Caroline's POV

"How about these, Care?"

I looked on in sheer horror as my mother, Elizabeth Forbes, held up a macaroni and cheese colored drape.

"Mom, that is so not the color scheme I'm going for. I said a sunflower shade or lighter. I don't want anything hanging in our living room that's the color of a side dish you'd order at a restaurant for $2 extra!"

My mother sighed as she hung the drapes back up onto their rightful hook. In my mind, I couldn't help but think she should've thrown them into the dumpster in the back alley of the store.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic, Caroline. What's gotten into you? You've been acting weird since I got home."

I felt my face soften. I hadn't even realized I had tensed up my eyebrows.

"I just—It's nothing, Mom. Miss Mystic Falls and all of that is coming up soon. Just a little stressed out."

"So, it has nothing to do with everything that's happened in the past few months?"

My mother's quirked eyebrow made me sigh as I laughed a little.

"How do you manage to know everything?"

"Because, Caroline, I'm your mother. Now, tell me what's on your mind."

I shook my head timidly as we walked over to more drapes. I started to lightly touch the fabric with my fingers.

"I just…miss him. It's so odd to not have Tyler around."

My lie sounded convincing; even to my own ears. Of course, it was partially true.

"I'm sure he's having fun with his uncle in Colorado, though. From what Carol's told me, Tyler's taking Richard's death pretty hard."

My mom didn't know the truth. Yes, Richard Lockwood had died, but she had no idea it was at the hands of his only son.

Tyler had had enough of seeing Carol, his mother, being on the receiving end of Richard's drunken tantrums. He hadn't meant to kill him. He had reached his hand out to grab onto Richard as he was about to tumble down the stairs. It was almost as if Richard had jerked his hand way; knowing what his death would mean for Tyler.

Since Richard's death was a direct effect of Tyler's actions, his werewolf gene was triggered. He was his father's murderer, and the supernatural world punished him for it.

"Yeah, I'm sure. The car accident was definitely a sudden shock for all of us."

I spoke to my mother as she began to mimic me and run the different textured drapes between her fingers. I knew her nerve-endings weren't sensitive enough to feel the distinct differences between the fabric like I could, though.

"You're right, Caroline. Our mayor will be missed, but I'm sure Carol will easily pick up where Richard left—Oh shoot!"

The tantalizing smell of a fresh cut wafted over to my nose. My eyes quickly darted over to the place my mother had lightly cut open the tip of her thumb on the plastic lining of the drapery's packaging.

"I'll go get you a paper towel for that, Mom!"

Before she could say anything, I was midway to the department store's bathroom.

Once in the restroom, I made sure there was no one in the stalls, and quickly used vampire speed to get over to the mirror. The veins in my face weren't as intense as they had been. I was starting to gain control.

I needed to be in control.

If my mother was ever going to accept me being what I am, I'd have to show her that we weren't all the same.

Vampires weren't all the same.

Before Damon and Stefan Salvatore had arrived, my mother hated vampires with her entire being. She had lost everything to them.

It wasn't until the brothers had saved her life from a roaming vampire that she began to entertain the idea that maybe all vampires weren't out to be killers. Damon and Stefan informed her of the vegetarian life they were attempting to live, and how they wouldn't be menaces to her or Mystic Falls.

So far, my mother hasn't regretted her decision to give vampires the benefit of the doubt, but I just couldn't help but wonder about how she would react when she realized her only child was now the creature she used to hate.

Which is why I couldn't tell her. I could never break her heart that way.

I splashed some water on my face, used a hand towel to dab it dry, then made my way toward the bathroom's exit. I accidentally bumped shoulders with a beautiful blonde girl I'd never met. She seemed distracted as she rushed past me without making eye contact.

"Sorry!" I yelled.

"No problem!" An odd British accent answered me in response just as the door closed behind her.

Once back into the store's main area, I realized that the smell of blood still lingered in the air. I couldn't stay here. I quickly made my way out of the front entrance and began to walk toward the bench across the street at the town's square.

"Caroline? Caroline!" My mother's worried voice floated after me. I whipped around toward her, and let her catch up.

"Care, what's up? Why'd you leave?"

