CHAPTER TWO
❝CREATURES OF HABIT❞

Dear Diary,
This morning is different. There's change. I can sense it—feel it. I'm awake. For the first time in a long time, I feel completely and undeniably wide awake. For once, I don't regret the day before it begins. I welcome the day. Because I know, that I will see him again, granted that him and Elena are involved, but that's beside the point. For the first time in a long time, I feel good. I feel as if I am welcoming the new day instead of pushing it away. Things seem to be getting better.

I still miss Mom and Dad—every day, but not every moment. I think I am finally accepting that they wouldn't want me to dwell on their death but learn from it. Because you aren't going to live forever so you have to make good memories while you can

-Elektra Gilbert

    I set my diary down and jumped up to go to my closet. I settled on a black tank top, black leather jacket and jeans. I was still shoving on my boots as I grabbed my bag. As I was walking out of my room I was stopped by Jenna.

    "Hold on. Do I look adult?" She asked. "As in, respectfully parental?"

    Jenna's dress was a pure sweep of burgundy satin, gathered tight at the waist. Her lightened hair hung loose down her back.

    "Depends where you're going," Elena called from behind; I saw her standing there looking Jenna up and down, surveying her outfit.

    "Jeremy's parent-teacher conference," Jenna said, walking to the mirror hanging in the hallway. Grabbing her hair and pulling it to the top of her head, "Hair up or down?"

    "Up: sexy stewardess." I chuckled slightly, signifying to her holding her hair on top of her head. Jenna sighed and then dropped it and let it fall down to her shoulders.

    Elena grinned before she said: "down: boozy housewife."

    Aunt Jenna scoffed quietly. "Up it is." Jenna chuckled. "You two are feisty today."

    "I feel good," I admitted. "Which is rare, so I've decided to go with it. Fly free. Walk on sunshine and all that stuff."

    Elena and I exchanged glances and laughed. Jenna was still staring at herself in the mirror and I decided to walk behind her, Elena followed. My eyes peeked into Jeremy's room curiously, my brows furrowed when I noticed that he wasn't in his room.

    "Where is Jeremy?" I spoke in general.

    "Oh, he left early, something about getting to wood shop early to finish a birdhouse." As soon as Jenna said that I knew Jeremy was somewhere else other than school. "There is no wood shop is there?" Jenna asked dropping her shoulders and looking fooled.

    "No." Elena and I stated simultaneously, shaking our heads.

    "Yeah," Jenna breathed out and pursed her lips.

✥ ✥ ✥

"Originally discovered over five centuries ago, it hasn't been over Mystic Falls in over one-hundred and forty-five years." Mr. Tanner was giving a lesson over the comet that was going to be passing over Mystic Falls, but I wasn't paying any attention.

"Now, the comet will be its brightest right after dusk during tomorrow's celebration. Are we bothering you?" Mr. Tanner suddenly asked, but the three of us didn't seem to realize that he was talking to us. "Mister Salvatore, Miss Elektra and Elena Gilbert?"

I had to try not to laugh while my twin shook her head innocently. When the bell rang she was packing her bag while I walked over to Stefan.

"Hey, Stefan." I greeted.

"I brought it," Stefan announced, pulling a leather bound book out of his bag and handing it to me.

"Withering Heights by Ellis Bell. You know, I can't believe she didn't use her real name." I said with a smile.

"Well, uh, all the Bronte sisters used pseudonyms. It was the time. Female writers weren't very accepted back then." Stefan explained as I examined the book in my hands.

"Where did you get it?" I asked, curious.

"Uh...it was passed down through the family."

"Ah," I mumbled, nodding my head.

"I've got lots of books. Go ahead, keep it." Stefan instructed.

I immediately shook my head and said: "Oh, no, I—"

"Elektra, I insist."

"Well, thanks, I appreciate it." I said, noticing Elena walking over. Elena stood by my side and smiled at both of us. "I'm going to go find Bonnie and Caroline. I'll see you guys later and thanks again for the book, Stefan."

