𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝟗𝒕𝒉 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟗,
𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒅𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔.
𝑶𝒏𝒆, 𝒗𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏.
𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒘𝒐, 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒇𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔' 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒍 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔. 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒖𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐? 𝑫𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒎𝒂 𝑱𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅?
𝑵𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕, 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒖𝒕. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔.
𝑾𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒐'𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔.
𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒇𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒂 𝒗𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆. 𝑰'𝒎 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆. 𝑰 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝑽𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒊 𝑫𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒏. 𝑰 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆.
𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆, 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒓, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒄 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝒆𝒕𝒄. 𝑺𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒅.
𝑰𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉.
- 𝑨𝒗𝒂 𝑹. 𝑭𝒊𝒕𝒛𝒓𝒐𝒚
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
The hospital halls were eerily quiet in the day I decided to pay Vicki another visit. I walked up to the Nurse's desk, observing her for a bit before approaching her.
I loudly cleared my throat as I approached her. "Hi, I'm here to see Vicki Donovan" She looked up in annoyance at me.
"Right." She puffed up her face and blew out some air before tiredly moving to grab the visitor's log. "Name please."
"Ava Fitzroy." Her eyes widened slightly hearing my family name. Hearing me speak, she straightened her back in her seat and focused all her attention on me.
"Ms. Fitzroy, please sign here." She handed me a pen and stared at me sincerely.
I said nothing and just wrote my name and time of visitation down. Setting down my pen, I looked up at her and nodded before walking towards Vicki's room.
Matt had texted me her room number in the morning. He had also asked me if he could still pay me and my uncle back for Vicki's treatment which I denied. It was the least we could do after all.
Since last night, he kept me constantly updated with Vicki's condition like how earlier she had stated a vampire had attacked her. I was concerned to say the least. Unfortunately, I could not get involved at all. And poor Matt was gonna be forced to stay in the dark until someone else told me.
I reached Vicki's door and was about to go in when Matt came behind me and greeted me with a tired smile. "Ava. Thanks for coming."
"What are friends for?" I offered the bag of food and water to him. "I brought you something. I know hospital food isn't the best."
"I...I can't accept this, Ava."
"Nonsense. You came to the hospital straight after school and you probably didn't even take time to have lunch."
"Well..." He trailed off, looking guilty.
"You can't look after Vicki, if you don't look after yourself." I forced the bag into his hands and stood to stare down at him. It had little effect. He was much taller than me.
I grinned and opened Vicki's door and walked in with Matt following me in.
A hysterical Vicki greeted us. She looked around lost and confused. Matt sprang into action, coddling Vicki and checking over her. I watched from a distance as Matt tried to comfort Vicki.
"Whoa! Vick. Vicki, hey. Vick, it's Matt. Hey, what's wrong?" Matt grabbed hold of his sister and attempted to calm her down.
"No! No! Get off! No! No! No!"
"Vicki, it's okay. You're safe now." I soothed her as I slowly walked close to her
"Get away from me!" She pushed me and Matt away.
"Nurse!" Matt screamed in desperation as he went out, not before giving me a look to stay and look after Vicki.
"Matt!" I followed but not before looking at Vicki in concern. "Dammit!"
I went out of the room to find Matt and a doctor. It was clear that she had some kind of trauma from her attack. I didn't make it far before I stopped.
Vampire.
There was a vampire nearby. I looked around and hid nearby and made myself small and unnoticeable.
I watched over Vicki from the shadows and waited for the vampire to walk in. To not my surprise, Stefan Salvatore walked in and pushed Vicki onto her bed.
I put a hand over my mouth and attempted to silence my breathing.
"—An animal attacked you. You blacked out. It's all you remember." Stefan quietly ordered Vicki.
I strained my ears to hear what he was saying.
Animal attacks, really?
He was definitely a founding family member since that was the only excuse they had for vampire attacks.
"That's all I remember." Vicki repeated monotonously before she fell asleep. Stefan got away from her and gave her one last glance before Matt rushed in with a nurse.
"Nurse! I need help! It's my sister."
"She seems fine." The nurse stared at Vicki's sleeping form and glanced at Matt confused.
"No, wait. She was—"
"Matt, did you find someone?" I asked with concern dripping from my speech as I walked back into the room. Matt looked at me and then the nurse.
"Ava." He huffed. "Vicki, what happened?"
