CHAPTER 11: MISS MYSTIC FALLS

(A/N: I chose to do this chapter in 3rd person so that you guys can decide if you want me to write in 3rd or 1st person.)

Mystic Falls High School

In the classroom of Alaric Saltzman, meaning history class, Elena Gilbert was sitting with her boyfriend Stefan Salvatore and her sister Natalie Saltzman.

Stefan kept glancing over at Natalie, he knew that he didn't really have a reason to be worried about her. She seemed fine at the founder's party, so she would be alright at the moment. But as he failed to protect her when they were captured by Fredrick and his minions he wanted to make sure that he had the possibilty to protect her, even if she was perfectly capable of protecting herself.

He did feel slightly guilty for not thinking about Elena and wanting to protect her, his girlfriend. But he had yet to experience a moment where he wasn't able to save her. With Natalie he felt like he couldn't do anything. And it frustrated him to no extent.

He didn't really pay any attention to Alaric's lecture. Unlike Natalie who was staring at her father intently as she was ready to write down her notes.

"Okay, this week we're gonna set outside our regular curriculum for a lesson in local history as we approach Founders' Day. Apparently the community leaders feels it's more important than World War II but hey what do I know?" Alaric slightly joked to his students.

No one expected that Alaric would be interuppted by the entrance of a returning student, who's been gone for a few weeks.

Whilst Stefan and Elena instantly recognized the dark-skinned girl, Natalie had no idea who she was. Elena was shocked to see her best friend back, she thought she'd be gone for a little while longer. Stefan was guilty. As soon as he saw her face he was guilty. It was, after all, his plan that killed her grandmother. Natalie was confused as hell when she saw Stefan and Elena's reactions.

"Sorry, I'm late." Bonnie Bennett apologized to her teacher.

Alaric, on the other hand, smiled at the Bennett girl. "Well, it looks like we will be at full occupancy today. Welcome home, Bonnie."

Bonnie rushed over to sit in her seat, offering Elena a smile that was returned. But the young witch's smile instantly faded when she saw the youngest Salvatore, who smiled at her. Elena and Stefan exchanged confused looks at Bonnie's reaction. Natalie just frowned, having no idea what was going on.

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"Who's Bonnie Bennett?" Natalie asked Caroline, finally catching up to her best friend.

Caroline smiled brightly when the brunette when she walked up to her.

She would never admit it, but she had no idea what she'd have done if Natalie hadn't joined her group of friends. Of course, she had Elena and Bonnie, but neither of them would really call her their best friend. Elena was Bonnie's best friend and Bonnie was Elena's. And with Matt clearly still having feelings for Elena it didn't really make her feel better. Well, until Natalie came. She knew that she was the first person to welcome Natalie as an actual friend, and she hoped that would mean that Natalie would choose her to be her best friend. It did, of course. But when she found out that Natalie and Elena were twins, she was afraid that she'd find another person who would choose Elena over her. Luckily, Natalie knew Caroline enough to know her insecurities,so Natalie quickly reassured the blonde that her and Elena being sisters wasn't going to make Natalie care any less about Caroline. Which was exactly what Caroline needed to hear.

"Why are you asking?" she frowned as she tilted her head.

"Well, Elena and Stefan reacted really weirdly when she showed up in class today." Natalie shrugged.

"Wait, she showed up in class today?" Caroline froze, her eyes wide as she looked at Natalie questionably.

"Yeah, why?" Natalie tilted her head.

"She's mine and Elena's best friend. Her grandmother died on the of the party where we became friends. She left right afterwards, so I didn't get to introduce you guys." the younger one of the two explained with a smile.

"Oh." Natalie said shortly, having no idea how to respond to the information.

"Yeah, 'oh'," Caroline mocked before grabbing Natalie's hand and dragging her to find the returning Bennett.

"Geez, woman! When did you get so strong?" Natalie grunted as Caroline dragged her around.

Caroline ignored the slightly older brunette's words as she ran to find Bonnie.

"Bonnie! Bonnie! Thank god you're home!" Caroline exclaimed in relief as she interuppted Elena and Bonnie's awkward conversation.

Bonnie smiled gratefully at the blonde's break in to the conversation. Caroline quickly hugged her tightly, which Bonnie returned.

"I know we talked every day, but I missed you!" she exclaimed, talking quickly, not noticing Elena hurt expression at Caroline's words, not having had any contact with the Bennett.

"How are you doing?" Caroline calmed herself down and asked Bonnie.

"Better, better." Bonnie smiled slightly at the Forbes girl before her eyes travelled to look at Natalie, who was standing awkwardly. "Who's this?"

"I'm Natalie." the girl in question smiled at the young witch.

"She's Elena's long lost twin sister. They were seperated through adoption." the only blonde of the four girls explained.

Bonnie's eyes widened. She had not heard about that from Caroline during all their conversations over the phone. "I'm sorry, what?"

"It's a long and complicated story that neither of us know half of." Natalie shrugged half-heartedly.

"Well, it's nice to meet you." Bonnie smiled at the young hunter.
"You too." Natalie responded. "Ehm, Caroline told me what happened. What or how or... Yeah."

