Twisted Love.
Season One
Pilot.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Vampire Diaries Characters, except for Grace, her family and her home :)
Her fingers bashes against the keys of her Mac as she continued to write her English report, staring blankly at the screen as music played on Youtube in the background, Stereo Heart by Gym Class Heroes.
Suddenly her blackberry started to vibrate on her desk, her dark chocolate brown orbs fixed on the caller ID as she saw Elena Gilbert printed there, hitting answer with her newly manicured thumb and held it to her ear.
"hello, Miss Gilbert, how many I be of service?" Her British accent spilled elegantly down the phone
"Why hello there, Miss Johnson, I was wonder what you put for question 9 on the Chemistry homework." Elena replied in a bad British accent
"I'll check." She took a stroll over to her Queen sized beautifully made bed checking the many papers she had scattered over it until she found the one she wanted "Do you want the Equation balanced or unbalanced?"
"Balanced, please." Elena replied "Looks better."
"capital C little 3 capital H little 8 + big 5 big O little 2 goes to big 4 big H little 2 big O + big 3 big C big O little 2." The smart girl informed her
"so in short..." Elena giggled "just to check, please my dear Gracie." she called her by her pet name
Grace giggled once "C3H8 + 5O2 - 4H2O + 3CO2." she replied reading from her paper
"how do you work that stuff out?" Elena wondered as she scribbled down on her sheet
"I use this little thing called Google." Grace lied through her teeth
Elena smirked "so you're not as smart as you make out to be."
"never said I was." Grace countered
"Touché." Elena smirked
"Indeed." Grace walked back to her desk, plopping down on her chair continuing to type as she put her phone on speak placing it on the desk
"Can I ask you something?" Elena asked after a long pause
"Of course." Grace replied stopping typing to listen folding her legs on her chair leaning forward
Elena let out a sigh "When you lost your parents..." Elena couldn't find the words "How did you cope?"
"I wrote a lot." Grace shrugged "but you already do that..."
"Yeah, writing does help." Elena nodded "anything else?"
"Being surrounded by a good group of people, staying away from drugs." Grace shrugged
"Wish Jeremy new that one." Elena sighed
Grace sighed too "I'm sorry." she couldn't think of anything to say
They had a long conversation about school, friends, boys and everything else teenage girls talk about before saying goodbye.
Grace's eye lids were starting to get heavy over the beautiful rich orbs, her head slanted forward as she almost fell asleep. Shaking her head gently to wake herself up she rose from her seat yawning and stretching.
Sauntering casually over to her deep mahogany dressing table she plunked heavily onto the matching stool. Running her hands through her now dry, extremely long hair she switched on her GHDs.
As she pulled her hair straighteners through her curly hair she felt a shiver as she saw a crow on her window ledge. Placing the burning flat iron gently on her table she strode across to her window seat and shooed the creepy bird away.
Slamming the window closed she drew the curtains quickly so she didn't have to look at the full glaring moon that shone fantastically through the open window.
As she finished her hair, it was silky, soft and dead straight. Switching on her TV deciding to watch Alexander 'hottie' Skarsgård in the newest episode of True Blood, knowing she'd never stay awake through the whole of it...
Beep. Beep. Beep. Her alarm clock rang loudly to wake her up beep. Beep. Beep. It repeated annoyingly, she reached over and slammed her hand on the snooze button groaning prying herself from her loving bed.
"Found dead in the Virginia area." The pretty news lady announced
"Morning, Sleepy." Her Gran Heidi Johnson smiled at her standing in the door way "Was that on all night." she referred to the T.V
"Morning." Grace replied in a hoarse voice "I guess so." She croaked
"I'll make you some breakfast." Her Grandmother shuffled from the room
Swinging her long, legs over her side of her tall bed placing them on the icy cold floor, she stumbled her way over to her walk in wardrobe. Stepping inside she pulled her short shorts down along with a black and white button down checkered shirt.
After removing her clothes and throwing them in her washing basket she pulled on her black pair of panties and matching lacy bra, pulling her new clothes on over it.
"Darren Malloy aged 24 and Brooke Fenton age 22 were found completely drained of blood, with large bite makes on their necks." Grace's eyed drew to the TV "Sheriff Forbes announced that this is most properly an animal attack."
"Grace, honey, Elena's here." Her gran called from downstairs
Switching off her TV swiftly walking into her on suite brushing her pearly white teeth, before reaching in her make up bag grabbing her mascara pulling it through her already long eyes lashes and dragging her eye liner over her water line she was ready. She didn't need foundation her complexion was pale and clear.
Pulling on her black city warn converse, where she had spent almost the whole summer in New York, she skipped down the stair over to Elena to hug her.
"Ready?" Grace questioned
"Sure." Elena stood up
"Bye, Gran." Grace called placing her hand on the handle of the old door.
"What about breakfast?" Her gran called from the stove "There is enough here for Elena."
"Gonna be late." Grace called "Bye." She hollered
Grace exited the ancient that had held generations of her family as quick as a wink, her house was a historical piece in their little town of Mystic Falls, almost the oldest building there.
"You ok?" Elena questioned
They jumped into Grace's jet black camaro and she started it with a roar of the powerful V8 engine, she just shrugged in response.
"Something doesn't feel right." Grace admitted
Elena creased her eye brows "What do you mean?"
"I mean..." Grace paused "I mean, something is going to happen today that is going to change everything." she started to drive down the road
"Spooky." Elena shivered
"Don't make fun." Grace narrowed her eyes watching the road carefully "How are you?"
"Not too bad." Elena admitted "Should be fine once I get to school." she added "Caroline is going to kill me."
