Revised slightly 6/12/20

He looked me right in the eye and said. "Stay away from him Caroline. He's evil and dangerous. He's a vampire too, a very old, very powerful, hybrid."

I looked back to the road and mulled over his words. "He's a what? A hybrid?"

"He's a wolf and a vampire." He explained quietly, turning to look out the window again.

I thought back to what Zach told me about vampires, which wasn't much…

"He seemed harmless enough to me." I shrugged and turned into the parking lot.

As I parked the car, Stefan's voice was urgent as he said, "Caroline, I'm serious. Stay away from him. He's ruthless."

I looked at him carefully. His eyes were serious, and somehow I knew he was telling the truth.

We got out of the car and walked in. Our eyes scanned the room for Bonnie and Elena, and we finally found them seated at a table close to the pool table, chatting idly.

"Caroline! Hey!" Bonnie called, smiling brightly as she got up to greet us.

"Hey Bonnie!" I grinned and gave her a hug.

As she pulled away, she noticed that Stefan was with me.

"Oh, hi! You must be Stefan!" she offered a friendly smile as she met his gaze.

He smiled and nodded.

"Oh!" I chuckled. "Stefan, this is Bonnie, my best friend. And you already know Elena." I nodded back at Elena who got up at the mention of her name.

"Nice to meet you." He shook Bonnie's hand and I watched in confusion as she stared at his hand, her posture stiffening. She pulled her hand back normally and smiled, but it seemed forced.

"Stefan!" Elena grinned widely and gave him a big hug, pressing her boobs against him.

Whore. I thought as I rolled my eyes and took a seat next to Bonnie, who had already sat down. Stefan and Elena sat down a moment later on the other side of the booth.

I tried to press down such thoughts, but I had been cheated on during my first 'serious' relationship. Seeing Elena have Matt, yet treat Stefan and other boys like she did just brought up those bad memories.

We chitchatted for a moment, and I looked around, suddenly craving some food. I noticed Matt and another waiter quietly arguing from behind the bar.

"No, that's my girlfriend man! She's hanging out with Stefan! You know how awkward that'll be? Her hanging out with another guy – flirting with another guy – right in front of me?" Matt didn't seem to want to serve our table...I wonder why? My thoughts were sarcastic as the other boy nodded.

The other boy scowled. "Fine, but I better get to keep the entire tip!"

"Caroline? Hellooo?" she waved her hand in front of my face and I plastered on a smile.

"Sorry. I guess I zoned out." I smiled and shrugged my shoulders.

"It's okay, I was just telling Bonnie and Stefan how I'm thinking of breaking it off with Matt." She frowned and glanced at Matt.

I put a fake sympathetic frown on my face. "Why?"

"He keeps talking about marriage and the future…it's really overwhelming." She glanced at Stefan, who was looking at Elena intensely.

The other waiter walked over to take our order. "Hi, my name's Logan, is there anything I can get you guys to drink or eat?"

Elena started to talk, but I cut her off. No way are you going to do all the talking hun!

"Yes please." I smiled. "Could I have a water and grilled chicken?"

"Coming right up!" he jot down something on his notepad and went back to the kitchen.

"So Stefan, tell us about yourself!" Elena said, looking at Stefan curiously.

"Tell you what?" he replied, fiddling with his sleeve.

I heard Elena say, 'where did you live before here?' in the background, but I was too busy sending a text to Bonnie to really pay attention

What's wrong? R U okay? Ur rlly quiet…

I looked back up and laid my phone in my lap, locking the screen.

"My family is in the military, so we move around a lot. I was born here in Mystic Falls and decided to come back to live with my Uncle Zach." He explained.

"Ohmigosh!" Elena squealed. "Caroline's godfather?"

Elena's dull brown eyes met mine at the revelation that Stefan and I would be roommates.

That's right hun, I can easily take your new man. I thought snidely. Not that I would necessarily want to. Stefan was attractive, but he wasn't exactly what I would peg as "my type" so to speak.

