Chapter 3
Don't go crying to your mama
'Cause you're on your own in the real world
Don't go crying to your mama
'Cause you're on your own in the real world
Ain't it fun, ain't it fun?
Baby, now you're one of us
Ain't it fun, ain't it fun?
Ain't it fun?
Aint it Fun – Paramore
"Annie, oh Annie" I hear a voice sing from behind me. "Hi Caroline" I respond with clear apprehension in my voice as I turn to face her. Leaning against my locker with my arms crossed over my chest I can't help but notice a flyer in her hands. "No" "but you don't even know what I am going to ask" she whines "I am not taking part in your sexy car wash. Not happening" "Oh come on Annie! I have seen you in a bikini and I know you rock it" "No Caroline. I refuse to parade around in a bikini for money" "not for money for charity! You know Carol always tells you to be more involved… maybe this will get her off your back for a bit..." Caroline says with a smirk on her face. Dammit. "Fine but know that I hate you" I state as I turn and slam my locker shut. Letting out a laugh Caroline skips away as she responds, "Love you too." Slamming my head into my locker I let out a deep sigh as I hear a familiar laugh behind me. "You just got Carolined Annie." Laughs Matt as he pulls me away from my locker towards class.
Arriving at the car wash I immediately get cornered by Caroline to receive a rundown, be hot and make money. Got it. After Caroline's speech I make my way towards Bonnie and Matt who have already started washing cars. As I approach, I hear one of the cheerleaders, Tiki, make fun of some guy's car as he gets out. "Why do I always get the homely ones? Just to be clear, your car's a P.O.S. I mean, we can wash it, but it's still a P.O.S." she states. Before I can respond Bonnie states "You don't have to be rude" "Rude is uglying up the road with that junk." Having enough I take a step forward and state "what the hell is your problem Tiki" as I speak water begins bubbling from the bucket in front of Tiki before exploding in her face. In that moment confusion clouds Bonnie's face, Matt runs to help Tiki out, while I start hysterically laughing. As I look back at Bonnie, I see her look of confusion turn into concern. Reaching forward I place my hand on her arm and ask "Are you okay Bonnie" smiling slightly she nods and invites me to join her in washing cars. That is the second time something weird has happened with Bonnie around... I think to myself.
A few days latter at the Halloween carnival Tyler and I make our way towards Bonnie and Caroline. "Cider for the ladies. It's a Lockwood special." Tyler offers. Letting off a scoff I state "Wow Ty. You will hand deliver the good stuff to them but not your own sister." "The difference is they are cute" crossing my arms a glare settles on my face as Bonnie responds to Tyler "No way. Last year I was hung over until Thanksgiving." "Lightweight. I am going to drink until someone is hot enough to make out with." States Caroline. Letting out a laugh Tyler responds "Sounds like a plan" as he and Caroline clink glasses. Turning to Bonnie I compliment her witch costume "Thanks Annie I like your werewolf costume super cute" Laughing I respond "thanks! Maybe later I will start howling at the moon, depending on how much of the Lockwood special I can get down."
Once Caroline wanders off to find her victim for the night Bonnie and I head outside and make our way to the refreshment table. "Snacks I need snacks" Laughing at me Bonnie agrees, and we start digging through the various packaged candies. From in front of us a voice sounds "So where...where'd Caroline run off to?" looking up I see Caroline's creepy ex Damon. "Do yourself a favor, Damon, and don't ask me about Caroline." Responds Bonnie. Chuckling Damon responds "Oh, Bonnie. So loyal." Glaring up at Damon I state, "Just stay away from her." As Damon goes to say something his focus shifts and he point to Bonnie's necklace "Where'd you get that?" "From a friend." "Caroline. You know that's mine, don't you?" jumping in I add "not anymore" letting out an unamused chuckle Damon looks back at Bonnie and states "Funny. I'd like it back, please." "I'm not giving it to you. I'll give it to Caroline, and she can give it to you if she feels like it." "Or I could just take it right now." Damon announces as he lunges at Bonnie's necklace. As his hand closes around the crystal, a rush of energy soars through the air. Suddenly he releases it with a pained yell. Reaching forward I grab Bonnie's hand and pull her towards me, and we run leaving Damon in his spot. "What the hell happened back there Bonnie" I asked once we stopped running. "I-I don't know, but I am going to go home" "Oh, okay. If you are sure. See you on Monday" I ask. Nodding Bonnie agrees and heads home. Add this to the list of weird things happening around Bonnie.
