The summer of 2009 went by pretty quickly. I spent my time between training with my parents, hanging out with Caroline and Bonnie. Our powers had grown tremendously. We could now practice as a coven. Let me tell you, coven magic was amazing—just the rush of everyone's energy and emotions flowing together as one.

I found the old witch cottage as well. I hadn't contacted them yet, but I know I wanted to meet Qetsiyah as soon as possible.

Feeling eyes on me, I turned to meet the eyes of Stefan Salvatore. I'm sure he was here to creep around on Elena, thinking she was Katherine. God, vampires are creepy as hell.

"Hey, Ororo?"

I turn away from Stefan to Caroline.

"Yes, Care?"

She fiddles with the drawstrings to my hoodie that she's wearing. "You know that leather journal you're always writing in..."

I raised an eyebrow, "yeah."

"So, let's say you left it at my house, and you know I tend to pry..."

"Caroline, spit it out."

She took a deep breath, "okay, so I sorta read your diary and found out about your secret."

I felt my eyes widened, "you did what, Caroline?!"

She winced, looking down. "I know, I know! I shouldn't have snooped, but I was curious! You were always writing in it when I came over, and I thought it had like your secret crushes and typical teenage stuff in it!"

I growl under my breath. Damit, Caroline. "C'mon, I'll explain more when we get to my house. We have ears."

~~~

Caroline and I were sitting on my bed, staring at one another.

"You knew Elenas' parents were going to die?"

Of all questions, she could've asked. I let out a sigh, taking her hands in mine.

"Yes, Care, but the thing is I couldn't save them. It was fated for them to die. I only know this timeline, and some things aren't meant to change, and that was one of them."

Her brows furrowed, "I don't understand if you have this knowledge about this timeline; you can do anything you want! You're like a time traveler."

I shake my head, "No, no, look, remember those Final Destination movies we watched? Every time you changed something major, it backfired and came back ten times worse? If I would've prevented the Gilbert's death, I have replaced it with someone else's death.

And I can't have that. I have no way of knowing who it would be."

"But.." I cut her off.

"Care, it easily could've been you, my parents, Bonnie, anyone I care about. I can't let that happen. If anything happens to you or my family, I will burn this shitty town to the ground, and I will nothing leave nothing but a cradle. This timeline has been written by fate, and granted, I can make minor changes, maybe prevent a death here and there, but those two were the impact and the official start of the story."

"Is something going to happen to me?"

"Not on my watch." I know Caroline is supposed to become a vampire, but I'll be the one helping her this time. I won't allow Katherine to come anywhere near her. Caroline lets go of my hands and wraps her arms around my shoulders.

"I'm sorry for prying; I'm sure you would've told me on your terms if I hadn't been such a-"

"Care, it's okay. Rather sooner than later. Some things around town are going to change, and I want you with me at all times."

With Stefan in town, Damon was just around the corner. And when those two came, trouble followed.

"Don't worry, Care-bear as long as I'm here, and I'll protect you."

"You're going to be my knight and shining armor?"

"Always."

~~~

𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟳𝗧𝗛, 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟵

Today is the day—episode one of season one. Or, as I call it, doomsday. I let out a tired sigh as I parked my car in front of Caroline's house.

She ran outside, hopping into the passenger seat. "Today is the day, huh? I'm excited!"

"You're the only one. This is the official journey for the new generation of Bennett witches. I've got a lot of weight on my shoulders right now. But, at least you'll become a badass vampire."

After my confession, I informed her of some events that took place in the old timeline. And, of course, she was ok with becoming a vampire this time but in a less violent manner. I'd be the one to give her vampire blood instead of Katherine snapping her neck. And I'll be damned if Damon comes near her.

"Hey, where's Bonnie?"

"She drove Elena. You know I have no patience for her." Caroline sighs.

"Everyone says I'm rude, but what about you? Huh? Miss. Asshole?"

"Look, I get that she's mourning. I get it. But I'm not comfortable around it, and knowing me, I'd burst out laughing when she cries. You know how I am." I will not be faking sympathy. I didn't care about Elena. Maybe as a kid, but what little feelings I had swiveled up and died years ago.

"Asshole."