Going back to Mystic Falls was not something I was exactly looking forward to. It's something I wouldn't even put on my bucket list. But with no where else to go, I'm left with Mystic Falls. I thought I left this town and the memories it brought 4 years ago. Dad got a transfer from work and moved us from Mystic Falls to New York. I loved New York. It was the city that never slept. And I fit right into it the second the moving truck stopped in front of the apartment building. But with both parents gone and being an only child, I'm forced back to my hometown.
I'm part of the founding families. I know more about this place than most of the people who live here. And trust me the non-founding families would never want to know what I do. My Dad Jeff Gilbert was born and raised there. As was I. I know the tales that would leave my old friends in this town running for the hills. I know about the vampires and the werewolves. But going back to THAT was not really how I wanted to spend the rest of my life. So the sooner I could get out the better. This town would make you loose sleep. And I've lost so many hours living here.
I'm moving in with my cousin Jeremy for a few reasons. One being rent in the big apple is out of the roof. Two, jobs suck in New York. And three, Elena moved out to live with her boyfriend and his brother in their house. I know that Jeremy's friend Matt is living in the spare room down the hall and I would take Elena's room for the time being. But that's all that he had told me. I agreed only because I was moving from friend's house to friend's house in the city. And to be honest, I was sick of house hopping. So here I come to Mystic Falls.
The drive back home wasn't too bad. Cranking up the music as loud as I could stand to keep my thoughts way. It helped for most the ride. But the closer and closer I got to Mystic Falls all my memories of living here came back. Growing up here was great. Family and friends around every corner. But when I was old enough my Dad decided it was time to tell me the truth about the vampires and the werewolves. Dad was on the town council and thought I needed to know the real dangers this town was hiding. He taught me how to defend myself and what to look for when looking for a vampire. Like how to know when your staring at one. I'm just hoping Uncle Grayson and Aunt Miranda didn't tell Jeremy and Elena any of this. Leaving them 4 years ago was one thing I worried about. But Uncle Grayson said he's keep an eye out for them. Two years later they both died in that accident that left Elena and Jeremy alone, and in the custody of their Aunt Jenna.
NOW ENTERING MYSTIC FALLS.
"Welcome home, Madison." I say to myself as I drive by it. It's around 2pm and I'm so tired of driving. I just wanna climb into bed and sleep for days. I drove non-stop from New York and it took me about a day. I drive the familiar streets and make my way to my cousin's house. I walk up to the door and knock, and Matt opens the door.
"Madison, you're here already? We were expecting you tomorrow." He says as we open the door wider letting me come in.
"Yeah, I just wanted to get here already and get the drive over with. How you doing" I asked as I give him a hug hello. I haven't seen Matt since my aunt and uncles funeral. He was dating Elena then, but we were friends since the day he was born.
"Doing ok. How are you? It's good to see you. It will be nice to have a girls touch in the house." I laugh at him. But then I turn and look at the living room. And he wasn't kidding. It really did look like a bachelor pad. Clothes everywhere.
"Who threw the party? Looks like it was a good one." I joke as I pick up an empty pizza box and throw it down. The food left over had to be days old.
"We were going to clean up tonight before you got here tomorrow. But Jeremy has been working a lot and so have I. Guess we got busted." He smirks.
"Where's my little cousin now?" I ask looking around as I walked into the kitchen. And then I see the sink. Piles and piles of dishes stacked in and around it. "Run out of soap? Or waiting for that woman's touch over here? Are you guys eating out of pots and pans too?" I say picking up a pot with old mac and cheese in it.
"Like I said, working a lot."
"I see that. So where's Jeremy?"
"Funny you ask, he went to the store for cleaning supplies. I'll let him know you got here early." He leaves me to look around while he calls Jeremy. I walk into the living room and see pictures of my family on the table behind the couch and threw out the walls. "He will be back soon. But I gotta get going. I'm working at the Grill. I'll be back late. Don't wait up." He says putting his football jacket on.
"Sounds good. I guess I'll start picking up things. And I'll call Elena and see if she wants to come and help me."
"No, Jeremy will be here soon. He'll give you a hand. By the time she gets here it will be almost done."
"OK. I'll just wait for him. Have fun at work. Maybe I'll come by later and get a drink." I say as he walks out the door.
I go up the stairs and head right to my temporary room. Wow, did Elena move out or just comes and takes things as she needs them. The room is still completely filled with all her things. Photos of her friends and family. Her cheerleading stuff in the closet. I set my suitcase on the bed and take out some sweatpants. All I want to do is climb on the bed and sleep but this house is really gross. I change and head back downstairs. I walk into the kitchen and start making some tea. As I put some of my milk into it the front door opens.
"Madison?" I hear my cousin say as he walks in.
"In the kitchen Jer." I answer back. In walks Jeremy bigger than I remember. Like really big. "Look at you? Been working out there?" I ask as I give him a big bear hug.
"You know a little here and there." He says as he hugs me back.
"Before or after making this mess and working?" I say sarcastically.
"Ha ha very funny Maddie. I bought garbage bags, dish soup, sponges, and some other stuff. Let me know when you're done."
"Hell no Jeremy. You made this mess you can clean it. I'm standing in for Matt. Then I'm going to go see Elena."
"Fine let's get started." The cleaning takes longer than I expected. But I really shouldn't be surprised since this house has 2 guys leaving in it. I tackled the kitchen as best I could, while Jeremy takes the living room.
"I'm done in here for now." I tell Jeremy from the doorway of the living room. "I'm going to go and shower and then go see Elena. Wanna come with me?"
"Uh, no. I'm gonna stay here tonight. I got the early shift tomorrow at the Grill. I need the sleep. But I'll give you directions to The Boarding House."
"The old Salvatore Boarding House?" I asked kind of in shock.
"Yeah she's living with Damon and Stefan Salvatore. She's been dating Stefan on and off for the last year."
"Oh, well, I know how to get there. Send her a text and let her know I'm coming over in like half hour." I tell him as I walk up to my room. The shower felt great. After driving all night and cleaning all afternoon the warm water was heaven. I get out and get changed into jeans and a blue tee. I throw on my sneakers and yell a good bye to Jeremy as I head out the door. The Salvatore House was a short drive taking about 15 minutes. I don't remember it being so big as I pull up. I get out and knock on the door. I hear muffled noises behind it and know it's my cousin's voice. I plaster on a smile because I know it will be here to answer the door.
"Hey Madison!' she exclaims as she sees me on the other end of the door.
"Elena! It's so good to see you." I give her a hug and walk in. I see to guys standing in what I believe is the living room. One is tall with dark black hair and amazing blue eyes. The other is shorter with lighter hair and brown eyes. The house is amazingly huge and I'm taken back by the size.
"Madison, this is Damon and Stefan Salvatore. Guys this is my older cousin Madison." Elena introduces us.
"Nice to meet you. This is a beautiful house." I say still looking around
"Thank you. Nice to meet you as well." Stefan answers. I look at Damon and then to Stefan and my vibe goes off. I turn to Elena in shock.
"Elena, why the hell are you living here? Especially with them?" I asked. I'm upset. I can tell what they are. And I'm mad that Elena would but herself in that situation. I look closer at Elena. "Elena? No, not you. This can't be."