I stared blankly at the reflection on the mirror; it was a mixture of my mother and father's faces. Mostly, my mother but after all I was the girl of the family. Family- such a word that should be filled to the heart's content with loving uncles and aunts. However, mine was empty- it was just me and my brother. My brother, he was a world on his own- filled with love, he had warm hazel eyes and soft baby blonde hair. Only fourteen and yet could make the world spin counterclockwise, he was all I had- and maybe all I needed. I was seventeen on the other hand; a legal adult and I had moved back to the land before time- my original home. This was the place where I had grown, my brother as well, and the place where my parents died. This was the place, that I had fallen to the ground with tears melting down my cheeks and weeping as photographers took pictures and blasted them on the newspaper head stories. I was only ten, my brother was eight. I remember my friends from then, them being Elena, Bonnie, Matt, and a few others. I felt different, as I combed back my shorter soft oak brown hair, tying it back, as my dark eyes glistened like diamonds behind them. My hair was short and framed my eyes, but I didn't want to put it down- I felt like I was still mourning. I felt alone, but I tried to hide it- it was both my brother and my first day at school. I had woken early to cook breakfast, and I had changed into my clothes pretty early too. I sat outside, reading a book by Jane Austen, the sunrise was just coming up but the light on the outside porch provided good light as well. I watched a dark black crow glide over the sky on land on my porch. It cocked its head, and I cocked mine- I smiled and said softly,

"My dearest crow, I need you to remain as serene and silent as you can- for my little brother is still sleeping. But, may I add- you are doing an excellent job at it!"

The crow rose up again, and flew closer to me- I was a little surprised, and surprisingly scared as I looked into the perpetually dark eyes of the crow- it seemed strangely hypnotizing. It came closer, until I threw myself off the porch as the little alarm on my watch went beeping. I turned it off and looked at the crow, blinked and went inside the house. I ran up the stairs, and jumped on my little brother's bed,

"Oh baby, baby- Tommy wakes up- time to go to school!"

"I don't know…"

"Don't be afraid, you have me – remember?"

"I know… what's for breakfast?"

"Pancakes, scrambled eggs, and coffee are all on the table with a little sign that says 'eat me'."

"That's always appetizing- I love food that can talk to me…"

I smiled, and went downstairs and took out two plates, and cups. I looked out the window and to my surprise I saw the crow from earlier, watching me. I took out a slice of bread, and went outside through the kitchen door.

"Hey crow! You hungry- I got some bread, I'll leave it here and if you don't want it, the squirrels and other creatures will take it. Okay?"

I closed the door, but the crow still was watching me. I felt uncomfortable as the glances seemed to penetrate right through me. My cheeks blushed a soft pink and I turned my back to it. I set the table as my brother came rushing in. We ate together and I said softly,

"Tommy…?"

"What's up Jane?"

"If anything at school goes wrong, or on the way home, anything at all- I want you to call me right away! I will be there quicker than you can imagine. I don't care what time of day it is- but you call me. Am I completely understood?"

"Yeah, sure, but I don't have a phone."

"Think again- look in your backpack."

He ran over, and let out an excited laugh and threw his arms around me.

"Wow! Wow! Wow! A phone! My own phone, are you serious? Wow! Thank you!"

I smiled, as I watched him grab his backpack and head off to school. I turned around as I placed the dishes in the sink; the crow was now watching me again- but closer to the window. I felt completely intimidated. I placed my wallet by the table, and I decided getting to school early would not be a bad idea. I locked all the doors, drew the curtains away from the window. I started walking to my car parked outside. Then I noticed someone- a tall individual with strikingly good looks. He smiled and said,

"Good morning."

"Good morning indeed. How are you?"

"Awake and aware, and you?"

I was closer to my car, and he was still standing there next to my car, I smiled and said,

"Curious as to why you are standing next to my car?"

"Just to remind you not to forget your wallet."

I suddenly remembered that my wallet was still by the sink. I said,

"Oh my gosh, thank you so much!"

