Songbird

Prologue

Once upon a time there was a girl who was in love with her best friend. He had always been at her side and when she finally started to give him hints about how she felt for him, he started pulling away from her. Day by day she smiled and stood by him through every trial that came before them until he harshly threw her feelings in her face. She gave him what he wanted and in return she asked that he would not seek her out again; her heart so bruised she couldn't bear to build him back up when she knew he would fall in the future. She moved on while he reminisced on their times together. She rose up on top of every challenge while he fell further behind; becoming to her just another face in the crowd. When she faced her demons, he wallowed in the misery he had brought upon himself. But… what happens when life brings them back into the same circle and old emotions are brought up? Will the ever-occurring cycle of pain and betrayal finally come to an end or is there still more to endure? And when does it become too much?

Chapter 1

Caroline was walking alongside her best friend, and secret crush, as she tried to quiz him for the last time for his algebra test. Niklaus stopped answering her questions and she looked up to see what had got him distracted; not surprised when she saw her other friend Elena Gilbert across the parking lot in his line of sight. She snapped her fingers and restated the equation a couple times before she snapped the book in front of his face. Seeing him scowl at her she shook her head and asked again, but when she looked back up he had focused on Elena again. She never let him know her feelings, but she also hoped he would feel for her like she did him; he like many others focusing on Elena.

"Nik you have a test coming up in 30 minutes. Don't you want to pass?" She asked sarcastically, and he scowled at her again. "I'm serious, Nik, I know you know the material… you just got to use your head a little."

"Well then… in order to focus again… how about you use your little match-making skills and get Elena to go out with me?" He asked and she faltered in her argument; he hadn't listened to a word she had said. She looked across the lot at Elena before looking back at him.

"Do you really think that's the best idea right now? She's already going between the Salvatores… why put yourself through that?" She asked seriously since she never really understood why every male in town would fall in line and fight over Elena when she would only every use them and lose them. She never said it out loud, but Caroline couldn't stand Elena much at all since they had gotten into high school and she had become an uppity bitch towards everyone; Caroline included.

"Oh come on Caroline… don't give me that bullshit. Everyone knows you have a thing for me, and I get it, but I don't see you like that. I know you're just jealous so you're trying to hold me back; it isn't going to work." Klaus threw back in her face and she let him; never giving away how much his words hurt at that moment. She looked away and back over in Elena's direction before looking at him again. He seemed to be in a type of panic so she just nodded and handed him his book back.

"I would never hold you back from what or who made you happy. I thought you knew me better than that." She replied before walking across the lot with him trailing behind her. She stopped again as she felt him catch up as she made a decision to stop being around people that didn't really care about her; fake friends. "I'll get you with Elena but when it falls apart, and it will, don't come running to me. I'm done being used and insulted for no reason; our friendship is done Mikaelson." She stated.

"As if you're really going to just get over your silly little crush. We both know who can make it without the other and you're stupid if you believe otherwise." He returned but when she faced him he didn't look as cocky as he sounded; looking away and back to Elena.

"I mean it Klaus… we are no longer friends from this day out; I'm not going to be the one to hold you back, and neither will you hold me back." She finished and ran ahead of him to escape the feeling of her heart being stomped. She pulled Elena away from the little group she was surrounded in and pointed in Klaus' direction. Elena knew how she felt about Klaus from a couple years ago when it started so the cruel little smirk that came across her face didn't surprise her; she had been gunning for Caroline since the beginning of the year. In the end she didn't have to convince Elena of anything and she watched as Elena swayed her hips over and pull Klaus to her before melding their lips together. Caroline walked away from the scene and from both friendships without looking back; she didn't need either of them.

Klaus POV…

When Elena and him had stopped making out against her car and had made plans for later, he looked around to see his sister glaring at him. He looked further around the lot and didn't see Caroline anywhere; she had probably left to cool down. He knew their argument had been bad and he hadn't meant to say what he did, but he didn't think Caroline would've done as he asked if he hadn't. He didn't think Caroline meant it when she said their friendship was over either; they'd been friends for years and she'd liked him as more for almost half of that time. He'd let her calm down and she would be back to clinging on to the hope he would feel something in return in no time. He gathered his things and went to class; having to stop on his way and go to his locker since he was used to Caroline bringing his book on her way past his class.

