A/N: So I'm back… with a vampire diaries fanfiction, I just started watching season 6 and I cannot wait for season 7 which comes out October 8th. EEP! Anyway, so I got this idea, which is way to over used I know, but bare with me, of Elena having a sister who Damon falls for. Oh the cliché's but I really hope you read this one.

I cannot take this anymore

I'm saying everything I've said before

All these words they make no sense

I find bliss in ignorance

Less I hear the less you'll say

But you'll find that out anyway

Just like before

Everything you say to me

Takes me one step closer to the edge

And I'm about to break

I need a little room to breathe

'Cause I'm one step closer to the edge

And I'm about to break

The dark chalk smeared across the poster board, one Alison Gilbert had pinned up on her wall, as she conducted another one of her drawings. Slowly the handsome man on her canvas coming to life, as her solid white eyes scanned aimlessly and 'One Step Closer' by Linkin Park blared in the back ground, blocking out any outside noise.

Alison was the eldest of the Gilbert siblings, onto her senior year at Mystic Falls High. After the death of both her parents, Alison turned to ignoring everyone, and hiding up in her room with her Ipod and drawings.

I find the answers aren't so clear

Wish I could find a way to disappear

All these thoughts they make no sense

I find bliss in ignorance

Nothing seems to go away

Over and over again

Just like before

Everything you say to me

Takes me one step closer to the edge

And I'm about to break

I need a little room to breathe

'Cause I'm one step closer to the edge

And I'm about to break

With a sharp inhale, Alison stumbled away from her drawing, her art utensils falling from her hands and clattering to the ground. With a blink her solid white eyes turned back to their normal dark chocolate orbs.

She stared up at her drawing, a charming man, laying on the ground staring at her with such intensity she almost forgot it was a drawing. A black crow was perched on the man's torso. Alison took a step forward entranced by the drawing, sweeping her fingers a crossed it gently, ignoring the black marks that appeared on the pads of her fingertips.

The rapping of knuckles on her door snapped her out of it, she blinked a couple of times coming out of her trance and hurriedly turned off her ipod and tossed it onto her bed, before pulling her canvas off the wall and leaning it against her dresser so the image was hidden. Alison grabbed a wet cloth from her desk as she made her way to the door. She flung it open before wiping away the dark chalk that covered her palms.

"I see you're still drawing." Elena spoke gesturing to the black marks on her face. Alison rolled her eyes and wiped them away before tossing the rag onto her bed with her IPod.

"And I see you're still writing." Alison retorted gesturing to the green leather notebook in her sister's hands. Elena quickly his the book behind her back, as she sighed glancing up at her older sister.

"Look, Ali we both did our own things in a way to grieve over mom and dad, but we have to get passed that, move on. It's what they would've wanted." Elena spoke solemnly. Alison refrained from rolling her eyes, getting real sick of her sisters 'we need to move on, it's what they would've wanted' crap.

"I'm fine Elena. Mom and dad died, I've moved on, I finished with my grieving okay. Now go patronize someone else, I'm sick of it." She snapped slamming the door in Elena's face, immediately feeling bad about it afterwards. Alison reached her hand out for the doorknob hesitantly. With a sigh, and a shake of her head she turned and decided to just get ready for school instead.

She opened her closet to be met with the dark contents it held, not a single article of clothing that wasn't grey, black, or white, maybe the occasional dark blue or purple, but that was it.

She stripped down her chalk covered pajamas and slipped on an outfit for the day, before exiting the closet and tossing her dirty clothes into the laundry basket that sat beside her dresser. Pulling her brown waves up into a high ponytail she eyed the poster that laid against her dresser.

Alison dropped her hands to her side as she walked over to it, she picked the drawing up and rested it on her knees as the brunette sat on the edge of her bed. After eyeing the drawing for a few silent moments, she sighed and stood up. Alison slipped her newest art piece into a plastic wrap before placing it with the thousands of other drawing that occupied her other closet.

As she opened the door to the room that contained her art, an eerie feeling settled over her as she looked at the picture off her parent's car submerged in water, and Elena's terrified face pressed up against the glass.

With a shaky breath, Alison placed her newest drawing in front of it, flicked off the lights and slammed the door shut. She pulled on her black studded, ankle boots and slipped on her black leather jacket before bounding down the stairs, her keys hangs from her belt loop, jangling against her thighs.

Alison entered the kitchen only for whatever conversation that was present to pull to a halt, and her aunt Jenna and younger sister Elena starred at her. Alison gave a tight lipped smile before pushing passed them and going straight to the coffee maker.

"No, please go on, no need to stop trash talking me just because I'm present." Alison cringed slightly at her own words but didn't show her guilt. She never meant to be this mean, it was just easier than being sad.

"We weren't trash talking Ali, we're just worried." Elena tried taking a step closer to her sister, only to have Alison change her route to the fridge to avoid the contact. Elena sighed sadly dropping her hand back to her side in defeat.

"Toast. I can make toast," Jenna said quickly trying to change the topic. Alison turned her back to the fridge a can of pineapples in her hands, and gave Jenna a pointed look. "Right, pineapples, I forgot." She mumbled.

