"Maybe if you weren't so snarky all the time, daddy wouldn't kick up such a fuss whenever we're hanging out. I swear, I get more hell for spending time with you, than for the random guys I hook up with," Caroline commented idly, as she made her way back to her room, picking up the knee length ivory dress she left on the edge of her bed. She had bought it last week, to wear especially for this occasion. But she'd woken up this morning feeling like the dawn of a new era mean't a big change. Gone were the days of being captain of the cheer leading squad, student body president, planning high school parties and chairing committees. After today, she'd no longer have to abide by school rules and social conventions and live up to heightened expectations. She could dare to be brave. She had traded her pin straight hair for her naturally curly locks. If only she had something in her wardrobe that screamed 'sophisticated and elegantly stylish, yet daring.' She was so done with being 'safe.'
"My bitchy personality is all part of the allure..." Katherine followed her in, waving her hand theatrically, spirit fingers and all.
Caroline chuckled, shaking her head. "No. You are perfectly capable of being nice. You just enjoy riling daddy and Steven up" she stated, plucking out an emerald green, strapless dress that fell just above her knee. It was sophisticated and stylish. The colour and embroidered fabric was bold. But she still felt boring, like she was just another face in the crowd. She needed to wear something to make her stand out.
"You know, I'm surprised they haven't tried to stake you in your sleep whenever you stay over" Caroline said nonchalantly. Some times the heated conversations turned into outright arguments and Caroline couldn't help but feel scared. Not for herself, but for them. Having a best friend as a vampire and a father as a hunter was not easy to deal with. But Katherine would just roll her eyes and explain 'your daddy's not a real hunter, sweetie... he's just an ignorant, presumptuous human who likes to shoot wooden bullets and drive stakes through creatures he knows nothing about. Creatures who could easily kill him, by the way' she would point out. But after five years, Katherine should have gotten used to Bill Forbes mixing vervain in the fruit punch. And Caroline's dad really should learn to ignore when Katherine bared her fangs at him for fun. There was nothing Caroline could say or do to make them stop provoking each other. So after a while she realised that she'd just have to learn to live with the fact that the two most important people in her life, hated each other.
"The same reason I don't tear their jugulars out and drain them dry" Katherine muttered. After a scathing look from Caroline, "mutual respect and our mutual interest in you being happy," Katherine explained, giving her a sweet smile.
Caroline rolled her eyes. "Can you like, be less of a Bram Stroker character and more of my best friend right now, and help me figure out what to wear?" The emerald dress joined the ivory dress on the carpeted floor, as Caroline continued to paw through her closet. Considering all the events she'd attended over the years, and all the back up dresses she'd never gotten a chance to wear, it was becoming increasingly frustrating that nothing seemed to suit her tastes. It was like she woke up this morning a whole new person. Which she kind of was. After today high school would be done... she would be a college girl attending NYU on a literary scholarship. Not that her dad couldn't afford to send her there, but being granted a scholarship mean't that Caroline was doing it on her own. It was whole new level of independence. She couldn't help but feel like this was a new beginning... she would finally become the person she was mean't to be.
"Oh sweetie, Dracula's got nothing on me" Katherine said, staring at herself intently in the mirror, fixing her hair.
"Seriously?!" Caroline said, turning around, folding her arms and looking a Katherine for the first time since she showed up at the door. Bill had let Katherine in, but Caroline had been so busy intervening in their building argument, intent on preventing it from escalating to death threats that she hadn't really looked at her best friend. Katherine looked amazing as usual. Her signature long curly raven hair caught in an intricate braid. She was wearing a tight, knee length, black, strapless dress, that Caroline was sure accentuated all of Katherine's assets in what would be in an almost indecent way, but for... "Are you wearing a blazer?" Caroline practically screeched, disbelief colouring her tone.
Katherine smirked. "I decided to class it up for your high school graduation. Besides, you'd be lucky if I'm wearing anything by the end of the night, considering that top notch party you got planned. Does your daddy know you invited college guys?"
"Ssshhh" Caroline said, looking out her door, which her dad told her to keep open at all times. "They're just some people I met at that alumni event I got invited to attend, last week. And I didn't just invite guys. I invited some girls too. You know, in the interests of broadening my social circle" she hastily explained.
"You look gorgeous by the way" Caroline complimented, hoping to steer the conversation to topics that would not get her grounded for life, if her dad overheard. "Are you going to help me pick a dress or not? Because I honestly have no clue what to wear" she said, tugging on the sash of her bath robe. Caroline chewed on her bottom lip, contemplating reciting her valedictorian speech one more time. Maybe then she'd gather enough will to search through the disappointment known as her wardrobe again.
"Fine... how about this one?" Katherine said, holding out a large black rectangular box with a big blue bow.
Caroline lifted a brow, curious. "You didn't" she said, hesitantly accepting the gift. She had been so consumed in her own thoughts that she hadn't even realised that Katherine was hiding something behind her back all the time. No wonder Katherine didn't perch on the vanity like she usually did.
"I did" Katherine said, nodding, looking on intently as Caroline took off the bow and opened the box.
