Maddie's POV:

——- I WAKE UP SMILING FOR the first time in awhile. I noticed some few changes. And I feel good about it. As I crawl out of my bed, I notice I have two hours to spare before school started, everyone's probably left already or wherever they are. I go to take a shower and I change into something casual hit comfy. I kept having these visions, these dreams. I fallen asleep hoping things would cheer up again. Only if I could hope again. As I stand by the mirror, I didn't notice my older brother standing by the door looking concerned. "Faith.. You okay?" Jeremy was the only person to call me Faith, it happened when I almost drowned, the first word he muttered was Faith. I was 6 at the time, making Jeremy 7. I nodded my head and grabbed my bag. "Yeah, I'm ready." I smiled and hugged him before I walked out the door to walk.

I decided to stop by the Grill for their famous French toast I personally homemade created. They called it "Maddie's Toast". It had cinnamon, bananas, chocolate chip, peanut butter and maple flavored. Well you choose a flavor and top it with whatever. I shook my thoughts away while I sat in a booth, grabbing my art homework and starting finishing it. "That's really good Mads." A voice startled me and I jumped slightly. I looked up to see Tyler sit across from me, I smile and nodded. "Just getting breakfast before heading in. What about you?" I asked him. He flustered a smile and shook his head. "Same, but I'll take you to school?" I smile and nodded. "Sounds great. What'd you think?" I showed him my art project. He smiled at looked over it closely. "I think it's good Mads, does your siblings know you draw?" I smile wide and take my art project and roll the canvas. "Only Stefan, and Jeremy, Elena and now you." I told Tyler, he nodded. I see my French toast with coffee that's usually on the house. "Thanks girl." I nod to the waiter and she takes off. I start to eat my French toast, I see Vicki sitting in a booth, she had been attacked by an animal last night. "Vicki! Come over here." I yell to her, she smiles and makes her way over. "How are you?" I ask her and give her a piece of my toast. "I'm okay, it still hurts, they give me these pills for the pain, no big deal." I nod. "I'm always here for you Vicki, I'm sorry about my brother and Tyler's judgement." I give a glare towards the two who are coming back over here. I see Jeremy sigh and sat next to me. And Tyler across from me. "Want my toast Jer?" I ask him, he shakes his head, I shrug and finish my breakfast. After I ate, I had five minutes to spare, I called Elena to come get me knowing she was still home. Unaware to Maddie, Damon Salvatore was present, and watched the whole interaction.

Elena, Bonnie and I climbed out of Bon's car, they had talked about Stefan. Bonnie and I faced Stefan. "I'm not saying don't date the guy, I'm just saying take it slow." Bonnie commented, I nodded smiling. "Lena, don't rush into it too fast, I just met the two weirdos several weeks ago, but if you really like him, go for it." I smile at my sister, I give her a hug. "You were the one saying to go for it." Elena points at Bonnie and I. I did tell her and Stefan, I nodded my head remembering. "Now I'm telling you, to take it slow." Bonnie told her, I face Bonnie in confusion. "Out with it Bon Bon, what's bothering you?" I ask her, Elena then muttered out. "Why the about face?" Elena asked. Bonnie looked at us in confusion. "It's not an about face guys, it's just the first time you're single in your entire high school career. I'm saying its a good time to play the field." Bonnie tells Elena, I shift away and look down. Both girls notices. "Smile Mad's, your time will come, I promise you." Elena assures me, I nod and give a weak smile. "Continuing on with so that girl." I tell Elena pointing a finger at her. "But seriously Bon, what aren't you telling us?" I ask Bonnie again. Bonnie shakes her head and I sigh, looking over towards Tyler and Matt. "It's stupid." Bonnie mutters. I tuned out some of their conversation watching the two jocks. "And I love you for it. I do, but I feel good." Elena told Bonnie, I look away. "It's been a hard year for me and Maddie, and I'm kind of feeling like things are starting to get back to normal again, and you know what, Stefan's a big part of it." Elena replied, I shake them off and walk over to the entrance not bothering with Bon and Elena. "Maddie where you going!?" Elena yelled. "Some place where I can be alone!" I yelled back.

On the way inside, I bumped into a guy that seemed familiar. "Isaiah?" I questioned, confused. Isaiah glanced up. "Maddie." His British accent coming through. "I knew I remembered you from somewhere, must be camp we had this summer." I smile softly, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. "Want a tour? First, its the office then your locker." I told Isaiah, who nodded in agreement. We both walked towards the office.

