𝟕𝟎

a/n: Lottie's outfit for the day of planning the pageant on the left and her dress is on the right!

☆═━ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘━═☆

"What do you mean Lina and Elijah broke up?"

Serena sighed, stepping out of the way for Charlotte to come inside, "I mean no longer together, engagement off, no more love birds...anything sad and depressing."

"But...Elijah is in love with her," Charlotte claimed, refusing to accept that as she walked straight upstairs, "What the hell happened?"

"Hell if I know," Serena rolled her eyes, following her ancestor as Charlotte slammed the door open on the room Lina had been staying in for two days. Her face immediately scrunched up before pulling the curtains open along with the windows, letting the sunlight in.

Lina turned on the other side, murmuring awake, "What the hell?"

"Get up, no more sulking in bed," Charlotte stated, moving over to pick up empty bottles of liquor that surrounded the bed, "I don't know what happened but I know that whatever it is, it's not worth sulking in bed."

The Gilbert huffed out, "You are right. You don't know what happened but it is worth sulking in bed," She said, moving over to pull a half bottle of bourbon beside her but before she could take a sip, Charlotte snatched it out of her hand, "Charlotte, no..."

"Get up, no more miserable sad days. You should see the sun, it's amazing out there."

Lina ran her hands over her face, "I don't want to see the sun. I want to stay in bed and drown in my misery so let me be."

The Bernard vampire looked over at her, raising an eyebrow as she took her words in, "Hm...not on my watch. Get out of bed before I pull you out and shove you in the shower myself, you stink."

"I broke up with the love of life. I was the most stupid person ever then and...my anniversary for fifty years engaged was supposed to be next week," Paulina said, inhaling sharply as she pulled up her suitcase on the bed and got out a bottle of Rum, "And this was what we were supposed to drink then but considering we are over, I can have it alone now."

Charlotte sighed, taking that bottle from her hands as well, "You and Elijah are not over Lina, he is crazy about you. It's probably just another little fight that will pass."

"You don't even know what happened," She whined out, leaning back in her bed.

"Well...tell us, if you want to," Serena spoke up and Charlotte almost forgot she got upstairs with her from how silent and observant she was being.

"The only thing I want to do right now is punch something...kick and punch until I can't feel anything," Paulina said, turning to her best friend, "So can you help with that?"

Charlotte had the hint of a smile on her face as she answered, "I might know a place."

✵ ✵ ✵

Paulina folded her arms together, pulling at the gray cardigan she burrowed from Serena as she looked over at the house she and Charlotte stood in, "Now...when I said punch and kick...what did you have in mind?"

"Mr. Ryle, Callie's dad...renovates homes so he has to kick down everything in here," Charlotte explained, picking up a bat that laid on the side, "Normally no one is allowed inside but I asked for a favor...with the little trick of compulsion," She smiled at her friend before tossing her the bat.

"Go on...punch and kick until it doesn't feel that bad."

Lina sighed, kicking down a punch of glass cupboards, backing up slightly when shards of glass flew everywhere, "You know this might be a little better than ripping through someone's artery and feeding until I can't breathe anymore."

"I know," Charlotte was proud of herself as she continued, "Callie has anger issues...I help her with maths, she likes talking to me. I figured Callie's dad won't mind if a friend with similar issues helped out in here."

Paulina chuckled, kicking down a whole empty shelf, "This is fun, I like this," She kept kicking and punching through the house until it was done for and Charlotte stood aside, watching the once miserable look turn into a content smile.

Soon enough Paulina turned to her, sighing, "Okay...I think I am ready to talk."

Charlotte nodded and sat down on the first steps of the porch. Paulina raised an eyebrow, "Here?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "Yeah, like the old days," Charlotte paused, stating, "Except this isn't my porch and Emmeline wouldn't come out every once in a while to check on us."

The older brunette laughed softly, sitting down beside her, "She used to worry a lot. Like a hell lot."

"The maternal gene was definitely it."

"You take that after her," Lina claimed, resting her elbows on her knees as Charlotte smiled. "I wish I could say I take anything after my dad or brother."

