Dark Side.
Chapter 3: Miss Mystic Falls. Part I.
'Finding refuge in my own lies […]
Empty thoughts start to crowd my mind
Am I only living, living to survive?
Shake it off but I've lost the drive
Just let me be just let me be
Let me be okay.'
—Antidote. Faith Marie.
It was a week before Cass could find the Bennett witch. Elena told her Bonnie was staying with some aunt up north while she dealt with her grandmother's death. So, she had planned on going to school during the days and holing herself at home during the evenings. Except Elena had taken it upon herself to befriend her. She was insisting. It took two days for Cassandra to warm up to the young girl. Three days for Cassandra to willingly hang out with her. Four, until she invited Elena over to her home.
She had been alone for the past ten years. It was a current occurrence. She'd go through bouts of time in which she'd go MIA; lose her real name, change her hair, adopt a new accent, go from high class to working class or vice versa. It ensured her enemies would forget about her for a while. Before technology was a thing everyone had the privilege of owning, she wouldn't even remain in touch with Kat.
This new turn of events was strange, after so long, but not overly unpleasant. She enjoyed Elena's company, and Caroline was… a lot to get used to. Still, Cassandra is more than happy to play the part. At least until everything goes to hell, which is only a matter of time.
"Hello, Elena," Cassandra says melodically.
She appears by Elena's side in a second, startling the young human, if the spike in her heartbeat is any indication. The brunette turns around, her widened eyes and parted lips turning into a smile.
"You're almost late." Elena bumps her shoulder against hers in a teasing manner.
"So are you." Cassandra scoffs, not really bothered.
She's been to higher education several times already, missing high school will not be the end of the world. Before the human teenager can say anything, the revving of a car makes her turn around. Cassandra copies Elena's movement, watching as a red sports car parks directly beside them. Stefan climbs out of its driver's seat, all calculated movements and coolness. Her eyebrows rise.
"Nice car," Elena compliments, taking a step towards Stefan.
Stefan shrugs. He takes off his pair of sunglasses, pocketing them in one swift motion.
"Thought it was a waste to leave it in the garage."
Elena smiles and Cassandra has no other choice but to stand there as the two kiss.
"I didn't know you were coming back today," Elena says, hands still around Stefan.
"You know, I woke up this morning and I was feeling great," Stefan explains with another easy-going shrug. "And I figured it was time for me to get back into things."
"Does that mean you're okay now, with all the cravings?" Elena has issues getting the word 'cravings' out.
Stefan doesn't seem to pay attention to that, she notes.
"Yeah, I mean the worst part is over so..." Stefan nods.
Cassandra didn't expect that. He can't be okay. He used to be a ripper; everyone knows Stefan Salvatore doesn't get over blood easily. It's only been a week. There's no way in hell he's recovered. Except that he looks normal. Confident, smooth, caring. Stefan is more like the Stefan she's seen him grow into throughout the years than the barely-holding-on Stefan she was received with when she arrived at Mystic Falls.
"Now all I want to do is just spend as much time with you as possible." Stefan continues, looking down at Elena like she puts the stars up in the sky every night.
"I'm okay with that," Elena replies with just as much devotion.
They kiss. Cassandra clears her throat, realizing they aren't planning to stop. Elena sends a sheepish smile her way, and Stefan does take one step away from Elena, so they aren't pressed up against each other anymore. He meets her eyes easily, with a smile that suggests everything really is fine.
"So, you're okay." She tests the waters. Shows no doubt, leaves it more as an open invitation for conversation.
"I'm okay," Stefan assures her. "Thank you, Cass."
She blinks. "What for?"
"You said I just needed to work on self-control. You were right."
Her eyes narrow on their own accord. It's less than a fraction, but it's there. If Stefan notices, he doesn't let on. It doesn't matter. That wasn't a real statement. Cassandra's 'word of advice' had been nothing but a passing comment to annoy Damon. It wasn't real advice; she knows how hard it is for Stefan to get back on track. Focusing on self-control has never been enough for him to shake off the human blood. This right here is a pretence for Elena.
"No problem," Cassandra says. "I'm glad I could help."
Elena practically beams at this exchange. Cassandra doesn't see why. After all, Stefan and Cassandra know each other. Although she supposes, if they're being completely honest here, Cassandra knows Stefan. Stefan's just… acquainted with her.