Scrunching up my eyebrows, I glanced at Vicki. A lie being formed in my mind. For the betterment of everyone, I decided to lie and protect Stefan. His compulsion technically just saved the council a lot of time and effort. Mainly it saved my family from all the effort of hiding another vampire attack.
"She got tired from her breakdown and almost fainted on the floor so I laid her on the bed before I followed to get you." I finished, looking at the nurse and Matt.
Nurse Haynes nodded in understanding and patted Matt's shoulder before leaving. Matt looked frustrated and looked around. He paused, distracted. His eyes became focused on something.
"Ava—" He started being broken off by the sound of my phone. I looked down at my phone. It was a message from Bonnie asking me to come and join her, Caroline and Elena at the Grill.
"Sorry, I have to run." I said quickly as I gathered my things from Vicki's chair.
When I looked up, Matt was gone. He had just left without bidding me good bye. It didn't bother me that he left like that, what bothered me was the idea of him discovering Stefan here.
Hopefully, Stefan's vampiric abilities would be able to help him get out of that mess. At this thought, I was kind of glad that I had still not given Matt the vervain I had brought over but I knew it was something that I would have to give him in the future.
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
"—the comet is a sign of impending doom. The last time it passed over Mystic Falls, there was lots of death. So much blood and carnage, it created a bed of paranormal activity." I heard Bonnie say as I walked up to the trio.
"So if it's a harbinger of doom and gloom, remind me why this town is celebrating it like it's New Year's Eve or something." I said.
"Well, the 'doom and gloom' is only what my Grams believes—y'know being the professor of paranormal stuff at Whitmore, she's really obsessed with this kind of stuff. Even believes we are witches."
"Yeah, and then you poured Grams another shot and she told you about the aliens. So then what?" Caroline retorted, leaning forward in Bonnie's reaction. "Ava, you're late." She added while I took a seat at the table.
"So then nothing." Elena replied back, nodding at me in greeting.
"You and Stefan talked all night? There was no sloppy first kiss or touchy feely of any kind?"
"Nope. We didn't go there."
"Not even a handshake? I mean, Elena, we are your friends. Ok? You are supposed to share the smut."
"Not everyone wants graphic details, Care." I cut in.
"I do." She retorted.
"We just talked for hours." Elena dreamily said.
"See, that seems like a nice thing to do instead of sex. More romantic too. Get to know him before you do him. For all you know he could be a psychotic killer." Which Stefan may have been. "You don't want to sleep with a killer do you?"
"That sounds kinda hot." Bonnie replied mindlessly, I looked at her mildly freaked out.
"OK, Elena, what is with the blockage? Just jump his bones already! Ok, it's easy. Boy likes girl, girl likes boy, sex!" Caroline complained.
"Profound." Elena stated.
"Okay, Emily Brontë." I smirked. "Don't let Caroline pressure you. Go at your own pace—maybe Stefan likes talking to you too and he's not thinking 'bout—y'know."
"You actually have a point, Ava." Bonnie said.
"What do you mean 'actually', Bonbon?" I pouted. Bonnie shrugged.
Suddenly Elena got up, looking determined. "Where are you going?" Bonnie asked.
"Caroline's right. It is easy. If I sit here long enough, I'll end up talking myself out of it instead of doing what I started the day saying what I was going to do." Elena started walking away.
"Wait." I stopped her before she could fade out in the distance. "I'll come with you." Elena and Caroline, both looked at me in confusion.
I know I had been preaching against this but I wanted to make sure Elena was safe. I didn't want to let Elena walk into a vampire's house all on her own, that would be like letting a sheep into a lion's den.
"Y'know to make sure you don't back out and to also distract his uncle Zach if he's there, while you two get it on." I added, as an afterthought. It was a terrible excuse but they all bought it. Elena nodded and let me come along.
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
Elena and I drove to the Salvatore Boarding House as I encouraged her to do what she wanted to do while also checking on her and her family. She seemed to be better from the last time I talked to her about her parents. I guess Stefan was a better influence on Elena than I had previously thought.
"Enough about me. We never really talk about you." Elena suddenly asked.
I laughed. "What else do you want to know about me?"
"Like your childhood crush of Matt or OR why Caroline is nicer to you than everyone in town."
"Well, the crush died after I discovered the boys outside of Mystic Falls and no offense to Matty but the 'small town high school football star with a heart of gold' is apparently not my type. Totally nothing to do with your former relationship with him." I said, looking outside the car. "As for Caroline, she's a nice person, she just has no filter."
