I were you .I saw you at practice. You looked miserable." "You saw that right" asked Elena. Damon nods and hands Kayla a dried bowl. "You know I used to love it. It was fun. Things are different this year. Everything that used to matter doesn't anymore and Kayla refuses to join me." "Not a chance" scoffs Kayla. "So don't let it bother you. Quit, move on. Problem solved. Ta-da." "Some things could matter again " sighs Kayla. "Talking about yourself love" jokes Kol. "Maybe. But...seems a little unrealistic to me." "I'm sorry about Katherine. You lost her too." Damon looked at Elena. So does Kayla. "Need some help" asks Bonnie. "Be my guest" says Damon, and walks back to the living room. Kayla swallows and follows Damon.

"What are you kids talking about?" "I was complimenting her scarf," says Stefan. "Kayla looks at the bright yellow scarf." " Hmm. Hey, you know, um, Elena and Bonnie are finishing up the dishes. Why don't you go see if you can help" asks Damon to Caroline. "Does it look like I do dishes" jokes Caroline. Kayla scoffs. "Don't break a nail barbie.." "You know" begins Caroline again, but Damon stops her again. "Please for me?" " Hmm...I don't think so." "Go help Elena" orders Damon. "I'll go help Elena" says Caroline, and stands up. Kayla blinks and looks at Caroline. "What?" "How did you?" Damon smiles and takes Kayla her hand. "He leads her in front of him. "Don't hurt her if you fancy your life," groans Kol angry. "They are people, Damon. She's not a puppet. She doesn't exist for your amusement " Kayla swallows when Damon takes her head. "Sh" he soots. "You'll forget what you saw with Caroline. The dinner was good, we talked, and now you want to go to your room" Kayla swallows, suddenly urging, for her room. "'I'm sorry, I need to sleep. I'll see you at school?" Stefan nodded. Kayla follows her way to her room and takes a deep breath. "Don't think about sleeping Kayla, god knows what that perv wants to do with you still!" Kayla lays herself down on the bed. She doesn't know why but she is happy with how the dinner went. She just needed some time alone, in her room.

The clock ticks slowly further while Kayla just looks at the ceiling. A subtle knock sounded at her door. Kayla looks up. "Come in!" "Oh Darling, I was just snoozing off." Damon peeks his head inside. "Oh bloody hell" groans Kol and drops himself down again. "Hey Damon" she says. "Do I disturb?" "No, not at all" says Kayla. "Wrong again love" groans Kol. Damon comes to sit next to her. "I'm sorry you had to witness that." "What" asks Kayla. Kol scoffs while Damon smirks. "Me and Stefan, we have a lot of history between us." "I can see" says Kayla. "We'll work it out someday. I hope so at least." "Oh I know the feeling" sighs Kayla. " Oh Darling, family is so overrated" groans Kol. "Do you" begins Damon but stops. "What" asks Kayla. "Darling don't that's my trick.." "Do you want to grab a drink with me? I can use one." Kayla bites her lip. "I understand if you don't want to. I just don't like to drink alone, especially when I'm brooding." "Oh pulessee" groans Kol and rolls his eyes. "Fine, you know why not?" Damon smirks. "We can go to the grill of my house?" "Surprise me," says Kayla. "Darling don't, he's up too no good" says Kol worried. Damon and Kayla walk down, the others are still enjoying a drink on the sofa. "We're out for a drink" says Kayla, ignoring the questions from her sister. "Kayla" yells Elena but Kayla ignores her and gets in Damon his car. "A classic huh" she asks impressed. Damon smiles. "She likes cars, she is friendly, she's cute... A night full of surprises" says Damon. "Yeah but none of that is for you mate" groans Kol jealously in the backseat.

"No way, this is your home" jokes Kayla. Damon chuckles. "I think it is a bit outdated, maybe I should let you redecorate it." "Everything she touches gets better immediately," says Kol, observing the Salvatore boarding mansion. Kayla sits down on the big red sofa. "Just keep sitting and I will get you a drink," says Damon. Kayla nods. She stands up when Damon is gone and looks at the big fireplace. The carved details are just incredible. "Kayla" says Kol, but of course, she can't hear it.

Kayla turns, startled to look into Damon's deep eyes. "Damon, sorry you startled me" he says. Damon his pupils dilate a bit. "Don't if you value your life mate" says Kol angry. "You came here with me, drank a few beers, and now you believe you are drunk." "I believe I am drunk" mumbles Kayla. "Oh good lord" groans Kol. "I'll get you for this!" "You are warming up to me, you just realize that you have a crush on me and you can't hold yourself. You want to kiss me." "I can't hold myself, mumbles Kayla softly. Damon chuckles and pushes her back against the wall. He kisses her passionately. Kayla drops the book in her hand and grabs Damon by his vest. Damon holds her face and kisses him passionately. "Oh bloody hell, isn't this considered rape" yells Kol, angry, his fangs showing. Why was he so upset? Why did this hurt him so much?! He never cared much. The old Kol would only regret that he couldn't join. What was Kayla doing with him? Did she have him spelled? Or was he just too long on the other side?!" Damon abused his power. He used Kayla, to get closer to Elena of course. Kayla now became part of his bigger plan and Kol knew this. This just annoyed him even more.

Damon slowly kisses her neck. "Damon" gasps Kayla. "Sst" says Damon and lowers his lips. Kayla closes her eyes and hangs her neck on the side. Damon suddenly stops kissing, shows his vampire features, and bites her neck. "Kayla" yells Kol loudly.