Power Inside *The Vampire Diaries*

Chapter 11

I couldn't find Bonnie, pouting as I sat down on a table, looking at my reflection on my pocket mirror applying lipstick, smashing my lips together and then pouting at my reflection.

"Worse friend ever, that Bonnie, don't you think Jill?" I asked at my reflection.

I sighed putting down the mirror and tapping the table sending small smiles at the guys and girls smiling at me.

A chair screeching caught my attention, turning around only to meet Caroline sitting down in front of me clumsily.

I gave a jump start, "My God, Caroline!" I exclaimed, placing a hand over my heart, giving her a look

Caroline gave me a sheepish smile, "I slim---I'm slipped" she slurred, drawling her words. Oh, God, she was wasted "I slipped"

"You're wasted" I deadpanned. "Your mother is gonna so be proud"

Caroline winced, "Oh, come on. You know she doesn't even care" she drawled. "And is not my fault the very nice but absolutely not handsome bartender was very kind to me this night. Unlike the rest of the global universe" she rambled, passing a hand through her hair.

"Oh, my God" I murmured, "Why me?" I whined looking up at the ceiling as if God could tell me what did I do to deserve being next to a drunk version of the girl I had stopped liking since 9th grade.

"Cause you're a good friend. Not like Bonnie tonight" Caroline's slurring brought back my attention to her. She had her elbow on the table, and her chin propped under her hand. She wasn't making eye contact with me but the table as she traced a random patron with her other hand. "Not like me. I want to know what I did to make you hate me" she blurted in a drunk fashion. I looked around, avoiding her eyes. I couldn't deal with a drunk Caroline tonight. "Is it because I'm shallow?"

I looked back at Caroline, seeing her puffy red eyes. It was like if she was fighting back her tears. "Caroline..." I murmured softly, frowning

"It is, isn't it?" Caroline interpreted my silence as a yes "Because I don't mean to be, Jillian. I try to be good but it doesn't work specially when we're on the same room. I want to be the opposite of shallow"

"Hey, Caroline" I placed my hand on top of hers, stopping her from scratching the table and potentially stopping her from hurting her fingers "I never said you're shallow"

"But you thought about it" Caroline pointed out. I hesitated, shaking my head. "What did I do, Jill? We used to be friends"

I bit my lip, wincing at her pleading "It's not something you did Caroline" I reassured her, lying through my teeth mumbling, "I actually can't remember why I can't stand you"

Caroline managed a small smile, "You want to know why I think you're a good friend? You aren't an hypocrite. You tell people the truth and not what they want to hear. I don't know what I did, but I want to be deleted out of Jill's hate list"

This was the second time I saw Caroline's vulnerability in less than a week. She wasn't this girl and I didn't like it. This is why I knew she was being honest.

"What happened tonight, Caroline?" I asked softly.

Caroline sniffled, "I want to go home" she said instead of answering

"Okay. Okay" I nodded, looking up and trying to find someone who could give her a ride.

"No" Caroline interrupted. I looked back at her. She was wiping her eyes with her clumsy hands. "I don't want anyone to see me this way, Jillian. I can't. I can't let anyone see me in this state"

"But why are you letting me seeing you in this state then?" I questioned leaning forward.

"Because I know you're not gonna judge" Caroline replied simply. I raised my brows in surprise "You didn't at the Founding Families Ball when you found me outside after Damon..." She trailed off, licking her lips "And you didn't treat me as if I was some kind of china doll or crystal that could break the day after. That's why I trust you with me being in this state"