Dreams and Happy Places
Chapter 18
"Are we ever going to talk about it?" Elena asked meticulously placing silverware at the table as she bored into Caroline with her eyes. They had been cooking the food for an hour straight and Caroline hadn't spoken a word since. She was still pissed, and she had every right to be despite what everyone else seemed to think.
"Talk about what exactly?" she asked stirring the gravy for the mashed potatoes and avoiding eye contact so she could ignore Elena's patronizing stares. It was the last thing she needed today of all days.
"Look you could be as pissed as you want to be at me, but that doesn't change the fact that you're being kind of unfair to Klaus at the moment."
"How am I being unfair to Klaus? He's the one who lied to me."
"He didn't lie to you Caroline. He just kept a part of his life secret because he was afraid of how you would react and seeing your reaction now, I can start to understand why."
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Caroline asked slamming the wooden spoon down harder than she had intended to.
"You know exactly what it means Caroline. It's already bad enough that society doesn't have faith in him staying sober, but it must be an extra punch in the nuts that someone he's grown to care about doesn't believe in him also."
"Am I gossiping to all my friends that he's nothing but a no-good druggie who's going to end up no where in life? No. All I'm doing is being pissed off that he allowed me to get so close to him without confining in me. Am I that horrible of a person that he felt as if he couldn't trust me?"
"You and I both know that you're not a horrible person, but it doesn't mean that you don't tend to overreact every now and then. Maybe all he wanted was a normal relationship without any judgement. Have you ever once thought about that? Maybe he had a good reason from keeping things from you."
"Since when are you team Klaus?" she asked dragging out the contents she needed to make stuffing for the turkey.
"Since I've seen the way he makes you feel and to be honest when you went off on him Monday during practice it really didn't help your case."
"How many times do I have to say I didn't mean to cause a scene?"
"When you actually mean it." Elena answered sighing and tossing off her apron. "I'm going to take a shower and start getting ready. Are you going to get dressed or are you going to wander around in pajamas during the festivities also?"
"I'll change. I just have to finish the stuffing first before I text everyone to make sure they remember to bring everything."
"Far enough. I'll see you in an hour or so. It'll take some time to perfect my look for tonight."
"See you then." Caroline replied still feeling her anger in the back of her mind that Elena would bring up the incident that happened on Monday. One that she would probably soon never forget.
"Forbes! Over here!" A voice called out as she stepped into the theatre to see Stefan waving her up on the stage. A few of his friends surrounding him as Caroline mused in amazement. Usually Stefan was never this early.
Grabbing her hand and helping her onto the stage, Stefan pulled her closer, their noses nearly touching as Caroline took an automatic step back wondering why he had called her up there in the first place. They had been keeping their distance since the Lexi thing and it was killing her that they weren't talking. What had changed in the past twenty-four hour to make him suddenly talk to her again?
"Hey." She replied giving him a half smirk that she hoped was easy going as she placed her backpack down at the edge of the stage silently hoping that the heaviness of her books wouldn't force it to fall off the stage. "Long time no talk."
"I'm sorry about that. Honestly. I shouldn't have ignored you like a douche bag after all that's happened with Lexi. I just thought it would be better if I gave you some space."
"I appreciate that, but you did nothing wrong. Why would you have to be the one who gave me space?"
"Because it was my party that your sister overdosed at. Plus, I should have shut my fucking mouth during the argument between you and your mother. It wasn't my place to intrude when I know you're more than capable of protecting your own honor and I'm sorry that I was an idiot and couldn't see that."
"Well luckily, Lexi is at the center recovering and I don't blame you for what happened if it wasn't your party it may have been another and God knows I probably wouldn't have been there and my sister would probably be dead now if it was under different circumstances, so please don't blame yourself for others decisions. I tend to do that and I'm trying really hard to digress from that."
"How about we work on it together?"
"How so?"
"When one of us tries to tear themselves down let's remind each other how awesome we can be as well."
"I like that idea."
Caroline and Stefan smiled at each other as Caroline felt warmth flood her cheeks. It was times like this that Caroline was reminded why she had been interested in Stefan in the first place. She was glad he was changing even if it was ever so slightly it was more of a valiant effort then some individuals she refused to think about now. She couldn't think about that, she needed to distract herself with something else.
"I never got a chance to thank you."
"For what?"
"For standing up to my mother when you did. It actually felt kind of nice to have someone sticking up for me for a change."
"I'll always be in your corner Forbes. You don't have to ever question that."
"Thank you. It truly means a lot. Now why did you call me up here? Surely it was for a lot more than just to chat."
"This may seem like an odd question, but will you dance with me?"
"Where's Camille? I thought you two were working on a routine together."
