𝟑𝟕

a/n; Char's outfit for the chapter is above!

☆═━ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 ━═☆

Charlotte downed another cup of coffee mixed with blood, mostly the red substance. It was her third today but for some reason, that itchy voice in the back of her mind that spoke up whenever she had a drop of blood more than her daily intake, never came.

Nothing told her to stay right on schedule. Maybe it was the fact that she felt no need to control herself and blood issues when she had no friends or someone to keep her going. Sure Elena was back now but those two days she was gone, all hell broke loose.

She needed an anchor, someone to make her want to be better but those past few days had been enough proof that she can't depend on anyone...And no one is the air you breathe.

Charlotte glanced down at her watch before picking up her backpack and rushing to the door, forgetting all about Stefan and Elena, and the fact that she was supposedly their alarm.

✵ ✵ ✵

Serena held up the blu tack for Matt as he put up a poster, reading, Live music tonight at the Mystic Grill, on the wall. Caroline joined them, greeting, "Hey, Matt, Rena."

"Hey," Serena sighed, greeting back as Charlotte passed by them, not bothering with a good morning, she headed straight to class.

Caroline noticed so, raising her eyebrows, "What was that?"

"What was what?" Serena pretended to be clueless as she questioned back.

The blonde vampire shook her head, "Serena Bernard, you are not a good liar."

"I will leave you two for that," Matt excused as Serena let out an exasperated sigh.

"Talk, now."

The human Bernard shrugged her shoulders, holding her English textbook close to her chest, "There's really nothing to talk about...," She trailed off, rubbing the back of her neck, "She caught me in a bad mood. I said somethings I might have or might have not entirely meant."

Caroline raised her eyebrows, interrogating, "What did you say? How far is the damage, exactly?"

Serena pursed her lips, thinking for a few seconds, "Pretty bad...like that time I brought up your insecurities because you wouldn't let me on the cheerleading team," The blonde's eyebrows almost rose to her hairline as the brunette folded her arms, "I said I was in a bad mood...she knew the extents of Elena's deal with Elijah and she couldn't bother telling us."

The Forbes girl shook her head, pulling Serena into the girl's bathroom so they wouldn't make a scene. She exhaled sharply, starting, "Something like this should be taken out with Elena, herself...It's not Charlotte's fault that Elena trusted her with a secret."

"But this is not just any secret!"

"Serena! You are missing the point!" Caroline spoke up, scoffing, "This is not anyone, it's Charlotte. She is the only person who has been there for you, lately...Now you are just going to push her away like everything she did doesn't matter?"

She rolled her eyes, "I don't owe her or anyone, anything."

Caroline shook her head, folding her arms together, "You are wrong. Because you do owe her a lot. You owe her all the nights she spent helping your sister move on the loss of her grandmother, you owe her every time she helped Cassie go from an average student to the top of her class in a month, you owe her every time you yelled out and she was there to listen, to hug and to comfort you, you owe her even more."

Serena's lips parted as Caroline backed away, shaking her head in nothing but utter disappointment, "You owe all of that to her, to Charlotte. Not me, not Bonnie, not even Elena."

The blonde vampire sighed, continuing with her arms by her sides, "I know that sometimes she can't stand up for herself and tell you that to your face but I can. Charlotte is an amazing person and she doesn't deserve anything you might have thought or said about her."

"So you are going to go up to her and apologize or I am never going to talk to you again."

✵ ✵ ✵

Maths class was over. Charlotte watched Serena getting out of her seat and possibly approaching her before she got her things and strode out of the classroom as quickly as she can straight to her next one. History.

She arrived first, taking the first seat before pulling out her purple copybook and History book. Elena came up to her, greeting, "Hey, how are you...I didn't catch you this morning."

Charlotte sighed, "Yeah, sorry...you and Stefan were taking a while. I didn't want to be late, you know."

Elena nodded, brushing it off before remembering instantly, "Did you know Katherine's still in town? She impersonated me this morning."

"We talked...yesterday."

Elena raised an eyebrow, "About?"

"You know, being enemies and none interesting stuff," She shook her head, shrugging with a humorless chuckle.

The Gilbert rolled her eyes, "Whatever that is," She paused, remembering another thing she wanted to ask, "We are having a girls' night today at my place, you should come."

Charlotte contemplated an answer before asking, "Is Serena going to be there?"

"Yeah, of course."

She nodded, pursing her lips, "Well, then I am busy and I can't come. Sorry."

Elena frowned, crossing her arms, "But we haven't talked in a while. I am pretty sure a lot of things happened over the weekend. I mean just by looking at you, I know that you want a good ol' girls' night."

Charlotte smiled shortly before Caroline cut in, walking to class, "Don't bother, she is coming. I will pick her up at five."

"Caroline, no."

"Caroline, yes."

✵ ✵ ✵

Charlotte had never hated staying at Elena's house more than she did then. Caroline kept looking from Serena to her every two seconds, waiting for one of them to speak up before Bonnie spoke up, "So...who's going to apologize?"

