Title: Proximity

Pairings: Kennett, hints of Finn/Sage, Mabekah, Kalijah, Klaroline, Mason/Lucy. (Damn I'm on fire today)

Word Count: 6635

AN: It took a lot longer than what I expected, and I'm still not 100% happy with how I portrayed Kol asking Bonnie out. There's a lot less Bex in this chapter, mainly because I seem to keep forgetting that this is a Kennett story. Damn Bonbekah (You know exactly who you are for making me Brotp this so hard, and I hate you for this *coughgloomrencough). But yeah, since Season 6, Elena-with-no-memories-of-Damon has once again grown on me. So there's a bit more redeeming of Elena. I don't want Delena to happen, I want Elena to be happy and single, Bamon or Bonkai (C'mon, if Klaroline sex-in-the-woods can happen, Bonnie can totally have hot hatesex with Kai).

But yes, back to Kennett. My one true OTP.

Disclaiming.

A Month Later.

"Lucy!"

The older woman grinned and threw open her arms, greeting her favourite cousin in a spine crushing embrace that Bonnie had really missed since the last time she'd seen her. It had been almost two years ago,barring the Skype calls, FaceTime, phonecalls and text messages, which they had seen each other face to face; the last being on Lucy's twenty-fifth birthday, and after that it was agreed the two should never drink together, ever. The two were terrible influences over one another, and their Grams only encouraged it.

"My god, you almost come up to my shoulder," Lucy teased, it not being a secret that Bonnie was petite and it didn't help that she was in five inch heels. A big mistake after a five hour ride from Florida.

"Yeah, yeah," Bonnie huffed before letting the woman into her house, shutting the door behind her before eagerly following her into the living room. There was a slight pang of disappointment when she realized that Grams and the rest of the family hadn't come with Lucy; Aunt Bernadette always made a habit of bringing up enough cakes to sink a ship, her Uncle Jack and his bad habit of "accidentally" leaving behind bottles of alcohol and then Grams, who drank said bottle of alcohol. Slipping onto the loveseat with her cousin, she watched as Lucy peeled the heels off of her feet and massaged her instep with a sigh of relief. "I didn't know you were coming up today."

"It wasn't planned," Lucy admitted as she sat up, slinging her legs across Bonnie's whilst she shrugged her shoulders- a small grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "But I'm actually here to stay."

Bonnie blinked- "...Stay?"

Lucy nodded, her grin growing.

"Like... you're moving here?"

Lucy laughed when Bonnie squealed, throwing herself at the older woman without a care. It had been a long time since Lucy had lived in Mystic Falls, moving out only a year or two after Bonnie's Mom had left. Back then Bonnie didn't really know her cousin, it was only when she went to visit her Grams in Florida at the age of twelve, did they hit it off. Pulling away, Bonnie's smile lit up her entire face at the idea of part of her family moving back.

"I might have to crash here for a couple of weeks before my boyfriend gets here," Lucy almost sang, her eyes widening subtly as she dangled the word in front of Bonnie like a piece of meat. bait that she was only happy to bite. It was no hidden fact that Lucy had commitment issues, to the point where a guy mentioned moving in with each other- and then the next second being single. Boyfriend, meant big deal when it came to Lucy.

"Boyfriend?! Tell me everything, right now," Bonnie ordered with a gleeful smile.

"You remember I told you about Mason Lockwood-" "No" "Yea, well, friends with benefits cliché, the hate sex and then, BOOM! Feelings." Lucy said with a roll of her shoulders.

Mason Lockwood, as in Tyler's cooler, sexy Uncle which came to visit occasionally- which would be weird, now that Bonnie's Cousin was dating Tyler's Uncle. Bonnie slumped back in her seat, eyes wide as she tried to absorb everything- "Anything else you need to tell me?"

"Well, someone else is coming today," Lucy admitted, expression souring completely as she reached over to grasp one of Bonnie's hands, their fingers threading together. Oh how she hated to do this to her baby cousin, how she hated the woman for forcing this upon her. "I ran into your Mom, and she's dropping by for a visit."