After the weirdness at the Halloween carnival Bonnie gets a hold of me over the phone. "Please Annie, for old times sake" "No Bonnie, I don't want to go to sleepover with you Caroline, and Elena." Letting out a deep sigh Bonnies responds "Annie, we miss you. I know what Elena did was wrong but please. This could be the chance for the four of us to all be friends again" Groaning I consider my options I do miss how it used to be. "Fine I will come tonight but one word about what happened and I am gone" suddenly I am pulling the phone away from my ear as Bonnie lets out a screech of happiness "I promise Annie! I will see you at Elena's tonight!" Hanging up the phone all I can wonder is I hope I made the right decision.
"I'm sorry. There. I said it. If you want the ugly-ass necklace, keep it. It's yours." Announces Caroline through the looming silence. "Wait what? Is that what this awkwardness is about? The creepy necklace?" I ask as I stare between Caroline and Bonnie in disbelief. Looking down Bonnie askes "Will you hate me if I tell you I threw it away?" "You threw it away?" I know it sounds crazy, but the necklace was giving me nightmares. I had to get rid of it." "You could have just given it back to me." Turning to Elena I shoot what I hope is a pleading look. As though she is taking pity on me Elena interrupts and states "Why? So, you could give it back to Damon?" Shaking my head, I think to myself So not helpful Elena. Flipping her hair over her shoulder Caroline responds "Screw Damon. Are we doing manicures or what? Who has their kit?" "Mine's in my bag." Shrugs Bonnie. As Caroline turns and makes her way towards Bonnie's bag in the living room Elena, Bonnie, and I shoot each other a relieved look. So, Elena...how long do you think this fight with Stefan's going to last? Is it...like a permanent thing?" Askes Caroline form the other room." Glancing at Bonnie with an annoyed look on her face Elena responds to Bonnie's question "I don't know, Caroline." After a moment Caroline's angered voice breaks the silence "Why are you such a little liar, Bonnie?" Turing to see what Caroline is talking about I see Bonnie/Damon's necklace in Caroline's hand. "I'm not lying to you, Caroline. I swear." Exclaims Bonnie, "It's true. I watched her throw it into a field!" backs up Elena. "Then explain it." States Caroline. "Yeah, I hate to break it guys but a reappearing necklace is a bit farfetched" I announce. Looking between each other with a look full of hidden meaning Bonnie turns away from Elena and states "Emily". "Who's Emily?" Caroline and I ask in sync. "The ghost." Shares Bonnie. Not saying anything to avoid laughing Caroline responds "Oh, the ghost has a name now?". Unable to hold it in, I let out a brief chuckle as Elena shoots Caroline and I an exasperated look and states "Caroline, Annie, please." Turning to face Elena Bonnie askes "I wonder why she won't leave me alone." Getting frustrated Caroline asks "What is going on? Why am I not a part of this conversation? You guys do this to me all the time." Shots fired I think to myself. Looking appalled, Elena responds to Caroline's accusation "That's not true." Scoffing I respond "Yes, it is. You do it to Caroline and you did it to me too" Ignoring my statement Bonnie looks directly at Caroline and states "Yes, it is. I can't talk to you. You don't listen." "That's not true." Defends Caroline, with a look of defiance Bonnie states "I'm a witch" "And don't we all know it" rebuts Caroline. Wait what. It would explain the weird things that keep happening. "See? That's what I'm talking about. I'm trying to tell you something. You don't even hear it." Exclaims Bonnie before she storms out of the kitchen. Looking confused Caroline turns towards Elena and I and states "I listen. When do I not listen?"
Giving Bonnie and Caroline some space to talk, Elena and I remain in the kitchen. "I am glad you came tonight, Annie. Bonnie said I should invite you, but I didn't think you would come." Sighing I turn towards Elena "I know we grew apart Elena, but you guys were my best friends everyone recognized you were struggling, and I felt abandoned. So, did Matt. We found each other and helped put back our pieces. The only reason I came is because Bonnie convinced me it was a good idea." "Well? Was it a good idea?" Elena asks. Smiling I respond, "I think so, but I might need to see Caroline freak out a bit more to be fully swayed" Laughing Elena leans in and hugs me "thank you for coming Annie". As we separate Caroline yells from upstairs "Time for a séance girls, get up here" Elena and I look at each other and shrug before we rush into Elena room.