After leaving Isaiah at his locker, I walk to find mine. I grab my sketchbook and my journal out. It's been several days I've done something useful with my talents, but lately I've been distant, I know I'm starting to open up, but I just I'm not ready to release my full on side just yet. I stand by my locker, straightening out my messy curls I have naturally, and I spot Stefan walking towards this way... With Elena. I sigh and I turned to them. "Hey." I wave, Stefan smiles and nods. Elena looks at me sympathetically. "It's fine Lena, you've found your happy ending, I'm searching my half of my soul. I feel like something is missing and I can't place it." I tell them, Elena hugs me. "You won't be sad forever you know, I know you've determined to find out what's missing, but we'll help you." I look to Stef as he nods. "Smile Maddie, your beautiful with it, not without." I giggle making Elena smirk. "Oh lord." I mutter. "So, that throw was insane, I didn't know you'd played football." Elena changed the subject, I looked over at Stefan, seeing him hiding his smile. "I used to, but it was a long time ago." I look at Stefan sympathetically, nodding my head for reassurance. I had a lightbulb on my head, I turn to Stefan and grin widely. "Oh I know that look, it's the I've gotten a brilliant idea look." Elena muttered, I nodded my head grinning. "You should try for football? I'm still cheering, I'll be your personal cheerleader I'll cheer the loudest. Elena used to be fun." I grin at Stefan, he shakes his head. "Yeah, I don't think so. Even if you did cheer I couldn't. I love football though, I think it's a great sport, but in this case it doesn't like me." Stefan quickly explained, glancing on us, I shrug and lean against my locker finishing my French toast I had boxed up. "Mads, did you see Matt and Tyler out in the schoolyard? Tyler threw a football at Stefan while he caught it, and throwing it back in perfect form." Elena told me. I widen my eyes in shock. "Wow Stef. Didn't know you had it in you." I smirk, playfully bumping him. "Yeah, but you saw the two, and we all know how Matt feels." Stefan comments, I gaze down to my plate eating slowly. "They don't know, to them, your this mysterious leather jacket, sunglasses type bad boy. Would hurt to join and make new friends." I murmur and Elena nods. "Lena, want a taste of my famous French toast from the grill?" She nods and gives her my box, Stefan glances in confusion as I giggle. "Maddie makes the best French Toast, and the Grill just happens to make it official, she named it "Maddie's French Toast"." I nod in confirmation. I hand Stefan a fork. "Take a bite, I don't mind." I shrug and let him and Elena deal with it. "I'll try it some other time, sounds delicious." Stefan comments, I nod my head. "Oh you haven't met the fun Elena yet, but you will, you've met part of me." I wink at the two and take off to class. "Toodles!" I yell in the hallway causing the two to laugh.

I walk to Tanner's class, as usual I sit in front of Stefan as always, I smirk at Stef shrugging my shoulders. I pull out my sketchbook and kept drawing what I dream of. "World War II ended in.." I doze off not paying attention as I'm drawing. I hear mutters of Elena and Stefan, I just shake them off and continued taking notes down. "Pearl Harbor?" Tanner asked. "Miss. Gilbert?" Me and Elena look up at Tanner, he sighs and motions to Elena, I look towards her and Stefan smiles glancing at me nodding his head to follow his lead, I grin nodding what he's doing. "Um.." Me and Stefan pipe in in sync. "December 7th 1941." I smirk and all eyes are on me and Stefan. "Thank you, Miss. Gilbert." I scoff. "I answered, you do realize Elena isn't the only Gilbert in this class Tan." The class snickers and I see Stefan chuckling, Elena giving me a glare. "Anytime." Me and Stef say in unison. "Very well, the fall of Berlin Wall." I look to Stefan as he nods again. I smirk. "1989." We say in unison. "We're good with dates sir." Stefan gestured to me and himself. Tanner nodded challenging us. "Are you? How good? Keep it to the year?" Tanner asked, we nodded in sync. "Civil Rights Act?" "1964" Stefan answered. "John F. Kennedy?" Tanner asked "1963" I answered this time. "Martin Luther King?" Tanner asked again. "68" Stefan replied. "Lincoln?" Tanner grew frustrated. "1865" I smirk and grin. "Roe v. Wade?" Tanner sighed. "1973" Stefan answered. "Brown v. Board?" Tanner rolled his eyes "1954." I answered. "The Battle of Gettysburg?" Tanner tried again. "1863." Stefan answered. "Korean War?" I glance over at Stefan. "1950 to 1953." We say in unison, I also added in. "Look it up Tanner, it's 53' before you incorrect me." Earning a few snickers around the room, I giggle, Stefan chuckles and winks at me, I nod. "Someone look it up!" Tanner asked. One of the boys in the class looked it up. "It was 19... 53." I smirk looking towards Tanner giving the 'I told you so' look. Everyone chuckles applauding, I stand and bow down. "Oh Lena, cheer up. Smile!" I tell my sister as she shook her head, smiling. If your questioning how I knew that, I'm a book geek, I follow after my dad, he would buy me a book and I would read and give myself tests and I'd pass it with flying colors. Out of my entire family, I was definitely the smart one.

