Let's amp up the tension, shall we?
A little heads up, from here on out little bit's of the original plot will alter to fit into Darcy's role.
Further into the night, Elena went to speak with Stefan upstairs whilst Darcy stayed with Damon downstairs. Both hunter and vampire sat on the sofa. The former leant against the fluffy cushions, emitting out a deep sigh. "I don't know about you, Dickmon, but tonight has me wretched. My old age is catching up with me," Darcy muttered through a lyrical chuckle.
Damon copied her actions. An amused scoff slips past his plump pink lips. "Try being a Hundred and Sixty-Nine Years Old, and then come back to me and say you're old," he quipped. He shifted around, laying his head upon her lap, ankles crossed over the arm of the chair and closed his eyes with a soft purr as Darcy ran her nimble fingers through the raven tresses. "You're what... Eighteen... Nineteen?"
Darcy hummed, eyes roaming around the darkened room as she mentally collected her age. The amber flames drifting from the fire provided them with a cosy afterglow and warmth. "Yep, Eighteen. I'll be Nineteen on January the 21st."
Damon creased his eyebrows, blue irises wandering across her delicate features. "Aren't you supposed to be graduated from School by now?"
Darcy groaned and bowed her head, chin laid on her chest. "Don't remind me. I was supposed to graduate this, Summer. However, I missed a school year, so I must retake for that gap. That and with Elena and Jeremy losing their parents, I didn't have the heart to leave them behind, not when they need me the most right now."
"Interesting," Damon hummed, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Darcy lifted her head at the teasing tone of his voice and narrowed her eyes. "What's with the perverted face?"
"What? I don't have a perverted face... It's also good to know you're legal," Damon laughed as she picked up a cushion and smashed it in his face.
"You do. Your eyebrows do this weird wiggling thing, and your lips jut into a smirk and don't get me started on your eyes. They flash, and I know you are thinking perverted thoughts," Darcy grumbled, hitting him a second time before the vampire snatched the cushion out of her grip and tossed it on the floor. "Is that all you think about in the warped mind of yours?"
"Someone's done their homework, huh? And what can I say? I'm a guy and a vampire with raging hormones," Damon said, shrugging his shoulders casually and then jumping off the sofa and sauntering over to his desk, opening the top drawer. "I never got to say before you rudely barged your way into my house."
"I think I have a perfectly valid reason, thank you very much," Darcy said sarcastically, ignoring his teasing remark and watched as Damon strolled back over and placed a wooden box into her hands.
"Is this what Pearl stole from John?" Darcy traced her digits over the rough exterior of the box that oddly resembled a music box. Her fingers fumbled as they pushed up the lid, revealing mechanism dials. "What's so special about this?"
"Anna and Pearl left not long before you had arrived and dropped off this. I'm just as confused as you are. Pearl said Johnathan Gilbert was enthusiastic about his inventions and confided in her that he had created a detection device meant to track down the town's vampire element," Damon explained.
Darcy looked up at him, the space between her brows scrunching. "Like Jeremy's pocket watch?" she glanced back down at the device sitting in her lap. "But this isn't the pocket watch."
Damon clicked his fingers. "That's what I thought and originally what it turned out to be, yes. But that's not what Pearl stole. The night Johnathan took the vampires, Pearl had seen the watch in Johnathan's hand, and the diel pointed to her... and capoosh she's captured."
"So, what's this? Because this is undoubtedly no watch, just a box with some weird looking metal spinning things."
"I have no idea, but Pearl said it's ours to keep," Damon shrugged, snatching the box off Darcy and placing it back into the drawer. He turned around as Darcy opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off before the words could flow out. "I know what you're gonna say next... What's the catch? Why would she willingly hand it over?"
"Please enlighten me," Darcy nodded and crossed her arms, leaning back into her seat.
Damon walked back over and tugged on her arms, pulling her up off the couch, so she was standing and looking up at him. "There is no catch, apparently. Anna wants to stay in Mystical Falls, meaning Pearl also wants to stay. Her last words were 'consider this an apology'."