"We're gonna be late." Elena points to the main building, taking one step back, brown eyes stuck to Stefan.
"Okay, uh, you know what? I'll catch up with you, I'm gonna grab my stuff." Stefan's body is already aligned towards his car. "I'll be right behind you."
"Okay."
Elena seems confused, like Stefan staying behind is strange. Strange, but not alarming, because Elena gazes at him for a few seconds before walking away. Cassandra shakes her head. She's overreacting. Stefan seems fine. He's not jittery or askew. He's perfectly fine. Clearly, he's improved his control in the last twenty years.
Deciding she needs to start trusting more—something vital if she really wants to stay here—Cassandra follows Elena to class.
The thing about school, Cassandra realizes, it's that its standardized, mandatory curriculum is infinitely and inherently boring. Or maybe that's because she's lived through the entirety of modern history. Either way, she knows the next forty-five minutes filled with America in World War II facts will be painstakingly slow.
"Okay, this week we're gonna set aside our regular curriculum for a lesson in local history as we approach Founders' Day." Alaric walks to front of the classroom.
He sounds just as excited as Cassandra is about spending the next forty-five minutes talking about useless Mystic Falls facts. She was wrong; she'd take World War II over this any time. With one fluid motion, she closes her notebook and rests her elbow on it, tucking her hand behind her ear.
"Apparently, the community leaders feel it's more important than World War II." Alaric continues, looking at the class from his desk. "Hey, what do I know?"
It's a bad attempt at a joke, and most students are too busy ignoring said teacher to get it. Still, Cassandra smiles. Just then, the door opens. A girl comes in. She's short, has straight black hair, and dark skin. Cassandra immediately knows this is Bonnie Bennett. She has the same eyes as Emily.
Finally, the reason she came to this damned town in the first place appears.
"Sorry I'm late." Bonnie closes the door behind her mid-apology.
Elena perks up in front of her, clearly glad to have Bonnie back. Even Alaric seems happily surprised.
"Well, it looks like we will be at full occupancy today." Alaric nods at the girl, dismissing her tardiness. "Welcome home, Bonnie."
Bonnie sends the teacher a weak smile as she walks over to what Cassandra assumes is her usual seat, the one to Elena's left. She sends Elena a somewhat warmer smile that immediately drops the second Stefan tries to meet her eyes. Alaric doesn't waste any time going back to business and Cassandra decides to keep an eye out for any other rash and seemingly out-of-character interactions from Bonnie. This isn't normal behavior; Elena's confusion says it all.
When fourth period ends, signaling the beginning of her free study period she will definitely not use for studying, Cassandra and Caroline walk out of French together. Caroline has a free period as well, so she walks with Cassandra all the way to the court, where Elena asked her to meet her.
The thing about Caroline is… well, she's a control freak with a heart of gold. She's smart and kind, and beautiful, even if she's a bit too excited about everything, but Cassandra knows that underneath all that lies a deep insecurity. After all, Caroline seems to be jealous of pretty much everyone. Including Cassandra.
She's a good person, though, and Cassandra really is trying to be nice again, which is why she listens to Caroline happily blabber about something, humming and smiling in all the right places. It's isn't until they're walking outside, when Caroline mentions Bonnie, that Cassandra starts paying attention again.
"I just can't believe Bonnie is finally back." Caroline exclaims with a bright smile. "She's been away for what feels like forever! After her mom left, her grandma was like a mother figure or something, so when she died, Bonnie took it pretty hard."
That's the other thing about Caroline. She's a bit of a gossip. Except that 'a bit' doesn't exactly cover it. 'Huge' has a better ring to it.
"Bonnie's probably with Elena right now because Elena always comes first." Caroline adds.
Her head does this little bob, blonde ringlets bouncing with the movement. While her tone is still happy and friendly, it has a sour undertone. Cassandra immediately knows where Caroline stands in this three-way friendship.
"Be careful, Caroline. That sounded strongly of bitterness." She warns, sending the blonde a sympathetic smile.
Finally, Cassandra can see Bonnie and Elena talking quietly by the parking lot. Bonnie's guard is up, something Elena is clearly upset about. Swiftly, she focuses on the conversation, picking up their voices as if they were right next to her.
"After you told me the tomb spell failed, I just didn't really want to come back." Bonnie shrugs.
