There's something about a man in a uniform that makes Bonnie's head spin. Or maybe it's just something about Stefan in a uniform that's making her head spin, but whatever the reason, Stefan still looks smoking hot in his ROTC uniform. The only that sucks when Stefan wears his uniform is that you cannot show any PDA whatsoever; not even hand holding, but they hold hands secretly under the table at the cafeteria.
"Can you believe that we're graduating in a week?" Caroline brought up.
"I know it's crazy. All of it went by so fast." Elena said.
"So what are your plans after graduation?" Matt asked the group.
"Well," Caroline started, "I'm going to be a lawyer. I got accepted into Harvard law!"
"That's great Care!"
"Yeah, I didn't know you wanted to be a lawyer."
"Yeah, I didn't tell anyone about it because there was a chance that I couldn't do it." Everyone nodded in understanding.
"She told me though." Matt smiled.
"Aww how sweet," Bonnie teased, "what about you Elena?"
"Well, I'm studying to be a writer. My mom always wanted that for me and I just want to fulfill her wish."
"Is that what you want to do? I'm sure that she would want you to be happy even if you're not a writer."
"I know but this just makes me strive more to be successful at what I do, you know. It's my motivation." Everyone nodded.
"Stefan?"
"You're looking at it, I'm joining the military."
"Good for Stefan, fighting for your country, I love it."
"Bon?"
"I uh, going to the Art Institute to study to become a photographer and on the side I'm going to minor in cosmetology."
"Ooh you can take my wedding photos AND do my hair and makeup for free."
"Uh, nothing's for free, babe." Everyone laughed although she was serious.
Matt told everyone that he was going to be a contractor and Tyler said that he doesn't exactly know what he wants to do so he might follow Stefan in the military. By the time their conversation was over so was lunch.
xxxx
Bonnie and Stefan went to their apartment for a little alone time. It's been on Bonnie's mind for the rest of the day that Stefan said that he wanted to join the military. When she was little she promised herself that she wouldn't date anyone that would be joining the forces not because she was opposed to it, but because of all the stress and worry that she would go through until her husband returned home.
"Stefan, why didn't you tell me that you wanted to go to the military?"
"I assumed-"
"Well, you assumed wrong."
"Bonnie what's wrong?"
"You promised! You said that you will never leave me! You promised me!"
"Bonnie you can stay on base with me you don't-"
"It's not just that, Stefan. What if you go to Iraq or something, I can't go with you then, can I? Stefan what if something goes wrong and you die? What am I supposed to do? Cry? Move on?"
"We will work it out, okay, I promise."
"You can't promise anything, Stefan, you're not fucking Jesus Christ!"
"Bonnie–"
"Just go, I need to be alone."
"Babe—"
"Stefan, if you love me you'll leave."
"No, it doesn't work like that."
Bonnie looked up at him, her face stained with tears and ran back to their room. Stefan was close behind her and pulled her in his arms. She tried fighting him, but he kept his hold on her.
"You make me so mad, I hate you!" She said repeatedly hitting his chest with her fists.
"That's alright, I love you anyway."
Bonnie broke down more and wrapped her arms around his neck and cried on his shoulder.
"You promised," she cried.
Stefan's heart broke hearing her cries and now he wishes that he had done things differently.
xxxx
Bonnie had calmed down some but she was still angry. Her back was to his front as they were on the bed.
"Bonnie, please look at me." This was Stefan's third time saying this to her. The first time she shook her head and the time after that she flat out told him no.
When she remained silent Stefan got up from the bed and walked over to her side so he could see her face.
"Baby, please let's just talk about this."
"Stefan, I really don't feel like talking about this."
"Scoot over. Please."
Bonnie sighed but obeyed scooting back a little so Stefan could lie in front of her. He placed his hand on the side of her face and moved his thumb along her cheek bone.
"You promised. When you first said that you loved me I asked you if you were going to leave and you said that you wouldn't."
"And I'm going to keep that promise. I may not be physically by your side, but I'm with you. Even when I'm not, I'm still there Bonnie because we complete each other. I'm half of you and you're half of me so wherever you go I am right by your side."
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard." Bonnie laughed slightly wiping away her tears.
"But it got you smiling didn't it?" Stefan said smiling happy that he lightened the mood in the room.
"Stefan, I didn't mean it. I don't hate you; I love you so much that it makes me hate you." Bonnie looked down.
"Bonnie, look at me," when she looked in his eyes, he continued, "we will get through this. We'll get married and have kids and have a great future, alright? You'll see."
"You promise?"
"I promise."