Chapter Three

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Vampire Diaries.

A/N: Please, review.

Tyler's POV

The entire day was terrible after my encounter with Caroline before class. That's the effect she had on me. She could just say the littlest thing and my day would be ruined. I hated that she still got to me after all these years, but what can I say? I want that blonde bitch to pay for everything she's done.

I drove home right away after school to avoid Matt and Caroline. I really couldn't face Matt without feeling guilty for kissing his girlfriend. I mean that kiss was supposed to mean nothing, but it meant so much to me. It was like I put everything I was feeling for her into it.

She felt it too, I know she did. She didn't want to end it, but she thought of Matt. It's not like I want to be with her, but I hate seeing them together. I remember when she used to like me and we used to spend time together. It was the best days of my life, the time I spent with her, but she ended it like I meant nothing to her. Maybe I didn't. Who knows?

Once I arrived home, I ran up to my room and shut the door. I laid down on my king size mattress and all the memories reemerged from my mind.

Freshman year, 2007

Caroline and I were in our tree house we built together when we were younger. She had her hair in a ponytail and she looked angelic, beautiful. She laughed at something I said and I leaned into her ear. I whispered to her the truth, "Caroline, I don't know what this is, but you make me feel like I'm on cloud nine 24/7. I've developed feelings for you and it's not just any feelings. I think I may be falling for you."

She pulled back to look into my eyes and I saw her blue eyes pouring with tears. I didn't know why she was crying, but I just pulled her into my arms and let her cry on my shoulder. As she was crying, she whispered to me, "Tyler, I feel the same, but I'm afraid. I don't know what to do about the way I feel about you. We've been friends for so long and I don't want to ruin that."

"I understand. I'm not telling you to decide now. I just want to see where this may go, whatever this is."

She didn't say anything to me, but remained in my arms. I was young, but this felt right, righter than anything's ever felt in my life. I lifted her head so she was looking at me and I leaned in to kiss her. I was afraid she would stop me, but she leaned forward and our lips met.

It was innocent and pure, but full of the emotions we both felt. She was my first kiss and I was hers. That made her special to me in so many ways. I don't know if it affected her the way it affected me.

Our lips danced together, creating a slow rhythm. I never wanted it to stop, but we eventually had to stop for air. She was the only girl for me and I thought I was the only guy for her, but I guess not.

Sophomore year, 2008

I was walking over to Caroline's house because she had called me and told me she wanted to see me. I was so happy to hear her voice, I practically ran to her house. I thought our relationship was going to move forward, boyfriend/girlfriend status. How stupid was I?

I should have listened to her tone of voice more carefully, but I was just so glad to hear her voice and speak to her. When I arrived at her house, she was sitting on her porch steps waiting for me. She wasn't smiling and instantly, I knew something was wrong. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach.

I sat down beside her and waited for her to speak. She didn't, so, I started the conversation. "So, why'd you call me over here?"

She looked down at her feet and wouldn't look me in the eyes. "I don't want to do this anymore. I like you as a friend, nothing more."

I was shocked because I hadn't seen that coming. "What? Don't play like that, Forbes. It's not funny."

"I'm not playing with you, Tyler. I don't want to be anything more than friends. I've been feeling this ever since the day you told me you were falling for me. I can't be with you."

I felt my eyes burning, watering with tears threatening to come out. I would rather die than let her see me cry like some weenie. I looked away from her and she didn't even have the decency to try to explain to me what happened to make her feel this way. She didn't bother to try to comfort me.

When she didn't speak or explain, I left without another word. The weeks following, she and I didn't speak. I missed her like crazy, but it seemed like she didn't feel the same. People began to question me about what happened. I didn't want to be the loser in the situation so, I told a lie.

I made people believe that she slept with me and that I didn't like it. It was believable. So, I chose to uphold my pride instead of admit rejection. I may have hurt her, but not like she hurt me.

Ever since that day, we've stayed away from each other and hated one another. Up until last year, we remained that way. She fell for my best friend, Matt our junior year. I let it happen because I thought she would do the same thing she did to me.

I was so wrong because she loved him and I could see it. I hated her even more for it. Matt always wanted me to tag along when they went out. I usually did, but I always brought a date.

Matt & Caroline's first date

Matt called me earlier that day to remind me that we had a double date tonight. I invited Sarah, a girl who liked me a lot. I picked her up at eight and we drove to the Mystic Grill to meet up with the new couple. I was hoping I didn't feel anything for her, but yet again, I was wrong.

