A/N: Sorry...this guy is kinda late, isn't he? Yes, I put genders on my stories. Don't judge. I just hope the few-day wait wasn't too much to handle. And that it was worth it.

A couple of days ago, I found out that this story and two others (Before the World Catches Up and The Devil and His Playmate) had been put onto a community thingy! Wow! So, that's kind of amazing. I don't even think I can process it. You guys are one hundred percent the most amazing people. Thank you for everything. For reviewing, for following, favouriting, telling all your friends. It makes me so much more than happy. It makes me feel special. Really, thank you!

Okay, we're getting there guys, I promise. These two will be together soon. You just have to have faith in me. And them. They're tricky little buggers. Especially that Caroline.

Enjoy!


"I could be an accident,

But I'm still trying."

Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy | Fall Out Boy (My Heart Will Always Be The B-side To My Tongue)


Caroline Forbes and The Green-Eyed Monster (AKA first study session)

Caroline's foot was bouncing uncontrollably. Eyeing the clock, she noted that the bell would ring in under two minutes, releasing her from math's clutches and into the arms of lunch. Only today was different. Today, she would be going outside. She would be sitting on the benches in front of the school and she'd be with him.

Something had happened between them yesterday evening. She didn't know what; the feeling was indescribable. She could put no words to it.

When he'd touched her yesterday…he'd set her skin on fire, she could have sworn. Her entire body must have been burning red and orange and yellow. Blue and white.

Everything suddenly became clear and muted at the same time. She was acutely aware of the pressure on the back of her hand, the warmth that seeped from him to her. The world around her had fuzzed and faded, leaving them alone in the sea of strange fire they'd found themselves in. And his face was so close…

Something inside of her—that same tortuous part that had steadily become obsessed with Klaus since first spotting him—told her that he would have kissed her had he not sliced his palm.

Never in her entire life had she been more upset that she'd broken one of Elena's glasses.

Because, yes, she wanted him to kiss her. She could admit that now, even if the thought did make her belly squirm and her armpits drip sweat. Despite her head screaming at her to stop wanting, she couldn't help it. She wanted the feel of his lips over hers. She wanted to taste him, to be connected to him.

And he wanted it too. There was no denying that anymore, either. She'd seen his eyes as he inched closer and closer and closer—they were unguarded and gentle and longing.

The shrill whine of the bell dragged Caroline out of her impure, wayward thoughts and she shook her head vigorously before gathering her math supplies and bolting out of the classroom. Teenagers of all shapes and sizes brushed their shoulders against Caroline, shoving her around. She pushed through, ignoring the buzzing chatter steadily gaining momentum as if someone were pressing the plus-volume button on a remote control.

Reaching her locker, Caroline quickly twisted the dial on her lock, praying that it wouldn't jam. She breathed a sigh of relief when it sprung open on the first try. She shoved her math supplies into the small space and took what she would need in order to help Klaus with his English project, shutting the door with a quiet bang when she had everything.

Though it was lunch time, food was not at the forefront of Caroline's mind. No, definitely not. The mere thought of having to eat made her want to be sick. She was too nervous, too on edge.

Too excited.

She wondered, as she made her way to the front entrance of the school, if Klaus would lean in again today. If he would try finishing what they'd started while they were panting and bleeding on Elena's kitchen floor. But then she realised that she'd never kissed a boy before, and she would probably be horrible at it. Maybe she could pull the memory of when Stefan Salvatore planted a kiss on her lips as a dare back when they were in elementary school…

All too soon the front doors to Mystic Falls High came into view, and immediately Caroline's blood boiled within her veins. Her heart began pounding against her ribs, almost as if it were about to burst through like that disgusting bit in Alien with the chestburster.

She wasn't ready for this. For helping him. For being close to him and having to smell him and not being able to do a thing about it. Because while that dangerous bit inside of her wanted so badly for him—or for her; she wasn't opposed to the girl making the first move—to kiss her, she knew, deep down, that it wasn't the right time. She was still young. He was still young.

But that didn't mean she couldn't dream. Even if it did make her feel…dirty.

Wiggling her entire body—starting with arms and ending with toes—Caroline burst through the door, the sudden whiplash of air making her shiver. Blinking against the harsh cold that suddenly decided to make an appearance that morning, she made her way to the collection of picnic tables and set down her things. The old wood was worn and splintering, but it brought a sense of peace to her bustling mind.

As she sat waiting, she remembered her first day of freshman year. The trees were green and leafy, unlike now, and there was warmth in the breeze. She was terrified, a different kind of terrified than she was at the moment. Back then, she was worried about school. About grades and whether or not the teachers would like her.

