Disclaimer: Of course I don't own the Vampire Diaries or any of its characters.

AN: Just a few things you need to know before checking out the first chapter: I started on this story during the first season of the Vampire Diaries, so a lot of my planning was based during that time…so for this story Uncle John is just that,Elena's uncle. And I also made Jeremy older than Elena (he's not her little brother in this story). And even though I'm not sure it really needs it, I stuck with the M rating just in case...I think that's it for now. Thanks for giving it a chance. Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 1

Elena froze at the sound of heavy boots trudging up the front porch. Her eyes widened in panic, staring at the unfinished pasta cooking on the stovetop.

He's early. It won't be ready in time.

She heard him fumbling with his keys, before shoving the right one into the front door, the lock sliding free with a slight click.

No, no, no. Just five more minutes. I just need five minutes.

The door creaked open as he stepped into the house.

Whirling toward the cabinet, she tugged the door open, grabbing the strainer. Setting it in the sink, she turned off the stove and dashed to the sink with the pot, wincing when some of the boiling water splashed over the side and onto her hands.

Ignoring the sudden pain, she drained the pasta, hoping it would be cooked enough. Picking up the jar of sauce she'd set on the counter earlier, she cursed as she fought to get the lid off.

She heard him set down his works things in the other room, before grabbing the newspaper from the coffee table.

C'mon, c'mon…there!

The lid twisted free and Elena dumped the contents into the pot, stirring the pasta and sauce together.

She heard his heavy tread shuffle in her direction, before it fell silent.

Elena froze, stiffening instinctively.

She closed her eyes, releasing a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

She was too late.

"Elena," his voice was eerily steady. The calm before the storm. "Why is dinner not ready?"

Elena hesitated briefly, before slowly spinning to face him.

"I'm sorry, Uncle John. It's almost ready. I didn't think you'd be home yet…" she trailed off lamely.

His eyes flashed, the only sign of the impending rage.

"You didn't think? See, that's your problem, Elena. You don't think," he spat, stepping toward her menacingly. "I work all day long, to make money to provide for you! So you can have a roof over your head. Food to eat. Clothes to wear. And all I ask, is that when I'm home from my long day, that there's a nice meal on the table. All I ask for! Is that so goddamn hard?"

Uncle John was screaming in her face by the end of it, spittle flying everywhere.

Elena's gaze dropped to the floor.

"No, sir," she whispered, praying he was done with his tirade for the moment. "It won't happen again."

She felt his glare boring into the top of her head.

But, thankfully, he stepped away from her.

"Good," he said, sounding somewhat satisfied for the moment. "Now I'm going back to the living room with the paper, and by the time I've read the headlines, my dinner better be on that table. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

Uncle John disappeared through the doorway, leaving Elena to waste several precious moments getting a hold of herself. Pulling a single plate out of the cabinet—she knew there was no way he'd let her eat dinner tonight—she dished him out a heaping serving and got out a slice of bread.

Quickly sneaking a few spoonfuls of pasta into her mouth—the only dinner she'd be getting now—she rushed to set the plate on the table before grabbing a beer from the fridge. Setting it all just right, she stood back against the wall.

A few seconds later Uncle John reemerged, ignoring her as he sat down and took a bite of the pasta.

Apparently satisfied, he finally acknowledged her.

"You know the drill, Elena. No dinner tonight. I don't reward screw-ups in this household. Get up to your room. I don't want to see or hear you again this evening, got that?"

Elena nodded before scampering up the stairs and to the safety of her room. She preferred not to see him again tonight, too. That feeling was completely mutual.

She'd have to sneak back to the kitchen to clean up after he'd gone to bed though. No sense in giving him something to yell at her for in the morning.

Collapsing onto her bed, her eyes wandered around her sparse room. Her bed, a dresser, and a desk and chair. A few books that she treasured. It hardly looked lived in. But it was her sanctuary.

Sliding across the mattress until her feet touched the floor, Elena crossed the room to pick up the framed photo of her family.