After class ended, I went to cheer practice, but I already knew the routine and went to cheer camp and Caroline let me off the hook. I noticed Stefan sitting in the bleachers, I smiled softly thinking to give some advice. I told Care and nodded her way. Elena was still struggling to fit into the routine. "So, Stef, what brings you sitting on these cold nasty ole bleachers?" I ask Stefan as he chuckles. I hear Tanner muttering about Tyler not paying attention. "Okay, first of all, lemme say something once alright?" He nodded for me to continue. "If you love something, go for it. I see the way you looked over the field, go for it. If you don't, you never know what might happen. Look at me, I do cheer cause it's fun and challenging, I love being challenged. And Elena would love for you to try something new for once, so Stefan Salvatore, lemme ask you this. What would your sister ask of you, I know I shouldn't have mentioned it, but the way you speak of her. She seems to get through to you better than anyone." I look at him sitting back looking at him. He nods. "It's fine, and well she'd literally drag me down and push me to do it." He shrugs and I grin. "See! Follow your sisters advice, even if she's in your heart Stef, follow what she says. I bet she is watching you trying to make you listen to me." I giggle, and shook my head. "So go for it Stefan, go make me proud, make your sister proud." I nudge him as he nods, I get up and go to leave when he stops me. "Thank you, it means a lot to me you're here." I nodded and hum. "Don't thank me. Thank your sister who's in your heart." I take his hand and grab it, I pull him to Tanner. "Good luck." I whisper and walk over back to Elena and Caroline and Bonnie. "What's up girls?" I yell, gaining all attention from the boys. Seriously? I shudder.

After the talk about tonight's event, Stefan was coming over for Bon Bon to know him better, I tried my way to get out of it, but Elena wouldn't budge. Besides, how bad could it be? I was shaking out my thoughts doing cartwheels and double pikes, after I decided to end my turn, I stand by a stack of bleachers, smiling feeling proud of Stefan trying out. And all of the sudden I'm being pulled into a flashback.

"Stefan! Come on, father needs us." Young Madelyn and young Stefan walk side by side greeting their father, awaiting for a guest to arrive. "Father, am I dressed properly?" She asked her father, as he smiles sheepish and nod. "Go upstairs and do your studies Madelyn, Stefan can take care from here." Her father ordered. "But father, there's a guest coming, I want to use my manners and help welcome them." Stefan had pulled her slightly behind him, knowing his father would do something drastic. Before he said anything else, a carriage arrived to the Salvatore mansion. She smiled and linked her arm with Stefan's as he smiles softly. A carriage pulls up, a young woman steps out first, holding out her hand awaiting for the second woman. The woman glanced at her maiden and tells her a thank you. She meets our gazes, Stefan a bit longer as Stefan walks towards the woman. She stood by the front door awaiting for my greeting.

I suddenly then collapsed on the ground hearing screams from my sister and several boys. "Maddie!!!" Elena screamed before I blacked out.

3rd POV:

After Maddie had collapsed on the ground, Elena noticed she fallen. "Maddie!!" Elena ran to her sisters aid, catching attention from the cheerleaders and football players. Stefan watching from the distance had a concerned face, rushing quickly to Elena. Tanner rushed to the girls. "What happened?" Tanner asked. Elena was concerned for her sister, she didn't know what had happened. "Someone call 911!" Tanner yelled. Maddie laying on the ground unconscious. Stefan had pulled Elena in his arms comforting her while Matt watches from the distance. Tyler had ran inside knowing Maddie would need Jeremy. Tyler went to find Jeremy in a class. After a few minutes, Jeremy notices his baby sister unconscious on the ground. "Maddie!?" Jeremy called out to his sister in worry, Elena went to him and grabbed him, hugging him tightly. The ambulance came by and taken her to the hospital. Stefan had quickly ran home to warn his nephew, Zach and told Damon what had happened. Both Gilbert siblings were now officially concerned for their baby sister. Elena called her aunt Jenna and filled in what happened at cheer. Whilst, Stefan went back home.

Stefan's POV:

After Maddie had collapsed, I rushed home. I saw Zach. "Maddie collapsed on the field today. I hope she isn't gaining her memories." I warned Zach before he wanted to see her. I rushed to my room seeing Damon sitting in my chair. "How were tryouts?" Damon asked. "Did you make the team Stefan?" Damon teases. I don't find it funny. "Very Emerson, the way you reveal your soul with so many..." I rush to Damon, taking my journal. "Adjectives." Damon continued. I glared at him. "What are you doing here Damon, it's just cant because of Maddie." I ask. He shrugs and grabs a feather pen. "I've came to apologize, I've been doing some thinking, some soul searching and.. I want to start over. Me, you and Maddie, who is or isn't our baby sister." I look at him confused, standing there crossing my arms. "We need to put the past behind us." Damon stood up, walking towards me. "You're my little bro Stefan, and if you want to live normal and have Maddie back in our lives, then I'd want that for you. Only for Maddie's sake. Maybe I can do it too. I can learn to tolerate the non-living, living human game. Maybe there is a hope after all." Damon empathizes. I give him a glare. "I forgot how much Maddie would get us to do things and we'd do anything for her." I tell Damon, smirking at a thought. Damon laughs. "You're right Stefan." Damon told. "You know, it doesn't have to be this way, Damon. And Maddie doesn't know about us, she's lying in the hospital unconscious, I figured you'd rush off to her rescue like you once did when she was young." I told Damon. "Of course it does., btw, which means by the way, I saw Elena today. She was at cheerleading practice. She looked so perky in her little short shorts. Just..." I gave him a glare. "Simmer down, I didn't even go near her or Maddie for that fact." Damon tilted his head. "I've got my own cheerleader now.. Oh wait that reminds me. I gotta run, I have a date to get to!" Damon called out, walking out of my room, leaving me to my thoughts.

