t was supposed to be just another normal day. You know, the kind of boring Tuesday where the most exciting thing is figuring out whether you want iced coffee or hot coffee before your afternoon lecture. I had no idea it was about to be the last normal day of my life. Or that I was about to die.
Or that dying would actually be the best thing that ever happened to me.
It all started in Chemistry Lab. Harsh fluorescent lights. The sharp, clean smell of antiseptic.
And me, standing there, daring myself to peek into the restricted side room the one our professor had specifically told us never to enter. Which, obviously, only made it more tempting.
It wasn't even my idea. My best friend Sam dared me. And because I have the self-control of a sugared-up toddler, I had to say yes.
The door creaked open so easily, like it had been waiting for someone stupid enough to enter.
Inside: a collection of old experimental tech, dusty chemical canisters, and one very suspicious, faintly humming glass device. It looked like something straight out of a bad sci-fi movie.
Naturally, I touched it. Because why not?
The second my fingers brushed the surface, there was a deafening crack of electricity.
Light exploded around me, blinding and hot. I heard Sam shouting my name, but it sounded like it was coming from underwater.
Then— Nothing.
When I opened my eyes, I wasn't in a hospital. I wasn't even on Earth, as far as I could tell.
I was floating.
Weightless. Suspended in a kaleidoscope of colors that shimmered and shifted like oil on water. Pink, blue, gold, purple they twirled and danced around me, sparkling like a thousand glitter bombs had gone off at once.
At first, I thought maybe I was hallucinating. Maybe I hit my head and this was some wild coma dream. But then something moved in the mist.
A figure stepped forward, cloaked in a robe that looked like it was stitched out of pure starlight.
No face. No body, just a glowing shape, like the outline of a person drawn in quicksilver.
My whole nonexistent body tensed.
The being spoke, and its voice wasn't just heard it vibrated through me, like music felt deep in your bones.
"You were not meant to die today."
The words echoed and overlapped themselves, as if a thousand versions of the same voice were all speaking at once.
I blinked.
"Uh. Cool. Then why did I?"
There was a pause. A long, awkward one.
"There was...a miscalculation," the being admitted.
I stared at it. "A miscalculation? You're telling me I died because someone hit the wrong button?"
The mist around the figure shivered, almost like it was embarrassed.
"Wow," I said, folding my arms. "Way to instill confidence in the afterlife quality control department."
Another heavy silence.
Then it hit me: maybe I could use this.
I mean, if they messed up, maybe they owed me something, right? "Okay," I said, "so if you're feeling bad about prematurely exploding me, maybe you could...you know, make it up to me."
The being seemed to lean in slightly, as if intrigued.
"I want a second chance," I said boldly. "But not just any second chance. I want to be reborn."
A flicker of interest sparked in the swirling mists around it.
"As Caroline Forbes," I added, grinning.
The being tilted its head.
"You mean...the character from your mortal television show?"
"Exactly," I said. "But not just as her. I want to be better."
The being didn't say no, which I took as encouragement to keep going.
"I want to be prettier than Elena Gilbert," I said firmly. "Everyone's always fawning over Elena like she's the end-all, be-all. I want to walk into a room and have people forget she exists."
The mists shifted I swear I caught a glimpse of a cosmic eye roll.
"And I want to be powerful," I pressed on. "A witch. But not just a regular, nature-hippie witch. I don't want to work with nature I want nature to work for me. I want to command the elements, bend reality to my will."
I paused, thinking.
"And... I want to jump through time," I added casually, like I was ordering an extra side of fries.
The being's light flared in surprise.
"You ask for much," it said, voice deepening.
I shrugged. "You owe me. I wasn't supposed to die yet. Compensation seems fair."
The being seemed to consider that. The swirling colors slowed, becoming a lazy spiral of gold and violet.
"You would wield tremendous power," it said. "And tremendous power demands responsibility."
"I promise to use it responsibly," I said, crossing my fingers behind my back.
A long, humming silence. Then—
"So be it," the being said.
Before I could celebrate, its hand if you could call it that lifted toward me. A river of golden light surged forward, wrapping around me like a second skin. I could feel it: ancient power, hot and wild, sinking into my bones, into my soul. Memories flickered through my mind not mine, not yet birthday parties at the Forbes house , dances at Mystic Falls High, bloodlust, heartbreak, laughter, magic.
Future moments I hadn't even lived yet.
My heart soared.
This was real.
I wasn't just getting a second chance. I was getting my dream life.
And this time? I was going to live it my way.
I woke up gasping.
Soft morning light spilled through gauzy curtains.
The smell of fresh linens and faint floral perfume filled the air.
I sat up, heart pounding, and looked around.
Everything was pastel and pretty the perfect blend of girl-next-door and fairy-tale princess. A massive vanity stood across from me, lined with neat rows of lip gloss, hairbrushes, and perfectly arranged makeup.
I stumbled toward it, hands trembling.
And when I saw my reflection, I almost cried.
My hair longer, glossier, blonder than ever cascaded down my back in perfect, bouncy waves.
My skin glowed like I had an Instagram filter built into my DNA. My eyes, bright and blue as summer skies, sparkled with life and excitement.
I looked...unreal.
I looked better than Elena Gilbert. I laughed, a high, giddy sound.
It was real.
I was Caroline Forbes.
No — I was an upgraded Caroline Forbes.
I spun in a little circle, arms thrown out, feeling more alive than I ever had before.
The door to the bedroom creaked open, and a soft, familiar voice floated in.
"Caroline, honey, breakfast is ready!"
It took everything in me not to burst into happy tears right there.
This was it. My new life.
Mystic Falls awaited. Magic, power, adventure — it was all mine now.
And this time?
I wasn't going to be anyone's sidekick.
I was going to rule.
With a smile that could set the world on fire, I turned back to the mirror and winked.
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