Declaimer: Yeah, I don't own anything.

So, yeah. This is one of those OC-WAKES-UP-IN-FICTIONAL-WORLD types of things. This is a strictly Stelena and Damon/OC fanfic, no love triangles but a lot of vampire dickery and lots of pro-Damon-being-happy/pro-everyone being happy. For a few chapters, the plot is going to basically follow TVD's. And then it's going to explode into a million pieces because this OC is a toolbag.

Unlike a few other OC-FALLS-INTO-TVD I've come across, this OC isn't going to be Elena's shadow and follow her around/steal lines. She's going to go out of her way to make everyone's lives hell. And unlike other fics I've come across, her coming into the TVD world is going to be significant to plot and will eventually be explained. Woo.

Where the hell am I?

Confusion chased away the lingering sleep, my mind struggling to clear as I continued to groggily stare at the unfamiliar room, sitting up in the unfamiliar bed. This is super. Waking up in a stranger's house—never done that before. I guess there's a first time for everything.

Maybe I went out and for some reason decided to get blithering drunk and threw my virginity at someone. That was totally possible. Because I totally drank.

Awkwardly, I shoved the Minnie Mouse sheets off myself and froze, staring down at myself, at the pajamas I didn't own, in a state of choking terror. My stomach flipped and twisted, panic flooding.

Someone had dressed me!

Someone—someone took me out of my clothes and put me in pajamas!

I swallowed the scream that was building in my throat, slamming my eyes shut. Calm down. Calm down, calm down, calm down. It was okay. I was okay. I needed to remain clam. Shakily, I peeled my eyes open, trying to control my breathing as my heart slammed against my ribcage painfully.

C'mon, Clare, friggin' calm down. It's fine. Totally, completely, one hundred percent okay. I needed to keep calm, had to keep calm… Otherwise… otherwise panicking and thinking irrationally might get me killed. Just… Creep out of the room, find a phone, call for help.

Okay. Yeah. Sounded logical. Sounded good.

Was I kidnapped?

What I had done last night?

I had been in my apartment. Right? Yeah. I had been in my apartment and… I was with my roommate. And she was making me watch some TV show.

And then nothing.

Blank.

I couldn't remember.

Oh God, oh God, oh God.

Had I been… Kidnapped? Chloroformed? Drugged?

I sucked in a shaky breath and glanced around the room quickly. It looked like a fairly average room (and not at all like some creepy kidnapper's dungeon of despair). Pale yellow walls with various posters of bands that I liked, and white Christmas lights that hung on the wall above the Minnie Mouse themed bed, which was pushed into the corner of room. There was a white closet a few feet from the bed with a tall dresser next to it, and a pretty white vanity dresser up against the wall across from the bed and in between two doors.

Nausea crept up, horror twisting in my stomach painfully. This room was designed for me. It was everything I would have ever wanted, something my mother would never allowed because of how childish it was. I was obsessed with Minnie Mouse. And I was in Minnie Mouse pajamas!

No. No, no, no. This wasn't designed for me. That's crazy.

Someone's obsessed with me and kidnapped me!

Gah!

I glanced down at myself again, my heart skipping—were… were my boobs bigger? They were definitely bigger! I was basically flat chested! How the hell would my boobs have grown this much overnight?

I grabbed my chest. Oh God, this was real. They felt real. What—what the hell…?

Unless it wasn't overnight!

Maybe I've been in a drug haze for—like… Months!

I was thinner, too! Like I'd always been tiny, but I was pretty sure I was a good five pounds smaller! Because I've been in a drug haze! Because I've been sold into a sex slave ring and they gave me boobs! And… put me in a nice room?

Maybe I was abducted by aliens.

A flicker of light snagged my attention, snapping me from my slowly panicking thoughts, and I jerked my head toward the vanity. I inched closer, holding my breath, as my reflection peered back at me.

I stared.

A girl I didn't know stared back at me.

I crept even closer, until I was directly in front of the mirror, staring at the reflection, my mind completely falling blank.

Who the hell was staring back at me?

That wasn't me.

I was still dark haired but my brown eyes were now a blue-gray color and I had a few freckles. I couldn't find an ounce of myself in the reflection. Was this… possible? No. No. This—it just… It wasn't possible. Like at all.

I lifted my hand, and the girl in the reflection copied.

I made faces and she made the same ones.

"BOO!"

This was some SciFi movie shit.

Like FaceOff.

I choked on my own air as my heartbeat spastically jolted, anxiety and panic crushing into me. How was this possible? Who was this girl and why was I looking through her eyes? Where was I?!

No, no, no, no.

This kind of stuff just doesn't happen!

It doesn't!

"Hey," a soft, almost timid, voice called quietly causing me to jump. I snapped my head toward the doorway and nearly shrieked in horror upon seeing that—that girl! That girl from that TV show! That vampire TV show! I gawked at her. "Bon's going to be here in, like… five minutes… Are you coming to school?"

What was her name? Elaine? I merely nodded, dumbstruck, eyeing her. Jesus help me. We looked terrifyingly similar. She offered an awkward smile and slid out of the room. I snapped my head back to the mirror. We had noticeable facial differences and my hair was a few shades darker but other than that we were obvious sister. Hell, we could even be twins.

I was dreaming, I realized with a hysterical giggle. I was dreaming! Like a rush, relief swept through me so powerfully I nearly fell over. Oh God. Okay. It was a dream. A crazy ass, trippy, dream. But this was what I get for being forced into a weekend of Vampire Diaries. Join my fandom, Clare! It'll be fun, my roommate promised. You'll like it, she said! Pffft.

Puppy does not want!

I was filled with regret the moment the show had started.

And now, when I woke up, I was going to kill her. I didn't care if that meant I'd rot away in jail. I freakin' thought I had been kidnapped. And then—I wasn't even sure where my train of thought had gone. This was all the result of a Vampire Diaries marathon, tumblr, zero sleep and a bag of pixie sticks. I was pretty sure the main chick didn't have a sister in the show.

WHICH MEANT I WAS A MARY-SUE!

No!

In my own friggin' dream!

What the hell?

Moodily, I slumped over to the closet and shifted through the clothes. Christ. Dream me had the same sense of style as real life me. Well, of course I did. Duh. It was my dream! I threw on a black, red polka-dotted, Minnie Mouse top, wiggled into faded skinny jeans, and slid into a pair of platform converse that had an old fashioned Minnie Mouse designed on them. I was pretty sure these were custom made. Fancy.

"Clarissa!" I heard someone shout and I rolled my eyes.

"Coming!" I snapped back, like, calm yourself! It takes a few friggin' minutes to get ready!