He nodded and she grinned. "That's so cool!"

I saw Bonnie move out of the corner of my eye and my phone vibrated a second later.

Just got a really weird vibe off of Stefan…maybe Grams is right…maybe I am physic…haha jk.:)

I smiled but didn't text her back.

We chatted for a few more moments.

Our food arrived and Bonnie remained silent, letting her friend do all the talking. After Elena had made a considerable dent in her meal, she glanced at her phone.

"Well, it's getting late, I better head back." She stood up, tossing down a ten and a five dollar bill to cover her meal and the tip for all of us.

That was the one nice thing about her, I would admit. If the three of us girls ever went out to dinner, she would usually grab the tip. Her family was one of the wealthier ones in Mystic Falls, with her father being a doctor and everything.

Bonnie, Stefan and I all agreed, it was already 8 p.m. Elena hugged Stefan goodbye and left, leaving the rest of us sitting there awkwardly for a moment.

"Matt!" I called and he walked over after finishing up with a customer.

"Hey Caroline, Bonnie." He smiled at us and glared briefly at Stefan. "You must be the new guy. I'm Matt Donovan."

He shook his hand and Stefan smiled friendly, "I'm Stefan Salvatore."

Matt nodded and looked at me. "Do you need something Care? I have customers I kind of have to attend to…" he looked back at his table.

"Oh, I'm ready to pay." I said, handing him a $10 bill. He took it and nodded, bring me back my change a few minutes later.

I got up and gave him a hug. He smiled and said goodbye, going back to his table to check on them. Resisting the urge to mention Elena to him, I turned to my friends, briefly glancing at Matt.

Bonnie told Stefan and I goodbye, and then we all headed home.

-0-

Dear Diary,

This is weird! Me using you twice in one day! Don't get your hopes up and get a big head just because I'm talking to you again -this is going to be a one-time thing.

Anyways, I met Klaus Mikaelson today in the graveyard. It turns out Zach wasn't kidding about them being a bad family. Even Stefan got on edge when I mentioned Klaus! He didn't seem that bad though. It's like people say in those spy shows my dad used to watch. 'If he wanted you dead, you'd be dead already!'

Something tells me I should definitely be careful around him, though.

I'm not that excited about the party tomorrow, not like I was last year. I'll probably end up going anyways, just to get my mind off the vampire shit.

Goodnight!

Caroline

I shut my diary and stood up from my desk and walked over to my bedroom door, sticking my head out.

"Goodnight!" I called loudly so Zach could hear me wherever he was. I knew Stefan would have no trouble hearing me in his room, so I didn't bother calling it to him.

I heard Zach call something back, and I smiled to myself and shut my door. Pulling off my jeans, my eyes drifted over to my freshly bandaged knee. What a week. Sighing, I walked into my bathroom and put some lotion on my face, rubbing soothing circles on my cheeks and forehead. I slipped into one of my favorite pajama sets, a soft lavender cotton with dark purple polka dots.

Walking around the side of my bed, I plopped down on the edge before leaning back and swinging my legs into the blankets.

I let loose a deep sigh, just to fill the silence and almost screamed when I saw a crow perched on my windowsill, staring at me thoughtfully.

"What is it with all the animals?" I huffed, staring at the crow, expecting it to fly away.

The bird remained still, holding my eye contact with an unusual sort of interest.

Okay, now this is getting a bit spooky. I thought, rolling out of bed on the opposite side, intending to shoo it away and shut the window.

It cawed loudly and I jumped, my hand flying to my chest in surprise. It cocked its head and stared at me still.

Oh my god, look at those eyes! I thought in awe, now close enough to study the bird's lovely blue eyes.

"Shoo! Get out of my room!" I waved my hands at it and it flew away, only to stop to perch on the tree branch outside my window.

I scoffed and shoved the window closed, satisfied with the click of lock. Forcing myself to turn around, I busied myself picking up a few things that I had left out. Somehow, even though it was just an animal, I could have sworn that I still felt its eyes trained on me.