"I hope that you understand why I called," Elena says with sympathy. "I wanted you to know before you came home."
"I understand why. I just...wish I didn't know." Bonnie answers back hastily, with an acidity to her voice that makes Cassandra worry.
Clearly, this girl isn't exactly fond of the people who had something to do with her grandmother's death. Bonnie's reluctance towards Stefan earlier today makes perfect sense now. How is Cassandra supposed to help her, if Bonnie hates the very people she's connected to?
"Oh, there they are!" Caroline beams, finally realizing what's at the end of the path Cassandra has been leading her down to. "Bonnie, Bonnie!"
The two brunettes startle at the sudden shout, turning around. Caroline doesn't mind their reactions, or the fact that she's very clearly interrupting a private conversation, because she flings herself at Bonnie, hugging her tightly.
"I've missed you so much," Caroline says into Bonnie's shoulder.
Cassandra meets Elena's eyes over the two hugging girls. She seems to be tense, but when her chocolate brown eyes meet her green ones, her face widens in an amused smile as she rolls her eyes at Caroline fondly. She returns the smile, albeit hers is more reserved, agreeing completely. Caroline definitely is a lot to deal with.
"I know we talked every day," Caroline continues, moving so she's holding the short brunette at arms' length. "But I missed you."
Elena's smile falls away in an instant. Her eyebrows furrow and she turns to look at Bonnie with hurt eyes. Bonnie avoids her eyes. Wow, looks like Bonnie's dislike for those with anything to do with the tomb also extends to her childhood best friend. Cassandra didn't see that coming.
"How are you doing?" Caroline keeps speaking, not noticing the discomfort of her two best friends.
"Better. Better." Bonnie assures her with a deep breath in and a wavering smile. "Just glad to be home."
That's when her eyes finally fall on Cassandra. Bonnie frowns, confused. The redhead allows a small, polite smile. The faster Bonnie somewhat trusts her, the faster Cassandra can teach her the basics and leave Mystic Falls. For that to happen, she needs to be as nice as possible, even if it's an act. Caroline follows Bonnie's line of sight, lets out an excited gasp.
"Oh! Bonnie, this is Cassie." Caroline introduces them. Cassandra's teeth immediately clench. "She's new in town. Cassie, Bonnie."
"It's Cass, not Cassie." She corrects hastily before Bonnie can open her mouth. There is no way she's letting these humans call her Cassie, she's not letting anyone call her Cassie. She draws the line at Damon, and he's on thin ice. "It's nice to meet you, Bonnie. Elena and Caroline have told me a lot."
Bonnie seems surprised at this. Or maybe it's the fact that she can sense Cassandra's magic. The girl's eyes study her up and down, they jump to Elena and back to her, before she says anything.
"Oh, it's nice to meet you, too." Bonnie sends her a polite smile Cassandra knows she doesn't mean.
"Anyway!" Caroline claps once, brushing away any opportunity for awkwardness between Cassandra and the third member of Mystic Falls High School's favorite trio. "I need your help! Major wardrobe problem."
Caroline pauses for dramatic effect, even if it's not necessary. Elena is listening with less than mild interest, and Cassandra is already starting to blank out. Bonnie seems to be the only one thankful for the distraction.
"I need you to help me choose a dress for the Founders' Court." Caroline finishes with a smile that shows all her teeth.
Cassandra frowns. The Founders' who now?
"What is that?" she asks, mostly because she's starting to worry that, when it comes to Mystic Falls, nothing with the word Founder on it can be good.
"Oh, it's where they decide who becomes Miss Mystic Falls." Caroline explains to her. Cassandra's eyes widen. They still do that? "They announced it today, and Elena and I are in it."
She remembers the first Founders' Court briefly. Well, more like she remembers it was going to happen before the whole town went to hell. Annabelle had wanted to enter. It'd taken a lot of convincing, mostly on Kat's part, for Pearl to give her consent. Back then, it was more of a cotillon of sorts, a chance for young women to be introduced to society officially. Not that it mattered, of course, considering back then the town was tiny. Everyone was in society.
"We signed up for that so long ago, I totally forgot." Elena exhales, caught off guard.
"Oh, so are you dropping out?" Caroline asks her.