"Neither do you." Elena chimed.
"Yep. That's why me and her get along so well." Elena and I laughed as we neared the Salvatore Boarding House.
Elena killed the engine and got out of the car, beckoning me to follow her. A cold chill passed through me as I walked towards the house. I wasn't taken by surprise this time. This was Salvatore house, now it was a boarding house or should be. Stefan was staying here with Zach.
It was a fitting place for a vampire to live. He was so far the only vampire in town.
Something told me there was another and maybe I would get lucky or unlucky and that vampire would be in this house as well. I brushed off those thoughts and quietly followed Elena to the door.
"Imagine, if he's not home—this would be a waste." I joked.
Elena glared at me slightly as she knocked on the door.
No answer.
She looked at me. I shrugged, moving towards the door and giving it light push, not expecting it to open. I looked on in surprise as I was pushed into the house.
"Ava!" Elena hissed. She followed me in panic.
The door was open.
Who leaves their house doors open?
Is that a vampire thing or a Salvatore thing?
"Stefan? Stefan?" Elena called timidly.
A crow flew into the house. I used my arms to shield my face and ducked, moving away from the foyer, Elena mimicking me.
A crow?
Did the Salvatore's have a pet or something?
When I and Elena turned, there was a stranger standing in the middle of the foyer.
Piercing electric blue eyes met my caramel ones. He stared at me confused like he hadn't been expecting me before moving his gaze to Elena and smirking.
His presence made my blood run cold.
Vampire.
Another one.
Without thinking, I grabbed onto Elena's arm, shoving her behind me. She was confused but said nothing.
"Who are you?" I asked slightly hostile.
"Is that how you greet someone after you barge into their house?" He retorted with a cocky grin. "Without permission, might I add." I already didn't like him.
"This is a boarding house and the door was literally open."
"We...We're sorry for barging in." Elena apologized on behalf of us.
"You must be Elena. I'm Damon, Stefan's brother." He introduced himself, still smirking. I hated that smirk and I had only met him. "And who might you be?" He asked me.
"Ava." I simply said, not bothering to give him my last name. Unlike Stefan, the chills with Damon were worse.
"Ava?" He repeated curiously, staring at me in wonder.
I said nothing and looked away from his gaze, disinterested. Elena looked back and forth between me and Damon. She then bravely stepped forward, bringing me with her. "He didn't tell us he had a brother."
"Well, Stefan's not one to brag."
"Maybe because you're a weirdo. Like who brags about the weird one in the family." I muttered under my breath.
Damon glanced at me, slightly smirking as he turned to look at Elena. He definitely heard me.
"Please, come. I'm sure Stefan will be along any second."
"Wow. This is your living room?" Elena exclaimed as she and I followed Damon into the Salvatore's living room.
"Living room, parlor, Sotheby's auction. It's a little kitschy for my taste. I see why my brother's so smitten. It's about time. For a while there, I never thought he'd get over the last one. Nearly destroyed him."
Oh no.
I knew exactly what he was doing here. He was trying to make it seem like Elena was the rebound which she was not. Not with the way Stefan stared at her like she was his stars and moon.
"The last one?" Elena asked nervously
"Yeah. Katherine, his girlfriend? Oh, you two haven't had the awkward exes conversation yet."
"Nope."
"Oops. Well, I'm sure it'll come up now. Or maybe he didn't want to tell you because he didn't want you to think he was on the rebound. We all know how those relationships end."
"Elena and Stefan just started dating and you're already predicting the end of their relationship. It's not my place to say this but that's kind of a dick move." I retorted without even thinking.
Elena stared at me in shock. I really had no filter sometimes. I had just called a vampire a dick. I prayed that he would continue to just be dick and not try to eat me.
"All relationships will come to an end eventually." Damon replied nonchalantly, running his finger through his hair.
"Not all. Some last for a lifetime or even more." I said, stepping forward to look Damon in the eyes. "But if you keep that attitude, you're never gonna have that." I added before turning around to look at Elena who was silent but looked deep in thought. I frowned.
Damon's words had already affected Elena.
"You can't deny I'm right. I'm just looking out for my brother."
"You say it like every relationship is doomed to end." Elena suddenly spoke out.
