Disclaimers: I own nothing.
Heartbeat
"It is during our darkest moment that we must focus on seeing the light"- Aristotle Onassis
Chapter 1
First Impressions
"Caroline," someone called me. "Caroline," they called again, shaking my body this time. I groaned in annoyance. Didn't they understand that I wanted to sleep? "Caroline," I felt my warm blankets leave me, "get up. You're going to be late for your first day of school. I have to leave now so if you don't hurry-"
"Okay mom! Geez!" I snapped at her, leaning on my elbows and still half asleep.
I heard her leave and decided to get up since it would be impossible to get back to dreamland. On my night stand, I heard my phone buzzing and saw that I got a text message from my best friend, Kol wishing me a fun first day. I could imagine him saying that with sarcasm in his voice. It made me laugh.
Outside, the sun was shining bright, making me at least a little happier. Ever since I moved here to the lovely town of Mystic Falls, my life has turned from joyful, talkative Caroline to shut up and don't speak a word Caroline. It was depressing.
I'm a city girl for peat sakes not a small town junky. Won't my father ever learn? Of course I came here as a kid all the time but it's been ages and besides who the hell names a town 'Mystic Falls' anyways? I say they were probably drunk when they thought it up. I belong in the city and I wish I never moved, but that's what happens when your dad wants to see the world and decides to dump his daughter at her I'm-too-busy-to-raise-you mom.
When I was only a baby my parents divorced leaving me with my dad since my mom was too 'busy' taking care of the smallest town in the world. She's the sheriff and yet she doesn't know how to cook lasagna but she can fire a gun and hit the target one hundred yards away. She the mother I never knew. Anyways, I was raised in Chicago with my dad and only saw my mom when she came up to the windy city for Christmas or I came to her for a 'fun' two weeks in the summer in Mystic Falls. She might seem like she's fun but my mom is the most boring mom on the planet. She think's fun is organizing her files and now I'm stuck with her. Great!
After showering, making sure my long, curly blond hair was almost perfect, and putting on simple make up, I started to search for something decent to wear. I wanted to wear something that would make a great first impression but not too great, I didn't want to be known as the new school slut. So I decided on simple skinny jeans, a black tank and a white leather coat, with black flats to match. Wow, was I ever plain.
I glanced at the clock once in the kitchen and saw it was only 7:45am. Man, I could have slept ten more minutes; thanks mom! I sat around like an idiot for about fifteen minutes before I became bored and thought that I would head to school. So I got into my 2013 ford fiesta I got as a house warming present and drove to the school.
It was ridiculous because the school was only five blocks away. So much for getting lost. After I parked my car, I got out and saw groups of students mingling outside and some heading inside. I followed the group going inside and somehow found the office where I stood behind some lame kid with his hood up who was arguing to the secretary about his classes. I tapped my foot in annoyance and the kid must of heard me because once he turned around he gave me the coldest glare possible. Well fuck you too buddy! I so didn't need this today and I was relieved when he was gone. Hopefully never to be seen again.
"Hello, dear," the secretary called me. I walked up to her with a fake smile, acting like I was the most excited person on the face of this planet.
"Hi, um Caroline Forbes," I introduced.
"Ah yes," she looked at her computer, "you're Liz's daughter," great, I'm known to the whole town as the sheriff's daughter, so much for low security. "I heard you moved here. This is your schedule and a map to the school. You can ask one of your new class mates if they can show you around if you ever get lost."
"Thank you," I answered in a cheerful voice.
I found my locker after minutes of trying to make out the faded words at the top, but it seemed like it didn't want to open. What the hell? I did the combination right so why wasn't it opening. I probably stood there kicking it for a minute or two before someone came up to me. "Here," he offered, opening the door like it was nothing.
"Wow, thanks," I was impressed with this.
The guy was cute. He was very tall and muscular, my guess he was a football jock or something like that. "No problem," he started, "I had this locker last year so I know how you feel. Every new student usually gets this locker."
"So you were new here too last year?" I asked placing my bag on the hook.
"Nah, I just didn't sign up for one early enough so I got this one, the crappiest locker in the school. Trust me took me months to finally being able to open it by myself."
I sighed. "Great, looks like I'll be carrying my bag around this year," my day has just gotten worse except for the cute guy beside me. "Oh, I'm Caroline by the way."
"Matt," he replied.
I looked him soaking in every part of his body. "So by the look of the coat I'm guessing a jock?"
"Yup, you're looking at the quarterback," he answered, proudly. Impressive, but I predicted he was something big like that. "How about you?"
Me? "Ah I was a cheerleader back at my old school," I said. One of the best but the captain didn't think so….
"Where are you from anyways?" he asked.
Before I could answer a smaller girl came up behind Matt. She was a few inches shorter than me and had long, straight brunette hair falling to her mid-back. "There you are Matt, Bonnie's looking for you," she said to him, and then her eyes landed on me. "Oh sorry, I didn't see you there. I'm Elena," she held her hand out.
"Caroline," shaking her hand politely.
"I see you got the messed up locker this year," she exclaimed.
I glanced at my locker the back at her. "Yeah, I guess the new student doesn't get a choice."
