Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries. :(
AN: I write with out a beta. All mistakes are mine.
Caroline laid in Elena's bed feigning sleep. The intoxication that she felt earlier was almost nearly gone and the realization of what she actually did was finally setting in. She had made a complete fool of herself back at the party and worse Stefan was there to see it all. No way he didn't notice the bite marks on Jake's wrist. More than anything she felt shame in herself for letting herself go down that path again.
The need for air and space became overwhelming. Caroline exited out Elena's bedroom window without alerting the other two girls to her departure. Once outside she remembered her favorite place to run and hide when her parents would begin to fight. A secluded place down by river. She ran there taking advantage of her vampire speed.
The bench that Caroline would usually sit on was in bad shape. It looked like it could barely hold up a squirrel non the less a hundred and fifteen pound teenage vampire. So instead she opted to sit at the edge of the river bank.
Caroline was so lost in thought she had no idea how long she had actually been sitting there. It wasn't until the sound of footsteps coming towards her grounded her back into reality. Immediately she went into defense mode. Ready to take on whatever was about to appear before her.
Fear was replaced by confusion when she saw the one and only Damon emerge from the shadows.
"Hey blondie" Damon greeted "Decided to come brood by the river? How cliché." Caroline didn't respond. "You've spent to much time with my brother"
The mention of Stefan made Caroline physically flinch.
"You sure know how to pick winners"
Caroline glared at Damon for talking about Stefan like that "I'm talking about that Jake guy" Damon replied as if reading Caroline's thoughts.
"Shut up" Caroline finally spoke. Sounding more embarrassed than angry.
"Casanova back there practically was practically a walking, talking Rufi"
"What are you talking about, Damon?" the young vampire asked exasperated.
"We don't chow down on anyone with vervain in their system. Why?" He asked rhetorically "It affects us, it makes us sick. Same goes for drugs and alcohol"
Caroline sat there in shock. Letting them settle into a uncomfortable silence.
"So what it is Barbie? What's got you in such a deep funk? I just can't imagine that my brother is causing all these woes." Damon took a seat next to her by the bank of the river.
Caroline stayed silent. She began mulling over all the words in her head but nothing was coming out of her mouth. Could she really just trust this man? He might have Elena fooled but she remembers all to well what he is like. How manipulative he could be when he wants something. She was always just a means to an end for him. Why is this different?
"Trying to score brownie points Damon? I don't think they give out extra credit in relationships"
Damon snorted, "Elena has been a horrible influence on me. Cause for some strange reason I actually care about you, Caroline. Hey maybe it's that blood bond thing we have going. Either way, talk or no talk, I'm here if you want me to be"
Caroline took a moment to look directly in his eyes to see if his words were sincere. To here surprise they all felt genuine.
She nodded her response.
Damon sat there a moment longer before getting up to leave the blond with her own thoughts.
"I thought I got into this really amazing school, but turns out they are just sending out brochures to seniors in high school. They didn't even spell my last name right" Caroline laughed humorlessly "Like I could really believe that I was accepted into a school like that. Like I can ever be a normal anything ever again"
"College is overrated" Damon tries, but obviously it is the wrong thing to say when Caroline suddenly looks away and stares intently at the river. "But you're a smart kid, you can get in any school you want as many times you want. Go for eight PhDs if you want"
"You actually mean that?" She says in disbelief
"Yeah, but you'll get bored by the third one, trust me"
"Mr. Salvatore did you actually go to college?" Caroline asks with a smirk, eyes still focused on the river.
"In the 60s, but that was just to get the easy free loving hippy chicks running around campus"
Caroline laughs, her first real one all night. It makes her feel the weight of the night slowly begin to lift. "Thanks Damon. I know this must have just killed you to sit here and talk about my feelings"
"Well good thing I'm already dead"
xxx
AN: Wow, look it's an update! So sorry for leaving you guys hanging. I got really stuck on how I wanted this chapter to go. I knew I wanted some D/C interaction. Hopefully the updates will come more often now.