Welcome to the first chapter in our journey together. No but seriously thank you for choosing to read this story. I hope to do these wonderful characters justice. This story will have both Caroline and Stefan's take.
Things Just Got Complicated.
Strong, independent, resourceful, hard worker, and… Caroline bit the top of her pencil in frustration before throwing her resume in her dorm room trash can. She has been working on making the perfect resume for her future job interviews for the past hour and half. Even if she had a whole year of college left; Caroline Forbes was not one to procrastinate. Being above a 4.0 in high school got her the scholarship of her dreams at her dream school. Being the captain of the cheerleading squad didn't hurt either. She now shares a dorm room with her two best friends who also joined her in her journey to a better life. Mystic Falls was a great town but that was all it was, a town. Being stuck in one place for eighteen years made her stir crazy and she seemed to be not the only one.
The sound of her door opening awoke Caroline from her thoughts just in time to see Stefan Salvatore waltz in. She threw a paper ball towards him before giving him a sneer.
"How many times have I told you to knock? I could be naked for god's sake. He raised heis eye brows at her and she did the same waiting for a reply.
"Well, when that day comes we will have a killer story to tell." A smile formed on Caroline's face as she shook her head.
"You will be the death of me Salvatore." Stefan and Caroline have been friends ever since he and his brother moved to Mystic Falls. At the time she was determined to get a date with him, telling Bonnie all about their wedding in June. Yet, when she approached him he turned her down so fast that she stood there for a moment trying to comprehend what just happened. No one turned down Caroline Forbes. Caroline was not the nicest girl in high school mostly because she was as shallow as a kiddie pool. Things have changed since then, she has matured and after Stefan and Elena started dating they became fast friends.
"So you are coming to the game tonight?" Caroline looked up from her papers to give him an enthusiastic nod.
"Well someone has to lead those ditz or we are going to end up with another injury." Caroline successfully became captain of the school's cheer team, leading them to winning the championships and being the lucky charm of the football team. Of course there was competition when she first applied but her mother always told her to want it more than the other girl and she did.
"At least you don't have to deal with those assholes on the team. I swear one day a fights going to break out and it won't be because of the other team." Stefan rolled his eyes and let out a deep breath. She felt bad for Stefan and how he had to deal with the team. Of course they were the best in the nation but off the field not everything went smooth. It was still surprising that they have been able to work this well. Caroline joined Stefan on the couch and nudged him teasingly.
"It all comes with the job quarterback."
"Co-quarterback." He corrected but she only scoffed.
"It does not make sense why they should have two if one is not the backup."
"Well Tyler wouldn't have it." The mention of his name made her stomach drop. Tyler Lockwood, the all-star player that was Caroline's high school boyfriend. Everyone at school thought they were perfect for each other, even Caroline. That was until last year when she caught him hooking up with some slut named Hayley. It broke her heart and made her even more focused on getting through school to never see his face again. "Hey, I'm sorry I know he-"
"It's okay Stefan. I'm over it." She laid her hand on Stefan's shoulder to reassure him but he wasn't buying it. That was something Stefan was good at; figuring out when she was telling the truth or not. He raised his eyebrows at her, knowing her too well. "Okay, maybe not completely but it is getting there." Caroline raised her eyes to meet his green ones. "What about you?"
She felt him tense up, as his shoulder muscled shifted. They never really talked about his relationship with Elena. They had been together for longer than Caroline and Tyler were. She would call them an epic love and they were in every sense but things changed when his brother came in the picture. They went through a dramatic breakup last summer but decided to stay friends, if that was even possible. Caroline is still best friends with both of them and they have occasional conversations. Caroline and Bonnie tried to get them back together but there was no fixing this relationship anymore.
"Yeah, I guess." He swiped his hand through his hair, one of the nervous habitats he did when talking about something uncomfortable.
"Hey." She moved his chin with her index finger. "You know I am always here for you right?" She could see the frown on his face dissolve which made her smile.
"That is what make you my best friend." He kissed her head innocently before getting up. "I got to go. Extra practice before the game, see you there." Stefan's hand was on the door knob as he used his other hand to wave goodbye.
"See you there." She smiled and waved while he was still in sight. After the door closed she brought her attention to the resume she still didn't know how to wright. Caroline let out a sigh before clapping her hands together and giving another crack at it.
"Hey Caroline, I have to tell you something."
"Hmm?" Bonnie caught her in the middle of chewing her sandwich. They decided to go out for lunch before the game tonight. After finishing the mouth fool of food she wiped her mouth trying to give Bonnie her full attention. "What?"
Bonnie looked at Caroline nervously; she played with her fingers something she did often. This made Caroline even more curious of what was going on.
"I'm seeing Jeremy."
"Define seeing?"