His locker seemed fuller when he opened it and noticed that all of his stuff that he knew Caroline had at school with her was in there; he didn't think she would have done that. He guessed it would take a little longer than he originally thought before she came crawling back. He gathered what he would need for the first couple of classes and went back; running a little late since he had to actually go to his locker unlike all the other times. He sat in Klaus feeling his ego inflate when the rumors spread through class about him and Elena now dating; it felt good to be envied. He carried on his day without a care in the world; even through lunch when Caroline never once entered his sight.

1 month later…

The news spread quickly; Sheila Bennett had died, and as the only family left for Bonnie Bennett, it left Bonnie an orphan. Everyone heard how Caroline's mother had offered to take custody of the girl and through a quick decision of the judge it had become official. Klaus felt bad for Bonnie, but he kept his distance since she stayed glued to Caroline's side. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he was beginning to miss Caroline more and more each day, and never once did she seek him out. He also wouldn't admit how worried he was that she really wasn't bluffing about ending their friendship; she never even glanced in his direction.

Rebekah, his still-angry sister, wouldn't speak to him and the only time she would look at him she would roll her eyes and leave the area he was in. He thought she was being ridiculous since she was his sister, but he knew Caroline was as much her friend as she had been his. He was about to confront his sister about her behavior, but decided to give her a little time to cool off; maybe both of them would be around again. Caroline seemed to withdraw from the crowd a little as he noticed she left the cheerleading squad and switched her schedule around; from what he heard she had all AP classes. He could see something was bothering her when he would catch a glance of her staring off at the distance in no general direction before snapping herself back and carrying on with whatever task she had in front of her.

Over the next few weeks he noticed she withdrew further until the only one she really spoke to was Bonnie. Rebekah started talking to him again, but it wasn't the same as it had been before; apparently Caroline pulled away from her too. It angered him that she was being so petty to hold what he had said against Rebekah, but he figured his sister would be better off away from people like that. He and Elena carried on as he expected and he was glad he could prove Caroline wrong; Elena was sweet and innocent. Of course he would hear rumors from time to time, but he ignored them; people were just jealous. His friend Stefan had stopped speaking with him, as well as his brother Damon, but since everyone knew the Salvatore brothers both harbored feelings for Elena he didn't blame them too much; he got the girl.

Caroline POV…

Why is all of this happening? Why did Grams die? Why is my mother getting dizzy spells and headaches? She questioned her life as she, Bonnie, and Liz all waited around the living room for the phone to ring. One of her questions would be answered when the doctor called with Liz's test results. Bonnie was just settling in and had turned the guest bedroom into something she could call her own; she didn't need the only person that had reached out to take custody have something bad happen to her. Caroline looked at her mom to see her rubbing the back of her head again; it only made Caroline worry more as she bit her lip in a scared anticipation. When the shrill sound of the house phone went off, nobody moved at first until Liz picked up the receiver.

Liz took the call to her bedroom as Caroline and Bonnie sat on the couch and waited to hear the results. Caroline grew more nervous as time passed and her mother didn't come back. Bonnie had laid her hand on her shoulder and she turned to see her friend with the same teary-eyed look as her. She was glad she had someone with her during this time; as she was sure Bonnie was glad to have her as a friend in return. She had pleaded with her mother for her to take custody of Bonnie so she wouldn't end up in a foster home somewhere far away and it had been enough for her mother to agree; Liz liking Bonnie and being close to her family before they had all died.

She wondered briefly what Klaus would say if he were there, but she pushed him from her mind; she had promised herself that she would not feel anything for him on any level. His sister had been trying to help her work things out and had stopped talking to her brother, but Caroline told her that she shouldn't do that. She was happy to see Rebekah speaking to Klaus again, but it hurt that Rebekah couldn't talk to her anymore. Elena had threatened all of Rebekah's social life, as well as her grades, if she continued being friends with Caroline so Caroline had told Rebekah not to pick her; letting everyone think she had been the one to end their friendship. Rebekah had been determined to choose her as well as tell her brother what was going on, but Caroline refused to let her; knowing Klaus would find a way to blame her anyway.

Caroline was pulled from her thoughts when her mom descended the stairs looking paler than before and traces of tears on her face. When Liz sat in her chair, Caroline saw her look between both her and Bonnie before dropping her head. Caroline felt a weight drop in her stomach and her throat clog as she tried to take a breath and ask what the doctor had said. Before her or Bonnie were able to speak her mother dropped them bomb on them; cancer. Liz rushed through saying she was still at a stage she could do chemotherapy but Caroline felt like she couldn't breathe; she didn't know how to live without her mom and she wasn't ready to find out.

