They fall in uncomfortable silent. He doesn't understand, the reason behind this twist in his gut, or why he's embarrassed that she saw them, they were just hugging, and even if not, why does he care? They're friends.
He blinks the thoughts away as Elena talks.
"Well, uh, I should go look for Bonnie." She says as she walks to the door, she smiles to Caroline. But that smile doesn't last much as it gets replaced with annoyance.
God knows that Katherine Pierce couldn't care less about Bonnie Bennett. Most importantly, she hates the idea that Stefan and Caroline will be alone, because now, Caroline is at the top of her 'Dangerous' list.
But, she had to behave like the beloved Elena Gilbert would.
He doesn't move, only puts his hands in his pockets and look at her as she takes off her necklace.
"I guess the party didn't go well for you." He says with a smile.
"At least one of us had fun." She says slowly, looking at him from the corner of her eyes as she puts the jewelry into some box.
He furrows his eyebrows and purses his lips innocently, as if he has no idea what she's talking about.
She looks at him and raises her eyebrows, clearly not buying his acting.
What did he expect? She would always read him as an open book.
"Oh, you mean…" he says, still faking the innocent surprise.
But when she raises her eyebrows higher, he knows that it's not working.
He sighs then, accepting his failure.
"Listen, it's not what you think; she was just… being a friend." He says and looks at her eyes, searching if she believes him.
"That's not my business." She says with a smile and walks pass him to her bed side.
He turns around and looks at her, "No, of course it's your business, Caroline. You get to know, and you also get to say your opinions, that what friends do." He says, his eyes desperate to make her understand.
But she does, and that's the problem.
"I just want you to know that you can tell me anything, anytime." She says. Using her hand while talking, something she does when she's nervous.
And why is she even nervous?
They stare at each other for a moment, not talking.
"I don't want you to get hurt." She says, her voice low.
"That's all." She finishes as she shakes her head with a big fake smile.
He only nods and smiles.
Something is wrong, but he doesn't know what, and he doesn't want to.