I'm watching the TV. This morning I woke up early because I couldn't sleep, Tanner's death still on my mind along with Bonnie's numbers. But I couldn't let that to depress me.

Today there was a Founder's party at the Lockwood's. To say I didn't want to attend that party was an understatement. The Mayor and Tyler may be dicks and all that but they're nice when they want to, but who I can't stand at all is Mrs. Lockwood... That woman is a bitch and that's small as I don't want to offend myself. The only person I liked of that family may be the nonexistent dog.

Mom wasn't either on a good mood especially when we both witness our favorite, note sarcasm Fell, Logan on the TV's news.

From all mom's boyfriends and dates she's ever had. Logan takes the reward of the most dickhead man.

"To repeat, the animal terrorizing Mystic Falls has been caught"

Somehow, his words doesn't reassure me at all. It's like I don't believe whatever or whoever it's killing has been trapped. Besides that I don't like the man giving the news and my mom cursing him is not giving me any reassurance

"Scum ball. Scum bucket" mom curses the man glaring at the TV

"Yep. He's a dick and rubbish"

"Okay. To be clear, Jill. The only times I'll allow you to curse and use that vocabulary would be to that Scum Bucket"

I nodded grinning. Mom letting me talk like this in her presence about that man shows how much she likes him.

My cousin's amused voice sounds from behind me

"Who are you talking to that includes letting Jill insult someone? It must be someone you both hate"

Mom and I point to the TV saying at the same time "Him" mom with more disgust than me.

"The news guy?" I turned to see Elena's raised eyebrow expression.

"Also known as Logan "Scum" Fell" I told her making a face. Mom nodded looking at Elena

"Did your mom ever tell you why we moved away from Mystic Falls?"

Elena raised her eyebrows in surprise and looked at me questionably. I nodded making a face. The guy was a scum. Literally

"Oh, no way. You and him? He's cute" Elena said teasingly. I made a disgusting face at her

"He is not cute. There's nothing cute about him. He's the less cute mom has ever dated. And that's saying something coming from me"

Mom sighed nodding at me looking at Elena "You should see her when I start to see someone. It's like roles reverse and she's my mother" she told Elena. I smiled proudly

"And out of everyone, dear mother. Beside that rubbish Fell guy you make me proud. Sadly, there haven't been one so far who can handle my beautiful sarcasm"

Mom rolled her eyes smiling, shaking her head. She looked at Elena and now noticed the box in her hands as she placed it on the counter

"What are you doing with that?" She asked pointing at the box. I curiously stood up from the coach and walked to them

"I went yesterday and got it from the safe deposit box. Mom told Mrs. Lockwood she would loan it to the founder's council for their heritage display"

Mom grabbed an object from the box and held it up in her hands

"Is that grandma Beth's wedding ring?"

"Originally it was great-great-grandma Mary's wedding ring" Elena told us. I tilted my head at it smiling in amusement.

Jeremy walked from behind Elena and grabbed an object from her hands

"How much do you think this stuff is worth? You know, like on eBay?"

Elena frowned at him and took the object from his hands "You're not gonna find out"

That's when Jeremy took a better look at the box, his face morphing into anger as he looked up at his sister

"That stuff is mom and dad's. You can't just give it away"

"I'm not giving it away. It's called a loan, Jeremy" Elena told him softly. Jeremy pursed his lips shaking his head and then walked away.

Without sparing me a glance.

I was still hurt by his attitude at the game and he hasn't even talk to me since that night. Somehow I think our relationship is fading away, and I don't like it.

Suddenly the doorbell rings, snapping me from my thoughts. I stand up from where I was sited and walked to the door.

"I got it" I told Elena who was still busy looking her family heirlooms

I opened the door to only find Stefan inside. I blinked up at him

"Hi" he smiled at me. The coldness I felt on the game night still on my mind as I gaze at him warily. His eyebrows furrowed in concern. I call over my shoulder at Elena without taking my eyes from Stefan.

"Lena! Your boyfriend is here!"

I stepped back and gave him space to enter the house. He looked at me tilting his head aside

"Jillian..." I shook my head and forced a sweet smile on my face

"I'm just kidding with you" I smiled chuckling shaking my head "Gosh, why can't everyone understand my sarcasm?"

