The first thing I notice is music blaring loudly. 'Last Christmas' by the 'Wham!' if I'm right. The smell of alcohol hangs in the air and laughs radiate everywhere. Santa hats and elf ears walk through me as yells vibrate around the room. I'm in the Mystic Grill.

"Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away.
This year
To save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special."

Green eyes are looking at me with awe. She laughs, her whole face lighting up. Her chocolate skin is radiant and she looks really happy. Something I never saw in the prison world.

I smile. "Bonnie?"

Bonnie nods before walking towards me. How can she see me? Why is she glad to see me? I don't care anymore.

"I'm so sorry Bonnie, for everything. I'm not asking for your forgiveness I just need to get it out: I'm so sorry for every-"

And then someone steps through me. "Gorgeous, I feel like an idiot wearing this." His accent is crisp and the way he speaks is as if he's seducing everyone with his vowels. Enzo. "Oh and merry Christmas."

I bite back a growl, shaking my head. Of course, Bonnie wouldn't be glad to see me.

Bonnie giggles, shaking her head. It's painful knowing she's standing right in front of me and she can't hear me.

"Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away.
This year
To save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special."

"You look hot with a Santa hat don't worry," Bonnie laughs, holding Enzo's hand. "I'm some poor idiot will fall for your devilishly good looks."

"Ugh," Enzo growls.

"Cheer up Scrooge I'm not letting you spend Christmas alone," Bonnie chuckles, leading him to a table where everyone else is sitting. But where's Damon? And Alaric?

"Ouch, this must hurt." Luke watches me, sighing. "It probably doesn't hurt as much as losing to you in the ceremony though..."

I shake my head. "Sorry about that."

"Oh, you know don't worry, I just died." Luke shrugged.

"I'm being serious Luke, I'm so sorry for what I did I shouldn't have done it." I held his shoulders, staring down at him. "I'm. Sorry."

Luke's light blue gaze looks away from me. He shifts uncomfortably in my grip.

I let go.

"Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance
But you still catch my eye.
Tell me, baby,
Do you recognize me?
Well,
It's been a year,
It doesn't surprise me
(Merry Christmas)"

"I loved Christmas," Luke sighs. "The food, the booze, the fun."

"Mmm..." I sigh.

"Oh come on grumpy I know you liked it too." Luke play punches my arm, picking up a chicken wing from a nearby table.

"Maybe..." I look over to Bonnie who's standing leaning on Enzo, laughing. There is definitely a thing between them even if they haven't seen it yet.

"Do you still love her?" Luke turns to me, raising an eyebrow.

"No I don't, I still want to apologise though..." I run a hand through my hair, sighing.

"I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying, "I love you,"
I meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been.
But if you kissed me now
I know you'd fool me again."

"Elena should be here..." Caroline sighs, sipping her drink. Blonde hair in a neat waves down her shoulders. Perched on top of her head is a vividly green elf hat with extravagantly long ears.

"She loved Christmas," Bonnie smiles, hugging her friend. I've only just noticed she's wearing a cheesy elf jumper. It's cute.

"What did you ask for?" Caroline asks, looking to Bonnie.

"I already have my Christmas wish complete," Bonnie grins. "Kai is gone."

Bang. Her words are like a blow to my stomach.

"Ouch," Luke sighs from my side.

"I want to leave," I snap, walking out of the bar. My hands shake by my sides and my eyes blur. I swear to god if my eyes leak now I'm going to scream.

"A face on a lover with a fire in his heart.
A man under cover but you tore me apart, ooh-hoo.
Now I've found a real love, you'll never fool me again."

The night air whips through my suit. Goosebumps spread along my arms. I'm shivering but I don't care. My cheeks are warm from the tears spilling down my cheeks.

"Arrrhhhhhgghhhhhh!" I scream.

Doves screech and fly away, disappearing into the night sky.

"Why? Why me?" I yell, the snow crackling under my feet.

Luke hasn't followed me outside. The snow settles in my hair and gives a certain light to the street.

I rake my hands through my hair. "Christmas..." I sigh. I'm alone in the streets apart from the Christmas lights.

"Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away.
This year
To save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special."

"I wish Alaric was here..."

I didn't want to turn around. I shouldn't be hearing her voice. I shouldn't be here full stop. "I'm sorry Jo, I'm so sorry..." I mumble.

"Then I would have seen him..." She sighs, yet she doesn't sound sad. "You know, I forgive you Kai."

"I killed you, how can you forgive me?" I still don't look at her, keeping my eyes glued to the empty shops across the street.

"I can forgive you because you've apologised and it's Christmas!" She laughs. "Are you ready to see the Christmas future, Kai?" The spirit asks, moving to stand in front of me. Jo smiles at me, blue eyes lighting up. My sister is in her doctor's uniform and she's radiant. Her eyes sparkling and her smile wide. Not what I was expecting...

"No, I'm not," I mumble. "I don't want Christmas, of any kind."

"It'll be all over soon," Jo whispers, taking my hand. "And I promise there will be a happy ending, after all Scrooge and Damon got one, so why can't you?"