I couldn't find Bonnie, pouting as I sat down on a table, looking at my reflection on my pocket mirror applying lipstick, smashing my lips together and then pouting at my reflection.

"Worse friend ever, that Bonnie, don't you think Jill?" I asked at my reflection.

I sighed putting down the mirror and tapping the table sending small smiles at the guys and girls smiling at me.

A chair screeching caught my attention, turning around only to meet Caroline sitting down in front of me clumsily.

I gave a jump start, "My God, Caroline!" I exclaimed, placing a hand over my heart, giving her a look

Caroline gave me a sheepish smile, "I slim---I'm slipped" she slurred, drawling her words. Oh, God, she was wasted "I slipped"

"You're wasted" I deadpanned. "Your mother is gonna so be proud"

Caroline winced, "Oh, come on. You know she doesn't even care" she drawled. "And is not my fault the very nice but absolutely not handsome bartender was very kind to me this night. Unlike the rest of the global universe" she rambled, passing a hand through her hair.

"Oh, my God" I murmured, "Why me?" I whined looking up at the ceiling as if God could tell me what did I do to deserve being next to a drunk version of the girl I had stopped liking since 9th grade.

"Cause you're a good friend. Not like Bonnie tonight" Caroline's slurring brought back my attention to her. She had her elbow on the table, and her chin propped under her hand. She wasn't making eye contact with me but the table as she traced a random patron with her other hand. "Not like me. I want to know what I did to make you hate me" she blurted in a drunk fashion. I looked around, avoiding her eyes. I couldn't deal with a drunk Caroline tonight. "Is it because I'm shallow?"

I looked back at Caroline, seeing her puffy red eyes. It was like if she was fighting back her tears. "Caroline..." I murmured softly, frowning

"It is, isn't it?" Caroline interpreted my silence as a yes "Because I don't mean to be, Jillian. I try to be good but it doesn't work specially when we're on the same room. I want to be the opposite of shallow"

"Hey, Caroline" I placed my hand on top of hers, stopping her from scratching the table and potentially stopping her from hurting her fingers "I never said you're shallow"

"But you thought about it" Caroline pointed out. I hesitated, shaking my head. "What did I do, Jill? We used to be friends"

I bit my lip, wincing at her pleading "It's not something you did Caroline" I reassured her, lying through my teeth mumbling, "I actually can't remember why I can't stand you"

Caroline managed a small smile, "You want to know why I think you're a good friend? You aren't an hypocrite. You tell people the truth and not what they want to hear. I don't know what I did, but I want to be deleted out of Jill's hate list"

This was the second time I saw Caroline's vulnerability in less than a week. She wasn't this girl and I didn't like it. This is why I knew she was being honest.

"What happened tonight, Caroline?" I asked softly.

Caroline sniffled, "I want to go home" she said instead of answering

"Okay. Okay" I nodded, looking up and trying to find someone who could give her a ride.

"No" Caroline interrupted. I looked back at her. She was wiping her eyes with her clumsy hands. "I don't want anyone to see me this way, Jillian. I can't. I can't let anyone see me in this state"

"But why are you letting me seeing you in this state then?" I questioned leaning forward.

"Because I know you're not gonna judge" Caroline replied simply. I raised my brows in surprise "You didn't at the Founding Families Ball when you found me outside after Damon..." She trailed off, licking her lips "And you didn't treat me as if I was some kind of china doll or crystal that could break the day after. That's why I trust you with me being in this state"

I was speechless. I didn't know Caroline trusted me with something like that. It was weird but at the same time comforting knowing someone counted on me with something like that. I couldn't leave her alone.

"Okay" I agreed softly, standing up. "Come on" I said walking around the table, grabbing one of her arms and putting it around my neck, taking a deep breath and pulling her up letting all her weight to fall on me, "I got you, Care" I said quietly, leading her outside

"Thank you Jill" I heard Caroline murmuring on my ear, making me shake my head

"It's alright" I said walking out of the Grill but stopped when I found Sheriff Forbes just outside, coming our way. My eyes widened slightly "Oh, crap"

Sheriff Forbes walked to us, looking at me in surprise "Jillian?" She asked. I smiled awkwardly. "What happened? Is she okay?"