"Well, you can tell her, she can shove her precious apology up her arse," Darcy scoffed and moved out of his grip and stepping to his side. "You honestly don't believe that crap, right? Not after what her minions had done to Stefan, and look how is his now. His suffering because Elena felt forced to feed him his blood. No way am I forgiving her for shit."
Darcy paused, watching as Damon's head snapped in the direction of the stairs. "What is it?"
Damon glanced at her, his face wincing. "Looks like our dear Stefan is finally awake. Are you ready, 'cause It's not gonna be pretty?"
Darcy straightened up before a smirk made its way onto her scarlet lips. "Oh, do I get to meet Stefan's other half, finally?" Damon nodded, mirroring her expression. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go," She said, grinning and spinning on her heels.
She cut across the lounge in a few steps and lingered at the bottom of the stairs. "Oh, you might want to fetch my bag from my car," she added before darting to the first level of the Boarding House and pausing outside Stefan's bedroom.
"That's what the blood makes you," Elena's mumbled voice sounded through the door.
"The blood brings out what's inside of me, and if you think any differently, then you're an idiot."
"I know this isn't you, Stefan."
The wooden slats creaked, whom Darcy knew without a doubt Stefan was pacing around the room and pictured him running his hands through his hair, face twisted with agitation.
"I wanted to drain every ounce of blood from that girl's body."
"No. I don't believe that. Do you know why?" Elena's voice questioned.
"No. I don't want to know anything right now. What I want is for you to leave."
"Too bad. I think you're lying to yourself. You say you would have drained the blood from Amber's body, yet you stopped yourself when Darcy arrived."
More creaking sounded along with a grunt releasing as his steps picked up.
"Yeah. Look how well that turned out... I wanted to tear out her throat after she stabbed me with the stake, and if it weren't for Bonnie and the vervain, I would have."
"No. I don't believe that. I don't believe you would ever harm Darcy, not intentionally anyway."
Darcy tilted her head to the side. Why are they talking about her? It's not her who's suffering from burgeoning bloodlust, and this should be about Stefan, not her.
"You don't know that... It's who I am, Elena. And before you say it's your fault for feeding me your blood. It's not. All you did was expose me to who I really am... A hideous blood-sucking vampire."
"No. You can't scare me off," Elena protested.
Warm breath blew down the back of Darcy's back, causing her to turn and see Damon stood behind her, her bag hanging off his shoulder. A finger pressed to his lips, signalling her to stay quiet.
She frowned, knowing Stefan could hear a second heartbeat but complied, nonetheless.
"Why are you even here, after what I confessed to you tonight?" Stefan's voice floated through her ears, making her turn back to the door. The tone made Darcy's body straighten up, braced for what will happen next, hand hovering above the handle.
"Just because you love Darcy doesn't mean I still can't love you, Stefan."
"Even more reason for you to leave. It's over. You shouldn't be here."
Darcy froze, the colour drained from her face, warmblood turning to ice, rooting her to the floor. Damon's hand squeezing her shoulder had her turning to him with a look of astonishment, her eyes begging him to tell her that it was a lie. His wince and awkward body shuffle confirmed her fears.
No. Stefan couldn't love her... He can't. He's meant for Elena, not her. Darcy heard the pained words leaving Elena's mouth and pictured her little sister's watering eyes and trembling lips quelling the urge to cry. The thought made Darcy's heart clench and feet move, pushing past Damon and dashing down the stairs, ignoring his pleas for her to turn back.
But she can't. She needs to get away from here. Far, far away.
The front door slammed behind her as she ran and jumped into her car, leaving Damon stood in the entryway, watching her speed away into the night.
"Oops. That didn't go well," Damon mutters to himself. He silently marvels what reaction he will get when Darcy comes to learn that not one Salvatore has fallen but two.
*•*•*•*•*
Love. Four letters that one could embrace with clarity or make you run as if you're running from your biggest fears. In Darcy's case, it's the latter. The thought of someone loving her terrifies her. The very idea makes her want to pack her bags and jet across the world to avoid the issue.
