Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries. This is intended for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 6 - Welcome to Heartbreak

Bonnie had to drive her own car to school the next day. Stefan called her as she was getting ready, moaning and groaning about being affected by her sick germs. She wasn't 100% healthy herself but she had a Calculus exam she really couldn't afford to miss because having to take it the day after would cause her to miss cheer practice, and Caroline would have her head. She definitely felt a Stefan-shaped void throughout the day, and she texted him periodically making sure he was holding up okay.

"Is he angry you got him sick?" Caroline inquired as they settled at their usual table in the cafeteria

"He's being a baby about it but he's okay," Bonnie replied. "We actually had our first fight last night."

"Really? What about? Are you guys okay?"

"Yeah, we worked it out," Bonnie said with a smile.

"Hey guys." Elena sat beside them, looking a little sullen.

"Whats wrong?" Bonnie asked.

Elena huffed. "I just don't know what to do about Matt."

"This relationship seems like it's becoming more stressful than anything else," Bonnie said.

"What is it that you want, Elena?" Caroline asked. "Do you want to be with him?"

She sighed deeply. "Yes. I really wish I could work it out with him. Matt is the one I'm supposed to be with."

"What do you mean 'supposed to be with'?" Caroline pressed.

"Look, we all know you love Matt," Bonnie spoke up. "But you have to be honest with yourself. Are you still in love with him?"

Elena pondered for a moment before giving a definitive answer. "No."

Bonnie pulled up to the boardinghouse at about 4:00 that afternoon. To her chagrin, the elder Salvatore was the one to open the door. "Ugh, don't you have a life or any friends," she said as she stepped into the house without invitation. "Every time I come you're home. Just once I'd like to experience the peace of a Damon-less house."

"Well, it seems the stars always align for me to be here when you show up or maybe the devil is taunting me by having this thing with you and Stefan last for like...ever." His face grew serious. "What do you want?"

She held up the container she'd been carrying. "My Grams made some soup for Stefan. I was just going to drop it off because he doesn't want me to touch him and get a sick cycle going, but I'll think I'll run up and see him really quickly."

"Or you can do what he says and skeedaddle."

"I'm just going to bring him the soup."

"I can do that," Damon said, taking the container from her hands.

"Why are you being so weird?"

"I'm not but both of you are irritating and whiny as hell when you're sick and I need it to be over with already," he snapped.

"Fine, whatever." she said. "I'm sure he'll be happy to learn you prevented him from seeing this pretty face."

"I'm sure he will. Bye bye now."

Bonnie left without any further fight. She was still just a bit under the weather herself and wanted to get home to her bed. She was going to need more rest if she was going to survive school and cheer practice the following day. Stefan later texted her thanking her for the soup but when she called him not too long after there was no answer.

She hated the separation. They'd just exchanged their first I-love-yous, they should've been inseparable. She was surprised when she got an, 'I'm here', text from him the next morning.

"You're alive," she said cheerfully as she climbed into his car.

"I think Grams' soup helped," he said as he pulled off.

"Did Damon tell you he practically pushed me out of the house when I came to bring it to you?"

"Doesn't he always try to push you out?"

"Yeah, but he was being extra weird about it yesterday," she said. "I'm glad you're feeling better."

"Yeah, sorry I missed your call. I had just fallen asleep."

"It's okay." She reached out her hand and he took it in his own. When they got to school Bonnie was greeted by Matt. It was obvious he wanted to talk to her so Stefan took the hint and stepped away.

"How are you, Matt?"

"I'm sure Elena told you she broke up with me," he declared somberly.

"What? No." She sighed. "I'm sorry, Matt. I know it sucks but maybe you guys need this break."

"I need you to be honest with me, Bonnie," he said. "What do you know?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is there another guy?"

"No, why would you think that?" Bonnie asked in surprise.

"She's been acting weird for days," he revealed. "She's always texting while we're hanging out and she's cryptic about who she's talking to. She'll disappear for hours and I can't get a hold of her, and sometimes I think she starts arguments on purpose."

"That doesn't sound like Elena."