"Because you say it so seriously that there's still no one who can figure it out if you're being serious or not" Elena's amused came from behind us. I looked at her smile and I melted, it had been a long time without seeing her smile that when she does, it makes me forget Stefan's secrets as soon as she is in the room.

I forced a chuckle and shook my head "You'll see, soon I'll find someone who can finally understand me"

She put a hand on her chest feigning hurt "Ouch, Jillian, that hurts. I do understand you, it's just... Your sarcasm is a little high"

I rolled my eyes and smiled at her sarcastically "Ouch. I didn't know you think that way of me" I feigned a hurt look. Elena raised her eyebrows and looked at Stefan

"See what I mean?"

Stefan smiled amused and looked down at my wrist, where the bracelet he gave me was secured

"Yes. I have personally witnessed her sarcasm" I looked down at the bracelet and couldn't help but chuckle

"Well, it's not my fault you're to gullible" I smiled. Elena looked between us curiously "Stefan bribed me to like him giving me a bracelet" I said seriously raising my hand up to show her the bracelet. Elena opened her mouth looking at Stefan incredulously

"You did what?"

I looked at him in amusement from over Elena's shoulder, I mouthed at him 'Oh, you're in trouble' smirking. He sighed amused ready to explain Elena what happened. She chuckled looking at my straight face in amusement

"You're really something, Jill" She told me giving me a sided hug, to which I couldn't help but smile and return, not seeing Stefan's small smile at our interactions.

"Well, I think I've been a nuisance taking your time so I'll go now so I won't be an awkward third wheel anymore" I blurted out casually stepping out of Elena's embrace and turning away to give them space

"Jill you're not..." I turned to face Elena and shoot her a wink, showing her I wasn't so serious. She chuckled shaking her head "Oh, you did it again" I shrugged and walked away, not without hearing Stefan say

"Your cousin doesn't have a filter, does she?"

I smiled shaking my head. There were moments I could see Stefan being weird and something wrong with him that could mean danger to Elena and our family and times where I see him a good thing to my cousin and our family. That his arrival into town is making good changes.

But there's still that feeling I have every time I'm near of him, since Bonnie's numbers and when I touched his skin.

Something in the back of my mind telling me he along his brother are bad news.

But for the sake of my cousin's happiness I bury it deeper down inside my mind

I just hope I'm not making a mistake

~8~

Stefan had already left and Elena was inside preparing the box to loan it to the Lockwood's, Bonnie was at the grill with Caroline and I don't, for any circumstances want be near Caroline right now without hitting that Barbie face, so I stayed inside the house weighing the good vs the bad of going to the Founder's party tomorrow

I was in the kitchen eating an apple when the front door opened. I looked over my shoulder to see Jeremy entering the house. I quickly looked away to my apple. I heard Jeremy sigh and he walked inside the kitchen.

"Jillian?"

I was chewing on the apple without looking at him, cursing him in my mind. When people calls me by my full name is because they want to have a serious talk. I'm not used to those. I'm more of a sarcastic kind of conversation, I only have those serious talks once in a while.

"Jillian, please look at me" I blinked taking another bit of my apple. Jeremy sighed again and I felt him move further from the doorframe. I felt his shadow over me and his hand went to my view as he grabbed my apple

"Hey! Give it back" I snapped at him, not in the mood for his actions. He blinked not surprised by my reaction

"There, it wasn't so difficult to look at me, was it?"

I glared at him crossing my arms "Now what? You have my attention, are you gonna shove me off again?"

He sighed dropping the apple on the table, not the trash can as he knew no one messes with my food

"Jillian, I'm really sorry for how I treated you at the night of the game. I don't know what came over me that snap at you when you didn't do anything to me" my eyes softened but I wasn't backing down "Look, I know I say it all the time and probably sounds to cliche to your liking" he told me with a knowing look. He knows me pretty well, I think better than Elena does "But, you're the best cousin I could ever ask for. Yeah, I know. That sounds like a broken disc, but it's true. You haven't push me since I started on drugs. You've been by my side and I know to Elena's point of view you're encouraging me more to keep using more, but you're patient, to which I know it's a struggle for you, but you're doing it for me. I don't know what I could do without you, please Jilly. Don't be mad at me. Do forgive me"

I looked at my cousin teared eyed. He was the second person to know me the most. Mom being the first.