"Girls… I want to do something… just in case things turn bad." Liz spoke quietly and Caroline looked up to meet her mother's eyes in a panic.

"You're strong mom… nothing is going to happen to you." Caroline urged but Liz looked down a little before looking back up.

"It's just in case; you two may never need it, but I need to make sure." Liz stressed and Caroline and Bonnie exchanged glances before looking back to Liz and nodding. "I want to get the both of you emancipated… I'm not sending you anywhere, but I need to make sure you wouldn't get sent somewhere in case… in case things don't go the way I plan." Liz stressed and Caroline couldn't hold back a small sob that escaped her. Liz got up and sat between both Bonnie and Caroline with her arms around them.

"I can't mom… I can't lose you… I just…" Caroline rambled but Liz shh'd her. Caroline knew her mother was only trying to rational in case something DID happen, but she didn't want to think of that possibility.

"I don't want people to know unless it starts getting bad girls… so don't tell a soul." Liz continued and Caroline looked at her again. "The doctor will know, my deputy will know, your principle will know, and my lawyer will know, but that is all the people that need to know at this point." She said as she looked at both her and Bonnie. Caroline felt herself nodding and she could see Bonnie nodding too, but all she wanted to do was cry.

2 months later…

It had been a rough couple of months; Caroline prioritized her schedule and activities to better suit her mother's chemo schedule, the same as Bonnie had. Both girls had been emancipated officially for 3 days now and Caroline didn't like the feeling. Most teenagers would be ecstatic to be considered an adult, but it only reminded her that it was because her mother could be dying. One of her problems now was that she was already way ahead in her class credits and the classes she would have to take at the start of the new semester was filled with juniors and seniors she was trying to avoid. She knew she would have to suck it up if she wanted to get her double credits and get through college faster; already picking up a couple at the local college to get another head start. All of which led to her other problem; she was using her savings from what her Dad had left her in his will to pay for her college classes but it wouldn't last forever and she didn't have time for a job with her already swamped schedule.

She was walking around the campus as she tried to get familiar with it when she heard a melody being played. The sound felt comforting so she followed it to see a small group of people sitting in a circle; 2 with a guitar, one with drumsticks, and another with a notepad that looked like she was typing but Caroline guessed it was piano or keyboard notes. She didn't realize how close she had got or how lost in the sound she had become until they stopped and looked at her. She quickly apologized with a smile and a wave before turning to retreat the way she had come as she shook her head at her behavior; they probably thought she was lost or stupid. She walked far enough away that they couldn't see her but she could still hear them and sat on a bench; pulling out a notebook and pen as she sat.

Time passed quickly as she filled in page after page; starting out as poetry but steadily becoming lyrics. She was so engrossed in her writing that she didn't hear the group stop playing or see them walking up to her. She continued writing as she let her emotions guide her thoughts and hand; everything from the past few months catching up to her. She only paused to wipe a tear that would occasionally form in her eyes, but she wouldn't let them out. She nearly screamed when she felt a hand come down on her shoulder until she looked to see the group she had walked up on. Caroline felt nervous around them since she thought they were mad about listening in or that she was now writing as she listened to them play. However, she calmed when they introduced themselves and asked to see her writing.

Caroline was surprised when they offered for her to come and hang out with them; to create music with them. She knew if she took out a couple other activities she could make time, but she would have to see; prioritize again if necessary. It turned out they had been looking for someone who could write or sing, and Caroline told them she could somewhat sing. So they all agreed on a date to meet up and see how they worked together. She had never thought about singing as an option to get money; she had a connection to her father's husband before her father had died. She still talked to Steven from time to time and if she asked she was sure he would give her or them a chance to show what they had. She shook her head at her silly thoughts; she may have liked how they sounded but she had no idea how they sounded professionally or how she sounded with them.

Thinking back to music once she got home, she glanced down to see her mother's medical bills; she didn't know how her mother could afford them and still support the 3 of them. She would have to find a way to help her somehow. Caroline thought about Steven again; once she practiced with the band she would speak with him to see if he could get them in the door. She didn't want to get famous; she just wanted to make enough money for her college classes and her mother's medical bills; maybe even help Bonnie with college if she could make enough. If she didn't figure out something soon, her mother might end up having to sell the house or pick up more work on a sick body to cover all the costs.

