𝟏𝟑

a/n: charlotte's outfit is the same as last chapter

☆═━ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 ━═☆

Although Charlotte would hate to admit it, Elena and Stefan's arrival with Matt did save the day and her. She was quite uncomfortable to be around Stefan again but she brushed it off, convincing herself that the more she is in his presence, all the pain would go numb and she would feel like herself again.

"So, Matt, how do you like working here?" Elena started, opening up a small talk as Serena pulled out her phone to chat with a few friends until the small talk starters were over. Charlotte, though, was quite interested to know about the boy courting her new friend.

"It's not that bad. The wait staff is pretty good and they can't keep a bartender to save their lives," Matt chuckled, pausing as he revealed, "I actually put my mom up for a job."

"How has that been? Having Kelly back?" Elena smiled, asking him.

"You know, same old Kelly. She's trying, sort of," Matt shrugged his shoulders, answering nonchalantly.

Elena looked from Stefan to Charlotte as she revealed, "Kelly and my mom were best friends growing up. That's how Matt and I first met, we shared a crib together."

"You're kidding?" Stefan chuckled.

"No, we have known each other our whole lives," Matt confirmed as he looks to Elena, both sharing a few sentimental looks as Caroline sighed, looking visibly uncomfortable.

Instinctively, Charlotte's hand reached out for Caroline's, squeezing it in reassurance, it was almost a natural reaction. She was so used to do such things when Angelina got annoyed or stressed by any scene, it made her feel better and know that someone's there for her, and much like Angelina, the small action did calm Caroline's nerves a bit as she smiled at Charlotte gratefully.

Upon hearing loud noises from the bar, everyone turned their heads and watched Damon, Kelly, and Jenna drinking together, as Matt shook his head, "You got to be kidding me."

Charlotte unintentionally shook her head, looking at her fingers. She truly pitied Matt for having such a mother, according to Caroline, Matt's mother was never really for him or his sister and suddenly she just showed up to ruin his relationships and embarrass him.

✵ ✵ ✵

A while had passed and now the group of teenagers, including two vampires, were at the pool table. Caroline, Elena, Stefan, and Matt watching Damon, Kelly, and Jenna as Serena taught Charlotte how to play pool.

"You know, just lean forward and aim for the whole," Serena shrugged her jacket off, grabbing a seat to sit by as Charlotte tried to hopelessly put all the balls in the small hollow circle.

"But it's hard," Charlotte claimed, shaking her head as she pushed the tip of the stick, only to have the ball move an inch, "This game hates me."

"At least they're having fun," Caroline said, reminding them of how long they have been watching.

"They're drunk," Elena retorted, her eyes still on her aunt and her choice of company.

"Remember when Elena's parents busted us here after the homecoming?" Matt spoke up, smiling from ear to ear as Serena chuckled, putting her phone in her back pocket.

"Oh my god yes!" Caroline laughed out, nodding.

"Now that was really fun, your dad was the reason I got grounded for a week," Serena laughed, pointing at Elena as she added, "And God...I even kissed Ty, I was in another world literally."

Charlotte looked up, smiling and pretty excited to hear the story as was Stefan, even if she despised him, at that second they were both foreigners to the little group, and they had so much childhood memories that they, deep down, wanted to share, but they couldn't look at one another let alone talk about their childhood.

"Well, we were wasted; it was the first time I ever got drunk. I blame Matt," Elena chuckled, clarifying as she pointed to Matt.

"Her parents got seated at the next booth," Matt said and Charlotte's eyes widened as she chuckled, unbeknownst to her, Stefan's eyes had drifted off, gazing at her. It had been so long since he had last seen her so happy, comfortable, and same old Charlotte.

"And Matt had me pretend that I was choking so we could get away," Elena continued after him, laughing.

Matt rolled his eyes, still smiling as he added, "Except that her dad was a doctor so he jumped up to save her."

"And I ran, slipped on the wet floor and bit it in front of everyone," Elena shook her head, looking at Matt to ask, her beaming smile still up, "Do you remember that? 3 stitches, a hangover for days and I was grounded from seeing these two," She pointed from Matt to Serena, "For a week."

Serena shrugged, chuckling, "I deserved that...it was my idea after all."

Suddenly, the chuckles of all others quieten down as Matt and Elena looked at each other and laughed, successfully annoying the Forbes.

"I'm gonna go to the restroom," Caroline stood up, "Elena?"

