
Chapter 1
"Welcome to Mystic Falls High, where students dies of boredom!"
My cousin smiles a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. Our friend and I shared a look crossing our arms.
"Lighten up, Lena! You heard what Bon-Bon said. This year's gonna kick ass. Remember? Dark times are over"
Elena shook her head fixing her grip on her school bag. Bonnie rolled her eyes at my nickname for her but couldn't stop the small smile tugging at her lips
"Jill's right. Stop sulking around and smile. Your youth would not last forever"
We laughed at Elena's scowl as we entered the school.
~~~~*~~~
We walked through the hallways of the school commenting on some girls on our year's new styles
"Major lack of male real estate. Look at the shower curtain on Kelly Beech" We both, Elena and I looked at the girl Bonnie pointed "She looks like a hot — can I still say "tranny mess"?" She tilted her head at us
I exchanged a look with Elena for a couple of seconds and then we shook our heads
"No, that's over" Elena answered. I nodded in agreement. We reached our lockers. Mine was next to Bonnie's, Elena's next to her's.
"Ahh, find a man, coin a phrase. It's a busy year"
I took a look around the hallway chuckling, I noticed Matt staring at us, specifically at Elena. I sighed sadly, Elena heard and followed my gaze, her eyes lit up slightly and waved at him.
He blinked once and turned away snapping close his locker. I flinched
"He hates me" Elena said softly. We watched her sympathetically
"That's not hate" Bonnie told her
"That's "you dumped me, but I'm too cool to show it, but secretly I'm listening to Air Supply's greatest hits." I told her trying to lighten up the mood. It worked as she chuckled slightly, I grinned
Soon, my smile faded away when a high pitched voice sounded from behind Elena.
I groaned seeing Caroline approach Elena from behind
"Elena" startled, Elena turned around and got victimized by one or Caroline's crushing bone hugs "Oh, my god" She pulled away quickly and took a look at her up and down "How are you?" She didn't even wait for a response "Oh, it's so good to see you. How is she? Is she good?" She asked looking at me and Bonnie, I smiled awkwardly while Bonnie nodded with a small smile
If you haven't notice I'm not exactly Caroline's number one fan
Elena kept a polite but fake smile on her face, which obviously I noticed. Living with her has its perks
"Caroline, I'm right here. And I'm fine. Thank you" she smiled unconvincingly, I crossed my arms sensing Caroline didn't believe her either. She raised an eyebrow
"Really?" She asked skeptically. I could tell Elena was resisting the urge of rolling her eyes as she replied
"Yes. Much better" she smiled a little more convincing this time, that if I didn't know her like I did couldn't know she was faking it
Caroline's expression softened slightly. An odd sight for me as she eyed Elena with a pitiful smile
"Oh, you poor thing" she wrapped Elena in another hug, making her chuckle slightly
"Okay, Caroline" she patted her shoulder awkwardly shooting me a pleading look, I shrugged in amusement. Neither Bonnie moved as if of fear of the neurotic blonde.
"Oh!" Caroline pulled away smiling and her eyes shifted to Bonnie's shoulder where Dana, a cheerleader girl was motioning to Caroline to come over to her. "Okay, see you guys later?" She then quickly passed between me and Bonnie and a uncomfortable silence made its presence as we stared at the place Caroline was a second ago.
"And that's neurotic Caroline for you" I broke the silence with lazy hand pointing at where she left mockingly. Elena shook her head, Bonnie smiled in amusement
"No comment" Elena said and looked at Bonnie pointedly. As it for me I already had opened my mouth and wouldn't have work anyway. Bonnie's lips twitched upwards
"I'm not going to say anything"
I linked my right arm with Bonnie's left arm and took Elena's right arm and linked it with my left arm.
The three of us walking away from our lockers
~~~~~*~~~~~~
On our way to our history class we had to pass the school office where Bonnie suddenly stopped making me and Elena do so too.
