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x-x-x-x
Bonnie was back today! Caroline practically buzzed with excitement. It had felt like an age since the three had been together, but they were all about to arrive at school and walk down the corridor. Plus, someone might finally be enthusiastic to hear about her gossip.
She had been up early, planning her outfit and styling her hair, ensuring it would be extra special. Now she was perched against a bench, awaiting the arrival of her best friends.
Matt and Tyler were passing and stopped to greet her. The strange vibe with Matt was seemingly phasing itself out, returning to the previous state of friendship. She was glad, they'd vibed and matched but it was clear he wasn't over Elena and that they would never be a long-term thing. Caroline was busy planning her life after high school, which college, which city, where to go. She knew she wanted to get into journalism or broadcasting, perhaps being some kind of foreign correspondent so she could travel. Matt wasn't sure he would ever leave Mystic Falls.
Tyler had also lowered his douche level ever since Vicki left. He'd picked up a few arts courses and Caroline had seen his work displayed on some boards around school- he was pretty good. It was nice to know the friendship group would be able to hang out again without the melodrama. Even though Caroline loved gossip, she hated then it was drama in her friendship group. It all seemed so much more exciting when it was happening to everyone else.
After an absolute age, Bonnie arrived. She was dropped off by the new bartender at the grill, Damon's friend Bree. Stepping out she turned to wave, "Thanks Bree!" before greeting Caroline with a massive hug.
"Good Morning! How are you? Are you ok?" She launched into the thousand questions, before Bonnie put a finger to her lips.
"I'm fine. I miss her but I'm doing okay." Bonnie smiled at her friend and initiated a massive hug, "I missed you too."
Caroline was happy to see her friend, but she was delusional if she thought the questioning was over yet. "Any hot gentlemen near where your aunt lives? Why did you not drive to school?" She bit her lip, not quite sure whether to risk it- but she thought she'd die if she didn't ask. "And why on God's green earth were you dropped at school by Damon's beautiful best bartender, Bonnie?"
Bonnie laughed, "That's a lot of Bs, Care. First, I don't know- I didn't get out much. Second and Third, Bree is helping me with the witchy stuff. Why are you so interested anyway?"
Caroline blushed, "I just like to know the gossip!"
As they giggled together, Damon's Camaro pulled in. Both Bonnie and Caroline widened their eyes as Elena gave him a hug and received a kiss on the cheek before departing the vehicle. That was new. Despite her best warnings, Elena continued her friendship with Damon, and he'd continued dropping her at school- her new car was still a week or so until delivery. She normally just got straight out.
Bonnie was the first to address it, "So, a lot had changed whilst I've been gone…"
Elena pulled her into a massive hug, then pulled Caroline in too.
"I've missed you, Bon! So, so much. How are you?" Elena wasn't as pushy as Caroline, but apparently that was the winning tactic with Bonnie as Elena got a real response instead of the non-answer Bonnie had given Caroline.
"It's been tough, but I know she was ready. She accepted it." Bonnie gave them both another hug. "School time?"
The three linked arms and walked into the building.
Bonnie was the first to bring the most interesting topic back up, "So, you and Damon?" She wiggled her eyebrows, copying Damon's signature flirtatious look.
Elena shook her head, but still blushed scarlet. "No, we're just friends. He's helped me through some stuff."
"What stuff?" Caroline frowned. Elena hadn't told her anything.
As they reached Bonnie's locker and she started organising for the day, Elena began. "Right, so you guys can't tell anyone- but I was adopted. Jenna told me last week, before girl's night. I'm sorry Care, that's why I was so distracted that night. Damon was there when I found out."
Caroline instantly felt guilty, she'd nagged Elena about Damon Salvatore so many times that night.
There was nothing she or Bonnie could do but hug Elena and assure her they would always be there to talk. Damn her and her big mouth. Luckily, the girls had plenty of opportunities to bond between classes that day.
x-x-x-x
The ride to school had been a fun one this morning, they'd put on some of his favourite class rock and the challenge was to guess the band and song first.