I was briefly disturbed that they knew my name, but remembered it was my dream, so. Yeah. Obviously they would! Irritated that I had to go to school in my own friggin' dream, I snatched a messenger bag with Minnie Mouse printed across the front of it and sauntered into the hall.

I bounced down the last step just as a flustered woman came skidding into view, halting at the door, and giving me an approving once over. I raised my eyebrows back at her.

"There's some coffee made if you want—not that I think you should have any. No you probably shouldn't—sorry, I'm late! Have a good first day, Clare!" She said quickly, rushing out the door and I frowned after her.

Who the hell was that?

S'whateva.

I sauntered into the kitchen just as a freakishly tall, messy haired, guy grunted a "don't start" at vampire girl. He rose a mega huge mug (it was obviously a bowl) to his mouth.

"Sup, little dude?" Because he was tall so I was mocking it. Get it? Oh man, I'm hilarious. He threw me a look and stalked past me. Rude. "Okay! Remember, YOLO!"

Hey, I was dreaming, and I knew I was dreaming. So I obviously was going to have fun with it. He turned to look at me like I was nuts and I smiled sweetly back at him.

"So… How are you feeling today, Clare?" Vampire girl asked hesitantly, leaning against the counter, holding the mega cup between her hands. Her dark eyes met mine awkwardly, like she was waiting for me to flip out or something.

Let's make this weirder and more awkward.

"Swiggity swag it's all in the bag," I stated dispassionately, looking at the girl seriously.

Surprise flickered across her face and she parted her lips, about to say something, when there was a knock at the door. Vampire girl put the mug down, leaning off the counter. "Must be Bonnie," she said with an awkward smile, like I was supposed to know who that was.

"Heeeeello!" A girl said in a cheerful singsong, inviting herself in rudely, and prancing into the kitchen, grinning at us widely. I immediately recognized her, she was the witch! She threw her arms out wide, as though to embrace us. "Elena! Clare! My two favorite twins!"

Elena, Miss Vampire Girl, laughed and it came off as sounding slightly relieved, all the tension rolling off her as she walked into Bonnie's arms. "We're the only twins you know, Bon," she reminded.

Bonnie waved the comment aside and turned her gaze toward me. "Get your butt over here, girl, and give me some love!"

Oh.

Well, okay. I tried to keep my face from crinkling up with displeasure as I awkwardly inched over to this fictional dream stranger. I stood there, politely letting her hug me and was annoyed at the sympathetic look she sent me. She glanced over toward Elena who nodded. What the heeeeell? Secret communication between the two of them about me? In my own friggin' dream? So rude.

Apparently I only had the ability to dream about rude fictional characters. Great.

"Care's gonna meet us at school," Bonnie said in a chipper voice as I followed the two out of the house. "She's actually already there. I think she said something about starting a new committee this year?"

Elena snorted. "That's so Caroline."

I eyed the freakin' blue Toyota Prius unhappily as Bonnie gushed to Elena how her Grams and Dad surprised her with this sometime over the summer. Woo frickin' hoo. Before hopping into the back, I snuck a glance at the license plate. Virginia? Why would I be dreaming of Virginia? What was even in Virginia worth dreaming about? I was pretty sure everything outside New York was a wasteland.

"Soooooo…" Bonnie began after a period of silence, in which I had spent staring at the passing town, taking in the unfamiliar buildings. I was hella creative, look at this whole world I'm imagining! "How have you been, Clare?" She was fishing.

But for what, I had no idea.

"Fine," I said with an indifferent shrug as Bonnie glanced at me from the rear view mirror.

"We're fine," Elena agreed quietly.

"Weeeell, I guess I'll tell you what I've been up to, then," Bonnie said happily. "I've been hanging out with Grams a lot this summer and she's been telling me I'm psychic." Spoiler warning, you're a witch. "Our ancestors were from Salem—witches and all that. I know, craaaaazy! But she went on and on and on and I'm like, put this woman in a home already!" Her tone was playful and amused, clearly stating she didn't actually feel that way.

"I dunno," I interrupted with a grin. "I think it's cool. I mean, imagine if you were?"

"Well… I did predict Obama," Bonnie allowed thoughtfully, nodding. "And I predicted Heath Ledger. And I still think Florida will break off and turn into little resort islands."

I found myself feeling more at ease, an amused grin twitching across my face. I liked this chick. "Sounds legit. Maybe you should write down your predictions in a book and see if they come true later on."

Bonnie made a humming noise of agreement. "That's not a bad idea at all," she said with a smile. All my ideas were pure brilliance. "What do you think, Elena? Elena!" My dream twin snapped her head around and Bonnie laughed. "Welcome back to reality!"

"Oh—I… I did it again, didn't I?" Elena groaned, sighing in frustration, and I wondered what her problem was. Oh. Right. Grieving teenager with dead parents. Yikes. "I'm sorry, guys, you were talking about…?"

"Aboooout," Bonnie sang. "Me being psychic now. Clare's totally on board with it."

"Yup. Gotta get with the times, Elena," I bobbed my head and Elena turned her head to give me a tiny, amused, look. I raised my eyebrows back at her and her expression became more relaxed. Her smile grew and she shook her head, turning back around.

"Riiiiight. Okay. Then predict something about me."

"I see—"

THAWK.

I jumped out of my skin as the two gasped, Bonnie slamming on her brakes and swerving to the side of the road.

"CHRIST!" I hissed, placing a hand over my pounding heart. Give me a friggin' heart attack! If this dream turned into a nightmare, I was not going to be happy!

"What was that!" Bonnie cried, turning around to look at me with wide eyes.

"You just hit a bird! Like a real friggin' bird!" I leaned forward, turning to look at my dream sister. She was white as a sheet, breathing hard. I felt a twinge of pity for her. "You… okay?"

Bonnie snapped her head toward the shaking girl, guilt and concern flashing across her now anxious face. "Oh my God, Elena! Are you okay? I'm—sorry—crap. Are you okay?" Worry stretched across Bonnie's voice.

"I-It's… It's okay," Elena managed after a moment, her voice shaking. "I'm—I'm fine, really. It's okay. I'm okay. It's fine."

I tapped my fingertips against the headrest, feeling antsy and awkward.

"It was—it was a bird, or something, it came out of nowhere," Bonnie continued anxiously and I was caught up with this bizarre need to comfort Elena. I just felt so bad for her, she was really shaken up. I placed a hand on her shoulder and she grabbed it, giving it a squeeze.

"It's f-fine—Bon, it's fine. I… I can't… I can't be freaked out b-by cars for the rest of my life," Elena whispered. That was a crap philosophy.