"She just texted me, turns out she's got a touch of food poisoning and I'm in need of a dance partner who knows Camille's and I's routine. So, what do you say? Will you help me, so I don't fall terribly behind when she's gone?"
"Ugh sure. Do you have the music?"
Smiling, Stefan typed in the song in his search engine and turned his volume up as he went to the speakers to plug in his phone so they could start practicing together.
Pulling her close, Caroline swayed to the music with Stefan as she followed the steps that she had memorized him and Camille doing as he twist and turned her plunging her into multiple dips as her smile grew and grew. It had been a while since she could just relax and have fun and after all that had happened she felt like she deserved it until the doors flew open crashing her back down into her own reality as Klaus and Elena stepped through the doors, a look of pure and utter rage spreading across his face as if her and Stefan had done something wrong. What the fuck was that about? They weren't together so why the hell was he so concerned with what she did now. And why the hell was he with Elena in the first place?
"What the fuck Salvatore? You couldn't even wait a few more weeks until you put the moves on my girl now could you." Klaus verbalized as rage filled every word while he moved closer to the stage with a loom of murder in his eyes. Well he wasn't the only one who was angry. Where the fuck did, he get off treating her like she was his possession?
"I was helping him with his dance Klaus, not that it's any of your fucking business, but Camille has food poisoning and he needed a partner. It was nothing more than just harmless fun." She replied squaring him up.
"That looked more than just harmless fun Caroline. You two looked like you were two seconds away from ripping each other's clothes off and devouring each other."
"How the fuck is that any of your business if we were or not? We're not together anymore Klaus. You can't control what I do with my life or my body. Why the fuck is you acting like a dick? What possible excuse can you have to be judging Stefan or I at this moment when you've been doing nothing but lying to all of us for months?"
Hurt flashed across Klaus face before irritation and rage filled it yet again.
"Fuck it, fuck whoever you want, just try not to catch on a disease when you're choking on dicks to make yourself feel better about yourself." He yelled making her face turn stark white. What the actual fuck?
Before she could get a word out, Klaus turned back slamming the doors wide open as Elena looked back at her shocked while Stefan rubbed her arm.
"Caroline. Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine. Let's just get back to the dance."
"Are you sure?"
"I said I'm fine. Let's just get this over with I really don't feel like being here right now."
Nodding Stefan took her back in his arms as Caroline tried to block out Klaus's hurtful words fighting off her tears thinking that nothing would ever be the same again.
"The shower is free whenever you want to use it." Elena stated knocking Caroline out of her memory as she released the onion, she had been crushing to contain her anger.
"Ugh thanks." She replied throwing the onion in the trash as Elena stepped closer.
"Listen I'm sorry I was such a bitch to you earlier, you have every right to be mad at Klaus after what he had said to you, I guess I'm just tired of all the fighting and I'm sick of seeing you so upset. It's your senior year. You should be enjoying it not dealing with all this bullshit because two bullshit guys who don't give a fuck how you feel or about your mental health."
"I accept your apology and I'll try to play nice, but I make no promises not to shove turkey down his throat if he implies, I'm a whore again."
"And I'll be right here cheering you on, but what if we made him choke on his own words instead?"
"I'm listening."
"You don't have to worry about a thing. I've already made all the arrangements, just go take your shower then go to my room. I got a surprise waiting for you there."
"Aye, Aye Captain." Caroline smiled as she went to go take her shower anticipating what was waiting for her when she came out.
Stepping out of the shower, Caroline looked at her reflection in the mirror wondering how the hell she was supposed to pull this night off when she was still so angry about what had happened on Monday?
Klaus had managed to keep his distance since then, but it was harder to avoid him when he was going to be in the same room. Sighing, Caroline inspected her legs making sure she had shaved every little hair on them as she put lotion on her skin feeling refreshed and ready to take charge of this dinner as she stepped into Elena's room to see what Elena had placed on her bed.
Grabbing the note on the outfit, Caroline flipped it over smiling at the words of encouragement that Elena had wrote on it.
'Make him eat his heart out' Elena had put as Caroline took in the outfit knowing full well that she would.
"Damn girl, I knew that dress would look good on you, but I didn't expect you to look this fire." Elena gushed as Caroline stepped off the stairs twirling around for Elena so she could get the full affect of the dress Elena had lent her. She had to admit it did look bomb on her.
"You're just being modest because you picked it out."
"Yeah, because I knew it would look great on you and it would make Klaus realize that you're a hot piece of shit and you deserve nothing but the best."
"Speaking of Klaus what is this super-secret plan you've been working on."
"It's very simple. Make him jealous."
"How? He's already seen it all."