2nd semester of school (roughly 3 months later)…

Things were finally looking up after all her hard work; she had joined the group of people she had met and they had formed a band. Shortly after she had spoken to Steven and he agreed to listen to them play; agreeing to getting them signed quickly. Caroline had wanted to keep her identity to her bandmates, Steven, her mother, and Bonnie; so they agreed to all wear masks and wigs to keep their real selves hidden from the world. Her mother had been wary of the idea but working with Steven had soothed her over; as long as Caroline's grades didn't drop she approved. So when Caroline wasn't in school or working on homework she was working with her band and Steven on recording an album.

She walked into the studio for their last session before release. She was ready for a break and some time with her mom; who had finally relented into letting Steven and her band members know about her cancer so they understood why she needed the money but didn't want her identity out. She loved hanging out with her bandmates almost as much as she loved hanging out at home with her mom and Bonnie. Her bandmates were Enzo, Maggie, Trevor, Rose, and Galen; all of which took to her instantly as well. They would come over to her house to hang out with her, her mom, and Bonnie the same as the 3 of them would spend time with her bandmates at the recording studio or college when her mother wasn't in chemo.

Steven greeted her as she stepped into the sound booth and put the headphones on her head; all of the other songs were finished for the record and this one just needed her to sing the lyrics. It hadn't been hard coming up with lyrics for the general population; she had felt different issues a lot of teenagers went through, but she was also facing things adults would at a later age in life. The song she was going to currently sing made her think of the friendships she used to have and how they had been torn apart; mainly Klaus and how easily he let go of their friendship for someone who liked to cause drama or pain for others. She let herself free in the booth as she put her heart into every word; actually feeling herself tear up a couple times but she kept her voice from wavering. When she was finished she heard Steven tell her to listen to the radio in a couple weeks to see if he managed to get the radio stations to play their music.

Listen she did and it took a little over another month before she heard the familiar sounds of her band's work playing over the radio in the girl's locker room as she was changing after gym. She could hear a couple girls squeal at the prospect of a new hit band coming out after the song ended and the DJ had mentioned her band briefly. She felt pride rush through her for a job well done before she continued on with her day; hearing her last song recorded be the one to break through, a few more times before she was able to go home. Bonnie was excited for her and kept gushing about the possibilities if she continued in the future and her mother wasn't much different when they walked in the door.

Liz had decided to take them out to eat to celebrate; even if no one else would know what for. It was hard for all 3 of them to contain their excitement and not speak about everything when they went to the grille. Everything seemed perfect and Caroline couldn't help but pull out her notebook and write a little more; she might as well be prepared. Her mother ended up getting called to work a short time later so she and Bonnie decided to stay out a little bit longer before going home. Bonnie was working on homework as Caroline kept writing lyrics when the Mikaelsons came inside to eat. Caroline kept to her task until Bonnie tapped her arm and asked if she wanted to go; Caroline looking back confused until she heard the Mikaelsons sitting a couple booths behind them. She gave Bonnie a nod and packed her stuff up before dropping a tip and standing to leave.

They had almost made it out when Caroline heard her name being called. Bonnie told her she'd wait on her outside when she realized it was Matthew Donovan; better known as Matt and he might need help with homework or something since she had seen him in tutoring. It seemed like tutoring was what he was going to ask her since he started the conversation with school topics but it led into him asking her if she wanted to catch a movie with him. She stood frozen for a few moments, not knowing what to say in return until he thought she was blowing him off, before she accepted. His answering smile made her smile a little in return and they agreed on a day and time before she told him she'd see him at school. Caroline decided to not make a big deal about it until she was sure it was supposed to be a date instead of going as friends, but Bonnie wouldn't stop fangirling during the drive home.

Prom Night…

Caroline and Bonnie decided to have a girl's night since they weren't old enough to go to prom and they hadn't been invited. They started off at the spa a couple towns over, followed by a shopping trip since Caroline had made a lot more money than expected, and then they went back to finish their night at the Grille; they had already ate out of town for breakfast and lunch so familiarity was what they wanted. It wasn't that busy in the Grille since most of the seniors and juniors, with the occasional freshman or sophomore, were at Prom but they weren't there to socialize. Matt had also started working at the Grille and Caroline wanted to see him for a few minutes before he left his shift and went home. They had went from casually going out as friends to becoming an official couple over the past couple months and she finally felt like she was moving on.

