The phone rings in the middle of the night
My father yells, "What you gonna do with your life?"
Oh, daddy, dear, you know you're still number one
But girls—they wanna have fun
Oh, girls just wanna have

Cyndi Lauper, Girls Just Want To Have Fun

On the inside, Cassidy was seething and wanted to rip off a certain doppelganger's head.

On the outside, Cassidy wore the mask of a calm older sister as she soothed her baby sister. Usually, Cassidy would get pissed at Bonnie for blubbering all over her newly bought sweater, but at the moment the witch was too enraged at Elena for making her sister cried. Only she was allowed to make Bonnie cry.

(Abby did too, but fuck that woman.)

The witch knew she was hardly a person who was allowed to preach family since she didn't even try to get along with her grandmother or hardly ever showed genuine care for her father, but Bonnie was hers. And Cassidy? She looked after what was hers.

"Oh, Bon-bon," Cassidy quietly murmured, fingers brushing through Bonnie's messy hair. "Elena's just jealous of you."

Bonnie, still shaking with tremors from her quieting sobs, sniffled. "Why? S-she has a mom, I don't. Mom left."

Cassidy withheld a biting remark about Elena being the reason why their mother abandoned them. She'd leave that pretty revelation for in the future when she needed Bonnie to not play the loyal dog in whatever crazy plan of the doppelganger.

"True," she allowed with forced indifference. "But she doesn't have a cool big sister like me, does she?"

For a moment in which Cassidy contemplated different ways of getting back at Elena, Bonnie didn't respond.

But then, the older Bennett felt the little Bennett smiling against her sweater before shaking her head. "No," Bonnie quietly confirmed.

"Exact—"

"You won't leave, right?" Bonnie cut her off.

"Huh?" Cassidy furrowed her eyebrows, looking down to see Bonnie peering up at her with a vulnerable look.

It uncomfortably reminded her of herself when she had practically begged Abby to stay with her.

"You won't leave like mom did, right?"

Cassidy was no longer seeing Bonnie. Rather, she was seeing herself. She was seeing an insecure ten year old girl whose hope was just starting to form shamelessly putting herself out there to get crushed and reminded why she'd rather put any effort into caring. Why she'd rather not be a hero.

"Don't leave me!"

"Please Cassy!" Bonnie cried out, startling Cassidy from her memories.

The older Bennett harshly exhaled, "I won't."

Bonnie seemed as surprised as she was at her own carelessly spoken words.

"Really?"

Cassidy opened her mouth, ready to just lie and say yes. Then she saw the amount of love in Bonnie's eyes. Bonnie's eyes which were gazing at her. It almost made Cassidy giddy, because she could use this.

Yes, she could use this.

Maybe she won't be able to turn Bonnie against Sheila. But that didn't matter. In fact, she could use Bonnie to get to Sheila if things worked out. If she managed to work with this development...she may have her own little bird in Elena's inner circle and a witch on her side.

Would Bonnie choose family loyalty over her friends, she wondered.

Hmmm.

Curious.

Either way, it was bound to be entertaining. After all, she didn't need Bonnie, but Bonnie clearly needed her.

So, Cassidy slowly nodded, her gaze meeting Bonnie's head on. "As long as you don't betray me Bon-bon, I will not leave you. And if I do, I'll always make sure to come back."

The witch had to force down a smug smile as Bonnie's face lit up like Christmas lights. Quickly, without any grace, Bonnie presented her pinkie finger.

Cassidy allowed an indulgent smile to slide on her face as she met Bonnie's pinkie finger with her own.

Together, the two sisters gleefully recited: "Cross my heart, hope to die, whoever lies has to swallow thousand needles!"

Later that day, Cassidy overheard Bonnie reminding their father that picture day was on Thursday.

Coincidentally, Elena Gilbert woke up with zits all over her face on that very day as well.

It was such a shame, really.

.o0o.o0o.

Cassidy turned to the next page of Emily's grimoire that described how to make daylight rings, absently wondering if she should start making them for future occasions and maybe even start selling them to vampires.

If she recalled correctly, there was that vampire named Slater who didn't own a daylight and countless other unnamed vampires. She could just imagine the amount of favors, stolen grimoires or money she could earn by doing that.

Though, the only problem was that it currently wasn't safe for her to do that considering it may make her a target. She could defend herself against the average vampire just fine, but against witches or experienced vampires? She'd be dead meat.

The sound of the doorbell ringing brought the girl out of her musings.

Slowly, the witch closed her grimoire. She wondered who could be at the door. It couldn't be Bonnie, since the little girl was sleeping over at Caroline's, and it couldn't be her father either, since he had his own key.

Oh well.

She was sure she could handle whoever it was. Dangerous stuff wouldn't be happening in Mystic Falls until the Scooby Gang were in High School after all. She'd be attending Mystic High herself next year when she finally reaches the 21st century. She'd just have to wait a few more years for the proper technology growth she was used to and maybe she would even invest in some stocks.

Fixing a polite smile on her face, she opened the front door of her house.

Any greeting she was willing to offer died before she even opened her mouth.

