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Thanks to all of you for your support and kind reviews, you guys keep me motivated to keep this story going! Love hearing from you and listening to what you guys have to say! Keep the comments coming :)
Hope you guys like this Chapter, I found it not the most exciting thing to write, but it's just kind of a filler chapter. Still hope you like it all the same! -Cheers
Klaus's reckless driving is anything but subtle as he races into the Mystic High's parking lot. The engine of his 1965 Fastback Mustang revs loudly as he pulls into an empty space at the end of a long row, putting distance between us and the students hanging around outside for their lunch hour.
A few boys stand up, taking a few steps in our direction; low whistles escape their lips as they admire the sleek looking car. The rest of the students squint at the tinted windows, their eyes trying to pry through the dark, find out the passengers of this vehicle; so out of place in this parking lot it's comical.
"Subtle..." I glance out at the peering eyes, and shake my head, "Well this should be fun to explain to... Everybody."
"I could drive around the block, drop you off down the street if you would prefer." He drums his fingers along the leather steering wheel, sarcasm drenching his words as he raises an eyebrow at me.
"No," I roll my eyes, my mouth twitching into an amused smile.
"Good," He leans over to the passenger's seat, cupping my face as he kisses me passionately, his fingers tangling in my hair. He's pulling away before I have a chance to deepen the kiss, my lips tingling, begging for more.
I sit there stunned for a few seconds. Amazed how fast he can steal my breath from me. He leans back into the driver's seat, obviously satisfied with the effect his kisses have on me. A small and very smug grin plays with the corners of his mouth.
I frown a little, squinting out at the students hanging out in the front of the school. Not wanting to go in. I could settle into the comfortable leather seats, stay in this car and kiss Klaus all day. That sounds better than Social Studies to me...
Just as the thoughts of taking refuge in this car for the rest of the afternoon cross my mind, Rebekah walks outside the school, glancing around the parking lot, until her eyes land on the car at the end of the row, her eyes narrowing slightly in our direction.
"Joy." I mumble, watching as she crosses her arms across her body, tapping her foot.
Klaus sighs, pushing his door open and stepping out of the car in one swift motion.
"Wha—where are you going?" I ask, but he's already walking around the front of the mustang, opening my door.
I hesitate, glancing around him at the curious students, before stepping out of the car. Closing it behind me, he steps closer, forcing me to back up against the sun-warmed metal.
At first I think he's going to kiss me, and I tense. Instead, he reaches up, lightly grazing his thumb across my bottom lip, making my mouth open a little. His fingers sweep a piece of stray hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear.
"Have a good day at school," It almost sounds patronizing, amused by my need to fulfill my menial human agenda.
I force myself to take deep even breaths; roll my eyes and push against his chest, putting enough space between us that I can slip away, heading towards the school.
"Nice of you to finally join us," Rebekah snaps at me as I get close enough to hear her snarky words.
"Good to see you too." I shoot back, passing her and entering the school.
Students line the halls; the lunch hour is almost up, though no one seems to be in any rush to get back to classes. And who can blame them?
I mentally count the days in my head.
Thirteen days until prom—three weeks until the end of exams; three weeks until freedom.
We walk into Bio 30 together a few minutes before the bell, taking seats next to each other. Both of us reluctant to spend more time together, but with the days slipping by fast, we can't afford to lose precious planning time avoiding one another's company.
"While you were off doing God knows what, I finished the center piece arrangements," Rebekah removes a bill slip from her bag, handing it to me.
"Wait, these aren't the ones we agreed on," I frown, the bell interrupting me loudly. Students start to flood into the room.
"Well, you seemed to be a little distracted this past week, so I took it upon myself to tie up some lose ends." She shrugs, giving Elena a small wave as she enters with Stefan.
"We agreed on simple, spring time, not theatrical garish." I chuck the bill back in her face, and she rolls her eyes.
"Hey," Elena takes the desk behind me, Stefan claiming the one behind her.
"Hey," I smile, more relieved to see her than I thought I would be.
"I texted you," She gives me a worried look, as if expecting me to blow up at her any second. Remembering last night's outburst, I can't help but feel a little ashamed.
