Caroline smiles as her professor hands her the midterm exam, an "A" prominently displayed on the front cover of the Blue Book. She holds back the desire to jump out of her seat and make a vampire-quick exit. Instead she carefully stands, making sure to take her time and slowly go about grabbing her purse and exam. She throws one last smile at her professor before walking out the door.
Once in the hall, she quietly squeals and runs to find Tyler who agreed to meet her in the quad after class. The past six months of college have been wonderful. She's gotten involved in almost every activity the university has to offer and has made quite the number of friends.
When she arrives in the quad, she picks a seat under her favorite tree and waits for Tyler. She relishes the breeze and absorbs the sun, an early indication that spring is right around the corner. She thinks about their upcoming spring break. She and Tyler decided to head home and visit with her mom. Elena said that she would visit as well if she could get Damon to agree to leave Costa Rica for a week.
Caroline reflects on when Elena decided to drop out of school two weeks into the fall semester. Damon had convinced her that college was a waste of time much to Caroline's frustration. Elena and Damon ran off to god knows where although Caroline has kept in contact with her via text and the occasional phone call.
Her mind turns to Stefan and his abrupt departure from their lives. He just disappeared one day without alerting anyone and has refused to return anyone's phone calls. Caroline continues to call him, though, in the hopes that one day he will answer. She admits her feelings are hurt at his blatant disregard of their friendship, but she reminds herself that he just needed distance from Damon and Elena. He'll eventually come around.
Matt, on the other hand, left with Rebekah after deciding that college wasn't for him. He figured his life was short compared to every one of theirs so he might as well enjoy it while it lasts. Last she heard he was traveling Vietnam with Rebekah whom Caroline could not stand. She kept her mouth shut though. Matt was sensitive to any criticism of Rebekah and it wouldn't do for Caroline to rock the boat. She had made that mistake before which led to Matt cutting off communication with her for two months. She didn't want that to happen again.
And Bonnieā¦
Caroline slightly tears up at the thought of Bonnie and the sacrifice she made for Jeremy. She shakes her head to dispel the clouding thoughts and instead concentrates on the positive side of her life. She doesn't want to ruin her day with her tears.
Caroline checks her phone. Class ended ten minutes ago and Tyler is still nowhere in sight. She figures he may have gotten hung up with a classmate or his professor and decides to wait a little while longer. After thirty minutes she decides to go look for him.
She finds him in his dorm, alone and sitting on his bed. She calls his name, startling him. A look of annoyance flashes so quickly across his face that she questions whether she even saw it. She goes to sit next to him, but he stands up from the bed before she can.
He moves across the room from her and it is then that she notices he's packed a bag. Confusion enters her mind, but before she can get a word out, he begins to speak.
Tyler explains to her how this whole college thing isn't working for him. He doesn't see the point of it. Does she? Does she know what the point of all of this is? What will she do when she graduates? Get a job? Toil away at something that she will have to give up when people start to realize that she's not aging?
She shakes her head. He wanted this. He said he wanted this.
But he didn't. She wanted this for him. He needs to figure this all out. He doesn't know what he wants, what he needs to get through eternity.
She agrees. They can get an administrative withdrawal. They can go back home or wherever he wants. Whatever will help him.
He remains silent. She doesn't like it. He speaks slowly but with decisiveness. He needs to figure his life out. It doesn't mean he doesn't love her; it doesn't mean that he doesn't need her. It just means he needs some distance. Can she understand?
The tears come before she even has time to acknowledge them. He can't leave. How can he leave her?
He doesn't say a word. He just grabs his bag and moves deliberately towards the door, stopping only to kiss her on the forehead.
This is when she falls apart.