"If you asked me here to apologize then I will have to leave," Charlotte stood up, stating, "This wasn't my fault. I do a lot of things but I won't apologize for something I didn't do."

"What exactly happened?" Elena asked, looking between the two.

"She knows what she said," Charlotte turned to Serena before taking in a deep breath, "And if this is really the way you see me then I am sorry but we can't be friends again."

"Woah...Woah, hold up," Elena raised her hands up before getting in Charlotte's way to the door, "I am sure we can work this out."

Serena sighed exasperatedly, "Look, I am sorry, Charlotte. This is not what I meant...I just blurted it out without thinking. That was reckless and wrong and absolutely stupid because you are one of my closest friends and I can't bear the thought of losing you."

"Do you really mean that?"

Serena nodded, moving past Caroline and Bonnie and straight to Charlotte, "Yes, I am sorry."

Charlotte let out a long sigh before Serena embraced her, "C'mon, please?" She, soon, shook her head at herself and wrapped her arms around her niece, smiling shortly.

Caroline clapped her hands enthusiastically before asking, "Chinese food or pizza?"

"Like you have to ask," Elena chuckled, sending her a look.

"I will get it," Caroline took her tablet computer, she saw a picture of her with Matt before Serena took it from her hands.

"I will take care of that."

"Do you believe that Jonas is being sincere?" Elena asked the group, crossing her arms over the island.

Charlotte shrugged her shoulders from where she sat beside Serena, "I think he is confused...he doesn't know who to trust."

"Join the club," She rolled her eyes with a shrug.

"Well, what are we going to do about this movie situation? What about The Notebook?" Caroline suggested, smiling from ear to ear.

"Oh! Oh! Or The Breakfast Club!" Serena added in, excitedly.

Elena scoffed with a small smile, turning to them, "How many times have you two seen those movies?"

"That is so not the point."

"Well, yeah, I haven't seen either," Charlotte shrugged her shoulders, open to all suggestions.

Caroline's eyes widened but before she could respond, Jenna entered the kitchen and Elena greeted, "Hey."

"What's going on?" Jenna raised her eyebrows, asking.

Elena shrugged, "Girls' Night."

"Oh."

She paused before asking her aunt, "How are you doing?"

Jenna sighed, sitting down, "You heard about my fight with Ric."

The Gilbert girl added, "He feels terrible."

The strawberry blonde looked the five girls over before asking, accusingly, "Is this some kind of disguised attempt to cheer me up?"

Elena looked at the girls, shaking her head, "No," She stated, crossing her arms, "No, this is about us girls hanging out and you know, we'll be here if you happen to want to talk, or..."

Caroline rolled her eyes, cutting in, "Because I am a winner when it comes to successful relationships."

"You, too?"

"You have no idea."

"Okay, then," Jenna nodded, joining them before she opened the fridge, "It's this whole Isobel thing. He's hiding something from me."

Caroline started, claiming, "To play devil's advocate, maybe there is a great reason why he's not telling you," She added, raising an eyebrow, "Maybe he is just trying to protect you."

"Well, that's not his call to make," Jenna shook her head, shrugging her shoulders as it was common sense, "I mean, I deserve the truth. Everybody does."

"I am going to take Jenna's side on that," Charlotte said, crossing her arms over her chest, "If one can't be entirely honest in a relationship then he shouldn't do it in the first place. No offense to Mr. Saltzman."

"You know what we need? Dancing," Caroline turned up the conversation, "There is a band at the Grill."

Bonnie smiled, "I'm in."

"In."

"In."

Serena chuckled, "Is that even a question?"

They all turned to Charlotte who shrugged her shoulders, "I can't say no now, can I?"

✵ ✵ ✵

Elena, Bonnie, Caroline, Serena, Charlotte, and Jenna arrived and looked over at the band. Jenna spotted Alaric as he headed for the bar, "I need a drink."

Matt was right next to them as Caroline turned to him, "Hey, Matt." He didn't answer and walked past her.

"Things just got real awkward," Bonnie commented.

Charlotte nodded, "I had really high hopes but let's just focus on the band," She paused, remembering, "He said the ball's in your court?"

"Yeah, but I can't do anything about it."

Charlotte shook her head, turning to her friend, "Really? C'mon Caroline, all you gotta do is walk up to him and tell him how you care about him."

If it was that easy, why don't you do it? A voice spoke in the back of Charlotte's mind before she brushed it off, raising an eyebrow at Caroline.

She sighed, reminding them, "Yeah, but I am still keeping so many secrets."

"Alaric's in the same boat with Jenna and maybe that's our mistake," Elena shrugged her shoulders, suggesting, "We're trying to protect the people that we love by keeping them out of it, but in the end, we're hurting them anyway."

The song ended and Caroline took off her jacket, leaving it in Charlotte's hands who instantly freaked out, "What are you doing? Caroline, where are you going?"

She went on the stage and took the microphone, "Hey, everybody. Let's hear it for the band! Weren't they awesome?" Caroline started clapping and everyone joined in.

