Summary: After Damon and Stefan rescue Elena from Elijah, they forget to also rescue Maddison Bennett, also known as Maddie. Elijah ends up finding her and as time passes they grown an instant connection with one another. Maddie knows that it's wrong and she ultimately shouldn't be with Elijah, but she doesn't care. This is her story.
REVIEW RESPONSES FROM CHAPTER 25
NicoleR85- Thanks so much for reviewing, I hope that you enjoy this chapter! :)
Lady Wesker- Mikael is back, definitely shakes things up a bit, thank you so much for reviewing, I hope that you enjoy this chapter! :)
kineret- I hate Elena too lol, thanks so much for reviewing! Elijah is coming back soon and yes, Klaus will be in this chapter! Enjoy! :)
Lady Syndra- Thank you so much for reviewing, personally, I only watched a few episodes of the originals and it was only the first season, so I'm not really sure what has happened. But yes, Maddie is naïve in her own way and I plan to have her grow from it, well I hope anyways lol. I hope that you enjoy this chapter! :)
Before the Sun Sets
CHAPTER 26 ~ Homecoming & Coffins
I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
Maddie had been lounging around on the couch doing nothing when she heard it. The frantic knock on the door. She was all showered and ready for bed, but had just felt like laying on the couch and do some more homework. Springing up, she went to the door, not wanting her mom to wake up. She looked through the peephole and her face turned into a frown as she opened the door. "Rebekah?"
"Did you know?!" Rebekah had tears streaming down her face.
"Know what?" She wondered looking at the crying original, "What's wrong?"
"Did you know about my brother?!"
Maddie's mind went blank before she just looked at her, "Rebekah what happened?"
Rebekah, who had tears streaming down her face yelled, "DID YOU KNOW THAT NIKLAUS KILLED OUR MOTHER?!"
Maddie's mouth opened and closed, "I thought your father killed your mother."
Rebekah cried, "I thought so. Until that stupid doppelganger, Elena brought me pictures from the cave. The hybrid killed the original witch."
Maddie didn't say anything. She was cursing Elena in her head. Sure Rebekah had the right to know what Klaus had done, if it was true, but she was sure she could have been more gentle about it. Saying nothing, Maddie went and embraced Rebekah. At first Rebekah did nothing, she was still before she sank to the ground, Maddie's arms around her as she cried.
"Can you believe him?" Maddie had to move the phone away from her ear, she was currently listening to Caroline's shrieking over the phone. She sighed, thinking about how it was a Friday and she had a shit load of homework to do, especially during this busy weekend. The homecoming dance was tonight, which Maddie found weird since the football teams homecoming game wasn't even until tomorrow, so you would think they would have the dance afterward, but that's just Mystic Falls for you. "He was like Rebekah knows so people! Why is he even hanging out with her?"
"I don't know why your boyfriend is hanging out with Rebekah," Maddie responded with little to no interest. It wasn't a secret that she didn't like Tyler. She figured Elena and Bonnie must have been busy if Caroline was calling her of all people to complain about him.
"Unbelievable."
"Not to piss you off Care, but does it really surprise you that he wants to feed on people?" Maddie wondered. "I mean he is a hybrid."
Caroline said nothing at first, but then she went on, "And guess what?!"
"What?"
"Rebekah is going with Matt to the homecoming dance." Maddie laughed. "This isn't funny! He's our friend we should be concerned."
"Take a deep breath Care, Matt is a big boy and he happens to be taking vervain, as you very well know."
"You sound like Tyler."
"In the interest of my sanity, never say that to me again."
"You are coming right?"
"Unfortunately."
"Do you have a date?"
"No, and I don't need one either."
"You can go with Matt!"
"Matt is going with Rebekah."
"Yeah," Caroline commented, "let's change that."
"Caroline, they are just going to a dance together, not eloping."
"You're really okay with this?"
"Yeah."
"Fine! I'll see you tonight." Maddie hung up immediately. She wasn't in the mood to deal with Caroline right now. If anything, she figured that Rebekah wasn't really worried about Matt, especially considering the disturbing news Elena had laid on her the night before. Her mind kept going back to the night before. She kept thinking about Rebekah and how she had cried in her arms all night. Maddie was going to invite her in but then she gave her a hurried good bye before vampire speeding away. By the time Maddie did get into bed and felt sleep coming it was after midnight. School had been long and she was glad that Elena wasn't there. Now she was home and it was after practice.
Continuing to lay on the couch Maddie went through her phone. She found herself on Facebook, scrolling threw. Not much was going on. She eventually went to her mom's page and started going through the pictures that were on there. Her mom's current profile picture was of her and Maddie from Maddie's first day and her background picture was a family photo of them Cordelia's graduation. Maddie smiled, thinking of the memory. It was still crazy to her how it would soon be her walking across the stage, getting her diploma and saying goodbye to High School. She still had to her applications done. So far she only had five schools that she would be applying to. She had to meet with Craig soon to discuss how she was going to apply for things.
Getting up she pushed that out of her mind. She would go visit him later and they would get back to business. Tonight she was just going to go to the stupid homecoming dance, even though she was sure some shit would definitely pop off. She didn't even know what she was doing to wear.
As Maddie exited the shower, she could hear her cell phone ringing off the hook. She quickly wrapped herself up in a towel before running across the hall. She grabbed it off of her bed, "Hello?"
"Bad news, the gym got flooded."
"So the dance is canceled." She couldn't contain the cheeriness that was in her voice.
"Don't sound so excited!" Snapped Caroline. "We're having the party at Tyler's house."