"Please you and Stefan ooze sexuality when you're not even trying and it get to him, imagine how worse off he'll be if you actually turned on your charm when it comes to Stefan."
"No matter how much I enjoy a good revenge flirting session it wouldn't be fair to Stefan when I know how he feels about me."
"It's because of how he feels about you that he's willing to help us out."
"What do you mean willing to help us out? Please tell me you did not convince Stefan to flirt with me to make Klaus jealous."
"It's not like Klaus doesn't deserve it after what he said plus after Stefan heard that shit, he has no problem doing it to watch Klaus squirm. Getting to flirt with you is just a bonus. Question is are you willing to do whatever it takes to get back at him?"
"This better work." Caroline sighed as Elena smiled excited.
"That's my girl. Now Klaus and Rebekah will be arriving first. I need you to answer the door for them."
"Why on earth would I do that?"
"So, he could get a good look at you of course."
"Sounds simple enough. What else?"
"Play along. Stefan knows exactly what to do."
"Got it."
A knock sounded at the door as Elena inspected Caroline making sure that she was ready to go as Caroline walked towards it pulling it open to reveal Klaus and Rebekah standing thee. A dish of yams resting in Rebekah's hand.
"Hey guys, come on in." she smiled as Klaus looked her up and down seeming unimpressed, so much for that plan, hopefully Stefan did come through or else she would be giving herself this wedgie for no real reason.
"Aren't you cold?" he asked bemused. Shit. She didn't think of that before she threw this outfit on.
"A little but it's a special occasion and I wanted to look nice."
Klaus shrugged not willing to give her the satisfaction of an answer as Rebekah sighed smiling at Caroline.
"It's nice to see you again Caroline. Where can I put these?" she asked gesturing towards the yams.
"Ugh. On the counter." She replied still feeling the weight of Klaus's stare on her.
After Rebekah put the pan down, a knock sounded at the door as Elena grinned from ear to ear, if Caroline didn't already know that she was up to something she would think that the smile was genuine.
Opening the door. Damon greeted Elena with a kiss on the lips making her smile radiate through the room. Caroline wished she could have that, but instead she got the more complicated relationships. What the fuck was that about?
"It's nice to see you too." She smiled as Stefan stepped around the two and smiled at Caroline handing her the tray of brownies Damon and he had brought along with a single rose. What was that supposed to be for?
"Are you contributing to the center piece?" she asked gesturing to the rose as Stefan's smile grew.
"While that sounds like a great idea, I actually brought this rose for you."
"Oh." She answered biting her lip as he handed her the rose which she took.
"You've had a pretty shitty couple of weeks, I felt like a rose would be a nice way to cheer you up."
"Thanks Stefan. It's beautiful."
Giving her a kiss on the cheek which caught her off guard, Stefan smiled taking a step back as she looked at him in disbelief. What the hell was that for?
"My pleasure."
Before Caroline could continue the conversation any further, Elena clasped her hands together breaking the tension as she announced that it was time for dinner.
Sighing in relief, Caroline made her way to the table sitting down next to Elena as Rebekah took a spot next to her trying to break the tension between her, Stefan, and Klaus. Thank God.
After they gave thanks and said what they were thankful for, they dug into their food as the door swung open and Katherine revealed herself. She had wondered where she had been.
"About time. Where have you been?" Elena asked as Katherine placed her purse on the side table joining them when she was done.
"With Mason. Not that it's any of your business."
"I just would like to know where my sister is, that's all. Turkey?"
"Don't mind if I do." Katherine smiled taking the plate and loading it up with as much food as she possibly could.
"So, Katherine, what are you thankful for?" Lexi asked as Katherine shrugged.
"My friends I guess."
"You're not even thankful for me?" Elena asked batting her eyelashes innocently.
"Maybe if you shut the fuck up every once in a while."
"Go suck a dick Katherine."
"I already did, but whatever floats your boat."
"God, I need a drink." Elena stated shoving her chair back and going to the fridge as the rest of them devoured their food silently.
Bringing the bottle of wine back, Elena poured herself a glass as she placed it in the middle offering it to the others as she took a huge gulp of her glass silencing the argument making Caroline feel an instant relief.
"You two fighting reminds me of the last Friendsgiving I attended." Stefan smiled as Katherine rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, the last Friendsgiving you were here you were with Caroline, so why are you here this year when you're not fucking her anymore?"
"I would like to know that too." Klaus smirked as Caroline grasped her fork tighter.
"Because he's our friend Katherine." Elena answered narrowing her eyes slightly.
"Didn't he fuck her sister?"
"Lapse of judgement on my part." Stefan answered feeling uncomfortable.
