Eight Months Ago: The First Time They Met
"Hey Lexi," Caroline said, placing her gift in Lexi's hands, which were stretched out expectantly, dutifully. "I bought him the newest game thing. Ugh, don't ask me the name, I just bought him the thing you sent me the link to," she informed Lexi who gave her a teasing smile.
"That's good to know! At least someone can follow instructions well," Lexi said shooting a glance pointedly at Damon who sat sprawled across the sofa. He had a drink in his hand which he lifted in mock-salute to Lexi. Caroline wound an arm around herself consciously but otherwise ignored the elder Salvatore.
After dating him for close to six months two years ago, she had realized Damon Salvatore was not her cup of tea, no sir. He was good company most of the time except when he would think it was okay to do things Caroline was not okay with. Caroline flinched at the memory of teeth bites peppered all over her body. She could hardly remember much of what happened during her time with Damon. There were so many gaps in her memory... She turned away from Damon to look at Lexi again who had placed a comforting arm on her shoulder.
"Let's go into the birthday boy's room. See what he's up to?" Lexi said, smiling sympathetically. She seemed to have seen the pain in Caroline's face. Although it had been two years since the...incident, Caroline would still find it difficult to be in the company of Damon Salvatore. She nodded and let Lexi lead her into Stefan's room. He was...with company.
"Well, mate, don't let me be the one to rain on your par—," the man broke off as Caroline and Lexi came in.
"Hey Klaus," Lexi said as she sat on Stefan's bed. "That's Caroline." Caroline shot the man—Klaus—a smile and said a polite hello before going to wish her best friend a happy birthday. Stefan, who had been laying on his bed, propped up on an elbow, with the man named Klaus sitting at the foot of the bed, sat up straight to greet his friends.
"Care," Stefan breathed, smiling as he wound his arms around Caroline. "Stef," Caroline giggled as her best friend squeezed the life out of her. "I see someone missed me."
"Sorely," Stefan said, letting her go. He pulled her to make her sit on the bed next to him. She leaned into his side comfortably. She had missed this—warmth and comfort.
Caroline had gone to live with her dad after the Incident with Damon and she had almost lost all contact with her friends in Mystic Falls. It was only when they all had applied to several schools and decided to go to Whitmore together that they had reconnected and Caroline thought (well, Lexi thought it, but Caroline was convinced) the best way to reconnect with everyone before college officially started was to meet at Stefan's birthday party the weekend. She would be seeing everyone—in person—after almost two years now.
"We're going to hangout here," Lexi announced as she sprawled across Stefan's bed to lean over the foot of it, smiling at Klaus. Stefan shot her a questioning look. Lexi didn't reply just let the silence do its wonders and Stefan seemed to have caught onto the meaning for he just nodded. "Yeah, of course."
Caroline noticed Klaus shoot a curious look at the both of them but didn't comment. She let out a sigh of relief she didn't know she was holding. He seemed to have sensed some tension in the room for he immediately said. "It's nice to meet you, Caroline," in his deep voice and dimpled smile. Caroline felt her cheeks grow pink but said, "likewise."
"What were you and Stefan talking about before we came in?" Lexi asked.
"Nothing worth mentioning," Klaus said dismissively, effectively cutting off whatever Stefan was about to say. Klaus's phone buzzed and he looked down at check it.
"Bekah is saying she'll be here in an hour," Klaus said to Stefan with a smirk. Stefan immediately groaned and Lexi let out a snicker. Caroline watched all of them curiously before asking, "Who is Bekah?"
Stefan squeezed her arm and sighed before saying, "Rebekah is Klaus's sister."
"And Stefan's ex," Klaus completed with a triumphant smirk. "It was a very messy break up."
"Could you be enjoying this anymore?" Lexi asked, swatting Klaus on the shoulder with a laugh.
"Your ex?" Caroline asked ignoring Lexi and Klaus who were now engrossed in their own conversation. "How come you never told me about her?" Stefan gave her a pained look.
"It was a few months after you—you left."
Caroline waited for more information but that seemed to be it all. "O-kay," Caroline said, sitting up straight. "Well, what, what happened between the two of you?"
"Not a lot to talk about, honestly. We dated for about three months before I called it quits...," Stefan's voice trailed off as if he was remembering something. "She was not happy about it."
