(A/N: just a quick introductory chapter; but will do longer ones as the story progresses. R&R! xx)
Elena's POV
I stretched in my bed, my eyes slowly opening; still groggy from sleep. It was now seven-thirty in the morning, and the weak, December sunshine filtered in through my bedroom window, emitting a soft golden glow around my room. I yawned, and sat up, running my fingers through my long, brown hair. I immediately felt cold without the covers around me, so draping a blanket over my shoulders, I slid my legs over the side of the bed. My feet found my fluffy slippers, and I slipped them on. I shuffled across the large expanse of wooden floorboards until I reached my window, before throwing open the curtains. The December morning was frosty, but the sun still shone weakly overhead. I smiled softly at the beautiful, serene scene of the lake that was just outside my cottage. I lived in the quietest part of Thomasville; it seemed like I was in the middle of nowhere, but the shops were only ten minutes down the road by car. But I felt like I was estranged from the rest of the world. It was just me and my beautiful home. And my dog, Maverick. Speaking of him, he pushed my door open with his paw and padded inside, tail wagging as he made a bee-line for my bed. Maverick was only a year old, and he was the most adorable golden Labrador I'd ever laid eyes on.
"Hey, boy," I said softly, moving from the window to sit next to him. I sighed as I scratched behind his ears, wondering how long I could put off returning to Mystic Falls. It had been three years since I'd lived there. Sure, I visited every so often, but I preferred my life here, away from everyone. Away from the heart-breaking memories that town preserved for me. The empty ache that filled my stomach twanged with pain, and I pressed my hands to my tummy. No. I wouldn't think about it. I wouldn't think about vampires, werewolves or hybrids ever again if I could help it.
"Come on, Mav," I smiled, forcing myself into a diversion. "Let's get ya some food."
Maverick's ears perked up at the word 'food', and he immediately hopped down from my bed and waited expectantly for me at the door. Chuckling to myself, I slid off the bed and followed him out of my room. My house was a bungalow, which helped when I got drunk so there was less chance of me tripping down (and up) the stairs. I walked unhurriedly into the kitchen, picked up Maverick's food bowl, and poured in a generous portion of dog food. Maverick waited impatiently, occasionally jumping up at me, until I placed the bowl down in front of him. He began to eat greedily, taking in so much food that some fell from his mouth. Rolling my eyes, I boiled the kettle and made myself a steaming mug of hot chocolate. With my hands wrapped around the warm cup, I walked through the living room and out onto the back porch. Maverick followed, running out onto the grass. I smiled and watched him as he ran around. My heart hurt as I remembered, seven years ago, when Stefan and I had stood by the lake at my family's lake house, and discussed our plans for the future. I closed my eyes against the blinding wave of pain, as I knew Stefan and I would never have a future together now. Not while he was serving Klaus. I hadn't seen or heard from him in seven years; I didn't even know if he was alive. I wanted to believe he was alive, even though I knew I was probably wrong. After seven years, I'd finally convinced myself he wasn't coming back. And neither was Damon. My heart seemed to trip as I remembered Damon. After he'd admitted his feelings to me, (while he was drunk), I had told him I loved Stefan, and in his anger he had broken my brother's neck. But Jeremy had been wearing a Gilbert family heirloom ring, which also had the ability to resurrect anyone killed by something supernatural. He'd come back to life, but by then, Damon had gone. And I'd never seen nor heard from him in seven years either. He had missed everything. Everything from Katherine raising hell, to Klaus using me in the sacrifice ritual, to discovering werewolves, to Tyler accidentally biting Caroline when she'd tried to help him turn, to Stefan giving himself over to Klaus to save Caroline's life. Everything. Seven years of my life that I would never get back. Was I angry? Hell yes. I was angry and hurt with the two Salvatore brothers who had broken my heart, and left me alone. It had taken years, but I finally knew that neither of them would come back. And I couldn't bear it in Mystic Falls anymore, where all the memories were so painful. So I'd done the only thing I could think to do after I graduated school. I moved away. I moved here to Thomasville, Georgia; roughly four hours away from Mystic Falls. I was now a professional author; the career my mother had encouraged me to pursue; the career I loved. But I knew that I could pretend my life was fine, I could pretend I didn't long to see their faces, but my life was incomplete. I was incomplete without them.