"Why?" Grace creased her eye brows turning down another road
"I didn't go to summer camp, learn any of the new routines for cheerleading." Elena sighed
"Hello, I was in New York, neither did I." Grace laughed leaning back taking one hand off the wheel resting it casually on her leg
"Grace, can you put both hands on the wheel." Elena asked cautiously
"Sure." Grace sat forward placing both hands at 10 and 2 "Sorry, I forgot."
Elena shook her head "No, I'm sorry, I can't be scared of cars my whole life..." she trailed off
"No, no." Grace shook her head too "I should have remember, its just... I have a lot on my mind lately, my mom and dads anniversaries is coming up."
"Oh gosh." Elena covered her mouth "I'm so sorry, Grace."
"It's ok." Grace shrugged pulling into the parking lot parking up "This year will be the year of the party." Grace grinned her trade mark smile
"That's more like it." Elena giggled jumping out
Grace got out too grabbing her bag sliding it around her body, they both linked arms and walked into the school building giggling.
"Why hello there." A female voice came from behind them
"Bonnie!" Both of the girls exclaimed running over throwing their arms around her
"Well the lone wanders are back." Caroline's voice came from behind them "Elena, Grace."
Both girls hugged Caroline too, they all started walking down the hall talking about their Summers that had just pasted
"Summer Camp was great." Caroline's eyes fixed on Grace
"Was that a dig at me?" Grace turned to Elena "I think that was a dig at me."
"Seemed like a dig at you." Elena laughed placing items in her locker
Caroline smiled "Of course it was a dig at you, Grace, you went to New York instead of going to Summer Camp."
"I took the best opportunity." Grace replied
"Whoa." Bonnie's eye brows rose
Grace followed her line of sight into the reception office, the back of a tall, masculine boy all the girls seemed to be watching him
"I'm sensing Seattle." Bonnie scrunched her nose her eye brows pulling together "And he plays the guitar." she continued
"are you really going along with this whole psychic thing?" Elena asked laughing a little
"psychic?" Grace asked looking at her
"My grams said..." Bonnie laughed "it doesn't matter."
"I'll be right back." Elena looked disappointed as she walked into the boy bathrooms
"Did she actually just walk in there?" Caroline smirked
"Of course she did, she's a crazy person." Grace replied with a grin on her face
"Please be hot." Bonnie chanted still looking at the back of the boy
Elena stormed into the bathrooms guys looking surprised to see her in here, she caught Jeremy, her younger brother of two year using eye drops.
She grabbed his face by pinching his cheeks together with one hand and looked directly into his dilated eyes
"Great, it's the first day of school and you're stoned." She hissed sarcastically
"No I'm not." He denied the accusations heavily
"Where is it?" She pried patting him down to his disliking "is it on you?" she questioned
"Stop it!" he hollered "chill yourself alright?"
"chill myself what? Is that stoner talk?" she shook her head "dude, you are so cool." she patted him down again
"stop! I don't have anything on me, are you crazy?" he yelled
"You haven't seen crazy." Grace burst through the door "First day back, Jere, are you kidding me?"
"I gave you a summer pass, but I am done watching you destroy yourself!" Elena burst ignoring Grace's entrance "keep it up, but just know I'll be there to ruin your buzz every time."
"me too, kid, get used to it." Grace held the door open for him to leave
"I know who you are, Jeremy." Elena showered her softer side "And it's not this person, so don't be this person."
"I don't need this." Jeremy growled leaving the room
"You ok, 'Lena?" Grace asked
"Yeah, thanks for... helping." Elena hugged her friend "We'd better get out of here before some guys freaks out."
"Yeah." Grace agreed smirking
Both of the girls walked out of the toilets when Elena accidentally bumped into some, she looked up and saw the boy from the reception standing there
"Whoa." Grace whispered blushing before he'd even started speaking.
Grace quickly skipped over to Bonnie who was sitting comfortable on the side lines watching this mystery unfold
"I figure I'll let 'Lena have him." Grace grinned at Bonnie
Bonnie laughed giving Grace a noble look "What a terrific friend you are, giving up a hot guy-"
"A super hot guy, might I remind you." Grace smirked lifting one finger
"a super hot guy." Bonnie mimicked her friend "for another friend."
They watched as Elena stared at this new boy in absolute awe, they both giggled and joked around as Elena and the new boy kept walking the same way trying to get past each other
When Elena came over she expected nothing less than to have a load of jokes thrown in her face, from Grace at least
"Have a nice dance, 'Lena?" Grace joked a grin playing on her face
"Shut up." Elena blushed madly
"He's cute, Elena." Bonnie wiggled her eye brows
Bonnie and Grace joked around about their summers as Elena's mind was on the new boy, they walked into their History room sitting in their usual seats, Grace next to Elena, Bonnie behind them with Caroline next to her, they sat on one large table that fit two on.
"Pst." Bonnie through a piece of paper at Grace's head as Mr Tanner spoke "Hey." she whispered
"What?" Grace hissed looking over her shoulder
"Miss. Johnson, please pay attention in my lesson." Mr Tanner slammed a book on her desk making her jolt
"Whoa, sorry." Grace held her hands up rolling her eyes
"I will not hesitate to send you to the principals office, Miss. Johnson." Mr Tanner warned "I didn't last year and I wont this year either."
"I said, I was sorry I interrupted." Grace growled "back-"
"Sorry, it was my bad." Bonnie accepted the blame
"Please keep it down." Mr Tanner warned "So our home state of Virginia joined the..." he trailed off talking about the state history
"Jeez." Grace slammed her head on the table
"promise yourself you wouldn't get into anymore trouble this year?" Elena asked in a hushed voice
"Don't I always." Grace replied "He's just out to get me, I swear."
