Allen Saunders once said "Life is what happens when you're making other plans."

That's how it felt the day that Clarie saw Lucas. It was so bizarre. All she could do was stare at first. Watch in awe as he walked and smiled and went away. The moment seemed like it would stretch on forever almost. But like all things, the moment ended and life went on.

Since that day, Clarie watched entranced by this boy she'd found. All thoughts encompassing who he was, what he liked, where he wanted to go. It was unlike her, Clarie was usually so careful. So calculated. She knew the risks of what involving herself in his life would mean. What it always meant. Typically she could help it. But this time. This time she couldn't. Clarie needed this. Needed to know him. So this morning, when Celeste lay awake in bed she knew today would be the day she made that happen.

"Another attack Clarie. Tell me this isn't you" Alba asked throwing the paper at her. Clarie caught it with ease and examined the headline. Strange.

"It says it was a mountain lion" Alba gave her a look.

"Don't lie to me Aunt Clarie" Alba said looking down at the floor.

"I promised when I came here I wouldn't cause any trouble. I was telling the truth then and I'm telling you the truth now. I haven't done anything" Clarie said looking Alba dead in the eye. Clarie was telling the truth, but she'd be lying if she said she didn't think it was suspicious. Media outlets rarely ever told the full story. It's like looking into a dirty camera. You'll never see the whole picture.

•••

On the other side of Mystic Falls, Lucas lay in bed wondering how to get out of it. In this God forsaken town he called home everyone would hug him and offer apologies and comment on how they hadn't seen much of him or his family since the funeral. Why should he have to play in the fantasy these people called their lives? Why should he help them feel like caring citizens? Truth is they didn't care. They probably knew his family as much as a doorknob knows a tree. Yet he had to play and Lucas thought of his mom. He knew she'd want more from him than to wallow at home. So he got up. And got dressed. Lucas may not feel like pretending for his sake. But he could try for their's. They deserved that much from him. He went downstairs made himself some toast and waited for the rest of the crew to be ready. Lucas started the coffee and turned on the TV a news flash of a vicious mountain lion attack killing a couple popping up on the screen.

Before Lucas could get into the details Uncle Nick came downstairs fiddling with his tie "Shit they don't make these easy do they? Oo is that coffee? Great." Lucas laughed and shook his head.

"You'd think you'd have paid attention when Dad showed you 8000 times" Lucas said whilst he easily tied Nick's tie.

"If he paid attention he'd know how to make a decent breakfast. But sadly we're shit out of luck there too" Nick gave Nadine a look as she rushed down the stairs and stole Lucas' toast.

"Hey, I may talk that way but you're not gonna make me look bad in town" Nadine rolled her eyes but nodded.

"I'm sorry Uncle Nick" she said sarcastically making Nick give another warning glare.

"Alright I- Fuck!! Alright, Lucas you're in charge make sure your sister gets to school on time! I'm gonna be late! See you back, bye!" Nick rushed out a piece of toast of his own sticking out his mouth and a tumbler of spilling coffee in his hand.

"See you" Lucas said staring at his sister. Nadine was busy wrapped in trying to change the channel to something worth watching "I need you to be on your best behavior this year Dina" she barely glanced back at him as she took another bite of her food.

Lucas walked over and stole the bread back "Alright, look the bullshit over the summer was fine but times passed. They're only gonna give us but so many passes" he said. Nadine had been on a tear of really fucked behavior and Lucas knew that it was only because they were gone but there was hardly anything they could do to fix it. Lucas just had to be the big brother and give out some tough love.

"Alright if I promise you I'll be good can we be done with this so you can go with Terrance. He's been standing there eyeing me for 5 minutes now. And I'm scared he's not blinking" Lucas rolled his eyes looked over at the front door where indeed his best friend was standing. Terrance waved at Lucas and Lucas shook his head before grabbing his bag and rushing to the door.

"We're gonna talk about this later Dina" Nadine waved him off before grabbing her own backpack and making herself some coffee.

"Dude how many times do I have to tell you? Nadine is off limits" Lucas said with a huge smile on his face.

"You say that... but do you really mean it" Terrance said as he pulled his Jeep out of the driveway. Lucas shook his head "Come on Lu. It made sense when we were kids but she's practically our age what's the problem" Terrance asked as he turned the corner occasionally looking over to Lucas.

"It's just weird man. What am I supposed to do give you the talk about not breaking my sister's heart or I'll break your face. You've seen me fight, you know all my tricks" Terrance shrugged as they laughed "No but seriously, I honestly wouldn't care but she's been obsessed with Opal's brother Paulie for years now. Trust me you can't compete with that obsession" Terrance scoffed and leaned back in his seat.

"Are you sure about that?" Lucas rolled his eyes again and was about to speak when a bird crashed into the windshield causing Terrance to swerve a bit before coming to a stop.

"Fuck! You good dude?" Terrance asked as they collected themselves.

"Yea I'm fine man. You suck at this. Can't even manage to miss birds" Terrance nudged him and they continued until the two got to school.

"Speaking of... Opal. What's up with that?" Lucas frowned as they entered the school. He could see Opal in the distance rummaging in her bag by her locker while Elsie rambled on about something. Elsie caught his eye and said something that made Opal look back at him. Lucas sighed, he hoped this year wouldn't be filled with a fuck ton of awkward exchanges between the two. They grew up together for fuck's sake.