"Like going out and stuff, a relationship." Caroline's mouth almost dropped to the floor at the news.
"YOU ARE DATING ELENA'S BROTHER!" Bonnie quickly covered Caroline's mouth and looked around the small room. It only caught the attention of a few people who just shook their heads in response. Felling embarrassed, Bonnie glared at Caroline.
"Sorry, a little louder I don't think China could hear you."
"I'm sorry Bonnie it's just wow. When, how, where?" Caroline's mouth was moving so fast she couldn't stop. When did this happen? She thought Bonnie hated Jeremy and though he was an annoying brat. I guess he was an annoying brat with a nice….
"Slow down Caroline and I know what you are thinking. No we did not have sex."
"Then how?"
Bonnie let out a sigh before continuing. "Well, while you and Elena were out shopping I came to Elena's house and forgot you two left and Jeremy was there shirtless." Caroline could see Bonnie's cheeks turn red from the memory. "And one thing led to another and we kind of."
"I thought you said."
"We didn't Care, we just kissed a little or maybe a lot." Caroline was still shocked from the words coming out of Bonnie's mouth. Her face scrunched up from the image of Bonnie and Jeremy making out.
"Ewe!"
"Hey he is an amazing kisser." Now she knew that Bonnie was serious, she would never defend him unless their relationship was real.
"Have you told Elena?" Caroline eyed Bonnie who wouldn't meet her gaze.
"BONNIE!"
"No, okay! I will, just not right now, can you please keep quiet for at least a week." Caroline was usually good with secrets but she found herself telling Stefan everything since high school.
"Okay but you know Stefan is going to know about this."
Bonnie sighed before nodding her head in agreement. "I knew that was coming." Bonnie new of their close friendship and has told Caroline how jealousy she was of having a guy friend that close. The whole group from Mystic Falls was kind of their social circle but some were closer than others.
"Shall we close this secret with a pinky?" Caroline lifted her pinky towards Bonnie confidently.
Bonnie smiled before intertwining her pinky with Caroline's. "Pinky swear."
"PICK UP THE PACE." The blaring sound from the speaker phone echoed throughout the field. Football cleats ruined the green field that was so neatly taken care of two hours ago. Stefan and the other athletes ran around the field one last time before ending practice. Just like every practice Stefan was in the front leading the group. That was until Tyler came up next to him.
"Hey." Stefan arched his brow at the sudden start of conversation coming from the cheating ass hole that broke Caroline's heart.
"Hey." He said gruffly hinting that he was not interested in talking to him but Tyler ignored it.
"So do you know if Caroline is coming to the game?" This took him by surprise. Tyler never asked Stefan about Caroline nowadays.
"Well she is a cheerleader." He rolled his eyes at the stupid question.
"Okay, thanks." Tyler started decreasing his speed to talk to some of his friends on the team. Stefan had a weird feeling in his stomach that something was up. He wanted to tell Caroline but she would just laugh and say he was crazy.
It didn't take long before people started filling the empty bleachers and the opposing team to arrive. They were already warmed up so instead they threw the football in pairs. Stefan paired with Matt who was one of the only football players that didn't cause a fight every time they looked someone in the eye. They played together in high school and football was Matt's reason for being here. As Stefan looked out to the stands he saw Caroline helping a girl with her hair. She gave him one of her big smiles and a wave before continuing to help the girl. His eyes continued to scan the bleachers till he met Elena's gaze. His stomach dropped even though he knew she was going to come but what he didn't expect was the person next to her, his brother. Stefan could see the annoyance in Damon's eyes as he had his feet up and was staring off into the distance. Their bodies were close together and Elena had Damon's jacket over her shoulders.
"You ready?" Stefan continued to keep eye contact with Elena hoping that this night would end sooner than later. "Earth to Stefan."
"What?" He finally looked at Matt who was looking at him confused.
"It's game time." Stefan only nodded before looking at Elena one last time.
Caroline groaned as the game made it to overtime. The team was doing great but not enough to win the whole thing. Many of the girls were beginning to complain which annoyed her to no end. Sometimes she didn't understand why people did not have the urge to succeed like she did. She turned sharply to the groaning girls with a big smile on her face.
"Okay girls let's do two lifts and the offense cheer." Her words followed with unison of groans which almost broke her smile.
"Can we just call it a night? This game has gone on forever."
"Come on ladies, there is only one minute left and we need to do all we can to help the team make playoffs." The girls agreed and they did one last cheer before the time out ended. Stefan was playing quarterback and Tyler was playing wide receiver much to his displeasure. The girls watched as the players formed in a line ready for the hut.
