Chapter 3 (Part 3)

*Song list for concert- Since we aren't supposed to put lyrics on the stories play any of these during the concert scene, but there are 2 specific songs that will be pointed out during the story. If you have other songs in mind then go ahead and play them as well.

· Scream My Name- Tove Lo

· Everytime- Britney Spears

· Fighter- Christina Aguilera

· Skyscraper- Demi Lovato

· Confident- Demi Lovato

· Always Love You- Tori Kelly

· Dark Paradise- Lana Del Rey

· Sweet Surrender- Sarah McLachlan

Graduation Day (Caroline POV)…

Caroline was a nervous mess as she applied her make-up and made sure her hair would remain intact through the ceremony; she wouldn't get a chance to fix it again until after she made it to the band's dressing rooms in Richmond. On a closer analysis she wondered why she was even worried about it when the only reactions she cared about were from her mother and Bonnie; and they didn't think it mattered if she was dressed to the nines or slouching in her pajamas. Deciding she was ready she went to go knock on her mother's bedroom door before entering; seeing her mom fighting with her wig she quietly went to help her adjust it. Her mother had to wear her sheriff uniform since it was a town event, but Caroline noticed how loose it was becoming on her; even after getting new, smaller uniforms to adjust to her cancer treatments. Most people thought she had went on a diet that had been successful and kept asking for diet and exercise tips, so Liz would tell them ways that Bonnie and Caroline stayed in shape to throw them off.

Once Liz's wig was secure and they were sure it wouldn't come loose, fall off, or be noticeable they went downstairs to meet with Bonnie. Liz pulled them both to her and told them how proud she was of them and Caroline had to resist breaking down and crying. She knew that she wouldn't be able to hold back later that evening once the concert was over, Liz told a few of their friends the truth about her cancer, and she was alone in her hotel room; even if it would be a suite and she would have to monitor how loud she sobbed. Ready to get the graduation ceremony over with they all went to the car and made their way to the high school; Bonnie and Caroline taking their places in their designated seats and Liz taking her seat on the stage. It felt like she was waiting forever before the principle finally called for everyone's attention to begin the ceremony.

Caroline watched her classmates walk one by one across the stage, not withholding her yelling when Bonnie went across the stage, until it was time for her to line up. She couldn't fathom why she felt so nervous going across the stage in front of her classmates and their families when she had been on stage doing concert after concert without a problem; she assumed it was because she had a mask when she sung and she didn't have to worry about anyone she knew saying anything about her. When she heard her name called she walked confidently across the stage and shook hands with the principle as he gave her the diploma she had spent the last 4 years working on; breaking protocol to walk over and hug her mom before exiting the stage. She had heard several people cheering when her name had been called but she hadn't turned to look until after she left the stage; by then others were hollering for the current name on stage.

Once she made it back to her seat she finally let herself take in the moment; no more high school, no more keeping up with 2 schools and her work, letting go of all the bad memories and cherishing the good ones. She felt more ready for the next step of her life, but she would wait for her mother's outcome. Her mother had already decided to take an extended vacation and go along with Caroline as she did her tour, and Bonnie was going with them; it would be one last family vacation together if Liz didn't win this battle. Caroline had to keep herself from crying again with where her thoughts had led her and it made it even harder when she looked up on the stage to see her mother; she looked paler today and the weight loss had given her the image of withering away. She wouldn't give up hope until it was all over though, no matter how low the chances of her mom living were now.

When the names had all been called she watched Bonnie take her place as valedictorian and begin making the speech. Caroline knew a lot of people were surprised when Bonnie had gotten valedictorian, but Caroline hadn't wanted it and Bonnie had the next highest grade in her year, but it was pretty much a tie. She could see a lot of the faces of shock, as well as some uncomfortable or enthusiastic ones, reacting to Bonnie's words; no one expected Bonnie to pretty much tell everyone that high school was just the start and if they couldn't handle it then they would be surprised with college and the rest of the world. She hadn't been rude or mean about it, but she hadn't sugarcoated everything and lead them into thinking it would be all rainbows and sunshine every day; especially since they both knew better. The principle seemed at a loss for words when it was time for him to take over and close the ceremony, but he managed to do so without fumbling it up.

Caroline was glad to be able to stand and leave the crowd to join her mother after the principle announced that everyone needed to look behind their diplomas for a special graduation present; Caroline had made sure her graduating class had tickets to the concert, but only a select few had back-stage passes. Her classmates seemed to lose their minds in excitement when they found their tickets and instructions to show their student ID to get moved close to the front. Rebekah found them with her family in tow and asked her if she had anything to do with the tickets and she replied that it was Steven as a graduation present; that Steven was the manager for Masked Atlantis and since she worked with him the band had agreed to give out tickets to her graduating class as a thank you to Steven and her. Rebekah gave a squeal as she tried to get Caroline to dish out who they were behind the masks, but Caroline replied that there was a confidentiality agreement that she couldn't break; which wasn't the whole truth, but close enough. Caroline informed Rebekah that she wouldn't be able to hang out with any of them until after the concert since she would have to work, but her mom and Bonnie would be back-stage too.

