A.N: Thank you everyone for your support! It's been lovely, as always keep leaving the love, even critique me. Makes me double think and work harder. A few things to note …
1. Caroline and Tyler did break up, this is not canon. Therefore, Hayley and Tyler did not cheat. Tyler being mad is just typical alpha dog behavior I imagine him having. Clearly not a huge Tyler fan. Pretty neutral on him actually, he had lots of growth but the whole revenge drama went too far.
2. If a few of you are disappointed in Bonnie, I understand. It was a hard chapter to write and striking a balance was difficult. Abuse happens but it's not all clear cut and dry. We have this ideal way to handle the situation, but in my limited experiences with hard situations we almost never act the way we hope we would. Bonnie here is trying to be there for a friend while dealing with shit on her own.
3. Caroline's personality is inspired more from her part in TO than VD. She is older, more mature. She won't do the exact same things, like butting into everyone's business. Well she attempts.
Chapter 14
"TYLER!"
Tyler Lockwood cringed as his mother's cries reached his ears. Hayley who was lying beside him only a sheet covering her modesty chuckled.
"Better go, Mama's boy" Hayley laughed as the hybrid shoved a large shirt her way in retaliation. She watched as he pulled up a pair of jeans buttoning them quickly before grabbing a random shirt.
Another bout of laughter could reach his ears all the down the stairs.
"Mom?" Tyler called out ignoring the laughter of the female werewolf upstairs in his bed. He had met Hayley in the mountains searching for werewolves that could help him with his sire bond. Still hurting from the break-up with Caroline, the baby hybrid immediately saw a female that would cause Caroline insecurity. Hayley was beautiful in ways that Caroline was not, secure in her identity as a werewolf. It was refreshing not constantly being in a fight. Tyler didn't like to compare the two in his mind as Caroline was kind, compassionate even in her anger and pushed him to be better. She expected it. While Hayley has only ever accepted him for who he was now, pushing him to break the sire bond because he wanted to.
Tyler couldn't stop thinking that there was something the brunette was not telling him.
"Tyler there you are!" Carol Lockwood exclaimed, rushing toward him even as she pulled her sole remaining family member into her arms.
"Mom, what's up?" He asked with a grin kissing her forehead as they pulled apart.
"It's terrible, Tyler. The band that we hired to play for after the pageant canceled on us last minute! Now I know your with Hayley now" Carol did not even attempt to hide her intense dislike of the girl, "But could it be even the tiniest bit possible you talk to your little friends about playing for the pageant? Especially Caroline" His mother pleaded.
"Mom… you're not serious" Tyler panicked, images flashing of his freshman year of high school. Matt and he wanted to learn to play instruments, of course where Matt when soon followed Elena and with her Bonnie and Caroline. Tyler could admit it was a fun summer, but did he really want to open up potential wounds?
His mother kept looking at him with desperate eyes and Tyler knew that he would do anything for his mother. Even if it meant begging his ex-girlfriend to play in a damn band with him for a night. Caroline loved the spotlight so she would probably be the easiest.
"Fine, I'll ask. I can't promise anything" He gave his mom a look, but she just ignored his attempt at tampering her elation. She cried out his name in joy throwing her arms around him thanking him profusely.
XXX
"Sponsor reporting for duty," Caroline reported seriously into the phone causing the vampire on the other end of the phone to chuckle. The blonde placed the cell phone between her shoulder and ear beginning to unpack the box, making her way around the tables. She continued to speak with Stefan about his break-up with Elena and finding out about the drawings on his back as being a clue to the cure.
Caroline bit back the guilt for not warning him that this might happen. Elena's transition is what prompted the girl's revaluation of her life, Caroline always assumed the sire bond and the desire to please her sir was what made Elena break up with Stefan the way she did. Eventually the blonde came to terms that it would have occurred eventually, as Elena's feelings became more pronounced. It's why she chose not to warn him.
"Stefan, listen to me this is not a road you want to go down," She warned. Mentally she rolled her eyes as Stefan began his usual speech about Elena not being meant to be a vampire. Caroline counted to ten in her head, as she resisted the urge to flash over to him and beat him to a bloody pulp.
Men were idiots.
"Stefan you know how being a vampire can change people, she has just turned. She is still trying to figure out what all this means for her. Her feelings have expanded, it doesn't mean she won't return to you one day" Caroline sighed before agreeing that she would answer if he needed to call her.
Knowing that while the likelihood was slim, Caroline felt that given enough time they would have found their way back to each other. Even if it meant breaking Caroline's heart, but if she were honest to herself the blonde did always assume she would eventually find her way to Klaus at some point. A few hundred years into the future, possibly. Caroline wondered that what that said about her?
"I have to say, gold on a blonde looks ravishing" A feminine voice catcalled out, followed by a very British sounding chuckle. Looking up the blonde gasped as she found the entire Mikaelson family standing before her.
