"Okay, I'll see you in like an hour!" I excitedly hang up the phone as I jog up the front stairs to my home.

  Stopping at the door I cringe momentarily before pushing through. I had told Dad I would be home early, but that didn't really work out too well. I ended up sleeping in way later than I had expected, I suppose that shouldn't have been so surprising after such an eventful day.

  Still, my heart sank a bit when I realized it was already after 11 by the time I crawled out of bed. If it hadn't been for Zeke's mom, it would have undoubtedly been even later! She finally decided enough was enough and came barging in singing some sort of strange wake up song. It is definitely clear to see where Zeke gets all his weirdness from.

  Zeke was less than ambitious to give up his claim on sleep, however his mom was relentless. After threatening to withhold her grilled cheese from him, Zeke finally gave under the pressure. Still, he complained the entire time she was preparing the meal that he could be asleep for this part of the process. She just rolled her eyes at him and peppered me with questions about the upcoming dance. Most importantly she wanted to know when I expected to be ready, don't want to be late for the big night and all. Upon hearing that I actually had a different ride, her eyes bulged for a millisecond before she was able to recover.

  I had no intention of filling her in on the details of where the said ride was coming from, Zeke on the other hand jumped at the chance. Even at the mere suggestion that I had a date Zeke started gossiping, as if I wasn't even there. I swear, sometimes he is worse than a teenage girl! Upon hearing all the dirt, all few sentences of it, she tapped her finger on the counter and eyed me consideringly. She looked a little disappointed, I think some part of her always expected Zeke and I to get together. Still, after just a moments hesitation she smiled and said she was happy for me. Even sent her best wishes as I left to go get ready.

  As chance would have it my phone started ringing the moment I stepped out their front door. Elena instantly plunged into conversation, way to excited for the makeover she was planning. Asking my opinion on hair styles, nail polish colors, and types of lip glass, I stood there frozen at a loss for words.

   After laughing at my cluelessness, she informed me that she would be heading over soon. I still don't think that we really needed to start getting ready this early, but Elena insists that it is an all day process. I mean, how long does it really take to step into a dress? But considering this will be my first dance, who am I to argue?

  "Dad I'm home!" I call as I make my way into the living room, bracing myself for the scolding I am sure will come.

  To my shock, I am met with laughter floating in from the kitchen.

  "And she lives!" He teases me as he steps into the room.

  I shrug innocently at him, taking a chance at a smile as I kick my shoes off.

  "I called over there a few hours ago expecting you to be up" He explained, "was told you were sleeping like the dead" he chuckles to himself as he takes a seat at the couch.

  "Sorry" I apologize, smiling sheepishly at him as I move further into the room.

  I carefully fold Damon's jacket over the armrest of the couch, nervously running my fingers over the cool leather.

  "Don't worry about it kiddo, not like I haven't slept half a day away before" he chuckles again and pats the spot next to him. "Have a moment that we can talk? I know today is the big dance, but wanted to share something with ya!"

  "Of course!" I eagerly plop into the seat beside him. Adjusting myself to face him, I curl one leg under me and lean back against the armrest. "Is everything okay?"

  "Oh yes, yes of course" he smiles, but there is a hint of sadness to his eyes.

  "What's going on?" I ask, leaning forward as worry builds inside of me.

  "So, whose jacket?" Dad asks, completely ignoring my question.

  With a raised brow he gestures with a jerk of his chin towards Damon's jacket that currently rest at my back. Resisting the urge to reach for it I bite my lip, hating the blush that instantly invades my cheeks.

  "Just a friends" I shrug, feeling to unsure of my self to even try to go into further detail.

  "This friend that Damon kid?" he pushes, his lips twisting up in a knowing smirk. He laughs as I quickly avert my eyes and my blush deepens. "Oh young love."

  "I'm not-" I start to deny, but am interrupted before I can finish.

  "You look so much like your mother." He states, reaching up and running a thumb over my cheek tenderly.

  A bolt of electricity shoots through my body as I sit up straight at the mention of her. I gawk at him, totally taken off guard by the sudden subject change. I have actually never seen a picture of my mother, and the thought of resembling her fills me with warmth.

