Author's Note:

A teenager is supposed to make mistakes and live while she's young, but that is not the case of Mystic Falls. The Gilbert Family were thrust into the supernatural world head first, but Malina took the hardest fall. Used to being in her twin's shadows, a mysterious vampire has caught her eye and for some reason, she could feel herself being drawn towards the darkness. Vampires are only the beginning of this story of doppelgangers, witches, hybrids, but one thing she can't figure out? What is she?

Hey everyone, as some of you know, this isn't my first Vampire Diaries Fanfiction, going on my third now. This idea came to me and i really enjoyed it. I do not own the vampire diaries, nor the characters except my OCs. (Malina Gilbert and later chapters, Onyx Lockwood, Leo Matthews, Callie and Cashton McKenna, and Maddie Cavallo).

Please leave your thoughts of what you think so far, and yes this will be going back to season 1 to the present season, but some changes along the way! Enjoy :)

But I'm only human and I bleed when I fall down.
I'm only human and I crash and I break down.
Your words in my head, knives in my heart.
You build me up and then I fall apart.
Cause I'm only human.

Chapter One – Keep the Past

Dear Diary,

Junior Year. A year ago, this day would have been so surreal. I'm almost done high school, this was my year to succeed. Get perfect grades. Get into the college of my dreams. Tyler and I were supposed to go to Yale together. But everything has changed.

Junior Year. I would rather go back to sleep and never wake up. I don't mean that as a suicide note – heck, maybe I do. I don't know the difference anymore. I feel numb, my body, my mind. As though, I'm in a constant struggle of remembering how to feel.

Things will be different this year. Not just my hair color or my attitude. My outlook on life. I know how fragile a human life is now. I know how badly things can turn in an instant. I know what life has to offer and nothing can come to a shock to me anymore.

This is my year to pick up my fallen pieces.

There was a sudden pang of knocks being pounded on my door. I shut my journal, sliding my freshly painted black nails across the cover. I pushed myself off of my bed, "We have school in ten minutes. I swear to God, if you're not rea-" I opened the door to a surprised Elena on the other side. "Oh," She pulled her hand away from my now-present open door, "You're ready."

I rolled my eyes and shook out my wet hair, "Minus my hair. Yes, I am."

She pulled on a piece of my newly dyed hair, inspected the ends that were now a pale blonde compared to my natural brown that matched her own. "Did you dye your hair? When the hell did you do that?"

"Last night," I slapped her hand away. "I needed a change."

She gave me a weak smile, trying to be the strong one in the family. I saw Jeremy's door open across the hall and he peaked his head out, "Good morning, Jer." He looked over towards us before looking down towards the ground quickly and stepping into the bathroom. "Jenna is making breakfast, so come down when you're ready. Alright, Mal?"

I nodded my head quickly, trying to close my door as quickly as possible and avoid any more of this conversation. "I will, I will."

I watched as she stepped away, before shutting my door behind her and turning around. I walked over to my phone and picked it up, I have over a hundred text messages that haven't been opened. I never felt like sitting down and sorting through things. I haven't spoken to anyone, minus family members since the middle of June. School ended and I disappeared.

Caroline and Bonnie came over a few times throughout the summer, hanging out with Elena. They asked to see me, but I couldn't find the courage to face them. Elena and Matt broke up, I was there for her throughout it. He seemed devastated. He left me a few texts and missed calls.

Tyler has left over fifty calls and twenty different voice mails. I've listened to him, begging for me to call him back. Texts asking if he could come over. Angry, drunk messages once August came around telling me that he didn't deserve this. Which was true. He didn't deserve this.

My phone vibrated in my hand as I was holding it and I jumped abruptly, accidently answering the phone call. "Malina?" I heard the voice call and I swallowed hard. Shit. I held the phone up to my ear and took a deep breath, "I know you're there."

I cleared my throat, "Ty."

"Come outside," He ordered and I rubbed the back of my neck with my hand. "Please, come outside and talk to me. I can't keep doing this, Mali."

I forced my eyes shut and clenched my jaw, I had to do this. I had to face him. He deserved that much. I took a step forward, before my mind caught up to what was happening. I walked out the door and down the stairs. "I'll be right out," I mumbled into the phone. I opened the front door and he was standing on the porch. His hair was shorter, but he looked like he hasn't slept in days. His eyes were blood-shot, his cheeks were rosy. I stuffed my phone back into my pocket, "Hey."