I left the two of them alone while I walked over to catch up to the girls. Stefan is such a sweetheart. I can't blame Elena for suddenly being happy, he's such a great guy. But I couldn't deny the pang of jealously that coursed through my chest whenever Elena was close to Stefan - I shook my head, mentally shaking away such thoughts.

Bonnie's dark curly hair swayed against her shoulders as she dramatically shook her head at something Caroline had said. Despite what had happened earlier in the week, between Caroline and I, she was still one of my best friends—and I cherish my friends until the very end.

I met the girls by their lockers and we walked together to the next class.

"I'm confused. Are you psychic, or clairvoyant?" Caroline offered Bonnie with furrowed brows as we were walking down the corridor.

"Technically, her Grams says she's a witch." I stated with a little more sass than necessary, smiling at the fact that I knew something Caroline didn't.

"Yeah, technically, my ancestors were these really cool Salem witch chicks or something." Bonnie said giving a non-believing look, "Grams tried to explain it, but she was looped on the liquor, so I kind of tuned out. Crazy family, yes—witches, I don't think so."

"Yeah, well, feel free to conjure up the name and number of that guy from last night," Caroling informed as she smiled into space.

"What guy?" I asked. But my question was ignored.

"I didn't see him, you did." Bonnie said grinning sheepishly at Caroline.

"What guy?" I spoke again, groaning slightly afterwards as I became more agitated.

"Oh, just this totally hot guy who was staring at me. He had dark hair, blue eyes, and a sexy smirk," Caroline reminisced, smiling brightly at the fond memory, I rolled my eyes secretly.

"Well, why didn't you just talk to him?" Bonnie questioned with furrowed brows, slightly confused.

Caroline shrugged carelessly before saying: "I don't know I was drunk!"

"Hey, Matt, Elena wait up!" I called running over to them. They stopped and waited for me to catch up and once I did, we presumed walking down the concrete pathway heading toward the parking lot.

"They're keeping her overnight to make sure there's no infection, but she should be able to come home tomorrow." Matt said, I didn't bother asking because I knew he was talking about Vicki.

"That's good news," Elena admitted with a quiet voice as she looked over to Matt.

"Yeah," Matt responded with a small nod of his head.

"Did you get in touch with your mom?" I spoke for the first time as my brown orbs poured into his blue ones.

"Called and left a message. She's in Virginia Beach with her boyfriend. So we'll see how long it takes her to come rushing home." Matt answered with an obvious hint of annoyance present in his voice, but sighed after.

"Vicki's lucky that she's okay." Elena added in.

"I know, and now there's talk of some missing campers." Matt said.

"Did she say what kind of animal it was that attacked her?" I asked breaking the short silence that took a hold of the air around us.

"She said it was a vampire." Matt stated, giving Elena and I a confused glance.

"What? Vampire?" I repeated, holding back the scoff that threatened to escape from my throat.

"Yeah, she wakes up last night and mutters 'vampire' and passes out." Matt responded.

"Okay, that's weird." Elena chuckled dryly.

"I think she was drunk." Matt stated, he pursed his lips and then turned to Elena, "What's up with you and the new guy?" Matt asked, staring over at Stefan, who was perched up on a picnic table reading.

"Matt, the last thing I want to do is hurt you." Elena said looking at him with total seriousness.

"You know, I'm actually going to go back to the hospital. Be there when Vicki wakes up, get the whole story about last night." Matt said looking at Elena, sadness overcoming his expression.

"Okay," Elena whispered faintly.

"Bye, Elektra," He said turning to me.

"Bye, Matt." I responded, concern in my eyes when I turned back to Elena.

Elena turned to look at Stefan. He was sitting on the picnic table a few moments ago, but when we turned back, he was gone. All that was left was the large picnic table that had red paint chipping off in several spots on the metal object.

Elena, Bonnie, Caroline, and I were all sitting outside the Mystic Grill drinking coffee after school. I sighed as the cool breeze picked up my hair and blew it behind me. I took another sip as Bonnie began to speak.

"Well, I was talking to Grams and she said the comet is a sign of impending doom. The last time it passed over Mystic Falls, there was a lot of death. So much blood and carnage, that it created a bed of paranormal activity." Bonnie told all of us.

