I packed my bags; Stefan's hesitant voice broke the silence, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
I paused, a little puzzled. "Which part?" I asked, throwing a few more things in my duffle.
"Either, both," he replied, looking genuinely concerned.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words. "Well, I'm not quite sure about the first part," I confessed, "but as for going to Duke with Damon, I think I need to do this."
Stefan's grip on my hand tightened. "I know, but maybe we should wait a few days until Caroline is less dangerous, and then I can go with you."
I squeezed his hand back, feeling a mix of emotions. "It's okay that I'm going, right?" I asked, searching for honesty in his eyes.
Stefan's face softened, and he held my face gently. "Listen, I want you to go, okay? You deserve to get some answers about your lineage and Katherine. Don't let Damon ruin this opportunity for you."
I knew Stefan wasn't thrilled with the idea of me going with Damon, but I appreciated his support.
"You hate it, though," I said, sensing the conflict in his voice.
He exhaled, his eyes locked onto mine. "I hate it," he admitted, "but I love you."
My heart swelled with warmth, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for Stefan's selflessness.
"I love you, too," I whispered, hoping he knew how much his love meant to me.
It has been a day since Caroline bit Matt and saw that werewolf.
She couldn't believe she had hurt Matt; werewolves are a thing.
Caroline opened her eyes and rolled over in bed.
'Elena?' she yawned. 'Elena, is that you?'
She wanted to know how her trip went.
'Nope, try again.'
Every hair on her body stood as 'Elena' walked over.
'Katherine.'
Katherine sat down on the bed; Caroline moved away from her.
She had to get away from her.
Katherine smiled; Caroline couldn't help but compare her with Elena.
The same smile that would have made Elena look angelic looked devilish on Katherine.
'Don't be frightened. We're going to have so much fun together.
I sat on the swing, trying to remember the last time I went to a playground, until I heard someone say, "Bella?"
I saw two little dark-haired children and a little blonde girl rushing to me.
"Do you want to play cops and doctors with me and Caroline?"
Caroline? I thought as I glanced at the little blonde clad in pink from head to toe; she looked delighted to see me. I looked back at the boy; he looked like Jeremy.
I began to wonder if they were, in fact, Jeremy and Caroline until I heard my voice ask, "Where's Bonnie?"
"Bonnie is with her grandma," the little Caroline said.
"We can play what we want all day."
The other dark-haired child, a girl, grabbed my swing and
shook it, trying to get me off.
"I want to swing," she demanded.
"I'm swinging," I told her.
"Get off!" she screamed.
"I was here first!"
"Now it's my turn!"
Jeremy rushed over to a group of little kids; Caroline watched us argue and then focused on something behind us.
"Who are you?"
I jumped up, prompting Elena to jump on the swing.
Wait, was that Elena?
Did she tell me her name?
"Who are you?" Caroline demanded again.
"I'm-"
"I'm to find Jenna!" Caroline yelled and ran off as Elena began swinging.
"Move, Isabella."
"Bella," I hissed as I moved. "You know I hate being called Isabella."
Elena began chanting "Isabella" as she began to swing.
"Bella," I heard a voice say, "I like that name."
I turned to see...Isobel.
I saw Isobel.
"Bella."
"Bella, wake up."
I leaped up and looked around; I was in my room.
"Bella?" called Gran, standing at the door. "Bad dream?"
"Not exactly."
"Jenna," the way Gran said her did not escape me, "is hosting a cookout, and Jeremy invited us. I figured since John was gone, we could go."
"Alright, I can finally see Caroline."
"When was she released?"
"Couple days ago. I just have to finish up on my laptop.
I decided to wear a long-sleeved knit blue henley shirt, blue jeans, and black Converse.
Gran wore a green cardigan, white petal pushers, and brown loafers.
We were leaving the house, and I saw Stelena approaching us.
Great.
I swear to god if she says anything about those pictures...
'Bella,' she gasped, 'hello.'
And we're back to another exciting episode of Elena attempting to feint a friendship with me because she wants something.
'Hello.' I groaned.
I'm weary of this game of cat and mouse between us and her goons.
'We're here to invite you-'
'Your brother beat you to it.' Gran deadpanned.
'Oh.' Elena looked at me. 'Are you on your way over now?'
'How is Caroline?' Gran asked, throwing Elena a bone.
'She's fine.'
'Will she be there?'
'Yes.'
'Good,' I took Gran's arm, 'I want to talk to her.'
'What about?' Elena blocked our way.
'Music.'
'I like music too.'
Yes, but Caroline doesn't have an ulterior motive.
'Caroline and I, we tend to gravitate toward one another.'
'So do you and Stefan.'
Elena threw Stefan a glance as he glanced at me. 'That's something you and Stefan need to discuss.'
'Jeremy seems to orbit around you, too.'
'What can I say? I'm very orbital.'
That sentence was buzzing around my head all day.
That little bitch.
She's trying to steal my life!
Ugh! I can't stand her!
I would deal with that little twit later; I worried more about Stefan than her.
I couldn't reach Stefan all day, so I went to the boarding house.
As I walked into the living room, I called out for Stefan.
"Hello? Stefan?" I said, my voice echoing through the space.
Suddenly, I turned around and saw her - Katherine.
She was standing there in front of me, looking exactly like me. The shock of seeing my doppelganger made me gasp.
"How is this possible?" I asked, still trying to wrap my head around what I saw.
Katherine didn't answer my question; instead, she looked me up and down, touching my neck with one finger.
"You're asking the wrong questions," she said, her voice low and mysterious.
Suddenly, she was standing behind me, and I could feel her presence looming over me.
Just then, Stefan rushed into the room, calling out my name.
I turned around to face him, and when I turned back, Katherine was gone.
"Are you okay?" Stefan asked, approaching me with concern in his eyes.
"Not really," I replied, still reeling from seeing my double. "Are you okay?" I asked him in return.
"Not really," he said, and we held each other, both of us trying to process the strange and unsettling events that had just occurred.
