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Baby Mikaelson
Chapter One: My Friend the Enemy
Caroline Forbes
As the sun rose on that blissful Saturday morning, I found myself filled with a yearning to seize the day and catch up on all the menacing tasks that had eluded me throughout the week. I longed to immerse myself in the tasks left unfinished, to weave a tapestry of accomplishment and satisfaction. I had to return some books to the school library that were overdue, I needed to pick up my cheerleading uniform from the dry cleaners and prepare for my history test on Monday that I hadn't studied for yet. Unfortunately, the day didn't begin exactly as planned.
I had meticulously set my alarm clock to awaken me at the crack of dawn, for I yearned to seize the day with unwavering determination and set the wheels of productivity into motion. Unfortunately, my productive demeanour was but a fleeting moment, much to my dismay. A text from Elena had thwarted all of my endeavours as she urged me to go with her and Bonnie on a shopping excursion to Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Now that she and Damon were dating, Elena couldn't help but feel the desire to infuse his bedroom with a touch of femininity. She had a list in mind of items that she believed would imbue the surroundings with a touch of radiance. In truth, I was aware that Elena harboured an aversion towards utilising any towel or bed linen that may have been used after to one of his hook-ups with another girl.
As was her custom, Elena effortlessly spun a positive light on every negative and detrimental aspect of her newfound relationship with him. Using decorating as yet another crutch to evade the undeniable truth that their relationship was founded solely upon the potent allure of sexual tension and the relentless endurance of life-threatening encounters, repeated time and again.
If we weren't friends, I would have mustered the courage to express my thoughts on her decision to reside under the same roof as her former boyfriend, all while pursuing a romantic relationship with his brother mere days after severing ties with him was nothing short of heartless, disgraceful, utterly deplorable behaviour. However, I found myself unable to utter such words to Elena. Each time my eyes fell upon her, a flood of memories washed over me, reminding me of the countless trials she had endured and her unwavering determination to find solace amidst adversity.
Elena and I found ourselves in a peculiar predicament, where our conversations had been scarce ever since the pivotal moment when I revealed to her the truth about her sire connection to Damon. In the depths of my heart, a flicker of determination ignited, urging me to seize the fleeting chance to engage in a heartfelt conversation with her, to mend the fractures that had plagued our relationship for far too long.
In a moment of clarity, I resolved to seize this opportunity and engage in a heartfelt reconciliation with her. I acknowledged the righteousness of my decision to disclose the truth, yet the reprehensible manner in which I had conveyed it weighed heavily upon my conscience. In retrospect, I regretted my lack of empathy towards her predicament, considering the delicate balance she had to maintain as a woman navigating the treacherous realm of being a new vampire.
I found myself unable to suppress the truth any longer, despite the heart-wrenching knowledge that it would inflict upon her a profound anguish. A profound sense of shame washed over me, as I reflected upon the anguish and despair I had inflicted upon her. She was a treasured friend and had already endured a multitude of trials, and yet I, foolishly, felt compelled to interject my unsolicited opinions into the delicate matter of her love life.
The history of my entwined relationship with Damon remained a forbidden narrative, one that I dared not approach, even in the face of the passing years. Even now haunting nightmares continue to torment me. The memories of his insatiable hunger, his relentless desire to consume me, even in the midst of our most intimate moments, remain etched in my mind. I can still vividly recall the initial shock as his fangs pierced my delicate flesh, the sensation of his teeth sinking into my vulnerable neck, and the first time he indulged in feeding from my inner thigh. However, above all else, it is the recollection of that final encounter, when he sought to drain me entirely and abandon me to the cold embrace of death, that lingers most frequently. It was a cruel act, driven by his foolish disregard for my well-being, as he failed to recognise the healing properties of his own life-giving blood, which could have mended the multitude of bite marks he had left upon my body.
I held an intense disdain for the current state of affairs between Elena and myself ever since that awful night. Since then she had transformed into a distant figure, exhibiting the bare minimum of kindness when responding to my texts, yet never displaying the initiative to initiate a conversation herself. Such clashes were not uncommon, even among the most steadfast of friends. Yet, Elena exuded an unwavering resolve to feign obliviousness, as if the incident had been naught but a fleeting figment. While I sought to build bridges, she seemed disinclined to broach the very root cause that had ignited our altercation. If she chose not to confront the harsh truth of her sire bond, then so be it. But if she thought for a second that she could plaster on a smile and go back to the way things were before, then she was in for a very rude awakening.
