❛ ACT I ❜
-ˋˏ chapter ten ˎˊ-

THE NEXT DAY, Sofia paced her bedroom with her phone against her ear, talking to her sister.

Elena and Stefan went to the Gilbert Lake house for a getaway, and they've been gone for three days. Sofia couldn't even remember the last time she went to the lake house; she forgot it existed.

"It's really there?" Sofia laughed.

"Yes! It's still by the mantal, you, Jeremy and my heights. You were really short Annie, I'm surprised you're tall now." Elena giggled from the other end.

"Shut up." Sofia scoffed before walking towards her wardrobe. "What's it like being back there?"

Elena sighed. "Weird without mom and dad. The family photos are still up, it just feels wrong."

"I know Lena, but hey, you have Stefan." Sofia tried to redirect the conversation.

"He's been really supportive. He's letting me read his journals from his human years and when he transitioned. And it's nice being out here, alone -"

"Ew Elena, I really don't want to know about that stuff." Sofia pulled a face.

"I was going to say quiet." Elena said, amused.

"Oh well, can you blame me? The walls in this house aren't soundproof. Especially with my hearing." Sofia said whilst taking off a hanger and laughing at the awkward sound her younger sister made.

"Anyway!" Elena said quickly. "What's your plans for today?"

Sofia hummed and sat down by her vanity. "Jenna asked me to accompany her on her historical tour of Mystic Falls with Elijah since he's apparently a 'journalist'. Plus, Carol Lockwood suggested it." She smiled to herself.

Sofia couldn't deny the bit of excitement she felt for the day ahead. After her and Elijah's interaction at the tea party, Sofia couldn't stop thinking of him. She knew she shouldn't get attached or feel anything towards him. But she was wondering if she did. All she knew was that no matter what negative feeling she felt in a moment, Elijah had been able to crumble it. She liked his company, she admits.

Not like she'll ever tell him.

Elena chuckled. "Sounds boring."

"Extremely." Sofia smirked to herself before checking the time. "I need to drive Jenna and I to our meeting spot in the woods in a half an hour. I'll text you later."

"Okay, keep safe. I love you."

"I love you too Elena."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"Have I told you how beautiful you look today?" Elijah asked whilst walking next to her, giving her a handsome smile.

Sofia's eyes widen slightly at his bold compliment. "Oh, uh." She put her hands behind her back to squeeze them together, a habit. "Thank you." She smiled shyly, unfamiliar to the feeling.

Jenna, who although was leading the tour felt like she was third wheeling her niece and new friend, rolled her eyes. She was walking in front of them and was able to hear what they were saying. She was starting to think Elijah only agreed to come to see her niece.

The three adults are walking through a short path in the woods that lead to some historical sights. They've only completed one sight and were now moving to the next one.

"I take it, you forgive me for harming Dylan?" Elijah questioned.

Sofia couldn't hold back her laugh at the intentional mistake. "Dylan?"

"Is that not his name?" Elijah titled his head, acting suprised.

Sofia shook her head, trying to fight off a smile. "You know it's Damon."

"Oh, my mistake." Elijah shrugged. "Am I forgiven?"

Sofia thought for a moment. Her relationship with him was different every time. When she first met him, she wanted nothing to do with him, not trusting him at all. But he slowly crept his way into her heart and started to gain her trust. He wasn't there yet but he was well on his way. She could see how much he wanted her to trust him. She found herself wanting too as well.

"Yes." The brunette answered and Elijah smiled. "But you really shouldn't let Damon get to you. He loves a reaction."

Elijah cleared his throat. "Are you and him...?" He asked, looking at her.

He offered his hand for her to take when they approached a fallen tree and Sofia felt butterflies fly about in her stomach at the gesture. A bit hesitant but eager, Sofia grasped his hand and stepped over the tree, processing his words.

Sofia laughed. "Damon and me? God, no. I mean, when he first came to town, he tried to, but I shut him down quickly. We're best friends." She answered.

