"Caroline, I have something to tell you and you can't tell anyone," she whispered. Sliding into the booth beside her best friend she waited for the nod. Caroline always loved a good secret; she had been dying to get this one off her chest.
"Mmhmm," Caroline mumbled eagerly. It was the only sound she could make around the fry in her mouth.
For weeks she had wanted to tell somebody, but the thought of everyone sticking their noses where they didn't belong had held her tongue.
Leaning closer as the blonde lifted her glass, she whispered in a barely audible voice across the table.
"I'm dating Elijah." She squeezed her eyes shut against the sticky spray of soda that hit her face.
"You're dating Elijah!"
Elena groaned when every head in the crowded diner turned their way. She thought for a moment that she might have been alright and that nobody even knew who she, or Elijah, was, but luck did not appear to be on her side because while Caroline had the sense to look chagrined at her outburst a delighted squeal echoed over the returning din.
She turned to see Rebekah in the door beneath the jangling bell, practically vibrating on the balls of her feet.
She braced herself as her other friend slid into the booth.
"Did I hear that right? Tell me I heard that right," Rebekah gripped the brunette's shoulder excitedly.
Denial was her first instinct, but she knew her friend had heard Caroline over the din.
"We're going to be sisters," Rebekah grinned from ear to ear.
"Woah," Elena held up her hands. "We've only been seeing each other for a few months."
Her protests didn't matter though because Rebekah was already in full blown planning mode.
"It should definitely be a fall wedding. You'll look gorgeous surrounded by the changing leaves."
"Three months…" she sighed.
Rebekah kept talking.
"Now if Caroline and Nik would finally get together we'll be all set."
Caroline, who had been quietly snickering up until that point, paled. Her sputters that she was not in to Klaus were met with eye rolls.
Elena seized the opportunity to move the conversation off of her.
"They'd make such a cute couple," Elena smiled sweetly. "I think a winter theme for them."
Caroline returned Elena's sugar coated grin; two could play that game.
"Wouldn't she and Elijah make the most adorable babies?"
Elena glared at her best friend as her other best friend launched into an excited spiel. By the time she heard the call connect Rebekah was planning out the nursery that they would get Klaus to paint.
"Elena."
She could hear the smile in his voice and knew the moment it dropped.
"Your sister knows and is now planning out the next ten years of our lives."
"Twenty," Caroline chimed in loud enough for him to hear. "She's making a list of potential schools for your kids."
"Pass her the phone lovely."
"It's for you," she put the phone in Rebekah's hand.
"Hello?"
"Would you at least wait for me to propose?"
"You two have been six years in the making," Rebekah rolled her eyes. "Its only a matter of time, and I want to be prepared once the engagement is made official."
"Rebekah…"
"Do get on that brother dear," Rebekah hung up and grinned. "Where was I?"
"Ivy League," Caroline supplied.