To Be Or Not To Be » Stefan Salvatore

Chapter 21 - The Kiss

Despite the rocky moment, the girls managed to salvage the night. Drinking, dancing, super-speeding through the house—it was reckless, loud, and exhilarating. Laughter echoed through the air, bubbling up with every ridiculous stunt they pulled.

Bonnie even recorded Elena zipping around with her vamp speed, and as they watched the video back, their laughter only grew. Skye didn't blame her for having fun with her abilities. If anything, she got it.

They had all agreed—no talking about boys. Not after Caroline and Elena nearly tore each other apart over Damon. And for a while, it worked.

Until they ended up in Damon's bathroom.

Elena immediately claimed his tub, stretching out like she belonged there. Bonnie sat on the floor beside her, replaying the video she'd filmed. The room filled with giggles as Elena paused the clip, grinning.

"I look like Superman," she declared, pointing at the blur of movement behind her. "This is this year's Christmas card."

More laughter. Skye crossed her legs, leaning back against the tub, her lips curled into a smile.

"Being a vampire is so weird," Elena mused, wiggling deeper into the oversized tub with a dreamy sigh. "Oh my god, I love this bathtub. Why don't we hang out here more often?"

Caroline scoffed. "I'll tell you why. Cooties. Just think of all the germ-ridden skanks Damon has lured into his den of inequity."

The laughter died instantly.

Skye didn't move. Neither did Bonnie. And Elena—well, her body went rigid in the tub.

Because they all knew.

Skye had been one of those so-called germ-ridden skanks. She may have never stepped foot in this bathtub, but she had slept with Damon. And while she wasn't proud of it, she didn't need to have it thrown in her face.

Elena sat up, her expression shifting. Caroline noticed the change, her own face falling as she realized what she'd said.

"Okay, I'm sorry," she sighed, biting her lip. "I've been good all night. I'm stopping now."

Elena wasn't convinced.

"No, don't stop on my account," she said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Rip away. I mean, it's only Damon, right?"

Skye barely had time to brace herself before Caroline shot back, "Well, say what you want about Ripper Stefan, but at least he wasn't a man-slut."

Skye's jaw dropped. Did she seriously just keep going?

Bonnie clearly noticed where this was heading too, sharing a knowing glance with Skye—one that silently screamed this is about to get bad.

And it did.

Elena's tone sharpened. "So, what exactly was it about him that made you jump right into bed with him the second you met him?"

It was a low blow. They all knew it.

Skye hadn't known about that part of Caroline's past, but judging by the look on her face, it wasn't exactly a happy memory.

Caroline clenched her jaw, forcing her voice to stay even. "I didn't know what a sociopathic narcissist he was."

Elena's eyes darkened. "He's always been there for me when I needed him."

"Yeah," Caroline scoffed. "Because he's hoping you'll sleep with him."

It took two seconds for Elena to fire back—