WHO:Blossom & Caroline WHEN: Mid-to-Late Feb WHERE: Campus Cafe WHAT: Caroline and Blossom avoid talking dreams WARNINGS: Nada (glossing over dream character death) STATUS: Complete
It was Carolineâs last semester of college! She couldnât wait to be done and graduated. Start her career. And now not only did she have her own graduation party to look forward to and plan, but she had her wedding own wedding too. Along with other weddings she was helping to plan since well, that was what she wanted to do with her life. Yes, it was hard to bring Caroline Forbes down these days. But there was one thing that did. Dreams. Most times she tried to look at them in a positive light, or just joke about how ridiculous they were. But her newest dream was no joking matter. Damon killed Tyler.
Of course Caroline had rushed over to make sure one of her best friends was okay, which of course he was. But the vampire was still worried that something could happen to him one day. When he had that dream for himself. Still she did her best to ignore concern and just focus on the many positive things she had going for her right now. Especially since she was about to meet Blossom for coffee. She didnât want to worry Tylerâs girlfriend, her friend.
After her class ended Caroline headed over to one of the cafeâs on campus. She ordered a triple shot of espresso (it took a lot of anything to really affect her) in her caramel latte and waited at one of the empty tables for Blossom.
Since she didnât like lugging books around the campus, because she was now the only sister without super strength, which was definitely bugging her a little but at least she wasnât pulling doors off walls and punching people through things -not that she thought Buttercup would do something like that, no. She wouldnât⌠Maybe. But, because she didnât like carrying all her books all around with her, Blossom had stopped by her car to put the ones she didnât need in her back seat before slipping over to the cafe to meet Caroline.
Bursting in, with a quick look around and wave towards Caroline, Blossom joined the line to get her drink, nothing as strong as Caroline because she didnât need additional caffeine even as it was. Settling herself into the seat opposite Caroline with her gingerbread latte, because it was still the season okay, Blossom didnât let the megawatt smile dampen at all.
âOh my god, is it just me or is this place jumping! I think a bunch of people realised theyâre meant to graduate this semester.â And promptly freaked out because they hadnât done anything.
Caroline was actually among those people that were graduating this semester. Only she had known it for awhile. It wasnât some sudden realization. She was prepared for it, even counting down the weeks.
âIâm sure it will die down as the semester goes on,â Caroline said taking a sip of her latte. Once a slacker, almost always a slacker. âBut it is pretty insane. Itâs lucky we got a table.â
âPlanning ahead!â It was good when one of them knew to get the table when they arrived rather than waiting and trying when it got really busy. âAre you getting excited? You graduate, right? Oh, it must be like so exciting, knowing that youâre going on for bigger things.â
Blossom had another year, pending on her speciality, if she went on for a fourth after that. She was excited, sure, but graduating seemed so far away for her. âAnd planning a wedding! Thatâs just so great!â When Blossom had heard sheâd been so thrilled for Caroline and Peeta! They were such a sweet pair. âYouâre just going all the places this year, right?â
âTell me about it,â Caroline beamed thoughts of Tylerâs dream!death pushed aside for the time being, âI thought the biggest thing that was going to happen this year was gradation, but getting married definitely tops it!â As crappy as her dream life was lately (even though she was also engaged there, for the second time) her real life was pretty amazing. She really lucked out with Peeta. âBut yup, graduating this year,â since that was Blossomâs original question. âIâm so over school already. I have like seniorits.â She had never really gotten it in high school because well she didnât want high school to end. With being cheerleading captain, homecoming queen, and just popular in general. But college and her life now was better than she ever could have imagined. âHow much longer for you?â
It was probably the prospect of starting the life that sheâd been planning for, putting all the work and study in, to get to a fixed point, and the point was the rest of their lives, Blossom figured sheâd get there when she finished up her biomolecular engineering course -unless she did end up throwing herself into more studying. âItâs like youâve decided this year is going to be awesome, no matter what!â Wedding definitely trumped graduation, as awesome as both were, graduation was about everyone, the wedding day would just be about Caroline and Peeta.
