~And the next chapter! Excuse any little typos if there's any, a little sleepy. A tiny bit boring, but hey! Gotta build up the action and blah. So, enjoy and thank you /so/ much for the lovely reviews! You are all so very epic. The next one will be up soon! Reviews much loved~
2012- 10 years later~
It was on a Tuesday that the invite came.
Caroline bustled around her apartment, a piece of toast in her mouth as she ran, snagging up her little black book complete with pen, shoving it into her pocket as she yanked on her black high heels, next to crashing through the front door, locking it swiftly behind her as she dashed down the almost endless staircases, the elevator broken, and outside, bouncing on the soles of her feet as she waved a hand madly for the taxi on its way up.
She sighed a breath of relief as she slid into the back, smiling at the Hispanic driver. "The New York Times building please."
A pause later, and they slid smoothly out of the place, Caroline glancing up at her apartment, spying the dark red curtains on the 10th floor that was her own.
Caroline sat in silence as the bustle of a May, Tuesday morning enveloped her, watching them hurry along the sidewalks to wherever they were going. Their own lives.
What finally broke her out of her stupor was a song. Cheryl Cole – Promise, which was playing on the radio. She'd never liked the song, but that word sparked a memory in her head; Promise.
A promise two seventeen year old girls had made at their prom, one month before going their separate ways, eventually losing contact from the distance. And it hurt, realizing that a best friend was gone. No… not just her best friend, all her friends. That old life in a little town called Mystic Falls. But Caroline sucked it up eventually, creating her own future as she studied journalism, realizing that for once in her life, she was actually really good at something. Once all her studies were over, her talents were spotted by the owner of the New York Times art and fashion section herself and swiftly shoved into the business.
It was hard, but worth it to see her results printed off, read by thousands.
As they turned onto 8th Avenue, Caroline was deep in thought- how had she got here? A nice little job of doing what she did best. And that was sticking her little nose into other peoples business, which landed her, after some creative writing, a job at the New York Times in the fashion and art section. If there was a new artist on the block, she'd be there with her little notebook, getting a scoop before any other could.
Then there was the fashion section, which she adored. Any excuse to go watch a catwalk or buy a designer dress. The writing section she took great passion in, lavishing over the details.
As the taxi pulled up, she reached inside her purse and took out the correct money, handing the driver it and sliding out neatly, strolling up to the main entrance and signing in with a flourish of a pen.
She essentially didn't need to come in, but with her vacation coming up, she wanted to get everything shifted, start it with ease.
A few minuets later, she was walking into her bosses room, pangs of nerves in her stomach as she faced her.
Katherine Pierce was a bitch. That was a lovely way to describe her, but it was true. She was forever trying to make her employees lives a misery at times, ripping up their hard worked on reports before them, screeching to get out of her office before their 'failure tainted the air around her'
Caroline also knew that Miss Katherine Pierce was Elenas cousin. But that was easy to guess if you knew them both, for Katherine bore a striking resemblance to her. Same eyes, hair… everything. Well, everything but the behavior. Katherine was the complete opposite to Elena. Elena was… innocent, and Katherine was anything but that.
Katherine looked up from her place at her desk now, dressed in a crisp dark red designer dress, her eyes darkened, intending on being striking to all who laid eyes upon her. She glanced to her laptop screen once more, not looking as Caroline set the papers down, going. "I've finished the article Miss Pierce."
Now she looked up, smiling sweetly as she went. "Good. Now… I've had a girl cancel on me, you're doing the art article for next months edition. I have to get it approved by my boss, so hurry."
"But-? I'm just about to start my vacation, Miss Pierce."
The womans eyes were emotionless, and she just went, voice cool. "Fine. Do you want to keep this job? Yes, of course you do. So see this as homework, one that if you don't hand in, you're fired. I'll send you the brief, goodbye."
Caroline just stared blankly at the woman, who scowled. "Why are you staring, Blonde? Out."
With that, Caroline left, feeling numb as she walked down to the reception, taking the brief that had been faxed down, shoving it inside her coat bitterly as she rammed her way out the building.
The fucking bitch, always ruining everything and she couldn't even fight back without losing her job-!
Caroline made her way home, tossing her bag onto the sofa as she stalked into the living room, hearing the letterbox go just as she sat down, groaning and pulling herself back to her feet, stooping to snatch the letter up, feeling foul because of Pierce Bitch. The fact that her vacation wouldn't be as relaxing as she wanted.