I glanced down at her wrapped thumb. Luckily, the open air helped to waft away the potency of the cut. I couldn't tell my own mother I'd left because I had imagined ripping into her throat and draining her of the one thing that gave her life.

So, I lied.

"I wasn't feeling too well."

"Oh, sweetheart," She quickly brought her hand up to my forehead in such a loving gesture that I began to notice my vision blurring with unshed tears. "You don't seem to have a fever, but let's get you home. I'll make you some soup and pour you a big glass of orange juice. Better safe than sorry."

I quickly blinked the tears away and smiled at her.

"Sounds like a plan, Mom."

I let her wrap her arms around me as we walked into the direction of the car. I would get through this.

I had to.

..

Klaus's POV

I looked up in slight disgust at the department store's grungy sign. Mystic Falls was turning out to be very unimpressive, but I knew she was here.

She had to be.

"Come on, Nick!"

I followed my eccentric sister into the store, and we started to idly look at the different furniture pieces.

"This dark brown bedroom set with leather accents is totally you, Nik."

I turned toward my sister's voice, and just as I was about to deliver a snide remark, I was halted in my thoughts. The bedroom set she's talking about is absolutely flawless. Dark brown mahogany dressers, and a leather headboard catch my attention. The set is so dark, but for some reason I imagined the sun shining into my room in the morning and lighting a fire among the dark wood; showing all its detail and warmth.

I also imagine her sleeping in the dark bed, the sun beaming in on her; making her blonde hair and fair skin almost sparkle with all the life that they hold.

"I'll take it."

I could almost hear the enthusiasm in my voice as my sister's eyes went wide with surprise and shock.

"Really? I mean, it is you, but I didn't think you'd agree to getting it so quickly!"

"Wasn't it you who said mere minutes ago that I needed to work on changing?" I used my best sarcastic voice as I ran a finger over the mirrored dresser. I didn't want Rebekah to know my choice was based on how I imagined Caroline would look in contrast to the colors, and not my actual willingness to change. "So, I'm changing."

"Well, good for you, Nik! I'm going to run to the restroom, then search for some help in this place. Look for some drapes while you're feeling so adept to change."

Rebekah pointed me in the direction of some drapery before she went into the direction of the bathrooms. I walked over to the section of oddly color drapes and immediately drew my attention toward a dark brown set.

"Seems a bit dark for decorating with, doesn't it?"

I casually looked to my side where the Sheriff had tried to quietly move so she stood beside of me. She was now out of uniform.

"Ah, but that's the best part of it, Sheriff."

The woman laughed as she ran her hand over the brown cloth. I saw a bandage covering her thumb. From the smell, I could tell it was a fresh cut. She felt me staring.

"I cut my thumb open on the plastic packaging of the drapes. My daughter was supposed to be bringing me back a paper towel to clean it up with, but she didn't give me time to tell her I had some Band-Aids in my purse." She paused, seemingly in heavy thought. She quickly shook her head. "Anyway, when I'm not in my uniform, call me Liz. We're all friends here in Mystic Falls."

"Alright."

An awkward silence fell around us as we stood facing the hanging drapes. I could tell something was on her mind.

"Did you need to ask me something, Liz?"

She looked surprised at my forwardness, but gave in easily.

"Actually, yes. We have a beauty pageant every year called Miss Mystic Falls. Our mayor recently passed away and his wife took over. Well, they're hosting the competition at their house, and Carol's having some trouble recruiting some adults to join in on the fun. So, I was wondering if you and your sister would like to come? In fact, she could join the competition if she would like."

"I've always loved a good competition."

Rebekah's voice seemed to startle Liz as she appeared from behind me.

"Oh! Great! I'll tell Carol to definitely expect you two!" Liz smiled as she looked around; seemingly spotting someone exiting the store. "I need to catch up with my daughter. I'll see you two Saturday at noon!"

Rebekah and I agreed as we watched Liz practically jog out of the front door.

"Our first soiree. How exciting, Nik!"

I mockingly rolled my eyes at my sister, but slightly smirked.

"Yes. Exciting. Now, let's find someone who actually works here so I can purchase that bedroom set, and get out of this sorry excuse for a department store."

Rebekah let a small smile grace her features as she began to walk toward the checkout counter.

"Sure thing, brother."