Maddie's POV:

A scream woke me up, i kept screaming until I felt two pairs of arms trying to calm me down. "Maddie ssh it's okay you're home." A voice said, tears pouring down my face, it felt real. Too real to contemplate real. But how was that possible? Dreams can be memories too, or I'm dreaming of someone else's. "Maddie, Elena and Bonnie are downstairs ssh you're okay, I told them I'd hang with you for a bit." Another voice said. I couldn't make them out, I couldn't breathe. "D..dreams... Felt real." I gasped out, knowing I see Stefan and Jeremy. Jeremy was holding me as Stefan had a concerned look on his face. "I don't know what's happening to me." I tear up, covering my face. "I've been having dreams for weeks now. They won't stop." I cover my face with a sheet, I sigh heavily. "Elena asked me to see if you like to join us." Stefan asked me. I shake my head, curling up to Jeremy as held me. His face full of worry and concern. "I'm fine, I just wanna sleep. All of this is too much." I told him, Stefan nodded and walked downstairs. I lay in my bed, not wanting to let go. Jeremy held me tightly, soothing me to calm down, I close my eyes and finally fallen asleep.

I hear voices in my head, but then I'm hearing voices downstairs. I noticed Jeremy had left. I wake up a bit more, yawning wearing my tee and short shorts with a high pony, I walk downstairs seeing Stefan, Elena, Caroline, Bonnie and Damon? I furrow my eyebrows as all eyes lay on me. "Maddie thank god you're okay, Jeremy said you woke up screaming, is everything okay now?" Caroline looked at me and I shrugged her off, yawning. Elena comes to me and hugs me as I just break down, not caring if anyone else saw. I could've sworn I've seen a concerned eyes of Damon. "What's going on?" I say in my shaky voice. "We was having dinner until Caroline and Damon showed up." Bonnie told me, I nodded. "I can go back upstairs, I heard all this noise and didn't know a dinner caused this many." I laugh, shaking my head. Stefan gives me a 'are you alright' look, I nod mouthing "I'm fine." He nods and I walk to the kitchen. I decided to be productive to wake myself up more so I'm doing dishes.

I was doing dishes when Damon walked in. "One more." Damon's voice startled me. I turned to face him in sigh of relief. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Stefan told me about what had happened." I nodded silently, himself handing the cup as I wash it. "Thanks." I mutter quietly. "I like you. Your quiet." I smile chuckling. "And that laugh, so mesmerized." Damon added on. I smile. "Earlier, did you mean Katherine? I'm sorry for asking, I couldn't sleep with all the talking and I heard you mention something." Damon nodded, putting dishes in the dishwasher. "It's okay, and yeah." I give him a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder. "I'm sorry for your loss Damon. I know what it feels like loosing someone closest to you. But she's in your heart always, don't forget that." I tell him as he gives me a soft smile. A real genuine smile. I nod my head. "If you don't mind me asking, you don't have to answer, but how'd she die?" I ask concerned, Damon nodded, thinking about it. "A fire, seems just as of yesterday, but it happened a long time ago." Damon told me, I surprised him by giving a hug, for some reason I felt safe and warm when I gave him a hug. I don't know what it is. "She was beautiful, a lot like you in that department. She used to teach my sister a lot of things me and Stefan couldn't. Katherine looked at her like her own sister, they gotten each other. You know?" Damon continued on, I smiled reassuringly towards Damon. I turned to the counter, folding up the cloths. "You seem to enjoy cheer, what made you join?" Damon asked me, I smile widely. "It was something fun and challenging. I don't know, before my mom died she thought it would be good for me, to distract me from some things they couldn't explain. So after awhile I decided to continue it. Elena used to do it, but now she's barely holding on. I mean I am too, but I'm more closed off too you know? I hardly do anything except cheer. To distract me from my parents deaths." I tell him as he nodded in understanding. "Some things are worth doing to make you smile Maddie, don't stop letting anything bring you down, that smile is always what keeps you going. To Stefan he thinks everything is forward, but time stops you." Damon told, I smile. He seems to have that soft spot, I like this side of him. "How come your more open with me than anyone else? You seem the cold spark type guy who doesn't care?" I ask, he chuckles. "Sometimes those you care for are the ones you want to care for." Damon replied. Then I see Bonnie and Elena walk in, I smile. "Hey, need help Maddie?" They ask, I nod my head. "It feels good talking to you Damon, I hope things spark up again." I reassure him as he smiles. And they help me finish cleaning up the dishes as I leave a plate out for myself to eat. "What? A girls gotta eat too ya know?" They all giggle/laugh.