"It's all about the coffee Aunt Jenna." Elena spoke loudly as she poured herself a cup of the brown liquid, not acknowledging Alison's attitude.

"Is their Coffee?" Jeremy asked as he walked in and scooped the mug out of Elena hands and moved over to the fridge. Elena looked down at her now empty hands then Jeremy before rolling her eyes and turning back to the coffee maker.

Alison moved over to the island setting the can down on the marble counter top before opening the drawing and pulling out the can opener. She screwed off the lid, and stuck a fork and a straw in it before jumping up onto the counter top.

"Your first day of school and I'm totally unprepared," Jenna grumbled shifting through the contents of her pure frantically. "Lunch money?" Jenna asked holding out three five dollar bills.

"I'm good." Elena called over her shoulder. Jeremy reached out to grab it but Alison was quicker, snatching up all three of the bills and shoving them into her bra. Jeremy glared at her, but Alison only sipped on her pineapple juice with a cocky smirk.

"Anything else? A number two pencil? What am I missing?" Jenna asked, leaning up against the counter beside Alison.

"Don't you have a big presentation today, or something like that?" Alison asked, shrugging her shoulder, not really interested in it as she jabbed a chunk of her fruit with her fork and shoving it into her mouth.

"I'm meeting with my thesis advisor in…" She trailed off looking down at her watch. "Now. Crap!" She sigh irritably as she scrambled to grab all her things from the counter.

"Then go. We'll be fine." Elena smiled sweetly at their aunt. Jenna gave her appreciative smile as she grabbed all her items and hurried out the door.

"Hey, are you okay?" Elena asked sincerely as Jeremy tried to leave.

"Don't start." Jeremy rolled his eyes, pushing passed her irritably. Elena looked back at Alison who only shrugged and hopped up off the counter and followed Jeremy outside.

"Jeremy! Hey! Jer!" Alison called after her younger brother has he chased him across the lawn before he reached the rusty old pickup truck that was parked in the side of the street.

"Look, if you're going to try and pull some 'it's a phase, you'll get over it' crap then just save it, I already got enough of that from Elena." Jeremy snapped turning back to his sister. Even thought she was the eldest Jeremy stood about half a foot taller than her.

"Seriously, Jer," Alison placed the hand that wasn't holding her can of pineapples over her chest in faux offense. "Did you just insinuate that I'm like Elena in any way?"

Even in his angry, irritated state he still couldn't fight back the amused smile. Alison loved Elena, everyone knew that, she'd do anything for her little sister, they were family. But that doesn't mean she wants anyone comparing them to each other. Alison and Elena were polar opposites. Elena was good hearted, the center of attention, the one everyone chose. Alison was mischievous, didn't give a damn if anyone paid attention to her even though they did anyway, and always chose the more dangerous path than her younger sister. Elena was the poster child for goodness, and Alison was the definition of a rebellious teenager.

"I just wanted to give you this," She pulled the money out of her bra and handed it to her younger brother. Jeremy's gaze shifted from the money to his sister in slight shock, which only made Alison's smirk grow. "Next time you want drug money, don't make it so obvious." She added, shoving the bills into the front pocket of his jacket.

"This is why you're my favorite." Jeremy grinned, ruffling his sister's hair before climbing into the backseat of the truck. Alison sighed, shoving the last piece of fruit into her mouth before discarding the can in one of the curb trash bins before heading over to her car.

A 1975 Thunderbird. She ran her hand over the sleek black exterior, before pulling open the front seat, taking in the smell of the freshly clean white leather interior. She sat in the seat reminiscing in the feel of it, stopping for a moment to listen to the engine pur as she turned on the ignition.

No matter how many times she drives this she will never get used to its beauty. She had gotten it when her parents died, apparently it was in their will, saving it for her 18th birthday, which was in a few months.

…

Alison walked across the campus of Mystic Falls High, her shades over her eyes, and not really paying attention to her surroundings as her Heavy metal music blasted in her ears. Suddenly she slammed into someone, falling backwards, only to have a pair of arms loop around her waist and catch before she made contact with the hard earth.

Alison gasped, as her brown orbs turned solid white and she got a sudden cold flash. Blood, lots of blood filled her vision, as did countless dead bodies. And the man she had drew earlier, he was there with a wide smirk, but something was off. His face wasn't the handsome one she drew, no this one had blood dripping from his mouth and vein protruded from under his eyes.

She was pulled back to reality suddenly and he stared up at the boy in shock at what she had seen.

"I'm… so sorry." The stranger said lowly as he stared intensely at the girl in his arms, making no show that he was gonna let go anytime soon.

"Uh…" Alison looked at him not being able to find words, the flash of a camera brought her back to reality. The reality being she in some strangers arms, in the middle of the courtyard… where everyone could see her. "You can let go now." He seemed to come back to his senses as he straightened the two of them up before dropping his arms from her waist down to his sides and chuckled awkwardly.

"Right sorry."

"Okay…" Alison looked at the boy strangely before walking passed him, only to have him grab her arms gently, stopping her from walking away. Alison turned back to him with a raised eyebrow and snatched her arm out of his grip, fighting back the cold flash that was sent through her once more.

"I'm Stefan." The brunette introduced himself with a warm smile.