It was a game they'd played ever since he began driving her to school, but she was getting good. This morning, for the first time, she'd reached 5 correct first.
Jubilant, she'd stood up in the car, her arms outstretched to the sky. He was half expecting her to burst into song, 'Highway to Hell' was playing so it would be rather fitting, he joked to himself.
"Elena, sit down sweetie." She stayed stood but looked down at him pulling a face of utter disgust.
"Sweetie?"
He rolled his eyes, of course she'd catch that slip. Why on earth had he even said it? "Whatever, just sit down. I don't want an errant rock to decapitate you." At this idea, she grimaced and obliged.
When they arrived at the school, he lent over and whispered, "The Highway to Hell had led to its final destination: High School." As she giggled, the sound music to his ears, he had placed a kiss on her cheek.
Now, alone, he was driving to the city. His role on the town council had grown dull in the absence of vampire drama and his latest mission was so far removed from his earlier tasks he could hardly believe he'd agreed to it. In fact, when he thought about it, he wasn't sure why he was even still in Mystic Falls. For some reason, every time he thought of leaving, there was always another task to do.
Today, he had to pick up some paintings of Virginia that were 150 years old, ready to be displayed at the 150th Anniversary Kick-Off Party. Then, he had to pick Elena up from school. He guessed he should stay until her car new car arrived- she hated borrowing Jenna's.
x-x-x-x
The drive home was a quiet one. Her school were playing into the 150th anniversary and Ric had reluctantly taught lessons on the civil war- instead of Vietnam as had planned.
A class argument about defectors had caused her mind to wander, wondering if Damon had been in that situation. As they drove she thought back to the class and tried to find a way to broach the subject.
"Damon?"
"Mmmm?" He responded, chewing his lip as he looked at her.
"You fought in the confederacy, right?" He nodded, keeping his eyes on the road. "Did you leave before you died?"
Once again, Damon just nodded without turning to look at her. She could tell this was a touchy subject, and it probably wasn't any of her business, but she wanted to know he could talk to her. If she was getting pulled into the history by the historical events the town was hosting then he must be feeling it just as much.
She rested her hand on his knee, "If you ever want to talk about it, I'd like to listen."
This time he turned to her, his eyebrows and corners of his lips turned down. Whenever he looked at her like that, Elena just wanted to cry. He always looked so fragile.
For a while, they sat back in silence, him turning to the road and her keeping her hand on his knee. Eventually, he spoke. "I deserted. I didn't want to go in the first place but my father; he was the kind of man you didn't say no to. One day, I grew a backbone and left the fighting. The next day, everyone I fought alongside was massacred. They thought I'd escaped, not deserted."
Elena gulped. She hadn't realised when she'd asked to what extent he was hurting. He turned to her, a tear in the corner of his eye, about to speak again but she couldn't let him, he'd only be beating himself up about it. "If you'd have stayed, you'd have died with them. By living, you've saved people since. You saved me."
She was pretty sure the smile she'd earned from his was genuine.
After he dropped her off, she entered the house to the sound of her Aunt Jenna shouting. Worried for Ric or Jeremy's safety, and confused how they got home so fast, she rushed into the kitchen to realise instantly what had Jenna so wound up.
"Uncle John, you're back." Her uncle was shorter than her father had been, Jeremy might even be taller than him now, and his hair was lighter than the rest of the Gilberts. He mostly lived in New York, though he'd spent time in other cities as she'd grown up, returning rarely.
Aunt Jenna hated him, she'd revealed once- after a bottle of wine- that they'd once done the horizontal mambo. Her words, not Elena's. Elena had just shuddered at the thought and hoped he never reached her vivid imagination.
"Elena, it's nice to see you." He opened his arms, coming in for the hug which Elena managed to avoid by opening the fridge.
