Bonnie and I sat together on my bed, legs crossed as the box I found on mom's closet laid between us innocently.

Bonnie had her chin propped in her hand as she patiently waited for me to open it.

I was biting my fingernails anxiously.

"What if I don't like what I find?"

Bonnie rolled her eyes "Ah, come on. It can't be the worst thing ever happening to you. At least you will know. Go ahead Jill. Or I'm gonna force you to come with me to Caroline's party"

My eyes widened "Oh, no. You won't dare..."

Bonnie nodded seriously, "I will. You're taking to long, Jillian"

I sighed, knowing she was right.

Right after we told Elena we were witches and her getting rid of  her shock of seeing  her cousin being one too, she claimed she had something to do and after telling us our secret was safe, she headed out. That was an hour ago.

I rubbed my temple, taking a deep breath "Alright. Gotta do this. Gotta know what's so special about this man"

Bonnie nodded encouragingly, giving my arm a comforting squeeze as I slowly opened the lid. This time I could appreciate the view of the contents of the box, seeing only a small book and a few photographs.

Bonnie hummed "Well, nothing exploded"

I rolled my eyes, relaxing my muscles picking up the small bunch of photographs and skimming through them as Bonnie grabbed the book.

I furrowed my eyebrows seeing mom in some of them, holding hands with a good looking guy.

"This is my father?" I asked skeptical.

Bonnie looked up, brows furrowed "Why would your mom have a grimoire in your dad's box?"

My eyes snapped to her in interest, standing on my knees and leaning forward, reading the book Bonnie was showing me seeing she was right.

"I don't know" I said slowly, meeting Bonnie's eyes. "Does it have a name?"

Bonnie looked down at the book again, frowning as she went to the first page. There was only one name. Andrew. No last name.

"Huh, cute name for a mysterious hot guy Jenna" Bonnie chuckled.

I smacked her arm lightly. "Bonnie"

"What? It's true. There's nothing to hide"

"You called my sperm donor hot" I told her incredulously. "And there's mystery there" I pointed at the name "He has no last name"

"Your mom probably deleted it or something. Why so much mystery? It's not like the man is a serial killer and that's why she left him"

I shot her a look, "Firstly, he's the one who walked away. Not mom. Secondly, it's not like I want to find him to ask him. I don't want to meet him, and thirdly, mom would never date much less sleep with a serial killer"

Bonnie shrugged, "Hope that for your mom's sake" she said with a sigh, "But let's not blame your mom. Who knows, maybe he's the one putting a spell on her so he could impregnate her"

I gaped at Bonnie incredulously, "I don't want to think my mom was used Bonnie. I don't want to think that low even for a man who abandoned people who could be his family"

Bonnie cringed, "Right. I'm really sorry"

I fell back on my back, staring at the ceiling "Thinking of him makes me pity my mom. How would someone just dump her? She's awesome. She's funny, gorgeous, smart, caring and a loving woman. I hate every man who has ever hurt her" I straightened up, staring at Bonnie "My dad leaving her alone while being pregnant broke her. I hate him Bonnie. I fucking hate him"

Bonnie looked at me empathetically, squeezing my hand and holding it between hers "I know. And I do to. Someone able to hurt Jenna that way deserves all the hate in the world"

I smiled at my best friend, sniffling "Thank you"

Bonnie nodded smiling back "Of course. What are best friends for?" I smiled. She sighed, looking down at the box. "We should stop doing this. I don't want you getting emotionally hurt. Can't let my best friend go through that"

I chuckled, wiping under my eyes making sure I hadn't cried.

Bonnie shoved the photographs inside the box and closed the box and stood up shoving the box inside my drawers 

I spotted a worn book on the bed "Eh, Bon. You forgot this"

Bonnie closed the drawer "I didn't. You gotta start learning magic too. We're lucky to find out your dad is the responsible for your witchy powers. Now you have something to lean on" she crossed her arms and pointed at my drawer "When we return, you gotta return that back to Jenna's closet"

"When we get back?" I narrowed my eyes.

