[ 1 ] virtuous » klaus mikaelson

05

"How come I have to do this all by myself?" Elena questions me as she continues to punch the punching bag. I glance up from my pile of books scattered in front of me, "I'm studying?"

"Whatever," Elena rolls her eyes and goes back to what she started. I sigh, not really understanding why she's so frustrated. She hasn't been talking to me recently, so I can't help her if she won't let me.

I hear the door open and close. Turning my head slightly, I catch a glimpse of Alaric stepping into his apartment. He holds onto the punching bag and brings it to a halt, "You're gonna put a hole on that thing. Wanna talk about it?"

"There's nothing to talk about, according to her words." I clarify, closing my school binder and shoving it into my bag. "That's because there is nothing to talk about." Elena confirms, throwing me a look.

"So, uh, what's got you all worked up?" Alaric asks. "I didn't really sleep last night." she replies, her hands finding the punching the bag once again.

"Yeah, me neither." Alaric's replies, setting himself down on the couch next to me. "Probably something to do with dying." he then adds on, a small playful smile on his lips.

I frown at him, turning my full attention to him. "You sure you're okay? I question him and he nods, "Yeah, I'm fine."

I raise my eyebrow, not really believing him. "I'm fine!" he reassures, "I think the ring, however, is running low on batteries."

"Yeah, it's another reason why Jeremy had to get out of town. If those rings have a shelf life, he's not protected. Neither are you." Elena chimes in.

I'm still a little upset that Elena proceeded to have our brother compelled without my permission, but I do want to put his safety first and staying in Mystic Falls wasn't it. I do want him back as soon as possible, at least until the water settles down a bit.

Elena kicks the punching bag after a moment of silence, making me jump a little out of surprise. "Nice. Nice. You're getting stronger." Alaric nods at Elena, impressed.

"I'm channeling frustration." Elena takes off her gloves while walking over to the kitchen countertop and Alaric follows. "I need coffee."

"I guess Damon's compulsion worked. Jeremy was packing when I left the house. He was going on about his new school in Denver." Alaric tells the both of us. I get up from my seat and join the two of them in the kitchen.

"Really?" I ask and he nods.

"Have you, uh, talked to Damon today?" I turn my head at Elena's question towards Alaric. It made me wonder if he's the reason why she's so frustrated.

"No. Why?" Alaric inquires and she shrugs. "No reason."

§

"Surprise!" All of us cheer once Caroline steps foot into her home. Balloons floating everywhere where we're located. "Happy birthday!"

It is Caroline's birthday, but she didn't come to school today so the rest of us decided to come pay her a visit. I'm actually worried for her because she has been declining my phone calls all day and it doesn't seem like her to miss out on her favorite day of the year.

Caroline looks at us, stunned. She stands in the middle of her foyer room, "What are you guys doing here?"

"Well, you blew off school and missed our, work of birthday art, so, uh... we," Elena starts, taking off her tiara and puts it on Caroline's head, "changed into warmer clothes, we're going to the falls."

"S'mores, campfire." Bonnie adds on. "Cake! Like when we were little." I cheer. "Except with tequila." Matt laughs.

"Ah, thanks, guys, really. Um... I'm just not really feeling my birthday this year." Caroline tells us truthfully and I soften my eyes a bit, wondering what's really bugging her.