Jenna walked back to stand with the girls, commenting as she downed another shot of tequila, "This isn't going to end well."

"So there's this guy. And, uh, he told me to tell him how I feel about him. Like it's so easy," Caroline started, stammering a bit, "Um, you know, just 'cause I talk a lot doesn't mean I always know what I'm actually talking about," She chuckled slightly, "Ah, like now, I'm feeling loopy and I don't really know how to express myself."

The singer went to gently take the microphone off Caroline but she resisted, suggesting aloud, "I can sing. Yeah! Yeah," She finished, sighing, "You know what, I'm going to sing."

"Sing? Can she sing?" Charlotte looked baffled, questioning.

Serena shrugged, shoving her hands in her pockets, "If you count her shower concerts."

The singer went to tell off the stage again but she compelled him quietly before whispering the song in his ear. He told his band and she started singing Eternal Flame.

"Wow..."

Jenna turned to Elena, shouting over the music, "She's good!"

"Yeah!"

Later in the song, Matt exchanged a look with Elena and Serena who smiled, nodding their heads toward Caroline. So, he joined her on the stage. Caroline stuttered, at loss for words, "Matt...I..."

He kissed her as the girls and the entirety of the audience screamed and laughed aloud.

✵ ✵ ✵

"And where is Cassie now? Did she feed Ginger in the morning?"

Serena nodded, patting Charlotte's back, "Yeah, she did, don't worry," She crossed her arms, answering the first question, "She is sleeping over at her friend's CJ, Miss O'Brien's, she is a few blocks from our house."

"Does Miss O'Brien know Cassie's bedtime? And that she takes dinner at eight sharp? Or that she should be wearing three layers when going to bed because she catches colds fast—"

Serena interjected, raising an eyebrow, "No...should I know these, too?"

Charlotte's eyes widened, "Serena, are you joking right now?"

"No...but she is going to be fine...right?"

The brunette vampire shook her head, "No, we should go pick her up. Now," She rose to her feet, rushing past the crowds of people as Serena tried to follow up with her.

Before they can make it out of the Mystic Grill, the power went out, lights flickering off at the stage before Serena let out an instinctive gasp.

Charlotte grabbed her niece's hand, heading towards the restrooms where she was sure she heard Stefan's voice. They arrived, finding Caroline, Stefan, and Elena.

"What is going on?" She finally let go of her niece, turning to ask Stefan.

"Jonas is here and he's after Elena."

Charlotte scoffed, raising her eyebrows, "Can we ever catch a break around here," She got over it fast, questioning, "Okay...I am assuming there's a plan."

"Yes, but I need to get Elena out of here," Stefan nodded, stating.

"Well, what can we do?" Caroline asked.

They followed through with the plan as Elena and Stefan stopped in front of Jonas, "Dr. Martin! I'm so sorry about Luka. I never wanted that to happen, but...at least let us help you get your daughter back."

"Only Elijah can do that."

"You don't need Elijah," Charlotte stated as Jonas set fire to another bar, turning to them but Caroline jumped on him from the back and Charlotte stood in front of him, giving Stefan and Elena enough time to leave.

Caroline tried to bite him but he provoked a headache with his powers, she screamed out before Charlotte placed her hands on Jonas' shoulders then proceeded to knee him. He was weakened by the act before she hit his head against a wall, having him fall unconscious for a small while, giving her enough time to leave with her niece.

✵ ✵ ✵

Charlotte knocked on Miss O'Brien's door as Serena ran a hand over her face, "You really don't have to."

"Just like you are my responsibility, so is Cassie," Charlotte turned to the whining teenager with a pointed glare, "And I am not letting her catch a cold that you won't know how to treat, plus it's her exam week. She can't have sleepovers during exam week."

Serena rubbed the back of her neck, shrugging, "I don't know...maybe they are studying?"

"Sure, because seven-year-olds are very interested in studying."

Soon enough, the door was swung open for them to be greeted by Miss O'Brien who's hair was very messy, she was wrapping a robe around her body quickly, "Hi, can...I help you?"

"Oh, Serena, it's you. Don't worry, the girls are sound asleep."

Charlotte got the correct idea of what was happening in the house while Cassie was in there before she shook her head, "Can you please put on something decent and wake up Cassie? We are leaving."

Miss O'Brien frowned, "But Serena said she will sleepover...who are you?"

"I am Charlotte, Serena's older cousin. I am in place of her mother currently and she forgot to ask for my permission to have her sister sleepover at someone else's house," She stated, eyeing the woman who stood in front of her in slight judgment.

"I am sure it's fine...plus the girls are already sleeping—"

Charlotte leaned forward, staring the woman in her eyes as she compelled, "Wear something decent and wake Cassie up, and next time, refrain from doing what you were doing when kids are in the house."

The woman had a change of tone, nodding, "I will wake her up...just stay here or come in, if you want."

"No, we are okay here."

Serena crossed her arms, holding back a laugh, "Damn, Char."

✵ ✵ ✵