She tore the back of the envelope open, tearing it apart but for the letter, opening it up with a rustle, staring-
Dear Class of 2002 Member:
Our 10 Year Class Reunion is fast approaching and will be held May 15th, 2012 at 1pm as to make a day of it. Please mark your calendars and start making plans to attend. We're working really hard to make this a fun and relaxing reunion and we'd like to see as many classmates as possible!
We are planning the weekend as a "keep it casual" event. To kick it off we have arranged for an informal get together in the sports hall. We will have wonderful food and beverages, lots of time for reminiscing, getting reacquainted, dancing and some entertainment.
We plan to have a presentation featuring classmates and/or their families for everyone's viewing pleasure. If you would like to send pictures via email – please send them to MFHSstaff . If you prefer snail mail please send them along with your "What I've Been Up To" & Registration Form to the address at the bottom of this page. (Please include a self addressed stamped envelope if you want the pictures returned to you.)
Our emails are listed below so feel free to contact any of us. We look forward to seeing you this summer!
Your Class of 2002 Reunion Committee:
There was a list of names, and other trivial information about prices and more stuff about the thing, and it took a moment for it to sink in as Caroline wandered over to the sofa, running a hand through her hair. This was in three days. Wow, their organizing had gone down the drain well and truly.
She read it again. And again, and again… until she'd memorized it, thinking; could she go back? Go face the old friends she thought she'd never see again?
A part of her wanted to, but… she was scared. Scared of what they would think of her now.
Caroline kicked her heels off and leaned back, thinking about how all of them would have changed. Not just her. So why should she be so afraid to go and face them, the old crowd
But then she remembered that promise she and Elena had made so long ago. That she'd return with that man… the one she'd loved, on her arm.
She hadn't even seen him for ten years… not since he'd smashed that beer bottle over his brothers head and taken her home. Where she had inspired him to leave.
She was the one to make him go.
Caroline wanted to screw the invite up, rip it in half, burn it. Try to erase the memories that were seeping into her head.
But she didn't.
Because she was going to face her fears, go back. Go home.
Caroline didn't even bother opening the brief that Pierce Bitch had given her, tossing it onto the table with her phone, deciding to leave it until much later. After the reunion.
She decided to drive the whole way. It would take 15-16 hours to get back to Mystic Falls, but she didn't mind- she wanted to save her money, for the flight was much more expensive than the petrol price. So she packed up, knowing that all she needed were her clothes, hairbrush, straighteners and curlers. And a few other bits. Caroline was headed to her mothers, knowing that a surprise visit would be the thing to make her the happiest woman in the world. They'd kept in touch with calls, Skype and letters, but not seen each other in nigh five years.
Caroline ignored her brief even more as she heaved the suitcase into the back of her little mini Cooper, climbing into the front seat, placing Chanel sunglasses before her eyes as she started up the car.
Fuck everything. She was going home.
Caroline arrived the day before the reunion, pulling up outside her childhood home, looking up at it with a light smile upon her face as she switched off the engine, climbing out with a groan, rubbing the small of her back, tired from the driving.
She just wanted to be embraced by her mother.
With that, Caroline pulled her suitcase from the boot, dragging it on its wheels to the front door, knocking three times, waiting.
It was only a moment later that the door was opened, the eyes that fixing on her own widening, a gasp escaping the woman.
"C-Caroline-? Is that… really you-?"
She never gave her daughter a second to answer as she yanked her into a tight hug, within seconds, crying softly into her shoulder while Caroline stood there, letting her mother gush over her, wiping the tears from her eyes as she backed up, taking her daughters face into her hands, eyes red and puffy. "You are so… beautiful."
Caroline waited for a moment before laughing out. "Done?"
"No. I'm never letting you go again." Elizabeth Forbes muttered, realizing. "You're here for the reunion?"
"Mmmhmm. Who's still around?"
Elizabeth shooed her daughter inside, dragging her suitcase in as well and to the side before shoving her onto the sofa, sitting next to her. "Well, everyone. They all came back eventually. You… were the last one to make your way home."
"Everyone is here-? Even the Mikaelsons?"
"Oh they never left sweetie. They're all still there. The kids drop in from time to time, but they'd never leave."
Caroline wanted to ask if he had returned too, but thought better of it. The last thing she wanted was her mother realizing her daughters lifelong love for that man.
And that he'd never love her back the same way.