  Growing up nothing of hers was left around the house, no pictures or trinkets that she left behind. Dad would always go into a rage if I ever mentioned her, so I always assumed that such things hurt him too much to see. The only bits and pieces I've managed to learn about my mother are from other people, and the occasional drunken comment from Dad.

  "Really?" tears prick my eyes and I lean in closer, starving for information about her.

  "Oh yes, everyday you remind me more and more of her" his eyes glisten, no longer seeing me but instead the ghosts of memories.

  Blinking a few times he shakes his head, bringing himself back to the present. Turning, he reaches beside the couch and pulls out a box that I hadn't noticed earlier. Not a box, more of small trunk. Its old wood multicolored by time and faded by the sun. The tarnished buckle that is meant to keep the lid shut tilts to one side, long ago broken. Still, my heart quickens at the sight of it. There's something beautiful about it, surviving through everything, even if a little battered.

  With hardly a moments hesitation he lifts the lid with one hand and removes a piece of old paper with the other. I get the feeling that this is something he has pulled out many times before, not even needing to look in order to find it. It takes everything in me not to lunge at it, to rip it from his hands and see my mother. For I know it's a picture of her, just by the way he looks at it. His eyes devouring the image like a man dying of starvation. He gently runs a finger over the image, his hand trembling ever so slightly as he takes a shaky breath.

  "You know, you're about the age we were when we first met." His voice is gruff, and wavering with emotion. He allows his eyes to linger on the photo just a moment longer before turning it for me to see. "She was so beautiful," He continues as I carefully take hold of the worn photography.

  It's edges are soft and curling, it seems so fragile in my shaking hands. Although the picture is definitely old, and its coloring is slightly altered by a yellow tint, its easy to see how stunning she was. My breath catches as my eyes trail over her, drinking in her every detail. I run my finger up the length of her body, I think she would have been about my height. Her thin, delicate figure making her look small, yet she still somehow manages to look bold.

  In the back of my mind I can't help but wish I would have inherited that from her. Her dark hair cascades in large curls that frame her angular face, and reach all the way to her hip. Her skin is pale, looking almost porcelain, causing her to blend slightly with the simple white dress she is wearing. Her delicate fingers are wrapped around a few random flowers that don't necessarily go well with each other, but look to have been shaped into a bouquet.

  Even though its just a photograph, her emerald eyes seem to pierce right through me, demanding my attention. The picture must have been captured while she was laughing, her wide smile bring a small smile to my own lips.

"just as you are." Dad finishes his thought after a moment of gazing at the picture together.

  I glance up to him in surprise. As much as I wish I could look like her, I just don't see it. She looks like someone who could take control of a room just by entering it, whereas I'm just, well me.

  "Was this your wedding?" I ask, unable to come up with a more suitable response.

  "Yes, one of the few pictures we managed to save during our move here." He places his hand on my shoulder and rubs his thumb back and forth, comforting both himself and me as we venture on this journey into the past.

  "Where did you move from?" I lean into his touch, hanging on his every word.

  "Empoli" He answers simply.

  "Where's that?" I ask, expecting to be told a state nearby.

  "Well Italy of course!" Dad's voice raises and he laughs like I should already have known this.

  My Mouth drops open, my eyes bulging as I try to process this. I mean, I knew we were from an Italian family but I had no idea I was a first generation American!

  "Do you have no knowledge of our family history?" he laughs even more at my look of shock.

  "Not really" I mumble shyly, not wanting to point out that he never told me.

  "Well, my own doing I suppose" He mutters to himself while adjusting to get more comfortable, readying himself for a long story.

  "Why did you move here" I ask, not waiting to dive right in.

  "It was our dream. Move here and start a new, better life together. One day we had hoped to bring you back, to show you the land where we fell in love."

  "How did you meet?" I ask, dying to know more.

  "She and her mother moved into a house not far from my own. I later found out that they had been moving from place to place ever since Ally was a little girl. I thank my lucky stars that, for whatever reason, her mother decided to move to our little village. From the moment I saw her, I knew she was the only one for me. Her mother on the other hand, had very different ideas." He chuckles looking down at the picture I still hold in my lap.

