Disclaimer, I only own my OCs

Chapter 1: Coming Home

Nikki stepped off of the airplane and looked around at the familiar scenery of Virginia. It had been 2 long years since she had been back to Virginia. Taking up her messenger bag, she descended the stairs towards the valet who was waiting with her car. "I hope you had a pleasant flight miss Vita," the valet questioned the pretty brunette as she walked up to him. "Thank you," she replied politely with a smile, causing the man to turn a little red. With another thank you and have a great day, Nicolette was off for Mystic Falls.

Pulling up into the high school parking lot, Nicolette heaved a sigh before swiftly locking her door and heading towards the office. She was not happy about being late on her first day back to her school, but was resigned to make the most of it so she could go home and sleep off her jet lag.

Walking into the office she managed to get Mrs Richards' attention after a couple tries. "Hi, my name is Nicolette Vita and I just transferred here," she stated and the lady looked up before her eyes widened in shock. "You're Nicolette Vita, as in Nikki Vita? Welcome back to Mystic Falls! I have heard many good things about you-" she continued to babble incessantly about what an honor it was to have the Nikki Vita back at Mystic Falls High.

Nikki smiled politely and was eventually able to direct the conversation towards her schedule for the school year. Mrs Richards sobered up and pulled up the intended schedule and instructed her on what she would be doing before dismissing her to go to the remainder of her 1st period class, although as soon as Nikki got to the door she was reminded about soccer tryouts and instructed not to miss them.

"Here goes nothing," Nicolette told herself before pushing open the classroom door and walking into her 1st period half an hour into the class. The teacher looked up at her in annoyance at her sheepish look. She walked up to the teacher and gave him her note, causing his face to change into a dramatically different expression. "Everyone we have a special addition to our class this year. This is Nicolette Vita, the girl who was rewarded with best player in state for Volleyball in her Freshman year. I trust you will all make her feel welcome," he introduced and she gave an embarrassed smile to the class before silently taking an empty seat.

The first bell rang, signalling the end of 1st period. The students poured out of the classroom with gusto, leaving Nikki to slowly pack up her supplies and make her way out of the classroom. As soon as she exited the classroom she heard a familiar voice coming from behind her, "As I live and breathe. I must be dreaming! Nikki Vita?" she turned to smile at the tall form of Tyler Lockwood. "Hi Ty," she rolled her eyes and gave him a hug. "It's good to have you back Lette," Matt informed her, as he too wrapped her up into a hug. "It's good to be back," she rebutted as she fell into step between her two friends.

They walked down the school halls together, where they were met with various looks of curiosity and awe. "You realize while you were in Europe, you became something of a legend for the whole town," Matt informed the bemused brunette after she gave him a questioning glance. "It was one championship. I don't see why everyone has to make such a big deal about it," she complained before scowling at Tyler as he snickered. "Only you would dislike being popular. I would be openly embracing my celebrity status if I was you," he stated pompously only to be silenced by a chilling look from her forest colored eyes.

"You know, sometimes I wonder how we ended up being friends," Nicolette exclaimed in exasperation at one of Tyler's comments as they made their way towards her locker. Tyler smiled impishly and swung her around in a hug causing her feet to leave the school floor. People stopped in the halls as they witnessed their star football player swing around an unfamiliar girl.

Nikki scowled as she was placed back onto the floor, "So much for an inconspicuous first day," she muttered before dismissing herself and making her way towards her locker.

Nikki took out her phone and replied to a text message as she continued to walk towards her locker. She ultimately ended up crashing into a solid figure of a male student. "Merde," she cursed before quickly apologizing for her clumsiness. Her apology was written off with an easy 'no problem'. After bending and retrieving her fallen phone she turned to see to her books already being held out to her by the mysterious guy. "Thank you," she replied as she finally looked up at the guy.

They locked gazes and both did a double take, "Stefan?" she questioned in uncertainty as realization dawned in her foresty eyes. "Nikki?" he rebutted before a smile broke across both of their faces and they embraced. "What are you doing here?" They asked simultaneously before replying in an equal manner of 'I live here', causing both to laugh.

"I just returned from a 2 year respite in Europe. What's your story?" Nicolette volunteered finally in order to keep from talking at the same time. She looked at her cousin expectantly as she waited for his response. "How's the family?" he asked curiously. "Everyone is good. Uncle Tony is my legal guardian now... Don't change the subject!" she rebutted in frustration, earning a teasing smile from Stefan. "Alright Nikki. I just moved back," he replied honestly and she nodded her head in gratification, "So you're staying at the old Salvatore Boarding house then," she stated knowledgeably.

The two walked together to their next class, comparing schedules, and catching up on each other's lives since they last saw each other. The bond between the two cousins was very palpable and many people stopped to see the new 'couple', gossip already beginning to formulate throughout the halls.

Nikki cursed her luck as she ran through the halls, already running late for the second time on her first day back. She was beginning to think this was becoming a common occurrence in her life as she thought back to her previous years of High School. Taking another oath and mentally preparing herself for unavoidable lecture from her least favorite teacher, she pulled the door open and walked into the class.

Mr. Tanner didn't disappoint as he gave her an entire lecture on tardiness and how just because it was her first day back and she was a star athlete didn't mean that she could get away with being tardy.

Nicolette apologized sheepishly before sliding into an empty seat diagonal to her smug cousin and besides Bonnie. She glared at the back of Stefan's head before turning and greeting her friends happily.

Yes everything was officially back to normal, she decided with a shake of her head as Bonnie gave a completely irrelevant answer to the history question directed to her.

Hey, so this is my first Vampire Diaries fanfiction,

so I apologize if I get some things wrong.

Please let me know what you think in a Review and I appreciate any pointers or constructive criticism you have for my story.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next chapter :)