"Excuse me. I need to be excused." Caroline said slapping her napkin down and exiting the room going somewhere where she could think.
"Is this how you usually deal with confrontation?" A voice asked from behind her as she turned from the pool and stood up to see Klaus hovering by the sliding glass door. Great. The last person she ever wanted to talk to be the guy that had followed her out here.
"What do you want Klaus? I don't feel like arguing with you right now." She answered dipping her toes into the pool not caring how freezing it was. It felt nice against her flushed skin and right now she needed any sort of relief she could get.
"I don't want to argue with you either. I just want to talk. Is that so hard to understand?" He answered sitting down next to her as she scooted further away from him.
"Really? You just want to talk? Is that why you're being a fucking douchebag to me lately?"
"You haven't been the best person either. Or have you forgotten about that?"
"The only difference is that you're being a douchebag to me because I'm pissed at you which I have a right to be. You lied to me Klaus. You made Hayley seem like the bad guy when you're just as bad as she is. How am I supposed to believe anything you say when you keep secrets like that from me?"
"Because they're my secrets to share Caroline. You just don't understand how hard it is to share a secret like this with someone you barely know."
"Someone you barely know. Seriously? Do you usually try to bang girls you hardly know? I thought you were passed that." She said getting up and walking towards the door before his voice stopped her.
"That's not what I meant, and you know it. Please Caroline, just here me out. What do you have to lose?"
"I can't deal with this shit right now Klaus. All I wanted was some time to myself and you can't even respect me enough to do that."
"Because I'm afraid that I might lose you."
"You already have." She stated as he took her hand surprising her with the heat of his palm.
"Please. Give me five minutes and after that you could walk away. Please, if I lose you at least let me try everything I possibly can to at least salvage what we have."
"Fine, but I get to ask the questions."
"What would you like to know?"
"Were you ever going to tell me?"
"There is never a good time to tell a person you're a former addict and you've been through so much already I didn't want to put you through anymore especially since it's my bullshit to deal with."
"I was your girlfriend Klaus. We should have been able to share our burdens with each other and if you couldn't have trusted me with this secret then how were we ever going to survive in the future when something eventually bigger happens. Are you going to shut me out and push me away then too?"
"I can't give you those kind of guarantees Caroline. No one can, but don't push me away just because you're afraid of that possibility. Why do we need to think about the future right now? Why can't we just live in the moment without complicating things further?"
"I can't take that risk. I'm sorry."
"Why him?" Klaus asked stopping her dead in her tracks.
"What do you mean?"
"Why is it so easy for you to forgive Stefan for something he did to you personally but so hard for you to forgive me for something that happened before I ever met you? Answer me that and then I'll walk away. I'll leave you alone, but I really need an answer and you're not the only one sick of not getting an explanation."
"I've always been honest with you about how I feel about Stefan and hell even I'm figuring out what I feel about him, but I can tell you that your betrayal hurt me more than his because I was starting to fall for you. I was starting to fall for you, and you didn't catch me. You withheld the truth from me about a part of you that I never knew existed. With Stefan at least I knew who he was when I started dating him. I knew who I was falling for. But when I look at you, I feel like I'm looking at a stranger and the person I feel for, well, He's not there anymore. I'm not even sure if he existed in the first place. And that is the most heartbreaking thing that I will ever have the displeasure of knowing. Is that enough of an explanation for you? Or do I need to make myself clearer?"
"I think we should both head inside. The others will start to wonder where we are." He said avoiding her as he walked back inside leaving her to wonder where they stood.
"Are you okay?" Stefan asked as she handed a dish to him stuffing it into the dishwasher as Katherine, Elena, and Damon laughed at a story Damon was telling in the living room. Klaus and Rebekah had opted to leave after Caroline and Klaus had talked feigning tiredness before leaving, but Caroline knew that was a lie just like it always was.
"Do you think I'm being too harsh with Klaus?"
"You're allowed to feel whatever you want to feel. I can't tell you what to do., Only you can do that. If you don't think you're capable of forgiving him then you're not and that's okay. Don't let him push you into forgiving him until you're ready because that's not right. You haven't even had time to process everything with what's happening with Lexi. Have you visited her yet?"
"We're visiting her tomorrow." She smiled thankful for a change in subject.
"Are you excited to see her?"
"Yeah. Though I wished it was in better circumstances."
"Soon it will be. She just needs time. Like we all do."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For talking to me when I needed someone to talk to. It's nice talking to someone without any judgement."
Before Stefan could say anything, Elena stepped into the kitchen grinning from ear to ear. Shit was it that time already.
"Is everyone ready?" Elena asked making Stefan confused.
"For?"
"The best part of the night- Black Friday shopping."