25 Days of Klaroline + High school

Okay, so I wasn't going to do anything (hence my late posting) but as usual all the wonderful works gave me inspiration! So this is just a short one, hope you enjoy. This is dedictaed to the amazing, insightful and talented Abby aka 3tinkgemini who I could literally talk to for AGES (and we have done that) and never run out of things to say. Also please come and live in Australia, I promise I'll make it worth your while ; )

Times Like These

Klaus and Caroline have been best friends since elementary school, but with graduation now over and headed to different colleges in different states, what does this mean for them?

It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again
It's times like these time and time again (Foo Fighters)

"Do you remember that time I kicked you off these very swings?"

"How could I forget, I still have the scars to prove it," Caroline muttered. Their graduation ceremony was long over, their gowns and caps discarded and they'd continued their celebrations at the school playground which was now shrouded in darkness.

"Ahhh those were the good times," he joked, poking Caroline in the arm affectionately. His other hand grasping the celebratory bottle of champagne they were sharing.

"Says my supposed best friend who callously caught me off guard and laughed unashamedly as I fell into the dirt," she growled. "I can't believe you consider that one of our great memories together."

"Well, there was that time I punched Stefan out when he broke up with you right before prom," Caroline chuckled, unable to help herself. At the time she'd been devastated but she was glad she'd discovered what an idiot he was sooner rather than later.

"Admit it, you'd wanted to punch him in the face as soon as we started to date."

"You bet your ass I did," Klaus confirmed. "I think that guy was more interested in his own reflection than you."

"He did take longer in the bathroom than me, I really should have seen the signs," she joked. At the time she'd bawled her eyes out for a solid fortnight, Klaus her ever dutiful friend by her side with chunky monkey on hand and even a few romantic comedies which Caroline knew he hated with a passion. She was fairly certain her sadness had lead him to finally knock Stefan out but she'd be lying if it didn't satisfy her somewhat, especially when she found out he was dating her nemisis Hayley Marshall only a week later.

"We did have fun at prom."

"You stepped on my feet like multiple times," she said.

"I may not be Fred Astaire but at least I danced with you," he baulked. "Plus I think I looked pretty darn cute in that tuxedo."

"I was waiting for that unabashed ego you possess to rear its ugly head," Caroline groaned. "At least we're outside now so I can't be suffocated by it."

"There are so many girls who wish they could be in your place, Forbes," he shot back. "In fact I think I could feel all those hearts breaking at school when I took you to prom instead of accepting the offers from all my female admirers."

Although she hated to admit it, Klaus Mikaelson did have his fair share of female attention at school. How could he not though? English. Lips the colour of deep crimson. Dark blue orbs. Dimples that took on a life of their own. Not that Caroline had noticed of course.

"Wow, I'm not sure college girls are going to warm to that overt arrogance, Mikaelson." She commented, desperately trying to ignore the gnawing feeling in her stomach. At least at school she'd been able to keep an eye on him but being so far away she didn't have that convenience. He was silent longer than she'd expected, his witty come back not forthcoming straight away.

"I can't believe this is it," he replied instead. "I have to admit, I'm kind of frustrated that I can't annoy you full time from Harvard."

"I'm sure you'll find a way, thanks to all the various social media platforms," she remarked, desperately hoping he'd keep in touch otherwise she'd just miss him too much.

"You realise it's less than fours hours via Amtrak between Boston and New York?" Caroline already knew that, she might have googled that a few times, not that she'd ever admit that openly.

"Are you going to miss me, Klaus?" She asked being playful but sucking in a breath at the same time and not releasing it until he finally answered.

"Well, I'm definitely going to miss having a fake girlfriend on hand at a moment's notice," he quipped. "You have an uncanny way of slotting into that scenario."

"What can I say, it comes with the territory," she drawled. "Who else was going to save you from getting beaten up by crazy boyfriends who were defending their girlfriend's honour?"

"That only happened like twice," he scoffed.

"Correction, it happened more times than I can count on one hand. I just hope you're prepared to deal with all those college footballers when you mess with their perky, cheerleader girlfriends."

"I'm not that bad."

"Yes, you are."

"This is why I love our little moments together, so you can tell me what I'm supposedly doing wrong."

"Well, someone has to acknowledge you for the shamless whore you are, Mikaelson," Caroline said. "I'm only upset that you won't have anyone at Harvard to keep you in check."

"I'm sure your emails and snarky facebook comments will be more than enough, love," Klaus replied without a beat. Caroline felt a heavy weight on her chest knowing that their time was coming to an end. Klaus was travelling back to see his family in England before starting university in the fall. As much as she didn't like admitting it, Caroline was going to miss her egotistical best friend more than she knew it.