4 hours later…

The crowd roared out her band's name mixed with screams when they moved onto the stage and Maggie asked if everyone was ready over and over until they were almost deaf from the crowd; all of them had agreed to get the concert attendees hyped up before giving in and playing that night. They started off with their one of their biggest singles with a plan to move higher up the list until they were playing some of their new songs debut style. Caroline let herself go with the rhythm of the music and her purple-colored, curly wig bounced and twirled with her. Their looks had taken on darker clothes and more unnatural colored hair since Jesse had died and the news of her mother had hit them; the music was still tuned for all crowds, but the girls had started looking like gothic fairies or angels, while the men looked more like vampires or the phantom of the opera. It had created a fury of responses on their social media blogs, as well as the interviews they had been doing lately. They had announced earlier that week in one interview that they would not be revealing their identities for at least another 3 or 4 years; until every one of them was out of college and had started their careers off.

The band took a few breaks to refresh and change costumes/outfits while other bands filled in the times and displayed their own music. They were almost to the end of the concert when they decided to play their 2 favorite pieces from their new album that was set to be released later that week; 1 for Jesse (play Dark Paradise by Lana Del Rey) and 1 for her mother (play Always Love You by Tori Kelly), but no one but them and family knew the stories behind them. The crowd reacted in shock and elation at being the first ones to hear the new songs before they would hit the shelves, and Caroline felt her own sense of pride that she had managed to put a piece of Jesse and of her mother out in the world for millions of people to listen to; it made her feel like was finally honoring them both for everything they had done for her. At the end of the night they even played one of their songs that reflected coming of age to congratulate all of the graduates in attendance; not giving any specific class since they could see several school groups that had some still wearing their caps and/or gowns.

With the concert over and considered a success they all went back to their dressing rooms to change; letting their body doubles dress up as them to lead the press and crowds away. Her bandmates and her separated so they could find their families in the different back-stage areas they had set up to keep everyone separated and not leak out their identities. When Caroline came out with her duffle-bag in tow, looking the same as she had been at graduation, no one that didn't know suspected her of anything and she immediately crashed on the couch her mother had taken residence up on. She knew her mother was going to tell everyone there about her cancer; with only her and Bonnie knowing in the room she was sure it would keep them there a while. Liz started off by telling everyone that Steven was throwing a late dinner for everyone and they all had rooms booked at a nearby hotel as part of their passes. Some were confused and others excited about continuing the night on.

Hours later…

Caroline walked through the hallways of the hotel slowly with her mind going a million different ways at once. She had tried to go to sleep but her mind hadn't let her. She had checked on her mom and had watched her sleep for close to an hour before she felt like she had to get out of the room. She thought that maybe going to the indoor pool and hot tub might calm her mind but she took her time exploring the hotel to help clear her mind before she would go there. Dinner had been fun with everyone gathered around and talking about the good times from the past, as well as everyone's hopes for the future. Caroline had found herself silent in most of the conversations since her past wasn't all too pleasant to think about and the future was even less appealing with her mother's condition hanging over their heads. She wanted to make each day last longer since her biggest fear at the moment was that her mother passing away.

Contemplating what her next steps would be now that she had graduated, she wondered if it had even been worth joining a band when the doctor was so sure that her mother wouldn't be with them in a few months; she had spent a lot of time gone or busy that she could have been spending with her mother. On the other hand, if she hadn't then her mother would have struggled to pay all their regular bills, medical bills, and everyday costs on top of going through the chemotherapy. Her mother would have strained herself too much and likely wouldn't have survived the first fight against her cancer and gotten as far as she had. She was just glad that she would be able to take her mom and Bonnie with her on tour this time since her mother had put in her vacation time and told the rest of the officers at the station about her cancer; they knew and understood that her remaining time was going to be spent with her and Bonnie.

Caroline was also worried how the summer tour would affect her mother's health since she should be resting, but Caroline didn't want to leave her behind again; not when it would likely be her mother's last summer. The doctors had already stopped the treatments since Liz's body had stopped responding to them and Liz had decided she didn't want to sit around the house and wait for the end; she wanted to go out on her feet and being with Caroline and Bonnie. Caroline kept circling over the best possible solution to the current choice in front of her, but any way she went something had to give and she didn't know what to do. When she walked into the pool area finally she almost walked back out because of who was in there, but he spotted her before she could get back out the door.