There was a moment of silence which Bonnie waited for Lucy to shout 'Joking!' but it never came, she blinked. Maybe she'd heard her wrong? Lucy's expression remained grim as Bonnie sunk further into her seat, one hand dragging through her hair as she breathed steadily for a second; her gaze drifting away and Lucy didn't know what was running through her baby cousins mind at that moment. What was actually going through it was multiple curse words which Grams would make her put money in the swear jar for, if not swipe at her knees with her cane. There wasn't any reason for her Mom to come and visit her, she'd had twelve years to do that. Why now? All she could do was blink though, no outward reaction, just a blank expression as she tried to wrap her head around it.

"...Bonnie?" Lucy called her name softly, stroking her knuckle with her thumb.

"When?" Bonnie asked quietly, throat dry as if she'd never tasted water in her entire life and nerves out of control. Anxiety, fear, worry, all meshing together into a ball that was dropped heavily in her stomach- sending it to the floor. Keeping herself together, she didn't need her Mom. She hadn't needed her for twelve years, but there was always questions which she'd wanted to ask the woman. The Who's, what's, where's, when'sand most importantly- the why? "When is she getting here?"

"...She wants you to meet her at the Grill at half seven." Lucy murmured softly.

Half seven, she had an hour before she went to meet her Mom. Her hand itched towards her pocket, half-tempted to send Rebekah a text simply to tell her what was going on. Her hand stilled though and she simply got up from the couch to pick something to wear.

Jeans and a nice top said casual right?

Bonnie tried not to fidget as she sat in the Grill, waiting for Abby to show up- she didn't know if her mother was running late or she was early but Lucy said that it only took one text and she'd be down there, ready to sort Abby out if needs be. Matt had stopped over with a vanilla shake and some fries, wanting to know if she was staying long enough for him to eat with her- and if Rebekah was alright (Those two were just dancing around one another). Then she was left with her thoughts, left on her own to let her imagination run wild and go through all possible (and impossible) scenarios run through her head.

The woman that walked through the door next, was a complete stranger to her.

Sure, she had a similar figure to Bonnie, not to mention the jaw, and the very same eyes she shared with Grams. She was still a stranger nonetheless though, Bonnie watching her as identical green eyes met hers and the small smile stretched across her lips. Bonnie could see the few strands of grey peppering her hair, the creases around her eyes and lips as she walked closer to the table, slipping into the booth quietly.

"Hi." Abby said.

"Hi."

How else did you greet your estranged mother?

With a sledgehammer, a voice in her head replied, sounding suspiciously like Rebekah. Homicidal tendencies aside, she was a nice girl. Bonnie watched as Abby ordered a drink and some fries for herself, Matt asking her if she was okay silently. He was a nice guy, she smiled back and watched as he went off to put in the orders- leaving her alone with her supposed mother once again. All she could think was, if you didn't leave, this awkward silence wouldn't be here. She never thought herself to be bitter or sore about her mothers abandonment, but apparently she was.

"How are you?" Abby eventually asked.

"I'm... good," Bonnie said, completely unconvincingly. "And you?"

"I'm... also good."

Maybe she could drown herself in her milkshake? Choke on her fries? Throw herself out of the window? Because this is the last place she wanted to be, but her own damn curiosity had dragged her ass to the Mystic Grill. Hoping for answers from the woman.

"Why did you want to see me?" Bonnie blurted out, it was the million dollar question and she simply didn't have the patience to wait for Abby to actually explain herself. It reduced them both to silence again though as Abby struggled to look up from the table, trying to move her lips and force words out of her mouth. You'd think that she would have thought out an answer, it was an obvious question to be asked. Fingers drumming, foot tapping, lips pursed, did Abby even know why she'd wanted to see her?

