Chapter 14

I had not seen Nik in over 3 weeks. We talked almost every day, but I could tell that he was distracted with whatever was going on in New Orleans. Every time I asked him what was going on down there, he would tell me not to worry about it and change the subject. That had me a little concerned. What was he doing down there that was such a big secret? Was he ashamed of what he was doing? On top of all this, I was still avoiding Tyler and dodging questions from my friends about Tyler. Prom was 3 weeks away and exams started this week, needless to say I am a little stressed and could really use some time with my man.

Deciding that stressing out was not helping the situation I started to get ready for bed; I have a biochemistry exam first period and need my sleep. Just as I crawl under the covers my phone lights up with an incoming call. I pick it up and see Nik's name on the screen, I swipe my finger over the accept button and life the phone to my ear.

"Hey Nik" I greet him

"Hello Love, what are you up to tonight?"

"Just getting ready for bed, I have my biochemistry final in the morning."I remind him. We had talked about this yesterday.

"Oh that's right. You ready for it?" He asks

"As I can be. What are you up to?"

"Nothing much, just got back, thought I should call my lady." He says trying to be sweet.

"Thanks for thinking of me, where were you?" I ask trying to get some more information out of him.

"Just out. Taking care of some business, nothing for you to worry about."

"Ok well, I really should be going to bed, I need my sleep. I will talk to you tomorrow." I tell him.

"Is everything ok Caroline. You seem upset"

"I am fine; I just really need to focus on this exam tomorrow. I will call you after school."

"I am busy tomorrow afternoon. I will call you when I get in tomorrow evening. I love you."

"Love you too" I finish ending the phone call.

CKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCk

I had a great night sleep, and felt confident about the exam I wrote this morning. I decided to skip my next class and head to the boarding house. I had something to run by Stefan.

"Stefan, are you home?" I call out entering the house. I hear some shuffling upstairs, and then see Stefan come down the stairs straightening his shirt as he goes.

"Hey, Care. What are you doing here? Don't you have class this morning?" He asks.

"Ya, but I needed to talk to you so I skipped math. Is this a bad time Stef?"

"No, why would you think that?"

"I don't know, maybe the fact that you smell like sex, and have a girl hiding in your bedroom. Something you want to share with the group?"

"Ya, about that... I may have a new girlfriend." He tells me while looking at the ground and running his hand through his hair.

"Oh, well do I know her? Who is she?"

Before he has a chance to answer I see Rebekah walking down the stairs wearing one of Stefan's shirts.

"I guess that answers that question, and the one I came to talk to you about. So I am just going to leave you two to whatever it was you were doing, and go back to school." I say turning on my heel.

"Care wait! What did you want to talk to me about? You don't skip math for no reason." He jokes with me.

"I was going to see if you wanted to be my date to the prom, but I am assuming that you will be escorting your girlfriend. Before you say anything, it is fine. I will figure something out." I tell him giving him a reassuring look before heading back to my car. Once inside I bang my head against the wheel. What was I going to do now? I am out of options for prom. I can either give in and go with Tyler or not go at all. Neither of those sounded too appealing.

CKCKCKCKCCKCKCKCKCKCKCKK

I am back at school by lunch, and my friends have spotted me. I guess there is no point in putting off the inventible, I wave and head over to join them at the table.

"Hey guys" I greet them grabbing a seat on the opposite end as Tyler.

"Hey Care, where did you take off to? We missed you in math." Elena asks.

"I went to go talk to Stefan" I tell them

"I am guessing you found out about his "secret" girlfriend" Damon laughs using air quotes around "secret".

"Yes I did. How long has thins been going on?" I ask him

"Shortly after you two got back from California. He keeps saying he will introduce her to everyone soon." He replies

"As long as he is happy" I finish with a smile.

"So Blondie, figured out the prom situation yet?" Damon asks with as much tact as he can muster.

"Nope, actually thinking I might just skip the whole thing" I tell him.

"Care, there is no need for you to do that. I have told you several times that I would be happy to take you to prom." Tyler says from the end of the table.

"Yes, but I am not sure I want to go with you! I would rather miss the whole thing than be there with someone who I don't want to be with!" I tell everyone getting up from the table. I head towards my car with tears running down my face. How did everything get so messed up? I am so focused on getting away I don't notice the man standing in front of me until I literally run into him.

"Sorry" I mumble trying to move around him.

"Care, what is going on?" I hear Stefan's voice ask me.

"I can't take this anymore. I am tired of lying to my friends. I am sick of being surrounded by happy couples, when I can't have that. I am just done!" I tell him as I push past him and into my car.

I sit in my car and find myself crying for the second time that day. Deciding enough is enough I put the car in drive and head home. After a few minutes in the house I am in the car again. I pull into my destination. I walk straight to the counter and get what I came for.

"One ticket to New Orleans please"