"Nobody is rushing you to get over anything, okay? That's bullcrap. There is no expiration date where you're supposed to be suddenly over something." I told her firmly and Elena turned, a sad little smile on her face. She needed a lot of hugs.

And a puppy.

"Clare's right," Bonnie said happily, turning to give me a wide smile before turning to Elena. "I predict this year is going to be kickass. I predict all the sadness, and anger," she glanced at me and I frowned, confused. "And dark times are over and you and Clare are going to be beyond happy."

"Cheers to that," I sat back. Only not, because I was going to wake up and they were going to be stuck in lots of horrible death and misery forever. Endless vampire dickery. It's canon. Inescapable canon.

It didn't take much longer to get to the school. I unhappily stared at the looming white and red building, MYSTICA FALLS HIGH SCHOOL printed in large white lettering. I almost rolled my eyes. Mystic Falls was such a supernatural name. Could they be any more obvious? Bonnie parked and I slid out of the car, awkwardly linking arms with Elena feeling a need to latch onto some kind of familiarity. She paused to look at me but didn't say anything as we followed Bonnie through the throngs of students scattered in front of the building. Which was kind of weird. Why the hell were these kids hanging outside the school?

"Here's to hoping we have a fantastic year," Elena muttered to me as Bonnie pushed open the doors and I was swamped with a horrible realization. Dream or not, I didn't know my class schedule! Or where any of my freakin' classes were! "I'm just glad you're in all my classes this year… I don't know if I could handle it if you weren't."

I offered an awkward smile, my nerves brimming. Thank God. I didn't know why it made me so stupidly anxious. I mean, this was a dream. I could strip down and run around naked if I wanted.

"Well, this sucks. Nobody has gotten hotter over the summer." Bonnie grumbled.

"Maybe there'll be some new students," I grinned, amused. "Like some sexy beast." Like some murderous vampires.

Bonnie rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah right. Nobody wants to live here. It's snoozeville."

"You never know," Elena said with a small shrug. "Someone might decide to pick up their entire life and relocate. Maybe they like boring routine where everybody knows you and your business."

Ohh, just you wait. It'll be all hot vampire with smoldering eyes and instant true love. Bonnie laughed as we stopped at a locker. Which I guess it was hers, since she was playing with the combination. Either that or we were assholes and broke into other's people's lockers for the shits and giggles. Her laughter faded, a frown crossing her face, as she glanced over our shoulders. I turned my head, spotting a stereotypical blonde jock standing at his locker, staring at Elena like he was emotionally devastated. Or about to shoot everyone. I wasn't really sure. Elena waved and he turned away.

Wow. Rude.

Only rude people in this dream world.

"He hates me," Elena muttered, turning around and leaning against the lockers. I patted her on the shoulder as she crossed her arms, a guilty pout tilting across her face.

There, there, dream sister. I'm sure if you're cute in his face he'll be into you hardcore.

"That's not hate," Bonnie assured but I wasn't sure, 'cause it kind of looked like hate. Or anguish. Maybe hateful anguish. "That's 'you dumped me but I'm too cool to show it. But secretly I'm listening to Air Supply's Greatest Hits'."

Well that would explain his angst. Poor guy.

"Or Whitney Houston." He kind of looked like the type to sing that alone in his bedroom while crying. Elena shot me a look that I grinned at.

"Clare!"

I jumped as a perky blonde bounced into our space, throwing her arms around me. I flailed and we fell back into the lockers as she hugged me tightly. Oh my God, why? This wasn't super awkward or anything! She pulled back, worry flashing across her face.

"Do you… still need space?" The worry was quickly replaced by irritation and she swatted my arm. Ouch! Why?! "You ignored all my calls! I haven't heard from you all summer! Like, I get it, you're in a funk, but I freakin' missed you."

"Sorry?" I didn't know what to say. I must've been dream friends with her. Christ. She narrowed her blue eyes at me briefly before turning to Elena.

"So? Are you going to finally talk to me? How have you been?" She demanded and Elena rolled her eyes with a smile.

"Caroline, relax, I'm fine." Elena assured. Caroline raised her eyebrows, clearly not believing her, and her big blue eyes flickered in my direction. How the hell was I supposed to know? I offered a noncommittal shrug.

"Really?"

"Yes. Much better." Elena was the world's shittiest liar. Caroline glanced at me, again, and I gave the tiniest shake of my head. Sighing, Caroline pulled Elena into a hug.

"You can talk to me, I'm here for you," Caroline said softly.

"Awww, same here." Bonnie said, grabbing my arm and dragging me into the now four-way hug.

"Guys, we're fine! Seriously!" Elena insisted with a laugh as I wiggled out of the weird hug.

Caroline released Elena, grinning. "Okay, see you guys later?" I nodded, because I wasn't sure what else to do or say. She pinned me with a look. "When I text you, you better text me back." She narrowed her eyes at me and I raised my hands in defense, nodding. "Good."

She spun on her heels and pranced away.

Christ.

"I guess we should get to first period," Bonnie groaned. "Mr. Tanner first thing in the morning, I think I've been cursed."

"Maybe you could use your witch powers and turn him into a frog," I suggested causing the dark skinned girl to roll her eyes and swat my arm, a grin spreading across her face. Not even kidding, if I was a witch, it'd be the first spell I learned.

"Shut up," Bonnie snorted. A serious look followed her amusement, her gaze softening. "I'm glad you're becoming like your old self again… You too, Elena, I really missed you guys."

Okaaay?

"Can't be sad or angry forever," Elena shrugged a shoulder, glancing in my direction.

I hated how I felt like I was missing half the conversation, because I was totally out of the loop on what the hell they were going on about. I guess I've been pissed off and moody in dream land. Maybe I've been like stuck on my period for a while.

A ringing went off and I dug through my messenger bag, finding a pink flip phone. Huh. Okay. Putting it on silent, I opened a text message from Caroline: r things going 2 go bak 2 how they were?

"Hold up," Bonnie grabbed my arm, preventing me from walking into Elena, as I quickly texted a reply to Caroline, letting her know I was gonna be a little off but we were on track to being BFF again. "Who's this?"

"All I see is back," Elena commented on, amused, and I looked up, glancing at them and then into the office. Oh look. There's that vampire guy. Goodie.

"It's a hot back," Bonnie hummed just as my phone buzzed. I flipped it open.

Caroline's text: good I missed u its not the same w/ bonnie

I knew it was a dream, and I knew once I woke up none of this mattered, but I smiled anyway, feeling warmed. Having a dream best friend was kind of cool. I texted her back: that's because nobody can have a better friendship than us. I'm sorry if I was distant. It'll change, ok?

"Maybe Clare's the psychic," Elena joked lightly. "She did just call there being a new student." I spoiled it for everyone.