"I wanted to- I needed to-" Abby started, constantly pausing, pursing her own lips in an expression that mirrored hers before sighing in frustration- running a hand through her hair in an attempt to mask the shake of her fingers. " … I'm moving, in a few days."

Bonnie blinked, definitely not what she was expecting- "...And?"

"I'm... we're moving to Europe, and I'm not sure if we're every coming back." Abby stated, her hands now laid on the table with her fingers laced together.

Bonnie didn't care about her moving, didn't care if she never saw Abby again, it was the 'We' that really struck her. Hard in the throat, like a bullet, bringing tears to her eyes and made her realize that Abby had moved on- she didn't care about little ol' Bonnie who she left behind. She'd made a new family, probably a picket fence, a few kids and a dog. Was she just a trial kid? A little experiment before Abby moved onto bigger and better children?

"You have a little brother... his name is Jamie," Abby told her, eyes lighting up for the first time since she'd sat down, and the fondness in her smile- the motherly pride made Bonnie want to smack her. "He's only twelve-"

Twelve, she thought painfully, she didn't even wait a year until she replaced her.

"No offence, but if your here to tell me about the family you have now, I really don't care," Bonnie told her, voice wavering ever so slightly and stopping Abby in her tracks. "I understand you didn't want to be with Dad, really, I understand that. I understand that you didn't want me-" Abby opened her mouth to protest "Because if you did, then you would have bothered to see me. I wouldn't just get a card for my birthday and Christmas. But now, you have to understand something..."

Bonnie trailed off, watching as Abby's food was slid in front of her and noticing that Elena had walked into the Grill as well; the two smiling at one another, though Elena could see even from a distance, that Bonnie was upset. Her lip quivering ever so slightly as she turned to the woman which brought her into this world.

"You have to understand that I don't want you," Bonnie told her, Abby's expression crumpling ever so slightly.

"I know I haven't been there-"

"You were never there," Bonnie hissed, maybe this was it? This was the blow-out that had been a long time coming? Mount Vesuvius, explosion, Code Red. She hadn't got the answers she'd want but at this point, she couldn't seem to care. "For eleven years, you weren't there, first kiss, first day of high school, first boyfriends, everything. You weren't there. You have a family of your own, one you obviously care about more than me-"

"Bonnie, you're making a scene," Abby murmured quietly, looking around to see a few heads turning their way.

"Then let them look," Bonnie huffed, swiping at her eyes. "Have fun in Europe, be a good mother to your son, because you've already failed one child- god help you if you fail two."

There was nothing else to say, so Bonnie simply got out of her seat- her coat and bag in hand as she stormed out of the Grill. Not even laying down some money for her food, that was the least Abby could do for her. Paying for one measly meal was all she'd ever get out of her as a mother. Her cheeks were warms and so were her tears as she walked out of the Grille, the world closing in on her as she tried to keep it together. Her head held high as she walked briskly home, it was a good fifteen minute walk- twenty minutes in heels- not hearing Elena when she first called her name.

"Bonnie!"

Turning around, she saw Elena running towards her- a worried expression on her face as she stopped right next to her.

"Are you okay?" Elena asked, not that she was justified to have this concern over her. So buried in her love life that she'd forgotten all about the people outside of it, Caroline, Bonnie, everyone. It was only a matter of time, but she'd broken up with Damon, and now with Stefan he encouraged her to flit around. To be free and be with her friends. She hadn't been a great friend to Bonnie, but she knew that whatever that woman had said had really broken her.

Her thoughts only proven when Bonnie's eyes misted over again and she latched onto Elena, sobbing like there was no tomorrow.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Elena murmured, rubbing Bonnie's back and cradling her gently, letting Bonnie cry on her shoulder for once instead of the other way around- how many times had she done this to her afterall? Pursing her lips, she gently pull away from Bonnie (The strong one, the one you went to for advice, always there and always strong Bonnie) with a small comforting smile. "Lets get you home."