I sat by my bay window, drawing out my dreams I've had. It was two siblings awaiting for a carriage with two women in it. It felt so strange, and surreal I couldn't explain it. Whenever I have dreams of it, I'd like to write it or draw it out, but drawing it seems more realistic. Nobody knows how I gotten my talent from. I just knew I could draw a lot. I notice Elena is asleep the next room over. (Our bedrooms are connected to one bathroom, mine bedroom to the left, then Jeremy's room, then Elena's connecting a bathroom in the middle of three bedrooms. Strange formation I know.) I hear a gasp and knowing Elena had a nightmare, I shrug it off. I decided I didn't want to sleep alone tonight so I went to Jeremy's room, and crawled in beside him, Jeremy knows everything about my nightmares, I'd crawl next to him and he just hold me tightly in his arms not letting go. That's what we've always done. Me and Jeremy always been the closest siblings out of everyone else. Sure, me and Elena are close, but since our parents died she spends her time writing in a cemetery, don't get me wrong, I do too, but not as much as Elena. I rather draw then spend an hour mourning over my parents' grave. And fallen asleep against Jeremy's chest.

The next morning, I noticed my uniform laying on Jeremy's bay window, I smile knowing he must've put it there, I notice Jeremy is downstairs and Elena is in her room debating on wearing hers, I sigh knowing she'd toss it out. I'm not a quitter, I can do this. I smile and I go to my room and change into my uniform and put my hair in a messy high pony, I strut downstairs to see my aunt Jenna. "Wow, my niece is growing too fast and she's hot!" I giggle and I hear a groan from Elena and Jeremy kisses my forehead. "Thanks Jer for putting my uniform by your window." He shrugs and smiles. I grab some toast and takes a bite, hopping on the counter while waiting on my pancakes aunt Jenna decided to make. Although she makes good ones, mine seems to be better.

Stefan's POV:

I starting pulling my journal out, after what had happened with Maddie, and Damon taunting Elena, I had to do something.
[ There must be a shred of humanity left inside my brother. Somewhere, I know he feels for Maddie. But I keep hoping. But how do I make him see it? And how do I protect them? ] I close my journal, sighing, I glance down on a photo of my sister and Katherine that was taken together in 1864. I gotten up, walked to a shelf, noticing a wooden box I've had for decades. I opened it, grabbing a tiny box along with a leather bound box that had my sisters initials on it. "MFS", I smiled at a memory with Maddie roaming the courtyard with Katherine. I chased them both happily. I opened the boxes and pulled something out.

Maddie's POV:

I was twirling in my uniform with Elena walking aside me. "Come on Elena, smile! Be proud of me." I smile. Elena gives me a hug. I notice a number 17 jersey out in the distance and I grin wide. "What happened to leather jackets and shades? Btw did you know 17 is my lucky number?" I giggle. Elena ignores my comment. "Ooh, you look hot in your jersey." I cover my mouth to keep myself from giggling. Stefan looks towards us. "What happened? No more cheerleader like your sister?" I give Stefan a side hug. "I quit. I'm a quitter. Maddie on the other hand, she's never a quitter, she's bold and young." I laugh and nod my head. "Let's get a picture of you two?" Elena suggested and looked towards Stefan as I nod my head at the same time he shook his. "Hey! What happened to memories are too important to keep?" Mocking his words, he playfully glares at me. I shrug, giving him my famous puppy eyes. "Oh no.." Elena muttered as she noticed what I'm doing. "She won't give up until you give in Stefan." I giggle not stopping my famous stare. He sighs and gives in. "Alright how should we do this?" He asked. I smile and I jump on his back, wrapping my arms and legs around him, smiling wide. "Kiss on cheek or is that too uncomfortable?" I ask him as I look, not noticing Elena and Caroline had taken pictures, Stefan smiled and shrugged. "Kiss it is then." I place a kiss on his cheek, finally hearing clicks of a button. I grin wide. "I'm so saving that photo for my wall." I told Stefan. Stefan smiles setting me down. "Thanks for pushing me." I nod my head. "Stef, your the one who deserves to have fun, besides were hot." I wink and giggle, standing by Elena. "But hey, you suffered a great loss." Stefan glancing at Elena. "You're not the same girl, you should be both looking ahead. Starting over, okay?" Stefan tells us, I nod my head, poking Elena. "Stop." Elena groans and I smile. "I think he practiced it. Besides its a new year, new beginnings for all of us." I tell them as Stefan nodded softly. I see Stefan reaching into his pocket, looking towards Elena. "That's my cue to go.." But Stefan stops me. "I hope you two don't think this is being too soon, or too weird.. But.." He took out a box, holding it towards Elena, I smile, I quickly pull my phone out. I stood a distance away, taking a picture before strutting over to them again. "I just.. I wanted you to have this." Stefan opened the box, to reveal an antique silver necklace, handmade, having a red ruby near the latch. I smile wide. Elena gasps in surprise, taking it out. "Oh wow, it's beautiful Stefan." I nodded in agreement. "It's something that I've had forever, and I've never wanted to give it to someone, until now." Elena smiled. "And for you Maddie, this was something my sister once had, she never taken it off, it was something I had given her on a birthday. And I know she'd want you to have it." He held out a charm bracelet with a heart locket, with a blue stone engraved with an D+S+M=S on the locket opening. I smile wide. "I can't take this Stefan, it's too important and its your sisters." I tell Stefan as he latches Elena's necklace. Elena smells it. "Is that rose that I smell? Maddie yours smells the same thing." Elena told me, I furrow my eyebrows in confusion before smelling my bracelet. "No, it's uh, it's an herb, nice huh." Stefan answered, as he latched on my bracelet on my left hand. I smile gracefully. "And Maddie, she'd want you to have it, especially if your my good luck charm." I grin. "Awe Stef, I'm your charm?" He nods. "You and Elena are., and I wanted to thank you for pushing me to try out for the team, it feels really good." Directing the first part to me before turning to Elena. I smile and I surprised giving him a hug. "Stef, you'll always have me alright? Even if Elena isn't here, I'll always be around okay?" He nodded. And hugged me back, and giving Elena a kiss. "I uh, gotta head for the game, I'll catch you both later." Stefan told us, I nodded. "I gotta find Bon Bon." I tell Elena, she nods. I take off finding the squad watching Caroline walking to Elena, I giggle.

