"Caroline Forbes told me that my ponytail lacked zhuzh." Elena quoted with a small frown on her face, addressing Bonnie Bennett and the Donovan twins as they walked across the school grounds.

Elena, Bonnie and Quinn were all in their red-and-white cheer uniforms, pompoms swinging rhythmically in their hands as they walked, whilst Matt was proudly sporting his letterman jacket like a badge of honour.

"I don't even know what that means," Matt admitted with a laugh, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners.

"It means that Caroline is jealous of Elena," Quinn declared, nudging her twin playfully with her elbow. "What else is new? But if you want the literal translation; Caroline is saying that Elena's ponytail lacks style, which is totally untrue."

Bonnie snorted, , glancing over at Quinn with a smirk, "You'll always be Elena's biggest supporter, Quinnie."

"Duh! We're soulmates." Quinn scoffed teasingly, flipping her blonde ponytail with an exaggerated flourish.

Bonnie rolled her eyes in response, though a smile tugged at her lips, "Anyway, I psychically predicted that flare jeans are making a comeback and I was so right."

"That doesn't make you psychic, Bonnie," Elena teased. "It just means that you watch too much 'Top Model'."

"Say what you want about my psychic abilities," Bonnie countered with mock offence, though her teasing demeanour soon shifted.  "But... I've got a bad feeling about the bonfire tonight."

The group fell silent for a moment, the air growing heavier despite the light autumn breeze. Elena glanced at Bonnie, frowning slightly.

"It doesn't matter," Elena finally said, breaking the quiet. "I can't go anyway."

The announcement was met with outrage from both Bonnie and Matt, prompting Elena to hurriedly explain, "I know, I know! But Jenna's in town, and my parents want to do a whole family night thing."

Quinn gasped dramatically, "And I wasn't invited?"

"You're always invited, Quinn," Elena retorted, rolling her eyes affectionately before looping an arm around the shorter blonde's shoulders. "We just stopped giving verbal invitations because you'd show up regardless."

"True," Quinn hummed, a smug grin spreading across her face.

"You have to come," Matt interjected, his tone edging on pleading. "See if you can sneak out or something."

Elena suppressed a grimace, feeling a twinge of guilt. She had a sinking suspicion—one re-ignited by Bonnie's psychic prediction—that Matt planned to finally make his move tonight. And while she cherished their friendship, she wasn't ready to hurt him by turning him down.

A brief but awkward silence hung in the air, Matt's lingering gaze making Elena shift uncomfortably. Quinn, ever the twin with impeccable timing, cleared her throat loudly and raised a pointed brow at her brother.

"I, uh... gotta see Coach Tanner," Matt mumbled suddenly, scratching the back of his neck. He threw Elena one last wistful look before walking off toward the gym.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Elena turned to find Bonnie giving her a piercing, knowing stare.

"What?" Elena asked, genuinely confused.

Bonnie crossed her arms, "He's totally into you... and if you're not into him, you need to tell him. Like, soon."

"Why, Bonnie?" Elena huffed, the familiar wave of awkwardness crashing over her whenever her love life became the topic of conversation. "We're not dating and he's never asked me out. I'll cross that bridge if I get to it. I'm not going to hurt him just to... I don't know, preemptively protect his feelings."

Bonnie just raised a brow, "Yet."

"Aw, leave her be, Bon Bon," Quinn piped up before her tone turned teasing. "Or we'll start discussing your love life next."