So Elena gave her a lift home, watching as Lucy, Bonnie's cousin, came out of the house to help her into the house- now this would be the point which Elena would drive away, probably send a text later saying 'Hope you're okay :)' but instead she lingered. Drumming her fingers on the steering wheel as she thought back to what Bonnie had done for her when she was going through rough patches, how she'd stayed over, made sure she ate, made sure she'd get out of bed. But times had changed, and Elena wasn't the right person to look out for Bonnie like that anymore- maybe there'd be a time when she was once again but right now?

Elena got out of the drivers seat and quickly walked to the next house, walking up the steps and trying to settle her nerves as she knocked on the door.

She was thankful that Rebekah was the one which answered.

"What are you doing here?" Rebekah sneered, lip curling in distaste whilst Elena recoiled automatically- a sharp insult on the tip of her tongue which she bit down. This was about Bonnie, not their petty hatred thing.

"Bonnie's really upset," Elena started, watching as Rebekah's eyebrows furrowed in rage at the idea that Elena had been the one to cause it. "I found her at the Grill, gave her a lift home. Something about her mom, I just- ...she needs you."

There was a moments silence as Rebekah simply grabbed her coat from the stand by the side of her door, shrugging it on and shouting to her own Mom about going to see Bonnie before closing the door and standing on the step with Elena. The two giving each other awkwardly curt nods as Elena walked back down the path and to her car, feeling a tiny bit better knowing that Rebekah was going to be there for Bonnie. It was when she was at her car door and Rebekah had already jumped the fence between their houses that Rebekah called out to her.

"Elena!"

She turned around as she opened the door.

"Thanks." Was all Rebekah said, a faint smile on her lips before she turned to knock on the door.

Three Weeks Later.

It's not every day you turn seventeen.

Well, that was how Caroline put it as she made ensured that Bonnie would have a- to quote, "Fantabulasticly perfectly perfect birthday extravaganza!". So walking into school on her own, Rebekah already at school for some reason, she really shouldn't have been surprised to be tackled at her locker by screaming friends, party poppers and- how did Caroline convince Matt to paint 'I heart Bonnie' on his chest? …Why wasn't he wearing a shirt!? Scarred her for life, but it was a nice thought.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" They all screamed, Rebekah, Caroline, Elena, Matt all wearing ridiculous party hats as they held out a cupcake in their hands. Red velvet, her absolute favourite, with a cute little candle in the middle. They were the best, Bonnie couldn't help but laugh as Caroline insisted she put on her crown- fluffy, sparkly and plastic. Just how she liked her crowns, but she let Caroline have her way and put it into her hair. Always a perfectionist.

"How's it feel to be old?" Elena teased, all of them laughing when Caroline smacked her shoulder- having her birthday back in October.

"Hey!"

"I feel... like having cake." Bonnie murmured, eyeing the cupcake Elena had in her grasp. Rebekah couldn't help but grin at that, slinging her arm around Bonnie's shoulders as Elena held out the sugary offering.

It had been weird, because since that night where Rebekah and Elena had both put Bonnie first, it was like they were... friends or something. 'Or something' was definitely the right answer, because whilst Bonnie and Elena reconnected- Rebekah still couldn't help but let loose a snarky insult every now and again, Elena wasn't one to take it lying down either and returned the favour. It was fun, the snarky insults, the I-hate-your-guts-you're-kind-of-okay friendship which totally wasn't friendship. It was cool.

"You have to make a wish first," Matt pointed out, eagerly rubbing off the sign on his chest- turns out it was lipstick- whilst buttoning his shirt up, much to Rebekah's dismay.

"I wish..." Bonnie trailed off, seeing everybody's eager expressions before quickly blowing out the candle- I wish that things would just fall into place. Straightening up, she flashed the most innocent smile she could. "Actually, can't tell you."

"Bonnie!"

"Cold, just cold."