"She torched your car, mate," Klaus said making Lexi chortle. He seemed to have been listening in to their conversation. "Although I do believe it was well deserved."
"Well your dad was kind enough to buy me a new one," Stefan shrugged as if it was no big deal. What the hell? Caroline, whose eyes which were already wide with disbelief after hearing Klaus's words, couldn't help but swat Stefan's arm, after hearing her best friend talk so casually about some psychopath torching his car.
"She torched your car and now she's coming to your party!?" Caroline almost shrieked with disbelief. What was this dysfunctional behavior? "No offense," she said looking at Klaus, before turning to look at Stefan again, "but if my ex did that then I would not be—," she broke off as a realization dawned on her. Her ex tried to violently fuck her and yet she was here at his house for his younger brother's birthday party. "Okay, clearly I'm not the person to judge you."
"Why, love, whose car did you torch?" Klaus asked, smirking; his eyes alight with amusement. Caroline raised an eyebrow. Who was this guy again?
"Nobody," Caroline said defensively, "but maybe I should start with yours," she teased. Klaus's smirk only got wider.
"You would do me such honor?" he asked. Caroline snorted. She did not catch the look of amusement Lexi shot at Stefan, or the look of concern Stefan shot back at Lexi.
"How do you guys know each other?" Caroline asked, looking at Klaus again, as if seeing him for the first time. His dirty-blonde curly hair, his deep blue eyes and the smirk. And the accent? Now, Stefan had friends from England? Carolinehad missed out on a lot, hadn't she?
"We're—," Klaus began but Stefan cut him off saying, "we're neighbours."
Caroline turned to give him a look of confusion. "He's—," she began, and then looked at Klaus again, "you live in Mystic Falls?"
Klaus gave her a small mock bow. "Yes, ma'am; moved here two years ago." He stood up to sit next to Lexi, who still lay sprawled across the bed, but near Caroline's feet. Caroline pulled her outstretched legs to make room for Klaus. He smiled at her gratefully. She found herself smiling back.
"Ah," Caroline commented finally, processing his words. Two years ago. Right after Caroline had left Mystic Falls.
"How do you all know each other?" Klaus asked in return.
"I know Lexi through Stefan," Caroline said. "And I—I also used to live here. Until two years ago."
"Oh, what changed?"
"Not—nothing. I just wanted a difference," Caroline said, trying not to stumble. Stefan and Lexi, who had been watching the exchange carefully suddenly felt the need to rescue their friend from any more of Klaus's questions for they each immediately jumped into the conversation to lead it somewhere else.
"I think the air is really bad in this room," Stefan said. Caroline shot him a look of disbelief. Really? That'swhat he came up with? Lexi was better, though.
"Okay, I think that's enough of the boring talk. I think I hear some guests come in," Lexi said swinging her legs off of the bed. "And I don't want them to be greeted by Damon, of all people." She stood up and offered a hand to Caroline and another to Stefan. "Coming?"
"Yes," Caroline said faking a smile. She was grateful for the distraction.
"What about me?" Klaus asked, raising an eyebrow. "Are we to abandon poor little Klaus—,"
"Oh, shut it with your abandonment issues, Nik. I thought we decided it was very 2008, but I guess you're trying to bring it back again," a voice said. The person came into view as they barged into Stefan's room. Caroline was struck by the woman's beauty and also by the loud groan Stefan let out and the look of annoyance that flashed on Klaus's previously smiling face. Caroline turned to look at Lexi for an explanation who mouth the word 'Rebekah' to her. Oh.
"Ah, Bekah, I see you're here earlier than promised," Klaus commented with a tight smile.
"Yes, well, I got done with my errands sooner than expected."
"Is that what you call your fuckboys now?" Lexi said not unkindly. Rebekah shot her a smirk.
"No, my fuckboys take a little bit longer to get done. Unlike someone else I know," she said pointedly. And then turned to Stefan to further emphasize her point. "Speaking of which, happy birthday, Stefan. You can quit hiding behind Lexi, now."
"Hey," Stefan squeaked.
Caroline let out a giggle which she immediately covered with her hand. But she seemed to have drawn Rebekah's attention for she turned to her inspecting her.
