Fall

Chapter 66: Masquerade

My eyes feel sticky and tight when I wake up, my head aches and I want to go back to sleep desperately. Damn sun. "You're awake." I shift and turn in my bed, seeing Elena in it too and giving me her best sympathetic smile. When did she get into the bed with me? Why isn't she in her own damn room?

"No I'm not." I whisper, my voice coming out as a croak as I close my eyes and snuggle deeper into my pillow. "What are you doing here?"

She puts her arm around me in a half hug. "Stefan told me what happened. I didn't want you to be alone." It's too warm, all of this. It only reminds me of how cold her hand was last night.

I don't have the energy to say anything, all of me zapped. "Your mom's gonna come home today. The surgery went well." Elena says and I'm grateful that she stayed there, that they were there for my mom.

Grasping her hand tightly, I look her in her eyes and make her this promise. "Katherine's going to pay, Elena. She's going to wish she never met me." And despite my exhaustion, my sister's eyes widen at the conviction in my voice.

"Let's take it easy today, ok? We can stay in, watch your favorite movies-"

I cut her off. "Did you call the police?" Pushing my feelings down, I shove them into a box and lock the lid. I have to deal with the preparation for everything first.

"Yeah, Stefan did. But, Kara-"

"We'll need to arrange a funeral for her. She didn't have any family, so I guess that falls on me. Put a close sign on the bookstore, try to clean it up and figure out who's going to run it now." I tell her, turning on my back and staring at the ceiling as I think through the logistics. "She'll want to be given a Viking funeral. Is that even legal in Virginia?"

She sits up and frowns deeply at me. "We don't have to deal with all of that right now." She keeps her voice soft, like she's worried I'll break.

"You're right, of course you are. I'll deal with that tomorrow. Today is for killing Katherine." My words come out incredibly cold and I get out of bed robotically, going through the motions of getting ready for the day despite Elena's platitudes and protests. She tries to stop me, tries to say that I should go to the school counselor or a therapist. That Damon could compel them for me. I round on her now, cold and hot and a storm brewing under my skin. "I don't need therapy. I need revenge."

♢ — ♢— ♢ — ♢ — ♢ — ♢

When Jeremy and Matt help my mom come inside, I rush to her almost immediately. I had set up the couch with blankets and pillows for her, her favorite snack already in a bowl on the table and her favorite tv show -- The Real Housewives of Atlanta -- already playing for her. "Hey, stop fussing, I'm fine." My mom scolds the two boys as Elena trails behind them, flowers and balloons in her hands.

"The doctor said that you have to take it easy." They lead her down to the set up I've got going for her, and I go into the kitchen to grab some water. I can't believe I forgot the water.

I don't catch much of what they say, too focused on trying to make this perfect for my mom. I'd done a terrible job of protecting her lately, and I'm wracked with guilt about it. They lay her down and Elena goes to put some takeout in the fridge, Jeremy following after her. "Mom, I'm so glad you're ok." I tell her, grabbing her hand and squeezing it fiercely.

"I'm fine, honey. The doctor said as long as I rest, I'll be ok. Did you set all this up?" Her eyes go up to the 'Welcome home, Mom/Aunt Jenna' sign that I'd made and hung in the living room.

I duck my head, feeling a bit sheepish. It's way too much, I see that now. "Uh, yeah. Sorry, I was just-"

"It's nice. Thank you." My mom squeezes my hand back and I want so desperately to tell her that I forgive her. To tell her that we're ok, that everything's ok, just so long as she stays safe and stays with me. That it's all water under the bridge and how sorry I am for avoiding her these past few weeks. But Matt is right next to us.