If you want to see the outfits I make up for each chapter, go to my profile and look for the "Everything Changes" outfits" link! Each outfit is labeled with the chapter it comes from! :)

Previously on Everything Changes...

Damon sat on the couch in the living room, staring into the fire blazing in the fireplace. He took a long swig of bourbon, trying to determine the best way to deal with the Jackass-Ezra issue. His younger brother entered.

"We have a major problem, Stefan," Damon said, not turning around. "And when I say major problem, I mean global crisis. It seems Uncle Jackass and Uncle Ezra have..." He turned around, and Stefan did not look okay.

"Caroline's not here," Stefan said as a matter of factly. "Good." Legs trembling, he eased himself into the seat next to the couch where Damon was settled.

"You don't look so good. Its different this time, isn't it? The need is too strong. Of course it would be after all these years," Damon chuckled dryly, and got up. Placing the glass on the table by Stefan, he touched his shoulder, looking at him.

"Have a good night, brother."

Damon left, but paused outside the door, listening intently.

Inside, Stefan stared at the glass, a dark part of him daring himself to take it and drink.

Reaching out to the glass, his fingertips brushed the chilled surface, and he greedily brought it to his mouth. He downed the blood in one gulp. He stared at the empty cup in his hand and growled, throwing it into the fireplace.

Caroline's POV

I woke the next morning on Elena's bed. We'd spent most of the night talking about Stefan and what'd gone on last night.

Elena was changing, I'd noticed. She was beginning to realize the severity of the situation we were in. It was easier for me to be friends with her now as well. She was being more compassionate, more caring. It was nice to finally see that part of her.

~Late last night~

"Zach wants us to move," I mumbled, beginning to fall asleep. "He thinks that we aren't safe at the Boarding House, and that he's breaking a promise he made to my mom – that'd he keep me safe..."

"Stefan attacked me, the other day," Elena replied quietly. "We were...kissing...and he vamped out and almost attacked me." I could tell by the heaviness in her voice that she was just as tired as I was.

"Was it yesterday evening?" I asked, thinking back to when he'd almost lost control around me.

"Mhmm..." she murmured. "He felt really bad about it, I could tell." She exhaled heavily. "I hate how conflicted he is about all of this."

I nodded, and stared at Elena in the dim moonlight that was filtering in through her window.

"Do you want to move?" She suddenly queried, and I shrugged.

"Want to? No...But do I think it would be for the best if we did?" I nodded. "I hate being so helpless around vampires. I want to be strong and able to fight them off. Being a damsel in distress all the time is just..." I growled, not able to find the right word.

"I understand," she whispered, and offered a small smile. "I'm sure..." she said slowly, sleep overtaking her. "Ric...could...teach you."

I hummed thoughtfully, rolling over. Drowsiness overtook my brain and I fell asleep.

"Good morning," I said to Elena, whom had just exited the bathroom.

"Morning, Care," she smiled warmly at me, and I noticed a cup of coffee in her hand.

"Ooo, there's coffee downstairs?"

Elena nodded and I grinned, jogging downstairs into the Gilbert's warm kitchen.

"Hey Jenna," I greeted.

The auburn haired lady glanced up from her laptop and smiled. "Caroline! Morning!"

I pulled a mug out of the cabinet and filled the cup up, leaving room for a bit of cream and sugar. After fixing the cup to my liking, I headed back upstairs.

Elena and I spent our morning eating pancakes we'd decided to make, and watching Clueless and Dirty Dancing. After an uneventful yet enjoyable morning, I said goodbye and thanked Jenna for allowing me to stay over.

I arrived home, only to find Stefan no where to be found. Damon and Klaus, on the other hand, were in the parlor.

After further exploration, I saw Zach's keys in the bowl by the front door, and decided he was probably in his room catching up on sleep.

"Hello, Caroline," Klaus greeted as I walked through the parlor and into the kitchen.

I stopped in the doorway of the kitchen, sensing him behind me.

"Klaus." I turned around. "Hi."

Sure enough, he was standing behind me, a few feet away. Damon was perched on the arm of the couch, a glass of blood in his hand.

"What are you two talking about?" I smiled, moving my eyes back to Klaus'.

"Ah, just your dastardly Uncle and his Jackass of a companion," Damon said smoothly, setting down his glass and coming over to me.

"You didn't come home," Damon commented, wiggling his eyebrows as if I had a hot date.

"Yeah," I agreed vaguely. "I didn't."

