Chapter 10: Flashback: First Spark

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It was time for Leighton’s energy boost which of course meant an iced coffee and an unusually bright orange and poppy seed muffin from the Coffee Nut Café. It was a tradition Leighton upheld every day of classes which was three times a week.
The Café was completely full and buzzing with life in fact there wasn’t a spare table anywhere. Hence the reason Leighton made sure to arrive before lunch to grab a table.
“I’m sorry to bother you but there is nowhere else to sit; may I?” Elijah asked politely. It was his first day of teaching Mythology, and all he had to do was compel the dean to take over from Mr Ryan; too easy.
His plan was simple. Gain Leighton’s trust, compel her if necessary and keep her hidden from all vampires; especially Klaus and Katherine.
“Mr Walter right? Of course but it’s going to cost you,” Leighton couldn’t help but smirk. Leighton may have been crushing just slightly. It was impossible not to with his deep brown eyes, amazing jaw line and perfect lips.
“And what is the price?”
“A+’s for the rest of the semester,” Leighton tried to keep a straight face, but her wide grin managed to surface despite her best efforts.
“Is that all? Easy done . . . But you are joking right?”
“Of course take a seat.”
“So how did I do for my first day?” Elijah asked as he took his seat across from Leighton.
“Well you aren’t as boring Mr Ryan.”
Plus you are a hell of a lot hotter! Leighton thought silently. The last thing she wanted was for her teacher to know she was crushing on him. Older guys usually weren’t Leighton’s type but she knew he was different.
If only she knew just how different.
“So I can count on you to not fall asleep during my lectures?”
I couldn’t even if I tried. Leighton made sure to keep the thought silent. It was new to her; to get so giddy over a guy. Sure she had boyfriends but none that made her pulse race so much or made her palms sweat.
“You can.”
“Do you mind me asking why you are interested in mythology?” Elijah asked as the waitress placed his bright yellow translucent mug of coffee in front of him. He gave her a polite nod and smiled before he focused his attention back on Leighton.
He couldn’t help but notice her beauty which was more radiant than Katherine and Elena’s put together.
No don’t even think about it. The last time you fell for a doppelganger she used you. Elijah reminded himself. He wasn’t allowed to feel anything for Leighton; not even a slight attraction.
“I don’t know exactly. I guess I just love the idea of supernatural creatures and the Greek Gods’ and Goddesses’ it’s fascinating,” Leighton grew up watching Hercules and Zena; it was where her fascination began. How quickly opinions can change when myths become reality.
“Have you read The Greek Myths by Robert Graves? It’s over 30 years old but it’s by far the best.”
“No I haven’t but by the sounds of it I need too.”
“I have a copy I can lend you; I think you will really enjoy it,” Elijah forced a polite smile before he took a sip of his coffee. Elijah never had problems with the ladies; they always fell for his charm and he knew Leighton was buying his act.
“Okay I’ll give it a go. Now it’s my turn to ask a question. Why are you teaching mythology? Is it to get the college girls?” Leighton couldn’t help but smirk at the question hoping that maybe he would consider seeing a college girl; particularly one named Leighton.
“Same reason as you actually it fascinates me,” Elijah brushed off the college girl part of the question; he didn’t want to seem like one of those insecure guys that needed to hook up with college girls to make himself feel better.
He was anything but insecure.
“Good to know. Well I better go I’ll see you tomorrow,” Leighton smiled as she gathered her phone and purse from the table. I’m never going to miss a class ever. Leighton decided.
“Hang on a second you have an eyelash on your cheek,” Elijah stood to his feet and reached over the table before lightly grabbing the eyelash. This move never failed.
“Make a wish,” Elijah smiled and held the eyelash in front of Leighton’s face.
“Okay," Leighton agreed and closed her eyes.
I want to get to know Eli better. Leighton silently wished before she gently blew on his finger and opened her eyes. The close proximity was sending shivers all over Leighton’s body; the good kind.
“Don’t worry I won’t ask what you wished for,” Elijah smiled knowing it probably had something to do with him. He wasn’t the cocky type but he did hear Leighton’s pulse race dramatically just seconds ago. He had enough experience to know what it meant.
He was making her heart race. His plan was working; maybe he wouldn’t need to compel Leighton after all. Well at least not her feelings.
“And here I thought all the gentlemen had died out.”
“All but one,” Elijah gave Leighton his best seductive smile and Leighton had to remember to breathe before she passed out on the floor, and embarrassed herself. It was almost an impossible task for her in that moment. Her brain was turning into mush literally.
Don’t say anything stupid! Leighton ordered herself.
