warm. He glanced at Juliette with a teasing smile, his eyes softened as he noticed the smile on her face instead of the usual scowl he had grown accustomed to.

Juliette tilted her head and replied. "You know, I just think you want to spend more time with me."

Elijah chuckled, raising his hands as they climbed the steps that led to the Gilbert's front door. "You caught me." He let out a playful laugh as they both turned to face each other, inches apart.

Juliette smiled, "Well, I guess you're better company than Damon."

"Anyone is better company than that-"

"Hey, he's my friend." Juliette cut him off, pointing her finger at him.

"I don't understand why he is."

Juliette sighs as she thinks about her friendship with Damon Salvatore. He was a dick, an extreme dick, but once you get to know him, he truly can be the nicest person. He hides behind this facade.

"When he's not obsessing over Elena, he's actually a good friend," Juliette stated, smiling at Elijah as he playfully rolled his eyes.

Once again, they found themselves in silence, staring at each other, a thousand unspoken words passing between them. Each was waiting for the other to break the silence, but neither dared.

Both were searching for the right words, but none seemed adequate, none seemed good enough to express what they really felt.

Elijah watched as her eyes danced across his features as if she was examining him. For the first time in a thousand years, he found himself blushing. Her gaze had made him flustered, everything she did made him want to draw nearer, to close the distance between them and kiss her.

Juliette felt self-conscious under his scrutiny, she felt as though her legs were going to give out at any moment if he looked at her any longer. But she couldn't help but like the way he looked at her.

He always looks at her as if she was some angel that was brought down from heaven, ready to bless him with her presence.

She liked the attention he was giving her because, for the first time in her entire life, someone was giving it to her, not to Elena.

Juliette soon came to her senses, realising that she now was in his embrace. His hands had someone moved to wrap around her waist as hers were placed on his chest.

She coughed awkwardly as she immediately took a few steps back, finding the floor suddenly looking extremely interesting. "Uh, t-thank you for walking me home." Juliette flushed, her entire face on fire with embarrassment as she turned to move toward her door. "I'll see you later."

Juliette began to walk towards the front door, internally cursing herself for letting that happen again.

Elijah knew he had to do something; he couldn't watch her walk away again. "Juliette. Wait." He spoke as he reached out, grabbed her arm, and pulled her towards him, his other hand wrapping around her waist as he smashed his lips to hers.

Juliette was shocked, her eyes wide but her body slowly melted into his embrace, her arms somehow finding their way around his neck.

This kiss was passionate, tender and desperate, something they both had been longing for as they continued to kiss.

Juliette couldn't believe this was happening, she knew, deep down, that she shouldn't be doing this. That was so wrong but it felt so right.

Everything with him felt so right.

Juliette wasn't going to pull away, she didn't want to. But when she heard the door open she immediately pulled away and looked at the person staring at them.

It was Jenna.

She looked shocked as Juliette stared back at her, a blush covering her face. "Jenna! What- What are you doing up?" she chuckled as he looked over to Elijah, who had a massive smirk on his lips as he stared at the floor, probably trying his best not to burst out laughing.

Juliette wanted to punch him.

"Uh, I was going to go out to find you, but here you are," Jenna replied, a smirk on her face as she began to wiggle her eyebrows at Juliette. "With Elijah, what a surprise."

Okay Jenna, let's not carry this on. I'm embarrassed enough already.

"I saw Juliette walking alone so I decided to walk her home." Elijah finally said something, just before Juliette was going to shoot herself in the head.

"And doing other things apparently," Jenna mumbled under her breath, thinking no one could hear it but the both of them did. Elijah let out a small laugh but covered it with a cough. "That's so kind of you Elijah, isn't he just a gentleman, Juliette?"

Please kill me now.

"Yes, Yes, isn't he just." The blonde muttered, her fingers fidgeting with the bracelet Elijah got her. "Well, this has been fun, but it's getting late so.."

"Yes, I should go," Elijah replied as he watched Juliette walk over to Juliette, her embarrassment evident. "It's great seeing you again Jenna." He smiled at the aunt before looking to Juliette, "I hope to see you again, Juli." He finished before walking away.

Juliette immediately shoved passed her aunt, taking her coat off and hanging it on the rack before turning to face a giggling Jenna. "Oh my God, I knew it! I knew you guys would hit it off! How was it? Was it good? Did you like it!"

"Okay, Jesus Jen, calm down." Juliette chuckled, she couldn't help herself but talk about it to Jenna. She told her how she felt, how it happened (some parts missed out obviously) and how his lips felt—which she had asked her about a million times.

"Jenna, no one can know about this. Especially not Elena. Okay?" Juliette warned, that if Elena found out, she would never forgive her.

"Okay, I won't tell anyone. It'll be our little secret."

✧✧✧✧

THEY KISSED AGAIN??? WHOOP WHOOP!!!

I hope you guys liked this chapter because it took me ages to write as it is 4000+ words so technically I'm spoiling you.

I'm having a sleepover with my friends today so I have to clean the entire house and I'm not excited 😀

Anyway, I hope to see you in the next chapter!!

Byeeeee

28/07/24