Caroline was giving me dance practices at home. Music started before I was ready for it.
Caroline had already positioned herself in the middle of the living room, her blonde hair tied up, a notebook of choreography scribbles tossed carelessly on the coffee table. The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, turning the dust in the air into glitter. She pressed the remote, and the elegant waltz filled the house.
She turned sharply toward me. "So it's no-touch rule at first," she instructed, pointing between us, "and then we move twice forward, and then turn back once. Okay?"
I nodded, though my stomach tightened. I should have come home with her that day instead of staying at Dad's to uncover the secrets about William Forbes's diary. Because of those some missed practice, I was embarrassingly behind.
I held my hands a few inches away from her waist, careful not to break the invisible rule. We moved forward once. Twice. Then turned.
"No, no—Aaron," she groaned, stopping the music. "You're thinking too much. Just feel it."
"Feel it?" I echoed. "It's a competition, Care, not a therapy session."
She rolled her eyes dramatically and restarted the music.
We practiced for an hour straight. My feet ached. My shoulders were stiff. But Caroline never gave up. She adjusted my posture, nudged my steps into rhythm, counted under her breath. When we finally finished the last turn without tripping over each other, she clapped.
"Awesome!" she exclaimed. "I knew you could do that. You have a natural gift."
I blinked at her. "Uh-huh?"
She ignored my skepticism. "Just dance like that on the day of the competition. The Fell cousins don't stand a chance. Amber Bradley is only on the court so it doesn't look like it's Founding Families only. So that leaves Elena—and she has the sympathy votes because her parents died."
She sighed, and for a second the confidence slipped from her face.
"I actually deserve to win," she said quietly. "I'm putting in real effort. I'm working so hard. I'm not like Elena, who's just hanging out with her boyfriend."
I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around her. "Care… life isn't all about competition."
She looked at me with stern eyes, as if I'd just insulted the entire Forbes bloodline.
Before she could lecture me, I dipped my fingers into her open eyeshadow palette, scooped up a shimmer of pink pigment, and lightly swiped it across her cheek.
Her mouth fell open.
I ran before she overcomes her shock and gets angry.
"Have some fun in the present moment!" I shouted while racing down the stairs. "Without worrying too much! Or you'll get wrinkles!"
"Stop, Aaron Forbes!" she screamed, chasing after me. "Today you are dead!"
I laughed breathlessly as I ran around the kitchen,"You'll grow old if you worry too much! Then my older sister will actually look old!"
She grabbed a kitchen cloth and threw it at my face. "That's it. You're seriously done."
Her laughter echoed through the house even as she tried to sound furious.
A few days later, the day of the pageant arrived.
The house felt different—quieter, heavier. Caroline stood at the door in her robe, already half-dressed for the evening, her hair perfectly curled. She looked both radiant and terrified.
"So you just have to dance like you did at home," she reminded me for the hundredth time. "No need to worry. I know you're an introvert. But don't be scared—I'll be with you."
"I'm not scared," I lied.
She scoffed. "Gosh, Mom even has to work today."
"Don't worry," I said softly. "I'll be there."
She leaned down and kissed my cheek. "I'm so lucky to have a younger brother like you."
I smiled.
"Though sometimes you are a pain in the ass," she added sweetly.
"Hey—that's mean."
She laughed, and just like that, the tension eased.
(At the Lockwood mansion)
The Lockwood Mansion was glowing with lights when we arrived. Music floated out into the night air. The Founding Families gathered in polished suits and elegant gowns.
I spotted Jeremy standing slightly away from the crowd, dressed in a black suit. I wanted to tell him about the things I found in my ancestor's journal but due to Vicky's death, I didn't had the chance nor the heart to tell him about all these stuff.
As I started to walking toward him, I saw Anna approach him first.
I stopped.
Jeremy had begun ignoring me lately, especially since he started spending more time with Anna. And Anna—she was the one filling his head with vampire stories.
Was she just fascinated by fiction? Or did she know something real? I think I should talk with Anna too. But I stopped.
I swallowed my questions and turned away. Tonight wasn't about fictional things or vampires .
It was Caroline's moment.
Mayor Richard Lockwood stepped forward with the microphone, welcoming everyone. One by one, the contestants descended the staircase.
(Upstairs)
Mrs. Carol Lockwood searched frantically. "Has anyone seen Amber? Her name's already been called once!"
Caroline and Elena both shook their heads.
Elena leaned over the railing. "Do you see Stefan down there?"
Caroline peeked. "No. Just Aaron and some other boring escorts. What happened to Stefan?"
"I don't know," Elena murmured. "He just disappeared."
She stepped away from the railing, anxiety flickering across her face. "What am I doing? I never should've gone through with this."
Caroline frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I need to find Stefan. This isn't me. I'm not this person anymore."
Caroline grabbed her arm. "No, no, no. You had your chance to drop out—and believe me, I was all for it. Because I can't beat you."
Then, softer, she added, "You're doing this because it mattered to your mom."
Elena hesitated.
From downstairs came the announcement: "Miss Caroline Forbes and her escort, Aaron Forbes."
Caroline inhaled sharply.
Then she walked.
she descended the staircase, I forwarded my hand in the air.
She reached me and took my hand.
We stepped forward into the center of the room.
The music began.
This time, I didn't think. I didn't count. I just moved.
No-touch rule at first.
Two steps forward.
Turn back once.
Her hand in mine felt steady. Confident. We finally spun together .
.
When it was finally time to announce the winner, we gathered once more.
My jaw clenched as Mayor Lockwood lifted the microphone.
"Before I crown the winner," he began, "I'd like to personally thank all of these young ladies for their efforts to better our community."
"So without further ado… it is my honor to announce our very own Miss Mystic Falls… Miss Caroline Forbes."
The applause roared around us. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
She had wanted this.
Worked for this.
Fought for this.
But night didn't end peacefully since we heard a scream coming from outside. And when we ran outside we saw Amber lying on the grown and bleeding from her neck.