Her body and mind want to keep moving in the opposite direction, and then the rope jerks and tugs her back, back to where she belongs, where the hearts' are calling. The beating organ in her chest pounds at an irregular pace in time with her pumping blood, warming up her very core. The fight is an endless battle, one if she should decide to embrace the feeling or keep running, and just before she chooses, her resolve reverses, sending her spiralling into her past.
Darcy was brought into this world at the hands of her abusers, ones she will never title as parents because they are not and never would be. There was never a sense of love and affection from both parties. Something was missing; Darcy will identify the cause in time to come.
As a child, Darcy craved love, hugs, praises, encouragement, and guidance like any other child from their parents, except she received the opposite. Her earliest memory she could recall was the time she had a nightmare and wet the bed; her punishment was a belt to the backside and a strike around the face.
She was four years old.
The times before then were slaps, screams and shouts echoed into her face and ears on a daily occurrence.
After the nightmare ordeal, the punishments unfolded much worse. The older she became, the more extensive the abuse she fulfilled, adding further to the torment she sustained in her later years.
Darcy has always been an unrestrained child; fire lit her wondrous soul, a curious heart that sought to explore the world and unravel discoveries. A trait she did not share with David and Sarah Ashers. Like many other characteristics.
Darcy often wondered why she had fair skin, hair as dark as the night sky, and eyes lit up like a glittering ocean, compared to their light hair and muddy and green eyes. She often wished they were not her biological parents.
And subconsciously, in her dreams, where the nine ancient individuals often frequented, they had come true.
Because of the life, she had inhabited, all the mishandling she withstood, and the devotion she was not granted. Darcy believed she wasn't worthy of such love.
Why would she? If the two people who were supposed to cherish her wounded her instead of loving her as they should have. Why would anyone else love her?
Funny, isn't it? The girl who was not loved enough loves with her entire core. She'll do anything to make sure those she holds dear and close to her heart are happy and striving and, most of all, feel her security blanket and love. Darcy will go to the end of the world and back to ensure that.
Some will come to realise this fact when it's too late.
Pulling up at the cemetery, Darcy cuts the engine, slips out of the car, and shuts the door, pushing the lock button on her key as she begins her journey across the graveyard. Shoving the fob into her jeans pocket, she pulls her mobile phone out the other, switching on the flashlight to guide her path. With her free hand, Darcy wraps her leather jacket closer to her body to quell the biting chill as her feet travel through the dewy grass, the wet residue shining across her boots. Passing rows upon rows of gravestones. Until finally, he stops and hesitates before trailing down her intended destination and stopping in front of a familiar headstone.
It's been a while since the school year began until she visited them, and she could not feel more guilty than she does now. A time ago, she would deliver a bouquet of flowers every week and catch up on what's been happening at home, recollecting how Elena, Jenna and Jeremy were doing without their absence. And now it's an echoing silence on all sides. How pitiful.
Ejecting a deep exhale, Darcy steps back and slips off her jacket, lays it on the grass, and sits down, crossing her legs at her knees. She relaxes against the granite tombstone opposite theirs, and with her phone still in hand, the flashlight lights beam illuminates the two gilded engraved names who were the first to give her a real home.
Miranda Sommers-Gilbert and Grayson Gilbert.
Darcy knows if these two selfless people did not provide her with shelter and arms that eased the deep grief inside her, she would not be sitting here today. Even though there's a growing piece of her missing, Grayson and Miranda were the first to shower the young woman with love and care that slightly dulled the ache. In a sense, she is lucky if Grayson hadn't been David's childhood friend and experienced many milestones together, getting married and having children. Darcy wouldn't have come across Jeremy, Jenna, and Elena. Devoid of having the Gilbert name, Darcy has always been by their side.
She was a comrade before she became a part of their family.
And therefore, it makes it all the harder for Darcy to do this. But she has to, and it's time for her to move forward, learn to love herself, and except others can love her too.
