Chapter Twenty-Two: The New Now
Bonnie woke up from a very rough pull away of her blanket. She groaned and tried to warp it back around her body without opening her eyes. Her hand searched for the tip of it and when she found it an unfriendly hand smacked hers away.
"Oh, hell no. You are going to get out of this stupid little bed and get ready. We're already late, so chop-chop."
Bonnie opened one eye only to see Faye Matthews staring back at her with raised eyebrows, tapping an imaginary watch on her wrist. With another groan Bonnie turned around and hid her face under her pillow.
"Bonnie freaking Bennett. Get your lazy ass out of you bed or I will kick it." Faye let herself fall on Bonnie's bed and shook her shoulders.
"Okay, okay. I hear you! Just… give me five more minutes, Kim Yong n." Bonnie shoved Faye off of her and slowly sat up in her bed.
"Good. You have half an hour, otherwise we will totally be late for school. For the SECOND lesson, might I add?"
"Calm down, I didn't have to be there for the first lesson so I am totally on schedule." That was a lie. Not the first part, she really didn't have to be at school for the first class because her teacher called in sick this morning. But she hadn't had any plans on going to school today at all. Her mom was still in Virginia spending some quality time with grams and that fact gave Bonnie the best opportunity to stay home today and ravel in the bad feeling she had taken home with her from Mystic Falls.
"Why are you here, anyways?" Bonnie asked as she got out of bed.
"Hello? It is not every day that my friend breaks up with the poor excuse of her boyfriend after not seeing him in ages. So I made it my task to make sure you don't drown yourself in sorrow. Today, I am all on Bonnie-duty, making sure that you come find your way back to reality as fast as possible."
This was typical Faye. She had it all planned out. Yesterday, when Bonnie had called her from the airport to tell her what was going on, Faye had probably started planning the next two years of Bonnie's life to make sure, this decision and her feelings attached to it didn't obstruct any of Bonnie's future. Bonnie-Bennett-Recovery-Service-101.
As Bonnie went into the bathroom to get a much needed shower, Faye made her way into the kitchen to prepare a little meal for her. She had to smile about her friends intentions. She knew that Faye cared deeply for her and she remembered all the times Bonnie had to be a good friend to Faye due to heartbreaks and loosing yet another love of her- still not too progressed - life. At least with Faye's help she wouldn't need to think about Jeremy all day.
When Bonnie took a look at herself in the mirror an image came to her mind. Jeremy, yelling at her, something in his eyes she couldn't quite place, but it wasn't hurt or any other emotion she would have predicted in a situation like that. His reaction had completely surprised her and the accusations he had made…
It wasn't because she was heartbroken or anything like that that she had decided to stay home today. She wasn't the kind of girl to stop her whole life over a boy, she couldn't be. She just didn't want to talk this whole thing through with any of her friends, mostly because she hadn't wrapped her head around everything either. Not understanding his reaction, not sure if it even was the right one on her part… But no, it had been right. No way could she have taken this any second longer. True, she still cared deeply for this boy and knowing that he was back in Mystic Falls dealing with her decision all on his own didn't settle any of her thoughts.
The shower didn't have the wanted effect on her. She still felt tiered and uneasy. She quickly dried her hair and got ready. Very slowly she took the steps downstairs and joined Faye in her kitchen. Surprisingly Faye had made quite a meal in the short time she had been showering and given the fact that her mom didn't bother to go grocery shopping on the weekend the filled table she was walking in on was even more of a surprise.
"Sit, eat!" Faye demanded in her strict mother-like voice.
Bonnie did as she was told; not realizing that she indeed was pretty hungry. She reached of a French toast and put it on her plate.
"Okay, let us just go over this thing real quick." Faye was in full secretary-mode. "Today, I am going to make sure that you don't spend a second alone if you don't want to. I already briefed Connor, Liza and Perry on your condition, don't worry I didn't give them any specifics, going to let you decide how or if you want to tell them. Plus, I give you the one time chance to decide about the way I am going to treat you today. Do you need me to be nice and caring or just my normal self. You can choose now."
