She couldn't see much outside the lit highways. Everything besides the roads and signs was darkness. Her earlier anxieties stayed in the pit of her stomach, but she was able to relax to some extent. The guys talking kept her distracted enough not to focus on the anxiety too much.
Surprisingly, the conversation was easy and light. Mundane, even. Kol had been excited to list some TV shows he had been watching which had reminded her how long he had been daggered in a coffin. He considered electricity and technology to be human magic which did make her smile. She couldn't help but tease him a little.
"You should watch RuPaul's drag race."
"Is that about car racing?"
"Yes."
She peeked over to see Stefan holding back a laugh. Her eyes went to the rear-view mirror, and she got a glimpse of Klaus smirking. Yet, neither wanted to ruin the fun and kept their mouths closed.
"I'll add it to the list."
The conversation turned to something else, but Bonnie slowly pulled her attention back to the nearly vacant highway. Her thoughts drifted away, and their voices became background noise.
She hadn't been this far from home in years. It felt odd. She had felt glued to that town since the supernatural world had thrust its problems onto her. Hell, she barely left her house unless for school or being at one of her old friends' houses to solve the problem of the week.
Bonnie knew tonight was going to be rough. It had been a while since she slept somewhere that wasn't her bed. A part of her couldn't wait to be home back in her own bed.
She winced as she stretched her legs. While the car was roomy, she was still stuck in the car. Her eyes went to the dash and the clock read 4:00 AM. Mentally it had not felt that long but physically she felt it.
She then saw a large lit green sign. It listed the next exit and stores off it. She winced again as she tried to stretch her arms. She didn't think she could wait for another exit.
"Can we do a quick stop?"
"Where?" Klaus asked.
"There's a convenience store at the next exit. I just want a snack."
When they pulled off the exit, she got excited. Her legs were begging to stand on the ground. They reached the convenience store within a minute. Klaus pulled next to a gas pump. When they all exited the car, Bonnie looked around as she stretched. Klaus put some gas in the car as they waited for her to be done.
She was surprised by how well-lit the area was and felt at ease being able to see even though she had three vampires in tow.
She went with all three of them into the convenience store with her. A woman was working the register while a man was stocking shelves. The store was vacant beside them.
The woman's eyes lit up.
"What can I get you boys?" the woman purred. Her eyelashes fluttered.
Bonnie wanted to laugh. The woman could clearly see she was with them but refused to acknowledge her. Instead, she was flirting with them.
Bonnie dismissed her with a wave. "We're fine, thanks."
She went down an aisle where only Kol followed. Klaus and Stefan went elsewhere in the store. As she looked around the shelves, she noticed Kol watching her.
"Find anything you like?"
"Do you have recommendations? This is overwhelming."
She nodded with a smile. She grabbed a few snacks that she thought Kol would enjoy along with her favorites. She then strolled over to the slushie machine with him. His eyes widened at the machines and grinned.
"What even are these flavors?"
"I'll just get you cherry. It's pretty good."
She giggled when he gaped at the large slushie cups that must have been gigantic to him. She handed him the snacks before she filled both their drinks with frosty cherry goodness. If vampires could have brain freezes, she was about to find out based on Kol's excitement. Also, did vampires get sugar highs? She may find that out too.
She held two drinks while Kol carried the other items to the counter. Stefan and Klaus walked over with their items and set theirs down as well.
The woman gave Bonnie an agitated look before scanning the items. She halted when she was about to scan a bottle of brandy.
"I'll have to see some ID for the alcohol."
Klaus started to pull out his wallet, but she shook her head.
The woman's mouth curved. "The rest of you look old enough except her. Can she show me her ID?"
Bonnie frowned. The woman refused to address her properly, and Bonnie's anger started to bubble up when the woman's smirk grew. Despite barely talking to her, this woman held such contempt in her eyes.
Klaus raised an eyebrow. "The alcohol isn't for her."
"I still need to see her ID or else I will have to call the police on her."
Before Bonnie could protest, Klaus leaned close to the counter, and she saw his eyes dilate.
"You don't need her ID and you will behave politely for the rest of this encounter."
The woman scanned the rest of the snacks and Klaus gave her exact change. They all grabbed their bags and drinks before leaving. Bonnie let out a huff as soon as she made it out of the store.
"How annoying," Kol said between sips of his slushie.
Bonnie pegged her as being jealous. The guys didn't pay attention to the woman, and she decided to take her anger out on Bonnie. Damn, the universe had some vendetta against her. A random convenience store woman wanted to call the cops because she didn't get attention. Sounded like someone she knew... She sighed before taking a sip of her drink.
When they got in the car, Bonnie dug through the bag and tossed Kol a few treats.
Klaus chuckled. "You two got an array of junk food I see."
"We got the interesting stuff. You and Stefan got coffee and brandy. How boring."
Stefan interjected, "I just got coffee."
"Throwing me under the bus I see."
Stefan rolled his eyes at Klaus's comment.
"We have three hours to go. Are you sure large slushies were a good idea?"
In retaliation, Bonnie stuck her red tongue out before leaning back.
"Well then, I supposed I don't need to stop anywhere else."
"I suppose so."
She happily took Klaus on that challenge.
-X-
Klaus had kept his promise of not stopping. She kept a brave face even as she slowly regretted drinking the large slushie. The regret hit her like a train when the car went on a gravel path which she assumed was to the place. She grimaced as she crossed her legs.
Ten minutes go by and all she sees is woods and the gravel path. Klaus keeps stealing glances in the rearview mirror. She was sure he was watching to see her discomfort and for her to tell him he was right. Yet, she didn't say a word. She only folded her arms.
After twenty minutes, they had arrived. She wasn't sure what she was expecting when Klaus said he had booked accommodations. Maybe some extravagant hotel. That was more his style. He loved luxury. When he parked, she was a bit shocked. It was a regular family-sized log cabin with another gravel road leading somewhere else.
She nearly jumped out of the car when everyone else got out. She rushed to get her things, but Stefan and Kol had grabbed everything. They started to head toward the cabin.
She was about to join them but paused as she saw Klaus scan the area.
"For a man of luxury, I am surprised."
"Disappointed?"
"Not at all. Just not what I imagined."
"Well, it was close to her residence. The other gravel path leads straight to her house. She rents this place out for emergencies." He paused. "The appointment is at noon. We should get settled in while we have time."
Noon. Despite it being 7 AM, it felt so far. She took a deep breath as she saw the sun's rays break through the dense trees. The answers to her sickness were yet to be revealed.