"Mmm, we can set up a fortune reading table in the hall and give people readings between classes," I deadpanned as I pocketed my cellphone.

"I'm sensing…" Bonnie began in a playful voice, raising one hand to her temple. "Seattle. And he plays the guitar." And he eats people.

Wait I think this is the good vampire.

He eats bunnies.

Classy as hell.

Elena snorted. "You're really going to run this whole psychic thing into the ground, huh?"

"Pretty much," Bonnie grinned, tilting her gaze to me. "What do you think, Clare?"

"I think you're dead right." I said cheerfully and she nudged my shoulder, grinning playfully.

"No, I mean about the hottie. What do you think?"

Pfft. "I've seen better backs."

Elena's grin slid off her face and she grabbed my arm. "We'll be right back," she muttered and I frowned at her, confused, turning to glance at Bonnie as Elena dragged me away.

Okaaay, apparently she was leading us to the boy's bathroom? "I support you and how you feel about your body," I assured the taller girl seriously as she ripped the door open and tugged us inside.

"Jeremy!" Elena didn't even seem to hear me as she launched herself at the tall guy from before. I awkwardly stood in the corner. It's not like I'd never been in a boy's bathroom before, sometimes when I had to pee mega bad and the ladies was packed, I'd sneak in.

But that's mostly because I'm an asshole. This was just weird.

"Are you serious right now?" She snapped at the kid. "It's the first day! The first day, Jer! And you're stoned!"

Oh God.

"No I'm not." The kid, Jeremy, denied moodily.

Cue the music. Here comes a 7th Heaven family drama moment.

"Where is it?" Elena demanded, trying to check his pockets. He slapped her hands away. "Is it on you?"

"Oh my God, stop, okay?" He stepped away from her. "You need to chill out!"

"Eleeena," I grabbed her arms before he could lunge at him. "It's okay! Everyone… You know, grieves differently! It's not so bad, he's only doing pot." Like he could be in here doing meth.

She shook me off and whirled around, staring at me with hurt anger. "That's just like you, Clare! Yeah, let's play the good twin, bad twin! I'm not the bad guy here! And you always take Jeremy's side!" She had no reason to be mad at me! Awkwardly, I shifted, guilt washing over me. I didn't even know why! I had nothing to be guilty over! "This is not okay!"

"He needs to sort himself out! Yelling at him and making him feel guilty isn't helping him! When he's ready to talk, he will!" It didn't matter if I didn't really get what was going on, but this was my dream, damn it. I was holding my ground. Elena threw her hands up.

"No! I gave him a summer pass but I am done watching him destroy himself! Is that what you're going to let him do? Destroy his future by wasting away smoking pot?" She tossed Jeremy a look as I was left to wonder how this all happened so quickly. "Just so you know, I will be here, to ruin your buzz every time. You got it? Clare might not think this is serious, but I do."

Without another word, she turned around and stomped out of the bathroom. Jeez. That was exhausting. When was I going to wake up? I glanced back to the upset Jeremy.

"Hey…" This was really awkward. We were siblings, right? "Uh, don't shut me out okay?" What else to say? "You're—uh… not the only one hurting." I didn't know what else to say to the kid. But I knew what grief could do, it wasn't something that ever really left you, and I kind of felt like I had to be somehow—you know, sisterly.

"You don't have to stick up for me, I'm not a kid anymore." Jeremy snapped after a really awkward moment of silence passed. Okaaaay.

"We're, you know… Family and shit," Right? "Sooo… I'm gonna go… I guess you really took the whole YOLO thing to heart."

I quickly made for the exit, hoping Elena wasn't too far away. I'd be screwed to awkwardly wander the halls of my dream, because like hell I knew where anything was!

I nearly crashed into some loser standing in front of the door.

"Whoops, sorry dude!" I apologized quickly while cursing him for standing directly in front of the door, scanning the hall for Elena's moody ass.

"It's—it's alright," the guy stammered as I easily side stepped him, spotting Elena and prancing after her.

"Look, Elena, I'm sorry, I just—" I began once I caught up with her.

"It's fine," she murmured, glancing over her shoulder before turning back to look at me. "I get it. Maybe this will help him snap out of it…"

Who?

Oh. Right.

That Jeremy kid.

"Did you see his face?" Bonnie asked excitedly as she fell into step with us. Who? See whose face? "Oh my God, he's totally hot!"

"Who?" I demanded unhappily. Why was I constantly left out of the loop?

"Yeah, I bumped into him," Elena said with a faint smile as Bonnie frowned at me.

"God, Clare, can you be any more oblivious? The new kid!"

The vampire. "Ew. You mean that weirdo hanging out in front of the bathroom door? Who even does that? I'll tell you who. Freaky people with issues. You should avoid him."

They decided to not take my amazing advice that would have saved their lives, and instead talked about the possibilities of where he was from (a coffin) and what he was like (a vampire) all the way to class.

This was literally the worst dream I have ever had. Could this teacher make history anymore boring…? I passed the time by drawing little doodles of Batman. Like, what kind of dream makes you listen to a teacher talk about history? For what felt like forty minutes? When I wake up, I'm immediately getting therapy. Something was clearly wrong with me.

At the end of class, Caroline snatched me up.

"Did you see the new student?" Caroline demanded gleefully, smirking. God, no, why? "He's so hot!"

Noooo.

"He's not my type."

Caroline rolled her eyes, snorting. "You don't have a type, you're like, friggin' asexual. You'll sooner start budding like a tree then go out with a guy." I would be a magnificent tree. "But, whatever! You're going to help me get him, right?" She batted her eyelashes at me and my lips twitched upward. I grinned at her.

Sure. Why the hell not?

"Yep. He won't stand a chance, Care," I promised happily, linking my arms with her. Surprise flashed before a wide smile burst across her face. She gave my arm a squeeze.

"So glad you're back," Caroline gushed. "This year is going to be amazing!"

By the time the school day was over with, I was about ready to fling myself out an open window. I'd already went through high school! What the hell was this?! Like I know they say dreams feel a lot slower when you're dreaming but this was ridiculous! Oh my God!

"Um," Elena tentatively hovered awkwardly next to me, dark eyes hesitant and I tilted away from glaring at the locker, looking for the witch.

"Where's Bonnie?"

"I… I'm gonna go visit Mom and Dad…" Elena's gaze lowered, guilt loud on her face, as she fidgeted. Okaaay. This was getting old fast.

"We're walking?" Is that what she was trying to tell me? I mean, no big deal. Whatever. Elena's dark eyes flashed up to meet mine. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Yeah—this morning… it has me feeling a little jumpy…" Elena confessed awkwardly and I repressed a sigh.