As I gracefully settled into the plush backseat, an inexplicable sense of displacement washed over me. I felt a familiar sensation, reminiscent of my childhood days spent on the playground. It was that feeling of impending doom, knowing that my time within the fold was rapidly dwindling, mere days, if not mere seconds, away from being cast out. As Bonnie hit the road, neither she nor Elena deigned to cast a single glance in my direction. It was as if my presence held no meaning, as if I were but a mere spectre accompanying them on their journey. Their childish antics, brought forth a torrent of agonising cramps and perspiration upon me during our arduous journey. How I pined for even the slightest acknowledgment from either of them. The subtle insinuation lingered in the air, leaving me with an unsettling notion that their actions were not mere happenstance, but a deliberate act of retribution in response to my outburst.
Had we not transcended this realm of immaturity?
The bond we shared, held immeasurable significance to me. In the wake of my dad's death, it was the boundless source of compassion and unwavering empathy from those around me that served as a guiding light through the abyss of my darkest days. The transition from that moment to the present spoke volumes about the intricate dynamics that existed between us.
Elena's intricate web of relationships lay beyond the realm of my influence. Just as I held the reins of my own love life, so too did she possess the power to chart her course according.
In my option, their relationship appeared to be founded upon an indomitable physical attraction, one that had flourished through the crucible of shared deadly encounters. In the depths of their intertwined lives, they weathered trauma after trauma, their spirits tested by the relentless hardships that fate hurled their way. Bound by an unyielding bond, their hearts forged in shared suffering, they found solace in each other's presence.
Yet, it was not only the trials they faced that propelled their connection forward, but also a magnetic attraction that defied the constraints of time. Thus, their relationship blossomed at a pace far exceeding the ordinary cadence of love. Rather than embarking on a series of delightful encounters or indulging in a romantic escapade, they recklessly plunged into a realm of intimacy, heedless of the potential consequences that loomed over them.
The depths of my affection for her knew no bounds. Yet, it pained me to observe that she remained oblivious to her own worth and harboured an unsettling lack of self-assurance. Deep within the recesses of her heart, she harboured a profound disbelief, an unwavering conviction that she had not truly confronted the starkness of her parent's death. Her mind was a tempest of conflicting emotions, torn between the haunting grip of survival's guilt and the clear realization that she had once been romantically entangled with the very man who had valiantly rescued her from the treacherous depths of Wickery Bridge.
The affliction that plagued her did not originate with the death of her parents. In the waning months preceding their deaths, Elena and I had found ourselves drifting apart, our once unbreakable bond weakened by the relentless demands of our own lives. As I became entangled in the intricate web of event planning and the rigorous regimen of cheer practice, Elena seemed content with merely treading water, exerting the bare minimum effort in every facet of her life. I mean I got, I wasn't always up for going out, sometimes all I wanted to do was sit at home in front of the TV and order take out, we're all human and we all get into a slump every once in a while.
Elena Gilbert, on the other hand, took disengaging from her life to an entirely new level.
Beneath her picture in the yearbook it could have read "I don't know what I want."
I realise that sometimes making decisions is the last thing any of us want to do. We claim that we don't want our parents to take care of us, yet sometimes the relief is surreal. The same was true of our partners, co-workers, and even the barista who took our coffee order at Starbucks, occasionally, we just want someone else to take charge so we can relax and recharge.
Bonnie would rather die than admit it, but we had talked about it a few times after practise. We would keep track of how many times a day we would ask Elena what she wanted—whether it was what she wanted for lunch, what she had planned for the weekend, how she felt about Matt, or what she thought of the ridiculous new menu at the grill. Her answer would always be the same.
"I don't know what I want."
Elena's disposition often left me pondering whether her occasional obstinacy stemmed from a strong-willed nature or if she had succumbed to such a degree of acquiescence that she no longer exercised independence in her own life, finding solace in the decisions made on her behalf by others. My heart ached for Matt as I observed their relationship. With every tender kiss he given to her, I couldn't help but notice the faint glimmer of a smile upon her lips, yet it seemed to lack the genuine warmth that one would expect.
In the deepest levels of your mind, when entangled in the intricate web of a relationship, a profound realisation emerges. If someone finds oneself devoid of a clear sense of self, it becomes an act of cruelty to pretend to be commitment solely for the sake of the other person.
Such pretence, one could argue, teeters on the precipice of the most minuscule manifestation of prostitution and deranged conduct. Engaging in physical intimacy with someone whom you fake attraction or love for was a just plain wrong. Nevertheless, she persisted in this pattern of conduct, traversing from her relationship with Matt and then Stefan.
