Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries, I just own this plot and my character Veronica Gilbert.

Summary: I'm not my perfect martyr of a sister, Elena. I don't have friends, I don't get involved, and I don't make other's suffer because I can't solve my own problems. I know the secrets of Mystic Falls, but Mystic Falls is blind to mine. I can never get close to anyone, I will not be tied to this god forsaken place. Damon/OC Stefan/Elena.

Chapter One:

Elena was always the one who got the guys. Matt Donovan, football star at Mystic Falls local high school; Stefan Salvatore, tall, mysterious, brooding, eye candy; Damon Salvatore, an asshole, but he just oozed sex appeal. The local ladies just can't seem to get enough of him.

Jeremy, our brother, has the whole vampire hunter gene going for him. Since he was the first born son of this generation of Gilberts, it didn't come as a surprise-at least not to me. Then again, I know more than I should, considering I'm supposed to be the normal one.

I, myself, am the middle child, I go unnoticed for the most part because I have no desire to be a part of the grand adventures of Elena and co. From where I stand it seems like the more people that get involved with that group, the more people died.

I've taken every precaution to make sure that my siblings believe that I'm in the dark about everything. The only proof that I know anything at all is you, journal and once you've served your purpose, you wil be burned to ashes. A proper burial for something that holds secrets that I'd prefer to not have revealed.

~Veronica Gilbert

February 21st, 2012

Closing my journal, a plain, leather bound book with unlined pages, I sighed. My alarm started going off informing me that I'd gone another sleepless night, no matter. I'd catch up during study hall in second period. Other than that, it just reminded me that I'd have to spend another day pretending that I am perfectly clueless to the existence of anything supernatural. What a joke. I flicked the switch on the alarm and it silenced itself immediately, and I trudged out of bed and stretched. I may not have gotten any sleep, but I certainly felt stiff. I placed my diary underneath the loose floorboard underneath my bed and covered it up with my pink and black zebra striped rug, and I walked over to my dresser and stared into the mirror.

You could tell that we were sisters. I could almost pass for her twin. We had the same lapis lazuli eyes that we inherited from our birth mother, Isobel Flemming, the same long dark hair that I never bothered messing with, and the same slender body type. The only differences we really had was the fact that she was a darker skin tone, and my mouth was a little fuller-hell everything on me was a little bit bigger. I had more imperfections than she did. I was more toned, because I had to work for my small frame whereas her's was natural. I was stronger than her. I sighed and looked to my left at my closet.

My closet was filled to the brim with clothes I'd bought during happier times, back when me and my sister were closer, and mom was still around. Now that those times were obviously over, I never cared about doing the stuff I used to like. Besides, I gave up on trying to be as perfect as Elena when I realized that she wasn't as selfless and beautiful as I'd originally believed.

I pulled on some dark wash blue jeans and a green shirt with lace going down the back. I pulled on some sandals and deemed myself good enough for school, and went to the bathroom and brushed my hair and teeth. There was no point in makeup, it just smeared all over the place as the day wore on anyway. I didn't care what other people may or may not of thought of my appearance it was none of their business.

I tried to sneak past Elena's room, like I usually did, but it was like she set her alarm so she could catch me before I got away. Right when I reached her door, she swung it open and she looked at me in surprise that I knew had to be false. She knew I always left early. "Veronica," she started, sounding a bit groggy, "Where are you-if you wait I'll give you a ride."

I vaguely remembered a time when her puppy eyes affected me. Now? Not so much. "No thanks, I'm trying to get to school early. I have to finish up my research for my English paper." She nodded, but the disappointed look clued me in to the fact that she knew I was lying, avoiding her. Good, maybe she'd stop trying.

"Oh...well, be careful I love-"

"Yea," I cut her off coldly, rushing down the stairs. "Bye!"

I shut the door behind me, not offering so much as a good morning to Jenna as I rushed out. I'm sure that moron gave up on having a real relationship with me when I just gave her sarcasm in return. Unfortunately the God's were frowning on me that day because Stefan Salvatore was standing in my way. I gave him a confused, and I sure an uncomfortable, look before I said the first thing that came to mind.

"Elena's not ready yet."

"I'm here to talk to you actually." I should have known it'd be a matter of time before my sister sent someone to try and talk to me. God forbid she try and actually confront me herself.

"I never thought Elena would send you to talk to me. I figured it would be Bonnie or Caroline."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Elena didn't-"

"Lie to your friends, Stefan."

He chuckled and raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, you caught me, but just so I don't get blasted, how about I accompany you on your walk to school, and we will just say we had a heart to heart." I snorted. Like I'd ever tell him anything.

"Fine, you can join me, but we aren't having a 'heart to heart,' I don't want to talk about Elena, and I don't want to join your little group of misfits at lunch and come up with ways we can all get in trouble in Mystic Falls this week." He stared at me in surprise and I shrugged.

"What? You thought I didn't know about your partying? You guys stay gone for days on end and Elena's an emotional roller coaster. It all points to some kind of drug use, something I want no part of, thank you very much." I congratulated myself a little for coming up with that good of a lie on such short notice.

Stefan shook his head in disappointment. "You sure are sounding judgmental, Veronica. Especially since you have no clue what really goes on. At least Elena has friends that she can count on. What do you have?"

I stared him down steadily, and wasn't surprised when he flinched back. "I have no clue? Maybe you're right, but what I'm willing to bet is that you won't attempt to fill me in, because I don't want to know. As for friends she can count on? At what cost? As for what I have, I have a scholarship that will take me away from this waste of space town and I refuse to be stuck here for all eternity. So maybe you're right, Stefan. Maybe I don't know what's going on here, but I can assure you that if it involves any of you, I don't WANT to know."

He made a move towards me, surprise and confusion written all over his face. "Veronica, what do you-"

Thankfully, before he could finish whatever he was about to say, a surprisingly welcome interruption was made.

"Yo! Ronnie! This a-hole bothering you?" Tyler Lockwood, resident player of Mystic Falls-at least before Damon Salvatore had come along, was my unexpected hero this morning.

I gave Stefan a warning look before stepping away and getting into Tyler's car. "Just, stay away from me. I don't want anything to do with any of you."

Tyler smirked his usual cocky smirk at Stefan. "Sorry Salvatore, you can't charm all the girls."

I pushed Tylers shoulder lightly. "Just drive, Lockwood. I would like it if I got to school on time, please."

He glared and started mumbling something about 'nerds,' but he did what I said. Thankfully we were only in his car for about five minutes before we were at the school, and for some reason that idiot thought he had a right to hit on me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me real close.

"You need to be more careful, Ronnie. There are a lot of things you need to look out for in this town. I could protect you, you know...for a price." He moved his other hand down to my thigh and started to try and caress me. I snatched his hand up and held it with bone crushing force.

"Listen here mutt," I growled, "I am far from helpless, and I'd sooner dive off a building than mess with a dog." I threw his hand away from me and got out of the car, ignoring his shocked and terrified expression. I have my secrets too, except unlike my perfect sister, I don't blab or cry to anyone.

I don't look for anyone's pity, and I take care of myself. I'm a Gilbert, and I solve my own problems.