“Charming and a gentleman; rare combination,” Leighton wanted to slap herself in the face immediately, but most of all she wanted to take it back of course she didn’t have a time machine so it was impossible.
Really? You just did the opposite of not saying anything stupid! In fact I’m pretty sure that was the worst line in history! Leighton seethed quietly.
“I’m just about to leave; I can get you that copy of The Greek Myths by Robert Graves and drop you home if you want or back here?” Elijah made sure not to sound desperate or too forceful.
“Umm . . . Sure my next class isn’t for another hour,” Leighton tried to sound casual as if she wasn’t full of excitement.
Leighton didn’t want to make it obvious that she was enjoying his company, and she definitely didn’t want to come across as desperate or even clingy although Leighton had never been clingy with anyone. Her independence was the most important thing to her.
The house was the opposite of what Leighton was expecting. It was old school well apart from the appliances and garage door which was paper thin like all the rest of them.
It reminded Leighton of the houses from the classic movies and T.V shows she was brought up watching. Her mother would always talk about how the classic look would always be the best.
The tones were neutral and not bright like all the new houses. Leighton almost preferred it. The house had a very relaxed and calm feeling to it; even the furniture was old school and not flashy and all different shapes like the new stuff that Leighton was used to.
“It’s beautiful. I feel like I just time travelled 40 years into the past,” Leighton couldn’t help but look at the place in awe.
“How do you know its 40 years old? I take it you like my house?” Elijah couldn’t help but sound surprised. Not many people bought old houses because they admired them; they bought them because they thought it was retro and made them look cool.
“It reminds me of 7th Heaven, but an upgraded model and how can I not like this house,” Leighton took in every inch of the house, “my mom made me watch all the shows she grew up on and the ones she watched at my age,” Leighton explained. Supernatural was Leighton’s ultimate favourite old T.V show; she couldn’t believe it was 20 years old.
Her mother would have bought an old house, but she couldn’t afford it. They were considered a part of history which meant insane prices that only rich people could afford.
“Follow me I’ll show you the study,” Elijah nodded toward the end of the hallway. He didn’t expect Leighton to appreciate history so much. It was a shocking surprise considering most girls her age only cared about hooking up at college parties.
Just a reminder that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Elijah silently decided as Leighton followed close behind him.
Leighton had to make an effort not gasp out loud as she stepped into the study. It was just as old school as the rest of the house with its huge brown, bulky bookshelf that literally took up a whole wall. Even the books looked to be very old like 100 years old or what Leighton imagined 100 year old books to look like.
“Can I live here?” Leighton asked jokingly as she ran her fingers along the row of books.
“You like books?” Elijah made sure to hide the shock from his voice.
“I love books; I know most people just read books on their eBook but there’s something special about holding a book between your hands. I probably sound like a freak. I’m going to stop now.”
Books were out of style and had been for the last 15 years. Only 25% of the population bothered with books anymore. If it wasn’t for Leighton’s mother than Leighton would have been the same, but her mother made sure to educate Leighton with past T.V shows, movies and books.
“You don’t sound like a freak,” Elijah replied as he stood by Leighton’s side scanning for the mythology book.
“You’re not that much older than me; why are you so old school?” Leighton asked as her fingers brushed past Alice in Wonderland. Leighton immediately grabbed it out of the book shelf and gently flipped through the pages.
It was her favourite bed time story and Leighton had lost her copy years ago. She couldn’t justify spending $300 on a book which is how much they were charging for the original by Lewis Carroll. The version Leighton had was on eBook, and for now it is going to have to be enough.
“See something you like?”
“I used to have a copy like this but not as old. I lost it years ago. My mother used to read it to me when I was a child.”
Leighton didn’t like talking about her mother who became sick and died four years ago. It was a new disease that the doctors and scientists had never encountered before let alone had a cure for.
“In that case it’s yours.”
“No I couldn’t. This book is probably worth hundreds of dollars at the very least.”
“Please I insist.”
“I-”
“And here is the mythology book you will love it,” Elijah held out the book for Leighton who still looked to be in shock from his offer. He gently grabbed the Alice in Wonderland book from her hands and added the mythology book to the pile before placing them back in her hands which hadn’t moved a single inch.
Get a grip! Leighton demanded herself.
It wasn’t just Leighton’s heart beating rapidly from the contact of their skin touching and the worry instantly rose in Elijah’s chest. He was feeling something when he was meant to be feeling nothing.
“Come on let’s get you back,” Elijah forced a smile even though he was silently freaking out. He couldn’t do it again; he couldn’t open himself up just to be used.
She’s not Katherine but that is beside the point. I can’t get attached; it could go horribly wrong. Elijah silently conversed with himself as he followed behind her.

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