Revised 6/15/20

Maybe worth a re-read, changed dialogue.

Enjoy :)

"Okay, Bonnie, I need you to do some kind of witchy mojo to make the weekend repeat itself, it wasn't long enough!" I whined to Bonnie as we walked into the entrance of Mystic Falls High Monday morning. The weekend had gone by so fast; I had spent most of it cooped up in my room, desperately trying to pass Mr. Mason's class. I had to pass his class this semester; I had lost the leg up on the rest of the grade when I let myself fail last semester.

My curly haired friend simply rolled her eyes as we advanced down the hall to our lockers.

Before she could make a comment about me bringing up her so-called powers, we seemed to simultaneously notice Matt, standing stiffly close to his locker.

"Hey Matt!" I greeted with a smile. Matt turned around, the seemingly ever present glum look on his face. Looking past him, I noticed the source of his brooding – Stefan and Elena.

"Hey Care. Hey Bonnie." he said, turning back to his locker to pretend to poke around inside.

I knew he was simply using this time as an excuse to turn his gaze back the other way, continuing to observe at the new couple.

"What's wrong?" Bonnie asked, frowning. I frowned too and nudged her hard in the side.

"Hey!" she hissed back, and I gave her a look.

"Matt." I said, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I know you like Elena, like, a lot, but let her go. She's not worth it…" I trailed off and he nodded once before turning around and slamming his locker shut, hard enough to make us jump.

I sighed to myself as he stormed off to his first class.

Poor kid.

"Bonnie! Care!" Elena called over to us. "Hey!" she greeted, but I could see the pain from her parents' death in her eyes. We went over to our friend, surprised to see that she still hadn't taken off school, even a couple days.

"How are you?" Bonnie asked, after giving her a hug.

Elena bit her lip and then batted her eyes up at Stefan. "I'm doing better, thanks."

Stefan beamed down at her. "So, girls, I really should get to class so Mr. Gardener doesn't chew me out..." he trailed off and we nodded in acknowledgment. His head dipped down and pressed a kiss to Elena's temple. Her cheeks blushed and he walked off.

Bonnie huffed and ran a hand through her hair. "We need to talk Elena, at lunch." she said as a matter of factly, and I nodded once, having a feeling of what she was speaking of.

Elena groaned in protest but agreed. We then made our way to our first class, and then to our second. After the bell rang we all met one another in the courtyard, where some of the kids were sitting in the grass eating lunch. We picked an empty picnic table under a tree and sat down.

"Yes?" Elena asked curiously.

Bonnie sighed, running a hand through her hair again. "I'm not saying don't date the guy, I'm just saying take it slow." she started, and Elena looked a bit confused.

"But you were the one who said to go for it...?"

"Now I'm saying take it slow." Bonnie retorted, and I cut in, memories of poor Matt from the past couple of days coming to the surface.

"I agree with Bonnie. I understand that you're rebounding from Matt, but don't you think it's only fair to him that you don't parade this new relationship around in front of him?" I paused for a beat, and more words flooded out of my mouth before I could stop myself. "You need to take it slow, a lot of traumatic stuff has happened to you, process it."

Elena scoffed. "I'm fine. Besides, Matt doesn't have to look, not like I'm making him. I dumped him before all this trauma happened. Stefan is helping me fix it." She paused for a moment. "You should be happy that I'm with Stefan now, Caroline! That keeps him away from the Boarding House and gives you more privacy, anyways."

Privacy is not an issue, Elena. I thought to myself. I live with two vampires. They could probably hear anything they wanted to anyways.

Bonnie shook her head, coming to my defense, thankfully. "All we're saying is you're single for the first time in your entire high school career..."

"What is going on with you, Bonnie? A couple months ago you would be totally all for Stefan and I!" She studied her friend, and I was almost positive she finally was putting together all the instances she had acted strangely around Stefan. "What aren't you saying?" Elena prodded, and Bonnie bit her lip.

"It's stupid."

"Bonnie..." Elena practically begged.

"What?" she replied innocently.

"Spit it out." she demanded, slapping her fist on the table.