He exhaled before pulling me into a hug, but I just stood there, keeping my arms at my sides. "I missed you so much, you disappeared on me this summer. Why didn't you answer my calls?" He pulled away from me and scanned over my face with his eyes. He looked like he was searching for something.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. Everything that used to seem so simple felt all that much more complicated. Tyler was standing directly in front of me for the first time in months and I felt no need to kiss him, touch him. I felt millions of worlds away from a boy who was two feet away.

"Talk to me," He pleaded.

"I don't know what you want me to say."

He shook his head, his eyes shifted from relieved to see, to angry and confused on why this is our first encounter in weeks. "How about we start with why the hell you couldn't pick up a phone and tell me you were okay?"

I laughed in his face and it sounded haunted. "Because I'm not. Okay, Tyler? Is that what you wanted to hear from me, why you came here this morning? I'm not okay. I haven't been okay in months. I don't know why you even came over."

He took a step forward, but with his advance, I backed up. "Malina, you know that I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you, no matter what. I just want you to talk to me, tell me everything like we used to. I feel like we aren't even together anymore."

"Maybe we shouldn't be."

The look on his face almost broke me. He looked disoriented. Pain and suffering washed over him and he shook his head. He stepped towards me, but I stood my ground. His fingers grazed along my cheek, "You don't really mean that."

I pulled his hand away from my cheek before letting go, "I think it would be best if you left."

"Mal," He whispered.

I let out a deep breath before turning around and stepping into my house, closing the door behind me. Leaving Tyler on the other side. Leaving our relationship that was the most treasured part of my life. I didn't want our relationship to be a cord waiting to be severed.

Elena turned the corner and noticed that my head was still leaning against the cool wood that had a breeze filling the cracks from outside. "Are you okay?" She asked and I rolled my eyes. People have to stop asking me that because they don't really want to know the truth. They want you to say that you are, to lie, just so their lives could move along. So it looks like they really do care, when they couldn't care less.

I spun around, keeping my balance against the frame of the door. I forced a smile and took in her appearance. Her perfectly straight hair and light make-up. Her outfit secured and fit perfectly, red shirt with a low neck and a simple pair of jeans. Her life was completely in one piece, whereas, mine was spiraling off the edges.

Storming past her, I ran up the stairs and into my room. Rummaging through my clothes I found a black tank top and pair of black jeans and pulled them both on. I found a black blazer and put that on as well as a matching pair of wedged boots. I dried my hair before curling it into loose waves and pulling my bangs back off of my face. I put on dark eye shadow and red lipstick before finishing the rest of my daily routine make-up.

I'm not going to be second best to Elena Gilbert.

She may be my twin sister and we look identical, but we are different. We are two sides of the same coin and this year, we would be known as two separate people. No more "Elena and Malina Gilbert". I don't want to be remembered only as her sister. I want to be remembered for myself.

Once I was finished, I walked downstairs and into the kitchen. Elena was making herself a cup of coffee and Jenna was looking through the refrigerator. Aunt Jenna looked up and smiled, but once she noticed my appearance, her eyes went wide. "Malina," She muttered and Elena turned around suddenly, wearing the same expression as Jenna.

"Ooh coffee, thanks," Jeremy grabbed Elena's cup of coffee out of her hands when he entered the room. He looked towards me and he jerked his head back, "Wow. Malina, you look different. It suits you," He grinned widely.

I let out a light breath, "Thanks Jer."

Jenna started looking through her purse and pulled out some money, "It's your first day of school and I am totally unprepared." She turned around and held out her hand, "Lunch money?" Elena and I shook our heads, but Jeremy snatched it out of her hand. "What else am I forgetting?"

Elena cleared her throat, "Don't you have a meeting this morning?"

Jenna looked at the time and her eyes went wide. Elena shook her head, "Go! We'll be fine." Jenna gave us all a small smile before pulling her hair out of her ponytail and rushing out of the door. Elena turned and looked up at Jeremy, "You okay?"

He rolled his eyes and walked out of the room, "You have got to stop asking people that." A beep came from out front, signaling that Bonnie was out there waiting for us. Elena picked up her bag, but I lingered back. She turned around confused, "I think Ty is going to meet me here and we're gonna walk together. I could use the fresh air, plus we have to talk."

"Are you two doing okay?"

I gave her a smirked, "Just peachy." Another beep came from outside from a very impatient Bonnie Bennett. I pushed her shoulder lightly, "Go! Before Bonnie has a heart attack from being late. I'll meet you at your locker later."

