"Don't waste your time with explanations: People only hear what they want to hear."

― Paulo Coelho


Sophomore year – 1st day of school

Her bag had glittery, metal studs in a gorgeous spiral pattern and it was the only thing Caroline was happy about with this whole bullshit situation. Her old high school in Virginia Beach was really uptight about weapons and a bag like this was against the dress code. But apparently in this nowhere town they weren't worried about weapons. Whatever. She squinted critically at the school's logo on a crooked banner in the courtyard. The Mystic Falls Timberwolves looked like the unfortunate lovechild of a werewolf and a feather duster. And she was stuck here for three miserable fucking years.

An accented voice purred in her ear, "It's not all bad — the waterfalls somewhat make up for our...questionable first impression."

Please let the face match the voice. And then, holy fuck, did it EVER. She couldn't decide what to appreciate first — the cheekbones, the sexy smirk complete with unexpected dimples, or the perfectly tousled dirty blonde curls. A package that pretty deserved its own theme music. Finally snapping out of her stupor, she teased, "You're quite the welcoming committee."

"Perhaps you'll permit me to demonstrate how welcoming I can be."

Caroline burst into delighted laughter, enjoying the faint color that came to his cheeks as his lips curved into a self-deprecating grin. "Seriously?! Does that line ever work?"

Shuffling his feet slightly, he chuckled, "I've never actually tried it before." Holding out his hand, he introduced himself. "Klaus Mikaelson, terrible at first impressions."

Shaking his hand, she wittily replied, "Caroline Forbes, sarcastic asshole."

His surprised bark of laughter caught everyone's eye who wasn't already paying close attention to them in the courtyard, but he wore their open adoration with casual indifference. A natural leader.

Caroline did her best not to sound too eager when she asked, "So, maybe the welcoming committee could show me where the office is? I need to check in and get my schedule."

Klaus perked up considerably at her obvious interest as he replied, "The welcoming committee would be honored, sweetheart." As they started to move toward the school's main entrance, his tone was endearingly hopeful as he added, "Maybe once you've settled in, I could show you the waterfalls of our town's namesake? They're really something; I've gotten some great sketches over the years."

He was laying it on a bit thick with the whole sensitive artist thing, but Caroline felt herself giving into his unmistakable charisma. "Actually, that does sound —"

"Like Klaus is doing some charity work," a haughty voice drawled, the pretty redhead it belonged to slithering next to Klaus and giving him a possessive half-hug. She flicked her green eyes over Caroline with distaste as she said, "I'm Aurora de Martel. Um, a little friendly advice, New Girl." Raising a perfectly tweezed eyebrow, she warned, "You're going to need to learn how things work around here. So, take your tacky knock-off bag and go find someone who's actually interested AND available to drool all over."

So, that happened. Biting back an amused grin, Caroline replied, "Wow. That's a lot of rage shoved into a tiny body. You must fart fire, like constantly." Red-faced, Aurora sputtered indignantly and Caroline added icily, "I'm a quick study, but if I need help figuring out how narrow-minded, small-town cliques work, I'll just follow your smoke signals." She couldn't resist wriggling her fingers in a mocking wave as Aurora stormed off in a furious huff.

"That was bloody brilliant. I mean, I've seen Aurora make the entire homecoming court cry because they accidentally tracked mud onto the parade float."

Klaus' outburst shouldn't have pleased her as much as it did. She shouldn't want his approval. And she definitely wasn't interested in dealing with mean girl politics. Caroline quickly schooled her face into a blank expression, keeping her voice mild and carefully detached as she said, "Right. Well, I'm going to head over to the office and I'll see you around."

As she turned to leave, he touched her arm, awkwardly mumbling, "Look, I'm really sorry. Bollocks, I should probably explain what that was. Aurora and I...it got a bit complicated and it's been over for ages, but she's got it in her head that we're getting back together." Letting out a frustrated groan, he rubbed the back of his neck, adding, "I'm really fucking this up, yeah?"

