TRIBULATION

chapter seven – scars

Caroline felt lost in this world, she felt like a fifteen year old again trying to find your place on this earth. She sighs as today was a very hot day in mystic falls and it would raise concern if she wore a long sleeve or sweater again, to school.

She felt naked without covering her shoulders and arms as she had a palish-pink scar that blade into her. She had three that had never recovered and she wondered why it never completely healed, but she thinks she needs to start feeling comfortable in her own skin.

With the tiremoss bags that seem bottomless as her bright iries shine brightly, not in joy but in exhaustion. Her pale blondish hair is loose as she placed a white headband on, with two pieces of her hair in front of her face.

She was wearing a thin, whitish crop top that showed a bit of her ivory skin, and a bit of her new tattoo; she paired it with a loose but fitted white mini skirt as one of her scars was very visible on her thigh but she ignored it. She paired with her black high top converse.

Shaking off her thoughts she exits her home as she makes sure to have a bit of blood. Arriving there her eyes scanned the other students, some quiet each processing the current underlying emotion that is washing over them this morning, while others seem energetic; how she used to be.

She made her way to her locker where she saw Rebekah with Matt, she thought they were cute but she hoped Matt did not lead her on. She might be a bit crazy but nothing hurts than being led on and then finding you are not enough.

She found Bonnie by her first period class. Bonnie was wearing a beautiful purple silk top with denim shorts, she looked gorgeous. Caroline offered a small smile. Bonnie scanned her friend's outfit as her eyes linger on the scar on her thigh. Bonnie shifted her eyes up to see the discomfort in best friend. Bonnie grasps her hand, "You look beautiful, Care."

"Thanks, cinnabon. So do you. You look gorgeous," Caroline stated to her with smile as she surely did not feel it. Caroline felt pretty ugly as she felt exposed which was noticed by witch friend, "Caroline, I mean it you look beautiful. Plus the the small ink showing and scar, is giving you some power boss moves."

Caroline lets out a little chuckle as she loops her arm into Bonnie's as they both decide to skip first period and hang out by the library. They sat down in chairs as Bonnie wiggled her eyebrows, "So, when are you showing him your tattoo?"

"I don't know," mustered Caroline with a slight blush on her cheek. She wanted to know his opinion but still felt weird about everything especially as she does not want to get hurt again. Caroline fiddled with the hem of her skirt, "Bon, why didn't all my scars heal?"

Bonnie felt for her friends as on top of all the pain she feels, the remainders of her scars are imprinted on her skin. She sighs as it really is not an answer, "I'm not sure. But they are beautiful, okay? They make you who you are, embrace them."

Caroline nodded as she took her notebook out and the two girls began to study. With all the supernatural stuff going around she wanted to get her good grades, now she could do high school later again but she just wants to do it once and be done with it.

The bell rang as the two girls separated heading to their second period class. Caroline waved Bonnie a goodbye as she walked through the hallways, she was distracted by her thoughts as she bumped into some knocking down their stuff. Caroline bent down to pick up the stuff as she shifted her gaze to the blonde original, "Sorry Rebekah."

Rebekah was going to give her usual snarky reply when her eyes fell upon the baby vampire's scar on her thigh, which was intriguing as when did she get that? Rebekah immediately lifted her gaze as the girl probably had many staring at her thigh, and it was probably making her very discomfortable.

Rebekah offered a rare smile to her, "Is okay. Just watch where you are going."

Caroline nodded as she gave her a smile and then made her way further down the hall. She went to the restroom, entering the bathroom she paced back and forward as she tried to steady her breath.

She shut her eyes, as she has done this before countless times but this time is different, she is fully aware of the eyes on her. Walking around the small bathroom, she stared intensely at the ceiling.

She is curious about the concept of death. Not the dead she was but completely lifeless. She rubbed her eyes as they began to burn and itch as she felt her throat tighten and it was becoming hard to breathe. She shook her head in anger as she repeated the same word over.

Breathe Caroline, Breathe.

She let out a breath as she walked to her next classroom, as she only has to make it for a few more hours and then she can go home, to her bed where it was safe and warm.

𐄁𐄁𐄁𐄁𐄁𐄁𐄁𐄁

Caroline walked out of her last period sighing in relief, she made it through this long and exhausting day. She met up with Bonnie outside as she wanted to go to the grill, she was going to say no but then Bonnie gave her the puppy eyes and it was hard to resist.

Bonnie beamed brightly to her. She winced lightly, "Care, Elena is going to be there and most likely with him."

Caroline bit her tongue. She knew that of course as it seems that Elena has been getting close to him a lot but part of her wants to believe that she won't betray her like that.

Shaking off her thoughts they made it the grill, and to her luck all the mikaelsons siblings, salvatore brothers, and gilbert siblings were there.

