If We Had Met First

Chapter Eight:

            Stefan glanced at his watch, they were fifteen minutes late. Caroline was sitting beside his smiling with her new scarf tied around her neck. She didn’t seem to be the least bit worried by the fact that her friend she hadn’t arrived.

            Just as he was thinking that he heard the door open, when it did he also heard her laugh. What did he do to make her laugh like that? Stefan watched as Elena and his brother entered the grill and was surprised when Elena’s neck was bare. He expected a scarf or a high necked jacket to hide the bite marks, because why else would Damon have wanted to spend the day with her.

            When Elena saw them she waved to Caroline who didn’t seem quite as happy, maybe she was hoping they wouldn’t show up. From what Stefan had gathered about her it didn’t seem totally out of character for her to want that.

            “What did you guys end up doing today?” Elena asked as she sat down across from Caroline and Damon slid in next to her.

            “You know just hung out, sorry I kinds just disappeared. It was Stefan’s idea and I just couldn’t say no.” Caroline said, she smiled at Stefan flirtatiously and he tried to smile back the same way.

            Damon shrugged, “we didn’t mind at all. We spent the day together to, and sorry for being late but we were busy and lost track of time.” He eyed Stefan, waiting for his reaction or even for him to question what exactly it was that had kept them so occupied.

            Stefan didn’t say anything; he could not show Damon that he felt anything for this girl because as soon as he did she would be dead. It would be that easy for him, hurt her because she meant something to him. It was all part of the eternity of misery he had promised him.

            “That’s a nice scarf Caroline, I’ve never seen you wear it before.” Elena said pointing to the scarf tied tightly around her neck.

            Almost like she had forgotten she was wearing it Caroline looked down at her neck and looked almost surprised to see a scarf there. Among that surprise was that vague look that Stefan recognized and knew Damon would to but Damon wasn’t looking at Caroline. Even though Elena was talking to Caroline he was looking at her, it had been so long since Stefan had seen his brother look like that. But he couldn’t read too much into this as Caroline was opening her mouth to reply.

            “It’s new.” She smiled and Stefan was relieved to see that the vague look was gone and she looked completely normal.

            “You weren’t wearing it this morning and I thought you and Stefan spent the entire day together.” Damon said. He was no longer looking at Elena but instead right at his brother.

            “Yeah...we uh did.” Caroline said, she looked confused again and from the smirk on Damon’s face it was obvious he had noticed this time.

            “Well it’s lovely.” He said.

            “Are you guys ready to order?” The voice of the waitress was peppy and Stefan read the name Vicki. However when she saw Elena her grin turned into a frown.

            She glared at Elena who looked thoroughly uncomfortable while everyone ordered their food and left without saying a word.

            “Ugh, could she be any more of a bitch?” Caroline snapped once Vicki was out of earshot.

            “Caroline.” Elena chided.

            “What? You must have seen the way she was looking at you, like seriously she cannot still be mad about you dumping Matt. It is pathetic.”