"Well, I'm telling you that she's been different with me. Everything in my gut is telling me there's someone else."

Bonnie sighed. "I think she just doesn't feel the same anymore. She's loved you since we were kids but she may have grown out of the relationship." Matt huffed. "She wouldn't do anything to hurt you. Just take some time for yourself and maybe you guys will find your way back to each other down the road." Matt nodded in agreement but she could tell he wasn't really feeling that idea.

Matt and Elena's break-up inevitably changed the dynamics of the group. He hung with Tyler and a few other jocks even more frequently. If they ran into him at the Grill, all of his exchanges with Elena were icy, and he just didn't seem that happy. Bonnie couldn't concentrate on this too much because she had her own relationship to worry about.

Stefan had become very hot and cold, and it was driving her nuts. Some days he was all over her and telling her how much he loved her, the next day he was acting distant and disinterested. The first five months of their relationship they had been completely inseparable and gag-inducingly affectionate. She couldn't understand what had changed in the past few weeks.

One morning she got a text from him letting her know he wouldn't be picking her up. 'Zach is in town, have to go see him. Family emergency. TTYL.' Bonnie was bummed she'd have to get through the day without her man. Chemistry class wasn't the same without him. When she got to school she quickly realized Elena was absent as well.

"Do you know where she is?" Bonnie asked Caroline.

"She said she had a doctor's appointment," Care replied.

"Doctor's appointment...that sounds legit." The Bopsy twins, Tiki and Amy, had suddenly materialized beside Bonnie and Caroline. "Funny that you didn't know she had an appointment, Bon. I mean she is your best friend. Why wouldn't she have told you she was going to be out today?"

"Say, where's your hot boyfriend?" Tiki inquired.

Bonnie rolled her eyes. "None of your business, Tiki."

"Kind of weird both Stefan and Elena skipped school on the same day," Tiki continued. "Think there's a connection?"

"What are you implying?" Bonnie snapped.

"Won't you two just go away?" Caroline huffed in frustration.

"We're just asking a question," Amy said with faux innocence. "We know Stefan and Elena are really, really close friends. We thought maybe they were hanging out today."

"But why would they be hanging out without you guys? Hm?" Tiki inquired.

Bonnie did her best to contain her anger. "They're not. You guys don't know shit so stop trying to start it."

"You're right. I'm sure it's just a coincidence." They both smirked and stalked away, satisfied with themselves.

"You know, I'm really starting to hate those bitches," Bonnie muttered. She turned to Caroline who was looking at her with concern. "What?"

"How have things been with you and Stefan?"

"They're...fine," she answered. "Sure, there's ups and downs but that's normal. We love each other and I know he's not doing anything shady."

"I didn't say he was."

"I can practically read your mind, Caroline."

Bonnie couldn't concentrate during class. Her mind kept wandering to Stefan and the things Tiki and Amy had said. She knew it was ridiculous, but she just couldn't shake the weird feeling she was getting as she stared at Stefan and Elena's empty desks. Matt was positive Elena had left him for someone else, Stefan seemed to be losing interest, and the two seemed to have developed a comfortability with each other usually only shared by a couple. Elena was her life-long friend, however, and a good person. She would never interfere in her relationship. So, why couldn't Bonnie shake the feeling that something wasn't right?

That night Bonnie stood in her bedroom, Staring at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were smoky, her hair was curled, and she was in nothing but a bra and panties that left very little to the imagination. She was still attempting to gussy up her appearance when her phone rang.

"What's up?"

"Got any plans?" Caroline questioned without bothering with a hello. "It's Friday night, it would be a sin to stay in. Let's go to Tyler's, he's having some people over."

"Not tonight, Caroline."

"Why, what have you got going on?" Caroline questioned, almost offensively. "Your pajamas and a Pretty Little Liars binge on Netflix?"

"Stefan's coming over."

"So, he can come too."

"We have plans."

"Is he taking you out?" She further pressed. "Did he give you a proper explanation as to why he skipped school today?"

"No, he didn't really go into too much detail," Bonnie admitted. "The conversation was short when we spoke a bit ago. I told him I really wanted to see him and he said he was on his way."

