"Katie, are you sure you want to do this?" Caroline asked as we were brushing our teeth the next morning. "You really want to go back to school? I mean, who chooses to do that."

"I'm sure," I laughed. "I want to be as normal as possible. Maybe it will even distract me from my existential life-threatening problem. There's nothing stopping me from going, poof! And then somehow exploding in blood and guts."

"You shouldn't joke about that," the blonde frowned. "We are going to find a solution."

"Caroline, we need to be prepared that I might not survive this."

"Over my dead body!"

"Um, you're already technically dead."

"You know what I meant!"

"Hey, you think you can compel all my teachers that I've been attending classes like a good little student all year?" I smiled hopefully, and Caroline rolled her eyes.

"I've already done that silly! You are able to start Senior Year with the rest of us! By the way, I'm driving there with Elena and Bonnie..." Caroline sent me an apologetic look. "You can go with us."

"I'm good," I said immediately. "I'm not ready to talk to them yet. I still need to plan what I'm even going to say. Sorry I disappeared for months and came back looking like a psychotic maniac which turns out to be exactly what you thought I was? I don't think so."

"You're going alone?" Caroline asked carefully.

"It looks like it," I sighed, right when my phone dinged.

Rebekah:

I've decided to go to your stupid school today. Wanna join?

"Actually, it looks like I do have a friend to go with," I smiled, and Caroline gave me a questioning glance. "It's Rebekah, and BEFORE you make that face, just know that she isn't as crazy evil as she seems."

"Just be careful," Caroline said.

"Wow, no judging remarks?" I gasped dramatically.

"You have the right to do whatever you want," Caroline shrugged. "And I can't stop you. Besides, I've decided to turn over a new leaf!"

"Yeah, that leaf is not lasting long," I giggled.

"You're probably right..."

I went back on my phone and texted Rebekah back.

Me:

Of course, I was already going. How did you get my number by the way?!?

Rebekah:

I have my ways ;) I'm already outside.

Me:

I'm at Caroline's house right now.

Rebekah:

I know. I'm outside.

Me:

You're kinda creepy...

"My ride's here," I smirked, grabbing my bag. "I'll see you at school Care."

She waved at me and I bounded at the door, already spotting Rebekah leisurely waiting in a fancy car. She turned her head at the sound of the front door closing and made an impatient come here gesture.

"Took you long enough," she huffed. "Get in."

I paused as my phone started to ring. I picked it up but saw that it was an unknown number. Frowning, I declined it and got into the car.

"What made you want to go to school of all places?" I asked curiously as she started driving.

"I want to see how it to be a pathetic mortal," she commented, and I rolled my eyes.

"Really?"

"I just want to live my life to the fullest."

"And school is living your life to the fullest?" I raised a brow. "If anything, I think it's killing me a little bit day by day."

"I've never gone to school," the vampire admitted, and I looked at her in shock.

"Aren't you like a gazillion?"

"No, and most of my life was spent running, or in a box."

"Who were you running from?" I asked, and she stopped the car harshly in the parking lot.

"Enough questions," she snapped. "Let's go."

∆ ∆ ∆

As we walked through the gray halls that seemed to suck the life out of all the students, I saw Caroline with Elena, Bonnie, and Tyler. She didn't look too happy. She saw Rebekah and me and marched over furiously.

"You leave Tyler alone," she hissed to Rebekah, and Rebekah feigned an innocent look, placing a manicured hand on her chest.

"Me?"

"Yeah, you!" Caroline said angrily. "He said you've hooked him up with blood bags. He doesn't need your advice! This hybrid thing is messing with his brain far enough!"

"Sounds like you're a bit jealous darling," Rebekah smiled sarcastically. "Looks like becoming a vampire hasn't made you less insecure."

I shot Rebekah a look telling her to ease up, and she let out an exasperated breath.

"Relax, okay? Klaus told me to keep an eye on him, and that's all I'm doing. Nothing more."

Apparently satisfied with that, Caroline walked away again. Rebekah huffed in annoyance, pulling me towards the classroom. I stopped her, feeling the nauseous feeling in my gut again.

"I'll be right back," I gulped, running to the bathroom, feeling a liquid already trickling out of my nose and eyes.

I shut one of the stalls in a rush and heaved over the toilet. I had been using the same stall over the past few days, and I was sure it was going to have nightmares over my ugly face puking blood inside it.

I heard the door open and someone gently pulled the hair off my neck, allowing me to puke in more comfort, well, as much comfort as you can get while you're throwing everything up.

After I was done, I turned around, leaning against the wall.

"We've got to figure this bloody thing out," Rebekah sighed, then added, "No pun intended."

"Maybe this is karma," I spoke up, dread filling me. "Maybe this is the universe's way of karma. I make bad decisions, bad things happen to me."

"Please, since when were you superstitious," Rebekah snorted, helping me up.