"Sure." She responded, "Sorry, tonnes of homework."
She managed to sneak back and head upstairs, the cacophony downstairs continued. They were fighting about her Dad's clinic. That was Carol Lockwood's fault; she'd been pestering Jenna to find a tenant or sell the property for weeks. The phrase 'eyesore' had been used, even though they'd kept the building in good condition. The mayor just didn't want empty business ahead of the anniversary celebrations.
Getting her books out- she knew Uncle John would probably come check she was actually doing her homework and not just avoiding him- she sent Damon a quick text.
'Thx 4 2day. Tell Ric 2 stay the Grill, Uncle John is home."
x-x-x-x
The next day, after dropping Elena off at school, Damon had received word of an urgent council meeting.
He arrived early, trying to extract from Liz the reason for urgency but she seemed to not know- she was hoping it wasn't some kind of floral emergency because she had a few offenders in the cells she needed to process and had delayed for the meeting. It was rare for Liz to not know the details.
Shorty after, Mayor Lockwood walked in with a man Damon didn't recognise. He didn't have to wonder for long, as the mayor solemnly announced John Gilbert had some news for the council. So this is Elena's uncle he thought, sizing him up. If Damon didn't already loathe him for not being there for Elena when she lost her parents, he would have when John Gilbert opened his mouth.
The bastard had been keeping tabs on the blood bank in Amherst- that's the one Damon had been using ever since he'd stopped the happy camper diet.
It seemed he wasn't the only one in the council who didn't like him, as Liz leaned in and informed him of John's nickname, "Jackass Gilbert". Damon stifled a chuckle, listening to their new jobs.
The majority of the council were happy when the decision was made not to cancel the Founder's Day kick-off party; even if he wasn't a vampire, the collective sigh of relief would have been audible. How ridiculous was this town?
x-x-x-x
They'd barely spoken outside of these car journeys, but during them they never stopped. Elena had asked him about countless colleges, after learning from Bree that he had actually attended a few as a student- including Duke. She was deciding between Literature and Pre-Med, and they discussed the types of courses she's take for both.
"So, you don't fancy anything about the paranormal, like Isobel?" She could see in his face that Damon instantly regretted asking, it was the first time either of them had mentioned Isobel since that night.
Elena flinched at the name, then responded calmly, "No, I spend enough time living it. I'd like to help people, but I'm also good at writing. If you could read my journal, you'd be impressed."
He cocked a brow at her, "Whose to say I haven't?"
She laughed, but she could feel her face turning crimson. Her journal was personal, and there were some very cringey passages in there- especially from the Stefan days. Recently, she'd been writing about her dreams for the near future. Imagining Damon reading those sections was almost painful, she couldn't bear him realising he was in almost all of them.
x-x-x-x
Caroline looked around the anniversary party. Everything was exactly as it should be. Carol Lockwood had done a good job setting up, of course Caroline had helped her with the initial plan, some of the details and the final set-up. Otherwise, the whole thing could have been a shambles.
The first guests had begun to arrive and the music had started. The DJ had been instructed to start with classical music, they were keeping with the 150th theme after all, and then move through the decades until the evening would end with modern music. This was a party, after all. Caroline had argued that they should hire a small orchestra or at least a string quartet. All music was classier when acoustic, and there were orchestral adaptations of even the most modern of genres. Unfortunately, she had been over-ruled due to "budget concerns". Not everyone in this town had class, it seemed.
It was a big occasion; tonight the official charter bell would be rung and the itinerary for anniversary events would be formally announced. The highlight of her evening, however; that was the posting of the Founding Court- the girls selected to compete for Miss Mystic Falls. They'd had to apply last year, and Caroline had struggled with the anticipation ever since. As a Forbes, she should be guaranteed a place in the final- she was a founding family member after all; but Elena was also in the running. Elena had the sympathy vote and would probably look stunning. Elena's mother, Miranda Sommers, had won it her year despite not even being from a founding family. With that legacy up against her, Caroline was worried she might not stand a chance.