"I know." Elena nodded "Wanna meet at the Grill tonight, we'll invite Bon and Care, too."
"Sure, what you doing after school?" Grace asked
"I'm going to visit my parents, at the cemetery." Elena replied
"Oh." Grace nodded "Alright, I'll let you do that alone."
"Thank you." Elena smiled
Soon that lesson came to and end and Bonnie collided with both Elena and Grace squealing with happiness and jumping with jog
"That new hottie was totally checking you out." Bonnie almost screamed
"I'm guessing Elena." Grace smirked
"Yep." Bonnie popped the 'p'
"Really?" Elena tucked a piece of hair behind her ear "Thats... that's flattering."
"It'll be good to get back on the market." Caroline walked over "especially after yours and Matt's rough break-up."
"Thanks for bringing that up, Care." Elena shook her head
"Oh." Caroline covered her mouth "Sorry."
"No problem." Elena nodded
"Change of subject." Grace announced walking down the hall with the three girls "Me and 'Lena are meeting at the grill tonight, wanna come?"
"Sure, we'll meet you there." Bonnie smiled
"Sweet." Grace whooped "just like old times."
"Yeah before you ran away to New York for the summer and Elena's parents-" Caroline cut herself off "Elena, I'm so-"
"Care, stop yourself now." Grace held her hand up
Elena stared blankly into her locker and Grace chewed nervously on her bottom lip unsure of what to say. Bonnie quickly dragged Caroline away knowing Grace could speak to Elena alone much better.
"She doesn't think, 'Lena." Grace stated after a long pause "She just says things and doesn't realize it will hurt anyone."
"I know." Elena nodded "I know." she repeated in a whisper
"Hey, lets think good thoughts." Grace jumped a little "So that new hottie must like you."
"You really think so, I mean he's so cute." Elena laughed
"There is no doubt, 'Lena." Grace giggled "What have you got now?"
"Math." Elena replied
"Me too." Grace laughed "What a coincidence."
"It's a total mystery how we always get into the same class'." Elena smirked "Do you cheat of my papers?"
"If I say yes, will you tell anyone?" Grace joked
"Hey, Elena." Tyler appeared in front of them "Hey, Grace." he smiled "How was your summers?"
"great, thanks for asking Ty." Grace replied "I guess you were talking to Elena."
"On Matt's behalf?" Elena looked at Tyler
"nope, I like you too, Grace, and Elena, I do really want to know how you are." He informed her
"How sweet." Grace smiled
"I doing good thanks, Tyler." Elena smiled gently
Soon school was finished Grace dropped Elena off down the Mystic Falls cemetery before driving back to her house.
Unlocking the door she saw her Gran in the kitchen cooking up a storm, she giggled and walked in placing her bag on the table
"Smells good." Grace complimented
"Thanks, honey, I know this sounds very... harsh as you kids like to put it now days, but it isn't for you." Gran informed her
Grace laughed "I'm going to the Grill anyway." she smirked "Who is it for?"
"I have the founding families coming over to dinner." Her Gran informed her kindly "It's going to be a nice quite dinner."
"Founding Families?" Grace questioned picking up a grape from the fruit bowl eating it
"You know Forbes family, Fell Family, Gilbert Family, Johnson Family, Lockwood Family and the Salvatore Family." Her Gran informed her passing her a book "you should really read up on your History of this town, honey."
"Yeah." Grace nodded absentmindedly flicking through the old book "So the Founding Families founded Mystic Falls."
"Oh yes, dear, all the way back in 1860." Heidi Johnson sighed happily
"You really love History don't you, Gran." Grace smiled
"You'll find a lot of Folk Lore about this town if you dig deep enough, sweetie." She replied "A lot of interesting bits of information."
"Like what?" Grace asked
"Read." Gran patted the book in Grace's hands "Read and find out for yourself."
"Alright." Grace nodded "Smells good anyway."
"I have to impress the Mayor of the town."
"Why?" Grace smirked
Gran sighed "I can't really tell you, dear, not until you're much older anyway."
Grace creased her eye brows "If you're sure."
"I'm positive, you don't need to be dragged into all this, not at so young like I was." Gran reminisced holding a piece of jewellery from around her neck "I wish I hadn't known."
"Known what?" Grace asked clutching the book
"Just read." Her Gran shooed her "But make sure you tell no one about this book, especially not the founding families."
Grace sat down in front of the roaring fire place opening the old book reading the first page, nothing interesting just a load of crap about this crazy guy named Jonathan Gilbert. This book was a Journal by one of the Original Founders of Mystic Falls, one of Grace's ancestors named Thomas Johnson.
As Grace read further into the book she read that Mystic Falls was once plagued by Vampires and how Jonathon Gilbert came up with a device to rid the town.
Grace shook her head gently as she read on, Thomas and Jonathon were very close with each other and they told each other their deepest secrets.
"Gran, this book is weird." Grace called getting up seeing her Gran laying the table for dinner
Her Gran mused nodding her head "All folk lore."
"Why do I have a feeling you're keeping something from me?" Grace cocked an eye brow
"Aren't you going out?" Her Gran asked
"Yeah, how did you know?" Grace asked
"Gran's know these things." Her chuckled placing the final fork down "No silver tonight."
