AN: Hi guys! So I'm back with a new story and I'm so excited about this one. I've been working on it for months and I really hope you enjoy it!

This is an AU, all human delena story set in the summer time. Also, I want to make clear that Elena's birth parents/the ones that raised her are John and Isobel, and her older sister is Katherine.

ANYWAY, I hope you enjoy:)

Disclaimer: I don't own vampire diaries or any of these characters.

Chapter 1: Goodbye's

Elena

Most stories start out with some-ground-shattering revelation or tragedy that wreaks havoc on all involved. It changes them in every way possible, leaving them to pick up the pieces and claw themselves out of the darkness.

Not to be cliché or anything, but that's exactly how my story begins… except, that life altering moment is merely the preface. My story starts with an uptight mother and condescending sister, hell bent on being the ones to push me further into my impending doom.

"Elena?" My mother's flat voice echo's from the living room through my closed bedroom door. I sigh heavily, dropping my book on my wrinkled sheets and stand up slowly. It's not unlike my mom to call me downstairs for a chore or to reprimand me on a wrongdoing, but I've been fairly good these past few months, and the house is clean, just the way she likes it. An unsettling feeling washes over me as she calls my name again, her impatient tone alerting all my senses.

I quickly walk down the flight of stairs to find my sister, Kat, and mom, Isobel, sitting on the couch. I glare at Kat as I notice a half-concealed grin gracing her sharp face; she raises her eyebrow at me in return. I can instantly tell that one of her ridiculous plans has fallen into place; I'd seen that look from her more times than I could count.

A shiver runs down my spine as I notice my mother's lips are sealed in a hard line as she sits as stiff as a board, it is almost unnatural.

"We need to talk," my mom states, not meeting my eyes as she focuses on the coffee table in front of her. "Sit."

I roll my eyes at her demand, showing my displeasure, but lounge against the arm of the loveseat anyway. While I seem collected, I'm the opposite. I'm afraid. Her attitude wouldn't seem off to others, but I see it. Her eyes are weak, her voice shallow. She's thinking hard, but trying to stay detached. She's aged, I think sadly. Her hair has grown strands of light grey and the wrinkles in her skin are more prominent.

Both women are quiet for a moment, and I know whatever this is can't be good. Things have been hostile in this house since dad's accident. Hateful words were said, things no one can take back.

"What's this about?" I ask hesitantly.

My mother clears her throat and sits straighter in her seat. It was clear I wasn't going to like what she was about to say. "Kat and I have been talking… and we think it's in your best interest to spend some time away."

Wait… what?

This makes no sense. At all. What does she mean 'spend some time away'? And Kat…?

"You and Kat have been talking about my best interest? Kat couldn't give a damn about me!" I shout in shock and downright anger. My mother says my name, scolding me for my language, but I couldn't care less. They have no idea what's best for me! All they care about is themselves, that much is obvious.

"Elena, you know that we care about you-"

"No, Kat. You are not allowed to say that you care about me. Not after the way you've treated me."

"Enough!" Mom raises her normally cool and collected voice. "This is not up for discussion, Elena. You're going to spend the summer with Grayson and Miranda in New York. Your flight leaves tomorrow morning."

"Are you kidding me?" I ask, baffled that we've come to this. "I can't leave and you know it! What about my job at the Grill? What about cheer camp? What about Bonnie and Caroline-"

"They'll be waiting for you when you get back," Kat states simply and I give her a nasty scowl.

"What do you think this will resolve, huh?" I prod my mother who is finding too much interest in her finger nails. "Do you honestly believe sending me away will help us at all?"

"I think we all need a little time apart," she replies in an even tone.

"You wanna know what I think?" I stand up, boiling with fury. "I think that in two months I'll hate you even more than I hate you now."

Before I know what's happening, I'm being slapped hard across the face.

I cower back in pain from the stinging sensation on my left cheek. A rush of hurt and embarrassment hit me as I see my sister avert her dark eyes. I get over it quickly when a tidal wave of rage hits me. The anger that I've kept in the past few months takes over.

"God, what happened to you?!"I scream at her and storm off to my room, forcing my tears back until my door is firmly locked.

I throw myself on my bed, carelessly knocking aside my open book and a pillow. My eyes swell with tears, and I let them fall.

Sobs forcefully wrack through my body as realization dawns on me; my family hates me. I'm not going away for my own benefit; I'm going for theirs. They don't care about my life here in Mystic Falls, my responsibilities, or my fraying friendships; they just can't look at me any longer.

I've never felt more alone than I do in this moment.

When my alarm clock blares bright and early, my hand rapidly flies to the off button and I pray that I haven't woken anyone. I stare at the ceiling, my eyes so puffy that I can't focus on anything in particular. I groan as memories of last nights 'discussion' fill my head.

I know that I shouldn't have told my mother I hated her, but she deserved to feel as hurt as I was. I know I shouldn't have yelled, I should have tried to talk it out, but any range of level headedness I had before completely eluded from me last night. I know that I can't face my mother or sister this morning, not after I was hit and shamed by my own family.

I jump to my feet, grab a duffel bag out of my closet, and start to angrily toss random articles of clothing in. I also stuff my toiletries and multiple pairs of shoes with no sense of organization. Caroline would be furious…

Thinking of Caroline, I send her and Bonnie a text, hoping at least one of them will see it, despite the early hour.

When I get to the edge of my bed, I sigh, sobering up from my super-packing-rampage and reach for the metal box under the mattress. After removing the lid, I analyze the inside. I remove a small wad of cash, my journal, and a few photos. Despite my horrible mood, I soften as I scroll through the photos; one of Caroline, Bonnie and I in a photo booth, making silly faces at the camera and hugging one another; one of Kat and I giggling at each other as we played dolls back when we actually liked each other; and my favorite, one of my father grinning down at a much younger version of myself as I stare up at him, an amazed expression dominating my features. It's a simple photo, but sometimes the simplest things in life are the best.

