Kalopsia: def. the delusion of things being more beautiful than they are.

Chapter 1: Oh, boy.

Blurs of white and blue fly by my limited vision as I try to gasp for air. My throat feels raw and unused, like I need to clear my throat but don't have the muscular control to. Something firm passes through my mouth, clearing the film away, leaving my very confused self to call for help, an explanation, anything. All that I hear in my stuffed ears is the shrill cry of an infant, and that's when it clicks. I know exactly where I am and what's happened. My soul has once again made its way through the circle of life back to the Genesis.

So, we start the carousel once again. I'm sure you can probably guess what I mean by this, but long story short, this isn't my first time waking up to this chaos. I don't recall precisely what my prior lives were, who I was, who I cared about. The overwhelming feeling of deja vú is too strong to ignore, and I feel an innate sense of how wrong it was that I was very aware of my situation. I wonder how much I actually know. Clearly, I still had an adult level intellect, and I didn't really remember my lives, but I definitely remembered things that were in them. Like doctors, and hospitals, and the tv that I heard in the corner of the delivery room. There was no way this was normal, but I guess it was normal for me since I felt myself calm as I was cleaned and wrapped in a soft swaddle and placed in the nurturing arms of a brown blur. The shape of a large hand enters my field of vision and for some reason I recognize it as my father's. Perhaps he had talked to me while I was in the womb? Laid his hands on my mother's stomach? Who knows.

I purse my small lips at the feeling of his rough skin caressing my small cheek. The sensation is strange since it's so new, but not unwelcome, and I use my limited movement to grasp his large knuckle when he presses it into my palm. His hands feel enormous. "She's beautiful, Abby. God, you did wonderful, sweetheart," his rough voice calls out, presumably to the brown blob on the white blob. Thank God, I'm a girl! I guess Abby is my mother's name, then. I hear the murmurs of the doctors and nurses as well, but ignore it as I strain to hear the tired sighs from the brown blur in my vision. "Bring her to me, Rudy baby, I wanna hold her before I take a nap." Who names their son 'Rudy'? Poor guy. I feel a small breeze and enjoy the sway of my father's swagger as he walks to my mother.

I'm then cradled by much softer hands, and I feel something wet splash my cheek as my mother blur sniffles above me. Her murmurs of how happy she is to see me, and how I was worth the late nights and morning sickness, bring me such joy that a small smile pulls on the unused muscles on my face and I try to coo at her, successfully making a weird 'ah' sound. My mom shudders above me with emotion, and I realize that I'm so happy to make her happy. This feels oddly familiar as well, I guess that the bond between parents and children is forged very early on, cuz I already loved them both quite a bit.

A blue smudge comes up to my mother, and I can see what I think is a smile as it looks at me before turning back to my mom. "Have you decided on her name yet; Mrs. Bennett?" Huh, Abby and Rudy Bennett. Why does that sound familiar? Maybe I've lived this life before. My mother sighs happily, looking down at me once again.

"Alessia Marie Bennett."

Well, I can work with that.

*

It didn't take me too long to figure out what kind of world I had been reborn into. Bonnie Sheila Bennett was born February 5, 1993, a year and 3 days after me. I had a bit of a panic when she had been brought home, when I realized that I had full knowledge of what was going to happen to our family, and our loved ones. We Bennetts were destined for a life of heartbreak and loss. We'd lose our Grams, Mom, Dad, and many others in the supernatural downward spiral that would be Mystic Falls in the not too distant future. And all for one little girl named Elena Gilbert. I remember that the first time Bonnie had Elena over for a play date when I was 5, I had firmly decided that I was not going to allow for my loved ones to be taken from me just so she could live. Call me selfish, I honestly don't care, but for me to make it out of the shit storm headed our way with minimal casualties there would have to be major changes.

And unfortunately, changing the future that I was aware of had a significant amount of risk as well, that being that once I did change something big I'd have no idea how it'd effect the rest of the future. I didn't even know how much having me here would change what I knew now. The best I'd be able to do is change only a few things in a big way. I wouldn't be able to save everyone, and that was a difficult pill to swallow. I played with the majority of the main players of Mystic Falls as a child. Tyler Lockwood, Caroline Forbes, Matt and Vicki Donovan, Jeremy Gilbert, these were all my friends as we all grew up. It was difficult weight to carry to know that these happy times were very close to their end.