âWell, youâve been learning for years!â Blossom wondered if sheâd get it, she hadnât in high school either, but that was maybe because she was so into the school thing in general. But college was probably different. âI have two more years. Iâm wrapping up my sophomore year now, and then two more for sure thatâll get me a Bachelors.â She wasnât sure if she was going to do more yet, she knew her dad would support her, and that he was fully invested in her education.
She was the academic of the family after all.
Caroline was super excited for wedding. A day about just her and Peeta sounded pretty amazing to her. But it wasnât just about the wedding. She couldnât wait to officially start the rest of their lives together. Or the rest of his life given the whole immortal thing but she tried not to focus on that part. As far as graduation went. âAnd youâre going to have two people to cheer for!â Unless of course Tyler ended up with not enough credits to graduate, which knowing him? It was likely. The guy hadnât even gone to college in the dreams.
âI totally get it. Once I get my Bachelorâs degree I am done.â Although Caroline was smart, she was so done with school. She was more the social type than the academic. Blossom seemed more into studying and all that than Caroline ever was. âHave you thought about going for your Masters or anything? Not that you donât have plenty of time.â
Wedding days were special the world over, and Blossom was sure that it would be the next step for Caroline and Peeta, who were an amazing couple, to really get into their lives together and building on that, she was super thrilled for them both. âYes, I will. Iâm excited for that.â She may or may not be trying to work out a suitable âcongratulationsâ present for Tyler, but she was starting to think he might like something else to unwrap.
The thought alone made a little blush rise on her cheeks.
âWell, I canât get a Masters in Biomolecular Engineering on its own, Iâd be doing Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, but isnât really too big a stretch, and I do have a chemistry elective, so itâs not like Iâd be too out of my depth.â Blossom was taking more classes than most people, especially considering the subject matter, but it wasnât like she couldnât handle it and she was probably one of the smartest kids in her classes. It helped how focused she was.
âBut, I donât know yet, you know. Things may change, I might find something else I wanna do more, like in the real world.â A Bachelors was nothing to be sniffed at after all.
Caroline didnât miss the fact that Blossomâs cheeks were suddenly pink, causing the blonde to raise a brow. After all they had been talking about school and graduation. It was nothing to blush about. âWhat? Exciting summer plans?â As long as she was in town for the wedding Caroline didnât care what Blossom was up to this summer. The girl deserved to have a good time.
âI totally know what you mean. I changed my major twice.â College was all about figuring out your passion and going for it, if you asked Caroline. Exploring different things.
Clearing her throat a little, Blossom leaned forward, careful not to spill anything, âTyler and I have recently upped our relationship level. Itâs um⌠Exciting plans would be an apt way to put it.â Was that a good way of saying heâd popped her cherry? And since then Blossom had been discovering that the ideas around chastity were just social constructs that she really shouldâve understood better and that, honestly, she was very much enjoying a physical relationship in a manner she hadnât expected.
âWell, my Occult Studies professor recently brought up becoming a TA. And⌠I think Iâd really enjoy that.â And Occult Studies was one of the most enjoyable courses sheâd taken, on a total whim, but she was definitely loving everything about it.
Caroline felt a little guilty for not telling Blossom what she had dreamed. But it wasnât her place. Although she wasnât entirely sure what the next level for Blossom and Tylerâs relationship was. She had assumed they were already having sex, given it was Tyler. âYou guys are moving in together?â that was the only next level Caroline could think of. Or getting married but there was no ring on Blossomâs finger. She gave it a second glance just to be sure. âWhat about his roommate?â Derek. The guy was a bit quiet but Caroline liked him enough.
âReally?! Thatâs exciting! Weâll have to celebrate.â Caroline had never been asked to be a TA. She could imagine it was a big honor. âI actually ended up engaged to my Occult Professor in the dreams.â Alaric. Also known as Elena and Jeremyâs guardian and they guy whose babies she had. But that was a whole other story. âStudying Occult is probably super helpful here too.â Given Orange County.