"I know, sorry, I slept in. I got your text and realised what time it was, had to throw myself together," I give her a look that I hope displays how sorry I am. Not only for not replying, but for the past while; being my friend has become a full time chore.
"It's okay," She smiles at me and I return it, "I'm just glad we're okay,"
"Absolutely."
"Hey where did you end up going last night?" She's pulling her books out of her bag while she asks this, thankfully, or else she would have seen the colour drain from my face.
I open my mouth, hoping words will come.
"Class, this is your last full week of school, I expect everyone to be paying attention as we will be covering diploma prep, and review—now open your books, and we'll begin."
Effectively shutting everyone up; the way Mrs. Crow does when she puts on her serious voice, we get lost in the lesson; Elena lets her question go for the time being.
I duck my head, focussing wholly on the work in front of me; but not before receiving a haughty quirk of the eyebrow from Rebekah before she turns to her own book. I can feel the blood rush to my cheeks.
Focus Caroline.
XXX
I walk into my house that night, my keys giggling as I place them on the front door bench. The lights are on in the kitchen, while the rest of the house is dark and quiet.
I quietly make my way towards the light, peeking into the kitchen tentatively.
Mom is sitting at the table, rubbing her forehead, staring at a file laying open in front of her.
"Hey," I say quietly, causing her to jump a little, her hand going to her chest with surprise. "Sorry," I apologise, taking a few more steps into the room, but making sure to keep my distance.
"No, I was just..." She hurries to close the file, looking up at me—she looks so tired. My heart aches.
"It's late," I say, taking another careful step towards her.
She looks at her watch and sighs, "Yeah, I was just brushing up on some work for tomorrow." She stands, taking her water glass to the sink.
Every sound—Her chair against the hardwood; her footsteps across the floor; the glass against the procaine—Everything seems magnified in the silence of the home.
"I was just going to grab some stuff and I'll..." I turn, leaving the kitchen, and my mother, half asleep at the counter.
I pack a small bag. A few outfits, toothbrush and makeup; the essentials.
Making my way back down stairs, I scoop my keys off the bench.
"Caroline," her voice cautious and weak with exhaustion.
I turn; she's come into the hall way, leaning against the wall, avoiding my eyes.
"I don't agree with what you're doing." This is not good, my defence is immediately up, and she can tell, "But," She looks at me now, determination trying to fight its way past the fatigue, "You're my daughter, and I trust that you will do what's right for you... No matter how crazy I think it is."
I stare at her in disbelief, never imagining I'd ever hear those words come out of her mouth.
"Now I'm not saying I like the idea. At all," She sticks me with a serious mom look, "But for your sake and mine... I'm willing to try."
I stare at her another second before a small smile creeps onto my face.
"Thank you." I whisper.
"I've missed you these past couple days."
"I've missed you too..."
She smiles at me now, a small and careful one, but a smile all the same.
On the drive to Elena's house, the quiet of the car doesn't bother me. My mind is at peace, my hands are steady on the wheel, and I feel something very close to joy blossoming in the pit of my stomach.
When I pull up to the house, all the lights are on. I frown; Damon's car is here, as well as Bonnie's.
I hurry to the door, knocking a few times before letting myself in.
They all look up when I enter; the seriousness in the room is palpable.
"What's going on?" I ask, looking from one of them to the other. Bonnie has tears in her eyes, looking utterly petrified. "What happened?" my voice drops to a whisper.
I walk further into the room, and that's when I see her.
She's pale, cold, and almost statue like on the floor of the Gilberts living room. Blood staining the rug as it flows from a wound on the side of her skull.
My hand flies to my mouth as I stare down at the young, lifeless blonde. I hate how my fangs itch and my veins crave the scent in the air.
"Rita," I say, my voice raspy with shock and horror.
"Seems like Silas wanted to send a little message to Bonnie," Damon says, his voice dark with hate.
"I have to help him..." Bonnie says after a minute of quiet, "I have to do the spell. Now."
"What Bonnie no!" I hiss, stepping further into the room, "You can't just give in to—"
"Caroline I'm not just going to let him start killing people I care about. If this is just the beginning, it ends here."
And with that, she breezes past me, leaving the house, and all of us speechless.
Damon pulls a sheet over Rita's body, the room falling ghostly quiet.