"I'm a fatalist. Hello, Stefan." Damon stated, looking at Elena, almost remembering she had been in the room during our debate. He also greeted Stefan before he came in.
Suddenly, I pitied Stefan. It must be hard to have douche for a brother.
"Elena...and Ava." He greeted, looking as if he had not slept for a while. He was probably tired of Damon if I had to guess. "I didn't know you guys were coming over." He added.
"Surprise!" I randomly blurted to ease the tension.
Elena looked mortified while Damon looked amused. Stefan, thankfully, seemed to appreciate my self-humiliation and cracked a smile.
"I know. I should have called, I just..." Elena trailed off, looking at me for support.
"She wanted to see you." I finished off for her
"Oh, don't be silly. You're welcome any time, even you, Ava." Damon also decided to jump in. I really wanted to punch him, maybe put some vervain in his drink or something. "Aren't they, Stefan? You know, I should break out the family photo albums or some home movies. But...I have to warn you. He wasn't always such a looker."
"And you were?" I joked.
"Well, what do you think?" He winked at me.
Winked.
I wanted to get out of this house right now but I stayed for Elena. I was too nice of a friend. My kindness would be the death of me, I just knew it.
Stefan glanced back and forth between me, who was glaring holes into Damon's head and Damon, who was smirking flirtatiously at me.
"Thank you for stopping by, Elena and Ava. It was nice to see you both." Stefan attempted to get us to leave to save us from his brother. Stefan was a saint and I regretted ever judging him too harshly in the past. I swear the minute I get out of here, I will be nicer to him.
"It was nice seeing you too. Nice house by the way. We'll see you later." I quickly spoke while ignoring the looks Damon was giving me and Elena, wanting to get the hell out of that suffocating house and Stefan's creepy brother.
"Yeah, we should probably go. It was nice to meet you, Damon." Elena said, actually acknowledging the demon.
"Great meeting you, too, Elena." He said slowly, turning to look at me. I regretted volunteering to come here. "It was lovely to meet you too, Ava."
"The feeling is mutual." I spat out politely as I turned to walk out the door. Stefan blocked Elena's way and looked at Damon in anger.
"Stefan...Stefan?" Elena called out, trying to get his attention.
I turned around a little to see Damon look unaffected by his stare. Those two definitely did not like each other. The differing personalities may not have been the only thing that caused the mutual dislike.
I sensed that Damon was probably one behind the attacks.
It was just a guess but it would make sense why Stefan would go out of his way to erase Vicki's memory. Shoving those thoughts aside, I stared at Stefan from the doorway, standing in the daylight away from the darkness of the Salvatore house, so close to leaving.
I breathed out and rolled my eyes. "Hey, Stefan. You're in Elena's way."
As if snapping out of a spell, Stefan moved out of Elena's way. Elena walked towards me, giving me a look before we both walked out of the Salvatore House. I could feel the Salvatore brothers staring at us as we both left.
I glanced back at the house, knowing that this would not be my last visit.
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
The town square was bustling with activity as people gathered in anticipation of the comet tonight, last seen 145 years ago. I could feel the excitement and curiosity of everyone around me. It was almost infectious.
The buzzing excitement almost helped me forget the storm that was brewing underneath the surface.
I stood here just taking pictures with the school's camera for the yearbook. I decided in the end to join the yearbook committee and the photography club. I had plans to also join the student council and the debate club. I need these extra-curricular activities for my college application.
Bonnie and Elena were also at the town square handing out the programs for the comet. Thankfully, I didn't have to help them because they volunteered before I came back.
"Tonight's the night of the comet, would you like a program?" Bonnie asked in a polite smile to a passer-by. "Want a program, Ava?"
"Thanks, Elena already gave me one."
Bonnie pouted and turned to Elena and asked jokingly "Would you like a program?" She then asked blankly. "He didn't call, huh?"
"Or text. But I realized we never even exchanged that stuff. We've never gotten to the texting part." Elena complained.
"That's an important milestone in any relationship."
"Isn't it?"
"Stefan?" I asked and Elena nodded. "Maybe he's still reeling from being embarrassed by his brother."
"That makes sense." Bonnie nodded in understanding.
"I mean I can speak from experience but older brothers are the worst when it comes to relationships. They're like the ultimate cockblock."
Elena and Bonnie laughed at my remarks. "I'm being serious, you guys." I pouted.
"The timing is wrong, anyway." Elena suddenly replied.