So, I had to prepare, and to do that, I'd have to be the baddest Bennett witch bitch this world had ever seen. Definitely not an easy task, especially with my father being so distinctly anti-magic, and my mother still leaving because she picked the Gilbert doppelgänger over her family, but I refused to let his ignorance and her stupidity be our downfall. It just meant they weren't as high on my survival list. You can call me a bad person, but I value loyalty more than any other trait, and their blatant abandonment of me and Bonnie to our alcoholic Grams wouldn't be easily forgiven.

Speaking of Grams, that was one facet of the story I changed as soon as possible. I knew that Grams could tell I was unique, as she always eyed me with a gleam of suspicion in her old dark eyes. Perhaps her magic could sense there was something about me that wasn't quite right, like an extra puzzle piece that didn't fit. So, when I finally felt my magic spark to life at the age of 7, I went straight to her and demanded answers. To say that she was surprised would be saying the least, as she hadn't expected my magic to awaken till I was at least 13, and that was just the age for gifted witches. I remember saying a silent thank-you to the universe for giving me the gift of being a prodigy, it gave me time I desperately needed. She agreed to teach me, but only with the contingency that I don't tell Bonnie, and believe me it was difficult to hide anything from those large perceptive green eyes.

I hesitantly agreed. Mostly because I knew Bonnie wouldn't really get into magic until she was fifteen, and if I was strong enough, by then, I could probably teach her myself. And let me tell you, being gifted with Nature's power was not small potatoes. When I was sad, the wind would try to comfort me, I could feel the power of life all around me, beckoning me to use it. The connection to the Earth was so intense that I could see why witches went insane when they lost it. With any luck I'd walk out of this mess with my magic, because I don't know what I'd do without it's influence in me. Grams also said that because my magic was so strong so young, me losing that connection could actually kill me.

That was also another realization I had to think about for quite sometime. There was a good chance that I would die within the next 10 years. Vampires, enemy witches, vengeful werewolves, Originals, Travelers, Expression, there were so many things that could kill me if I wasn't careful where I stepped. Bonnie was going to need me to look after her, I refused to let her be the self-sacrificing doormat that she'd been in my memories. She would sacrifice herself for that doppelgänger over my rotting corpse. But, then again who knew? That might be the case at some point. So it was important that I wasn't just a strong witch, I also had to be lethal if magic wasn't an option against my enemies. This driving force resulted in me getting enrolled into several martial arts and weapons courses when I was 10. I'm sure on the outside it looked like I was an overachiever, but oh well.

The next six years passed and me and Bonnie were as thick as thieves. Most of my time when I wasn't training or doing schoolwork (and eventually cheerleading, so I could effectively keep an eye on the main girls), I was with her, and this led to a sibling bond I wouldn't replace with anything in the world. My magic was strong and so was I. I wasn't sure if I'd ever truly be ready to face what was coming in the next year, but I was determined to try.

*

Today was it. The start of my senior year and the start of Bonnie's junior year signaled the entrance of the Salvatores. Tingles trickled up and down my spine at the nerves circling my gut like a hawk. With a sigh, I sat up out of bed and walked over to my closet, grabbing a pair of skinny jeans, a light pink camisole, and a cute faux leather jacket. We respect animals in THIS household, I chuckled to myself as I walked out of my room to the shower, only to hear "Walking On Sunshine" blaring from the bathroom. Not hearing the shower, I knock on the door. "Bons! Hurry up! I wake an hour after you so that you can take forever earlier, and I can go to school not sleep-grimy."

I hear her laugh from the other side of the door before it suddenly opens, causing me to jump a bit. Bright green eyes sparkle teasingly as Bonnie laughs at my slightly surprised face before exiting the bathroom. "It's all yours, Lessy. Hurry up though, we have to pick up Elena." I roll my eyes at that, as Bonnie good-naturedly smacks my shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll stop for coffee so you can tolerate my best friend." She's very aware that my regard for Elena didn't start high, and has lowered significantly through our teen years as I watched her play Matt and adapt an 'I'm better than you' attitude, specifically towards my favorite girl besides my sister, Caroline, which caused the blonde to develop a bit of an inferiority complex.