"Okay. Let's get goin' then." I linked my arms through hers. Physical contact seemed to relax her and I wasn't really sure what the big deal was.

Everyone was really weird about the whole affectionate thing when it came to me.

Maybe dream me hated being touched.

It might've been a small town, but everything still felt like a billion miles away. I was starting to miss the city. It was calm and quiet here. I missed the constant noise and the smells and the people and the way the subway shook the ground under my feet.

I made do by skipping around Elena, playfully pulling her scarf off and wrapping it dramatically around my neck. Elena rolled her eyes, grinning.

"I'm… happy to see you in a good mood," she said softly. "It feels like it's been such a long time since I've even seen you smile." Spare me.

"Well, new school year, new beginnings!" I told her cheerfully as she led me through the creepy ass cemetery.

"Yeah. I guess so." Elena plopped down on the ground, leaning against a headstone. "I'm just gonna write in my journal for a sec."

I frowned at her as she made herself comfortable, opening a little book. Reeaally…? 'Cause writing angsty things in a cemetery was normal.

Whatever.

Maybe this represented something about myself. Dreams were weird like that.

I tossed her scarf back and slid my gaze toward the headstone across from us. Grayson and Miranda Gilbert. Must be my dead dream parents. Kind of cool that dream dad's name was Grayson. Sucks that dream mom's name was Miranda. I was now picturing my dream parents to be Dick Grayson and Miranda for Mass Effect. What an odd couple.

A black crew flew down on the gravestone and cawed angrily at me. Rude.

"This is just like in The Crow," I grinned, wiggling my fingers in mock greeting to the bird. I had never been so close to one before. This was kind of neat.

"This isn't creepy or anything," Elena mumbled with a sigh, twirling her pen between her fingers and I turned to give her a look. Says the girl writing sad poetry in a graveyard!

"Yup. Now a guy in face paint is gonna come out and kill us." I said teasingly and she threw me a look. "Hey! I'm just saying! Crows are the bringer of death."

"Ravens are the messenger of death, Clare," Elena corrected and I frowned back at her.

"Same thing." Like seriously. Don't even correct me, it's my dream.

Where was this fog coming from? I stepped away from the gravestone as she stood up, the thick white fog swirling around us. Was this normal for backwater middle of nowhere places to get sudden fog? Or were there some gothic kids somewhere in the graveyard with a fog machine?

"This just got super creepy!" I whispered, backing up. Elena nodded, moving closer to the bird, making a shooing motion with her hand. "Oh my God, don't get near it! Crows remember that kind of stuff! It'll come back to kill us!"

I was like eighty percent sure this dream was hurtling into a fucking nightmare!

"Shoo! Shoo!" Elena hissed and the bird flapped his wings, cawing angrily, as it flew away. She turned back to me. "It's okay. It's gone now."

I opened my mouth when an angry caw erupted. I jumped, anxiety crunching into me, as I whirled around. I screeched in surprise. The crow was behind us! My heart frantically sped up.

"I think we should go!" It didn't care if she didn't feel the same way, I was getting the hell out of here!

"Clare! Wait!" Elena called after me, the fog becoming thicker.

I was having a nightmare!

This was now a nightmare!

This was stupid! This dream was stupid! I wanted to wake up now!

"Care! Clare!" Elena's voice was getting further away and I just didn't care!

I sank to the ground, hugging my knees to my chest, squeezing my eyes shut tightly. I just wanted to wake up! I needed to wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!

"Bad day?"

I snapped my head up at the sound of a slightly amused voice. Blinking rapidly, I peered up at a dark haired man who crouched down next to me, his striking blue eyes meeting mine. He was, by far, the most beautiful person I had ever seen.

And he looked oddly familiar.

Oh.

Wait.

Now I remembered.

It was the Evil Vampire Brother.

Great. Freakin' great.

"I'm dreaming and I can't wake up." I told him flatly causing his lips to twitch upward. "Are you going to kill me?"

Evil Vampire Brother furrowed his brow, blue eyes lit with mischief. "Mm? Now why would I do that?" He drawled in a puzzled tone. Bitch was toying with me. I saw enough episodes of Vampire Diaries to know that.

"Because we're in a creepy cemetery filled with fog." Maybe if I died in dream land, I'd wake up. "And we're surrounded by crows. That's a murder."

Evil Vampire Brother snorted, raising his eyebrows at me mockingly. Jerk. "You're just filled with positive thoughts, huh?" He gracefully rose to his feet, offering a hand.

I knew I probably shouldn't take it. I felt like somewhere, somehow, taking his hand was going to symbolize something. Dreams were mega weird like that. He tilted his head slightly and I decided, to hell with it, and reached up, taking it.

A jolt ran through me at the contact and I jerked my hand back, swaying slightly as I stood. What the hell was that? I frowned. Creepy. If he felt it, he didn't comment on it.

"So what are you doing in a cemetery?" I asked, brushing myself off.

"Stalking with the intent to kill," Evil Vampire Brother said pleasantly, a taunting smirk flickering across his lips. "Obviously. What else do people even do in cemeteries these days?"

Oh my God. Amusement sprang through me. "It's true. Tough business you're in," I said, playing along, with a solemn nod. "I heard it's really cut-throat."

"Mmhm. It's a dream job that people just die for," Evil Vampire Brother said, his voice dipping into a playful drawl. I tried to keep a straight face, but I ended up bursting into laughter. I felt like I haven't laughed all dream day. He squinted his blue eyes, his smirk growing. "You're fun, I like you."

"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself." I was pretty sure this was the point where he kills me.

"I'm Damon," he said instead of lunging at me and ripping my throat out. So he wanted to drag this out.

"I'm Clare—um, Clarissa," I said, totally awkward, offering a hand. Like what was I supposed to do? Be polite to the nice evil vampire, right?

Damon gently took my hand, his skin was warm and very real against mine, and brought it to his mouth. His blue gaze locked with mine as he kissed the back of my hand and I gaped back at him, warmth spreading across my cheeks.

Oh jeez.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Clarissa," Damon murmured lowly, his hot breath ghosting across the back of my hand. I merely stared back at him.

I bet he was imagining killing me. Yeah. He probably was. Just blood and guts everywhere.

I gently pulled my hand back, grinning in faint amusement. "You really got that whole McSteamy thing down pretty good," I commented on with a laugh. I flashed him a cheerful grin. If he wasn't gonna kill me, then I was leaving. "But I gotta jet. See you around, Damon." Only not, because I was waking up.

"Until the next time, Clarissa," he promised, and I was pretty sure that meant he was gonna stalk and kill me. What a sweetheart.