Elijah nodded, relieved but not showing it. He wasn't blind, they were close, and any stranger would wonder if they were together. Elijah was very curious to know if he had to interfere, but her explanation put him at ease. He really didn't like the Salvatore and couldn't understand why his love was so fond of him.

"The old Fell property actually starts just beyond that fence." Jenna's voice interrupted them.

Sofia looked at her aunt apologetically, having forgotten about what they were doing. She quickened her strides to walk beside her aunt, Elijah right behind her.

"Ah, the Fells. One of the Founding Families." Elijah said, his tone different on the last words.

"Why do you say it like that?" Jenna asked and Sofia was confused too.

Elijah looked at the two women. "My research showed me that this area was actually settled almost two full centuries earlier. It was a migration of townsfolk from the northeast, um, it was Salem, to be precise."

"Massachusetts? The witch trails?" Jenna asked as they walked into a clearing where they could see the road.

"Which means the founding families... didn't actually find anything." Sofia concluded and Elijah smiled at her. "Wow, no one tell the mayor that."

Jenna smiled whilst looking at the two. "Well, I bet it was the men who made a big deal about being founders back in 1860. Men are very territorial."

Elijah gazed at Sofia as she played with a leaf with her foot, looking down. "Yes, they are."

"Ric?" Jenna randomly asked.

Sofia looked back up and smiled at Alaric, who unexpecting was walking towards them. "Ric!"

"Elijah, this is my friend, Alaric Saltzman." Jenna introduced the men.

"Yeah, I got your message about walking Elijah here through the old property lines with Sofie. I thought I should tag along, being a history buff and all. Where to next?" Alaric asked

"I'm pretty curious about the freed slave property owners." Elijah said

"Oh, I only brought the surveys, the list is in Sof's car." Jenna looked at the brunette.

Sofia nodded and took out her car keys "We'll be right back." She smiled at the men before walking away with Jenna, Alaric narrowing his eyes at Elijah's lingering stare on the vampire's back.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

After an hour, Alaric left the trio saying he had to meet up with Damon. He expected Sofia to say she'll come to, but she only waved him goodbye before returning to her conversation with the smiling original. And when he asked Jenna 'what's that all about?', his ex-girlfriend only smiled and said, 'she's finally taken an interest in someone, leave her be'.

Now the hunter sat opposite Damon and his girlfriend, Andie Star, in a booth at The Grill.

"Other than your lecture on the history of Mystic Falls, did you get anything out of Elijah?" Damon asked his friend.

Alaric scoffed "No, it was boring. Of course, Jenna thinks he's charming." He rolled his eyes like a child.

Damon smirked. "You sound jealous." He looked at Andie "Sound a bit jealous?"

Andie smiled "Kinda do."

"Maybe we shouldn't talk about this here." Alaric said, side glancing at Andie, not sure if she could be trusted with the supernatural.

"Andie has been compelled not to divulge my secrets. Haven't you?" Damon smiled at her.

"Uh-huh, my lips are sealed." Andie replied gleefully and smirked, before kissing Damon.

Alaric grimaced "This is too weird." He sighed once they pulled away. "Anyway, have you even told Sofia about your plan to kill Elijah?" He asked suspiciously.

Damon shrugged. "No. why?"

Damon did not need to see the look Alaric sent him to know that his decision will come to bite him in the ass.

Damon did not feel guilty keeping something from his own brother, but his best friend was something different. It felt wrong. It didn't matter if she kept a few secrets because Damon knew it wasn't anything important because then she would tell him, Sofia's just loyal like that. But Damon had a good reason behind his reluctance to tell the oldest Gilbert.

He knew from the women herself that Sofia wasn't interested in relationships after turning, not wanting to steer her focus from her family and friends. But he, and some of their friends, noticed how Elijah was able to catch her attention. At first Damon thought she was pretending, to get information from him but after the Historical Tea Party two days ago, Damon thought differently.

He just didn't think that Sofia would be affected too much by his plan, oblivious to the truth behind their birthmarks. Damon believed that she'll be mad at him for a few days before getting over it and focusing on Klaus.