"I would much rather stay home!"
"You have to go! Besides your date will be there soon."
A frown formed on Maddie's face, "Date? What date?"
"See you later," Caroline spoke hurriedly before hanging up the phone.
Groaning, Maddie let her phone fall back down onto her bed. Her rolled her eyes looking at it before walking to her closet. She still didn't know what she was wearing. Looking around, she spotted one of her rompers hanging up. Moving her head to the right slightly she grabbed it. She had a feeling Caroline would disapprove but she didn't care. They were just going to Tyler's house. It was a chocolate colored romper with lace down the sides and a lattice front. She slipped it on and then put on a couple of heels. Her hair was already curled from earlier so she just put it into a side ponytail. She had a feeling Caroline would be pissed about her outfit but she couldn't bring herself to care. It was just Tyler's house.
She went over to the mirror and looked at herself. She looked hot. Grabbing her phone and car keys she went downstairs. It was just in time too, she could hear the doorbell as she was coming down. She wasn't shocked to see Matt when she opened the door.
"Heard you could you use a date," he said with a smile.
Maddie couldn't help but smile, "Yeah, I heard I had a date coming, even though that wasn't part of my original plan."
Matt gave her a wider smile, "But you'll stick with me anyways?"
She pretended to think about it, "I think you'll make the cut."
"Oh," Janette said coming to stand behind Maddie. "Look at you two! Come in Matthew, come in!"
Maddie stepped aside, allowing Matt to come in. "It's just Matt," he said politely giving Janette a hug.
Janette gave him a smile, "It seems like just yesterday you were in my sixth grade class, now look at you."
"MOM!" Janette shrugged, ignoring her.
"I'm aloud to reminisce Maddison!"
"Yeah Maddison," Matt chuckled.
She hit his shoulder lightly, "Okay Matthew."
Janette looked over her daughter. "Not that you don't look cute but why aren't you in a dress?"
"Because homecoming is now at Tyler's house."
"Tyler?"
"The gym got flooded," Matt explained, "Tyler offered we celebrate at his house."
"I see."
"I don't even know why I'm going," Maddie sighed.
"Because I'm your date."
"Right," she grinned. "You want me to drive?"
"I got it, you are my date after all."
"Not yet, not yet!" Janette spoke bouncing around, "My camera is charged."
"MOM!"
"Don't start Maddison!" Janette yelled from her room.
Millions of pictures later, Janette allowed Maddie and Matt to leave. Once they were in his truck and on their way to Tyler's, Matt began asking questions. "What's going on? Not that I mind going with you but where's Rebekah?"
Maddie frowned, "What do you mean where's Rebekah?"
"Well Elena texted me that Rebekah wasn't going to make it and I happened to be by Caroline. She didn't tell me anything, all she said was that you would be my new date."
Something wasn't right. She could feel it. "I don't know where she is, but I'm pretty sure I won't like the answer."
She pulled out her phone and sent a text to Damon.
Maddie- Where is Rebekah, Damon?
She sent him the text before sending another one.
Maddie- Don't lie to me either.
Within minutes of that text her phone was ringing. Typical Damon, she rolled her eyes answering it, "What's going on Damon?"
"Where are you?"
"On my way to this stupid homecoming dance."
"Who are you with?"
"Matt. Where is Rebekah?"
"She's daggered at the moment."
"WHY?!"
"I couldn't have her messing up my plan."
"Oh," she felt her eyebrows raise, "and what is the plan?"
"The less you know the better." It was quiet for a minute, "Put me on speaker." She did. "Donovan you make sure she's safe. If anything happens to her I will be personally dealing with you." The line disconnected after that.
"Unbelievable!" Maddie muttered.
Matt didn't say anything, "I take it Rebekah isn't around anymore."
"Something like that."
"You know, he might be a complete dick," Matt started out, "but he cares about you."
She sat back in her seat, "I know."
"Let's have fun tonight."
She gave me a small smile, "I'll try." She had a feeling that fun was one of the last things she would actually be having.
By the time they got to the Lockwood mansion it was packed with people. Matt was lucky to find a parking spot. He parked and then got her door. She thanked him and they made their way inside together. Confusion was set on both Maddie and Matt's faces as they looked around.
"Who the hell are all of these people?" She wondered.
"I … I don't know."
She kept looking around, she could hear the sound of music, loud music. "Is that a live band playing?" She wondered, watching people go out back.
"Let's go see." Together they walked outside.
Maddie thought the inside was packed, the outside … indescribable. There were so many people. It reminded her of the Beyonce concert she and Cordelia had attended over the summer.
"Wow," Matt, who was standing beside her breathed out.
"I know."
"This is … " he trailed off.
She finished for him, "Crazy."
"You see Caroline?"
She scanned the crowd, "Nope."
"Good evening everyone!" Someone called from the stage.
"Klaus," Maddie breathed.
"This can't be good."
"You're right about that."
"Thank you all for being here with me to celebrate." Klaus continued.
"Celebrate what?" Maddie asked aloud. "Since when does he have an interest with a high school dance?"
"Since Elena's here."
She nodded, knowing he had a point before listening to the rest of of Klaus' speech. "It's been a long time coming."
She was frowning, knowing that she was definitely missing something. She felt conflicted at the moment. She was with Elijah. Rebekah, who she felt bad for was now daggered. Klaus, well she didn't know what was going on with him. She was sure Damon was up to something, which meant Stefan was probably up to something and given the circumstances she wouldn't be shocked to find out Elena was involved. She was sure Caroline didn't know anything. She was usually one of the last to know stuff anyways, besides herself.