I shake my head slightly before my hardly suppressed emotions sneak up on me. I carefully place the photos between the pages of my journal and slip the leather binding and money in my purse.

I throw on a pair of denim shorts, a dark blue t-shirt and sandals before tossing my hair up in a messy bun. I only bother with some quick concealer to cover up the dark circles that formed under my eyes due to my lack of sleep.

I sneak across the hall to my mother's room, relieved to see that she's still asleep, and retrieve the plane ticket sitting on her dresser. I leave a short message on the table, notifying my family that I'm catching my plane. I stare at the unfeeling words sadly, wishing my family could be normal. I can't even write an 'I-love-you', and imagining an actual goodbye with hugs and kisses horrifies me. Does that make me a terrible person? Maybe, but I'm not any worse than the women sleeping two doors away.

We didn't used to be this way. We had our issues, even then, but we were still a unit. Mom wasn't cold like she is now; she was independent and liked her space, but she was never mean, per say. She loved me as any mother could love her daughter; but our relationship was always different than her and Kat's. They were closer. Maybe it was because their personalities were almost identical. Kat always liked things her way and was a bit selfish at times, similarly to mom. In the end, I knew my mother loved herself just as much as she loved me, if not more. But, I was always a daddy's girl, so it never bothered me much.

I hastily send my friends a second text message before I gather my bags. I look around my room, making sure there's nothing I forgot to pack, when I catch sight of someone in the floor-length mirror. Her body is visibly tired, her eyes frantic, yet sad. The thin, hardly noticeable scar stretching the expanse of her hairline appears a sickening grey in the dim lighting. She heaves heavy bags over her boney shoulders, much sharper than they used to be. It's hard to link the reflection to myself. This person is a stranger to me, ironic because I've always had a strong sense of who I am. I'm Elena Gilbert; good friend, peppy cheerleader, dedicated student, worker, and daughter. But that girl is gone now, replaced with something darker, hollower; a skeleton, empty and jagged around the edges.

When my phone begins to vibrate in my hand, I practically run from the mirror and make my way to the front door.

I sigh at the sight of Caroline's small car, and I can't help but smile softly knowing that no matter what life throws at me, some things never change. Any time I need something, I have at least two people I can count on.

I carry my bags down to the car and swing open the backseat door at the sight of Bonnie in the passenger.

"God, Elena, why did I have to come so early?" Caroline questions, rubbing her eyes tiredly as I sit, placing the duffel bag in the seat beside me.

"How are you?" Bonnie asks, referring to the brief text I sent them about my departure, concern evident in her expression.

"I already told you last night, Care," I sigh, buckling my seat belt securely. "I wanted to get out before my Mom or Kat woke up. And I'm fine, Bon."

"You sure?" Bonnie prods.

"No," I state, running a hand down my face. "I'm pissed."

"This is ridiculous!" Caroline exclaims. "She can't just exile you from Mystic Falls for a full summer! Senior year is in a matter of months! How are we supposed to make prom court when you're MIA?"

"Care-"

"This just really sucks, Lena," I see her frown from the driver's seat.

"Tell me about it," I grumble as we zoom through the town that throughout the years has raised, empowered, and crippled me

"Hey Care, hold on." I place my hand on her shoulder as I see a familiar road up ahead. "Can you stop there?" I point at the old metal gates in the near distance.

I watch Caroline and Bonnie share a concerned side glance and attempt not to feel like the fragile child they sometimes make me out to be.

"Of course, Lena," she says softly, slowing down and pulling into the narrow drive of the cemetery. The car comes to a halt a short distance from the stone I've come to hate.

"This won't take long, I promise, I just need-"

"Take as much time as you need." Bonnie breaks me off, giving me an empathetic smile.

I nod back, not trusting my voice to not break. I quickly jump out of the car and walk the familiar path, the sticky heat clinging to my skin. I pass the graves of Brent Rogers, a 50-year old heart attack victim, Kyle Neilson, a twelve year old cancer patient, and Nancy Fields, the crabby old woman who died in her sleep. I finally get to the grave of Johnathan H. Gilbert and drop to my knees before it, as I have every day since it's been here. I brush my fingers along the letters engraved into the grey rock and let out a shaky breath.

"Hi Dad," I whisper, down casting my eyes to the freshly grown grass. "I don't really know what to say here…"

I shake my head, as if the act can clear my thoughts. In this moment, I'm glad Caroline parked far enough away so I can have this privacy.

"I'm leaving for a little while," I start to explain, swallowing the lump forming in my throat. "Mom and Kat thought it was a good idea…I think it's awful. And I know what you would say; you'd tell me not to be mad at them. They're only doing it because they love me."

I consider the words I speak next.

"But they've changed, Daddy. You being gone- they hate me for it, for what I did. And I'm sorry," I breathe out. "I'm so so sorry."

I sniffle quickly and wipe away a tear. "I'm sorry that you're here because of me. And I'm sorry I'm breaking my promise."

I think back to the promise I made to myself all those months ago; I wouldn't go a day without seeing my dad, even If he was deep in the earth. But, now I don't have any choice but to break it.

"I'll think of you every day." I flatten my palm against the stone as I collect myself. Once my breathing is steady and eyes are dry, I stand, throwing a parting glance at the rock, and walk back to reality.

What did you guys think? Please review and leave any questions, comments, or concerns! They are greatly appreciated:)

Next chapter: Damon's POV...