The two of them head to the bathroom as Serena said, "Well, I need to pee," She then followed them, leaving Charlotte standing between Matt and Stefan, nodding to herself, her lips pursued into a straight line.

Charlotte sighed, "So who's teaching me? I have no plans of giving up soon."

Matt shook his head, "Not my best game, but maybe Ste--"

The brunette vampire cut him off, "It's not important, I will just wait for Serena...or have Damon teach me some other day."

Matt shrugged, "As you like, but I am pretty sure Stefan must know how to play it, right?" He looked at Stefan.

Stefan nodded, confirming, "Yeah...but not the best teacher," He declined, sensing her discomfort.

"You two have your game," Charlotte smiled, handing Matt her stick as she stepped aside, jumping up to sit on a table at the side. She swung her legs, sighing to calm her nerves.

By the time she had calmed down, Elena and Caroline had gone back and Serena was getting her bag, having to leave and go babysit her sister, Cassie.

✵ ✵ ✵

After a while, they left the Grill and drove to Stefan's house, to take a tour or something. Elena and Stefan were driving in Elena's car and Charlotte was in the backseat of Matt's car as he drove her and Caroline.

Not long had passed before they were parked in front of the Boarding House with the view of Elena and Stefan kissing, Charlotte just shrugged to herself before stepping out of the car, followed by Caroline and Matt.

They step off the foyer and enter the living room, where Matt and Caroline were amazed whereas Charlotte, Elena, and Stefan weren't that impressed, having been there many more times before.

"This is much better than watching Damon visit cougar town," Caroline pointed, looking to Matt, "No offence."

"Don't remind me," Matt shook his head before looking to Stefan, "Man I've always wanted to see what it looks like in this place."

"Yeah, I guess it's a bit much," Stefan shrugged, agreeing.

"Cher, look at this statue, isn't it super cool?" Caroline nudged Charlotte pointing to something as the Bernard hummed, shaking her head, "Cher."

"Huh...it's cool, Care," Charlotte had a faint smile as she said before crossing her arms.

Caroline grabbed the vampire's hand, pulling her aside for a private word, "What happened? Ever since Serena went home you have gotten quite...trust me, you are not an extra."

The brunette shook her head, "No no no...it's not that. I just don't feel comfortable...but it's okay, don't worry."

The Forbes girl shook her head, "No, it's not ok. I am sorry I brought you here when you weren't up for it from the start...you just helped me be less stressful and it was nice."

Charlotte smiled at the blonde, hugging her, "Ah...Caroline, it's ok. If that's it, I don't mind going through all the boring stuff here."

The small moment was cut short, as Elena walked in, "Uh..we were going to the garage if you guys wanna come?"

Charlotte nodded, "Sure," She led the way, Caroline and Elena, following her. After the small moment, Elena had seen she was absolutely sure she could trust the Bernard, she was such a delicate soul who cared for her friend and so Elena aimed to be her friend as well, she was just unsure about the vampire thing but after that moment, she couldn't be more sure.

Stefan opened the garage door, speaking to Matt, "Prepare yourself, my friend."

He removed a tarp from his car, to reveal a very shiny vintage red car, "Wait, how do you have this?" Matt asked, clearly amazed by the vintage car.

"Got passed down through the family," Stefan shrugged, making up a lie. Charlotte looked up at him and then shook her head at herself, was that what vampirism has to be? a series of lies?

Stefan opened the car's door, checking the car as Matt asked, "Why don't you...I mean...Why don't you drive it?"

"Well, it doesn't run," Stefan answered, adding, "I mean, it's not that I could figure out."

"Why would you keep a car that doesn't run?" Caroline asked in a 'duh' tone.

"Be more of a girl right now?" Matt smiled mockingly and in return, Caroline faked a laugh.

"Hey, want to come take a look at this for me?" Stefan asked, standing at the end of the garage, whereas the three girls stood outside, just watching.

"Elena, remember the old Camaro you're dad used to have?" Matt looked to Elena, asking as she walked into the garage, leaving Charlotte and Caroline at the door, each leaning against either end.

"Of course," She answered, shrugging.

Matt revealed, smugly, "I built and rebuilt that engine 20 times."

"That must be something real wow, huh?" Charlotte looked impressed and Matt nodded, chuckling.

"I don't like sports cars; they're too hard to make out in," Caroline claimed.

Matt looked to Elena as he said, "It wasn't that bad."

Charlotte's eyebrows almost raise to her hairline as Caroline strode out of the garage with Elena hot on her heels, "Good job?"

