( she likes him. that much she knows. but knowing how she feels — even recognizing those feelings as just past the surface, still shallow, more of a crush than anything else at this point — doesn't quite absolve the lingering knowledge in the back of her mind that nothing, not even this place, will really last.

eternity is a long time, and considering even mortal marriages often take a stumble after a few dozen (or even just a few) years, caroline doesn't have much hope in the way of eternal love. or, for that matter, eternal liking. she can't even think up a single set of parents in mystic falls who managed to stay together completely. even the ones who were still married were apart emotionally.

so, here, in a place that's intended to be temporary, caroline's not sure how she feels about the idea of moving past anything but casual and contemporary. friends with benefits, casual hook-ups, mutually consenting rolls in the hay — she's here for it. and if derek just wants to be friends, she'll deal with it. she's learned to handle rejection a little better, after all, thanks to a certain salvatore brother back home.

her answer takes a moment, hands occupied with sweeping the detritus from her lap, but it comes out. eventually. )

I used to love going to Virginia Beach when I was a kid, but I haven't been in years. I didn't even pack a swim suit. Which I guess rules that idea out...

( her nose wrinkles for a moment, just briefly, before a bright laugh washes the expression away. )

Well, unless you want to go skinny dipping.