Bonnie let out a slight wince on her but she saw Caroline waved it off as the two girls walked further in. Caroline felt eyes on her and it took everything in her not to cringe at the attention as they finally made it a booth and each girl put their backpack on table. Caroline buried her head into her arms as Bonnie chuckled at her friend's antics.

Matt had come to the table as he had an amused expression on his face as the two girls glanced at him with a tired expression. He shook his head, "I'm assuming it's been a long day, we want the usual but the upgrade version."

The two girls nodded as Matt headed back to get their orders back. Caroline felt herself caressing her scar as she knew it might become a habit. She could feel Klaus's gaze on her but she was too afraid to make eye contact. She glanced at Bonnie who had a small smile on her face. Caroline let out a sigh, "Is all good, Bon."

Bonnie grabbed her hand as she shook her head. She was going to say something as Matt set down a double chocolate and strawberry milkshake for Caroline and an oreo swirl milkshake for Bonnie. With an order of fries with extra salt.

Caroline and Bonnie both grabbed a fry as they popped it in their mouth each enjoying the salty bite. Matt shook his head in amusement, he turned to Caroline, "Hey Care how did you get that scar on your thigh?"

Caroline froze as she could feel the other vampires gaze on her. Caroline sighs as she lets out a nervous chuckle, "Better question, why are you staring at my thigh, Matty?"

Matt turned bright red as he scratched his head, "I'm going back to work, now."

Bonnie let out a chuckle as she glanced at her blonde friend, in amusement. Is good to see her slowly be herself again. Caroline shook her head. She dipped her fry into her shake, it was the best combination ever.

Bonnie fiddled with her fingers as she mumbled slowly, "So, I might have done something bad, I think?"

Caroline rose her brow interest. Her best friend, Bonnie Bennett, doing something bad? She is the most selfless person ever. Caroline gave her teasing smile, "Do you commit arson again? Because I can deal with dead bodies, cinnabon."

Caroline let out a laugh as saw Bonnie pout, "It was one, time!"

Bonnie sipped out of her shake as she took out her phone to check the time. Caroline let out a small giggle as Bonnie glanced at her in curiosity. Caroline shook her head, "I just remembered that one time in biology class."

Bonnie let out a giggle. That was the best class of sophomore year as the two girls would laugh non-stop and wouldn't be able to stop. Bonnie started to laugh harder, "Okay, but remember she was all like.."

Bonnie could not even finish the sentence as Caroline and her barked out laughter, remembering that. Caroline used her hand to cover her face to prevent the laughter coming from her as stares were heading their way but she couldn't stop laughing.

Caroline wiped some tears out of her eyes, "I miss those days."

Bonnie sober up as she nodded in agreement. There was nothing better than minding your business, going to class and just joking with your friend. It was such a simple thing but is something she craves a lot now, especially these days where they can barely get a fresh breath of air.

Silence fell upon the two as they enjoyed their fries and milkshake. Caroline glanced down at her scar as Bonnie questioned her, "Have you thought about getting another tattoo, to cover your scar?"

Before Caroline could reply she was caught off by Stefan who glanced at Caroline, "You have a tattoo?"

All Caroline could do was nod, as she also felt weird about being with Stefan. She would like to believe that he will never stop so low as what Damon did to her, but she doesn't know. She also has thought if he knew about it, but she just shakes it off.

It was worse as Elena and Damon decided to join them. Thankfully they sat across her and not next to her. They all started to talk and joke around, as she stayed quiet, along with Bonnie who had her eye's on her.

Bonnie stood up, "Me and Care are going to go."

Caroline stood up as she grabbed her bag, gripping it tightly as a way of comfort. Elena glanced at her friends in curiosity but nodded, "You guys are coming, later?"

Caroline bit her tongue from saying something rude. She could feel Damon's eyes on her as she glanced up and set a hard glare on him. Which was noticed by Bonnie, Elena, and Stefan and the mikaelsons as they were eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Maybe next time," Bonnie grabbed Caroline's hand, not letting the other respond. Caroline let Bonnie drag her out of there as they made it outside the grill, where Caroline let out tears of frustration. Bonnie did not say anything as she knew her friend needed to let her anger out as they walked to her home, where Caroline will be staying with her, the night.

They walked further down the street as they sat down on a bench where Caroline buried her head into her bestfriends shoulder trying not to sob in public. She just doesn't get the velcom pain that is deep-rooted into her bones. Her fragile bones, that were so delicate just as her heart, and mind is.

Caroline pulled away as her blue iris were watery but the blonde girl refused to let any tears out. Bonnie gripped her hand as she mumbled out, "I can always kill him."

Caroline let out a tiny chuckle. As much as she wants that, she needs to find closure herself, but a big part of her knows that him dying won't do anything for. All she could do was actually follow Ali's advice and let time pass and when it does, she would know what exactly to do.

Caroline tightens her hand, "I don't think his death will bring any peace for me."

"Who's death?"