"You and Jonathan were the most stubborn people I had ever met," The Bernard vampire spoke up, shaking her head in disbelief, "Your brother really believed he would change the world."

She folded her arms together, "Yeah, he had that theory that he would outlive everyone in the family and wouldn't die unless each of his dreams were achieved. I mean...he was narcissistic but we both got that, I guess."

"I fought for women's rights for as long as I can remember because as the only woman in my family who didn't get married, that was my dream...to prove each one of them wrong. To prove that women can be more than housewives and nice-looking daughters," Lina rubbed the back of her neck, smiling at that for a few seconds before it faltered.

"What happened...why did you stop smiling?"

Paulina sighed, "I didn't get married because that's how far the damage my family made lasted," She turned to Charlotte, "I have been with Elijah for years before getting engaged, and even then...that engagement almost lasted forever because I wasn't ready to take that step. I don't even know if I will ever be."

Charlotte shook her head, stating, "It's not about the ceremony or the wedding or taking his name," She pursed her lips together, "You and Elijah already act like a married couple. If being Paulina Mikaelson is that scary...then keep your name."

"Too late now... it's done."

"What exactly happened?"

Lina exhaled sharply, starting, "I got back early to surprise him, opened the door, and found him with Katherine," She paused as Charlotte raised her eyebrows but she quickly shook her head, "No, no, nothing like that. Elijah is not a cheater. She just wanted help and he was thinking about helping her."

Charlotte wrapped her arms around her legs, resting her cheek on her knees as she turned to Lina, "And?"

She rubbed her hands together, looking down at her left hand where her engagement ring used to be, "And I freaked. I kept saying all those things that she did to me and somewhere along that, I said that I would do anything to have that life back...including not being with him..," Paulina trailed off, inspecting Charlotte's reaction, "I know. I am stupid, I messed up."

"You are not stupid," Charlotte said first, taking in a deep breath, "Things have been hectic for days. You weren't in the right state of mind. It will work out and he will come back."

"Uh...no, not really?"

"Why not? He loves you more than anything. Any idiot can see it."

Paulina ran her tongue over her bottom lip, "Because I am the one that left...not the other way around."

Charlotte blinked back, "Excuse me? In what part of your mind did it feel like you are the person that gets to walk out?" She ran her hand forehead, "I am sorry but Lina, you are extremely stupid. Like no offense..."

"None taken, you just said what I have been telling myself for the past three days."

She sighed, raising her eyebrows, "Then why didn't you go back and try to fix things?"

"Because I am an idiot and my pride won't let me," Lina responded, huffing out.

"Well, suck it up. This is the love of your life."

Lina let that sink in before turning to Charlotte, "That was...aggressive, slightly...like higher than your normal level."

The younger of the two shrugged, questioning, "What is my normal level?"

"Zero...or below that, if possible," She answered as Charlotte rolled her eyes, making her add, "But I like that, it's a good different."

She passed her a small smile, "I like it too." The petite brunette rose to her feet, "C'mon, we are going dress shopping."

"Oh, for what?"

Charlotte rubbed her hands together as Paulina stood up and they started walking off the porch, "I am not sure who exactly signed me up for Miss Mystic Falls but I am in...and it's in two days and I don't have a dress."

"Damn...do you have a date though?" Lina asked, shoving her hands in the cardigan's pockets.

"Asking the important questions," She chuckled, nodding, "Yes, I am going with Stefan," Lina gave her a look with the hint of a smirk as she finished, "We are taking it slow."

"Ah, life is finally looking bright, huh?"

Charlotte shrugged her shoulders, "Not entirely. Jeremy had to kill Klaus' hybrid to break the hunter's curse and I am pretty sure that's a valuable step in becoming the next Connor."

Paulina could understand that Charlotte was worried for Jeremy, the maternal genes lived on, she guessed before asking, "How exactly did you kill Connor?"

"Uh...weird story," She rubbed the back of her neck before blurting out, "Elena was going for the kill. I mean...I tried to stop her, like really hard but...for a moment there, it was like I looked into her eyes and it felt like she was going to do it, no matter what."

"And being you, you thought you could save her the misery of dealing with that."