"It's been a while, little lady," Enzo greeted her with a smirk.

By a while, the vampire meant six months. But Cassidy could forgive that, considering to a vampire time was a concept they barely lived by. A year to a mortal could feel like a month to a vampire.

Besides, Cassidy didn't want to bother getting pissed at her friend considering she's been so bored since Mason left for college in the summer.

So, with an excited squeal, the witch glomped her vampire friend.

"Enzo!"

To his credit, Enzo wrapped his own arms around her despite his clear surprise at her reaction.

She felt his chest vibrating in a quiet chuckle before she broke the hug, shivering a bit as the winter cold hit her. She'd have to look into a spell that regulated her body's inner heat during winters because it was annoying when she constantly forgot to wear coats.

Heck, she was basically only wearing her pajamas at the moment.

"Sir Lorenzo," Cassidy playfully smirked. "I invite you inside my lovely abode."

Enzo openly laughed at her boldness as he followed her inside, shutting the door behind them. "Anyone else around?" He asked, eyeing the few scattered pictures hanging on the hall.

"Bon-bon's over at Barbie's and dad's working," Cassidy shrugged, leading Enzo to the living room where her grimoire lay closed on top of the table. She pointedly ignored the fact that normally this would be the time a normal person would ask their guest if they wanted something to drink.

In her defense, she wasn't normal.

She plopped down onto the couch and aimed a grin at Enzo who sat across from her.

"What have you been up to these last six months?"

Enzo, who had been looking at her grimoire, looked up at her. "I've been here and there, looking for some ghost from my pasts and enjoying my long awaited freedom."

Cassidy's grin softened into a small smile. Whatever little resentment she felt for him not immediately contacting her died there and then. Fuck, she would have done the same thing he did if she had been locked up and tortured for ages.

Usually, Cassidy would ignore any empathetic feelings, but Enzo was her friend, so she could be a little empathetic. Even though she couldn't fathom him enjoying anyone other than her's company.

"I'm guessing your ghost hunting was a total fail," she happily said.

What?

She was going to be a little empathetic, not change her whole lifestyle. Pffft. Enzo may be her friend, but he wasn't that special yet. Maybe she'd be a bit more empathetic over time, but for now she'd settle for the minimal needed empathy.

"Quite tactless, little lady."

"So, you figured that you may as well check in on me? I'm hurt! I can't believe your only friend is your last priority~!"

Enzo shot her an amused look. "Who says you're my only friend?"

Cassidy shrugged, "I figured since no one was trying to save you from Augustine, you were either friendless or had very shitty friends."

Mirthlessly, the vampire admitted: "A bit of both, perhaps."

"Lucky you, I'm your friend."

"Trust me, I am grateful for your unexpected interference and offered friendship when we first met.."

"I sense a but in there somewhere," Cassidy tutted.

"But," Enzo shrugged as the girl rolled her eyes, "I have simply been crossed too many times before."

"I won't betray you as long as you don't betray me. In fact, I think you'll find that being friends with me is not only fun, but also quite beneficial."

"Ah?"

"Salvatore."

Enzo went from being relaxed to immediately having his guard up.

Cassidy smirked. "You see, everyone in this town knows about the reclusive Zach Salvatore who lives at the Salvatore Boarding House. What most don't know is that his uncles, Damon and Stefan, are actually—"

"Vampires," Enzo interrupted.

Not perturbed slightly, Cassidy nodded. "Personally, I have never met them myself, but I have read about them a little. My ancestor, Emily Bennett, created their daylight rings back in 1864, you see. It's quite the story."

Enzo took in her words, seemingly looking for any lie in them.

As if a witch worth her salt would be caught lying.

Hmph.

What did these people take her for anyway?

"This Zach Salvatore," Enzo spat out. "Any chance he may be of use in terms of finding Damon?"

"Once we get the vervain out of his system and some compulsion in, he's going to happily give up any information we'll need. Heck, he'd even hand over the Boarding House if you want to and you can just wait for Damon to come to you."

Okay,

So maybe Cassidy wanted the Boarding House.

Whatever.

It wasn't like anyone actually needed it! And it was an ideal house for a witch of her caliber. Who knows? Once Enzo was one hundred percent team Cassidy, she'd be able to take over the Armory too. After killing off the rest of Enzo's family.

He didn't need to know the last part though.

Shhh.

"How do you know about Damon?" Enzo finally asked, addressing the elephant in the room.

"His records clued me into the fact that you two were buddies until a fire accident, I think."

Enzo's gaze pierced into hers.

After a moment, he smirked. "Well then Cassidy, up for helping a friend out?"

(Achievement unlocked: successfully lie to a vampire.)

.o0o.o0o.

When Zach Salvatore woke up, it was to the sight of a vampire smirking down at him. It reminded him of times when Damon would purposely show his vampire features to intimidate him.

Instinctively, the Salvatore tried scrambling away, only to fail. His failure was met with the sound of rattling chains as he realized with dread that he was chained down in a place he didn't recognize.

It couldn't be the basement of the Boarding House because he hadn't invited the vampire in and could't have been compelled to since he was on vervain.