They talked all day until Caroline finally eased her way from her, having a shower, freshening up, planning to go to the Grill for a drink and maybe, just maybe… meet her old friends.
See if Elena did have Damon on her arm as promised.
The walk was short, and Caroline pushed the door open, staring inside- nothing had changed. Nothing. It was still the same old place where they'd sneaked in, pretending to be older to try beer. Vodka. Anything they could get their hands on.
Caroline walked over to the bar, smiling at the bartender as she went. "A vodka and coke please."
It was only when the bartender turned around that she realized just who it was, and the mans eyes widened in shock, muttering out. "Caroline Forbes-?"
"Matt Donovan?"
He laughed, setting the glass down and hitching himself up onto the bar, swinging himself over to stand before her, pulling Caroline into his arms with a laugh, shaking his head as he went. "You came! I was hoping so bad… and you did!"
"Came-? Oh! The reunion?" Caroline grinned, trying and failing not to feel giddy at how happy she was to see an old friend. It was... amazing. She felt amazing for meeting him once more.
Matt grinned, then looked over to the table near the back, yelling. "Elena! Bonnie!"
And there they were. Both of them.
Elenas eyes widening in shock, a laugh of excitement and glee slipping from her as she got to her feet, running over to Caroline, literally throwing herself at her, hugging her so tight Caroline was sure her head might fall off. And when Bonnie joined in, she had to choke out. "Can't… breathe… Elena-!"
She was let go, Elena giggling like mad, Bonnie groaning out as she hugged Caroline briefly. "I have to work. Like, now. Are you at the reunion tomorrow? Yes you are. No exception."
And she was gone, leaving Caroline to laugh and hug Elena some more, flashing a smile at Matt as he went back to his work, giving her the vodka and coke.
The pair took their seats, Elena asking in an instant. "Tell me! Where have you been!?"
After a sip, Caroline laughed out. "New York. Journalist."
"Liar. No. Way." Elena gaped and Caroline giggled once more, nodding. "Your cousin gave me the job. You're talking to the fashion and art articles editor."
"Holy shit. Bloody hell. No wonder you didn't want to come back here."
A pause, and Caroline asked. "And you?"
Elena shrugged a little, chuckling out. "Nothing solid at the moment. I taught at the school for a while mind."
"Oh wow! What department?"
"Cheerleading, things like that. Keeping the kids fit." Elena shrugged, taking a swig of her drink. Caroline raised an eyebrow now, asking. "And no man?"
A pause.
"No Caroline. No man…"
The way she said it... Caroline sighed and went. "It didn't work out with Damon?"
Elena shook her head, groaning lightly as she leaned back, brushing her immensely long chocolate brown hair, closing her eyes, muttering out. "I never told him."
At that, Caroline laughed, startling Elena who blinked, going in a confused voice. "What's so funny?"
"Well… I never told him either. Guess we both failed there."
Elena laughed too at her friends words, groaning out. "We fail. We really fail."
Caroline waggled her brows now. "Is he coming to the reunion mind? I bet he will with Stefan. Did he date anyone?"
"Eh, he dated Katherine. But they broke up. I think he just couldn't handle her shit anymore. I wouldn't either. She's a hag."
"A bitch."
"Cow."
"Cowbag."
The pair were a laughing mess at that, Caroline shaking her head. "I swear I'll get you both together. If it's the last thing I do."
"…did you ever hear from Klaus again after he left?"
Another pause.
"We weren't that good friends… why would I-? I've not set eyes upon him in ten years."
Elena shrugged nonchalantly, going in an innocent voice. "Until now."
"What are you talking about?"
The brunette laughed, cocking her head at Caroline as she told her. "Rebekah came back for the reunion."
"I'm not following."
"He came back with her."
Carolines eyes widened a fraction at that, muttering out in a hushed whisper. "Are you-?"
Elena watched her friends eyes light up with excitement, sadness, fear, happiness. A whole range of emotions that only an old love could ever bring up.
The blonde laughed weakly, raising her glass in a toast, muttering. "To the future."
"To the future." Elena said firmly, nodding along, touching their glasses together while Caroline went all giddy inside.
She was going to see him again. She'd not seen him for oh so many years. She shouldn't have been feeling like this. Like, so excited. Like they had been best friends, because they hadn't. But she wished, dreamed… hoped.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow seemed so far away now.
~Thank you for reading! Reviews are very much loved~