She nodded her head, "Good luck on your talk with Tyler."

I let out a short breath, "Thanks."

Once she left and Jeremy was long gone, I decided that I should probably start walking to school. I locked the door behind me and stepped outside, it was finally cooling down. This summer's heat was a lot worse than previous years.

The walk to school was quick. I passed the Grill, people were staring as if they were looking at a ghost. That's how I felt most of the time, invisible. I turned the corner and someone ran straight into me. I stumbled backwards, but he caught me in his arms. I looked up and met a pair of green eyes staring back towards me. "I'm so sorry," I mumbled, regaining my balance and his grip faded away. "I wasn't looking, I am such a klutz."

He laughed lightly, his perfectly straight teeth shining in the sunlight. He was gorgeous. I've never seen a man as beautiful as him. He's a man that you would never forget. Emerald green eyes that shone in the light, giving off a vibrant and alluring stare. His hair was short, but tousled to one side – perfectly messy.

I caught myself staring and shook my head, "I'm Malina."

He smiled, "Stefan Salvatore."

I smiled towards the ground before looking back up towards him through my lashes, "Well it was nice meeting you, Stefan. I hope to see you around sometime?" He agreed and I walked past him. Once I was far enough away, I peaked over my shoulder and his eyes were still glued to me.

I made it to school in a matter of minutes after my encounter with the infamous, Stefan Salvatore. I'd be lying if I said that he hasn't left my mind. He was what everyone seemed to be looking for in a man. Tall, gorgeous, low voice. Perfection.

From down the hall, I could see all my friends standing by Elena's locker. Caroline was hugging Elena and Bonnie was standing against her locker. Caroline finished talking to them and turned around to leave when she saw me. "Malina, oh my God!" Her jaw dropped taking in my new appearance. She ran towards me, engulfing me into a tight and warm hug. "You look fabulous."

I pulled away from her laughing, "Thank you, Care. You look great today too," I scanned her from head to toe. We were wearing complete opposite clothes, but that's how our friendship was. We were polar opposites which is why we got along so well. Elena, Bonnie, Caroline, and I have been friends since we were little girls. Elena and Bonnie were closer, where I was better friends with Caroline.

"How have you been? I don't want to pester, but I haven't talked to you all summer. You disappeared on me," She pouted and I patted her cheek with my hand before we descended down the hallway. "Tell me everything."

I sighed, "There's nothing really to tell." We walked towards the doors and were going to stand outside by the Smoker's Pit to talk. "I stayed locked up in my room the entire time. Trying to grieve. I dyed my hair last night, decided I needed a change."

She looked at my attire one last time, "It suits you."

I smiled as we stepped outside of the building, but my smile shortly demolished from my face. I looked across the schoolyard and Jeremy was gathered with a kissing couple. Tyler and Vicki. I stopped walking dead in my tracks and Caroline ran straight into me. Her mouth dropped when she noticed what was happening, "Is that-"

"Tyler."

I swallowed hard and turned away quickly, Care hugged me tightly. This was the first time since the night of my parent's death that I appreciated a hug. Every single hug that I endured since May 23, 2009 has seemed forced and fake.

She pulled away and combed her hand through the back of my hair, "Do you want to get out of here?"

Malina let her eyes wander towards Tyler again. They were no longer kissing, but the look on his face. He looked vengeful and angry. He slumped his arm around Vicki's shoulder and smirked towards me. "I broke up with Tyler this morning. I didn't want to make him be committed into a relationship that I couldn't contribute to. I felt so alone but I didn't want anyone's company. Care, I don't know to do."

She grabbed me by the shoulders and I placed my head in the crook of her neck and she ushered us back inside the building. My breath was heavy and I could feel tears rimming my eyes, but I didn't allow them to fall. I held back the tears that were threatening to run down my cheeks.

After class, I ran into Jeremy in the hallway. I crossed my arms and bumped into his shoulder lightly with my own and he turned to look down towards me. "Hey Mal," He chimed and I gave him a small smirk. "How was your first day of junior year?"

I chuckled, "Minus all the times I wanted to gauge my eyes out when someone asked how I was doing, pretty well. How about you, airhead?" He laughed at the name calling and closed his locker before we started walking down the hallway.

"Elena jumped me in the bathroom this morning when I was high. That was a nightmare." I nodded my head and stared up at him, "She doesn't understand how hard it is for me. To fit into this school with the meat heads, I'm not like that."