"Hey, Mir, Gray. I'm sorry it's been a while. I don't know where to begin... everything's a bit too much... So much has happened since you've been gone, and sometimes I'm left thinking, am I doing it all right? Are Elena, Jenna, and Jeremy happy, or would they be better off without me? Would you be proud, or would you despise me of what I have or will become?
I can't help but think if my loaded promise was futile, the young girl you trained to protect your family from the same species you loathe. Yet here I am not even a year later, and I'm frocking with them like their mere human's when I'm supposed to shove a stake through their heart and end the pathetic existences."
Darcy scoffs bitterly, tilting her head against the gravestone, eyes trailing to the full moon's light hiding behind the clouded sky. She rubs absently at the growing ache in her chest before continuing.
"Except, I've figured it all out... I think," She hopes. "The roles are reversed; I'm not supposed to eliminate them. I'm supposed to protect them. They aren't my enemies."
To save her means, Elena. Her instincts flair when danger lurks, yet it's not just vampires. It's witches too. And to protect them are the supernatural, which means the Salvatore's and Bonnie too. The dark-haired girl can't help but wonder if there's more to it. Will Elena be the cause of their destruction, and she must protect them from it, or is there more to it? She can't fight the instinct to protect them. She can't.
She needs and will succeed.
She hesitates to speak her following words, brushing her hands down her face, and shoves aside the obscuring strands from her face, gazing solemnly at their headstone. "But it's not just them. It's Jenna and Jeremy too. Why? Why is this happening to me? I can feel it, you know. I can feel it in my soul and bones... something big is coming for them, for us, and I somehow must prevent it. But what and how? What is happening to me?"
"Before we go our separate ways, I plan to tell Jenna everything. She deserves the truth. For her to be safe and me to be able to protect her, she needs to know. Elena and John will hate me even more, but I don't care. And I guess you both will too. But know this, I'm thankful for what you have done for me, and I'll never forget all you did to bring that little girl back to life again. Always know I'll protect and forever love them. Goodbye-"
Crack.
Footsteps crunching across the wet terrain brought her speech to a halt. Darcy shifts her head to the side, peering down the row of gravestones. Maybe coming to the cemetery at midnight wasn't a clever idea.
Crack.
Illuminating beams dance along the ground before settling on Darcy's seated form. The dark-haired woman squints and brings up her hands to shield the light from her eyes.
"Who's there?" she calls out, hearing the steps get closer to her form. One hand lowers to her right leg, fingers slipping inside the boot sleeve, caressing the handle of her blade. Since the Tomb vampires are roaming the town, Darcy never leaves the house unharmed. Sliding out the knife, she stands and braces herself. "I'm too young and beautiful to die, so it's your death. Let's do this."
"And you say I'm the violent one," a voice answered through a chuckle.
"Jenna?" Darcy questioned with confusion upon recognising the familiar tone of voice.
"And me," another voice replied.
"Jer?" Darcy said with further bewilderment.
The footsteps pause in front of her, the beam of the flashlight waltzes across Darcy's face and then flits to Jenna's face. She flickers the light to her side, revealing Jeremy.
"Just us," the strawberry blonde woman answered with a sheepish smile which soon turned into concern. "Are you okay, Sweetie? Damon called Jeremy and told us you took off, and we figured you'd be here."
"He's worried, you know?" Jeremy said, stepping forward.
"Damon worried? Yes, all right," Darcy let out a snort. Damon doesn't do worried over a human any less.
"How about we talk and take this back home, hmm?" Jenna suggests, holding out her hand to Darcy.
Darcy ponders, searching their faces for any deceit, before making her resolve. She could continue to suffer and lie to Jenna's face, or she could bear the truth and come clean. Shaking her head from side to side, Darcy slips the dagger back into her boot and settles her palm into Jenna's.
No more hiding the truth. She's going all in.
*•*•*•*•*
Back at the Gilbert's residence, Darcy and Jeremy claim seats on the sofa next to each other in the lounge whilst Jenna makes them all a coffee.
