Something like fate chapter 3: Summer 16
Being with Caroline in the woods that day reminded Nik of the last time they were among those trees together. The last time they had seen each other the year before. The night that their lives had changed.
The summer gala after Klaus and Caroline turned 16 was the most extravagant yet. In addition to the parties being held in the grand rooms of the house, the party also overflowed to a large white tent on the sprawling lawn of the estates. There were massive ice sculptures and champagne fountains, in fact the whole thing looked a lot more like a wedding then a summer garden party. In order for the guests to enjoy the warm summer weather the party would begin in the afternoon, rather than the evening.
Nik couldn't believe his luck when his parents had mentioned it in passing one night at dinner. Those extra hours with Caroline were all he could think about in the month leading up to the event. It had been a whole nother year since he and Caroline had seen each other or spoken. Like always a lot had changed in the year. Klaus had thought he looked a lot different from 14 to 15, but it was nothing compared to how different he looked at 16. He had grown at least two inches, and thanks to the rowing team at school, running, and the other sports he participated in he had gained large amounts of muscle. Still when he looked in the mirror all he could wonder was what she would think of him, or how much she must of changed. He was always nervous in the days leading up to the party. His insecurities would get the best of him and he would be sure that she didn't want to see him. He feared that she would walk into the party spot him and spend the rest of the night avoiding him. But as soon as the day arrived all his worries melted away. She was just Caroline and he was just Nik. Being around each other was easy and fun and comfortable and although in reality they barely knew each other and had never been in the same room for more a few hours at a time and never two days in a row, he felt as if he could say anything or do anything around her and she would understand. He knew he was only 16 and maybe it was his constant surges in hormones, but there was something about caroline. Something that he couldn't explain. Something that he loved.
While the other guest enjoyed pre dinner cocktails in the garden tent Caroline and Klaus wandered the grounds of the estate. They talked for hours, about nothing and about everything. Klaus could feel the redness spread across his neck when he reached for her hand as they walked, but Caroline happily laced her fingers through his own as they continued on their path. They had shared their first kiss two summers earlier at fourteen, and after a few glasses of sneakily stolen champagne from the bar, had made out in a broom closet the year after. Despite all that he was still nervous to reach out and take her hand. He was afraid to mess things up with her, because he knew that if he did he would spend the next 365 days obsessing about it.
So they walked, hand and hand as the sun sunk lower and lower in the sky. They didn't even notice how long it had been until the sky was black and the only light was coming from the windows of the house in the distance and the fairy lights that lined the large white tent on the lawn. Almost all the guests had made their way into the manor and were mingling under the crystal chandeliers, but Caroline and Klaus were still outside. They'd decided to go on a walk through the tiny trails within the woods and when they emerged back onto the lawn they could hear the band playing from within the house. Caroline looked up at the mass amounts of stars above her and her breath caught in her throat. She couldn't believe how beautiful it was that night. Klaus squeezed her hand and pulled her forward off the woods trail and onto the lawn. With the music playing in the background he let go of her hands, and immediately offered her his hand back in an invitation to dance. Caroline placed her hand in Niks and allowed him to twirl her onto the lawn. They waltzed around the grass, using the ballroom dance class skills they had been forced to learn. It didn't matter what they said or did then. No one could hear them. No one was paying attention. It was if they were the only two people in the world. Two people under a bed of a million stars.
"Caroline?" she lifted her head from his shoulder to look into his eyes as they continued to revolve in a slow circle.
" I want to tell you something. and maybe you'll think it too soon, or maybe you won't even believe me but i can't wait another minute let alone another year so-" she laughed slightly cutting him off.
" Just spit it out Ni-" but before she could even finished saying his name he had began to speak again
" I love you" Caroline's breath caught in her chest and she looked up at him in complete shock and awe.
" You what?"
" love you. You may think that it's too much, that i don't know you well enough, and you don't know me, but every other thought i have is that i love you." Klaus heart had stopped as she searched her face for any sign of emotion. After a few hour long seconds, Caroline's face broke into blinding smile.
" well then i guess when you put it that way, i love you too."
Klaus andCaroline had reluctantly separated from their woodside hookup in order to go back to their homes, shower and get ready for the day. They had plans to meet again that afternoon, and Klaus hoped for every afternoon after for the rest of the summer. Klaus had dashed back across the lawn and in through the back door of his kitchen. Rebekah was sitting at the kitchen island with a large cup of coffee steaming in front of her.
" Glad to see you got out today. Your post caroline depression usually keeps you locked up in the house for at least seventy two hours." He rolled his eyes at her and tried to move past the kitchen and towards the back staircase, but Rebekah put up a hand to stop him.
" Somethings not right here." she stated looking him up and down.
" Now you're face is usually all puffy the morning after the gala because you've been crying all night.
" Stuff it Becks i do not!" He huffed trying to push past her but she was now standing in his way.
" and i looked in on your room this morning. No tear stains on your pillows. And now you've come back from your run, looking perfectly cheery, and the only part of your face that is at all swollen are your puffy lips. So spill. Did you line up some rebound for the morning after to heal that broken heart of yours?" he rolled his eyes and chuckled at her.
"Not exactly." he stated finally moving past her.
" So what is it then?" He turned back to face her while still slowly walking backward towards the stairs.
" She's here Becks. For the summer." Rebekah's mouth dropped open in shock.
" what! when did you-" he cut her off
" i'll tell you all about it later, but right now i'm in a bit of a hurry. I have a date." He dashed up the stairs and into his room. He was showered, shaved and properly dressed within the hour, but he still had another two hours to go before he was supposed to meet Caroline. He paced about the house, knowing exactly what rooms to avoid to prevent his siblings from harassing him. When the time came he uncovered the motorcycle he hadn't ridden since the previous fall and climb on, and headed down the back road to the Forbes estate.