We walked outside of the school building and stopped on the steps, "Got any weed left that you would care to share?" He gave me a look, raising his eyebrows as if I should already know the answer. "Good because I need something to get this edge off."

"Hey Malina!" I heard someone call my name from behind me. I turned around to find Matt walking out of the school doors and jogging to catch up to me. He pulled me into a tight hug and I relentlessly hugged him back. "I missed you this summer, are you doing any better?"

I shrugged my shoulders and Jeremy excused himself when Vicki walked outside. I kept my eyes on him as he walked over towards her and she sighed before talking to him. He followed her around like a lost puppy. I focused my attention back towards Matt, "I guess so. I mean, that's what I've been telling everyone," I answered truthfully. Matt has been my best friend for years, I was the one who basically got him and Elena together.

He nodded his head slowly, "You know I'm here for you. To talk and listen, I have two shoulders for you to cry on. You know, in case the other one gets wet." I chuckled at his comment and looked up into his blue eyes, "It's really good to see you."

I folded my arms across my chest and staggered in my place, "You too, Matty. I feel awful for not seeing you…after everything happened with Lena."

He looked away quickly, "She needed her space, I respected that. Seems like she was hitting it off with that new kid today. Stefan Salamander or whatever the hell his name was."

I laughed hard until the muscles in my stomach were contracting and twisting, "Salvatore. And he seems nice."

He looked back down towards me and arched an eyebrow, "Yeah, if nice is now the definition of a stereotypical douche bag."

"Yo Matthew," A deep voice chanted across the field and my eyes wandered to Tyler who was running in our direction. I diverted my eyes to the ground quickly. Speaking of stereotypical douche bags. Once he was a few feet away, he slowed down into a slow walk. "Mali," He address me momentarily before turning back to Matt. "Back to School Party is tomorrow, told Duke we would help him set up the kegs. He's just a shitload."

Matt scratched the back of his head, "Yeah. Sounds cool."

Tyler turned towards me, "You are welcomed to stop by."

I let out a deep sigh, "I don't think so. I have something to do tomorrow night." I took a step backwards, "Thanks anyway though."

Tyler laughed darkly, "Cool Mali. Keep locking yourself away from the rest of the world, from your friends. It's what you're best at."

I felt a lump in the back of my throat and my mouth felt dry. I bit the inside of my lip before spinning around on my heel and bolting away from them and down the stairs to the Smoker's Pit to find Jeremy. Vicki was handing him a bag and he stuffed it into his jacket pocket quickly. I tugged on his arm, "Let's get out of here now."

Vicki gave me a cocky grin, "It's a shame that you couldn't keep a hold on Tyler. Now he's free and there's a long list of girls who are happy that he's finally single. So thank you for breaking up with him. Plenty of girls are in line to heal his wounds."

I expanded my arms out from my sides and rolled my eyes, "Have fun with him, Victoria."

We were sitting in the park, on a bench and I blew out a puff of smoke before handing it to Jeremy. I stared up at the sky when I felt the high rushing in. I knew this wouldn't make anything better. Worse probably. Jeremy waved his hand in front of my face, "I'm sorry. What?"

He motioned the blunt towards me so I took it, "I asked why you broke up with Ty?" I shifted uncomfortably. He cleared his throat and I pulled the blunt to my mouth, letting it tingle my lips. "Just wondering, you seemed perfect together."

I sighed, letting the smoke escape my mouth slowly. "He doesn't deserve me. He's too good for me," I explained and Jeremy chuckled. "You know he's only all over Vicki to get back at me, I think she really likes you for some odd reason."

He pushed my head and I tipped over before catching myself and laughing at him. "You're a jerk," He mumbled, shaking his head. "I'm sorry though, Mal. I know how much you care about him. Maybe you should try talking to him." I swallowed hard and handed it back to him, "Or not. Whatever you want to do. I support you."

I smiled at him, "Thanks Jer." He nodded his head, "No seriously. Thank you so much, for everything. You're one of the only people I can actually talk to, you understand me. You're the only one who knows what I was thinking all summer long. You're the one who talked me out of it."

His face stiffened and he threw the blunt on the ground, letting the wind blow the flame out. "Well yeah, I couldn't let you go through with that. I can't imagine my life without you in it." I placed my hand to my forehead and pushed my fallen bangs off my forehead. "I love you, Mali."

I stood up and he followed in pursuit and I hugged him tightly, "I love you too, Jer."