Jeremy couldn't be more right. I was being patient for him when I'm not known for my patience. From Elena and Jeremy, he was the one I was closer with. Elena was like a sister but Jeremy. He was more than my brother. He was my best friend. My confident. We told each other everything. He wasn't that young than me and sometimes I acted more childish than him that I looked younger than him. Elena was more mature than the both of us so we easily spent more time together.

So, yeah. I couldn't stay mad with him after all he had said. Besides that everything sounded really honest

"Why I wouldn't I? After all your honesty, Jer., I feel flattered that someone besides mom knows me that well because not much people does. Why would I be mad with the second person to know me the most? Yes Jeremy you're forgiven"

I hugged him tightly, he returning the hug just as emotional like me

"Oh, thank god, Jill. I had the small insecurity that you wouldn't forgive me" he pulled away chuckling "Your expressions sometimes are so blank that neither me or Jenna can figure it out what you are thinking"

I smacked his arm playfully "I'm not that expressionless"

Jeremy raised his arms in innocence, a smirk playing on the corner of his lips "I never say you were, Jill. But sometimes you have this expression when you're thinking that isn't easy to figure out what you're feeling. Jenna once told me she was afraid that would have been your expression forever. She really gets worked up when she can't read her daughter. She loves you too much. So you'll understand when I say I was worried you wouldn't forgive me"

"Well, I'll try not to be close minded when talking to you or mom from now and on" I smiled at him

He smiled back. I bit my lip and looked over his shoulder making sure Elena wasn't coming down before settling my eyes on Jeremy's confused look.

I smiled a small smile taking an object from my cardigan pocket "Hey. I know you're upset because Elena was loaning your family's heirlooms to the Lockwood's but let me tell you that I took something without her noticing that if my memory isn't failing me, which would be a miracle" I chuckled softly. Jeremy's eyes hardened as I mentioned his family heirlooms being loaned by Elena, so I quickly grabbed his hand and placed the object on his hand "I think this pocket watch belongs to you"

Jeremy slowly looked down to see the watch I grabbed from Elena's box when she was talking with Stefan. I made sure she wouldn't find out about it being missing so I cross it out of her list, making it seem like she had already check it was inside.

"I don't know if my memory is correct Jeremy. But I once heard Uncle Grayson telling you about a pocket watch being passed down generation by generation to the sons of the Gilbert's. I knew he was going to give it to you when you were older, but now given the circumstances...." I trailed off awkwardly. Jeremy was still observing the watch. From here I could see his teared up eyes as he looked down at the watch emotionally "It belongs to you, not the Lockwood's" I finished quietly not knowing what else to say

There was an awkward silence as Jeremy tried to compose himself clenching his hand over the watch until he looked up at me. A single tear falling from his left eye as he startled me with a tight hug

"You have no idea what this means to me, Jill. And yeah, I don't know how your memory worked after all this time that you remembered dad telling me this but... Trust me when I say this honestly, Jillian Roxanne. You're the best and I don't know how I would pay you for everything you're doing for me"

I smile on the hug tightening my grip on him when the doorbell rings. We pulled away and we both clean our teared faces. Erasing all evidence of this private moment.

"Now that the chick flick moment is over, let's go open the door" I told him smiling a small smile. Jeremy chuckled shoving the pocket watch on his sweater and we both walked to the front door.

Our smiles fading away slightly seeing Tyler outside. Jeremy tries to close the door but Tyler holds it open.

He looks at us with an annoyed face "I'm here for my mom. I was supposed to pick up a box of stuff"

I crossed my arms hearing Elena's voice from behind me, I turned to face her coming down from the stairs with the box on her hands

"Right here. Please be careful" she told him handing him the box delicately. Jeremy looked at him

"Yeah, be careful with it, dick" he snapped at him, I bit my lip to stop myself from grinning as I placed a restraining hand on Jeremy's shoulder.