I turned away, hopefully finding the way Elena went before Damon decided it was dinner time. Sure, I'd like it if he'd just kill me so I'd wake up, but I really wasn't in the mood for it turning almost nightmare-y again.

"Clare!" Elena called, sounding relieved, as I stumbled down a steep hill. I nearly fell flat on my friggin' face! "Did you see which way he went?"

"Who?" I asked and she frowned, glancing around us. Damon?

"I… Never mind." She sighed. "Come on, let's go home."

"How was your first day?" The chick, who I had come to learn was our aunt Jenna, asked as she popped into the kitchen.

"It was fine," Elena said distractedly, flipping through a book that was on the island. She actually made us do our homework immediately when getting home.

It seriously sucked.

I had to do homework.

In my dream.

"I met a serial killer," I announced, picking up an apple from the fruit bowl. "We hit it off pretty decently, I don't think I'm on his list just yet."

Jenna and Elena stared at me and then at each other, both grinning.

"Good God, it's been far too long," Jenna said happily and I frowned at her as she leaned closer, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "I'm glad you're feeling like your old self again, Clare."

What the shit?

I have been saying all this crap for the delicious shock value and they just accepted this as me being normal?

Well, okay, then.

I'd just have to up everything.

My phone buzzed as I took a bite out of the apple and I pulled it out. Caroline texted with: meet me n bon at the grill

The grill?

Kay see you soon, I texted back, turning to Elena. The plans have been made. "Care wants us to meet her and Bonnie at the grill."

Elena turned toward Jenna who was making her way to the fridge. "Is that okay, Jenna?"

Jenna nodded before pausing, spinning around to face us. "Waaaait. Don't be home late, it's a school night!" She made a face, amused, and Elena gave an approving nod.

"Perfect." Elena said with a grin, linking arms with me.

"Jenna levels up. She has reached parental guardian," I deadpanned. Great job. Give yourself a pat on the back.

"Ha. Ha." Jenna called after us as we reached the door.

Good Vampire Brother stood outside of the house, surprise flickering across his face. He lowered his hand, as if he had been about to knock, and I was pleased that I actually remembered this part of the episode.

"Oh!" Elena took a step backwards, surprised. Good Vampire Brother looked equally startled. "Hi!"

"Hi." He echoed, glancing between us, eyes slightly round.

"Who is this?" I wondered, sending a sly grin to Elena. She flushed prettily, an embarrassed smile tilting across her lips.

"Um, this is Stefan." She introduced, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, turning to glance back at the vampire shyly. Aw. "Stefan, this is my twin sister Clarissa."

"You can call me Clare, everyone does," I grinned, pulling out my phone, remembering my devoted vow to Caroline. I texted: Stefan stopped by should I invite him?

"It's nice to meet you, Clare," Stefan said politely. Elena elbowed my arm in a sort of way that demanded be polite. I decided to pointedly ignore her and Stefan, choosing to look at my phone, and Stefan cleared his throat awkwardly. "I… uh… Just wanted to apologize for my disappearing act earlier."

Caroline text was immediate: OMG YES but y is he there? ?

"That's rude of you, Steffy," I said loudly. I could feel Elena's glare.

"Ignore my sister, she's an ass," Elena said pleasantly. Jerk. "It's fine. Really. No big deal. I get it, you don't like blood."

"Or he's a psycho murderer and the sight of your blood was too tempting," I suggested happily, texting Caroline back with: dunno I think they ran into each other earlier and hes apologizing. Trying to make him sound like a dick to elena! "Because why else would a nice guy leave a hurt, bleeding, girl all alone?" I lifted my head, giving him a look, and his expression shifted toward uneasy.

Good.

"Clarissa!" Elena hissed and I smothered an amused grin.

"I'm truly sorry about that, how is your leg?" Stefan looked like a kicked puppy. "Is it better?"

"It's infected," I said gravely, with mock sadness. "We're going to have to cut it off. If only there had been someone there to rush her to the emergency room." Elena smacked my arm as my phone buzzed.

"It's fine! My leg is totally fine! Just a scratch." Elena assured as I read Caroline's text: tell me everything when u get here

"I'm… I'm glad." Stefan said awkwardly. "I, um… also wanted to return this to you." Stefan held up Elena's journal. She brightened as I clucked my tongue against the roof of my mouth.

"A jerk and a thief," I noted with a disapproving tone.

Stefan's eyes went wide. "No, no! I just stumbled across it!"

"Clare!" Elena hissed. "Stop being rude!" Never.

"So you read it," I eyed Stefan, who blanched.

"No!"

Elena put a hand on her forehead as if she couldn't believe I was doing this. Oh yeah, I was doing this. I was that guy.

"Then how did you know who it belongs to? How did you even know where we lived?" I turned to Elena who was staring daggering into me. "This guy is a creep! A stalker!"

"I just asked! This is a small town!" Stefan said quickly, looking ready to bolt.

"My name is on the journal," Elena snapped at me before turning to give Stefan an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry about Clare. If you read my journal, it's understandable—"

"No, I didn't. I wouldn't have," Stefan insisted quickly, his green eyes locked with Elena's. "I have a journal too, so I understand the need for privacy." Uh huh. I'm sure.

"Ohh, well, I see now!" I said the same time Elena swooned with a "You have a journal?"

"I… yeah," Stefan looked at me cautiously, and then to Elena, his gaze softening. "I like to write down everything before I forget, memories are important."

"You're not a creepy stalker at all, you're just gay." I nodded, flashing him a grin and Elena smacked me with her journal. Why was I always being hit? Whatever! "We're going to the grill to meet up with some friends, wanna come with?"

Elena's expression tilted toward surprise before she turned to look at Stefan with a hopeful smile. Stefan mirrored her surprise before getting caught up in Elena's gaze. Gross.

"Yeah, I'd like that." He smiled at her and Elena brightened.

Totally ignored over here. I was the one who suggested it, too! Where was my smiles?

"Great," Elena breathed. "Okay… I'm just gonna… put this down," she lifted the journal, sounding a little dazed, and motioned for Stefan to follow her inside. He stepped closer and paused.

I wondered what he'd do if I mentioned vampires needed to be invited inside.

I grinned at the thought.

"I'm—um. Fine." He took a step back, looking at me hesitantly. "I'm sorry if I've unintentionally offended you in any way, or given you the wrong impression about me." Aw, and he looked real earnest about it too. I smiled at him sweetly.

"If you trick, lie to, or hurt my sister in any way, they'll never find your body," I promised him pleasantly but Stefan merely grinned back at me, as though he were amused.

I wasn't freakin' kidding, I'd stake him in the face.

"That's admirable, being protective of your family." He said softly. "I like that." No, jerk, you're supposed to be frightened.

