I step out of the shower, shivering slightly when the hot air escapes as soon as I open the curtains. My fingers get ahold of my white towel and I quickly dry myself before wrapping it around my body.

I open the door that connects to my room and enter it with a sigh. I was supposed to meet up with Alaric earlier to practice more of my hunting skills but lately I haven't been up to it so, I completely bailed on him.

Klaus has been on my mind nonstop since that night he threatened to kill me. As much as I don't want to admit it, I can see why he chose to do something like that. For some reason, it hurts knowing my days with him are over but I can't pinpoint the reason.

"Cute fit," A voice startles me and I gasp in surprise. I hold tightly on my towel and bring it closer to my body. "Damon? Wh-What are you doing in here? Get out."

"I totally would but I have a lot to discuss with you, Miss Gilbert." he tells me with a grin. I gulp, staring at him in shock. "Can I at least change? How did you even get in here?"

"You should really keep your doors locked, you know, incase intruders sneak in." he says and then turns his entire back on me, "Go ahead and put your clothes on. I won't peak."

I roll my eyes at him and go to my drawers to fetch undergarments and clothing. Instead of changing in my bedroom like I initially planned on doing, I went straight to the bathroom and closed the door right behind me.

"I said I had a lot to discuss." I head Damon's voice say aloud from the other side of the door. "You can wait three minutes, Damon." I yell back, throwing on my shirt and slipping on my jeans before entering my bedroom again.

When I come back, Damon is laying on my bed with his arms crossed as if he was waiting hours for me to come out. "Happy?" I question, putting my hand on my hip.

"Super."

Rolling my eyes once again, I walk over to my desk and grab my brush, combing it through my hair. "What did you want to tell me?"

"I need you to win Klaus' heart back." he pouts, intertwining his fingers and placing them underneath his chin like he's pleading for my acceptance.

"How am I supposed to win something he doesn't have?" I ask him and place my brush down. He chuckles, standing up from my bed and walking over to me.

"And no, Damon, I can't do that. I almost died."

"You almost died because you hurt his feelings."

"No. I almost died because he found out I was using him to kill him and his siblings. There's absolutely no way he will let me breathe in the same air as him again."

"Maya, he'd be the stupidest person on this planet if he doesn't give you a second chance." he tells me, picking up a picture of my siblings and I from my dresser and observing it.

I snatch the picture from his fingers and glance up at him, "This isn't about second chances, Damon. When it comes to family, especially his family, it's hard to forgive someone who wants to strip it away from them."

"How many times have I killed your brother? And yet you're still talking to me." he states and I shoot him a glare, not really up for that touchy subject.

"That's different. Klaus and I are not similar at all."

"You don't know if you don't try." Damon tells me with a raising eyebrow.

"Okay, why do you even want me to do this again? I only did it last time because I was optimistic he was going to die. News flash, Damon, his parents are dead and we have no weapon to kill him."

A smirk grows on his lips, but he remains quiet. "What?!" I ask and raise my hands up in question.

"Oh, nothing. Don't you have school? I sure hope you give your greetings to Mr. Hybrid as soon as you get off the bus."

"What are you not telling me? And I don't even take the bus." I cross my arms and walk out of my bedroom and down the stairs. Damon follows suit.

I enter the kitchen and Damon takes a seat on the stool and starts picking at some grapes we had on the island. "I'll tell you eventually. But, for now you just have to play your part."

"What does Stefan have to say about this?" I ask him, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl. "Stefan? You think I confided in Stefan with this?"

I shrug, "I don't know, Damon? So... what is this, then? Another secret again?"

"Sure." he replies, getting up from his seat. "It'll be our dirty little secret. You can't go blabbing to Blondie about this because I cannot stand her voice when she's angry."

"I won't say anything to Caroline or anyone, okay?" I raise my hands up in defense and he shoots me a smug smile, "Perfect. I knew I could count on you."

Before I know it, he's no longer standing in front of me and all I can hear is the front door opening and shutting.

"Who was that?" Elena's voice rings as she joins me in the kitchen, buttoning her shirt. "Damon." I reply, taking another bite of my forbidden fruit.

"Damon? What was he doing here?" Elena asks and opens the refrigerator to fetch orange juice.

I stand there in silence as I bite my apple. I couldn't think of a lie on the spot and I know if I tell Elena the truth, she'll do everything she can to back me out of it.

"Hellooo? Maya..."

"Uh, Damon was asking me about you." I lie quickly which causes Elena to raise her eyebrows in surprise. "Me? Why?"

"I can't say!" I shrug and rush out of the kitchen, grabbing my bag and keys before exiting my house.

§

"Maya Gilbert!" Caroline's voice screeches throughout the entire hallway. Nearby students glance at her weirdly and I widen my eyes, shutting my locker door as she makes her way over to me.

"Caroline, lower your voice!" I twist the combination on my locker and face her. "What's up?"