Sitting in a circle between Bonnie and Caroline with candles in the middle, the four of us hold hands. "What are we doing?" asks Bonnie, while I shrug in response Elena states "I don't know" Clearly annoyed Caroline shushes us and states "Be quiet and concentrate. Close your eyes. Now take a deep breath. Bonnie. Call to her." Following Caroline's instructions, we close our eyes and take a deep breath as Bonnie states "Emily, you there?" "Really? "Emily, you there?" That's all you got? Come on." Holding back a laugh I keep my eyes closed as Bonnie calls for Emily once again "Fine, geez. Emily. I call on you. I know you have a message. I'm here to listen." After a moment of silence, a rush of energy pushes at me and the candles in the circle flare before returning to normal. Jumping back slightly Elena asks "Did that just..." "Yeah, it just happened." Responds Caroline. Turning my head towards Bonnie I see a panicked look on her face and I say "It's just the air conditioning" as Bonnie shoots me a relieved look. "Ask her to show you a sign. Ask her. Emily, if you're among us, show us another sign." States Caroline. After a few moments of nothing Bonnie states "See? It's not working." Suddenly the window behind us bursts open and the four of us jump back. Bonnie frantically stands up and pulls the necklace of her while announcing "I can't, I'm done." As Bonnie throws the necklace beside the candles the candles go out "Get the light. Please, get the light on!" yells Bonnie. "Hold on. I got it." Announces Elena as the lights come on. Looking towards the candles I state "You guys, the necklace. It's gone."
"Okay, fun's over, Caroline. You made a point, and I get it. Now give it back." Elena states as the four of us stand around her room in various levels of shock. "What? Well, I didn't take it." Jumping back Elena looks behind Caroline as though she saw something glancing behind Caroline into the dark hall I ask "What? What happened?" Walking towards the doorway Elena states "I don't know. Nothing. Jeremy, are you home?" From the corner of my eye, I see Bonnie slowly make her way towards Elena's attached bathroom. "Guys..." she whispers. As we make our way towards Bonnie she steps into the bathroom and picks up the necklace. Glancing towards us her eyes widen, and the bathroom door slams shut. "You guys open the door! Help me!" yells Bonnie from inside. Running to the door the three of us begin banging on the door "Bonnie! Bonnie! What's going on, Bonnie?" yells Elena. After a moment of banging on the door Elena states "Try the other door. I'll check the hallway." Running to Jeremy's room Caroline and I find the door locked "Bonnie! Bonnie! Unlock the door!" yells Caroline as we hear Elena from the hallway Bonnie! Bonnie! Bonnie! Open the door!" Together we run back to the door in Elena's room as Bonnie's screaming stops and the door opens. In the bathroom is Bonnie with her head in her hands. Stepping forward I ask "What happened? Are you okay?" in a weird hollow voice Bonnie responds "I'm fine." Shaking her head Caroline exclaims "Unbelievable. You were totally faking it." "Caroline, come on." States Elena as Caroline walks away from the bathroom stating "No! You scared the hell out of me." Glancing at each other Elena and I turn to Bonnie as she states "I'm fine. Everything's fine." In the same hollow voice. As Bonnie makes her way out of the bathroom Elena and I make eye contact with a look of confusion present on both of us.
As Bonnie makes her way out of Elena's bedroom the three of us follow. "I can't believe I fell for it." Remarks Caroline, without sparing her a glance I roll my eyes and think dramatic as always Caroline. Without acknowledging Caroline's statement Elena asks Bonnie ``Are you okay?". Making her way down the stairs Bonnie responds without looking back "I must go." Quick as a whip Caroline remarks "She's leaving. I'm leaving." Almost frantically Elena states "You guys can't leave." Turning to face Elena and I, Caroline states "I can. I've had enough freaky fake witch stuff for one night." As I shake my head I state "you are literally the one who made us perform a creepy séance Caroline". Before she can respond, from behind us Bonnie states Thank you for having me. I'll take it from here." "Where are you going?" asks Elena with worry in her voice. "Back to where it all began." As Bonnie begins running down the stairs Elena yells after her "Bonnie! Bonnie! Oh My God! Emily!" Once Elena calls out Emily, Bonnie's body stops and states "I won't let him have it. It must be destroyed." Before exiting the house out the front door. Running down the rest of the stairs Elena yells out "Wait" as I reach the door and try to pry it open, unsuccessfully that is. Following Behind us Caroline asks "What's happening?" "I don't know. The door, it's not..." starts Elena when suddenly the door opens and Jeremy walks in as the three of us scream in shock. "What the hell?" states Jeremy as Caroline states "I'm outta here" before leaving the house. "I need to call Stefan'' states Elena as she grabs her phone and dials. "What? Stefan? What is Stefan going to do about Bonnie going all psycho witch on us Elena?" Giving me an exasperated look Elena responds to a voice through her phone and tells Stefan Bonnie is being possessed by Emily and something about Fell's church. Once Elena hangs up the phone, I stare Elena down and announce, "I think you owe me one hell of an explanation Elena ''.