I did a soft trot to the door and opened it- I grabbed my wallet and I heard a voice inside my house boom out,

"Lovely decorations, did you make them?"

I turned quickly to see the man from earlier grazing my home- touching objects, playing with the curtains. I stuttered as I said,

"Um yes… I mean- no! Not all of them- a few…"

"Are you okay?"

"I thought so."

"You should probably head to school."

"That'd be best."

"Shall I lead you to the door?"

"What's my other option?"

"I'll carry you there."

"Leading sounds great!"

We walked to the door, and I could feel the tiny gap between the two of us. When we arrived to my car, I turned to say thanks- but he was gone. Then, I noticed something else- my hair was done. Someone had untied the elastic band holding my hair back. I heard a loud screech as I turned around, there was the crow in the tree and its long talons clutched my elastic band. I felt like screaming, but instead I quickly entered my car. I began to drive to school, and when I passed by the cemetery- I pulled over. My head bent, as I felt my heart tug- my parents were buried in there. Then, I saw Elena exit the cemetery with another man who looked extraordinarily like the man I had met earlier. Elena saw me and began to wave, I jumped out of the car and ran towards her to wrap her in a world famous bear hug. She said in a soft voice,

"I cannot believe it is you! You are back- I've missed you a ton!"

"Me too, it was lonely and crowded in that foster center. I'm glad to be free again!"

"Jane, I want you to meet my boyfriend- Stefan!"

"Hello Stefan, my name is Jane and it is such a pleasure to meet you. Any friend of Elena is a friend of mine."

"It is a pleasure to meet such a beautiful thing, like yourself. I am glad we can be friends- I would hate to have any awkwardness between us. "

"Me too, do you guys want a ride? I know my car isn't the hottest thing, but- I think it is pretty good."

Elena nodded her head and Stefan said,

"That would be nice. Thank you."

As I turned to open the door, Elena gasped and I heard Stefan take in a quick breath. I turned around,

"What's wrong?"

Stefan quickly removed a long black crow feather from my hair. He monotonically asked,

"How did this get in your hair?"

"I have no idea, when I woke up there was a crow basically everywhere! It was on the porch where I was reading- so I ignored it. When I was having breakfast and afterwards- it was on the outside tree directly across my kitchen window. When I was leaving, I saw it on a tree in the front yard. Oh yeah- then there was that odd man, who looks a lot like you- Stefan-, and he reminded me to take my wallet…"

I trailed off, the thought hadn't occurred to me- perhaps I was still having an adrenaline rush for my first day at school; but I bitterly realized that a complete stranger knew something he shouldn't have. Elena said in a strict manner,

"Jane- you need to stay away from that man! He is dangerous."

I nodded and Stefan said,

"Let me give you my contact information and Elena's just in case."

I handed him my cell phone and said in an optimistic tone,

"Well, anyways you guys get in the car- do that contact junk, while I drive. Alright?"

They got in and we sped off to school. When I arrived there, I felt an unusual amount of eyes on me.

_*_

Stefan stared at her; she was undoubtedly beautiful- not quite like his love, Elena. She looked like a delicate and dainty woman. She had a soft heart shaped face, her eyes were bright and soft looking with beautiful eye lids, and long lashes. She had notable cheekbones, which were beautifully shown with her soft haircut that highlighted her face. She had a delicate nose, and soft lips. She was well proportioned and looked well built. Her skin seemed dewy and delicate, her cheeks softly flushed pink. She was pale, but not quite like himself. Her eyes struck him the most- though they were brown and not like Elena's- they held a power of their own. Elena had talked about her, even showed a newspaper clipping of her bent on the floor like the Virgin Mary crying below the feet of her son Jesus. She was strong witted though, and immensely loving. The only thing that worried Stefan was that her brother had visited her. He was curious to why Damon did not kill her- but scared that he could be just waiting for the right moment to kill her.