Just like Bonnie had expected. Bonnie-Bennett-Recovery-Service. For the first time in a day Bonnie genially smiled. "Well, I think being your normal self will do." She ate a little of her French toast and it tasted delicious.
"Right. Then next business order: Do you need to talk about this whole thing or can I assume you need a little time to think about it yourself. I mean, of course you can always initiate a conversation about …him if you like, but do you want someone else to initiate it for you or not?"
"Not!"
"Good, that is a clear answer." Finally Faye came to rest and sit next to her. "So now that we settled all of this. How are you?" Her voice turned back to the caring and concerned way she had witnessed so often when it seemed like Bonnie was in real trouble.
"I am actually not so sure. I have never broken up with someone before. I don't know how I am supposed to feel, just that it feel different. Weird, in some way."
"That's because you, my little friend, are back on the market and that can feel a little strange in the beginning but trust me, there are going to be more than enough people lining up to date you!"
"Hold on, hold on. I just broke up with Jeremy two days ago. I'm not thinking about getting back out there any time soon." Bonnie declared while swallowing the last of her toast.
"I hear you, but in my experience it always happens faster than you imagine. And let's be honest, you are a stunning, hot, smart young lady and any male person in this universe would be either deaf, blind or gay if they wouldn't want to take their chances with you!" Faye smiled her usual smirk and Bonnie laughed a little. She always knew how to take the edge off of certain topics.
"Well, just don't try and set me up with anyone please? I am not looking for something new anytime soon and only if I meet someone by accident will I reverse that statement."
"Hm." Faye shrugged. "That's enough for me. Just don't want you to give up on love just yet. And now come on, we have to go."
Bonnie sighed, getting up from the table. She grabbed some more grapes on her way out and the two girls got into Faye's car and drove to school.
Faye made sure to supply Bonnie with the necessary supplies for the next class. An apple, her number on speed dial and a lot of chocolate before she headed in the different direction to join her gym class. Bonnie waved at her when she started jogging away from her.
Making her own way to her classroom, her thoughts drifted back to Jeremy and the way he tried to blame Bonnie for everything that went wrong between them. Of course, Bonnie was not dumb she knew that she had made some mistakes her own, worst one kissing Kai the night of the party. But the way Jeremy tried to pin the blame on her because of this one bad move of hers and trying to make it seem like she wanted to be with Kai rather than him and making this the real reason for her breaking up with him was just… unrealistic.
Thinking of Kai made Bonnie speed up. She hadn't talked to him yet about what happened and she now realized that she was anticipating his reaction the most. Not her moms, or Elena and Caroline's reaction to her decision- which by the way had been really predictable, Elena being totally surprised and Caroline cheering, more on the inside but Bonnie knew she secretly wanted to kiss her for finally ending things- but Kai's reaction. Somehow she wanted him to be understanding and telling her that she would get over it. And most of all, she wanted to feel his strong arms wrapped around her and comforting her.
Entering the classroom her anticipation quickly faded away. There was no trace of Kai Parker anywhere in the room. Bonnie sighed. A short wave of anger rushed through her, because her best friend wasn't there for her in a time of need, but then she urged herself. He didn't know. And it had been a long shot to see him turn up on a Monday morning and listen to Ms. Gibbens giving them the last details about the Second World War. Silently, and sad, she made her way to a free chair and put all her stuff on the table.
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School would never end today. She was sitting in the canteen with Faye, Connor and Liza. Perry had been sick all day so he was missing from the group. Her friends were currently discussing the newest episode of Game of Thrones but Bonnie didn't pay much attention. She was silently eating her meal, she had no idea what it was but it wasn't too bad.
When she looked up from it she saw Connor looking back at her with concern in his eyes. Just not the look she wanted to have from any one today.
Bonnie had enlightened Connor and Liza on what happened in Mystic Falls the first chance she got. She had no reason not to tell them and telling them had made her feel a little bit better inside. But now Connor was stealing glances every now and then and that made her feel kind of insecure because she couldn't totally decipher them.
