CHAPTER 22: ROSE

Mystic Falls High School

You could say that Natalie Saltzman wasn't really the most positive person. In fact, she was one of the most pessimistic person you'd even meet. But that was mostly because she hated everything. Well, she didn't hate everything, she just hated a lot of things, and when she hated something she hated it. Just like when she loved something she really loved it. Basically she felt things strongly, but love and hate were one of those things. Love was something that kept her going in her darkest times, and when the thing that was causing those dark times was threatening someone she loved then they were already six feet under. And those people would fall under the list of things she hates. It was a long list. There were three things on top of that list: when the writers turn her favorite show to crap, Stefan and Elena's relationship (although she'd never admit it) and school. One day all af those things were combined. Her favorite TV show just aired a crappy new episode the night before, she didn't find Elena in her bed so it was kind of obvious that Stelena was back together and then she had to go to school. And her first thought was shaming Stefan (subtly) for getting back with Elena.

"Hey, Natalie." he smiled as the brunette walked up to his locker.

"Stefan could you please tell Elena that if she's going to be sleeping around With her boyfriend or ex-boyfriend, I don't even know, then it would be great if she'd tell me so I'd be able to cover for her With Jenna." Natalie said, ignoring his friendly greeting.

Stefan frowned in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"You and Elena. I mean, if she's going to sleep over it would be Nice to know. Sorry to if I'm being mean, because I am happy that you guys are back together." Natalie lied through her teeth.

"Wait, wait... hold on a minute. We're not back together." Stefan responded.

Natalie tried to ignore the immense happiness that appeared when she heard that statement and decided to focus on her worry for her sister. "Wait... she didn't stay at your place last night?"

"No, I mean I saw her at the party but that was it. She didn't sleep over." Stefan shrugged worriedly.

"'Cause her bed hadn't been slept in and Mrs. Lockwood said that her car was still in the driveway," Natalie explained "Where is she then?"

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Soon the message of Elena being missing reached out to Bonnie, Jeremy and Damon so the first two and Natalie were in Alaric's classroom whilst Stefan putting the weapons that Natalie gave him in the back of his car, and no one knew where Damon was.

"How does this is work?" Jeremy asked the witch, obviously worried for his sister.

"I'll use Natalie's blood to draw energy for the tracking spell. She's Elena's closest blood relation; it'll make the connection stronger." Bonnie explained, Natalie nodding at the words.

Then Stefan arrived, after finishing up his conversation with Alaric about borrowing the classroom. "Alright, Alaric said we've got to clear out of here within ten minutes. I've got weapons, Natalie stocked me up."

Bonnie nodded at him before her gaze turned to Natalie. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah." Natalie nodded as she held her and over the map that was on the table, then Bonnie grabbed a knife and sliced it.

Bonnie quickly did the spell, Natalie's blood moving over to a point on the map that was seemingly in the middle of nowhere.

"There. She's there." Bonnie said confidently.

"That's 300 miles away." Jeremy complained.

Stefan shook his head annoyedly. "No, Bonnie. We need a more exact location than that."

As Natalie leaned closer down to the map, Stefan joined her, standing amazingly close to her as they both looked down at the map as Bonnie spoke "That's as close as I can get." And as Natalie was about to turn to Stefan, and he was about to turn to Bonnie, the two got the unfortunate luck of ending up right next to each other's faces.

At that moment, everything else seemed to fade. The two stared into each others eyes for only a moment, a moment that for them seemed to last an eternity. As soon as the moment ended, Natalie's eyes glanced down on Stefan's lips for a moment, just as his did to hers.

But then reality set in, and every reason why they'd be wrong suddenly appeared. But their position didn't change.

"We can map it, aerial view will show us what's around there, help us narrow down the area." Natalie said softly her gaze trapped at Stefan's eyes.

"Perfect," Stefan smiled, staring back for a moment before clearing his throat, standing up, seeing Jeremy and Bonnie staring at them uncomfortably. "Call me with whatever you find."

Natalie narrowed his eyes at him after hearing his words. "I won't have to, seeing as I'm coming with you."

"No, Natalie, you're not." Stefan disagreed, trying to keep her out of the possible danger that might be waiting.

"In case you forgot, this is Elena. My sister. And I'm Natalie. Badass hunter who is basically the only one who can help you, because I'm not letting you go alone." Natalie retorted angrily.

"He's not. Let's go." Damon said, walking into the room, Natalie glaring at him for ruining her only chance to come with.

