This is my new story. It is in totally alternate universe where all the TVD characters are "ordinary" people. Enjoy it! Leave a comment if you like it.
12 July 2015 10:30am, Mystic Falls, Virginia
"Honey, are you sure that you packed everything?" Caroline heard her mother shouting from the porch while she was putting her suitcase in the trunk of a cab.
"I'm a big girl now, mom." Caroline rolled her eyes smiling at her mother.
"I know, sweetheart, but you'll always be my little child." Liz was about to start crying.
"Oh… Mom…" Caroline walked to her mother with open arms ready to hug her. "What would people say if they saw the Sheriff crying?" She joked and hugged her mother. "I won't be that far away. You can visit me whenever you want."
Caroline was moving to New York City as she wanted to pursue her career as a broadcast journalist. She had graduated from the university a month ago, and now she was ready to start working and leaving on her own.
"I know, baby. But … I am just worried, you'll be alone in a big city for the first time." Liz's voice was shaking.
"I won't. Don't you remember that Bonnie will be my roommate?"
"You know what I mean …"
"Yeah, mom. I know. I'll be alright. You don't have to worry." Caroline hugged her mother once more and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Excuse me ladies. But I don't have a whole day for your goodbye." They heard a man from the cab hurrying them up.
"Just call me when you get there ok?"
"I will. Stop worrying." Caroline smiled and got in the cab.
Liza was standing on the porch waving when the driver started backing up, but Caroline didn't see her because she had been already deep in thought. The whole journey Caroline was thinking about how her life was going to change. She didn't have a job offer yet, but she was determined to start looking for one right away. At least, she had a place to stay at. Her best friend Bonnie was working in New York City as a dance teacher, occasionally she was giving public performances, but her dream was to start working as a choreographer for the biggest celebrities.
"36 dollars." The driver's voice broke Caroline out of her trance. She gave him the money, took her suitcase and headed to the entrance of the airport. It was summer so the airport was crammed with people nervously trying to find their check-in counters. Caroline did all the security control and got on the plane. She found her place and sat down. She took a magazine out of her bag and started reading her favorite article.
"Excuse me. Is it free?" Caroline heard a melodic female voice. She looked up and saw a beautiful brunette with deep brown eyes pointing the seat next to Caroline. She had an outstanding figure which was emphasized by a lacy black blouse and dark fitted jeans.
"Yes, sure." Caroline smiled at her.
"I'm Katherine." Brunette smiled back.
"And I'm Caroline. Nice to meet you, Katherine." Caroline beamed.
"New York City?" Katherine asked Caroline just to keep the ball rolling.
"Yeah. Actually, I'm starting a new chapter of my life. You know first job and all of this stuff. And you?"
"I was visiting my friend in Mystic Falls, and now I have to back to reality which is my job."
Caroline frowned in surprise. She was from Mystic Falls, and it was quite a small city, but she had never seen her there.
"That's funny. I'm from there. Who were you visiting?" Caroline asked curiously.
"Really? That's crazy. My friend's name is Stefan. Do you know him?"
"Stefan? Stefan Salvatore?" Caroline asked excitedly. Katherine nodded in agreement. " Of course I know him. We had been good friends till I went to the university, and unfortunately since that time we somehow couldn't get along."
"That's a pity. He's a really nice guy." Caroline could swear that Katherine blushed a little bit.
"What kind of job do you do Katherine?"
"I own a coffeehouse in Manhattan. You know this kind of a little restaurant with live singing in the evening."
An idea crossed Caroline's mind. "Do you need somebody to work? 'Cause I'm looking for a job offer and you know …"
"Actually I need a waitress. You seem to be nice." Katherine smiled. "Can you sing?"
She could sing, and she was really good, but Caroline was rather shy when it came to singing and didn't want to perform live, but she thought that could be a good start for her future career.
"I used to sing, but I don't know ..."
Katherine wrote down an address and gave her a piece of paper. "Come tomorrow. You can start immediately." Brunette smiled at Caroline, but she felt a bit nervous.
They spent the rest of the flight on chit-chatting. When the plane landed, the girls exchanged their mobile numbers and separated. Bonnie was waiting for Caroline in front of the airport.
"Care!" Bonnie shouted cheerfully. Caroline turned towards her friend who was wearing a green top that was matched with her green eyes and dark jeans. Her hair was curled and tied up in a ponytail.
"Bonnie!" Caroline beamed at her and walked in her direction. "Long time no see!" They hugged.
"How was your flight?" Bonnie asked politely.
"It's a long story! But you can congratulate me because I have found my first job!" Caroline smiled.
"Really? You have to tell me everything!" Bonnie said excitedly and they got in the taxi.
Later in the evening, New York City, NY
"If it wasn't your first day in a new job tomorrow, we'd go to a party tonight. But… We will do it anyway. Now, have a time for yourself Caroline. I'm glad you are here with me." Bonnie stood up and left Caroline's new room which was pretty amazing, jasmine walls, white curtains and old fashioned furniture. It couldn't be better for her. She had her own bathroom, and the view from the window was breathtaking. Caroline was staring at the thousands of lights outside, she couldn't believe that a small town girl was living her dream. She smiled to herself and went to the bathroom to take a bath.
After few minutes Caroline was wearing her short pink nightdress. She looked out of a window once more and got into bed. Caroline was so excited about the next day that she thought that she wouldn't fall asleep, but she finally was overtaken by a wave of tiredness.
