#bad date

Rebekah insisted that I should start dating the minute we became best friends. I obviously knew the real reason was because she wanted to double date with me and her current boyfriend Matt Donavan. Even when she claimed it was because it would make me happy and that I would have fun.

I was hesitant at first considering I haven’t dated anyone and here I am now at eighteen years old. Growing up I just never saw the point in dating like my friends did, I just simply enjoyed my life without having to date a guy.

My friends in high school and Rebekah are hopeless romantics, I am too I suppose. But I don’t see the point in rushing into something unless everything feels right.

My date did not start out feeling that way at all.

I am currently sitting in the Grill for over an hour and my date. Devin I think it still hasn’t shown up. I am sitting on a barstool, slowly nursing a “Sex on the Beach” that the bartender gave me like fifteen minutes ago.

Twirling the straw around in my glass I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Pulling it out from my jeans I eyed a text message from Rebekah.

“How’s the date going?”

I typed back, sending her an annoyed picture of me wearing my outfit for the night. “He hasn’t shown up yet.” Included with me wearing a Lacey red top that was a v neck to show off some cleavage ( per Rebekah’s instance ), paired with some ripped up light blue jeans and tan ankle length boots. My hair was just curled on the ends and the rest was left to be naturally wavy.

“Awe, I’m sorry dear. Maybe he’ll show up soon.” She replied back before I heard footsteps coming up behind me. Glancing over my shoulder out of curiosity I found myself staring at a man dressed up in a suit and tie with dark brown hair.

He approached me with such a confidence that I didn’t usually see in most guys that live in this small town I call home. And I of course couldn't take my eyes off him by how he was dressed. The Grill wasn't a fancy restaurant you got dressed up for, so surely this couldn't be my date. Although Devin and I have not seen each other in person yet I just assumed he was some other guy that lives here and wears a leather jacket thinking it makes him look cool. And it did for some girls but like I said earlier, at fifteen that just wasn't something I was interested in.

“Good evening, are you here by yourself tonight?” The man asked once he reached me, standing a few inches away from me.

Slumping my shoulders in defeat I finally admit the words out loud to myself. “I was supposed to be meeting this guy Devin here for a date. But clearly he ain't showing cause it's been almost over two hours.”

“That is unfortunate. I would have thought men today would still know how to treat a woman like yourself.”

“Unfortunately, no. Some men are just jerks.” Waving the bartender over I took out my wallet and had my card ready to pay for my drinks. “Can I close out my tab? I'm ready to go.”

The bartender reached to take my card but the man spoke up again, catching my attention with a clever response I didn't expect. “My sister told me you had a date tonight. And I had a feeling he wouldn't be worthy of you and certainly he wasn't by standing you up tonight.”

“So you decided to rescue me?”

“No,” he said, voice low. “I decided to claim the opportunity he was foolish enough to waste.”

I blinked at him, stunned. “Wait… Rebekah’s your sister?” Rebekah had told me she had some brothers but I had only met Klaus and Kol. The one standing before me now was a mystery to me.

He smiled softly, the corners of his mouth lifting with quiet amusement. “Indeed. Elijah Mikaelson,” he said, offering his hand with the kind of old-world charm that made my heart skip. “And tonight, if you’ll allow me, I’d like to be your date.”

I hesitated, glancing at my drink, then at the empty stool beside me. Devin clearly wasn’t coming. And here was Elijah—elegant, composed, and somehow making me feel seen in a way no one ever had.

“…Okay,” I said, sliding my card back into my wallet. “You’ve got one hour to impress me.”

He chuckled, low and warm. “Challenge accepted.”

We moved to a booth near the window, away from the bar crowd. The waitress returned, eyebrows raised at the sudden change in company, but Elijah handled it with effortless grace. He ordered a bottle of wine I couldn’t pronounce and asked me what I’d like to eat—not in a way that felt obligatory, but like he genuinely cared.

Conversation flowed easily. He asked about my interests, my dreams, even my favorite books. And he listened—really listened. Not the way guys in high school did, nodding while checking their phones. Elijah’s gaze never left mine, and every word he spoke felt deliberate, thoughtful.

At one point, I laughed at something he said—something dry and clever—and he smiled like it was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard.

“You know,” I said, swirling my wine, “this is probably the best date I’ve never planned.”

He leaned forward slightly, voice soft. “Then allow me to make it unforgettable.”

After dinner, he walked me out to my car. The night air was cool, and the stars above Mystic Falls shimmered like scattered diamonds. I turned to him, unsure of what to say. I’d never felt this kind of warmth from someone before—especially not someone who looked like he belonged in a castle, not a small-town bar.

Elijah reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my cheek. “You deserve someone who shows up. Someone who sees you for who you are and never makes you question your worth.”

I swallowed, heart thudding. “You really think Devin’s an idiot?”

He smiled, eyes dark and sincere. “He’s a fool. But his absence gave me the chance to be here with you. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

I didn’t kiss him. Not yet. And I didn't know how to say goodbye to someone who’d turned your worst night into something unexpectedly perfect.

He looked at me, hands tucked into his coat pockets, eyes thoughtful. “You know, I wasn’t sure what I’d find when I walked into the Grill tonight. But I’m glad I found you.”

I smiled, heart fluttering. “I’m glad you did too.”

There was a beat of silence, warm and full of possibility. Then Elijah stepped closer, his voice low and deliberate.

“Would you allow me to take you out again? A proper date this time. Somewhere that suits you far better than a barstool and a forgotten cocktail.”

I laughed softly, cheeks warming. “You mean somewhere I won’t get stood up?”

He smiled, eyes twinkling. “Precisely. I promise to arrive early, dressed appropriately, and to never let you feel anything less than extraordinary.”

I was unable to hide my grin that spread across my face. “Then yes. I’d love that.”

Elijah leaned in, brushing a kiss to my cheek, slow and intentional. “Until then, Y/n.”

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me with a heart full of warmth and the promise of something new as I drove away in my car.