"Hey! Not now, okay, guys? Please?" Elena looked between the guys with an exasperated sigh, suddenly looking tired. Tyler shrugged

"I'm fine. He's just being a punk"

"Hey. Watch it" I snapped at him at the same time Jeremy did "I got your punk"

Elena looked at us disapprovingly but talked to Tyler

"Look, Tyler, maybe you should go. Tell your mom that I'll see her tonight"

Tyler nodded and looked at Jeremy

"Hey. Would it make a difference if I told you I actually like Vicki?" He asked. Jeremy shook his head

"Not even if you meant it"

I sighed and shot a look to Elena following Jeremy upstairs

~8~

Later, Bonnie was on Elena's bedroom getting ready to the Founder's party. I wasn't still sure of going or not. So I stayed on my room ignoring Elena and Bonnie when they knocked into my room to force me to go.

I was playing with my necklace when I heard a commotion outside my bedroom. Frowning I stood and made my way outside following the noise to Jeremy's room. I entered witnessing Elena smacking him on the head

"Ahh! God, what now?" Jeremy looked up at his sister incredulously

"Elena, what the hell?" I asked looking between the siblings frowning. Elena pursed her lips and looked down at Jeremy holding her hand to him

"The pocket watch. Where is it?" She demanded. Jeremy and I exchanged a 'Ah, is about that' face. Jeremy looked at her innocently

"What watch?"

Elena frowned at him suspiciously

"The one you stole from mom's box" I narrowed my eyes at her "Look, Mrs. Lockwood just called me, freaking out. It was on the list, Jeremy. And she can't find it, and she thinks she's the one who lost it"

Jeremy shrugged at her "Maybe she did. Maybe Tyler took it"

Elena shook her head

"Don't even play that card. Jeremy, you took it. If I go online, am I going to find it on eBay? Is that how you pay for your pot?"

"Elena, what the hell? First, Jeremy didn't take it. I did" I went to his hiding place and grabbed the pocket watch "Besides, I know Jeremy pretty well to know he would never sell this, ok?"

Elena looked at me in shock. I crossed my arms "Then why did you take it? And gave it to him?" She asked me. I opened my mouth to answer but Jeremy's hand on my shoulder stopped me from doing so. He answered instead

"Because it's supposed to be mine. Dad said it goes to the firstborn son. His father gave it to him, and now what?" He told her with controlled anger. Jeremy grabbed the watch from my hands gently and hand it to Elena.

Elena looked at us in realization "And he was going to give it to you"

"Yeah. Jill was kind enough to remember and she's not even a Gilbert, no offense" he added quickly at me, I waved it off, not offended at all "But she did when you should have" he told Elena crossing his arms

Elena looked at him sadly and then at the watch turning it over in her hands

"Look, Jeremy, it's still yours, okay? Mom promised Mrs. Lockwood. What do you want me to do?"

One look at Jeremy's face and I knew he wasn't going to take it and I wasn't surprised. He was hurt by his sister

"Just take it and get out"

Elena looked hurt. She looked at me. I shook my head and sat next to Jeremy waiting for her to leave his room

When she did, Jeremy let out a small sob. I hugged him and he placed his head on my shoulder

"I miss him, Jill. I miss my dad" he whispered at me. I closed my eyes holding back my own tears. Grayson Gilbert wasn't only my uncle. He was like a father to me, and losing him like that, it hurt as if he were my real dad. I may have questions about my biological father but besides that, I don't care, he left me and mom. He would never be my dad

"Me too, Jer. Me too" I told him quietly. He looked up and saw my teared eyes and hugged me tighter.

~8~

"Are you gonna go?" Jeremy asked me an hour later after we composed ourselves. I tilted my head aside. Jeremy smiled "Dear cousin, let me rephrase my question. Did you already decide of going or not?"

I chuckled shaking my head at how he knows me.

