This is set during season 7, in which Elena does wake up from her coma. So it's an AU.

Inspired by Jessie J's Nobody's Perfect.

I'm Not Perfect

Caroline was sitting beside Elena's bedside, weeks into her self-induced coma.

The blonde sighed, remembering all the good times they had, before and after the brunette had met Stefan Salvatore. What she wouldn't give to be that normal human girl again, with no worries in her life aside from finishing high school, getting into college and maybe a boyfriend or two down the line. Instead, that faithful meeting had happened and she should have realized that their fate had been sealed that day when Elena and Stefan had exchanged flirty looks during history class.

"Care?"

The vampire looked up from her staring contest with Elena's sheets, to see Bonnie, her other best friend. The witch's life had been tied to Elena's a couple of weeks back but, rather than sentencing one of her friends to death, the other vampire had decided to fall into coma instead. Caroline didn't blame her. She didn't blame Bonnie either. If she had blamed anyone, it would be that Kai person (or whoever it was who caused this whole mess, she really couldn't find it in her to care anymore.) With a sigh, she smiled at her other best friend, knowing it looked horribly forced.

"You blame me, don't you?" Bonnie looked sad, causing the blonde to reach out and grab her hand.

"Of course not! Elena wouldn't, I sure as hell don't!" she said hotly, surprising the only witch in their friendship triangle. "I don't think that even Damon and Stefan do, it was her choice after all. You know how they are, they can't go against her choices." she looked away and grasped Elena's pale hand as well. "But that doesn't matter - remember our promise?"

"To stay best friends no matter what happened or what guy came into our lives?"

The voice they never thought they would hear again made them both jump and they looked at the bed in shock, only to see an awake Elena holding Caroline's hand in a strong grip with a wry smile on her face.

"Girls, I'm back." With happy cries, Caroline and Bonnie threw themselves onto her and hugged her hard, causing her to laugh. "Careful, I still feel a bit weird in my own body..."

"Elena, I'm so sorry..." Bonnie muttered, causing the brunette to narrow her eyes as she poked the witch's forehead.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Bon." she said. "It was my choice. Don't blame yourself. If you want to blame anyone, blame me."

"What? But why...?" Caroline began as the other vampire looked at her and chuckled cheerfully, grasping their hands even thighter as she did. She still loked a bit too pale even for a supernatural and her movements were careful and measured... but she was back. The brunette had woken up after a couple of weeks and her friends couldn't be happier. Elena herself, meanwhile, had mirth in her eyes as she looked at them. Her coma might have not lasted for a long time, but during it, she felt like she had been in Heaven, neither dead nor alive, and her mother (aunt) had talked to her, causing Elena to change. To make her want to make a difference. Biting her lower lip, the awakened vampire spoke.

"Because it was my fault."

So I'd like to think that this isn't OOC but rather how she used to be back in S1. Anyways, thanks for reading! :)