"When is it ever right?" Bonnie questioned.
I turned to look at Elena and grabbed her right arm with my free hand. "You have to make time..." I trailed off to glance at Caroline who had walked off elsewhere. "If you don't, you won't ever be happy."
"I'm not ready, you guys." Elena confessed
"Who is?" Bonnie questioned.
"We're all just getting by. Somehow." I said, picking up the school camera to take pictures of my two friends.
"At least I put myself out there." Elena tried defending herself, smiling at the camera.
"Is that what you're calling it?" Bonnie asked skeptically.
"What do you mean?"
"All we're hearing are reasons why you can't."
"And the reason why you won't." I added.
Glancing back at Caroline who had her gaze focused on something or someone. I looked past Caroline, dreading to discover the object of curiosity.
Damon.
He stood in the town square among other people staring right at Elena. My eyes met his and he smirked. I narrowed my eyes on him. He looked amused. I turn away to focus on my task. When I looked back I saw my blonde best friend closer to where he had been and he was gone like he was never there.
I really hoped that Caroline wasn't going to get involved with him but I knew my hopes were useless.
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
More and more people gathered to watch the once in a lifetime phenomena that was the comet as the night dragged on. The school camera that I had borrowed for both the photography club and the yearbook committee hung around my neck on its maroon strap. The official color of Mystic Falls High. It was an old camera and I was only borrowing it until my own camera was shipped in from my parents' house. Until then, I was stuck using this.
I walked around with a lit candle, lighting the candles of other people as I walked past the town folks.
Occasionally, I would put down my candle to take pictures of some of the comet observers and some of my friends looking happy.
"You look busy." Matt's voice stopped me in my tracks.
I turned around, being careful with the lit candle. "Matt, hey."
"Ava." He greeted, holding his own candle. I noticed it and lit it with a smile.
"Thanks. I feel like I've only been thanking you since you came back."
"Well, I could get used to that." I laughed.
"I mean it though. I appreciate everything you...and your Uncle have done for me and Vick. I never thanked you for stopping Vick's bleeding in the woods. I also never thanked you for the food you brought over at the hospital for me. You did so much for me and my sister. I don't know if I can ever re—"
"—Matt, you're giving me too much credit. Don't you even for a second think about repaying me. I'm doing this because I care and because if I had been a little faster, Vicki might not have been attacked-"
"—Don't blame yourself. You saved her life."
"I won't blame myself if you stop thanking me." I pouted trying to guilt him into agreeing with me.
"Fine, I give in. You win."
"Also, for the record. Elena and Jeremy also helped save Vicki, they deserve credit too." I added with a warm smile before glancing over my shoulders, seeing Elena, Caroline and Bonnie walk over.
I watched Matt light Elena's candle as they talked. It was awkward to say the least. I looked over and saw Stefan, who had actually showed up. I was thinking that he would have stayed at home after the whole incident with Damon but he showed up. He must have really wanted to see Elena. Young love. They were adorable.
"Stefan, nice to see you here." I greeted Stefan with a smile as I walked towards him with my candle.
"Hello to you too, Ava."
"I'd light your candle but I think a certain someone is more suitable instead. So here's a program instead."
He shook his head at my teasings before sobering and looking apologetic. "Listen, I wanted to apologize—"
"—about your brother? Don't be. We all have that one person in our family whose a complete wreck." I said, shrugging my shoulders. "Besides, his choices are not yours so why are you apologizing for someone you have zero control over?"
Before Stefan could reply, Elena had appeared. I smiled in her direction and walked over to her, bringing Stefan with me. "I'll leave you in her care, then." I whispered with a smile before leaving.
Elena deserved to be happy and now that I was sure that Stefan was not the one behind the attacks, I was okay to let her date Stefan. I watched happily as Elena lit Stefan's candle without even noticing it was him.
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
I stood sandwiched between Caroline and Matt facing Elena, Tyler and Bonnie in the Mystic Grill. We were all just catching up when Jeremy stormed up to Tyler. He looked pissed to say the least. Bonnie and I shared a look and quietly watched on as Jeremy accused Tyler of being a stalker and pill pusher.
Elena was going to have her hands full and so was Jenna.
"She's never gonna go for you." Tyler spat out as Elena tried to interrogate Jeremy on the side.
Jeremy smirked. "She already did. Over and over and over again."