Matt sat with them for about 20 minutes before the prom crowd came in and he left before his manager could tell him to clock back in. Caroline and Bonnie stayed at the pool table and continued trading off chores when one won or lost; they could have bet money but they both agreed chores were better. They didn't listen in on any of the gossip for a while until they heard the beginning of a fight break out and looked over to see Klaus and Damon facing off with Elena standing over on the side watching the boys about to fight. Caroline knew it was the moment she had told Klaus would happen, and from the looks of it, she had strung him along until tonight; she didn't want to stay and watch.

Caroline exchanged a glance with Bonnie before they gathered their things and started walking out the door. On the way through the crowd she could hear snippets of conversations where all of them concluded that Klaus had went to get Elena a drink but when he had went back to find her she was gone; as after searching for her he found her having sex with Damon. Caroline felt disgusted by what happened, but more disgusted with the fact that everyone was talking about it. She looked towards Elena again to see her smirking unashamed as she walked away with Damon and Klaus turned away; locking eyes with her across the room. She turned away and pushed Bonnie a little bit to move faster as they were finally able to dart out of there. They had just made it into the car when she saw him exit the Grille and start coming towards them; pulling out of her spot and driving away was all she let him see of her reaction.

2nd to Last Week of Classes…

Klaus POV…

Klaus stared at the ceiling as he wished he could be anywhere but stuck in class; school becoming grueling with everyone talking about him and Elena breaking up. Everyone knew Elena had slept with Damon but he couldn't believe some people had the nerve to blame him for her doing that to him; like he didn't give her enough attention or sacrifice several relationships in his life to get her. He hated that he ever pursued her and after he looked back at everything he couldn't see what had drew his interests in the first place; he had fucked up big time. He was sketching in his notebook since the class was taking their finals and he had already turned his in; he was ready to graduate and be out of school and he didn't want to be there a minute longer than he had to be.

The teacher, Alaric, was looking through some files on his desk but Klaus wasn't sure if it was for this school or for the college he taught at; they didn't look like high school files and he didn't recognize all of the names he saw on their tabs from his seat near Alaric's desk. What drew his attention away from his sketch was when he picked up the phone and was speaking to the principle. Klaus felt his hands break into a sweat; Alaric was requesting Caroline come into the room for something. Klaus looked back down and kept his gaze on his sketch when he heard the door open and Caroline step up to Alaric's desk. He could overhear the whispered conversation from where he was, but it surprised him since he didn't know Caroline had taken up classes at the college.

"Caroline… come sit." Alaric whispered as he motioned to the chair next to his desk. "I've got your paper from my assignment at the college. I know you won't be in class later so I thought we could discuss it now?" He asked and he heard Caroline clear her throat a little.

"You know I wouldn't normally miss your class, but it is for an important reason; I promise."

"I know… and you're not in trouble. I wanted to ask you what your plans are for the summer semester. Will you continue taking classes or are you going to wait until the fall?"

"I actually signed up for a charity organization and it's going to keep me too busy to take summer classes, so I'll be waiting for the fall." Caroline responded and Klaus could see Alaric nodded in consideration.

"Well… I would have liked to take you on as a TA for both here and the college, but I do understand; maybe when the fall semester starts."

"Why me? I thought you had to be enrolled full-time to become a TA?"

"The TA is who I choose and Alexander is about to graduate so I have to find a new one… and I was kind of hoping to have one before fall."

"What about Jesse? Professor Shane is transferring and Jesse will need a new TA position or he might lose his honors position." Caroline suggested and Klaus just grew more confused. He didn't know who any of the people they were talking about were but it seemed like had made a new life away from high school; it explained her withdrawal from many of her high school functions. He still couldn't figure out why she would stop interactions with her fellow high school classmates, such as his family, unless there was something more going on that he hadn't known; his ego too high from dating the popular girl which turned out to be the worst decision so far.

"I'll ask him… you and him are neck to neck with your grades anyway; it would have just been easier with you being at both schools." Alaric spoke but quickly moved on to another subject. "The second reason I called you in was to get your permission on something."

"Go on."

"I need you to sign some papers that will allow me to use your written essays or projects as a kind of guideline for future students to follow; give them a goal to shoot for in a way of speaking. You've scored past the set marks on every assignment and I want to see your work acknowledged." Alaric proposed and Klaus heard Caroline make the strangled noise in her throat she usually did when she was nervous or embarrassed.