Surely it's gone now…

I turned back towards the window and rolled my eyes as I saw it was still perched on the branch.

You've got to be kidding me.

"Goodnight little guy," I said softly, shutting the curtains.

I pulled the lamp switch on my tableside lamp and climbed into bed. My lavender candlelight flickered, dimly lighting up my room. I rolled over and extinguished the flame, satisfied with the gentle lavender smell that wafted off of it as I pitched my room into near darkness.

~0~

I got up the next morning and the day pretty much went the same as before. Except today, Elena was fawning over Stefan, oblivious to the fact that Matt was casting longing and jealous glances at her every few minutes. He obviously didn't want her hanging out with Stefan so much.

The day finished and the final bell rang. I finally escaped the crowd and reached the parking lot, bee lining for my vehicle. Suddenly, a black mass zoomed by my hair, the wind off of it just enough to cut through the air. The whoosh had me glancing up into the semi-cloudy sky, curious as to what it was.

Another black bird was perched on a convertible a few cars down. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought it was the same one as last night.

Stupid thing.

I shook my head and got into my car. I drove by the cemetery slowly.

No more gloomy graveyard girl, Caroline. I told myself while stepping on the gas and driving past it, headed home.

When I pulled into the driveway, I noticed the front door wide open.

That's weird. I furrowed my brows as I parked my car and climbed out.

I walked up to the front door and stepped inside.

"Zach? Stefan? You there? You left the front door open!" I called to the seemingly empty house.

I stepped into the living room and the door slammed closed loudly. I whirled around immediately and looked in confusion at the door.

"What the?" I murmured as I turned around and walked back over to the door.

I shrugged. Must have been the wind…

I turned around to be face to face with a tall, dark haired man.

"Holy-!" I gasped, taking a step back.

"Who are you?" I narrowed my eyes and turned my head to the side, plastering on my most suspicious gaze. I couldn't help but to stare at this man who was in my house, an arm's reach away at me. He was strikingly attractive, his frame lightly muscular, clad in a black button up and dark jeans.

He smirked, his- icy blue?- eyes sparkling.

"Who am I? I believe the question is who are you, Blondie?" he continued to smirk down at me and walked around me slowly.

"I live here, I'm Caroline." I explained, my eyes following him warily. "And my name is NOT 'Blondie'."

I absolutely hated when people called me that. It was absolutely infuriating.

He chuckled at my annoyance and stood in front me. "I'm Stefan's brother."

I made a face. "Stefan didn't tell me he had a brother-and neither did Zach."

"Stefan's not one to brag." He shrugged and grabbed my elbow and led me into the living room.

"I'm Damon." We walked down the two steps into the living room and I ripped my arm out of his grasp, not liking the strange prickly feeling that came from his touch.

Ouch.

"So how do you know Zach?" he asked, smirking as I rubbed my arm.

I narrowed my eyes. "He's my godfather."

Damon opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off.

"Caroline, why don't you go to your room?"

Stefan!

I furrowed my brows and looked up at Damon curiously, before glancing over to Stefan.

"Hey, I was wondering where you were," I greeted him.

"Damon. What are you doing here?" He demanded as he walked over and gently led me towards the staircase.

"Stefan…" I mumbled in confusion.

What was so bad about Damon? He seemed nice despite the whole cocky attitude.

"I'm simply talking to our new roommate, Stefan." Damon called and I turned to see him staring at me, a devious grin on his face.

"Caroline…" Stefan insisted yet again and I caved.

"Okay, Stefan. I uh, have homework to do anyways." I said, looking at the new brother once more as I walked up the flight of steps, stopping as soon as I was out of sight.

I sat down at the top stair and listened intently to their conversation.

"You never told me we have a new blonde roommate, Stefan," Damon said and I could hear the smirk in his voice. "You didn't need to know." Stefan retorted. "What are you doing here Damon? I'm not going to ask you again."

"Oh, but I did need to know." He chuckled and continued. "You'll know my purpose here all in good time Stefan. All in good time."

