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Disclaimer: I don't own these characters

"Bonnie, don't be ridiculous it's no trouble at all," Caroline said cheerfully into the phone as she continued making her bed. "I'll organize everything I promise."

"But you're already letting everyone come over to your house for my goodbye bash, you shouldn't have to do all the planning too," protested Bonnie.

"Have you met me, I love to plan things," she laughed in response. "Besides, it'll only be a small gathering so getting everything set up will be a breeze."

"You're not inviting Damon are you?" Bonnie questioned. "I don't want him ruining things by acting like his usual dickish self."

"Trust me, Damon is so not invited," Caroline said reassuringly. "It will just be you, me, Elena, Jeremy, Tyler and Matt…if he comes."

"Uh, Tyler's coming?"

"Sure, why wouldn't he?" Caroline asked, genuinely perplexed.

"Well, I mean, it's just we're not really that close to him are we?" Bonnie stuttered. "I guess I sort of thought now you're broken up with Matt you wouldn't want to hang around his best friend anymore."

"Tyler's, my friend too!" Caroline countered hotly.

"Whoa, I'm sorry," Bonnie said contritely. "I don't mind if Tyler comes, I just didn't realize you'd care if he didn't."

Caroline realized Bonnie kind of had a point. She hadn't really confided in Bonnie and Elena about how close her friendship with Tyler was because…well she didn't really know why. Caroline supposed there was a part of her that liked that her and Tyler's friendship was a separate, private thing.

If she was honest, she could admit that she was an insecure person. Caroline always felt like she was second best, that she just wasn't good enough. Maybe she had been subconsciously keeping Tyler to herself so he wouldn't decide he liked Elena or Bonnie better than her. Caroline was confident enough in their friendship now though to know he would never like them better, just like she would never like Jeremy better than Tyler.

"Tyler and I are totally tight, I'll fill you guys in later," Caroline said with forced casualness. "Be here at seven and don't be late."

After a quick phone call to Tyler to beg him to go shopping for party supplies with her, she went downstairs and waited for him to pick her up.

"You know Forbes you are so lucky I was bored today because I would normally only agree to help plan a party if I was held at gunpoint," he said by way of a greeting as she hopped in the car.

"Well, you're lucky I had no one else to help me or you'd be sitting at home by yourself today," she retorted cheerily.

"Yeah, lucky," Tyler snorted.

They chatted away happily for the rest of the ride and it felt like the drive flew by when they got to the mall.

"Ok, clothes first," Caroline ordered.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa you never said anything about clothes," Tyler said accusingly. "You told me we were getting party necessities."

"A dress is a necessity."

"Oh, don't even…"

"Please, please, please," she begged, cutting him off. "Matt might be coming and I have to find the perfect 'look how hot I am you were a fool for dumping me, but it doesn't matter because I am totally over you' dress."

"Ok, fine," he sighed. "But you better buy me an ice cream later."

"Thanks," she returned with a smile, then grabbed his hand and dragged him to her favorite dress shop.

"Now, help me find something that is perfect for a sophisticated dinner party," Caroline instructed as she browsed through the racks.

"How about I just sit on the couch over there out of the way," Tyler said frankly, indicating to the seats in front of the dressing rooms where a bunch of other guys were sitting.

"Sure, whatever," she returned vaguely, already engrossed in searching for dresses.

After Caroline had an armful of dresses picked out she marched over to the change room, giving Tyler a smile as she passed.

"Get ready to play fashion show," she teased.

"I can hardly wait," he said sarcastically.

Caroline put on the first dress, which was navy, high-necked, slim-fitting and came to just below her knees.

"What do you think?" she asked, as she stepped out of the change room. "Do you think it makes me look mature and sophisticated?"

"I think my mom has a dress just like that," Tyler said bluntly.

"Hey!"

"Sorry, I just don't think it's you, Caroline," he shrugged.

She eyed herself critically and decided he was right. She had missed 'mature' and headed slightly into 'middle aged'.

"You're right Lockwood, you might have an eye for this," Caroline joked. "I think I need to go a bit sexier and remind him what he's missing."

She went to change into her second dress, which was a bright red color. It had a tight-fitting bodice with a deep V down the front, then poofed out into a flowy skirt that came down to her ankles.

"Fucking hell!" Tyler exclaimed, his jaw practically dropping.

"Do you like it?" she questioned excitedly. "That's the sort of reaction I want Matt to have."

"It may quite possibly be the best dress I've ever seen," Tyler sighed. "Which is why I can't believe I'm about to say this."

"Say what?"

"Don't you think it might be a bit…boobtastic for a goodbye dinner, I mean I'm this close to seeing nipple, Caroline."

"Tyler!"