"Mmm, yeah, and then you poured Grams another shot and she told you about the aliens." Caroline spoke sarcastically.

Bonnie and I gave Caroline a look of disbelief. "Seriously, Caroline?"

I hate when Caroline runs her mouth like that sometimes. She always ends up taking this too far. For example, when she and I were having an argument, she had the audacity to tell me that my parents' death was mine and Elena's fault. It ended with her getting a bloody nose.

She ignored me and turned to Elena: "So, then what?"

"So, then nothing," Elena shrugged, looking up from her coffee cup and to Caroline.

"You and Stefan talked all night. There was no sloppy first kiss, or touchy-feely of any kind?" Caroline asked skeptically, gazing at Elena not believing they didn't do anything.

"Nope, we didn't go there." Elena denied, shaking her head looking down at the paper she was folding.

"Not even a handshake?" Caroline pressed with hope behind what she was saying, "I mean, Elena, we are your friends, okay? You are supposed to share the smut."

"We just talked for hours." Elena confessed, solemnly defeated.

"Okay, what is with the blockage? Jump his bones already! Okay, it's easy. Boy likes girl, girl likes boy—sex." Caroline finished her statement with a smirk at the end.

"Um, there are other people here too. Who don't want to talk about my sister jumping Stefan's bones," I spat in disgust, Caroline always was out in the open talking about this stuff.

"Sorry," Caroline muttered annoyed.

"Profound," Elena mumbled as she eyed Caroline suspiciously. That's when Elena turned halfway around in her chair and grabbed her jacket before standing up. "Come on, Elektra." She said smiling. I was confused.

"Where are we going?" I asked her, also standing up.

"Caroline's right, it is easy and if I sit here long enough I will end up talking myself out of it, rather than doing what I started the day out saying that I was going to do." Elena explained, grinning at Caroline and Bonnie before looking back at me.

We both got in the car and she drove to the Salvatore Boarding House.

"Ugh, if you're going to go do Stefan in his bedroom, then why did I have to come?" I asked, throwing as much disgust and resentment into my voice as possible.

"Because I drove you and if things go as planned—I'll just politely slide you my car keys and tell you to leave." She said giggling; I rolled my eyes and slammed the passenger door shut.

We walked up the steps of Salvatore boarding house and the first thing I noticed was that the house was huge. The house had a very aged architecture about it, that seemed unwelcoming and welcoming all at the same time. I looked around the porch and saw the large door. I walked up to it and saw a big knocker. I knocked three times and then the door pushed open.

Elena signaled me to step inside, and so I did—Elena not far behind. The boarding house was ginormous; it looked more like a museum than an actual house. I looked around a corner but was too afraid to walk down there alone.

"Stefan?" Elena called out. I looked back at her to see her observing the large old house. We walked into the center of the doorway which opened up into a den area.

"Stefan?" I called out as well.

I heard the door creak from behind, Elena must have too because she turned around slowly like I did. We then saw a large black crow fly in; I turned around and came face to face with a pair of piercing ice-blue eyes, and the owner of those eyes was even more breath taking. His jet-black hair was tousled and slightly grown out.

His face was so close to mine, that when I had turned around, my nose rubbed against his chin. I awkwardly cleared my throat and took a few steps back. He tilted his head, smirked at me and then his eyes flickered to Elena.

"I'm sorry for barging in. The door was..." I said turning around and looking at the now closed door, "...open."

"We're sorry." Elena mumbled, looking apologetic. This unknown man turned to Elena, who was to my left.

"You must be Elena?" He assumed as he looked towards Elena, "I'm Damon, Stefan's brother." He said directing the statement towards the both of us.

"Um, he didn't tell us he had a brother." I quipped, smiling nervously.

"Well, Stefan's not one to brag." Damon chirped smirking, gesturing toward the den before continuing: "Please, come. And you must be Elena's sister, Elektra. I'm sure Stefan will be along any second." Damon said leading Elena and I deeper into his home.

"Wow." I gulped in astonishment. "This is your living room?"