"Alison," Alison replied slowly. "Can I leave now or…" she trailed off pointing to the school behind her and backing away slowly.

"Yeah, of course, sorry." Alison spun so she was facing the school as she walked away, confusion clear on her face. That was weird.

Alison hadn't even entered the school completely before hearing the familiar squeal of her best friend. Alison allowed the door to close behind her as she stepped into the halls cautiously, as Caroline walked in step next to her

"Oh my, God! Alison, how are you? Are you okay?" She asked frantically as she pulled the Gilbert girl into a bone crushing hug.

"Fantastic, Caroline, thanks for asking." Alison replied half sarcastic half serious as she pried Caroline off of her. Caroline took a step away, a smile still on her face, and the two resumed to their walking.

"I'm so glad your back to your old self, I was in serious need of my wing woman." Alison chuckled slightly as she looked around.

"Yeah, Caroline, I'm glad-"

"Elena!" Alison was cut off when Caroline screamed Elena's name and took off towards Alison's little sister and Bonnie. Alison closed her mouth into a tight lipped smile, and toed the ground with the tip of her shoe before turning and walking the other way.

"Uh-oh, little miss devil looks a little sad." Alison attention snapped to the black haired jock that annoyed her to her inner core.

"I don't get sad, Tyler." She snapped turning to walk away from him, but the sound of footsteps told her that wasn't going to happen.

"You're right, you get angry, and that's not a good look on you babe." Alison rolled her eyes, irritated by his voice. She stopped, suddenly so she was face to face with the Lockwood.

"Don't call me that," Alison snapped but Tyler only smirked down at the brunette. Alison getting seriously irritated, crossed her arms and looked away from him. "Don't you have anything better to do than stalk me, like I don't know, go hang out with your girlfriend."

"You know that title belonged to you not even four months ago." Tyler's smirk remained present as he pushed some of her loose, brown locks behind her ear. With and intense glare Alison smacked his hand away.

"Yeah, it did, then you cheated, I beat your car until it was nothing but debris, went all Jazmine Sullivan on you." Alison smiled sweetly, before letting it melt into a scowl and pushing passed him, allowing her shoulder to slam into his as she made her way to her first class.

As Alison passed by the main office she caught glimpse of the strange man from earlier and pulled herself to a stop as she studied him curiously. What was up with that weird vibe, vision, whatever is was that she felt earlier when they touched. She always thought they only happened when drawing, that it was just her mind letting loose its imagination, but now, she felt it when she made contact with him. Why was he so special?

Alison was once again pulled back to reality when her sister and Bonnie came up next to her.

"Ali, are you okay?" Elena asked quietly, placing a hand on the older Gilbert's shoulder. Alison jerked back from her touch and glanced at her sister briefly.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just late." She muttered before turning and walking away avoiding any more weird encounters at least until lunch.

…

After school Alison decided to take a detour to her favorite spot ever in Mystic falls, The Mystic oak tree. It was stood about three stories high, and had curly branches that stretched all over the place, bending low and stretching high. The tree had been in Mystic Falls for over three centuries now.

Ducking under the ropes that were supposed to make sure no one got in to the site, Alison smiled up at the tree that was basically her hideaway all summer long. She brushed her fingers against the tree softly before gripping one of the lower branches and pulling herself up.

She propped her back up against the base of the tree, her legs crossed over each other down the length of the branch, her sketch book in her lap. She began penciling away at the white paper and before long she found herself lost in her work. When she was done she stared down at the drawing she made of the stranger from earlier. Steven. Stefan. Something like that.

Once again she got lost in his eyes, almost forgetting it was drawing. The ruffling of leaves below signaling someone was approaching, causing her to hurriedly shove her sketch book back in her bag and look down. Confusion filled her eyes as she stared down at the stranger, she was just coincidentally drawing.

"Do you always hide up in trees?" He asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Depends," Alison shouted back down to him as she pulled her bag onto her shoulder. "Do you always stalk girls you run into at school?" Alison jumped down to the floor right in front of him, half joking, half serious. The brunette chuckled, lowering his gaze to the sketch book that peeked out of the top of her bag

"You draw?" He asked. Alison immediately shoved her book farther down into her bag, away from any wandering eyes, feeling suddenly self-conscious. "I didn't mean to pry." Stefan started to apologize but Alison quickly cut him off with a shake of her head.

"No, its fine. I've drawn all my life… but I really got into it after my parents died a couple months ago." Alison explained. Immeadiatly confused on why she just said that, the man before her was a complete stranger, that and the weird vision she got when they touched.

"I'm sorry." He spoke, seeming honestly sympathetic. Alison looked up at him sharply, she hated when people pitied her, she leaned up against the tree trunk casually.

"Yeah, they died in a car crash… it was sad but I'm good now."

"That's good." Stefan nodded, looking down at his own shoes, an awkward silence settling over them. Desperate to change the silence that overcame the, Alison pointed to the ring on his finger.

"Cool ring, where'd you get it?" She asked. Stefan's hand immediately shot up as he toyed with the silver ring.

"Family heir loom." He answered simply, before dropping his hand back to his side. The loud chime of her cell-phone went off, filing the silent air. She smiled softly at the man before her before pulling out her cellphone

Stopping at the cemetery, pick me up later?