I heard Stefan sigh and footsteps, so I quickly got up and ran as softly as I could to my room, darting inside and shutting the door.

I did what little homework I had and went back downstairs, tired of being cooped up in my room. I walked down the staircase and into the living room, flinching when I saw Damon and Elena talking.

"Elena, hi. What are you doing here?" I asked, and I turned around to see Stefan standing behind me, glaring at his brother.

"Oh, um. I'm sorry, Stefan I should have called." She said, ignoring my question.

"Hi Elena, thanks for stopping by." He replied, but his face was hard and he was glaring at his brother coldly.

"I was just about to show Elena some of our old family portraits." He grinned slyly and looked at me. "Stefan wasn't always such a looker."

I raised an eyebrow. And Stefan spoke. "Maybe you should go Elena, I need to talk to my…brother."

Elena furrowed her brows and opened her mouth, but simply nodded and slowly walked out of the house without another word.

"What did you tell her, Damon?" I saw Stefan blur by me in an attempt to pin Damon against the wall. Sadly for Stefan, his hand was simply holding air.

Where did he go?

I looked around in confusion and was surprised to see Damon sitting on a stair, merely a few feet from where I was standing.

"Ah, so I see Blondie knows about us." Damon commented, his form blurring and reappearing a moment later right in front of me.

I jumped and rolled my eyes as he stared curiously at me.

"Do you really think I'd run that fast if she didn't?" Stefan retorted as he sighed and walked into the living room, and sat down on the couch.

I felt hands on my waist and my world blurred before refocusing in the living room seconds later. My heart was beating out of my chest and I whirled around to see Damon with a smirk on his face. Without thinking, I pulled my hand back and slapped him as hard as I could.

"Don't manhandle me!" I bit out.

We all stood there in silence, letting my action sink in. I realized what I had just done and to whom, and my mouth dropped open in shock.

I anticipated the rosy blush creeping into my cheeks, so I turned on my heel and walked over to the couch, sitting down and promptly picking up the remote and flipping through channels.

Damon scoffed. "You're a brave one aren't you?…or maybe just dumb to slap a vampire in the face."

"Give the girl a break, Damon. You've obviously taken her by surprise." Stefan spoke softly, and I looked at him nervously, thankful for his calm demeanor.

My heart kept up its nervous pitter-patter, and I turned my gaze back on the news channel that was currently on the TV. I heard Damon grumble something under his breath, and I rolled my eyes.

Nothing happened for a few moments, and I looked around, astonished to see both brothers gone. I watched the news for a few minutes, before drifting off.

The sound of glass moving and something pouring woke me from my light sleep.

Huh…? What time is it? I thought groggily, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

Damon's jacket clad back met my eyes as I watched him pour himself a drink from the liquor stock that Zack kept in the cupboard.

"Good Evening, Blondie." He said cockily, turning around with a devilish grin.

I opened my mouth to get onto him about my nickname, but he interrupted me.

"Be happy I'm in a good mood, or your hand would be lying in the trashcan downstairs."

My mouth dropped for the second time that day, and he raised his glass before disappearing upstairs.

No wonder he and Stefan seem to have some unattended drama! Guy's a lunatic! I thought, shaking my head.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. 7 p.m.

The party starts at 8:30! I realized, jumping up off the sofa and racing up to my room to get ready.

I texted Bonnie just before I left the house.

'R U going tonight?'

I finished applying the last bit of mascara and slipped on my boots. My phone dinged and I picked it up.

'Yeah, Elena's riding with me, what about you?'

I grabbed my keys and headed out the door, pausing for a moment to respond.

'Yeah, Stefan said he'd get his own ride there.'

-0-

Bonnie, Elena and I met at the party a bit later, and we stood there and chatted for a few minutes before Elena cheered. "Woo! The party has arrived guys!"