She knew one thing, she did not want to run into Klaus tonight. She was sure that he would question her and she didn't have answers. She and Matt didn't stay outside for long anyways, he soon ushered her back inside.
"Well," she began, "Klaus is here." Duh Maddie, she scolded herself.
"Why do you think he's here?"
"To cause trouble."
"Does he know about Rebekah?"
She shook her head, "I doubt it. She's kind of his eyes and ears. I wouldn't tell anyone either."
"Right," he nodded.
"And I'm sure Caroline knows nothing."
"Damon is sure selective about who he gives information to."
She shrugged, "Understandable I guess. Too many things that could go wrong. I just, I have a bad feeling about tonight."
"Wanna go?"
"Is it a bad thing if I say yes?"
He smirked, "I won't take offense."
"We'll stay. But when a body turns up, we're out of here."
Matt gave her a laugh, "Doesn't it feel wrong? Knowing that someone is going to die."
"Yeah," she thought of Dana and Chad at prank night. "It is wrong."
"At least you won't have to worry about it soon enough."
"What do you mean?"
"You're going to college Maddie, you're going somewhere. You have a future ahead of you."
"You could leave to ya know."
He snorted, "Yeah right. I mean I'm doing okay right now, but it's hard, being on my own."
She just stared at him. Sometimes she forgot about about how life had been unkind to Matt. He was on his own. His mom gone, his sister dead. "I'm sorry."
He shrugged, "Don't worry about me. Just make sure you get away from this place."
She smiled at him. "For you of course." The two stood there, just talking when Maddie spotted Caroline. "Care's coming."
"Hey, Klaus is here!" Caroline snapped walking up.
"We saw," Matt told her.
"Yeah, apparently our sired hybrid friend, Tyler thought it'd be okay to let his master throw a party!" Matt and Maddie just gave her blank looks. "Well I expected more surprise.""Nothing Klaus does really surprises me." Maddie told her honestly.
Caroline looked between Matt and Maddie, "What's going on?!"
They gave each other a look, "I need a drink." Matt finally said, quickly walking off.
"Yeah." Maddie spoke as well, following him, ignoring Caroline's calls. As soon as they were far enough away she laughed, "That was close."
"I'm shocked she didn't follow us," Matt said.
She noticed him eying a beer, "Matt if you want a drink it's fine. I know how to drive a truck and I don't mind taking you home."
"Nah, I'm good."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
"Hello Maddison." She felt herself get the chills.
"I guess I won't be avoiding you after all," she spoke, trying to keep her spunk. She knew that was something Klaus enjoyed.
"And why would you be avoiding me?" He took a step closer to her, but he wasn't directly in front of her.
"You've been gone for awhile, no telling what mood you'll be in," she covered. It wasn't exactly a lie though.
Klaus grinned at her, "Well, what mood does it seem like I'm in right now?"
She pretended to actually analyze him, shifting her head from left to right, looking up and down. "Hm, you seem to be in a playful mood," she then added, "for now."
His grin didn't falter, "I have to say, I've missed your sense of … humor."
"If that's what you want to call it."
"You know, no one seems to know but maybe you might." Ugh oh, she thought. "Where's my sister?"
"Probably avoiding Caroline, like the rest of us." She tried to control her heartbeat.
Klaus just stared at her, she stared right back, not wanting to falter under his gaze. "Right." He looked around, "And where's your friend Damon? I haven't seen him around."
"He's probably at home. This is a high school function after all." She noted. "So, you technically shouldn't be here either."
"Oh c'mon love. My friends and I just want to have some fun."
"You have friends?"
He chuckled, "Shocking, I know." He then frowned, "Are you not my friend?" She could see from his eyes that he was joking.
"Maybe we could be friends …" she began, "if you undaggered a certain someone."
"Not yet."
"Well when? I'm not getting any younger."
"You and I will have a chat about that later."
"Will we now?"
"Yes, but right now you're going to do something else for me."
"Am I?" She raised an eyebrow.
"You are going to warn your friends to drop whatever plan they have." She opened her mouth to speak, but he just cut her off. "Now, by the looks of it, you don't know what's going on but I'm going to tell you now heads will roll. Make sure you tell Damon." With that he walked away.
"Great," she muttered to herself
Damon was no where to be found. Maddie had a feeling that he wasn't even here, at least not yet. She figured he would make an appearance. In fact, not only did she not find Damon she hadn't seen Caroline for awhile either. Which she knew was strange. "Where is Caroline?" Maddie wondered aloud, after she found Matt.
"I have no clue," Matt responded looking around. "Probably with Tyler. I'll go try and find her."
"I'll check downstairs," Maddie spoke, and Matt nodded at her retreating form.
She went downstairs, looking all around. No Caroline. She ended up stopping short and turning quickly, bumping into someone. "Sorry."
"It's fine."
Downstairs turned out to be no such luck. Heading upstairs, she wandered around until she heard voices. She opened the door hearing Matt and Tyler's voices. They both just looked at her to frown, "What's going on?" And then she looked over, seeing a motionless Caroline lying there. She rushed over, "What happened?"
"Tyler vervained her."
Her glare went to Tyler, "And why would you do that Tyler?"
"This house is full of hybrids." She wasn't shocked. "Whatever you guys are planning against Klaus, he knows. He is way ahead of you. I need you guys to get her out of here."
"We aren't planning anything against Klaus," Maddie spoke, still checking over her friend.
"But you know what's going on."
"No actually, I don't."
