Chapter 1: Anything is Possible

Every family lives in a different world from one another. They all lead a completely different life; all run in a different style. Some families are laid back, some stricter than others. The way that homes run these days is that you're either a two parent household or a single parent household. Those still fortunate enough to have two are more lucky than some. They're left standing the longest, or at least it seems that way. Most people these days look at households and think of them as perfect, unbreakable even. The only problem is that no one knows the real extent of the story, the life living inside of that 'perfect' creation. Even replacements are seen as royalty for taking on the family role. Stepfathers and Stepmothers cannot help a house become a home. The only ones capable enough of helping it become a home, are the ones that cared enough to stay in the first place.

Take Mystic Falls for example. A small local town, everyone knows each other. Or do they? As mentioned before, everything that happens behind doors is hidden and secluded. This just means that everyone outside who is looking in, thinks of perfection. The only people who know what goes on are the ones living it or the ones who are trusted. The problem is people who are looking in because they are the ones that are ignoring the quiet cry for help. All they see is the light beyond the tunnel, but maybe it's hard for them to see, considering that the family are so good at hiding their troubles inside.

This is where the real story begins, the journey of a lifetime some might say. Living life is about taking a leap of faith for something that you desire. If that desire is strong enough and worth taking a risk for, then do not hesitate or think twice. Hesitation is the first step towards failure, the first step to leading a miserable life.

This is where Elena Gilbert, a young girl comes in. A girl so bright, so full of hope and wisdom. She just happens to live in one of those households, where it isn't all it seems to be behind closed doors.

At the age of 12, she lost her dad in a tragic car accident, leaving her family in a state of relapse and devastation. At the age of 14, a new man walked into her life, automatically replacing her dad and failing in the process. At the age of 15, she got her first drop of alcohol, only becoming an addiction in her life. At the age of 16, she drew the first line of blood and gained another addiction. At the age of 17, the new man became her permanent stepfather and she didn't think life could get any worse from there, especially since she had become his new punching bag, not to her mothers notice that is. At the age of 18, she was beginning sophomore year and was looking to turn a new table. Unfortunately nothing was looking her way, no matter how hard she tried causing her to return to what she once knew.

Elena Gilbert was on the verge of becoming an alcoholic and a self harmer at the age of 18. All her life, nothing had ever been enough, maybe someone could come along and change her back to the old Elena she once knew The girl who loved waking up every morning just to live life. There was no love in Elena Gilbert, the only love she had now was for playing the piano. She had no love for her family. None for her mom, since she made her this way and pushed her to the edge. She never once noticed the damage she was doing. Jeremy, her brother was long gone. He did the right thing and walked away, only if she could go back and walk out the door with him. They always say that fear is the enemy, fear ruled all. Only if she could face her fear and break free, she would be who she was meant to be.

Shouting echoed through the household, their voices carried out of the windows. It was a typical night in the Gilbert residence. They spend the entire night fighting and screaming at the top of their lungs, until it came to a disappointing end and they went their separate ways. This was the same argument again. The same as it was every night. Elena fighting with David about having what she couldn't have. All she wanted were piano lessons, but NO, that was too much to much to ask for wasn't it? Too much for a daughter to ask. The only reason she couldn't have them is because her 'lovely' stepfather David was focused on giving her the most miserable life ever.

What did her mom do? Zilch. Sat and watched, nodding her head along with everything that came out of David's mouth. She was turning into a nodding dog, running after him and agreeing with everything he said. Every time Elena fought for what she wanted the most, she was threatened with Boarding School. SOSDD, which stands for same old shit different day. It was a saying she had got use to when David started staying at their house, coming back from work. It was always the SOSDD response when her mom asked how his day was. Of course she would care about HIS, it didn't matter what her daughter did in her spare time as long as she was out of her sight.

"I said no and that is the end of it!" David raised his voice, glaring at the brunette who stood at a safe distance on the other side of the counter.
"It's not the end of it! I WANT to play piano! I WANT to buy a piano, I WANT PIANO LESSONS." Elena raised her voice, glaring back at him as her anger grew with each passing second. Why was it too much to ask for? She wasn't asking for them to buy her a car or a house. "Why can I not have piano lessons!?"

"Elena." Miranda started, her voice stern, but her eyes soft, almost begging.
"Don't Elena me mother. For once, I want something and still, it's a big to do about it."
"No, the big to do will be YOU going off to the Boarding School if you don't quit your attitude!" David snapped, banging his fist on the counter, his eyes a dark brown as he glared at her.

"Well, good luck with that," She answered sarcastically, giving him a thumbs up, "Attitude is staying and so am I, so deal with it."
"You will not be staying if you keep this up! Believe me, I will have your bags packed and you gone!"
"What are you going to do? Throw me out of my own house? I was here first, after you then!"

Elena clenched her fist, pointing her thumb towards the front door, her eyes full of fire and anger as David banged the counter again. Miranda watched the two, her eyes turning cold and stern as Elena took a deep breath. She wasn't going to win, she never did. It was like an ongoing battle with no accomplishment at the end. She may as well give up trying, but it just wasn't in her nature to do so.

"Go to your room!" He shouted, the veins evident in his arms, since he was clenching his fists so hard.
"No need to tell me twice!" Elena yelled back, storming out of the kitchen.