Caroline shrugged her shoulders, adopting a casual tone. "Look, I get it. You're doing the whole 'hot guy who's surprisingly nice' thing, and as the new girl, I'm appropriately flattered and appreciative."

"You think I'm hot?"

Klaus was way too pleased with himself. "Seriously?!" Rolling her eyes, she replied, "You might be wearing the hell out of those jeans, plus those dimples and that accent, but I'm not getting in between whatever you and that crazy ginger have going on." With a final wave, she walked away, ignoring the twinge of regret she felt.


Senior year – graduation night

Caroline unexpectedly had developed a fondness for Mystic Falls over the years. Not enough to get trapped in this 'Target is the only clothing store' town, but still, she'd made a few good memories here. Like what an eager student Matt Donovan had been once she taught him where her clit was. Or that thing Tyler Lockwood did with his tongue. And then that OTHER thing he did with his tongue. A cunning girl, she'd parlayed her 'cute blonde with boobs and brains' into a comfortable level of popularity that earned her captain of the cheerleading squad and homecoming queen (which Aurora still hadn't gotten over).

She hung back from the party, quietly observing everyone in the reds and golds of a crackling fire that one of the less-sloppy drunk classmates had started a while ago. There was a distinct lack of entertainment options in Mystic Falls, so partying in the woods was pretty much the only thing to do on weekends, and while Caroline had done this hundreds of times, nostalgia still crept in and she could sense how this night was different.

That afternoon, they'd hurled their graduation caps in the air, and even though it was a stupid tradition among all the other dumb traditions they'd gone through that day, the cynic in her had been quieted when she finally gave her valedictorian speech and understood what it all meant — an ending. A beginning. And it was happening so fast.

With a small sigh, she took another sip out of her plastic cup, the cheap beer already going flat, but she told herself she needed the courage. Because she'd managed to snag a cheerleading scholarship to Duke, and while it only was about a two-hour drive from Mystic Falls, it definitely was a whole other universe in which she'd be completely out of her depth. Which led to Caroline's real purpose in coming here tonight. She'd worked her ass off for three years and decided she'd earned a reward. Sure, Duke University was a decent reward, but there was a guilty pleasure she'd denied herself for three years, and it was time to collect. She just hoped Klaus would agree.

There he was, casually leaning against a tree, holding court with several of his buddies and more than a few of his starry-eyed groupies who giggled and swooned on command. Over the years, Caroline had learned that Klaus was one of those rare souls whose magnetic personality drew all kinds. He effortlessly moved among the cliques, fitting in everywhere because they all wanted to say that they knew the great Klaus Mikaelson.

It would've been easy to get drawn into his orbit, but Caroline had been steadfast in denying the massively inconvenient crush she'd developed. Because that was the fastest route to heartbreak. Everyone knew all about manwhore Klaus — his exploits were legendary and it seemed like nearly every guy in school tried to duplicate his success (and mostly failing spectacularly). Caroline wasn't about to judge someone for having a good time (and word was it was a very, VERY good time), but she carefully kept her distance because she figured her little crush wouldn't survive a 'hit it and quit it' from him, no matter how charming his accent was.

But that was about to change.

She tipped her cup, swallowing down the last of the beer in one gulp with a slight grimace. Time to go collect her reward. With a coy smile and a slight sway to her hips, she purposely took the long way around to where he stood, not wanting to draw more attention than necessary. His minions nodded in her direction and her presence didn't cause too much of a ripple in the social order since they traveled in the same circles as an unavoidable reality of small town high school politics.

A slow, easy smirk touched Klaus' lips when he noticed Caroline next to him, and she fought down a pleasurable shiver. Heart thudding wildly, she kept her voice low with a hint of seduction as she commanded, "Follow me." Clearly, she'd shocked him into submission, gray eyes going wide as Klaus wordlessly followed her, the rigid line of his shoulders the only acknowledgement he gave the drunken catcalls from onlookers.