After leaving Elena with Caroline, I find Isaiah alone in the mist of the crowd. "So, what is Isaiah Smith doing all alone in the crowd filled with people?" I walked towards him. He turned around, smirking slightly at he glanced over my cheer uniform. "Waiting for my personal cheerleader named Maddie. Is she here by the way?" Isaiah sarcastically told me. I laughed. "Well, I can't be yours unless you join the team, I'm Stefan's tonight. Hence the 17 on my cheek." Maddie pointed out. Isaiah furrowed his eyebrows. "Salvatore?" He asked, confused. "Yeah, how'd you know? Aren't you a senior or something?" Maddie asked. Isaiah smirked. "Junior actually, but close enough." He murmured. I heard whistles and hollers, I turned around, seeing Bonnie and Caroline calling my name. "Why go you stand in crowd? I gotta be with my girls. Keep an eye out for my sister? She's not cheering anymore." I fake pouted. "Will do." Isaiah bowed slightly. His platinum blonde hair wavering on the side of his face where his gel kind of rusted away. I take a deep breath, gazing into his grey eyes. "I-i gotta go." Isaiah smirked, grabbing my hand as he placed a gentle kiss on my knuckles. "Catch you later, Miss. Gilbert." Isaiah then walked away, leaving me breathless.

I stand by the cheer squad, I had dolled my face with Stefan's jersey number glittered on my cheeks, I notice Stefan and Elena glancing at each other, I go to Stefan and I nudge him lightly, he turns to me with a grin. "Is that my jersey number in glitter?" Stefan asked and I nodded waving my Pom Poms. "Why? You don't like it?" I face Stefan in curiosity, he smiles and shakes his head,. "No I like it! It makes me feel better knowing your cheering for me, the other guys can't seem to stop staring at you." He points towards Tyler, I sigh shaking my head. "Well I'm your charm, so I gotta cheer you somehow?" I nudge him playfully as Tanner continued on. "Let's be honest here. In the past, we used to let other teams come into our town and roll right over us." Every cheerleader including I cheered loudly, raising my poms, I caught Stefan staring with a huge wide grin on his face. I laugh. "But that is about to change! We've got some great new talent tonight starting on offense, and I'm gonna tell you right now, it's been a long time since I've seen a kid like this with hands like these." I cheered loudly, watching everyone else cheer. I smiled, winking at Stefan as I see Elena standing next to Isaiah smiling and cheering on. Isaiah glanced my way, winked as he smiled at Elena as she told him something he had asked. "Let's give it up for Stefan Salvatore!!" I cheer loudly as I can, jumping with poms in the air. "Stefan!" I yelled cheerily. And I see Tyler and Matt talking, whilst Tyler glancing over to Jeremy who's drunk, he smiles at me while I waved. And I see Tyler walk past by me. "No Tyler!" I call after him, running towards Tyler and my brother. Tanner continued with his speech. "...that have been waiting for us to put a check in the win column. I have only one thing to say to you, were Timberwolves, and were starving! And the Central High Lions are what's our plate!" I followed to reach my brother as I held Tyler back, but he's stronger then me. "Ty! Stop please!" I pleaded for the two to stop. I sigh and I walk over to another guy Jeremy hung with. "Is he high?" I ask, he nodded so I nodded in annoyance. "Great." I mutter. Next thing I knew, Jeremy knocked Tyler down, I gotten over to Jeremy, pulling his arm. Normally, he listens to me, except when he's drunk or high. "Jer, come on, let's go home." I pleaded with my older brother. Tyler pushed Jeremy back, knocking me to the ground, I grunted as my arm gotten scraped. Jeremy noticed and huffed. "Dude nice way pushing my sister dick!" He pushed Tyler back away, helping me up. Tyler ignored the comment pushing Jeremy, I stood out of the way, holding my arm. I give up so I walked away ignoring the calls of Elena and Stefan to the rescue. Isaiah watched the whole thing, his eyes showing concern as he helped me walk away.