Everyone turned towards her and grinned as she whooped and ran into the pit of slightly drunk kids. I shook my head and glanced at Bonnie who simply grinned in return at Elena's party-girl attitude. Elena had made her way into a pit of dancing kids and I watched with disgust as she started grinding over all the jocks.

"All she needs now is a shirt that says, "A dolla makes me holla!" and she'll be good to go."

Elena chugged a cup of beer and started dancing again. I heard Bonnie stifle a laugh and I looked at her and back to the crowd.

I scoffed and we stood there silently staring at the groups of kids, making out and partying like there was no tomorrow. We looked at each other again and made our way into the party, mingling and having a surprisingly good time for a while.

I saw Bonnie standing alone by the fire, and I walked up to her.

"So you felt a witchy vibe from Stefan? Like a bad, witchy vibe?" I asked Bonnie suddenly, remembering yesterday's conversation.

She furrowed her eyebrows. "I don't know what it was, I just saw like…well, it was like what I imagined pain and just…death to be like." She shivered and I gaped at her.

"Really?" I stared at her and she shrugged.

"I don't know, I'm probably just crazy and a bit drunk." Her gaze drifted to Tyler, who looked hammered as he grabbed the ass of some blonde in a grade below us as they danced in the pit of people. "Not as drunk as him though." We laughed.

"Well, I feel stupid just standing here, I'm going to go hang out with the others…" I started to walk slowly towards some of our other friends. "Coming?"

She sighed and rubbed her head. "No, actually I feel kind of sick…do you mind if you take Elena home for me?"

I sighed. "Be happy I'm your best friend, or else I'd have to say, hell no!" I chuckled.

She grinned. "You're the best, Care!"

"Drive safe!" I called as we walked over through the people and to her car.

I gave her a quick hug before she climbed into her car.

It backed away from the party and left me standing there all alone, deciding what I was going to do.

I glanced at my phone again, when I felt eyes on me. I suppressed a shiver as I glanced up quickly, looking around nervously.

I could have sworn I saw an animal looming in the bushes staring at me, but when I blinked, it was gone.

I scoffed and thought to myself, you're just too paranoid, Caroline, go on and have some fun!

I ran back into the crowd and danced for a while with my friends, when someone grabbed my hips and started dancing with me. Something I did not want to feel brushed against my ass and I stepped forward and whirled around.

"Tyler?!" I exclaimed with a scoff. "What the hell! Get your junk off my ass!"

He rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Don't pretend you weren't having a good time, Forbes."

My scowl deepened. "Go grind all over Vicki Donovan or something, dick."

I turned on my heel and walked away. I really needed some air to clear my head, so I walked out onto the cute little bridge overlooking the Falls. I sighed and stared at the moonlit water, wishing it was deeper so I could swim. I vaguely heard footsteps approach and someone cleared their throat once they came to rest beside me.

"Fancy seeing you here." A deep voice tinted with a British accent murmured.

I turned my head and gasped. "It's you."

There standing before me, was Klaus Mikaelson, the vampire I had been told to stay away from. He was dressed in a pair of dark jeans, gray v-neck t-shirt, and a leather jacket similar to the one he was wearing yesterday. His lips turned up into a strangely familiar wolfish grin, "I have a name, love."

Chills drifted over my body as he stared curiously-almost predatorily at me-, and I racked my brain.

"Klaus." I said, finally meeting his piercing blue-green eyes.

"Bravo, love, bravo." He clapped and grinned again. "So, what's a pretty, popular, party-goer like you doing away from the party?"

I shrugged and turned my head to stare back at the Falls. "I just needed some air." I shrugged again.

"Sure you did. Something wrong, love? I can tell." He pressed, but I didn't say anything.

I looked down at the rushing water, deep in thought.

"So, what's you're sad story, love?" He asked suddenly and I looked up at him.

I raised an eyebrow and stared at him head on.

"I can see it in your eyes, in your actions. Tinged in sadness." He simply stated, leaning against the railing and studying me.

"What makes you think that I'm sad?" I forced a smile on my face, but I knew it wouldn't reach my eyes. Forced smiles were usually like that.