"Ever since I found out the supernatural was real and that we were living in a crazy-as-heck world!"

"Let's go to class, okay? We'll deal with this after school."

We slowly walked back to the classroom, where I could already hear Alaric's droning voice talking about some random history fact that no one gave a crap about.

"Welcome back, seniors. Let's turn our brains back on, starting with this country's original founders...the Native Americans," he was introducing right when Rebekah and I entered the room.

"What about the Vikings?" she asked loftily, relishing in the shocked glances she was receiving from Elena and Bonnie.

Caroline just looked miffed, since she already had talked to us earlier that day. She did however send me a small thumbs-up, and mouthed you-got-this!

"There's no evidence that Viking explorers actually settled in the United States. Welcome back Kaitlyn, and... who are you?" Alaric replied, looking bewildered.

"My name's Rebekah. I'm new. And history's my favorite subject," the blonde smirked, sitting down and motioning for me to sit in the empty one right next to her.

The class went by slowly, just I had expected. Why did I decide going back to school was a good idea? Definitely not my brightest moment.

I did notice something off about Stefan though. He looked emotionless, not even happy that he was free. Wait, was he even free? I hadn't even heard from Klaus. The night before had gone by in a blur, and it had ended with my going home with Caroline. But what had happened to the others?

"Where's Klaus?" I hissed to Rebekah while Alaric was writing something on the board.

"He left town. The bloody prick thought it was okay to leave me behind as well. God knows what he's doing. Probably assembling an army," Rebekah said angrily, obviously touchy on the matter.

I leaned back in my chair, unsatisfied with the answer. Why didn't I feel happy that the hybrid was gone for the time being? Why would I want him to be around?

My phone started buzzing, and I quickly peaked in my bag, seeing that it was the unknown number again. I scowled and pressed decline again, right as Alaric stepped next to my desk.

"No phones in class," he said sternly, stretching out a hand for me to give it to him.

I raised an eyebrow, looking around the classroom, then realized he was being serious. I heard someone in the class snicker, and turning slightly red, I handed the phone to him.

At the end of class, I stopped Stefan out in the hallway, and he turned to me in an expression of utter boredom.

"Hey, um, are you okay?" I asked tentatively. "Did Klaus do something to you?"

"I've never been better. And no, I'm still under Klaus's beck and call, but now I don't really mind it."

"Stefan, is your humanity off?" I questioned quietly, already knowing the answer. "Why?"

"Everything is better when you don't feel. In fact, you should go back to drinking your Hellcraft. You're already turning back into your annoying useless self."

With that, he stalked away, leaving me with conflicted emotions. I was about to leave as well when Alaric called me into the classroom.

"Your phone," he said, handing it back to me. "Some number keeps calling it. Might want to answer that."

"Thanks," I said curtly, stalking back out again.

"Wait!" he called. "I don't know what happened between all of you guys, but a word of advice? Just forgive them already. Everyone makes mistakes Kaitlyn."

"You're right," I answered. "You don't know what happened. Word of advice? Mind your own business."

Then I walked out of the classroom and outside on the campus. I scrolled through 4 missed phone calls from the same anonymous number, and angrily, pressed it to call them back.

"Who are you and what do you want?" I asked as soon as someone picked up.

"You might know us from the few decades you spent in our lab," a crackly voice answered. "We have a proposition for you."

∆ ∆ ∆

I hung up almost immediately, my heart thundering in my chest. It was 100% Augustine. How they got my number, I had no clue. After a few daring seconds, I pressed on the number again.

"What is it?" I asked, too curious to refuse and already walking to a quieter place. "What could you possibly have to offer me. And make it quick, I don't want to spend any more seconds talking to you than necessary."

"We heard you've been having a most trying time," they said in almost amusement. "All that puking must make you cranky, no?"

"How do you know that?" I asked quietly.

"We have eyes on you, Ms. Paige. Or should I say... Number 32942."

"Don't call me that," I flinched. "And since you have apparently been spying on me for God knows how long, why haven't you done anything particularly evil yet?!"

"We want to play this smart. Have a civilized conversation."

"Is it true my brother has talked with you?" I asked suddenly.

"Liam has been a very helpful ally, at an expensive cost of course. Such a shame about his death. Our deepest condolences," the voice answered.

"What's your offer?" I questioned.

"We have a cure for you. Something that will get you right back to your healthy self."

"You know about Hellcraft?"

"Of course. Who do you think invented it?"

"And what is the cure called, huh? Heaven juice?" I scoffed, still not buying their story.

"Celesta," they replied, not joking around anymore. "We'll meet in a private place and you can have it. It's all yours."

"And what would you want in return?" I asked suspiciously.

"Only that we could run a few tests on you."

"No," I said immediately. "Absolutely not. This has been a lovely conversation, but I need to go. Call you back never."

I hung up and breathed heavily, shoving my phone back into my bag. Was I desperate enough to let them experiment on me again? Was I really that bad off? Maybe I should tell someone about this.