We all sat in a booth in the back, Caroline and Matt on one side, me and Sarah on the other. We exchanged pleasantries and I tried to be nice. She on the other hand acted like she would rather die than face me. Bitch.

"Hi, Sarah, it's so good to see you here." Caroline said gently.

"Same goes to you. Tyler invited me. I guess he's finally interested." Sarah joked.

"Forbes, it's nice to see you." I forced out.

Caroline rolled her eyes, but Matt didn't catch it. "Same goes for you."

The rest of the night was full of forced laughter and smiles. Caroline tried to remain civil, but I guess the rumor about her sleeping with me got to her. I couldn't help, but laugh the entire time because Matt seemed like he was somewhere else, probably, thinking of Elena. I could see that Caroline sensed it too because she looked down miserably. I almost felt bad for her, but here she was trying to be something she wasn't.

I excused myself to go to the bathroom and Matt followed. When we were safe inside the men's bathroom, he confessed everything to me.

"Tyler, I don't like her. I just thought Elena would be jealous and come back to me, but it hasn't happened yet. I mean, Caroline is sweet, but I don't feel it with her."

I should have told him to end it, but I wanted to torture Caroline because she really liked Matt, just like I really liked her back then. "Dude, give it some time. You'll develop feelings for that angel."

We both laughed it off and returned to the ladies. When we got to the booth, the girls were in a serious conversation, it seemed. I sat down beside Sarah and pulled her into a kiss, ending their conversation. Caroline glared at me while Matt looked around trying to avoid Caroline's sad eyes.

After we ate and paid, Caroline confronted Matt. I of course, sat and watched.

"Look, if you don't like me, just say so. Don't take me out on dates if you don't really want to. Tonight, was terrible." Caroline said exasperatedly.

Matt looked at me for help, but I looked away. "It's not that. It's just…I haven't gotten over Elena entirely. I like you, but it's going to take some time."

She looked down sadly, but recovered quickly. "Then, let's not try to be anything we're not. I'll wait for you. When you get over Elena, I'll be here."

He smiled at her and hugged her. I wanted to puke because Caroline was pathetic. Matt would never love her like he loved Elena. Everyone knew that, but her.

It was satisfying to see her so vulnerable with Matt, just like I was with her. I gave her my heart and she stepped all over it. Karma was definitely a bitch and I was enjoying it. After that scene, I drove Sarah home and she tried to kiss me, but I wasn't feeling it.

"What's wrong, Tyler? Don't you want this?" She asked.

I looked away and tried to avoid the question, but I knew I had to tell her the truth. "Look, Sarah, I don't like you like that. I just needed a last minute date. You just happened to be the first girl I thought of."

She didn't say anything. She unbuckled her seat belt and slammed my car door on her way out. I should feel bad, but I didn't. I just wanted to go laugh in Caroline's face and I was going to do just that.

I drove to Caroline's house and knocked on her door. I waited until she came down the stairs. Boy was she not happy to see me. I laughed as she opened the door and looked at me with so much abhor.

"What the hell do you want?"

I smiled like an idiot. "Oh, you didn't think I was going to let you live it down now did you? You know, tonight was so fun. I love seeing you vulnerable and pathetic. Matt doesn't like you."

She was going to slam the door on my face, but I put my foot in between the crack. "Move your foot, Tyler! Why do you like pissing me off?"

I pushed open the door and let myself in. "I'm only treating you the way you treat me."

She was walking up the stairs to her room and I followed her. She went into her room and tried to shut the door, but again I stopped her. She finally gave up on that notion. I didn't know why I was here really, but I guess I wanted to know how she felt.

"So, Forbes, what are you going to do about Matt?"

She looked at me with a curious gaze. "Why do you care?"

"He's my best friend. Of course I care."

"Oh, cut the crap, Tyler! You know you only want to humiliate me."

I chuckled and stepped up to her, my lips mere inches from hers. "You know me so well. I want you to know, you will never get Matt."

I traced my thumb across her cheekbone and watched her shiver under my touch. I leaned in and saw her eyes shut. I whispered against her lips, "Caroline, Caroline, Caroline, you will never learn." I backed away from her and walked out of her room and house, completely satisfied.