"Listen these hybrids aren't going to let anything happen to Klaus."
She crossed her arms, walking over and standing next to Matt. "Neither will you. If anything you're the one we should all be worried about, not the other hybrids."
"I can't fight it!" Tyler snapped."I can't fight against it. I just know that I need to protect him, no matter who gets in my way."
Matt growled out, "By attacking Caroline?"
"I'm protecting her Matt!" Tyler stepped closer. He looked at the door cautiously. "This is the only way to keep her safe." He looked out of his door before turning back to them, "Please just get her out of here safe. Get everyone out." And with that he was gone. Matt leaned down by Caroline.
"I'm gonna go check to see where we can sneak her out." Maddie spoke, leaving. She could see Tyler's form in front of her, especially when they got downstairs. It didn't surprise her any to see Damon, it did shock her to see him grab Tyler. She followed. Damon ended up throwing Tyler against the couch in an abandoned room, it looked like an office. Maddie frowned looking around and remembered Elijah stabbing Damon with a pencil. She was pretty sure that was here.
"As the host," Damon spoke walking into the room, "you should know these hybrids don't make the best first impression."
Maddie slammed the door closed, "Damon we don't have time for this right now."
Damon looked at her, "There's my best friend. Nice outfit" She gave him a fake smile.
Tyler cautiously backed away from Damon, it was to no use though. Damon only followed. "Whatever move you're making Klaus is going to be ready for you. He'll kill anyone at this party if he has to!" Maddie didn't doubt,
"Tell someone who cares," Damon spoke before vamping over to Tyler and grabbing him by the throat. Maddie jumped back a tad as she watched Tyler's hybrid face show.
"DAMON!" She warned, he didn't stop. "DAMON STOP!" She didn't want him to get bitten. Of course at that moment Tyler tried to take a snap out of him, causing Damon to throw him to the floor. Tyler bounced back quickly, punching Damon in the face. Damon retaliated by kicking him against the wall and then he pulled out a stake. Maddie held her breath as he went to stab Tyler with it. Nothing happened however because Damon and Tyler both began to grab at their heads. She turned and saw Bonnie.
"Stop it Bonnie!" She snapped.
Bonnie ignored her and continued to torment them until Tyler was knocked out.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Asked Damon as he stood up. "You're not supposed to witchy mind brain me."
"You weren't supposed to kill Tyler."
"He tried to bite me!"
"ENOUGH!" Maddie snapped. "We don't have time for this," she looked between the two of them. "Tyler over here vervained Caroline, Matt is going to get her out of here."
"Good, you go with them!" Damon said. He picked up the stake on the ground.
"What is that?" Bonnie wondered as Damon put it inside of his jacket pocket.
"Nothing." Neither Bennett believed him.
"Oh my god, is that the," she got quiet as Damon put his finger to his mouth. He mouthed, they're everywhere.
"Why do you have it?" Whispered Bonnie.
Damon whispered back, "Because I'm the only one that can get inside the house!"
"What is going on?" Hissed Maddie. Both Bonnie and Damon looked at her.
"The less you know the better." Spoke Damon. "Just get out here. I'll feel better knowing your safe."
"Right."
Damon gave her a serious look, "I'm serious."
"I'm sure you are."
He gave her one last look before sighing and departing. She didn't miss him uttering to Bonnie, "Make sure she leaves."
"He's right," Bonnie stated. "You should go."
"I'm sure I should, but it's gonna be kind of hard. Caroline is upstairs vervained, so Matt and I are gonna have to carry her out of here."
The two Bennett's walked out of the room, noticing people scattering. "What's going on?" Bonnie wondered.
"They're leaving?" Maddie questioned. She wasn't sure if people were actually leaving or just heading outside. "Go check on Matt and Caroline upstairs, I'm going to try and find an exit." Bonnie didn't move. "We don't have time for you stand there and think, GO!"
Bonnie frowned but did as she was told. The moment she was gone someone appeared in front of Maddie. "Can I help you?" She wondered.
"Klaus requests your presence."
"Right, and what are you? His flanky?"
The person just smirked at her. Before she could say anything else he grabbed her arm, causing her to yell out a tad as she dragged her off. She frowned as she saw Klaus, at least his back. He was looking out of the front door, talking to someone.
"Or I could watch my hybrids tear you limb from limb," she heard. She still couldn't really see anything though.
"They can't kill me," the person Klaus was speaking to responded.
"True, but it would make a hell of a party game." She moved slightly, to see the persons face. It was an older man, he was tall, short blonde hair. She figured he had blue or green eyes. "All I have to do is rub these two fingers together, and they'll pounce."
"The big bad wolf," taunted Mikael. "You haven't changed. Still hiding behind your playthings, like a coward. Then you forget, they may be sired by you, but they're still part vampire. And they can be compelled by me." With that a girl appeared next to Klaus, Maddie figured she was one of his sired hybrids, now she was probably under the control of Mikael. She figured Klaus was probably frowning, but those thoughts ceased when the hybrid girl tossed Elena into Miakel's arms. Mikael began to laugh, "Come out and face me Niklaus," Elena was shaking in Mikael's grasp, "or she dies."
"Go ahead!" Klaus spoke, obviously surprising everyone. "Kill her."
Elena gasped out, "No. No, Klaus, he'll … he'll do it."
"If she dies," Mikael began, "this lot will be the last of your abominations."
"I don't need them! I just need to be rid of you." Maddie frowned listening to Klaus, she could hear the hurt in his voice. She felt, well, sorry for him.
