A/N: Hello fanficdom! This is my very first fanfic, so any input good/bad would be much appreciated. The second chapter will skip forward about 9 months in time... any guesses why? Now I'm sure we're all still reeling from the spanner that was thrown into the klaroline works, but here's a little something to tide you over till October.
Much love, MJ.
Caroline had always been one to make a big entrance and today was certainly no exception. As she nervously runs a thumb over her sparkling diamond stud earrings, she dares to take a peek at the crowd before her. Taking a deep, calming breath, she straightens her back and turns to face her squad.
"Right girls, heads up and smiles on. And Jenny you had better watch that dismount, you looked like a fish out of water last time." Caroline raises an eyebrow and the petite brunette looks down in shame.
Caroline is a changed woman, but that doesn't stop her inner bitch from surfacing every now and then.
"I don't know about you guys but I want that trophy- no I need that trophy. It's my last shot, we can do this!" She says with determination. "Let's do it, hands in everyone." Pale limbs make their way into the centre of the huddle. "Mystics!" they chant in unison.
As the announcers voice booms out across the complex, Caroline confidently leads the girls out on to the floor. Before the routine begins she can't help but notice a certain blonde head sticking out among the crowd. Klaus... she struggles to hide the frustration from her face. Though upon further inspection, she can't help but laugh at the sight. He doesn't exactly have deadly hybrid written across his forehead, but he may as well since his physical presence has the same effect.
It's like spotting a lobster among a buffet of cheap club sandwiches and burnt pastries. He oozed wealth, power and superiority. Something that certainly doesn't fit amongst the middle-class suburbanites that make the majority of the crowd.
A smug look appears on his face once he notices her eyes on him. "Dammit," she mutters, hating having given him the satisfaction of even an acknowledgement. She tries, in vain, to clear all thoughts of the sexy... no... psychotic hybrid from her mind, to focus on the task at hand.
Because what Caroline wants, Caroline always gets.
At the end of the day Caroline leaves the stadium with a ridiculously oversized trophy and a renewed sense of accomplishment. The other cheerleaders had already come to offer their mumbled congratulations and like the gracious captain she is, she spent a good hour soaking up the praise. The stadium was mostly deserted now, spare a few members of staff and the cleaning crew.
As the blonde makes her way out to her car, with the oversized trophy in hand, she looks up to find the very man she should be avoiding. "Klaus," she says uncertainly.
"Caroline love, congratulations." He gestures to the trophy. He pushes himself off the car and gives her an award winning grin. "I never doubted you for a second by the way," he leans in towards her close enough that she can feel his warm breath on her face.
"If only I cared what you thought Klaus. I might even be flattered," she says as she moves pasts him to put her winnings in the back of the car.
A strong hand stops her before she can shut the door, effectively trapping her between broad shoulders and the car interior.
"Well perhaps you'll be please to know I'm leaving then," Klaus says through gritted teeth.
Shock crosses Caroline's face so quickly she's sure he couldn't have noticed. "Well good riddance! Why are you here telling me about it," she snorts.
"I had wanted you to come with me," his face softens. He cuts her off before she's able to retort with one of her cut throat one-liners. "But I know what your reaction to that might be," he brushes a stray strand of shining blonde hair behind her ear, hiding his surprise at the fact she does not shy away. "So I thought you'd settle for a quick goodbye."
"Where are you going?" The question falls out of Caroline's mouth involuntarily.
"New Orleans," he smiles, revelling in that fact that she has actually taken an interest.
"Are you coming back?"
"Perhaps one day. We're immortal Caroline, time is not our enemy." He leans down so that his lips gently brush her ear. "We have forever. Forever to live and forever to love," he whispers. He places a light kiss on her cheek as he pulls something from his pocket. "A parting gift," he says, as he places the small ruby coloured box in her hand.
Looking down at the beautiful box in her hand, Caroline takes a much needed steadying breath. "I can't take this Klaus." She looks up only to discover she's standing all alone in the dark car park. She looks around anyway, knowing the effort is useless.
"Crazy-ass hybrid," she mutters under her breath as she speeds away putting all thoughts of gentle lips on her cheek from her mind.