His stomach growled loudly and I chuckled and punched his arm, "I am starving. Do you want to go to the Grill and get some food?" I nodded my head, "I was supposed to meet Elena, Bon, and Care there in a half hour anyway."

We walked through the doors and he walked away immediately to find Vicki, who was grabbing a table's drinks. I saw Caroline and Bonnie already there, I walked over to them and Care smiled. "Whoa, is Malina actually out in public for the first time in months? I never thought I would see the day."

I shook my head, "Ha ha, very funny. Is Elena not here yet?" They both shrugged their shoulders, "That's weird she's never late."

Caroline shifted awkwardly and I took a notice to it. I turned around to see what she was looking at and rolled my eyes, I turned back around. Bonnie gave the two of us a confused expression. Caroline spoke up, "Do you want to stay here or should we go somewhere else?"

I shook my head, "No. He's not ruining our night."

"What's going on?" Bonnie asked and I rubbed my arm awkwardly so Caroline answered, "Her and Tyler broke up this morning and we found him kissing Vicki Donovan outside earlier. It was honestly a low blow and he is being bitter about it."

I shrugged, "He has every right to be bitter. I dumped him blindsided after not talking to him for months. He should hate me." Bonnie pulled a piece of hair behind her ear, "Well it looks like that isn't the case." I tilted my head to the side and she nodded her head to look behind me.

I turned around and Tyler was a few feet away, "Hey Mali. Care, Bon," He addressed us all individually and Matt walked up behind him, slapping his hand on his right shoulder. "I just wanted to come by and see if you wanted to play a game of pool?" He stared down at me, "For old time's sake."

I was frozen there. Caroline placed her hands on my shoulders and pushed me forward, "We would love to, Tyler." His eyes grew wide with her self-invitation before nodding his head and walking over to an empty table.

He started to rack the balls on one side and Caroline walked away to get the sticks and a couple drinks for us. I leaned against the pool table and he noticed my movement and glanced up towards me, "I wanted to apologize for what I said earlier."

I ignored his apology, "So how's Vicki doing?"

He leaned up straight and placed his hands on the table, "Are we seriously not going to talk about this?"

"I don't know what you want me to say Ty. Something is different between us."

He looked away angrily. "You know, our relationship isn't the only thing that changed around here. You dyed your hair, changed your clothes, I didn't even know you owned anything black. I don't even know who you are anymore."

I nodded my head, "Perhaps you never knew who I was."

He took a step away from the pool table and placed his hands in the air in defeat, "I'm done here." He went to turn around but hesitated before refocusing his eyes on me, "But if the old Malina decides to make an appearance sometime soon. Can you ask her to call me; because she's the girl that I fell in love with."

Caroline walked back over to the table with a pitcher of coke and a few cups in her other hand. She noticed Tyler storming out of the Grill and she furrowed her eyebrows together. "What the hell happened while I was gone? I was away for like two minutes, how did you make him that angry?"

I picked up the Q-Ball and rolled it towards the other balls, breaking them apart as hard as I could. "I'm going to get out of here," I stuffed my hands into my jean pockets and she pouted. "I'm sorry for ruining the night," I swallowed hard and walked past her. I looked up and noticed that Elena was walking in, with Stefan Salvatore following in behind her.

I walked past her and she grabbed my arm, "Where are you going? Is everything okay?"

I pulled my arm free and nodded, "Just a fight with Tyler. I'm just going to go home, watch Supernatural and curl up with some hot chocolate. I'll see you when you get home," I looked over at Stefan. "Good to see you again, Stefan."

He smiled, "As with you, Malina."

Elena gave a confused expression between the two of us but I walked away without giving her an explanation. I stepped outside and immediately wrapped my arms around myself, the cool air sent shivers down my spine. I walked down the street towards my house when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around to see who was following me, but no one was there. I pushed a piece of hair behind my ear and faced forward to continue walking but a man was standing a few inches away.

I jumped backwards and placed my hand over my heart, trying to catch my breath. "Oh my God, you scared me."

His captivating blue eyes were locked on mine and I could feel myself being pulled into the allure of the darkness. He had a smirk tugging on the corners of his lips, making one side of his mouth look sinister. His dark hair was perfectly styled and he was dressed in all black. "I'm sorry for startling you," He apologized. His voice was dark and tempting. "I'm Damon," He held out his hand for mine, "Have we met before?"

I shook my head before taking his hand in my own and shaking his firmly. "I don't believe we have. I'm Malina Gilbert," I gave the stranger a welcoming smile and he returned one. "It's wonderful to meet you, Damon."