"To what end Niklaus? So you can live forever, with no one at your side? Nobody cares about you anymore, boy! Who do you have, other than those whose loyal you force? No one." Maddie felt like crying in a way, poor Klaus. "No one." Mikael repeated, darker.
"I'm calling your bluff father! Kill her."
"Come outside and face me, you little coward. And I won't have to."
"My whole life you've underestimated me," Klaus seethed. "If you kill her you loose your leverage, so go ahead. Go on, kill her. C'mon old man. Kill her. KILL HER!"
Confusing the hell out of Maddie, Mikael just began to chuckle darkly. She ignored it, reminding herself that he happens to be a psycho. She noticed Elena trembling. "Ah, your impulse Niklaus. It has and will forever be the one thing that keeps you from truly being great." Maddie could never see herself and her father having such a damaged relationship, even if Mikael wasn't Klaus' real father, he was still the only father figure he had. And he was awful.
What came next happened so fast, Mikael stabbed Elena. Maddie jumped and could hear Klaus gasp as his only way for hybrids dropped to the floor. She lay their motionless for a moment, but Maddie didn't have time to pay attention as the hybrid, who was still holding onto her arm was pushed away and a gasp of air went past her. She could hear a scream erupt from Klaus. She looked over to see Damon had stabbed him with something, before pushing him to the ground. She looked away, back to Mikael as he uttered out, "Katherine." And there it was, Elena or Katherine was now standing tall in front of Mikael. She turned around, saying something Maddie couldn't hear, since she was a good distance away from the door, however she did see her raise her arms in the air before throwing something. Klaus' hybrids began howling in pain. Wolfs bane, she figured. Her attention was turn back to the scene in front of her as Damon was now being tackled to the ground by Stefan. She frowned, confused.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Damon yelled as his brother pinned him down.
Without a word, Klaus picked up the stake that Damon had stabbed him with earlier before going and attacking Mikael with it. Maddie could see a flash of fire before it built up and flames were everywhere.
"What the hell did you do?" Damon asked. Maddie made eye contact with him and cocked her head, making a gesture for him to leave. She didn't want to risk Klaus killing him, even though she knew if that was what Klaus really wanted it was destined to happen.
Klaus, who had re entered the house walked over. "He's earned his freedom." Stefan stood, getting off of Damon and he faced Klaus. "Thank you my friend, you no longer have to do what I say, you're free."
Stefan turned back to look at Damon but he was gone and she was glad. She watched as Stefan gave Klaus a once over before he too disappeared. Klaus, just stood there before his eyes found her. "Enjoy the show?"
"No actually, I didn't."
It was quiet. Neither of them said anything for awhile. "You should go," Klaus commented. "Your friend Caroline needs to be taken home."
Maddie sighed, not even surprised he knew about Caroline. "Did you tell Tyler to do that to her?"
"No." She could tell by his tone that he was being honest with her.
She nodded, before she began to walk upstairs. She stopped when she had slightly walked past him, "Klaus?" He looked at up at her. "I care." He didn't say anything, but she didn't really want him too. She just walked away silently, leaving him to his thoughts.
Maddie was thankful to be an on call babysitter. It provided a much needed distraction on Saturday. She had been evading everyone, with the exception of her parents, Matt and Caroline of course and, well people that had nothing to do with the supernatural world. After the big show at the Lockwood's, with Klaus killing his father and all, she needed a break. Of course she had still ended up going to the homecoming football game, considering she had promised some of her friends she would show up. She had texted Matt the morning of the game good luck and even got a picture with Caroline and Katie before the game actually started. The minute it began to rain though she had an excuse to leave. Not that anyone could blame her. On her way home she got a call from Mrs. Gleason, or as she liked to be called, Sharon, asking if she could possibly babysit. She jumped at the opportunity, telling her she just needed to change out of her now soaked clothes and then she would be right over to watch Hallie. Sharon and Maddie had a good conversation before Maddie left for the night, just talking about school, college and the holidays that would be approaching soon. Halloween would be here before they knew it. By the time Maddie had gotten home it was almost eleven thirty, she had a quick chat with her mom before she departed to bed. On Sunday, Maddie stayed home, remaining to ignore everyone. The only time she did leave was to go to the gym with her mom, but they didn't take any other detours. And the minute they got home, they made dinner together, all the while they skyped Cordelia. It was a good time for them.
Monday morning Maddie was up before her alarm even went off. She thought about how much she didn't want any drama. There would definitely be a buzz around the school, after all the football team had won their homecoming game and she knew that someone had another party, so that would be the talk of the day. Fall was beginning to come in, even though the sun was still out. It was only the middle of October. Finally getting out of bed, Maddie got up and took a shower. As she headed back into her room and quickly getting dressed for the day. After slipping on a pair of boots she grabbed her things heading downstairs. Her mom was up, sitting in the living room sipping on a cup of coffee and watching the news.
"Hi mom." She dropped her stuff on the couch before sitting down.
"Hi pretty girl."
"What are you doing up so early?" She knew her mom was usually awake when she left for school, but she was usually still in the bed.
"Your father called while you were in the shower."
"Is everything alright?"
Janette nodded, looking away from the TV, "Everything is fine. He wanted me to tell you that he set up a meeting with your guidance counselor."
"Did he say when?"
"Go during your gym period, you're supposed to get a pass in the morning anyways."
Maddie smirked, good ole dad getting her out of gym. "Alright."
"You're gonna be late if you just sit there."
Maddie knew that, but she didn't care. "I don't really wanna go to History."
"Why?"