"What's this I'm hearing that a certain old hybrid tried to kill you? I told you I wouldn't hesitate to come to your defense." My blonde best friend folds her arm in aggravation.

"Okay, don't get too ahead of yourself, Care. Klaus won't hesitate to kill you if you do something." I tell her and we walk down the hallway to our next class.

"If only we had something to kill him because I would totally do that right now." Caroline huffs and unfolds her arm. I glance at her, "Trust me, you're not the first person on that list."

We stand in front of my classroom door and Caroline lets out a loud sigh, "I just want to protect you, okay?" She gets cut short by the bell ringing, "Shoot, I'm late. See you later?"

"Bye, Care." I wave as she runs down the hallway to her next class. I sigh and stroll into the room and Alaric gives me a look with crossed arms.

"I could have sworn we had a lesson today." he says with a raised eyebrow. I give him a small pout, "I'm sorry, Alar—" I stop myself short before any classmates could hear me, "Mr. Saltzman. Tomorrow?"

A sigh escapes his lips and he nods, turning around to start his actual lesson of the day. I take my seat, giving Stefan a smile before pulling out my notebook and listen intently.

§

I breathe in and out as I stand in front of the biggest mansion I've ever laid eyes on. I fiddle with my fingers, my foot tapping lightly on the ground, too anxious to actually raise my hand and knock on the door.

Something about this morning had me thinking. Damon wouldn't suggest I pick this up again if he knew there's a way to end The Originals for good. I just hope I don't screw up like I did last time.

I'm nervous, extremely nervous. Klaus could be the last person I see before he drains the life out of me. However, I need to do this to protect everyone I care about and this town.

Before my knuckles could touch the door, it swings open and a certain blonde opens it. "Oh!"

"Rebekah." I smile warmly at her, stifling my bag on my side. "Oh, it's you." her voice sounded dissatisfied and annoyed.

"I had faith in you. I thought you were the better one out of the bunch. Turns out you're just like them." Rebekah tells me with her hand on her hip, the other holding the door open.

"That's why I'm here. To prove I'm not what you think... more of what Klaus thinks of me." I tell her, breathing in and out to calm my nerves.

"If you think we're going to fall for that, you truly are the biggest fool."

"Rebekah, please. None of my friends know I'm here." I tell her, which was the truth. I never told Damon I agreed to his plead. But, he could have his suspicions if he wonders where I'm at.

"You know, I watched my brother burn every single drawing he made of you. I actually thought you could be something for him, but I guess the Gilbert genes have something along the lines of deceiving their so-called friends."

"I'm not like Elena." I state bluntly and she lets out a scoff, "Yeah, right."

I stand there for what feels like ages until Rebekah sighs, opening the door wider. "I still think you're a backstabbing bitch just like your sister but if my brother chooses to forgive you then it's on him."

I step foot into the mansion, memories from the night of the ball floods in. That happened a week ago but still, I will never forget that night.

"Well, I'm off. I hope I don't come home to your dead corpse on my carpet." she says before leaving the house with a loud bang from the door.

I frown at her statement but brush it off. "Klaus?" I say quite loudly, my voice echoing in the large foyer.

"What are you doing here?" My eyes search up to the top of the staircase where Klaus stands with a blank expression, causing my breathing to hitch.

"Klaus, you don't have to say anything but I just want you to know that I'm sorry... I'm sorry for hurting you."

He starts to laugh in a mockingly manner, "What is this? Some pathetic ploy to kill me again? You should see yourself out the door."

Before he could turn his back, I stop him with my voice. "Look, you do mean something to me. I don't know what it is or why that is, but you do. Maybe... maybe it's because you don't disregard everything I say and actually listen to me. I-I don't know. Just know I wouldn't be here if it weren't for a reason."

I widen my eyes at my own confession, not really expecting myself to reveal those hidden secrets.

In a flash, he's right in front of me, his eyes burning into mine. "Are you finished?"

My eyebrows raise in surprise and feel a pang in my heart at his words. "Klaus," I whisper, "you have to understand where I came from."

He doesn't respond and instead he continues to stare with me with an expression I can't read. I sigh, "I didn't come for your forgiveness. I just wanted you to know that."

I spin my body around, prepared to exit to the door until he grabs my arm and as an immediate reaction, I flinch and bring my arm forward.

"Well, it seems your actions does not agree what comes out of your mouth." he tells me and I look back at him, letting my arms fall.

"Last time you touched me, you threatened to kill me." I remind him and his face softens, regret filling his eyes.

"I never would have killed you, Maya. Despite everything that has happened, you are far more worth it than being collateral damage."

I nearly wince, sucking my teeth in knowing I called him collateral damage last time we met.

I step forward and he lifts his hand up and places it on my cheek, studying me. I take observation into his blue eyes and I notice my breathing becomes softer and the crinkles of his eyes as his lips curve upwards.

My heartbeat thumps in my chest and I move my head to the side to release myself from his touch. "I think I should go." I whisper softly and aim for the door without looking back.