Breathing ∞ Kol Mikaelson [1]

[65]

Emma was happy that on Sunday mornings, Mystic Falls wasn't really full of activity. So as she moved through the streets of her town, the hood of her jacket pulled up to somewhat obscure her face, she was happy to be able to avoid any curious eyes or questions.

One simple scan through that morning's paper had let her know that Kol was right. So far, the only mention of the fire was saying it happened. And according to the reports 'the number of casualties currently remains unknown'.

That was good. If her father somehow managed to get a hold of any Mystic Falls news source, he'd think that the authorities are still working on sorting through everything or not releasing all of the information. After all, the story of why the fire happened in the first place was, in classic Mystic Falls fashion, a gas leak.

With a shake of her head, attempting to clear her mind of images of fire and blood that started to flash through it, Emma threw the paper into a nearby trash bin. She needed to stay focused. And to do so, she decided to make one stop along the way. She needed a cup of coffee. And to say goodbye before she left.

"We're not open until eleven." Matt didn't even turn around to look at her as she walked through the door of the Grill. He continued on sorting chairs, at least until she spoke up.

"Well, I'd say you owe me a cup of Joe at the very least." The sound of her voice had him spinning on his heel, looking at her with wide eyes. "And I'm here to collect." She continued like she didn't even notice the shock on his face while she made her way to the bar, forcing him to simply follow after her.

"What the hell happened last night? I heard about the fire, but no one's saying anything else." Matt questioned as he made his way behind the bar to make the coffee while she sat down on one of the stools, mindlessly playing with a sugar packet as she waited.

"Gas leak." Emma said simply. While she and Matt had their little friendship thing going on, she never told him about her background. And she didn't feel like getting into it right now. So she went with the simpler version. She could see the doubtful look on his face, but the lack of elaboration made it clear he shouldn't ask more questions about it.

And he didn't. Because of that, Emma was allowed to go on after a short moment of silence. "I didn't come just for the coffee to be honest." She announced, making him look back up at her with a curious look. "I'm leaving town and I don't think I'll be back any time soon. I came to say goodbye."

Matt was really the only person in this place to whom she'd want or need to say it. Kol was coming with her. She knew she'd see Rebekah again. And Klaus... Well, Emma wasn't really sure about what was happening there.

According to Kol, his brother found out about her siphoning after she accidentally did it to him. And of course, his paranoia did its work. But even after that, he still had witches ensuring Samuel was no where near Mystic Falls. She suspected it might be best to just give the hybrid some time to cool down. And then go from there. Once she was far enough away if going from there went south.

"Wait, you're leaving? Why? And what about school?" Matt questioned in surprise, and the last question had Emma giving out a small laugh she couldn't hold back.

"Funny story: I could have graduated last year, I did an accelerated study thing hoping to get to college earlier and stop all the moving around. But my mum insisted I have the senior year experience. I gave in. What's one more year, I asked myself." This time, Emma's laugh sounded a lot more humourless than it did before. "But yeah, I can literally graduate whenever I want."

"And you still put yourself through Algebra?" Matt questioned as he slid the takeaway cup towards her across the bar, watching the smile of amusement spread over her face.

"You made it fun, blue eyes." She said jokingly.

"The times you weren't using it as a nap break." He added on the two laughing together for a moment before it died down again. "It won't be as fun without your snoring."

"I'll try and keep in touch. You can still vent to me about how stupid all the town blood suckers are being." Emma said. She needed to get her hands on a new phone probably, but once she did she'd try to maintain contact. Although, she didn't make much promises. Moving around as much as she did, if there was one lesson of life that she learned, it was how easy it could be to lose touch with someone.

"I'll hold you to that." Matt said just as the door opened again, making both eyes turn towards it, Emma's just a tad bit more panicked than Matt's until she saw who walked through it.

"Uh, hey, April. We don't open until eleven." Matt told her the same thing he's said to Emma when she appeared. Although, this time it probably wasn't made as effective by the sight of her sitting at the bar sipping on her coffee and enjoying the way it warmed her hands.

"Oh, sorry, I wasn't like trying to scare you or stalk you or whatever. I just..." Emma watched silently as the girl stumbled over her words in an awkward manner. She was about to excuse herself and head on with the rest of her business, but then April continued. "I came to ask if you've seen Rebekah."

"Why would I have seen Rebekah?" Matt questioned, entirely confused, while Emma herself had to hide her smirk because she actually wasn't. Luckily, she didn't have to bother for too long because April gave the explanation on her own.

"Oh, I just assumed...I mean, aren't you guys kind of like a thing?" April questioned, unsure of whether she'd overstepped or something.

"Rebekah and I are not a thing." Matt scoffed, tone defensive and his movements trying to look like he was focused on anything else but April's words. Emma couldn't help but laugh at the avoidance attempt.

"The whole excessive denial makes it a bit suspicious, Matty." She pointed out, making his glare turn on her.

"I was wrong. I won't miss you." He sassed, making her laugh again as she jumped down from the stool and grabbed her coffee, ready to go. But not before turning to April.

"And as for Rebekah, she's been a bit busy lately," Emma replied, not really feeling like saying the blonde spent her night making sure Emma was alright after a death defying experience. "And just today, she and her brother went to Italy." She added on.

"Oh, that makes sense. Probably why she isn't answering calls too." April mussed, more to herself than them, but it still had Emma's mind starting to wonder. She knew Rebekah didn't really care about the cost of a phone call. She brushed her questions off, knowing that the most likely possibility was that Rebekah just didn't feel like answering the call.

"Yeah." She just agreed with April instead. "Well, I'm gonna go and see if I can pack anything besides ash. I'll text you when I get settled in my new place, Matt." Emma announced, about to head back to the door. Until her path was blocked.

"No one is going anywhere."

The sight of Connor Jordan, the almighty pain in the ass hunter who was supposed to be dead standing in front of them as he pressed a knife into Jeremy's neck received different reactions from the trio. April gasped in fear while Matt fixed Jeremy with a concerned look, silently asking if he was alright. Emma on the other hand watched the scene, an unimpressed look coming over her face.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me."