Rebekah knocked Bonnie gently whilst Caroline and Elena groaned, Matt simply plucking the baked good out of Elena's mitts and handing it over to the birthday girl; who peeled away the wrapper, plucked out the candle and promptly devoured it, almost whole. Caroline wrinkling her nose as Bonnie brushed away the crumbs at the corner of her mouth, Rebekah laughing and going to Elena's side as they flicked through the pictures she'd taken of Bonnie eating. The one where her cheeks were blown out like a chipmunk, filled with cake, was Rebekah's favourite.

"Get some pictures with the birthday girl," Elena said, motioning for Caroline to go and stand with Bonnie. The blonde dramatically winking and hiking her leg around Bonnie's, the birthday girl grabbing the leg and winked at the camera as well. Elena grinning as she took the picture. After the flash went off, Rebekah joined them, the two blondes picking Bonnie up and making her sit on their shoulders- it didn't hurt that Matt knelt in front, pretending to bow at their feet. Elena continued to snap picture after picture, trying to stifle her laughter- especially when Bonnie stuck a note saying 'Bekah's Bitch' on Matt's back.

"C'mon Gilbert. You need to be in some pictures as well." Rebekah told her, plucking the camera out of Elena's hand and ignoring her comments about how unphotogenic she was.

Instead, Caroline dragged Elena over and the three posed for the camera- somehow reminding Rebekah of Charlie's Angels. She grinned widely as she took the picture, especially when she caught one mid-motion where Caroline jumped on Bonnie's back, almost knocking Elena out of the picture.

"C'mon, you need a picture of all four of you." Matt murmured, prying the camera out of Rebekah's fingers this time and gently nudging her towards the group. Elena sniggered when Rebekah stumbled, the two sneering at one another before wrapping their arms around each others shoulders, the four of them stood together with huge grins whilst Matt took the big picture.

Whilst Bonnie appreciated Rebekah as her own friend, selfishly wanting to keep her to herself, she couldn't help but like the group she had at that point. Caroline and Rebekah still had an ongoing rivalry, Rebekah and Elena were the friends that hated to admit they liked one another, and Bonnie could safely say she loved all of them. It had taken a while for her to trust, to be friends with Elena- it was especially awkward when Stefan came over to stand with them- but things were getting easier, and so was being friends again.

It was a shame that the bell rang, and they remembered they actually had to go to class.

"If you think this is good, wait until later!" Rebekah said to her with a mischievous smile as she started to walk towards the other side of the school with Matt- the two having the same class first period.

"What's happening later!?" Bonnie shouted after her. "Rebekah!?"

She couldn't help but worry when she threw her head back and cackled loudly.

And Bonnie couldn't help but wonder what they were up to, especially when she, Caroline and Elena headed back to the Forbes residence to get all dressed up- it was nice. It felt like old times, but only better since she kept getting snarky messages from Rebekah, not to mention the fact they Facetime'd her at one point. They danced to really bad music, did their hair and makeup, fought over the bathroom, painted each others toes, all the stuff they used to do and when they said they were fashionably late, they ushered Bonnie into the car...

And drove her home.

"How did you know? This is exactly what I wanted to do for my birthday." Bonnie said dryly, yelping when Caroline nipped her for her sarcasm.

"C'mon," She said, pushing Bonnie out of the car and the three of them walking in.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Possibly her entire year and the year above was in her house, all grinning down at her as Rebekah was pushed to the front of the crowd and the music began to play loudly, the floor beginning to shake as people danced in her living room. Bonnie simply pulled Rebekah into a tight hug, the two of them swaying everywhere and laughing. There were those red cups being passed around like out of the music videos, Caroline had brought some sparklers that lit up her back garden, the music practically rattled the windows and there was people, everywhere.

Rebekah grinned widely as she threw her arms up in the air, dancing like they didn't actually have school the next day whilst Bonnie danced along with her. Caroline back-to-back with Bonnie, and Elena was over on the edge, trying to convince Stefan to dance with her.