"So, you're not even going to ask him about it?"

"Why would I? If he said it was a family emergency then that's what it was. Why press him about it?" She said. "Besides, tonight would not be the right time to interrogate him about that. It's a mood killer."

"Mood killer? Bonnie, what's going on?"

Bonnie sighed deeply, wondering if it was wise to confide in her friend at this point. "Tonight is the night," she announced. "Stefan and I are going to really be together for the first time."

"What?!" Caroline screeched so loudly Bonnie had to hold the phone from her ear. "You're going to have sex with him?!" This was followed by a high-pitched stream of words spoken so rapidly Bonnie hardly understood any of it.

"Whoa, Care, slow down. It's not a big deal."

"It's a huge deal!" Caroline objected passionately. "I get that Stefan is smoking hot and it's been super challenging for you to resist his bod, but this is your first time, Bonnie. Once your virginity is gone you can't get it back, You're my best friend, and I want to look out for you. If you feel like he's slipping away and this is your attempt at fixing-"

"That is not what this is," Bonnie snapped angrily. "I told you before, Stefan's the one. I knew I was saving it for someone special, now I know that someone is him. I love him, Caroline."

"I know you do," she agreed. "Are you sure you're ready to take this step? And are you sure you're taking it for all the right reasons?" At that moment Bonnie heard the sound of Stefan's convertible pulling into the driveway through her open window. Her father had left on another business trip that morning and wouldn't be back until Monday. Bonnie's plan was to spend every every waking moment with Stefan until then, most likely without clothes.

"I have to go," Bonnie said abruptly. Caroline started to respond but she interrupted her. "I'll talk to you later." She hung up the phone, just slightly annoyed at Care for raising all these questions. She quickly shot Stefan a text. 'Door is unlocked, just come on up.'

Her nerves were in full effect as she waited for him. She stood up as her bedroom door opened and Stefan stepped in, looking extra delectable himself. His mouth dropped once his eyes landed on her, all dolled up and sexy.

"Wow," he said. "Look at you." Bonnie smiled as he quickly crossed the room to her. Grabbing her gently, he kissed her like he hadn't seen her in decades. It sent Bonnie's heart aflutter and made her feel just a bit better about the situation.

"I'm guessing you missed me too," Bonnie joked as they pulled away.

"You have no idea," he said, scooping her up in his arms.

Soon after they were on the bed, a shirtless Stefan nestled between Bonnie's legs as they kissed passionately. He started to run his hands over her body, slowly and expertly stripping her of her bra. He softly kissed her breasts, her stomach, her inner thighs. He was pulling her panties down then paused.

"Geesh, babe, you're shaking," he observed.

"I...I am?"

He moved upward to look into her emerald eyes. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" He asked with a furrowed brow.

"Stefan..." she hesitated for a moment, looking into his eyes. The beautiful green eyes, she'd loved gazing into dreamily for the past six months, the green eyes that belonged to the first guy she'd ever really loved. "Are we falling apart? I love you so much, Stefan, and I want you to be the one but..."

He sighed and sat up. "But you're not sure I am."

"I'm just not sure how you're feeling anymore," she explained, sitting up as well. "And I can't be sure if you're not sure." There was a pause then Stefan suddenly huffed and got up from the bed.

"I'm just going to go," he declared, slipping his henley back on.

"What?"

"It's good to know you're having doubts about our relationship."

"That's not what I said!"

"Look, I know what I want," he snapped. "I've waited patiently for you to be ready for months. I've tried to be a good boyfriend, I don't know what else I can do to get you to see me as 'the one'."

"Things haven't been the same with us," Bonnie argued. "I've felt a disconnect from you and it scares me."

"So, it's just me then?" he threw back. "I don't get you, Bonnie! If you feel like that why invite me here? Why do all this?"

"Because it's what I wanted," she replied. "At least I thought I did."

"I'll leave you to figure it out," he headed to the door.

"Stefan, wait, we should talk about this."

