ALMOST IS NEVER ENOUGH | TVD [2]

XXII • THE DEPARTED

twenty-two. the departed

Gilbert Residence

Matt Donovan opens the main unlocked front door of his girlfriend's house and walks in before his varsity jock best friend, Tyler Lockwood, trails after him inside. Caroline Forbes walks in behind them with her right arm wrapped around Elena Gilbert herself, aiding and guiding her into the house, who was just discharged earlier from the hospital after her slight concussion the previous night when Jeremy found her unconscious on the floor in Alaric's unoccupied bedroom with blood dripping from her nostril. Rosie Kartwright is the final one to come in and shut the door behind them.

"Couch." The eighteen-year-old blonde vampire decided with a smile.

"I'm fine. I just...I want something to eat first." Elena announced, nodding, considering how hungry she is even though she already had her breakfast.

"We're on it, as soon as we make sure no one is lurking in the closets." Tyler assured her before both he and Matt walked upstairs, followed by Rosie.

Caroline now leads their best friend to the couch, "Alright, couch, now!"

Although this only earns her a tired eye roll, "Uhh, I told you I'm fine."

The young vampire grabs a thick blanket off a chair and trails after the human, "Doctor says rest, you rest." The chestnut brunette sits down on the vintage couch and Caroline covers her with the blanket, "Now, what can I get you? Do you want some tea, maybe some vodka? Both will help you sleep. You just have to ask. Just say the word and I will be of service."

Elena chuckles at her best friend's typical enthusiasm as she stares at her and Caroline sits down on the vintage three-seated couch right next to her.

A tired sigh leaves her, "I know, I'm being smothering. It's what I do."

"No, it's-it's nice." Elena mentioned as she nods a little, smiling weakly.

Caroline smiles in return, "Hmm. I'm thinking-maybe tea with vodka."

They both laugh this time as Caroline gets up to go to the back kitchen. Elena remains on the vintage couch alone to which she stares into nothing and looks at a picture frame on the end table of her and her parents, the late Grayson and Miranda Gilbert, and one of her with her red sexy cheerleader uniform on as a Lady Timberwolf, which reminds her of an old memory two previous years ago when she was only a sophomore at Mystic Falls High, being sixteen years old in her first original relationship with Matt Donovan.

The chestnut brunette easily dozes off to sleep, dreaming about it. Rosie walks down the stairs once the whole house is confirmed safe indeed and looks at the sleeping figure on the vintage couch in pure sympathy. Matt closely trails after her, smiling warmly at the sight of his sleeping girlfriend.