She hadn't felt this good in a while, her dad had let her down for her birthday once again, the last party she went to was a dud and the one before that had been Jeremy's; automatic decline of invitation. So it felt nice to be in a little black lace dress with her feet trapped in a pair of lethal heels and knowing that she looked pretty damn fine.

"Happy birthday!" Rebekah screamed once again over the music, wrapping her arms around Bonnie's neck as the two laughed and stumbled around in the crowd- accidentally pushing Caroline into Matt and walking backwards into Tyler. The two guys laughing as Caroline shot off whilst Rebekah and Bonnie resumed dancing, hair flipping, hip shaking- the whole business.

It didn't take long before she was dying for a drink, something with more vodka than she could probably handle (preferably). Which is how she managed to find herself in her dad's study, that was surprisingly empty despite how many people were in her house, stood on his office chair to reach for the good Vodka he'd tried to hide on top of his bookshelf. Doing such a stunt in heels, and a short dress, should have garnered her a medal for such an effort. In fact, she almost fell off the chair when a low whistle sounded from behind her.

"You shouldn't stand up there if you don't wanna give a guy a great view," Kol, of course. "Not that I'm complaining, but I don't think you appreciate me knowing what color underwear you've got on."

Glancing over her shoulder, she sneered- "And that's as far as you'll ever get."

"Lots of love, the birthday girl," Kol said, making invisible crosses in the air as he leaned against the doorway. He couldn't help but grin though as she rolled her eyes and went back to trying to grab the elusive bottle that rolled around on the top of the bookshelf. It was when there was a flash of her inner thigh did he grin grow feral, was that- "When did Bonnie Bennett get a tattoo?!"

Quite a few seventeen year olds had tattoos, got them on drunken whims with fake ID's, but none of them were Bonnie Bennett.

Yelping, that time Bonnie really did fall off of the chair though she managed to grab the vodka before she landed, ankle twisting awkwardly as she landed. Kol flinching and reaching out, grabbing her upper arm to steady her as she limped slightly on one foot. Pursing her lips, she smacked Kol in the ribs with the bottle- ignoring his rather girlish yelp.

"What was that for?!"

"For making me fall of the chair!" Bonnie exclaimed, testing her weight on the ankle and hissing out in pain.

"I think you're just avoiding the fact you have a tattoo," Kol confessed with a wide grin, his hand slipping from her upper arm to grip her waist. "C'mon, give the dirty details. It wasn't with my sister because she'd have a matching tattoo and she can't keep secrets like that for shit-"

"No, I didn't get it with Rebekah," Bonnie muttered, rolling her eyes once again, finally able to rest her foot right without shooting pains up her leg- not exactly ignorant about Kol's hand resting upon her hip. It didn't escape her notice either as he pulled her closer towards him, he wore a nice cologne and not to mention had a bit to drink, she could smell it on his breath. "How much have you had to drink?"

"Enough to grow a pair of balls, and actually talk to you," Kol confessed honestly, his grin static on his lips as his hand slid round to the small of her back.

"And that's enough for you tonight," Bonnie murmured, taken aback slightly and tried to move out of his grip. "Kol, let go of me."

"What?" He blinked, looking down at her and suddenly realizing that he still had a hold on her. "Oh yeah, no, sorry."

Bonnie took a step back away from him, biting her lip softly, before she decided to herself. Her hands splayed against his chest as she lightly pushed him, guided him out of her dad's study whilst limping herself and with a bottle of Vodka in hand."-C'mon, back to the party."

Kol paused just outside the doorway, watching as Bonnie locked the door behind her and waiting for the right moment just as she swiveled round; which was the moment he ducked down and pressed a kiss against the corner of her lips, well, he was aiming for her cheek so it was the thought that counted. Staring up at him as he straightened his back, feeling smaller than usual when he smirked down at her.

"Happy birthday, Bon." He said before walking off, hands in his jean pocket and a swish in his hips.

Not that she was looking at his hips, or in that general area.

