#totally inspired

Absolutely inspired prompt, Angie (no surprises there)! Hope you like what I’ve done : )

Ring Ring

“Who’s this?” 

“Last time I checked you’re the one who’s calling me,” he murmurs, his voice full of sleep. Caroline is immediately taken back by just how sexy this stranger’s voice sounds, even in her deeply, inebriated state.

The local McDonalds is buzzing with activity at 2am and Katherine and Bonnie are sitting nearby scoffing fries like there’s no tomorrow, their eyes slightly dulled by the alcohol but still curious as to her conversation. 

“This isn’t KIIS FM?” She reiterates, her brain a little scrambled by his initial response. 

“Does it sound like a radio station?”

“Well, that’s what I’m asking, genius,” she slurs, her patience wearing thin. Who the hell does this idiot think he is? She figures that by working at a radio station he needs a lesson in customer relations. “It wouldn’t help you to be a little less grouchy given your job.”

“My job? You’re the one calling me in the middle of the night, lady,” he hisses. Even though his temperament is decidedly more angry, he still sounds delicious over the phone.   

“Fine,” she concedes, realising this radio station employee can’t be fixed. “I want to request a song.”

“But…”

“You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette and I want to dedicate it to…” 

“On Valentine’s Day?” 

“Call me crazy, but yes I believe it’s the 14th,” she growls. 

“But..”

“You think it’s too much,” she asks, consulting the hastily scribbled list she and her friends came up with on the nearest napkin. “Fine, we can go with Before He Cheats then.”

“Country really?”

“Why, what’s wrong with country?”

“You don’t strike me as the type, that’s all.” 

“You don’t even know me,” she huffs. “And last time I checked you’re not supposed to question my requests.”

“Who is he?” That question comes from left field and she’s not expecting it, her prolonged silence extremely telling. “This idiot that broke your heart?”

“Stefan,” she manages to bite out, but only just. “Turns out doing his hair is more important than me, not to mention the whole cheating episode.” 

When Caroline called the station, albeit buzzed, she wasn’t expecting this inquisition. 

“In that case I suggest, Fuck You by Cee Lo Green,” he offers. “Kind of gets straight to the point.”

“Well, I suppose that makes sense,” she murmurs sadly, suddenly feeling much worse than before she went out earlier that evening. Alcohol isn’t the friend she hopes and she knows the pain is going to take a lot longer to subside. 

Before she can ask the guy at KIIS to ignore her request, her stomach doesn’t feel so good and she’s racing towards the bathroom leaving her cell behind. 

Twelve Hours Later…

Klaus is tired. Ever since that unexpected call at 2am, he’s curious. She was obviously drunk and dialled the wrong number but for some reason he needs to know she’s okay.

One minute they were exchanging barbs and details of her idiot ex boyfriend over the phone, the next her cell disconnected unexpectedly. Over the course of the night he debated calling her back but she didn’t know him and it would seem creepy at best.    

Even over that brief period, Klaus knew they shared something. Broken hearts and her story of infidelity spoke to him more than he expected. He’d been living in denial but for some reason her call had sparked something inside. It was if her call had been a sign to move on. 

He consults the wall clock, noting that it’s 2pm. Klaus knows he won’t sleep tonight until he checks on his mystery caller. He dials her number slowly, the nerves swirling in his stomach. 

“Hello,” She mumbles, that melodic voice causes something to stir. 

“Are you feeling okay?” She’s silent, no doubt deciding whether he’s crazy. “You seemed upset last night?”

“Last night? Are you spying on me or something?” She bristles, Klaus is fairly certain she’s contemplating hitting the end call button and possibly calling the police. 

“You called for a song request but disappeared before a dedication…”

“I guess that explains why I never heard it,” she murmurs. “I’ve never had a radio station call me back about failing to properly execute a request.”

“Maybe because I’m not from a radio station,” he admits. 

“I’m sorry?” 