"I suppose its time we end this party once and for all, there's only so much ego I can take," she murmured, deciding it was best to end things before she got too emotional at their impending separation.

"Not before we exchange year books," Klaus offered, holding out his. It was dark but she could make out the familiar brown cover she'd designed. "This was our arrangement after all." Caroline silently cursed their impromptu and somewhat drunken promise in Junior Year that they would write in each other's year books but not read them until they'd separated after graduation.

She produced hers, slightly embarrased about what she'd written by his photo. Caroline had done at least twelve drafts but everything she'd said completely exposed her feelings for him and Caroline had no intention of implicating herself. He didn't feel the same way after all. They swapped them hastily, Caroline unable to meet his penetrating gaze. She was scared of losing herself in him.

"So, I guess this is it," Klaus began, standing up and regarding her seriously.

"Well, until one of those snarky facebook comments," she answered, covering over her insecurities with banter as usual.

"For the record, I'm sorry I pushed you off the swing," he murmured, his eyes threatening to weaken her resolve completely.

"Can I have that in writing?" She asked, cocking her left eyebrow knowing that she had to keep things light or she'd be at risk of melting completely and Klaus couldn't know just how strong her feelings were towards him.

"Not on your life," he grinned. "But if you need me to come and beat up any idiotic boyfriends, I'll be on my way without a second thought." His protectiveness meant the world to Caroline but the only thing that would have been better was a confession that he was in fact in love with her. Caroline shook her head, determined to ignore the feelings he caused. She didn't want to make a fool of herself, her pride wouldn't let herself do it.

"So, I guess this is goodbye," she began.

"No it's goodnight, love."

"Goodnight," she replied, almost breathless. It was difficult to be in such close proximity and not be affected by his spicy and familiar aftershave. They held each other's gazes for a while, Caroline resisiting the urge to kiss those crimson lips she knew too well. When they did finally separate she felt that familiar weight on her chest remain and wondered if it would ever lift given her unresolved feelings.

Pennsylvania Station - Baltimore, Maryland

Klaus looked up at the departure board, his train was leaving in ten minutes. He gathered his belongings unenthusiastically, her year book message stuck in his throat like stale bread. He really shouldn't have gotten excited, she had always considered him as the annoying, womaniser friend. Given his actions, Klaus couldn't really blame her but he secretly hoped that she'd confess something more, exactly like he'd done.

He knew it was a long shot but Klaus hoped putting himself out there would let her know he was serious. In fact, he'd hoped that she would do the same but the generic message she'd written had reiterated the fact that she didn't feel anything more than friendship. That had hurt more than Klaus had ever imagined. He'd loved her since he pushed her off that swing. Cruel maybe but he wasn't good with emotions and that was the closest he could do to show he cared.

She'd been unimpressed at first but Klaus knew she wouldn't have stayed around if his case was completely futile. That's when he decided to make his case for her heart but obviously it hadn't been as successful as he'd hoped.

He inhaled deeply, walking towards the tracks taking him to Virginia. This wasn't how he saw things going but maybe they weren't just meant to be.

"How dare you," a familiar voice accused him. He looked up hopefully, recognising that voice and drinking in her golden waves and expressive blue eyes.

"That's not a very nice farewell," he bit back, trying not to get too caught up in her sudden appearance. "I thought we were friends, love."

"Your message..."

"Don't worry yourself with that," Klaus replied gruffly.

"So you didn't mean it?"

"I..."

"You said... and I quote," she announced, reading from the familiar year book, "I intend to be your last love, however long it takes."

"Are you trying to embarrass me?" He asked, looking around the station wearily. "I can only take so much rejection tonight, Caroline."

"I didn't..."

"Oh, yes you did. If anyone was trying to distance yourself it was that message you wrote. I completely understand that's what you want..."

"Its not what I want," she hissed. "I want everything you want..."

"But your comments?"

"I was scared and stupid and didn't want to admit that I've been in love with you since elementary school," Caroline conceded. "Even with that out of control ego." Klaus dropped his bags, elated that what he'd wanted for so long was finally happening. Her shook his head hoping that everything he'd hoped for was actualy becoming a reality.

"So, what do you want?" He asked, reluctantly. It may have seemed that he had all the self confidence in the world but when it came to Caroline Forbes, Klaus was a quivering mess.

"You," she answered simply. He dared to meet her gaze. "All I want is you."

"Sounds like we have something in common then," he grinned. "Have I ever told you how much I love you, Caroline Forbes." She hesitated for a moment before running towards Klaus and throwing her arms around him.

"No but how about you just shut up and kiss me," she replied.

"I think I can do that," he murmured into her hair before dropping his head and placing a sweet kiss on her lips.