"Like you care" Caroline spat, barely lifting her head from my shoulder.

Sheriff Forbes recognized the attitude "She's drunk?"

"Eh..." I hesitated.

"As a skunk" Caroline confirmed.

Sheriff Forbes closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose "Are they serving you in there?"

"I'm taking her home" I reassured Caroline's mother. "I haven't drank anything"

She looked surprised "Are you sure? You haven't come to our home in years"

I smiled awkwardly, "Tonight I'm Caroline's friend" I said without hesitation "She needs it"

Sheriff Forbes immediately smiled. She and mom had been really upset when I had ended my friendship with Caroline and had always wanted us to become friends again. I guess she thought we were on the path again.

I was starting to think the same too.

"I would appreciate that, Jillian. Thank you" She told me, placing a hand on my shoulder before looking down at her daughter "You and I will discuss this later"

"Can't wait" Caroline slurred sarcastically.

I smiled one more time to Sheriff Forbes, taking Caroline to my car (well, mom's car) to drive her home.

~8~

Once I got Caroline to her house, I helped her get inside her bed.

"You gonna be okay, Caroline?" I asked with crossed arms, looking down at her.

She didn't answer for a few seconds, "I don't know. Why anyone doesn't likes me?"

I looked down, biting my lip "That's not true. You're a good girl, Care. Everyone likes you"

"But not you" Caroline said quietly. "That sounded really wrong I know. But I meant it, I want us to become friends again"

I sighed, smiling slightly "And we can be, Caroline" I sat down next to her, grabbing her hand and squeezing it

Caroline couldn't help but smile through her tears "You're a good friend. I wish... "

"What?" I asked when she fell quiet.

"I wish our friendship had never ended" She said quietly. "I'm missing out a great friend on you. I'm sorry for whatever happened between us"

"No, I'm sorry" I said shaking my head "I was the one who cut it out. I was the one who thought you were being a bitch by taking everything from me. My cousin. You even charmed my own mom" I said with a small laugh "I was jealous because even at 10 you were better than me. You and Elena and everyone chose you and her over me. I couldn't take it out on my own cousin so I took it out on you. I'm sorry Caroline"

Caroline seemed speechless. "Woah. I didn't know. And it's okay, I guess. I've always been a hard girl. And I'm sorry for being a bitch to you"

I smiled at her. "I guess we're even now. I hope you remember our new renewed friendship tomorrow" I said standing up but she didn't let go of my hand.

"I don't want to be alone, please" Caroline said in a small voice. I paused "That way it'll be more probable that I remember our new friendship" I chuckled. "It'll be like when we were little"

"A nice sleepover" I said with a nod, shrugging off my cardigan. "Like old times"

Caroline smiled slightly, still on her intoxicated state but she seemed more sober now. Good.

She slid to the side, giving me space as I laid down, putting the covers on top of me

~8~

I tossed around in the bed, snapping my eyes open.

Whispering echoed around Caroline's room

Jillian

I looked around, dazed.

Caroline groggily shifted on the bed as I slowly straightened up on a siting position.

"Jill?" Caroline asked sleepy. I didn't answer, pulling off the covers from me and stood up, walking to her window. "What are you doing? Get back to sleep"

"You don't hear that?" I asked after a few seconds of silence

"Yeah" Caroline replied, "That's the sound of me trying to get some sleep. I don't want to look like a zombie tomorrow"

I shook my head, "Not that. It's like... Bells. Like church bells"

"You're hearing things" Caroline murmured before light snoring began.

The jingle bells were still ringing as I backed away from the window, turning around and gasping at the mirror

There was my reflection... But the girl in the mirror wasn't me

It was a chocolate skinned, brunette girl "It's coming"