Elena returned with car keys. "Ready?" She looked between us.

"Shotgun," I skipped past Stefan, pulling out my phone to text everything to Caroline, especially the part where I told Elena I thought Stefan was gay. It was a real LOL moment for us.

For someone who was traumatized by cars, Elena sure had a large one. A freakin' SUV. Stefan was a real sport about letting me sit up front, but I called shotgun and I was pretty sure he was going to try to be on my good side. Which was going to be impossible. No amount of anguished vampire brooding with big sad eyes was going to make me like him.

"So are you fitting in at school?" Elena asked, kindly. "I can imagine it being really difficult, we've never had a new student and we've all known each other since Kindergarten."

I didn't know any of you fuckers.

"It's a… difficult transition, but I'm glad I'm here." Stefan said and oh boy, there goes Elena getting all doe eyed. "I'm feeling more and more accepted."

My phone buzzed and I glanced at the text from Caroline: tyler cornered me n asked bout u

Who the hell was Tyler and why was I supposed to care? I texted back: what does he want. That was neutral, right? Yeah.

Caroline's reply was immediate: idk its weird did something happen between u 2 over the summer n u didn't tell me? ? Hes asking if ur seeing anybody

I frowned. Shit. I texted back: ? ? ? no. super weird. Are we even friends.

I mean, was that weird to ask? My phone buzzed with: last time I checked no! !

Huh. Did someone like the dream me? I hoped not. I wasn't in the mood for dream romance. Elena pulled into a parking spot and I threw the door open, eager to converse with Caroline and plot.

"See you losers in there!" I said happily, prancing into the building.

Jesus Christ. Was this the right place? I'm pretty sure I just walked into a freakin' bar. I spotted Bonnie sitting next to the anguished jock from earlier and offered a small wave that she happily returned. Skipping, I made a beeline for Caroline who was giving me an uncomfortable look, a dark haired boy standing in front of her with a pool cue in hand.

Twenty bucks says that's Tyler.

I bounced next to the blonde. "Whatcha drinking?" I asked, looking at the very alcoholic-ish looking drink. Caroline offered it to me.

"It's unsweetened raspberry ice tea." Caroline's gaze flicking to who I assumed Tyler was and then back to me. She tilted her head toward him and I took a sip of her drink, pretending that I wasn't picking up on her not-so subtle body language.

"So, Clare," Tyler said in a cheesy smooth voice, leaning against the cue, a cocky smirk on his face. I knew his type. I used to hang around his type. "Caroline tells me you're not seeing anyone."

"Being blind is no joking matter," I stared back at him flatly. I had little patience for this crap. Especially since I was dreaming.

"I'm gonna go say hi to Elena," Caroline chirped, snatching her drink out of my hand rudely and making her way toward Stefan, who was talking to Anguished Jock.

I've been abandoned.

"You know what I meant," Tyler tugged my attention back to him. He seemed to be trying to not appear annoyed. Good. "I'm not seeing anyone—well, nobody my mother would like me to be seen with, so I'm giving you the great opportunity to be seen with me at the Founder's party."

What the hell was that?

Didn't care.

"Nope."

"We just have to walk in together," like that was really going to make a difference.

"No." What wasn't he getting?

"You'd go by yourself?" He wondered with a scoff and I looked at him oddly. He didn't know, I could have plans to go with someone else!

"Hey you don't know, I might not even be here for the party. I might be somewhere else." Like awake. He frowned at me, opening his mouth, but I decided it was time to leave. He was a weirdo.

I made my way back to Caroline who shot me a curious look. I leaned closer to her.

"He won't take no for an answer, he wants us to be seen together at the Founder's party. He's trying to use me as arm candy," I gossiped in her ear. Caroline snorted, pulling back to raise her eyebrows. We turned, glancing at Tyler who threw us a dirty look back.

"What a loser." She giggled, rolling her eyes and motioning me to sit down. I sat between Stefan and Elena (I quickly told her what happened and she shot Tyler a dirty look). Bonnie sat on Stefan's other side and Caroline sat across from him.

"The food here is fantastic," Bonnie was saying to Stefan as I flipped through the menu curiously.

"I don't know why you even bother with the menu," Elena said with a grin. "We all know what you're going to get."

"Cheese fries," Bonnie and Caroline chorused and I threw the menu at Stefan. He caught it with an amused look while Elena gave me the look. I ignored both of them. How did everyone know my favorite freakin' food?

"Are you guys having your usual?" A waitress asked, smiling, and Elena nodded smiling at her. Holy shit, how often did we freakin' eat here?

"Yeah. Stefan, what would you like?" She asked, turning to the vampire. Could he even eat?

"Oh. No, I'm fine. Thanks." He said with a smile.

"You know, you're basically a skeleton. You should eat more." I said to the vampire and Elena smacked my arm as the waitress laughed, walking away.

"Wow," Bonnie said with a laugh. "It looks like it's going to be another C-squared year if Clare's back to her old self again."

"C-squared?" Stefan asked, turning his attention to Bonnie. He was amused with me and that sucked! If I couldn't get Elena to not like him, it was up to me to scare him off.

"Mmhm. Clare and Care, the two C's who have no filter and just say whatever they want, whenever they want." She gave him a sympathetic look. "She might come off as insensitive but she means well."

"Nope, I just don't like you." I told him cheerfully as the waitress returned, placing drinks on the table. Pepsi! Hell yeah!

"She's been really snarky to him the entire time," Elena said to Bonnie, rolling her eyes.

"I'm confident that I can get you to change your mind." Stefan said, leaning closer to me. I liked it better when he was skittish and unnerved by me! What the hell happened? Where was this smug attitude coming from? I brought the straw to my mouth and blew the straw wrapper at him.

"You know…" Caroline said, looking toward Elena. "If your twin is so uncomfortable with Stefan, I think it might mean you should stay away from him." I sent her a grin.

"I think you two are up to something," Bonnie shook her head, smiling at Stefan. "Ignore them. Life is easier that way."

"Ouch Bonnie." I placed a hand over my chest. "You should trust my innocent judgment and Caroline's kindness by looking out for our dear Elena."

"Looking out for me?" Elena scoffed, rolling her eyes, and grinning. "Looking out for what? For making a new friend? I'm so sorry Stefan, you shouldn't have to witness their idiocy."

"It's no bother, I think it's endearing." Stefan grinned at me and then to Caroline and I could feel my dream best friend melt.

The waitress returned with the food and I squealed in delight as she placed the fries covered in melted cheese in front of me. Even if I was dreaming, would I still be able to taste this? I popped a cheese covered fry into my mouth and moaned happily. Oh. My. God. So delicious. Bonnie and Caroline burst into giggles as Elena put her face in her hands, clearly embarrassed.