I choked on my lemonade at Jeremy's words, nearly spitting out my drink. I wanted to throw up. The image of Elena's baby brother with Matt's older sister was one that I did not want in my head. Bonnie gave me a look of concern as I brushed it off.
"You slept with Vicki? Oh my god." I blurted out.
"Yeah right." Tyler stated in disbelief.
"You slept with Vicki Donovan? I mean, Vicki Donovan slept with you?" Caroline jumped in.
"There's no way."
"And I didn't even have to force her into it." Jeremy dropped a bomb
"What the hell is he talking about, Ty?" Matt asked, clearly pissed as hell.
"What the hell did you do, Ty?"
"Nothing, man, just ignore him, he's a punk." Tyler tried to calm Matt down before turning to me.
"Ava, you know me, I would never do that."
I scoffed. "Sooo lemme get this Jeremy is lying then?" Jeremy sent me a grateful look, happy that someone was at least on his side.
Really, I was more concerned about Vicki being sexually assaulted than getting in between these two's dick measuring contests.
Mat slammed his hands on the table and looked at us all "You know what, how about all of you shut up and help me find my sister?"
"We'll check the back." Bonnie instantly replied, getting up.
Matt nodded gratefully. "I'll check the square."
"I'll come with you." Jeremy offered before being shot down by Elena who dragged him with her as they argued about his drug dealings and habits.
I breathed out. "Matt, I'll come with you." Matt smiled sadly, knowing that he owed me more and more. I know he hated owing people.
"Tha—" He stopped before thanking me, remembering what I had said earlier that night. "Right. Lead the way."
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
Bright and hot.
Those were the two words I would use if someone asked me to describe the square right now. It was too packed. More packed than I had ever seen in my life. I knew it was going to be impossible to find Vicki now but I still stuck by Matt.
"Do you see her?" I asked, trying to look at everyone in the crowds. It was hard for someone my height to look at everyone.
Matt looked distracted. "No. But I see someone else." He replied before stalking towards someone.
Stefan.
This was not going to be good. Elena's ex and her current boyfriend were going to go head to head. I rushed behind Matt, dodging the people as they walked by me. I could see them greet each other and watched them talk about something. I strained my ears to hear their conversations but the chatter from the crowd drowned out their voices. I barely caught what they were saying.
By the time I reached them, Stefan was about to leave.
I huffed in annoyance, standing next to Matt.
Matt glanced at me apologetically before turning back to Stefan and glaring at him.
"—What were you doing there?" Matt stared at Stefan. I looked confused at Matt. "He was at the hospital." Matt stated simply. I knew that already but I didn't know Matt knew.
Stefan stared at me, studying my expression before glancing back at Matt. "Visiting."
"Visiting? You know, Elena and I, we've known each other for a long time. We might not be together right now, but I look out for her. And I'll always look out for her." Matt questioned and then went on a rant about Elena. I was slightly relieved that he didn't go into detail about his reason for visiting the hospital.
Stefan said nothing while Matt continued to glare at him. He looked distracted and had a far away look on his face. I had a feeling that he was using his vampire abilities. I knew he was. He glanced back at me and Matt before turning around and leaving in a hurry.
"Well, that was useless." I blurted out.
"Sorry Ava, I thought he would know where Vicki was cause he was at the hospital for some reason. I still don't know what he was doing there." He ranted, walking further into the town square. "I just know that he wasn't there to visit. Do you not remember how she freaked out at the hospital and the moment we both left, he comes in and she's fine."
My relief at his lack of attention to detail disappeared as a silent panic took hold of me.
"Matt." I grabbed his hands in mine. "Look I get you're worried. But don't you think you're overthinking this." I continued staring into his sea-blue eyes. He had really pretty eyes. "Stefan was just visiting and Vicki got tired. Don't overthink this."
Matt's eyes glazed. I could have sworn I saw a gold sheen in his eyes before the sea-blue came back. "I won't overthink this." He replied monotonically, nodding.
I smiled in response and let go of his hands and looked away. As if a spell had been broken, Matt looked at me in confusion. "Vick's not here. We should head back." He breathed out and grabbed my left hand and led me back to the Grill.
"You know, you don't have to hold my hand. Right?"
"I know. But if I didn't you'd get lost. And I don't want to go on a hunt for you as well." Matt replied with a smile. I smiled back, clutching the school camera still around my neck with my free hand.
