Chapter 9
It took a few weeks to formulate a plan, but with Stefan's help I had everything figured out for a trip away from home. Now I just needed to convince my mom that this was a good idea and make sure that she did not suspect something fishy.
"Hey Mom, do you a have a minuet?" I ask when I hear her come home from the station.
"Sure Caroline, what's up sweetie?" she responds setting her stuff on the counter.
"I have been thinking a lot about these past few years, dying, becoming a vampire, all this supernatural drama that followed. I know that we have talked a lot about be going to school in Richmond and being close to home, but I have been thinking a lot about my future to mom. I would like to go and check out some schools down south and out west too. I want to escape some of the crazy and get to experience college, not be worried about witches and doppelgangers. Stefan was thinking that he should get out of here for a while too, give Damon and Elena a chance to figure out where they are at. So we were kind of thinking of taking a trip to California over spring break. Check out a few schools there, you know UCLA, Berkley, UC San Fran. I have the grades to get into the schools and I have the abilities to make sure we can afford it. Can I please take that week and go see if it would be a good fit?"
"Well I am not thrilled at the idea of you taking off with Stefan for a week to the other side of the country, I am proud of you for thinking that way. I think it would be good for you to get away from here. Away from the reminders of Tyler, stop competing with Elena for everything. Find someone who makes you feel special. You know that I am not a huge fan of Vampires, but if he makes you happy then I will be supportive. And to be honest he is probably one of the best ones there is. Just please be safe. I would rather you didn't need to sneak around and lie to me and your friends about it."
"Who is it you think that I am hiding mom?" I ask really confused about what is going on.
"Your relationship between you and Stefan. The two of you keep going away together, making plans to move across the country together. The mysterious late nights when I am at work, skipping some of your classes. I am not stupid Caroline I know that you are hiding him."
"First off, EWWWW! Stefan is like a brother to me. We are close because Tyler abandoned me, and Elena chose his brother over him. He is a good friend to me nothing more. And I like the idea of having a friend with me if I decide to move across the country. That does not mean I am sleeping with him!" I respond.
"Calm down Caroline. I am just telling you how I see it. If you are not with Stefan then I guess I should be a little more worried as to why you have a closet full of lingerie and sneaking around behind my back. Is there something else going on that I should know about? You are happier than I have seen you since you became a Vampire, and I am pretty damn sure it has something to do with a boy." She tells me, obviously not willing to drop the subject.
"Fine Mom, you want to know the truth" I tell her practically yelling at this point. "I have met someone and he does make me happy, but there is no way that anyone is the god forsaken small town would understand it. Not you, not my friends and certainly not the town at large. So Yes I have some sexy numbers and Yes I have been skipping some classes and coming home late so that I can fuck his brains out. But as you said I am finally feeling happy and alive again, and I am not about to give that up for anyone at this point, nor will I jeopardize it by telling anyone what's going on! Lastly All I wanted to know was if you were ok with me taking off for spring break. But guess what I am going anyways. I need to escape this place for a while." I tell her flashing out of the house as fast as my vamp speed would take me.
Before I could realize where I was I found myself at Nik's doorstep. I didn't know if I could knock. What if Rebecca or Kol were home? What would I tell them as to why I was there? Needing to be with Nik I pulled my phone out of my pocket.
-Are you home? I am outside. – Caroline
He didn't even respond. I had been looking away from the house staring at my phone, but I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around me.
"What's wrong Love" he asks with genuine concern.
"Mom and I had a big fight. I asked her about spring break, and she accused me of hiding a relationship with Stefan from her. When I told her he was like a brother she started prying into why I had sexy underwear and why I have been out late, and why I have been skipping classes, and why I have been happier than I have been since I was turned? I snapped I told her I had met someone and that he made me happy and that the town would never approve. But I love him too much to care what anyone thinks, and I would keep him as my secret because he is mine and I want to keep him that way." I tell him half crying half speed talking just wanting to feel the safety of his arms.
"You Love me?" he asks
"What? Oh Yes I guess I do." I reply slightly embarrassed.
"I love you too Caroline. More than you can ever know." He tells me kissing me, pouring all that emotion into the kiss.
"The house is empty, would you like to stay the night Love?" he asks hopefully.
"Thank you" I say taking his hand and heading into the house.
When we reached his room, I realized I had nothing with me. As if sensing what I was thinking he hands me one of his shirts as he starts to strip down. We crawl into bed together and he pulls me close. I nestle into his arms and fall asleep feeling happy and loved.