"Why?" Grace asked sitting down gently on one of the seats "Are you eating with Vampires? Werewolves? Witches?" She joked
Her Gran shooed her from the room, a quick change into a pair of jeans and Grace was heading out the door again to bump into someone
"Sorry." He looked at her eyeing her surprised, his bright blue orbs focusing on every detail of her body "No problem." Grace replied tucking a piece of hair behind her ear tilting her head to the side
"Damon Salvatore." Her Gran's voice came from behind her, but it wasn't happy
Grace looked surprised "Erm... I'll just go." she jerked her thumb indicating where she was going before she jogged to her car jumping in and driving away
"Well if it isn't my favourite telepath." Damon grinned gently "Haven't seen you in... oh 50 years or so." he mused on the past "You haven't aged a day... well actually-"
"well, you haven't." Heidi shook her head clenching her jaw
"I though you telepaths could turn off aging." Damon rubbed his jaw in a thinking manor "Oh, but if you don't age you can't have babies, right? Can't start a family..."
"I'd prefer to have my family than be younger forever." Heidi replied narrowed eyes
"I assume you have Vervain stashed around you house, have been feeding it to Grace?" Damon asked "you're wearing some..."
"How do you know her name?" Heidi was shocked
"That's the best thing about new paper articles, they want every angle." Damon held up a new paper with Grace's parents on the front "Their distort daughter Grace Johnson... Who, if I do say so myself, looks a lot like-"
"No." Heidi shook her head "Is that why you are here is Mystic Falls, again."
"Just thought I'd come back and check on old friends." He smiled at her "Checking on the family, check on my brother."
"I doubt Stefan wants you here." Heidi replied "you have no friends so don't ever try and lie to me."
"it would be so much easier to compel you." Damon rolled his eyes "you talk a lot less."
"Bye, Damon." She tried to close the door
Damon appeared in the hall way, she gasped and remembered the last time he was in Mystic Falls all those years ago she'd invited him into the house
"Is she telepathic too?" Damon asked
"Yes, but she is trying to deny it, blocking the power." Heidi admitted
"Well we'll have to change that wont we." Damon purred
"You do anything to hurt my Grace and I will personally stake you, in your sleep." she added
"I'm so scared." Damon rolled his eyes "Try and get to me without breaking your hip." he teased
Grace pulled into Mystic Grills parking lot, it was full tonight, all the kids from school must be here partying and having a good time.
There was only one thing on Grace's mind, she couldn't seem to take her mind off that Damon guy, who was he? How did he know her Gran?
Locking her car and walking into the Grill, she took a seat next to Caroline who was filling Grace in about the new guy.
"His name is Stefan Salvatore, he lives with his Uncle up in the old Salvatore boarding house, he hasn't lived here since he was a kid, Military Family so they moved around a lot, he's a Gemini and his favourite colour is blue." Caroline smiled knowingly
"You got all that in one day." Grace cocked an eye brow
"Please, I got that between third and fourth period." Caroline smirked "we're planning a June wedding."
"What you talking about?" Bonnie sat down next to them
"Just Caroline being her usual stalker self." Grace shrugged "No biggie."
Rolling her eyes Caroline went and joined Tyler playing pool, Grace groaned as her head started to ache badly
"What's wrong?" Bonnie asked worried
"Nothing, just my head hurts." She complained "Does this everyday for about an hour."
"That's weird." Bonnie tilted her head
"Yeah, I know." Grace rubbed her temples "Damn, it really hurts tonight."
"You want me to drive you home?" Bonnie offered
"Naw, I'll just suck it up." Grace took a deep breath sipping her drink
"What do you mean it hurts?" Bonnie asked
"well... it's kind of like my brain is trying to take in a lot of information at once and can't handle it, you know it's weird, it seems to be more painful when I'm around a big crowd of people." Grace creased her eye brows
"You know that is weird." Bonnie laughed nodding "Maybe you should see a Doctor."
"I'll look into it." Grace smirked
Suddenly Matt Donovan, Elena's ex boyfriend came over and sat with them, Grace exchanged a look with Bonnie
"Hey." Matt smiled
"Hey, Matt." Grace greeted kindly "How are you?"
"Ok." Matt nodded "How is Elena?"
"She's putting on a brave face." Bonnie replied
"Has... erm... has she said anything about me." He looked towards Grace like a puppy dog
"Oh no." Grace shook her head "I'm not getting between you two, not again."
"Matt, if you want to know how she is pick up the phone and call her." Bonnie looked at him
"I feel weird calling her." Matt admitted "She's the one the broke up with me."
"Give it more time, Matt." Bonnie replied
Grace's eye brows lifted when Elena walked in standing next to Stefan, exchanging another looked with Bonnie then both smirked and slapped each others hands under the table. Matt looked more distort than ever when he saw the two walk in.
The whole Grill had almost gone silent if it wasn't for the blasting music in the back ground, everyone was looking at them, everyone was thinking of them. "Ah, my God damn head." Grace complained again
"Damn, they make the cutest couple." Bonnie's voice appeared
"What?" Grace looked at her shocked
Bonnie's face paled "I didn't say anything."
"Oh." Grace rubbed her head slightly
"is she trying to hurt me even more?" Matt's voice appeared
"She isn't trying to hurt you, Matt." Grace informed him
Matt and Bonnie looked at each other surprised before Matt got up and walked over to Elena and Stefan
"Are you feeling ok, Grace?" Bonnie asked concerned
"fine, it's just my head." She replied
When Elena and Stefan came and joined the two girls at the table, Caroline was sure to follow quickly, grabbing a chair placing it near the table
"so you were born in Mystic Falls?" Caroline questioned
"and I moved when I was still young." Stefan informed the girls
"Parents." Bonnie asked
"they passed away." Stefan replied mournfully
"Just like Grace and Elena!" Caroline exclaimed before shaking her head side to side
"Caroline." Bonnie scolded
"You and Grace lost your parents?" Stefan looked towards the two brunettes
"Yeah." Elena nodded "I guess it's kind of what brought us closer." Elena nudged her best friend
"we all long for a girl-bromance like Grace and Elena." Caroline smirked
"you're only jealous." Grace sneered jokingly
"Any siblings?" Elena continued ignoring the blonde and the brunettes banter
Grace thought back to Damon, his last name was Salvatore too, was he related to Stefan? But before she could voice her thoughts Stefan replied
"None that I talk to." He answered
"So, anyway, Stefan there is the huge party tomorrow." Caroline informed him
"It's a back to school thing at the Falls." Bonnie shrugged
"Will you be there?" Stefan looked at Elena
"Of course she will." Grace answered for her friend
Elena giggled slightly tucking a piece of hair behind her ear nervously, Grace smiled at her friend before looking up to see Stefan watching Elena too.