Charlotte sighed, "I know what you are going to say, that I should have just stepped back and let her deal with it by herself but—"

Paulina interjected, "Yeah, you should have but that's not what I was going to say," She watched the confusion on Charlotte's face before stating, "You are a good friend."

"I am?"

"And don't you ever doubt it."

✵ ✵ ✵

Serena was picking out dresses with Paulina as Charlotte walked around the store, looking over at dresses, nothing seeming to catch her eye yet as she sighed, "What if I don't find a good dress? That means I will fail that thing, right?"

"You are not failing," Serena rolled her eyes, justifying, "You are just picky, it's a family thing."

Charlotte chuckled at that, remembering the last time she was here with Serena, picking out her dress for Miss Mystic Falls' pageant, "Yeah, right."

The human Bernard raised her hand up, cutting Charlotte off, "Wait, I have got this," She took in a deep breath and smiled, rubbing her hands together, "You are going to own this and be the best Miss Mystic Falls anyone had ever seen, and even if you don't, nothing will change."

The smile on Charlotte's face was enough of a reply to Serena, it held so much without even talking. It was the brightest smile she has seen in a while, Serena remembered once when someone told her that some people smile so bright, it feels like God gave them the power to brighten the day with just one smile.

Paulina turned to Charlotte, holding up a chestnut-colored dress, "This is it. This is the one."

"I don't know...I am not feeling it."

She rolled her eyes at that, "Well, of course, you aren't because you haven't even tried it."

Charlotte sighed, taking the dress from Paulina's hand, "Okay, I will listen but if it's horrible, we are not searching anymore and you," She raised her index finger, pointing at her best friend, "You are going to convince Klaus to give me one of those royalty, incredibly perfect dresses."

"No—"

The petite brunette interjected, "It's not like I will take it forever. I promise to return it after the event. I am not a fancy dress thief."

Serena chuckled at that expression as the Gilbert huffed out, shaking her head, "No, because Klaus most likely doesn't know Elijah and I broke up and I don't want to be the one to tell him."

Charlotte sighed exsaperatedly, "Fine but you are gonna run into him sooner or later."

"I would much rather later then," Lina forced a smile onto her pink lips, shoving Charlotte with her dress into the fitting room, "Now, hurry up."

✵ ✵ ✵

At the Lockwood's Mansion and in one of the rooms upstairs, April was preparing for the Miss Mystic Falls Pageant. She held up two dresses, one red and one blue, for Caroline and Elena to pick from.

Caroline and Elena answered in unison, "Blue."

"Really? The blue seems a little safe," April said, furrowing her eyebrows together.

Charlotte walked out from behind the dresser, prepping her dress before looking over at the dresses in April's hands, "Definitely blue."

"Yeah, safe is good when it comes to the judges."

Caroline looked over at Charlotte's dress and smiled for a moment before raising her eyebrows, "Please tell me you are not going out there with your hair like that."

The Bernard shook her head, "Of course not but someone was supposed to help me put it up in a fancy bun...or whatever that's called," She turned to Elena, "You hear that, someone."

Elena sighed, "Yeah, I do. Don't worry, I will still do your hair."

April kept looking back and forth between the two dresses, "I don't know...I kinda like the red dress."

Caroline recalled a story to prove her point, "Gracie Lockwood had a three-foot slit her year and practically got laughed off the court."

Elena smiled and laughed at that just as Damon walked into the room, "She got my vote."

Charlotte folded her arms over her chest, subtly looking around the room for her pair of heels as the Forbes vampire threw a black object at Damon, "Get out, lurker!"

Damon rolled his eyes, replying sarcastically, "Ouch," Caroline walked over to close the door just as he asked, "Where's Professor Shane?"

"Check the judges' table," She started to close the door on him, but Damon put his hand up and pushed it back open as Caroline started to walk back inside.

The Salvatore turned to April, "Red one, definitely."

Caroline had stopped in the middle of the room, midway between Elena and Damon with her arms crossed over her chest, "We've already agreed that the red one is a little bit too showy."

"It's a pageant. That's the whole point."

"No, it's not," Charlotte shook her head at that, "We can look good without putting our bodies on display."