"Hold up. Who's this?" She said looking at the office, we followed her gaze to a guy with his back to us
"All I see is back" Elena furrowed her eyebrows cocking her head aside, I hummed checking the guy out
"It's a hot back" I nodded in approval. Elena smacked my arm disapprovingly, I smiled innocently "It is, admit it" she fight back a smile but ended nodding, I grinned and looked back to the guy
"I'm sensing Seattle, and he plays the guitar" Bonnie said after a minute of staring at the new Guy's back. I chuckled shaking my head looking at my best friend
"You're really going to run this whole psychic thing into the ground, huh?" I asked amused. Bonnie grinned
"Pretty much" I shook my head smiling. At the end of the hallway, I heard a guy call out my cousin's name
"Jeremy, good batch, man"
I turned my head to the source and saw my cousin enter the bathroom looking suspicious. A slight nervous look on his face as he looked around trying to hide something. I sighed worriedly for him as I knew he wasn't getting nor a little better from his parents deaths.
I glanced at Elena seeing her looking to where her brother entered the bathroom and felt her tense up. She breathed a sigh through her nose and shrugged off my arm walking to the bathroom mumbling at us
"I'll be right back"
I sighed exchanging a look with Bonnie. She shot me a concerned smile.
"Is he still...?" I nodded once letting her know without words. She shook her head sympathetically "Poor Jeremy" I nodded in agreement both of us turning our attention back to the stranger guy who was turning around to leave the office. Bonnie squeezed my hand and mumbled
"Please be hot"
I smirked and silently pleaded the same. The guy walked pass us leaving us with a sigh of admiration.
"Well, he looks hot" I told Bonnie casually. She nodded, both of us watching as he bumped into Elena as she walked out of the men's room.
I chuckled at her embarrassment as she tried to walk next to him, only for him to block her path, she tried the other way only resulting on the same. The guy took a step back and stretched his hand forward motioning to her to walk first. She smiled shyly and ducked her head slightly as she passed next to him with a blush on her cheeks.
"Aww.. My cos' is crushing for the new kid" I told Bonnie teasingly. She shook her head in amusement seeing Elena glancing over her shoulder towards him.
"You're not gonna let her live that, are you?" Bonnie asked me knowingly. I smirked at her
"Nope for a second"
She smiled and when Elena reached our side I wriggled my eyebrows at her looking at where the new kid was a few seconds ago.
Elena took a look of my face and groaned
"Do not start, Jillian"
I raised my arms in innocence.
"Sorry, Lena. But you make it really easy for me to tease you"
She shoved me away and I laughed until we arrived the classroom
~~~~*~~~~
I tried quickly to write what Mr. Tanner was saying as he explained the class
"Once our home state of Virginia joined confederacy in 1861, it created a tremendous amount of tension within the state. People in Virginia's northwest region had different ideals than those from the traditional deep south. Then Virginia divided in 1863 with the northwest region joining the union...."
I sighed in defeat as half of what he said was already forgotten, I placed my elbow on my desk and my chin on my hand looking at Tanner pretending to be paying attention.
I took a glance around the classroom and almost laugh out loud when I caught Elena looking away from the new guy. Her cheeks flushing with a light pink color. My lips twitched in a smile as his green eyes were looking straight at Elena.
I looked down at my desk and discreetly flipped my phone open texting at her
HAWT-E. STARING @ U.
I glanced at her seeing her read my text. She looked up at me and I flickered my eyes to the guy, giving her an approval nod and wriggle of my eyebrows. She rolled her eyes but couldn't help but look at the guy. She then quickly looked back to the front.
A rare smile gracing her face
~~~~~*~~~~
After school, Bonnie dragged me with her to the Grill.
I had no desires of spending an afternoon with Caroline as she rudely asked Bonnie for a ride. I only rolled my eyes and tried to walk away but Bonnie stopped me with an amused smile. She knew I couldn't stand Caroline for a long time without trying to kill myself, and like the good best friend she is, she didn't let go of my arm since we entered the Grill.
