K I N G • KLAUS MIKAELSON [1]

our town

RIVER stood by his blonde best friend's locker, sticking decorations in preparation of the girl's arrival, Elena by his side doing the same.

"Hey, sorry I'm late" Bonnie's voice spoke "I...I got held up"

River turned, smiling at the witch behind him.

"It's okay, I just got here too" Elena smiled "Can you pass me the balloons? Thanks"

"What got you running late?" River asked.

"I was...working on some new spells" Bonnie lied, the witch felt guilty for lying to her friend, but the vampires she was working with were determined to make sure that she told no one "You?"

"Buying decoration for Care's locker" River grinned.

"Working out with Alaric" Elena answered "So, I have something I need to tell you, and you're not gonna like it"

River paused, exchanging a wary look with Bonnie as they turned to Elena.

"What happened?" Bonnie wondered.

"Jeremy is gonna be leaving town for a while" Elena informed "He'll be staying with some old family friends in Denver, until this whole Klaus thing blows over"

"Jeremy wouldn't just leave you to deal with Klaus on your own" Bonnie argued.

I know" Elena replied "I asked Damon to compel him"

"You what?" River asked.

"I know, but it's not safe for him here anymore, leaving will give him a better life" Elena spoke "The only reason I'm telling you is because I know that you two haven't really worked out your stuff, and I thought that maybe you'd wanna say goodbye"

Bonnie sighed, turning to glance at Jeremy before sending Elena a disapproving look.

-

River held a finger over his mouth, bringing it down to reveal a smirk before nodding. Caroline jumped as her friends jumped from their hiding places, all holding balloons, part hats and grins.

"Happy birthday!" Matt greeted.

"What are you guys doing here?" Caroline wondered.

"Well you blew off school and missed our work of birthday art, so..." River moved forward, taking the crown from his head and placing it on top of Caroline's.

"Change into warmer clothes, we are going to the Falls" Bonnie informed "S'mores, camp fire.."

"Cake! Like when we were little" Elena added.

"Except for the tequila!" Matt corrected.

"Thanks, guys, really" Caroline struggled "I'm just not feeling my birthday this year"

"I'm sorry, what?" Bonnie scoffed "You've already claimed your birthday as everyone's favourite day of the year"

"Yeah, and now, it's just a reminder that technically, I'm dead" Caroline sighed "Look, I didn't even like 17, and the only point to being 17 is to get to 18"