Alaric sighed. "Sofia too seems to think Elijah's charming. They were talking and laughing the entire tour. I'm not even sure Elijah was listening to Jenna." He looked at Damon pointingly. "She seems to be friends with him or something. Are you sure it's the smartest thing not to tell her? She won't like it, but it won't be a be like we're going behind her back when we kill him."

Damon took a swing at his bourbon. "I'll handle it okay?"

"Whatever you say Damon, but if she kills you, I'm looking the other way." Alaric raised a teasing eyebrow at the vampire who only rolled his eyes.

"I'll just need to right opportunity." Damon said, referring to his plan to kill the original.

At that moment, his eyes caught Sofia's as she entered the restaurant with Elijah and Jenna in tow. "And there they are. Hi." He smirked and Sofia heard him and smiled before walking towards their booth with Jenna and Elijah

"Hey guys." Sofia greeted them and gave Damon a side hug from his seat, settling to stand next to him and opposite Jenna, Alaric and Elijah.

"So, I hear you three had quite a meeting of historical minds today." Damon said.

Jenna shrugged "Yeah, I guess you can say that."

Alaric cleared his throat. "Well as much as I'd like to continue this, I've got papers to grade." He put some money on the table before standing up.

Sofia, out of the corner of her eye, saw Damon nudge Andie gently and the human smiled at the group as Alaric was about to walk away.

"No, you know what? We should continue this. Let's have a dinner party." Andie suddenly suggested, catching everyone's interest.

Damon smirked and wrapped an arm around the women's shoulder. "Ooh, my girl. Full of good ideas." He looked at the group, ignoring Sofia's suspicious gaze. "I'll be happy to host. Say tonight?"

"It's good for me, Jenna?" Andie asked

"I don't know if tonight works..." Alaric trailed off, looking at Jenna who ignored him.

"Yeah, I'm free." Jenna smiled before catching her niece's arm before she could slip away. "Sofia's free too."

Sofia gave Jenna an unimpressed look as everyone looked at her. "No, I'm not actually. I'm going to Bonnie's tonight. To catch up and everything." She rejected.

It was true, she did have plans with the witch that night as the two friends haven't talked for a while. It was going to be a night of talking, laughing, watching comedies and eating to their hearts content. And even if she was free, Sofia did not want to spend her evening at some boring dinner.

"I'm sure witchy could survive without you, Bambi." Damon commented suggestively.

"It would certainly make the night more enjoyable if you were there, Sofia." Elijah smiled at her, and she broke.

"Alright, I guess I'm going." Sofia said before quickly adding. "As long as Damon doesn't cook." She smiled cheekily at him, earning a slight push at her hip from the Salvatore.

"Great." Damon brought his hands together.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Bonnie was understanding when Sofia told her about the sudden change of plans, telling the Gilbert that there was no need to apologize and to have a great time.

And Sofia swears she heard her brother's voice in the background before Bonnie hang up. Huh, she didn't think that out of everyone in the group, those two would spend time together.

The dinner was at seven that evening, so Sofia had an hour to get ready. Jenna already took off, saying how she had to get there early to make the dinner since Sofia refused to eat Damon's cooking.

Sofia wasn't sure if she was to dress formally or not so she just picked out a light brown skirt that wrapped around her legs, ending close to her thigh, and an elegant looking top that was white with long thin sleeves and a fold affect under the neck.

Her dark hair was tied up in a bun with a few strands framing her face and she only put on a light blush on her cheeks and a light toned lipstick.

As Sofia put one of her pearl earrings in her ear, she walked towards her window and blinked twice in shock before grabbing her phone and texting Jenna.

Sofia

Jenna, where's my car?

Aunt J

Oh, I took it

Sofia

What? Why?!

Aunt J

Mine's getting fixed, remember? I thought I told you...

Sofia

No, you didn't

Aunt J

Whoops

Sofia

JENNA!

Aunt J

Don't stress Sof. I made a call.

Sofia

Who did you call Jenna......?

Before her aunt could reply, the sound of a car pulling up made Sofia look back out the window and her eyes to widen at the figure getting out, quickly getting away from the window.