Elena

Alison sighed, hiking her bag up higher on her shoulder. She shoved her phone back into her pocket and gave a tight lipped smile to Stefan.

"Well, I got to go pick up my sister, I'll see you around Stef." Alison gave a two finger salute before waltzing away, hearing a faint "yeah" as she left.

…

She pulled her car to a stop just outside the cemetery getting chills, and not from the cold air. She hesitantly stepped through the gate and onto the dirt path that led to her parent's grave.

As she grew closer the fog seemed to get thicker, and the atmosphere seemed to get more… creepier.

"Elena!" Alison called out into the still mid-day air, only to get no response. Seriously, she came all this way only to have her sister not be there. "Elena!" Alison called again, turning around, coming face to chest with someone. She froze in her spot, suddenly filled with fear as her eyes slowly traveled up to the strangers face.

Instead of fear that coursed through her veins it was bewilderment as she stumbled backwards, her eyes glued to his face. It was him. It was the man she had drawn just this morning. What was going on?

"What? Do I have something my face?" He asked as if this was the most casual thing ever, running a hand over his chin quickly. Alison's mouth opened and closed several times not being able to form any words. The black hair, the blue eyes, nothing about him indicated that he wasn't the same guy in her visions.

"What's the matter, cat got your tongue?" He asked taking a step closer, amusement clear in his voice. Alison immediately took a step back, her back hitting the hard cement of a grave stone.

"You could say that." Alison finally managed to get out, thanking any God that was listening that her fear didn't show through her voice.

"She talks," Damon joked. "So what's your name?" He asked leaning back against the wall of a mausoleum that stood nearby. Alison just stared at him with curiosity, refusing to respond.

"Oh, I get it," He sucked in a sharp breath and smirked down at the short girl before him. "You don't know me, I could be some kind of serial killer. Which I am of course but in a different sorts, you wouldn't understand. So let's make this simple, I'm Damon."

"Alison." The Gilbert girl spoke sharply, straightening up, as not to seem weak.

"Mmm. That's a gorgeous name," He said lowly, almost as if he was speaking to himself, before he returned his gaze to Alison's chocolate brown eyes and his smirk returned. "I'll catch you later Ali-cat, and remember don't talk to strangers." He winked one of his hypnotizing blue yes before disappearing into the fog.

"Alison?" Alison whirled around so quickly she almost lost her footing, a loud sigh of relief escaping her when she saw it was only Elena. "Are you okay?"

"Never been better," Alison replied instantly taking two strides so she was right in front of her sister. "Let's just get the hell out of here." She whispered, grabbing Elena's wrist and dragging her out of the creepy cemetery, ignoring the girls limping.

…

"I'm meeting Bonnie at the grill." Elena called into the kitchen to her Aunt as she passed by.

"Okay, have fun," Jenna called out but suddenly stepped and faced Elena. "Wait. I got this. Don't stay out late, it's a school night." Elena gave a mock clap as she grinned at her aunt.

"Well done, Aunt Jenna"

"Yeah, my favorite part was the lack of authority. How do you expect us to listen to you when you can't even properly tell us what to do?" Alison asked as she appeared in the archway beside Elena. Aunt Jenna looked away from Alison awkwardly and headed back onto the kitchen.

"Really?" Elena frowned at her older sister. Alison only shrugged, as she crossed her arms and turned so she was facing her sister.

"I heard you were going to the grill with Bonnie." Alison stated, changing the subject away from her rude comment.

"Yeah, why?"

"I think I'm gonna tag along." Alison shrugged her shoulders nonchantaly as she grabbed her purse from off its hook. Elena watched after her sister with confusion.

"You want to come hang out with me and my friends?" Elena asked slowly.

"Yup," Alison spun around so her back was to her younger sister and jangled her car keys. "I'll drive," She pulled open the door only to come face to face with Stefan. "Oh." Was all the eldest gilbert sister got out.

"Sorry, I was about to knock." Stefan quickly explained, pulling his outstretched fist back to his side. Alison shook her head with a small smile as she leaned up against the door.

"No it's fine, but… why are you here?" The Gilbert girl asked curiously. Stefan looked down at the ground for a brief moment before returning his gaze to Alison.

"I wanted to talk to Elena." Alison nearly scowled at Stefan's statement.

"Of course you did," Alison grumbled before calling over her shoulder to Elena. "Elena! It's for you!" Elena came walking over, confusion filling her eyes as she saw Stefan standing on the other side of the door.

"Stefan? What are you doing here?" Elena asked, leaning up against the door when Alison moved out of the way and over to the small table by the staircase.

"I just wanted to apologize for my disappearing act earlier." Alison heard Stefan say but her back was to them so she couldn't see their faces.

"No worries. I get it, blood makes you squeamish." Elena spoke in understanding, Alison could basically feel the awkwardness of the situation from where she stood.

"Um, something like that. How's your leg?" That was Alison's cue to step in. She leant up against the other side of the door way and smiled t Stefan.