The two girls snapped out of their trance to see all of Mikaelson's siblings staring at them in curiosity. Bonnie waved them off, "Someone."

Caroline raised her brows as that did not ease their tension at all. Caroline glanced at them, "What's up?"

They did not respond as they just studied the blonde haired and green-eyed girl. Klaus took a step forward as he eyed the scar on her that the quarterback mentioned back at the grill. He felt a rush of anger enter him as how did she get that and did she have more?

Klaus watched her try to bring her skirt lower to cover it, but he saw it, "How did you get that scar?"

Caroline felt so out of place. She swallowed her bundle of nerves as she laughed it out, "It was when I was human, so no worries."

Kol kept his eyes on the blonde girl and shifted to the green eyed witch. He knew there was something more to that as did his other siblings, "Should it have healed when you transition?"

Caroline shrugged as she avoided their glance. Elijah took a step forward as he eyed his siblings with harden look and then glanced at two girls, "We are inviting you all tomorrow night for dinner, as a peace offering."

"We will be there," mustered Bonnie, as she wanted to get Caroline back home. She knew this was probably a toll on her social battery. They nodded as they flashed out minus Klaus who kept his eyes on Caroline. Bonnie sighs as she narrows her eyes at him, "Bring her back to my house."

Klaus nodded to the witch's words she walked away. He glanced at Caroline who had a perplexed look. Klaus shifted closer to her as the blonde stood up. Caroline eyed him as she smiled , "So, for the surprise thing, are you ready?"

Klaus nodded as the peak of curiosity was so high. His mind wandered what she wanted the butterflies sketch for. The blonde girl gently lifted her shirt a bit higher to showcase the beautiful three butterflies imprinted on her delicate skin.

Klaus found himself drawn to the ink on her skin. He felt a sudden possessiveness as it was his design on her. Caroline's eyes were fixated on him as she couldn't breathe. She watched him with interest as an emotion that she could not detect passed through his eyes. Was it pride?

Her eyes met his gold ones, his veins spreading out across his smooth cheeks making him look so intimidating. Did she upset him, somehow?

It was as if he felt her as he shifted his eyes to stare back at her ocean ones. They stared at one other for an eternity. Her body grew very warm, as she felt the rush of heat enter cheek.

Apart from the pulsating, it appeared entirely normal. With how much energy it projected and how much heat it created. She watched as his fingers were scorched by the strong heat as he soothe his fingers across the ink. A sudden chill went up to her spine at the sudden contact.

Klaus just kept his eyes on her ink as he gently brushed his fingers across it. He very much enjoyed that his design was displayed on her, he knew it might have been the selfishness but she will become his over time.

Of course he wanted nothing to have her at this moment but she was young and he could not take away her experiences of growing into her new identity. He could not be selfish with her.

He wrapped his arms around her waist as her chest was pressed against his, he brought his lips to her ear, "I love it, sweetheart."

He pulled away enjoying the blush across her face. Caroline clenched her fist as she felt so nervous around him. She gently moved her head with her hair moving as she felt a hand on her scar, the one she had on her upper back, that her hair usually covers. Caroline knew he had seen it.

She immediately covered her scar with her hair. She shifted her gaze up, noticed an expression of utter rage on his face. He lingered his gaze on the scar on her thigh and he gently moved her hair as he eyed the one on her back.

She felt her breath get heavy as she hated her scars with passion, but mostly she did not want to have to talk about it. Her feet shifted on the floor as slowly muttered out, "I'm head back now."

Klaus did not respond as he picked her up gently as she let out a squeal as he flashed them to Bonnie's home. He set her down as she could see the anger in his eyes. Caroline sighs as she grips her bag, "It was a long time ago."

Klaus did not respond as he did not care if it was years ago or not. He knew there was more to it and he knew he was right as he could see it in her eyes. He shook his head as he eyed her, "I don't care, love. I want to know who hurt you."

Caroline let out a chuckle as she joked, "Want a list?"

Klaus immediately nodded as she sighs. Caroline let out breath, "I appreciate the concern but trust me this is something for me to handle and no one else."

Klaus did not respond as he let out a slight nod. But he vowed to find out what happened to her, he did not care how small the detail could be, but he will avenge her, after she does it first. He of all people knew how important it was to deal with pain and trauma and it has to be you who does it for yourself.

Klaus wrapped his arms around her waist as she laid her head across his chest. The two stood there in silence, no words exchanged, just an understanding between the two of them. He kissed her head.

"When you are done, I want a name."

notes!

I do hope, I am doing good so far. Caroline will start to heal in a future chapter as she will become more comfortable wit herself soon.

But the next chapter is the dinner, a peace offering between the Mikaelson and all of the mystic falls gang, what do we thinking is going to go down?

it might not be revelations but maybe bonnie will raise her hate for Damon as she defends care

also what do we think is the bad thing bonnie did?

thank you for reading