"Can it be used anonymously?" She questioned in return and Alaric looked confused. "If I didn't want anyone to know it was my work, could my name be left out and the work still used?" Caroline verified and Alaric scratched at his head.

"I'd have to rewrite up the paperwork for you to sign but it can be used anonymously if you really want it to be."

"I do want it anonymous; I don't mind you using it, but I don't like people knowing it's my work." Caroline spoke and Klaus could see the doubt she still had in herself. Alaric seemed to see that as well, but just nodded as the bell rang. He asked her to stay a few more minutes so he could have the papers faxed and she could sign as Klaus' classmates turned in their papers and started filing out of the room. Klaus took his time gathering his things since he thought it might be a good time to speak with her and at least apologize for what he had said; it may be too late to be friends again but she deserved to hear him say he was sorry.

"There you are… someone said you were in here." Klaus heard and looked to see Caroline jumping in her place as Matt placed and arm around her and surprised her. He saw Caroline smile as Matt pecked her cheek and he had to make himself look away; getting out of the classroom as quickly as he could after seeing that. He hadn't thought they were serious since he heard they had been on a few dates, but seeing Caroline look at Matt, the way she used to look at him, ate at him.

He blocked out all of the other conversations around him as he made his way outside. Caroline was dating Matt… she had moved on from him. He should have been happy with not having her look at him like he was special, not having to think about if she still felt something for him when he made out with Elena in front of her all of those times during their time together, and wonder if she was missing him like he was missing her; which he guessed would have been more than he had since she had been the one to feel more than friendship between them. He looked around at the wrong time as he noticed Matt kissing Caroline as she leaned back against a tree; an unfamiliar feeling passing through him when she pulled back smiling before she opened her eyes and looked at Matt in return. The feeling only grew stronger when Caroline acted like she was running from Matt and he play chased her in return. He had to get out of there, so he went into the office and signed himself out for the rest of the day.

Graduation Day…

He had his diploma in his hand and he turned and smiled at the crowd where he saw his family smiling and cheering for him. He still hadn't gotten over that feeling of seeing Caroline and Matt together, but he managed to at least push it aside enough to finish his classes. Now here he was walking back to his seat with his diploma in his hand and he didn't feel like he thought he would. He thought he would be happier today instead of just relieved to get out and away from the ones that had drug down his last year for him. He had barely got his grades back on track after his relationship with Elena, and all the hours of tutoring and extra credit he had to do to had gotten him back to passing; his work being noticeably harder with a different study partner than Caroline. She had always seemed to understand and explain it to him better than he could himself or having someone else help him, but he couldn't go to her; especially not after accusing her of holding him back.

When his family finally got him out of there they went to the Grille like many other families. He didn't really want to be around a crowd, but he didn't say anything to his family. When they walked in his sister went away from the group straight away to sit in Elena's little circles of groupies and he scoffed; he should have known Rebekah would wander away from him. He noticed Kol darting glances at Bonnie and his cheeks turn a little red, but he would look away and go back to the conversation at the table with their family. He looked around and could see Caroline sitting close with her back turned and her headphones in as she wrote away in her little notebook she always seemed to carry. He wanted to go speak to her but decided not to when he saw Matt join her and she put her things away. He almost changed his mind when he heard their conversation and the way Elena kept looking over at Matt.

"Are you sure you won't change your mind? I'm sure they can find someone else to take your spot?" Matt asked and Klaus had no idea what he could be referring to.

"Matt, I told you… this charity goes on my resume and it looks good on college applications; it's only for a couple of months and I'll be back."

"You're already taking classes though…"

"Yeah, but I want to be able to transfer my credits to a university and this program will look better on my transfer application."

"You'll be gone all summer to a place with no cell phone reception and only a hotel phone; you and I neither one will want to call long distance. And don't even get me started on the fact that we almost never get to see each other out of school and you're ready to just use all of your time this summer gone away on some trip." Matt ranted and he could see Caroline's shoulders sag and her head shake.

"I understand your side Matt, but I booked this before we were dating and I told you about it from the very beginning. And I spend as much free time as I have with you… I'm taking AP classes, college classes, I work, and I have to spend time with my mom from time to time too you know. I never say anything to you when you have stuff to do that cuts away our time so why are you doing it to me?" She ranted in return and questioned.