"It's fine. Just a scratch, barely. Right, Lena?" Alison asked blinking at her sister, trying to fight back the smirk that was itching to break loose when she felt Stefan's intense gaze break away from Elena and settle on her. Elena gave a shy nod, looking away from her sister's fake smile. "So, how did you know where we lived anyway?"

"It's a small town. I asked the first person I saw," Stefan gave a small smile to Alison which she returned before Stefan's attention returned to Elena. "Thought you might want this back." He pulled the green leather bound journal out of his pocket and handed it to the younger Gilbert.

"Oh, I must've dropped it," Elena smiled slightly as she took the journal back from Stefan. "I- thank you."

"cough it up. How much did you read?" Alison asked raising an eyebrow curiously at Stefan. To which the boy quickly shook his head.

"I didn't read any of it." Alison snorted looking away from him.

"Why not, I would've." Alison shrugged flipping her hair back over her shoulder.

"Well, I wouldn't want anyone to read mine." Stefan spoke looking deep into Elena's eyes. Alison rolled her eyes as she watched to two basically make out with their eyes.

"You keep a journal?" Elena asked, her smile growing and Alison's scowl increasing.

"Yeah, if I don't write it down I forget it," Stefan explained. "Memories are too important." He added.

"Hook, line, and sinker…" Alison whispered, knowing that Stefan and Elena were going to happen. Stefan quickly broke their gaze as he looked over to Alison.

"What?"

"Nothing." Alison sighed running a hand through her hair.

"Yeah. I'm just gonna… umm, you don't have to stay out there." Elena said awkwardly as she headed back into the house. Alison took a step back, looking at Stefan expectantly.

"Are you going to come in?" Alison asked gesturing around at the insides of her house.

"No, I'm good." Stefan shook his head, looking at the arch of the door warily.

"Okay…" Alison trailed off awkwardly looking anywhere but Stefan.

"Hey, listen," Stefan started catching Alison's attention once more. "I don't know what I did for you not to like me but, I'm sorry." Alison's eyes narrowed in confusion at his statement.

"I never said I didn't like you, I just tend to back off from guys my sister is in to." Alison quickly covered her mouth after realizing what she said. Elena entered the room once more looking between Stefan and her sister curiously, and for half a second Alison thought Stefan was going to say something about what Alison had spilled.

"I'm sorry, were you going somewhere?" He asked, smirking slightly at Alison who rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, we're meeting a friend…" Elena trailed off a small smile growing as she asked. "Do you want to come?"

…

At the Mystic Grill Bonnie and Matt are sitting at a small table talking about Elena while off by the pool table Tyler and Caroline are talking about Alison.

"So Care, can I ask you a question?" Tyler asked walking over to the blonde with two drinks in his hands.

"If it's about Alison no." Caroline snipped, turning to walk away.

"Wait!" Caroline turned back to the black haired jock with an annoyed look. "I bought a peace offering." Tyler gave a sheepish grin as he handed her the glass of bourbon. Caroline sighed in defeat as she took the crystal glass from him.

"What is it?" She asked with a huff.

"Do you think Alison would… ever like… get back together with me?" He asked nervously, tapping his fingers against the glass cup.

"No, Tyler, I can honestly say that I don't think she'd ever get back together with you." Caroline flipped her hair over her shoulder, snapping at the Lockwood boy.

"Why not?" Tyler asked, his forehead creasing as his eyebrows furrowed.

"Tyler. You cheated on her. That may be nothing to you, but it was everything to Alison." Caroline ended in a low voice, shaking her head at Tyler in disapproval.

"Don't say that!" Tyler snapped. "You think I actually liked hurting Alison?" He spoke, his tone disbelieving.

"I don't know, you tell me." At that moment Elena and Alison walked in standing on either side of Stefan. Matt looked away from them a little hurt, while Tyler grew angry and slammed his cup down on the table and storming away.

…

"So, you were born here in Mystic Falls?" Caroline asked leaning forward on the table slightly, obviously trying to flirt.

"Mm-hmm. And moved when I was still young." Stefan gave a short nod.

"Parents?" Bonnie asked, noticing the obvious awkwardness that Stefan was feeling.

"My parents passed away."

"Join the club." Alison snorted, tipping back her glass of whiskey.

"I'm so sorry, any siblings?" Elena asked after giving a 'really' look to her sister, to which Alison only shrugged.

"None that I talk too." Stefan told her looking directly into her eyes, like he tended to do when talking to Elena.

"Why not?" Alison asked eating a fry from the bowl in the center, Stefan turned his attention to the other Gilbert sister, using the same amount of intensity when he looked into her eyes.

"I did something, and he's not quite ready to forgive me yet." Stefan gave a small, forced smile.

"That's horrible," Alison stated sadly. "Siblings should forgive each other, cause in the end their all you'll ever have left." Alison stated fiercely, causing Stefan to smile softly at the girl as they were locked in a staring contest.

"So, Stefan," Caroline said quickly pulling his attention away from Alison. "If you're new, then you don't know about the party tomorrow." Caroline stated with a smirk.

"It's a back to school thing at the falls." Bonnie explained when noticing the confused look on Stefan's face.

"Are you going?" Stefan asked looking at Elena. Alison sighed, popping a fry into her mouth once more, not knowing why she felt so sad about him asking Elena and not her.

