"Look, Care, it's not like it wasn't amazing. But after everything's said and done, I just want to be on my own for a while. Hope you understand."
Caroline deleted the voicemail Tyler had left. She thought that hearing him say those words, ending what they had, would completely defeat her but when it actually happened she felt... relieved. Just yesterday she had left a message on his phone saying that he could return to Mystic Falls. Klaus wouldn't come after him and there would be nothing but welcoming arms waiting for him at home. Caroline had waited a week after seeing Klaus at graduation to call. That should have told her something.
After a sigh of what felt like a weight being lifted, she scrunched her brow to try and figure out what this all meant. The one thing she's wanted since Tyler left was for him to come back. She had fought tooth and nail for it and now that it was in her lap, what? She didn't want it anymore?
Klaus had been growing ever closer. Even with everything she did to avoid him, he wormed his way in. And no matter what she did to claw him out, he was in her heart and she didn't see a day ahead that it would change. It was a different feeling from what Tyler made her feel.
With Tyler, she felt like a rebel teen that would live out a Bon Jovi song for their love. But with Klaus, there was something mature, with depth and a presence. It was almost tangible. The thought that she could almost touch what they had...
What they had? Did she really just think that?
Yes. They HAD something.
Klaus was right. They "had a thing"; and it was definitely something more substantial than alcohol.
Before she could change her mind, Caroline began packing a bag. College would be starting in a few weeks and when it did, she would have lost her window to find out the answers to all her questions. Granted, she could always compel her way into Harvard any time she wanted to but there was something about all these human milestones that she just didn't want to pass up or cheat.
Toothbrush: Check. Underwear: Check. Tops and cute skirts: Check, Check. Oh! Bras. Can't forget those. Couple pairs of shoes: Che- wait, one more pair of shoes. Okay, Check.
Caroline swiped up her purse and keys and was out the door. She input the same address she'd sent the graduation announcement to in her GPS and was off in her Ford Fiesta going about 10 miles over the speed limit. The estimated time of arrival left her a little scared that she might lose her nerve but she was determined not to.
New Orleans, here I come.