Can you come home? We need to talk.
After sending Elena a text message for her to come home, requesting they need to talk, Darcy sets her phone on the coffee table and settles back into her seat just as Jenna enters the room and places three mugs down.
Darcy's phone ringing breaks the stifling silence suffocating the confinements of the room.
Brat Face 👩🏻😭
Can't. I'm staying with Stefan. We can talk tomorrow.
Reaching forward, Darcy curses at the message hovering mockingly on the home screen and hits back a reply before turning the device off.
Fine, I'm telling Jenna everything. I thought you'd know before you bite my head off.
Jenna and Jeremy exchange worried glances, the elder sitting on the other side of Darcy observing as the young woman sips on her drink, her gaze resting on the carpeted floor before setting the mug on her knee and laying her head on Jeremy's shoulder.
The typical action sends a shot of warmth to Darcy's heart and a grin on the boy's face. Jenna smiles at the pair. Though the two aren't related by blood, Darcy and Jeremy would never let that fact be known. To them, there are siblings, no matter and always will be.
From the moment Jeremy could walk and talk, he was attached to the girl's side. Whilst Darcy is his rock, Jeremy is her anchor that keeps her feet on the floor and grounded. Jenna remembers the very day her sister and brother-in-law brought Darcy home after officially adopting her as theirs. Whilst Elena pushed the girl away, uncomfortable with another child in their home, Jeremy clung to Darcy and stuck to her like glue. Jeremy, along with Jenna herself, was the one's who made her feel a part of the family. Even with her episodes, they were there at her side, calming her down.
From then on out, they became each other's anchors.
Though in many months into the future, Darcy will come to learn why she feels such a bond with Jeremy, and if possible, their connection will strengthen.
"Am I a bad person?" Darcy mumbled, breaking the stillness, a sad lilt to her tone.
The boy and the older woman lifted their heads, concerned glares plastered upon their faces in unison. "No. Why would you ever think that?" Jenna asked, tucking an ebony curl behind Darcy's ear. "You're the most amazing person I know. You have a beautiful soul. You're kind-hearted, selfless, and so very generous. You have so much love to give away, yet never ask for anything in return. You always give and never take anything back."
"Has someone said you're a bad person? Do you want me to fight them?" Jeremy asked. Despite the slight smile playing on his lips, his words held the truth. The youngest Gilbert male would bring mercy to those who dared to hurt his sister.
Darcy shakes her head, her gaze travelling to the curtained window, her facial expression revealing her desire to flee. But she won't—no more running.
"No. I heard something tonight that I wasn't supposed to discover. And now, I can't help but wonder if I'm cursed or I'm destined for Elena to hate me."
"Why? What happened?" Jeremy inquired, his brown eyes drilling into the side of her skull, watching as she bit her lip out of obvious nervous tension.
When Darcy remained silent, Jenna nudged her side and added. "You know you can tell us anything. We won't judge you."
Jeremy leans his chin on Darcy's head, the action imploring he silently agreed with Jenna's statement.
"I think Elena and Stefan have broken up," Darcy whispered, her stare still rooted on the window, ashamed to meet their gazes. "And it's my fault."
"Why is that your fault? And what's that got to with Elena hating you?" Jenna asked, shuffling forward and placing her mug down on the table before shifting to her side and grasping the girl's twisting hands in her own.
"In Elena's very words; 'Just because you love Darcy doesn't mean I still can't love you, Stefan'." Darcy inhales deeply before continuing and lifting her head, staring into Jenna's compassionate stare with sorrowful eyes. "If that's not enough validation. Stefan's reply confirmed her statement enough; 'Even more reason for you to leave. It's over. You shouldn't be here'."
Jenna's fingers halted her soothing circles on Darcy's hands, and Jeremy's head snapped back up, staring at the two women in shock.
"See, why I'm a bad person?" Darcy's face screwed up in pain. She yanked her hands away from Jenna and stood up, not giving them a chance to reply before stalking into the kitchen.
