*Chapter 10*

A sharp rapping on the door jolted Bonnie out of her heavy sleep. Groaning, she pushed aside the covers, threw on a robe and some slippers and went downstairs to see the cause of the disturbance. She looked through the small peephole to find Caroline stood on her porch, one hand fixed on her hip and an expression of annoyance evident on her face. Bonnie unlocked the door to face her friend.

"Hey Care," she yawned. "What brings you here so early?"

"Well I was just-oh my god Bonnie what the hell happened to you?" Caroline shrieked.

"Huh?" Bonnie looked at her, momentarily confused, until she realised that she was most probably talking about the gash on her forehead. "Oh this? Nothing, I just had a small accident in the bathroom, but it's fine now, don't worry. Anyhow what were you saying before that?" Caroline stared at her friend, displeased with the lack of information relating to her injury but decided to let it go. For now.

"This," she said, thrusting a piece of paper that was clutched tightly in her hands at Bonnie.

"What exactly is 'this'?" Bonnie asked, taking the paper from her and unravelling it. A most beautiful drawing of Caroline was painted on the parchment with a small note at the bottom that read 'it was lovely to see you again dear.' Bonnie didn't have to think hard to know who it was from.

"Klaus?"

"Yes! He hasn't even been here 24 hours yet Bon and already this whole charade has started. Again!"

"Oh," Bonnie said, trying hard to stifle her amusement. "Well it's no secret he has a thing for you Care. Besides he hasn't seen you for quite a while after all."

"Bonnie Bennett! Are you defending him?" Caroline gasped.

"What? No of course not! I'm just saying that this is Klaus we're talking about and he isn't exactly secretive about his feeling, so I guess it was kinda expected you know?" Bonnie smirked. "But what would you like me to do?"

"Well," Caroline said slowly, pursing her lips. "You don't have to do this but I did tag along with you to New Orleans so it only seems fair and I swear I'll do whatever you want and we can even go shopping after wards and-"

"Caroline," Bonnie interjected cutting her off. "Just say what you came here to say."

"Well," she took a deep breath. "I was thinking of going to his house and basically just telling him to leave me alone once and for all. Just because he's back doesn't mean that I am willing to tolerate him."

"And you want me to…?"

"I was just wondering if you would…you know… maybe tag along with me? Pretty please Bon. I will owe you so much. I'd take Elena but she's with Damon right now and she seems pretty much attached to him and he wouldn't let her go and even she did go he would tag along and I don't want him there because he's annoying and a huge douche. Also I have no one else to as really because Matt has work in half an hour and I know you're probably really tired right now but please, please do this with me." Caroline realised she was babbling and sealed her lips quickly.

"'Course I'll go Care," Bonnie smiled softly at the blonde girl. "I mean I don't really want to see any of them and I'm not sure if it will make a difference seeing as it's him after all, but it's worth a try right?"

"My point exactly," Caroline beamed. "Thank you Bonnie. I love you so much!" She leapt to hug her best friend.

"Okay, okay," Bonnie laughed, hugging her back. "Just come inside and give me 5 minutes to get ready and then we'll go."

"Kol," Bonnie called after she had brushed out her hair, which had a tendency to look like a lion's mane in the morning. "Do you know where my car keys are?"

There was no reply.

"Kol?" she called again. Still nothing. Then Bonnie realised what he had said the previous night about how the little trick thing means that he would be out of sight for a few hours. For some reason, Bonnie didn't feel as pleased with this realisation as she thought she really ought to be. After all, she was free of him, even if it was for a few hours. That was a good thing right?

Sighing, she pushed aside the mound of clothing on her bed to start key-hunting and after what felt like forever, Bonnie found them under the bed-side table. Grabbing them, she rushed downstairs to find Caroline lounging on the couch with a bowl of popcorn by her side (which she had no doubt retrieved from the kitchen) and 'Friends' running on the T.V.

"Caroline?"

"Mhm," she said, through a mouthful of popcorn.

"Are you coming?"

"Yeah," she said, voice muffled by the food. "Just give me a second. This is the part when Rachel comes back." Sighing, Bonnie strolled over and grabbed the remote, turning off the T.V.

"Come on. This was your idea and we're going to get it done now, okay?"

"Fine," she pouted, getting off the couch. "Let's go."

"Okay, ready?" Bonnie asked, hand ready to knock on the large white doors. Caroline nodded. Bonnie rapped lightly on the door and the two waited for someone to come. They didn't have to wait long. A rather smug looking Klaus opened the door and stepped out into the daylight.

"Ah Caroline," he said in his heavy accent. "And of course dear Bonnie. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"We need to talk." Caroline said. Bonnie had to hand it to her; she did sound a lot more confident now that she was here than she had in the car.

"About what may I ask?"

