Try {One | Alaric Saltzman}

Rage Against the Dying of the Light

Jeremy entered the room, holding two red caps in one hand and two red gowns in the other. "Then it's settled. You're going to your graduation."

"Gradua-" Elena shook her head. "No, Jer, I never even sent in my college applications."

"Me either. And, apparently, the administration didn't appreciate my attendance at Prom instead of class. So-"

"Caroline took care of that." He held up a camera. "Plus, Mom and Dad would kill both of you if there wasn't a photo of you in your graduation getups."

"Jer, no. Not if you can't be there."

"Lexi'll keep me company."

"Well, then." Elena took Abigail's hand. "Let's go graduate."

Students were milling about the Mystic Falls High School football field, but Caroline, Matt, and Bonnie were easy to spot. Tyler's absence was noticed, but not acknowledged. It was too hard to talk about, especially considering even the dead were waiting for them back at the boarding house.

"I can't believe it! We did it!" Caroline looked around at them, settling on Bonnie. "Bonnie Bennett, are you crying?"

She smiled through her tears. "It's our last hurrah before you guys go off to college."

"Before we go off to college. Perks of being a vampire: we can go wherever we wanna go. We can choose our own roommates. We could-" Caroline gasped, clapping her hands. "We could get adjoining rooms!"

"I'm happy we're all here."

"Aw!" She reached out for them. "Group hug!"

"Uh, I don't, I don't hug..."

"Oh, Stefan, get over yourself!"

"Welcome parents, family, and friends. What a beautiful day for a graduation. Thank you for joining us today on this special day, as we celebrate our graduates. So, let's get started," Mayor Rudy Hopkins, Bonnie's dad, opened the ceremony. His smile didn't fade as he ran down the list of names, but it was the brightest when he paused. "Um, not to play favorites, but I am especially proud of this next graduate, my lovely daughter: Bonnie Bennett!"

As Bonnie walked up the stage, accepted her diploma, and hugged her father, the cheers that came from their group of friends were the loudest.

They grew as he said, "Matt Donovan."

And then again at, "Caroline Forbes."

They had all been through so much, too much, and they were finally getting to celebrate something. So, it was not a surprise that they were just as loud when he called, "Abigail Gilbert."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

She paused at the end of the stage as Elena's name was called, watched with pride only an older sister could have as she accepted her diploma, and reached out for her hand as she took her first step forward. It was a moment they had planned on since Jenna's graduation, one they talked about every year. And now that it was here, just like every other important moment to come, they knew they would always have each other.

"Tell me what I need to hear," Abigail said into her phone, "not what I want to hear."

"For starters, Vaughn's only got so much time before he comes back to life." Alaric must have taken a step away from where he was standing at the Quarry, or maybe she was just holding onto every word he said, but his voice sounded clearer. "And Damon won't take the cure. He wants it for Elena."

She took a sharp breath in as she faced her friends. "Okay, just hang on a little longer. Caroline's calling Klaus."

Caroline pulled her phone from her ear with the shake of her head. No answer. Again.