"EEEEEEEEEEEEEE"

Rebekah cringed slightly at my high-pitched squeal but nonetheless allows me to run over to her and engulf her in a hug. She had texted me to meet her in the Grill.

"Okay, that's enough physical affection," she cleared her throat and pushed me away, but I could spot the hint of a smile on her face.

"I'm so glad you're alive again," I smiled brightly, and a few people around me sent us a few confused glances.

"My wanker of a brother probably wasn't even going to undagger me, but I think he did it for you," she rolled her eyes.

"For me?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Yes for you, you daft girl!" she exclaimed in exasperation. "I can't believe you are this clueless. Honestly, it makes me want to bang your head against this table repeatedly."

"Rebekah!" I chastised. "Remember what we said about the unnecessary violent threats!"

"Ugh," she grumbled. "But they make me who I am."

"Okay, I have a question for you," I leaned forward on the table. "Do you think I should join Elena and Alaric in their training lessons?"

"Why would you learn from those pathetic idiots when you have me?" she smirked. "I'm a much better trainer than they are. Besides, aren't you still mad at Elena?"

"Valid points," I sighed. "And I'm not that mad at her anymore, I mean, she did let you go."

"After she daggered me on the night of the school dance! Which I had been looking forward to go to!" Rebekah added angrily. "In fact, I think I should pay her a visit."

"You will do no such thing," I said firmly. "You wanted to integrate nicely in Mystic Falls, remember? And killing a girl who has the security force of a military is not the way to do it!"

"Hmph. So catch me up on the drama? Has Stefan given back the family coffins?"

"No not yet. And I don't even know where they are," I crossed my arms. "At first I thought they were at this freaky little witch house, but it was completely empty."

"They could have been cloaked."

"Yeah..but Bonnie would tell me, right?" I asked uneasily, not sure what I could assume of my friends anymore.

"If you say so," Rebekah shrugged.

"So tell me about your family," I suggested in curiosity. "How many siblings are there?"

"Well, in total I have 5 brothers. Henrik died a long time ago and then you already know Elijah and Klaus. The others are called Finn and Kol. My mother is also dead."

"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "Wait, did you say Kol?"

The name wasn't that unique, was it? I mean, surely it was just a coincidence that her brother had the same name as my ex-lover.

I also noticed that she didn't mention her father as well. I probably shouldn't ask further in that topic.

"Yes. Kol. Annoying little weasel, that one. Huge ego," she rolled her eyes. "He's been daggered for ages."

"Does he have brown hair and brown eyes?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowing.

"Yes...why?" the blonde asked suspiciously. "How'd you know?"

"Was he undaggered in the year 1985?"

"I think so, maybe," Rebekah said in an unsure tone. "But he was in New Orleans at the time."

"Oh my god..." I let out a sharp sound of laughter. "This is so hilarious, but not at the same time."

"What?!" she demanded impatiently. "Just spit it out Kate!"

"I think I might have dated your brother Kol," I chuckled. "But then he disappeared a few months after dating, and I thought he bailed. But I guess he was daggered."

"Bloody hell," Rebekah ran a hand through her hair. "You sure do have a romantic history with my brothers! First Kol, now Klaus? That'll be interesting."

"Now Klaus?" I repeated.

"Oh shush."

"You're the one who said it!"

∆ ∆ ∆

We parted soon after and I was heading home. On the way there I got a text from Bonnie saying that it was Caroline's birthday today. They wanted to surprise her with a celebration. She then gave me the time in which they were meeting on her street.

I went to a few stores and bought a necklace and a bottle of Booze, then headed towards Caroline's house.

I could already see Elena, Matt, and Bonnie waiting for me. I ignored the feeling of discomfort at the faces of the friends I'd had a falling out with, and marched over to them. Elena had a little tiara on her head.

"Hey," I greeted. "I brought some alcohol."

"Great," Bonnie smiled. "Let's go in. I know where she hides the keys."

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Matt cried as soon as we stepped inside.

"What are you guys doing here?" Caroline laughed in surprise.

"Well you blew off school and missed our work of birthday art, so..." Elena trailed off, taking off the tiara and handing it over to Caroline.