"Nothing man. We dated, she broke up with me, end of story. I'm not gonna cry about it. She's looking for something more I guess and I can't give it to her. What else really is there after that?" Terrance nodded his attention now redirected as he eyed the girl in the office. She had to be new. Who spent their mornings in the office? Lucas was about to keep walking when he noticed his friend had already stopped.

"Who do you think that is?" Terrance whispered as he tilted his head a bit. Trying to get the full scope of her.

"No clue. Never seen her. Which is saying something in this incredibly small town. Now can we go? You've been distracted enough times this morning." Terrance rolled his eyes and sighed walking away from the girl.

•••

In the office, Clarie was getting set up for the year. The clerk frowned shaking her head at the computer "We were very clear with Alba. In order to start school you needed to have a full physical done, medical records sent, and a complete school history. You have none of those. I'm sorry miss Boelyn but you'll have to skip this year" Clarie took off her glasses and sighed.

"The records I've brought you are more than enough Mrs. Newnan. You'll see right here everything you need" her eyes dilated a bit as she compelled the woman then walked out feeling ready to start the year. Even though she really hated having manipulate people that way. She couldn't deny that it was convenient. Before she did she should freshen up make sure everything was in the right place. Claire knew because she was in fact... new. Every eye would be on her, hopefully she could at least make sure they weren't staring because she had her shirt on backwards.

Before she could go in the door burst open and hit her in the face. Lucas looked behind it to see what he hit and groaned when he realized he'd hit a person "Shit! I'm sorry. I didn't know there was anyone there. Really not sure if this is even my fault. The guy who made these doors definitely knew what he was doing-" Claire stood up meeting eyes with the boy and froze slightly. Seeing him up close was so different. Lucas similarly paused, this had to be the new girl from earlier. Seeing her now he could understand why anyone would stop to stare. She was gorgeous "Did you just come out of the girl's bathroom?" Fuck. Lucas closed his eyes as he completely forgot he'd run in to rip up Nadine's weed. Couldn't tell Clarie that so what could he say that wouldn't make him look like a giant perv?

"My sister, she needed something from her locker and asked me to get it" Lucas almost wanted to congratulate himself on the lie.

It was totally believable "Oh ok. I guess. Well um if you'd excuse me I've got to go" Clarie said pushing some hair behind her ear as she tried to walk past.

Lucas tried to move out of her way "Right. I'll just-" but instead they bumped into each other. Again. Lucas decided instead this time not to move and to let her just go around, the door to the bathroom closing softly behind her. Lucas shook his head and pulled a bit at his hair "Idiot" he whispered to himself as he headed to class. Lucas hoped he'd have another shot at speaking to her. Just to make sure she didn't think he was a peeping Tom. Because right now he was sure that's what he looked like. He rushed to history as the bell rang and sat next to Terrance who was talking to their friend Quentin. Well, Quentin and Lucas were partially friends. Partially enemies. Lucas didn't know, some days it was like they were racing other days they were brothers. It was weird but it happens.

•••

"Alright class. Hope you did your reading because I'm giving an oral pop quiz. So pencils out. Write down your answers. Pay attention because I'm only gonna say the question once. Oh! And please a warm welcome to Ms. Clarie Boelyn here. New to school, be nice, right now let's begin" Lucas barely heard what the question was as looked at Clarie. Clarie. That was her name. Funny. And a Boelyn at that. Didn't Amy... Abby... Alba Boelyn live in that mansion cross town? He wondered how they were related. But Lucas should've been paying more attention as the teacher, Ms. Ruby Milhouse, was paying attention to him.

"I hope you're paying attention to the test McBride. Like I said the pop quizzes I give out during the year are 20% of your grade" Lucas perked up and Clarie looked back at him, the two briefly meeting eyes. She blushed a bit surprised to be the reason he couldn't focus. This year would be fun. Lucas turned his attention to Milhouse and the rest of the class went on without disruption. Same could be said for the rest of the school day. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just people being people. So after school Lucas, Terrance, and Quentin went to the Grill.

•••

"Dude I'm telling you. Give it till the end of the semester. She'll be begging me to stay together forever" Lucas gave Terrance a look but said nothing. Quentin smirked at them both as he told them everything he knew about Clarie. Lucas was barely listening, he wanted to find out for himself what she was like. He didn't want to hear Quentin's guesses. Lucas knew they were probably wrong anyways. Terrance chimed in with some theories of his own but it all faded to nothing as she walked in. She had her books in hand her hair pulled into a messy bun. Guess she got tired of having to push it out of her face. Clarie looked around for somewhere to sit and Lucas pursed his lips seizing the opportunity in front of him.

"Hey. You're the new girl right?" Lucas said shoving his hands in pants.

"Yea. Clarie. You're Lucas, right?" He nodded and smiled boyishly.

"You should come sit with us" gesturing over to the table where Terrance and Quentin sat.

"Sure I guess why not" Clarie wasn't sure about it but figured she didn't really have much to lose either way. So she walked over and sat with the boys. Unaware of the eyes she was getting from Elsie and Opal in the far corner. Little did anyone in the grill know. This day would change their lives forever.