"Of course she is." Bonnie spoke up before Elena could protest.

"And I would assume you're going to be there too." Stefan smirked slightly at Alison, who looked at him surprised. He actually was wondering if she was going to be there.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Alison bit her lip trying to bite back her smile.

…

Alison mindlessly tapped her pencil on her sketch book, not knowing what to draw as she ignored the lecture Mr. Tanner was giving her. Second time she's taken his class, and she was doing just as poorly as the first.

"…Ms. Gilbert?" Alison jerked up and looked at Mr. Tanner in confusion. "This is the second time you've taken this class if I'm correct, and I don't want you to take it again."

"Oh, you know you love Mr. Tanner, I'm your only student that is this gorgeous and smart all wrapped up in one." Alison flipped her hair over her shoulder, causing a few to chuckle from those around her.

"Gorgeous, debatable, smart, beg to differ," Mr. Tanner snipped, tapping his fingers on the edge of her desk. "But if you want to prove me wrong, how many casualties resulted in the battle of Willow Creek."

"Um… It uh… resulted in," Alison gasped when she felt a hand touch hers, as an image flashed through her head. When it disappeared she looked over at Stefan confused who only wore a small smile. "346." She whispered.

"Excuse me?" Mr. Tanner mocked, turning his ear to her.

"346 and 27 civilian." Alison looked up and Mr. Tanner confused as she spoke the numbers that flashed through her head when Stefan touched her hand.

"Impressive, except there were no civilian casualties." Mr. Tanner turned his back to her and walked over to his desk.

"Actually there were," The teacher/football coach turned and looked at Stefan with a raised eyebrow, basically daring the younger boy to correct him. "Confederate soldiers fired on a church believing it to be housing weapons… they were wrong. It was a night of great loss. The founder's archives are in the town's library if you need to… brush up on your facts, Mr. Tanner."

Mr. Tanner awkwardly flipped through the textbook on his desk as everyone chuckled lowly. Alison looked over at Stefan confused to which the Salvatore only winked confusing Alison even more.

…

Alison roamed around the party, dodging drunk couple, and drunk pretty boys all while sipping on her own beer. When she looked up she saw Vicki ad Tyler making out at the bar, she rolled her eyes in disgust and turned around, only to come face to face with Stefan.

"You scared me!" She gasped, hitting him in the arm. Stefan only smiled and shook his head at her.

"I'm sorry," Stefan looked up over Alison to see Tyler staring at them with fire in his eyes, Vicki nowhere to be seen. "Who's that?" Alison looked back at Tyler only to roll her eyes once more.

"My ex-boyfriend." Alison stated with a wave of her hand, obviously irritated by the Lockwood.

"Ah, explains why he's killing me with his eyes." Stefan joked, successfully putting a smile on her face. It suddenly dropped when she spotted Bonnie ad Elena talking by the bon fire.

"You should go talk to Elena, she's been waiting." Alison gave a tight lipped smile and walked away ignoring Stefan's calls for her to return.

Stefan sighed and looked down at the ground before throwing on a smile and walking over to Elena who was now standing by herself by the bon fire.

"Hi." Stefan greeted when Elena whirled around, startled by Stefan's sudden appearance.

"Hi." She breathed out a smile spreading a crossed her lips. Stefan shoved his hands into his pockets and toed the ground with the tip of his shoe awkwardly.

"I did it again, didn't I?" He asked.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry. You're upset about something." Stefan pointed out looking over his shoulder to where Bonnie had fled.

"Oh, uh, no, it's- it's bonnie. She's…" Elena trailed off as if she changed her mind. "You know what? Never mind. You're here."

"I'm here…"

…

At a bridge Elena and Stefan were talking, leaning up against one side of the bride, behind them stood Matt, Caroline, and Bonnie talking by a tree, in front of them was Alison who was sitting on the bar counter talking with Jeremy the two each drinking their own beer.

"I like Alison, she's… I don't know how to word it." Stefan smiled slightly as he watched someone scare Alison, and she tumbled down off the counter. The girl laid there for a second in shock before she busted out laughing.

"Crazy, Sarcastic, rebellious, closed off." Elena listed off with a sigh.

"Different." Stefan spoke, not letting Elena finish. Everything was quiet for a moment until Stefan turned and looked over at the other group of people in Elena's life.

"I like Bonnie, she seems like a good friend."

"Best friend in the whole world." Elena said quietly and turned so she was also facing her three other friends and not her sister.

"And Matt, he can't seem to, uh, take his eyes off of us." Stefan pointed out with an awkward smile.

"Matt's that friend since childhood that you start dating because you owe it to yourselves to see if you can be more." Elena explained looking down at her clasped hands that she had resting on the railing of the bridge.

"And?" Stefan prompted her to continue.

"And then my parents died, and everything changes. Anyway Matt and I together we just, I don't know, it wasn't um… it wasn't…" Elena trailed off not knowing what to say or how to describe it.

"Passionate." Stefan filled in.

"No. No, it wasn't Passionate…" Elena trailed off once more getting locked in Stefan's eyes. Suddenly this burning sensation built up in Stefan's throat, and the veins below his eyes started to itch. He quickly turned his back to Elena taking in a deep breath to calm his bloodlust.