It was only one year ago, but she felt as if she'd lived a thousand lifetimes since. Which was a silly feeling, seeing as she hadn't done much growing up in the past twelve months. She'd gone to a few parties, had a few sips of vile beer, gotten one bad grade. Nothing special. But now everything was different, despite her not achieving anything significant. She supposed that was just what being a teenager was all about. Thinking you were changing and developing, when really you were exactly the same person you were yesterday, two months ago, five years ago.

Sitting here today, she was terrified about what was going on inside of her.

She was going crazy over a boy. A British boy with an adorable smile and blue eyes that made her want to melt into a puddle every time they looked at her—

"Are you always this punctual?"

Clutching her chest, Caroline exhaled a sharp breath and glanced behind her, the swarm of butterflies in her stomach transforming to the size of Mothra.

"You scared me," she giggled awkwardly. Klaus stood in the chilled air wearing all black, which seemed to be his colour of choice. She didn't mind. It suited him.

With a shrug, he moved and sat at the opposite side of the picnic table. He folded his arms on the table, boring his gorgeous eyes into Caroline's. She felt like an artefact in a museum; he was studying her so intently.

A smirk tilted his lips. "Sorry," he said, though she didn't entirely believe him. "But really, are you always on time? You seem like the type to always be on time."

"I like to be punctual, yes. It's relaxing," she answered defensively, willing herself to look away from Klaus' shining eyes. They were extra blue today. "Are you ready to get started?"

Caroline reached for her English binder and searched through it until she found the assignment worksheet. Trying to control her shaking hand, she placed the paper on the table.

"Okay," she said, scanning the sheet. "Have you given any thought to what you want to write about?" Caroline flicked her eyes upward, but quickly pulled her attention back to the worksheet. Klaus still had his potent stare fixed on her.

"Not really. Is that bad? I feel like it's bad," he admitted, and Caroline had to laugh.

"We've got two more weeks to get it done, you don't need to rush," she told him, braving another look. His smirk had turned into a glimmering smile. It was one of those smiles that sent rays of happiness to the surrounding area. Caroline had to mentally tell her lips to remain motionless. God knows what kind of idiotic grin Klaus could pull from her.

"But, I think that should be our main goal today," she continued. "Finding something for you to write about."

Leaning back, Klaus folded his arms against his chest. He raised an eyebrow. "What exactly is asking for, though?" He asked. "I'm confused. I get that I'm supposed to be writing about something personal that 'shaped me,' but I don't understand why."

Caroline was startled by his question. English had always been incredibly easy for her, so she just assumed it was that way with everyone. But in front of her was a very lost boy wearing a scowl. And she didn't like the look of it nearly as much as his smile.

"Well, we've just read How I Live Now, right"—Klaus nodded his head, his annoyed expression growing confused—"and it's about a girl who goes through some pretty traumatic experiences that force her into adulthood before she's even old enough to drive. Struggling through World War Three changed everything. It shaped her. We don't have war as our backdrop, but we still suffer. Mrs. Spencer is asking us to choose something that changed us, made us who we are today. It can be anything, big or small. It just has to have impacted us." Caroline took a much-needed breath and tried to gauge Klaus' reaction to her explanation. "Make sense?"

Klaus was silent for a moment before his mouth curved back into a smile. "You really are brilliant, Caroline. I think Spencer should be taking a few lessons from you."

And cue blush.

Caroline couldn't help the excited/anxious giggle that fell off of her tongue.

"Ahem," she coughed, slightly embarrassed. Which, of course, only fuelled her blush until she could feel it heating her toes. "Thank you. But as I was saying, do you—"

"Niklaus, what a surprise seeing you out here. Usually you're locked away in the art room during free period."

Caroline was surprised to hear the use of Klaus' full name. It didn't sound right; too formal and blocky. But that was Hayley Marshall. Formal and blocky.

Actually, that was the opposite of Hayley Marshall.

Hayley was an open book, willing to share the most intimate details of her life with anybody who would lend her their ear. And she was absolutely graceful. She made Caroline feel like a newborn giraffe when they walked even remotely close to each other.

Her use of Klaus' name was obviously her attempt at gaining some form of upper-hand with him. Make it appear as though they were the bestest of buddies.

Caroline disliked how much the thought of the most beautiful girl in school and Klaus being anything more than acquaintances pained her soul. She didn't have any right to be upset about it.

But maybe she did. She had spent a good portion of last night lying awake in Elena's bedroom trying to decipher what had happened between her and Klaus before he'd cut his hand. Whatever it was, it wasn't friendly. It was charged and beautiful and utterly terrifying.

"Hayley," came Klaus' smooth, disinterested reply. He lifted his head in Hayley's direction. "What brings you out here on such a cold afternoon?"

Shifting her brown eyes between Caroline and Klaus disapprovingly, Hayley finally settled her sights on the boy who was supposed to be listening to Caroline. "I was told you'd be out here," she said as if it were the most reasonable explanation in the world. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

A shot of some indefinable emotion spiked Caroline's blood when Hayley decided to sit down mere centimetres from Klaus on the bench. Balling her hands into fists, she did her very best to look away and ignore everything but the fascinating yellow leaf by her foot.