Bonnie hesitated for a moment before mumbling. "I accidentally touched Stefan and got a really bad feeling."

Elena laughed in disbelief. "IS that it?"

Bonnie didn't respond, simply stared off into the distance.

"Bonnie." I said, shaking her.

"It was bad bad!" fear glinted in her eyes and you could tell she was so unsure about everything.

Elena raised a single eyebrow and scoffed, getting up. "Is this the whole 'witch mojo' thing again?" she demanded, exasperated.

Bonnie and I stood up too, and Bonnie placed a hand on Elena's shoulder. "You know what?" she opened her mouth as if to say something nasty, but seemed to change her mind. "I'm just concerned. This is me, expressing concern about my best friend's new boyfriend."

A smile twitched on Elena's face.

"Hey," I said. "I'm expressing concern here too." I paused. "Or at least trying to."

"And I love you both for it, I do. But I feel good! It's been a hard last few days, and I've grieved my parents the night it happens. They'd want me to get back to normal, and quickly. It's getting back to normal, and Stefan is a big part of being back to normal."

I sighed and raked a hand through my hair. "What about Matt? He could have helped you get back to normal! Matt's a great guy, Elena. I don't appreciate you breaking his heart for no reason."

Matt and I had never been too close, not like Bonnie and I, but we were good friends. He was kind of like my brother, sweet, caring and just awesome.

Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout. "But I like Stefan now. Matt kept talking about marriage and the future." her pout turned into that of a smirk. "I want to live in the moment, not the future!"

I furrowed my brows. Was that girl never happy? Constantly what she wants, what makes her happy. Not what could make everyone happy?

"I have to go." She glanced at her phone, smirking again. "Stefan's calling." and with that, she walked off.

Bonnie and I were speechless as she walked away. As our eyes followed her form into the school, I caught sight of Jeremy sneaking over to the stoner pit behind the school.

"I have to go." I said abruptly, walking quickly after Jeremy.

"Care!" Bonnie called after me.

I turned around and started to walk backwards when Bonnie's brows furrowed. "Watch out!"

I backed into something hard and turned around.

"Oh," I said apologizing already. "I'm sorry."

My eyes met a pair of icy blue ones and I saw Damon standing in front of me.

"Hello Blondie, seen Stef anywhere?"

"I – uh, um." I stuttered and glanced back at Bonnie, who was already walking to the building.

"You know," he said. "It helps if you actually walk forwards, instead of backwards. Your hair might be affecting your brain."

I whirled back around after I felt his fingers brush my neck as he picked up a strand of hair.

"I don't know where your brother is, Damon, and I don't have time to deal with you right now." I batted his hand away and started to stride off after Jeremy, who was now out of sight.

I heard Damon striding after me, his footsteps easily just a tad bit faster than mine.

"Caroline, why the rush?" his lithe fingers grasped my wrist and stopped me in my tracks. He studied my face for a moment, and then looked over at the stoner pit, concentrating. "Ah." he mused aloud after a moment. "I see, you're worried about baby Gilbert." he paused again, obviously concentrating on his voice. "He's arguing with the tasty – uh – some girl."

My stomach went in knots when he said tasty, thinking back to the other night on the roof with Vicki.

I shuddered but looked away from the fence between Jeremy and I, and looked back at Damon. "Thank you for informing me, I think." I tore my hand away, almost forgetting it was in his grasp and started walking back into the school. "I have class to go to."

Once I was at the entrance, I glanced over my shoulder to see that there was no dark haired man behind me, to my relief.

At the end of the day, I ran into Bonnie, and then we ran into Elena and Stefan.

"Hey Bonnie," he nodded at her. "Caroline." he smiled at the both of us and Bonnie returned a small smile back.

"Hey, um, Care, I have to go see my Grams, I promised I'd go visit her today after school. Um, bye guys." Bonnie quickly walked away and I looked at Elena, who looked at me. We exchanged a knowing look before Stefan spoke.

"Well," he said with a sigh. "She doesn't like me very much."

Elena laid a hand on his forearm. "She doesn't know you." she looked at me, shooting me a thankful look for not leaving, even though I voiced my dislike for her new relationship. "Bonnie's our best friend, She's just looking out for me. When she does know you though." she paused, a bright smile covering her face. "She'll love you."

