Reality Check
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters or television rights.
I knew it was going to be difficult, considered not getting out of bed. For many days now I have been pondering how I would handle the routine of today. From what I understand I am supposed to be a grief stricken teenager, with tremendous emotions weighing her down. I sit here contemplating how many times I will have to smile and tell everybody I am okay. It would just be easier to skip the normalcies of the day and disregard how I am supposed to act. Jeremy deals with his emotions in the illicit way; I can see the draw for him but could never bring myself to use my body in that way, I want to keep a clear mind. I pull the covers over my head and curl up into a ball , losing my parents at such an young age , how is it fair?, where do I go from here ?. "Elena, you are going to be late for school" Jenna said, her voice muffled through her closed door. "Yeah Aunt Jenna, I will be right down" .I heard her move down the stairs and to the other side of the house.
Sighing, I rolled out from under my heavy duvet to be suddenly thrown into the harsh rays of the day's sunlight. Jenna must have drawn them before I had awoken for the day. I understand she means well, but a little privacy would have been appreciated. I take a quick shower and throw on whatever I laid my hands on, not really taking notice of the routine I used to take pride in. Making my way down stairs picking up my bag on the way, "where are you going? Can you at least eat something?" Jenna handed me a blueberry muffin, I grabbed it and I was out the door and getting into my car without thinking about it. Sitting behind the wheel, a sense of nostalgia overcame me. A memory of my father's outstretched hand from behind the wheel, while we were underwater; before I blacked out I remember the look of love etched across his face. That look will never leave me; I am just grateful Jeremy never has to experience the utter guilt their death brings. Starting the car, I gingerly pull out of the driveway and into traffic, it was not the first time I had driven after the accident but it was the first on my own. It took me quite a long time to overcome the fear and get behind the wheel again.
Pulling into the school car park, I check my phone; I am only 20 minutes late for English. I try to enter the room discreetly, but the teacher spots me like a deer in headlights. "So nice of you to join us miss gilbert , not the best impression to give on your first day back , please find a seat ". Mr Pope was not a particularly hard person, but if you interrupt his class, he will make an example of you. I spot Caroline in the corner and take a spot next to her, but her attention seems distracted, I follow her line of sight and that's when I saw him. He had his back to them, but from Caroline's expression, he must have been a looker. The entire time I was in English, my mind wandered, last year I was a dedicated student but now, I could not have cared less about my grades. My emotions are all over the place, I can only imagine how Jeremy is coping. Finally, in what seemed like an eternity, the class ended and I was in the middle of packing up my stuff. "Hello my names Caroline, nice to meet you " she introduced herself to the new guy at school, interesting. From what I could see he flashed her a smile "Hello, my name is Stefan ""Do you have a girlfriend? Sorry I'm so candid, I just like to go after what I want "she added with her coy smile, no wonder she has always had such great looking boyfriends. If I was so forward the way she was, I suppose I would have many suitors, if I wanted any.
I brushed past them and headed for the door, attempting to keep socializing to a minimum, when I ran into Matt. The only reason this run in was awkward is because, all too clearly she could remember him revealing his feelings for her the night of the accident. It brought back memories that needed to be buried and yet, his presence continues to reaffirm them same events. "Oh Elena, I'm sorry I wasn't looking where I was going, how are you?" , you could tell he was acting nervous, speaking too quickly. "Hey Matt, I'm ok, honestly how have things been with you?" That's It, shift the topic off of you. "Oh yeah, Vicky is being well Vicky, she really just does her own thing and doesn't really consider consequences, the usual ". Suddenly I was side-tracked by Caroline hurrying towards the ladies toilets. "I'm sorry matt but I have to go, catch up later?" He nodded in agreement and touched her on the shoulder, meant to comfort me, it was a nice gesture and it didn't go unappreciated. Walking towards the ladies toilets, I made eye contact with the new guy in our year. He had an intense look on his face, like he was thinking about something distractedly. When he noticed I had seen, he quickly turned on his heel and walked in the opposite direction. Well that was an odd reaction? But Caroline instincts were not wrong; he was not bad to look at.
Hope you liked it is my first ever fanfic , i know it begins slowly but it wont be long until its in full swing. Please leave comments :)