  "She didn't like you?"

  "Hated me!" He bellows with another laugh at the memory "Alessandra would not be controlled by her though. She was the strongest, most stubborn women I have ever met. Secretly the two of us would meat down by this little river. We would sit having little picnics with whatever were able to scrounge up and talk for hours. She would tell me stories, I tell you, your mother had an imagination. The stories she could come up with!"

  "What kind of stories?"

  I perk up even more, latching onto this common thread we may have shared. I always loved the idea of writing my own books someday, I wonder if she held the same dream.

  "Grand adventures with monsters and those who would fight them away." Dad grins, his eyes glazing over as he stops, enjoying the memory.

  I freeze, my stomach doing a mini flip as my mind makes an unwanted connection. I can't block out the nagging thought, maybe they were more than just stories? I already know that Elena's family used to be hunters. Could it be Mom was in a similar situation? Maybe her stories weren't so imaginative? No, what are the odds of that? Would just be too strange.

  Pushing the thought away I let my eyes wander back to her picture, to her powerful eyes.

  "How did you ask her to marry you?"

  "She asked me, in a sorta way." He chuckles. "She was fearless. That mother of hers decided it was time for them to be moving on. Well, Ally would have none of that! That same day she declared we were gunna get hitched, and I wasn't going to argue with her. Mamma was on board the moment she heard our plight."

  "So your mom helped you?"

  "Oh yea." The corners of his mouth twist up into a mischievous grin. "When the two of them got together they schemed up a good ole plan. Mamma still had her wedding dress ya see, and Ally loved it the moment she saw it. Said it was perfect, and dontcha know the thing fit like a glove."

  He stops, dreamily staring at the photograph for a moment before continuing.

  "We waited for the day that her mother left to finalize the plans for their move. There was this little church down the road, the priest was a long time family friend ya see. Agreed to do a small service for us all nice and quiet. It may have been small but it really was wonderful."

  "What happened when her mom found out?" I am so captured by the story I unconsciously hold my breath waiting for his answer.

  "I don't know." He shrugs

  "What?" I gasp in disbelief, leaning back as if my body could no longer hold itself up after such a shock.

  I was expecting some family drama, some blow out fight. But no, nothing!

  "She was away for the weekend, making her plans. That's why we did it when we did. We had our ceremony the day she left, and that night we had a dinner to celebrate. The next morning we took what little we had and hopped on a plane here."

  "You just left?" I stare at him incredulously, unable to even contemplate doing something like that.

  Even when things were bad here I never dreamed of running so far away. Sure, leaving the house and starting on me own, but going to a whole different country? They just walked away from everyone they had in their life!

  "We needed a new start, and my family was excited for us. They gave us what they could in able to get us here. Alessandra on the other hand couldn't wait to get away from her mom. She spent her life moving from one town to the next, never having the chance to live. She described it, more than once, as her own personal hell. So we decided to move one last time, to get away from the life she hated, and to get us both the freedom we needed."

  "But what about-" My question is cut short by a knock on the door.

  I stop midscentence and turn to the door, my mouth hanging open as my mind works in overdrive to understand the interruption. That can't be Elena already! I swear we just started talking about this!

  "Why don't you go see who is at the door, I have some work I need to take care of anyways."

  He starts digging in the trunk for something more, but I don't pay much attention to what he is doing. I fidget, not ready for this conversation to end.

  "No, but..." Panic rises in my voice as I fail to think of a plan to convince him to keep going.

  "Don't worry kiddo, we can talk more about this another time." He smiles reassuringly, but my heart still aches at the idea of stopping now.

   "How about this?" He takes the photo out of my hand and gently places it in the lid of the trunk, rubbing it with his finger once more before moving on. "I will leave this out, and when you have some time you can go through her things"

  I stare at the trunk in wonder, everything that my mom owned tucked away in one little trunk.

  "For now though, why don't you take this." He places a small wooden box in my lap.

  It feels a bit flimsy, but the wood is stained a beautiful chestnut color. In the center of the lid is a crudely carved heart with our last name in it.