For some reason, I didn't want him to know I'd been at Elena's – or that I had already decided to move out with Zach. Part of me wanted to see how he would react if we just up and left one morning.

"Where were ya then?" His intense gaze peered into my eyes. I felt heat rise to my cheeks.

"Around," I replied vaguely, before turning around and heading into the kitchen.

I grabbed a cup from the cupboard and filled it up with water, sensing the boys had followed me inside. I'd taken note of the weird feeling I got when any of the vampires were near me. It only tended to happen when I couldn't see them. My skin would crawl uncomfortably and my ears would get a slight ringing noise in them.

I wasn't sure what it could have possibly been from, but I wasn't too curious to find out. Probably just me being the neurotic, paranoid, control-freak that I am.

"I was at Elena's," I said as I turned around.

Sure enough, they were both hovering in the hallway, peering deviously inside.

"What did you guys do now?" Narrowing my eyes at them, I squeezed between them and headed back towards the staircase.

Damon started to explain, but I cut him off with a 'uh!'.

"Actually," I made a disgusted face. "I don't even want to know." I waved my hand and took a sip of my water, padding up the stairs.

~0~

After I had finished putting my things away and taking a shower, my phone vibrated. I didn't recognize the number, but I opened the message anyways.

To Caroline →

care, it's your unc ezra. would u like 2 have a get to know u dinner at the Mexican restaurant in town 2nite?

I smiled slightly.

To Ezra →

Sure, which one & what time?

Send.

I finished blow-drying my hair, waiting on the response message.

After it had completely dried, I checked my phone again

To Caroline →

El Matador & at 6?

The message read. Glancing at the small digital clock on my phone, I noticed it was already 4:30.

To Ezra →

k that sounds good! C u there!

Send.

I finished getting ready, taking my time. I didn't want to be ready too early, because then I would have to lounge around for a while.

The time to leave rolled around, and I stared at my reflection. I was wearing a soft cream floral shirt, white pants, a jean jacket, and my favorite light pink heels. My hair was in loose curl-waves and my makeup was light and natural. Slinging my brown bag over my shoulder, I trotted down the stairs and headed out the door.

I arrived at El Matador a few minutes before six, and decided to head in, just in case he'd already went inside.

"Hi," the young lady greeted me from behind the hostess' booth. "Just you?"

I shook my head, and stared searchingly at the crowd. "I'm here for my uncle."

His blonde hair caught my gaze, and I gestured to him. "Thank you anyways."

The lady nodded and I made my way to the row of booths. The booths were a dark orange, and another row was on the far side of the closest row, separated by a privacy divider. The divider had little avocados and black swirls intricately painted on them, and it gave the restaurant a good atmosphere.

"Hey," I greeted nervously, my stomach knotting.

"Caroline!" Ezra beamed widely at me. "I'm glad you could make it!"

I returned the smile and slid into the booth.

The waiter glided over to our table and took our drink orders. Ezra had chosen an unsweetened tea, while I decided to have water with lemon.

"So, Care – you don't mind if I call you Care, right?"

I smiled and shook my head, and he continued.

"Tell me something about yourself."

I thought for a while, sipping slowly on the drink the waiter had just sat in front of me.

"Well, I'm a junior and I turned 17 back in October."

I decided to start with the basics, and hoped he would ask questions so I could respond easier. I mean sure, I was a girl, and I did enjoy talking about myself, but sometimes it was hard to know what to say. I didn't want to make him think I'm a total airhead.

He nodded, absorbing the information. "What classes are you taking?"

"Algebra 2, English, American History and Interior Design this semester. I'm not sure what I'm going to take next semester yet," I replied and he smiled, nodding.

"I always hated math when I was in school. Your dad loved it," Ezra chuckled, and looked down at the menu.

"Really?" I asked, keeping my eyes on my own menu. "What was he like? My dad, I mean."

Ezra sighed and tapped his thumb idly on the menu. "Bill is...kind, for the most part. Definitely stubborn as a mule, loyal as possible, and loves family. You in particular." He shut the menu, seemingly making up his mind. "I remember when he found out that Liz was having a girl. They couldn't decide on a name for you. Your mom wanted Eliza, but your dad was so set on Caroline. He'd always ask all his friends which name they thought was better. Most of them picked Caroline."

He smiled, his eyes getting a faraway look in them. "He wanted a daughter, someone he could dote over and protect. Mom didn't really do either to him and I, so I think he enjoyed having the prospect of a daughter."

I held eye contact with him, but broke away and smiled. I glanced down at the menu and decided on a simple chicken enchilada.