Soon everyone returned to their rightful homes, preparing for school the next day, showering, getting clothes out, etc.
The next morning with Stefan getting ready in his large, cluttered room, filled with everything he had kept with him through his long life, suddenly when he heard footsteps walking up his stairs, stomping loudly, angrily.
"You promise." Zach walked in the room handing him a newspaper
BODIES FOUND MUTILATED BY ANIMAL Read the head line with two peoples pictures, Stefan had never seen these people before in his life
He shook his head "This was an animal attack." Stefan informed him
"Don't give me that." Zach looked so disappointed "I know the game you tare them up enough they always suspect an animal attack." Zach turned more angry now "you said you had it under control."
"And I do." Stefan replied simply
"Please, Uncle Stefan, Mystic Falls is a different place now its been quite for years, but there are people that still remember." Zach sounded worried "and you being here is just going to stir things up."
"That's not my intention." Stefan replied
"Then what is?" Zach snapped "Why did you come back? Why after all this time? Why now?"
"I don't have to explain myself." Stefan's voice held authority
"I know that you can't change what you are, but you don't belong here anymore." Zach told the truth
"Then where do I belong?" Stefan sounded hurt
"I can't tell you what to do, but coming back here was a mistake." Zach left the room leaving that statement lingering in the air
Stefan sighed heavily and grabbed his journal from his cabinet, there was a few in there but he knew what one he wanted
Looking at the picture he felt hatred, love, lust, loneliness, acceptance, betrayal, guilt, all these human emotions rolled into one ball aching to burst just by looking at that one name and date. Katherine 1864.
The most eventful lesson that day was History, Grace was doodling whilst Elena spoke gently to her about the party tonight
"The Battle of Willow Creak." Mr Tanner started "took place right at the end of the war in our very own Mystic Falls, how many casualties resulted in this battle?" He questioned looking around the room stopping on Elena and Grace "Miss. Johnson, as a Founding Family Member they should have filled you in on this knowledge."
"Erm." Grace's head whipped up "American History isn't my strong point." She thickened her British accent even deep so she had a Cockney accent
"Well you better brush up." Mr Tanner poorly pulled off a British accent "Fine, Miss. Bennett."
Bonnie looked up surprised "A lot?" She tilted her head "I'm not sure like a whole lot?"
"Cute becomes dumb in an instant, Miss. Bennett, just as you friend Grace." He glanced at her
"Did he just call me dumb?" Bonnie looked around appalled
Mr. Tanner looked around the room again this time stopping on Matt "Mr. Donovan, would you like to take this opportunity to overcome you imbedded Jock stereotype?"
"That's ok, Mr. Tanner, I'm cool with it." Matt nodded
Everyone laughed and Mr. Tanner rolled his eyes glancing around the room again, looking for another victim
"Elena." he stopped at her "Would you like to enlighten your British friend here on the History of our small town?" He asked
"I'm sorry, I... I don't know." Elena admitted honestly
"I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reasons, but the personal excuses ended with Summer break." He growled in response
"There were three hundred and thirty-six casualties." Stefan's voice called out saving everyone from torture "Unless you're counting local civilians."
"That's correct." Mr. Tanner replied "Mr...?"
"Salvatore." Stefan replied
"Salvatore, Any relations to the original settlers here at Mystic Falls?" Mr. Tanner questioned
he paused "Distant."Stefan replied
"Well very good." Mr Tanner approved "except there were no civilian causalities in this battle."
"actually there was." Stefan replied "There were twenty-seven, confederate soldiers fired on a church believing it to be housing weapons." Stefan added "it was a night of great loss." he looked down
"I should know, I was there." Stefan voice appeared in Grace's head
She creased her eye brows and looked back at him shocked, Stefan's eyes widened as he knew that she had heard him
"What's wrong?" Elena asked Grace
"The Founders Archives are stored in Civil Hall if you'd like you brush up on your facts." Stefan finished
As they all left class Bonnie, Caroline and Elena had left together and Grace had promised to catch up placing things in her locker
"Grace." Stefan's voice was next to her
"Stefan." Grace jumped slightly slamming her locker shut "Erm... hi."
"Hi, listen today when you looked at me funny..." Stefan was looking for the right words "are you feeling ok?"
"peachy." Grace replied with a sugar sweet smile "I mean, I get these head aches but they are nothing to worry about..."
"Head aches?" Stefan asked
"It's nothing to worry about, just head aches, my life isn't that exciting." Grace admitted looking down at her shoes "So, what do you think of Elena?" she changed the subject
"She's very beautiful." Stefan attempted to catch her out
"Aww that's sweet." Grace giggled covering her mouth, before her eye widened "Wait, you didn't say that aloud did you?"
Stefan cocked an eye brow at her as she swiftly walked away from him out to her car, she fumbled to start it taking deep breaths in and out, in and out, to calm herself.