I glanced over Stefan's shoulder, tuning out the two's conversation. Matt, Tyler, and some freshmen were throwing around a football. I saw Tyler say something, and Matt scowl.

"Caroline?" Elena's shrill voice cut into my brain, and I looked back at her.

"Yeah?"

"You, Bonnie, Stefan and I. My house. Dinner at 8:00." she announced.

"I don't know if -" I started to say.

"No ifs, ands, or buts about it! Us four will spend some quality time together and everyone gets to see what a great guy you are. Mission accomplished!" she grinned and clapped her hands together.

I looked at Stefan, to see what he thought about this. He was smiling, but I could tell by his eyes his mind was a mile away. Over his shoulder, I saw Tyler throw the football at Stefan.

"St-" Elena and I started to say, but Stefan whirled around before we could even open our mouths. His hands shot out and caught the ball.

Elena and I both looked at Matt and Tyler, who both wore shocked expressions.

We continued to talk, well, Elena continued to blab about how Stefan showed Mr. Tanner up by knowing a bunch of history dates better than him.

My phone rang, stopping Elena' monologue, to my lovely surprise.

"Hello?" I answered, walking a few feet away so I wouldn't interrupt Elena or Stefan.

"Hey Care!" it was Bonnie. "You're coming to cheer practice later today, right?"

I slapped my forehead. "Oh! That's right! I totally forgot! Tell the girls I might be a bit late, okay? I left my things at home."

"Alright, see you there!" Bonnie said, and we hung up.

I told Elena and Stefan goodbye and went to my car. I drove home quickly, seriously hoping I wouldn't run into the elder Salvatore again.

Once I got my cheer uniform and a change of clothes, I went back to school. When I arrived, I was a bit late.

"Hey girls!" I said, waving as I jogged over to the already practicing girls.

"Oh my god!" Elena and Bonnie exclaimed, grinning. "You're here!"

"Yup!" I grinned adjusting my pony-tail. "Can't be sad girl forever, right Elena?" she nodded and grinned at me. "The only way to get things back to the way they used to before the whole wreck, is this!" I smiled even wider.

"Oh!" Elena exclaimed, looking over at Bonnie. "Dinner, 8 tonight. You, me, Caroline, and Stefan. No excuses. You have to give him a chance."

Bonnie frowned and continued to stretch. "Tonight's no good." she looked around, obviously trying to find something to change the subject to. "Hey." she said to the group. "Has anyone seen Alyssa?"

Everyone chimed no, and we furrowed our brows.

"Don't change the subject, Bonnie Bennett!" Elena commanded. "You're going to be there."

"But-" she started to protest, only to be cut off by Elena yet again. "You're going."

"Fine." she mumbled, and Elena bobbed her head once.

"Good."

A while later, after we all were sweaty and had been practicing our cheers – well I tried to keep up, but failed epically – I asked. "Where's Alyssa? She's co-captain, why isn't she here yet?"

Elena shrugged, only to hear a car pull up a minute later.

"Oh my god, what is Alyssa doing with mystery guy from the night of the comet?"

Alyssa kissed her chauffeur before climbing out of the car in the shortest shorts I had ever seen on her, and a tank top. She wore a scarf around her neck, and I immediately got suspicious.

"That's not a mystery guy that's-" Alyssa cut me off before I could even continue.

Revised slightly 6/15/20

~0~

"Klaus Mikaelson." a smirk drifted over her face. "Yes, he's in college, he's hot, I know, and yes, he's brand spanking new."

She turned and watched him drive away.

Another car drove up a moment later, and I saw Damon in the driver seat. He had his shades on, trying to be 'cool'. Probably more like the sun hurt his eyes. I hope he burned his retinas out. An irritated smirk appeared on my face, and it grew as he drove slowly by, waving at us. He drove away, headed towards the football field. Part of me wondered where he was going, while another part of me didn't care. At all.