"Mom never really talked much about him, and refused to mention you." I grabbed a chip and dipped the corner into salsa. "I know you two didn't get along."

Ezra did the same as I did, popping a chip into his mouth. After swallowing, he nodded. "Truth be told, we dated our freshman and sophomore years. I, being a hormonal and selfish teenage boy, cheated on her with her best friend." He made a face, appearing a bit embarrassed. "I can see why she hate- didn't like me."

We continued this pattern of chit-chat until our food arrived.

"So, I heard that Miss Mystic Falls is coming up in a few days," Ezra said after swallowing his bite of taco.

He'd ordered a beef taco and a beef chimichanga, both of which he'd drenched in special hot sauce.

I nodded, as I still was chewing my enchilada.

"Are you going to be in it this year?"

"Mmm." I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know if I got picked this year. I mean yeah, I was doing lots of volunteer work before my mom died...but I dropped out of cheer leading and having been helping in the community much since then." I smiled uncertainly. "If I get selected like last year, then great! But if not, then that's okay too."

"I understand," Ezra said nonchalantly. "So, I noticed your friend Angelica is flaunting around a guy on her arm. Matt Donovan, right?"

I thought of Matt's rebound girl, and mentally commented how Matt was in fact, toting Angelica instead of the other way around.

"Yeah, why?" I said instead of commenting on Matt's rebound status.

"I'm surprised you don't have some boy following you around like that," he said, mouth partially full. "Pretty girl like you, smart. I bet you have to beat them away with sticks."

I grimaced wryly. "No boys, not really at least. I mean, my godfather's nephews, Stefan and Damon, they're great, but Stefan's more like my brother. Damon's like that annoying jock who you just want to kick where the sun doesn't shine all the time."

Ezra laughed, throwing his head back and looking a bit embarrassed when some of the people turned to look.

"Damon and Stefan Salvatore." he chuckled again, as if he couldn't help himself. "The things I've heard about those two."

I laughed with him, suddenly nervous. What could he have possibly heard?

My uncle suddenly got serious, and he stared at me intensely. "I don't like how much you hang out with the two of them. Shouldn't you hang out with people more... your age...and your own species, perhaps?"

"More my age?" I asked in confusion. "My species? What are you even talking about?"

"Yes, Caroline, I know how complicated it can be being pals with two vampires. I'm sure you know all about it. The blood lust and everything."

My stomach dropped, and I was no longer hungry for the remnants of the food that was still on my plate.

His gaze concentrated on my eyes, gauging my reaction.

Play it cool, Caroline. Don't let him get a rise outta you. I calmed myself, and forced an uncertain look.

"What the hell?" I frowned, trying my best to not overreact, as much as I wanted to. "Damon's only like 25, and Stefan's my age!" I protested, throwing my hands up. "And what right do you have to judge my friends, and who I can and can't hang out with? You literally just came into my life. And for that whole vampire/not my species thing, I think you better go get checked out. Vampires aren't real."

I scowled, gathering my things.

"You know," Ezra said, mostly to himself. "You have to."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Mr. Forbes." I scowled deeper, throwing down a five onto the table. I slid out of my seat. "I would say I enjoyed getting to know you, but that'd be a lie."

Storming out of the restaurant, I hopped into my car and sped off towards Zach's work.

~0~

Third Person POV

Kelly Donovan sat on the other side of the divider, and had been ease dropping on the Forbes' dinner. When Caroline reacted badly to Ezra's mention of vampires, Kelly nodded slowly to herself. Caroline knew about vampires. Her boss would be...interested – to say the least – about this piece of information finally confirmed. Perhaps she could take some time off, stay home with Matty. She missed him. She loved her knew 'job' of sorts, but it wasn't like it used to be. Kelly dug into the taco salad, smirking.

~0~

Caroline's POV

A few minutes later, I pulled into the small parking lot across the street. Carefully jogging across the street, I entered the building.

"Hi, Missy," I said to the secretary, whom had gotten used to me bringing Zach food over the summer. "I'm just gonna head back to see Zach."

Missy nodded, her auburn curls bobbing. "Okay, Caroline. He shouldn't be busy." she called after me.

I went down the hall, turning down the first corridor and coming to his office, which sat in the front right side of the building.

I knocked twice before entering, which was my usual greeting.

"Caroline." Zach glanced up from his desk. He had his reading glasses perched on his nose, and he looked a bit surprised to see me.

"How was your dinner?"

Seething, I shut the office door harshly, and slumped down on the couch.