"Living room, parlor, Sotheby's auction. It's a little kitschy for my taste." Damon replied, smirking. "I see why my brother's so smitten with the two of you. It's about time, for a while there I never thought he would get over the last ones. Nearly destroyed him."

"The last one??" Elena and I asked, uncertainty in our voices.

"Yeah, Katherine, his girlfriend? And Beatrice, her sister? Stefan dated Beatrice after Katherine." Damon said, but a small grin appeared on his face when he took in our confused expressions. "Oh, y'all haven't had the awkward ex's conversation yet?"

"Nope," Elena said making her lips go to a straight line after.

"Oops. Well, I'm sure it will come up now. Or, maybe he didn't want to tell you to make you think he was on the rebound." Damon chuckled dryly, "We all know how those relationships end."

"You say it like every relationship is doomed to end." I commented.

"I'm a fatalist," Damon replied, "Hello, Stefan."

Elena and I spun around so fast that I was worried I was going to get a head-rush. Stefan was standing in the foyer behind us, tentatively staring over our heads and at his brother.

"Elena, Elektra. I didn't know you were coming over." Stefan responded, holding his tense stare.

"I know, we should have called..." I began to somehow explain what we were doing in his house, but I was cut short.

"Oh, don't be silly. You're both welcome anytime. Aren't they, Stefan?" Damon asked smirking wildly. Stefan glared at Damon, it seemed as though they were having a silent conversation of their own.

"You know, I should bring out the family photo albums. Or some home movies, but I have to warn you, he wasn't always such a looker." Damon announced cheerily.

"Thank you for stopping by." Stefan said his voice monotone as his gaze going back to Damon. "It was nice to see you two."

"Yeah, we should probably go." Elena said, looking at me with an awkward gaze, as I returned it.

"It was nice meeting you, Damon." I said turning to him.

"Great meeting you, too, Elektra," He said grabbing my hand and kissing it, it was strange and awkward, but kept my calm demeanor nonetheless.

"Yes, nice meeting you, Damon," Elena said, turning away but Damon caught her hand and kissed it as well.

"See you around." Damon said letting go of Elena's hand.

Elena walked past Damon and in front of Stefan. "Stefan?" she asked him looking up trying to meet his gaze but it was on Damon.

"Stefan?" I whispered softly, staring up at him.

Stefan moved out of our way, and let us through. I turned around one last time before I shut the door, and saw Damon smirk at me and then return his gaze to Stefan. I have a feeling that won't be the last of Damon Salvatore.

"I don't see how they're even related," I said, climbing into the passenger's seat, Elena in the driver's seat.

"I couldn't agree more."

We were back at the house while Elena talked to Jenna, I was mindlessly picking at a bowl of potato chips—only really hearing bits and pieces of their conversation.

"He's on the rebound and has raging family issues." Elena quipped groggily as she drizzled the chocolate-syrup all over her bowl filled with vanilla ice-cream.

Jenna shrugged as she strutted over to Elena with an apple in her right hand before saying: "Well, at least it's an ex-girlfriend, or ex-girlfriends. Wait till you date a guy with mommy issues, or cheating issues, or amphetamine issues."

After setting the chip bowl on the counter, I approached Elena and pulled the spoon out of her bowl before scooping some of the ice-cream onto the spoon, and placed the spoon into my mouth. My throat vibrated as I hummed in satisfaction and placed the now empty spoon back into Elena's bowl, she glared at me before she took a bite of the ice-cream herself. That's when I heard the door open and close, and Jenna had an upset look on her face.

"Jeremy." Aunt Jenna called out sternly, marching out of the kitchen.

Jeremy ignored her and continued to shut the door and walk upstairs. Jenna stomped towards the stairs and I followed, deciding to help the already heating situation.

"Jeremy, where were you?" Jenna asked, her voice angry and full of fiery-passion.

"More stoner stories? Look, Jenna I get it. You were cool once and that's—that's cool." Jeremy said giving Aunt Jenna a thumbs up. He sounded so out of it, it made my heart sink. How could he do this to himself?

