Author's Note: Alright guys, SO, this is an important chapter. Enjoy!

I DO NOT OWN VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS.

Chapter Eleven:

I can't believe it's finally here – it's finally happening. This is nothing like I pictured it as a child. It's graduation day. I never thought that I'd be graduating without Matt or Elena. Everything's crazy. I always thought that my Grams would be here for me, clapping for me as I walked across the podium. I know she'll be watching over me from heaven. Heck, I couldn't even convince my father to come home for it. I suppose it's better this way. The less he's around, the less I have to worry about.

I looked in the mirror and smoothed out my graduation gown. I look ridiculous. It's weird, with everything that's happened I haven't looked forward to this at all. When the world keeps threatening to end, you find yourself just focusing on staying alive.

"You look sexy. Personally, I'd rather see you without all of the material." Damon said coming from behind me. I turned and made a face at him.

"I'd rather not graduate naked, Damon." I told him, sticking my tongue out.

"Yeah, but you're naked under the clothes – aren't you?" Stefan asked, walking into Damon's room with an extra bag of blood for his brother. I blushed. "It's not like we weren't already thinking about it." Stefan mused. I shook my head at him.

"I almost miss the non-perverted Stefan." I slid on my shoes. Damon chuckled.

"This Stefan is way more fun. A man can only brood for so long. I mean, look at what happened to Edward – he started sparkling. And he also became obsessed with some high school girl… Wait." Damon smarted off then looked at Stefan. Stefan flipped him off.

"He does have a point, Stefan… Not that he's any better. He was chasing more of them than you were. Now you both just need some glitter and you'll be set." I teased.

"You're just lucky I'm not chasing after you. Than Damon would have some competition." Stefan mused, leaving the room.

They called my name and I walked across the stage to receive my diploma. I smiled and shook hands with the principal. I did it. I finally did it. High school is finally over. It's one thing to cross off of my stress list. I walked off of the stage and passed a few of my teachers, pausing for brief handshakes.

Alaric grabbed my hand before I could pull it back and gripped it tightly. He pulled me in for a hug. I pushed him away. He smirked.

"I've missed you. Don't worry, just because high school is over, doesn't mean that we have to be." He whispered. I made my way to my seat as quickly as I could. I'm tired of being scared of him. The worst part is fear is hard to get rid of. I know that he's fully capable; I also know that I can defend myself. But, there's something about him that makes me freeze up.

I can't keep living this way. Trying to dodge him all of the time is exhausting. Acting like he doesn't faze me is even harder. I can't show that he rattles my bones, because that is just a sign of weakness that he would pray on.

"Bonnie," I heard somebody whisper my name. I looked around, unable to pinpoint the person the voice belongs to. My eyes rolled over everyone in sight. I saw a flash. Wait… My eyes widened. Klaus. What's he doing here? He put a finger to his mouth and shook his head. He winked and disappeared.

Does this mean that he's back? He let Stefan go. What more could he want now? Nothing makes sense anymore. I don't know what to believe. Trying to make sense of things is just raising more questions and making everything so much more complicated. We need answers.

"Come on Bonnie! We have to celebrate. We're always serious, all the time! I know you saw Klaus, but let's face it; we're not going to see him again until he wants to be seen. There's no point in stressing when we don't have to. We can worry in the morning, but for now we party!" Caroline declared, excitedly. She's right.

"Tonight we party." I repeated. She beamed. The Salvatores broke out the alcohol. The night blurred into inappropriate dancing, swearing, hugging, obnoxious behavior, and an all-around good time.

"Damon move over, you're smushing me." I grumbled, trying to get some space.

"I'm not Damon." I heard someone murmur. I opened my eyes just enough to see who was talking to me. Stefan is half lying on top of me. Eh, weirder things have happened.

"Stefan, scoot over a little. I know I'm small, but I need to be able to breathe." I whispered. He obliged. I flung my arm across his waist and leaned into him before going back to sleep.

"Bonnie, love, wake up. There's much to discuss." A voice was pulling me out of my dreams. I raised my hand to wave them away, without opening my eyes.

"Still sleepy," I grumbled. I heard soft laughter. Someone picked me up and carried me upstairs. I snuggled up against the warm body. It must be Damon. I was placed down on a bed. I groped for the body heat. I felt a hand and pulled it closer to me and laid next to him.

"You're adorable when you're sleeping, love. I don't know why I didn't really notice you before. Truthfully, I just needed to get the doppelganger and run, but that didn't much work out. And, as much as I love cuddling with you, you do need to be awake for this. There is something that I must apologize to you for."

"Okay, gimme a minute."I whispered. I scooted closer and pulled him in for a kiss. His lips felt different on mine. His stubble is tickling my face. "You need to shave." I muttered as I pulled away and blinked. It's so bright. I looked over to the face in front of my lazily. I jumped. "Klaus!" I whisper yelled. "Holy shit." I rubbed my face. He chuckled.

"I was waiting for you to figure it out, love. Now, pay attention, this is important. We both know that I loathe repeating myself."

"Alright, what are you apologizing for?"

"You see, while I was in Mr. Saltzman's body, it seems that I have left it tainted. He's not quite the same man he was before the possession. I take full responsibility for the damage, but I would never hurt a woman in that way. Being as old as I am, there is nothing more shameful than forcing yourself on an unwilling woman. I've been keeping an eye on things going on in Mystic Falls, mainly on you. You could be a valuable asset, love. You're more powerful than any witch I've met in a long time. Your power is raw and full of heart. I don't expect to sway you today, but I would like say that I owe you one. I know it can't rectify the damage done, but it's something. I expect that you'll want to explain to the rest of your little friends, so I'll leave you to it. I'll be in touch." Klaus got off the bed and offered a hand to help me up. I accepted it in my haze of processing everything. "Oh, and Bonnie? You should probably keep that kiss between us, love." He winked and vanished.

Wow. Talk about dropping a bomb. I kissed Klaus. I actually kissed Klaus, granted I thought he was Damon, but still. And Klaus apologized. I'm waiting for other signs – pigs flying, raining fire, hell freezing over, Channing Tatum showing up to strip for me. No. The world isn't ending, but he actually apologized. Wow.

I walked downstairs and sat down next to the staircase. Everyone seems to have woken up during my absence.

"You'll never believe what just happened."I told them. They all looked over at me. I started explaining.

Author's Note: Alright, so… let me know what you think. Reviews would be awesome. Next chapter will be up soon! So, I waited for the next Bonnie/Alaric confrontation. BUT it'll be in the next chapter. Will she forgive him?

Xo Xo
Anneryn