“You drunk dialled, but your songs were inspired,” he shares. “Your ex deserves nothing less.”

“Why did you call me back, especially given I woke you up?”  

“I guess I can relate.” The silence lingers between them, almost like both are trying to work out what to say next.

“Seeing as it’s snowing outside and I’m ridiculously hung over, how about a chat? I have no idea who you are but consider the distance a bonus if you turn out to be a serial killer.”

Mmmmmm, thanks luv! You’ve got me thinking which is awesome…

Give Me Love

He was playing her favourite song. She’d heard the opening strains as she walked through the mall aimlessly. She wasn’t there to shop. Caroline was there for him.

She didn’t know him but Caroline had fallen in love with his musical skills when she’d heard his piano rendition of Hallelujah. Most people picked her for a pop fan but she was anything but that. She spent most nights singing in her bedroom, no one knew about her secret and Caroline planned on keeping it that way. 

Caroline couldn’t help herself, making her way to the him. All she could make out from behind was his curly, dark blonde hair and those talented fingers running across the ivories flawlessly. 

It was difficult not to sing to the well-known melody but she held her tongue. No one had heard her sing ever and she wasn’t planning on sharing her talents this publicly. 

She made her way around him, pretending she wasn’t trying to check out those crimson lips and soulful, blue eyes but just enjoying the show. Caroline was always amazed that more people weren’t interested. 

He smiled slyly, his eyes were downcast but it was obvious he could sense her presence. 

“You know, I could make a lot more money if someone was willing to sing with me,” he offered, his blue eyes finally meeting hers over the music. 

“Why don’t you…”

“Tone deaf,” he interrupted. “An absolute travesty I won’t be following in the footsteps of John Legend that’s for sure.”

“But your music is beautiful, I, uh, actually love this song,” she admitted coyly. “Do you have any originals?”

“That’s going to cost you a verse,” he grinned knowingly. “It’s actually my mother’s birthday tomorrow and I’m trying to buy her something special.”

“But..”

“Just sing,” he ordered. “You can do it, love.” Caroline looked around self consciously feeling intimidated. It was her dream but what if she failed? “I believe in you.”

It was if he could read her mind and Caroline felt herself soften, excited by the fact that this handsome stranger seemed to know her more than anyone else and the best part was he believed in her.  She caught herself up with the song and began, her voice shaking initially as she did it. 

“Give a little time to me or burn this outWe’ll play hide and seek to turn this aroundAll I want is the taste that your lips allow”

Caroline lost herself in the lyrics eyes closed, not even noticing the crowd that had gathered as she sang those words. It was like something had been ignited inside her and Caroline had no intention of stopping. 

It was only when she heard the loud applause, that Caroline opened her eyes relishing in the feeling it evoked. She’d been so worried about singing publicly but as it turned out people seemed to like what she had to offer, even her accompanist whose dimples were flashing in her direction.

When all the excitement had subsided, Caroline approached Klaus. He was counting the money in his keyboard case which seemed to have tripled since she saw it last.

“Looks like your mom is going to get a nice present for her birthday,” she offered, feebly. She barely knew the guy but felt like they’d shared something. 

“What birthday?” 

“Your mom, you said…”

“I lied,” he admitted. “But as far as I can tell it worked out well. Speaking of which, here is your cut,” he handed her a wad of bills. 

“So, what? That’s it?” Had he used her for his benefit? Caroline was completely confused. One minute he was believing in her and now handing her cash. She suddenly felt like a prostitute. 

“I don’t want your money,” she growled, slapping the bills away, “If I’d known I wouldn’t have sung.”

“But you have a beautiful voice, love,” he implored. “Everyone should hear you sing.”

“So…”

“You don’t want my money, okay I get it,” he conceded. “But how about a coffee? Maybe we could collaborate?”

“I’ll consider it,” she grinned, thinking that it might be the beginnings of a beautiful partnership.