"Okay girls! Let's start with the double pike herkey hurdler, what do you say?" Alyssa flipped her light brown pony over her shoulder and adjusted her booty shorts. She reminded me of myself freshman year. I'd just grown out of all my 'baby-fat' and I was a bit of a narcissistic diva, always trying to be the best cheerleader. Ah, who am I kidding, I'm still a narcissistic diva...just...not as bad as her.

"And..." Alyssa started to count, and I kept up, only faltering a few times. I hadn't practiced in months, I lost my flexibility, and my mind kept wandering, so by the end of the routine, I was just standing there stretching, trying to not get too frustrated.

"Caroline, sweetie, why don't you just observe today?" Alyssa simpering voice broke me out of my thoughts.

I huffed in frustration and nodded. I walked over to the football field, following Elena, who also announced she wanted to take a quick breather.

"Hey." I said, trying to be friendly.

"Hi." she replied, before something across the way caught her attention. She squealed. "Oh. My. Goodness." she clapped her hands together. "I knew Stefan would try out for the team!" she beamed and waved at him. While he was distracted, Tyler threw the ball, and he and Matt collided. They both fell to the ground.

Elena gasps and starts to run over, only to be blocked by Coach Tanner.

"Was he alright?" I asked as she came back over.

She shrugged. "Dunno, the jerk wouldn't let me see him."

I glanced at my phone. Cheer practice was over now, or would be in five minutes. "Hey, I'm going to head home, okay?"

She waved once. "Alright. And don't forget. Dinner. My house. 8 p.m."

I grinned a bit and nodded before jogging to my car, only to find Klaus leaning against his own, which was parked next to mine.

"Love." he nodded once at me, a smirk on his face.

"Klaus." I said back, studying him uncertainly. I wanted to say, I'd appreciate if you didn't use my friend as a blood-bag, but I refrained.

Self control, Caroline, self control.

"What are you doing here?" I said instead.

He shrugged. "Just waiting for my girlfriend." He gauged my reaction as I unlocked my car door.

"Oh." I smiled at him and waved once before climbing into my car. "See you around."

I shut my door, and could have sworn I heard him say, "Yes, yes you will." but I wasn't sure due to the door being a sound barrier.

I drove home to find Stefan and Damon talking – er Damon talking, Stefan irritatedly listening.

"I gotta run. I have a date. Sweaty palms." he shook his hands out, then smiled cheekily at me as he noticed my presence. "Wish me luck." he winked at me and I raised an eyebrow.

"Damon has a date?' I asked in disbelief and heard him yell.

"I DO INDEED!" he reappeared in the living-room, right in front of me, causing me to jump. "Be jealous." he poked my collar bone. "Because. It's not. With. You." he smirked down at me and disappeared again, the front door slamming a sign of his departure.

I rolled my eyes. "I pity the girl who has to deal with him all day."

Stefan laughed. "I think the world does." he plopped down on the sofa. "So. Are you going to Elena's dinner party tonight?"

I sighed and shrugged. "I guess. I don't know what she's trying to prove to me. I know all about you and I like you well enough. As a brother, of course." I added the last part, shrugging.

He smiled and shrugged as well. "I think you should go." he picked up a journal, shutting it. "But that's just me."

I nodded thoughtfully. "I don't want to butt into your relationship and your decision on who you date, but I-" I stopped, feeling a bit like I was overstepping. I tended to do that. I heaved a sigh, chewing on my lip. "I don't know…sorry I said anything."

Stefan regarded me for a moment. "Elena is fast paced in some regards, I know." he offered me a small smile. "You're just looking out for your friends."

I pushed my hair behind my ear, thankful that Stefan was kind. "Yeah, I guess. Well..okay, I'm going to go do homework or something."

Stefan reopened the book in his hands and leaned back into the sofa.

I headed upstairs and into my room. After I changed into a potential outfit for Elena's I sat down on my window seat, staring out the window for a moment before starting to journal.

Dear Diary,

So, Elena wants me to go to this dinner party at her house with Stefan, Bonnie and her. I don't know what she's trying to prove to me. I live with Stefan and know all about him. I might go, I might not. Don't know yet.

I haven't talked to you in a while, which is bad because Zach would throw a fit if he found out.

