It only took one look at him for Caroline to know something was seriously wrong. Now she missed the hell out of their friend, hated that the chance for something somewhat normal had been torn once again from Elena’s grasp, that she was only returning to a whole lot of heartache. But Matt looked like he hadn’t even gotten out of bed, wearing clothes she was pretty sure she had seen him in the day before, and looking to her like he was barely even there. She could smell the alcohol on him and wasn’t sure if she should be pleased she hadn’t brought more with her or kicking herself for not doing so.
Alcohol was definitely one of their ways to cope with, well, everything. And considering everything all of them had been through in the last year or so, it was kind of amazing that they hadn’t turned into alcoholics. Or maybe they had and none of them had realized it yet. Who knew? But that wasn’t the train of thought she wanted to be focusing on anyway.
“You look like crap.” It wasn’t exactly gentle, but one thing Caroline tried her hardest to be was honest. Sometimes it didn’t work, sometimes there were secrets to keep or that couldn’t be kept, but that didn’t mean she’d ever stop trying. And standing there, watching Matt, she knew honest was something she needed to be. Especially since it was practically just the two of them left and he was the last person she wanted to lose. She couldn’t even comprehend how that would send her into a downward spiral.
But she wasn’t going to focus on her. She wanted to focus on Matt.
“I’m pretty sure we all look like crap--” Everyone in their little circle who had loved Elena and knew her leaving was a death sentence. And while, yes, she’d come out of it undead, Caroline still wasn’t sure how well that would work for their friend. From her point in time, it didn’t seem to be going over all that well. “--but you kind of have everyone beat in the category.”
Not that she’d seen Jeremy. She was pretty sure he wanted nothing to do with her at the moment. If ever again. And she wasn’t going to blame the younger Gilbert for that.
“Feel like having some company?” She probably wasn’t going to take no for an answer.