...Lets face it, she so was.

One week, Three Days Later.

Algebra, Calculus, Biology, Bonnie cursed the subjects to Hell and back.

Her house was no longer her safe haven, her dad had taken up residence once again and to hear him storming around the house whilst he screamed down his phone at a co worker? Not the best environment to do her homework in. Usually, this would be okay because she'd go round to Rebekah's house and stake her claim on their dining table to do their homework. Unfortunately their house was a no-go, Esther's sister Dahlia was round which meant that everyone was feeling their beloved Aunt's wrath. This was the woman which gave Bonnie nightmares as a child, it was hard to understand how Esther and the woman were related in any way.

So she'd wound up finding a table at the back of the Grill, her books opened in front of her as she tried to finish her work to her best ability.

This was why she needed Rebekah, that girl could could do Algebra in her sleep, but to Bonnie it was like alphabet soup- except with more numbers, and a few triangles. Was she even doing the right homework? She was sure she had some French homework to go along with this, now French was her thing, but she couldn't for the life of her find the actual work she was supposed to complete.

"Here you go, sweetie," Sage said cheerily, working as a waitress for that night instead of behind the bar as usual. Bonnie didn't point it out, but Sage had packed on a few pounds in the weeks after New Years, though that was probably down to the amount of Red Velvet cake Esther had been making- Bonnie would know. She'd gained a few pounds herself from the slices she'd been sneaking. Smiling up at the red head, she thanked her for the fries and the milkshake before going back to her work. "Kol, aren't you supposed to be at work?"

Bonnie's shoulders automatically stiffened.

"Stefan's working the Garage tonight," He said, rolling his shoulders whilst sauntering over to the booth Bonnie had taken shelter at. Arching an eyebrow at Sage, she shrugged her shoulders before walking over to one of the tables which were ready to order, leaving Kol to slip into the seats across from Bonnie. "There she is."

"Here I am." Bonnie stated dryly, not even looking up from her work as her pencil skidded across her page rapidly. You'd be surprised what motivation ignoring him was, and how it inspired her to do the boring maths related work.

"You've been avoiding me," Kol stated, eyes narrowed as he rested his arms on the table.

"Now what would give you that idea?" Bonnie murmured faintly, slightly distracted by a particularly hard question (they were all hard), tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"I tried to talk to you yesterday, and you almost ran in the other direction,"

"You were making me late for English with Miss. Bizzel," Bonnie said, making Kol blink- completely reasonable excuse, he thought to himself. Miss. Bizzel was a crotchety old hag. Kol'd been put in detention on more than one occasion for being more than a minute late, though it was more to do with him arguing with her about her comments on his tardiness, rather than him actually being late which landed him in detention. "What's with the sudden need to talk to me anyways?"

"Go on a date with me."

That made Bonnie look up at him.

"Have you been drinking again?" Kol frowned.

"Aunt Dahlia hasn't driven me to drink just yet," He muttered, thankful to have escape the house. The rare occasions their beloved Auntie paid them a visit, most of them made themselves scarce. Klaus and Caroline were upstate to negotiate talks about his artwork being placed in some galleries, Elijah has his own house which he could seek sanctuary from. Sage was working, so was Finn. Rebekah and Henrik were the only ones actually stuck being home, Kol had managed to slip out of the bathroom window. His own having been locked since the tender age of thirteen. "So, whatd'ya say Bonnie?"

"That you should seek professional help about your family problems." Bonnie quipped without blinking, the corner of her lip tugging as she tried to repress her smile.

"Funny," Kol sneered, before his entire expression fell. "Wait- what's that?"

"What-"

"Shh,"Kol hushed her, dramatically placing a hand to his ear. "What's that I hear- oh, it's not a no."