She watched back at him with a questioning expression but he quickly looked away. Weird.
"What do you say, honey?" Faye turned to Bonnie but she had no idea what she was asking about and didn't bother hiding it. "Do you want to come to the carnival with us on Saturday?" Faye informed her.
"Oh, I… I don't know if I am up for that. Might be a real buzzkill."
"I think we can handle you. But you can always rethink it. Just know that you are very welcome to join us." Liza said in her typical lovely girl-next-door-voice. Bonnie smiled at her even though she wasn't in the mood for it. It was surprisingly easy to fake a smile, she had done it quite often today. She ran into Jo earlier and had given the performance of a lifetime to pretend that everything was good. Maybe if she kept this up people would soon forget that she was currently in an emotional rollercoaster.
The rest of the school day didn't get by at all. Faye made good on her promise not to leave Bonnie alone for a second if she didn't want to. She spent the remaining day with Liza and Connor following her around like puppies but it was okay. Liza and Connor were polite enough not to bug her with annoying questions and they managed to get her thoughts off the Jeremy mess at least a bit.
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Beep. "Hey Bonnie, honey. I just wanted to check in with you and see if you are alright but it seems like you're not home yet. So call me when you need anything or if you want me to come home earlier. Grams will totally understand. I love you and don't wreck your brain too much about it. Kiss you!" Beep.
Bonnie deleted the message of her mother from the answering machine. She probably only missed her call for a few minutes because her mother usually knew when Bonnie was home. It was sweet of her to check in with her but Bonnie wouldn't call her back until tonight. She didn't want her mother to worry and she didn't want her to come home just yet. She was sharing a much needed quality time with her own mother and Bonnie wouldn't jeopardize that. No, she was okay on her own for a few days longer.
Bonnie opened the fridge only to find it empty. Of course, with her mom in Virginia there was no one doing the grocery shopping. Bonnie sighed and wondered why she was so hungry. Shouldn't it be completely different? Heartache was usually making people lose their appetite and not double it. Because Bonnie was too tired to get back into the city she decided to order pizza later.
She had a lot to do still. Doing laundry and making homework, plus looking into her literature notes because next week they would write a test on Shakespeare and Bonnie totally hated him. Because right now she had no use of any dumb sonnet or poem or what so ever of this love drunken fool.
So, instead of being productive Bonnie went back to her bed. Cuddling into her blanket she slowly drifted off to sleep. Right before she was finally asleep the door bell woke her up.
Pressing the pillow on her ears she tried to stop the noise from reaching her but the person in front of her door was persistent. A minute later another ring at the door, and another and another. Bonnie angrily got out her bed and stormed to the door, cursing.
"What kind of idiot can't even take a hint? If the door isn't going to get opened no one is HOME!" The last word she threw into the person's face standing before her door and instantly blinked and stepped an inch back.
Kai was half leaning in the door frame, watching her with raised eyebrows. "I can always leave if you want to." He greeted her with sarcasm.
"Sorry, though it would be some courier or something." And then she stepped aside for him to get in. "What are you doing here?"
"Are you kidding?" Kai passed Bonnie and made his way into the living area of the house, Bonnie in tow. "You haven't returned any of my calls or texts for two days. Then Jo comes home asking me all kinds of questions about you because you looked so sad today in school and then I remembered your phone call from the other night. What is wrong?"
So no Oscar for her performance with Jo then. Bonnie felt her vision getting blurry. Oh no, she was about to cry. She was doing so well but the sight of Kai and his intense concern in his voice made her break. She dropped to the couch, buried her face in her hands and started sobbing. There was no holding back anymore, the tears came streaming down her face like a waterfall and with them all the bottled-up emotions.
She felt someone lightly stroke the back of her head and realized Kai had taken the place on the couch as well. Knowing he was there next to her gave her so much comfort. The tears slowly stopped pouring from her eyes and she could make out the worried lines on Kai's face as he studied her intensely.
