She had come to the university that day with a goal in mind.

She had to talk to Jeremy Gilbert.

It wasn't that hard to find him as he seemed to like solitude as well just like her so she found him in the library. He was not reading anything, just sitting there in silence but he looked up as he heard her step closer.

His disinterested expression turned to that of surprise upon seeing her and he quickly made room beside him on the bench for her to sit.

Alyssa ignored that pain in her head as she sat close to him, blue eyes looking up at him in scrutiny.

"Hi," he breathed out, feeling unnerved by the blank expression in her face, "how are you feeling now?"

"I'm fine," she breathed in, "I assume you know me already and there's no need of an introduction..."

He looked slightly confused, "of course I know you. How could I not?"

"Jeremy, I don't remember," she spoke up before he could say anything, "I got into an accident a few months ago and I lost my memory completely. I don't remember anything except for what Andie has told me."

He was shocked to hear that, "an accident? But how?"

"I don't know," she took in a deep breath, trying to quell the pain hitting her, "all I remember is waking up at the hospital and having no idea why I was there, what I was doing or even what was my name. I forgot everything."

His eyes softened in an understanding expression, "oh... I'm so sorry, I didn't know."

"That's fine, I brought the topic up anyway," she remarked, patting his shoulder lightly.

"So you forgot me, our friends and Mystic Falls."

The name of that town did sound familiar to her. "Kinda. I recall a few memories randomly but it's never enough for me to recall everything. Andie, my housemate, tells me it's harmful if I force myself into recalling stuff so I've given up trying. It gives me a headache anyways."

He nodded, understanding her situation, "that's alright, you don't have to force yourself into recalling everything. We can start over."

A soft smile flickered on her face, "sure."

"Hi, I'm Jeremy Gilbert," he held his hand out towards her with a friendly smile playing upon his lips.

"Alyssa Grace," she replied taking the offered hand.

"Wanna be friends?"

Something clicked in her mind as she said, "sure, best friends."

The smile that lit up his face was quite calming, she thought. It seemed as if seeing him happy and smiling made her feel better too.

"So Alyssa, what are your plans for this evening?"

She thought, knowing she didn't have anything planned in her boring daily life, "nothing. What about you?"

"I was thinking about exploring this town since I'm new here," he replied, "like a sightseeing trip. Do you wanna come along?"

"Of course," she agreed, feeling that it would be a nice change for her too and perhaps it would take her mind off the memories that were plaguing her.

"I can pick you up around five if you send me the location," he offered and she took his number, saving it in her phone then sent him the location to the house she lived in with Andie.

"There you go. See you at five then."

He nodded with a soft smile, "yeah, see you."

***

Andie was delighted to hear that Alyssa was going out that evening. It showed that she was getting better and socializing with people and she couldn't wait to give the good news to Damon.

From the past few days, Damon had been increasingly paranoid and he was constantly urging Andie to make sure that Alyssa stayed safe. She didn't know why he was doing that nor did she know what connection existed between the two but from his concern, it was evident that he cared a lot for her.

And that truly was remarkable because in all the years of coming to know Damon Salvatore, Andie had realized that he seldom cared for anyone.

That evening as Alyssa was waiting for Jeremy to come pick her up for their sightseeing your, Andie told her that she wouldn't be at home by the time she would come back.

She tried to play off casually, telling her she could do whatever she wanted in the house and even invite someone over if she liked. Alyssa's cheeks blushed red at that remark as she assured her that Jeremy was just a friend and not someone she was dating.

However, with a light wink Andie left before her, taking her car keys as she considered whether or not to go to Mystic Falls to check up on Damon.

She cared for him even if he didn't and was probably using her.

But then Mystic Falls was very far from the town they were living in currently so she decided against it.

She thought she would just bust some steam off by going to a bar nearby.

On the other hand, Jeremy came to pick Alyssa up at the given time and she locked up her house securely then joined him.

"Whoa, nice place," he remarked.

"Spooky too," she replied, "sometimes it feels like it's haunted."

"It's a good thing you don't live alone then."

She shrugged, "yeah, Andie and I share this place. I can show you around by the time we come back."

"As you wish," he smiled, turning the key in and starting the car, "so where should we start this trip from?"

"Anywhere you like. I don't remember much of the places here either."

He nodded, "okay then there's a cafe I heard of with a decent rating on Trip Advisor. It's close to the museum so we could probably go there too."

He told her about the spots he had shortlisted for the trip and she listened, deciding with him the order in which they would visit the places.

Deep down she had a feeling that it was going to be a fun evening in Jeremy's company.

And she wasn't wrong.

***