  "Made this for her as a wedding gift. She didn't have much for jewelry, but what she has is in here. Thought maybe you would like to wear something for tonight"

  Tears fill my eyes as I stare up at him in awe at such a caring gesture! Both, that he made this for mom and that he thought to give it to me tonight.

  "Thank you." I choke out as I smile weekly at him.

  "Love you" He breaths as he stands, giving me a kiss on the head before going to the door.

  I quickly wipe at my eyes as I hear him great my friend, who has been patiently waiting at the door.

  "You must be Elena, come on in!"

  "Thank you sir!" she smiles at him as she takes her first steps into our home.

  "Oh dad!" I turn to face him as I suddenly remember. "I forgot to ask, is it okay if Elena comes over to get ready?" I give him a crooked smile, knowing it's a bit redundant to ask now.

  He bursts out laughing, nodding his head. "I actually will be going out for a while, so you can have run of the house" He grabs for his coat as he continues.

  "Don't make a mess now, and call if you need anything!" and with that he leaves us alone.

"Sorry, seems I showed up at a bad time" Elena fidgets nervously near the door, seeing my red rimmed eyes and quickly glancing away.

  "Oh no," I wave dismissively at her concerns, "Just learning some stuff about my mom"

  Elena ambles over to my side, peering curiously at the trunk before me. When her eyes fall upon my mother's photograph she stops short.

  "Wow," she breathes, taking another cautious step in order to get a better look." She is beautiful"

  "Yea" I agree.

  "We should curl your hair for tonight, just like she has it. I think you would look amazing!"

  "Think so?" I ask a little skeptical

  "Definitely!" she confirms.

  "Dad just gave me her jewelry box, said I can wear something of hers if I want" I run my hand over the carving once more, oddly nervous to look inside.

  "Lets have a look!" she hops onto the couch beside me, leaning into my space as she eagerly peers over my shoulder.

  With trembling fingers I slowly open the box and gasp. I was expecting little trinkets and costume jewelry, not elegant family treasures. I assumed anything of value in our house would have been sold long ago when Dad was down on his luck. Even in the worse of time though, it seems he took special care of Mom's things.

  "Wow" Elena whisper, obviously just as surprised as I am.

  She leans even closer, her shoulder brushing against mine as she tries to get a better look. Dad was right, there isn't a lot but the three pieces she had are beautiful. Elena reaches in and pulls out a small silver necklace by the chain. A heart pendant swings freely as it's lifted from the box, it's ruby center gleaming in the light.

  "This is stunning!"

"Yea" I breath, reaching for the other necklace. "But I like this one more."

   The soft material of the simple black choker glides across my skin as I lift it, the tear drop onyx dangles from the center elegantly.

  "That would look amazing with your dress!"

  "I think so too." A smile slowly spreading on my lips as I realize I am actually holding something that belonged to my mom!

  "What about the ring?" Elena asks, looking at the final piece of jewelry.

  "I bet it's her wedding ring" I guess as I pull out the simple silver band with a heart stamped into it. I run my finger over the engraving, and wonder once again what she was like.

  "You going to wear it tonight?"

  "Oh no, I couldn't bear it if I lost it!" I quickly return it to it's resting place before any such thing could happen.

  "What about the choker?" she eyes it almost wistfully.

  "That I will wear!" I laugh.

  "Good!" She grabs my hand and pulls me up. "Now lets get going!"

-------------------Damon's POV-------------------

"Shit" I mumble, straightening the collar of my black dress shirt for the umpteenth time.

  I am finding it hard to concentrate, which only agitates me more. This woman, this distracting little girl, is eating away at me. And that intrusive scent that lingers everywhere I go, constantly demanding my attention. Why can't I get her out of my mind! Why do I find myself perpetually going out of my way to help her! Now this, what was I thinking!

   Threading my finger through my messy hair I turn from the mirror, no longer wanting to look at myself. Aimlessly I begin to pace, not even noticing that I am doing so. My mind continues to roll around the predicament I now find myself in. I had no right to ask her out tonight! We will be leaving soon, and that's all she needs!

  Ugh! I roll my shoulders, trying to work out the knot forming. Why do I even care? Irritation flares up inside me, my hands clenching and unclenching into fists. It's a stupid little high school dance, why would I even want to go!

