January 9, 2010

Demi Huxley lay in bed with a book in her lap, reading intently and blocking out the world. It was a Saturday, and typically she would be on her bike or at the gym, but she felt like taking it easy today. School resumed on Monday and she wanted to take a day to just relax. It was short-lived, however, as a soft knock came to her front door. Little did Demi know that this was her last true moment of normalcy. If it could even be called that.

Demi had been in foster care her whole life, abandoned at a hospital by some blonde-haired nurse that had been wanted for taking several children from hospital nurseries. But no one could identify her. The only reason anyone knew her name was because of a blanket she'd been wrapped in with her name embroidered on the side. Demi didn't mind. Sure, she'd been in a few bad homes. But, she'd also been in a few good ones.

She leaves her room and walks into the spacious living room. This family was one of the more decent ones. "Coming," she calls, brushing a lock of her chestnut hair out of her face and going to the door. She swings it open and instantly freezes, brown eyes going wide. "What..." Before her stood a woman of her same height, same thin figure. And same face... Demi could hardly believe her eyes. She blinks a few times and takes a shaky breath, trying to collect herself.

"Demetria? I'm Elena Gilbert," the woman say. Even their voices were the same. It was uncanny. "I, uh... I just found out about you, about our adoptions. I'm your sister."

Demi opens the door wider to let Elena in, her eyes never leaving her. "It's Demi. Your adoption, you mean," she corrects, a slight disappointment to her voice. Maybe even a twinge of jealousy. "Yeah, I'd assume sister. I didn't even... I didn't know." She closes the door and sits on the sofa, Elena taking the spot next to her and facing her fully.

"I didn't either," Elena confesses. "Not until about a month ago. I've had my aunt digging for details all this time. She said you were taken from the hospital by some nurse."

Demi nods, wringing her hands slightly. She stands and goes to her room, grabbing her old blanket from the top of her closet and bringing it into the living room. She hands the fabric to Elena and sits again. "I was in that when they found me. It's the only thing that truly belongs to me." She looks over Elena, still not believing her eyes. "So you were adopted."

"Yes. My father was a doctor there when we were born. His name is on the birth certificate. He didn't want people asking questions."

Demi creases her brows in confusion. "Why would they?"

"Our mother, Isobel... She just abandoned us. She stayed with my family for a few days and then just suddenly left. Never came back."

Demi just scoffs, standing once more and starting to pace. "This is insane." She looks back at Elena and shakes her head. "Where do you live? Where are we from?"

"Mystic Falls. It's a few hours from here between Lynchburg and Charlottesville. Really small."

"It must be. I've never heard of it."

The two talked for over an hour, the conversation quickly going from uncomfortable and awkward, to somewhat pleasant. Elena told Demi a lot about her life, her family, some of her friends. Demi had some of her own stories to tell, but not as many good ones, and she didn't feel like sharing the bad ones just yet. Just as Elena was finally getting ready to leave, Demi stops her, a plea in her eyes. "Take me with you. Take me with you," she begs, gauging Elena's reaction. "I don't want to stay here and just keep bouncing around the system. Just let me come with you while my foster parents are still away." Elena looks indecisive, nervous.

"Demi, I don't want to get you in any sort of troub-"

"You won't!" Demi assures. "Please. No one's going to come looking for me anyway, and I can help your aunt get her foster license so I can stay with you legitimately. Please, Elena."

Elena hesitates before nodding slightly. "Okay." That one word was enough. Demi goes quickly to her room, grabbing her duffel and shoving in as much of her stuff as she could fit. She didn't have much, so she managed to fit almost all of it into the bag without too much struggle. She returns to the living room, seeing a man standing beside Elena.

Demi frowns, looking the man up and down. "Who is this?"

"Stefan Salvatore," he greets, extending a hand to Demi. But she doesn't take it, awaiting further explanation. "I'm Elena's boyfriend. Came for moral support, really." Demi nods, watching Stefan drop his hand and then looking to Elena. "Let's go."