"And who's this?" Rebekah said with an air of disdain that rubbed Caroline the wrong way. She narrowed her eyes. She completely took back the beautiful compliment. The girl wasn't all that good-looking now that you think about it.
"I'm Caroline," Caroline said warily. "Nice to meet you...Rebekah."
Rebekah gave her a critical look and said, as if with great effort, "Yes, well, likewise."
"Now, are we going to get this party started or what?" Rebekah said, in a no-nonsense tone. Everybody immediately started shuffling outside. Soon, the party that was organized by Lexi was taken over by Rebekah and the former didn't seem to really mind. Caroline knew that she wouldn't have been that benevolent if she were in Lexi's place, but even she had to admit Rebekah had great music and she knew how to get a party going. Especially when more and more people started streaming in Rebekah knew exactly where to accommodate them and how to threaten them into not using any of the bedrooms that were strictly off-limits.
"Good party," Caroline said to Lexi who grinned back at her. "I see why you invited her now," she said. Lexi smiled back slyly at her.
"Bekah's great."
"Really? But she burned Stefan's car!" Caroline said, sipping on her drink, eyes wide. She didn't imagine Lexi would choose Rebekah over Stefan.
"Well, yes, but I wouldn't say he didn't exactly deserve it."
Caroline's eyebrows rose. Her interest was officially piqued. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, just that someone couldn't keep it in their pants and slept with someone. And that said someone turned out to be someone else's girlfriend. Someone's brother's girlfriend."
Caroline's eyebrows had now receded into her hairline. She would have asked for more details if Lexi hadn't been pulled into a conversation
"I've been looking for you," she heard a voice say. She turned around to find it was Klaus.
"And why is that?" Caroline smiled coyly. If the pretty boy wanted to flirt, she wasn't going to hold back either.
"Because—," his voice got cut off.
"What did you say?" Caroline asked loudly. With the loud music and people bumping into them every second, Caroline couldn't hear him properly. He leaned closer, lips almost pressed to her ear, the warmth from his mouth causing something to flutter in Caroline's stomach. She still couldn't hear anything. She had forgotten to listen; she had been so enamored by the whole intimacy of the thing. She just put on a blasé look and shrugged.
Klaus wrapped an arm around her elbow and gently tugged at her to follow him outside the crowd until they were in the Salvatore gardens.
"I apologize for dragging you outside. I felt like we would just be engaged in a very bizarre screaming match inside," Klaus said. "And I wanted to talk to you."
Caroline smiled. "Talk? Is that all you wanted to do?" She asked boldly. Klaus seemed flustered for two seconds before a smirk curved along his lips. Caroline followed the movement greedily.
"For now," he said with good measure. Caroline's smile only widened.
"Would you—would you like to take a walk?" Klaus asked, gesturing at the gardens. Caroline remembered spending much of her childhood in these gardens. She did not mind the idea of taking a stroll down the memory lane, so she nodded.
"I would come here every weekend with Elena and Bonnie," she said, smiling at the memory. Stefan had the biggest house and the biggest lawns, meaning that the kids were free to play from morning to evening unsupervised in the large grounds; free to explore and cause havoc. At the thought of Elena and Bonnie, Caroline felt her stomach clench nervously. She hadn't seen them since she had moved to San Francisco. Were they at the party, already? She was afraid to even check her phone.
"You grew up pretty close to the Salvatore family, then?"
"Yes, kind of," Caroline said carefully; she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, self-consciously.
"Are you and Stefan...?" Klaus trailed off.
"What?" Caroline's face twisted funnily with disbelief. "NO!" She protested with a laugh. "We've always been friends." A pause. Caroline felt a heaviness descend on her as she let the next couple of words out. "I did date Damon though." She couldn't hide from it forever. Saying it aloud like a casual fact however was still jarring.
"Oh, I assume things didn't end on a good note...?" Klaus asked, his voice low and careful. Caroline shot him an irritated look at that. She didn't want to talk about it that much. "I apologize for—,"
"Yeah, never mind that," Caroline said quickly, cutting him off. She didn't want to talk about it anymore. "What brought you to Mystic Falls?"
"My mother loves this place for some reason," Klaus said cryptically. "So, we came."
"You and Rebekah and your parents?"
"And the rest of my siblings."
