Today was a new beginning in a new place. Elena would be getting her masters this semester in English and Bonnie would be finishing up her student teaching. They were officially done with undergrad and had just rented a little apartment off Broad Street.
"Hey Bon! Where do you want me to set all these books?" Elena asked as she entered the apartment.
"You can set them next to the night stand and I will go through them later. Thanks for carrying them up." Bonnie replied.
"Please tell me you don't plan on spending our freedom reading about 17th century history? I plan on at least making it out one night a week." Elena said as she plopped down on her bed flipping through a book Bonnie had about the Salem Witch Trials.
Bonnie stopped unpacking and glared at Elena, "Just because you are single and ready to mingle doesn't mean we are going to abandon our studies and sensibilities for a bunch of booze."
"I know your right Bonnie, but I want to make poor choices and memories we won't forget. You know I am not a big drinker, but I want to get out of the bubble we've been in. There is nothing wrong with just casually hanging out and having fun. I hear there is a great hang out off campus. Caroline told me about it last time she was here for the weekend."
Caroline Forbes was one of the worlds most energetic and demanding people. She was three years older than Elena and Bonnie, but grew up right next door to the Gilberts. She had been the captain of their cheer squad and she taught a self-defense class after school. Her mother was the local sheriff, but sometimes I think people found Caroline more intimidating. Now Caroline was a successful businesswoman who owned her own boutique in Richmond. She spent a lot of time traveling and putting together ideas for other boutiques on the East Coast.
"Oh I know the place! Caroline has a crush on the bartender there. I think his name is Klaus? She wouldn't shut up about his accent when I called her. Gosh! I almost forgot we have to get our car decal so we can park on campus. I'd hate to have to walk to class next week!" A typical Bonnie response that starts out on topic, but ends up circling back to the responsible option.
Elena wasn't a partier. She had spent her youth being cautious and careful. A drunk driver killed her parents in a car accident her sophmore year of high school and it had made Elena very aware of how she handled herself. She also had her younger brother Jeremy to think about. Jeremy had gone off the deep end after their parents died. He started hanging with the wrong crowd and quickly got involved with drugs. Elena knew he needed someone to set an example for him, that's why she had made her Aunt Jenna sign Jeremy up for the community mentorship program. Jeremy had been paired with Damon Salvatore, notorious rehabilitated bad boy. Damon was arrogant, big headed, and drop dead gorgeous. His unruly raven hair and piercing blue eyes had Elena blushing like crazy. She hated the effect he had on her sixteen year old body, but he had gotten through to Jeremy. Jeremy had gotten past his dark days and was attending VCU for accounting this fall. Elena would always feel indebted to Damon, but she honestly didn't know him well at all. She tried to avoid his seductive banter when dropping Jeremy off and that ended when Damon moved to Richmond. Elena knew Jeremy kept in touch with him, but she hadn't seen him herself in several years. She didn't have time to wonder about her school girl crush. All those boxes needed to be unpacked. There was a lot to do before her first week of grad school.