Hidden Hope

Ch. 2 Arrival

Ariella's POV

Hours ago, I watched the sunrise. I felt trapped in this car, but I knew it was just a few measly hours.  As we drove past the welcome sign, I realized we were surrounded by a forest. The trees looked beautiful and ancient, handcrafted by mother nature herself. It was a few minutes until we pulled up to a white house. The neighborhood looked quiet and peaceful, but I reminded myself looks are only what's on the surface. 

"This is it, Ms. Petrova," Freddy spoke. 

"Thank you, Freddy. Will you be coming in with me?" 

"No, this is where our paths diverge." I nodded and thanked him once more before getting out and walking up the driveway. I stood in front of the door for what felt like an eternity before I actually raised my hand and knocked. A middle-aged man suddenly opened the door.

"Ariella?" I nodded.

"That would be me." I stuck my hand out waiting for his. "Alaric I'm guessing?" I asked kindly. He hand met mine for a brief shake.

"Yes, that would be me. I'm so sorry about your family. Isobel told me what happened."

"Thank you. May I ask are you two close?" He laughed nervously while scratching the back of his neck, instantly telling me no.

"She's actually my ex-wife."

"Oh! Um if this is too much of a problem, I can go. It's no issue really. I can totally find somewhere else to stay."

"No, no. Don't worry. Isobel is in no form to be staying in one place right now with a child and I'm already here with Elena and Jeremy, so don't worry. I can't say it will be smooth sailing, but we work it out." I gratefully smiled at him.

"I promise I'm not too much and if I ever become a lot to handle, just kick me out, okay?"

"Yea, from what Isobel told me, I don't think that's happening anytime soon. Now, come inside." He opened the door wider and stepped back to give me space to walk in. The inside was nice. It wasn't too grand, but nothing cheap. They had money but weren't trying to show it off.

"Follow me. I'll show you around a bit." He pointed out the kitchen and the living area and the first floor, then took me upstairs.

"This is your room. We can decorate it however you want. If you need anything, I'm at the end of the hall and that's Elena and Jeremy's rooms." He said pointing to three separate doors.

"Okay, thank you. I might take a walk around if you don't mind. Just so I can figure out the town."

"Sure, just give me your number in case I need to reach you and try to be back before 10." I nodded, handing him my phone. Once I got it back, I said a quick thank you and that I'll be back later. 

The town wasn't too hard to figure out. It all leads to the middle of town and if I got lost, I just took a quick look at the Maps app. After walking around aimlessly for about an hour, I found The Mystic Grill which was perfect timing since my stomach decided to be a dying whale. I walked in and took a seat at a booth on the side where I could see everything.

"Hello, welcome to the Mystic Grill. Excuse me for asking, but are you new here?" A friendly, blonde waitress asked.

"Yea. Small town?" 

"Yea, everyone pretty much knows everyone here. So a new face is bound to raise some commotion. My name is Jess, so if you need anything let me know and I mean that outside this place too." She laughed. A soft smile lit up my face. Can I say I made my first friend?

"Thank you. My name's Ariella."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Ariella. Now, what can I get you?"

"Could I have a lemonade and a burger with fries? Medium please."

"Sure! I'll be right back with that. Yell if you need anything." With that, she walked away and I was on my own again. With nothing to do, I looked around the place. It seemed like the kind of place everyone went to just to hang out. I could tell everyone was trying to subtly take glances at me, but I wouldn't dwell on it. They can look all they want.

"Hello." Huh, we got a brave one, boys. Not just a looker, but a talker too. I turned to look at him.

"Hello." 

"Obviously you're new, so I wanted to introduce myself. My name's Tyler, Tyler Lockwood."

"Alright Bond, I'm Ariella. Nice to meet you." I laughed at my own joke as I introduced myself.

"Oh I see." I raised my eyebrow at him. "The Mystery Girl has looks and a personality. Someone call the news channel. This is unbelievable." He smirked at me.

"Mh, nice try pretty boy. Thank you for the compliment though." He looked shocked. Another guy started walking to us. This one with blonde hair and blue eyes. He walked up to us laughing, obviously having the time of his life. 

"There's only one way you got his face like that. You totally shut him down didn't you?" He said while having trouble not to erupt in laughter. 

"I mean I guess..." 

"Ha! You see Tyler! Not every girl wants you." He turned back to me. "I'm Matt, one of Tyler's friends. I promise I'm nicer than him." Tyler smacked his arm at that, but I was laughing anyway. These two are funny.

"My name is Ariella."

"Well welcome to Mystic Falls. Hey Tyler, me and three of our friends are going out tonight. Would you like to come?"

"Um, when because Alaric, my uh... parent?... asked me to back by 10?"

"Wait, Alaric?"

"Oh, I forgot everyone knows everyone."

"Wait, no. What do you mean Alaric is your parent?"

"He's not really. He's just looking out for me while I'm here I guess."

"So does that mean you're staying with him?"

"Yea."

"Well, Elena was planning on coming tonight too."

"Oh, I haven't met Elena or Jeremy yet and I don't know if they would want me hanging out with their friends."

"Don't worry about it. You can hang out with us until we go meet up with them. We're going to a clearing by the waterfall. You got a bathing suit?"

"No, but I can go buy one." 

"No skip that. I know just the girl that will love you." Matt's face held mischief and to be honest, I don't think that happens often. I look to Tyler and he confirmed my thoughts.

"Should I be afraid, Tyler?"

"Yes, that face doesn't belong on Matt," Tyler said. Matt was silent. He just pulled out his phone and held it up to his ear after typing in a number.

"Caroline, I have someone I want you to meet and I need a favor." Should I be scared? Probably.