-o-

"That's disgusting."

My nose wrinkled in distaste, stomach churning with the threat to bring up my meg re lunch of fries and I snapped my head away from the bar so quickly that the end of my braid slapped against my cheek and my neck cracked a little in protest. Kol looked amused. Fiddling absently with the empty ash tray in the center of the table, he stared at my father thoughtfully and cocked his head to the side.

"I hope I can still get action like that when I'm the old dogs age." he snickered, dodging the menu that I threw at him with an ease that was truly admirable. He shrugged at my appalled expression, gesturing wildly towards the bar, "Just look at him go, Bonnie! You should be proud."

"He's not that old," I mumbled irrelevantly, glaring at him through my bangs, "Only forty two. And, no, I shouldn't be proud, Kol. He's practically having intercourse with that, that..." I peered cautiously at the bar from the corner of my eye, face twisting up into a grimace when I caught sight of my father.

He sat on one of the stools, a tumbler of something amber in one hand and a handful of the whore on his laps butt in the other. She wiggled ecstatically, giggling as she scooted forward to whisper something in his ear. My father grinned. I gagged. "... blonde tramp! That's definitely something I could have lived without seeing."

My eyes began to sting from the chemicals coming off the smoke that was surrounding me and, digging around in my backpack, I began to cough pitifully as I rummaged around for a tissue. After an unsuccessful search and a partially hacked up lung, Kol decided to take pity on me and thrust a Kleenex under my nose, looking almost sympathetic.

I smiled, "Thank you."

He batted the air dismissively, "What are best friends for?"

"Well..." finished with the tissue, I crumpled it into a ball in my hand and shoved it into my hoodie pocket for later. Kol looked disgusted, but I just shrugged. I was being practical, who knew when I would need it again?

"If you really want to be a friend, can you do something about him? We're supposed to be in Mystic Falls by now and it's an hours drive from here. If we don't leave now, I'm not going to be able to start school tomorrow."

Please, I inwardly begged, because I'm going to throw up in a minute.

Kol got that look on his face- the complicated one, where his eyebrows furrow and his mouth pinches. He looked conflicted and ran one hand through his already messy brown locks, but curiously, from my perspective anyway, it looked like he forced himself to nonchalantly begin throwing tiny bits of fries at people's heads again.

He didn't look at me as he said, "Sorry, kiddo. I'm your imaginary friend, not your geny."

I should probably explain.

Kol... well, to me he was as real and solid as everybody else in this bar. Hotter, sure, but certainly real. I'd known him from I was six years old, confused and, incidentally, grieving the loss of my mother. That's what everyone always chalked it down to- my mothers death. They said that the 'hallucinations' (Kol) was a result of bereavement. According to the therapists that my father had insisted that I go to see, Kol was there for me when I needed somebody to be. He was a part of my imagination, conjured up when I needed him most.

Their theory made me chuckle very much.

I'd asked them, very primly, that if Kol was a side effect of bereavement, why was he still around me on a daily basis? He had laughed with me at the uncomfortable look on the therapists face as she'd stuttered to find an answer that never came.

Still, while I adored Kol- not that I ever told him that. Please, his ego's big enough, thank you very much- sometimes the weird looks and biting comments that I got for talking to him became a little tedious. Right then, for instance, was a perfect example.

I was giggling at Kol as he continued catapulting fries at people heads, tears of mirth forming in my eyes when he actually made purchase and launched one into a burly looking bikers beer. The man looked up as the fry plopped into his drink, splashing him with beer, and caught my eyes. He looked furious.

"Oi! You!" he stormed towards me, moving with surprising speed for a man of his size, "You think that's funny, huh? You little freak." he sneered at me, "Sitting her, talking to yourself. What the hell's wrong with you?"

The whole bar was deathly silent. Kol looked ready to rip somebody's head off. My father looked emotionless.

"Please don't call me names, sir." I said, tipping my chin up, "It's rude."

"Rude?" the man cackled, eyes bulging, "The little weirdo thinks I'm being rude! D'ya hear that everyone? I'm being rude!"

Nobody said anything and I felt color rise in my cheeks. I was embarrassed- really embarrassed- but there was nothing I could do but sit there and take the mans verbal abuse with as much dignity as I could muster.