"Wait, Darcy!" Jenna and Jeremy yelled, scrambling up and running after her. Jeremy skirted around the kitchen island, skidding in front of Darcy's frame. Holding her by her shoulders, Jeremy prevents her from taking more steps just as Jenna joins, panting at their side as she catches up with them.
"We didn't agree," Jeremy assured adamantly, shaking his head, his resolute stare fixed on hers.
"We're just shocked," Jenna added carefully. "I didn't think you were going to hit us with that. Not that it's bad a thing."
Darcy frowned, her eyes searching their faces for any misgivings. Upon seeing their open sincerity, she relaxed her erect stance and took a step back, wrapping her arms around her middle as if to protect herself. She can't bear them hating her for something that she cannot help. "But it's bad. Stefan and Elena belong together. He's meant to love her, not me!"
"I'm not worthy enough to be loved."
(If only she knew how much she was really loved. But would the truth bring peace or more pain?)
Jenna gasped and knocked Jeremy's hands off Darcy; her palms clasped the dark-haired girl's cheeks firmly. The strawberry blonde's stern gaze capturing Darcy's rapt attention. "Don't you ever say you aren't worthy of love, Darcella! You are so much more. I don't know anyone who doesn't deserve it more than you. From the moment you became a part of this family, you were a blessing."
Darcy shook her head, eyes trailing off to the side, meeting her dull gaze through the kitchen window. "You're wrong, Jenna. If that were true, they wouldn't have hurt me. The very people who were meant to love me abused their power. What's that supposed to say about me?"
Jeremy frowned, his face pinching in pain as he stared down at his feet. He hated and couldn't bear to see Darcy putting herself down. He wasn't sure what was worse, witnessing her reoccurring nightmares or watching as she set her own path for harrowing destruction. In his eyes, she's a true warrior. Her eyes shine with fierce determination to remain strong. And that's the absurd thing; Darcy wasn't born strong. She walked through hell and back to build that towering strength that resides inside her. She survived seven long torturous years of abuse, and yes, his parents saved her from that, but they also saw the fire that girl contained and used it for their personal gain.
And here now, ten years later, Darcy has sculpted herself to be her own hero, and when the world continues to knock her down, she'll drag herself back to her feet repeatedly.
"You're wrong," Jeremy murmurs as he seats himself at the counter. The friction of the stool legs scrapes across the tiled flooring sound as Darcy and Jenna perch opposite him. Lifting his gaze from the granite top, he rests his robust scrutiny on the dark-haired woman. "You are a survivor, Darcy. I don't know anyone stronger than you are. And quite honestly, we're damn lucky to have you in our lives. No matter how much drama and headache we cause you, you're still here by our side."
"Jeremy's right," Jenna asserted, placing her hand atop of Darcy's, her thumb tracing the soft circles. "Without you, I wouldn't have had the courage or strength to parent you three. Heck, Jeremy would still be on drugs and hating the world. Elena would be moping in her room and blaming herself for her parent's death. And I would continue to doubt myself with my lack of experience and not up to par with my sisters status. Yet, you told me I shouldn't compare myself to Miranda because I'm unique in my own unique way, and I shouldn't define myself any less because you all would love me regardless."
Jenna paused, removing her hand from Darcy's to wipe the tears from her eyes. She sniffed and let out a watery chuckle before continuing. "Do you remember the words you to me said after Miranda and Grayson died? I told you I wasn't strong enough, didn't I?"
Darcy tilted her head to the side, sending the woman a proud smile. "I said if you put your mind to it, you can do anything you want to. I said you wouldn't be on your own because I would be by your side every step of the way kicking your ass until back up and standing. I didn't have to, though; you're doing brilliant, Jenna. I couldn't be prouder."
Jeremy chuckled, shaking his head. "Are you sure you're eighteen? You sound much older."
"Jeremy Gilbert! Are you calling me a Grandma?" Darcy gasped, placing a hand on her chest.