All the way inside I was glaring both girls.
Caroline was telling us information about the new guy
"His name is Stefan Salvatore. He lives with uncle up at the old Salvatore Boarding House. He hasn't lived here since he was a kid. Military family, so they moved around a lot. He's a Gemini, and his favorite color is blue" She said all that in a breath. I stared at her mouth open. She smiled
"You got all of that in one day?" I asked incredulously silently thanking her for giving me his name. It was tiring to think of him as the 'new kid', 'new guy', or 'Elena's crush'....
Caroline scoffed smiling flipping her hair back
"Oh, please, I got all that between third and fourth period. We're planning a June wedding"
I exchanged an exasperated look with Bonnie, to which she only shrugged smirking.
Oh, I'm so gonna kill that psychic.
~~~~~~*~~~~~~
I ditched Bonnie and Caroline when my phone rang. I cringed seeing my mom's name flashing on my screen. Bonnie looked over my shoulder and frowned apologetically
"Oops"
I glared at her walking away from the table and went to answer. I bit my lip
"Hi, mom"
"Jillian Roxane, where are you? And Why aren't you home?"
I sighed rolling my eyes in exasperation closing the speaker with my shoulder
"I'm gonna kill you, Bonnie" I mumbled and placed the phone on my ear talking to my mom "Hey. I'm sorry I didn't go home straight from school, but in my defense Bonnie stopped me from doing so"
"Ahem and I'm gonna believe that" I could practical feel her raised eyebrow expression and one of her hands in her hips
"Yes, it's true. She's keeping me in watch. She wants me to suffer another hour of Caroline's annoying voice" I whined
Mom laughed knowing I didn't like Caroline and that was all she needed to believe what I was saying was true
"Okay. Okay. I believe you Jil. I was only worried"
I gaped at my phone in incredulously "So I only had to mention Caroline and you would have believe me? You don't trust my word?" I asked mocking hurt. Mom sighed amused
"Well, I don't think you like to use Caroline as an excuse either. So hearing you say her name without hesitation makes me believe you" she replied amused. I scoffed
"You're the greatest mom for believing in your daughter's enemy and not herself"
"I'm a great mom, Jill. And Caroline's not your enemy. If I recall correctly you and her were good friends when you were little. I'm still waiting for you to mend that relationship you both had"
I rolled my eyes sighing
"I could try mom, but I don't promise anything. And no, I'm not starting today. Her voice has already given me a headache"
Mom laughed
"Okay. I'm leaving you to stay with Bonnie, but I want you at the house when Elena arrives. She said she was gonna head there. I want both of you here, okay? See you later, sweetheart"
My eyes softened at my mom's loving tone and a sweet smile crossed my lips
"See you later mom"
I hung up and sighed with a smile. I couldn't ask for a better mom than her, she was the best and I didn't know what I would do without her
I left the bathroom and walked to the crowded Grill. I spotted Elena, Bonnie, Matt and Caroline on a table and not surpassingly the new guy, Stefan. There was an empty seat between Bonnie and Matt that could have been mine.
I smiled a small smile walking towards them. Stefan was the first one to notice me and smiled
"Hi" he greeted me making Caroline to stop questioning him and follow his gaze towards me as well the others.
I smiled with an awkward wave as I waited to be introduced. I shot Elena a pointed look. She chuckled widening her eyes slightly and looked at Stefan
"Hey Stefan this is my cousin Jillian Sommers. Jillian this is Stefan Salvatore, he's new at school"
Stefan smiled a small smile nodding at me in greeting.
"I know, Mr. New Guy is kinda the talk around town" I shot him a smirk. He chuckled shaking his head slowly, I shot Elena a mischievous smile. She took a second to recognize my look and she started to shake her head wide eyed, I smiled widely "So, Stefan. Being a new guy, you probably don't know about the party tomorrow"
Elena sighed and Stefan looked between us confused. Bonnie smiled and explained further
"It's a back to school thing at the falls"
Stefan smiled in understanding. He shot me an amused smile, obviously knowing why I did it as he turned to Elena
"Are you going?" He asked her with a smile. Her glare at me softened as she looked at him and shyly took a strand of her hair opening her mouth to reply. Bonnie and I exchanged a look and answered at Stefan before she could
"Of course she is" we smiled at them, Elena nervously placed the strand of hair behind her ear with a smile as she looked up at him.
