Always and Forever: a new life.

Missing home.

As the morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the room, Hope stirred from her slumber, her red tresses splayed like a vibrant halo against the pristine white of the pillow. Each curl seemed to dance in the gentle breeze, as light trickled in through the window, framing her sleeping form in an aura of ethereal beauty. The soft rays of sunlight caressed her delicate features, illuminating her pearly white skin. With a faint murmur of consciousness, Hope began to awaken, her lashes fluttering against her cheeks as the distant sound of her phone ringing gently pulled her from her dreams.

Hope groaned as she slowly emerged from the depths of her sheets, her limbs heavy with exhaustion. After the hectic day yesterday, all she wanted was to lazily sleep in and forget the world outside her cosy cocoon of blankets. But as she blinked away the remnants of slumber, her gaze fell upon her phone, buzzing with urgency. Three missed calls and fifteen texts blinked accusingly back at her, shattering the illusion of peace. With a sigh, she pushed aside the tangled mess that was her strawberry red hair and scrambled out of bed, the urgency of the situation piercing through her drowsiness. There was no time to waste-her (kind of) friends needed her help, and she was already late. With a sense of determination, she quickly threw on some clothes, her hair still rebelliously tousled, and dashed out the door, ready to face whatever chaos awaited her.

Hope had registered for school a few days ago, and with the help of all the documents Slater had prepared for her it was hardly a task. As she approached the bustling gates of the school, the chatter of students filled the air, the scent of freshly-cut grass and the distant echo of a bell signalled the start of the day. The high school hallway buzzed with the energy, students weaving in and out of clusters. Hope navigated the large maze of lockers, her footsteps echoing against the polished floor as she gathered her books and belongings.

With a soft click, she closed her locker, only to be startled as Caroline suddenly materialised behind it, making Hope jump a little with surprise.

"Hope, there you are," Caroline's tone was tinged with urgency and frustration. "You won't believe what just happened with me and Tyler Lockwood this morning."

Hope's brow furrowed in concern as she turned to face her friend. "What happened, Caroline?" the blonde looked around cautiously before speaking, "He cornered me in the hallway and started grilling me about the party. He's suspicious of me, Hope. He thinks I know something about Sarah's death, and his curse , but I didn't give him anything. I've been avoiding any direct face off with him since, but it's getting harder to keep him at bay."

Sarah and Amy Bradley were the unfortunate soul that fell victim to schemes of Katherine Pierce. Currently Sarah's parents were preparing for her funeral, and the entirety of Mystic Falls police force was looking for Amy's body, both were dead.

"Stressful morning then?" Hope comment , Caroline's shoulders slumped with exhaustion, her frustration was palpable in the air between them. "Stressful doesn't even begin to cover it, Hope. I just want this whole thing to be over." Hope nodded in understanding, her sympathy for Tyler's grief mingling with admiration for Caroline's patience. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that, Caroline. Tyler must be going through a lot right now." "Yeah..... I feel really bad for him honestly. But if Damon finds out Tyler knows anything, then he's dead. For good." She said with seriousness all over her face.

"I'll see you in class." She sighed, disappearing into the next room. When Hope tried to follow, she was whisked away by another vampire.

"What the hell Stefan?" "Please tell me Elena left with you last night?" Confusion rested upon Hope's face as her eyebrows furrowed "No...she didn't come with me, I left her with you and went home." "We can't find her? Do you have any idea where she might be?" "No, but have you asked Bonnie?" "I haven't seen her either," came a new voice, Hope turned to see Bonnie Bennett sitting on a chair in the empty classroom, "Guys, is there any way you can lift the spell on Kathrine's tomb? If there's any chance she knows where Elena is then I have to take it." "Wait, no... no no no no. That is so not happening. That bitch hurt Caroline, she doesn't get to walk free. I won't let you do that. And secondly, I told you Stefan I won't get involved in supernatural business in Mystic Falls." "It's Elena, Hope. She could be in danger, how would Caroline feel if her friend dies today?" she scoffed at him trying to manipulate her, Stefan was a good guy she knew that, he would go to any lengths for his loved ones, she just didn't appreciate him trying to use Caroline as an excuse for Elena.
"There may be another way," interjected Bonnie her Hazel green eyes looking between the two "I already told you, I'm not strong enough to lift the spell, but there is something else we can do."