To Feel - Part 10 (Klaus POV)

I can't place the scent, can't give it a name. It isn't vanilla or lavender or coconut or strawberry.

It's sweet, but not sickeningly sweet.

It's her.

I watch her as she sleeps. I know it's creepy and all, but I can't sleep and I can't help it.

She's snuggled under her duvet, her body turned her face me, her right hand clutching the edge of her pillow.

She looks absolutely surreal in the dim light, the darkness making her practically glow. Her hair looks silvery, her skin milky white.

I swallow and clench my hands into fists, my fingers inching to reach out and touch her.

How can this be fucking real?

This was the last thing I expected to come out of today.

I had woken up and gone to school to face another day of avoiding Caroline. Everything had been going steady – the same as the last week and half.

Then while in the locker room before gym, Tyler Lockwood had gone ahead and opened his mouth.

And I had pounded on him for it.

Then Caroline was there, standing in the middle of the hallway in her short skirt and bouncy pony tail, looking like something straight out of a fantasy I never thought I would have.

Fuck.

But she was staring because I had almost pounded the living shit out of her ex right in front of her.

And then I was turning away from her, following Coach Tanner to the principle's office.

I was questioned as to what happened – I told them I punched Lockwood for talking indecently about a friend. Apparently, that wasn't enough justification for my actions and I was sent home for the rest of the day, as well as assigned detention for the next three weeks.

I reach up to touch my eye, checking the swelling. It's gone down, but it'll definitely bruise.

Fucking Lockwood.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair, staring up at the ceiling.

I feel a weight on my right shoulder and I look down to see Caroline's hand resting there. One glance at her and I can tell she's still sleeping, her breath still shallow, her features still relaxed.

I reach up and take her hand into mine, her small fingers warm against my palm.

What I've done to deserve this, I have no idea.

At a glance, Caroline is the all-American girl; she's a cheerleader, she's involved, she's popular and beautiful. If Lockwood weren't such a wanker, they'd be the perfect couple (cheerleader and the football player and all that jazz).

I'm an outcast, practically a social pariah. Sure, it seemed as though I was desired among the female population. But none of those girls ever really approached me.

Well, Tatia had approached me. Drunk.

If Tatia had never started that rumor, would all the other rumors have spread? Would Caroline and I have fought? Would we have even met?

I sigh, giving Caroline's fingers a gentle squeeze, the weight of her hand reassuring me.

There was no point in thinking of the "what ifs" when we were in the now.

A now where I had the chance with this beautiful girl, who I thought would never even spare me a moment's glance.

To say that I had been harboring a crush on her would be accurate.

The first time I saw her was in art history. She had rushed into class a minute before the late bell, and I had been sitting in the back. I watched as she looked around the room before settling on a desk at the front of the class.

I can't recall if it was her face or her hair or her body, but I couldn't take my eyes off of her most of the period.

The second time I saw her was when I picked my sister up from cheerleading practice. I had been seriously resenting Rebekah for her sudden interest in the sport (which lead to me being her designated chauffeur after practice) up until I saw Caroline stretching on the grass with her brunette friend.

So I had gotten the pleasure of seeing her in her tiny shorts and tank tops almost every day for the past couple of weeks.

Never in my life did I think I would have a cheerleader fantasy.

Well, right now isn't a very good time to think of those fantasies.

I adjust myself and try to think of anything else besides the beautiful girl to my right.

She's amazed me with with her kindness and ability to forgive. Like I said, I never thought this was how my day would end.

She could have easily not stopped when she saw me on the side of the road. Even if she would have stopped, she didn't have to give me a ride back into town, much less bring me to her home and care for me, give me a place to sleep.

I wasn't planning on staying the night, but Caroline had been adamant on me staying.

She wasn't forcing me to stay, but she pled for me to and I just couldn't bring myself to say no to her.

When she was satisfied with my healing process, she had led me up to her room and started rummaging through drawers and closets, finally throwing me a t-shirt and sweatpants, explaining that they were her father's.

She disappeared into the bathroom to change into her pajamas, leaving me in her room to change.

When she walked back out wearing pink polka-dot pants and a pink baseball t-shirt which I'm sure was supposed to look that good on her.

She had washed off all her make-up. Today she had been wearing more of it than usual, for the game, I supposed.

She looked different, but beautiful all the same.

"There's a blue tooth brush in the bathroom. It's new," she said, going to her bed to pull back the duvet and adjust the pillows.

I nodded and went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face.

I walked back out and turned off the light, looking down at Caroline who looked like she was ready to knock out.

She pulled the covers back on one side of the bed.

"Come on," she coaxed, tapping the bed, beaconing me over.

"I could just take the couch," I had offered.

"That would mean that I would have to get up and set up the couch for you. No, get in here." Her tone was serious and slightly annoyed, but I could see a smile tugging at the corner of her lips, so I knew I hadn't really annoyed her.

Nonetheless, I walked towards her and climbed in, leaving some space between us.

I expected nothing out of this.

From what I could tell, we had "made up". Which meant that we were on speaking terms again.

The standing of our physical relationship?

I had wanted to kiss her when she had leaned in and touched her nose to mine, but it didn't feel right. I feel as though she's the one that has to kiss me when she feels comfortable with it.

But how would I know, I've never been in a relationship. I've never fought with anyone and made up.

I've never even had sex.

*hides in pillow fortress in preparation for onslaught of reviews*