Bonnie and I exchanged smug smiles ignoring Matt's hurting expression and Caroline's scowl.
~~~~~*~~~~~
At Tanner's class, I didn't even bother to write down notes as I knew I would forgive them and be desperate to remember them that I wouldn't pay attention to what follows next. Instead I watched him with my chin on my hand with my elbow propped onto my desk, a bored expression on my face
"The Battle of Willow Creek took place right at the end of the war in our very own Mystic Falls. How many casualties resulted in this battle? Ms. Bennett?" He looked at Bonnie.
Bonnie wore a startled expression as if not expecting the question being aimed at her
"Um...a lot? I'm not sure. Like a whole lot" she answered sheepishly. The rest of the class chuckled, but there was no amusement on Tanner's face
"Cute becomes dumb in an instant, Ms. Bennett" he deadpanned, her smile faded away looking down at her desk. He looked around looking for another student to tanner him. He looked at Matt "Mr. Donovan? Would you like to take this opportunity to overcome your embedded jock stereotype?" He asked sarcastically
Matt smiled charmingly
"It's okay, Mr. Tanner, I'm cool with it"
The rest of the class laughed including me. "Hmm" he smiled sarcastically. His gaze turned to my cousin, who looked pretty distracted herself, not exactly good on Tanner's class "Elena? Surely you can enlighten us about one of the town's most significantly historical events?"
She raised her head wide eyed. She looked at me for answers. I shrugged, she stammered "I'm sorry, I--I don't know" she admitted quietly.
"I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reasons, Elena. But the personal excuses ended with summer break" He scolded her. He looked to be really angry that anyone hadn't been paying attention to him or study. I looked at him angrily. Assaulting one of his students that way wasn't good. I opened my mouth to say some not proper words a girl should not say when a soft male voice answered his question breaking the silence. I turned my head to the sound and raised my eyebrows at Stefan
"There were 346 casualties. Unless you're counting local civilians"
Tanner calmed down slightly and looked pleased at Stefan
"That's correct. Mister...?" He trailed off expecting Stefan's last name
"Salvatore"
"Salvatore" tanner repeated thoughtfully. "Any relation to the original settlers here at Mystic Falls?"
Stefan hesitated and I found myself furrowing my eyebrows
"Distant" he finally answered. But there was something that made me believe he lied. I tilted my head aside
"Well, very good." He nodded. Tanner looked at Stefan with a smug smile "Except, of course, there were no civilian casualties in this battle"
I rolled my eyes looking down at my notebook sensing another student being tannered coming up
But that never happened.
Tanner was Stefaned.
"Actually, there were 27, sir. Confederate soldiers, they fired on the church, believing it to be housing weapons. They were wrong. It was a night of great loss. The founder's archives are, uh, stored in civil hall if you'd like to brush up on your facts, Mr. Tanner"
The rest of the class made 'buh-ing' sounds at him and chuckles.
I smiled seeing Mr. Tanner's stunned angry face
~~~~~*~~~~~
"C'mon, Jill. You always go to these start of year parties. You never miss them" Elena pouted at me
I shook my head brushing my hair in front of my mirror. Elena was getting ready trying some of my earrings trying to convince me of going.
But since this afternoon, there was a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach that told me it was not a good idea.
"I'm not feeling too well, Lena. Besides, there's a first time for everything"
She frowned at me looking at me unconvinced
"That's not all. Is it? When there's a party, you're always the first one to jump down to it. What's wrong?" She asked me softly siting next to me. I sighed placing the brush on my vicinity.