"Kk, I'll be out in 15," I say blandly before closing the door in my lovely little sister's face. The hot water running down my back provides the perfect setting to do some light meditation to calm my mind. There was a lot to do today, and I needed to stay focused. When I opened my light brown eyes, I realized that I focused a bit too much. The water from the showerhead was hovering around the entirety of the bathroom, and I couldn't stop the sigh of annoyance from escaping me. Magic was pretty cool or whatever but unconsciously doing things was just irritating to deal with, like setting your remote too far away from you, an inconvenience. I quickly send the water down the drain as I hop out of the shower with renewed vigor. As I wiped off the steamy mirror, I took a good look at myself. Not to be too vain, but us Bennetts had great genes.

Large plump pink lips, cute straight button nose, and large caramel eyes framed by thick dark lashes looked back at me. My favorite features are my high cheekbones and my honey skin tone, they made me feel very elegant and powerful looking. Second place would definitely go to my hair though. Bonnie acknowledged the time and relaxes her hair regularly, while I decided to keep my bouncy curls that came to my shoulders and fluffed outwards. Definitely not an Afro, but definitely not flat. Don't let it be said that I didn't fry my hair, too though. At the moment it was dyed a platinum blonde, nearly white.

I quickly pull my hair into a half-up, half-down do, before pulling a few curls out to frame my face. Some mascara, eyeliner, lipgloss, and concealer for my under eyes and your girl was lookin' cute and ready for war. Unfortunately, in my hubris I'd forgotten to put on my clothes and had to rush to throw them on without messing up the work I'd done. A quick glance at the time, and the sound of footsteps coming towards the bathroom told me I was running slightly behind schedule. I bolt out of the bathroom, nearly trampling Bonnie, and speed to grab my socks, boots, backpack, and cheer duffle bag. Caroline would have my ass if I forgot my workout gear again. I pass Bonnie again as she grabs her purse and keys from her bedroom, and just like that we're out the door and ready to face the fire.

*

"Don't worry, I'll hop in the back once Gilbert gets in," I say to Bons as we exit the coffee shop. I might not like the doppelgänger, but that doesn't mean I don't pity the loss she and her brother are going through. "Thanks, I just think she's gonna pretend like she's okay when everyone knows that she's not," Bonnie replies gratefully. That's my sweet, compassionate sister, always caring about everyone. The drive to the Gilberts is in comfortable silence as we listen to the radio and drink our Frappuccinos. What? Just cause I'm a badass doesn't mean I like all stereotypical badass stuff. Black coffee is just gross. We pull into the driveway and I promptly plant my ass in the back seat, pulling out my iPod and starting to listen to "Cut" by Plumb. I see Jenna rush out of the house with a stack of papers and looking flustered. Hope she's okay. Yikes.

Elena finally hops in and I immediately know she is not okay. And considering my witchy woo doesnt include empathic abilities, that's saying a lot. What can I say, I am garbage at telling how someone's feeling, normally. I stare out the window as we drive to school, watching the hustle and bustle of early morning Mystic Falls. I can tell when I glance back at Bonnie that she's talking about Grams starting to reveal our witch heritage to her by the disbelief painted on her face as she talks to a not-really-paying-attention Elena. The windshield is suddenly struck by a crow, causing Bonnie to slam on the brakes and send my head straight for the back of the passenger seat and my headphones careening out of my ears. We swerve hard to the right of the road, and all of us look at each other for a few moments before Bonnie speaks up.

"What was that?! Oh my god! Elena, are you okay?"

I'm still stunned for a few seconds and it appears Elena is too. I unconsciously start fixing my now messed up hair as Elena turns back to Bons, "Its okay, I'm fine."

"It was like a bird or something. It came out of nowhere."

"I think it was a crow or a raven or something," I say absentmindedly. I feel a glare working onto my face as an uneasy feeling of 'this has Damon dickery all over it' worked through my gut. Looks like I'd have to pay a complimentary visit to said Salvatore much sooner than I thought.

"Really," Elena started, trying her best to sound convincing, "I can't be freaked out by cars for the rest of my life." True, but no one would blame you if you were.