"You have to try this," I said to Stefan, shoving the paper bowl into his personal bubble. "You have not lived until you've had some of this. Oh my God."

"Will you give me a chance at being your friend if I try one?" He asked with a faint grin, actually picking up a fry from my plate. Eat it, you vampire dick.

"Probably not, but oh my God, Steffy, I'm so serious. The world must know of this deliciousness. It's literally a cheesy orgasm exploding in your mouth." I told him seriously. The jerk had the audacity to nod his head and go along with it. No stop it, he's supposed to find me weird!

"I see. I guess I have no choice but to try it then…" He said with a sigh, popping it into his mouth.

"Clare, oh my God." Caroline laughed. "Why do you have to talk like that?"

"Yeah, you might scare off Stefan!" Bonnie agreed, grinning at me widely as Elena shook her head.

"I can't believe you're my twin sometimes."

"You're right, this is the best food I have ever tasted in all the years I've been alive." Stefan deadpanned with an approving nod.

"Oh my God, he's going with it." Bonnie snapped her fingers. "That means he's in. You're in, Stefan. Anyone who can put up with Clare is in. Welcome to the inner friendship circle." She spread her arms out, gesturing to all of us.

I pouted. No way. I didn't want Stefan in! Why was this so difficult? I guess his want to have True Love with Elena overrode everything else. I bit my lip, looking toward Caroline who was smiling faintly. At least she seemed happy with how things were going. Maybe it was because I was taking the attention away from Elena and Stefan's intense love stare.

Since I had offered the first fry, Stefan seemed to think we were now sharing, and snuck a few more. How freakin' dare he. This was going on The List Of Reasons Why Stefan Sucks. Fry stealer!

"So you were born in Mystic Falls?" Caroline asked, twirling her straw around in her glass, making conversation. At least now I knew what the town was called.

"Mmhm," Stefan nodded. "And moved when I was still young." Yeah I bet.

"Parents?" Bonnie asked.

"My… parents passed away." Stefan said, yeah like, I bet a hundred years ago. The table fell awkwardly quiet, Bonnie sending me and Elena looks. Oh, jeez.

"Just like Batman." I said cheerfully, being rude on purpose and Elena smacked my arm really freakin' hard. I threw her a look but Stefan laughed, instantly easing the stiff tension.

"Not really. I don't think the whole caped crusader look would be very flattering on me." Stefan flashed me a grin that I frowned at. Dude, no. Stop being cool. It was never going to happen, I was never going to like him. Especially once I wake up.

No wonder he was being kind of cool. He was a product of my own mind.

"Siblings?" Elena asked, changing the subject. Stefan's expression turned darkly amused.

"None that I talk to." He said shortly.

"Oh," I said lightly, glad to find a topic that bothered him. I would dive that family knife straight into his chest and twist it every chance I got. "How sad. Why don't you talk to your siblings? Family is the most important thing, Steffy. How can we feel comfortable being friends if you shun your own flesh and blood?"

"My brother and I don't see eye to eye." Stefan said after a moment. "It's… complicated. But, I'm, uh, currently living with my uncle."

"So Stefan," Caroline perked up, drawing his attention to her. She smiled at him warmly. "If you're new… then you don't know about the party tomorrow." She clasped her hands, resting her chin on them.

"It's a back to school thing at the falls," Bonnie explained pleasantly at Stefan's confused look. Stefan's gaze flickered toward Elena and I remembered this part! Stefan gets all YOU'RE MY ONE TRUE LOVE ELENA and Elena gets all blush-y and school girl-y. I remembered it so well because my roommate swooned while I desperately wished I didn't have Netflix. Good times.

"Are you guys going?" He asked lightly, tilting his head to glance at Bonnie and Caroline. Caroline smiled at him sweetly.

"Of course we are."

Stefan turned his head back to Elena, smiling at her and she smiled back. His gaze shifted in my direction and I gave him a flat stare. While I wanted him to get with Caroline, I also didn't want him messing with Elena's feelings. This was supposed to be a serious love-y moment between them, so what the fuck was he doing?

Unless… Unless he was liking Caroline more than before! I bet without me here, nobody got to have fun! It was all serious and he didn't get to see the playful side of Caroline! Why was I letting myself get so wrapped up in this? It was just a dream. A stupid dream.

"Would it be okay with you if I went?" Stefan asked teasingly, and I raised a fry, pointing it at him threateningly.

"I'm not your keeper, do what you like. If I see you, I'll probably throw something at you." I said, popping the fry into my mouth and Stefan grinned, his eyes returning to Elena.

Stefan, like the jerkoff he was, offered to pay for us. I happily accepted as Bonnie and Elena tried to talk him out of it. Caroline was on my side about this. Let the boy pay, god knows he's been hoarding all the money with his old as balls bank account. He also insisted he didn't need a ride home, because he was a vampire and could run at the speed of light.

Like the Flash.

"Why don't you like him?" Elena asked as we got back to our dream house. She followed me into my room and plopped down on the bed.

"I just don't want you getting caught up in stuff." I said, drifting toward the dresser to see what kind of pajamas I had. "Like, until you're happy with you, seeking a boyfriend isn't… you know, a good idea. It's just shifting the problem, and what happens if something happens? You're back to how you were before. Only worse."

Aha! Success! I pulled the drawer out, shifting through, looking for a pair that I wanted to wear.

"Who said anything about a boyfriend?" Elena asked, staring up at my ceiling. I glanced over at her. She was smiling. "And so what if I find him cute? I was getting a lot of mixed signals anyway. I think he might like you, instead."

Ew no! "Uh, no, he just wants my approval so he can make a move on you. I know how weird creepy stalkers work. If I hate him, he knows you'll be less likely to go for him."

"If he liked me and I liked him, I wouldn't care what you thought." Elena said as I pulled out Minnie Mouse pajama bottoms and tank top. Awesome.

"Uh huh, I'm sure. Now get out, I'm going to bed."

Elena grinned at me and slid off my bed. "Okay, okay, I'm leaving." She hovered in the doorway, her expression turning soft. "I'm just really glad you're back to being you, Clare. It's been… really difficult doing this without you, and I just… I'm glad. Okay?" Ugh, feels. I shouldn't even have feels. This is a dream.

Still, I walked over and pulled my dream twin into a hug. Elena hugged me back... After what felt like forever, she pulled away and smiled sadly.

"Night!" I said cheerfully, shoving her from the room and slamming the door. Glad that was over! Too many feels. I changed into the pajamas and frowned.

Now what?

I crawled into the unfamiliar bed. I was tired. Could I even sleep while dreaming? Maybe that's what would wake me up?