Cassandra doesn't miss the hopeful glance the blonde sends Bonnie. A glance Bonnie doesn't see, because she's too occupied by Elena, who now looks like she might cry.
"I can't." Elena shakes her head, wrapping her arms around her torso in an action that is both protective and self-soothing.
"No?"
This time, Caroline doesn't even try to not sound disappointed. When Cassandra shoots her a look, she fixes her face into a sympathetic smile.
"Her mom wanted her to enter." Bonnie explains.
Poor Elena. What is supposed to be one of the greatest experiences of her teenage years is now tainted by the memory of her dead mother. Cassandra's heart goes out to her. Going through such a hard loss at such a young age isn't easy.
"So, will you help me out too?" Caroline turns to Cassandra.
She purses her lips, mildly vexed. Caroline already has Bonnie's help, who seems to want nothing to do with Elena, and if she gets Cassandra to help her, then Caroline would have alienated Elena completely. Her chances of winning would increase. That's exactly the kind of manipulation and games Cassandra wants nothing of any longer.
"Sorry, Care." She doesn't sound sorry at all. "But I'll be sticking with Elena."
With that she takes a step closer to the brunette, interlocking their arms in a show of support. She meets Caroline's eyes steadily, not even attempting a hypocritical smile. The message is clear. I'm onto you, it's cruel. Caroline seems more disappointed than shaken by the message that's more of a warning than a notice. It lasts a second, though, before she shrugs and drags Bonnie away, happily chatting about color schemes.
"You really didn't have to do that." Elena sighs.
"Yes, I did." Cassandra replies instantly, tugging at the girl's arm so they can start walking. "I understand you're not eager because your mom is gone, but—Caroline was insensitive."
"That's Caroline for you." Elena agrees. "She really wants this."
Cassandra nods, having figured out as much. The truth is both girls have just as much a chance of winning this, there's no need for Caroline to worry. If anything, Caroline has a better chance at it, considering her life isn't plagued by vampire drama. There is, however, no harm in making her sweat a little for it.
"Let's give her something to worry about, then." Cassandra hums with a smirk.
Elena looks at her, surprised, before letting out a laugh.
"You're terrible!" she shakes her head.
Cassandra's only response is a shrug.
Elena Gilbert sits in front of the large vanity, hands poised on top of its polished surface. Her eyes roam around the bedroom she's in through the mirror, nervous that if she openly snoops around Cassandra may get offended. The vampire did, after all, insinuate that she didn't want Elena prying.
The room she's in, the master bedroom in the large house, Cassandra's bedroom, is so clean and thought out, it looks like it came from an architectural magazine, specializing in interior design. The dark reddish color of the parquet flooring gives the room a homey warmth, the white, translucent curtains flow into the room thanks to the opened window. Cassandra's bed is impeccably made, with a white and mauve duvet cover. The furniture matches, all made of light grey wood that is smooth to the touch. The floor is so well polished, Elena could probably see her reflection against it. It's all very… chic but conservative at the same time. Elena's been here twice, and she still feels like she doesn't belong.
"Here's your Coke," Cass says, entering the room with said drink in her hand.
"Thanks." Elena takes the offered glass and sips, enjoying the feeling of fizz against her tongue. Swallowing, she turns back to face the mirror. "So, I was thinking I could pin my hair up in a ponytail."
She'd be lying if she said she cared about the Miss Mystic title. Honestly, with everything that's been going on, this is the last thing in her mind. But it meant a lot for her mom, so Elena's decided she'll at least give it a try. Unfortunately, that includes deciding on a hairstyle and makeup, plus getting a dress. Usually, she'd be super excited about that, but she's still worried about Stefan and the vampires roaming around town, and Bonnie seemingly not wanting to talk to her. So, she suggests the easiest hairstyle that comes to mind, one that can be dressed-up or down.
Cassandra's scrunched up face lets her know her idea wasn't that great.
"No?" Elena asks.
"No." Cassandra shakes her head. "Not for this, anyway."
"Then I'm out of ideas." She pouts, leaning forward so she's closer to her own reflection.
"That was fast." Cassandra observes with a smile.
The vampire is quiet for a few seconds before exclaiming, "Hold on!" and sprinting out of the room. Elena blinks and when she opens her eyes, Cassandra is already standing in front of her, a curling iron in her hands.
