SEASON ONE — EPISODE TWELVE
"𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙖 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚"

‧˚꒰🍷꒱༘‧—

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

'✦ ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹ IT WAS LIKE A BROKEN RECORD, the same scene playing over and over. Death after death, pain after pain. Damon Salvatore grabbed ahold of Elena Gilbert by her ankle as she crawled away from him, blood smeared across her cheek.

"Get away from her!" Brooke screamed, tears streaming down her lightly blushed cheeks as she watched the scene play out before. She couldn't do anything, her feet super glued to the concrete road beneath her. It was dark, Damon was hardly visible but the sounds of his angry grunts and Elena's screams were enough, "Don't hurt her!"

Elena was pulled up from the ground with ease, her back held close to Damon's chest. She struggled, her hands reaching out for Brooke to take, trying to escape Damon's clutches but Brooke was useless and Elena was helpless, "Help me, Brooke!" Elena cried out, whimpering as she felt Damon's hot breath on her neck.

"Look at you, Brooke. You're a useless piece of shit, you don't care about anyone but yourself. No wonder your father left you, no wonder your brother can't handle you for more than two seconds. You're annoying, you're a mess and you're gonna die!" Damon yelled, though he didn't sound like himself. Brooke furrowed her brows towards him, her tears pouring from her eyes more than ever before, her heart filled with hurt and anger.

And, just as Brooke opened her mouth to respond, Damon opened his own mouth, showing off his pearly white fangs before he sunk them into Elena's neck, causing both girls to scream out. One, out of agony, and the other out of rage.

Just as the scene was about to replay for the tenth time that night, Brooke abruptly sat up, her blanket falling from her chest, her eyes wide, her breaths heavy. Her sudden movement didn't seem to disturb Nate beside her, which she was glad about.

Without a second thought to even compose herself after such a vile nightmare, she grabbed her cell from the coffee table, immediately ringing Elena. But, much to her dismay, the answer tone came and her heart dropped. She didn't bother ringing again, instead she dialled Stefan's number, calling him for answers instead and luckily, he answered as quickly as she pressed the call button.

"Where's Elena?" That was Brooke's first and only question, she rushed it out, her heart beating fast in her chest.

"She's here. I'll put her on. But first, are you okay?" Stefan asked, a worried tone in his deep voice, able to hear her heart beating rapidly through the line but she didn't respond, she didn't have time to worry about herself.

"Elena!" Brooke screamed down the line, causing Nate to jolt awake beside her, the quick movement making him fall off of the couch and onto the wooden floorboards. She didn't care, her wide eyes fixed on the wall as she waited impatiently to hear Elena's voice, to know she was safe.

Some shuffling was heard through the line, until it became quiet and Elena clearing her throat could be heard, causing Brooke to let out a sigh of relief, "Brooke, it's Elena. I'm safe, there's nothing to worry about." She reassured, though Brooke was pissed.

"I was worried sick, Elena. I called you at least a million times yesterday, you never answered." Brooke snapped, although her pain could be heard through the amount of voice cracks she had.

"I'm sorry, Damon took my phone." Elena replied, her voice gentle in attempt to soothe Brooke's wrath.

"Damon's lucky he's still breathing." Brooke frowned, her knee bouncing as she thought about one hundred different ways to kill Damon Salvatore.

"Hey, no need to get violent, Brooke." Nate warned, standing up from the floor, rubbing her back from where he landed but she ignored him, her anger overtaking every other emotion.

"He kept me safe, Brooke. Please, don't be mad at him." Elena pleaded and Brooke's expression turned from angry to confused, and possibly curious.

"What? You're protecting him after everything he's done?" Brooke snapped for the second time that morning, her brows scrunched together and her knee bouncing faster than ever before. Nate was stood in the kitchen now, searching through the practically empty fridge, looking for something to eat for breakfast but he knew they'd end up eating the leftover popcorn instead per usual.

"I don't know, okay? I just don't want you to panic or get mad, I can't handle that right now." Elena's voice was panicked now, her voice starting to crack as if she was on the verge of tears.

"What happened?" Brooke asked. She wasn't close with her cousin as much anymore, but she knew when something was wrong, and something was definitely wrong. It was silent for a moment, exchanged whispering was heard until Elena whimpered, clearing her throat again.