"You have more?"
"We're five, all of us," Klaus said.
Caroline felt a stab of jealousy go through her. She always wanted a big family, but she was the only child. So alone. She had always been jealous of the brotherhood Stefan and Damon had. Even after the Incident, Stefan eventually refused to leave his brother's side. Of course, as a good friend he shunned his brother...but even then, he didn't really leave his brother's side. He stuck by him. Caroline had always wondered if that's what blood mean, what having a sibling meant. To truly stick by you through thick and thin. She hated Stefan for what he did, but also was so jealous and angry that she didn't have the same. She wondered if she had siblings...if they would have been with Caroline; stood by her; beaten up Damon for her.
"I'm jealous," Caroline said after a considerable amount of silence had passed. "I wish I had siblings."
"Oh, trust me, you don't," Klaus let out a breathy chuckle, "they're a pain in the arse."
"Something tells me you're exaggerating."
Klaus shot her an indulgent smile. "It is fun most times, though," he admitted. "But you had a lot of friends, from what I hear and can see."
"Yes, well...," Caroline trailed off. "So, you met Stefan after you moved in here?" she asked trying to change the conversation again.
"Not exactly." Klaus tugged on her wrist to lead to one of the park benches. "Our families have known each other for generations."
"Ah." Caroline claimed, sitting on the bench next to Klaus. She pulled up a leg to be able to sit facing Klaus. He nodded.
"You said you moved away? Where do you live now?"
"San Francisco." A pause. Then, "But I'll be moving closer to Mystic Falls now. I'm going to Whitmore in the Fall."
"Fair play!" Klaus exclaimed. "I'm a student there."
"Oh," Caroline's eyes widened. "That's so cool! What are you majoring in?"
"Art History."
"Ah. Sounds good. I don't know a lot about art."
"I could take you to museums."
Caroline raised an eyebrow at Klaus's hopeful but cocky expression. She let out a breathy chuckle. "Sounds good to me," she said. They sat there smiling at each other softly till Klaus decided to break the silence and ask her, "so what will you be studying?"
"I will be majoring in Event Management." At Klaus's look, she laughed. "I know it's not all fancy like Art History," she did a mock impression of Klaus, who let out a bark of laughter, "but I like it." She shrugged. Klaus nodded mock-serious.
"Well, of course, one must do things in life they like."
Caroline rolled her eyes at his patronizing tone. She pressed the leg resting on the bench against her chest and leaned forward, leaning her chin on the knee of her now folded leg. "So," she said.
"So?"
"Tell me something more."
"About what?"
"Anything," she said, sighing. She closed her eyes. This had been the most peaceful and least stressful thing she was experiencing today. Everything else had been so stressful. But right now, she felt at peace. She felt good, safe even.
"What are the names of your siblings?" Caroline asked when Klaus seemed to be struggling to come up with something to talk about. Klaus gave her a look of curiosity before complying and answering her question.
"Finn is the oldest, and then there's Elijah, and then me, then Kol and Rebekah."
"Wow, there's names and then there's your names."
Klaus chuckled. "I know. My family likes old Viking names."
"Are you close with your siblings?"
"Yes," Klaus said without missing a beat. Caroline liked that a lot. She felt a pang of loneliness go through her.
"So, you moved to San Francisco with your parents?" he asked.
"No... just my dad. My parents divorced when I was eight," Caroline said. "My mom's the town sheriff." A sudden realization seemed to have dawned on Klaus.
"Ah, the admirable Sheriff Forbes is your mother?"
Caroline cocked her head to the side. "You've met her." It wasn't a question.
"Yes...I've had interesting run-ins with her because of my brother Kol." Klaus sighed. "He's quite the troublemaker. I'm sure he'll turn up tonight at an indecent hour ready to cause havoc."
Caroline giggled. She wondered how the rest of Klaus's siblings measured up.
"Why did you move away from Mystic Falls?" Klaus asked suddenly causing Caroline to immediately stiffen. "Was it because of—,"
"Some stuff," Caroline said immediately. "I wanted to leave. For a bit."
Klaus watched her carefully but didn't say anything. "We should head back to the party," Caroline said getting up and not giving Klaus any room to protest. He only followed her lead, standing up too. As they made their way back, they were ensconced in a quasi-comfortable awkward silence.