"Oh! No, no, no!" Jenna rambled, throwing the apple in her hand at Jeremy's back.

"Ow. Why?" Jeremy asked turning around. "Why? Why, did you do that?"

"Listen up. Quit ditching class, or you're grounded. No discussion." Jenna said putting authority into her words.

"Parental authority, I like it." Jeremy replied with a sheepish grin while giving Jenna another thumbs up. "Sleep tight." He added, turning back to go upstairs.

Jenna was frustrated and let out a sigh; I decided that since he was still in the clouds talking to him would do no good, so I went back into the kitchen, where Elena was.

✥ ✥ ✥

MYSTIC FALLS
THE NIGHT OF THE COMET

Elena left earlier than me, so she could meet up with Bonnie in Town Square and help pass out flyers. When I arrived in Town Square, it was already nightfall and people were swarming around the Square. I grabbed a candle and someone gladly lit it, I turned and lit Elena's candle.

Elena's eyes were transfixed on the flames, she turned and lit a candle. Her dark eyes slowly trailed up to see Stefan staring down at her.

"Thank you. Hi." He greeted her and then me.

"Hi," she replied and I gave him a nod of acknowledgement.

"You know, that comet...it's been traveling across space for thousands of years. All alone." He said.

"Yeah, Bonnie says it's a harbinger of evil." Elena responded. I decided to just remain quiet and let them talk but stayed to make sure Elena didn't say anything rash.

"I think it's just a ball of snow and ice, trapped on a path that it can't escape. And once every one-hundred and forty-five years, it gets to come home. I'm sorry about yesterday. I wasn't myself."

"You seem to spend a lot of time apologizing."

"Well, I have a lot to apologize for. Yesterday, that wasn't about you, okay?" Stefan assured.

"You didn't tell us that you had a brother." I piped up for the first time, feeling extremely awkward, wanting to leave—but my feet were stuck to the ground.

"We're not close. It's, uh—it's complicated." He said.

"Always. He told us about your exes, Katherine and Beatrice." I continued, adding fuel to the fire.

"What did he say?"

"That they broke your heart." Elena answered.

"That was a long time ago."

"When you lose someone, it stays with you, always reminding you of how easy it is to get hurt." Elena responded.

"Elena..." Stefan whispered.

"It's okay, Stefan. I get it. You have no idea how much I get it. Complicated brother? Check. Complicated ex? Check. Too complicated to even contemplate dating? Double check. It's okay. We met, we talked, and it was epic, but...then the sun came up and reality set in. So..." she blew out her candle and walked off.

I wanted to mentally strangle her. Stefan stared at her as she walked away. I gently put a hand on his tense shoulder. "Hey, it's okay, Stefan."

"No, it's not."

"Stefan, I know my sister. She will come around and if she doesn't, I have no problem beating some sense into her." He chuckled. "I'm serious. I think you are good for her right now." The words tasted so bitter on my tongue, but pushed the taste away for the time being.

"She's lucky to have a sister like you looking out for her. I want to apologize to you, too. What happened yesterday had nothing to do with you, either. I just wanted you to know that."

"I know, Stefan. I forgive you." I replied, smiling.

Later, I found myself entering the Mystic Grill. I ordered a sweet-tea, and sat down at the bar. After a few long moments of mindlessly sipping, stirring, and finger-tapping, I looked over my shoulder to see an all too familiar group.

Seeing Jeremy and Tyler in such close proximity of each other made me extremely nervous. I knew how Jeremy and Tyler don't mix, like pop rocks and coke. I decided to put my feelings aside and go over there.

"Hey, has anyone seen Vicki?" Jeremy asked as I approached the group.

"You're her stalker." Tyler said, annoyance obvious in his tone. "You tell us."

"I can't find her," Jeremy replied, worried.

"Probably found someone else to party with. Sorry, pill pusher, you've been replaced." Tyler remarked.

"What's with the pill pusher?" I growled at Tyler. At first, Tyler was shocked at my sudden presence, but replied a second later.

"Ask him," he said, nodding his head toward Jeremy.