"I'm adopted."

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

IT WAS LATER IN THE DAY, at least 6PM when Brooke arrived at the Mystic Grill. Across the room sat Bonnie, Caroline and Matt, chatting about something she clearly had no idea about. At the bar, was stood Ben, his eyes already on her as she weaved her way through the tables and sat at the bar was Alaric Saltzman, ten feet deep into a book.

She held tightly onto her bag strap, smiling softly at Ben, who immediately returned the smile before she headed into the storage room, pulling off her jacket. As she was tying her apron, and struggling to do so due to all of the things on her mind, the door opened behind her and hands brushed against hers.

"Stressful day?" Ben asked, gently pushing her hands away to tie her apron for her and she let out a heavy sigh, nodding in agreement.

"That would be an understatement." Brooke looked down at her trembling hands, picking at her nails.

"What's got you so tense?" Once he finished tying the apron, his hands lingered on her back, slowly trailing up her spine causing her to shiver, the feeling electrical. His hands moved to her shoulders, gently massaging and she closed her eyes, finally relaxing at his touch.

"Friendships, family, how about just everything? I wish I could just grow wings and fly away into the clouds." She expressed, her eyes fixated on the hanging jackets on the wall as his strong hands massaged her neck and shoulders. He chuckled lightly, leaning down to kiss her neck and she bit down on her bottom lip, her eyes closed.

"I get it." He spoke between kisses, his hands moving down to grip her waist from behind, "How about you come over tonight? I can make some food, we can watch a few movies, it'll be fun." His words were too sweet for her to reject, a smile spreading across her lips and she spun around in his grip, her hands on his shoulders as she stared up into his eyes.

"Sure, I'd love to." She chirped, a glint of happiness in her eyes and he leaned down with a grin, pressing his lips onto hers. She leaned onto her tip toes, her arms snaking around his neck as he deepened the kiss, never wanting it to end.

"We better be careful, we don't want Tony to catch us again." He muttered against her lips before pulling away, reaching his thumb up to wipe some of her smudged lip gloss from below her bottom lip. She smiled widely up at him, feeling his hand move to her lower back and he guided her out of the storage room, back out into the Grill.

Ben released her from his grip and split ways, heading behind the bar again and he grabbed a towel, wiping down one of the sides before chucking the towel over his shoulder. Alaric wasn't at the bar anymore and instead was replaced by Matt, who sat in with his eyes locked on a job application on the countertop.

"Matty." Brooke sent her best—friend a dazzling smile, their eyes locking as she approached him, her ponytail swishing from side—to—side. Matt grinned, standing up from the barstool and wrapping his arms around her small frame.

"Brooke, I didn't see you in class today." He stated, pulling away with a grin on his lips and she shook her head, remembering the events of the day.

"I was busy with family stuff." She lied, though it was partially true.

"Oh, did something happen with Nate?" Matt asked and her smile dropped, her eyes narrowing.

"Wow, way to rub in my face that my only family is my brother." She rolled her eyes, though his grin stayed, knowing she wasn't serious whatsoever. From behind the bar, Ben watched, his eyes locked on the two with a hint of jealousy swirling in his dark orbs. As much as the bartender didn't want to admit, he was falling for the short, perky brunette.

Brooke's eyes trailed over to the application on the bar and her eyes widened with surprise. He followed her gaze, his smile dropping slightly, "This way, I can keep an eye on you at all times. Gotta make sure you don't get into any more trouble." He teased, picking up the paper from the table.

"Well, I'm not complaining." Brooke grinned, watching as Ben slid a tray full of drinks towards her and she approached, taking the tray in her hands, "Thanks." She smiled at him, though he didn't reply with the same energy, only sending her a tight—lipped smirk. She frowned, knowing something was up but didn't speak on it, instead turning back to Matt, "Your girl's gotta work. I'll see ya."

"Yeah, bye." Matt watched her walk off, watching as she put on that signature smile she always wore but he knew, deep down, it wasn't her real smile, the real smile he hadn't seen in a long while. He turned around to grab his bag when he saw Ben McKittrick stood on the opposite side of the bar, smiling instantly, "Ben McKittrick. What's up, man?"