She took him to a secluded area away from the main party, ironically near the falls where he once offered to take her. Perfect. Without preamble, Caroline shoved him against a tree, ferociously kissing him as he gasped out a low moan in surprise. Her senses were overwhelmed with the spicy scent of him, the taste of his mouth on hers making her knees shake. She was kissing Klaus. And he was kissing her back just as eagerly.

Her fingers dangled along the edge of his henley, and after a moment's hesitation, slid underneath to lovingly stroke the smooth, hard muscle she found there. His hips jerked against her, and she quickly dropped a hand to his belt to fumble with the buckle. For several beautifully frustrating moments, the steady clink of metal was deafening, and their bodies rubbed against each other with enough friction it was a wonder the forest didn't catch fire.

Which is why it was a slap in the face when Klaus pulled away, looking down at her with concern. His voice was a little condescending as he said, "Caroline, you're drunk."

Blinking up at him in confusion, she answered flatly, "I've had exactly one beer." Giving him her sunniest smile, she told him, "Look, it's really sweet you're trying to be a nice guy and not take advantage, but I promise that's not what this is. I've actually had a crush on you for years, and I worked my ass off to get into a good school and now I'd really like to treat myself."

"Treat yourself?"

Letting out a soft giggle, she nudged him playfully with a hip. "I'd like you to be my reward. Do you want me to beg?" She playfully leaned close to whisper in his ear, "Please, please fuck me."

When he shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, she rolled her eyes and said in exasperation, "Come on, it's not like this is a big deal, Klaus. Everyone knows you've gone through most of our graduating class alone at least twice. Frankly, I'm a little intimidated and just hope I can keep up."

Klaus angrily growled, "So, that's what you think of me, then? It's nice to know that girls engage in tawdry locker room lies as well." Running a hand through his rumpled curls, he sighed angrily. "And to think I thought that —" he stopped himself, jaw tightening as he looked away.

A pit formed in Caroline's stomach at his unexpected outburst. Klaus looked so hurt. What the hell was going on? "Uh...I don't...um...I don't understand," she stammered, quickly pulling her hands away from his body as though burned.

She couldn't decide whether his flaming cheeks were from anger or embarrassment, but his tone seemed to carry slightly less bite as he explained, "My reputation isn't quite as rubbish as you think." Clearing his throat awkwardly, he continued, "Right, so, I've been with a few girls, but all these rumors are bollocks. I dunno — I guess maybe some girls decided I was a sort of rite of passage or just needed a way to get noticed. I mean, let's face it, even if I turned them down, it's not like anyone ever would believe that I'd turn them down."

Well, shit. She knew girls could be assholes too, but damn...that was fucking cold. "Seriously?! Girls were treating you like their personal Everest? That's seriously fucked up," Caroline blurted out in shock.

Klaus frowned, voice harsh as he bit out, "Yeah, well, I just never thought you'd be like that."

"Wait, what?! No! That's not what this was about," she quickly protested, "I didn't realize the rumors were basically that — just bullshit rumors. I never would've...God, you must think I'm such a bitch," she helplessly finished, so ashamed she couldn't bear to look at him anymore.

The noise from the party carried over the steady hum of the falls, and Caroline stepped away from Klaus, cursing herself for ever giving into that inner mean girl she desperately wanted to leave behind. "So, yeah...I'm uh...just gonna go. I'm really, really sorry and I won't bother you again."

The slight tug on her hand as she tried to walk away was as surprising as it was reassuring. So was his tentative smile as he confessed, "You know, I've liked you for ages, ever since that day on the school steps when you made fun of my terrible lines. I figured you weren't interested, so I kept my distance." Ducking his head, he inquired shyly, "Did you mean it when you said you had a crush on me?"

She felt a silly grin spread across her face, but she couldn't bring herself to care. "Yes." Looking down at their joined hands, she asked hopefully, "Would you like to show me the waterfalls you told me about?"

Klaus' answering smile reassured Caroline that they'd have all summer to make up for lost time.