"Ah, I'm still not sure" I tilted my head "I don't think so"

"Yes, I think you do. If you weren't sure of going, you wouldn't have prepared a dress" he told me smiling a knowing smile

I rolled my eyes in amusement "It's creepy how well you know me"

"You know you love me" he told me smiling

I smiled softly and stood up from his bed. I looked at him concerned

"Are you gonna be okay alone?" I asked him. He smiled rolling his eyes

"Too much of not being like Jenna or Elena, huh?" He asked me in amusement. I narrowed my eyes crossing my arms. He chuckled raising his arms in surrender "I'm sorry, Jill. I know you mean it and I say I'm gonna be okay" I looked at him unconvinced. He sighed "Okay. Elena's reaction about the watch hurt me a little, but Awesome Cousin Jillian was here to make me feel better, so now you can go to have a miserable night at the Lockwood's"

I sighed as he chuckled. Yep, he was fine

"All right. Just because you said I'm awesome" I told him with a smile walking away to his door. I paused and looked at him "Seriously. Are you gonna be okay?"

He nodded smiling a small smile "I would be, Jill"

I nodded this time convinced and walked to my room seeing the dress I was going to wear on my bed. Jeremy was right, if I was thinking on not going why did I prepare a dress?

I sighed shaking head and started to get ready, purposely ignoring Elena as I was doing so.

Her attitude towards Jeremy wasn't something I appreciated, and when there was an action I didn't like from someone, I ignore them until they apologize. Or did something that proved how sorry they were.

After all... Actions speak louder than words.

~8~

I arrived at the Lockwood's with mom. She looked at me weirdly when I told her I wanted a ride with her instead of Elena and Bonnie, but didn't question me.

Carol Lockwood was in the door greeting people as we approached her house

"Jenna, Jillian. You both look smashing, darlings" she greeted us with a fake sweet smile. I faked another one nodding at her when I felt mom pinch my arm slightly

"Mrs Lockwood, you look amazing yourself" mom told her smiling. Mrs Lockwood breathed a chuckle

"Well, what are you waiting for? Come inside"

Her words somehow triggered something in me making me blink once frowning.

Mom lead me inside while looking around. I shook my head my smiled at her when she looked at me

"Well, let's have fun" she told me cheeringly.

I chuckled linking my arm with her's and we both walked further inside

~8~

A little while later. As we walked around the house, mom grabbed a glass of wine from a butler and looked at me with questionable eyes

"Jill, honey, you don't have to be on my side all night. Go with your friends. What happened that you didn't come with Elena?"

I sighed knowing I couldn't avoid that question from my mother once she throw it out in the wind

"Okay. Firstly I want to spend some time with you, because I feel like I haven't since the school year started and that's saying I'm not a good daughter. Secondly, I kind of mad at Elena for something she did...."

Mom looked at me sympathetically "You're not a bad daughter, Jill. You're the best and I'm not saying I don't like your company, I do, but... Okay, I'm excited you want to spend time with me and not your friends and sorry I sounded selfish but it's the truth"

I smiled a small smile at my mom, she smiled wider at the reaction, but her smile faded remembering what I told her about Elena

"What did she do to deserve this treatment?" I didn't answer. She sighed "Jillian..."

"She hurt Jeremy's feelings" I admitted quietly. Mom sighed closing her eyes. There were 2 things that always made me act this way and was my mom and Jeremy. If they hurt their feelings, it's like something protectively wake up in me. I loved them dearly and I didn't like anyone hurting them. Elena was also in that list, but it was rare someone hurting her, that's why of my coldness towards Stefan sometimes. But Jeremy and mom were on the top list.

"Jillian, I'm sure she didn't mean to..."

"But she did" I interpreted her coldly. She sighed shaking her head knowing there was no point in arguing with me

"Okay. She did, but please, Jill. Don't let it go further than this, okay?"

I nodded reluctantly and watched as she took a sip of the wine. My mood darkening with the voice I heard coming from behind us

"Jenna. Jillian"

I exchanged a look with my mother and we both look at Logan with identical annoyed faces

"Hello Logan" we replied in unison, crossing our arms. He chuckled smiling not bothered by our attitude

"It's good to see you both"

I rolled my eyes suddenly wishing for a glass of wine as he walked forward trying to kiss mom

"I thought I might see you here" mom told him backing away from his reach. Logan smiled

"You knew it"

"We dreaded" I deadpanned seriously. Logan smiled

"Aw, Jillian. That sarcasm was missing from my life, so I know you are kidding and you both were secretly hoping"

Mom rolled her eyes

"And now that we have..." Mom told him grabbing my arm, both of us walking away, but Logan grabbed her arm stopping her, doing the same with me with his other arm