A weird feeling took over me. One that I never felt before. It felt like thousands of tiny ants crawling on my body. This felt different from the chills I'd get from being around vampires. I froze outside the Grill.
Matt stood in the doorway looking at me, confused.
I smiled reassuringly. "You should go ahead. I just remembered, I have to take more pics for the yearbook committee. I'll meet you inside."
Matt nodded in understanding and looked at me in pity. Honestly, he and Elena were a lot alike, both thought the yearbook committee was so much work but it really wasn't. I watched, standing frozen, as he walked inside. I looked up at the roof of the Grill, feeling compelled for some reason to go up there.
Following the need to go to the roof, I walked into the Grill. I weaved through the crowds to reach the door to the roof.
As I was about to open it, a waiter stopped me. "You can't go up there." He commanded.
I huffed and rolled my eyes. "Look, I really need to go up there, it's important."
"Yeah, that's what they all say."
The feeling got worse, the closer I stood to the door. "Please, I need to go up there." He didn't relent.
"Let me go up there." I begged again, looking down, feeling desperate.
"You can go up there." The waiter replied monotonically, moving away from the door and going back to work.
I stared at the man's retreating back in confusion.
How did he change his mind so quickly?
I didn't have time to give it more thought. I had to go up there. I checked my surroundings to see if anyone was watching me.
To my relief, half the Grill was either too drunk or too busy in conversations to notice me sneaking off to the roof.
"Please, Damon. Please don't do this." Stefan was begging to his brother.
"If you couldn't fix it before, I don't know what you can do now." Damon replied back sardonically.
I watched in silent horror from my hiding place as Damon ripped off Vicki's bandage and threw her at Stefan.
This was a band idea.
I should not have followed that feeling. I should have followed Matt. If I was discovered I would be dead.
Deader than dead.
"Ugh! Your choice of lifestyle has made you weak. A couple of vampire parlor tricks is nothing compared to the power that you could have, that you now need. But you can change that. Human blood gives you that." Damon complained as Vicki screamed in protest. "You have two choices. You can feed and make her forget. Or you can let her run, screaming "vampire" through the town square."
"That's what this is about? You want to expose me?"
"No! I want you to remember who you are!"
"Why? So what, so I'll feed? So I'll kill? So I'll remember what it's like to be brothers again? You know what, let her go. Let her tell everyone that vampires have returned to Mystic Falls. Let them chain me up, and let them drive a stake through my heart, because at least I'll be free of you." Stefan spat out.
I was right.
The Salvatore brothers didn't have a good relationship and Stefan was a drama queen. He really thought the Council would chain him up. I wanted to laugh at that thought.
Stake him? Yes.
Chaining him up? Too much effort.
I focused my gaze back to the Salvatore brothers and Vicki, while slowly getting out my family dagger in case they did something to Vicki.
"Huh. Huh. Wow. Come here, sweetheart." Damon called out to Vicki who continued to fight against his advances. "It's OK." I watched him whisper something to Vicki's ear.
Vicki's face morphed into one of confusion and she calmed down. She looked...fine. She wasn't screaming or fighting anymore, she looked more confused than concerned or scared. I glanced at Damon who looked at my hiding spot.
I ducked and made myself small, gripping my dagger tighter. I slowly retreated, knowing Vicki was going to be fine. I made my way back down the stairs. I was greeted by the same waiter who had tried to stop me from going up.
"Hey, what were you doing up there?" He interrogated me, looking around to check if I had any accomplices.
I looked up at him, confused. He had literally been the one to allow me to go upstairs and now he couldn't even remember me.
Strange.
Ignoring his question, I gripped his arm. "Get me a first aid kit." I commanded him. He said nothing and nodded.
I observed as he walked towards the bar and asked the bartender to give him the first aid kit. Thankfully he didn't seem to mention me. The bartender handed him the kit and went back to work.
The waiter came back and looked at me with glazed eyes and handed me the kit. He said nothing and walked away. I tilted my head and just stared at the spot where he just was.
What the hell just happened?
I walked over to Matt who had found Vicki after she had made her way down to the Grill.
"Here." I placed the kit in front of Matt who was busy fussing over Vicki ripping her bandage.
Vicki flashed me a grateful smile as Matt cracked open the kit and took out some bandages. Stefan observed me silently from the side. I could see him carefully studying me. I prayed that he didn't suspect me of anything.