"Well, I am," he said defensively. "You've got some wicked side-boob action happening right now."

She looked in the mirror and resignedly thought Tyler was right again. Caroline wanted to look hot, but not slutty hot. Besides, with the way Tyler's eyes were glued to her chest she decided it was probably best if she picked a dress that would enable people to actually look her in the eyes during the party.

Caroline went back into the change room to try on a third dress. It was a short, floaty little bubblegum pink number with spaghetti straps and a thin silver belt. She walked back outside and stared at herself critically in the mirror.

"What do you think?" Caroline asked hesitantly. "I like it but I don't know if it's 'wow' enough."

"You look super hot," Tyler returned. "Matt won't be able to take his eyes off your legs all night."

"Really?"

"Trust me, your legs are amazing. They look like they go on forever," he said, giving her a wink.

"Oh…thanks," Caroline stuttered, a light flush staining her cheeks. She was flattered by Tyler's nice comments but did that mean he'd checked out her legs before? Did he do it a lot, she wondered?

No, she was being completely stupid, Caroline decided. Tyler was just trying to be nice to her, to be a friend; there was no need to analyze his comments like a crazy person. Besides, Tyler was a teenage guy; she shouldn't be surprised if he checked out any female under forty who crossed his path.

"You know, I think I'm going to get this," she declared brightly. "I already have some silver pumps at home that will look totally cute with it."

"Well, as long as you have matching shoes," he said sarcastically.

"Don't make fun of me, shoes can make or break an outfit!"

"You're such a girl," he laughed.

Caroline stuck out her tongue in response then went back to put her clothes back on and pay for the dress.

"Now that torture is over let's get the food and go home," Tyler suggested enthusiastically.

"Not so fast mister, you need to get a tie."

"Excuse me?" he replied, horrified. "You never mentioned a tie; I don't do ties."

"It's a formal dinner, Tyler," she retorted. "Ties aren't optional."

"I'm not coming then," he replied sulkily.

"But you have to!" Caroline exclaimed.

"Why"

"Matt will be there acting all awkward, Elena's going to be depressed and Bonnie and Jeremy will be all lovey dovey. I need you there for moral support," she admitted quietly.

"Ok, if you need me I'll be there."

"Thanks," Caroline responded gratefully. "Now it's tie time."

Over Tyler's groans she grabbed his arm and dragged him into the most expensive menswear shop in the mall.

"I think you should go for black pants and a black shirt with a bright tie," she declared.

"Isn't that a bit…waitery?"

"No, it's a hot look at the moment," Caroline said defensively. "If there's one thing I know, it's fashion."

"Ok fine, just pick whatever you want and I'll wear it," Tyler said, sounding resigned.

Caroline happily flitted all over the store picking up and throwing away various ties, looking for something to strike her fancy.

"This is perfect," she squealed, holding up a bright pink tie with a silver pattern.

"But it's pink!"

"Pink is so in for guys right now, it's summer's trendy color," Caroline replied knowledgably. "Besides, it will look great against your tan."

"But…pink," Tyler protested.

"You're being such a boy," she teased. "Besides, now your outfit will match mine, how fun is that."

"Do you want us to match?" he asked hesitantly.

"What? No…I mean, I don't care," Caroline stuttered, looking down.

When she looked up again Tyler was staring intently at her and she held his gaze for a moment before looking down again. How embarrassing, what was she thinking talking about matching outfits? It was like she considered them a couple or something, which was crazy.

Thankfully, before Caroline could die of embarrassment Tyler gently lifted her chin up and gave her a small smile.

"I'll wear the tie, ok."

"Ok," she returned, supremely grateful he was dropping the subject.

"Now, time to shop for food," she announced, eager to divert the conversation to a different topic. "And since you've been such a good boy I'll buy you that ice cream."

"Can I have sprinkles?" Tyler joked.

"Geez, Lockwood, you drive a hard bargain."

"Pleaaaassse," he begged. "I'll push you around in the shopping cart if you do."

Caroline had always had a secret wish to do that ever since she saw it in a movie when she was younger.

"Deal," she laughed, linking her arm through Tyler's and dragging him to the supermarket.

They had a great time zooming down all the isles picking up chips, soda, lollies and frozen party pies, quiches and sausage rolls.

Then Caroline kept her promise and bought them both an ice cream, which they sat down to eat in the sun after loading the groceries in the car.

"Tonight is either going to be awesome or a complete disaster," she mused thoughtfully, licking her strawberry cone.

"It could be worse," Tyler smirked, giving her a sly look.

"What do you mean?" she asked suspiciously.

"Well, if you'd bought that red dress you would have spent all night worrying about potential wardrobe malfunctions and nip slips."

"Tyler!"