It had been three years since they had died in the car crash. Three years without her dad. Three years without her mom. Three years without her big brother.

Three years with Uncle John.

She gently traced their smiling faces through the glass, knowing that would be as close to touching them as she'd ever get.

They were gone.

And she was left behind with a monster.

She hadn't really even known Uncle John before he'd moved back to Mystic Falls after the accident. He had always kept his distance from the family. The funeral was only the second time she'd seen him in her life. And then she was told she had to pack up her things and move in with him. Family, and yet a complete stranger.

Of course she hadn't been allowed to keep hardly anything from before. Uncle John sold most of her family's possessions. She'd screamed and cried and pleaded with him to let her keep their things, but he had simply stared stonily at her and shoved her back in her room, locking the door from the outside.

She hadn't even noticed that the lock was reversed. She couldn't keep him out, but he could keep her in.

He'd left her in there all that day and well into the next.

That's when she realized what kind of person she'd been left with.

He rarely ever hit her, which was a plus she supposed. Usually it was just a harsh shove, an occasional object thrown in her direction. A lot of verbal abuse, a lot of missed meals, and a lot of times spent locked in her room.

He'd even nailed her window shut to ensure she stayed put during her lock-ins.

Her best friend Bonnie knew about what happened at home, mostly because she eventually guessed it, but she was sworn to secrecy. Uncle John was a cop, so there'd be no help from the police. And he was her only living relative—if she told and was removed from his home, she'd only be put into the system. Then who knows where she'd end up? She'd heard far too many foster horror stories to realize she probably had it better off now than she would in the system.

It was just two more years. Two years, and then she could escape. Get a scholarship, and get the hell away from Uncle John. Five years until she'd be free of Uncle John. Five years until she'd gain control of what her parents had left her. Then she'd be completely free.

But for now, she just had to take it one day at a time.

Opening the middle dresser drawer, she slipped her hands under the clothes until they found the leather bound journal.

Uncle John rarely entered her room, but she didn't want to take any chances of him finding it.

It was her only escape.

Making sure her door was shut tight, she leaned back against her pillow and opened the journal to the first blank page.

School starts tomorrow. Junior year. Another year of classes, of homework, of tests. Most of my classmates are probably dreading tomorrow. But for me, school means seven hours of time I get to spend away from Uncle John, away from this house. Time I actually get to spend with Bonnie.

I can't wait.

And I can't help but feel as though something is going to change. I don't know if for the good, or the bad. I've just been having those tingles down by spine, like something is waiting for me just over the horizon. That change is coming.

And whatever it is, I think I'm ready for it.

Rushing downstairs, Elena was relieved to see that Uncle John had already left for the day.

Grabbing the ten dollar bill he'd left on the table—her only lunch money for the week so she'd have use it wisely—and the banana he had left beside the money, Elena grabbed her backpack and headed out the door.

She was running a bit late this morning, and would have to practically jog to get to school on time.

Elena had barely gone a block when a dark blue car pulled up beside her.

She grinned as the window rolled down to reveal the pretty face of her best friend.

"Hey Elena, get in."

She didn't have to be told twice.

Walking around the front of the car, Elena slid into the passenger seat.

"Thanks, Bonnie," she greeted, grateful. "Nice car! When'd you get it?"

"A few days ago. I think my parents are tired of chauffeuring me around and realized now that I can legally drive, they don't have to. Hence the car."

"Not a bad deal at all."

"Nope, it worked out perfectly for me! So you be expecting rides everyday from now on."

"I don't think I can argue with that."

Bonnie fell silent for a moment, a worried expression on her face.

"So how have things been?"

Elena sighed, not really wanting to talk about it. She'd seen Bonnie when she could this summer—she'd sneak out or Bonnie would come over when Elena knew Uncle John would be at work for a long period. But it was hardly enough.

"Alright I guess. Same old, same old."

