AN: So here's the first idea I've had on my mind lately. To this one, I've already written somewhat of a first chapter. However, I don't have the time - nor the effort really - to work it out further. Anyone, on with the first idea!

Some things you'll have to know before we start:
- It's an OC story
- Twin sister of Elena
- Always second best
- She has come to the point that she simply doesn't care about things anymore.
For example: she's not afraid of Damon and doesn't care about him using her as
a blood bag and sex object. Or at least; she refuses to feel hurt by it. After all;
she's used to being second best to Elena - and now to be even third best to Katherine.
- Drug addict
- Moved out when 15 because of drug addiction
- Didn't see parents before death
- Serious addict (so not just smoking pot)
- Last thing said to parents was 'You're not my parents'

I took a deep breathe, adjusting the strap of my backpack and rang the bell. My gut instinct told me to run and I almost forgot why I came here in the first place. I had no choice.

When I ran away from home when I was 15, I swore myself never to go back to Mystic Falls. I'd settled in Richmond, moving in with Dave, my best friend and drug buddy. Although he was 22 at the time, we'd gotten along pretty well and with my job at a local diner, I'd dragged in my share of the rent and drugs. It was an escape from reality, from a life in which I always seemed to be just the shadow of my twin sister's perfection. Anyways, to cut a long story short, Dave died and since I didn't make enough money to maintain the rent and my heroin addition, I had to come back.

The door opened at that moment, dragging me out of my thoughts. 'Kate, you're back!' The young woman all but screamed and pulled me into a hug. Jenna, my Mom's younger sister, had without a doubt been my favorite family member since I was little. She had always been the less perfect, less organized little sister, no matter how hard she tried. She got me.

'Hey Jenna,' I said, walking in and dropping my duffle bag on the ground. The house looked exactly the same, as if nothing had changed in those two years that I was away from home.

She examined me, then tugged at my hair. 'You grew out your hair, I like it!'

I snickered, clearly remember the day that I decided to cut it short and had gotten a pair of scissors and given myself a – somewhat failed – bob. Now, after several years in which I had not cut it, it was back to its original length.

'Kate? Kate, did you hear me?'

Shaking my head, I put on a smile. 'Sorry, still getting used to being around people. I better get my stuff up to my old room.. It is still my room, right?'
Jenna nodded 'Even the smell has lingered.'

I decided not to comment on that, knowing she was referring to the pot that I'd frequently smoked in there. At least now she wouldn't be able to say something about the smell anymore.

Hoisting my bag back onto my shoulder, I climbed the stairs, stopping in front of the closed door. Slowly pushing it open, it felt like time hadn't passed at all. The same grey walls, the bed that was still unmade, the rug which had burn holes from the times that I'd accidentally set it on fire. Home sweet home, I thought, sarcastically.

Rummaging through my bag, I quickly found what I was looking for and pulled out a mirror and my wallet. I set to making three, neat lines with my credit card and sighed in contentment as the coke entered my bloodstream. Jenna would kill me if she found out.

I leant my head back against the wall, closing my eyes as a feeling of peace fell over me. Life could be so good..

'Kate?' A knock on my door accompanied the voice. I sighed. Why was she always such a buzz-killer?

Throwing my sweater lazily over my supply, I sat up straight. 'Yeah, 'Lena, I'm in here.'

The door opened silently and my twin's face peaked into my room. 'I thought you said you would arrive before the first day of school.'

I groaned, having to keep myself from rolling my eyes. 'Before the first day, on the first day, what's the difference? I'm here, ain't I?'

Elena sighed, her brown doe eyes looking at me, begging. 'You can't keep running from life, Kate. I know it's hard, but by ruining your life you're not making it better. I love you, we all love you. We're your family and we're here for you. Mom and Dad… they wouldn't have wanted this.'

'Well, they're dead so I don't see how they've got a say in the matter. This is my life, Elena, mine, and I'll choose to do with it as I see fit.' I slammed the door in her face, hating the headache that was already coming up. This was exactly why I'd left home. I was sick of their meddling, their telling me what to do. The judgmental glances, the looks of disappointment, I hated it.

After finishing a dinner full of awkward silences, reproachful looks from Elena and some worried ones from Jenna, I couldn't take it anymore. Three hours and they were already driving me crazy.

Jeremy, my little kid brother, had grown up to be much like myself at that age. Depressed and stoned. He was a good kid, though, and I didn't doubt he would get back to his feet. I didn't worry about him too much.

Grabbing my black, leather jacket, I gazed into the kitchen where Jenna was sitting, surrounded by piles of paper. 'I'm going to get some fresh air.'

She looked up from her papers, as if to crack the secret code behind my words. Then, apparently giving up, she nodded. 'You're going to go to school tomorrow.'

'I know.' Really, I liked Aunt Jenna and I think she kind of had a weak spot for me, too, since she didn't even tell me at what hour to be back. Not that I would have listened.
Closing the door behind me, I casually put my hands into the pockets of my jacket and strolled over the sidewalk. Although Jenna might have thought I was up to something, I really just needed to get out of the suffocating house.

'Elena?'

Sighing, I stopped, turning around to see a guy standing a few feet away. A cute guy, I should say. But of course he thought I was Elena – they always go for Elena. If he knew my sister, though, I was surprised that his mistake hadn't hit him yet. Apart from our completely different sense of fashion, I was a lot thinner. Drugs were my waistline's best friend. 'Nope, but you can try again,' I said in mock enthusiasm.

He frowned, clearly not understanding what was going on. Apparently my sister had forgotten to inform him of her twin. Shame on her.

'I'm Kate,' I offered.

I might as well have said that I was the devil in true form, for at the mention of my name he seemed to go completely rigid. His eyes almost bulged out of their sockets and he took a step back. 'Katherine?'

'I prefer Kate,' I said, not wanting to think about my horrid birth name. Who names their kids like that these days?

He didn't say anything, simply looked at me, calculating.

'So…' I started, overcome with awkwardness 'If you're still looking for my sister, she's inside.' I nodded towards the house.

'Your sister?'

This guy really was very slow to catch on, wasn't he? 'Yes, twin actually.'

Realization hit him and he turned red. 'I'm sorry.. I just, you reminded me of someone I know.'

Yes, obviously. Since he knew my twin. 'Yeah, whatever. Nice to meet you..'

'Stefan,' he offered, smiling for the first time since I met him. 'Stefan Salvatore.'

AU: As I already mentioned in the Summary, everyone is free to adopt this idea and do with it what they like. However, I would appreciate it if you contacted me before, so I know what happened to it. Also; I would rather like to read it myself, as well (;