Chapter 10
The weeks following my confrontation with mom were hard. She was beyond livid when I didn't come home that night and decided to implement a curfew of 10pm on school nights to try to keep me home. She asked a few more questions about mystery man, but my lack of responses must have won out and she let the subject drop. The nights that she had to work, she would do drive by the house to make sure I was there alone. It made it very difficult to spend any time with Nik. We communicated mainly through text messages, but that was not the same as being with him, feeling his arms around me, and his lips on mine. I through myself into planning the trip to California, I booked flights, hotels and made meetings with the schools I was going to. I needed to show mom that I was actually going to check out schools and not to party with Stefan.
-I have everything booked; Mom is going to drop us off at the airport Friday after school. You as excited as I am to get out of here for a week? - Caroline
- Sounds like a plan. We will have fun Care, and I promise that you will get some time alone with Nik while we are gone. Just make sure we post lots of photos of us having fun and touring campuses so that everyone here is appeased."- Stefan
- You are the best! I couldn't do this without you! :) – Caroline
After confirming plans with Stefan I decide to check in Nik, make sure he knows what's happening too.
-Hey Nik, I have everything sorted with mom and Stefan. You are meeting us at LAX Friday night right? - Caroline
- Of course Love. I leave tonight to go see Elijah in New Orleans and then fly to LA on Friday morning. I will be waiting to see your beautiful face as you come off the plane. - Nik
- Ok, have good visit with your brother. I will miss you terribly. – Caroline
- Thanks Love, you go enjoy the rest of your week. I will text you when I get to New Orleans. Love you- Nik
- Love you too- Caroline
The rest of the week went by super slow. I talked to Nik every day, and it seems like he was enjoying his time in New Orleans, but told me we needed to talk while we were in California. That made me a little nervous but I was still excited to get out of town for a few days. By Friday afternoon I was buzzing with excitement.
"You are bubblier than normal Care, what's up?" Elena asked me on our way to our last period class.
"I am excited to go explore some schools and just get out of town for a few days" I tell her
"I am happy for you. I am still hoping you decide to come to school with me and Bonnie at Whitmore, but it is good to explore your options. Care, you know that I would be ok if you and Stefan decided to date right. I mean I know he is my ex, but I am happy and in love with Damon. I want to see you and him as happy as we are."
"Thanks Elena, but there is nothing going on between Stefan and I. We are friends, practically siblings. He has been here for me, and I for him. We both just need to get away from all this for a few days. Take advantage of it and have loud crazy sex all over the house with no worries of scarring your ex boyfriend." I tell her giving her a playful nudge as we head into class.
"Thanks for the ride mom, I will text you as soon as we land in LA." I tell her giving her a big hug at the airport.
"Please do. Be safe and try not to get into any trouble you two. I love you sweetheart" mom replies hugging me back.
"Love you too" I say as I wave goodbye heading into the airport.
"Come on Caroline; let's get checked in and through security. One step closer to getting to LA and then you get to see your Lover Boy" he says jokingly as he pushed me into the check in line.
We get checked in and through security with no problems. We grab a bit to eat at the gate and wait for our plane. My mind wonders what it is that Nik needs to talk to me about. What happened while he was in New Orleans that requires a face to face conversation? I take a deep breath and clear my mind as they start to board the plane.
We landed around 8pm at LAX. I could feel the heat and the humidity as we got off the plane. We followed the hoards of people through the terminal and down to the luggage carousal. With both our bags in tow we headed out towards the rest of the airport. We pushed open the doors and the first thing I see is Nik waiting there with a bouquet of lilies. I fell Stefan grab my suitcase from my hand and I run towards him. I jump up into his arms and kiss him with all I have. No matter what is about to happen, I am back with the man I love.
"Hello Love how was your flight?" He asks as he sets me back down.
"It was ok, I am happy to be here, and to see you." I reply leaning up to capture his lips one more time.
"Stefan thank you for bringing her to me in one piece, and thank you for your support in all this." Nik says shaking Stefan's hand. "Now let's go the car is waiting outside." He finished grabbing my suitcase in one hand and my hand with his other as he led us out to the car and the start of our week together.