A/N: I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy out there. Please read and review, constructive criticism is always appreciated.
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries, just Winnie.
Bonnie lay across the carpet in the living room pouring over Grams grimoire as Winnie lay next to her with her head cradled in her hands. The girls had spent a great day together from grocery shopping to cooking and gossiping about all the goings on in Mystic Falls, but in the back of Bonnie's mind she couldn't help but feel guilty about avoiding her—their— friends in order to spend time with Winnie. They had even gone so far as to put Winnie's car in the garage to avoid raising suspicions. But… What if something happens? It was hard to take a day to herself because she had been saving her friends for so long that she forgot to—
"Oh my god!" Winnie moaned from place beside her. "I can feel your guilt and stress so hard it's starting to give me a headache."
"Sorry. I just feel a little guilty about lying to Caroline and worrying about Elena and lessons with Klaus and now that you're back what if you're pulled into this life you're not prepared for and…" Bonnie trailed off chewing her bottom lip.
"Bon, I promise you I am not going anywhere. Stop stressing out so much just take it on one catastrophe at a time."
Bonnie rolled her eyes and pouted as if to say, easier said than done.
Winnie sniggered before sitting up in a cross-legged position and gesturing for Bonnie to do the same. She then grabbed Bonnie's hands in hers and made eye contact before taking slow and even breaths, then Winnie closed her eyes as she began meditating and Bonnie soon joined her. The girls had learned to meditate from their grandmother as she would sit the girls down when they were stressed and force them to focus on their own breaths in order to control their little bouts of accidental magic.
After a few minutes of meditating Bonnie's thoughts became less "loud" as the tension was released from her shoulders. "I haven't done that in a long time." Bonnie sighed. "I needed that, thanks."
"Me either. When it gets really bad, it gets windy and Dad helps me… What's really bothering you?"
"Just a slight case of 'martyrdom' or whatever Damon calls it," Bonnie replied. "I just feel like I owe it to everyone to save them because I couldn't do it for Grams. I feel like my inexperience with magic made me weak and—"
"Please don't blame yourself for Grams death." Winnie cut in as she grasped Bonnie's hands in hers. "You are not nor have you ever been weak. You are the strongest person I know, Birdie, and Grams knew the risks. I mean look at our family history they all knew the risks but they did it anyway for people they loved. She loved you."
"I know." Bonnie said sadly. "I just wish I could've done more."
"You're doing perfectly fine, but now you're not alone you have me in your corner and Klaus..." Winnie trailed off while wiggling her eyebrows suggestively as she changed the subject.
"I regret telling you about him." Bonnie deadpanned. "And I'm not alone I have Caroline and Elena."
At the mention of the latter, Winnie snorted. "It seems like Elena has been at the center of most of the drama that's been going on around here, which means nothings really changed. Elena is still the golden girl. I love her and all, but she's not exactly the most humble."
"Maybe not all the time, but Elena is very involved because she's a doppelganger and something or someone is always after her. Caroline and Tyler can take care of themselves and with the exception of Matt, we can all fend for ourselves when it comes to the supernatural, but she's…" Bonnie paused in thought.
"A damsel in distress?" Winnie quipped.
"Human." Bonnie shrugged.
"So are you, Bon. So am I. Just because we're witches doesn't make us invincible. We have to look out for ourselves. There's nothing wrong with trying to protect her but she doesn't seem to have a shortage of people willing to do that. Let them do it."
"I know. But— "
"No buts."
"You're so annoying."
"Annoyingly right. You're too young to die. And I can't lose you, too? Okay?"
"Okay." Bonnie agreed before stifling a yawn. "I don't know how we got there, but let's leave that for a later date. I don't know about you, but I'm beat. I think I'm going to head up to bed."
"You read my mind." Winnie yawned.
The two made their way upstairs and both settled into Winnie's bed. Snuggling deep down in the covers Winnie turned to Bonnie. "It was good hanging out with you today. Just us." Pausing in thought Winnie yawned before continuing. "By the way, how long do you think before Caroline shows up tomorrow?"
"I give her until noon."
Caroline Forbes was a worrier so when she received a text from Bonnie saying that she was sick, that was okay, but the second day in a row without talking to her best friend she was suspicious and needed to see her to make sure she was okay. She just hoped she wasn't moping or feeling left out because she was the only single one and if that was the case Caroline was determined to bring her out of her funk with an impromptu Girls' Day. That would be perfect. Keys in hand, Caroline got in her car to make her way to Bonnie's. Thinking quickly, she decided to head to the grocery store for Bonnie's favorite snacks, just in case.
After the quick stop at the grocery store, Caroline and snacks were en route to Bonnie's. Stopping in front of Bonnie's house she noticed her Prius wasn't there. Hmm. Maybe she's at Grams. Caroline put the car in drive before driving the few blocks to Grams. Caroline's thoughts wandered to their other best friend who was caught up in the middle of the Salvatore's because of course Stefan and Damon took priority, again. With a sigh Caroline pulled into the driveway behind Bonnie's Prius.