Sofia

You did this deliberately!!!!

Aunt J

Maybe....... :)

Sofia

JENNA

Aunt J

See you at seven Sof, love you xxx thank me later :)

Sofia glared at her phone where her aunt's number showed, the smiley face teasing her. She was definitely getting her aunt back for this.

The erupt sound of the doorbell going off downstairs snapped the brunette back into reality and quickly as she could, Sofia put the last earring in and sprayed perfume on herself. She grabbed her bag and as she went down the stairs, she wobbled to put on her high heels.

Before opening the front door, Sofia checked herself in the small mirror next to the door and above the key rack. And after a deep breath, Sofia swung open the door.

And she felt all her frustration and stress fade into nothing once her soft eyes met his awed ones. She felt her mind ease at his handsome smile and the warm aura she felt was reserved for her in a way.

"Hey." Sofia said softly

"Good evening, Sofia." Elijah smiled and Sofia couldn't fight off her own from forming on her face. "I believe you called?" He said teasingly.

Sofia chuckled as she stepped outside and closed her front door. "What a gentlemanly thing to do, embarrass me further." Her eyes met his once more as they now stood close on her porch.

"I don't think your aunt meant to take your car." Elijah said with amusement in his tone.

"Oh, she definitely did. It's alright, I'll give Jeremy hers to wreck."

Elijah laughed and Sofia felt that warm feeling again. "Is my company so bad?" He asked.

Sofia rolled her eyes with a smile. "You know what I mean 'Lijah."

Sofia only realized her words when she saw his smirk appear and his eyebrow raise slightly in that very much flustering way he always does.

"Oh, sorry, it slipped-" Sofia rushed to save herself from further embarrassment but stopped when she saw a unreadable look in his dark eyes as he stared at her.

"No, I quite like it." He smiled and for a moment, under the moonlight, Sofia felt like they were the only two that mattered as an unfamiliar pull drew her towards him.

She felt like she was in a different universe when he looked at her like she was his everything, it was strange at first, but she grew to like it. And maybe, just maybe, she was growing to like him more than just a friend too.

Yet fate had something different planned for the destined pair as any progress they made would come crashing down before the next sunrise meets the sky.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The car ride wasn't as quiet as Sofia initially thought it would be. No, it was filled with laughter and talking as they were able to get to know each other a little better, alone.

Elijah learnt that Sofia hated olives while he loved them and she wasn't someone with a large social battery, preferring to stick close with her friends. Although he knew already, she was very protective of her family and Elijah felt guilt rise in him before pushing it away. He didn't want to steer away from Sofia's ramblings since she was starting to let her guard down around him.

Sofia learnt that Elijah preferred tea over coffee and liked jazz music, speaking fondly of his times in New Orleans where the festivals were filled with bright colors and lively music. He in fact did not sleep in a suit, he answered after a giggling Sofia asked. Elijah told her that he had four siblings, him being the second oldest. He told her about all the countries he has traveled too, and Sofia was envious since she's never left the small town.

Soon enough Elijah's car pulled up in the Salvatore' driveway, even though Elijah intentionally took the long way, and they conversation ceased.

The original graciously opened her door for her and helped her to exit the vehicle and Sofia smiled in appreciation. But rolled her eyes when they landed on her parked car only a few feet away.

The two soulmates walked up to the door and Elijah knocked a few times on the familiar oak door and not even two seconds later, it opened.

Sofia smiled at her best friend but Elijah beat her to it. "Good evening."

Damon eyed the pair curiously before smiling. "Thank you for coming. Please come in-"

"Sofia! Good you're here, I need help with the food!" Jenna came into view and gestured for her niece to follow her.

"Coming!" Sofia replied before looking at the man next to her. "Thank you for the ride, Elijah." She smiled before hurrying off to the kitchen.

Damon smiled at her as she passed and once she was gone his expression changed when he looked at Elijah, arrogant. "Come in."

"Just one moment." Elijah said. "Can I just say that if you have less than honorable intentions about how this evening is going to proceed. I suggest you reconsider." His eyes narrowed dangerously.