He ignored her and continued out the room. She followed him into the hall. "I'm just afraid to give myself to someone who isn't fully committed to me, don't you get that? Stefan?!" The response she got was the front door slamming so hard it shook the house. If it wasn't before, Bonnie knew that now, their relationship was officially on the rocks.

Bonnie was left in limbo over the next two days. Stefan didn't come by, text, call, nothing. She spent the weekend in the house, listening to music, eating junk food, watching Netflix, half heartedly doing homework, and stressing about her relationship. They never went this long with no contact, and the way he'd left her house Friday night was so un-Stefan like. The more the hours ticked by and she checked her phone in vain, the more her anger built. He claimed to be a 'good boyfriend' to her, but a good boyfriend would've stayed and talked things out with her. A good boyfriend would make sure she never felt like less than a priority. Instead, he'd been a complete ass to her.

Monday morning came the true test. She had no idea if he was coming to pick her up. She got ready for school as she normally did. It got closer to the time he should've been waiting out front and there was no sign of him. Bonnie wasn't going to be late for school sitting around waiting. She grabbed her car keys and lingered by the Prius for another five minutes. He was officially a no-show and she drove herself to school, thoroughly pissed off.

Her anger was doubled as she walked to the junior hall and the first thing she saw was Stefan at his locker, talking to Elena. The two were extra chummy, laughing at whatever lame topic they'd settled on. Bonnie was seething as she stormed toward them. Elena was walking away as she approached but she didn't care, she could talk to her later.

"What the hell is going on?" She snapped loudly at Stefan. He looked at her with a furrowed brow.

"What are you-"

"Don't you dare act like you don't know I'm talking about," she said angrily. She was drawing stares but couldn't seem to care as much as she usually would. "You act like a jerk on Friday, storm out of my house, ignore me all weekend, then completely blow me off this morning without even bothering to let me know you weren't picking me up. What the hell is your problem?!"

"Can you maybe not talk so loud?"

"Why, is it bothering you? Am I doing something you don't like? Would you like to run away rather than talk about it?"

"I didn't run away, Bonnie," he snapped back, "But we can talk about this later."

"No. Now." She spoke through gritted teeth. "I know I'm always the 'chill' one but I swear I will cause a scene in this hallway."

Stefan slung his bag over his shoulder. "Come on," he said angrily and took Bonnie by her forearm, hustling her toward the nearest classroom. They spilled into the empty room and Stefan threw his bag down in a huff and spread his arms.

"Here we are!" He shouted. "You want to have this fight? You got things you want to say to me? Put it on the table!"

"All I wanted was for you to talk to me about what's happening with us!" She exclaimed. "Instead you ignore me for days! Lately, you've been talking to my best friend more than me. You were probably with her all weekend which is why I didn't hear from you."

"Now you're just being ridiculous!"

"Am I?!" She shouted. Her tone then dropped as she tried and failed to keep the emotion out of her voice. "What happened to us, Stefan? We were inseparable, literally attached at the hip. You're not just my boyfriend but my best friend. It's changed and I deserve to know why." Stefan sighed deeply and cast his eyes to the floor. "If it's me or something I did then tell me."

"It's not you."

"Is it someone else?" She finally asked. He raised his eyes and looked at her with what looked to Bonnie like an expression of guilt. "I deserve the truth, Stefan, is it someone else?"

"It's me, Bonnie," he said. "I'm sorry for the way I acted. I didn't call because I wanted some time to think, and I thought you could use the space too. It was stupid, I should've reached out and told you how I was feeling." He stepped closer to her and pulled her in for an embrace. "I love you, Bonnie. I knew from the first time you spoke to me you were something special. You're such an amazing girl. You've made me better but sometimes I can't help but think I don't deserve someone as perfect as you."

"No one is perfect, but doesn't everyone deserve to be with the one they love?"

Stefan placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Yes, but the timing has to be right."

Bonnie pulled away from him. "So, what does that mean?"

"I'm not breaking up with you," he stated. "I'd be an idiot to do that. I just think a little bit of space could be a good thing." The first bell sounded, signaling the students had five minutes to get to where they needed to go.