"About this," Caroline thrust the painting at him. "I don't want it and I definitely don't want you to keep sending stuff like that over and over again. You said you'd be gone from my life and I'd rather it stay that way. So do us both a favour and keep the hell away from me and keep these gifts to yourself. Clearly I didn't get my point across the first fifty times so let me repeat it to you; I am not interested." Klaus stood there, briefly in a state of shock, until that same, obnoxious smirk that seemed to run so well in the family made an appearance.

"I'm afraid you misunderstand me love. See I was merely doing it as an act of gratitude, nothing more."

"Gratitude for what?"

"Why for trying to help my youngest brother of course. Rebekah informed me on everything that's going on."

"Okay but why me? I mean it's Bonnie who's really doing everything. I barely did anything at all. So why not give anything to her."

"No doubt Miss Bennett is very much to thank love but I dare say that had I given her anything of the sort, then she would have merely burnt the work I spent a great deal of time on. Of course if you'd like anything…?" He looked pointedly at Bonnie.

"I'd really rather not."

"Okay well let me make this clear. From here on there is going to be no more painting, drawings, gifts or 'dear Caroline' or anything of the sort okay? I am done Klaus. I am so, so done and I want to live my life as an independent woman. So just stay the hell away from me." And with that she turned on her heel and stormed off towards the car.

"Temper, temper," Klaus mused. "She certainly has become a lot more fiery, dare I say."

"You'd be surprised," Bonnie muttered, turning to follow after Caroline.

"What happened?" Klaus asked suddenly.

"What?"

"To your head. What happened to your head?"

"Oh that, nothing. I just fell and grazed it a little. It's fine."

"Right of course, well excuse me for saying so but it doesn't look like just a mere graze, you might want to have that checked out. Also there's someone who wants to talk to you." As soon as he finished speaking, he was out of sight and his presence was replaces by that of his sister's.

"Bonnie."

"Rebekah."

"Look I know this seems slightly strange but I need to talk to you. Do you have time?"

"Err," Bonnie looked back towards the car, where Caroline was sat, looking awfully curious. "Not right now, Caroline's waiting for me, but I guess it depends on how long you're talking."

"Perhaps it would be best to speak another time; your friend has a tendency to babble and she might over-hear. In fact, judging by how she looks after hearing that, she is definitely eavesdropping. Is there any other time that you're free?"

"I guess," Bonnie replied hesitantly. "I should be free sometime around five to six assuming nothing comes up."

"That's fine."

"Okay…should I meet you at the Grill because I really don't want to come back here?"

"No! Can we arrange for another place besides from the Grill? What about that little woodland area near the park?"

"That should be fine…I don't suppose you can give me a slight hint as to what's going on. I mean no offence but it's not like we've always been on a first-term basis."

"I know and I'm afraid I can't. I'll see you then. Oh and my brother is right by the way. You really should get that checked out." And just like that, she was gone and the door was shut, leaving a very confused Bonnie to get back to the car.

"What was that about?" Caroline asked as soon as she opened the door.

"No clue."

"Hey Lena," Bonnie said over the phone. It was almost 2 in the afternoon and Caroline was about to come round again to go shopping with Bonnie. And of course, Kol still hadn't made an appearance.

"Hey Bonnie, is everything okay?"

"Yeah things are fine, but I hadn't talked to you in a couple of days so I thought I'd check up and see how things are. Caroline and I were just about to head out and go shopping, so we were wondering if you want to come along."

"I'd love to Bon but I'm with Damon right now and I'm err…a little occupied."

"Oh…I see…well erm where's Stefan?"

"He's helping Jer with some school work I think, why? Did you need him?"

"No I was just wondering that's all," the doorbell rang and Bonnie went to receive it. "I gotta go now but I'll speak to you later Len. Bye"

"Okay bye Bonnie."

"Hey you ready?" Caroline asked as soon as the door was open.

"Oh yeah. I am in desperate need of some retail therapy right now."

"Well it's a good thing you have a friend like me then. We can grab something to eat there as well; they opened up this cute little frozen yogurt bar and it looks so good! Oh, by the way, did you call Elena?"

"Yeah I did and she's busy. With Damon."

"Oh doing what?" Bonnie raised her eyebrows pointedly at her. "Oh. Oh! Right of course. That's disgusting. Eww! Let's get moving please, preferably before my mind decides to concoct an image!" The two started to laugh as they hopped into the car and headed towards the mall.

"Have you seen Matt today?"

"Hmm? Matt? Yeah I went by the Grill earlier. Why?"

"Nothing I was just checking to make sure everyone's okay, that's all."

"Bonnie," Caroline spoke softly. "Stop worrying about everyone else for once okay? Right now you should be your main priority. You don't have to keep stepping in and saving the day and it's unfair of use to constantly expect that from you. So please just give yourself a break."