Damon smiled falsely. "No, nothing dishonorable. Just getting to know you."

"Hmm, well that's good" Elijah stepped inside. "Because, you know, although Elena and I have this deal, if you so much as make a move to cross me, I'll kill you and everyone but Sofia and Jenna in this house." He glared at Damon. "Are we clear?"

Damon shut the font door with force. "Crystal."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Sofia was not pleased when John Gilbert showed up uninvited and walked into the kitchen like he owned it. Jenna, although reluctant, had to stop the brunette from hitting him over the head with a pan when he commented on how classic it was that the women were cooking while the men talked.

After calming down, Sofia helped Jenna make a quick village salad to go with the roast her aunt made and rearranged the table settings after Damon, not liking how messy he did it.

Now the seven alduts sat at the dining table, with Elijah and Damon at the heads. Sofia sat next to Damon and opposite Jenna with Andie next to her and John and Alaric next to Jenna.

"Hate to break it to you, Damon but according to Elijah, your family is not a founder of this town." Jenna said as she poured him wine.

Sofia smirked."Down goes his ego." She made a hand gesture going down and heard everyone chuckle.

Damon rolled his eyes at her before looking at Elijah across from him. "Hmm, do tell."

"Well, as I mentioned to Sofia and Jenna earlier, a faction of settlers migrated from Salem after the witch trails in 1690s. Over the next hundred years they developed this community where they could feel safe from persecution." Elijah explained

"Hmm, because they were witches." Jenna said amusingly and winked at Sofia making her giggle.

"Yeah, but there's no tangible proof that there were witches in Salem." Andie argued.

"Andie's a journalist, big on facts." Damon smiled.

"Well the lore says that there was this wave of anti-witch hysteria. It broke out in the neighboring settlement, so these witches were rounded up. They were tied to stakes in a field together and, um, burned. Some say you could hear the screams from miles around us. Consumed by the fire. Could you pass the.. " Elijah gestured for the salad.

"Well, wasn't that a cheerful conversational piece?" Sofia lifted her eyebrows at him but the man only smiled back.

"I wouldn't repeat this to the historical society." Jenna chuckled.

"It's starting to sound a little more like a ghost story to me." John said mockingly.

Sofia narrowed her eyes at her uncle. "You're still here?"

Jenna kicked her under the table.

"So, why do you want to know the location of these alleged massacres?" Damon asked Elijah.

Elijah shrugged, taking a sip from his wine. "You know......a healthy historian's curiosity, of course."

Sofia noticed the subtle look Alaric and Damon shared and the small nod.

Damon smiled. "Of course." He stood up. "Would anyone care for some cognac? I have a bottle that I've been saving for ages."

Sofia looked at him skeptically. "No thank you."

"None for me too thanks. Nine bottles of wine is my limit." Alaric joked making some chuckle.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Dinner was over as everyone separated until dessert. After helping with cleaning up the table, Sofia pulled Damon into his bedroom to confront him.

Sofia made sure to close the door before turning to face him.

"In the middle of a dinner party? My, my, Sof, you are dirty." Damon teased so she stomped on his foot. "Ow! I'm joking!"

"What are you planning, Damon?" Sofia asked and crossed her arms over her chest.

"May I say how amazing you look - ow! Okay stop!" Damon whined when Sofia pulled and twisted his ear until it turned red, a method she used on her siblings when they wouldn't help with the dishes as kids.

"Tell me, now." Sofia demanded.

"I can't."

She scoffed. "So there is a plan? Why am I not in it?"

Damon sighed and looked her in the eye. "Because you're too attached."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm not telling you what I'm planning Sof. I don't know if you are going to tell." Damon said, his voice apologetic.

Sofia frowned. "You don't trust me?"

"For this, yes. I'm sorry, it's for the better." Damon frowned too but before he could try and comfort her, Sofia stormed out of the room, feeling betrayed that her best friend couldn't trust her.

What did he mean by too attached?

