A/N: Hey guys! This story is taking off from the last episode, but focusing more on character stuff then actual plot development. I'm adding my own variation on things. Don't like it, don't read it. I don't own the Vampire Diaries or any of the characters. I would adore some reviews, this is my first TVD fanfic. Thanks guys!
Chapter one: Caroline's POV
I can feel my bottom lip shaking, my heart being crushed with every beat as I hear Klaus's voice on the phone. I want to know what he means. What has Tyler been keeping from me? I was busy being horrified he was dead and he was off falling in love with some girl in the Apalachias? I'm crossing my arms so tight that I can hardly breathe.
Tyler takes the phone from his ear and I hear the click of the call disconnecting. He doesn't turn to look at me right away, and that's when I know it's bad. Normally he'd turn right around and explain everything and it'd make sense. Instead Hayley kind of chews her bottom lip and averts her eyes.
"I'm gonna step out," she says abruptly, turning and leaving without giving me another glance. I can feel rage trickling through my blood, but its mixed with a sorrow so deep that it feels like my heart is shattering apart. The other hybrid follows her and soon I'm standing, facing Tyler's back, waiting for him to help everything make sense. He turns around slowly and takes a while to finally make eye contact with me.
"Caroline...I was going to tell you," he says, letting his hands fall as though he's exasperated. I swallow hard, biting back tears. I don't want to cry right now. I just want the truth.
"Tell me what, Tyler?" I ask, my voice firm.
"Look, when I was going through all those changes Hayley helped keep me alive. There were a couple times when things...got out of hands. But you know it's in my nature! I can't help it," he says, trying to defend himself.
"Are you saying I shouldn't be angry because hybrids are horny?" I ask.
"I know there's no excuse, and I'm sorry. It didn't mean anything though," he says, walking towards me with his arms up like he wants to hug me. I put my hands up and take a step back. If he gets near me I don't know what I'll do.
"Don't touch me," I say, my voice shaking with anger. I haven't reached the point of tears yet, though I'm sure it'll come to that later. Right now I just want to get away from him.
"Caroline, please," he puts an arm on my shoulder and I push it away.
"Don't touch me, don't contact me. Just...don't," I say.
I run out the door and don't stop until I'm standing in my bathroom, my hands braced against the counter. I try to keep my emotions in check, but it feels like I'm a pot about to boil over. Before I can rethink my impulse, my fist connects with my mirror, the glass shattering violently. The sound is like music to my ears and I almost feel a little better having now released some of the pent up rage. I watch the wounds on my knuckles heal and then let the sobs take me over.
I know it's starting when my rib cage starts to shake, the sobs slowly taking over. They move throughout of my body and I leave the bathroom to curl up in a ball on my bed. I know I'm getting dried blood on my sheets, and I'm probably trailing some tiny pieces of glass, but I'll figure it out later. Right now I just need this relaxation.
An hour or so later...
I wake up to my cell phone buzzing on the bed next to me. Elena's name is flashing across the screen. She might be struggling with something, so even though I'm exhausted I answer.
"Hey, is everything ok?" I ask when I answer.
"Uh, yeah. I just wanted to hang out. I need to get out of my house but I don't feel like hanging out with Stefan right now, you know, after the whole lying thing. And Damon's just..."
"Damon," I say as though it's an explanation.
"Exactly. I want to go to the Grill. Will you meet me there?" she asks. Her voice is so pleading that I can't fathom saying no. She needs me right now, and maybe it'll get my mind off of things.
"Of course. I'll meet you there in a half hour," I say.
"You're a life saver," she says before hanging up. I lay my phone down and get up to assess the damage. I'm sure I was crying while I was sleeping, so I'm not surprised to find there's make up under my eyes and my hair is a wreck. I make quick work of becoming presentable again, running through the shower and drying my hair with precise movements. I've gotten my getting ready routine down to 15 minutes if I use a little extra Vamp speed.
Soon I'm standing in front of my closet in my robe, looking at my wardrobe. I need to look hot tonight. I can't let this get me down. Nothing ruins the self esteem of Caroline Forbes. Not even some stupid, cheating, hybrid scum bag. I pull out my more expensive pair of jeans—the ones I don't wear when I'm going around saving people's lives and what not. They fit like a glove and from there it's easy to pick out a flattering top. It shows a tasteful amount of cleavage and I feel confident when I wear it. Next its shoes, my purse and I'm out the door. I make it to the Grill perfectly on time.
