Prompt: KC: I usually talk to my friends through morse code in class but… apparently you know morse too… and now you know I think your butt is cute

Klaus cocked his head, the only indication that he noticed something odd about the constant tapping of pens clacking on the table behind him. It wasn't rhythmic or constant, someone just bored of the lecture and needing some outlet for activity.

The noise actually reminded him of Henrik's latest obsession. His little brother had been practicing Morse Code incessantly, and he could almost place the familiar patterns among the clicking pens behind him.

Wait, that was Morse Code.

The dots and dashes didn't sound too different, but the variation was just enough to clue him into a covert conversation occurring.

Curious, Klaus looked behind him to see two girls at the table in question. Despite their obvious boredom, they still seemed to be focused on the teacher. It was only Klaus's first day at Mystic Falls High, and he had yet to officially meet most of the students. He must have made a mistake in guessing the source of the code, though. These girls were wearing cheerleading outfits, hardly the WWII enthusiasts Henrik was to learn Morse in the first place.

Until the blonde idly clicked her pen on the table, quick and practiced as the other girl pretended to take notes as she inscribed the message.

Klaus was tempted to lean back to steal a peek, but it would have been too obvious. The pretty blonde had already glanced over him when he turned back, and Klaus had no desire to draw further attention to himself in case he could catch onto what they were saying.

Luckily for him, Henrik had given him a "How to Hear Morse Code" worksheet he kept in his planner. As the teacher kept lecturing on whatever nonsense passed for a high school curriculum in the states, Klaus slyly pulled out the chart and turned to a clean page in his notebook. The blonde was still clicking away, and he was determined to listen in. He carefully followed the chart like Henrik taught him, right on DITs and left on DAHs.

All he caught was the last couple of words, but they were clearly talking about him.

DIMPLES SERIOUSLY

Smirking, Klaus waited for the other girl to respond.

YOU DO NEED A REBOUND

His eyes widened in surprise, not that he would mind working out whatever lingering tension the blonde might have had. The accent worked wonders on girls he'd met since moving here, what's one more?

NO WAY ELENA WAS SNIFFING AROUND AND I DO NOT NEED ANOTHER ONE OF HER CASTOFFS

Klaus wanted to scoff, remembering the girl who had tried to play it cool with him in his last class. He only flirted because she was a dead ringer for Elijah's ex-girlfriend, and it would have been funny to bring her home to meet him. Regardless, the blonde continued clicking away.

MATT WAS BAD ENOUGH

Klaus bristled, the blonde really was on the rebound. He wasn't here to get in the middle of petty drama when all he wanted to was to graduate and get the hell away from his parents. Keep his head down and make it through, that was what he promised himself.

YOU DESERVE SOME FUN CARE

Care. So the blonde had a name, if the other cheerleader's clicks were to be trusted.

"Care" sighed before clicking again.

I GUESS HE DOES HAVE A CUTE BUTT

With a smirk, Klaus couldn't hold back a chuckle. This conversation was a delightful distraction and an ego boost, to boot.

"Okay, everyone," Mr. Saltzman called out, signaling the end of his lecture just as the bell rang. "Don't forget your paper on global conflict is due tomorrow, and it's worth a third of your grade."

Klaus shrugged his bag onto his shoulder; as a new student, he was automatically excused from prior assignments. He definitely didn't want to miss the girls packing up behind him, though.

The blonde had lagged behind, packing up her stuff. Stepping closer, Klaus kept his voice low. "Cute butt, huh?"

She froze, glancing up with a furious blush. She seemed to be considering her options before stubbornly crossing her arms and cocking her hip. "I'm not sure what you mean," she snapped.

"I'll admit," he sighed. "I didn't expect cheerleaders to be trading notes in Morse Code."

Realizing the game was up, she relaxed, resigned. "Look, I'm sorry," she said, shaking her head. "I totally do not support objectification, and I wouldn't have said it if I knew you could overhear. No one needs that on their first day."

"It's no skin off my nose, sweetheart," Klaus said with a shrug. "Good for confidence and all."

Satisfied he had accepted her apology, she moved to leave, only for him to block her path.

"But I do think it earns me your name," he said, meaningfully arching a brow.

She opened her mouth to retort, but she swallowed her annoyance at his blockade in the name of welcoming a new student. "Caroline Forbes," she answered, pointedly stepping around him. "And I will take back my apology if you make me late to chem."

Klaus was content, mulling over the name he now had to the face. That was, until Caroline whirled around to wave her finger in his face.

"And excuse you," she spat. "Bonnie and I might be cheerleaders, but we're also top of the class and totally prone to going over the top on projects. Forgive us, oh snooty British guy, for daring to retain some covert knowledge from our WWII project."

With that, Caroline whirled right back around and out the door.

Determined to follow her, Klaus could only hope her feisty demeanor leant to more promising encounters. He let out an unmanly yelp, though, when he all but ran into her crossed arms just outside.

"And if you were really so much smarter than us poor cheerleaders," she teased venomously, "then you wouldn't have let us know you were listening. Who knows how much dirt you'll miss now that we know not to use Morse Code around you?" With a triumphant grin, she spun and melted into the crush of high school students.

While Klaus might have felt like an idiot, he just felt intrigued at the girl who just soundly put him in his place.

Game on, Caroline Forbes.