Looking at Kol wasn't an option. I was too afraid of what he might see in my eyes. Besides, the words coming out of my friends mouth was enough to make me squirm uncomfortably in my seat. My head might of exploded if I'd even dared spare him a side-ward glance, I was so chagrined.

Finally, after an immeasurable amount of time, my father decided to come to my aid. Pushing the blonde off his lap, he downed his drink in one gulp and marched over to where I was sat, cheeks burning as I stared impassively at the angry man. He tapped the man on the shoulder. Angry Biker Man turned, lip curled.

My dad punched him square on the nose.

I'll admit- I was impressed. Albeit, in a reluctant way since I'm totally opposed to violence of any kind, but it was one of the few things that he'd ever done that touched my heart. Especially when, as Angry Biker Man sprawled on the floor, he gave him a hard kick in the ribs and lent down to spit,

"Nobody talks to my daughter like that, you foul creature." It was times like that, when he was flustered, that my dads former professor mind kicked in. Still, nobody dared question his choice of words, not after he'd just broken Angry Biker Man's nose and bruised a few of his ribs. Even Kol looked impressed.

"Come on, Bonnie." He glanced at me, eyes not exactly unkind, "Lets go."

I complied, carefully side-stepping the mans writhing form and waving at the nice bartender who had winked at me when I'd first came in. He waved back, smiling.I decided I liked him and that, if I ever came this way again, I would make the time to visit him.

My dad was already in the car and belting up by the time I exited the bar, Kol dragging behind me. He was muttering something under his breath- something foul, if the expression on his face was anything to go by- and wouldn't look me in the eye.

I shrugged, rolling my eyes at him as I jumped into the backseat. Best friend or no, he was such a child sometimes.

The silence in the car was deafening as my father started the car, pulled out of the parking lot, and pealed rubber getting out of there. I didn't want to say anything, since the stiff set of his shoulders scared me a little bit, and he seemed perfectly content not commenting on what had happened back there. Or, on anything, really. So, sending the back of his head a dis paring glance, I stuck my earphones in and turned my Ipod up as loud as it could go, curling my feet under me as I stared out the window.

It was raining. Somehow, that just depressed me even more.

I fell asleep for the rest of the trip, head leaning against the cool window, lulled by the steady, rhythmic pound of the rain against the glass.

-0-

When I woke up, Kol was prodding me awake telling me that we were in Mystic Falls. My father was outside, unloading our stuff, but I was more interested in the distressed look on Kol's face as he glanced around our surroundings, looking as uncomfortable as I'd ever seen him.

Which I totally didn't understand. We'd certainly lived in worse places before- dingy hotels, caravan parks, tiny little cottages in the middle of nowhere- and Mystic Falls... well, it looked great! Really pretty, actually, with plenty of green trees and smiling faces.

I liked it. Kol didn't agree, but he wouldn't tell me why.

"Just leave it alone, Bonnie." he had snapped irritably as we walked towards the house, "I don't have to tell you everything, you know."

"You're a figment of my imagination," I teased back, trying to hide the hurt I felt at his words, "You tell me what I want you to tell me."

Normally, that type of thing would make him laugh and roll his eyes- it didn't this time. Instead, he paled until he looked sick and his eyes grew wide.

"I have to go." he choked out, expression wild and panicked, "See you in a bit."

He was gone before I had chance to protest.

-0-

My dad started drinking before we'd even unpacked our stuff.

He didn't say anything to me- hadn't for over two hours, actually- but, eventually, he faded from the living room where he was helping me unpack and I heard the familiar clink of glass bottles chafing together and the slapping sound of liquid hitting the bottom of a glass.

My hands hand stilled in the act of de-bubble wrapping a photo frame and my heart stuttered a few beats as I listen to him sigh in contentment and grab the bottles, trudging upstairs.

He didn't come down for the rest of the night.

I was determined to get the house in order though, even if my dad and Kol had abandoned me. So, carefully, precisely, I pulled the rest of the bubble wrap off the wooden frame and, as if giving me her approvel, there was my mother- staring out of the glass at me with a smile.

It was her and my fathers wedding photo- even if he didn't ever talk about her to me, he insisted on wearing his wedding ring on a chain around his neck and putting that photo on display in every house we lived in- and they both looked so happy, so beautiful, that it made my chest ache. My mother was staring up at my father, looking totally besotted, and he was staring down at her in a similar way, lips curving mischievously at the corners.