I journaled out the night of the comet, my emotions surrounding Klaus and Alyssa, Damon attempting to protect me from Klaus, him stroking my neck when he tempted Stefan, my school frustrations and then finally, my friend frustrations. After a page and a half, I felt a bit better, so I decided to sign off.

Well, I better get going.

Caroline

I shut my journal with a soft thud. It was already 7 p.m. I realized, glancing over to my analog clock. My decision on whether or not to go over to Elena's was still up in the air, so I decided to take a quick shower. If I did end up going over, I didn't want to be all sweaty and stinky. I got a quick shower and hopped out, taking time to briefly apply some makeup and blow dry my hair. I left it down in it's usual curls, and applied a bit of powder, mascara, and lip-gloss. By this time, it was already 8 p.m. My stomach growled, and I finally decided. Elena's it was.

I smoothed out my simple dark wash jeans and pink blouse, before jogging downstairs and into the study, where Zach spent most of his time.

"Zach?" I called, knocking lightly on the door.

"Caroline?" I heard, muffled. "C'mon in."

I stepped in, a small smile on my face. "Hey. Er – I was going to head over to Elena's for dinner. We're having a little dinner party. Stefan, Elena, Bonnie and I." I nodded once. "Wait. Is that okay?"

Zach finally turned around from the bookshelf and smiled slightly. "That's fine Caroline. Go on ahead."

I thanked him and quickly headed to my car. The drive into town was quick, and I reached Elena's around 8:20.

Elena greeted me, stating that they were all in the dining room eating. I got my plate quickly and sat down next to Bonnie.

"Did Tanner give you a hard time today?" Elena broke the uneasy silence that had settled over the room. Bonnie and Stefan were both at loss for what to say before Elena spoke up. I was a bit at loss too. I wanted them to be friends, but I didn't know how to make that happen.

Stefan chewed thoughtfully for a moment. "Well," he swallowed, and a brief look of unease passed over his face, so fast that I almost didn't catch it.

He must not like human food. I'll have to ask him later. I made a mental note and he continued.

"He let me on the team, so I must have done something right."

Elena's face lit up. "Bonnie, you should have seen Stefan today." she bragged, batting her long – probably false – lashes at him as she talked. "Tyler threw a ball right at him and..."

Bonnie smiled apprehensively. "Yeah, I heard." I raised an eyebrow at her. She practically cut her friend off.

"Um, Bonnie, why don't you tell Stefan about yourself?" I suggested, finally speaking up.

She furrowed her brows. "Uh, I don't know what to say..."

"Tell him about your family?" Elena put in, and Stefan's face grew curious.

"Um, divorced. No mom. Live with my dad..." she explained trailing off.

"No, silly." Elena giggled. "About the witches!"

Stefan didn't look surprised. "Your family is a lineage of witches, right Bonnie?" I asked.

She nodded, not saying anything.

"It's so cool." Elena gushed, sounding like a typical school girl. "She genuinely has had some weird experiences!"

Her friend visibly stiffened. "That's not the word I'd use, but uh…yeah, weird is definitely right."

Stefan set down his fork, his plate empty. "Well, it's certainly interesting. I'm not too versed, but I do know that there's a history of Celtic druids that-"

I cut him off. "Migrated here in the 1800's right?" everyone looked a bit shocked.

I smirked. "Our teacher talked about it freshman year. That was the one thing I was interested in."

People often seemed to forget that last year I was in advanced classes – it was only until having to retake Mr. Tanner's class that I got just a smidge behind, seeing as how that 'F' tanked my overall average.

"My family came by way of Salem." a dark look passed over her eyes and we continued to chat about the witches' history and Bonnie slowly got to know Stefan better. I could tell by the time we were sitting in the living-room that they were going to be friends. We were still on the topic when the door rang. Elena, Bonnie, and Stefan were still deep in conversation.

"I'll get it." I offered. I got up off my seat and walked to the door, swinging it open to reveal someone whom I was not pleased to see.

"Alyssa, hi?" I said uncertainly. I could see another figure's outline, but I couldn't make out who it was.