"Well, this was nice," Caroline said, when they were at the door and soon, they would be inaudible to each other. Klaus smiled at her.
"Yes, it was."
Something felt off. It felt like they were saying goodbye and for some reason Caroline didn't really like it that much. "You want to get a drink?"
Klaus's smile widened. "Yes, please."
As soon as they stepped in, it was a blur of noise, smoke and the smell of alcohol. She felt Klaus's arm, gentle but firm, around her elbow. She didn't stop herself from smiling at the feeling. She could feel his chest lightly bump into her back in intervals as she led them through the crowd to the bar; she could also feel one of his arms around her side, not touching, but protecting her from intoxicated, dancing people bumping into her.
When they reached the bar, Klaus turned to ask her what she'd like to drink but seemed distracted by something taking place behind Caroline. His expression suddenly darkened, and he stalked across the room. Caroline turned to find what it was that soured his mood so and saw Rebekah across the room trying to wrench her arm from the grip of some boy. Caroline immediately followed Klaus, a stab of fear going through her.
By the time Klaus and Caroline had made their way to the scene, Rebekah had already wrenched her arm free and had even smacked the guy across the face, it seemed, for the guy was clutching his face.
"You fucking—," the guy began, but wasn't able to complete for Klaus had already shoved him against the wall. When the guy resisted Klaus only smacked his head against the wall harder. Caroline watched with trepidation as Klaus twisted the guy's arm behind his back and push him against the floor, a knee immediately holding him in place.
"I had it under control, Nik," Rebekah said, crossing her arms across her chest, not looking very happy. Caroline looked on, hesitant and kind of afraid if she were to be honest. She didn't like it when things at parties—or anywhere—turned violent. Not a lot of people realized what was happening, giving into the haze of alcohol.
"I'm not doubting you did," Klaus said evenly. "Nobody touches you like that and breathes easy."
Caroline saw Rebekah's face soften even as she rolled her eyes. "I'm going to go put the garbage out and come back," he said looking at his sister, and then at Caroline. Rebekah only rolled her eyes but gave way to him.
"Are you okay?" Caroline asked, after Klaus had left with the guy dragging behind him. Rebekah nodded easily. "I'm fine, thank you," Rebekah said curtly. Something she saw in Caroline's face seemed to have softened her for she put an arm on Caroline's shoulder and said, "are you alright?" she looked concerned. Caroline felt touched by the kindness and managed a soft smile.
"Yes, I'm fine...I was a bit shaken by the whole...thing," she admitted shyly. "Are you sure you're feeling okay?"
"Yes, I am." Rebekah smiled and for the first time Caroline thought perhaps this girl wasn't that bad. She could understand why Lexi liked her; why Stefan dated her.
"Let's get a drink, yeah?" Rebekah said, pulling Caroline by her wrist. Caroline followed the girl easily, letting her lead her through the crowd.
"So, tell me Caroline, how are you liking being back in this small town?" Rebekah asked once they each had a drink in their hands.
"It's fine, I guess," Caroline said and then looked at Rebekah suspiciously. She knew she had lived her previously? "You know I left?"
Rebekah watched her carefully for a moment before answering. "Yes. I know." Caroline felt a sinking sensation in her stomach. Of course, Stefan would have told her. They had been dating after all. Caroline licked her lips nervously.
"San Francisco is nice," she said lamely, trying to attempt to change the conversation. "How are you liking it here?"
"It's pretty boring," Rebekah sighed, "but I'm going to Uni in fall so I'll be out of this damn town. Looking forward to that."
"Oh!" Caroline's eyes lit up. "Are you also going to Whitmore by chance?"
Rebekah snorted. "No chance in hell am I going to the same college my brother is in, or where my ex-boyfriend and his group of minions will be going. No offense." She flashed her pearly whites at Caroline who barely hid her grimace. "I'll be attending one near Whitmore. Covington."
"Ah," Caroline said and continued to politely sip on her drink. She was about to ask more questions when they were interrupted by Klaus, who was accompanied by another man. Very good looking, Caroline observed. She was not disappointed by the amount of good looking people in this party. She hummed happily.
