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"Where are we going now?" Gwendolyn sighs, plopping in the passenger seat of Bonnie's car. Visiting Caroline was heavy. Hard. But, she seems happy, and so much better. Not that she saw her before hand, but hearing it was enough. "I was thinking breakfast. Maybe some waffles and hot chocolate?" Gwendolyn purposes, reaching for her seatbelt.

"We can't." Bonnie says, starting the car.

"But why, I'm starving." Gwendolyn purses her lips, stress and disappointment weigh heavy on a girls stomach. I wish Bryce would've been awake... Gwendolyn thinks to herself. She's worried about her. Especially now that she's home. But maybe, hopefully, with Caroline in such good condition things will look up. Right...?

"We have to go to the Lockwood's for Mayor Lockwood's wake." Bonnie reminds her. Oh, right.

The Gilbert Device somehow effected both Tyler, which is what caused the car accident that almost killed Caroline, and resulted in Tyler's dad being taken with the vampires and getting killed...

All because Bonnie made an executive decision and didn't consult with me about it, a voice in the back of Gwendolyn's whispers bitterly. Again, she probably would have agreed. It just would have been nice to not be left out. She's already been left out for almost a year. And sure, Bonnie updated her on everything, she would never do anything less. But that doesn't mean Gwendolyn still doesn't feel... almost like an outsider now, coming back home to all the... changes.

But Tyler lost his dad, and although Mayor Lockwood was fucking scum at the bottom of the ocean as far as Gwendolyn was concerned, she would be there for him. No matter what. Tyler has had her back ever since they were kids. He was her first kiss in middle school from playing 7 minutes in heaven. He beat up one of the football players on an opposing team a couple years ago for lifting up her skirt and got kicked out of the game. Sure Tyler could be an ass sometimes, and aggressive at times, but he was one of Gwendolyn's best friends, and she knew more than anyone with the exception of Bonnie what it was like to lose a family member, even if Gwendolyn was far closer and had a better relationship with Gram than Tyler had with his father.

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After hugging Tyler at the door, Gwendolyn runs to the bathroom while Bonnie threatens Damon and gives him an aneurism.

She enters the dining room to a table full of food and an irritated looking Damon Salvatore. But he seems to perk up at the sight of the Bennett witch.

"You're not going to use your witchy powers on me next, are you?" Damon smarts off, sliding over beside Gwendolyn as she pops several grapes and cubes of cheese in her mouth.

She raises her brow, unsure of what he means but quickly piecing together Bonnie was in here while she was in the bathroom. "Do I need to?"

This earns a chuckle from Damon along with shining eyes, interested in what this Bennet witches angle was. Bonnie despised him, and blamed him for her Grams death so much so she almost killed him. And while Gwendolyn didn't seem like his biggest fan at the hospital, she hasn't popped every blood vessel in his brain yet... so so far he was a fan.

"Mmm, that's funny."

Gwendolyn exhales, scooping up some type of fancy crackers next. "I didn't come here to entertain you, I came here for Tyler."

"Ah, speaking of Tyler..." Damon plucks a grape from the table himself. "I was just having a wonderful conversation with your cousin about him."

"Mmm, I believe a conversation requires a two way street, and I can't imagine she had much to say to you." Gwendolyn hums, biting into the baked crispy wafer. Damon's eyes narrow with a tight lipped smile. "You want to know why the device effected him and Mayor Lockwood, hmm?"

He almost looks relieved. "Yes, thank you. How do you propose we get on that?"

Gwendolyn shakes her head, letting out a breathy laugh. "Ah, Bonnie did say you were funny. Well, you and your brother have been around long enough, surely you two can figure out." She grins slyly at him, patting his shoulder as she steps around him. "But I do want to say thank you. For what you did for Caroline. No matter the reason, she's alive, she's okay. And because of you Liz didn't lose a daughter, and Bryce didn't lose her twin. So thank you." She nods seriously and Damon can see it written on her face that she whole heartedly means it. Maybe the younger Bennet witch won't be so bad after all... and that was big for Damon Salvatore to think.

As Gwendolyn left the dining room she felt a sudden urge of panic wash over and suddenly needed to find Bonnie, immediately. She wasn't sure what brought on the urgent cause of alarm but as she picked up her pace until a voice stopped her.

"Gwendolyn." Elena chimes.

"Hey." She says, turning around. She stops herself from rearing her head back in surprise at Elena's look, not even remembering the last time her hair has been curled, if ever.

"How's Caroline?" She asks gently, face saddening. "I haven't been by to see her this morning, but Bonnie's said you guys did."

Gwendolyn wasn't sure why, but a strange, unnerving feeling was gnawing at her, only setting her senses off about Bonnie even more.

"Oh, yeah, she's great. Seriously, wide awake and full of her Caroline energy this morning." Gwendolyn nods, scanning around. "Speaking of Bonnie, have you seen her? Since you talked to her?"

"Oh yeah, I think she's back there." Elena points towards one of the rooms.

"Great." Gwendolyn sighs. "Well, I'll go find her and catch up with you later then?"

Elena smiles. "Sounds great."

As Gwendolyn walks by she's hit with a strong, dark energy and it dawns on her. Oh my, God... that's not Elena. Her pace picks up to a quick speeded walk and she rushes into the office room to find Bonnie rubbing her neck, eyes widened.

"Was that-" Gwendolyn goes to speak.

"Katherine."

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𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽 sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Hello, hellooo!! And welcome back to Cardiac Cravinggg!!

I'm ngl I was gonna update last week & got frustrated trying to make a couple of decisions for this chapter... fell asleep... ending up getting super motivated for this chapter when I woke back up... lmao a whole thing. BUT WE'RE BACKKK ;)

I am LOVINGGG Gwendolyn's pov so much y'all!! And yes I swear y'all will be getting Bryce's back at some point lmao, it's just been scenes where it Gwendolyn & not Bryce present, & also when I created Gwendolyn's character to add to this book/idea I knew I wanted to do her pov toooo!! So I hope y'all are loving it & her as much as I ammm!! Her personality is really starting to shine throughhh & I LOVED her scene with Damon sm, omg!! He's already respecting her for how's she's going about things, & him, & I can already tell they're gonna be a wildcard duo I love haha.

ALSO!! I talked about this in the last chap but have officically made the decision to recast Sebastiannn!! (Y'all haven't met him yet, but he is in the cast chapter which will now be updated & I LOVE the recast so much, ahh!! I just feel like it fits him so well & is gonna really bring his character to lifeee!!)

Anywaysss, okay I'm done yapping finally I think lol. HAPPY 2 MONTHS TO THIS BOOKKK!! And thank y'all so much for the support on it so far!! Until next time... mwah!! <3333