"I didn't-"

"I'll pick you up at six on Saturday." Kol said, an arrogant grin stretching his lips widely as he slid out of the booth, leaning down to press a kiss against her cheek before he walked away, whistling a jaunty tune which made Bonnie want to stab herself in the thigh with her pen. Sage chuckled at the pair of them, mindful of the silent salute she received from Kol as he left the Grill. Bonnie on the other hand glared down at the paper she'd been writing on, looking ready to murder someone.

She'd been doing the wrong work the whole time. And now she had a date with Kol Mikaelson.

...She was at a loss of words.

Three Days Later

"I'm going to be your maid-of-honor, okay?" Rebekah stated, grinning when Bonnie flipped her off whilst reaching down to zip up her boots. Sometimes, she regretted telling the blonde about how her brother had conned her into going on a date with him- though she didn't really try that hard to get out of it, no effort at all really; but she ignored that fact just like she ignored Rebekah at that moment. Nervous, she was actually nervous for this whole date thing. Stomach in knots, palms slightly clammy, she couldn't keep still, that kind of nervous.

"I don't know what you're getting excited about, it's your brother. If anything you should be hissing 'Oh gross', that kind of thing." Bonnie said as she stood up to her full height. Fluffing her hair out a bit, making sure she didn't have any lipstick on her teeth- she wasn't even wearing any lipstick- and no stray blobs of mascara.

"I don't know why you even bothered getting dressed, I'm sure my brother would love a date with a naked Bonnie," Rebekah said mindlessly, frowning as soon as she realized what she'd said, glancing over her shoulder just as Bonnie froze; the two of them mentally taking in Rebekah's words. "You're right, that is weird. Our friendship will never be ready for those comments."

"Maybe when we're old and senile, arguing when we're in wheelchairs-"

"Aw, you really think we'll make it that far?" Rebekah crooned, fluttering her eyelashes dramatically.

"No, I'll have murdered you before that." Bonnie confessed with a grin, yelping when Rebekah swatted her ass as she walked past her to get to her make-up bag. "Touchy, touchy."

The two bickered back and forth for a couple minutes, but both went deadly silent when they heard the knock at the door. Their heads snapping in unison from door to the clock on the wall, which clearly displayed Six O'Clock. It couldn't be, it was only half four a minute ago? Maybe Rebekah had messed around with the clock again? Still, he knocked on the door again. Their heads snapping to look back at the door before they glanced at one another- Rebekah's lips pursed and Bonnie was all but ready to run out the back door.

"I'm not getting any younger out here," Kol called out teasingly.

"Give her a minute, you wanker!" Rebekah hollered through the door, climbing off of the sofa to stand in front of Bonnie with her hands on her shoulder. "You don't have to go on a date with him if you don't want."

"...Might as well give it a try," Bonnie eventually said, rolling her shoulders and keeping her head high as she brushed Rebekah's hand off her shoulders, going to finally answer the door.

"Now, lets not get too eager, I know you're dying to go on a date with me, Bennett," Kol grumbled, rolling his eyes as the door opened- trying to ignore the fact that she'd worn those jeans which made her legs look amazing, or the fact that Bonnie Bennett in a leather jacket was attractive as hell.

Remember Kol, try to keep your tongue inside your mouth and not pant like the mutt you secretly are.

"Lock up when you leave, Rebekah," Bonnie called back into the house, hearing a scoff from the other room as well as the TV turn on. "And if you don't leave, you can do the dishes-"

"Bonnie-"

She simply slammed the front door behind her with a small smirk.

"You ready to go?" She asked him, lips pulled into a small smile as they walked away from the house and Kol simply rolled his eyes once again (they were going to get stuck if he kept doing that).

"I was the one waiting for you, Bennett."

AN: Okay, I know the actual date isn't in the chapter- IT WILL BE IN THE NEXT ONE I SWEAR, with the amount on Bonkai I've been invested in, I've kinda lost my muse again. So I'm just gonna watch loads of kennett videos and fanfictions, and get back into the swing of it before I actually write the date. Though this chapter is hella long in comparison to what it was in my first drafts. I'm so sorry about the wait!