"You know, glad to be back and trying to keep myself busy." Bonnie shrugged.

"Well, I can help with that." Caroline broke into the conversation. "Major wardrobe problem. You need to help me pick up the perfect dress for the Founders' court."

Natalie rolled her eyes, as Caroline would not shut up about the pageant that is 'Miss Mystic Falls', which Caroline is mildly obsessing over.

"The Founders' court? Did I miss something?" Elena finally spoke up in the conversation, her tone of voice laced with confusion.

"The Founder's Court!" Caroline exclaimed, as if her repeating the words from earlier would make Elena understand it better. "You know, 'Miss Mystic Falls'. They announced it today and you and I are both on it."

Elena's face fell at the realization. "Oh my god. We signed up for that so long ago... I totally forgot."
Caroline's eyes widened in hope. "So, are you dropping out, then?"

"I can't." Elena sighed softly as Bonnie looked over at her sympathetically, knowing exactly why she couldn't.

"Why not?" Natalie frowned, believing that if you didn't want to, you shouldn't have to.

"Her mom is the one who wanted her to enter." Bonnie explained.

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Somewhere
"So, what's the deal with Bonnie?" Natalie asked Elena as they walked home together.

"What deal?" Elena questioned her sister's question.

"I don't know, that's kinda why I'm asking you." Natalie rolled her eyes.

"What do you want to know?" the elder twin elaborated.

"Why she reacted so weird to you and Stefan."

"Stefan told you about Katherine, right?" Elena asked, ignoring the jealus feeling she got from thinking about him just sitting there and opening his heart to Natalie.

As Natalie responded with a simple nod Elena continued. "So, he probably told you about the whole, tomb thing." Natalie nodded again.
"Well, to open the tomb Damon needed witches, which ended up being Bonnie and her Grams. But her Grams didn't make it."

"Oh." Natalie sighed.

"Yeah..." Elena trailed off awkwardly before they resumed their walk back to the Gilbert House.

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The Gilbert House

"Hey, what are you doing?" Alaric asked his daughter as he saw her grab her bag off of Elena's bed.

"Gonna go blow off some steam. Shoot some trees." Natalie shrugged indifferently.

"So, you're not going to the pageant?" he frowned.

"God, no. As much as I would like to support Elena and Caroline... I'm still me and I don't really go to this frilly, pink parties." Natalie responded with a smile.

"You went to the kick-off party." Alaric retorted fondly.

"I also go to school. Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to." Natalie smiled sarcastically at her father.

"You're so funny." Alaric said sarcastically.

"I prefer the term hilarious." Natalie retorted whilst throwing the bag she had her bow in, over her shoulder.

"You get it from me." Alaric smiled.

"Keep telling yourself that, buddy." Natalie grimaced in false sympathy.

"Well, I always do tell the truth."

"I beg to differ."

"Nice conversation." Alaric chuckled.

"Every conversation with me in it is nice." Natalie laughed before waving goodbye at her father.

Only to bump into her biological father.

"Hey, are you getting a ride with Alaric or me?" John asked his youngest daughter with a smile.

"Neither, actually. I'm going to take a walk. I'm not going." Natalie shrugged.

John frowned. He did want to know what she was doing. Isobel had informed him that one of their daughters was a doppelganger and the other one was a hunter. And he knew enough to know which one was which. So, for all he knew she could be going out for a 'walk' and then not come back.

"You have to come. It's a Gilbert Family tradition." John retorted.

"And, I'm still not a Gilbert." Natalie smiled.

John almost snorted out loud as she released her statement from her mind. She was a Gilbert by blood, she just didn't know it yet.

"Yeah, she's a Saltzman." a voice said from behind Natalie's back.

"That's kind of obvious, Dad." Natalie shook her head in amusment, not noticing the staredown between John and Alaric.

"That's because it's true. No matter what happens." Alaric smiled fakely at John, who returned it.

"Okay, so you guys are either sworn enemies or you're waiting for me to leave so you can engage in some 'extra curricular activites'. Which both makes me want to leave, and want to stay, you know, so it doesn't happen." Natalie grimaced before walking out the door of the Gilbert House.

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The Woods

or a human Seventeen year old girl, Natalie had some a lot of steem to blow off.

When her dad told her that they were moving to Mystic Falls, she didn't really care. It would probably be the same thing all over again. The people would think Natalie's a freak, then, like, ten students would start crushing on Alaric and pretend to be her friend just to get close to him. Then some slutty girl would throw herself at her dad and he would get fired, although they understood that the girl threw herself at him, they thought he'd be a bad influence on the kids. So they'd once again move. Or she'd punch the Principal, like she told Matt.

She didn't expect to find the vampire that killed her mother. Especially not to find out that he turned her, and that he was actually a semi-nice guy. Ish.