The best way to win was to impress the voting panel, and she'd been trying to do that ever since she planned her application. She'd been on every committee, supported every event, and tonight was one of those. She looked impeccable in a silver dress, with jewellery to match. It wasn't real, her mother said she couldn't wear the family's heirlooms until she was 18, but it was still elegant. Her hair was pinned up and her makeup had a timeless style to it. Passing a mirror in the hall she checked she was just right before joining the Lockwoods to greet guests.
Helping to organise the party had earnt her this perk, and she was excited to be able to make her hosting abilities known to every member of the panel. She was stood opposite Tyler, who looked distinctly unimpressed with his task. Caroline couldn't understand it, as a Lockwood he would have an integral position in the running of the town in the future and now was his chance to learn the ropes. Like Matt, he might stay here forever; but unlike Matt he would be at the centre of every event and decision. If Caroline couldn't travel, that would be her second choice for her future.
As the guests arrived, Caroline tried to greet each one enthusiastically, but she couldn't help but shine more when certain guests arrived. Jenna brought Alaric, arriving arm in arm. Caroline couldn't help but not how Jenna's skin was glowing- Alaric was good for her.
Jeremy arrived with Uncle John. Caroline couldn't help but wince as he walked in, all the Gilberts disliked John and Elena had spent a good portion of the school day on Friday ranting about the fact he had returned to Mystic Falls. She'd mentioned he was only here for business, and this seemed confirmed by the fact he instantly pulled the Mayor to one side an entered deep discussion instead of greeting Carol, herself or Tyler. Jeremy just nodded his head at them and proceeded inside, his shoulders slouched and his face firmly set in a frown.
Fashionably late, her gal pals arrived. Elena looked timelessly fashionable in a black sleeveless dress, her hair extra slick and smooth. She arrived on Damon's arm, he matched her in all black. As always, Caroline had to appreciate that he dressed in style. His suit was clearly tailored to fit him perfectly and after greeting them she couldn't help but check him out as he walked away. They'd arrived with Bonnie and Bree, both dressed in spectacular red dresses. Bonnie's hugged her curves in a stretch material and she'd paired it with lipstick and heels of a similar shade. Her hair was pinned and smoothed back and she looked the picture of sophistication. Bree's dress was something else entirely, with an off the shoulder sweetheart neckline it was revealing, especially due to the slit. It was a darker shade of red to Bonnie's and paired with black accessories. At first, Caroline had struggled to look away. Every time she saw Bree, her girl crush on her grew.
She was definitely going to have to get some fashion tips off the bartender.
x-x-x-x
Damon headed straight for the bar, the girls following behind him. Alaric and Jenna were already there, selecting wine of all the choices. Damon rolled his eyes at Alaric as he approached and muttered, "Whipped," at him.
The history teacher by day, vampire hunter by night had agreed to stop trying to kill Damon, and even to keep his secret. Elena's testimony of how much he had protected her and the town from other vampires had helped, and Alaric had agreed to let Damon live provided he continued to do so. That didn't mean they were friends, but the man had warmed to Damon the more drinks he had bought. Damon had been picking up the tab at the grill pretty much every evening recently. He got to test out his best sarcastic barbs, and the company kept Bree from pestering him constantly.
She'd never stuck around this long before, but she'd insisted on hanging around to support the young Bennett witch. Normally, Damon would have protested at sharing the boarding house with her- especially seen as they'd dropped the 'with benefits' section of their relationship recently. At the moment though, he couldn't bring himself to get annoyed. She was better company than Stefan anyway, as she actually cleaned up after herself and was significantly less likely to take a turn to self-righteous.