"Don't worry I got it freshman year. I still can't open it," she laughed. "So where are you from?"
"Chicago," I answered.
"Wow, the windy city. I went there when I was small. I can barely remember it but I do remember a famous painting at the museum," Matt said.
The museum? Touristy much? "Yeah," I laughed.
The bell rang seconds later saving us from an awkward silence. Matt left but Elena decided to walk with me for a while. "What class do you have first, Caroline?" Elena asked me.
"Oh, um…. English."
"Hmmm, I don't think I know anybody in that class but if you want you can sit with us at lunch."
I smiled. "Sure, thank you."
She waved a good bye as I found my class.
Inside most of the students had already filled the seats, leaving only a few open. In the back row by the window, my eyes gazed upon a particular student sitting with his head down and hoody up. I recognized him by the kid that gave me my welcome to school glare. I prayed that I wouldn't have to sit by him.
The teacher was nice. His name was Mr. Saltzman and seemed like he got along well with his students. I gave him my schedule and he gave me a warm smile. I like this guy already. "Alright, let's put you at the back row beside Mr. Mikaelson. He's the one in the hoodie." Never mind, I hate this teacher.
I slowly made my way to the back of the class. On the way, I heard whispers from people saying, "She's going to get killed," and "I feel really bad for her." Well thank you for the positivity people, I appreciate it.
I sat down at the desk beside 'Mr. Mikaelson' and saw that everyone had their bodies turned towards us. "What are you waiting for? A bloodbath? Turn around," I motioned with my fingers. Geez, what is everyone's deal?
Then I felt another pair of eyes on me. I turned to see my new neighbour staring at me with no emotion what so ever. It was kind of creepy but I did get a good look at his face. I have to say, he did look sort a cute in a weird kind of way. He looked so serious too, like he was waiting for something to happen. But what stood out to me the most were his eyes. They almost looked like they belonged to a predator.
He kept staring at me though and now it was starting to piss me off. "Hi, I'm Caroline," I greeted trying to control my anger.
Nothing but silence, what? Does this guy even speak? "And you're Mr. Mikaelson?" I guessed. More silence, but I did see his eyes narrows a bit. At least it was something.
Throughout class, I kept glancing to the corner of my eye to see him still eyeing my carefully. What does he want? Is he waiting for me to take off my clothes or something…..like really? Doesn't he have anything better to do? My eyes followed to his desk where I saw something horrifying. Red markings that looked like dried up blood and some scratch marks of some sort. Who was this guy anyways?
I was saved by the bell once again and when I looked over to see if my new 'friend' was still staring idly at me, I saw nothing but an empty seat. That guy moves fast!
It was lunch so I followed a large group of students to the cafeteria, there I found Elena waving her hand at me. I sat down in an empty seat as I looked over at the unfamiliar faces. "Everyone this is Caroline," Elena introduced me. "Caroline, this is Bonnie and Stefan, and you already know Matt."
Bonnie and Stefan were really nice. I learned the Stefan lived at the outskirts of town in the old Salvator boarding house. I had no idea he was a Salvator. When I was about six and my mom was talking to some Salvator man at the house and what I can remember is the house was huge. Bonnie on the other hand, lived with her dad and seemed to be into the same things I was into. I was glad someone was.
We talked for a while about our interest and my passed school life before I saw a familiar figure walk into the room and sit at a lone table in the far corner. I turned towards him and saw that people around him moved away. Strange.
"Hey, Elena, what's that guy's name?" I asked her pointing to my 'friend.'
"That's Klaus Mikaelson," she answered, surly not wanting to talk about him. "He moved here a few years ago."
"Why isn't there anyone sitting by him?" I asked her.
Bonnie continued for Elena. "Everyone avoids him like the plague. There's a rumor that he killed a kid at his last school so everyone is afraid of him. He never even talks to anyone nor does he smile."
"He doesn't seem that bad," I observed. "Maybe he just needs a friend." Even though I tried already today, I decided to try again. Screw this morning; I'm going to forget all about it if Klaus Mikaelson is willing to talk to me. So I got up from my seat and started to walk over. I heard low whispers from my table telling me not to go, but I ignored them and pressed on.
I sat down across from him watching him doing something on a piece of paper. He didn't have any food with him and seemed like he didn't even notice me. I cleared my voice purposely making him stop whatever he was doing. I gave him a large smile once he locked eyes with mine. "Hi, I don't think we started on the right foot earlier and I want to make it better."
He narrowed his eyes at me for a moment. "Go away," he told me, then continuing his little project. Wow, he speaks but excuse me….rude much.
"Umm well I just came over to say no hard feelings and I hope we can be friends."
He looked at me again but this time his eyes read anger. "Shall I repeat what I said? Go away, before I make you." Great, first day and I have an enemy. Well done, Caroline. "I don't want friends."
Well fine, I got up and walked back to my table. After receiving 'I told you so' from Bonnie I looked back to see that Klaus was gone.
How could someone not want to have any friends? It was ridiculous. But he not wanting to be friends wasn't going to stop me. There had to be some way to get through to him. So it was decided. I, Caroline Forbes, was going to find out if this Klaus guy had a heart or not.
Now the question was: how was I going to do that?
.:Sapphire:.
