Dagerous Light Ch. 2 Shopping and Memories

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The sun filtered through the room, waking Caroline before her alarm clock could even go off. The red numbers told her it was before seven. The lights streamed across the room and lying flat on her back she looked at the fan on the ceiling. Around and around it went.

The house felt empty. She didn't have to get up to even know her mom was gone. She didn't move. Her bedroom was square; the four walls were painted a cream and had various posters and pictures on them. A photo of her family, when her parents when her parents had still been together, stood on her nightstand just past the outdated alarm clock. Her bed had a nice gold duvet and her closet was filled with clothes.

As a child her room had been solid pink but in high school she decided that it needed a makeover. It needed to be more mature and sophisticated. Her room needed a little more taste than just her old bubblegum princess style.

Finally dragging her body to an upright position, Caroline slowly brought up a tired hand to her head. It pounded due to a lack of sleep and perhaps from the after math of a hit and run from a drunk driver. Caroline pushed herself off her bed and managed to get to the closet. She decided that going for comfort was perhaps better today than an overly made up outfit. Jeans with sneakers went along with a soft fabric T-shirt. Her loose curls were the perfect texture for a messy hair bun.

Popping an Advil into her mouth she grabbed the book bag from her vanity chair and looked around for her keys. Spotting them on the coffee table in the living room she left her house not giving it another look. Locking the door behind her she came face to face with her car.

Poor little car. It was banged up but hopefully drivable. Her mom had asked her only a few short questions on the matter and said they would take it in to the shop on Saturday. Until then she was stuck with it. The car started up and Caroline let out a breath. Carefully backing up she headed for school.

Today was the last Friday of the school year. Next week would be finals ending the school year on a Wednesday. After that she had only one summer until senior year.

Caroline was still groggy and she hadn't even bothered with turning on the radio which was highly unusual for her. She noticed her car was making a funny noise. She sent out a pray that her engine wouldn't fall out before she made it to her destination.

She had ditched yesterday and Caroline thought back to any assignments she might have missed. Her finale essay for English had been turned in on Monday. Her chemistry teacher made the class into a total blow off. She had missed a daily grade for math but she didn't think it would hurt her that much. Letting herself relax a little she realized that she had only missed one day this year. She would survive ditching one day. In fact it was probably good that she had. It was like a rite of passage for any high school student right?

She was running late and the parking lot was nearly full. The first spot she could find would have to do and she quickly hurried into the building. The hallways felt like a death trap to her. Everybody just lingering at their lockers staring and gossiping. Worse her locker was only two down from Bonnie.

Caroline didn't know when she first noticed her growing away from her old friends. And saying that she grew away from her friends was a stupid way of saying it. Elena met Stefan and after that the world went crazy. Bonnie tapped into her witchy self and would do anything for Elena. And then Vicky died. That didn't help matters.

Sighing Caroline worked with the lock in front of her managing to get the cold metal locker door open. She used it like a shield knowing Bonnie was so close to her. The door hid her face from her old friend.

Caroline longed for the days when the only complicated thing in her friend's lives was what they were going to wear to a school dance. Now it was how they would protect themselves from vampires. She just didn't need the stress and confusion that went into that. She loved her friends but when she had told them her feelings she felt them staring at her strangely. Elena said she understood but Bonnie had acted like Caroline had said she just didn't want to be their friend anymore which wasn't true at all.

Grabbing various books she closed her locker and spun around quickly walking to her first class of the day. She could her murmuring coming from Bonnie and Elena. The worst part about them now ignoring her and acting like they didn't have the time of day for her because she wanted no part in their paranormal world was that she had no one to turn to. Nobody cared when her father had left her mom. Nobody knew she came home to an empty house and left in the morning without seeing her mom because the sheriff was just too busy. She couldn't wallow with her friends when Matt had dumped her. They didn't care and that's what stung Caroline. Except now it was like she was starting to feel nothing.

The day ticked by and Caroline found herself finally on her last period of the day, history.

"I want a final response paper due next week," a collective groan went out but Alaric Saltzman went on. "I know, I know, but guys it's only three paragraphs you can get it done before you start your crazy party weekend. But do get it done it's ten percent of your final."

Students started to collect their things feeling the weekend in the air. While they filed out as fast as they could Caroline moved slowly. All day she had moved slower than usual and she wondered if she needed to go to the doctor. She hadn't even seen the car that had hit her. Sleeping it off was another option and she formed a plan to come home from cheer and take a nap.

She moved through the desks making way to the door when her teacher called out her name. She was almost surprised to hear it especially as she turned to see Mr. Saltzman who was talking to Elena looking at her.