After an exhale, Bonnie's face turns into the definition of perseverance. "I predict this year is going to be kick ass. And I predict all the sad and dark times are over, and you are going to be beyond happy." As the smiles worked there way on their faces, I couldn't stop the sad one that tilted on my lips as I looked at the crow on the Laurel Ave. sign.

Bonnie has no idea how wrong she is.

*

As Bonnie and I load our things in our lockers (thank god we were only three apart this year), I see Matt looking at Elena with a kicked puppy face. I feel for the dude, but he had to move on. Especially with who was at school today.

"He hates me," she sighs out.

"That's not hate, that's 'you dumped me, but I'm too cool to show it, but I'm secretly listening to Air Supply's greatest hits'."

"I concur," I say as I pull out my history book and slide it into my book bag while hurling my duffle in it's place, "He just misses you, dude, and he probably thinks he did something wrong." Elena turns toward me to respond, but is cut off as my favorite blonde hurricane makes her way to us.

"Alessia!!" She calls in a happy tone and I find myself tackled in a tight hug. I hadn't seen Caroline in three weeks because of a kendo tournament and her planning the festival with the rest of the student council. I squeeze her back just as tight as I mimic her name, "Caroline!!"

We have an adorable little hug wobble session before she suddenly realizes who else is here and turns to my least favorite doppelgänger.

"Elena. Oh my god," she wraps the brunette in a comforting embrace as she asks in her hair, "How are you?"

The uncomfortable look on Elena's face starts to piss me off as she looks at Care like she's a nuisance for caring. Caroline releases her before continuing excitedly, "Oh, its so good to see you," she turns to Bonnie who is smiling a lot more genuinely at the blonde than she had in my memory. Since me and Caroline were so close, it gave Bonnie the chance to be much closer with the sweethearts blonde as well. "How is she? Is she good?"

"Caroline, I'm right here. And I'm fine. Thank you."

"Really?" Caroline asks softly, and I can see how much she doesn't believe Elena either.

"Yes. Much better."

"Oh, you poor thing," Elena finds herself in Caroline's arms once more and I start to glare at Elena's attempts to bat her off like a fly.

"Okay, Caroline," she says in a strained voice, and I see even Bonnie looking a little miffed at her rude behavior to someone who's just trying to be nice. Said someone links her arm through mine before turning back to my sister and the doppelgänger. "I'm gonna borrow Aless for a sec, see you guys later?" Oh, this woman's happy energy is a blessing and I feel my irritation being soothed. But, I still might cast a spell and have Elena's phone alarm go off in class. No one messes with my bestie. Caroline promptly takes me away from the source of my annoyance and walks us over to the front office.

"Sorry, girl. I just needed a battle buddy for when I ask Ms. Watkins to move me to first period History with you guys. There's no way I'm teacher-aiding for the freshman's health class!" I inwardly shiver remembering just how gross that class had been, I don't blame her, and I tell her as much.

"By the way, Care, gotta say I love what you've done with your hair today. Looks way better than flat hair."

Caroline stifles a laugh at my jab at Elena before playfully swatting me on the shoulder, making me giggle. "What! You know she was being a bitch back there, after all, you're the queen of subtle digs."

Caroline rolls her cornflower blue eyes before tucking a blonde strand behind her ear as we wait in line to talk to the surly secretary, "She's going through a rough time, I can cut her some slack." Suddenly, her eyes blink owlishly at something behind me before she blushes bright red, and I feel a chill run up my spine. Unwillingly, I slowly turn around at who I know Care is gawking at, and I'm met with the most gorgeous forest green eyes I've ever seen. They're so deep, I think for a second I met get sucked in. Stefan Salvatore.

His eyes seem locked on mine, and they slightly widen as if there was something he saw in them, and I have to blink myself out of the odd trance I felt myself fall in. "Next," I hear Ms. Watkins call, and I turn to see Caroline reluctantly turning her attention to the woman. I hear him clear his throat behind me, and honestly, I don't wanna turn back around. I understand Elena so much better now, I'd be torn if I had to look at anyone else while dating this Adonis. My head reluctantly turns back and I see his green eyes sparkling in what I think is amusement if the slight grin is any indicator. But, there's something else there, something deeper in his eyes that I just can't read.

"Sorry to bother you, you just seem familiar."

Oh my god, his voice is like butter. Oh, no. This is no good at all. I gotta stay far, far away from this vamp.