Then she found Caroline Forbes. Words couldn't describe how thankful Natalie was for the younger blonde. If it wasn't for her, everything would have been different at the moment. Her and Elena would have taken longer to meet. They might not even have met in time for the Miss Mystic Falls pageant, knowing Caroline's control freakiness and her insecurites when it comes to being second choice to Elena. Well, that didn't really have anything to do with the subject, but that's more of what would have happened if Elena didn't take the initiative to find her. But without Caroline she'd probably only be friends with Jeremy, not knowing their familial connection, she wouldn't know Matt and Tyler, her and Stefan would only have an antagonistic realtionship, her not being able to stand him. But now... she actually kind of liked him. But only in friendly way, of course. She wouldn't have met Bonnie. She knew that they weren't really close yet, but she could see a friendship brew between them.

So, basically, Caroline is the best thing that ever happened to her.

Although, that made her happy. All emotions, somehow, seemed to become anger as she shot at the tree in the middle of the woods.

As each target hit it's mark, Natalie's face grew into a smirk.

She's always been an amazing archer. Her mother signed her up for archery lessons when she was seven. Looking back on it, that was the one thing she was most grateful for that her mother did for her. If she didn't learn archery, she would be dead. It wasn't until Isobel turned that she decided to learn more to slay vampires. She looked through her mother's work, found out about vervain, wooden stakes and the unusual leven of supernatural activity in the town where Natalie was born. Only, that Natalie didn't know that.

She seemed to have difficulty keeping track of time as the light turned dark and the sun decided to take it's break and was replaced by the moon. And the good that surrounded Stefan Salvatore was replaced with evil.
He was originally supposed to be Elena's escort, but was replaced by Damon, who walked in front of her, stopping what could be one of the most humiliating moments in her life if she ended up dancing with herself. She wasn't in some Billy Idol song from the 80s. She was Elena Gilbert, probably one of the most unfortunate people involved in the supernatural world. But, no matter that. Stefan lost control with his bloodlust and attacked one of the girls that was supposed to be in the pageant, Amber Bradley, and was running after her in the woods, not knowing how close he was getting to both the pageant and where Natalie was shooting.

"You said to run!" Amber cried out as Stefan grabbed her.

"I changed my mind." Stefan said gruffly, holding Amber firmly in place as she tried to run away from him.

"Stefan!" Natalie called out, seeing Stefan with his mouth on another girl's neck, realising that he was feeding off of her.

Stefan looked up to see a terrified Natalie who had her bow hanging in her hand as her quiver was slung over her back.

"Natalie..." he sighed, his breaths quick and shallow as he tried to keep his bloodlust under control when he saw her, he didn't want to be the one to rip into her carotid artery.

The brunette girl quickly sprung into action as she grabbed an arrow from her quiver and pulled back her bowstring with it.

"Stefan! Natalie!" Elena's horrified voice called out as she ran forth seeing Stefan holding a bloody Amber in place and Natalie pointing her arrow at him.

She had hear of Natalie's skills with weapons, but she hadn't seen her in action. But now that she did, she was more impressed then she thought she would be. Her unemotional expression, willing to do anything to protect those who cannot protect themselves. The way that she so held the bow, with such safety that she wouldn't miss, ready to take care of herself. The wild look in her eyes, making it clear that she wasn't fearless, but the unemotional look on her face showed that she hated the feeling, wanting to feel stronger. Powerful.

As for Damon, he didn't really react, having seen Natalie in action, just not with a bow. Bonnie, on the other hand, was confused as hell because she thought that Natalie was normal. But seeing the girl in action for the first time, was something she wouldn't forget.

Damon looked over at Stefan's desperate form, ready to help his brother. "Stefan, come on get control. It's okay, come on. Breathe through it, man."

As Damon approached his brother, Stefan threw him into a tree, right by where Natalie was standing, whom released the arrow, but the scare made her lose her aim and she hit the tree next to Stefan.

"Stefan! Natalie! Stop it!" Elena yelled out at two incredibly important people in her life.

Then Stefan did just that. He groaned and held his head tightly as the blood vessles in his head popped, just to heal again. Bonnie was giving him an aneurysm.

Both Damon and Natalie turned to look at the young with holding her hand out, causing the younger Salvatore pain.

Then she stopped and Damon turned to his brother again. "It's okay, Stefan."

Stefan glanced between the four other people around him. Looking at their expressions.

Elena's face clearly showed disgust, something that broke his heart more than he thought it would. Damon looked genuinely concerned for his brother's welbeing. Bonnie had a blank expression on her face, but Natalie's expression made him the saddest. She looked terrified. And after he couldn't protect her at the Vampire house, he wanted her to be safe. But now he was ruining it for himself.

So, he ran. And didn't look back.

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A/N: So, that was it. Thank you guys for 9k reads and over 400 votes. It's gone up with seriously 3k reads and 100 votes since last part, which is awesome!

So, did you guys like 3rd or 1st person better? I'm not going to write any more until I get the answer. You know, so I know what to write for the next part, which I'm exited for because it will have an amazing Damon and Natalie scene where Natalie starts to ship Delena. (So don't worry LuvtheSalvatores , they will be friends.)

On another note, are you guys liking Statalie yet?

(thankful to LMarie99 for the shipname and for being the most awesome writer out there, and I'm seriously still freaking out about the fact that you're reading my story!)

Thank you so much for reading!

Word count: 3008