"Mm, I don't know." Elena eyes the curling iron hesitantly.
The last time she attempted to use one she burned herself twice, and the curls never looked natural. Cassandra shakes her head, already plugging the device in.
"Trust me."
And trust her she does.
Cass starts by parting Elena's hair with a thin comb. She places one end of the comb just behind Elena's ear and draws a straight horizontal line, grabbing hold of the upper part of Elena's hair with such ease Elena can't help but be impressed. With one swift flick of her right wrist, Cass turns Elena's upper part of her hair into a bun, which she secures with a huge hair clip taken from the vanity's surface.
"I've spent five centuries doing my own hair, Elena." Cassandra laughs at Elena's clearly baffled expression. "After a while, you figure how to do things quickly and without effort."
Elena's eyes widen, this time for a whole other reason. Five centuries? Can Cassandra really be that old? Elena remains quiet, watching the vampire in the mirror. Cassandra is wearing a black, long-sleeved shirt with a plunging neckline, paired with some dark denim skinny jeans. Her deep red hair is straightened and cascades down her back like a heavy curtain; it's held back by two small ornate hairpins on either side, they're in the shape of a daisy. Her face doesn't have a single wrinkle, or a pimple or a scar, just a cluster of freckles across her nose and cheeks. She doesn't look older than seventeen.
Completely unnerved by this, Elena decides to start light conversation. It isn't hard. If anything, it was easy, and incredibly entertaining. It turns out that while Cassandra is pretty secretive when it comes to herself, she has no trouble talking about people who are no longer in this world. Like Elizabeth of York.
"She was boring." Cass complains without straining her focus away from Elena's hair. "And a snob. Seriously, I get it Henry made you Queen, but we all know it was a political match, not exactly because she was fit for it. She didn't do much, she was just so bland!"
Cassandra shakes her head, clearly remembering something Elena has no way of knowing.
"I think you just committed treason against the Crown." Elena teases her. "She's dead. Shouldn't you be showing respect or something?"
"May god rest her soul."
Her tone is so sarcastic Elena can't help but laugh.
"Did you know Anne Boleyn?" Elena asks. She'd always been fond of the character.
"No, I was already a vampire by then, and staying in Navarre." Cass shakes her head, methodically letting go of a strand of hair that curls perfectly as it bounces back. "I did meet Da Vinci, though."
"No way!" Elena gasps.
"I did!" Cass insists. "He was a bit of a madman. Not in a bad way, though, more like a mad genius. And—"
The loud ringing of a phone interrupts her. Both Elena and Cassandra turn to the vanity, where Cassandra's phone is letting out the annoying ringing. Elena feels Cassandra tense. She doesn't understand why until she reaches for the phone. Passing it over, her eyes catch a glimpse of the name displayed. It's Damon.
"Yes?" Cassandra asks, curt and polite.
"Have you lost your mind?"
Damon demands so loudly Elena's human ears have no problem picking it up.
"I beg your pardon?" Cassandra says.
Damon replies back almost instantly. This time, however, his voice isn't raised, and Elena is only able to hear a small murmur of his voice, far away. She knows whatever Damon said isn't good, though, because Cassandra is suddenly tense again. She sits the curling iron carefully on the vanity, before placing her entire focus on her conversation with Damon. Elena can't do anything but watch.
"It wasn't me." Cassandra seems to be having trouble not getting angry. "I haven't gone to the blood bank in over a week. And I'm not stupid, I didn't let anything off."
There's a beat of silence. Elena supposes Damon is saying something, because the frown Cass wears falls into a look that seems almost afraid.
"Who told you that? John." The redhead twists Elena's uncle's name in such an ugly way it sounds like the worst insult in the world. "No, Damon, it doesn't work like that—because I don't!" A short pause. "Maybe some of the tomb vampires you let out."
Elena inhales sharply. The fiasco that was them trying to open the tomb still haunts her sometimes. She remembers how heartbroken Damon had been, how worried she had been for Stefan, how scared she'd felt when Damon forced her to go in with him. Poor Sheila dying from the spell's strain. The only good thing that came out of all that, Elena thinks, is that Stefan's relationship with Damon improved for the better.
"No, it wasn't. You are the one who fucking wanted Katherine out of there!" Cassandra snaps with such venom in her voice Elena can't help but jump up a little.