"Elena…"

"It's fine, Bonnie. I'm fine. I've got it under control."

Bonnie gave her a look that said she thought otherwise.

"It's just for two more years. I can handle that. My time's more than halfway over until I'm free," she said, trying to sound cheerful. "Can we talk about something else?"

Bonnie still looked doubtful, but let the subject drop.

"So which boy do you think Caroline's going to pounce on during the first day of school?"

Bonnie and Elena parted ways to head to their homerooms to get their schedules, hoping they'd have at least some classes together.

Walking down the hallway, Elena watched the first day antics of her classmates. Friends greeted each other, boys checked out girls, girls flirted with boys.

And Elena was ignored.

It's easier this way, she reminded herself. It makes life simpler, less complicated.

She doesn't have to explain anything to anyone.

It's hard enough to be able to see just Bonnie outside of school, and she's someone who actually understands why. Try explaining to anyone else that she's grounded on a daily basis. That she can't go to the mall. That she can't go grab a bite to eat. That she can't go to the party on Friday.

People would ask questions, questions that Elena wouldn't be able to answer.

Yes, being ignored made things easier.

Elena watched as Caroline Forbes, the queen bee of the school, checked her hair and makeup in the mirror of her locker. She was surrounded by her followers, each girl vying for Caroline's attention.

That was one girl Elena was glad to be ignored by.

Turning the corner, Elena slammed into a hard body, instantly knocking the breath out of her.

Elena felt herself start to fall backwards, knocked off balance by the solid wall.

But two strong arms reached out and circled her waist, stopping the downward movement.

Elena's startled eyes blinked, before sliding upwards to find out who was both her foe and savior.

Her chocolate orbs took in muscular arms, a broad chest and shoulders, a strong jaw line, full lips and piercing green eyes.

Instantly transfixed by those eyes, Elena lost complete awareness of her surroundings. Only those sparkling eyes seemed to exist.

A deep voice broke the trance, helping to clear her suddenly befuddled mind.

"Are you okay?"

Elena managed to nod, reminding herself to breathe, as the handsome stranger pulled her upright, ensuring she was steady on her feet before his hands slipped from her waist.

Was it just her, or did his hands seem to linger a bit longer than necessary before he had released her?

"Um, thanks," she mumbled, ducking her head as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, mostly just to give her hands something to do. Why was she suddenly so nervous and awkward?

"No problem. It was my fault anyways."

Elena managed to raise her eyes to his, offering a tentative smile, which he returned.

"I'm Stefan. Stefan Salvatore," he said, offering his hand in greeting.

"Elena Gilbert," she said, placing her much smaller hand in his. Her eyes widened at the sudden jolt that shot through her veins the moment they touched.

She noticed his eyes had widened slightly as well.

Dismissing whatever that was, she tugged her hand back slightly until he finally released his hold.

"Are you new here?" Elena didn't think she'd ever seen him before. And Mystic Falls was a pretty small town.

"Yes, I actually just moved here with my brother. I guess you can tell?"

"I've pretty much known everyone in this school since first grade, so the new faces are fairly easy to pick out of the crowd," she teased, smiling up at him.

He chuckled softly as their gazes locked again.

Neither seemed the least bit aware of the bustling students around them.

They might have stood there all day, had another boy not bumped into Stefan as he passed by on his way to class.

Suddenly embarrassed, Elena started fiddling with the notebook in her hand.

"Um, right," Stefan ran a hand through his hair. "So, maybe you can help me, Elena. I'm looking for Room 122."

Elena's eyes brightened.

"That's where I'm heading, too."

Stefan's smile sent a tingle through Elena's body.

"May I walk with you then, Elena?"

"Of course. It's actually back that way," she said, pointing in the direction he had come from.

Stefan smiled sheepishly as they took off down the hall together.

Neither noticed the blonde who had overheard the entire conversation, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

Well that's it for the first chapter — hope you liked it so far!

Thanks for reading!

Lizzieloo