I'm between them- the flower girl- grinning toothless, the only one actually looking at the camera, and both of them have a hand on my shoulder. We looked like the perfect family.

Too bad she died little more than a year later.

"Oh, c'mon Bonnie," I whispered aloud, swiping irritably at the moisture in my eyes, "Get a grip."

And I did. Somehow, I managed to get the house setting in relatively in order my the time eight o'clock rolled around. The only room I hadn't done was my fathers, but I figured he could look after himself. I also figured that it wasn't a bad job for four hours work. The place almost seemed like home.

Still, without Kol, I felt uncomfortable and lonely. He hadn't ever left me for as long as four hours before, and the thought unsettled me a little bit. What if he didn't want to be my friend anymore? Was this his way of distancing himself?

The idea annoyed me so much that, grabbing the keys from the kitchen table, I decided to go out an explore Mystic Falls to take my mind off it. I didn't tell dad I was going out. He probably wouldn't have cared anyway. He had his alcohol to keep him company.

Mystic Falls was a quaint little town which, even with the rain earlier on in the day, remained pleasantly warm with a nice breeze and everything. The houses were all kept very well and, everywhere I looked, there were smiling people. Even if they didn't know me, they waved and said hello.

I knew, as an old woman stopped to chat with me about the weather, that I was really going to love it there. Call it instinct, but I just had the feeling.

Under the woman- Sally, I think she said her name was- instructions, I decided to make my way down to one of the popular restaurants in town. The Mystic Grill, I think she called it. It was nice, if not a little crowded and, feeling sensory overload threatening to take over, I shoved my hand into my pocket and found a few spare coins to order a coke.

The guy who took my order was sweet, smiling at me indulgently when I stuttered over my order and even going as far as introducing himself as 'Matt'. He was easy on the eyes, too, with a strong body, blonde hair and these really hyper blue eyes. Not my type, though. But cute. Really cute. He told me to go sit down and that he'd bring my order over. How nice is that? Even if it was his job, I still felt touched and thanked him profusely, giving him the brightest smile I could muster.

'Matt' laughed and grinned at me, "I think I'm going to like you, Bonnie."

I thought I was going to like him too, but I didn't say so.

The seats in the Grill were scarce, since it was so busy, but I managed to k nab a table by the window with a brilliant view of Mystic Falls. This suited me fine, since I figured it would be a good idea to become familiar with the locals faces... and, yes, okay, I was also keeping my eyes peeled for Kol, too.

So sue me, I was worried. Though Kol acted on a pretty standard scale of weird, this was unusual even for him. He always let me in on what he was feeling- though I suspected it caused him physical pain to do so, sometimes. I guess, imaginary or not, all guys were the same- emotionally stunted.

"Hey, you're in our seat!" startled, I glanced up sharply at the sound of the angry voice right beside me, and almost fell of my seat at the sight of a six foot something guy glaring down at me. I honestly thought, for just a second as I stared into those dark eyes, that he was going to murder me. My opinion on Mystic Falls plummeted greatly.

"U-um, excuse me?" I stuttered, feeling my face flush.

The giant rolled his eyes, "Our table. You're sitting at our table. Get out of it."

"Tyler!" A tall blonde girl pushed her way in beside 'Tyler' and swatted him upside the head, "Don't be so damned rude, you neanderthal!" she turned to me, grinning sheepishly, "I'm sorry about him. He was dropped on his head as a baby."

Despite myself, I felt a laugh bubble up in my chest. The girl laughed too, "Hey, I'm Caroline." she stuck a dainty little hand out at me and, hesitantly, I grasped it in my own and pumped it gently twice.

'Bonnie." my voice came out a little rusty so I cleared it. Twice. "I can leave if you want. It's no problem."

Caroline shook her head, "No! Don't worry about it. Tyler's just being a territorial doof, per usual." she rolled her eyes, "We normally sit here, so he figures it's 'our' table. He's such an idiot." but, despite her harsh words, she glanced at the sulking Tyler affectionately and punched his shoulder, "Apologize Now."

Tyler sighed, long suffering apparently, and glanced at me balefully, "I'm sorry, Bonnie. That was rude of me." he rattled off in a monotone.