"I met Kol outside," Klaus said as way of explanation, looking at Rebekah. "This is my brother Kol," Klaus said, turning to Caroline. "Kol, this is my friend, Caroline."
Caroline smiled and offered Kol her hand to shake. To her surprise, he gave her a devilish smirk and kissed the back of her palm. "A pleasure," he said. Caroline couldn't help the blush that overtook her cheeks.
"Cool it," Klaus growled from behind making Caroline's blush only darken. Rebekah let out a snort and turned to Kol and said, "what took you so long? And where have you been?"
"I had some ladies to please," Kol said with an air of self importance, and then added, "And I met your harasser, 'Bekah." Kol said an evil smile on his face. Rebekah's face mirrored her brother's.
"I trust you showed him a good time?"
"So good he'll never want to touch another again."
Rebekah smiled, showing all of her perfect teeth. "That's a relief, then."
Caroline watched this exchange with fascination. She really wanted siblings. The moment was interrupted when Lexi's voice cut through them.
"Come on guys, we're cutting the cake!" she said, with a wide smile. She wound an arm around Caroline and Klaus's shoulders—almost falling. She was visibly drunk but not completely black out drunk. Caroline regarded her critically.
"Want me to help?" she asked her friend. Lexi gave her a lopsided smile, leaning into Klaus unconsciously, who held her up easily.
"Yes, darling. You're the best," she wound her arms around Caroline's neck immediately. Caroline's arms immediately came up to support Lexi and pull her up, but the latter seemed to be slipping. She gave a look of panic to Klaus who let out a chuckle but came forward to help her with Lexi.
"I'll help you lead her to the kitchen," he said with a smile. "And I'll see you two in a minute. Rebekah, keep Kol out of trouble."
"Oh, drop your big brother act, Nik." Kol smirked, "we get it, you want to look cool for the girl."
Rebekah snickered while Caroline couldn't help the blush that stained her cheeks. Klaus did not look amused but he did not reply, choosing to walk to the kitchen with Caroline in tow. When they reached the kitchen, Klaus deposited Lexi in one of the highchairs, standing next to her to make sure she didn't fall off.
"I'm not that drunk, guys," she said, giggling. Caroline rolled her eyes but smiled indulgently at her friend. She had missed her. Though Lexi did not live in Mystic Falls, she would often come to visit Stefan from New York and the three of them would end up spending a lot of time together. After Caroline left Mystic Falls, she couldn't see Lexi a whole lot. It hurt her to know that the thread holding them together was Stefan. Lexi never offered to come down to see Caroline in San Francisco, and Caroline never asked to see if she could come up to see Lexi in New York. It was too...awkward. After what happened. Caroline had been angry and disappointed with Lexi but seeing her now...she felt only tenderness for her friend. She had missed this carefree conversation and banter. These small acts of silliness.
"Where is the cake?" Caroline asked, amused at her friend blowing raspberries at Klaus who found it perfectly acceptable to flick her friend across the forehead lightly.
"It's in the fridge," Lexi said distractedly. "Your flicks are weak," she said to Klaus, otherwise.
"I'm going easy on you, love," Klaus said, good-naturedly. "I don't want to damage your already damaged skull."
"Ha-ha, Mr. Funny," Lexi blew another raspberry at him. Klaus smiled at her indulgently before turning to Caroline.
"Found it?"
"Yep," Caroline said, from where she was concealed behind the enormous door of the fridge. "Damn, I really hope it's—,"
"Strawberry," Klaus finished at the same time Caroline said, "Chocolate."
She peeked out from above the door. "Strawberry?" she asked. Klaus shrugged. "It's only the best," he said as way of explanation.
"No, it's not," Lexi protested, leaning against the kitchen island. Caroline nodded eagerly. "And it's chocolate, Caroline. Your favorite."
Caroline smiled but a small frown came over her lips. "But Stefan likes vanilla."
"Like his sex," Lexi said, "so predictable."
Caroline let out a nervous laugh. She did not want to be talking about sex with Klaus a foot away from her. She felt so nervous...but excited. "Yes, well," Caroline said, trying to change the topic, "why didn't you get vanilla, though?"
"Oh, just because," Lexi said, smiling again, though it did not seem very genuine, "we thought chocolate would be the best. Everybody likes it."
