A Dark Secret

Chapter One: Hometown Glory

Pairing: Caroline Forbes and Tyler Lockwood

They've never met before; he is attracted to her like a moth to a flame the second his eyes lands on her but she doesn't like him from the start… What will she do when she begins to see who he really is? Or is it what? AU

Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries (obviously) nor its characters.

Today was one of the days he fucking hated this bloody town more than ever. He should have left long ago but when he'd graduated from college, he came back here. Here in Mystic Falls, small town of Virginia. Sometimes he was thinking about leaving right the moment the thought came to his head but yet he hadn't. He didn't know why or what, but something held him back here. His mother took his father's place as the Mayor when he died, several years ago from a heart attack. She had no one left but him, and he couldn't leave her alone. But today was a totally different story, today he definitely wanted to leave – no, flee would be a more appropriate word than leave – and hide from them. They'd called again this morning and although he'd already told them he wasn't interested in joining their pack, they still insisted. Freaks. His patience was wearing off now, he knew that eventually they would come here and try to convince him, and he didn't know what to do about it. Run or stay? His worries followed him to the Grill, where his friends were waiting for him.

Tonight was a typical Friday night at the Grill and the room was packed. He was meeting with some of his old jock friends from high school to shoot pool. They had made it a tradition when they still were in high school. He was waiting for his turn when he first saw her. He hadn't ever seen here, so he guessed she was new in town. She was beautiful. She had curly blonde hair and delicate features, but he was too far away to tell what color her eyes were. She was hypnotizing him, he couldn't take his eyes off of her, he was attracted to her like a magnet. His eyes followed to the bar where she sat on one of the high stools and ordered herself a drink. He couldn't describe what was happening. It felt like his body was craving for her just like someone was craving for water after hours of walking in the scorching heat of the desert.

"Who is she?" he asked one of his best friends, Sam, who was also right next to him. He was still staring at her.

"Who are you talking about? There are many women here." he laughed.

"The blonde who's at the bar right now." he rolled his eyes, anxiously waiting for Sam to reply. Was he blind? She absolutely surpassed every other woman in this room.

"Oh, that one. Well, you're not going to believe it, but she's Sheriff Forbes' daughter. Her name's Caroline I think… Yeah, Caroline Forbes." he whispered to Tyler, who almost choke on his drink.

"What? Sheriff Forbes? Our Liz Forbes? I thought she had no children? And why is she only coming now? The funeral was like, two months ago!" he said, his eyes wide with surprise.

"She and her mother didn't get along well. From what I understand from my father, they had trouble finding her. When she went away, she left no cell number or address for that matter. It was like she wanted to be wiped off the face of the earth. She only left a letter saying she was leaving and she doesn't want to be found. I think she told her mother to 'fuck off' and that she has 'no mother'. Not very nice if you ask me, that was mean." he shook his head. Sam's father was one of the best lawyers in town, no wonder he knew so much.

"Maybe she's mean but that doesn't change the fact that she's still hot." he said, the wheels already turning in his head. He needed to talk to her. Maybe only then he would understand what was happening to him.

"Oh no, I know that look, what are you up to?" Sam asked, frowning.

"Nothing." Tyler replied nonchalantly, getting up.

"Then, where are you going?" Sam asked suspiciously.

"I'm going to buy me a drink."

"Yeah, I'm sure! Hey, be nice to her!" Sam called after Tyler, who merely waved his arm at him.

He was getting more and more nervous as the distance between him and her narrowed. His palms were sweaty. Get a grip over yourself, he mentally slapped himself, you look like a ten year old boy who declares his flame to his first crush. As he neared the bar, he took a final deep breath and sat down next to her.

"Hi, I'm Tyler." he said, plastering his most charming smile on his face. She didn't even look at him nor respond to his greeting. From what he just gathered from Sam, she was not the kind type, but that didn't discourage him yet, so he continued.

"If I'm not mistaken you're new around here… because I never saw you." he said.

"So? I'm sure that won't stop you from living, Tyler." she said, snorting his name and still not looking at him.

"Aren't you going to tell me your name?" he pressed her on.