"I'm actually in the middle of something," she heard Klaus say. Her ears perked. "You know Caroline Forbes, I assume?"

At the sound of her name, Caroline's head jerked up (extremely ungracefully). She was met with a smiling Klaus and a glaring Hayley. "Hi, Hayley," she mumbled.

"Caroline," Hayley sneered. She quickly turned back to Klaus. "Well, when you're done," she said, glancing at Caroline for a second. "I'll be inside."

White-hot flames licked Caroline's belly. She was angry, but it was more powerful than that. Like acid was running down her throat and into her intestines, poisoning everything good in the world.

Was she jealous? Envious, even?

Were here eyes glowing green beneath their blue haze?

"I think this will take up the whole period," Klaus said. "Sorry."

Caroline had always thought of herself as a good person, but she couldn't help the slight amount of pleasure she felt when she watched Hayley's face fall.

"Oh," the intruder said, wilting. "I'll…see you later then?"

Klaus shrugged. "Probably. We do go to school together," he said, and Caroline detected a hint of sarcasm. Oh, she could lean across and kiss him for sending her away!

Bad Caroline. Stop this!

Clambering to her feet, Hayley shot Caroline one last hostile look, and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "I'll see you later," she said more forcefully. "Bye, Klaus." And with a flutter of her long, mascara-caked eyelashes, Hayley marshall danced her way back into the building.

Caroline let out the breath she hadn't realised she was holding, noticing a dull ache thrumming in her brain.

That was intense.

"Wow," Klaus sighed, "I think I need a restraining order."

Caroline stared at him. "What?"

Laughing, Klaus ran his hands through his hair. He seemed exasperated. "She won't stop following me. I don't get it. It's not easy letting down the most popular girl in school."

That strange, not-angry-but-angry feeling evaporated. "You don't like Hayley?" Caroline asked skeptically. Everyone liked Hayley. Well, except Caroline. And Elena.

Klaus vehemently shook his head, his curls flopping over his forehead. He pushed them up with his fingers and Caroline thought he'd never looked more handsome. "She's a bit annoying, I must admit. Jeremy tells me I'm an idiot for ignoring her, but something about her just irks me." He frowned. "Why? Is she a good friend of yours?"

"Ha! No. Wait, that sounds harsh." Caroline cleared her throat. "I just mean—no. We aren't friends. She hates me. My mom busted a party at her house once. Apparently it was 'all my fault' or something."

"Did you tell your mum about the party?"

God, the way he said mum made her go all wobbly. "I didn't even know about it," she murmured, trying to get her thoughts in order. "Anyway, enough about Hayley. Project?" She suggested brightly.

"Yes, please," he said, placing his hands on the table.

Caroline noticed a bandage curling around his injured palm. "Does that hurt?"

Looking at where Caroline's stare was pointed, Klaus chuckled. "Not really. It won't even scar. It was just a small slice. Lots of blood, but nothing too special."

"I'm really sorry," she said sincerely, absentmindedly leaning forward and stretching her fingers out to caress the bandage.

A jolt, similar to the one she felt yesterday, pulsed when she touched him. She was sure her hair was sticking on end, and she was beyond positive Klaus could hear her wild heartbeats.

"It doesn't hurt," he rasped.

Caroline peered at Klaus through her eyelashes. His mouth was open and it sounded as though he was out of breath.

"Caroline," Klaus said, hoarse.

She blinked. "Yeah?" She moved her finger over his knuckle, sucking in a blunt breath at how smooth his skin was.

Perfection. He was perfection. And she was so screwed. So utterly, completely, wholly screwed.

But damn it, she didn't care. Not when Klaus' hand was there to be touched. Not when he looked at her like she was an angel come down from heaven to rescue him from whatever hidden sadness was behind those watery blue eyes. Not when he blew off Hayley Marshall for her.

"I don't like Hayley," he reiterated lowly, as if his voice just couldn't get any louder.

Caroline's lips trembled. Her entire body shook.

She was falling now—down that rabbit hole. Tumbling uncontrollably.

Inhaling a shaky breath, Caroline pressed her fingers into Klaus' hand. "Okay," she said, her lips finally spiralling into a faltering smile. She didn't give a thought to how stupid she might look.

Then, to change the heavy, overwhelming subject, she dropped her eyes to the peeling wood beneath their connected skin and said, "You paint?"


A/N 2: Worth the wait?

"Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy" is originally on the album Take This to Your Grave, but the version I used for this chapter is the acoustic one. When I saw Fall Out Boy for the first time, they played this song acoustically and I absolutely fell in love with it in that context.

Alrighty, until next time,

-LoveIsATemple