"I guess that's our cue," Bonnie said, softly. "I'll see you in Chem." She started toward the door but Stefan gently grabbed her hand to stop her.

"Don't ever think for one second that I don't still love you, Bennett," he said. "I'm going to always love you. Always." Bonnie's smile was sad.

The morning went by much slower than usual. Bonnie wasn't in the best of moods, because despite their cordial parting, there was now an obvious detachment between she and Stefan. He wasn't walking her to classes. they were sitting a foot apart in Chemistry and barely speaking, and Bonnie didn't have the glow she'd been carrying the past six months. Amy inquired about trouble in paradise and received an icy glare in return. She was missing her man already but had too much pride to show it.

She caught up with Caroline right before lunch and they headed to the cafeteria, going over Tanner's more horrid than usual attitude that day, Bonnie spotted a man clearly too old to be a student amongst the sea of teenagers, heading toward the exit door.

"I'll meet you in the caf," Bonnie told her friend, cutting her off mid-complaint. She then took off after the elder Salvatore.

"Damon!" She called as she hurried her pace to catch up to him. "Damon, wait up!"

He paused just as he reached the large double doors and turned. "Bon Bon," he said as she breathlessly caught up to him. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Hey, what's going on?" She questioned. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I was just being a good guy and fulfilling my brotherly duties," he responded. "Despite how inconvenient the timing. I had a very delectable piece in my bed who was practically begging for a morning round. She's a church receptionist by day, go go dancer by night, and very flexible all the time-"

"So what are you doing here?" A grossed out Bonnie quickly moved past this topic.

"Stefan forgot his English essay at home," he explained. "He texted me panicking because it was due on Friday. I just saved his ass by dropping it off to his teacher, but you think I'll get a thank you for it?"

The mention of Friday reminded her. "That was nice of you. How's Zach?"

"Fine. Why, do you miss him?"

"So everything's been okay with him since Friday?"

"Yes, why wouldn't it be? The man just found out he's having a baby with his insanely hot wife. He's over the moon right now," Damon revealed.

"Really..." She pondered this for a moment. "So, no family emergencies recently?"

"No," Damon replied with a shrug. "Everything's been calm at Salvatore Manor. Why do you ask?"

"No reason." She felt herself hardening, the anger resurfacing. "No reason at all." She turned on her heel and walked away without a goodbye. Damon was saying something to her but she'd tuned him out, making a beeline for the cafeteria. She almost immediately spotted Stefan. He was sitting at a table in the center of the room, heartily chatting it up with Aaron Teller as if he hadn't a care in the world. He spotted Bonnie charging at him like a raging bull and sat up in his chair. Without thinking it through, Bonnie grabbed the open can of grape soda on the table before Aaron, and whipped it on Stefan full force. A collective gasp went around the room.

"You wanted your space, you got it," she hissed through gritted teeth. "We're done." And she turned on her heel and stormed out, leaving a shocked Stefan sticky and wet, his brand new shirt ruined.

Caroline found Bonnie in the girls restroom a minute later, sobbing in one of the stalls. "Bonnie," she rapped on the door. "Please, let me in, Bon."

The door opened and she was greeted by a tear stained face. "You were right," Bonnie said. "You were right about everything. He lied to me." Care embraced her, feeling no joy in this outcome. Elena burst into the restroom a moment later.

"Bonnie, what happened?" She asked, worriedly. "I heard you just flipped out on Stefan."

"Elena, this isn't a good time," Caroline started to say but Bonnie spoke up.

"Tell me the truth," she demanded, stepping to the tall brunette. "Were you with Stefan on Friday?" The guilt in Elena's eyes ran deep but she said nothing. "If you're not going to start being honest with me, then I can't really consider you a friend and I'm going to have to cut you out of my life too."

"Don't say that," Elena pleaded.

"Give me my space," the shorter girl said angrily before straightening herself up. "One thing I will not tolerate is a liar...even when it's Stefan. Even if it's you." And she walked out of the bathroom.