Scaling the stairs; two steps at a time, she went into her bedroom, slamming the door so hard that it could have come off its hinges if it wanted to. Twisting the lock on the door, she walked over to the bathroom and closed the door and locked it too. She didn't want to see ANY of them again tonight. It was bad enough she had to wake up and see the pair of them tomorrow. This way they couldn't get into her room,

Looking around the room, she exhaled and gripped her hair in frustration, the anger making its way through her veins as she pulled her jumper over her head and threw it into the nearby basket. Catching the sight of the scars on her wrists, she got the temptation and took a deep breath, pulling the jeans down her legs as she hopped out of them, also disposing of them into the basket.

This was getting too much, what was she suppose to do? Lifting her phone off the bed, she checked for any messages, but found none unfortunately. Running her fingers through her hair, she tried to calm herself down as she didn't want to give into temptation. Just one draw of blood and it would go away, just one sting of pain.

Swallowing, she walked over to her desk and switched on her laptop. Opening her bedside drawer, she looked at the scalpel. It glistened in the light, the thought of it exhilarating her thoughts as she took a deep breath. One slice. Reaching into the drawer, she felt her heart racing and gasped as a shrilling noise came from her bed. Holding her hand to her chest, she walked over and grabbed her phone.

"Hello?"
"Hey you! Why is your ass not over here?" Caroline questioned, confusion and frustration in her voice.
"Family things, ONCE again." Elena stressed, scratching her cheek as she shut the drawer quickly to hide the temptation, "You know how it is."
"What about this time? Is the creepy stepfather being a dick again?" Caroline raised an eyebrow.

"Ding ding ding!" She responded, walking over to her wardrobe as she pulled a jersey out and slipped it over her head.
"Boarding School threat again?"
"Nothing new aye?" Walking over to her desk, she sat in the chair, clicking on the internet browser, "It doesn't matter."
"Well tomorrow when you come into school, me and Bonnie will bring you to the mall."
"I don't think my day could get any better." Elena smiled softly, rubbing her hand down her neck as she looked at the time.
"Perfect. She you tomorrow Gilbs." Caroline called, the line going dead as she hung up.

Shaking her head, she laughed slightly and tossed the phone back onto the bed as she turned her full attention to the computer. Getting up the Google search engine, she typed 'piano teachers' into the bar and waited for the results to come up on screen. Digging the heel of her palm into her eyes, she yawned as tiredness invaded her body.

Looking at the screen, she looked down to the corner, the time reading 22:00. Why did she have school tomorrow? Groaning, she looked at the web results and wrote down numbers and names on her notepad. It was worth a shot. They wouldn't have to know, it was just research right? Closing her laptop down, she ripped the page off and jumped onto her bed, lying on her stomach comfortably.

"Would anyone be awake now?" Making a face, she dialed the first number into her phone and listened to the dial tone as she held her breath.
"What?"
"Hi, Is this Mr Kelse?" Elena spoke quietly.
"Yes."
"Uh, I just have an enquiry about piano lessons?"
"Do you have ANY idea what time it is!? People have to get up and work in the morning!"

The line went dead and beeped loudly as Elena winced and bit down on her lip. Seems like SOMEONE was pissed, what was his problem? It was only 10pm, she didn't mean to bring out the exorcist in anyone. Face palming, she groaned and looked back over the list of other numbers. She might as well get a start on the rest and see if they were all looking to blow her ear off too.

After a half an hour of her ear getting squealed into, she moaned in annoyance and buried her face into the comfort of her bed. Why was everyone in such a pissy mood!? It was only like...well, it was 10:30 now. Only half an hour later than before. Sighing, she looked at her list of all the crossed out names and dragged her finger down the page, stopping on the last one that hasn't been crossed out yet. Damon Salvatore. They always say the last is the charm or maybe just another yell in her ear. There was nothing to lose right? Slowly dialing the number, she held the phone to her ear, closing her eyes tightly.

"Hello?" A husky voice soothed through the phone as she inhaled.
"Hi, I mean hello. My name is Elena Gilbert, I had an enquiry about piano lessons," She panicked, "I know its late and I'm sorry, I mean...I've called plenty of others and had my ear torn off, but I wanted to apologise in advance before you chewed my ear off too."

A chuckle made its way through the phone as she opened her eyes in surprise, her heart rate settling slightly as chills made their way through her body. Pushing herself up onto her knees, she wrapped an arm around her waist and licked her lips. Surely this was a good start?

"What was your name again sweetheart?" He questioned.
"Elena Gilbert?"
"Right, Elena Gilbert," He smiled, "Hello there, what were your enquiries then?"
"Oh right, enquiries. I wanted to do a trial session if possible?"
"That can be arranged, when are you available?"
"Oh!" She uttered in surprise, trying to ramble through her brain, "Tomorrow maybe?"

"I'm free tomorrow, so that fits in. Do you know where the old Boarding House is?"
"I do."
"Well, I'm stationed there, come whenever you want. Just do me a favor and make sure it's after 10, I'm not an early bird."
"No problem." She laughed, smiling, "Well thank you for taking my call and thank you...for not shouting at me."
"Anytime Miss Gilbert, I will be seeing you tomorrow, goodnight."

The line went dead as she swallowed the lump in her throat. Oh wow. Putting her phone down, she flopped onto her back as the wind swept in through the window. Closing her eyes, a small smile made its way onto her face. Maybe things would turn good after all. Just the small fact of hiding it from the Boarding School police. Switching the lamp off, she stretched out on her bed and pulled the pillow closer. Anything is possible.

A/N: Hello everyone, WELL, let me know what you think AND yes, as I said, writing I've never done before. Enjoy!

Shauna
xxx