"You don't have to leave… I wouldn't mind the company either." Caroline heard Klaus say and she quickly steeled herself for what they might discuss before shedding her clothes down to her one-piece; she hadn't wanted to risk someone seeing her in a bikini from Mystic Falls.

"So… what brings you down here?" Caroline asked when she realized she didn't have anything else to say.

"Just… thinking. I couldn't sleep and thought the water might help." Klaus replied and she nodded in return before she sat on the opposite end of the jacuzzi. She didn't think she needed to reply to that so she remained quiet. Neither of them spoke for a few minutes and she felt her mind clouding over in all her thoughts again. "From the looks of it, we could probably both use a drink instead of a soak to ease the troubles." Klaus finally broke the silence.

"That wouldn't really help right now." Caroline replied with a shake of her head. "I just… I can't help but feel like I didn't do enough for mom. She fought so hard for so long… but now…" She rambled but stopped herself when she realized just who she was opening up to; especially when she remember she promised herself she wouldn't do that again.

"I think you did everything you could to help her. You went and got a job to help out with the costs, you dove into school, you cut out almost all of your social activities, you watch her…" Klaus spoke and Caroline felt herself look at him in confusion; she didn't understand how he knew that she had done all of that for her mom. She had started withdrawing right after their friendship ended and she hadn't told anybody that her mother getting diagnosed with cancer had been the real reason for pulling away from everyone. Everyone assumed it was the ending of her friendships that had her re-organizing her schedule and priorities. He seemed as if he was struggling to say everything as he kept his eyes from hers; an old habit when he was nervous she remembered.

"How would you know that I did all of those things?" Caroline asked him just loud enough to let the sound carry over the sound of the jacuzzi bubbling. He immediately quieted and glanced at her before halfway shrugging and opening his mouth to speak repeatedly but nothing came out. "We never talked until after Jesse died so how would you know what I did?" She reiterated her question and moved closer to him. When he looked up at her he didn't look like he wanted to answer her question, but he gave her a small tight-lipped smile to hold her off a little longer. She didn't know exactly how she was looking at him but it must have been enough to prompt him to answer her.

"Because… when I realized that I was an idiot… and an asshole… I kept trying to find a way to talk to you… to apologize, but every time I saw an opportunity it quickly closed. I was able to get snippets of conversations here and there and I also managed to keep up with what people would say from time to time." Klaus explained but when he looked at her again he must have noticed her further confusion because he kept going. "I tried to abide your wishes and leave you be, but I wanted to take back my words as soon as I said them; I took our friendship for granted and it costs us a lot of memories we could have had. I should have listened to you… I can't help but feel a lot of things would have gone differently if I had." Klaus finished and she nodded in thought before looking at him again.

"Probably… but then again it could have turned out the same… I guess it was inevitable." Caroline spoke slowly so he could understand her point. "We were always going in different directions anyway… it was only a matter of time before something else pulled us apart."

"No… it was my fault… and I don't want you to think you did anything wrong, because you didn't. And I didn't realize what I felt back then… but instead I kept pushing it away because I thought I was competing with everyone around me; that included who I dated. Look… I don't want to dump all of this on you because you got enough on your plate right now, but I do want you to know that you can come to me for anything; whether it's just to talk or you need help with something."

"Thanks… I guess. And thanks for taking my mind off of what's going on… I just want to be able to do more for mom. She doesn't deserve to have her life cut short… she should go out when she's old with gray hair and lying in her bed. It isn't fair that she's came this far and there's nothing we can do now; we're just going to have to watch her die." Caroline ranted and Klaus rubbed over her shoulder. "I guess I better get some sleep. We're leaving in a couple days for a summer road trip… since it'll be her last one." Caroline remarked and looked at him before bumping her shoulder against his. She didn't say anything else before she stood and started drying off before getting her clothes back on.

"Don't think about the end of summer… enjoy it day by day with your mother. I'll message you from time to time… and if you all need anything just call or text me; I'll help any way I can." Caroline heard him say and it gave her pause at the door. She looked back at him and nodded since she wasn't sure what she should say back to him. She was halfway back to her room when she stopped in her tracks as something he said caught up to her; he said he wasn't aware of his feelings in the past. She couldn't quite believe those words and chalked it up to hearing him wrong or misinterpreting what he had meant. Caroline knew it wasn't the time to ask him what he had meant since she was on a time limit with her mother and was unable to know how much time she was working with. She might ask him one day, but today wasn't the day and it wouldn't likely be any time soon. She checked on her mother again before she went into her part of the suite to pursue her own rest.