Chapter 1

It's been 2 years since Stefan died. It's been the hardest thing to get over. I think so many people dying around me has softened the blow, but I am still a vampire, so we feel everything heightened and unfortunately, that includes grief. I don't know that I'm over it, I don't know that I ever will be. All I know is I need to try to live a normal life for the girls. They need a mother they can look up to. So today, I've dressed nicely, I've done my hair and makeup, and I've told Alaric I'd like to be in charge at the school today.

As I'm walking out the door, my phone begins to ring in my bag. I look down and see that it's Klaus. We haven't talked since he sent a rather large donation, but I'm just not ready. I hit ignore, swallowing the feeling of guilt. It rings again, but this time it's Elena.

"Hey, what's up?" I say.

"Hey Car, I heard that you're stepping up to the plate today, running the school? You didn't tell me you were doing so great. I just wanted to wish you luck." she says.

"Thanks, Elena. Can I talk to you about something actually? Just girl to girl." I ask.

"Always, what's going on?" she asks.

"How long am I supposed to stay single?" I ask, nearly disappearing into tears.

"Uhh... Well, there's no right or wrong answer. Grief is a bitch. One day you just wake up and you know you're okay again. You think about doing something and you don't get that overwhelming feeling of dread and guilt that you feel like you just can't do it. There's no specific time limit though. Just go with your instincts. You are Caroline Forbes after all, you have the sharpest emotional intelligence of anyone I've met." she says.

"Okay... Thank you. It's just... Klaus called me this morning. And I've secretly always wondered what it would be like to just run away with him. Let him take care of me like some Kardashian or something." I say, laughing at how pathetic I sound.

"Oh, Klaus. You know, I get it. Damon isn't exactly the innocent choice." she laughs back.

"Yeah... Well, I gotta get to work. I'll talk to you later?" I say.

"Wait! My birthday party is tonight. I hired a planner because I know you've been stressed but I'd appreciate it if you'd come tonight. It's at our new place." she says.

"Of course I will. Text me details." I say.

We hang up and I take another deep breath. I walk out the door and drive to the school. When I pull up, the girls run out to hug me. They show me a new psychic trick they've been learning and then run back inside. As I follow them inside, I see a table with my name on it. I pick up the card and read it.

Caroline,
I decided that the best way to make sure you do best was to pressure you. I am out of the office for the rest of the day and don't have my cell phone with me. You're in charge.

Good luck.
Ric

I let out an angry sigh and then go into the back office, grabbing the agenda for the day.