After all, last time I decided to keep a secret about something that could potentially be dangerous, it didn't end well.

10 minutes later I had gathered Caroline and Rebekah into one of the toilet stalls, shouting at a pair of unfamiliar girls to leave. The two blonde vampires didn't look particularly happy to be here together, but they both had one thing in common. Me.

"What's wrong Katie?" Caroline asked. "You look pale."

"My skin's always pale. One of the downsides of being an angel. Like, couldn't I had been more tan? I don't even burn in the sun or anything," I rambled. "Sorry, let me get to the point."

They looked at me expectantly.

"Augustine has a deal for me," I said quickly, and their eyes widened.

"What?" Caroline exploded, who I had already told about Augustine a while ago, while Rebekah looked confused.

"Why would Augustine be calling you?" Rebekah asked. "Isn't that a psycho vampire-experimenting place or something that got banned decades ago?"

"I was captured by them a while ago," I explained. "I was experimented on for decades. My brother had some kind of agreement with them. I don't really know the details. Basically, they know about my addiction to Hellcraft, and they're saying they can help."

"You're not actually thinking about agreeing to this right?" Caroline shrieked.

"As much as I hate to admit it, she's right," Rebekah said intensely. "You can't make a deal with an organization like that."

"What have I got to lose?" I challenged. "For all we know, I could die tomorrow!"

"We'll think of something else," Rebekah reassured me, while Caroline nodded.

I was shaking my head, regretting that I had told them anything. I couldn't wait around any longer, I was getting worse by the second.

"WHAT ELSE IS THERE?" I asked hysterically, combing a hand through my tangled hair in a nervous gesture. "I-I don't know what else to do, okay? Of course, I don't want to talk to them, I didn't even want to think about them ever again! But I need to do this, okay?"

Caroline looked indecisive, gnawing on her bottom lip nervously, while Rebekah just crossed her arms.

"No," she said simply.

"What?"

"I said no," she repeated. "You will not make a deal with them Katie. It doesn't matter if they give you a cure that is absolutely perfect and heals you in every way you can imagine. There will be consequences. Bad ones. What do they want in return?"

"To experiment on me," I whispered. "And it's my decision, Rebekah. I only told you because I can't keep hiding everything anymore."

"Please," she said. "At least think about it for a few days. Then if you still want to do it, I won't stand in your way."

"Please Kaitlyn," Caroline added.

"Okay," I shrugged after a few seconds. "Fine."

∆ ∆ ∆

Caroline had told me there was a Bonfire party that night, but I told her I wasn't feeling up to it. Honestly, I just wanted to go to bed. I urged Rebekah to go though, telling her it would be her first fun high school experience.

I also wasn't ready to talk to every yet. Especially Damon. The last time I had seen him was outside of Gloria's bar, but we had barely talked. I couldn't believe that it was only a few months ago that we were best friends.

Additionally, I didn't think Elena was going to lighten up anytime soon, and Stefan was a lost cause at the moment. Bonnie was MIA at the moment, and she probably thought I was a terrible person after seeing me in the school yesterday with Klaus.

There was only one person I wanted to talk to, but I couldn't even call her.

Katherine hadn't tried to call me again after that day in Chicago, and I didn't blame her. If I were her, I wouldn't want to talk to me either. So why was I picking up my phone and searching for her number?

My finger hovered over the call button as my stomach somersaulted with nerves. What would I say to her? Sorry, I was a world-class jerk but I'm all better now, well, almost?

No.

Oh screw it.

I pressed the call button and pressed the phone to my ear, waiting to hear her voice.

"Hey this is Katherine," I heard a voice say through the phone, and I smiled.

"H–"

"Unfortunately I'm not able to come to the phone right now. Probably because I'm getting my nails done. Don't call me back, I probably don't want to talk to you."

My shoulders slumped in disappointment.

"Please leave a message after the tone."

A high beep ensued, and I was silent, unable to form any words.

"Hey..." I said lamely after a few seconds. "I needed someone to talk to, and the first person that came to mind was you. I... I miss you, Kat. I know I was an idiot that last time we talked, but trust me, I'm working on it. I've been under the influence of Hellcraft, it's a long story, but basically, it turned me into a stone-cold diva. I would really like it if you could call me back. I want my best friend back. Oh, and this is Kaitlyn by the way, in case you, um, didn't already know."

I put the phone down, feeling slightly better. I had a bit of hope that she would call me back, but the real question was if she would forgive me.

I couldn't show her the unstable state I was in right now. I knew I had promised Rebekah to give the decision a few days, but I needed to make it right now.

This was probably a time-sensitive offer, and I would be stupid to throw it away.

Without a second thought, I dialed Augustine's number and waited for them to pick up.

"When and where do you want to meet?" I asked.

"I'm glad you decided to make the right decision Ms. Paige," the voice instantly said. "We'll send you the information right away."