Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries, but I do own my OC, Robyn, and any other original characters that will eventually make their way into this story.

I don't remember a single moment in my life where my older sister hasn't been by my side. She was there when I scraped my knees against the stone steps of the Town Hall building, she helped me learn to read when I was small, and she and I even stole cookies from the jar mother kept just out of reach on the counter together. I remember an old, faded picture of her holding me in her small arms, with some help from father of course, when I was a newborn baby; it always makes me smile.

She was my rock, and as we got older and I understood life more and more, I was there for her just as she had always been there for me; I never thought that I had a debt to repay for all the things she did, I just loved her too much not to. I stood by her side as one of her bridesmaids when she got married, let her cry on my shoulder when she found out she could never have children, and I cried my eyes out on the day she died.

Emily had said it herself many times throughout our lives that she was and would always be my best friend, so it stands to reason that she was there during the biggest event of my life. It was an adventure…our adventure. I never could've anticipated that those few short months would redefine my life for all of eternity…

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"…and then she kept screaming to stop ripping the curtains," Emily laughed uncontrollably as she drove. "I swear that I've never seen old Mrs. Peterson that mad at Perry before." I looked out the window at the beautiful spring scenery as Emily's Ford Model T sped along seemingly endless road.

"So Robby?" Emily asked, using her nickname for me. "Are you excited?"

"We've been to the city before, Em," I reminded her. "Remember?"

"You know what I mean," she laughed. "First time living away from home, first real grown-up job." Emily reached up to wipe a fake tear from her cheek. "My baby sister's a big girl now."

"Must you exaggerate," I sighed, rolling my eyes.

"Don't even start, Robyn. You know you love it." The truth was, though, that my excitement was growing for every mile closer we got to our destination; I knew my sister was just as excited, if not more so, than I was.

"Just promise you won't forget about me if you and Greg are invited to a party," I said. "Otherwise I'll be all alone at the apartment, bored out of my mind." Immediately Emily grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly.

"I would never forget about you, Robby. You're my sister; my best friend. We're partners in crime." She sighed and glanced quickly to the backseat of the car, which held our bags and a small pile of Montgomery Ward catalogues. "I might be getting married next summer, but I'm never going to let anything hurt you; I will always be here, and don't you ever forget that."

"It was a joke, Em," I informed her, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall.

"Oh," she blushed, embarrassed. I scooted over in my seat and placed my head on her shoulder, like I usually did when I was tired and couldn't find a pillow around.

"Love you, Emily."

"I know," she laughed, tilting so her cheek touched the top of my head. "I love you too, kid." The car started to swerve unexpectedly, and we both jumped back to our original placed, Emily's eyes glued to the road and both of her hands on the steering wheel so we wouldn't die.

"You're a terrible driver," I teased.

"Hey, I taught you how to drive, remember?" A smile lit up her face when she noticed the tall buildings of the city get closer and closer. "This is it," Emily exclaimed. "The Costello Sisters and their Great Chicago Adventure."

A/N: This idea has been brewing in my head for weeks, but I never got the time to write…until today when I was waiting for my bus after school. It has nothing to do with "I Wish It Was You"—my other TVD fic—or its prequel, so if you've read that, don't expect to see Miranda or anything in this.

I would like some feedback—should I keep writing this?—so if you want to leave a review, I would really appreciate it. Love it, hate it? What do you think of Robyn? What do you think of her sister, Emily? Questions, comments, concerns? Let me know.

Added incentive: anyone who leaves a review will get a special sneak peek of the next chapter (unless you have PMs turned off, then I'm sorry but I can't do much for you…unless you want a hug). Until next time…