It was clear to me that he wasn't sorry, in anyway at all, but I shrugged. If he wanted to be an asshole, he could be an asshole. Nothing of my concern. I liked Caroline though, she reminded me of my old friend, Kyler, from back at the caravan park. They both had spunk.

"There's plenty of room for y'all." I commented, gesturing towards the table, "You can sit with me if you want."

Caroline's face brightened, "Oh, that would be great! See, Tyler? All you had to to was ask!" she smiled at me as she slid into the booth across, "So, you already know me and Tyler. This is Stefan and Elena, our other friends."

I glanced up at the other two. They were quite obviously a couple, that was clear from their linked hands and baby-doll expression when they glanced at each other. Elena was really pretty, with volumes of long, dark locks that stopped just shy of her waist and big brown eyes. She sent me a shy smile as she slid in next to me and murmured out a small, "Hi."hand still clasped in Stefan's.

Stefan was... well, hot, for a lack of better words. Tousled brown hair, wide green eyes that looked solomly at me and... Gosh, he had abs. I'd never seen abs before- not even through a t-shirt, like Stefan's- but I decided, right away, that I like them. Stefan made me like them.

He smiled warmly at me and slid in next to Elena, curling his arm around her shoulders. His hand bumped my shoulder, and I think I may have died a little inside. "Hey, Bonnie. It's nice to meet you."

I nodded vaguely, cheeks warm.

"All you need now is to meet Matt and..." her bright expression faltered for a moment, but she recovered quickly, "...Damon. Oh, and my boyfriend, Klaus, but that can wait." she beamed at me, "I can tell we're going to be great friends!"

Elena chuckled, "Forgive Caroline. She gets a little excited sometimes." she smiled, "So, Bonnie. Have you just moved here?"

I nodded quickly, grateful for the question, "Yes. Just today, actually. I start school tomorrow."

Tyler looked surprised, "You have your forms and everything in?"

Despite my weariness towards him, I forced myself to meet his gaze and nod, "My dad has a friend up here who works in the school. Alaric, I think. He pulled a few strings."

Tyler shook his head, looking surprisingly sympathetic, "Man, that sucks."

I shook my head, "Not really. I like school. It keeps me sane." maybe it wasn't the best idea to laugh at that little inside joke, but I did it anyway.

Thankfully, Matt came over to bring our drinks at that moment, so I was saved from having to explain.

"Hey," he smiled at me, "I can see you met everyone."

I smiled back, "Indeed I have. Well," I sent Caroline a look, "Apart from Klaus. And Damon."

At the sound of Damon's name, Matt's bright smile disappeared and I saw his shoulders stiffen. He glanced at his friends darkly, "Damon, huh? You want her to meet Damon?"

"He's not that bad, Matt." Stefan looked annoyed and rolled his eyes, "I live with him, remember? I'd think I'd recall if he were the spawn of Satan."

Everyone laughed, but Matt just looked even more distressed and stormed off. I stared after him, feeling strangely excited. It made no sense, but I was kind of looking forward to meeting Damon. He sounded interesting.

"Who's Damon?" I asked curiously, when the laughter had finally subsided.

"Stefan's brother." Elena answered, looking a little uncomfortable, "And my sisters best friend. They're both seniors, so you'll probably meet them tomorrow."

And that was that. The conversation of Damon was dismissed and everyone moved on. They all looked a lot more comfortable with it over them but I, for the most part, spent the rest of the night Kol were there, I would have made him dig up some dirt, but he wasn't. He'd left me.

So, instead, I tried to engage in as much conversation as I could without seeming overbearing. It was surprisingly fun. By the end of the night, I found myself enjoying everyone's company- even Tyler, who was actually kind of funny when he wasn't being an asshole. When ten O clock came, we all called it a night.

"So, Bonnie." Elena glanced at me with friendly eyes, "I'll pick you up tomorrow for school?"

I nodded, my chest warm with excitement. Oh, if only Kol could see me now. "Yeah. Thanks for offering Elena."

She grabbed her jacket, folding it over one arm, and smiled brightly, "No problem. Caroline's right, I think we're all going to be really great friends."

Yeah, I thought, echoing the friendly goodbyes they all gave me as I walked out into the cool night air, I think we are, Elena.

And, for the first time in a long time, I genuinely felt myself looking forward to the next day.

-0-

a/n: Review please!