"It means you have an old soul," Jenna joined in with the laugher and pushed her shoulder. "Back to before. The moral of the story, because of you and your continuous support, I wouldn't have succeeded. And because of the things you do for this family, you deserve the universe and more. Don't let your past define who you are. You are worth so much more."
See how amazing Jenna is? And for that matter, Darcy will make it her damn hardest she'll come out of this alive. The Protectress pushes back her stool and stands to her feet. Her gaze switches between Jenna and Jeremy before nodding to herself in resolution and drifting across to the cupboards, pulling out a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. Returning to the island, she uncaps the bottle, pours the golden liquid into the tumblers, and slides one to Jenna.
"Drink up. You're going to need it," Darcy mumbles, ignoring the two of them exchanging uncertain glances and sits back down.
"Don't I get one? I am your favourite brother after all," Jeremy asked in a hopeful tone, a cheeky lint to his voice.
"Nope, not a chance. Besides, you're her only brother." Jenna snorted. She turned to Darcy and raised her eyebrows. "Alright, you've got me curious. If you're nourishing me with alcohol, then it must be bad."
Darcy signs and swallows the contents in a single gulp, relishing in the burn as the amber liquid sets fire to her veins. Setting the glass on the counter, she glances at Jenna with a cautious frown before turning to Jeremy with a look of determination.
It was time for Jenna to know the truth.
But before that, she needs to talk about the issue with her and the Salvatore's.
"As I said, Stefan said he loved me and not Elena, " Darcy muttered.
"But how do you know that if you haven't heard the words from his mouth?" Jenna asked after taking a sip of her drink.
"Well, he didn't deny it... But then again, I didn't stick around to listen. I did what I do best... I ran."
"You know? I'm not surprised," Jeremy piped up, causing the two women to snap their heads over to him.
"What?" They interrogated in unison, making the boy shuffle under their unnerving stare. He coughed, rubbing the back of his neck, and offered them a sheepish grin. Before pointing at Jenna's unfazed face. "Come on, don't tell me you didn't see it coming?"
"What do you mean you're not surprised?" Darcy asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion. She turned to Jenna when she remained silent and threw up her hands at the woman's indifferent face. "Don't tell me, you know, and I'm the cliché oblivious girl?"
"You're the cliché oblivious girl," Jenna shrugged her shoulders unapologetically and drained the contents of her drink. Placing the glass on the bar, she let out a sigh of bliss and reached for the whiskey to pour another two drinks. "I might have had an inkling."
"An inkling?" Jeremy scoffed out a laugh. "The guy made it pretty damn obvious. Hell, Stefan and his brother are like two dogs with its bone, and except you're the bone."
Jenna laughed and clapped her hands in glee, rendering Darcy edge the bottle on her other side. "Hey! I'm not edible... Wait. Did you say, brother?" Darcy gaped.
They would think otherwise, Jeremy thought as he laughed at her outraged face. She has no clue, and she's totally blind... Or in denial. His laughter rolled more extensive when Jenna's face turned red from cackling too hard.
"Hello!" Darcy exclaimed, waving her hands in their faces. "While you find my expense amusing. I'm still left in the dark. Will one of you tell me what the hell is going on?"
Jenna gasped, reigning in her chuckles and nudged the strands of auburn hair away from her face. "I've always noticed Stefan was closer with you than Elena. Even though he was supposed to be dating her, he was more of a boyfriend to you rather than a friend. No, don't talk. Let me speak. There was always a certain spark in his gaze when he was in your company. He always seems free and doesn't have the world on his shoulders. Yet, when you're together, he laughs and seems less reserved. My suspicions were confirmed when we went to the Founders kick-off party. I saw you both dancing with them. I don't think the boy left your side all night, along with his brother."
"Yep, what Jenna said. Plus, I knew Damon liked you for a while now. It was around the time Anna came to town," Jeremy supplied unhelpfully. His frame turned rigid. He's going to kill me.
Darcy sat frozen, letting their words wash over her. She shook her head, causing black strands to ripple down her back. The thought of Stefan loving her was strange. Yes, they've always been close. But as friends, and that's all it was. They were just Best friends. Nothing more or nothing less. Right?