There's silence. At least on this side of the line. Elena doesn't take her eyes off the redhead. She's not like Stefan, Elena reminds herself. Cassandra is dangerous, older. She seems to be in touch with her humanity, but there are times, like now, where she is terrifying.
"If you find out, let me know."
With that, Cassandra hangs up, this time putting her phone on the back pocket of her jeans. As if nothing had happened, as if Elena hasn't just witnessed the tensest conversation in history, Cassandra picks up the curling iron and continues working.
"Is everything okay?" Elena asks, worried.
Not just for the clearly diminished mood of her friend, or the fact that once more Elena's left wondering why Damon was so clear with his affection for the redhead when he thought her dead, but not so much now. But because something has clearly gone wrong.
"It's fine, Elena." Cassandra shakes her head. "Don't worry."
Elena remains quiet. The ticking of the grandfather clock downstairs becomes increasingly louder, almost a taunting tick-tock alerting her of the fact that nothing is 'fine'. After a moment, she clears her throat and decides to approach a subject she's been curious about for quite some time now.
"Cass, why don't you like being called Cassie?" she asks carefully, nonchalantly. "It's a pretty name."
There's a pause, in which the redhead stops curling one particularly stubborn strand of hair. Cass looks up, and Elena immediately knows that her attempt at nonchalance failed.
"Why don't you ask me what you really want to know?" Cass raises an eyebrow, unimpressed.
"What really happened?" Elena starts hesitantly.
Cassandra lets out an audible, weary sigh.
"In 1498 I was in what is now Spain, just turned eighteen, waiting to be married to a man I didn't love." Cass explains, unclipping Elena's upper section of hair. "Katherine found me—she gave me a way out." Elena remains quiet, surprised to find there's a story in which Katherine isn't the villain. "I was supposed to be something she could play with. A lackey, so to speak. Soon, however, she realized I… could not be controlled." Cassandra shrugs.
Elena gets the feeling Cass will continue talking, but the redhead seems to be lost in memory line. So, Elena brings the conversation back to the year she's most curious about.
"And, after centuries, you made it to Mystic Falls." She nods.
Cass hums in the positive. She looks up and her eyes meet Elena's. "Don't get mad."
"Why would I get mad?" Elena frowns.
Cassandra doesn't answer immediately. Instead, she turns the curling iron off and places it atop the vanity. It's a full minute before she speaks again.
"Mystic Falls was the perfect location, remote, surrounded by wild forest. We weren't supposed to stay that long, except that, within a week of us arriving, Katherine was already half in love with Stefan." Cass shrugs. "She flirted with Damon and Stefan during the day and lured the youngest Salvatore into her bed at night. I didn't say anything at first, until it became clear she wouldn't bother choosing a brother."
The redhead clears her throat at the end, clearly uncomfortable. Her green eyes shift, and Elena gets the feeling maybe this wasn't a great idea. Not only is she clearly hearing the beginning of a story that, at least by Stefan's point of view, is about to get worse, she is also willingly listening how her evil double tricked Stefan, and Damon.
"You still resent her for that." Elena realizes.
"I do." Cass nods, frowning. "I was their friend. I wasn't interested in a love square. Although I guess it would have been my own little love triangle." At this she smirks playfully. Elena attempts a smile, even if it's an empty one. "One night, Stefan appeared in my room, clearly compelled. He insisted it was time for me to have fun."
Elena blinks, her mouth hangs open slightly. Suddenly, Cassandra's request for her not to be mad makes a lot of sense, because anger is starting to run through her veins. Not only is Cassandra saying she was part of the emotional manipulation the brothers were subjected to, the one that left a clear scar, but she's also suggesting she slept with Stefan even if she knew he was being compelled to.
"You slept with him?" Elena gapes at her.
Cassandra at least has the decency to flinch slightly.
"Once." The redhead admits. "There was no T.V. back then, you know? Or internet. And there was so much sewing you could do before wanting to stab yourself in the eye with the needle. It was all just fun." Cassandra giggles at her own joke.
When she realizes Elena isn't even a little bit amused, her smile falls. Cassandra looks down, fiddling with the ring on her finger. Elena glances down at it, unconsciously. It's not her daylight ring, which Elena knows is securely on Cassandra's right ring finger. This particular ring, located on her left index finger, a single pitch-black stone with specks of bright red running through it, all presented on a simple gold band, seems to have more meaning to the vampire, who Elena has caught absentmindedly playing with it more than once.