"I'm not really interested in seeing the people," she told her mom honestly. "Just so much drama with the supernatural people in Mystic Falls."
Janette nodded with understanding, "Well I won't exactly be mad if you miss that class for one day."
"I'm going, I will just show up in the middle so none of them can actually bother me."
Janette just chuckled, "Well since you're going in late that gives us time to talk."
"About?"
"Stuff." There was a hint in her tone, Maddie could tell she wanted to ask her something.
"Just ask mom."
"Ask what?"
"Whatever it is that you want to know, just ask me."
"What do you want to do for your birthday?"
"Stay home." Maddie grinned.
"I'm serious."
"So am I," she stated. "I mean why go to school when I can stay home and sleep all day?"
"But what do you want to do?" Janette pressed. "Do you want to go out with your friends? Do you want to have a party here? Oh, that would be fun, a big get together."
"I don't want a big party."
"Alright, a small party."
"I don't want a small party."
Janette rolled her eyes, "You are so damn difficult. Well, what would you like as a gift then?"
"Um, a gift card to McDonald's?" She couldn't help but laugh when her mom threw a pillow at her, hitting her square in the face. She quickly hurried out after that, stopping by Dunkin' Doughnuts for a hot chocolate before heading to class. When she got there not enough time was left in the period, about ten to fifteen minutes. She took her seat, ignoring the looks she was getting. As soon as the bell rang, she was up and out. By the time A.P. Bio came around she took her seat next to Matt.
"Why do I feel like you don't want to talk to me," Matt laughed.
She instantly felt bad. "I'm sorry. It's not you."
He grinned, "It's not you, it's me."
Maddie couldn't help chuckle, "You know, I think you are one of the only ones who understands how I feel."
"Lucky to see another day."
"Precisely."
"I'm growing quiet used to the feeling."
"But we shouldn't have too Matt," she sighed. "We are just teenagers. Every time you turn around we're looking behind our backs, wondering what's going to happen next."
"It definitely does get tiring."
"I don't see how you can do it, dealing with it all the time."
There was a slight break as their substitute teacher came in, telling them they had to do some textbook work. Matt went and got textbooks as Maddie turned to a clean sheet of paper in her notebook, glad that they were able to work together.
"You deal with it to, ya know," Matt finally said. "The danger. You are best friends with Damon after all."
"Don't remind me," she sighed.
"You two in a fight or something?"
"No," it was the truth. "This weekend I just decided to distance myself. I mean I talked to Caroline of course at the game and stuff, and you but other than that I just … it was nice to get away."
"I'm not judging you Maddie, but I do want you to be aware of the fact that the danger is going to be a constant for you." Matt told her honestly.
She frowned, "What do you mean?"
"Well I heard that you were messing with Klaus' brother."
"Right."
"Listen, I don't wanna tell you what to do or anything like that, I just want you to be aware of the fact that being around him is probably more dangerous then being around the rest of us."
"I know." And she did, she knew that the danger that surrounded Elijah was probably worse then what circled the Salvatore brothers, however she didn't care. Maybe she should, she felt bad all of a sudden, thinking about how she shunned Damon for his danger at times when Elijah was really just as bad, if not worse.
Matt spoke again, "I mean I actually like working at the grill, it gives me some normalcy."
"Yeah, until Damon shows up."
Matt sighed, "Yeah, he was there yesterday. Drinking all day."
"Of course."
"You two fighting?"
She shook her head, "No." In all honestly she was avoiding Damon, but a huge part of it was because she didn't know what to say. His brother had betrayed him, how was she supposed to make him feel better about that? Matt nodded and for the rest of the period they worked on their assignment, finishing right at the bell. She waved good bye to him as she made her way to the band. In all honestly, she actually liked band and enjoyed playing the flute. She wasn't really sure if she was going to play in college, but with that she remembered that instead of going to gym today she would be going to a meeting with her guidance counselor and her dad. They were still getting a feel for their music, they did have a concert coming up in December so they had to get ready for it. Three to four pieces would be played, but none of them knew exactly which ones yet. It was still early anyways. The period passed by at an even pace and by the time the bell rang she was up and out. On her way to the guidance office she could see Caroline who waved at her, she waved back and kept going. When she entered the guidance office she went straight to Craig's office. She wasn't shocked that her dad was already in there talking to him.
"Hi," she smiled as she entered. Craig gave her a hello and then she turned to her dad, "You look tired."
"Long shift," he sighed.
"Are you going home after this?"
Christian shook his head, "Nope." She admired the way her dad worked, which was a lot. But he was passionate about his job and wouldn't have it any other way.
"Alright Maddie," Craig began, "what do you want to do?"
Christian looked at his daughter, "Well I like being around kids," she began, "and I also want to go into the medical field."
"What schools have you looked into?" Craig wondered.
"University of Pennsylvania."
"Great school, tough to get into but great."
Christian nodded, "She can get in, Cordelia did and Maddie's grades are better."
Craig nodded, "What else?"
"North Carolina, Boston, University of Virginia, University of Maryland, Loyola University in New Orleans and Colombia."
"Seven schools?" Maddie just nodded.
"Which ones have you been to?"
"We went to Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania over the summer," began Maddie, "and we went to see Colombia when Cordelia was looking at schools."
"Alright," he began to type away at his computer before printing something. He handed both Maddie and Christian a piece of paper, "here is your transcript, just give me a second to put in some stuff."