"I'll get back to you later." He waved Elena off who for a minute looked taken aback. She was obviously not done talking to Alaric but he made no move to let her stay. She looked funnily between the two before going out into the busy hallway.

"You weren't in school yesterday," he talked easily to her. Alaric had always been a fair teacher but he was close to Elena that in a way Caroline felt like he was part of her territory. "You've never missed a class so I was worried. Worse I heard you were in a wreck. You okay?"

Caroline paused to look at him. She felt nervous talking to him and she hugged her books closer to her chest. Nobody had bothered to ask if she was okay. Nodding she spoke softly, "Yeah, it was just some drunk who did a hit and run."

"Sucks," he examined her. "Have you been checked out at all? I noticed you were shaking during class."

Caught off guard Caroline stumbled to find an answer. She hadn't even realized she had been shaking. "I was just cold."

Alaric nodded his head to show he understood but her skin pricked. Did he realize that she was lying?

"Alright well, you didn't miss much we just did some final reviewing. Did you print out a review?" she nodded. "Okay well if you have any questions just let me know."

He walked her to the door so she knew the conversation was closing.

"Stay safe," he gave her a warm smile and she nodded back to him.

Walking to the gym she put the entire meeting behind her. Today was the last cheer practice of the year. Technically it wasn't even a practice just a last meeting until summer camp, they discussed future fundraising and event dates. They decided on new cheer and routines. Just general tiding up before school came to a close.

Opening the gym door she froze. The team was huddled in the center of the basketball court. Nobody was using the gym so they were lounging right in the center making themselves at home. What shocked Caroline was Elena and Bonnie taking control of the meeting.

The girls had quit cheer due to them being too busy with their own soap drama lives. This was her sanctuary and as an upcoming senior it was almost her time to be captain.

She felt like running but her legs moved forward going to confront the situation. Her eyes furrowed and a foreboding feeling racked her body. She didn't stop moving until she came to a halt just a foot away from the group.

"What are you doing?" she pointed the question at her old friends.

"Um," Elena looked at her. She obviously wasn't expecting Caroline to make such a big deal about it. "We're on this team too."

"No, you're not." She stood her ground. "You gave it up months ago."

"And now we're back." Bonnie spit at her.

"Why?" Caroline questioned right back at her.

"We just want some normal in our life." Elena didn't elaborate as the audience didn't know all about her vampire troubles.

Caroline almost scoffed at her. Normal life? Now she wanted to take a step back from the chaos of the supernatural world. Whatever.

"So go be normal somewhere else."

"No," Bonnie stepped forward towards her. "We have a right to be here."

"What part of you quit the team do you not get?"

"Well now we're back."

"So you can try out in the fall." Caroline took her own step forward towards Bonnie.

"Caroline," Elena used her annoying voice. The one she only used when she was trying to settle disputes.

Shaking her head Caroline stepped back. Fine it this is was what they wanted. She didn't bother with replying. Instead she just turned away and marched out of the gym. They could take the stupid cheer team any way. Now she really didn't have anything else to loose.

Angrily she stormed to her car and let her boiling blood calm down. Jerking the key into the ignition she left the empty parking lot and headed to the mall. Mystic Falls might be a small town but one of its saving graces was a Nordstrom's.

Just the sight of it calmed her down. Breathing calmer she felt the strong air conditioning the moment the automatic doors opened allowing her in. The sight of new shoes on display excited her. The first stop was the makeup counters.

"Hey Caroline," an artist called out from behind a MAC counter. She was a regular so most of the girls knew who she was. "We just got in our newest collection. Tons of pretty pinks."

Smiling she started to swatch colors. "Thanks, I really need some new blush while I'm here."

The makeup artist obliged her and together they went about picking out new colors. Looking through the display case of lipsticks a vampy red caught her eye. It was the complete opposite of her normal cheerful girly look. Picking it up she looked at its bottom label for the name. Vampire. Of course.

"I want this one," she hadn't even bothered trying it on.

The girl was shocked for a moment before grinning and winking at her. "Go you girl, trying something new."

Caroline smiled and paying for her new items she felt better. But she wasn't done yet. She headed to the shoes and spent over an hour trying on loads of heels and boots. Flats and sneakers. A pair of cut out navy suede booties caught her eye. A three inch heel gave her height.

And yet she still didn't stop. Clothes were next on her agenda. The sales people flocked to her. Hell, she was a white girl with her daddy's plastic so they treated her like royalty. Piles of clothing went with her to the dressing room. A white leather dress actually looked very pretty on her. She couldn't resist getting a comfy cardigan and a black leather jacket. She noticed that in her pissed off state of mind her wardrobe choices were getting edgier.

Hours after she had arrived at the store she finally left it, an armload of bags with her. She was shaking though. Had that been what Alaric was talking about? Maybe binge shopping hadn't been such a good idea. And she had never gotten that nap in.

