•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

The stove light creates a dim glow throughout the kitchen as Arabella sits at the island, cross legged and chewing on her pen. A worn journal sits in front of her, only the date written down.

She continues to stare at it, sighing. The last entry dates back almost a year ago, the week the twins died. Truthfully, journaling has never really been her strong point. Stefan got her to take it up back in the 1800's, claiming that it helps with keeping track of everything as a vampire. However, writing down all her thoughts and feelings always felt awkward, so Arabella refrains from doing it too often. Only when she seems to be in a dilemma.

And now, she is in a dilemma. A rather big one, she thinks. It's been a few days since being trapped in the Gilbert Lake House, and since then, Arabella can only think about one thing.

Klaus.

She's tried to get him out of her head. Truly. Focusing her mind on other things, such as spells, and even Stefan's problems, which have gotten especially boring. Something about a cure and a Hunter's curse that she couldn't possibly care about. Arabella's fine with being a vampire, and has no interest in taking any sort of cure.

However, the real problem lies within Klaus. He tried to kill her. So why does she continue getting butterflies just thinking about him? It makes Arabella feel like a teenager all over again, and she hates it.

"I swear, it's like Damon drinks for an army," Stefan grumbles under his breath as he walks into the kitchen. "Can he keep his grubby little paws off of anything?" Arabella raises a brow up at her brother, shutting the journal in front of her. She notices the ways Stefan's shoulder's droop, and the sadness and anger in his eyes.

"What's up with you?" She leans her chin on her hand. Stefan is silent for a moment, his back turned.

"Elena and I broke up," He says quietly. Arabella's mouth forms into an O, realization hitting.

"I'm sorry," She tells him simply. "Was it because of--"

"Damon?" Stefan turns around, scowling. "Not the only reason, but yes. In a way."

"You okay?" Arabella tilts her head slightly. "Because I don't want to say I told you so, but I did kinda--"

"You have the absolute worst timing," Stefan rolls his eyes, finding a half empty bottle of vodka and settling with it. "I always had a feeling Elena would come between Damon and I. But I didn't care."

"That's feelings for you, Stef," Arabella sighs, holding her hand out for the bottle. "They make your heart feel so heavy it hurts. And then they fix it so well you forget all about the heartbreak," She takes a swig, offering a gentle smile. "Break-ups hurt like a bitch. I don't have a lot of experience, but I can imagine they hurt more when the girl has been secretly in love with your older brother."

"You're really not helping."

 "Truth hurts," Arabella shrugs with a small laugh. "My point is, you'll get through it. You'll look at Elena again without feeling pain, and you'll be able to be around Damon again without feeling betrayed. You'll be okay."

"Missed our therapy seshes," Stefan says sarcastically with a soft smile. Arabella rolls her eyes.

"Whatever," She hands the bottle back. "You going to the Miss Mystic Falls thing?"

"And watch Damon and Elena flirt all day?" Stefan scoffs. "Not a chance. You?"

"Get me started on the misogynistic backstories of pageants and we're going to be here a while," Arabella rolls her eyes. "No way. I'm going to spend my day drinking at the Grill," Stefan chuckles, standing up and shaking his head.

"I might end up joining you later."

"Where are you going?" Arabella watches him grab his jacket, clearly leaving the house.

"To go punch some trees and try not to kill someone," Stefan calls, already out the kitchen. The younger Salvatore chuckles, shaking her head.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Arabella's phone buzzes with texts from Caroline, but she ignores them as she orders another drink. Though she may be a founding family member, Arabella refuses to attend the pageant. Dressing up and playing nice with a bunch of rich pricks sounds horrible right about now. Damon can be representation enough for the Salvatore family.

"I'll have a bourbon, neat," She's not even surprised by Klaus' voice at this point. He seems to pop up every time Arabella wants to be alone. "Salvatore."

"Mikaelson," She replies, side eyeing him. "What do you want?"

"How are you feeling?" Klaus asks, nodding to the bartender as his drink is set down. Arabella scoffs.

"Like you care."

"I do care," Klaus counters softly, seeming to struggle with his words. "I do apologize for biting you."

"No way, am I getting an apology from the Klaus Mikaelson?" Arabella gasps dramatically, sarcasm dripping in her tone. "I'm honored."

"I see now it may have been a bit... over dramatic," Klaus purses his lips, ignoring her sarcasm. "But if it counts for anything, I was never truly planning on allowing you to die."

"It doesn't, but thanks for the thought," She rolls her eyes, taking a sip of her drink. "Is that why you're here? I would've thought you'd be at the Miss Mystic Pageant, planning your new Hybrid Army."

"I see Stefan told you about the cure," Klaus mumbles into his glass distastefully.

"Yeah, well, he was just keeping me up to date. Knew I wouldn't care," Arabella eyes the hybrid as he drinks, raising a brow. "Would you take it? The Cure?"

"Absolutely not," Klaus scoffs without missing a beat.

"Why not?"

