Chapter 1: The Longing

Change can be good or bad, and in this situation it was only semi-good. Caroline Forbes had finally graduated from Mystic Falls High School. In the course of her young life, change was welcome, but unwanted at times. Being turned into a vampire turned out to be both of those things. She died thinking her best friend murdered her, and during the transition she was all alone. Caroline had no clue what was happening. Being so confused, she ended up killing a man in the process. When you don't think it could get any worse, it does and it has. There was so much pain and sorrow in this young life of hers. At the same time she has grown into an amazing, passionate, strong person, well vampire. She's still a bit neurotic, but she can't help that, it's who she is.

Through out her high school years, Caroline was lucky to have some great loves in her life. When an unexpected attraction to Tyler came along, the passion was so strong that no one else compared. Sadly, as the others did, Tyler came and went. Only this time, her soul was completely shattered.

She vowed to herself that after graduation she would look for a new place to call home. As Caroline longed for this fresh start, there was only one thing holding her back, her lovely mother. Her mother is the sheriff in town, so she knew there was no way she would move too.

A week after graduating, Caroline debated on ways to tell her Mother about this dream of moving. As she sat on her warm, soft bed, she daydreamed about a new place where she could find passion and love again. Snapping out of the daydream, she heard the front door open. She sprung out of bed, leaped down the steps and embraced her mom.

"Oh, hello Caroline. Thank you, but may I ask what that was for?" A startled Liz Forbes asked.

"I just missed you today, that's all."

As Caroline let go of her mother, she could tell something was wrong.

"Well, thank you sweetheart, but we need to have a talk. Come to the table for a sit?" Liz said softly.

Caroline nervous and confused, shuffled her way over to the table and sat facing her Mother.

"Yes Mom.."

"Well, Caroline..I was offered a new job, at a new department."

"That's great!" Caroline gave a smile, but noticed her mom wasn't finished talking. She grabbed her Mother's hand and gave it a nice squeeze. "Go on.."

"This new department is in Beacon Hills, California." And before she could tell her daughter she won't take it if she won't come with her, Caroline squealed with excitement.

"MOM! This is what I need, what we need! Take the job, I will be by your side."

Liz wiped the frown from her face, and started to glow with excitement.

"Are you sure Care?" Liz said, Still not convinced.

"Ofcourse! So when do we leave?"

Liz cracked a smile and replied, "Moving day will be this Sunday, so we better start packing."

Running vampire speed up the stairs to her room, Caroline already started packing. She couldn't believe her luck, which was honestly not happening for her lately. This is exactly what she needed, and the fact that she wouldn't have to leave her mom made it all the better. Caroline just hopes this move is the right change for them both. Looking in her floor length mirror, Care takes an unnecessary breath.

"This is a new beginning. I am going to make sure, with every fiber of my being, this move will be the best thing that has happened to the both of us. I just hope this is all I've been longing for." Smiling the biggest smile in months, Caroline goes back to packing, feeling more relaxed than she has in a long time.