To Be Or Not To Be » Stefan Salvatore

Chapter 15 - No Turning Back

Skye had always described her hair as unruly, impossible to tame. But to everyone else, it was something else entirely—thick, golden curls that caught the light and bounced with every step she took.

Not anymore.

Now, her hair barely brushed past her collarbones, the once-bright blonde replaced with a rich caramel brown.

She needed a change. She didn't want to be who she was before. She wanted to be brave, bold, strong, curious, independent.

Everything she wasn't.

When she returned to Elijah's apartment, a fresh haircut framing her face and four shopping bags hanging from her arms, Kol nearly had a heart attack.

He mourned the loss of her curls, dramatically lamenting the tragedy—until Skye shut him up with a sharp remark that left him sulking in defeat.

After a quick shower, she changed into something more comfortable, packed her bag with essentials and the new clothes she had bought, and headed for the living room.

Kol was already there, sprawled on the couch, so she popped in a movie and settled in beside him.

They made it through three films that night—Kol complaining the entire time—before she finally told him and Elijah about her plans.

It had been weeks since Skye learned that Niklaus was alive. The initial joy had worn off. Now, all she felt was anger.

Her plan was met with resistance, but when she promised she'd be back in a few days, that she'd call every other day, they relented.

A heartfelt goodbye, a few sarcastic comments, and then she was gone.

Back on the road.

Back to Mystic Falls.

⋯

The moment Skye crossed into Mystic Falls, a wave of emotion crashed over her, sharp and suffocating. Rage burned through her veins, tightening around her lungs. Just knowing that Niklaus was only minutes away made her blood boil.

How dare he?

How dare he not tell her about his plan to take over Tyler's body? He had let her believe he was dead—left her to mourn him. And for that, she couldn't forgive him.

But as she drove deeper into town, the anger twisted into something else. Nostalgia.

This place had never truly felt like home, but she had made connections here, more than anywhere else. Friends, acquaintances. People who saw her, even if some of them still looked at her with suspicion. Skye had never been good at making friends. She had spent her life on the move, never truly honest about who—or what—she was. But here, at least, there were people who understood. Maybe even better than she did.

Rebekah had told her she moved out of their old house to get away from Klaus. That was where Skye was planning to stay.

As she pulled into the driveway, she let out a quiet scoff. Her family had a thing for theatrics.

The house was massive—pillars lined the front of the two-story structure, elegant and imposing. Not as extravagant as Klaus's mansion, but still too large for one person. Or ten.

Skye parked her silver Bentley, cut the engine, and scanned the empty driveway. No sign of Rebekah's car. She was probably still at school.

With practiced ease, Skye fished her phone from her pocket and dialed her sister, leaning against the car as she waited.

The call rang five times before Rebekah finally answered.

"Skye! Are you there yet?" her voice chirped through the speaker.