The last thing I wanted was to be found out by a vampire that I was eavesdropping on his conversation. Stefan may have been the vegetarian version of a vampire but his brother was not.
Stefan looked at me, ready to ask me something but Matt decided to start talking. "You always know what I need, Ava."
"I guess I do. Maybe I'm psychic like Bonnie." I joked. Vicki snorted while Matt rolled his eyes amused.
Matt then turned to Stefan. "She said you found her around."
"Yeah."
"So, um, thanks." Matt thanked Stefan shyly.
I looked over Vicki's wounds to see Matt had done a good job handling it. I glanced across the Grill to see Bonnie and Caroline seated at another table. I just realized that throughout the night, I was so busy with Matt and Vicki that I hadn't even spoken to Caroline. I suddenly felt bad.
"Hey, I think you got this. I'm gonna go over to Bonnie and Care. Shout if you need me."
"You've done more than enough for me. So don't worry about it."
I nodded, gathering my stuff. "Here, my contacts. Text me about Vicki's condition and if you wanna talk in general." I quickly spoke, writing out my number on a piece of paper napkin and handing it to him. I saw Vicki from the corner of my eyes give him a teasing look which Matt thankfully ignored.
I walked over to Bonnie and Caroline's table in a hurry to almost escape Stefan. "That is probably the last time I will be nice to anyone." I said before taking a seat next to Caroline.
"You say that now..." Bonnie replied with a grin.
"I know. I know."
"Ugh, it's just so much drama. Ever notice how the druggies are the biggest attention whores?" Caroline suddenly complained.
"Yeah." Bonnie agreed mindlessly.
"I thought you loved drama." I asked innocently.
Caroline made a face before replying. "I do, when it's interesting or worth it. Like Je—"
"Excuse me, Hi." Stefan interrupted Caroline, awkwardly greeting us.
Great, I came here to avoid him, only for him to follow me here. I kept my face neutral and watched him from the corner of my eyes. After the whole roof top incident, I had mixed feelings about him.
"Hi." Bonnie was the only one who bothered to greet him. Caroline was clearly still bitter of his rejection.
"Um, have you guys seen Elena?"
"I think she went home. I'm gonna give you Elena's cell number and her email. She is big on texting, and you can tell her...'I said so'." I watched quietly from my seat as Bonnie gave Stefan Elena's number.
"Thank you."
Bonnie froze as her hand made contact with Stefan's. Her eyes became unfocused and glazed over. A far away look took over her face before she quickly retreated her hand. It was like watching her touch something dangerous and instinctively take her hand back.
"You okay?"
There was no reply.
I got concerned. I moved over to sit next to Bonnie and grabbed her arm.
No response.
I lightly shook her. "Bonnie. You good?"
"What happened to you? That's so rude. I'm sorry. Excuse me." Bonnie blinked and hurriedly apologized.
"Yeah, she kind of wigs out. It's like her thing." Caroline commented.
"Caroline." I chided her.
"What? I'm right."
─────⋇⋆✦⋆⋇─────
Leaving Caroline and Bonnie, I walked outside to the town square to watch the comet. I felt a presence next to me. I turned my head slightly to look at the person next to me.
A smile took over my face when I realized it was just Matt. Despite the fact I only approached to hide the truth about the supernatural, I did appreciate his presence. Maybe it was my little childhood crush on him but his presence was comforting.
"I thought you would've gone home." Matt silently asked.
"I thought you'd be inside tending to Vicki."
"She went back to work."
I raised my eyebrows, questioning him. "Don't ask." Matt breathed out.
I nodded in understanding and turned back to stare at the night sky. I felt Matt staring at me.
"Is there something on my face?" I asked, turning back to look at him.
"I can't look at my childhood friend who returned after what? Six years and something months." He teased me.
I laughed a little. "I have been in town for almost FOUR months." I said, tilting my head before looking back in front of me at the sky.
Matt said nothing but just grinned widely and followed my actions. I felt a warm hand engulf my own. My eyes widened but I said nothing. Simply staring ahead at the sky.
I watched in wonder as the comet finally passed over the sky leaving a trail of light in the darkened sky. Matt squeezed my hands as the comet passed. I bit my lips to stop myself from saying something stupid and ruining everything.
Instead with a free hand I picked up the camera and took some pictures of the comet. It was truly beautiful. Making me question, how can something so beautiful be a sign of doom.