"Yeah," Caroline agreed, turning to Damon with her hands on her hips, "Did you win Miss Mystic last year? No. I don't think you did."

"Neither did Elena and she wore blue."

The blonde vampire huffed out, "Nobody cares what you think."

April shrugged her shoulders, "I care."

"See? April cares," Damon smirked before turning to the doppelganger at the end of the room, "Red, right, Elena?"

Caroline glared at Elena, awaiting her answer just as she turned to look at April, "...The red is pretty."

Caroline's face fell at that while Damon smiled, "And my work here is done."

He walked out of the room as Caroline looked back at Elena, "Uh, what happened to thirty seconds ago when you hated the red one? What happened to safe is good?"

Elena looked at her with a glazed look over her eyes. She shook her head and turned back to April, "Whichever one you want to wear, April."

The doppelganger walked out of the room as Charlotte sighed, "Okay, who is going to do my hair now?"

Caroline ran a hand over her forehead, "Sit down, I will do it."

The Bernard took a seat at the chair in front of the mirror before asking, "Is Stefan here yet?"

She watched as the Forbes' smile returned back on her face, "He is your date?"

"Yup," Charlotte replied, clasping her silver necklace around her neck, "It's nothing official, just him saving the day as my friend."

"Yeah, of course..."

"Caroline Forbes, don't start."

She shrugged her shoulders, "I didn't do anything."

"You know what you are hinting at," Charlotte rolled her eyes before repeating her question, "Anyways, is he here yet?"

Caroline inhaled, responding, "I don't know but Matt is wrangling the escorts. If something's wrong, he will tell me."

The Bernard pursed her lips together as Caroline pulled her hair up, settling in some pins before she spoke up again, "And where the hell is Serena?"

"Downstairs, with her...date."

"Date?"

"Date."

"Wow."

✵ ✵ ✵

Carol Lockwood stepped on the stage, introducing the pageant, "Welcome to this season's Miss Mystic Falls."

Lina placed her empty glass on the table, clapping with everyone as Carol resumed, "We are so excited to showcase our most outstanding community leaders in the making."

Soon enough, Caroline was onstage and about to introduce the contestants, "Hi, everyone, I'm Caroline Forbes."

Lina folded her arms together, walking up the lawn along with Klaus to watch the introduction of the girls, "As the reigning Miss Mystic Falls, it is my honor to introduce this year's Miss Mystic Court."

Everyone clapped for the girls as the music started playing for the introduction, "We begin the procession with Valerie Fell accompanied by Dylan Clark."

There was a round of applause for Valerie as she walked down the stone steps, "Next, we have Amber Wolvertine accompanied by Hector Lindsay."

Another round of applause was given for Amber as Paulina frowned, looking at the line of escorts, she realized, "Stefan's not here."

Klaus didn't seem surprised by that as she repeated, "Stefan is not here."

"I heard you the first time."

Lina blinked back, shaking her head, "Stefan is Charlotte's date, if Stefan is not here then this is about to get really embarrassing."

She finished, looking over at Charlotte prepping her dress, she was standing right before April Young. There were five girls left but only three escorts, "This is going to be terrible."

Charlotte started descending the stairs as Klaus replied, "Not entirely," He walked off as Lina rubbed her hands together, shrugging her shoulders when Serena turned to her confused.

"We have got Charlotte Bernard accompanied by Stefan Salvatore."

She held her breath, stepping down the stairs only to find no Stefan but Klaus standing in his place. Charlotte was beyond confused but for the sake of the pageant, she kept a smile on her face and walked up to Klaus, wrapping her arm around his.

"Where is he?"

He shrugged his shoulders, not giving her a valid answer just as Charlotte pursed her lips together. She asked Stefan for one thing, one tiny thing, to just show up. And he didn't.

Just as April and Matt joined everyone on the dance floor, the music started. Charlotte sighed, looking up at the blond Mikaelson, "I didn't exactly train for this but don't make me look like an idiot, please."

"Don't worry about it," She smiled, taking that as a form of reassurance before they both bowed to each other, in sync with the other girls and escorts, starting the dance.