"He knows about Damon and Stefan, Zach." I plopped my head in my hands. "He literally called them out on it. Didn't beat around the bush or anything."

Zach took his reading glasses off and leaned forward in his chair. "Really?"

I nodded furiously. "Didn't even try to be quiet or subtle about it!"

"Did he threaten you?"

Pushing my hair behind my ears, I mumbled. "I- I don't think so. At least not directly. The whole thing started out normal." I sighed and met Zach's gaze. "We talked about my dad, school, Mystic Falls, and then he commented about how I didn't have a boy on my arm and I just said that the only guys in my life were Stefan and Damon, but I didn't want to date either of them."

Zach hummed thoughtfully. "I don't know how he could have known about Damon and Stefan. Perhaps you can ask Damon more about it."

I made a face, not really wanting to talk to Damon. "I guess I could."

We sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, letting the new information stew in our minds for a while.

"I've decided on what I'd like to do." I piped up. "I think it's best that we move out." I nodded, mostly to myself.

I think it was then I felt a great weight of stress lift off my shoulders and a blanket of security took its place.

Zach cracked a grin. "I've been looking for a while, actually. If not for you and me, just for myself. I never wanted to force you to come with me. Promise or not."

"Did you find one?" I queried. "An apartment, I mean?"

He nodded. "Close to town, too."

"The one on Founders' Street?" I specified curiously, and he nodded.

"That's the one."

I pictured the tall, brick building. I'd never been inside, but I'd walked by the homely apartment complex to know it was very well kept.

I sighed, and pulled my knees to my chest.

"I know how much you wanted him to be normal, Care," Zach said gently, and got up from his desk chair. He padded over to me, and I couldn't help but to crack a smile when I saw he was wearing fuzzy navy blue slippers. I scootched over and he took a seat beside me, giving me a hug.

"It was so great at first," I said, face now buried between my knees. "But then the vampires came into my life, and ruined everything. All I want is just one relative who is in the dark about everything. Who'll just be there for me, and be human!"

Zach's arm gave me a tight squeeze, and I felt tears prickle in my eyes.

"If it'll make you feel any better, you got into Miss Mystic Falls Pageant this year."

I expected my heart to jump excitedly inside my chest, but it only made me more upset.

Mom wouldn't be here to see me!

Last year, I'd been on the court, but I wasn't quite old enough to be in the main ceremony dance and everything.

"Aren't you excited?" Zach asked quietly. "Your mom told me how much you couldn't wait till this year's."

I pulled my face out and into the open. No tears had fallen, but I still felt the knot of emotion in my chest.

"I guess I am." I forced myself to smile. Today had been icky enough, I wasn't going to let myself stay on the pity pot forever.

Zach ordered us takeout Chinese food. We sat in his office, myself eating egg rolls, him his noodles, and watched Netflix. We watched Friends for a few hours, by the time we'd finished the food and the second episode of Friends, it was 9 o'clock.

"Wanna head home?" I looked up from my phone, where I'd ignored Ezra's fourth call that night.

"Yeah. Meet you there?" I asked, jingling my keys.

He nodded, and we went our separate ways.

We both arrived home at the same time, and I assisted Zach with the empty boxes in his trunk.

Stefan wasn't home, and I heard Damon fumbling around in his room doing god knows what.

"Thanks Zach." I said lowly, motioning to the boxes. "When would you like to...relocate?"

"Honestly, Care, the sooner the better. Before one of us talks our self out of it."

I nodded, looking around at my room.

"You don't have to take everything, just stuff you'll need. We can buy new beds and couches."

"Alright." I bent over and tugged my large teal suitcase from under my bed, and plopped it down on my bed. "We better get started," I murmured, and he nodded, exiting quietly. Kicking off my shoes and putting them back, I quickly changed into sweats and a sweater and got started.

I spent the next five hours with my ear buds in my ears, and packed up most of my stuff. I had just zipped up my clothing filled suitcase when I sensed another presence.

"What are you doing?" I heard faintly, and I took off my headphones.

Looking to the sound of the voice, I saw Stefan, looking a bit rugged.

"Stefan," I commented, straightening. "Hi."

"What's going on, Care?" Stefan walked into my room, hands shoved in his jacket pockets. His gaze raked over my bare walls and mostly empty dressers.

I had left a couple of pairs of shorts and pants that I didn't wear that often, some books, a box of art stuff, my old converse and heels, and a few other things out. Everything else, other than tomorrow's outfit, was packed.