Once their drinks were prepared, he handed the witches theirs first, and the two departed in search of food and music. That left Elena and himself, stood awkwardly drinks in hand. They weren't in the safety of his car now, and he wasn't quite sure how to act. He was over 150 years old, having been at the first party this was the anniversary of. Yet, for some reason, he felt lost for words when he spoke to her.
"So, I see the music is nothing to dance to." Elena offered. Small talk, great. "Though Caroline did say there's some kind of surprise with that."
"Unless there's a live band hidden under one of the tablecloths, I think I'll pass." He could never understand why people opted for DJs and recorded music, live was always better.
Spotting Liz Forbes, surprisingly in a dress, beckoning him across the room he added, "Council business calls."
Stepping away, something red caught the corner of his eye and he grinned cheekily. Pulling a single rose from the vase he spun around and offered it to Elena. "Save me a dance."
Walking away he adjusted his suit, regretting the gesture. He was supposed to be proving to Bree that there was nothing there but friendship. A red rose and a dance might as well be a huge diamond ring in Bree's eyes. For Gods sake, where was his impulse control?
Liz's news didn't cheer him up anymore, she'd investigated the blood bank loss and determined that the cameras had been wiped but the blood was missing. Whilst there were no attacks yet, John was going to push the council to reopen the vampire hunt.
Great. John was staying in the Gilbert house, and all it would take was one slip of the tongue from Jenna or Jeremy to reveal his secret. Dammit, he'd brought them in on it to earn Elena' trust back. Had it been a mistake? John needed to back off.
He's stayed out on the balcony after Liz had returned to the party. His excuse was he needed to formulate a John Gilbert plan, but in reality he was avoiding the girls. Why had he given her the rose? Why was he still driving her to and from school? Why was he even still in Mystic Falls? A part of him had been so desperate to leave, to go hunt down Katherine and hurt her the way she had hurt him- or forgive her and spend eternity together- he wasn't sure which of the options had been more likely. But then Elena had turned up at the boarding house, asking for his support. Now it was as if he couldn't walk away, every time he tried he found himself outside her house again.
What was this girl doing to him?
The balcony doors opened and his latest problem stepped out to join him. After a brief nod in greeting John Gilbert extended his hand to introduce himself.
"Damon Salvatore. I hear you've only recently returned to town?" He asked, hoping the small talk would illuminate the reason why.
"Yes. Yes. I'm disappointed to see the vampire problem is active and hasn't been fully addressed. Half the council don't even seem to believe it is real." He sipped his drink and looked pointedly at Damon, "Do you?"
Damon nodded solemnly, acknowledging the part he had played; "It was, I took down one outside the school a few weeks back. It's been quiet since though, if there's one in Amherst I'm not sure they're stepping foot in Mystic Falls."
It was worth sowing the seeds now, his current plan was to discredit the link between the blood back and their town- there was no reason to suspect the vampire stealing blood there had hopped a town over to them. Especially in the absence of attacks.
"Hmmm." John looked down at his drink, as if contemplating the suggestion. Damon almost felt victorious, it wasn't usually this easy. Until John opened his mouth again, "Of course you would suggest that, given you're the one stealing it."
Damon didn't have to act to appear shocked, whatever he'd been expecting it wasn't that.
"I thought I'd get the real introductions out of the way. I've known what you are since I turned 18, Salvatore. The Gilberts have always known about you and your brother. I want you gone from this town." The thought of leaving raised the bile in Damon's throat and anger overcame him.
He squared his shoulders, stepping up to the least likeable Gilbert. He was practically growling, "Then you know I could rip your throat out right now, but I assume you're wearing vervain."
John wasn't easily intimidated, simply tilting his neck to offer it to Damon, "Take a bite and find out."
There was a simpler solution, Damon concluded, before snapping the man's neck and throwing him over the balcony.
It was only once he saw the body lying on the ground below did he remember this was Elena's uncle, his anger and survival instincts had taken over. Once again, he was proving to be the man that didn't deserve her friendship.
He stalked back inside, desperate to find the bar.