Isaiah had taken me towards his SUV, where he carried an first aid pack. "You sure, you're okay?" Isaiah asked me, wrapping my arm around a gauze. I sighed, nodding my head. "Jeremy isn't usually this high or drunk, but Tyler did start." I murmured, eyes furrowed. "Even Stefan stepped in." Isaiah seemed lost in thought. "He was trying to help your brother." Isaiah reassured, smiling softly as he finished wrapping. I sat on the seat as the car door was open in the very back. Isaiah started putting away the first aid pack. "Thank you." I murmured, leaning my head on the car window. Isaiah gave me a small smile, and gently helped me off the SUV, before shutting it. "Come on, I'll take you home." He murmured. I sighed, shaking my head. "I can't, not yet, but would you give me one after the game?" I asked Isaiah, who nodded. "Come on." Isaiah murmured, gently taking my hand, walking towards the stadium. We both didn't notice Damon watching from the shadows, nor we notice how we gravitated towards one another, subconsciously.

After Isaiah had wrapped my arm in a gauze, and walked me back towards the girls. I went to Bonnie and Caroline where the squad is, taking my place, annoyed with Jeremy and Tyler. Caroline was giving instructions to Bon and I, as I went to the other players, I notice Elena coming to Bonnie so I shrugged it off. Elena glanced at me before taking Bonnie to the side. I helped Caroline continue in formation holding the banner for the team to run through. "Isn't that Stefan's jersey number?" Caroline asked me, I nodded. "Yeah, I wanted to cheer for him, but hey, how's Damon going? I know he seemed upset yesterday and I feel bad if I've done something." Caroline looked at me, thinking of what to say. "He's okay, I couldn't find him at all tonight. I invited him over but he's probably busy." I nodded, smiling, giving Caroline a hug. "Love you Care." I grinned as she hugged me. "Alright girls! Formation time, Bonnie!" Caroline called out, Bonnie walked back over with a confused face. I shrug it off and gotten into formation.

Stefan's POV:

After Elena checked me, but my hand already had healed up, I started to worry for Maddie since she was no where to be found. But Elena had told me she's with Isaiah. As I walked through an alley by the locker room, I hear a voice. Matt's. "You able to play?" Matt asked, I smiled and nodded. "Oh, yeah I'm good." I replied back to Matt. "Uh, what you did back there, you had Jeremy's back." Matt told me, stopping in my tracks facing me. "No problem, he's a messed up kid, someone's gotta look out for not only Jeremy but Maddie as well." Matt nodded in agreement. "I know, this week at practice, I was a dick." Matt commented, I shook my head. "You had your reasons man." "No excuse." Matt replied back. He held out his hand, I nodded and shook it. "Good luck tonight, we're lucky to have you." Matt answered. I nodded smiled softly. He walks away when another voice came into view. Damon. "Isn't that nice?" Stefan joins the team, makes a friend, has his own personal cheerleader. It's like one big happy Stefan moment. It's so rah rah, go team!" Damon raised his hands in the air, smirking. I give him a cold glare. "Yeah!" Damon yelled. I shake my head, done with Damon humor. "Not tonight. I'm done with you Damon." I told him, turning around walking away. Damon followed behind, appearing in front of me. "Nice trick with Elena, let me guess, vervain in the necklace you have to Elena and our baby sisters bracelet that once belonged to her, to Maddie." Damon told. He figured it out. "I knew that you had a soft spot for Maddie and knowing Elena looks exactly like Katherine, you'd chase after her too." I told Damon. "I had to take my chances to protect them from you. So deal with it." I told him, he scoffs and does his famous smirk. "Well, I admit, I was a bit surprised." Damon told. "It's been awhile since anyone can resist my... Compulsion." He smirked again. "Where'd you get it?" He asked. I scoff. "Does it matter?" I asked, walking around him. "I guess I could just seduce her the old fashioned way." Damon smirked. I gave him a glare. "I could just eat Elena before Maddie, or Maddie before Elena, hmm." Damon tested me. "No, you're not gonna hurt them Damon, either of them." I told him. Damon shook his head. "No?" I shook my head. "Because, deep down inside, there's a part of you that feels for Elena and maybe Maddie, I was worried that you had no humanity left inside of you, that you may have actually become the monster, you pretend to be." I told him. "Who's pretending Stefan?" Damon asked. "Then kill me Damon, or you won't, you've had many chances to kill me yet, here I am still standing. I get it, Maddie died saving me. You lost her and Katherine because of me, they're both dead, because of me. So that's why you decided to give me an eternity of misery to repay for my mistakes, yet the Maddie we both yet to know, is actually our baby sister. She looks exactly like her Damon, no doubt that's a reincarnation of another, so yes Damon, you won't kill me, and that is your humanity showing." I told him. He stood there not saying a word. Tanner came out of the locker room. "Salvatore! What the hell? We've got a game to play!" Damon and I looked towards Tanner. "If that's my humanity, then what's this?" Damon asked, rushing towards Tanner, biting his neck, feeding off him until he's dead. I tried to rush to him. "No!" I yelled. Damon let Tanner's dead body fall on the ground, turning to me with blood on his chin. "Anyone, any time, any place." I stared at him in shock and horror.