Across the Grill, Brooke approached Caroline and Lucy Jacobs, placing their drinks on the table, "Oh, hey! Where've you been?" Caroline grinned, taking a sip of her cola and Lucy just looked down awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

"Dealing with family stuff, nothing exciting." Brooke shrugged, holding the tray against her hips as she smiled down at her best—friend, "How've you been? I haven't had time to catch up."

"I've been amazing. Oh my God, I can't wait to tell you about Matt and I!" Caroline clapped excitedly, taking another sip of her cola and Brooke laughed, shaking her head.

"Oh, yeah. My two best—friends linking up, isn't that just great?" Brooke looked over at Lucy, who avoided her gaze for reasons she was unsure of but she didn't press on it, instead just looking over at Caroline, "Don't make me a third wheel."

"Of course you'll be the third wheel! It'd be so adorable." Caroline rolled her eyes, standing up from her seat to brush a few stray strands back in Brooke's ponytail. Though, as Caroline looked over Brooke's appearance, the aforementioned girl's eyes scanned the Grill and landed on the vampire of her nightmares. She scowled, her eyes narrowing and Caroline noticed, following her gaze over to Damon, who spoke with Bonnie.

Before Caroline could protest, or say something remotely annoying, Brooke rushed over to Bonnie, wrapping her arm around hers, "Stay away from her, Damon." Brooke snapped, glaring up at Damon, who smirked mischievously.

"Or what, cheerleader?" Damon challenged, taking a step forwards, getting all up and personal with Brooke, who stood her ground. No matter how afraid she was of the older Salvatore brother, she'd never back down when it meant protecting her friends.

"Everything okay over here?" A voice sounded and Brooke looked to her left, her eyes locking with Ben's.

"Yeah, we're fine." Damon answered, not even sparing him a glance as he glared down at Brooke, completely forgetting about Bonnie.

"I wasn't talking to you." Ben responded, walking over to them, his arm brushing against Brooke's as he glared Damon down. He stepped slightly in front of the Elliot, smirking slightly as Damon glanced at the two girls, who held onto each other.

He chuckled, knowing he was out numbered and turned, walking away, causing Bonnie to let out a sigh of relief, "Thank you." She turned to Brooke and Ben, smiling appreciatively and the aforementioned girl rushed forwards, throwing her arms around the Bennett, "Woah, are you okay?" Bonnie asked, embracing her back.

"Yeah, just a little traumatised." Brooke mumbled into her hair before pulling back, smiling, "I've been having nightmares about him."

"You have?" Ben spoke up, his brows knitted together with curiosity and she turned her head to look at him over her shoulder, nodding.

"Yeah, over and over. It feels never—ending." She sighed heavily and he reached out, taking her hand in his, interlocking their fingers. Bonnie watched, her eyes widening with realisation.

"Wait, you two...?" Bonnie pointed at the two of them, curious as to what was going on and Brooke looked down at her boots, completely unsure of what to say. They weren't labelled whatsoever, so were they friends? Friends with benefits? ...Besties? They definitely weren't dating, that was for sure.

"I hope so." Ben replied with a smirk, his thumb rubbing over Brooke's knuckles and Bonnie grinned, happy for her best—friend.

"You better not hurt her, I'm warning you." Bonnie narrowed her eyes towards him, though she couldn't hide the smile that spread across her lips and Brooke rolled her eyes, looking up from her shoes.

"You're starting to sound like me." Brooke chuckled, shaking her head lightly and she gave Ben's hand a small squeeze.

"You're not the only one who cares about their friends, Brooke." Bonnie smiled, placing her hand on the girl's arm momentarily before she walked away, grabbing her things to leave. Once she was out of sight, Ben turned to Brooke and lifted their interlocked hands, pressing his lips to her knuckles.

"So, about that movie night..." He smirked, holding her hand captive and she smiled uncontrollably, her happiness overpowering every other emotion possible.

"I said yes, did I not?" Brooke raised a brow, a blush spreading over her cheeks and he grinned with success, dragging her over to the bar. That night was fun, and that was her only input — just pure fun.

@amxliewrites — starring role
2025