"Whoa, hey, not so fast. I know both of you. You have a lot more insults in you, I can tell"

Mom pursed her lips exchanging a look with me. We both answered

"Your hairline's receding"

"No, it's not" Logan waved us off smiling "You want to have lunch?" He asked mom

I snapped at him answering for her "No, she doesn't want to" mom in agreement of what I said

Logan smiled a small smile at me. "You haven't changed a bit, Jillian, neither your mother has"

"Oh, we have" I snapped narrowing my eyes. Mom grabbed my arm backing me away from him as she said into his face

"We're meaner now"

We both then walked away leaving an amused Logan behind

"Gosh. Doesn't that man understand the meaning of the word no?" I asked my mom. She smiled at me

"He'll never understand, Jill. Ugh, I love you sweetheart for defending me. Not much kids do that for their parents" she told me lovingly squeezing my arm

I smiled softly at her "Well, you're not only my mom, you're my best friend. If I don't protect you, who will? And I know you'll do the same for me"

She smiled hugging me, both of us walking away

"You can bet so, Roxane"

I scowled in amusement as we shared a laugh

~8~

As we walked inside, I looked at my mom being quieter than she normally was

"Are you okay?" I asked her softly, seeing Logan probably wasn't good for her feelings. He really liked Logan, so did I. But his indiscretions with that woman ruined their relationship. If I haven't followed Logan that night we probably wouldn't have known about Monica.

I confronted him almost in tears, because of all he did to my mom. Our lives were starting to look good as we had a good man with us, I was happy for my mom because of her being alone for almost my entire life and I was glad she had found someone to share it with us. But he ruined it. Obviously I told mom, I knew that if I didn't tell her and then she found out by herself and knew I found out about it she wouldn't forgive me.

We were like that, we didn't take betrayals lightly. I took it from my mom who took it from my dad when he left her. I told her that same night when I arrived home in tears. Elena was with Caroline and Bonnie in a sleepover, Jeremy with some friends, uncle Grayson was in the hospital. The only ones in the house were mom and my aunt Miranda. I had no choice but telling her.

That same night we packed our things and with help of my mom's sister, we left Mystic Falls to McKinley, Virginia, a few hours from Mystic Falls where mom attended Whitmore to study psychology because she hadn't finished her education by raising me. I convinced her and while she attended at Whitmore, I went to another school near her college.

We didn't hear from Logan until today and seeing him triggered emotions inside of us. More inside mom as she was the one she was in love with him. Me because he hurt her

"I'm okay, Jillian. Or I would be" she said after seeing my unconvinced frown. My gaze softened

"Do you want to be alone?" I asked her softly, she squeezed my arm and nodded once. I smiled a small smile and kissed her cheek "Okay. I'll wait for you outside to when you want to go"

She nodded and I pulled away watching as she made her way towards the bar. She needed it. I know. She needed to be alone.

I nodded to myself and walked away.

~8~

I found myself alone in the kitchen eating some ice cream abstentantly thinking about mom when Bonnie and Elena entered

Bonnie was the first one to notice me "Jill?"

I didn't answer, still looking down. Elena walked forward concerned. She touched my arm

"Jillian, are you okay?"

"Scum Fell talked to mom" I told her quietly, she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion exchanging a look with Bonnie, I scoffed "Who does he think he is? He thinks that after cheating mom she'll greet him with open arms?" I asked no one angrily "And he has the decency of treating us like nothing happened. God, I hate him" I mumbled, blinking back angry tears stabbing the idea dream. Elena sighed and wrapped me in a hug. My anger towards her evaporating with the action

"It's okay. You can hate him, but don't let him make you cry. Jenna is an amazing woman who won't let anyone treat her like that. I know both of you"

I hugged Elena sniffling. She sat next to me and Bonnie in front of us looking at me sympathetically. We started to eat my ice cream. I could tell Elena was upset, so I dropped my spoon and looked at her, really wanting to change the spotlight from me to her

"So, what's with the face? Why so upset?"

They exchanged a look and Elena looked at me telling me her issues with Stefan

"This is my fault. I planted doubt. I'm a doubt planter" Bonnie told her after Elena told me how Stefan didn't want to share anything from himself.