"I don't," Klaus pointed out. Caroline rolled her eyes. "Everyone sensible, of course," Caroline teased. Klaus caught her eye and smiled back at her. The kitchen door suddenly swung open, startling them. It was—Caroline's heart stopped, and stomach lurched—Damon.
Caroline and Damon hadn't been in each other's presence, save for the two seconds in the afternoon, and now they were in the same room, with less than five people in it. This was not good. In fact, today was the first time Caroline was seeing Damon after having left Mystic Falls. After the bites and the violence...Damon had apologized profusely to Caroline, which she had felt compelled to accept, seeing as all of her friends were hanging by a thread. But she had refused to maintain any contact with him or allow him to come near her. Damon had respected that, thankfully. This was the condition that Caroline lay down to not press charges against him. So maybe he had respected her decisions out of fear, but still, it was enough for her. But seeing him now, in such close proximity, and looking visibly drunk—he hadbeen drinking since afternoon—brought up the fear and anxiety she had been clamping down on all day.
"Caroline," Damon said, his eyes focusing on her and a sleepy smile overcame his face. Caroline flinched as he made his way towards her. She immediately backed away, but he didn't stop.
"Blondie, you know I'm sorry right, I mean everyone won't stop hating me," Damon slurred, as he leaned over Caroline who flinched and tried to get away.
"Get—," Caroline began, her voice high-pitch, and the panic causing her to almost screech, "away from me," she finished bravely as she shoved Damon who landed on the floor.
"Ow, that hurt," Damon groaned, from the floor. Klaus, who had until now been observing warily, came at Caroline's side after making sure Lexi wouldn't topple over. Even the drunk girl seemed to have regained her senses for she was immediately at Damon's drunk ass on the floor.
"Stay away from her, god," Lexi said, seemingly annoyed and angry.
"You alright, love?" Klaus asked, meanwhile, an arm reaching out to comfort Caroline but pulling away immediately when Caroline flinched violently.
"I'm—," Caroline ground out, "I'm okay." She wound her arms around herself.
"I'm sorry, blondie, we're all sorry. Heck, we organized this entire thing for you. Doesn't that tell you how sorry we are?"
Caroline shot a confused look towards Lexi. "What—what does he mean?"
"Look around you—," Damon began, but Lexi effectively shut him off by shouting on top him.
"Would you shut the fuck up? God, you're such a lost cause. It's a wonder anyone puts up with you!" Lexi shouted. Caroline only watched with growing disbelief and a sinking sensation in her stomach. Was this all a ploy to make everything seem normal again? Was this why they had invited her here?
The noise seemed to have caught the attention of people outside, for lo, behold, Stefan, and behind him, Bonnie and Elena, came in looking worried and confused. As soon as they saw the scene in front of them, their expression grew only grave.
"Caroline," Bonnie said, softness in her voice, the nostalgia almost killed Caroline, but she stood frozen in place, staring at the ground, unable to look at any of her... friends.
"I need to go get some air," Caroline declared to no one in particular as she walked past her friends' whom she hadn't seen in two years, despite their protests. She didn't even notice someone was following her until she was outside the door and into the Salvatore Gardens and walking rapidly to sit on the bench, she had been sitting with Klaus not an hour ago. When she noticed someone was following her, she stopped to see that it was Klaus.
"I'll leave you, if you want to be alone," Klaus said before she could say anything. Caroline regarded him with a frown before just sitting on the bench and motioning for him to do the same. Just an hour ago everything had been so beautiful and peaceful. They had been in this same place...but things had been so different. But had they, really? Caroline had just pushed everything under the rug and called it beautiful. The difference now was that the creatures from under the rug had emerged. And they wanted to cause havoc. Caroline felt a shudder go through her. She pulled her legs into her chest protectively.
She glanced at Klaus who seemed to be looking at her with a worried expression. He seemed to be at a loss on what to do or say. Caroline was too tired to help him out and was content with watching him struggle—it was distraction enough for her, she thought to herself, dryly. Klaus finally seemed to have found something for his eyes lit up and he said, "would you like to know why Rebekah torched Stefan's car?"
Caroline looked at him not deigning to answer. She was too exhausted. Klaus took her silence for acquiescence for he said, "well it was because he slept with my brother's girlfriend. Your friend Elena's sister, Katherine."