With her hand poised to knock on the door Caroline paused as she focused in on the sounds from inside the house. Two heartbeats. One upstairs and one towards the back of the house. Who could be at Bonnie's? Bonnie told her that she wasn't dating right now. Unless… it's a secret fling! Go Bonnie! Caroline thought.
*knock knock*
Caroline waited a beat before continuing. Listening closely Caroline heard two voices speaking low, but couldn't make out who was talking. Sighing audibly, Caroline knocked again.
"Bonnie! Open up. I know you're home and I know you're not alone. Whoever he is I hope he's cute," she yelled through the door.
Opening the door swiftly, Bonnie gaped at Caroline in surprise, "seriously Caroline?" She opened the door wider motioning for Caroline to enter and grabbed one of the bags to take a peek inside.
"What?" Caroline said in mock indignation. "I haven't heard from you in two days! And from what I can tell you're not even sick! So is he the reason you haven't been responding?"
Bonnie rolled her eyes before making her way to the kitchen as Caroline followed. "Sorry for worrying you Care but I just wanted to spend a little extra time with a special someone and just so you know it's not a he it's a she," she threw over her shoulder with a smirk.
"Ooh really?! I didn't know you had it in you, Bonnie. Well I can't wait to meet this she that you're ditching our lunch date for two days in a row."
"You've met her before," Bonnie quipped as she gestured to a smiling Winnie perched at the kitchen island with a cookie in hand.
Face frowning in confusion, Caroline rounded the corner and spotted her. Caroline's eyes widened in recognition, "Winnie? Oh my god!" Within seconds Caroline had dropped her bag and had Winnie locked in her embrace. "I can't believe it's you! I've missed you so much! You look so grown up! When did you get here? How long are you in town for?" she rambled squeezing tighter.
"Um… Caroline," Winnie wheezed as she stood captive in Caroline's embrace. "I'm having a little trouble breathing."
"Oh! I'm sorry! Sometimes I forget my own strength." She said quickly letting her go. Caroline held Winnie at arm's length as she took her in. Hmmm. Looks like she lost weight. Her hair is longer and curlier. Ugh, but she's still wearing those dreadful glasses. I wonder if she would be open to contacts? Thank god her braces are off.
"I will not wear contacts," Winnie said before she bit into her forgotten cookie.
"You're no fun."
"I can be plenty of fun. And what do you mean look at me? Look at you! I have to say, Care, vampirism looks good on you."
"Everything looks good on me." Caroline stated with a playful roll of her eyes. "But thanks, way to deflect. But you didn't answer my questions: When did you get here? How long are you here for? Please say forever. I've missed you so much. I'm sure Bonnie told you that it's been a circus here."
Bonnie laughed as she joined them at the island and took a seat next to Winnie. "That is an understatement."
"A definite understatement. And to answer your questions: I just got back a couple of days ago and I'm staying indefinitely."
"That's so great! Wait, what about your dad."
Winnie and Bonnie exchanged a look before she responded, "long story that I will tell you another time."
Caroline hummed excitedly as she watched Bonnie and Winnie mirror one another's movements. She missed the synchronicities that the two brought out in each other. Caroline's thoughts strayed to the last couple of years and how rough they had been for Bonnie. Winnie moving away, losing Grams, her mom living hours away, and her dad never being home Bonnie was more or less alone and if anyone deserved to have someone in her corner it was Bonnie. Bonnie sacrificed a lot for her friends and the safety of everyone she deserved to be happy. Feeling slightly guilty Caroline looked between Winnie and Bonnie and vowed to be a better friend.
"Earth to Caroline." Winnie joked waving a hand in front of her face. "Where'd you go?"
"Sorry I spaced out a bit, but I'm holding you to that. We have much to discuss," Caroline said before clapping her hands excitedly. "Does anyone else know you're here besides me?"
Bonnie gave her a dubious look before taking a sip of her tea.
"Of course not. I say we celebrate the return of Winnie Mouse and tell everyone to meet us at the Grille for a surprise."
"Who is everyone?" Winnie asked curiously.
"Elena, Tyler, Matt, and Jeremy." Caroline said ticking off her fingers. "Oh and probably Stefan because he and Elena are attached at the hip and I guess Rebekah because she has her claws in Matt."
"He seems to like it," Bonnie quipped.
"When has Matt ever known what's good for him?" Caroline countered before continuing on without waiting for a response. "Anyways we should go, but you two should probably change first."
With that the girls trekked upstairs to Winnie's room as the girls began going through their wardrobes
"Hey Winnie, did Bonnie ever tell you that she dated Phillip Waters for like a month in 10th grade?" Caroline as she texted their friends to meet her at the Grille for a surprise.
"Phillip Waters? The one who puked in the class aquarium in 5th grade?!" Winnie exclaimed as she dug in her dresser for something to wear.