With a shaking voice she depicted the events of the weekend. During her whole monologue Kai looked her directly in the eyes and kept some kind of body contact, brushing her hair softly or taking her hand. When Bonnie had finished her story with telling her that she had broken up with Jeremy Kai stayed silent for a few moments but then his face unexpectedly lighted up and he had to suppress a laugh.
"I am happy that at least you can find something humorous in my misery." Bonnie said angrily and Kai backed down, lifting up his palms to indicate he had no bad intentions.
"Sorry, Bon. I didn't mean to laugh and I am surely not laughing about your situation. It's just… Jeremy is such a douche. Blaming it all on you when you were the one suffering? He behaves like a five year old that punished his friend by uninviting him to his birthday party. That is kind of ridiculous." He had his voice back under control now but the words coming out of Kai's mouth made sense and they made Bonnie crack up. Now she was the one suppressing a laugh. He smiled back at her and she punched him in the gut.
"Erg, what was that for?" he chuckled.
"Nothing, just wanted to punch you." Bonnie stated emotionless and he laughed.
"Have you eaten yet? I hear that people stop eating when they are in agony." He asked after they had stopped laughing.
"No, I was going to order pizza later. My mom is still in Virginia so there is no one doing the grocery shopping and I am too lazy to get out and be productive." Bonnie confessed.
"So you are all alone tonight?"
"Seems like it. Wanna keep me company?"
"I am going to make sure that you don't drown in self-loathing and tears. Plus, I am going to make sure you get something better to eat than just pizza." Kai got up and went to grab her coat and her bag.
"What are you doing?" Bonnie asked puzzled.
"Get up, I am taken you with me."
"And where would that be?" Bonnie took Kai's outstretched hand and stood up herself.
"To the most annoying place in the world, but with the best food."
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They caught most of the Parker siblings on their way back upstairs.
"You're late, we already ate." Melinda snippily said over her shoulder before vanishing into her room. Bellamy and Joey at least stopped halfway to greet Bonnie and Joey informed Kai that Jo and Evelyn were in the dining room, cleaning up and for that comment he earned an eye roll from Kai but seemed like he didn't understand what it was for.
Bonnie and Kai went into the dining room and nearly ran into Jo carrying a bunch of plates.
"Urgh, watch out bro!" she yelled and quickly disappeared into the kitchen. To Bonnie she made the impression of a very busy waitress right now.
As Bonnie stepped inside the dining room she saw Evelyn Parker sitting at the top end of the table, looking up as she felt them approach. Her face was a little too pale but her eyes shone bright when they spotted who was just walking in. She rose.
"Well, hello." She smiled as Kai approached her and gave her a quick hug. When he drew back she made sure to keep a hold of his arms. "Haven't seen you all day long. How are you doing?"
"I'm good, mom." Kai quickly answered, seemingly trying to get out of her hold. She briefly caressed his cheek and smiled at him, her eyes full of affection even though she had to know there was something more hidden beneath that he wasn't telling her. But she let him go and instead turned her motherly eyes on Bonnie. Her smiled was inviting and when she stepped closer to her and embraced Bonnie in a warm hug, she happily returned it. Evelyn Parker was a person you just had to love.
"Bonnie, my sweet girl. I am so glad to see you. How have you been?"
"Well, let's say it's been complicated." Bonnie didn't want to bother the woman with her teenage problems; she knew she had way bigger ones.
Evelyn's face turned worried instantly. "Oh no, poor girl. Don't say anything. The guy is a douche for letting you down."
Bonnie blinked a few times, surprised that Evelyn had instantly known what was bothering her. "Actually, I dumped him. But… how did you know?" Kai couldn't have said anything.
"Please, I have seen this look on too many girls already. It screams boy trouble." Her index finger circled around Bonnie's face a few times and the expression on her face made Bonnie laugh. The second Parker that made her mood light up today.
"Are you hungry, dear?" She turned around to Kai. "There are still some leftovers. I can go and get them ready for you."
"No mom, don't worry. I got it." Kai insisted for his mother to stay put and went to the kitchen. Evelyn and Bonnie sat down as they waited for Kai to return.