"It's not your fault. I just—I feel terrible because I said that I wouldn't get in the middle of it, and then that's exactly what I did. I got all snotty"

I took this quietly, according to Bonnie, Caroline was told by Damon his point of view of how Stefan stole Katherine from him. It sounded too Damon and not too real, so I didn't believe it but he looked to be wanting to break their relationship, for what? I had no idea

Mrs. Lockwood then entered the kitchen "Elena, honey, there you are. I notice the watch still isn't in the collection"

I exchanged a look with my cousin. I shot her a look. She sighed

"Oh, um, I'm sorry, Mrs. Lockwood. I, um, I couldn't find it. I guess it's still packed up in my parents' stuff somewhere"

I inwardly sighed a breath of relief. Mrs Lockwood looked at her suspiciously but anyway smiled

"I see. Well, please let me know if you do find it"

"OK" Elena smiled

~8~

I found mom talking with Logan again, narrowing my eyes at the small pieces I got from their conversation. He wanted another chance and mom was giving it to him.

He was bad news, I knew it, besides I didn't like him at all, but I refrained myself of going there and push him away because of mom's smile. It was rare the times she smiled this days, so if this lunch date they'll have will make her happy, I will allow it.

But that didn't prevent me of throwing daggers at his face.

A waitress passed next to me carrying a tray of glass of wines, inwardly steeping in front of me. The glass started shaking for a second as I narrowed my eyes at Logan warningly. He would never hurt my mom again, not if I -

My line of thought was interrupted by the waitress' broken tray of glasses on the floor. I looked down at her confused eyes.

I knelt in front of her helping her out

"Are you okay?"

She shook her head incredulously while gathering the shattered glass on her tray

"I'm good balanced, I have good equilibrium, I don't know how this happened" she told me huffing. I smiled apologetically

"Well, at least you're not hurt" I told her softly helping her stand up. She smiled shaking her head

"Yeah, that's good, but seriously. It was like the gasses had a mind of its own as they fell"

I shrugged apologetically "Accidents happen, don't you think?"

She nodded sighing "Yes, unfortunately. Now I think I'll have to pay this from my budget" she groaned making me chuckle

"The Lockwood's pay well on this. You'll be fine" I assured her. She smiled gratefully

"I hope so. I'm Melanie, by the way" she shook my hand, I smiled

"Jillian"

"Well, Jillian, nice to meet you and thanks for the help, see you around other day? School maybe?"

I nodded smiling as she walked away.

~8~

Outside, getting ready to go, only waiting for mom, I spot Elena making her way outside, an angry frown on her face

"Elena?" I walked to her concerned. Her gaze flickered around ignoring me until it settled on someone, I followed her gaze to see Damon. "What's wrong?"

"Damon hurt Caroline badly" she told me. I raised my eyebrows in surprised as she went to confront him, pushing him away. His smirk fading away as Elena threatened him.

I frowned at him weirdly and backed away from his line of view.

Elena has some explanation to do

~8~

I was walking around the lawn of the Lockwood's looking for Elena when I see a figure standing alone.

"Elena?" I asked getting closer only to be met with the back of a blonde girl "Caroline?"

Caroline was gazing off, making me frown in concern "What are you doing here? I thought you to be inside being your annoying self" I told her chuckling trying to make her snap at me because she was scaring me. She didn't answer. "Caroline? Are you okay?" I asked her seriously and concerned

She turned to face me starting to hyperventilate "Yeah, I'm fine" she answered unconvincingly breathing heavily. It made me feel even more concerned because this wasn't the blonde I know.

Elena's words hitting me. Damon hurt Caroline badly.

"Caroline, what happened?" I asked her. She kept breathing heavily, almost crying as she answered me shakily

"I'm fine"

I shook my head worriedly hesitating on touching her, but she really needed it "No. You're shaking..." Caroline struggled to explain between gasps but she couldn't as she kept hyperventilating "Come here, come here" I couldn't take it anymore seeing her like that so I hugged her rubbing her back comfortingly as she started crying on my shoulder "Sh. Sh. Everything's gonna be okay" I whispered in her ear trying to comfort her as I hugged her looking at her worriedly

What exactly did Damon do to her?