Hey everyone, this is the beginning of my new story! Please review, I hope you enjoy it :)
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES. ALL RIGHTS REMAIN WITH THEIR RESPECTED OWNERS.
Changes
Chapter 1
It's the little things in life that make us who we are. We all have that sound, smell or sight that takes us back to a time gone by, that familiar face or one perfect day. There's something powerful about those moments when you stop in the middle of a busy day. You stop, overwhelmed by the memory of that time, that person, that experience. It's in these moments that we stop and realise how far we've come. More importantly, how far we've still to go. It's these moments that remind us we are alive. And I miss them. I miss them with all my heart.
The wind howls and rain lashes at the windows as I sit perched on the edge of my vintage sofa. The room is dull, with the occasional bolt of lightening scaring away the shadows. A dog-eared, leather-bound photo album lies in my lap and I turn it's worn pages carefully, studying the ancient pictures hidden inside. I have, of course, examined them hundreds of times before; I found it strangely comforting to reminisce, forgotten memories brought back to life.
As the fire crackled in the background, a certain image catches my eye. A portrait of myself. Elena Gilbert, 2005. Created at a time I would give anything in the world to go back to. A time when I was happy, when I was everything I ever wanted to be. Human. I feel a strange hatred rising up inside me, and my eyes begin to fill with tears. The girl in the picture appears identical to me, but I don't recognise her at all. So innocent. What happened to that girl? The same smile on the same face, except back then the smile was real. Becoming a vampire was a viable explanation for the change. But that wasn't the reason . I know what caused it. My brother is dead, and no one seems to care. I suppose they think I've grown used to it by now: maybe they think it doesn't hurt any more. They're wrong.
Flipping the page in frustration, a single piece of paper sails out and glides down to rest on the floor by the fire. Setting the album on the stained table, I stand up and wander towards the fallen picture. As I dust away the ashes which have fallen upon it, I see the face in the photograph. Damon. His charming smile lighting up the dull room, as it always does. It is so infectious that I feel myself grinning, my eyes fixed upon his printed face. Stop it, Elena. You're not supposed to be thinking about him. He is a monster; he's nothing on Stefan. You're supposed to be in love with Stefan. By this point I find it difficult to convince myself. The picture is almost perfect...but by his side stands a figure who's presence makes my expression drop instantly. Katherine Pierce. His first love. His so-called destiny. His eternal heartbreak. It may be silly and immature of me to hate her the way I do, but that's the funny thing about love. Someone ends up happy, someone ends up hateful and someone, inevitably, ends up heart broken.
Sometimes I wonder why I haven't stolen it yet. I know exactly where it is. The cure is with Damon, in a drawer of the cabinet in the living room. With Silas possessing people left right and centre, I suppose it is safer there. That is if Bonnie's spell is successful tonight. Maybe it is as everyone says: maybe the cure is meant for Caroline. But that doesn't stop me desiring it so. To stick my finger with a drawing pin, and bleed. A future of travelling, killing, having the stereotypical idea of a good time. Centuries to be spent utterly companionless. Caroline deserves the cure, she's endured so much hurt, and we can't risk turning her humanity off. She cries all the time, she's lost so much. We can't risk losing her, hurting her again. What do I think? Maybe Caroline does deserve the cure. Maybe she has gone through a lot. And maybe it does hurt. But the real trouble comes when it doesn't hurt. The real trouble comes when you don't cry. It becomes physically impossible. When you feel completely numb to the core. You feel empty. Nothing. It seems ridiculous, but I'd give anything to feel again. Anything. I suppose that is why I have left the cure alone, because she will be human and won't have the option to turn it off. Emotions are not something to be taken for granted: and neither are they something to be underestimated. She will have to feel, and she will have to deal with it. I want Caroline to take the cure. As much as I do find her frustrating, I would never wish this upon anybody. No one deserves to feel as though they don't exist while their heart is still beating. No one.
Wandering back towards the sofa, I pick up the album and try to slide the picture back into it's pouch, catching another glimpse of Damon's brooding face. As the fire dies down, I realise I am squinting in the darkness. The storm has long since passed and only a few burning embers remain, a glimmer in the blackness. The room has fallen into complete silence, but the noise in my head is deafening. I need to get out of here. As I turn and run to the hallway, I drop the album and it hits the floor with a dull thud. The front door slamming shut behind me, Damon's photograph glides down and comes to rest by the fireplace as the final glowing ember is engulfed by the darkness.
So there we have it, the first chapter. Please review if you can, I appreciate all the feedback :) n.b - I apologise if I update very slowly, I'm currently sitting exams in school. I'll try to be as fast as possible. Thank you! :)