『20』

( 2 week time skip)

Matt awoke to the persistent knocking at his door, groggily making his way downstairs. As he opened the door, he was surprised to find Caroline standing there, holding a gift basket and a couple of garment bags. Matt raised an eyebrow, waiting for Caroline to explain herself.

"Sorry, Matt," Caroline began, her words spilling out in a rush. "I've been thinking, and you were right. I realized that I've been left out of the loop by Elena and Bonnie. Damon gives me dirty looks, Stefan is too busy fawning over Elena, and he stopped teaching me a while ago."

Matt stood there in silence, observing Caroline as she continued to speak. There was a sincerity in her tone that he hadn't expected. "You're my best friend, and I don't know why I put Elena over that," she admitted, a hint of regret in her voice.

As Matt listened, he could sense the truth in Caroline's words. Her aura betrayed her genuine emotions, and he understood that she had taken the time to reflect on their friendship. He sighed, realizing that the situation wasn't entirely Caroline's fault. Elena's influence had unconsciously affected Caroline, and Matt couldn't blame her entirely.

After a moment of contemplation, Matt opened the door wider and gestured for Caroline to come in. Holding out his hands, he accepted the gift basket filled with trinkets and snacks,

"Just so you know, I don't do second chances. One strike and you're out, Caroline. I'll forgive, but not forget," Matt stated with seriousness. Caroline nodded in understanding, realizing that she would be treading on thin ice for a while.

Curious, Matt inquired about the garment bags while grabbing a snack from the gift basket. "Well, there's a dance coming up, and I brought some dresses for Stephanie. She got asked out by Jeremy," Caroline explained. Matt was surprised Stephanie hadn't mentioned it, and his confusion was evident. Caroline, sensing his reaction, spoke up, "And I'm guessing by your face, she didn't tell you."

"Nope," Matt replied, emphasizing the 'P.'

"Well, I have no one to go with since every guy at school is honestly boring. So, you're gonna be my date. You already have a lot of suits and alternatives that are just as good, and I won't be taking no for an answer. So, let's go to your room. We're gonna pick something out for you," Caroline declared, her determination evident.

Matt couldn't help but be amused by Caroline's boldness and the sudden turn of events. He sighed, realizing that he was roped into a situation he hadn't anticipated. "Fine, fine," he conceded, shaking his head. "But I'm not wearing anything too fancy."

Caroline grinned triumphantly, leading the way to Matt's room. As they entered, she scanned his wardrobe, determined to find the perfect outfit for him. "Let's see what we have here," she said, browsing through the various suits and casual wear.

After a few minutes of deliberation, Caroline pulled out a sleek, dark suit. "This one," she declared, holding it up for Matt's inspection. "It'll make you look sharp, but not like you're trying too hard."

Matt couldn't argue with her choice; the suit did seem like a good compromise. "Alright, but you owe me for this," he teased, earning a playful eye roll from Caroline.

"So, what's the Scooby Gang got planned for this dance? I heard Klaus is in town, already stirring up trouble with Elena and the Salvatore brothers," Matt inquired.

Caroline scoffed in response. "After realizing they don't care for me, I stopped attending their meetings. But they don't keep quiet. They're planning on killing Klaus. Bonnie is ramping up on lots of magic, and she's determined to take him down," Caroline said, accompanied by a dismissive scoff and an eye roll.

Matt hummed thoughtfully, his eyes glinting with a mischievous spark. Caroline, catching the glint, raised an eyebrow. "Speak up. I know you want to say something," she urged.

"You know me too well, Caroline. But I already know where Klaus is—or, well, who he's pretending to be," Matt replied cryptically. Caroline paused, intrigued, and asked, "Who?"

Matt raised a finger to his lips in a shushing motion. "Can't say. But you've already interacted with them," he hinted, leaving Caroline with a puzzled expression and a growing sense of curiosity.

Caroline's curiosity heightened, and she shot Matt an inquisitive look. "You're being all mysterious now? Come on, spill the details," she insisted, her eagerness evident.

Matt couldn't resist a playful smirk. "Let's just say Klaus isn't the best at keeping a low profile. You might want to pay attention to those around you, especially at the dance," he teased, enjoying the suspense.

Caroline rolled her eyes but couldn't hide a smile. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Maybe a little," Matt admitted, chuckling. "But seriously, keep your guard up. And maybe you'll figure out who Klaus is masquerading as before the Scooby Gang does."

Stephanie entered Matt's room, her eyes immediately landing on Caroline. "Did you get the dress?" she inquired.

"Of course, who do you think I am? Here you go," Caroline replied, handing Stephanie the garment bag with a smile. Stephanie eagerly took the bag, excitement evident in her eyes as she anticipated the upcoming dance. The trio, now fully engrossed in preparations for the event, began discussing the finer details of the night ahead.

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(This is more of a filler chapter, the next chapter will be more climatic) 

What is the name of the original Petrova doppelganger?

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