By the time I woke up, it was already ten at night and my homework was still untouched. Tonight was going to be a long night, but I don't think I want to sleep ever again. I don't ever want to drift down memory lane, especially if Caroline's in it. I just wanted to forget I ever let some girl play me like that.

A few hours later, I lay in bed thinking about everything which is always bad. I don't know why I do it, but I guess I never got the closure I wanted. I guess, I wanted Caroline to tell me the whole truth as to why she ended things with me, but also, I was afraid of the truth. Truth be told, I was afraid the truth would be too much to handle.

I shut my eyes and try to sleep, but my phone starts ringing. I grab it to see who's calling me at this hour and to my surprise it's Caroline. I want to ignore it, but something tells me this call was important. I answer it and wait for her to speak.

"Tyler? I told Matt about the kiss and he was fuming. I just called to warn you because I think he might hurt you." She said with worry.

I fake yawned to make it seem like I was asleep. "Do you know what time it is, Forbes?"

"That's beside the point, Tyler. I told him and I just don't want it to ruin your friendship."

I didn't really care about Matt. I was more curious as to why Caroline cared if I got hurt or not. "Why do you care? Plus, Matt won't do anything. I'm not worried and you shouldn't be either."

"I don't care about you per se, but it's Matt I'm worried about. I hurt him when I told him we kissed."

I sighed in frustration. "Didn't we agree not to tell him? What exactly did you tell him? You told him the kiss meant nothing right?"

I heard her gulp and I knew she hadn't told Matt the kiss meant nothing. "Uh…About that, well, I didn't exactly tell him that. Plus, he didn't believe me when I tried to tell him it meant nothing to you. He said that we deserved each other because we were both in denial about the way we feel about each other. He doesn't know what he's talking about right?"

I wanted so badly to tell her how I felt, but I couldn't because I didn't want to get rejected again. "What? He said that? That's crazy. I'd rather turn gay than ever be with you."

She laughed nervously. "Yeah, I'd rather jump off a cliff than ever claim you as my boyfriend."

"Alright, it's settled then. You and Matt will figure it out. Now, leave me out of your problems. I'm going back to sleep."

Before she could say goodbye, I pressed the end button and the line went dead. I didn't want to go back to what we used to be because then I would fall for her all over again. I would rather hate her then fall for her lies again. I didn't like seeing my best friend get played, but better him than me right?

After that conversation, I felt completely worn out. That's how it always felt with her; it was like she drained all my energy. Just talking to her was exhausting, but it was like a drug. I had to annoy her just to get on with my day. It was just sick, the relationship we have.

I finally fell asleep and drifted back down memory lane.

Caroline's POV

After that conversation with Matt and Tyler, I felt so relieved. I don't know why exactly, but I felt like a ton of bricks were lifted off my chest. I don't like lying to Matt about anything so, when he asked if I felt anything, I didn't lie. He was really upset, but I mean, our relationship hasn't progressed. He hasn't told me he loved me and I just don't like waiting. I know love doesn't come so easily for others, but I mean come on, it's almost a year and no 'I love you'.

The kiss I shared with Tyler brought back so many memories that I've tried to forget. It made me think about why I let him go and why we never became an official couple. It wasn't good for me to think about the past because then the truth might just come out and I don't think either of us is ready for that. I don't want Tyler to know what happened to me.

I prefer him hating me than seeing me as some sort of angel sent from above. I am no where near innocent and I guess Tyler finally sees that. Sophomore year was tough without him, but what happened to me that summer before changed me forever. I couldn't talk to anyone about it and my best friends weren't there for me anyways.

It still hurt to think about everything that's happened to me and how I dealt with it. I didn't deal with it because I chose to shut everyone out after that terrible summer night. What was I supposed to do? There was no one there to talk to, but Tyler and I knew if I told him, he'd see me differently. Anybody who didn't see me differently after I told them would be crazy.

I still remember that night so vividly, like it's happening all over again. I keep thinking, I shouldn't have gone to that party. I shouldn't have left with that guy because I hardly knew him, but I needed a ride home and everyone else was drunk. I just wanted to go home and see Tyler, but what happened to me that night scarred me.

The innocent ride home with a stranger wasn't innocent at all. I guess I never learned not to talk to strangers, but that guy was so persuasive and I believed he was a good guy. I was so out of it, I wasn't paying attention to the road and where he was taking me. After awhile, he stopped and I saw trees, everywhere.

Before I could even speak or ask where we were, everything went black…