"Why would I?" He shoots back, turning towards her. "As a human, I was weak, I cowered under my father's hand and felt nothing but fear. Then I was turned, and I became powerful. Some even considered me the King of the Supernatural World."

"Aw. Good to see you're humble," She smiles sweetly, before it falls. "So you've never wanted to be human?" Klaus considers her question for a moment, looking down at his bourbon.

"Once, I was on a trek in the Andies, and a hummingbird flew up to me. It just hovered there, staring at me, its tiny heart was pattering like a machine gun. And I thought, what a thing, you know, to have to work that hard every day just to stay alive. To be constantly on the verge of death and how satisfying every day must be that it survived. And that was the only time I thought about being human," Arabella snorts involuntarily, quickly covering her mouth.

"Seriously?" She asks after composing herself. "You saw a bird and that was the only time you ever wanted to be human? That one moment?" Klaus rolls his eyes.

"Not everyone wants to be human, Arabella."

"Yeah, but, you've never met a person who made you want to be human?" She continues to press. "I mean, c'mon, even you had to have been in love before."

"If you love someone, why would you want to limit your time with them?" Klaus asks, genuinely confused. Arabella shrugs, sipping her drink thoughtfully.

"Because..." She finds herself at a loss for words. His words make sense. Yet, when she thinks back to her relationship with Desmond, a marriage she had thought had been pure love... there wasn't a moment she hadn't wished to be human. To have a mortal, normal life with him. Looking back, she can't help but wonder why. If she really loved him, why would she want to limit her time with him? "I-it's complicated."

Klaus hums in response. "Perhaps."

"I don't know if I would take it," Arabella adds, chewing her bottom lip. "I haven't thought about being human since... well I haven't thought about it in a while."

"Well, it's not like it was ever an option for you," Klaus states. Arabella's brows shoot up.

"And why not?"

"Because I would never allow it."

"You wouldn't allow it? I'm sorry, who do you think--"

"You don't need to be mortal, love," Klaus catches her eyes before they can look away. "I think the world benefits from having someone like you in it. I'd rather keep it that way," Arabella falls quiet at his words, furrowing her brows. She hadn't expected that answer.

"Well, lucky for you, I don't want it," She finally speaks up, not liking the fact that he had the last word. "I like having some power."

"As you should," Klaus smirks, almost seeming proud of her. The truth is, he is. She's powerful, and she knows it. It makes Arabella all the more compelling to him.

"I should get going. Need to check in on Stefan," Arabella sets down some cash, grabbing her coat.

"Wait," Klaus' voice stops her from standing up. "I truly am sorry, Arabella."

"Yeah, I heard you the first time," She raises a brow at him. "Why are you so hellbent on getting that through my head?"

"Because I regret it," Klaus explains, obviously seeming to have trouble with saying an apology. "I realize now that I probably shot down any faith or trust you had in me, but you should know... I appreciated it while it lasted," Arabella waits for him to continue, so he does. "I understand you don't want to be on my side, but that doesn't mean we have to be enemies."

"So what are we, then?"

"Allow me to make it up to you," Klaus sits straighter, avoiding her question gracefully. "Meet me somewhere. There's something I want to show you," Arabella considers his offer, not quite sure on whether to trust him or not. It's Klaus. She has no reason to. He's been manipulating people for centuries-- what if this is just one of those times? She should decline the offer while she can.

But a much bigger part of her wants to take him up on it.

"I really should get going," Arabella says quietly, standing up and putting some cash on the bar. She pays one last look to Klaus, before sighing and leaving.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

After a day spent in the greenhouse, Arabella had decided to walk around the woods for a bit to clear her head. Not just from Klaus, but from everything that seemed to be happening lately. She's been so out of the loop, that when Caroline texted her with updates, she felt like her head was spinning.

As Arabella walks up the Boarding House driveway, she notices Elena's car parked a few feet away. Frowning, she goes to walk up the steps, Stefan emerging and hastily walking down.

"Hey," She stops him mid step. "It's late. Where are you going?" Stefan sighs quietly, looking up.

"Elena is crashing here, so I'm leaving," He tells her simply.

"Stef..."

"I'll text you tomorrow," Stefan doesn't wait for a reply, turning and getting to his car. Arabella watches him drive away with pressed lips, before storming inside.

"Don't tell me you two seriously drove away Stefan just as I got on good terms with him," Arabella crosses her arms as she slams the door shut, narrowing her pale eyes at Damon and Elena. The newly turned vampire shifts uncomfortably, while Damon rolls his eyes.

"Not my fault you like to hold century long grudges, little sister."

"Damon, can I talk to you? In private?" Arabella glances at Elena, tapping her foot impatiently. Damon takes a sip of his freshly poured drink.

"Elena has Vamp hearing now, Bella. Talk away."

"Then let's go outside."

"Anything you wanna say to me, you can to her," Damon motions to Elena with his glass, brows dropping. Arabella clicks her tongue.

"Fine," She says through gritted teeth. "I told you not to let this happen, Dame," Arabella walks to Damon, jabbing a finger at his chest. "I told you not to let another Petrova doppelganger get between this family."