"I'm just tired of actually trying to spend time with my girlfriend and you don't seem to do the same." Matt spoke irritably and he saw Caroline shake her head.

"I can't believe you would actually say that to me. How many times did you cancel our plans, huh? I've only canceled once and you knew about this trip for months so you knew we couldn't make any summer plans. You, however, have cancelled 12 times and yes I counted because I keep everything marked in my schedule book so I don't forget anything." Caroline threw back at him and he saw Matt squirm in his seat. Klaus couldn't believe the backbone Caroline had grown over the past few months, but he could see Matt was nervous and he kept glancing around the Grille as if he was guilty or nervous about something.

"I think we should break up…" Matt let out in a rush and Caroline sat back in her chair with her arms folded as she grew quiet. "It isn't just the trip… I didn't think you felt the same way I did for a while and I don't want us to hate each other." Matt continued and Caroline nodded.

"If that's what you want Matt… I won't stop you. I don't want to hate you either…" Caroline returned but stopped when she saw Elena come up behind Matt. Klaus could see Elena smile at Caroline and he used to think it was an innocent smile, but he learned it was the opposite; it was what she gave before dropped a bomb on you.

"Why don't you tell her Matt?" Elena asked innocently.

"Elena just shut up… that was a mistake… but you set me up…" Matt rushed as he looked between Caroline and Elena.

"No I get it… I really do; I was just giving him time to tell me." Caroline said and Matt grew pale before he reached for Caroline's hand, only to be rejected when she moved before he could reach her.

"Caroline… I was drunk and feeling like you were drifting away; she came to me. It was only once and I never did it again… I tried to make it better between us… I even told her to leave me alone…" Matt spoke as he kept trying to come up with excuses. Klaus felt bad for Caroline but he could see she was holding her own and her voice wasn't wavering so he knew she wasn't crying; later might be a different story, but right now she was bold.

"Yes I know… during the ONE time I cancelled our plans." She offered and Matt looked away in what Klaus knew was shame. "I know how Elena is and I know what we were going through at the time, but it's no excuse for you to use. I will admit that things got better for a while, but I don't appreciate you lying to me right now; it wasn't just then… it's now." Caroline finished and stood from her seat. Klaus watched Caroline start to leave as Matt dropped his head down into his hands and Elena pulled him back up to place a kiss on his lips. Klaus looked and saw that Caroline hadn't even made it out of the Grille yet and had looked back but was making her way out the door now.

Klaus excused himself a couple minutes later as he felt all the new information set in; the timeframes added up to where Matt cheated on Caroline with Elena while Elena was dating him, thus he was cheated on more than just with Damon. It wouldn't surprise him if he found more later, but he didn't care anymore since he had wasted enough time on Elena fucking Gilbert. Her name was like acid to him and was ready to get away from her for good; hoping he wouldn't run into her when he came back into town in the future. Now he wanted to speak to Caroline more than ever; he needed to apologize and he knew she might like a shoulder to cry on right about now and he owed her that at least. She had been telling the truth and was trying to protect him, but he had thrown her feelings for him back in her face; insulted her on top of that. He wished he could go back to that day and change their conversation to where he never asked her to help him get with Elena; he would have thanked her for looking out for him.

He drove by her house but he didn't see her car so he decided to see if she was visiting her mom at the police station. When he had no luck finding her he decided to go home since he didn't know where she might be; her hang-out spots different than they had been the last he had spoken with her. He planned to seek her out the next day and hoped she would at least let him apologize before she leaves for the summer; maybe even write to him and let him write to her in return. He'll be going to college soon and he wanted to make things right before he left, but he wondered if she would listen. Surely she wouldn't treat him like he had her before, but he deserved it if she did; he just couldn't stand the guilt any longer and he assumed it was why he couldn't get his mind off of her.

The next day when he drove by her house her car was still gone and he couldn't find her anywhere in town so he decided to grab a quick bite to eat at the Grille. He could see Bonnie and Liz sitting at a table and eating but Caroline wasn't anywhere in sight. He went to stand at the bar close enough he could hear while he was giving his order. While waiting on his food he learned Caroline had left the day before and had just checked into her hotel; he had missed his chance. He paid for his food and began making his way back out as he saw Liz look a little pale and Bonnie rubbing her shoulder; he guessed it was hard for Liz to see Caroline gone all summer for the first time. It made him want to spend time with his family before he left for college, so that is how he decided he would spend his summer.