3rd POV:

Maddie was finished with the cheer game, she decided to find her older brother, Jeremy. She walked over to the bleachers, shivering in the cold after a long night. "Jer, are you okay?" Maddie asked him, he shrugged and gave her his hoodie to wear. "Thanks." She muttered, she sees Vicki walking towards the Gilbert siblings. Vicki approached Jeremy, waving at the youngest Gilbert. "It wasn't just for the drugs Jeremy." Vicki told him, Maddie and Jeremy looked at her confused and slight surprise. Then Vicki walked off, leaving the two siblings to warm each other and chuckling without humor. "Drugs huh Jer?" Maddie complemented. Jeremy shook his head. Maddie leaned her head on Jeremy's shoulder, sighing, yawning.

Stefan and Elena were by her car, Elena was confused about what had happened with Jeremy and Tyler. "What kind of animal could be doing all of this?" Elena asked Stefan, he comforted her in a hug. Elena looked up at Stefan. "Why would it come out of the woods and attack someone in the middle of town? Let alone the school parking lot." Stefan faced her, placing a hand on Elena's shoulders. "I don't know, I don't know." Elena sighed, grabbing Stefan's hand in worry. "I sworn I saw the glass cut your hand." Stefan reassured her, pulling her in a hug. "I'm gonna be fine, I'm okay, we're gonna be fine, that's all it matters." Elena nodded. Stefan wrapped his arms around Elena, whilst she leaned against his chest.

After a bit, Maddie went to find Isaiah, as promised he had taken her back to her house. Isaiah had a lot on his mind. He knew who the Salvatore brothers was, he knew how much they meant to her. But Damon was getting him annoyed easily. Isaiah saw the whole argument earlier when Damon had killed Tanner. Isaiah wanted to compel them, but he knew it was too risky, for him revealing his true identity. He had returned to visit with his first love, and hopefully be her friend. Isaiah knew that Maddie would soon fall in love once again, and it may not be Isaiah, but he'd always love and protect her, no matter the cost. "One day, I'll reveal my deepest secrets to you." He whispered as he pulled at his home he had compelled a family to take him in.

Once Stefan reached his home, he pulled out his diary once more and wrote. [ I thought there was hope, I did. That somewhere deep inside, something Damon was still human.. Normal, at least for Maddie's sake, but I was wrong. There's nothing human left in Damon. No good, no kindness, no love, no sincerity. Only a monster who must be stopped. ] Stefan sighed, glancing at his writing, then at a picture he had on his desk.

Maddie was at home with Jeremy, drawing her dreams out. She noticed a crow, she fancies crows for some reason, she didn't know what made her feel calm around her. Unknowingly to Maddie, the crow was actually Damon watching over her, watching her draw out her memories. The crow sat on her bay window, just enjoying the hums of Maddie singing. She heard Elena gasp, but she ignored it knowing it must've been a nightmare. She opened her window and let the crow inside. "So, you enjoy watching me draw?" Maddie shakes her head. "You must think I'm crazy talking to a crow. But for some reason you calm me." The crow kept staring, mesmerizing her features, until Maddie had fallen asleep with a sketch of two Salvatore brother siblings she didn't know about.

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• Sorry for the long update, I just finished my first book, now called Moonlight.
• I know I've skipped a few scenes, and added some created ones, but reminder, it's for Maddie's character and the storyline.
• I will continue this book before moving forward with the next season or book.
• So Maddie is having blackout dreams, can you guess what they mean?
• Maddie's characteristics will be fun to write out, I'm excited to write out her story in season one forwarding season two, I've got lots planned out.
• Any suggestions for Maddie or anything related?
• Go check out my other book, Moonlight and tell me what you think.
• Stay tuned for Family Ties!

[ just a warning, that brackets and italics are diary entries! ]