The nightmare doesn't always end once daybreak hits. The afternoon sun could no longer be ignored as intense sunlight poured into the room. She wanted to sleep longer and forget her worries for a few hours more, but reality dragged her awake. The buzzing of her cell phone made her groan.
When she reached for her buzzing phone, her heart dropped. Father. He was calling her. Her body chilled as the phone continued to buzz in her hand. She took in a deep breath before her shaking thumb swiped against the screen. Her eyes squeezed shut as she brought the phone close to her ear.
"Witchcraft!" he screamed. "I told you to never put any of that shit in my house."
A wave of dim anger swelled in her throat. She wanted to rip into the man who was less of a father and more of a bank that paid for her to live as time went on. She visited his family on occasions, but he often found a reason to leave early or do work-related tasks. Yet, she had no energy to argue. Her mind was still caught in the fog of just waking up and she could only muster so much emotion. Yesterday had left a lingering feeling of apathy and emptiness.
"I grabbed your things including that shit. I gave it to Elena to keep in her place since you cannot stay in my house if you refuse to follow the rules," he chided. "You're just like your mother."
She hung up before he could get another remark in. Asshole. She would have screamed but only a groan was released from her mouth. She shoved the covers off her before slamming the phone back onto the bedside table. She let the sun's rays warm her skin for a moment.
When she heard a knock at the door, she flicked her wrist. Her magic cracked the door open. She sat up to see Stefan. He walked in with a concerned expression.
"Elena just called me. She says your father—"
"I know."
"She said she brought your things to our house. I can go by and grab it." He grimaced. "She also asked if possible, she wanted to apologize."
Apologize? Bonnie's lips pursed. After all this... she wanted to apologize now? The old Bonnie would have jumped for joy hearing this, but all Bonnie felt at the moment was apathy. What would an apology even mean now?
"I'll go with you just to make sure all my stuff was packed. Where are the others?"
"They are ironing out the details in Klaus's office... I know this all must feel overwhelming."
"No one asked my opinion," she snapped. "Not once. How does Bonnie feel about uprooting her life?"
"I don't agree with it either, but what other options are there?"
"I—"
I want you to fight for me like you would have for dear Elena, the voice hissed. You didn't resist, but complied. If Elena had been placed in this scenario, you would have stopped it come hell or high water.
"Bonnie?"
"I'll get dressed. I can eat when we come back."
-X-
Care eyed Elena with suspicion. She had begged the three of them to return back to the boardinghouse, so that they could talk again. After their last discussion, Care had no reason to return. She didn't want to hear Elena justify her behavior, but Elena had pleaded on the phone that she wanted to apologize instead.
Tyler and Matt were sitting on either side of her on the couch as Care watched Elena. Surprisingly, Damon was scarce.
"I kicked Katherine out." Elena shrugged. "I realized my behavior lately has been unacceptable. I want to start all this over and try to be a real friend to Bonnie. She is coming over soon which is why I wanted to talk to you all first. I wanted to apologize for my behavior before I talk to her. I am sorry."
She raised an eyebrow. She had expected her to dig her heels in more.
"With that said, I really hope we can move past these past few days. I know allowing Katherine in here was a lapse of judgement. I was hoping when Bonnie comes here that isn't brought up? I want to focus on my apology to her."
Care had warned Stefan that Katherine was back in town, but kept the topic around what had occurred that day. Since he was on a time constraint to get back to Bonnie, she tried to keep it short and concise. Now, she was wishing she told him about Katherine having stayed there and Elena's behavior instead of focusing on the headaches some of them had gotten and asking about that. The fact Elena wanted to not mention Katherine made her wary.
Elena continued, "I am thinking of Bonnie. I mean... her dad just kicked her out. I wanted to focus on my apology because I thought bringing up the stuff like Katherine will make her even more upset."
"Her father kicked her out?"
"Yes, he called me earlier in a rage about the witchcraft stuff Bonnie had. You know how he is... He said I had to take it to my place because he didn't want it in the house any longer. I brought it all here with Damon. I was afraid if I didn't take it, he would try to burn it or dump it."
"Why didn't he call Bonnie?"
"When I was at the house to collect I begged him to call Bonnie. I don't know if he did or not... I talked to Stefan. He said he'll mention it to her and he texted me a bit ago that he and Bonnie would be coming over."
"Why didn't Damon just compel him?"
At that moment, Damon decided to pop into the living room. His smirk made Caroline roll her eyes.
"And incur the wrath of witchy? You think she'd like me doing that?"
Caroline leaned back. She knew Bonnie's father visited every blue moon, but his current visit had to be the worst timing. While she was wary of them, she still wanted to see Bonnie and check on how she was doing. Being kicked out after being sick... she knew it would be a blow to Bonnie. For now, she'd maintain the peace even if a part of her felt cautious around Damon and Elena.
-X-
Being back at the boardinghouse made her stomach sink. Elena had guided her and Stefan to the living room. Bonnie scanned the room to see Damon leaning against the wall while Matt, Caroline, and Tyler sat on the couch. It almost felt nostalgic. It almost felt like the good old days where they would gather to fight off the bad guy of the week.