Inside was a dark blue, long sleeved, knee length, form fitting dress. There was a thin strip of lace running down both sides, where her skin would show. Caroline decided to wear a nude coloured thong and bra set with thin flat straps, that could hide under the patterns of lace, creating the allusion that she wasn't wearing any underwear. Caroline giggled. The dress was perfect. It was classy and stylish, yet daring and sexy. "Oh my God, Kat. It's... perfect. I love it! Oh my God... thank you! Thank you!" she said, resisting the urge to jump up and down. Caroline became overcome with emotion. She gave her friend a tight hug, bright smile on her face, before dashing off behind the room divider to get changed.
"You're a nervous wreck Caroline. Calm down."
"I'm not nervous" Caroline answered automatically, tossing her robe aside and shimmying on her new dress.
"Your heart's beating faster than a hummingbird's wings. You're seconds away from giving yourself a panic attack."
"It's called being pleasantly surprised or even excited" Caroline replied cheekily, stepping around the divider. She took a long look of herself in the floor length mirror. The dress outlined her curves in a flattering and tasteful way. Deciding on strappy nude coloured stilettos, she made her way to the shoe cupboard.
"Caroline honey, are you ready?" Bill Forbes asked, standing at the threshold of his daughter's bedroom.
He frowned, before giving Caroline a disapproving look. "Wasn't the dress you bought last week, white?"
"Yeah... urmm... Ivory," Caroline hesitated, looking between her dad and Katherine.
"I bought Caroline a graduation gift" Katherine said, by way of explanation. "Doesn't she look stunning, Bill?"
"She always looks stunning, she's a beautiful girl" Bill complimented, making Caroline blush. "But Caroline knows better than to accept gifts from..."
"From her best friend?" Katherine said, cutting him off. "Really Bill?" She rolled her eyes. "I can assure you that I bought that dress with my own money."
When Bill shot her a disbelieving look... "if you must know, I've acquired quite a vast fortune in the over five hundred years I've been roaming the earth" Katherine explained, haughtily. But he looked unconvinced.
"Please daddy... this is the perfect dress. I really like it. And Kat was really thoughtful to have gotten a graduation present for me" Caroline said with a flurry, pouting and giving her dad puppy dog eyes.
Bill sighed exasperatedly. "All right... but this is a one time thing" he stated seriously.
Caroline squealed in delight. But Katherine huffed, clearly annoyed. "I'm going to wait outside" she muttered. "And spare me the sentimental bullshit, will you?" she said, looking pointedly at Bill.
"How about you go downstairs and wait for us?" Bill said encouragingly. "You can take a slow walk across the street or just stand in front of a bus. I'm sure the impact won't permanently kill you but..."
"Daddy!" Caroline protested.
"Hardy har har" Katherine said. "You're so funny, Bill. Hilarious. It's definitely you're quick wit and sense of humour that's been keeping you alive."
"Kat!" Caroline nearly screeched.
"Shoes. The black pumps with the gold heels. I'll be right outside..." Katherine said, giving Caroline an innocent smile.
Bill stepped aside, allowing Katherine to pass. As he entered the room, he took out a small black box from inside his jacket pocket. "I have a present for you too. Well it's actually from your grandmother..."
"Grandma's here?" Caroline asked excitedly.
"No she's not here. But she sent this over" Bill said, giving Caroline the small box, which she readily accepted. "These are family heirlooms" he explained, while Caroline looked at the earrings and matching ring in awe.
"Please tell me these are blue topaz?" Caroline asked, inspecting the three tier earrings. It was delicate, yet extravagant. Each stone seemed perfectly oval, but the way it caught in the light shone a blazing dark blue. The vintage style ring looked like an engagement ring, a simple band with a large dark blue stone in a marquise cut.
Bill chuckled. "I'm sorry Carebear... they're blue diamonds set in gold. And they're yours now so..."
The initial shock wore over and Caroline giggled. "Thank you daddy" she said, giving him a hug. He reciprocated, holding on to her tightly.
"I'm really proud of you Caroline" Bill said sincerely, "you're the best daughter I could of ever hoped to have."
"Thanks daddy" Caroline said, on the brink of tears. She sniffed.
"Honey, what's wrong?" Bill asked, looking at her worriedly.
"I'm just so happy" Caroline said, laughing shakily. "You're here. And Kat's here. And grandma passed down the crown jewels. And I'm graduating high school. I'm going to attend NYU dad. Everything is just... happening so fast."
"Steven's really sorry he couldn't be here, but he promised to make it up to you as soon as he gets back" Bill said, reassuringly.
"It's okay dad, really. I mean I really wanted him to be here today but Steven's been a really great parent to me so that's all any girl could ask for, right?" Caroline's voice sounded bitter even to her own ears and she tried to shake off her irrational mood change. Bill frowned, noticing her distress. She made her way across the room, sitting on the vanity stool, she bent down to put on her shoes, which matched perfectly with her dress and old new earrings and ring.
"Caroline your mom..."
"Doesn't even care" Caroline cut him off. "I've never needed her. And I'm not a little girl any more. I'm not going to start needing her now," Caroline said resolutely, shaking her head.
Bill looked at his daughter for a long minute. "You're always going to be my little girl" he stated, matter of factly. His voice sounded sad. Caroline looked up, but before she could say anything...
"Do I need to compel you two to hurry it along... we're going to be late" Katherine's voice bellowed from the hall, irritation colouring her tone. Katherine's statement served to make Caroline giggle, effectively lifting the mood. Even Bill chuckled.
Caroline got up, taking one last look of herself in the floor length mirror and gathering her black clutch, her speech and her cell phone, she led the way out with a smile plastered on her face.