Bonnie smirked "Yeah. We're going to Caroline's party" I opened my mouth to protest but Bonnie lifted a finger "Ah-no. You made me wait for an hour to open a small shoe box so I'm having my payback. You're coming to the Grill"

I pouted

~*~

At the Grill, the party Caroline hosted Bonnie and I walked among the people having fun

A familiar blonde head appeared from between the people.

I whipped my head away from her, giving Bonnie a look "And that's my cue"

Bonnie grabbed my arm to stop me from leaving "It's only Caroline, Jillian. And I thought you both were kinda getting along"

"Kinda is the key word" I replied. "I cant become best friends with her from one night to the morning with a snap of my fingers. So, I'm sorry Bon. But she's all yours" I slid my arm from her grip and without another word I walked away quickly just in time

"Bonnie! I've been looking for you-"

I sighed in relief, closing my eyes turning around only to bump against a blonde girl

"Woah!" The girl steadied my shoulders while perfectly holding her glasses with her hands. "You alright there, speedy?"

The sudden touch on my shoulders sent a cold vibe down my spine making me shudder slightly. I looked at the warm hazel eyes staring at me "Yeah, I am. Sorry" I apologized

The girl smiled, lowering her hands and sipping one of her drinks "Yeah, I figured. You kinda need this" she said offering me her second drink.

I looked between her and the drink, shaking my head "Oh, no, I wouldn-"

"I insist" The girl interrupted. "Like I said, you seem to need it"

I reluctantly accepted the drink, slightly smiling "Thank you"

"No problem" The blonde smiled "I'm Lexi"

"Jillian" I smiled back.

~8~

"So, let me get this straight" I raised my finger at Lexi while leaning against the pool stick.

Lexi hummed while lining up her shot.

"You're Stefan's best friend" I twirled a strand of my hair. "And coincidentally you meet me, his girlfriend's cousin" 

Lexi sucked in a deep breath "What a small world, huh?"

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, but let it slide "And Elena met you at the Boarding House. In a towel" Lexi laughed, taking her shot. I raised my brows "That must have been priceless"

Lexi straightened up, "Oh, yeah. You should have seen her face. Though I don't want her to hate me, she's my BFF's girl. Gotta make a good impression"

We both looked toward where Elena was talking with Bonnie.

"You just did" I laughed

Lexi pouted "Oh, well. There's always second impressions"

"Yeah, the one where you have to fix what you initially screwed up" I retorted, smirking.

Lexi chuckled "And here I thought the redheads were the nicest"

"Strawberry blondes, please" I scoffed.

Lexi smiled, though her smile seemed nostalgic "You remind me of an old friend I used to have"

I shot up my brows, taken back "Oh? Used to?"

Lexi sighed, leaning against the pool table "Yeah. She died"

"I'm sorry" I said quietly, "I didn't know.."

"Cause I didn't want to make you uncomfortable" Lexi replied immediately, walking closer "She was also a strawberry blonde like you. You and her actually act the same. You're both funny and completely gorgeous" she said smiling sadly, grabbing a strand of my hair "She was my female best friend"

"You missed her" I realized slowly

Lexi smiled nodding "Yeah. Which is why I enjoyed meeting you Jillian. You remind me of my best friend and as soon as meeting you, I realized you were exactly like her"

"I don't know what to say" I said quietly "I don't want you to feel like I'm replacing her cause I'm not"

"No" Lexi laughed slightly, "I'm sorry. I didn't want to put you in that position. I just wanted to say you're an amazing girl and anyone would be lucky to have you as a best friend"

I smiled at Lexi "Aw, thank you" I said kindly. "Which is why I feel totally fine on kicking you out to second impress Elena" I pointed toward where Elena was walking closer.

Lexi laughed, nodding "Oh yeah. Thank you Jillian. It was so nice to meet you" she said clasping a hand on my arm. The cold touch not bothering me anymore as I pulled her in a quick hug taking her by surprise.

"No, Thank you. You're a good friend too. And a nice company"

Lexi smiled, giving my hand a last squeeze as she waltzed away.

I smiled to myself.