"#32, 49, hut!" The sound of bodies colliding and groans was all she could hear before watching Stefan grab the ball. It didn't take him long before he threw it to Tyler who was near the fifty mark. The crowd began cheering as Tyler caught the ball and sprinted to the end line. Everyone stood up in anticipation. Caroline held her breath as she saw the other team starting to match Tyler's speed but there was no time for them to try a tackle before Tyler got a touchdown. The crowd screamed and the band played in victory. She smiled as Stefan was being jumped on and eventually tackled by his own team mates. Tyler had the same appreciation and was lifted into the air. Caroline and the other cheerleaders ran onto the field and waited patiently for the guys to get off Stefan. When he finally stood up she jumped into his arms as they spinned around, she let out a giggle.
"You did it!" Stefan only smiled before hugging her and slowly dropping her to the ground. One of the players screeched the word party. There was always a party after a win. Stefan looked back to the standing crowd and saw Elena laughing at Damon, making him frown.
The party was in full swing when Stefan arrived. The music blasted through the dorm room hallway and the smell of smoke filled the air. Since the playoffs were not for another month, it gave the players an excuse to smoke and not be drug tested till the week before. Stefan was not much of a smoker unless it was for special occasions.
"It's the man of the hour." Everyone cheered as Matt patted Stefan's back. He grabbed a beer before heading outside. Parties were a given in college and not even the administrators could stop after parties. Stefan smiled at his team mates and even gave a few chest bumps. He made sure to decline the players who were three times his weight. He even gave Tyler a bump for having that amazing catch. Yet, he wasn't as happy as he seemed to be. Just knowing that Elena and his older brother could be hooking up in the bathroom made him want to puke. Instead he found Caroline laughing with Bonnie, a drink in her hand.
"So I see you already raided the keg over there." He laughed at her jokingly earning a laugh from Caroline. "Hey Bonnie." Bonnie waved back before taking another sip of her drink.
"Not as much as you Salvatore." Caroline chimed back, and taking another sip. They continued to talk about the game before Bonnie tugged Caroline's shirt to get her attention. "Oh, Hey Elena."
Stefan tensed up before turning around to see Damon with Elena on his arm. Damon smirked at the group before patting his brother's back.
"Who knew my brother would be a football star." This time Damon gave Stefan a genuine smile. Damon may not be the world's best brother but they loved each other no matter what.
"I'll take that as a compliment." The group stood there awkwardly, waiting for someone to start a conversation.
"Good job Stefan." Elena smiled awkwardly at Stefan who thanked her.
"Well we got to go, we have dinner reservations." Damon smirked at the group before leading Elena towards the door. Things fell silent as the three of them tried to forget about the awkward conversation.
"I'm going to get you another drink. You look like you need it." Stefan silently thanked Caroline who began heading towards the table.
Caroline let out a deep sigh as she made her way through the crowd of people. She felt bad for Stefan and how he had to deal with the fact that her brother was dating his ex. If she had a sister, there would be no way she would allow that but Stefan was always the nice one. When Caroline would get into situations he would get her out and still end up seeming like the nice one. Of course Stefan was not always like this but he made it his mission to be the better person, which Caroline respected. When she finally made it to the alcohol she grabbed a cup and started filling it.
"Hey Caroline." She almost spilled her whole drink from being surprised by a voice so close to her ear. She turned around sharply to see Tyler with a smug look on his face. She pressed her hand to her chest before letting out an awkward laugh.
"Jeez, you scared me." She wanted to be friendly to Tyler; if Stefan can do it so can she.
"So did you see my touch down tonight?" Caroline almost rolled her eyes at his ego, maybe this whole being the better person thing wouldn't work out to well.
"Yes, be careful your ego is showing." She smiled at her comment before picking up Stefan's drink. She could feel Tyler's breathe on her neck and became rigid.
"You know I was thinking you and me could get out of here and-"
"No!"
"No?"
"You heard what I said get lost Tyler. You're drunk." Caroline pushed him off of her and looked at him in disgust. After all this time ignoring her he decided that he wants to hook up with her? Who does he think he is? Caroline was not pathetic or a slut for that matter.
"Oh, come on for old times' sake." He grabbed her arm and she couldn't escape his grasp. A sudden chill of fear trickled down her spine. He was bigger and stronger then she was and he could easily throw her down and do what he wanted with her, which scared her. With the other hand she slapped him creating a loud smack sound that started a small crowd of observers.
She watched Tyler's face turn to anger as he laughed. "I should have known. You always were an insecure, neurotic, bitchy little-"
He never got to finish before Stefan's fist collided with his face sending him tumbling to the ground.
So there you go. The first chapter! I hope you all liked it. If you all do then I will gladly continue the story. Next chapter will have the first sexy scenes. Please review so I can know that you like it and want me to continue. I am sorry if there are some grammar issues. I am in search of a beta reader and if anyone is interested message me.