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Dread and animosity swirl together in the pit of Salem's stomach as she mumbles out a sigh, leaning her pounding head against the window.

Trees blur by in her peripheral vision as she drowns out her thoughts with the music blaring in her ears until her earbud is harshly ripped out—

"Hey!" She snaps her complaint. "What the hell?"

"You were banging your head against the window." Mason tells her, clearing his throat.

"Oh." That'll help the migraine. "Sorry." She mutters, pinching the string between her fingers and swings the earbud back to her.

"Hey." Mason glances at her out of the corner of his eye. "Just say the word and I'll turn this baby around right now." She shoots a pointed a look. "I mean it." He nods.

Of course that's what she wants to do.

"No." She lets out a sigh, glancing back out the window. "You want to see everyone and spend time with Tyler for his birthday." She rests her chin on her palm. "We can't just miss it. And I made a commitment." Salem grits through her teeth.

"I'm not convinced. Tyler can come to Florida instead." Mason chuckles. "Seriously, Salem, I know you're signed up for all the Mystic Falls crap, but you can back out whenever you want."

Hmm, if only that were true.

"Thanks, Uncle Mason." The corners of Salem's lips curl up. "I'm sure it'll 'be good for me' or whatever you always try to say." She rolls her eyes.

Mason gasps, dramatically. "What?! You listen to me? Who are you and what have you done with Salem?"

She scoffs. "Haha." He smirks. "I was already chosen . And God forbid something happen to someone pr they don't want to do it." She speaks bitterly.

Surprised was an understatement when Carol called her a couple weeks ago and demanded she be home for the 'Miss Mystic Falls Pageant.' Carol made her sign up for it in the first place and if it wasn't for two of her best friends, Elena and Caroline, signing up as well she would've skipped entirely. And almost did.

But her wonderful 'mother' would have just put her name down anyways... so it really didn't matter all that much, now did it?

"The names are supposed to be announced today."

"How do you think you'll do?" Mason pulls Salem back to the conversation.

"Oh, I don't give a shit." Salem laughs. "I already know I'm not gonna win." She declares effortlessly with a shrug.

"Ah, now." Mason shakes his head at his niece. "You could win. I'd vote for you."

Salem rolls her eyes. "Of course you would, you have to, or else I'd have to kill you." She smirks.

"Who's your escort?"

"Tyler, of course." Salem answers obviously. Who else would it be?

"Mmm, can't." Mason quickly objects.

The hell does he mean can't?

"Can't why?"

"Our concert got moved to tomorrow night. We head out in the morning." Mason tells her calmly, already sensing her anger.

Salem's fist tightens as her nails press into the skin of her palm, already familiar with one another, like two puzzle pieces coming together. She no longer felt the sting the marks made, only the small moon-shaped marks tell anything happened at all...

"Then who the hell is supposed to be my escort?" Salem's voice clips.

"You and Carol will have to sort that out." Mason trails off as Salem glares at him. "I'm sorry, Say. These were the only tickets available this month for Ty's birthday, I had no idea they'd move the date up a couple days."

Salem's tongue rakes across her front teeth. She knows it's about Tyler's birthday... which is far more important than some stupid fucking pageant.

But the thought never occurred to her she'd have to do this without her brother.

"Well, you could've told me before the literal car ride there." She huffs, sinking further into the leather seat.

"I did. I told you last week."

Oh.

"Well then I wasn't listening."

"Oh, what a shock!" Mason cracks.

"Hey!" Salem whacks in the arm.

"Hey, I am driving!" Mason slaps her arm away.

"Oh, please!" She scoffs. "As if you don't toy with the radio or mess with your hair half the time!"

"Oh, you're paying for that." He points at her with a smile. "Your ass can walk back to Florida!"

"WHAT!"

"Oh yeah, get to stretching." Mason grins.

"In these boots?" She slams her black heeled-boot on the dashboard.

Mason shrugs with a laugh before squinting. "Oh, would you look at that."

Salem's brightened face instantly sours as she looks away from Uncle to up ahead...

'WELCOME TO MYSTIC FALLS.'

The ugly green and white sign greets as they drive past.

Silence blankets over them for the rest of the car ride as Salem takes a few deep breaths, tearing her eyes away from outside. The floorboard was suddenly far more fascinating than the town she plans to avoid for the short time she's here. The fewer places she goes, the better.

Guess there's only one thing left to do...

Lemmi:

guess whoze back in town bitchessss ;)

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𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽 sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Hey, heyyyy!! WELCOME TO SWEET HAVOCCCC <3

This project is almost 5 YEARS in the making, can y'all believe it?! Seriously! I first created the idea for Tyler Lockwood to have a sister December 8th, 2019... & NOW HERE WE ARE!! AHHH!! (many revamps & facelifts later lmao)

I believe I've rewrote this chapter 3 times now... BUT I'm so happy to FINALLY be able to share it with y'all!! What does everyone think of Salem so farrr?! We've only barely scratched the surface of her, I can't wait for y'all to really dive in!!

Well, I hope y'all enjoyed the beginning of Sweet Havoc & the introduction of our QUEENNN Salem Lockwood!! SO, so much more to come so stay tuned!! And the playlist & aesthetics will be coming soon ;)

PLEASE DON'T BE AFRAID TO COMMENT Y'ALL'S THOUGHTS, REACTIONS, & QUESTIONS!! Until next time, mwuah!! And happy 15 years to one of my absolute fav shows EVERRR, TVD <3