The delicate matter at hand had been consistently evaded, as if tiptoeing around a fragile glass sculpture. Should I summon the courage to address her troubling conduct head-on, extending a compassionate hand to help her towards the solace she so desperately needed? Contemplating my options, I found myself torn between two diverging paths. One path beckoned me to detach myself entirely from the situation, bidding her goodbye and severing the ties that tied us. As I sat there, confined to the backseat of the car, their voices melded into a distant hum.
Should I ever dare to sever the ties of our friendship, Elena would undoubtedly swallow her emotions, concealing them within. She would attribute my decision to the complex history I share with Damon, although that assumption would be far from the truth.
Over the course of countless years, I found myself repeatedly confronted with the daunting task of burying the remnants of my history with him. However, the harsh truth unveiled itself, revealing that the individual who she held precious had subjected me to a harrowing ordeal.
His abuse extended far beyond the physical realm. He coerced me into participating in unspeakable acts, leaving me scarred and tormented by the haunting recollections that resurface from time to time. Countless were the instances in which he had drained the life force from my veins, leaving me empty and feeble.
He had drained me of my blood countless times, only force feeding me his blood to bring me back from the brink of death at the very last second, on one occasion even slapping me across the face to get a response that I was still alive instead of checking for my pulse.
Remarkably, I had not only endured but thrived in the face of adversity, defying the odds that would have crushed the spirit of any ordinary individual. The strength to forgive him eluded me, a fleeting spectre that danced just beyond my grasp. Damon, in all his years of newfound humanity and altered disposition, had never once made an attempt to extend an apology my way. In the depths of my musings, I often find myself pondering whether he had ever entertained the notion of approaching me, of mustering the courage to broach the subject that lay heavy upon our minds. Sadly, despite the myriad of chances that fate provided him, he had chosen to let them slip through his fingers.
The bitter reality of my shattered bond with both Elena and Bonnie descended upon me like a tempestuous storm, mercilessly ravaging my heart and soul. Yet I found myself in the company of both individuals, embarking on a journey towards Bed, Bath and Beyond. Our purpose was to assist Elena in the selection of towels for Damon's en suite. It was no surprise, really, considering the countless encounters Damon had indulged in during the duration of her relationship with Stefan.
The perplexing nature of her continued stay at the boarding house alongside him remained a mystery to me, especially considering the raw wounds of her recent break up from Stefan. I had hoped she'd move back home with Jeremy after he returned from the lake house. Discussions of his remarkable progress and his cunning strategies to outwit the relentless hunter's relentless pursuit had overjoyed us. In the recesses of my imagination, the notion of her dwelling beneath the same roof as the guy she had recently dumped, all the while having sex just down the hall with his own flesh and blood, struck me as nothing short of an act of profound cruelty.
She understood the instincts of a vampire, our hearing ability stretched beyond a human's imagination and so she was perfectly aware as to the fact that Stefan would be able to hear her and Damon having sex. It would appear that Elena had made a life altering decision for once in her life and was just expecting everyone around her to come to terms with it.
This wasn't the Elena Gilbert any of us knew.
As we approached the store, Elena and Bonnie engaged in an animated exchange, their words flowing effortlessly from the moment we stepped foot in the sprawling parking lot to the very threshold of the store. Their conversation leaving no room for even a fleeting pause as they deftly procured their own separate carts. They continued on their path, oblivious to my presence. I stood motionless in the heart of the car park, observing their departure as they sauntered towards the entrance, their laughter echoing through the air. It was as if I had become an invisible spectre, fading into the background of their day. As though extending an invitation was an act of benevolence, rather than something that they begrudgingly fulfilled.
I saw no need to procure a cart for myself, for there was nothing that I required. My purpose in coming here was to offer my assistance, yet it swiftly became apparent that my aid was superfluous. After an arduous ten-minute search, I stumbled upon them. There, in the depths of the bustling store, Elena's shopping cart harboured a collection of finds. Soft pink body towels, meticulously folded and stacked, nestled alongside their matching hand towels. A trio of white cotton-scented pillar candles stood tall, emanating a delicate fragrance that permeated the air. And to complete this ensemble of domestic elegance, a pristine tissue box holder. Bonnie, with a hint of mischief in her eyes, couldn't resist indulging in a few items for herself. Among her chosen treasures were a package of four elegant black pillar candles, their slender forms exuding an air of mystery, and five generous bags of salt, stretching the length of her cart.
Bonnie claimed that she was going off to find herself some new shelves for above her bathroom sink. However, when our paths fortuitously she was perched upon the precipice of a bath tub display, her countenance engrossed in the pages of a timeworn tome, its leather binding bearing the marks of age and affection. The book, a mysterious object, had eluded my gaze until that very moment. As I observed her, it became evident that this was no ordinary tome procured from the shelves of our school library.