Bonnie watched the woman in front of her more carefully now. Nothing indicated that she had a serious health problem but the bags under her eyes and the pale skin. What the disease took from her she could easily make up with her emotional, caring expression.
"So, the guy you dumped. He was a douche, right? I don't want to insult anyone if he doesn't deserve it." Evelyn snickered.
"Don't worry, I think it won't hurt him if someone would call him that." Bonnie smiled at her.
When Bonnie looked back into Evelyn's eyes she was surprised to see her study her seriously. "You know, the pain will pass. One day you'll wake up and it will be gone. And then my dear Bonnie, remember that there is a whole world and that somewhere out there is someone that is more deserving of you."
Bonnie nearly cried again. What was it with these Parkers and their ability to look right through her and force out all the hidden feelings. Evelyn's advice was so loving that it reminded her of her own mother. Suddenly she thought that Evelyn and Abby might actually get along really well but when it hit her that her mother might never have a real chance to get to know the woman sitting in front of her… her chest clenched.
"Might I ask how you have been doing?" Bonnie silently asked and saw realization cross Evelyn's face.
"Ah, I see that my son has finally opened up to you." Her voice was still soft, not indicating anything like anger.
"I hope that is alright."
"More than that. I am actually relieved that he finally told someone. I feared that he would let himself get eaten up by this, like he usually does. I am very glad he has you to confide in, Bonnie." She smiled back at Bonnie. "And to your question, I am feeling pretty good right now. I am not at 100% and constantly tiered but that is not much of a change if you imagine I have to deal with this lot 24/7."
"I can imagine that they can be quite demanding." Bonnie said knowingly and the two shared a short laugh.
"You know, I am always so grateful to have you here. You bring such a nice dynamic to this house."
"I should think that there is enough dynamic here on its own. " Bonnie snickered.
"You're right, but it's still a little different with you here. Somehow… more complete." She gave her another smile. Bonnie was surprised that at how easily talking to this woman was. It reminded her of the way she used to feel with Kai, a few month back when she was just starting to get to know him. He clearly got his easy-going, talkative side from his mother.
After a while, Evelyn got up. "I have to excuse myself. I want to make sure my son doesn't burn down the house and after that I really need to get some rest."
"I'll come with you."
When the two women entered the kitchen, Bonnie saw Kai leaning onto the counters, the microwave next to him making weird sounds, and Jo sitting on the kitchen island in front of him talking to him in hushed tone.
"Josette!" Evelyn's voice turned sharp and when Jo heard it she instantly slipped off the counter and came to stand next to her brother, looking shameful. Kai on the other hand had a smug smile on his face clearly enjoying watching his sister getting warned by their mother instead of him. Jo didn't like his reaction at all and stomped on his foot.
"Ouch, what the hell, Jo?" Kai barked at her.
"You totally deserved that. Try and remember the next time you are malicious. That never ends well." Jo spit back and the two glared daggers at each other.
"Now that is enough, both of you." Evelyn stepped closer to the two. "I thought that at least the two of you wouldn't give me such a hard time. Stop with all the arguing," she looked at Jo when she said that in a parenting voice, a little hint of anger in it. "…and provoking." She now looked at Kai. "Do we understand each other?"
"Yes, mom." They both said at the same time. Both of them had the courtesy to look to the floor. The picture was so weird but also so normal. Two teenagers getting their asses handed to them by their mother. Two siblings fighting over nothing. A mom being annoyed by the futility of the situation. Oh, how much Bonnie loved this family. It was a whole new world to her. As an only child she never got to experience things like these, but she was glad that she at least got the chance to witness some kind of sibling life through this family.
"Good." Evelyn's voice went back to its normal warm tone. She was done playing bad cop. She caressed both her children's cheeks and then excused herself and left the room but not before she winked at Bonnie while passing her.
Like on clue, the microwave beeped and Kai turned to it. Getting out two plates and dipping food on both of them, Bonnie went to the nearby table and sat down. Jo offered her something to drink and then took the place next to her before Kai placed a deliciously smelling plate of roast pork with mashed potatoes in front of her.
