Tyler's POV
Today was the day. This was the end of my week to convince Caroline I changed. And I did. I changed a lot. A lot of people even noticed it. But it was all thanks to Caroline. It was all because of her, all for her.
I guess it would be safe to say that a goner like me learned love can change a person greatly.
I paced back and forth in my room trying to calm my nerves before driving over to Caroline's for the Homecoming dance tonight. Looking back on the person I was before, it seemed like a lifetime ago. And I never ever want to go back to the times that I've been an ass to everyone who cared about me.
***
Around six thirty, I found myself lingering outside Caroline's door, still trying to be calm. I keep fidgeting in nervousness when I finally picked up my courage and knocked on the door.
Sheriff Forbes opened it and let me in.
"Please make yourself comfortable. Caroline says she'll be down in a minute," Caroline's mom told me.
I sat down the sofa and waited.
I heard footsteps down the stairs so i stood up, fixed my tie and waited for Caroline to reach the foot of the stairs. And when she did, my jaw hit the ground.
She was beautiful.
I stuttered my way through my words and probably ended up saying something unintelligible.
"What? Cat's got your tongue?" Caroline teased poking my arm.
I still couldn't stop staring at her. She was wearing an emerald green tube dress that was gathered at the waist and went just above her knees and black kickass heels. She wore her hair down and straightened them out then just barely visible make up on.
She looked like an angel.
And when I finally found my voice, "You look beautiful."
She blushed red and said thanks, complimenting I cleaned up well too. After bidding the sheriff goodbye, we drove our way to school.
***
After a whole bunch of people complimenting Caroline and I saying we looked good together, the program started.
I honestly didn't pay attention to everything that has been happening around me. I was busy calming my nerves for what I was about to do. And of course, staring at this beautiful blonde sitting next to me with her hand just a few inches from mine.
"And our Homecoming King and Queen are..." Stefan Salvatore, tonight's unbelievable emcee, started. I didn't know I zoned out quite that long.
"Tyler Lockwood and- man, you got lucky- and Elena Gilbert, everyone!" Stefan applauded and the whole batch followed. As much as I would love Caroline to be my first dance, it was Elena since it was customary for the Homecoming king and queen to be each other's first dance. And Caroline wasn't to be voted Homecoming Queen since she was the HCC Chairwoman.
Caroline urged me to stand up and smiled at me.
"Congratulations, Ty."
"Thanks, Care," I stood up and made my way to Elena Gilbert. I offered her my hand to start the first dance but she shook her head and mouthed with a playful gleam in her lapis lazuli eyes, "Now."
"What?!" I mouthed back. I glanced at Stefan by the podium. He smirked, nodded and gestured to the grand piano sitting behind him.
I glanced back at Elena and said, "Thanks. For everything." She hugged me and wished me luck.
I approached Stefan and shook his hand. Then I ascended the steps to the piano.
"Um- hey. So there's been a break of tradition here. I just want to do something. It won't take the whole night. And by the way, thanks for voting for me as your homecoming king. Not that I didn't deserve it or something," I teased the crowd and started to move away from the mic to the piano then started to play and sing.
How do I get close
When she looks like an angel
A moment of her time just seems impossible to me
It’s hard to find the words, to get to know this stranger
I’m scared of what she’ll say if what I say sounds incomplete
And it feels like we belong together
Can someone tell me where do I start
Cuz, I can’t keep on feelin’ the way I do
I can’t keep on, hiding my heart from you
I got to say something before
Someone else comes through,
I can’t keep on loving you,
From a distance
She’s always on my mind, there’s no room left for thinking
I’m tired of waiting slowly fading at least I’m happy now
Cuz I’m running out of time, and I feel this ship is sinking
The doors are closing I am frozen I need her around
When she looks like an angel
A moment of her time just seems impossible to me
It’s hard to find the words, to get to know this stranger
I’m scared of what she’ll say if what I say sounds incomplete
And it feels like we belong together
Can someone tell me where do I start
Cuz, I can’t keep on feelin’ the way I do
I can’t keep on, hiding my heart from you
I got to say something before
Someone else comes through,
I can’t keep on loving you,
From a distance
She’s always on my mind, there’s no room left for thinking
I’m tired of waiting slowly fading at least I’m happy now
Cuz I’m running out of time, and I feel this ship is sinking
The doors are closing I am frozen I need her around
And it feels like we belong together
Can someone tell me where do I start?
Cuz, I can’t keep on feelin’ the way I do
And I can’t keep on, hiding my heart from you
I got to say something before
Someone else comes through,
I can’t keep on loving you,
From a distance
From a distance
From a distance
From a distance
I can’t hide
I can’t keep on feelin’ the way I do
And I can’t keep on, hiding my heart from you
I got to say something before
Someone else comes through,
Cuz I can’t keep on loving you,
I can’t keep on loving you from a distance.
And when the song ended, everyone clapped and kept taunting me.
I moved back to the mic and kept chanting to myself, "This. Is. It. Keep calm. This. Is. It. Keep calm."
"Thanks. So uhh, hey everyone." I'm way too nervous to form coherent sentences.
"Right. So I don't exactly know why I just did what I did but all I can say is that it was all for Caroline," I took a shaky breath.
"Caroline Lindsey Forbes," I locked eyes with her. "You have given me a week to unjerk myself. And now, my week has ended. I just want to say thanks for giving me that chance. And thanks for being a part of the best week of my life.
I love you, Care. I know I've told you that a million times but every single time I say those words, I meant them."
I slowly walked towards her.
"You remember that time when we were in fifth grade, you got sick and I faked I was sick so that I could watch over you?"
She smiled and nodded still in shock and clearly, not knowing what to do and how to react.
"Looking back, I've realized that it was because I have already fallen for you. I love you, Caroline."
I said those words again as if they were all that mattered. And the truth was it were.
"Ty-"
I stopped her from continuing and said, "And just like what the song said, i can't keep on loving you from a distance. Not anymore."
"I would want to date you. Everybody would. Now will you please please go out with me?" I said upfront.
She looked shocked for a moment and her hands over her mouth.
I waited for a few seconds- seconds that lasted an eternity- before I started tensing up. A thousand thoughts running through my brain. What if she'd say no and dump me in front of everybody?
Then she smiled like the angel (slash vampire) she is.
"Ty," she said sweetly and giggly.
"I would love to go out with you."
Those words echoed into my brain and the only response I knew was to take her hand. And so I did.
I pulled her close, leaned into her forehead and kissed her cheek.
"I love you, Caroline Forbes."
"Oh baby, I know." She said half mockingly and grinned
The rest of the night passed in a complete blur.
(Hellyeah, I'm going out with Caroline Forbes!!!)
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Disclaimer:
1. The song is called "Can't Keep Loving You" by Elliot Yamin