Loading her car full of her new goodies she lowered herself into the vehicle and pushed her head back into the head rest. She just needed to relax. She decided that she needed some food.

Caroline found herself at the Grill. Being a Friday night it was packed but she weaved her way towards the bar so she could make a to go order. The place was loud and she waited in line deciding on her dinner for the night. Perhaps a nice grilled chicken salad? Still shaking slightly Caroline turned a little swaying to the music. Shit, she thought as she noticed once again the supernatural Scooby gang. Was it there goal in life to haunt her? Mystic Falls really needed to be a bigger town.

Elena tried to catch her eye but she steadfastly ignored her moving up in line. She looked away when Elena started to stand up no doubt wanting to talk about what had happened earlier. The brunette got up anyway and headed through the crowd towards her. Bonnie and Stefan followed.

"Caroline," Elena put out a hand to her shoulder. She moved back slightly not liking the feeling of it on her. She tried to ignore her. "Bonnie and I just wanted to say,"

"No you wanted to say," Bonnie corrected her. Elena gave her a look and Caroline took the moment to slip up front in line and leaned over the counter.

"Can I get an order of chicken tenders, curly fries and whatever dessert you have please? And soon." Caroline turned her head to see them still next to her. "And a bottle of whiskey while you're at it."

"You got id?" The kid at the counter asked her. Not that he needed to, in this town everybody new everyone. Meaning he knew she was underage.

"Get her a bottle of whiskey."

Caroline stood up straight to look at the speaker. He was tall and the first thing she noticed was his scruff. His hair was blondish. He seemed so sure of himself. She had never seen him before in her life which made sense as she could make out a British accent.

Her skin pricked up with him just being near her and she notice Bonnie and Elena had drawn back closer to Stefan. Their mouths were open and Caroline almost wanted to laugh at their expressions if she wasn't so confused at their behavior. Behind them at the table they had been sitting at Damon and Jeremy rose from their seats. Glancing around Caroline noticed Alaric who had just come in the front door standing still. It was almost like he was ready to attack.

"Well, I can see by your reaction," his voice was smooth but something pinched at Caroline's memory. "That you know who I am."

He held out a hand but nobody shook it. Finally it was Stefan who spoke, "Klaus."

"Ripper," he replied back. "Long time since I've seen you my old friend. Is this your love then? My doppelganger."

"I know you," Caroline blurted out stopping the intense moment. For a minute everybody had forgotten she was there even though she was closest to the new man. Surprised faces looked at her as her comment sunk in.

Caroline turned her body to Klaus and looked up at him. "You fucking wrecked my car."

All of her old friend's eyes were on her as she started to talk to the original vampire. Caroline had somehow met him before any of them but she had no idea who he really was. Elena inched her hand forward ready to pull her back from Klaus but he turned towards the blonde and gave her a warm smile.

He tilted his head and looked inquisitively at the much younger girl. "Well, love, quite a memory you've got there."

"Caroline," Elena tried to warn her.

"Excuse me ma'am," the waiter's voice broke everybody away. He held out a bag for Caroline complete with a bottle of liquor. "That'll be forty five."

"Actually it won't," Klaus reached around her so he could pluck the bag of food away saving Caroline the trouble of having to pay.

"Hey," Caroline turned and took the bag out of his hands. "That's mine."

"You could learn to share there sweetheart, I did just get you that bottle there." Klaus bickered back.

Damon took the opportunity and with a whoosh they all felt the tell-tale sign that he had used his super-fast vampire skill to get Elena away from Klaus. Caroline had no idea why he had done it but she noticed Bonnie looking a little relieved. Klaus stayed positive.

"Well I wonder where he could be taking her?" he smiled at Stefan who remained silent. He turned back to Caroline. "Shall I walk you to your car?"

"Um, no," she grabbed the bag of food once again from his hands and marched past him. She didn't know why everybody was freaking out and acting strange but she really just wanted to go home and eat and try on her new clothes again.

She was outside the Grill when she realized the man was following her.

"That's a big bottle. What do you plan on doing with it?"

"Drinking it," she rolled her eyes at him. "Now, leave me alone. You've already smashed my car once."

"No hard feelings." He came closer to her as she was opening the car door. He wanted to see her navy eyes again.

She put the bag of food in the car and placed one foot inside. Caroline was irritated with this stranger. "Fuck off." And with that she slammed the car door shut, locking it, she quickly started the car and flew forward to her home.

Klaus was still out on the street. Everybody in the Grill had most likely fled know that they had finally seen who he was. He didn't sweat it though. He would eventually kill Elena. For now though he looked down the road where the car had driven. He found himself enchanted.

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