"Don't forget your gloves, Bonnie! It's cold outside!" I hear my father's voice coming from upstairs. I nod, not even thinking about the fact that he wasn't there to see it.

"See you later!" I yell, slipping through the door and out into the freezing cold that momentarily makes me want to go back inside.

And yet my feet start carrying me away from convenient comfort that did surround me in my room and down the street to… nowhere.

I moved to the town of Mystic Falls only few days ago. My father was offered a new job and I, well, I had little to no say in the matter. I was somewhat happy. Somewhat. I knew that the opportunity was too great for my father to decline and he desperately needed a change of scenery. The divorce affected him more than he allowed to show, yet I saw it. I saw the pain and the loneliness in his eyes, I saw him losing focus and staring into the distance far too often. I wasn't too thrilled to leave my old school and my friends, yet I knew that I had to do it. After all, I wanted nothing but happiness for him.

Freezing wind tousles my hair and I pull my scarf up even more, only my eyes and little part of my nose remains not covered by bulky material.

I don't know where I'm going. Actually, I don't even know this town to make up my mind about the route. I know where the school is, but, obviously, it's not where I want or should be going on Sunday afternoon. Despite that, I take the first turn left, aware that it would take me to the main street. And I will figure out what to do once I'm there.

Even if the weather leaves little to be desired, I enjoy the setting. The house we chose was behind a white picket fence and so were all the other houses in the neighborhood. It was a drastic change from what I was used to – hectic rhythm of New York streets, never ending parties and sirens outside. We lived in a massive apartment building and therefore this place was just… a gust of fresh air.

I was never known for being a party person. When my friends and classmates were going to yet another party, I chose to stay at home and study instead. Yes, one might say that I was somewhat of a boring person. I would call it smart. After all, I was too invested in my future to make any other choices. I wanted to graduate with best grades in order to get full scholarship in Boston University. Journalism was what called to me and I knew that Boston was where I would be able to make my dream come true.

I was wrapped up in my dream so much that I almost ran off into a busy street, but somehow I managed to snap out of it before my foot landed into what surely could have been my demise.

The thought makes me giggle; off course I was exaggerating. Yes, it was the main street of this town, however I saw three cars passing by in what could only be compared with turtle speed. It was so new to me – not to see traffic jams, angry drivers and foul gestures they would show one another. Even on Sunday afternoon. Even on icy roads.

I search my surroundings, looking for something – anything – that would make me feel remotely interested. It seems as if the city is sleeping. Deep slumber; everyone is probably wrapped up in blankets and spending their time in front of the fireplace with their loved ones.

The chill that seem to course through my bones makes me want to do the same.

My gaze stops on a place called "Mystic Grill" and I decide to head there in an attempt to be somewhere warm and get a cup of tea that would at least warm my hands. The door creeks when I enter and I remove my scarf before looking around.

Just as expected – the bar is almost empty. I see few guys shooting pool and few people sitting behind the bar, but there are only three of them. Give or take.

"Hey, what can I get you?" A blue-eyed boy asks me as soon as I am in the hearing distance. He has a lovely smile, I notice.

"I… Tea, please." I answer. Smooth, Bonnie.

"It's cold outside, isn't it?" He laughs and I notice that his laughter is pleasantly chiming. "What kind of tea would you like?"

"Green, if you have any. Thank you." I give myself some points for managing to finally let a decent sentence out. It's not that he makes it nervous; maybe I'm simply not used to this little-town attitude. "Yeah, it is cold. I'm glad I still have all my fingers."

He lets out another wave of laughter whilst busying himself with the tea and I do the same.

Unwillingly I take off my coat. It's warm here, however I'm still too cold for comfort. Putting my hands to my mouth I breathe warm air in a meek attempt to get a bit warmer. Rubbing my palms together I sit on the stool and rest my elbows on the wooden bar top. It takes another half a minute before a steaming cup of tea is in front of my and blue eyes rest on my face.

"Careful, it's hot." He warns me and I push the desire to roll my eyes away. "Are you new here? I mean I haven't seen you before. Oh, I'm sorry, I'm Matt!"

He introduces himself hastily and I see his cheeks becoming a light shade of pink.

"Nice to meet you, Matt. I'm Bonnie." I answer as charmingly as I can, trying to hold a smile back. My hands hover over the cup for a while. "I moved here few days ago, yes. Still haven't had a chance to take a decent tour around the town."

"I'd love to say that there's a lot to see, but I would be lying." He answers and chuckles.

I know he must be right. The town isn't very small, however it looks like one where nothing ever happens. Surrounded by woods it deserves to be called a town in the middle of nowhere.

I grin.

"I suppose I will have to make the best of it." I answer and before I could even think about asking him for any tips, I hear the door slam behind me and see his gaze shoot that direction.

I can't quite explain what I see in front of me. It's like his expression changes in a second's time. It was somewhat worried. Or irate. Or both.

"Picked up another shift in this hole, Donovan? Life must be difficult for you." I hear a barking wave of laughter and turn my head just slightly to look at the scene behind.

I see three guys grinning and elbowing each other as if proudly encouraging for yet another foul joke. I can't help it but feel sorry for Matt. If anything, he was the first person that was nice to me. My gaze returns back on him and I see his jaw tense. I'm afraid that this would turn into something more serious, but instead of pouring fuel into the fire, he remains silent and starts cleaning the glasses and putting them away.

I hear few more remarks coming from them, but this time they are more silent and not directed at Matt. My fingers meddle with the cup and I lift it to take a sip that still burns my tongue. Even if so, the warmth soothes me and helps me to take my mind off of the boys.

"Let's go, he's not here." I hear one bark out a command and a moment later they're gone just as unexpectedly as they arrived.

"What was that?" I ask and then mentally slap myself after it's too late. Clearly this was not the best subject for a conversation, yet my curiosity always took the best of me. "Sorry, I mean… I don't want to pry."

"It's fine." He's too vague for me to believe him, but I stop myself from asking any more questions.

Matt keeps himself busy all the time I'm there and I immediately understand that our little chat was as good as dead.

I drink my tea quickly. Even if it burns my tongue and lips, I'm itching to leave as soon as possible. Despite the previous pleasantries, the mood became too awkward and I felt like my time to leave has come.

After the mug is empty I take a bill out of my pocket and leave it next to it before grabbing my coat and wrapping my scarf around my neck. He notices that I'm being too hasty, but doesn't say anything. Not that I expected him to.

"Be careful out there." He tells me after I mumble a goodbye and somehow I know that it's not the cold or the ice that he is warning me about.