"Change into warmer clothes, we are going to the Falls. S'mores, camp fire.." Bonnie smiled cheerily.

"And cake! Like when we were little," Matt added.

I smiled as well, though I felt a little left out in the conversation.

"Well, I'm betting you guys didn't have this when you were little," I joked, showing her the booze I brought.

"Thanks guys," Caroline blushed furiously. "Really! Um, I'm just not feeling my birthday this year."

"What, why?" I asked in surprise. "We all deserve something to celebrate right now."

"It's just a reminder that technically, I'm dead. Look, I didn't even like 17. And the only point to being 17 is to get to 18. It's a filler year; I'm stuck in a filler year," she complained.

"You're not stuck Caroline," Bonnie tried to reassure her.

"I actually have another idea," I spoke up. "We don't have to celebrate your birthday, we can celebrate your death."

"That's morbid..." Elena murmured.

"That's actually a good idea," Bonnie exclaimed. "You need to say goodbye to your old life, so that you can move on with your new one."

"Fine," Caroline sighed, and we all cheered.

∆ ∆ ∆

"MMMM," I groaned in delight. "This cake is so good!"

"I know right?!" Caroline agreed. "Chocolate is my favourite."

"Pass the alcohol around will ya?" I grunted unladylike as I crammed the last bite in my mouth.

The bottle got passed around, each person taking a long swig. Elena then kept the bottle at her side.

"I need this a lot more than you guys," she laughed. "Caroline, who are you constantly texting?"

"I might have texted Tyler," she said guiltily, and Elena sighed.

"Caroline...."

"What?" the blonde protested. "I'm delicate!"

"What happened between you two?" I asked curiously.

"They're going through a bit of a rough patch," Bonnie cleared up. "And give her a break Elena! You can't control what everyone does all the time!"

"Wow," Elena scoffed in a hurt tone.

"Ouch Bon," Matt said.

"What's happening now?" I asked, confused.

I was tired of being left out of the drama.

"Elena had Damon compel Jeremy to leave town," Bonnie said angrily. "And I think that's really wrong!"

"Why did you do that?" I asked the brunette.

"Because it's too dangerous for him here," Elena snapped.

"But you just took away his free will," I pointed out.

"Just stay out of it Kaitlyn!" she barked. "You can't just worm your way back into this group after all you've done."

"Wow, okay..." I said quietly. "Message heard. I think I'm going to go."

"Unbelievable Elena," Bonnie stood up. "I'm leaving as well. Happy birthday Caroline."

We both quickly left, and soon after the rest of the group split as well.

10 minutes later I receive a call from a very frantic Caroline.

"Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh Katie I'm gonna die oh my gosh he bit me and oh my gosh."

"What? Slow down Caroline!"

"I met up with Tyler and he bit me!" she sobbed into the phone. "I don't even know why he did it!"

"Why would he do that?" I shrieked and she cried even harder.

"I don't know!" she blubbered. "He looked like he didn't even mean to do it! Almost like he was compelled or something.... oh my god."

"This was Klaus," I gritted my teeth. "That bastard."

"He's never going to heal me," she wailed in panic. "What am I gonna do Kaitlyn?"

"Just leave it to me," I reassured her. "I'll take care of this."

And with that I ordered Caroline to go home and rest while I had a nice and friendly chat with Klaus.

∆ ∆ ∆

"YOU SELF-SERVIING EVIL NARCISSTIC LITTLE LUNATIC!" I screamed as I marched into the half-done mansion of his. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING!?"

"Kaitlyn," the hybrid breathed in surprise. "Well aren't you in a lovely mood this evening. What can I do for you?"

"Don't play dumb with me Klaus," I hissed. "How could you have Tyler bite Caroline on her own birthday!"

"It was her birthday today?" Klaus asked meekly, avoiding my gaze.

"That's not the point you idiot!" I yelled.

"Boss, would you like us to escort her out?" one of his insignificant hybrids raised a brow.

"It's fine Jared, leave us," Klaus sighed, running a tired hand over his face. "Look Angel, I just needed to prove to Tyler that he was under my control."

"Oh, really? That is totally a reasonable excuse. You're completely forgiven," I deadpanned sarcastically.