"You're coming with me?" Stefan asked, ignoring the obvious answer.

"It's Elena." Damon said, as if it was obvious.

Which it was.

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The Gilbert House

As soon as Stefan and Damon were on the road, Bonnie, Jeremy and Natalie were all sent home. Bonnie 'had explosive diarrhea', whilst Jeremy and Natalie had family issues. And whilst Jeremy was alone in Elena's room, Bonnie was going to have a little conversation with her newest friend, Natalie.

"What the hell was that?" Bonnie asked bluntly as she put her hands on her hips.

"What was what?" Natalie shrugged, trying to brush off the obviousness of what Bonnie was talking about.

"You know what what." Bonnie said sternly.

"I don't know what what." Natalie retorted.

"Just tell me." Bonnie rolled her eyes. "It would really help... everyone, I think."

"I don't know how to tell you something that would help you if I don't know what I can tell you since I don't know how to tell you or what there it to tell you."

"You and Stefan! What the hell was that?" Bonnie snapped, ignoring Natalie's mind games.

"Well, it certainly wasn't hell." Natalie shrugged awkwardly.

"I know, you certainly seemed to enjoy it." Bonnie raised her eyebrows.

Natalie closed her eyes in annoyance, leaning her head towards the wall. "I know, I'm sorry. It just... it snuck up on me. I don't know where it came from but... I don't know how to stop it."

Bonnie's expression softened at the sad and guilty look on Natalie's face. "You know that as soon as they find Elena they'll probably get back together and you'll just get heartbroken."

Natalie sighed sadly. "I know, and he'll probably never return those feelings and seeing him with Elena... it hurts."

Bonnie walked closer to the other brunette, grabbing her hand and squeezing it as a friendly gesture. "It's not Your fault, Nat. You just... you need to try to let him go."

"I know."

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Natalie was probably the biggest fangirl in Mystic Falls. When she saw two people having incredibly great romantic chemistry and she was supposed to hang out with them, she'd always say that she was busy. But, like every fangirl she was basically trying to get her ship together. And she actually had the chance to do it (because Emison certainly wasn't happening anytime soon, no matter how much she complained to Marlene King on twitter), so she had told Jeremy and Bonnie that she was going to be downstairs in case of the scenario that Stefan, Damon and Elena made a surprise appearance. Well, she wasn't lying about that thing, and getting Beremy alone in a room together was only a bonus.

And when Elena walked through the door Natalie sprung up from her seat in a flash. "You okay?"

Elena smiled widely at her sister as she saw her again, just wrapping her arms around her in the relief of seeing her sister again, the worry of never being able to see her again after their short time togetehr (at least for being twin sisters). "I'm okay, I'm okay."

And the two girls clung onto each other for dear life as they had their first embrace, for the first time they let all the appreciation they had for one another out in that single action. The way that they've already been through so much together in such a short time period. Long lost twins, evil mothers, asshole fathers, angry brothers, best friend turning into a vampire and near death experiences. The two sisters may have been very different but the two fit together easily balanced each other out.

And in that moment they were perfectly balanced.

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Everyone was worried about Elena's safety so whilst Damon was secretly confessing his love for Elena before compelling her to forget, Stefan was downstairs, getting distracted by Natalie walking by in just her PJs.

"What are you doing up?" he asked, smiling at her slightly from his spot on the couch.

"Couldn't sleep, thought I'd get something to drink. You?" Natalie shrugged, walking over to sit next to him.

"I'm here to make sure nothing happens to Elena." he responded.

"This is because she looks like Katherine, right?" Natalie asked sadly, Stefan responding with a nod.

"You know why I didn't let you go right?" Stefan asked, not getting a response. "Well, I've already told you that I'd lose my mind."

Natalie smiled, leaning her head in his shoulder. "I was about to lose mine when you were out there."

"Lose our minds together then."

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A/N: This sucks, like, I have no idea why you guys are reading this. But is you do like my writing then I made another mistake and made another TVD fanfic because I'm way too obsessed with a TV show.

And I'm sorry, but this weekend probably won't have as many updates as last weekend because I'm finally seeing my Brother again for the first time in 6 months and I've got to go to a birthday and then to a Family dinner party, and I'm sorry.

Also, if you read a few chapters ago that Scott (Natalie's first love) is never coming to Mystic Falls, then just erase that from your mind (wink, wink.)

Also, do yourselves a favor and check out my friend Jess's( Sour_GummyBears_ ) stories because they're awesome.

Votes and comments are greatly appreciated.