"The very one," Caroline smirked as she settled on Winnie's bed before turning her attention to Bonnie who standing in the adjoining bathroom glaring daggers at Caroline.
"He had a stomach virus and that was closest thing to him," Bonnie disputed.
"He killed all those fish." Winnie said sadly as she rifled through her suitcase before breaking out into giggles with Caroline.
"It's not that funny."
"Maybe, maybe not but Ms. Puff died a tragic death," Caroline said somberly before sobering up. "That was the last time our dear Bonnie went out on a date well before she agreed to go out with Paul. How was your date, Bon?"
"Yeah, how was your date with Paul," Winnie remarked with a glint in her eye. "I mean he's no Kl–"
Bonnie threw a t-shirt at Winnie before she could complete her thought. "You are so annoying," Bonnie huffed in mock annoyance.
Caroline looked back and forth between the two before placing her phone down, "will someone tell me what's going on?"
Winnie avoided Caroline's eyes she pulled a shirt from her suitcase and begin pulling it on.
Bonnie stared at the floor before her shoulders slumped in defeat, "Fine, but Care you cannot overact."
A few minutes later
"You're in love with Klaus?!" Caroline exclaimed
"How did you get I'm in love with him from that?"
"Not yet anyway," Winnie mumbled.
"Private lessons? Is that code for 'sex'? OHMYGOD!"
"Caroline, no! He's just been teaching me how to better control my magic and how to better protect myself. Care, it's only been a couple of months but I already feel stronger." Bonnie reasoned.
"He hasn't tried to hurt you or anything?"
"No. He's been really helpful."
"Good! Because Original vampire or not I will find a way to kill him."
"Thanks Care."
"As long as you're good, Bon. I trust your intuition. If his intentions were bad you would've figured it out by now," Caroline said before smiling up at her.
"What?" Bonnie asked wearily.
"This makes sense. I've noticed that whenever we hangout he's not that far behind almost like he's stalking you. OMG! Bonnie!" Caroline exclaimed. "I think he likes you, too! Which means you should wear something cute. Like that green dress! It's casual yet cute and shows some skin."
"Caroline?!"
"What? I may not be too fond of him but even I can't deny you two would be kind of cute."
"Seriously? I thought you would be angrier because he's our 'enemy'."
"Who am I to judge? We've all done things we're not proud of to protect ourselves. I mean look at me and Tyler our slates aren't exactly clean and don't get me started on Stefan and Damon. Plus, sex with a hybrid is probably the best I've ever had."
"Ew," Winnie said wrinkling her nose.
"Oh excuse me, I forgot we were speaking with a virgin in the room."
Winnie stuck her tongue out at Caroline before plopping down next to her in a retro David Bowie tee tucked into her cutoffs.
"I'm still not sure he feels the same way it's almost like he's pulling back." Bonnie finished with a shrug as she stood on the threshold of the bathroom in green spaghetti strapped dress. "What shoes?"
"Your brown booties and maybe your cream cardigan just in case it gets chilly out later. Now you." Caroline replied before turning her attention to Winnie. "Do you own anything besides cutoffs and old band tees."
Winnie rolled her eyes dramatically and sighed loudly. "Nope. I'm not trying to impress anyone."
"Fine." Caroline ground out. "At least let your hair down. Who knows, you might catch someone's eye and then you could do that hair toss I taught you."
Winnie snorted, "I'll let my hair down, but no way am I doing that stupid hair toss you did all through 7th grade. You did it so much I thought you were going to break your neck."
Bonnie laughed as she put the finishing touches on her makeup as Winnie and Caroline continued their bickering. They were both stubborn and often butted heads, but it was always with love. Turning off the light and grabbing her purse and regarded the two with a smile. "Alright! I'm ready. Let's go!"
The trio made their way out of the house piling into Caroline's car to make their way across town to the Grille. Caroline fiddle with her stereo system until the car was filled with the sweet melodies of the Backstreet Boys. The girls whooped with excitement before singing along to 'I Want It That Way.'
While they drove along Caroline asked Bonnie to call Elena since she couldn't get ahold of her. It had been a couple of weeks since Elena chose Stefan over Damon, again, and the couple have been MIA as they tried to get some much needed time together. Maybe if she could guilt Elena into extracting herself from her boyfriend they could really celebrate.
"I don't know Bonnie. I'm with Stefan right now and " Elena started after Bonnie told her to meet them at the Grille.
"I get it. But I haven't seen you in almost two weeks and I just wanted to see you. And there's a surprise that you do not want to miss. Bring Stefan! The more the merrier." Bonnie said with a glance towards Winnie who grinned in return as she waited for a response.
"Okay." Elena responded with a sigh. "We'll meet you guys there in 15 minutes. This surprise better be good," she finished with a laugh.
"Great! See you there!" Bonnie replied ending the call.
"It looks like we're getting the band back together!" Winnie exclaimed from the backseat.