13 July 7:15am, New York City, NY
Caroline turned off the alarm and sat up. She looked around and smiled, no it wasn't just a dream. Caroline yawned and stretched her arms. "Let's start a new day!" she thought. She was extremely excited and nervous at the same time, in fact it was her first day in a very first job. Caroline pulled the cover off herself and stood up. She went to the bathroom to take a morning shower and prepare herself. Caroline put a delicate makeup on and slightly curled her hair. She came back to her room and picked a bright flowery dress with a brown leather belt. She put her favorite coral cardigan and the heels in the same color. She went to the kitchen to make a coffee. Caroline turn the coffee machine on and moved to the living room now. "I guess it's appropriate for this kind of job … " Caroline was pondering while watching herself in the mirror on the wall.
"You look perfect, don't have to worry. Morning" She heard Bonnie walked in.
"Thank you. Still I'm nervous…" Caroline said checking her hair one more time.
"Just be yourself, Caroline. They will love you." Bonnie replied and poured hot coffee into two cups. She passed one to Caroline. "Where is this place?"
"Uhm … 839 5th Avenue." Caroline answered checking the piece of paper that Katherine gave her.
"Manhattan." Bonnie smiled. "You're lucky Caroline! It's a good place for a future broadcast journalist."
Caroline's face brightened as she heard something extremely pleasant. Indeed, it was a great piece of news for her.
"Well… Care, I have to go now, this is not so far away from here so you can take a taxi to get there. See you in the evening." Bonnie grabbed her purse and left the apartment.
"I think I should go as well…" Caroline said to herself. She checked her look once more to be sure that everything was perfect and left the apartment.
13 July 8:43, Manhattan
Caroline paid the driver and got out of the cab. She was standing in front of an old fashioned building which she found incredibly outstanding. She took two deep breaths and walked in. There were few people sitting at the tables. The whole place seemed to be a bit sophisticated but cozy at the same time. The walls were blue, the curtains were white what Caroline found pretty ordinary, but furniture was kind of antique, and that was making the place kind of fancy. She noticed an Asian girl behind the counter so she decided to approach her.
"Hi, I'm looking for Katherine." Caroline said smiling but still a bit nervous.
"She's not here yet. Do you need something special?" Asian girl asked politely.
"Well… She told me that I can start working here." Caroline answered shyly.
"Oh! You must be Caroline!" The girl said excitedly.
"One and only." Caroline joked.
"Great! I'm Pearl. Katherine told me about you. Are you ready to start now? In ten minutes all the businessmen have the break, and they will show up here." Pearl seemed to be really bored by this fact.
"Well yeah. I'm ready. Just tell me what to do." Caroline smiled softly.
Pearl took something from under the counter and gave it to Caroline. "That's your name badge. Katherine prepared it yesterday. As you can see we don't wear any uniforms, so just pin it to your clothes. Katherine wants this place to be ordinary and casual but elegant and special at the same time. It's great that you've put some decent clothes on." Pearl said checking out Caroline's outfit. "All you have to do is to pour coffee for our customers and give them what they will order. Do you get this by far?" Pearl smiled sincerely.
"I think so. It's not something difficult." Caroline relaxed now.
"Here's your coffee pot go and pour some coffee. Oh.. and our customers pay only for the first cup of coffee, a refill is free of charge." Pearl added and turned around to take the order from an elegant woman.
"Okay. It seems to be easy." Caroline thought and took the coffee pot. She wanted to turn around to go and refill the customers' cups when she bumped into someone. Luckily, Caroline didn't drop the pot, but she spilled coffee all over her and someone's clothes.
"I'm so sorry…." Caroline started. She was furiously angry inside, it was her favorite dress.
"I have just entered, and you made me wet. Shouldn't you get to know me first, love?" Caroline heard a deep british voice, she looked up and saw a handsome man with blond curly hair and two deep blue eyes which were extremely mesmerizing.
"Seriously? I guess it supposed to be a pick-up line, but it was lame." Caroline said rolling her eyes.
"It was my best shirt. A proper apology would be in order…. Caroline." He said checking her name badge.
"I was going to apologize, but you didn't let me finish…" Caroline shot back. She was irritated that he was standing there grinning so confidently. "I'm sorry." She added reluctantly.
"I accept your apology, but now you have to give your best to make me content…" Caroline fed up with his confidence that she couldn't help herself.
"I wonder how you managed to walk in here with that big ego. After all, this place seems to be quite small." She gave him a fake smile.
"Feisty. I like it. I need one coffee to the table over there, love. I hope you can manage to do this without spilling it." He said and left to take a seat.
Caroline hated guys like him, but it was her job. She cleaned the stain of coffee on the floor, then she took one cup of coffee and brought it to him.
"Enjoy it." Caroline said mockingly.
"Oh. You did manage to do it. I'm impressed." He shot back grinning.
Caroline grunted, rolled her eyes and turned around. She felt that he was staring at her.
"Stop looking at my ass." She faced him almost full of anger.
"Do you find it disturbing, love?" He laughed and took a sip of his coffee.
"Seriously…" Caroline turned around again to avoid his hypnotizing eyes. While walking to the counter she whispered. "Asshole…"
"Klaus is just fine." She heard him just behind her. "I just wanted to buy a piece of cake. Of course if I am allowed to."
Caroline didn't turn around, she kept walking, she didn't want to look at him now because her face was red in shame. It was her first day in a new job. What Katherine would say? She leaned on the counter and started talking to Pearl about some unimportant matters. Klaus came closer and leaned on the counter just next to her.
"Let's start over, shall we love? My name is Klaus. I find you extremely attractive. Would you like to have dinner with me?" He was smiling and looking at her with his piercing blue eyes, she couldn't help but smile.