"Darling, miss me?" Sage joked pulling the blonde into a hug.
"What are you all doing here? I thought you and Finn were off vacationing around the world. Elijah weren't you on a business trip?" Caroline's questions came out in high speed and running together, much to the amusement of Kol.
"Rebekah called them. Saying something about a united front against…what was it now Bekah?" Kol teased his sister who had slapped him.
"I thought Caroline could use more girl power, after all she runs every committee in Mystic Falls" The original sister called her eyes winking at the younger blonde who had blushed.
"You really didn't.." Caroline was cut off by an arm wrapping around her waist.
"Don't worry love, they will be safe while they are in town. Then I will ensure they all go off until Stefan's little obsession is over" Niklaus reasoned.
"Yes, because knowing about a vampire cure and not wanting to have his girlfriend back will be easy" Caroline muttered to herself.
"Hey. No frowns this is a fancy pageant is it not" Sage cried from her place besides Finn.
"It's the Miss Mystic Falls pageant. I won last year so I am in charge this year. Announcing and all that" Caroline trailed off trying not to sound proud but by the smirks she was receiving clearly was failing.
"About that… Care? My mom asked us for a favor" Tyler came up from behind only to stop when he realized that she was surrounded by the Original family.
Caroline's face twisted in confusion, "Tyler? What's going on? Is your mom okay? Oh god did the waiter's drop something. I swear to god—"
Tyler raised his hands, "No. Nothing like that. But the band they hired? Bailed on us last minute. Apparently my mom wants us to get the band back for tonight."
"Oh"
"Oh? Is that all you can say? I want to hear more about this so-called band" Kol giggled creepily causing a few guests walking back to give them a wider berth.
"Care?" Tyler asked again, "It's not for me. I swear this is all my mom."
"I know Tyler. But if everyone's on board sure why not" Caroline agreed. Tyler's shoulders relaxed.
"Great! I'll let the volunteers know to set things up. Think about what you want to do yeah? You will be the one they are all looking at" Tyler said before walking away before he had to interact with any more of the original family. He did not want to face the wrath of both his mother and Caroline.
"Now sweet Caroline, what is this about a band?" Kol asked.
XXX
The blonde vampire stood upon the staircase where the contestants would be walking down with their escorts. She could not find blasted Jeremy Gilbert, catching Matt's eyes she quickly motioned for the fellow blonde over to her.
"Where is Jeremy?" She hissed.
"I don't know. He should have been here by now" Matt defended himself before looking worried.
"What?" Caroline asked, placing hands across her chest. She leveled her best glare at her friend who looked even more concerned.
"Hey, have any of you seen Jere?" Elena came up asking tentatively.
"Matt was just going to spill the beans" Caroline said her tone leaving no wiggle room.
"Matt?" Elena asked concern clearly overwhelming her tone.
"It's just that he's been having nightmares… about killing vampires" By the tone of his voice, the clear regret Caroline knew exactly what he was avoiding.
"You mean Elena" Caroline stated earning a what the hell look from Matt, a scoff from the intruding Damon Salvatore who turned towards Elena telling her not to worry.
Caroline never felt so smug when Elena did not look like she believed him for a minute.
XXX
Niklaus quickly pulled the fiery blonde away from the idiotic masses soon after she snapped at Elena over dumping Stefan because of her confused feelings. He pulled her by the wrist as she was going to snap at the poor bartender leading her away from the party walking along the property.
Not once did he interrupt as she ranted to him, one of the few who did know her story in its entirety. The hybrid allowed her to let out all her ire over the fact someone who she considered, a sister, was still moving towards a man that infuriated her.
"I want to scream! Damon is so gahhhh!" Caroline stomped, acting very much the eighteen years she portrayed to the world.
"Yet here you are, in fact with the big bad wolf of the supernatural world's nightmares" He remarked, loving the way her eyes darkened as she glared up at him. The hybrid led her to bench to sit down.
"I know that means I can't judge. You've hurt her and I adore you" Caroline pointedly ignored the grin that appeared on his face, "She is falling for Damon and he hurt me. Doesn't change that I hate him so much."
His hand covered hers, "It's okay to despise him love, I know I do for what he did to you. I do know however, is that as much as I think you are far too good for this town that you are incredibly loyal to your friends. Even when they do not deserve it."
Caroline sighed, "I want her to be happy, I do! Does it have to be with him?"
Niklaus laughed, "I'm sure they say the same when thinking about you and I." The blonde frowned wondering when this man got to be mature.
"When did you get to be so mature?" She asked. Niklaus leaned over his gaze never leaving hers as he pulled her into a kiss. They shared a few soft kisses, ending with her forehead pressed against his.
"I'd hardly call myself mature. In fact, I wanted to show you something I managed to get my hands on" He pulled out a paper, " Chair of the Mystic Falls Beautification committee…" Niklaus laughed as he continued to read off the paper.