"You want to do this right now?" Jeremy suggested, his shoulders went rigid with anger.

"Are you dealing?" I blurted out at Jeremy, my tone upset.

"She's never going to go for you." Tyler disagreed from behind me; I turned halfway, and shot him a glare. No matter what Jeremy did, he was still my brother.

"She already did." Jeremy replied, eying Tyler mockingly. "Over, and over, and over again,"

"Yeah, right," Tyler muttered in disbelief.

"Okay, you slept with Vicki Donovan? I mean, Vicki Donovan slept with you?" Caroline asked, holding back her laughter.

"There's no way." Tyler responded with a slight shake of his head.

"And I didn't even have to force her into it." Jeremy glared at Tyler. Matt stepped up from the crowd and walked closer to Tyler.

"What the hell is he talking about, Ty?" Matt asked, his big-brother protectiveness setting in.

"Nothing, man just ignore him, he's a punk." Tyler responded to Matt.

"You know what? How about all of you shut up? And help me find my sister." Matt said, glaring at all of us.

"I'll check the back." Bonnie announced.

"I'll check the Square."

"I'll come with you." Jeremy told Matt.

"Uh, no, no, no. You are coming with us." Elena said grabbing Jeremy's arm, "So that's your game now? Dealing?" Elena asked Jeremy.

I glared at her to shut up, before we pushed him even further away. But she didn't of course.

"I'm not dealing." Jeremy protested.

"Look I'm sick of the tough-love speech, Jer. It's clearly not having any impact." Elena said.

"You and Jenna—between the two of you it's enough. Elektra is the only one, who helps me!" he shouted.

Elena's eyes flickered to me. She had sadness in her eyes; I always knew she wanted to be the fun sister. But she couldn't and she hated it.

"We can stop if you want. Send you to a therapist where you'll be forced to deal with it. Or to rehab, where you'll sit in a group and tell some stranger about how you let your life fall apart. Or you could talk to me—us, because Elektra wants you to get better too." Elena said still looking into his eyes.

Jeremy's eyes went down to the ground and then back up. "I vote for none of the above." He replied and walked away leaving Elena and I speechless.

I had eventually gone home, angry and upset with the whole Jeremy thing. I was walking upstairs to put my coat away, and get ready for bed when I saw a shadow in Jeremy's room. I walked over to the doorway, "Jer?" I called out.

"No, it's me." Aunt Jenna corrected, standing up and looking at me. "The hypocrite patrol."

"What are you doing?" I asked, confused as to why she was rummaging through Jeremy's room.

"I have become my worst nightmare, the authority figure that has to violate fifteen year olds privacy." She replied, walking over to clothes on the ground.
She bent down and started searching through them.

"Jackpot," She mused bitterly. "I see the hiding places haven't gotten more creative." She said holding up a large brown boot, with I assume has Jeremy's stash of drugs inside. I walked slowly into the room, over to Jer's bed and sat down.

"What brought this on?" I asked, crossing my legs.

"Your ass-hat of a history teacher shamed me good yesterday." Jenna responded while looking through Jeremy's dresser.

"You got Tannered. Been there." I stated, chuckling at the end.

"Discover the impossible Ms. Sommers." Jenna spoke slightly throaty, imitating Mr. Tanner, "Got it, thanks. Like I didn't know I was screwing up." Jenna said, sadness filled her voice and face.

"You're not screwing up, Aunt Jenna."

"Yes, I am. And you know why? Because I'm not her," Aunt Jenna disagreed, her eyes watering with tears. "She made everything look so easy. High school, marriage, having you and Elena," She said pointing to me. All I could do was sit there and I felt so bad. "I can't do it. I'm going to say or do the wrong thing and he's going to get worse and it's going to be my fault." Jenna said stressing the 'my'. Jenna walked in front of me and sat down on the chair. "It's impossible."

"This is just the fear talking; you're just scared that's all. We all are, Elena, Jeremy, me, you, everyone." I spoke looking at her sympathetically.

She sent me a small smile of relief, "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

And with that said, I walked out of Jeremy's room and into mine, preparing for bed.