Every Rose has its Thorn

A/N- Well hello my lovely fudge balls! I've always kind of liked the idea of these stories, so I decided to write one!

This takes place in the episode 'Masquerade.' I really hope you all enjoy!

-B x

Chapter One

Tara POV:

Dear Diary,

I'm going home, to Mystic Falls. Where I was born and raised. Where I had my first kiss, first boyfriend. Where my family was. And, where my parents were killed, the reason why I got out of the small town in the first place.

But you know what they say, 'Home is where the heart is.' And my heart needed to go home.

I had left after my parents' death, because the emotions were too much for me. I was heartbroken, my sister was heartbroken, and my brother was heartbroken. Heck, even my kitten didn't seem to be herself. It was like I could actually feel the emotions radiating off everyone, suffocating me, smothering me. I had to go.

And I did.

But after my twin sister Elena called me, telling me how Aunt Jenna had somehow walked into a knife and was hurt. Well, who wouldn't be hurt after being stabbed by a kitchen knife? Anyway, after I heard the news, I packed my bags, hopped into a cab headed straight for the airport, and flew home.

And now my taxi is outside the house. Talk to you later.

I close my diary and grin, loving how familiar the house looks. In New York, everything was new, and almost scary. Just setting foot into this small town makes me feel better almost immediately.

"Thanks," I say to the driver, handing over the cash. He nods and drives away, after helping me collect my luggage.

I pull my suitcase up the path with my duffle bag on my shoulder, take a deep breath, and knock. Soon after, Elena opens the door, and immediately her face breaks into a huge smile.

"Tara!" she exclaims, pulling me into a hug. I chuckle dropping my bags.

"Elena, you're kind of squishing me," I say wryly, smiling myself. She pulls back, shaking her head.

"Sorry, it's just so good to see you." She says. I hear footsteps behind her, and look over her shoulder to see my little brother.

"Are my eyes deceiving me or is that my MIA sister?" Jeremy smirks, coming towards us twins.

"Jer!" I yell, pushing past Elena and giving my little brother a bear hug. He laughs, and I pull back, a confused expression on my face. "You don't smell like pot. Why is that?" I ask.

"He cleaned up his act," Elena explains, handing me my things. "Now go put these up in your room," she orders. I sigh, but obey her orders.

"Fine, fine," I say. Quickly, I run upstairs with my suitcase clanking against the wood, dump my things in my same old room, and thunder back downstairs, turning into the living room. Matt's leaning against the kitchen bench, while Jenna lies on the couch.

"Matty Boy! Jenny!" I say, using the much hated nicknames I made for them. They both smile as I hug them each in turn.

"Hey, sorry Tar, I have to go. I was about to leave when you came." Jeremy says apologetically. I pout, and notice a glare that Elena shoots Jeremy. I'd have to find out about that later.

"Okay. Bye Jer," I say, hugging him.

After he leaves, I begin to tell them about where I've been, what I've been doing. After a while, the conversation turns to what's been happening here.

"So what's this I hear about the Salvatore brothers?" I say, raising an eyebrow. Elena sighs.

"Caroline spilt didn't she?" she says. I nod, reading into her expression, a talent of mine. She looks…sad. Very sad. Oh…if one of those Salvatore's hurt her I would kill them.

"One, is my ex, the other, is my ex's brother. Ask Bonnie or Caroline for details." I decide to leave it at that, not wanting to upset her further.

Matt gets up, turning to leave. "You're welcome to hang out. Alaric's coming over. It's gonna be pizza and bad TV." Elena says.

"Who's Alaric?" I ask. "The history and Jenna's boyfriend." Elena says briefly.

"I'd love to, but I'm going to the masquerade party at the Lockwood's. Aren't you?" Matt asks.

"Uh…no. Not with what's going on between me and Stefan." Elena says, shaking her head slightly.

"I'll go," I say. They all turn to look at me, and I shrug. "I haven't seen anyone in ages. I want to see everyone."

"Okay, cool. I've got to go, got something to do. Go get ready." Matt says, shooting me a smile. I nod, and go upstairs.

Quickly, I raid through my suitcase, until I find one of my favourite dresses, a strapless deep purple dress, with a flared skirt. I find my mask, place it over my head, and pull on purple flats. I pull my hair up into a ponytail, with two strands of hair hanging out. I grab my purse, and head back downstairs.

"Ready to go?" Matt asks. I nod, grinning.

"Yeah. Let's go." I say, waving goodbye to Elena and Jenna.

~~~x~~~

A couple hours later, I stand outside. I'd caught up with Caroline, Tyler, Bonnie, Dawn and Peter, two of my other friends. Matt had ditched me and had gone somewhere with Tyler. To get drunk, probably. I swear I'd seen Elena, but I just brushed it off, because I knew she was at home.

The masquerade ball was still going strong, but I think that I've had enough. The problem is, Matt was my ride. I sigh; I'm going to have to wait for him.

I walk back inside, heading towards the drinks. I grab a glass of champagne and sip it slowly. I feel a presence beside me and look up, to see a guy standing next to me. For some reason, he looked familiar.

"Hello," I say, cautiously. "Nice mask."

"Thanks," his mouth forms into a smirk. "You look…delicious, Tara."

"How do you know my name?" I say suspiciously, placing my empty glass on the table. He pouts at my question.

"I'm hurt, sweetie. You don't recognize your own boyfriend?" he says, faking to be hurt.

"Aidan." I realize. I slowly take steps backwards from him. "I told you, I don't want to be with you, anymore."

"Whatever you say," he smirks, closing the distance between us. "But I get to decide when I'm done with you."

I shiver, shrinking away from him. "I-I have to go…do something." I say. He just continues to smirk as I turn away.

I step outside, the cold chilling me, but refreshing me at the same time. I walk amongst the cars, trying to think clearly. Aidan was here, he had followed me. I had broken up with him not a day before I left to come here, the supposedly boring town of Mystic Falls.

The town seems different, I muse. And it's about to become more, now that Aidan's here.

3rd Person POV

The girl trails among the cars, unaware of the presence following her. Suddenly, she stops, leaning against a truck, arms folded. Silently, the man creeps up behind her. She shakes her head and moved forward, only to be grabbed. She struggles, but it's no use. The man drags her off, to his car, and dumps her in the boot. Soon after, another girl is dumped with her. The man's job was nearly done.

A/N- Well, did you like it? Hate it? Sorry if it's a bit short. Let me know if you want longer chapters. Reviews are actually love. Can I have love? I like hot chocolates. Drinking one write now…so good. How about if you review I give you all cyber hot chocolates? :D

-B x