She squeaked, "My Miss Mystic Falls Application! I always wondered how you got your hands on that!"
The current Miss. Mystic tried to reach out for the paper just as the hybrid stepped back. "Love I'm really enjoying the use of when here, very confident. We obviously found a shortage in words ending in spire" Niklaus laughed holding up the paper even higher as she jumped for it.
Elijah, Finn, Kol and Rebekah watched from a distance as the blonde vampire starred at their brother before the two shared a laugh.
"Nik should not look that happy, its creepy" Kol complained, wincing as Rebekah once again slapped him in the arm. The two siblings glared at each other as the blonde retorted, "I think it's nice, maybe he will be too busy to control our every movement."
"Kol, Rebekah remember we are at a party" Finn scolded as both siblings stuck their tongues out at him. Finn looked over at Elijah, perhaps the brother who has not been in a coffin for the past 900 years should be the one to do the scolding.
XXX
After the pageant had officially concluded the guests were invited to take seats and stand around the dance floor. Elijah managed to get his family a table right next to the stage, once he found Carol Lockwood. She smiled a tight smile but agreed anything for Caroline. She made some quick adjustments and the Original family had the best seats in the house. The table next to them held Hayley with Mrs. Lockwood looking like she had swallowed a lemon at seeing the hybrid walking on stage with the blonde vampire.
Rebekah brightened considerably when Matt walked onto the stage finding his place at the back of the stage holding onto a guitar, while Tyler was beside him on the drums. Elena and Bonnie quickly maneuvered themselves around Caroline each by their own instruments. Caroline looked over with concern at Elena who waved it off mouthing that she would explain later. Then Caroline stood front and center starring out at the crowd.
Professionally speaking into the mic, Caroline smiled at the crowd. "Hello Everyone. As you can see there have been some changes to the entertainment. I would like to thank you all for coming and if you will stand with me as our lovely contestants take to the dance floor. I hope you all enjoy."
Can you see me?
'Cause I'm right here
Can you listen?
'Cause I've been trying to make you notice
What it would mean to me
To feel like somebody
We've been on our way to nowhere
Tryin' so hard to get there
Niklaus's stare never wavered from Caroline, he met her eyes the moment she started singing softly. Her eyes widened considerably as a smile played across her lips. He watched her body begin sway as the tempo the Lockwood and Donovan boys played out.
And I say, oh
We're gonna let it show
We're gonna just let go of everything
Holding back our dreams
And try to make it come alive
Come on let it shine so they can see
We were meant to be
Somebody (somebody)
Somebody, yeah (somebody)
Somehow
Someday
Someway
Somebody
He grinned watching her spin on the stage pulling the doppelganger and witch closer to her. The three singing into the mic, laughing wide. Caroline threw a wink his way causing Kol to laugh into his knees. His siblings cheered her on. He watched as she sashayed toward the blonde-haired boy, saw as he laughed before she came up behind him waving at Rebekah who blushed.
I'm so tired
Of being invisible
But I feel it, yeah
Like a fire below the surface
Trying to set me free
Burnin' inside of me
'Cause we're standing on the edge now
It's a long way down
But I say
Caroline slowly walked back to the center stage smiling as she sang to the crowd. Many of her generation had gotten up and her dancing out on the dance floor. The young April having been guided by the Gilbert boy.
Oh, we're gonna let it show
We're gonna just let go of everything
Holding back our dreams
And try to make it come alive
Come on let it shine so they can see
We were meant to be
Somebody (somebody)
Somebody, yeah (somebody)
Somehow
Someday
Someway
Somebody
Niklaus watched as girl pulling her little witch friend into a hug on stage, both singing along into the mic that the blonde pulled up towards the witch. Kol let out a laugh leaning into it, his brothers decided not to mention the slight tap of his foot.
We will walk out of this darkness
Feel the spotlight glowing like a yellow sun
Oh oh oh oh oh and when we fall we fall together
Till we get back up and we will rise as one, oh, oh ,oh
His little temptress caught his eye again. Rolling her eyes back as she sang the first line causing Elijah to hide a laugh into his fist. The hybrid was into far good of a mood to threaten his brother with the removal of his liver.
Oh, we're gonna let it show
We're gonna just let go of everything
Holding back our dreams
And try to make it come alive
Come on let it shine so they can see
We were meant to be
"She is rather good isn't she?" Finn mentioned with a small grin watching Sage pull Rebekah into a reluctant dance. The two managing to gain a few admirers. Kol let out a cat call as Caroline was spun around by the Doppelganger. Niklaus glared at his brother who grinned before shrugging it off.
Somebody (somebody)
Somebody, yeah (somebody)
Somehow
Someday
Someway
Somebody
Somebody
Ooh ohh oh
A.N: Lyrics are Somebody by Lemonade Mouth. After a few heavier chapter's I thought a light one was in order! What do you think!