There's Always You and Me

Chapter 25

"I'm going to kill you."

"You can't say that in public, Percy!"

"I am going to kill you."

"Hey, rude." Stefan sat back on the hard bench behind him, kicking his feet out in front of him. "Look, it's fine. It's not-"

Percy turned his poison green eyes on him, his voice going beyond cold. "My mother is on her way here."

"She-"

"My mother is on her way here from New York, Stefan."

Stefan sputtered for a moment, thinking of something to say that could lessen the glare being sent his way. "We didn't even actually get arrested! We just need a parent to get us out and Damon doesn't have guardianship over me, and your mom was the only option for you."

Even though he truly was upset, he was quietly thankful that his friend hadn't brought up his father that "lived nearby" but also happened to "live in New York." Keeping his stories straight was really tiring work. "We have to stay here overnight 'cause she has to fly five hours. You better fucking grovel when you see her."

Before Stefan could respond, Sheriff Forbes stepped through the door that led to their cells, a disappointed look on her face. "What happened?"

"It was his fault!" Percy and Stefan claimed, pointing at each other.

She sighed so deeply; the two boys could feel it in their bones. "Alright, why don't we start from the beginning."

—

FIVE HOURS EARLIER
ROB'S LIQUOR AND FOOD
NOV. 5th
10:46am

The day had started as normal as it could with Stefan and Percy having spent the night at Caroline's house to work on school projects they ended up ignoring. It was a Saturday, which meant that the trio worked on their castles in Minecraft before they inflicted panic among the masses.

Lately, Stefan had been feeling down because Elena was becoming distant and short with him ever since he and Percy became real friends. She said that she didn't trust him, that he was too violent and shady, too much like Damon, and Stefan was too good for him.

Stefan tried very hard not to be upset at her words because Percy was a good guy when you got to know him.

"She'll text you." Caroline assured, absentmindedly patting his shoulder with one hand as she used her other to move her Minecraft character on her laptop. "She's really stubborn." She was lounging across her bed on her stomach, the blankets thrown to the ground, and her legs were crossed at the ankle.

"What if she breaks up with me?" The vampire wondered as he paused his own game. "It already seems to be going that way."

Percy, who had snatched up the blankets the second they touched the ground, snorted and shook his head, his video game character on a search for emeralds and diamonds. "Can I be honest?"

"That's never stopped you, but go ahead."

"Well, it just seems like she's fascinated a bit with your family business." The teen said as he gave a quick glance at Caroline- a subtle way to explain that he meant the fact that Stefan was a vampire. "But she's not into going on dates that much with you. I mean, come on, you spend most of your time with me and Care."

Stefan quietly winced at that but nodded anyways. "Yeah, I've brought it up but she's said she's busy with homework."

Caroline frowned at her laptop screen before looking over at her vampire best friend (though she was, as far as they knew, unaware of that fact). "I doubt that's true because I've seen her out shopping when I was running errands with mom a few times."