Christian took Maddie's transcript, eager to look it over. He nodded, seeming okay with it. Maddie didn't bother looking at her copy, already having an idea of what would be there. "She's received four and fives on her A.P. exams, except Chemistry," Maddie rolled her eyes. Her dad was lucky she even passed Chemistry. "I want her to go to a school where they will most likely accept those exams." Craig nodded, she figured he knew how her dad was since he had went through him when it came to Cordelia.
"Are you gonna apply to those schools today or wait?"
"Why wait?" Christian wondered. "I want to get the ball rolling, so we can do this today." Craig had Maddie log onto her Common Application and her College Board, so they could get everything together. It took them about half and hour to apply to all seven schools and then Christian insisted Maddie send her SAT scores but she argued on it.
"My ACT score is higher."
"What did you get?"
"Twenty eight."
"Take it again."
She frowned instantly, "WHY?!"
"So that you can get a higher score."
"What's wrong with a twenty eight?"
"You can do better, I know you can get in the thirties." The way he said it, he knew she would push. Craig gave her a slight look of sympathy.
"We'll discuss that later." Christian just gave her a look to that.
Christian stood after some light chatter, "Alright. Thanks Craig, I'll probably be calling you later."
"I don't doubt it," Craig spoke, shaking Christian's hand.
As soon as they exited the guidance office, Maddie sighed. "Alright, I'll see you at home later?"
"Why don't we go to lunch, my treat."
Maddie raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you due back to the hospital?"
"I can get some food in my stomach."
Maddie nodded, "I'll meet you there."
It was later that the two Bennett's found themselves seated at the grill. Maddie was sipping on a coke and Christian had a water with lemon. They had already ordered lunch. Maddie took note that Bonnie and Elena were there, but she didn't say anything. "I really think you should re take your ACT exam." Christina began.
"Why?! I mean I have good SAT scores-," she began but he cut her off with a 'they could be better', she chose to ignore him. "and my ACT scores are fine too."
"You could get a thirty."
"Could but do I need to, no."
Christian just looked at his daughter, "This isn't up for discussion, I want you to retake the test."
She groaned, "Dad, you are being ridiculous. I just applied to seven colleges, I am sure that I will get in to at least one of them."
"The better your scores the more scholarship opportunities and the more money you could get."
Aha! There it was. That's what he wanted. It was no secret that, Christian Bennett was one of the most wealthiest people in Mystic Falls. A person could tell by looking at his house and his car, which was a Mercedes Benz. It wasn't like his wife and kids didn't drive fancy cars either, Janette and Cordelia having Audi's and Maddie having a new Chevy Equinox, however they were good people which was the thing they found that mattered. However, being Christian made a lot of money and then adding in Janette's salary, he always knew his kids would have to be top notch to get financial assistance. A reason he always pushed them so hard when it came to grades and a reason he was always on top of them their junior and senior year when it came to college.
"Dad, I am sure they will offer me something." She began, really not wanting to re take this test. It was just going to be a waste in her opinion, she had already taken it three times.
"Don't frown, I made Cordelia retake the test until she got at least a thirty too." Maddie rolled her eyes, remembering how her sister hated their dad for a short period of her senior year.
"I remember," she grumbled out.
He was about to say something when his cell phone rang, "Hello?" Short pause, "I'm at lunch with Maddie, why?" Maddie figured he would be leaving soon and in a way she was kind of grateful, she needed a minute to herself. "I'll be there in fifteen to twenty minutes." He gave Maddie and apologetic look, "I'm sorry, it's the hospital."
She shrugged, "Do you want me to drop of your food?"
Christian smirked, "Even when your pissed at me you're still nice to me."
"Ha ha, are you going to be in surgery?"
"Looks that way, you can leave it in my office. I'll let them know in advance." He said standing, reaching into his wallet his pulled out some cash giving it to her, "I'll see you later." She nodded, "And re schedule that test." She gave him a frown causing him to chuckle as he left.
It was a minute after Christian left that their waiter, Tim, dropped off their food, Maddie explained that her dad had to go but she would be taking his food to him later. Tim, just smiled and told her he would wrap it for her now while she ate lunch. She thanked him, picking up a fry and dipping it into some ketchup that she put on her plate. As she ate her lunch, she looked through some of the papers she had. She had some college papers in my car and had brought them in with her, she had grabbed them before she left her house since she knew she was having this meeting today with her dad and Craig. She began looking through them, thinking about her options. One thing she liked was that they had nursing and they also had Lacrosse, which was a definite for her. She would be playing. "Boston," Maddie looked up to see Klaus sitting across from her. "Nice. You know I quiet love Boston, as does Elijah, but nothing compares to New Orleans. I see you're thinking about going there."
Maddie smirked, she squeezed her eyes shut before looking up, "Klaus. I mean you're pleasant with me and all, but I'm sure you aren't here to talk to me about my college choices."
Klaus just grinned, "I'm merely curious. I hear you applied to seven schools today."
You mean you eavesdropped, she thought to herself, "Yeah, I did."
"Which ones might I ask?"
"You don't already know?" She feigned shock, "Boston, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Colombia, Loyola in New Orleans, Virginia and North Carolina."
"I'm sure you will get into all of them," their was a slight glint in his eye as he said that.
"Right, and if I do, Niklaus Mikaelson won't have anything to do with it." He just grinned at her, causing her to slightly sit back, "Alright, enough with the niceness, it's weird." Klaus chuckled, "What is it that you really want?"
"I also hear you have to retake your exam, pity."
She raised an eyebrow, "You mean you were eavesdropping."
"Well so was you dear friend Damon."
She looked around, sure enough there was Damon. Watching her, she gave him a short smile before turning back to Klaus, "Well, Damon can't help but to be nosy."