"Okay. Promise not to think I'm crazy?" I asked seriously, slightly nervous. She frowned but nodded slowly. I sighed "I don't know, Lena. I have a feeling that something bad is gonna happen tonight. And I don't want to witness it"
She frowned in concern.
"But... It's just a party, Jill. We have them all the time. Nothing's gonna happen" she reassured me wrapping an arm around me.
But her words didn't do anything to sooth me. I shook my head and forced a smile on my face
"No, it's okay. You know what? Go and have fun with Stefan. I'll be here waiting for you to tell me how it went"
"Jillian..."
"Elena, it's okay. That I don't want to go doesn't mean you don't have to. Besides you can't ditch Stefan in there. Caroline would stab her claws on him if you're not there taking him away from you. We don't want that, do we?"
A chuckle escaped from her lips as she smiled at me. Her concern not leaving her eyes, but she sighed in defeat knowing she wouldn't convince me to go.
When something was on my head, there was no way you could take it away so easily
"Okay. I'll go alone and try not to have much fun without you"
I rolled my eyes at her lame attempt of convince me and I shove her away from my room
"Nice try, Elena. Now go before Caroline takes your man away"
She blushed at the thought of Stefan being her man and smacked my arm away rolling her eyes.
"See you later, Jill"
"Have fun, Lena"
I sighed to myself looking at my reflection on the mirror
"Please, let's something bad not happen tonight" I murmured to myself quietly hugging myself with wide hazel eyes.
~~~~*~~~~
"Jillian? What are you doing up?" Mom's voice sounded from behind me.
I looked up from my phone with tears on my eyes
"Elena called. She wants you to pick her and Jeremy up from the Falls"
Mom frowned in concern walking to me and siting next to me, her thumb whipping a tear of my face
"Sweetie what's wrong?" She asked me worriedly.
"There was an a-attack. Vicky... Vicky" I sobbed burying my head on her shoulder "She w-was attacked b-by an animal..."
She gasped softly and hugged me tightly. "Shh, everything's okay, Jill. Everything's okay. She's fine, isn't she?"
"An ambulance was called. Elena wants you to bring her home.. Oh, God. Mom, that animal was too close to people" I looked up at her wide eyed "What if it had left the woods and attack more people? What if Elena or Jeremy..."
"Hey. Don't think that way, Jillian. They weren't hurt. So they're okay. Don't think that way. Please, honey" she hugged me again rubbing my back trying to sooth me.
I gazed off. I was right. Something bad did happened.
~~~~~~*~~~~~~~
As soon as Elena arrived. I was clean of tears as if nothing had happened.
I forced a smile when Elena entered my room with her diary in her hands.
As soon as her eyes settled on me she ran and hugged me. I hugged back with relief seeing her unharmed. Tears threatened to split but I hold them back.
I pulled away and smiled softly at her
"What happened?"
Elena looked down
"You were right. Something bad.... Vicky was attacked, it was an animal. It was so close. What if...." She shook her head stopping herself seeing my wide eyed expression and forced a small smile. "But nothing bad besides that happened"
We both say down at my windowsill. Elena writing on her diary and me looking at the stars playing with the golden star shaped pendant of my necklace.
An hour later, something caught my eye from the ground, I looked down and could see the shape of a guy standing on the sidewalk. I squinted my eyes and recognized him
"Lena"
Startled, Elena whipped her head at me wide eyed and hit her head with the wall. I fought back an amused smile at the glare she gave me. I pointed down from the window
"Impress your guy" I smirked and walked to the bathroom, closing the door.
I waited for a couple of seconds after hearing her footsteps and smiled to myself hearing their voices downstairs.
I could tell Stefan was a good guy and will do good to Elena. But there was something gawking from deep inside of my stomach that felt his presence besides bringing happiness will also bring darkness. My smile faded away
I laid down on my bed with that thought on my head, hearing them talk almost all night.
I hope he only brings her happiness and doesn't break her heart or he'll deal with me
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