"Where am I?" He asked, putting on a brave front.

"Werewolf prison~!" A high pitched voice answered.

Zach tensed further as a faintly familiar girl with a wide grin stepped next to the vampire without a hint of fear.

"Or more accurately, we're in a cellar at the Lockwood Estate. Shh, don't tell them we're trespassing," the girl brought her finger up to her mouth and mimed a 'shhh' sound, her smile still in place. "It's also connected so several other underground routes made ages ago."

Zach's eyes widened at the information.

It was impossible.

He had never heard of any underground routes before.

"Why am I telling you all this, you might wonder?" The girl asked in a patronizing tone. "Well, of course, it's because you're either going to die in here or you'll be compelled."

"Either way," the vampire finally spoke in a mirthful tone. "You won't be remembering anything that happens down here, Zach."

Zach flinched, "Who are you two?"

The girl opened her mouth, probably intent on telling him exactly who they were, but the vampire placed a halting had on the top of her head. "Now, that is an interesting question."

"Yeah, steal my thunder," the girl pouted, crossing her arms.

Zach didn't even get the chance to express his disbelief at the situation as the vampire crouched down to be eye-level with him.

"You see, Zach, I was friends with your great great great-"

"Basically a lot of greats!" the girl chirped.

"-uncle Damon," the vampire finished.

"But he doesn't have any friends! None that I know of!" Zach protested.

The vampire nodded in what seemed to be agreement. "I did say was, now didn't I? You can imagine our friendship didn't have the best of endings."

"I don't know. I think the fire was very cool."

"Hush now, little lady," the vampire absently said, not breaking eye-contact.

Zach grew more confused. "I don't get it."

"Ah right, I haven't gotten to the point yet. You see, I have spent the last months searching for Damon, but as you can imagine I had no luck. Right now, you are my best shot at having a nice chat with my old friend."

"But I don't have any idea where Damon is!"

The vampire gave him a mock look of remorse, "I'd love to trust you, Zach. But I can say from personal experience that trusting you Salvatores doesn't really end well."

The girl made a cheerful noise in the back. "Man, I gotta write that line down to use for Elena in the future! 'I'd love to trust you Elena, but I can say from personal experience that trusting Gilberts and doppelgangers doesn't end well. You happen to be both.' What do you think?"

With a chuckle, the vampire stood up. "I say, we can work on your personal matters after we finish mine, little lady."

The girl nodded in agreement. "Totally! We'll get the past out of the way before we deal with the future! I can be so mature sometimes, I swear. Take that, Mason. Anyway, where should I start cutting?"

"Anywhere is fine, so long as he doesn't die before I can give him my blood. But as much of a neck person as I am, I would suggest sticking away from those pesky spots."

Zach watched on hopelessly as the vampire and the girl, who he would soon find out was a witch, shared a smirk.

He'd either die in this cellar.

Or he'd become their puppet.

Two days later, he ate eggs and drank coffee for breakfast like he always did.

.o0o.o0o.

"Hurray~!" Cassidy cheered much to the amusement of the vampire driving next to her.

Enzo found that he still couldn't understand the little witch much.

But that hardly mattered right now, because they were friends. And so far, the girl has proven to be a loyal, if a bit crazy, friend. Then again, Enzo was sure he wasn't the most sane person either.

Yes, he and Cassidy would get along just fine.

They already were.

Perhaps he should add torturing and compelling someone to his list of requirements when it comes to becoming friends with someone. Or as some friendship bonding. It would give him the excuse in indulging in those more often.

Though, the vampire couldn't lie, he found it rather odd that a fourteen- ("Almost fifteen!" Cassidy chirped) year old girl wasn't the least bit fazed at vampires, compulsion or torture.

He wasn't complaining though.

Better a friend like Cassidy than a saint who would try to make him be good.

"Never been out of that small town before, little lady?" Enzo asked.

"Nope! But Mason promised he'd take me on a road trip to New Orleans next summer!" Cassidy answered, freely offering more information than needed.

Enzo mentally noted to ask who this Mason was later on, after they finish their business.

"New Orleans, huh? Quite the place to visit. I'm afraid the place where we're going probably won't compare."

"Bree's Bar might not be New Orleans, but the owner is quite something as well," Cassidy knowingly said, turning the radio up to sing along to a song.

After a moment, which Enzo spent deciding whether or not to fish for more information, the vampire smiled.

His first genuine smile in a long time.

He hummed along to the song as well.

Chapter End.

Author's note: "I'm back! Well, how was this chapter? To be honest, while there wasn't exactly much of Cassidy being a selfish witch, I had a lot of fun writing her and Enzo. What do you guys think of her and Enzo's friendship so far?

This chapter funfacts:

#1: Cassidy was supposed to turn 15, but I decided to hold off on it for a bit.

#2: Enzo really started considering Cassidy a friend in the last scene

#3: A Salvatore (Zach), a witch (Bonnie) and a vampire (Enzo) appeared, just as promised!

Next chapter fun facts:

#1: Cassidy finally meets another witch

#2: Cassidy will turn 15

#3: New Orleans, baby!