Darcy scoffed inwardly and diverted the lingering thought that she was lying to herself. She let out a heavy sigh and rubbed at her face, suddenly feeling exhausted.
But why do they keep mentioning Damon? She confused. Sure, they had a slightly odd friendship that consisted of playful banter. But it wasn't always like that. She could remember that it seemed like a long time ago that she hated the cocky bastard. What changed? Hell, when did the lines start to blur?
Elena. Her little sister. The girl Darcy worked so hard for her to accept her. Even though the Gilberts have known Darcy since she was a baby and adopting her. Elena found the transition hard to adjust to. The Gilbert girl was used to receiving all the attention on her, and when Jeremy was born, that was divided.
Furthermore, when Darcy moved in. Darcy could remember the fights and battles she went through just to get Elena to accept her. The brunette has always been too stubborn for her own good. And It wasn't until Darcy was Eleven and Elena Ten that their relationship started to build. Since then, they have overcome leaps and bounds. Yes, they may fight like cats and dogs, but they still love each other regardless.
The thought of losing that connection and causing Elena pain hurts Darcy more than she can hold.
"It's wrong. Stefan is–was dating Elena... That's morally wrong on all levels," Darcy opposed. "Elena must hate me. Shit... I hate myself. I don't get how you two are so calm out about this."
Jenna shrugged and spoke. "You can't help who you fall in love with. Besides, it's not your fault Stefan can't control himself... He's a guy.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jeremy protests insulted.
"Like I said. You're a guy, and it's often that the male population can't control themselves."
"Women are just the same!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
Whilst the two were bickering over which gender was the best, Darcy had snuck upstairs and had returned to her seat in the kitchen.
"Talk to Elena. I'm sure if you sit down and talk and explain you don't share the same feelings all should be okay—."
The thump on the counter brought Jenna's words to silence as a wooden box, similar to what she keeps her vervain and bracelets, was placed in front of Jenna. From under her arm, Darcy sets down three shampoo bottles, all assorted colours: black, white and red. Jenna frowns down at the plain chestnut oak box and the bottles. "What's this? Why are you giving me shampoo? We have plenty."
Jeremy states across at Darcy, noticing her nibbling on her lower lip, a habit she does when she's nervous or knows shit is about to go down. Meeting his gaze, her following words have his jaw dropping open and a line of sweat beading along his forehead.
"It's time Jenna knows. She deserves the truth."
Jeremy closes his mouth and swallows as Darcy slips out a wooden stake from her sleeve and sets it before Jenna, alongside the other items. He doesn't need to ask what it's blatantly obvious, what's going to happen next.
Jenna eyes them both cautiously. "Know what?"
Darcy shifts to her side, sliding the box closer to her and opening the lid, revealing an anklet and wrapped vervain plants. Her gaze flickers to the bottles. Two of the bottles are shampoo/conditioner and body wash, both containing vervain and the third, the liquid form vervain, which Jenna can pour into her morning coffee.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Darcy clasps both of Jenna's hands in hers and attempts to smile, which comes off more of a grimace. "What I am about to tell you. I need you to promise me you won't go crazy and threaten to lock me up in a mental institute. I'm still a little sane... Just know, I'm doing this in your's, Jeremy's, and Elena's best interest. Okay?"
Jenna's eyes roam around Darcy's features, checking for any clues. Jenna shifts her head to Jeremy and swallows at Jeremy's ghost-like form upon seeing an expressionless face. She nods. "Okay."
"Do you believe in vampires?"
*•*•*•*•*
Oops, that happened... 👀
I've always planned for Jenna to know the truth about vampires and what's currently happening. I hated she was left in the dark and thought if she knew, then her death could have been prevented. So much could have been avoided if Elena spoke up, you know?
Sorry for the wait, guys. I missed out on a chapter leading up to the end of the series, and then I became sick. I felt awful, so I tried to come up with something. I hope this chapter is okay 💜