"Well," he chuckled. "We did meet in a graveyard."

I smiled faintly and shrugged. "You don't want to know. It's not exactly party chitchat."

"Well were not at the party," he grinned slyly and I rolled my eyes, giving in.

"My mom and I were driving home a couple months back. It was kind of dark out, and we were driving on Wickery Bridge. A car came out of nowhere and my mom had to swerve to avoid hitting them. We drove off the side of the bridge and into the water. Somehow I survived, but my mom didn't." I turned my head back towards the water and stared out, letting my story sink in.

"You won't be sad forever, Caroline." He said gently and I looked at him curiously, wondering if he actually meant it.

I smiled faintly and looked back towards the party for a moment, wondering if I should head back. I turned back around to tell Klaus goodbye, but he was gone. I stared off into the forest on the other side of the bridge, away from the party, and I could have sworn I saw a wolf looming in the shadows. I easily dismissed it as having too much to drink.

I walked back to the party with a shrug. It was probably almost 10, and I wanted to go home.

"Elena!" I called into the crowd, looking around for my friend.

"Hey, Matt!" I called to her boyfriend, walking up to the sad looking boy. "What's wrong?"

He turned to me and frowned. "Elena and I were talking tonight, and she said she wanted to break up."

I gasped and exclaimed. "Oh! Ugh, that's terrible. But, could I ask you if you know where she went?"

He looked around and shrugged. "I don't know, she just walked off towards the main road."

I frowned. "Well, I was supposed to take her home. Don't know why she would go that way."

Elena's POV

I walked through the crowd, my head down and my phone clutched in my hand. I made my way to the cars and looked around.

Where was Bonnie? She said she would take me home!

I scoffed and kept walking towards the main road.

I'll just call my parents.

I whipped my phone out of my pocket and dialed my house's number.

Let's hope they aren't so mad that they won't come and pick me up.

"Hello?" Aunt Jenna's voice answered.

I sighed. "Hey Aunt Jenna."

I heard her sigh back and she said. "Hey Elena. How's that party going? Better than family night?"

"I'm sorry for leaving. Can I talk to mom for a minute?" I felt terrible for going. I should have just stayed home. But all my friends would have been grilling me for why I didn't go…oh well.

"Sure, here she is." Jenna replied and I heard her call her name, and my mom's voice answered.

"Hey 'Lena."

"Hi Mom," I answered, somewhat guiltily. "Can you come pick me up?" I sniffled and felt tears threatened to spill over. "Matt and I broke up."

"Aw sweetie. I'm sorry!" she paused for a moment, as if thinking. "Isn't Bonnie supposed to take you home? I thought she was your ride." I heard my dad's voice barely in the background.

"She was, but her car is gone. Can you please?" I pleaded with her. I really wanted to go home and just sleep.

My mom sighed and finally gave in. "Fine, but you are going straight to bed. We're going to have to talk about your punishment for skipping out on family night."

She told me with mock sternness. My mom was pretty much laid back. She didn't really care what I did, as long as I kept my grades up and didn't end up pregnant.

I smiled faintly, finally seeing the main road in sight. "Ok. I'm at the main road now. You and dad gonna come and get me?"

I heard keys rustling in the background. "Yeah, we're leaving right now. See you in a little while."

"Okay." I rubbed my eyes and felt the hangover creep over me slowly.

I sat down on the side of the road and waited, playing on my phone to pass the time.

About five minutes later, I heard a single, shrill scream and I jumped, looking around. No one was there, and I figured it was some couple in the woods, screwing against a tree like some kind of animals. I snorted under my breath and ran a hand through my hair. My parents' car pulled up.

"Hey." I said softly as I climbed in.

"Hey." My dad replied, and we headed back home.

Caroline's POV

I heard a scream faintly, and I shrugged it off. Probably some couple or something. I noticed Jeremy, a drink in his hand, stumble off into the woods.

Stupid kid! I cursed under my breath and followed him.