Unstoppable | The Vampire Diaries

63. Identity Thief

Since Silas had stolen the cure, the mood in Mystic Falls had definitely changed. Klaus and Elijah had left town permanently for New Orleans, Stefan and Damon were obsessed with getting Elena to turn her humanity back on, and Caroline was planning for graduation. She was sitting with Matt on the porch of the Salvatore house when Riley arrived.

"Hey," she said, nodding towards the house. "How's it going in there?"

Caroline shook her head. With her vamp-hearing, she could make out the sounds of the brothers torturing Elena. Since trying to trigger her happy memories at the prom hadn't worked, they were going down a different route. Pain.

"So, you actually saw Silas?" Matt asked her.

Riley nodded, remembering the prom night that she'd spent with Elijah – probably the last time she'd ever see him. "It was like looking at Stefan. The only reason I know that he wasn't Stefan is because he was appearing to Elijah as Rebekah. At the same time."

"He can do that?" Matt asked incredulously. Sometimes, it was easy to forget all about the other human that was also stuck in this world.

"What other explanation is there?" Riley shrugged, sitting beside Caroline. The blonde bit her lip nervously.

"Let's talk about something else," she begged, trying to think of a new topic. "I ordered you both caps and gowns."

Matt's face was a cross between surprised and touched. "You did?"

Caroline nodded, her worry about Elena still showing clearly when she answered. "Chris asked me to get Riley's when I got mine, and then I figured I'd get yours too since you'd probably forget. I got one for Elena too."

Riley crossed her left leg over her right, leaning back so that she could see the sky. "You really think Elena's coming to graduation?"

Caroline glared at her sister. "Of course she's coming. We're all going to graduate, no matter what."

Matt and Riley both knew to stay silent. When Caroline was determined about something, there was no changing her mind. And soon, they heard a door closing. Glancing into the Salvatore house through one of the windows, they could make out Rebekah, holding a brown paper bag. Caroline gave an indignant squeak and rushed into the house, Riley and Matt following behind her.

"Hi," Rebekah greeted them, giving off a smile that was mostly for Matt's benefit. "I don't mean to interfere. It's just, I happen to know that all they keep in this house is blood and booze so, I bought a peace offering." She held out the bag. "Burgers?"

At the word 'burgers', Riley's stomach instantly grumbled.

"Thanks," she grinned at Rebekah, taking one of the containers from her outstretched hand, ignoring Caroline's exasperated huff. Matt took another of Rebekah's containers, sitting at the table like he was about to enjoy a gourmet meal.

"Yeah, we can't really entertain right now, but thanks for stopping by," Caroline snapped. They had finally gotten rid of Klaus; the last thing she wanted was to hang out with the Original that got left behind.

"I think I might stay," Rebekah said politely. "Matt mentioned that he was failing classes and needed a study buddy."

Caroline's accusatory gaze turned to Matt. "You're failing?! Why didn't you ask me to study?"

"Um..." Matt stammered, not wanting to get on the wrong side of Caroline. When his eyes landed on Riley, he decided not to be the only one under the bus. "Riley's failing too!"

"Matt!" Riley seethed.

"What?!" Caroline practically exploded.

"I am not failing... everything," Riley said. "Just chemistry... because I skipped a couple of classes when I was running from compelled vampires at Elena's parent's lake house, or looking for a witch massacre spot." She looked at Caroline, guilt on her face. "I didn't tell you because you'd tell my dad and I don't want him to find out."