Caroline's eyes visibly widened. Klaus smiled. "I know. While Stefan and Rebekah broke things off, Elijah has remained adamant to hold onto to Katherine. They're still working through things." He became silent suddenly. There seemed to be a war waging inside of him. "He's—he's the reason you left." He wasn't asking anymore. Caroline did not answer. She only closed her eyes. She felt a tear leak from the corner of her eyes, but she didn't bother wiping it off. She was so exhausted.
When she opened her eyes, Klaus was not looking at her. He was grimly staring off into the distance, into the darkness of the gardens. They sat there like that for what seemed like an eternity. But it was interrupted by a dark looming figure—Stefan.
"Caroline," he said, looking wary and hesitant, "can I talk to you?"
Caroline looked at Klaus and nodded. He nodded back and rose to leave. "I'll be inside, love. Call me if you need anything." Caroline couldn't help feel touched at the offer. She nodded slowly, her gaze following him until his body was lost to the darkness of the night.
Stefan sat down where Klaus had sat a moment ago. It felt all wrong. Caroline didn't like it. "Caroline, I'm sorry for what happened. It wasn't supposed to go like that."
"Did you guys organize this party for me?" Caroline asked flatly, all emotion drained from her. When Stefan remained silent, she took it for a yes. "Was it supposed to be some sort of sick welcome back party? Like hey, let's all forget Damon beat you and bit you and almost tried to rape you party?" All day she had been treading carefully around the words and now she had finally said it—to Stefan, no less. He flinched, looking like someone had slapped him.
"No, we just wanted to—we just wanted to show that we've gotten past it and things—,"
Caroline couldn't take more of his rambling, so she cut him off, "I don't want to get past it, Stefan. I don't want you guys to get past it either. I don't want you guys to move on. Like it was nothing." She shook her head unable to believe that she had to say these things out loud.
"I'm sorry Caroline, that's not what I—what any of us wanted it to be like," Stefan said, scooting closer to Caroline and placing an arm on her shoulder. It took all the willpower in the world to not shrug Stefan's arm off. After a considerable amount of quiet had passed Stefan took it upon himself to break it.
"Don't—don't get close to Klaus. He's...," Stefan sighed. "He destroys things."
Caroline's face changed. "Really? He—," she broke off, annoyed. "I wouldn't have guessed. He looks fine."
"He's a step above Damon, you could say," Stefan said pointedly. Caroline kind of wanted to really punch him for having the nerve to bring that up casually.
"He left bruises over his ex's body? Tried to rape her?" Caroline asked unflinchingly, her face set in stone. The same, however could not be said for Stefan, who flinched like someone had hit him.
"No—," Stefan began but stopped abruptly. "He's got a messy personal life and mood swings and trust me; you don't want to go there."
Caroline looked at him with unconcealed anger. It wasn't that she wanted to defend Klaus that made her argue with Stefan but just this whole over-protective crap was getting on her nerves. Where was this bullshit when Damon had been terrorizing her? Was this Stefan's way of redeeming himself? Caroline couldn't help all the doubt and suspicion building inside of her for the past two years peak.
"Whatever, Stefan," Caroline said finally shrugging his hold off from her shoulder before looking for the exit. She wanted to leave and never fucking come back. She stood up to leave.
"Where are you going?" Stefan asked, frowning. His face etched with concern.
"I'm going to the bathroom," Caroline lied before she stalked off ignoring Stefan's protests. She spotted Klaus smoking near the door leading back into the house. He looked up when he saw her. Had he been waiting for her? Caroline felt a spot of tenderness at that thought.
"You okay, love?" Klaus asked, stubbing his cigarette off. His gaze wandered from Caroline to a spot behind her—Caroline knew it was Stefan, but she didn't look behind her to confirm.
"Uh-huh," Caroline said, ignoring the way her throat was closing up. Control yourself, Caroline, you're not going to cry here like a baby.She cleared her throat and pushed through the door to go into the house again. She could hear Klaus and Stefan arguing—he seemed to be stopping the latter from pursuing Caroline and Caroline was very grateful for that. The dark lighting and the music helped her avoid anyone from her former friends as she made her way through the crowd of people to where her car was parked outside. She was getting the hell out of here and never looking back.