"Which I'm sure you already know. And no, you can't buy me a drink, so you can go now. Chop chop!" she said, finally looking at him. He was slightly stunned when her light blue eyes met his chocolate brown ones. She was glaring at him. If looks could kill, he thought, I'd be lying dead on the floor right now.

"I was actually being polite and trying to engage a civil conversation between two grown-ups-" he began but she cut him off, her rage welling up.

"Right, I got the picture here. I know how jerks like you think and function. That conversation was going to end up in bed. But that's only happening in your mind and this is reality. And if I wasn't already clear enough before, I'll repeat myself in a language I'm sure you might understand: fuck off." she said coldly.

This was the first time a girl blew him off like she did. Ok, maybe it had been a long time since he last dated someone, but he never recalled being rejected like that by a girl. He was sure he was gaping at her in sheer disbelief right this moment.

"Is it clear now?" she asked in a sarcastic tone.

"Crystal." he cleared his throat.

"Good. And this would be my cue to leave." she said while slamming a bill on the counter and hastily putting her coat on. When she was ready to leave, she looked at him and said, "It was not a pleasure. At all." She didn't wait for his reply and headed towards the exit, not looking back. He watched her leave and didn't notice Sam approaching him. Sam sat in the now vacant seat next to Tyler and was trying hard to hold his laughter back.

"Don't say anything." Tyler snapped at him. And this was all it took for Sam to burst out in laughter.

"I'm sorry man, but I told you to be nice to her. Apparently that word isn't in your vocabulary. Oh wow, she totally blew you off. I'm impressed!" he said.

"Just shut the hell up, I don't need your bad sense of humor now." Tyler said curtly before downing the drink he just ordered in one large gulp. The alcohol burned his throat on its way down.

"Maybe I'll have a chance now that you blew off yours." Sam replied, still smiling. But his smile vanished when Tyler grabbed him by the collar.

"Don't even think about it, she's mine!" he said menacingly.

"Chill man, I was just kidding. What's wrong with you these days? Sometimes you act like my sister when she's PMSing, you're totally normal and then suddenly you snap at people, or choke them!"

"Nothing, I'm just stressed out, that's all. I'm sorry." Tyler apologized. He didn't mean to be like that, but as the full moon was approaching, he was a bit on edge and let his body react before his brain.

"It's ok. Oh hey, look! Looks like Goldie Locks forgot her purse." Sam said to Tyler, who didn't react at that piece of information. "What are you still doing here? That's your chance to make it right. Go, go!" Sam pushed Tyler off his seat, who rushed outside.

Ugh what a jerk! As if she didn't have enough problems already, she had to put up with an arrogant and cocky, but she had to admit, handsome guy! She wanted to get drunk and forget all of her problems but he ruined everything. Men were all the same, they acted like lions when they saw fresh meat.

"Hey! Caroline! Wait!" she heard him calling her from across the parking lot. Oh what did he want now? Men just have some thick skulls sometimes, she sighed internally and stopped to face him.

"What part of 'fuck off' did you not understand?" she asked in an exasperated tone.

"You forgot your purse?" he offered, holding it up for her to see it.

"Oh. Thank you, Tyler." she said as she took the purse from his hands. He couldn't help but smirk when he noticed she said his name without sneering it. It was an improvement, he thought.

"Listen, I wanted to apologize too. I wasn't being a gentleman in there and I'm sure you had a lot on your mind. I'm sorry." he said, looking hopefully at her, waiting for her to acknowledge his apology.

"Don't worry about it, I'm already over it." she said curtly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm tired and I want to go." She quickly walked to her car, got in and slammed the door shut.

Guess that means goodbye then. He heard her start the engine as he slowly made his way back inside and stopped when he heard a window being rolled down. He looked over his shoulder to find her staring intently at him.

"Oh and one more thing… Next time you're planning to hit on a girl, make sure you're not out of practice." she smirked at him and quickly sped out of the parking lot, leaving him in the same spot. He huffed and shook his head, he was out of practice? We'll see that next time we meet again. But now he needed a beer. And badly so he resumed his way back to the Grill.

A/N: Sooo, 2nd story, first AU! We'll see how far this one goes xD Let me know what ya think, folks! (Please keep in mind that English is not my mother language!)

And please review! :)

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