Charlotte raised her left hand after he raised his right hand, taking turns with the hands facing each other but not touching. Despite trying to avoid it, she was looking directly at him, almost getting lost in his eyes.

The petite brunette kind of hated Klaus' eyes, it was blue, so blue. The illuminating and consuming kind of blue. It helped erase some of the things he'd done because looking at those eyes and that smile wouldn't match the monstrosities the owner of them had done.

Klaus took her hand and placed one of his on her shoulder blade, while Charlotte placed her other hand on his shoulder, letting him lead the dance.

A while later of exchanged unexplained long stares and goosebumps, the dance was over and Charlotte walked away with the other girls but as a few of the girls met their escorts at the other end of the dancing floor, she moved over to thank Klaus.

"Hi," She waved slyly, "Thanks for helping me not look like a total idiot up there."

"No worries," He replied and before she could think of turning away, he pointed out, "You look stunning."

Charlotte couldn't contain the small smile combined with the hint of a blush as they made their way onto her face, "Thank you...ah, about that day...eh, I was in a mood and I didn't mean to be rude. You were just trying to help."

"I have been there and I am not holding anything against you," Klaus claimed as she nodded, inhaling sharply.

She rubbed her hands together before shortly excusing herself from Klaus and walking inside the house to look for Caroline but instead, she found Jeremy walking out of an empty room.

"Jeremy?" She called out as he turned to her, "Where were you?"

"I, uh, was at the Grill."

Charlotte scoffed, raising her eyebrows, "Why do you have to lie to me?"

Jeremy turned to her and for a second there he could see the genuine worry and concern in her doe brown eyes before shaking his head, "Look...I need to go."

"Jer—"

She called after him, walking out but before she could follow him, Amber stood in her way, "They are calling us on stage."

Charlotte exhaled, watching Jeremy's retreating figure. She resisted the urge to run a hand over her face and mess up her makeup before following Amber to the stage.

Carol Lockwood and Caroline were standing on the stage along with the other contestants. The mayor was speaking through the microphone and Caroline was holding an envelope, "And now, the moment you've been waiting for. Caroline, would you do the honors?"

Caroline walked to the mic and Elena stood behind her with the tiara and sash, "This year's Miss Mystic Falls is....," She opened the envelope slowly and a huge smile took over her face, reading out, "Charlotte Bernard."

Everyone in the crowd applauded her as Charlotte blinked back, snapping out of it. She was so concentrated on where Jeremy had gone and what was going on him that she almost missed them reading her name out as the winner.

She forced a smile onto her lips, thanking her fellow contestants as Caroline took the tiara off the cushion Elena was holding and walked over to her.

Charlotte saw Elena look out into the crowd and they both spotted Jeremy walking in between the people. The older brunette exchanged a look with Elena, urging her to go after her brother as Caroline placed the tiara on her head.

"Congratulations! You did it!"

The Bernard shrugged her shoulders, sharing a laugh with them, "Yay, new Miss Mystic Falls?"

She only let out a breath she was holding when Elena handed Carol Lockwood the sash and cushion and quickly walked off the stage after her brother.

Knowing that Matt and Elena were both out to get Jeremy, she exhaled, turning to Caroline as she put on the sash, "I won! I actually won!"

"Yes! You did!" Caroline exclaimed, smiling before moving over to embrace Charlotte.

✵ ✵ ✵

The Bernard vampire stepped off the stage after thanking Carol Lockwood and shaking hands with each of the judges, meeting Lina at the bottom. The Gilbert was clapping her hands, "Hello, Miss Mystic Falls...Should I be jealous?"

Charlotte rolled her eyes, "I don't even know how that happened."

"Because you are beautiful, smart, talented, and one hell of a dancer," Paulina answered, folding her arms together, "By the way, I never noticed you and Klaus could make such a pair."

"We don't," She denied, making sure the tiara didn't fall off her head, "He was just saving the day."

"I thought Stefan was the hero who saved all days..."

Charlotte rubbed the back of her neck and chose not to reply just as Serena approached the two with an unfamiliar guy by her side. The older Bernard frowned before assuming him to be her date.