The next couple weeks were rough for Bonnie. Her group was officially torn apart. Elena did as she was told and kept away from her, although Bonnie could see in her doe brown eyes she desperately wanted to speak to her. Bonnie continued walking past her as if she didn't exist. It made for an awkward situation for Caroline, who had to split her time between her best friends. Matt didn't come around anymore, Stefan regressed back into the quiet loner who paid no one the time of day, Bonnie found a new spot to sit during Chemistry, a table toward the back next to a kid in her gym class who seemed nearly giddy to have one of the popular kids sitting near him. He was weird and stared a lot, but it was the only available space.

Stefan and Bonnie didn't speak at all. He never reached out and she had too much pride to go up to him. This upset her even more. She felt he should've been apologetic, trying to make it up to her. She knew he would've been mad about her humiliating him in front of the whole school, but he deserved every bit of that humiliation. She noticed he and Elena avoided each other during school as well. She would catch looks exchanged between them during class, though they sat nowhere near each other, both texting and smiling at their phones. Bonnie was no fool. She knew what was going on.

Then one day, it stopped. The looks were no longer sneaky, there was no more sitting rows away from each other, and although a sadness glazed Elena's eyes whenever she glimpsed Bonnie, there was an undeniable glow about her every other moment. Bonnie parked in her usual spot. Stefan's spot used to be right by hers but he'd traded for one further from the building. As she grabbed her books and her purse from the backseat she spotted the flashy red convertible. Stefan was rocking his signature designer shades, a black tee and a particularly expensive pair of True Religion jeans. Beside him, in the seat that Bonnie had occupied almost daily for six months, was the pretty, statuesque brunette that she'd once called a friend. Bonnie found herself rooted to her spot, watching them pull into the space, smiling at each other before emerging from the car, catching everyone's eyes. It felt like she was getting her heart ripped from her chest all over again.

"I guess today is the day," Matt materialized beside Bonnie, looking how she felt, and disrupting her moment of heartbreak. She looked at him questioningly. "Today must be the day they go public. You know...with their 'relationship', and they're lies, their deceit, their two-timing."

"Whatever. They deserve each other," Bonnie muttered, moving back toward her car and slamming the door shut.

"You don't have to pretend like you're not hurt," Matt said, following her toward the building. "What they did to us was wrong."

"Hurt? Please," Bonnie scoffed. "He's her problem now. I'm free of the burden of being with a guy who didn't deserve me. I'll let karma handle the rest."

Matt fell silent for a moment, before speaking up again begrudgingly. "So, I'm just supposed to go through everyday normally, pretend like it doesn't bother me?"

"Don't look at them, look past them," Bonnie advised as they passed through the large double doors into the school. "Don't talk to them, talk through them. Our lives are not going to stop because of our no good exes."

Bonnie found it difficult to follow her own advice as the day wore on. It was seemingly one of the longest days of her life. The strong face she'd put on for Matt was a facade. Seeing Elena and Stefan now openly flaunting their affection was like a stab in the heart over and over again. After first period, she spotted them by the lockers, Elena's doe brown eyes sparkling as she gazed into his eyes, then she spotted Bonnie and turned away guiltily. Bonnie continued past them, Stefan visibly confused at Elena suddenly pulling away then he saw Bonnie and his expression shifted into one of guilt as well. Their guilt did nothing but piss Bonnie off.

Her daydreams were growing more volatile by the hour. One consisted of her ripping Elena's long, chocolate locks from her head. Another was of her knocking Stefan out with a heavy object, then beating him about the head and face with it. In one, she set the red convertible aflame while they sat inside, making out.

When she walked into Chemistry her usual table was empty and a quick scan of the room found Stefan and Elena in the very back, giggling like school girls. "What happened to looking past them?" Matt inquired, suddenly appearing behind her. "Come on." He sat with her at the table, taking the spot Stefan had frequented at one time.