"Well, witchy," Damon announced himself causing her to wince. "Do you want to talk now or see your stuff first?"
Bonnie fidgeted with her hands. "We can talk now."
Elena started, "I am so sorry for my behavior. I know the way I've acted has been horrible and inconsiderate. I understand why you've kept your distance and why you made me do the vow. I am not asking you to break it or anything. I just wanted to say sorry. I know I've been a terrible friend, but I'm here now even if we can't be friends right away again."
Caroline then spoke up, "of course, I acknowledge I've been a terrible friend too. I also ignored you. I am sorry. I tried finding the words the past couple of days, but I guess there is no way to explain it. I fucked up."
Bonnie nodded. "Thank you."
"We will all be try to be better friends. Starting now. Are you feeling better?" Elena smiled.
"I feel better."
"So you will be at school tomorrow?"
"No, I'm leaving Mystic Falls soon."
"Why?"
"Light witches are hunting Bonnie because of her using dark magic," Stefan said. "We have to go into hiding. The Mikaelson family is planning where as we speak."
"Is there anything we can do?"
"No." Bonnie stiffened. "Can I look at the bags now?"
Elena nodded. "Damon can you bring the bags from the car in?"
"I'll help him." Stefan then planted a kiss on her forehead before walking off with a wide-eyed Damon.
She looked at the group. Their eyes were equally wide except Elena who maintained a blank expression. She knew it was probably shocking that they ended up together and Stefan's decision to announce it that way probably left them a little speechless. She awkwardly nodded as she pursed her lips together. She had half the mind to kick Stefan for doing that then leaving her to the wolves.
"So when did you two become official?" Tyler chuckled. He then groaned when Caroline elbowed him in the stomach. "We're happy for you."
She was about to answer when Elena spoke, "are you sure there is nothing in your grimoire like a protection barrier? You could do the spell at the Mikaelson's place and be safe?"
Her brows furrowed. Her mind shifted from the kiss to the problem at hand.
"A protective barrier is possible. However, if light witches gather around their house, they can try to tear it down and ambush everyone."
"Oh."
When the boys came back with trash bags full of her stuff, she sighed. Her father couldn't even be bothered to put them in boxes? She searched through her stuff. She had found everything until... The anger from earlier surged. Her mother's wedding ring was not there. The wedding ring her mother had instructed to be given to her via the will. Her dad hadn't put an item that laid on her nightstand on purpose. He couldn't forget how important that ring was to her. How could he?
"My mother's ring," she curtly said. "He must have kept it."
"What?" Caroline and Elena said in unison. Both eyed each other.
"I'll get it from him."
She couldn't handle seeing his face now. She may say or do something rash.
"Well, if you are going away, we should throw a little party." Elena beamed. "Not today. Bon, you look tired and I'm sure you need some space."
"We'd also have to ask the Mikaelsons to see when we leave," Stefan replied.
"Just let us know."
Damon jokingly hit his brother's shoulder. "I'll help you put this in the car."
Bonnie watched as they gathered the trash bags and went out the front door. A sinking feeling emerged into her stomach. What are you thinking, father? Doing all this... Bonnie shook her head before heading out.
-X-
She was sitting on a chair beside Klaus's office desk. He was leaned back smoking a cigar. His blue eyes were almost hazy. She curled up in her chair as he continued to smoke. Neither forced the other to speak, but she felt compelled to so that the quietness wouldn't overwhelm her.
Yesterday had marked the both of them. She could see it in his eyes. She wished she could rewind it, but she couldn't. This time it was the wolf that pulled away and not the rabbit.
"I don't think I can forgive them. Their apologies today... Do I feel better knowing they feel guilty? Somewhat. Do I want to their friend again? I don't think so. I mean if I never teamed up with you guys, they may still be ignoring me."
"We can have the party here if that's what you want. You don't have to force it."
"I want a goodbye party."
"Then a goodbye party you shall have."
She pursed her lips. "How is the search going?"
"Delayed. The light witches are keeping the covens we know busy. I even contacted Marcel... New Orleans is a mess." He exhaled. "We may have to search farther if nothing turns up tomorrow."
"How much farther?"
"As far as we need to be to keep you safe."
She looked at her palms before she clutched them. There had to be another way, but what was it? Even if it wasn't permanent... There had to be at least a temporary solution. As much as she did not want to leave, she considered Klaus's perspective. His longtime friend was murdered and his other witch friend was now wanted by light witches. His sister was under a vow and no one could figure anything out from her vague and cryptic statements. He was terrified.
She was fearful as well, but a different feeling rattled her. A feeling she could not understand. She had to stay.
"Is Elijah busy tomorrow?"
"No, why?"
"I need him to drive me to go see my father."
He raised an eyebrow. "I can't come with you, instead?"
"He's more reasonable. You are much more passionate."
He smiled but it didn't meet his eyes. "You know... Lydia always said that too."
Her gaze fell to the floor. The silence in the room lingered alongside the smoke.