PROLOGUE

THE SUN GIVES WARMTH AND COMFORT, The sun Paints the world with Colour and keeps the chaos away... And that was how everyone had grown to describe Aelia Miller. But in her own mind, the young woman only saw herself as the type of sun that destroys rather than creates. Aelia had become the light in the lives of many, Primarily the life of her best friend Elena Gilbert. Despite Aelia's own problems she had been there for Elena every second over the past months.

Until recently, Aelia hadn't returned for the new school year. She'd missed the first two weeks Due to illness... Rather a disease that embodied her father. Her father, Ralph Miller. a disease which contradicted everything the young blonde stood for. A disease that did it could to strip away the warmth that Aelia radiated. 

But she was going back, returning to school... Returning to a school with Two new students, Stefan and Carson Salvatore. Two students she'd already received endless texts about in the two weeks she'd been off school.

So now here she was, Pretending everything in her life was okay while her best friend frantically unloaded the details of recent weeks, Details about the Salvatore brothers. Or more accurately Carson Salvatore, And how he made Elena Gilbert feel.

"I have to do this Lia" Elena sighed as she sat in the passenger side of Aelia's car, While the Gilbert gave her directions to the Salvatore house. Aelia had agreed to take Elena to see the boy she'd been fawning over for the past two weeks. Aelia smiled at the opportunity to meet the boy her best friend had been gushing about, To meet the boy who replaced the forced smile on Elena's face with a genuine one. 

"I know you do. I'm happy for you Elena. You seem more— Alive" Aelia couldn't find the right words to explain the difference in Elena's rapid change, She could see the way her best friend had gone from the lies, The pretending she was okay to the genuine smile that grew on her lips At the mention of Carson Salvatore.

"Is this it? He lives here?" Aelia Marbled at the breathtaking Mansion in front of them, Its old elegant exterior taking the Miller girl by surprise as she pressed her foot against the brake of the car, causing the old Volvo to come to a halt outside.

"Yeah- with his brothers" Aelia nodded at Elena's Words in slight shock of the Extravagant house they lived in, Yet none the less she got out of the car following her best friend to the door.

Elena ventured to the big oak door of the mansion, Her fist colliding with the cold wood. Knocks echoed through Aelia's ears as she stared waiting to put a face to the name.. And when the door opened, A beautiful man was revealed. A man whose russet brown hair flowed upon his scalp in waves while his green eyes scanned the two girls stood in front of him.

"Hey, Stefan— Is Carson here?" Elena asked as she stared up at Stefan Salvatore. Aelia's eyes subconsciously scanned him in shock, Such an effortlessly beautiful teenager? Not a mark littered his skin. Not a single imperfection on his face... Aelia had to take a breath as if just the sight of him tore all the oxygen from her lungs...

"Elena" Another voice echoed from Behind Stefan before he got the chance to speak, The door opened wider to reveal another man, A man who perfectly matched the description Elena had Given Aelia of Carson.

"Would you both Like to come in?" Carson asked his eyes darting between the two girls while Stefan stood beside him, His hand extended toward the house inviting both women inside without a second thought. 

"Actually- Carson the comet's actually this way... Aelia you can though" Elena smiled softly sending Stefan a look as if warning him to be Polite to the unfamiliar girl Elena had already told the two Salvatore about.

Carson smirked as he Followed Elena back out onto their Porch, Leaving Aelia and Stefan at the door. The blonde girl Looked up at Stefan as he spoke; "Can I get you a drink while they're talking?"

"Please" Aelia smiled noticing the Ease Stefan had in the brief conversation, A soft lopsided smile tugged at his lips as he led the blonde further into the mansion,  As she followed him her eyes admired the beautiful interior of the house; dark oak woods and stunning details engraved into the wood most people wouldn't even notice. 

"What would you like?" Stefan asked as the pair walked into the Kitchen, Aelia's arm subconsciously wrapped around her body as if giving herself a hug while she watched Stefan approach the fridge.

"Water's fine... thank you" She smiled, his nose twitching against the air as he nodded preparing her a Glass of water. Aelia still in awe over the gorgeous house, and its inciting owner.

"This place is beautiful" Aelia complimented with a smile that shone brighter than the stars, Stefan's lips unturning into a weak smile as he turned to look at her, Something in his chest constricting as he met her eyes. 

"Thank you" He chuckled softly, his voice like silk as something within both teens' chests changed, filling both of their hearts with violent confusion and something else... something else neither of them could quite describe... Longing...

"So, Your brother and Elena?" Aelia smiled starting another conversation, as Stefan slid the glass of water across the kitchen top, Aelia noticing the beautiful ring he wore proudly on his finger before looking back toward the door to see if Elena and Carson where on their way back-- which they weren't. 

"He won't hurt her, Don't worry" He assured having felt where the conversation was going, It was a common fact Elena was a troubled girl, and Aelia would do anything in her power to ensure Elena was treated the way she deserved. 

"Good— She's been through enough" Aelia nodded as a cloud of indescribable emotion clouded over the Mansion. almost as if the world was shifting beneath their feet. As if it was the start of something Epic.