Chapter 8
Being at a loss for words was something he knew will lead him to awkward moments in life, but staring at her like she is the only one in the room really didn't help matters. She cleared her throat and started to close the door behind her, but Elijah stopped her.
"No need Ms. Forbes. Why don't you and Niklaus carry your conversation in the guest room. I will wait a bit longer for Rebekah to stop with theatrics."
She looked a bit lost but Elijah went to hold the door and with his hand motioned for them to leave. He smiled warmly at Caroline as if to reassure her and it made Niklaus want to rip his heart out, but he calmed himself and moved to follow.
"You are in good hands Ms. Forbes. There is no one with better knowledge on what you are going through now."
With that he closed the door behind them and left them alone. Klaus didn't know where and what to do so he decided to follow her lead.
"The guest room?"
She also snapped back to reality and with a spring in her step turned around to lead them there.
"Ah right. This way, it is the only room I know around here anyways."
As he followed her taking in his surroundings that only remind him of just how all of this was over his head. Not a week ago, he was living a life in a place that only he thought existed. Everything else didn't matter. Here and now, watching Caroline before him he couldn't help but wonder how things had gotten so out of hand.
They stopped at the end of the hallway to the right. The last room in the corridor. Her hand grasped the handle and the door opened a scene to a rather simple setting - giant windows that had sunlight glaring on the large bed and cast the light over a couple of chairs and a cabinet. Simple, but compared to his living arrangements this could've been a five star hotel.
She sat on the edge of the bed, unsure and lost in this world. He never adapted well to change. Let's hope he does a better job this time. She took a deep breath and gathered some courage to proceed.
"I know you rescued me from the car accident."
The compulsion wore of after she died. The pill that was hard to swallow even now as she stands vibrant before him. He turned to look out to the gardens that stretched over the view from the windows.
"Yes, apologies that still in the end you were known as a collateral damage. I didn't want you to be a part of this world, but it happened anyways."
She regarded him pensively, probably not knowing how to act around him. Just as much as he didn't know how to act around her. Still he couldn't deny the pull he felt every time he was in her presence. Suddenly as if she remembered something important she stood up and paced the room in panic.
"Oh my God, Elena! She was in the car with me. She was a vampire- why didn't she help me?"
It appeared that she knew of the supernatural. Not surprising because Mystic Falls was a gathering place of sorts for it. His efforts were for nothing. At the mention of the Gilbert girl, he couldn't help but feel guilty. He saw her for a moment at the Salvatore mansion and didn't let her say a word before snapping her neck.
Feeling embarrassed wasn't above him as she searched for the answers.
"Ah the Gilbert girl was otherwise occupied. I don't want to talk about her."
She took his answer in a stride. Still the adjustment to a hybrid was weighing heavy on her. She settled down in spite of it.
"What do you want to talk about?"
He had to bite his tongue for the immediate response. Still it got away from him.
"I want to talk about you. Your hopes and dreams. Everything you want in life."
There goes his pride. His brothers laugh and comment in the background serving as a bigger hole to dig.
"Real suave Niklaus."
Caroline seemed to be startled by his admission and looked away not knowing what to say, so he tried to cover as much of his mishap as he could.
"I mean it is good to know about your history. So we can understand what amplified in your new state."
A laugh followed and he was enchanted. How did she hold so much power over him he just didn't understand.
"You wouldn't like who I was before this. Collage drama queen."
No idea what she meant by it, he just laughed softly along with her.
"I am sure there are things in your life that had helped build your character."
She seemed thoughtful and then looked at him teasingly.
"You really going to make me say it?"
A slight nod from him and a resigned sigh was the confirmation that he will get a glimpse into her past.
"I was... a girl wrapped up in my own world of superficial things. High school appearance, cheerleading, boys. Simple, normal things. Until..."
Her spark diminished a bit but she was already lost in her story.
"We met the Salvatores and were introduced to the world of vampires. The brothers fought over Elena for a little while, but Stefan never seemed in it. Never gave it his full shot I think. He had someone else in mind."
During her speech, he sat down beside her. Absorbing every little detail. Her past, her quirks and mannerisms, anything he could get.
"I was sort of in the background of it all. Not really there to be noticed by them or their drama. Once more not being enough."
Her eyes widened as she caught herself. She blushed and it made her look as eternal as anything he dreamed of. He smiled and nudged her shoulder.
"You are more than enough now Caroline."
She smiled, satisfied by his retort and he couldn't help but think that maybe having her here with him could be a good thing. That redemption wasn't worth much if you had no one to share it with.
"I don't know why I am telling you all of this. You make me feel like I can just tell you anything and you won't judge me for it."
He looked away from her and stood up. How can he judge her for anything if he looked in the mirror and saw his own faults.
"I believe that now you have a chance to be anyone. To be better if you want. You can discover new things, revisit the places you have been."
Her whisper caught him off guard.
"I've never been anywhere really."
He turned to look at her and saw her sadly gaze towards the window. Dreaming of possibilities he choose to believe.
"Neither have I."
She looked at him in disbelief.
"Didn't Elijah say you are his brother? Aren't you like bazillion years old?"
He laughed at her bewildered expression, loving that the spark was back in her.
"I was otherwise occupied shall we say."
She sobered as his mood darkened.
"If you'd let me, we could discover it together. Make memories that aren't attached to the places that hold pain."
She looked doubtful and as a nervous habit she ran a hand through her hair.
"Isn't that kind of sudden? I just met you. Apparently we are hybrids and no one but you exists in the world. I have to teach how to control myself from you, but I highly doubt you have any self-control. The only safe thing for me to do is go to my friends and let them help me."
She started to go for the door and his anger had to be shown.
"Mark my words, a small town like this will never be enough for you. Your so called friends didn't even search for you, all too concerned about Elena. How are they to accept you now that you are stronger and better than them?"
She paused and turned towards him.
"They are my friends, I will not abandon them. Elena needed their help and she was always their number one choice, but I am still one of them."
She was leaving and he just couldn't take it.
"Don't you understand love- here you are the only choice. There would never be a contest." he said and she paused, listening. "When you look at it closely, you were never one of them."
She sharply took a breath and a look of pity took over her face. Their gazes locked and he knew he hurt her, but he just couldn't stop himself. Not when she was leaving for good.
"That's because you never had friends. I will make it without your help. Goodbye Klaus."
With that her footsteps led her away and he was rooted in his place.
"Well that didn't go so well."
He scoffed looking at Elijah, the glare firmly in place.
"Do crawl into a hole brother."
Who would've thought that some things still hurt more than a jagged edge of a blade. Now he knew.
