𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇 ━━ KLAUS MIKAELSON

39

"HERE WE ARE," Caroline exhaled as she stood beside Emery, Bonnie and Elena, staring at the school, "senior year."

Bonnie glanced at them, "anyone else think it should feel slightly more empowering?"

"Okay," Caroline huffed, "so prank night was a bust. But we are accepting it, and we are moving on."

They began walking when Bonnie hummed in agreement, "you're right. I mean, why should I let the fact that my boyfriend is seeing the ghost of his dead girlfriends hinder this experience?"

"Yes!" Caroline exclaimed, "and why should I let the fact that my boyfriend was turned into a hybrid put a damper on an otherwise fabulous day."

"Today's our anniversary," Elena added grimly, having stopped walking which caused the three to turn to look at her, "technically, Stefan and I met on the first day of school last year."

"Yeah," Caroline sighed, "you win."

"Oh, yes, absolutely." Emery began sarcastically, "that's way worse than everything. Yeah, no, I think the fuck not." When Elena shot her a glare, she rolled her eyes, "what? I'm being realistic."

"Who are you to talk anyway?" Elena scoffed, "nothing bad has happened to you."

"Fuck off," was all what the witch said in response.

"Guys, no fighting for today." Bonnie cut in, looking at Elena, "are you sure you want to be here?"

"I have to be here," Elena nodded firmly, "I have to put it behind me. New year. New life." With that, she began to walk away.

Emery rolled her eyes yet again before beginning to walk as well. Behind them, Caroline and Bonnie exchanged a look but followed the two nonetheless.

|•|

Emery was helping the blonde vampire put up flyer on which 'Spirit Squad Back-to-school Bonfire' was written on the wall when Elena noticed and approached them.

"I forgot about the bonfire."

"You have to go," Caroline spoke, "it's our first spirit squad event. And it sets the bar for the whole year."

"Relax, Caroline," the doppleganger chuckled, "I'll be there."

"Thank you. It's just that—" Caroline was cut off by Tyler who walked towards them and pulled her in for a kiss. "Happy first day!"

Caroline frowned and touched her lips as she could taste blood while Elena's eyes fell on his shirt to see the same substance. "Is that blood?"

"Oh my God!" Caroline quickly grabbed his arm and dragged him to the boys' restroom with Emery and Elena following them.

"What's going on?" Tyler asked, confused.

"Vampire 101," Caroline reached out to point to the blood on his shirt, "don't wear your breakfast to school!"

Elena began checking out the stalls to make sure no one was there as Tyler scoffed, "chill out. It was just a blood bag."

"From where?"

"Rebekah hooked me up," Tyler shrugged earning a look of disbelief from Caroline, "Rebekah? And what are you even talking to her for?"

"Klaus told her to keep a watch on me," Tyler shrugged, "protect his new asset. Oh and Emery too."

"His what?" Caroline repeated, dismissing the last part, "why are you amused by this?"

"I'm his first successful hybrid, Caroline," Tyler said, "don't you think that's the tiniest bit awesome?"

"I think it is," Emery mumbled earning a grin from Tyler who pointed at her as if to prove his point, "see?"

"Oh, wow!" Caroline threw her hands up, "I cannot believe you just said that."

"I'm going to go," Elena walked up to them, handing Tyler some paper towels, "good luck."

She then grabbed Emery's hand and dragged her outside along with her. "Wait, why am I being treated like a rag doll?"

"We need to talk," Elena mumbled once they've reached a bit further from the restroom. She turned to face the witch, "what was that?"

"What was what?"

"Something is going on with you," the doppleganger said, eyeing her suspiciously, "are you even on our side? Why would you say that to Tyler? Wait, oh my god, have you been compelled to —"

"— Elena, shut up." She cut her off with widened eyes, "why would you even think that? I have my own opinions, okay? I don't need to believe that Tyler is miserable because you think he is when clearly he's not. He looks happy."

"Yes, Elena," Stefan tutted as he approached them with a smirk on his lips, "you should listen to Em."

"What are you doing here?" Elena asked, her eyes widening at the sight of the no-humanity-vampire.

"What do you mean?" Stefan furrowed his brows, "I'm going back to school. Go Timberwolves!"

"What? Why?"

"Klaus wants me to keep an eye on you and Emery," he glanced briefly at her, "I'm just doing what I'm told."

"Why Emery?" Elena asked with a huff, "how's she useful to him?"

Emery bit her lip at the question while Stefan's smirk deepened, "well... you see I'm afraid I can't say for it's none of your business."

"I'm going to be late for class," Elena tried to walk away but he grabbed her hand. "Oh, class is this way."

"Let go of me, Stefan."

"Elena, do you think I want to be a senior for the 100th time?" Stefan asked instead of letting her go, "no. But if I don't have a choice in the matter, then neither do you."

"I said let go of me." Elena muttered harshly but when Stefan still didn't move, she looked at the witch who just stood there. "Em, do —"

"— oh, no, let's not," Stefan muttered, cutting her off, "don't 'Em' her. She's strictly not allowed to use her magic."

"Says who?" Elena raised her brows earning a shrug from the vampire, "Klaus."

Just then, Alaric made an appearance, clenching his jaw at Stefan, "let her go."

Stefan clicked his tongue before shoving him against a locker. "Stefan, stop it!" Elena exclaimed, looking at the by-passing students.

But he didn't. Instead, he put on a fake smile as he loosened his hold on Alaric but didn't back off him just yet. He kept glaring at him, "you're not gonna want to get in my way. Okay, Ric?"

"Stefan," Emery muttered, glancing at the students who were giving them weird looks, "that's enough." He took a step back almost instantly which confused her as well as Elena and Alaric.

Stefan turned to look at the witch then flickered his eyes to Elena and Alaric, "I'll see you three in history."

He then walked away.