"Zach and I decided to move out for a while," I tried to decide the best way I could possibly explain everything to Stefan, without making myself feel like I was abandoning him. "He made a promise to my mom before she died that he would keep me out of all this stuff - vampires and everything. He wants a place where only humans can go into. Someone he knows I'll be safe."

Stefan stony gaze met mine suddenly. "I would never hurt you, Caroline."

I bit my lip and looked away. "I know, Stef, I do, but Zach...he wants me to be safe."

He exhaled harshly, and raked a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry all of this has happened to you."

I cocked my head to the side, my eyes meeting his once more.

"The vampires, the drama, my unstable qualities..." Stefan sat on my window seat. "Can I explain to you why human blood makes me so...reckless?"

This piqued curiosity deep inside me. I'd always wondered what he meant by 'Ripper' and why he had such a problem, whilst Damon and Klaus seemed to be able to exist and drink with great ease.

"Please do." I sat in my desk chair, and faced him.

"I never wanted to be a vampire." Stefan begun, staring at my blank wall. "Nor did Damon. But when my father shot me and Damon, we had vampire blood in our system, and we turned..."

Stefan continued to explain his story, about how he stayed away from blood for so long and then finally gave in. His ripper status came and went over the years, and he was finally able to beat it right before he came to Mystic Falls.

"But I'm fine now," Stefan insisted. "I'm in control this time. Something's different."

I studied Stefan's expression, and something made me wonder whether or not he was telling the truth.

I didn't comment on it, however, and smiled.

"That's good, Stefan." I kept my smile on my face. "I'm so excited – but I'm still moving out, you know. Maybe not permanently, but just until everything dies down."

He was silent as he rose to his feet. "It's late, I'll let you go to bed then." He dipped his head and departed.

"G'night, Stef," I mumbled as he left the room.

The door clicked shut behind him, and I stood, stretching. The clock read 4:15 a.m. groaning, I realized how tired I actually was. Shutting off the light, I kicked off my socks and climbed into bed.

The next morning, I woke up to find Damon looming over me, bright eyes staring into my just opened green ones.

I screeched and scooted away, successfully ending up on the floor on the far side of my bed.

"I definitely won't miss that." I thought to myself. "What a rude awakening."

"Thinking out loud, I see." Damon smirked and jumped on my bed, peering over the edge at me. "Where ya going, Blondie? Narnia?"

I felt heat rush to my face, knowing that I said that out loud, what else did I say out loud? Some things I didn't want anyone to know but me.

"No, Damon. I'm moving out. Zach and I both." I got up, brushing myself off.

"Why?" He leaned back on my bed, putting his hands behind his head. "You know you'll miss me."

I rolled my eyes, scoffing. "Get off, Damon, I have to take my sheets off and put them up."

Damon's figure blurred and suddenly the blankets were on the floor in a crumpled heap. "There. Folded."

I raised a brow, and gestured to the pile. "More like rolled into messy bunches, but alright."

Walking around the bed, I scooped up the blankets and put them into the box I had assigned them to the night before. "Do you think Stefan's okay this time?" I suddenly asked. "He told me about how he became a ripper and everything, and he said this time was different. What do you think?"

Damon's wild brows lowered, and he stared off before responding. "All I know is my little brother's self-control hasn't always been the best, and you'd think little Elena would be all the more reason to gain self-control. But – blood bags have been going missing, and unless the tomb vampires are getting them..." he shrugged, and looked back at me.

"Oh," I mumbled, not really knowing what else to say. What was I supposed to say to that, anyways? I'd only known Stefan for about 6 months, while his brother had known him for over 100 years.

"Oh," Damon repeated and threw a letter onto my bare bed. "Mail for you."

I picked it up, and read the words in the clear cutout.

You've been selected to participate in the Miss Mystic Falls Pageant.

"Need an escort?" Damon wiggled his eyebrows at me as he read the title over my shoulder.

I rolled my eyes for the second time that morning and went into my bathroom, locking the door behind me.

"Hmm," I heard Damon murmur outside the door. "Wonder what that means? Yes maybe?"

"That's a NO, Damon!" I said through the door.

Hi guys!

I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long! School got really overwhelming, and then there was Halloween and my birthday! (11-03 in case you're wondering) ;) I'm finally 17! I hope you enjoyed this little chapter I decided to insert before Miss Mystic Falls - which I'll start working on shortly!

Kudos to my fabulous beta, as usual! She's always great at picking out my mistakes! (which usually is when I put a . at the end of a dialogue line instead of a , )

QOTC: How do you feel about Caroline packing up and moving out?

xx Kim