Elena is sitting in a booth already when I get there, drinking coffee and looking more relaxed then I've seen her in a while. When I sit across from her I smell the bourbon from her coffee and smile.
"Feeling tense?" I ask, gesturing to the mug. She smiles a little sheepishly and tucks her hair behind her ears.
"I was. This has definitely helped," she says.
"It gets easier," I say, trying to be reassuring.
"Let's not talk about that. Distract me with something else," she says, her voice somewhat pleading. It's a perfect opportunity for me to tell her about Tyler, so I take off my jacket and pull a menu in front of me. If I'm gonna be here filling her in for a while, I might as well order some food.
"Tyler and I are over," I say, keeping my voice even and my eyes secured to the menu. I can feel Elena's eyes on me and she gasps.
"What? What happened? You guys were doing so great!" Elena says, her voice surprised. I had been surprised too. A waitress comes up and takes my order and as soon as she leaves I tell Elena the rest. She listens to the whole time, nodding at the appropriate moments and looking concerned just like always. I don't know why she thinks she's so bad at being a vampire. She's doing great.
"I'm so sorry, Caroline. You didn't have to come meet me! If you wanted to stay home that's fine," she says, reaching forward and taking my hand. She has a naturally comforting way about her. I think she forgets that sometimes.
"No, I wanted to com. To get my mind off things too. We both just need a good distraction," I say, evil plans already brewing in my head. I see it when she notices my devious expression. She leans back in her chair and furrows her eyebrows at me questioningly.
"Elena, what do you say we have a little fun tonight?" I say, a smile stretching my grin wider. I'm going to make sure we have some fun tonight. Elena starts to smile, but I can tell she isn't sure whether or not to. If she can just see how fun being a vampire is maybe she'll lighten up to the idea.
"That sounds ominous," she says with a smirk.
"Only a little," I say with a smirk.
Two hours later at 9:00pm, we're standing in front of my mirror appraising our "going out" clothes. She let me convince her into slutting it up a little bit. I think the fact that she's resentful towards Stefan probably helps.
"Are you sure this isn't...too much?" she asks, turning and looking at herself from several angles.
"Uh, if anything too little would be the issue. But you look amazing!" I say. She's wearing a mid-thigh, tight purple dress with black, patent leather pumps. Her legs go on for miles and I don't see why she doesn't show them off more often. Her hair is curly—I would never tell her this but it makes her look more like Katherine. But that's fine, she needs to channel a little bad girl energy right now. She went with a smoky eye.
I opted for a similar dress in red to compliment my blonde hair. I went a little lighter on the makeup then her because my blonde complexion can't quite handle as much. I went with black shoes as well, but mine tie at the ankle as well. We look damn good and I just hope she can stay out of her head long enough to have a good time.
She had filled me in on what Stefan had done and Damon seemed the better choice all the time. Elena had overheard a conversation between the brothers that made me think she should reevaluate her loyalties. Damon had asked Stefan if he wanted the cure to help Elena, or because he couldn't love her as a Vampire. I hadn't thought of it until then, but there's an undeniable truth to that question.
Damon has not once wavered in his devotion to her, and even though I respect Stefan, he's not stable. He can't drink any human blood without completely going over the edge, and what kind of example is that for her? I think she knows it too. Her and Stefan are on a break since the whole lying issue.
"Ok, Elena. You were able to control yourself at that party with Damon, and I trust you'll be able to tonight as well," I say, giving her a fake parenting voice.
"Are we going to feed?" she asks, sounding surprised.
"We're going to be at a bar, dancing, with drunk people. It's likely to happen. But that's ok. You take what you need and then compel them," I say.
"It just feels so wrong," she says with a shake of her head.
"Elena, to these people it never even happened. They heal, they go on with their lives never knowing that they helped you survive. Lion's don't starve themselves because they don't like killing gazelles, and they have to kill to eat. We don't," I say. It's a weird metaphor, but I'm hoping it will help put things into perspective for her. I can tell that she's trying to buy into what I'm saying, but it's hard.
"I guess they don't call it a transition for nothing," she says with a laugh. I smile.
"Exactly."