"Charlotte, there's someone I would like you to meet," She smiled, taking in a deep breath before nearly facepalming herself, "Oh, and wait...Congratulations! You look awesome and you definitely deserve this."

"Thanks, Serena," Charlotte nodded before glancing at her niece's date as he offered her his hand.

She took his hand as he introduced himself, "Congratulations...I am Alec, Serena's..." She watched him trail off cluelessly and arched an eyebrow.

Serena stepped in, claiming, "Friend, he is my friend...who is also my date. Yeah, he is my friend."

Lina stifled a laugh, biting her bottom lip just as Charlotte pursed her lips together, turning to Alec, "Well, hello, Alec...Serena's friend. I am Charlotte, her cousin, you could say."

She rubbed her hands together before asking, "So...you are with us in school?"

"No, no, I graduated last year," Alec shook his head, answering. Noticing Charlotte's unreadable expression, "I, uh, I took a gap year and I am starting college next year."

"Great...nice to meet you, I guess," Charlotte smiled, resting her hands at her sides before Paulina spoke up.

"Yeah...we need to go, check on a few people and a few things. So, yeah."

She didn't leave any chance for anyone to reply before pulling Charlotte away as the brunette let out, "Oh, my God, you are the best. This was the most awkward thing I have ever been through."

"You're welcome, always my job to pull you out of awkward situations."

"Or fix them, you are pretty good at that too."

The Gilbert vampire chuckled, shrugging, "Lina to the rescue."

✵ ✵ ✵

Charlotte had almost thanked everyone at the event and smiled a few hundred times, sighing exsaperatedly before she looked ahead of her to see Elena leaving the party followed by Stefan.

She furrowed her eyebrows together, excusing herself from Miss Lockwood and walking across the yard just as Elena said, "Tell me that you haven't been making my brother kill vampires, Stefan."

"What the hell...," Charlotte managed to utter out as Stefan turned to face her, "You...you didn't show up so that you would have Jeremy killing vampires, turning him into a murderer..."

"We need the map to get the cure."

"If getting my humanity back means stripping Jeremy of his, then I don't want the cure," Elena shook her head at Stefan, claiming.

"He's the only way to fix all of this—"

Charlotte cut him off, unintentionally raising her voice, "Screw that!" She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly when both of the vampires turned to her, "Screw fixing things and making it all perfect because nothing will ever be perfect enough...not when you turn a kid into a killer."

"Charlotte—"

The brunette vampire shook her head, not letting him continue, "You know what, don't even try. There's no digging your way out of this," She took in a deep breath before pointing at the Salvatore, "You screwed up, Stefan. You messed up so bad that there might be no fixing."

Stefan was clearly upset by her words, letting them sink in as Damon approached them but stopped a few feet away from the trio. Charlotte looked back at him before going back to the party.

✵ ✵ ✵

Dear Diary,

Today was eventful. I was crowned Miss Mystic Falls, they must have been on something to actually do that but there, it happened. I danced with Klaus Mikaelson, for the second time. You know, that thing where I avoid any feelings I have until they just go away doesn't exactly but I am all for staying hopeful and faking it till I make it.

It can never work anyways, highly unlikely and I am not ready to take that risk, not today at least.

Stefan. I would rather speak about him and today in another entry, to keep this entry a little nice.

Charlotte closed her diary, slipping it into her drawer before rising to her feet and putting on her shoes to take a walk outside. Elena was staying at the Salvatores for a while as Jeremy did try to kill her that day and things weren't exactly very safe at home.

Stefan left to crash...wherever he decided it to.

Charlotte shoved her hands in her pockets and descended the stairs, she made her way to the kitchen, planning to make herself a cup of coffee or something nice before she paused in her steps, hearing pumping noises.

The brunette furrowed her eyebrows together, failing to make out the noises before her eyes widened, "Oh, my God...oh, my God," She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping to erase that sound from her head forever.

She definitely just heard Damon and Elena...having sex.

"Oh, God...make it go away," She stomped her feet down, whining out before walking outside, "Ugh, this is traumatizing to hear."

✵ ✵ ✵