Matt rubbed the back of his neck, turning to Stefan, "I'm sorry man."

"No, no, no. Don't worry about it. You and Elena, you guys have a history and ignoring it doesn't do anybody any good," Stefan brushed it off.

Charlotte added, "Plus that couldn't be worse than my situation...I am fifth wheeling at a double date, man," She mocked him at the end of her sentence.

"I don't speak like that," Matt shook his head, chuckling.

"Oh, but you do," Stefan said, laughing as Matt scoffed.

✵ ✵ ✵

In a matter of minutes, Matt had already fixed up the engine as he and Stefan pull up with the car to see Caroline and Elena while Charlotte walked out, seeming much better than she had been earlier.

Stefan and Matt stepped out of the car as the human bragged, "Piece of cake!"

Matt looked at Caroline, the couple having a small talk with their eyes before Stefan interrupted, "You know what? Why don't you guys go ahead and take it for a spin?" He offered.

"Really?" The blond boy muttered, looking quite surprised.

"Yeah," Stefan confirmed, as Matt opened the door for Caroline, "Caroline?"

As Matt and Caroline get into the car, Charlotte sighed, watching them go, before going to lean against the garage door and leave Stefan and Elena their space.

Charlotte sighed to herself for what felt like the hundredth time, during the time she had been going through quotes on the apps Damon downloaded on her phone, she found a quote that she felt familiar with.

" The hardest thing to do is watch the one you love, love someone else "

But it shouldn't be, Charlotte couldn't keep on being in love with him when he was clearly head over heels for another girl and truly in love with her, so why couldn't she just press a button and just un-love him? Because at the start of it, she didn't press a button and just love him.

She snapped out of it, and walked to the Boarding House, in hopes of drinking some juice but her eyes widened like some cartoon character when she walked into the living room and found Damon kissing Matt's mother against a wall, not seconds had passed before Matt and Caroline walked in, them having the ability to voice her thoughts.

"Mom?!" Matt called out.

Caroline, consequently, followed, calling her ex-boyfriend, "Damon?!"

"Oh my god, Matt! Oh my god!" Kelly, looked embarrassed, as she quickly took her things and left as Stefan and Elena walked in.

"I got to...," Matt trailed off, looking distraught by his mother's acts, Charlotte sympathetically patted his shoulder.

"It's okay, Matt, just go," Charlotte assured, smiling comfortingly.

Stefan added, in reassurance, referring to Caroline, "I'll take her home."

"Thanks, man," Matt thanked him, giving him the car keys before he left as Caroline, Elena, Charlotte, and Stefan looked at Damon and he drank shamelessly.

✵ ✵ ✵

The Bernard vampire tried her best to ignore Damon as she made herself a hot chocolate with a few drops of blood, and opened some cartoon to watch, they were so funny for her.

Charlotte chose not to follow Damon's feeding habits of the snatch, eat, and erase. She followed her own habits, which consisted of a few daily drops of human blood from blood bags and surprisingly it worked, she didn't encounter any human bleeding yet so she thought it will all stay good.

After some minute, Stefan had gotten back from helping Elena and Caroline out, and he headed straight for Damon, but Damon beats him for the talk, "Don't look at me like that."

"Are you crazy?" Stefan questioned, as Charlotte stood up about to make her way to her room so she wouldn't interfere in their fight.

Unfortunately, she didn't have time to as Frederick jumped through the window, and on Charlotte, the brunette instinctively screamed as he stabbed her with a piece of glass, seeing a lot of blood on her chest had her panic and clueless on what she should do.

Luckily, Damon pushed him off of her as Stefan helped her remove the piece of glass. It didn't take long before Stefan, too, was ripped off of her by Bethanne. She pushed him to the floor, and just as Charlotte thought to help, Stefan broke the leg off a wooden chair and stabbed Bethanne in the heart.

Damon sent Frederick across the living room, a few feets away from Charlotte and the brunette stepped back, petrified enough. Frederick looked from Damon to Stefan and Charlotte, then his eyes fell upon at Bethanne, who was sprawled dead on the wooden floor before he sped out of the window.

"Damn it," Damon cursed as Charlotte looked down at her chest, still bloodied and not exactly healed.

"I remember them from 1864. They were in the tomb," Stefan shared, looking at Damon for an explanation.

"Yeah...About that," Damon trailed off, as both Charlotte and Stefan looked at him tiredly and out of breath.

✵ ✵ ✵