A/N: So, here's the next chapter! And I'm sorry, to those of you who read Thicker Than Water, I'm trying to write it as quickly as possible. Hopefully, I'll have the next chapter up soon. Until then, please don't give up on me. 3 Oh, and please review!
Hey, over there. Please forgive me,
If I'm comin' on too strong. Hate to stare but you're winning.
And they're playing my favorite song. So come here a little closer.
Wanna whisper in your ear. Make it clear, little question.
Wanna know just how you feel.
If I said my heart was beating loud, if we could escape the crowd somehow,
If I said I want your body now, would you hold it against me?
'Cause you feel like paradise. And I need a vacation tonight.
If I said I want your body now, would you hold it against me?
Hold It Against Me – Sam Tsui (Cover)
Her dress was made of silk and muslin. It fit to her curves in a way that was sensual and modest. It fell around her in a bell-shape. Her dress was pale gold. Her hair was braided and pinned up, exposing her neck.
Caroline hitched her skirts lightly, to avoid tripping as she descended the stairs, her cerulean optics raking over the crowd with superiority. Her long, white, silk gloves ensconced her hands and forearms and stopped just above her elbows.
"It is not befitting of a lady to expose too much skin", her mother always said. Caroline swallowed thickly as her eyes fell on him. His lips curled into a sinful smile. A sudden flush swept Caroline's cheeks as she averted her eyes.
"May I have this dance?" Her fiancé asked, extending his hand to her. "I would love to," Caroline replied, her eyes moving once more to the other man. She couldn't help but stare at him. His shock of black hair and those eyes that were like windows to the early morning sky.
His very existence was the epitome of sin. He was temptation in the flesh. And she couldn't stay away. She gazed at him as her fiancé swept her to the dance floor. And he gazed at her with unyielding desire. Blood rushed to Caroline's cheeks, warming them, as she looked away.
She allowed her fiancé to guide her in a dance, her eyes sweeping towards the man in the corner. Meeting his every gaze. After a moment, his brow spiked towards his hairline as he turned and swept towards the balcony.
As soon as the dance ended, Caroline murmured a quick excuse before rushing to the balcony. Disappointment flooded through her as she glanced around the veranda. The handsome stranger seemed to have vanished.
"Do you like to dance?" A low, cool, voice asked from over her shoulder. Caroline's landed above her heart as it jump-started, fluttering with excitement. "Of course, I do." She replied, turning to meet the stranger.
His arctic oculars were brimming with mirth as he gazed down at her. He cocked his head to the side before lowering his head in a gesture of respect as he said softly, "Damon Salvatore." Caroline bit her lip before whispering, "Damon," allowing his name to roll off her tongue.
She raised her sapphire globes to his as he extended his hand towards her, his fingertips grazing over her cheek. She drew in a breath, pulling back, her eyes widened. "Your hands are glacial."
Something dark flickered in his oceanic orbs before he smiled brilliantly, "Is that so? Perhaps you wouldn't mind warming them for me," A flush rose in Caroline's cheeks as she slipped her hands into his, crying out softly as his hands clamped on hers and he pulled her toward him abruptly.
She collided with his muscular form, a soft yelp propelled from her rosy lips. She looked up at him, his cobalt hues alight with mischief. He leaned forward, his lips just barely brushing against hers as he whispered, "Caroline," "Hmm?" Caroline replied distractedly. "Wake up," Damon said. "What?" Caroline stammered.
"Caroline, wake up!" Elena said, shaking her friend lightly. Caroline awoke with a start. She stiffened before relaxing, expelling a breath in relief. "Elena," she said reprovingly. "Sorry," Elena said with a faint mischievous smile.
Caroline laid back, staring up at the ceiling as she shook her head. "Your mom sent me up here," Elena continued, "Do you always make that sound when you sleep?" Amusement seeped into the brunette's tone.
Caroline's eyes snapped towards her as she asked carefully, "What sound?" "You were making some seriously happy noises." Elena said, fighting to keep a straight face. Caroline made an indignant noise as she sat up, her best friend sitting on the edge of the bed.
"What were you dreaming about?" Elena asked curiously, "Or do I even want to know?" Caroline picked up a pillow, swinging it at Elena who leapt back, squealing before they both dissolved into giggles. "It wasn't like that."
Caroline said finally, "It was about this guy. I don't even know him. It was really weird." Elena tilted her head, contemplating her friend for a moment. "Hmm…" Elena hummed to herself. "What?" Caroline said impatiently. "Nothing," Elena said quickly, shaking her head, her chestnut tresses flowing like a waterfall.
She stood, smiling faintly at her friend. "I'll wait downstairs," The brunette said. Caroline shoved the blankets away and stood, stretching. Her muscles felt lethargic and her limbs felt heavy.
Exhaustion weighed heavily on her as she walked to the closet. She threw together an outfit as quickly as possible. She glanced at herself in the mirror before walking downstairs. Caroline drew in a deep breath before walking towards the front door, spotting Elena, pacing in the hallway nervously.
"Elena," Caroline said, surprised, "You okay?" Elena cast her friend a startled look before shaking her head, "I'm fine." The blonde cocked her head to the side, "Are you sure?" The brunette nodded quickly, "I'm sure. Let's just go."
She turned and bolted from the house, leaving her best friend behind and confused. Caroline rushed after Elena, a frown flickering over her features. "Okay…" She whispered as she walked to Elena's car. Caroline stared out the window of the car, thinking about him.
The frightening and mysterious stranger with the dazzling blue eyes. "Caroline," Elena shook her best friend gently, "We're at school…" "Hmm?" Caroline jolted. She blinked rapidly before nodding, "Yeah… Okay." She opened the car, sliding out quickly, blood pooling in her cheeks.
She darted towards the school, bursting into the hallway, her mind frayed at the edges as she bumped into what felt like a brick wall. "Oh!" She cried out as she pitched backward.
A pale, long fingered, hand lunged forward, grasping her wrist. A flush seeped into her cheeks as she was righted. Caroline raised her azure spheres. His eyes were the hue of an arctic sky at midday. His black hair was mussed in a fashionable way.
And that mouth. It was the perfect rose color and tilted into a smirk. "Let me guess," The young man said, amusement etching into his aristocratic features, "Trying out for the cheerleading squad?" He quipped, his turquoise optics glittering with mirth.
Outrage swam in Caroline's veins as the young man chuckled. How dare he laugh at her? "No," The blonde snapped, jerking away from him, "I'm already the captain of the cheerleading squad, thank you very much! And I didn't see you." Caroline's lip curled in contempt as she hissed, "Maybe because you're nonexistent. As in, nothing. Nobody. A loser."
She shoved past him. Glimpsing him, out of the corner of her eye, placing his hand on his chest, a mock hurt expression washing over his features, "You wound me, Blondie. Really, you do." Caroline's aquatic oculars narrowed to slits as she hissed, "I may do worse if you don't get out of my face, Jackass!"
She stomped on his foot before flouncing away. A smug look crossed the young man's face as he watched her hips sway as she walked towards her classroom. Caroline's thoughts bounced around, never sticking in one place, in her mind.
She couldn't think of anything but him. The strange guy she bumped into. There was something familiar about him. She twirled her pencil absentmindedly as her teacher droned on about ions and electrons.
The realization crashed over her all at once. The pit in her stomach opened wide as her heart sank. Ice trickled through her veins as the room spun. Caroline slipped off her chair and before she landed on the floor, she murmured, "It's you." As the darkness consumed her.