The worst part of the day came at lunch. She had managed to block out all the whispering in the halls until then. She knew everyone was gossiping about the scandalous Stelena leaving Matt and Bonnie for each other. Bonnie sat at the cafeteria table with Caroline, Matt, and Tyler, the tray of food before her untouched. She looked around to see all the eyes on her as people whispered and stared. It was causing a ringing in her ears that grew louder and louder until she couldn't take it anymore. Her chair screeched loudly as she pushed it back and jumped up from the table. "Bon?" Caroline looked at her curiously.

"I'm not doing this," she declared and hastened toward the exit. She ignored Caroline calling after her and pushed through the door and into the courtyard, breathing in the fresh, crisp air. More eyes on her from the stray students milling about the courtyard as she made the decision to leave campus. Not thinking of the repercussions of skipping out on school halfway through the day, she headed toward the student parking lot, planning to hop into her Prius and peel out before she was noticed and stopped by a teacher. Then Oakland came into view, the oak tree she and Stefan spent many afternoons canoodled under, and she stopped. Now, Stefan sat under Oakland, canoodling with Elena. There was no looking past that.

Bonnie's blood was boiling. Seeing them there was like two slaps to the face, front hand and back hand. She wasn't even thinking about it, her feet were moving toward them. The pair sat up straight as they noticed her coming, obviously anticipating a hurricane. "Bonnie!" The sound of Caroline's worried voice snapped the cheerleader out of her cloud of rage. Both Stefan and Elena looked relieved as Caroline rushed to Bonnie, distracting her from unloading her fury on them.

"Honey, what's wrong?" She asked, placing her hands on her shoulders. "You ran out so fast I - " Then she saw them and her sentence trailed off. She turned Bonnie away protectively and steered her back toward the brick building. "Come on, let's go inside and talk."

"Bonnie!" Elena was standing to go after them. "Bonnie, wait!"

"Not now Elena!" Caroline snapped. "Maybe not ever." And Elena stayed behind, crestfallen, as her two friends went on without her.

Caroline led Bonnie back to the courtyard. "I'm so sorry you had to see that," Care consoled. "They're being so insensitive."

"He took her to Oakland."

"What?"

"Our spot," Bonnie reiterated. "That tree is our spot and he had the nerve to take another girl there. You know Caroline, I've been preparing myself for this. For when I would have to see them holding hands or kiss but for some reason I thought they would be a little more respectful. I didn't think he would be doing the same things with her that he did with me."

"I'm mad at Elena too," Caroline admitted. "She betrayed you. She's supposed to be with us, helping you get through your first real break-up. Distracting you from thinking about him with lunches at your favorite restaurant. chick flicks, and spa days at my house. Not sleeping with your ex and flaunting him in front of you." Bonnie's eyes widened in horror. "Not that I know that they're sleeping together. Look, Bon, I just don't want you to hurt anymore. What can I do?"

"I'm past the hurt," Bon replied. "It's just humiliating. I can survive them being together, but the entire school knowing my business? Everyone staring at me waiting for a reaction when they flirt. The whispering and the laughing, it's driving me crazy. I don't know how I'm going to get through the rest of this day without going off on someone."

"Listen, I'm your best friend. I'm here. If any of these bitches say one thing to you I'll scratch their eyes out."

Bonnie couldn't help but chuckle. "One of the many reasons why I love you, because I know you really would." Laughing, Care slung her arm around her friend and they walked back inside together. The rest of the day went by much better. Caroline and Tyler focused on making her laugh, even making plans for a cabin trip that weekend. Tyler threatened to punch a guy who hit on Bonnie then insulted her with, "Now I see why Salvatore started fucking your best friend," after she rejected him. They surrounded her tightly, determined to keep people from staring in her face, making it obvious they were reveling in her misery.

Midway through the final class of the day, Bonnie's bladder demanding to be relieved, so she dismissed herself to go to the bathroom. As she stood over the sink, fixing her make-up in the mirror, Ms. Steal-Your-Man herself walked in. Bonnie's expression hardened as she caught her eyes. Elena opened her mouth as if to say something then turned to make a hasty exit. Seemingly changing her mind again, she stopped at the door then turned to face Bonnie.

"Bonnie, listen...Caroline told me to give you space but I really think we should talk," she started.