  Cursing myself once more I grab my glass, emptied long ago, only to set it down forgotten again a moment later.

  "Nervous?" I jump at the sudden intrusion of a voice, only to find a smug looking Stefan watching me from the door way.

  "No" I scrunch up my face as if that is ridiculous, even as my heart quickens at the thought of tonight.

  "Liar" He accuses, laughing to himself as he leans against the door frame.

  "Don't you have some act of heroism to be doing." I shoot at him, once again grabbing my empty glass only to actually refill it this time.

  "What are you doing Damon?" He shakes his head, completely ignoring my jab.

  "Having a snack" I smirk at him and raise my glass of dark red liquid in a solute. "Would hate to start feeling peckish at the big event."

  "That's not what I mean and you know it" he says, his eyes narrowing as he watches me carefully.

  "Why is it I am always up to something?" I wave my hands in annoyance, the liquid in my glass sloshing over the brim with my harsh movement.

  "Because you're you." He states, like this is reason enough.

  I clench my jaw, narrowing my eyes at him in return.

"You know baby brother," I drawl, my voice sickly sweet, "you are not as smart as you like to pretend".

  I drain my glass in one large gulp and slam it onto the table beside me.

  "Damon," He sighs "just be careful with her"

  Anger replaces my annoyance, and I have to focus to keep my breathing regular.

  "From where I'm standing, its looks like I have done more to help her than either you or Elena have"

  I keep my voice even, but my whole body is tense. My chin jutting out, my eyes blazing with emotion that even I do not fully understand.

  "That's not-" He starts, but then changes directions. "She's not like us."

  "What, a monster" I snap, the bite of painful memories freezing me in place for a moment as I am reminded of everything I have lost in my transformation.

  "Were not-" Stefan stumbles on his words, unable to flat out deny it, "I just mean she isn't used to our life style."

  "I'll try to keep the draining and pillaging to a minimum then." I roll my eyes as I turn away from him, getting bored with the conversation.

   Instead, I check my pockets, insuring that I have everything I need for the night.

"This isn't a joke Damon! She isn't that tough. She can't handle a lot of this, she isn't the most stable, and really needs-" He begins to preach, but I have no patience to sit and listen to his pretentious speech.

  "You think I am going to hurt her?" I turn on him, seething at how he dares speak of Nereza in such a way. "Do you think I'll make her cry? Or maybe you think I'll bite her? Is that it, think that I'll be the big bad wolf that gobbles her up?"

  The words jump to my mouth before my mind can even clearly form them, my rage pushing me on. With each passing question I take a step closer to him.

  "Get over yourself" I growl, towering over him. "You are not her protector, she doesn't need you."

  I push past him, not letting him have a chance to respond.

  "She is stronger than you two give her credit for."

-------------------Nereza's POV-------------------

"They will be here any minute!"

  Elena buzzes around me excitedly as she makes a minor adjustment to one of the loose curls that spiral down my back.

  "okay, give me a spin!" she demands, taking a step back to admire her handy work.

  I teeter slightly on the strappy black heals she brought for me, but manage a shaky twirl. The royal purple fabric flares out playfully around me before it settles just above my knees, tickling my thighs as it sways. A giggle escapes me as I momentarily feel like a princess.

  "Perfect!" she cheers, giving me a little applause.

  "And now you!" I motion for her to do the same.

  Her lips twist up in a playful smile as she doesn't even hesitate to comply. Her pink multicolored dress flares out dramatically around her, her straight hair following suit as she does a quick twirl. She spins momentarily on one sandaled foot, laughing as she stumbles slightly before she catches her balance. I clap my hands together vigorously in approval, only making her laugh more before taking a small bow.

  "I think I might be nervous" I confide, laughing at how silly I'm being.

  "Oh don't be, tonight is going to be great." She pauses looking past me and tilting her head slightly as she thinks. "Well as long as Damon can behave."

  "You guys always make him sound awful" I point out, not entirely understanding why.

  "Well," she blows out a deep breath before continuing. "He has had his moments in the past."

  "Are you telling me Stefan hasn't?" I ask, figuring that at some point in his vampire life he had to have messed up a time or two.