"Damon didn't do anything," Elena stands up for him, stepping forward. "Stefan and I broke up. That's it."

"Because of Damon," Arabella concludes, glaring at Elena. "I'm not blaming you for how dysfunctional this family is, Elena, but let's be honest. You fell for your boyfriend's brother," She points her glare back to Damon. "And you fell for your brother's girl. Shitty move."

"I don't need judgement from you," Damon sneers. "Aren't you Klaus' little bitch now?"

"Watch it," Arabella snaps angrily.

"Donovan said he saw you at the bar with Klaus, making heart eyes at each other," He continues to push Arabella's buttons.

"What the hell does Matt care about who I drink with?"

"Klaus is bad news, sister," Damon glares at the younger. "I thought you were supposed to be the smart one?"

"Klaus is nothing," Arabella hates the way it tastes on her tongue, to say those words. Clearly a lie, but a cover, as well. "God, you're so dense sometimes, Damon. You know what?" She throws her hands up, backing away from the two. "Go ahead. Have your fun," Arabella turns on her heel and leaves the house. She doesn't exactly want to stick around to hear Damon and Elena shacking up all night.

After getting in her Jaguar and speeding out off the Salvatore grounds, Arabella doesn't exactly pay attention to where she goes. Which is why she's more than surprised to end up in front of the Lockwood Mansion, but also not so much. A part of her wants to see Klaus.

"Lockwood?" Arabella walks into the house, the door already unlocked. She can hear the chatter of hybrids, and the way they quiet down at her voice. After a moment, a girl appears, chestnut hair swept up into a ponytail and hazel eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Who the hell are you?" She asks, on edge around this new face. Arabella raises a brow. Werewolf.

"Been a while since I've seen a wolf with no vamp in them," The vampire-witch remarks, tucking her hands into her coat pockets.

"Arabella?" Tyler jogs down the steps of the twisting staircase, frowning at the two girls. "What are you doing here?"

"Is she a friend?" The werewolf girl asks, crossing her arms. Tyler's face hardens.

"No."

"No?" Arabella repeats with a groan, throwing her hands up. "What is it with everyone in this stupid town and having a grudge against me? What'd I do to you?"

"You lied! You were going to let Klaus kill me--"

"Get over yourself, Lockwood, it's old news," Arabella rolls her eyes, laying a hand on her hip. "Where's Klaus? I need to talk to him."

"How should I know? He doesn't live here," Tyler grumbles, walking over to the bar tray and pouring himself some cognac. "Dude has his own house. Check there."

"Aren't all his little sire pets here?" Arabella eyes the living room, where a dozen hybrids watch her with scrutinizing gazes.

"Yeah, well they won't be sired for long," Tyler seems proud as he says this, taking a sip.

"Hey! We're supposed to be keeping that on the low, remember?" The girl swats Tyler's arm. He holds a hand up to calm her down.

"Chill, Hayley. Arabella hates Klaus just as much as we do," His dark eyes snap to the older vampire. "Right?" Arabella lags a bit with her response, but quickly nods.

"Right, yeah," She rubs her clothed arms, despite not being cold. "So you don't know where he is?" Tyler shakes his head.

"Don't know, don't care," Hayley snorts at his reply, turning to go join the rest of the hybrids, who have grown bored with Arabella and began drinking again. As she walks away, Arabella's eyes narrow at her shoulder blade, specifically the faint birthmark on it. A dark cloud shape, with the outline of a crescent moon in the middle.

"You're friend-- Hayley, right?" Arabella nods to her, speaking in a hushed voice. "Which pack is she a part of?"

"She doesn't have one," Tyler replies casually, leaning against the tray. Arabella raises a brow.

"What family, then?"

"Adopted, then abandoned. She doesn't know," Tyler sets his drink down, frowning. "Why?"

"Nothing... just... that mark on her shoulder," Arabella walks towards Tyler, making sure no one can hear them. "I swear I've seen it somewhere before," The hybrid's eyes widen slightly.

"You think it has to do with her family?" He straightens up. "I'm pretty sure she'd want to know who her real parents are. If you know--"

"I don't," Arabella quickly cuts him off before her can get ahead of himself. "I learned werewolves existed only a few years ago, so my knowledge on you guys is limited. But what I do know is that they have little secret symbols and messages everywhere, especially in magic."

"So you're saying it does mean something?"

"I'm saying it might," She corrects, backing away to get back to the door. "Don't mention anything to her about it. I'm not sure," With that, Arabella turns and opens the door, ready to leave the mansion.

"Wait, Arabella?" Tyler's voice stops her. "What did you say you needed from Klaus?"

Arabella turns slightly, shaking her head. "Forget it. It's not important anymore."

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Author's Note:

Did you guys like Hayley in TVD? I know a lot of people hated her before she came to TO, but honestly, I really liked her in TVD. She just always seemed badass, and I LOVED her in TO. But I will admit I felt really bad for Tyler when she sold out his hybrids. What did you guys think?

Anywho, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to comment and vote<3

-Athena