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Sofia sat on the couch in the living room, head laid back and eyes focused straight ahead. She was trying to decipher what Damon meant before dessert.

She felt hurt that he didn't trust her and that he won't tell her why. She was more loyal than that. Did everyone but her know?

"Hey Annie." Jenna greeted, entering the room and sitting next to the brunette vampire.

Sofia gave her aunt a small smile."What happened to dessert?"

"Eh, Andie's handling it." Jenna shrugged before smirking and nudging Sofia's shoulder. "I'm waiting for my thank you."

"If you're talking about the chicken you cooked, it was a bit dry actually. Next time, don't leave it in the oven for too long."

Jenna smacked Sofia upside the head. "I'm talking about your car ride with Mr Historian." She wiggled her eyebrows.

Sofia stayed quiet.

"Oh come on, I saw that smile on your face at the door. You had fun, you just don't want to admit it." Jenna smirked.

Sofia huffed in defeat. "Okay, maybe, I had enjoyed talking-"

Jenna squealed. "I knew it! I knew it, you like him!" She poked Sofia's arm.

Sofia shushed her. "What are you? Fifthteen? Shh!"

Jenna laughed. "I am so right. You like him Sof."

Sofia stood up and clapped her hands once. "I'm gonna see what the boys are up to, okay? Call me when dessert is ready!"

Sofia swiftly exited to room and Jenna called out to her. "I want my shirt back!"

She shook her head at her niece before leaving to finish up dessert.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"So I know this is a social thing. But I would really love to ask you some more questions about the work that you're doing here." Sofia heard Andie ask as she entered the dining room.

Just as she did, Damon and Alaric came in too and Sofia shot a glare at both of them and she took her seat, except now next to Elijah.

"I'd love to answer." Elijah nodded.

"Great! Ric can you do me a favor and grab the notebook out of my bag?" Andie asked him and the man got up.

Sofia, who was looking down at her lap, felt a foot nudge hers under the table gently and flickered her eyes up to meet Elijah's concerned eyes.

Elijah did notice the glare Sofia sent the two men when they entered and she looked upset about something. He hasn't gotten the time to talk to her more since after dinner she disappeared and Damon took him to the library for a drink.

He could feel her worry and anger due to their bond but he wanted to know why she was feeling like this from her.

Sofia just gave him a worried look, feeling like something was going to happen. But the small smile on her face let him know she wasn't mad at him.

Just her so called 'best friend' who didn't trust her.

Sofia took a sip of her wine and felt a rougher and bigger hand take hers under the table and hold hers gently but firmly. Sofia instantly knew who it was, so to not raise suspicion, she squeezed his hand and kept it in her grip.

Sofia felt her anger and worry lessen from his warm hold and felt her body relax from his delicate touch, being able to keep that small smile on her face for the rest of the evening.

"Elijah." Damon said and for a second, Sofia's grip loosened but she regained it. "Did John tell you he's Elena's uncle - slash - father?"

Sofia rolled her eyes and Elijah answered, giving her hand a squeeze "Yes, I'm aware of that."

"Of course she hates him so there's absolutely no need to keep him on the endangered species list." Damon looked at John spitefully.

"No Ric." Andie sighed. "It's in the front pocket. On the - you know what?" She stood up and smiled at everyone as she walked towards Alaric. "Excuse me guys. Sorry."

John folded his hands on the table. "What I'd like to know, Elijah, is how you plan on killing Klaus?"

The suited original cleared his throat, voice suddenly stern and sharp. "Gentleman." He said, directed to the men. "There's a few things we should clear up right now. I allow you to live solely to keep an eye on Sofia and Elena. I allow them to remain in their house living their lives with their friends as they do as a courtesy. If you become a liability, I'll take them away from you and you'll never see them again. "

Sofia let go of his hand as his eyes met hers, her face expressing confusion and hurt. Elijah couldn't bear it so he looked back at everyone else, despite her eyes burning holes into his cheek.

Andie walked in, cutting through the tense silence." Okay, my first question is when you got here to Mystic Falls -"

Andie's question became white noise as the erupt agony filled scream exploded though the room, followed by another one of equal pain.