As she arrived home she saw her Gran reading her book by the fire, smiling gently to herself she walked up the stairs into her room
After hours of getting her make-up and hair done she was trying to deiced what to wear tonight, her phone started to ring she hit answer and held it to her ear whilst holding a dress out in front of her looking into the full length mirror.
"Hey, can I talk to you?" Elena asked casually
"Course." Grace put the dress back reaching for a shirt "What's up?" she threw the shirt on the bed liking it
"It's about Stefan." Elena pulled on her jeans for tonight's party "What do you think of him?"
"erm... he's... great." Grace tried to sound supportive "Perfect for you, in fact."
"Really?" Elena giggled straightening the last of her hair "You really think so?"
"Sure." Grace pulled on a pair of tights with a light denim skirt "You excited for the part tonight?"
"Totally, Stefan is gonna be there." Elena shrieked "But I'm gonna have to keep an eye on Jere." she lowered her voice "He's gonna be there too and so is Vicki."
"Vicki Donovan." Grace smirked "Matt's sister?" she pulled on her black lace up 5 inch pumps
"Yeah I'm not in the best books with the Donovan's at the moment, so don't pick any fights." Elena warned
"Oh, seriously, 'Lena, who do you think I am?" Grace joked pulled a navy blue shirt over her head with a copper coloured sequin pattern around the low cut neck "I do not pick fights, they pick me."
"Sure." Elena laughed
"You grabbing a ride with Bonnie?" Grace asked casually smiling at herself in the mirror
"Nope, I'm grabbing a ride with Care, are you going with Bonnie?" Elena asked
"Yep." Grace replied grabbing her purse looking out the front of the house to see Bonnie's car pull up "Speak of the Devil, I've got to go."
"See ya at the party." Elena called
Both of the girls hung up, skipping down the stairs to see Heidi asleep by the fire Grace giggled and kissed her Gran on the forehead before leaving quickly shutting the door
"Damn,Girl." Bonnie looked at her as she sat in the car "Trying to impress someone?"
"Nope, just being my natural gorgeous self." Grace winked applying her lip gloss
"I love your shoes." Bonnie tried to keep her eyes on the road but was drawn to the pumps
"Thanks." Grace giggled "They're new."
"Thought so." Bonnie replied
They sang along to the radio on their way to the party getting in that part mood, as they pulled up a song was just finishing and they were blaring out the lyrics
"I'm sexy and I know it." Both teens sang together
Laughing as they walked into the party everyone was kissing their cheeks and hugging them, finally they made their way over to Elena and Caroline
"Hey!" Grace announced hugging and kissing both girls "Don't you two look beautiful."
"Says you." Elena laughed
Caroline started to leave the other three girls to leave to talk to everyone, Grace, Bonnie and Elena got into a conversation about Stefan, again.
"Oh, c'mon, Elena he has that Romance Novel look." Bonnie purred
Grace tried to ignoring the giggling girls, not that they were annoying her just that the conversation was getting old.
Glancing around the party she saw Caroline run up to Stefan being bouncy and bubbly like always, Grace rolled her eyes and shook her head. Caroline was being harsh.
"Have you seen him yet, Grace?" Bonnie asked "You seem to be on lookout."
"No, I haven't seen him." Grace lied "you tell me you're the psychic one." She teased
Bonnie gasped and then laughed "Right, I forgot, just give me a second Grams says I have to concentrate." Bonnie closed her eyes
"Wait." Grace held her finger up "you need a crystal ball." she looked around her
"you two are so weird." Elena complained with a laugh following her statement
"Here." Grace picked up an empty beer bottle
Bonnie went to take it from Grace when both their hands meet, Grace's eyes dilated and Bonnie went completely still, both gasped as they were pulled back into reality
"What happened?" Elena asked from the sidelines
"That was weird, when I touched you I saw a crow." Bonnie looked directly at Grace
"What?" The small brunette asked worried
"A crow, fog, there was a man." Bonnie thought back "I'm drunk, it's the drinking, theres nothing psychic about it." She clarified
"I'm going to go get a refill." Grace informed both teens
"Me too." Bonnie replied
Grace quickly walked away and Bonnie followed Elena called out for them but they just kept on walking keeping their heads down
"What did you see?" Bonnie quickly caught up with Grace
"I saw what you saw, but with perfect clarity." Grace replied "Like I was watching a movie or something... It's nothing we're drunk."
"So drunk." Bonnie laughed nervously
Turning back around Elena saw Stefan standing there looking more perfect than ever, with a kind smile on his face.
"Hi." He greeted her simply
Elena let out a breath where he had scared her with his silent and quick approach, Stefan looked down at his feet then back up into her eyes
"I did it again didn't I?" He asked nervously
The brunette nodded and scrunched her pretty face "Yeah." her words were almost silent
"You're upset about something." He noted as her facial expression changed
"No, it's just... uh... It's just Bonnie and Grace... something just-" She cut herself off smiling "you know what? Never mind, you're here." she stated the obvious
"I am here." He stated with a smile play on his lips
Stefan and Elena walked through the woods heading towards the bridge just talking casually about school and life
"You know you're sort of the talk of the town." She announced
"Am I?" Stefan raised his eye brows suspiciously
"Oh yeah, mysterious new guy." Elena joked
Stefan chuckled "well you have the mysterious thing going too." he informed her "drenched in the sadness."
"What makes you think that I'm sad?" Elena asked her smile fading
"Well we did meet in a graveyard." He joked
"right." Elena laughed "Well, no, technically we met in the mens room." she corrected him "you don't want to know it's not exactly party chit-chat."