"Thanks Care," Bonnie grinned at her. Although Bonnie couldn't help but notice that Caroline's words reminded her an awful lot of the words that someone had already said to her. Someone who had been gone for a good amount of time now.

"She's right you know," his voice broke through, making Bonnie gasp loudly and sent her heart-rate plummeting.

"Whoa are you okay?" Caroline screeched.

"Yeah," she breathed. "Yeah I'm fine. Kol's here."

"Ah right. Hey dead Original brother of the one who won't quit harassing me."

"Hello seemingly dumb vampire Barbie, who my brother seems to be obsessed with, which will always confuse me because I really do not see the interest."

"Kol," Bonnie sighed.

"Bonnie," he grinned. "Did you miss me darling?"

"You wish," she muttered, although she felt a slight sinking feeling when she said this (a feeling which she chose to ardently ignore). He chuckled slightly to himself.

"So what have I missed?"

"Not much in all honesty. Klaus sent Caroline a painting. She gave it back. Oh and your sister wants to speak to me for some reason. Any idea what that's about?"

"Bekah?" He frowned. "None at all. Did she say what it was about?"

"No she just told me to meet her by the woodland area, later on. So I guess we'll find out then."

"Of course, we will, darling," he smirked.

"Don't get cocky with me Kol."

"I wouldn't dream of it love. Where is it that we're going by the way?"

"Shopping."

"Do they have this in another colour," Caroline said, angling herself in front of the dressing room mirror to get a good view of the dress she had selected.

"I don't think so but lilac looks amazing on you! Honestly you should definitely get it."

"Really? You think so? Thanks Bonnie!" She bustled off back into the small changing cubicle.

"No problem."

"This is awfully dull." Kol said. "She's been in this very store for the past half hour."

"You're very welcome to go elsewhere"

"I have no place better to go."

"Then stop complaining."

"Oh did you try on that dress by the way?" Caroline said, emerging out of the cubicle with the dress draped over her arm.

"What dress?"

"The one I pointed at when we entered the store?"

"I have no idea what one you're talking about."

"Okay hold on a second. I'll be right back!" Within seconds she was off and back with a black dress with gold embroidery and lace sleeves. She thrust it at Bonnie. "I was originally going to try this on but the colour wouldn't suit me but I bet it'll look amazing on you. Try it on!"

"I dunno, it looks a little tight Care."

"It'll look fine! Besides your figure will look fabulous in it! Just go and try it on and then make a verdict." Bonnie took the dress and headed into the changing rooms whilst the other two waited outside for a short while.

"Okay I'm done."she called. "But I still think it's a little too tight to look modest."

"Bonnie just come out already." Bonnie pulled aside the curtains and stepped out to reveal the dress. The soft drapes came to a halt mid-thigh and the top part of the dress hugged every curve on her body. The embroidery was heavy but too over-powering and the gold brung out the her dark green eyes. She looked magnificent.

"Wow," Caroline gaped. "Bonnie you look hot! And I mean Nicole Scherzinger hot."

"So it's okay?"

"Okay? Bonnie it's like that dress was made for you!" Bonnie glanced up to catch Kol's widened eyes. He opened his mouth to speak but no words escaped his lips so he opted to shut it again.

"Okay well, I think I'm going to get it. How much is it?"

"Turn round," Caroline instructed as she searched for the label and let out a soft whistle. "It's on sale for $125. How much do you have?"

"$230."

"Get it. It's too good of an opportunity to pass. I'll hate you forever if you don't. Also you stay here for a minute. I'm just going to ask if they have another colour for the dress that I got." Bonnie nodded as Caroline headed out again.

"So," Bonnie turned to Kol. "Not that I really care what you think but is it okay. I mean I love Caroline but being my friend, she could be a little biased."

"I…err," he stumbled on his words, which was very un-like Kol. Getting a grip on himself, he cleared his throat and spoke; "It looks lovely on you. And your friend was right. The colour does compliment your skin-tone very well. You should get it." Bonnie nodded and immediately turned her back on him as she felt heat rise in her cheeks. It's just Kol, she told herself firmly. Just Kol. No one important. It's only natural for her to be slightly affected by a boys opinion. But, she thought subconsciously, regardless of how large or small it was, why was he having an effect on her at all?

*Author's note; Well damn this one was slightly more difficult to write for some reason. I tried to make a chapter where Bonnie was seen as being just a normal girl. You know without all the 'Mystic Falls is in danger, call Bonnie!' crap going on. Also I know I haven't been including Elena very much at all and I won't lie, it's mainly because I am not overly fond of her character anymore. Although I used to love her in the previous series. But I will try to bring more of her into the chapters as well if you wish. Oh also I made a new cover photo :D which I rather liked (hopefully that doesn't sound vain). For now, farewell my fellow followers and thank you all so much for your continous support and good feedback*