Moving in? Wow, that was a big leap, and while Blossom was fairly sure it wouldnât be too bad, it was still a lot more serious than she thought she was prepared for. She felt like maybe she did need to live by herself before she moved in with someone. Since sheâd spent all of her time at home with her dad and sisters. âOh, gosh, no. Not living together. Um, I mean, sometimes I stay over, at his, all night likeâŚâ Wow, she couldnât even just say âweâve started having sex. âI mean Derek is pretty cool, heâs helping me with my physics, and heâs pretty cool when I do stay over.â Of course, Blossom usually made breakfast when she did spend the night with Tyler, and making enough for Derek wasnât a hardship.
Becoming a TA was a little daunting, although she was very sure that she would enjoy it, that the organisation and the assistance she could provide would be right up her alley, and Professor Constantineâs class was one of the most interesting ones she was taking. âIâm pretty excited about it, I am. Although I donât think there will be an engagement from it.â She giggled a little into her drink. âItâs really interesting, for sure. I love it. And it gives a little insight into a potential for all this, right?â
âOh!â Caroline exclaimed once she realized what Blossom was talking about. âWell thatâs a big step too. And definitely good you get along with his roommate.â Back when she first met Peeta she had three roommates. Luckily Peeta got along with all of them, although it was difficult not to like Peeta. Caroline wasnât sure though if Tyler was as close with Derek as she was with Lexi, Anna, and Stefan. But still, definitely good to stay on his roommate.
Caroline laughed along with Blossom on that one. âI donât think Tyler would be happy about that. My dreams are just insane and full of engagements. Now Iâm engaged to Stefan.â Which was weirder than being engaged to Alaric if you asked her. She didnât know Alaric in real life, but Stefan was practically her brother. âI think itâs the theme of my life,â she joked. âDefinitely. If it helps you discover the secrets of this place you better share!â
Blossom knew that she maybe wasnât like a lot of other girls in how long sheâd waited to have sex, but she hadnât really been the outgoing, popular type. Blossom was the nerdy girl, sheâd only really had friends at school because of who her sisters were -Bubbles being everyoneâs friend and Buttercup scaring them all. Blossom was the girl who was unassuming, pretty but dorky.
Dating Tyler was a lot of big things, and Blossom wasnât rushing but she was savoring all the new experiences, and it happened to include the new shift into a physical relationship. She just couldnât help that she still blushed about it all the time. âDerek is really nice,â and he and Tyler had a few things in common, so that was good. âHeâs smart and isnât throwing wild parties. So thatâs good.â
Blossom couldnât really say too much about her dreams; they were cartoon like. And she was sure thatâs what it all was. But she could imagine having a sitcom of a life in the dreams. âOh, Stefan as in my sisters boyfriend?â Okay, she knew they shared dreams, and that Caroline and Stefan knew each other. She supposed at least it was better than Tyler and Caroline being a thing, considering she knew they used to be. âOh, if I find out Iâll be publishing a paper. Thatâll make me a household name in the scientific and supernatural community!â
Caroline was sure Tyler was throwing enough wild parties for the both of them. Not that she could really talk considering she had used Tylerâs parentâs beach to throw a few parties herself.
âYup.â Caroline didnât know any other Stefanâs. It wasnât exactly a common name. And she definitely only had one in her dreams. âHe hasnât dreamed that far though.â Caroline had no idea where he was in the dreams. She sort of knew where Tyler was given how he had scolded her over text not long ago.
âUh, I want an exclusive scoop. Before your published article comes out.â
Blossom just grinned, considering the possibility of actually doing that, using science and occultism to research the weird things that happened in Orange county, like maybe there would be a proper explanation for them all. She wasnât banking on it, but it could be an interesting research paper.
âWell, Iâll have to let you know.â Sheâd figure it out, maybe ask Professor Constantine what he thought about it all. She didnât want to get anyone in trouble with her own enthusiasm. A glance at her phone told her that she was probably going to be late to meet one of her study-buddies in library, âOkay, itâs journalism time!â Why was Blossom taking so many electives? Because over dedication.
Caroline couldnât help but laugh at Blossomâs enthusiasm for class. Which speaking of she had to get to her next class as well. âGlad you could squeeze me in,â she joked as she got up from her seat. âSee you soon!â Once their schedules allowed it of course.