It was a spell book.
With my heart pounding with curiosity, eager to inquire what had captivated her so intensely. Bonnie, with her sharp intellect, possessed an astute awareness that steered her clear of anything dangerous. She was occupied with her own affairs, thereby affording me the chance to talk with Elena, devoid of any interruptions.
I navigated the labyrinthine aisles of the store. After what felt like an eternity, I finally caught sight of her amidst the bed linen section. There she stood, engrossed in examining a cream-toned duvet set, its delicate hues mirroring the very same one that adorned Stefan's room. Did she realise that? The very notion was repugnant and twisted. How could I have allowed such twisted notions to take root in my mind?
"Find anything?" I asked as I approached her.
Elena's gaze briefly met mine, a flicker of recognition in her eyes, before she turned her attention back to the delicate package of linen she held tightly in her grasp.
"I was thinking of getting these. Damon said to pick out whatever it was I wanted."
"And you think you've got a winner?"
"I don't know what I want."
Give me strength
"It's still early, plus we're just in bedrooms right now, we've not gone beyond." I joked to no avail.
Elena remained oblivious to my earnest efforts, her attention solely fixated on placing the set delicately into her cart, amidst a collection of items that would undoubtedly clash with Damon's carefully curated style.
"So, how are things going between you guys?"
"They're really good. Thanks." She responded with a gleeful twinkle in her eyes, she pushed her cart forward. Reluctantly, I trailed behind her, my steps hesitant and unsure, like a child being dragged along against their will.
"It's always great at the start, you really get to know each other in those first few weeks."
"Well we already know everything about each other so we're pretty ahead."
Ahead of what? It's not a race.
"I mean sure you guys know a bit but you can't know every little detail."
"Why not?" Elena questioned me.
"Cause you've been together literally for a week. You can know how good a kisser he is or how he likes his coffee but that's about it."
Elena's sudden halt nearly caused me to almost collide with her. She pivoted on her heels, her gaze fixated on me.
"If this is your attempt to tell me I shouldn't be dating him. You can stop it."
"Where did that come from?" I inquired, a sense of unease creeping over me as her tone carried an air of threat.
"Let's face it you've never been onboard with the idea and you didn't say one thing in the car on the way here. It's like you're trying to get me to react to your disapproval." She said after sighing heavily, as if each syllable carried the weight of her frustration.
"My-" I couldn't even finish my own sentence.
I stood there, paralysed by an overwhelming sense of shock, freezing me in place. With each passing moment, I could feel myself being pulled deeper into the abyss, as if the very ground beneath me was swallowing me whole. And there she stood, a towering figure, casting a shadow from her throne. In that moment, I felt like I was nothing more than a tiny ant, insignificant and vulnerable, at her mercy.
"Elena, I didn't mean-"
Wait a second why am I the one apologising?
"I invited you here today thinking we could try and put this behind us. I thought once you could see for yourself how happy I was that it might open your eyes to the reality that I'm staying with him no matter what you have to say about us."
"I'm not trying to cause any trouble."
Elena's head trembled with a subtle shake, her gaze evading mine. She pivoted gracefully, guiding her cart to the side, ensuring it remained inconspicuous amidst the bustling crowd. As I watched her storm off, my jaw hung agape, a testament to the profound astonishment that seized me in the wake of her abrupt shift in demeanour. My gaze fixated upon her as she gracefully delved into her bag, her delicate fingers deftly retrieving her phone. With a deliberate stride, she made her way towards the exit, the phone pressed against her ear.
"Can you meet me at the car, I wanna go home, I'm really upset."
"What happened?" I heard Bonnie ask her, immediately detecting the tremor in Elena's tone.
"I can't even talk about it" Elena sobbed out of nowhere as if she were sending a deliberate message to Bonnie, a silent plea for understanding.
The sinking feeling returned, all of a sudden I was back to being a little girl, watching my group of friends walk away from me on the playground because they all decided at once that they didn't like me anymore for no reason.
I caught sight of Bonnie running out of the store just a few seconds later with her phone still against her ear and her new book nowhere to be seen. I paused for a fleeting moment, allowing myself a minute to collect my thoughts. With a determined resolve, I made my way towards the exit. When I reached the car park I stopped dead at the sight of the empty space where we'd parked. They had driven off and purposely left me behind.
Join my facebook group and you'll get VIP access to jaw-dropping previews of upcoming chapters that will leave you on the edge of your seat! And access to exclusive content that you won't find anywhere else! Just head over to my fanfiction profile and click on the link to be a part of this amazing group. Trust me, you won't want to miss out!