"Don't!" Bonnie said in a stern voice, holding up her polished hand to stop Elena from rambling on further. "Just don't, okay?' She started past her.

"Please, Bonnie!" Elena cried, desperately. "I miss you! I want my best friend back. You haven't spoken to me in over a month and it's been killing me."

Bonnie rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you looked real broken up making out with my ex in the same spot me and him used to make out in," she said, sarcastically. "I would've been completely justified in going over there and kicking the shit out of you, Elena, but you're not worth it, and he sure as hell ain't either. We have nothing to say to each other. I gave you the opportunity to be straight up with me a long time ago about what was going on with you two and you didn't. You never came to me as a friend. Now, what's done is done and I'm moving on. So leave me the hell alone." And she walked out.

After the final bell, she went to her locker to grab her homework before heading out and found a small note tucked in between her English and Calculus books. Her name was written on the front and she instantly recognized Elena's perfect, girly calligraphy. Sucking her teeth, Bonnie stuffed the note in her bag. She left school without saying goodbye to her anyone.

Instead of heading home, she went to her Grams' house. Grams could instantly see in her grandchild's face that she'd had a hard day and correctly guessed it had something to do with 'that boy with the funny hair she used to hang around'. Bonnie sat at the kitchen table and poured herself into her homework. When she pulled out her notes Elena's letter fell out. She stared at it a moment then put it away and opened her books. Afterward, she and Grams dug into the meal Grams had prepared for her, which happened to be Bonnie's favorite dish. When she went home at the end of the night, showered, and sat on her bed in her PJs. she held Elena's letter in her hands.

Was it worth it to read it? Would it cause her more pain, or would it give her clarity? Maybe reading the details of how their backstabbing started would really give her the push she needed to truly move on. With a heavy sigh she opened the note and read.

Dear Bonnie,

I know you hate me. You have every right to. Knowing this tears me up inside every single day. You have been my closest friend my entire life, and since you've been gone I've felt this huge void...and it fucking hurts.

My feelings for Stefan were totally and completely unexpected. My interest for him was piqued the moment we came face to face for the first time, but I buried it down as far as I could for the sake of my relationship with Matt. I knew Matt was too jealous for me to even form a friendship with this guy. Then you started hanging out with him, and for a reason it took me awhile to figure out, I had a weird feeling about it. A feeling I would later realize was jealousy, something I would also attempt to bury.

But your relationship with him meant I could be around him, get to know him without Matt being justifiably mad. I found myself thinking about him a lot, wondering about his past, his desires, his likes and dislikes, and although it was inappropriate for him to be on my mind so much, I just couldn't keep it from happening.

I have to admit, everyone was telling me he was into me the first week of school, and I was flattered. Then you seemed to quell any interest he may have had in me. Then the more time passed, and the closer Stefan and I got, that interest seemed to return. I don't have to tell you all the reasons that made me fall for him, this letter isn't meant to hurt you further. It's meant to give you the explanation and apology you deserve, and maybe even closure.

The night after he and I had dinner at the grill together, our feelings for each other could no longer be denied. Although I knew he was still in love with you, and you would be devastated if you knew, I was consumed by my feelings, and consumed by guilt because of it. We did meet in secret, in an attempt to talk about what was going on with us and even decided to end it, to try to stay away from each other. Then the next day you guys broke up, and I had to admit to myself I was in love. And I hated myself for it.

This may not make you feel any better, but I promise nothing physical happened between us while you two were together. I know Stefan misses you, I know he still thinks about you, I know he regrets breaking your heart, just as I do. Sometimes, I fear he may still be in love with you, which I guess would be my own sweet karma. As kids, you, Caroline, and I made a vow to never let a boy come between us, and now it has. And it's my fault. I can only hope, but not expect, that one day in the future you can forgive me. Even if we can never be friends again, I pray that we can at least be cordial, smile at each other and it be genuine.

No matter what, I love you, Bonnie. And I am so, sincerely sorry for the pain that I've caused you.

Love,

Elena

After scanning it a second time, Bonnie crumpled up the letter in her hands, and threw it in the trash. She slept soundly that night.