"Wait, really?"

"No."

"I'm sorry. How can I make it up to you?" Klaus then asked.

"By giving me your blood so that I can give it to her," I placed a hand on my hip. "Please. She's one of my best friends."

He complied, and 5 minutes later I was standing at the exit with a small bottle of his blood in my purse. He was awkwardly standing at the doorway, not sure whether to walk me out or not.

"I really thought you would redeem yourself Klaus," I said quietly. "And then you do this. Just when I thought you could change."

I walked away after receiving no answer from him. I was so confused. This clearly proved how bad he was for me to like. He continuously kept hurting the people closest to me, so why did my brain still try and defend him.

I needed to talk to someone about this.

After I stopped by Caroline's house to give her the healing blood, I went to the Grill and was happy to see a familiar Salvatore sitting up at the bar.

"Hey Kit Kat," he slurred. "Long time no see."

"You're drunk," I sighed. "I wanted to talk to you Damon."

"You can talk to be!" he protested, sloppily resting forwards on his elbows. "I'm a great listener when I'm drunk!"

"Do you think Klaus could potentially be a good person?"

"Hell no!"

"Yeah... that's what I thought," I trailed off, sitting down next to him and ordering a hot chocolate.

After a few moment of silence he spoke again. "Why do you wanna know? Does Kaitlyn maybe have feelings for the big bad hybrid," he cooed.

"I do not!"

"I think you doooooo! KAITLYN AND KLAUS SITTING IN A–"

"Shut up Damon!" I whispered harshly, slapping his arm. "I want to have a serious conversation with you. I'm having conflicting feelings right now!"

"I know all about that," he said sadly. "I'm in love with a woman I can never have."

"Elena?" my lips quirked in a smirk.

"How did you know?"

"Oh honey, it's kind of obvious," I teased him. "But the real question is, what do you even see in her?"

"She's so pretty and nice and generous and smart and kind and cool and loving and just makes me wanna be a better person," Damon said dreamily. "And that body...."

"Okay, well I might have feelings for someone who is slightly psychotic, murderous, evil, mean, scary, dangerous, and might be a little attractive," I crossed my arms nervously. "I need therapy."

"We all do," Damon sighed. "And you know he isn't a little attractive. That son of a gun is freaking gorgeous."

I snorted. I think I liked drunk Damon better than normal Damon.

"We should talk like this more often," I admitted quietly after a few minutes. "We used to be so much closer."

"Yeah, we even had that steamy little make-out session, remember?" he giggled and then hiccuped.

"Yes I remember," I answered dryly.

"Well anyway, here's my advice. Now listen very carefully Kaitlyn, you can only hear my wiseness once! I think that you should give it a chance. I mean honestly, what have you got to lose?"

"Um, my friends, my humanity, and maybe my life?!"

"Oh yeah, there's that."

"So then you don't have any advice for me?" I groaned.

"Not really. You're screwed. You've developed feelings for a villain. Anyways, is he a good kisser?"

"DAMON!"

∆ ∆ ∆

That night when I got home, I felt a little lighter than I had in a lot of days. At the current moment, there was no life and death threatening crisis and no one had betrayed each other yet. My biggest problem was my teenage crush on Klaus Mikaelson.

And the fact that Augustine might be coming after me...

I went back on my phone to look back at the message they had sent me a days ago, an uncomfortable feeling settling in my stomach again. Should I reply to them? Their text message had said:

Unknown:

Did you really think that there wouldn't be any consequences Ms. Paige? You will pay for the deaths of our workers. Do not think that there is a way out of this for you. There isn't.

Relaxing my nerve, my thumbs furiously typed in a reply.

Leave me the hell alone. If I see one more text from you, I'm coming back to kill the rest of you off.

Immediately, I got a reply, and my eyes widened.

(Image Attached)

With my fingers shaking, I slowly tapped on the link of the image and my gut jerked even more as I saw what the picture was. It looked like it was taken in a highly modernised hospital room where an unidentifiable body lay on a bed, their entire body covered in bandages.

The person was definitely still being kept alive.

And there was a caption underneath.

You don't think we have friends to help us find you?

∆ ∆ ∆