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"I think I haven't felt that stuffed since last year's Thanks Giving. " Bonnie was now lying on Kai's bed holding her stomach.
Kai, Jo and her had been spending what had seemed like hours in the kitchen, talking, joking and most importantly eating. Bonnie had taken a refill of her plate and then another and after that she had tried to eat the pudding that Kai had found somewhere in the fridge after Jo mentioned there still had to be some left.
Kai laughed. "You look like you're going to have a food-baby within the next hour."
"Right? I think I am going to name it Ronald McDonald or something. He has a bright future ahead of him."
Kai was standing by the closet. He had searched for another pillow because Bonnie had occupied all of his and claimed them as her own. When he finally managed to drag it out, he came back to her and slammed the pillow directly in her face.
Bonnie's mouth dropped open in fake shock and when he lay down next to her, she drew out one of the pillows form underneath her and hit him with it in the stomach making him growl.
"Oh, you play dirty." He claimed.
"I play dirty? What do you call your little sneak attack then?"
"Strategy?" He turned his face to her. It was already late and dark outside and the light from this lamp made one half of his face lay in shadow. With the mischief sparking in his eyes he seemed a little bit like a crazy person right now. A cute crazy-person, none the less.
Bonnie nuzzled deeper into the pillows. His bed was so comfortable, how had she missed this before? Her eyelids got heavier and heavier and for a second she thought she might not get them to reopen. The food coma taking its toll.
"Bon?" Kai stoke back a loose strain of hair behind her ear and Bonnie reopened her eyes.
"Hm."
"You fell asleep." His tone was humorous.
"No, I didn't." But Bonnie's yawn gave her away.
"Sure, you were gone for a whole minute there." Kai chucked. "Come on, roll over." He was pulling on the blanket underneath her, trying to tuck her in.
"No, I should get home." Another yawn escaped her.
"Yeah, right. You'll be asleep again in a second and I am too lazy to carry you all the way to your room. You are staying, so now roll over."
"But we have school tomorrow."
"Oh my god, you're right! The fact that we have to get up in the morning would present itself as a huge obstacle for you staying over." Even in her half asleep state she could hear his comment dripping of sarcasm.
"I don't have a change of clothes and I don't want everyone in school to think I am disgusting."
"A: Everyone already thinks that. Why do you think they all call you reek?" He earned a glare from Bonnie for that comment and he snickered before he continued. "And B: You can totally steal some of Jo's stuff. She is taller than you but lucky for you oversize is kind of fashionable."
Bonnie was too tired for this argument and Kai knew this. And if she was honest, there were no good reasons for her not to stay here. She would be alone at home, and she didn't like to admit it but she always felt better with someone else around the house at night. Plus, in her current state she could really use the company. And she could just borrow some of Jo's clothes for tomorrow. With her last energy she sat up and climbed out of Kai's bed.
"Alright, I'll stay. But you have to give me something to wear for the night."
"Top drawer."
Bonnie went to the dresser and pulled out a plain white t-shirt and sweatpants. She disappeared to the bathroom and changed. For her luck, Kai wasn't build like a bodybuilder or anything, so the clothes were almost fitting her petit form. She went back to his room, a little more energized cause of the water she had splashed into her face. He was now sitting at his desk, his laptop open in front of him. Bonnie took the direct route for his bed and let herself fall on it, the fatigue instantly rushing back.
She tried to get under the blanket but her body wouldn't listen to her anymore. Before she completely slipped into unconsciousness, she felt Kai lifting her up a bit and wrapping the blanket around her. The last thing she witnesses was him stroking her hair and whispering a 'good night.' Than it all went black.
Author's note: So I am trying to establish a new normal here. A post-Jeremy world for Bonnie. I hope you are going to like what I have in mind. And a little tease for the upcoming chapters: You might finally get to know what is actually going on with Jo. Remember she kind of had a issue in the earlier chapters? Gonna come back to that soon. Sorry for not mentioning it earlier it just didn't fit in the story. Hope you liked the chapter. Until next time, LiLaAir.