"Hey, um, are you okay? Um, your eye, it just, it's-" Stefan quickly cut her off with his back still to her.

"Oh, um… yeah, no. It's, um, it's nothing. Um, are you thirsty? Im going to get us a drink." And with that he left, leaving a very confused Elena waiting at the bridge.

…

Alison sighed, setting down her fifth empty beer bottle when Tyler walked over to the bar, obviously pissed about something as he slammed stuff around. Alison sighed and turned to him, leaning up against the pole beside her.

"What's got your jock strap in a twist?" Alison asked gesturing to the cooler filled with beer bottles, signaling for him to give her another one.

"Your brother," He snapped grabbing a bottle and shoving into Alison's face. Alison only laughed as she took it. "You think this is funny?"

"The word ionic actually comes to mind," Alison corrected popping the lid off her bottle. "I mean you cheated on me with Vicki now Vicki's cheating on you with my brother."

"She's not cheating on me." Tyler quickly added, clenching his fist until his knuckles turned white.

"Right, whatever you say Ty-ty." Alison smirked chugging her beer as Tyler glared at her. Tyler opened his mouth to say something but Elena walked up first. The eldest Gilbert and the Lockwood shared a look before Tyler walked away.

"So, my darling little sister, what's wrong?" Alison asked, jumping up and sitting on the bar counter beside Elena.

"Matt." Elena groaned dropping her head into her hands.

"Should've known." Alison smirked, taking another large gulp from her bottle, as Stefan approached the two of them.

"I was wondering who abducted you, but now I know." Alison sat her beer bottle down as Elena spoke.

"Is she like that with, uh, all the guys?" Stefan asked awkwardly.

"Nope. You're fresh meat, she'll back off eventually," Alison shrugged raising the bottle to her lips, but paused. I hope." She added lightly before knocking back some of the alcoholic substance.

"God, you have got to be kidding me!" Elena muttered, as she stared at something behind Stefan.

"What is it?" Stefan asked looking over his shoulder.

"My brother." Elena stated simply, as she hoped off the counter and chased after him

"The drunk one?"

"Bingo." Alison smirked, tipping the neck of the bottle towards Stefan.

"Does she need any help?" Stefan asked looking back over at Elena.

"No, trust me, you don't want to see Elena go all big sister on Jeremy," Alison told him, chugging the rest of the beer before setting it next to the other five. "Did you know you're like really attractive?" Alison said randomly as she grabbed for another bottle.

"Okay, yeah I think you've had enough." Stefan muttered as he grabbed the bottle out of her hand. Alison only rolled her eyes and grabbed another one.

"But that guy I met in the cemetery is like ten times more attractive, no offense," She shook her head as she popped the lid off the bottle and sighed. "Oh, those blue eyes were just so… sexy."

"Alison," Stefan took the second bottle from her and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Who are you talking about?"

"Oh, his name was-" Alison was cut off when Elena and Jeremy came running out of the woods carrying someone, screaming for help. Stefan looked over at them and seemed to start freaking out.

"Excuse me." He mumbled to Alison setting the bottle back down next to her before running off. Alison watched him leave confused, but only shrugged and picked her bottle back up.

…

Stefan stormed into his house, The Salvatore Boarding house, his 'uncle' Zach was sitting at a desk writing something down when he looked up startled by Stefan's sudden entrance.

"What's going on?"

"Someone else was attacked tonight, Zach, and it wasn't me." Stefan said quickly before bounding up the stairs and into his room. A crow suddenly flew in from the window, causing Stefan to turn his back to the open window. That's when he felt it. The presence of someone he hasn't seen n almost 15 years.

"Damon." The younger Salvatore breathed out, as he turned back around to come face to face with his older brother. The man who ran into Alison earlier, and the man who had promised his younger brother an eternity of misery.

"Hello brother." The raven haired man smirked.

"The crow's a bit much don't you think?" Stefan finally spoke after the long silence.

"Wait, till you see what I can do with the fog." Damon smirked, wiggling his fingers like magic would pour from them as he enter further into his brother's room.

"Why are you here?" Stefan asked, more like demanded.

"Well, I couldn't miss your first day of school," Damon shrugged messing around with all the Knick knacks that scattered all over the bookshelves and desks. "Your hairs different I like it."

"It's been 15 years Damon." Stefan pointed out, emphasizing the word 15.

"Thank God!" Damon shouted like that was the best news ever. I couldn't take another day of the 90's. That horrible grunge look did not suit you. Remember Stefan, it's important to stay away from fades."

"Why are you here, Damon?" Stefan repeated his question.

"I miss my little brother." Damon stated simply.

"You hate small towns. It's boring. There's nothing for you to do." Stefan stated, hoping that Damon would get the hint and leave.

"I've managed to keep myself busy." Damon smirked at Stefan over his shoulder.

"You know you left that girl alive tonight. That's very clumsy of you." Damon sucked in a sharp breath at Stefan's words and fully turned to look at his brother.

"That could be a problem… for you." Damon smirked.

"Why are you here now?" Stefan asked for a third time hoping to actually get some real answers from Damon, although it was highly unlikely.