  She stops, tilting her head side to side as if debating.

  "Uh," She lifts a shoulder in a half shrug "okay point taken. I just worry for you, that's all" She smiles at me, placing a caring hand on my shoulder. "Damon is kind of a wild card. Never really know what he is going to do."

  "You know, Zeke would say that's what makes life interesting" I challenge.

  "Sometimes life is interesting enough" She argues, her eyes widening as she thinks about everything she has been through.

  Before anything more can be said there is a nock at the door making us both stand up straighter.

  "Oh I wish you had some stairs or something to walk down" She laughs as she gabs my hand pulling me with her to the door. "But this will have to do!"

  With that she grasps the door handle, flinging the door wide open.

  Damon's eyes widen as they fall upon me, his mouth dropping open for an instant before his lips twitch up into a smile. My breath catches in my throat, I can almost feel his gaze like a soft touch as he takes in my every detail. I do my best not to fidget, but I unconsciously bite my lip as the heat rises to my cheeks.

  "You girls look beautiful" Stefan compliments, making me jump slightly. How did I not even realize he was there?

  "Stunning" Damon agrees quietly, although he never takes his eyes off of me.

  "Shall we go?" Stefan asks, motioning for Elena to take his arm.

  "Oh yes!" I jump to attention, my blush only deepening as I realize that I have yet to do anything other than just stand there. "Here is your jacket!" I turn, my finger trembling as I grab it down from the hook beside the door and hold it out for Damon.

  "I think," He steps closer to me, gently taking the jacket from my hands, "that you should probably keep it for tonight"

  He finishes, as he once again wraps the soft leather over my exposed shoulders. My heart quickens as his thumb brushes over my arm, my breath quickening ever so slightly

  "Wouldn't want you getting cold again" A smirk plays on Damon's lips as he adjusts the jacket, purposefully touching the bare skin on my arm once more.

  "Hey, are you guys leaving now?" A yell from the front lawn snaps me to attention.

  Damon lets out a sigh before dropping his hand and also turning to see what the interruption is all about. Zeke bounces up the front steps of my porch, pulling up short when he sees us. His eyes widen, mouth gaping open as he looks to Elena and me

  "Wow you two are just, wow" he sputters unable to come up with words. Elena laughs, stepping out to the porch to give him a hug.

  "You look pretty wow yourself" She says stepping back to look at him again. She isn't lying, he cleans up well when he tries. The light blue dress shirt brings out the blue of his eyes, and I think he may have even combed his hair! Puffing out his chest, he beams with pride as he thanks her.

"Ready Puddin?" Zeke's mom call as she walks out to her SUV.

  She stops, finally noticing the crowd of people at my door and studies everyone as she tries to place them. When she notices Damon, who is standing just a hair too close to me, her lips purse in disapproval. After a moment, she realizes we are all watching her in return and her face brightens up. She waves pleasantly and turns back to her car, not waiting for a greeting in response.

  "May not be the coolest way to roll," Zeke's confidence falters a fraction as he rubs the back of his neck. "But if anyone needs a ride," he shrugs, letting the offer fall.

  "We will take you up on that!" Elena grabs Stefan's hand and pulls him down the walk way.

  "We will?" He asks, his brows furrowing in confusion as he allows himself to be dragged along.

  "Yes!" she smiles, tugging him a bit forcefully onward.

  "Oh, okay then!" Zeke perks up, turning to chase after them.

  "See you guys there!" Elena calls over her shoulder, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

  Suddenly, just like that, Damon and I are completely alone. I bite my lip nervously, fidgeting as silence falls around us. My heart pounds in my ears as I beg my mind for something intelligible to say. Actually anything would be good at this point! Damon watches me, his lips twitching into a smirk and he takes another step closer. Much more and he would be touching me, my traitorous body swoons at the idea.

  "Well," He finally breaks the silence "Shall we go my dear?" He asks as he slides his hand across my lower back, leading me out into the darkness.

  My knees go week, my legs trembling as I focus my entire energy into just walking a straight line. Yet, no matter how much I try, all I can think about is his hand on me. God, if I don't pull myself together, this is going to be a long night!