"well I've never really be good at... chit-chat." Stefan replied
Elena paused "Last spring, my parents car drove off of a bridge into a lake, and I was in the backseat and I survived but they didn't." she bit her bottom lip nervously "So that's my story."
Stefan was the first to stop walking, then Elena stopped two, she was two passes in front of him now leaving a gap between them. They both stared at each other for a long five seconds before one of them have the nerve to speak.
"you wont be sad forever, Elena." He promised her
She smiled gently nodding and Stefan smiled in return, you know things were really looking up for Elena.
"Is that what you think?" Jeremy asked Vicki hurt
"That's what I know." Vicki replied before walking away
Grace stepped out from behind a tree and walked over to him patting his shoulder he shrugged her off
"Just leave me alone."
"Jeremy, you don't want to get involved with someone like her." Grace informed him protectively like he was her little brother "You have such a bright future ahead of you."
"And what? She doesn't?" Jeremy turned abruptly
"Properly not, you've seen some of the people she hangs with... hell." Grace shook her head
"I know you like to think you're friends with me, Grace, but you're not, Elena is the only reason I talk to you and thats it."
"Keep talking, Jere, I know it's only the alcohol talking." Grace replied bluntly narrowing her eyes
"I like Grace she seems like a good friend." Stefan announced after they'd been standing there a while
"Best friend in the world." Elena confirmed
"Matt can't seem to take his eyes off us." Stefan informed Elena not even looking his way
"Matt's a friend since childhood, that you start dating because you owe it to yourselves to see if you can be more." Elena started
"And?" Stefan edged her on further
"And then my parents die." Elena finished "any everything changes." she looked down at her feet guilty before continuing "Anyway, Matt and I together we just... I don't know it wasn't erm... it wasn't..." Elena couldn't seem to find the words
"Passionate." Stefan found the words
Elena looked straight at him "No, no it wasn't passionate."
They stared at each other for another long second when suddenly Stefan felt his fangs trying to break through his gum and the veins under his eyes approaching
"Hey... erm... are you ok? It's just your eyes." Elena tried to get a good look at them
"Oh erm." Stefan rubbed his eyes "Yeah, it's nothing." he took her cup "are you thirsty, I'm gonna get us a drink." he walked away quickly
After a while Stefan didn't return so Elena went back towards the party looking for him, or Grace so she could moan about it. Standing there looking obliviously into the crowd of party goers she sighed
"Looking for someone?" Matt walked over to her
"Hey." Elena breathed
"When you broke up with me you said it was because you need time alone." Matt brought up the past "you don't look so alone to me."
"Matt." She shook her head "you don't understand."
"It's ok, Elena, you do what you have to do." Matt told her "I just want to let you know, I still believe in us and I'm not giving up on that." On that note, he walked away from her
"Matt." She called but he continued to walk
Stefan came over to talk to Elena and they were talking about Caroline for a short time until Jeremy stumbled past them with Grace following
"What the hell is going on?" Elena asked Grace
"He's being a... ugh." Grace stressed following him "You know when I came to this party, Jere, I didn't know I'd be baby-sitting a five year old!" she yelled
"Then go away!" Jeremy yelled before tripping
Grace screamed as she saw Vicki on the floor, Elena gasped and ran to Jeremy who was now crying, Vicki didn't look good
"What is that on her neck?" Grace asked her voice shacking
"Is she alive?" Elena asked
Jeremy's hand shook as he was about to check for Vicki's pulse suddenly she gasped returning to life, eyes wide and scared
"Someone help!" Elena hollered
Fumbling around Jeremy carried Vicki back to the main part of the party the three teens soon to be joined by Tyler Lockwood Vicki's current boyfriend and Matt her brother
"What happened?" Matt asked as Jeremy lay Vicki down on a table "Call an ambulance!"
"Back up!" Tyler ordered and most people did
Stefan could feel the blood pouring from her open wound, he took note of it, bite marks, his mouth fell open as he ran from the party going to the boarding house to see Zach sitting at his desk
"What's going on?" Zach asked casually
"Someone else was attacked tonight, Zach, and it wasn't by me." He clarified
Quickly running upstairs to his room slamming the door shut behind him all he could see was the bite marks on the girls neck
He jumped slightly when a crow flew in his open balcony doors he watched it as it landed on one of the beams on his ceiling
Turning back around he was shocked to see him standing there on the other side of the doorway smirking like always
"Damon." He announced
"Hello, Brother." Damon purred
As Damon walked in the room the crow removed itself perching on the balcony as Stefan and Damon stared each other down
"Crow's a bit much don't you think?" Stefan asked
"Wait until you see what I can do with the fog." He wiggled his eye brows
"When did you get here?" Stefan asked bluntly
"Well I couldn't miss your first day of school." Damon joked "your hair's different, I like it."
"it's been 15 years, Damon." Stefan replied
"Thank God, I couldn't take another day of the 90s." Damon smirked "That horrible grunge look, did not suit you." he walked around the room "Remember, Stefan, it's important to stay away from fads."
"Why are you here?" Stefan made the question more clear
"I missed my little brother." Damon replied like it was so simple
"you hate small towns it' boring there is nothing for you to do." Stefan announced
"I've kept myself busy." Damon smirked
Stefan nodded "you know you left that girl alive tonight, very clumsy."
"That could be a problem... for you." Damon lowered his voice
"Why are you here now?" Stefan asked again
"I could ask you the same question, however, I'm fairly certain your answer can be summed up into one little word, Elena." Damon looked at his younger brother
Grace and Elena sat there watching Vicki be moved into the back of an ambulance and a distort Matt following her in here before it left sirens blaring
"Hey, we're gonna go get some coffee and wait for news." Bonnie informed them
"I'm gonna take Jeremy home." Elena replied
"I'll come with you, Bon." Grace looked at Bonnie
"Grace, there is no way I'm psychic." Bonnie announced "But whatever we saw, or think we saw I have this feeling."