Sofia screamed as she held her chest, the feeling of a sharp dagger cutting through her flesh and heart rippling through her body painfully. She gripped the table so hard that the part broke off.

Her eyes snapped to the source of the other scream and she felt her blood run cold at the sight of Elijah slumped in his chair, dead and grey, with Alaric behind him, bloodied dagger in hand.

It felt like something snapped inside of her, leaving a haunting ache behind in it's absence.

Damon rushed to Sofia in alarm. "Sofia, are you okay?!"

But Sofia didn't answer as her eyes were set on Elijah's dead body.

"Now get rid of him before Jenna comes back with dessert." Alaric looked at Damon.

The Salvatore looked at her in worry but nodded anyway. "Alright."

It was only when Damon started to drag Elijah's body away did Sofia feel the hot and dangerous rush of anger flood her veins, replacing the cold chill that she had before.

Sofia pushed her chair back and stormed after Damon, grabbing his arm roughly before he could take Elijah downstairs where he planned to lock him up in the cell.

"What -" Damon started to question but she silenced him with a right hook in the jaw, a crack coming from it. "Sofia!" He glared.

"How could you?! You killed him, you killed him Damon! He was helping us! What? Were you too threatened by the fact that Elena and I put our trust in someone else?" She said furiously, pushing him back by his chest.

Damon caught both her hands and kept them together in his grip to keep her still but Sofia kept on trying to get out.

"Would you stop for a second and listen?!" He hissed at her quietly not wanting to draw everyone's attention.

Sofia glared at him as she stopped moving, panting. "What do you have to say to excuse this?"

"He was deceiving you, Sof. He munipulated you."

Her anger rose again. "Shut -"

"No, listen!" He gripped her hands harder but at this point, all Sofia could focus on was his urgent words. "Elijah planned on kiling Elena this entire time. He wasn't going to prevent her from being sacrificed."

Sofia's eyes narrowed. "What?"

Damon sighed and let her hands go. "It's true Sof. Bonnie did a spell on Luka, one of Elijah's witches, and he confessed their plan. I couldn't let him kill Elena. Do you want that? For Elena to die? Because he was going to hand her over to Klaus, Sof."

Sofia took a step back, mind swirling in confusion and betrayal. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Damon scoffed slightly. "Because you and him were practically best friends or more at this point."

Sofia shook her head. "That's none of your business, anyway. You know I'd never betray you."

"So you're telling me that if I told you the plan, you wouldn't have told Elijah?" He asked.

Sofia stood straighter and looked him dead in the eye, voice firm. "Yes Damon because no matter what I feel I always put my family first. Do you really think I'd let my sister die? She's my little sister Damon, of course not. So yeah, I'm mad at you for keeping this from me and not knowing by now that I put them first." She hissed, clenching her jaw.

That was one of her strongest qualities, her loyalty to her family. Yes, she admits she fell for Elijah's game and it hurts to know that it was all nothing but she knows she would have never told him because, again, no matter what she feels, her family comes first.

And maybe that was why the two were bonded, by their desire to protect what's theirs, and maybe that will be the reason nothing would feel complete again.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

It was all black and white: the houses, the people, the street lamps, the night sky as her once bright eyes stared out the car window with her head leaned against the cold surface.

Sofia hated everything at that moment, she hated Elijah, she hated Damon, she hated Alaric, she hated John and she hated that stupid dinner party that she rode to in the car belonging to someone who was only playing her all this time.

She was stupid to let her guard down.

"Annie? Are you sure you're okay?" Jenna asked her niece as she drove Sofia's car.

Sofia was in a rush to leave the dinner as she asked Jenna for them to leave and her aunt noticed how unsettled the girl was so she agreed.

Sofia continued to look out the window, trying to sound convincing. "Always am Aunt J." Her tired voice said.

Jenna frowned and stared at her niece for a few seconds. "Sofia, did something happen?"

