"Caroline!" Elena shouted, "Are you even listening to what I'm saying?"

I sighed, pulling my eyes from the road, the same roads I've seen all my life, and looked at Elena. "Of course."

"Listen Care, I need my friend right now. Bonnie just died! If I can't talk to you about this, then I have no one!" She was flailing her arms around in the air, on the verge of tears, and yet I felt no remorse. All I felt was my annoyance, bubbling to the surface and preparing to explode.

"I'm listening Elena," I said, as we pulled into the Mystic Grill parking lot. Seeing her look of disbelief I added, "You were talking about how you love having Jeremy back, but you need Bonnie too. She's your best friend."

That being said, I opened the door and started walking towards the entrance. We were meeting Damon and Jeremy for some much needed drinks, provided to us via compulsion, and to talk about everything that has happened over the summer. Elena caught up to me as I got to the door, and as we stepped inside we were swarmed - correction, she was swarmed by two men hugging her and asking her how she was. I was invisible.

That was my breaking point; the annoyance that was bottled up inside me turned into sheer anger. There were never any, "Hi Caroline, how are you feeling?" or, "How are you doing since your best friend sacrificed herself for your other best friend's brother?" Elena, always the focus of attention...

I mentally scoffed at her earlier statement. Oh Caroline, if I can't talk to you I have no one. Yeah right. What about your boyfriend? Let's not forget your brother, the entire reason Bonnie is dead to begin with. Who did I have? My mom was always working and Matt was somewhere in Europe with Rebekah - not to mention that Stefan has been missing since Elena chose Damon. I don't even want to think about Tyler. The entire situation was infuriating.

As they guided Elena to a table, I turned around and left the Grill, passing my car and walking into the woods. The leaves were changing, cloaking the forest in scarlet and golds, and while at one point the brilliant colors would have left me speechless- they just reminded me of death now. I couldn't think of the colors, I could only think of how the leaves are dying. How everything is dying...

"Why is everyone always dying?" My voice broke on the last word, and I couldn't contain my tears as I thought of everyone who has died. Bonnie, my dad, Carol, Alaric, Jenna... and all recently... I fell to the ground, sobbing. Why did death plague this town? Plague me? What did I do to deserve this life?

As time passed and my tears dried, I lay in the grass staring up at the canopy of the forest. The light shone through in rays, now midday, and I admired the beauty. It was like the light of heaven shining down on this god forsaken town. I only wished that there was someone to share this with, to share everything with.

I couldn't help but feel unloved. I had no one to share my thoughts with... no one to comfort me and tell me that everything would be alright. That's not true. Isn't it though? Mom, Tyler, Elena, Damon, Stefan, Jeremy, Matt...Bonnie... all not viable options. "He's your first love, I intend to be your last". Klaus? After everything he has done?

We all make mistakes. Mistakes? He's killed so many people... For what? He wanted Elena to make a family of his own- a hybrid family to give him company. He killed Carol because Tyler betrayed him by taking his family away.

I sighed. My mind was really trying to convince me that Klaus was a good, if not my only option. I can't just leave though, I have college starting next week. Oh Caroline, you're going to be even farther away from your workaholic mother and rooming with Elena. You can compel your way into college anytime you want, and you have an eternity to live the college lifestyle.

I searched within myself, trying to find any substantial reason to stay and not find Klaus... but I lacked any. My mom would be devastated, but she would have to understand. I needed support... and possibly a change of scenery. So it was decided, I would go to New Orleans and try to find Klaus.