_*_

I could not believe I was seeing Bonnie and Matt again. I parked the car, and I ran up into Bonnie's open arms- she smiled and gave a quick kiss on my cheek. Matt looked at me, smiled, and the guiding me with the small of my back, gave me the most fraternal hug. I said,

"I am so glad to see you guys!"

Bonnie smiled and said,

"Guess what? Wait, I don't want you to guess- I'm just going to tell you."

Elena sighed, Stefan laughed and Matt moaned,

"Oh no, not this again!"

"I can read palms!"

I bent my head back and smiled,

"Alright read mine, Madame Bonnie!"

She took out my soft delicate hand and turned it over. She began,

"You will influence many people, is a great mother, and will act as a phoenix. You shall rise to the challenge and bring yourself up. However, something dark will come into your life- it will change you or you will change it… That's weird- usually palm readings are definite, but since you have an influential line- you could change it, otherwise there is a chance it could change you."

I nodded,

"With my brother around- it is important that I stay constant. No one shall ever change me- because I am the invincible and intelligent Jane!"

We all laughed, classes seemed to glide by- and I was lucky to have history with Stefan, Jane, and Bonnie. At the end of the day, Bonnie suggested,

"How about at 9PM, we all go to that restaurant near Jane's house! The one with the really good hot wings and sipping cups, and hang out a bit!"

Everyone agreed, I hesitantly said,

"I don't know- what about Tommy? I can't leave him home alone, and my intuition says that the conversation won't suit him."

Elena nodded and said,

"He can stay at my place- my aunt sometimes acts like a kid! They'll get along great!"

I nodded, Tommy was a quick talker and very amicable. So after school, I drove home, and drove by Tommy's school- there was a bustle of girls near him. He was laughing and looking pretty ridiculous. He had a few guy friends near him, too. Somewhere within the crowd, I saw him tear away and shoot me a glance- and then smile, and wave. He ran towards my car, and waved goodbyes. I saw a few girls drool- I'm pretty sure one girl was having a seizure. I opened the door and said,

"Hey honey, how was the first day?"

"It was really good- I made tons of friends, and all the girls think I'm so sensitive and cute!"

"Hah- well don't let any notions get to your head- but you are kind of cute."

We were nearing our home, when I saw that crow flying with us. I entered the house garage, and Tommy jumped out with the keys to open the door. I turned off the car and said,

"I'll make us a snack- we can eat outside on the porch, but honey- can you take my stuff too?"

He nodded and took my backpack and purse with his stuff to his room. I cut up some miniature sandwiches and poured two glasses of apple cider and waited outside. The sunny day started to leave, and it became cloudy and started to drizzle. I closed my eyes and leaned back, today had been a wonderful day. Suddenly I heard someone in a warm voice say,

"Mind if I join you? I was walking home, and the weather is a little wet- in order to stay dry, if alright with you- can I wait for the rain to slow down?"

I opened my eyes quickly; it was the guy from earlier. The rain suddenly began to fall more quickly. I didn't reply and my brother was at the door and had entered the porch. He glanced at me apprehensively and I regained my composure,

"Yes, of course you can join. Tommy, will you grab a chair for our visitor?"

He ran inside and grabbed a chair, and placed it on the porch. He extended his head,

"Hi, I'm Thomas- but Jane calls me, Tommy- but I am okay with whatever you call me."

The man smirked, and for a second he darkened and then returned back to regular and said,

"Hello Tommy- my name is Damon."

Tommy began to tell Damon all about his school life, and Damon leaned forward his eyes glued to my brother. Then my brother began to talk about me, how hard my life had been,

"When she was ten and I was eight are parents died in a bad boating incident- they both drowned-"

"Tommy! That is not the proper way to discuss our parents!"

I was surprised by my sudden anger; my cheeks flushed crimson, my typically soft composure turned so rigid. Tommy looked at me, and then when Damon looked away to turn to me- he broke out of the trance like state and said,

"I am so sorry. I don't know what had happened- talking to Damon, it was like having Dad again. I am so sorry…"

He looked down and I quickly softened,

"No honey, it's okay- but when you talk about people, especially our parents, I want you to be very respectful. That's all."