"Bonnie, what?" Grace looked at her
"That it's just the beginning." Bonnie replied with a scared look on her face
"She's a dead ringer for Katherine." Damon paced the room slowly "Is it working, Stefan? Being around her, being in her world, does it make you feel alive." He mocked him
"She's not Katherine." Stefan clarified
"Well lets hope not, we all know how that ended." Damon looked at him "All four of us, You, me, Katherine and Fayth."
"because it worked out so well for you." Stefan countered
"Tell me, when's the last time you had something stronger than a squirrel." Damon changed the subject
"I know what you're doing, Damon, it's not gonna work." Stefan rolled his eyes about to leave
Damon grabbed him turning Stefan to face him "Yeah? Don't you crave a little?" Damon smacked him
"Stop." Stefan warned
"Let's do it, together." Damon hit him again "I saw a couple of girls out there." smack "or lets, lets just cut to the chase, lets go straight for Grace and Elena!" Smack
Stefan suddenly shoved him back "Stop it!" He exclaimed
"Imagine what their blood taste like! I can." Damon purred watching his brother turn
"I said stop!" Stefan yelled his eyes turning a deep crimson, black veins forming around them and his fangs clicking down
Launching himself at his older brother they both were thrown through a closed window landing hard on the concrete ground, but only Stefan was laying there as he pulled himself up groaning as he did so.
"I was impressed." Damon announced standing near a bush "I give it a six, miss on style, but I was pleasantly surprised." He joked "very good with the face." he made a goofy growling noise "it was good." he chuckled
"you know, it's all fun and games, Damon, huh? But where ever you go people die." Stefan walked over to him taking his time
"That's a given." Damon shrugged
"not here, I wont allow it." Stefan showed his authority
"I'll take that as an invitation." Damon wiggled his eye brows smirking
Stefan sighed "Damon, please, after all these years can't we just give it a rest." He sounded tired
"I promise you an eternity of misery, so I'm just keeping my word." The older Salvatore shrugged
"Just stay away from Elena." Stefan warned
"Elena isn't the one that I want." Damon smirked "I want the cute Telepath, I mean I've already been invited into her house..."
"you what?" Stefan's brown orbs widened
"Oh yeah, Grace's grandmother and I go way back." Damon laughed "Oh by the way, where's your ring?" Damon questioned
Stefan creased his eye brows when suddenly he looked down to see that his ring wasn't on his finger, missing.
"Oh suns coming up in a couple of hours and poof ashes to ashes." Damon faked worried before he laughed "Relax." he walked over to his younger brother "I got you right here." Damon held Stefan's ring out for him to take
As soon as Stefan took the ring and let his guard down putting it back on Damon grabbed him by his neck his whole face darkening into this demonic state like Stefan's was before and threw Stefan across the yard making him land on the floor standing next to him in seconds
"You should know better than to think you're stronger than me." Damon warned his younger, weaker brother "you lost that fight when you stopped feeding on people, I wouldn't try it again." He threatened before he smirked listening to a door open "I think we woke Zach up." he joked walking away "Sorry, Zach." he called whistling an up-beat tune
"Are you sober yet?" Bonnie asked Caroline whom sat their looking a mess
"Nope." Caroline moaned
"Keep drinking, I've got to get you home, I've got to get Grace home and I've got to get me home." Bonnie joked
"Why didn't he go for me?" Caroline looked at Grace suddenly "I mean, how come the guys that I want never want me?"
"I'm not touching that." Bonnie whispered to Grace
"I'm inappropriate,e I always say the wrong things and Elena always says the right thing." Caroline bitched "She doesn't even try and he just picks her and she's always the one that everyone picks for everything and I try so hard and I'm never the one."
"It's not a competition, Caroline." Grace shook her head
"Yeah it is."
"Don't except me to sit here and bitch about my best friend, it isn't going to happen." Grace crossed her arms
"She got picked for head cheerleader, she got picked by Matt, she got pick with the sympathy vote, she gets picked by Stefan, she even got you!" Caroline exclaimed
"Care." Grace shook her head "Maybe if you didn't have crazy out bursts and acted so obnoxious all the time people would pick you." Grace walked out bumping into someone
"You seem to be making a habit of this." A familiar voice chuckled
"Oh." Grace sized her fringe "Jeez, sorry."
"it's alright." Damon nodded at her "Do you want a Coffee?" he asked
"Actually I was just heading home." she looked down
"Do you want a lift?" Damon offered
"It's ok, I'm here with her." Bonnie walked out "Care said she'd get her mom to pick her up we're free to leave."
"Nice seeing you again, Grace." Damon purred kissing her hand
"You too." Grace blushed
Elena sat there writing in her diary whilst sitting on her window seat, thinking about everything that had happened today when she saw Stefan outside
Both teens rushed for the door, she opened it and stared at him and he looked at her apologetically looking straight into her big chocolate brown eyes
"I'm sorry it's late but I needed to know that you were ok?" Stefan looked at her
"you know, for months that's all anyones ever wondered about me." Elena shrugged "If I'll be ok."
"and what do you tell them?" Stefan asked
Elena paused thinking about it "That I'll be fine." She shrugged
"Do you ever really mean it?" Stefan asked
"Ask me tomorrow." Elena replied "When we're in the house we can talk." Elena moved to the side as if to let him past "would you like to come in?"
"Yes." Stefan walked into the house