"I know it was wrong." She adds, looking Elena in the eye.
Elena knows Cass means it, but it's still a lot to get her head around.
"You slept with Damon as well, didn't you?" Elena asks. "That's why things are so tense and weird between you now, isn't it?"
There's a beat, in which Cass does nothing but frown.
"Damon loved Katherine. I'm not really sure when it happened, but when he deserted, she suddenly found him incredibly interesting. In some level, she loved him too." Cass explains. "He was my friend. But, yes, we slept together. Constantly. I never compelled him, though." She hastily adds
Elena doesn't know what to say. This all sounds so confusing. There are so many subplots and subliminal ploys that she knows Cass hasn't even begun to explain, Elena feels like the room is spinning.
"Then what happened? Why do you treat each other like that?" Elena asks.
That's the one thing she hasn't managed to figure out. Cass talks about Damon like they were close. They must have been. Even when they're fighting they're somehow connected, standing close to one another, eyes locked, that sort of closeness only comes from a close relationship. Not only that, but the oldest Salvatore brother has always mentioned her with care.
Elena remembers the first time he ever mentioned her. Cassie. So much sadness and appreciation wrapped up into a single, softly-uttered name. Damon's the only one who calls her that, Elena suddenly notices, the only one who doesn't automatically receive a death-glare when the six letters leave his lips. They were close, there's not a single ounce of doubt in Elena's mind about that. Her uncertainty lies elsewhere: why is it, that Cassandra has managed to befriend Stefan again so quickly, but her relationship with Damon just keeps getting worse and worse?
"Katherine liked to pretend she juggled between the brothers, but the truth was she always chose Stefan. Damon always ended up stuck with me." Cass breathes in, shaking her head. "We argued about it all the time, how she was so cruel to him. It practically tore our friendship apart, at the end."
It's definitely not what Elena expected.
"That's why?"
Cassandra rolls her eyes so hard, she can probably see the back of her brain.
"No, Elena!" Cass exclaims. Elena follows her with her eyes as the redhead walks over to the window, clearly angry. She gets the feeling, though, that Cass is mad at herself. "I faked my own death. I—I just let them think I was dead for a century and a half. Can you really blame him for hating me?" Cass turns around to face her.
Elena sits there quietly, not knowing what to say or do. Right now, all she can manage is pretend she didn't hear the redhead's voice cracking at the end. Clearly, the vampire isn't just upset for what she did, but for the mess that was history. She still doesn't get it, though. Sure, Cass left but, to Elena at least, she must have faked her death for a pretty big reason. If Elena can understand this, why can't Damon? Why is it such a big deal anyway?
"Oh, my god." Elena gasps so suddenly Cassandra snaps out of her staring contest with the curtains. "You were in love with Damon, weren't you?"
Cassandra's lips stretch out into a smile that ends up as a slight, soft laugh. It's not mocking or dismissive, but incredibly fond. She pushes herself off the window and walks back to Elena, who is half wondering if maybe she shouldn't have said anything.
"You are good, you know that?" Cass compliments her before shrugging, her focus back on Elena's hair. "Maybe I was. It doesn't matter, though, it was a long time ago."
"Was he—you know, in love with you too?" Elena asks, curious.
"God, no!" Cass shakes her head, a smile on her face once more.
Elena doesn't get it. They're talking about romantic feelings here, feelings that hurt and leave you vulnerable. How can Cass be joking about it? She doesn't understand how this is amusing. Cassandra doesn't seem to be faking it, though, Elena realizes as the vampire goes back to brushing her hair, turning the curling iron as she goes. Maybe, she really doesn't feel that way towards Damon anymore. Maybe the only reason why they don't get along anymore really is because Damon isn't over her betrayal.
"I'm confused." Elena admits with a laugh of her own.
"Immortality tends to have that effect." Cass nods. "The truth, Lena, is that people move on. Friendship ends, no matter how hard you want it not to."
Elena thinks that should have had a sad undertone, but Cass seems weirdly content. Deciding to drop the subject, Elena directs the conversation back to the Miss Mystic Falls pageant, even if her mind is still somewhat in the past she was never a part of.
UPDATED: 16/01/2020.