He nodded, and Damon looked at him again- suddenly he said,

"Hey e- I am going to go take a shower."

"Alright- don't you want to eat?"

"No I do not."

I nodded and watched him walk off, in a very rigid manner. I tilted my head and looked at Damon,

"I am sorry you had to deal with that- perhaps which is worse than getting wet?"

"No, its not- I've been there. Sibling fights- not on my 'to- do' list but always ends up on my 'done' list."

"I understand, I just really need my brother- and I cannot let us get separated, but the thing is- whenever he brings up our parents… It just kills me, because I know he wants a dad or a brother or some male figure in his life- and I just can't provide."

"Do you want one?"

"I try to be one, hah- like the time I tried to play football with him but I ended up spraining my ankle. When I tried to teach him baseball, but when he tried out for the little league they ended up telling him he tossed like a girl. He wanted to learn how to hunt, so I took rifle lessons. It was terribly hard for me, but then when I taught him- he just lost interest. When he wants to see some gory movies or talk about girls- I just try and try to understand, but it's hard…"

"I give you a lot of credit and respect for doing all that. It must be hard, being a lonesome girl."

"It can be- I try not to think of that."

"It must be lonely- not having a man around?"

"Well, I had quite a few boyfriends- none of them worked out. They ended up being bad people or something. Though, I felt a lot safer- like when the heating wouldn't work and it was a Sunday… no one was around- just my brother and I freezing cold. I called my boyfriend, and he brought back the heat to the house and everything- so I tried to pay him, but he didn't want money… he wanted something else."

"Wretched. It must be absolutely wretched, what is your name?"

He got up and placed his arms on my shoulder they were as cold as ice, he bent down and so he was at eye level-

"What is your name?"

He looked deep into my eyes when I heard a yell scream out,

"Damon, get away from her!"

He immediately looked towards the voice, and I gasped. I got up quickly and moved away from Damon. Elena grabbed me and threw me towards her. I easily stumbled, and Damon quickly caught me- but Stefan already had a hand on his shoulder. Damon placed me back up and said,

"Stefan- did you want her to fall? Maybe, bleed?"

Stefan frowned angrily and Bonnie looked at Damon in half anger but underlying love. Elena stared; I could see she cared for Damon but Stefan more. I pushed Damon's hand away in half confusion and obedience- I moved closer to Elena and Bonnie. He shot me a quick glance and then smiled,

"What a pain- we were just getting to know each other. Weren't we?"

Within a second, he was brushing a few stray strands away from my eyes. Stefan grabbed him and they started walking. I could feel his anger, Stefan seemed infuriated and Elena said,

"Stefan- 9:00, be there!"

Elena, Bonnie, and I went into the house. Bonnie and Elena exchanged glances and then Elena said,

"We need to tell you something about Stefan and Damon…"

_*_

I looked at Stefan, as he weakly attempted to pull me away from Jane. He pathetically glared and in a whiny voice,

"Damon you need to leave her alone!"

"She and the rest of the world- not all of us want to eat animal crackers…"

"She is a really wonderful person and very important to Elena. You would never hurt Elena, so don't' hurt her friends!"

"I never said I would never hurt Elena…"

"Don't bring her into this!"

"I didn't- but you did"

We argued for a few minutes more, and then Stefan left me. I sighed as I transformed into a crow and glided through the sky. I perched near the school, and couldn't help but think about her. She was undoubtedly smart and extraordinarily beautiful. She was like a soft cake of butter- she looked so delicate, so fragile, but undoubtedly soft. She smelled like maple syrup from the morning. Her cheeks and how quickly they flushed- I couldn't help but laugh at her bipolar swings between the emotions. I wanted to know her. But was it just to devour her? No, I'll just concentrate on Elena or someone else… Not her… No.

_*_