"I could ask you the same question. However, I'm fairly certain your answer could be summer up into one little word," Damon held up one finger with a smirk. "Elena, or Alison, I'm still so confused on that whole thing. I mean first you run into Alison at school, the Elena, then Alison at the tree, then Elena at the cemetery, then Elena then Alison, Elena, Alison, it's all so very confusing," Stefan looked down at the ground at a loss for words.

"She took my breath away, Elena, dead ringer for Katherine. Although I think I'm kind of leaning more towards Alison, there just something about her that's so… alluring," Stefan's gaze quickly shot up to Damon with a glare, causing Damon to smirk. "You've noticed it to, considering that reaction."

"You leave her alone, Damon." Stefan all but growled.

"Is it working, Stefan?" Damon asked, completely disregarding Stefan's threat. "Being around Elena, being in her world? Does it make you feel alive?"

"She's not Katherine."

"Well, let's hope not," Damon let out a breath of air. "We both know how that ended. Tell me something," Damon pointed at Stefan changing the topic. "When was the last time you had something stronger than a squirrel."

"I know what you're doing, Damon. It's not going to work." Stefan stated, trying to remain calm, to not give in to his brother's games.

"Yeah? Come on. Don't you crave it a little?" Damon antagonized Stefan, starting to shove his little brother.

"Stop it." Stefan hissed in a low voice.

"Let's do it together. I saw a couple of girls out there. Or just, let's cut to the chase. Let's just go straight for Elena and Alison."

"Stop it!" Stefan shouted a little more forcefully.

"Imagine what their blood tastes like!" Damon shouted, successfully getting Stefan's vampire instincts to kick in. "I can."

"I said stop it!" Stefan roared tackling his brother, sending the two of them crashing through the window. But when landing on the pavement it was just Stefan there, lying in all the glass.

"I was impressed,' Stefan shot up and looked over at his brother who was sitting on a stone wall, mocking him. "I give it a six, lacking style, but I was pleasantly surprised. Very good with the whole, argh," Damon mimicked Stefan's outburst with a chuckle. "Face thing. It was good."

"You know," Stefan stood up and dusted the glass off of himself. "It's all fun and games with you, but wherever you go people die."

"Well, that's a given." Damon shrugged as if people not dying around him was the most outrageous thing ever.

"Not here. I won't allow it." Stefan stated.

"I take that as an invitation." Damon said with a wicked smirk.

"Damon, please. After all these years, can't we just give it a rest?" Stefan asked, practically begging for his brother to leave him alone.

"I promised you an eternity of misery, so I'm just keeping my word." Damon shrugged.

"Just stay away from Elena… and Alison." Stefan quickly added, looking away from Damon and at the ground by his feet.

"Uh-oh, someone's looking a little fickle again," Stefan looked up at Damon with a glare who only looked at Stefan's had in faux confusion. "Where's you're ring," Stefan looked down at his own hand to see that his daylight ring was in fact not on his finger. "Oh yeah, suns coming up in a couple of hours, and poof, ashes to ashes," A smirk spread across Damon's lips when Stefan looked around in panic.

"Relax, its right here." He handed him the ring. Stefan slipped it onto his finger and looked up only to have Damon right in his face. "You should know better than to think you're stringer than me. You lost that fight when you stopped feeding on people. I wouldn't try it again." Damon gripped his little brother's neck and threw his against the garage door.

"I think we woke up Zach," Damon muttered to himself. "Sorry, Zach!" Damon shouted, although he knew he wouldn't here. "Anyway, I'll see you later brother, I got a date with the one and only Alison Gilbert, take care." He smirked, waving over his shoulder to Stefan as he walked away.

…

Alison walked held a coffee cup in her hand and her phone in the other as she made for the exit of the Grill while her eyes were glued to the screen. She suddenly ran into something hard knocking her coffee out of her hands and onto the floor.

"Oh, my…" Alison gasped backing up before any could spill on her.

"I'm so sorry." She looked up only to be met with a familiar pair of striking blue eyes.

"You're the guy from the cemetery, Damon right?" Alison couldn't help but smile a little. Damon looked down at her with amusement in his eyes and a smirk on his lips.

"Right."

"Well, Damon, you owe me another coffee." Alison pointed to her now spilt cup of coffee emphasizing his name when she spoke it.

"Well, sadly I wasn't planning on buying a beautiful girl a coffee, but Friday I might." Damon smirked, pulling out a pen and taking a napkin off of a nearby table. He jotted down his number before handing it to the Gilbert girl in front of him.

"Actually," Alison pushed the napkin away from herself. "We're not quite there yet, we've only bumped into each other twice, defiantly not grounds for the exchanging of phone numbers." Damon smirked as he folded away the napkin into his jacket pocket.

"So tell, how many times will we have to bump into each other before I can give you my number?" Damon asked taking a step closer.

"The third time." Alison told him with a wide grin. Damon stared at her with a moment before backing away with a wide smirk.

"Well, until next time Ali-cat." He winked before walking around Alison and over to the bar. Alison bit her lip and watched him for a moment, when he looked up and caught her staring is when Alison finally decided to go. She ducked her head, a wide smile on her face as she left.