"Especially when it comes to you."
She became slightly defensive, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Don't get upset love, I'm just merely pointing out that your friend has a soft spot for you," he paused for a short second, "a very special soft spot for you."
"And …?"
"And that is why you are going to talk to him for me."
She looked at Damon, who looked pissed and with that she turned back to Klaus, "I'm not an owl. If you need someone to give him a message you have hybrids at your beck and call! Or for that matter, why don't you go tell him, I'm sure you know he's listening right now, as it was you who pointed out he eavesdrops, so, I'll ask you again, what is it that you really want?"
"It appears my sister is missing," he began, "I need to sort that out."
"I don't know where Rebekah is."
"I know you don't, but Damon does."
Before she could say anything, Damon was there, standing by her table, "Leave her out of this."
"I would love nothing more than to leave her out of this," Klaus turned to Damon. Elena have come over as well and was standing slightly behind him, "however, knowing how you operate I have no other choice but to involve her. Where is my sister?"
"Cute, blonde bomb shell, pyscho, shouldn't be too hard to find."
Klaus stood up from his seat, "Truth is, I've grown to rather like your town. Think I might fancy a home here."
"You've got to be kidding me," Maddie muttered.
"No, love, afraid I'm not." He turned back to Damon, "I'm sure you're wondering how does this affect you and the answer is not in the slightest. As long as I get what I want and everyone behaves themselves, you can go on living your life however it is you choose." He then looked towards Elena, "You have my word."
"What more could you possibly want?"
"Well for starters, you can tell me where I might find Stefan."
"Stefan skipped town the second he saved your ass," Damon spoke, getting closer to Klaus.
"Really?!" Maddie snapped, "There might not be a lot of people here, but there are still enough! Can you guys not do this?"
Klaus ignored her, taking a step closer to Damon, "Well you see that is a shame. Your brother, stole from me! I need him found so I can take back what's mine."
Elena, who suddenly grew some balls said, "That sounds like a Klaus and Stefan problem."
Before Klaus could get in her face, Damon stepped in front, ready to defend her. Klaus only chuckled, "Well this is me broadening the scopes sweetheart." And with that he left.
Damon glanced at Maddie who just shook her head, "I just wanna have lunch right now, I will deal with the other stuff later."
"You know, those pajamas are very short." Maddie let out a slight scream and a jump. That damn Damon! "I don't think Christian would like people ogling his baby girl in them."
"What are you doing here?"
"I needed to talk to you."
"You couldn't ring the doorbell?"
"Nah, this was more fun. Lucky your parents aren't home or you'd have to tell them a lie right now, what kind of scream was that anyway? AH," he fake mocked her, all the while a smile rested on his face.
"Haha, very funny." When he stopped smiling she could see something come over his face, something she didn't like, "What's wrong?"
"Klaus."
"What did he do now?"
"Had his hybrid, well one of his hybrids, hit Ric with a car."
"WHAT?!"
"Well it was supposed to be Jeremy, but you know, Ric being, well Ric jumped in and saved the day."
"Is he alright?" She had nothing against Ric and hoped he was getting the proper treatment, not that she wanted anything to happen to Jeremy either. She might not have liked him but she didn't want him dead.
"He's fine, he was wearing his rings."
"Why did he do that?" She thought back to earlier, "What did Stefan do?" She would think Klaus would be happy with Stefan, after all if it wasn't for Stefan screwing up Damon's plan, Klaus would probably be dead.
"He stole Stefan's coffined family."
"Coffins?"
"His family. You know how he daggers them and carts them around," she thought of Elijah, the memory of Klaus daggering him in strong. "Yeah, well Stefan stole them."
"Why?" Maddie walked past him, getting into her bed.
"You know, Klaus stole everything from him and now he needs to get back at him," he waved his hand in the air, going over to the other side of Maddie's bed and stretching out. She didn't even bother to argue with him about it.
"Great."
"Elena gave Rebekah back to Klaus."
Maddie sighed, "You know she isn't a bad person, Rebekah, that is. She's just a girl, a girl who never really got the chance to live."
"Yeah, yeah."
"What else?"
"Huh?"
"There's more you want to tell me, I can feel it, but you don't have to if you aren't ready yet."
"Elena had me send Jeremy away."
"And why does she get to make that decision?" The way Maddie felt, Jeremy was old enough where he could make his own decisions. If he wanted to stay on the battlefield that was, Mystic Falls, that was his choice. Elena was just being controlling.
"She just wants what's best for him." Always defending her, Maddie thought, rolling her eyes. "I kissed her tonight."
Silence.
"And …?"
"And I'm not sorry about it."
"You can't help who you love Damon." She turned and looked at him.
"You're a good friend to me, you know that?"
She just smiled, "You're a good friend to me too, when push comes to shove."
He didn't say anything for awhile, just smirked. She closed her eyes, feeling tired from the days events, she was almost out when she heard him say, "You know, we should totally have a sleepover. It would be fun."
"My dad would kill you." She could hear him chuckling as she fell asleep.
Thank you all so much for reading, I appreciate it!
I also want to say thank you to everyone who added this story to their favorites, follows/alerts and to everyone who took the time to review! It means a lot to me.
Chapter Summary: Maddie ends up going to Homecoming with Matt since Rebekah is unavailable. Klaus is back and has a bunch of hybrids, Mikael even makes an appearance. Maddie applies to seven colleges. Maddie and Damon have a nice moment at the end.
Next Chapter: Happy Birthday Caroline
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