Sofia wished Jenna knew. Knew about what actually happened that night of the crash, that it wasn't some 'miracle' that she survived. She wished she could tell Jenna everything she's been dealing with, all her worries and fears. All those things circled around danger and Sofia could never live with herself if Jenna got hurt because of her.

She loved her too much.

The girl sighed and removed her body from leaning on the car door, looking at her aunt. "Nothing happened, I'm just, uh, tired." She managed a small smile. "I'm fine Jenna."

They pulled up in the familiar drive way, the porch lit up meaning Jeremy was home, waiting for them.

Jenna nodded and squeezed Sofia's hand that rested in her lap. "You can talk to me if something is wrong, you know that right?" Her words were genuine and concerned because she knew how guarded Sofia could be with her emotions.

"I know." Sofia offered a small smile.

Jenna smiled sympathetically at her before getting out the car and Sofia stayed back, watching her aunt disappear inside the house.

After a moment, Sofia took the keys Jenna left in her seat and locked her car after getting out. The cold air pinched at her skin as she hurriedly walked up the path to her door, wanting to get some sleep and forget about tonight's events.

But she gasped when someone grabbed her and her back met the side of her house. Sofia immediately pushed the person off of her and into the light of the street lamps, a glare directed to the culprit.

"Do not touch me." She hissed, feeling like her words were caught in her throat so she forced them out.

"Did you know?" Elijah asked, his voice cold and detached making her cross her arms over her chest to protect herself.

"How are you alive?" Sofia asked instead, shocked because when she left the Salvatore house, Elijah was in the cell downstairs, dead.

From under the streetlight Sofia could see how little color was left in his skin and the faint pattern of veins creeping up his neck.

A small prickle of worry for his thirst gripped her but Sofia knew better now, so she pushed it away.

"Did you know?" He asked again, a bit softer.

"No."

"Are you lying to me?" His eyes bore into hers. It hurt him to say that, but how could he not? It was her best friend's party and plan. He didn't want to believe that she wanted him dead.

Sofia took a step closer and her eyes hardened but Elijah could feel the betrayal she felt. "No because unlike you, I would never lie to someone I care about. Or was you and me fake too?" She voiced, needing to know.

Elijah stared into her dark eyes, trying to detect any lies but all he could see was hurt in them. And he knew he shouldn't have thought she'd be part of a plan to kill him.

"There is a lot you don't know Sofia and I want to tell you -" Elijah tried but her words cut in.

"Tell me what? That you were planning to hand my sister over to Klaus? To die? That you lied and used me? That you went as low as to make me believe you cared about me just to take someone I love away from me?"

Her voice became less strong as she carried on, her eyes now feeling like they were drowning in tears she didn't want to escape. "Do you realise how much you hurt me?" She whispered, not caring about coming off as though she wasn't affected.

Elijah felt like everything around him didn't matter anymore as the women he cared for more than himself looked at him the way he never wanted to be looked at by her. With heartbreak and betrayal.

Because she was starting to trust him, he was finally gaining her trust and he could reveal the truth behind them. He dug himself in this hole, he thought bitterly, by not being honest with her from the start.

But how could he? When every moment, even small, with her wouldn't have happened? He would have never gotten to see how fierce and tough she was but still be gentle and shy. He would never have felt the feeling of being complete by being around her. He would have never known her.

"I -" Elijah sighed and formed his hands into fists. He's never been at a loss for words before. "I never meant to hurt you Sofia." He looked at her regretfully, voice above a whisper.

He reached out to her but Sofia moved away and Elijah knew she didn't want to be near him at that moment.

He closed his eyes, hurt, but he understood. "I'm so sorry, Sofia." He apologized in the softest voice she's ever heard from the original.

And with that, a gush of wind blew, leaving his scent behind making her let out a shaky sigh. After a moment, she wiped the sensitive tear that escaped from her eye and rushed back inside to warn her sister.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

AUTHOR'S NOTE :

damn

also, if I see one comment about 'Sofia being dramatic', remember that she doesn't trust easy and is cautious and she was really starting to trust Elijah. So of course she will be hurt.

Opinions?

Thank you for reading and waiting, I appreciate it!