Disclaimer! I do not own The Vampire Diaries in anyway; that credit goes to Julie Plec and the other writers for the show. The only thing I have claim to is Camellia (and all the characters that have to do with her) and her back story.
"Lia, it's time for school! Get your ass up!" Caroline screams from outside my bedroom door, incessantly knocking on it. Light heartedly, I roll my eyes at her ever present need to be bossy. One of Caroline's many talents is taking charge, always wanting to be a leader.
Little did she know I was already dressed and ready. My white-blonde hair was left down, in natural waves. Shortly after waking up this morning I had thrown on long-sleeve ivory shirt that showed a little shoulder, my favorite pair of dark wash jeans, and grey booties. Perfect attire for the first day of junior year. At least in my opinion; Caroline will most likely think otherwise. She is into accessorizing, and I just throw on what ever feels most comfortable that day.
"Beat you to it this year Car. I am up and ready." I tell her, swinging the door open with a smile plastered on my face. I don't know why, but I have this feeling that this year is going to be different from the ones before.
Caroline looks me up and down, forcing a smile after she realizes I didn't wear what she had suggested I wear today. "That is the outfit you are going with? Lia, why don't you ever wear what I pick out." Her enthusiasm loses its touch as she finishes her sentence. I never wear what she chooses for me, yet every time she seems surprised.
"One day Car, maybe one day." I laugh, brushing past her and towards my bag in the hall. "Are we still grabbing our first-day-of-the-school-year coffee. I would hate to break tradition."
Every year we do the same thing before the first day of classes; we grab coffee and talk about our goals for the year. It sounds cheesy, but Liz used to take us to get hot chocolates on the first day, before we could drive. And after we could drive we kept the habit going, except hot chocolate was traded out for coffee and Car's mom trusted us to go on our own. My goals normally had something to do with school and Caroline's usually had something to do with meeting cute boys and winning cheer competitions.
Caroline watches me closely as I grab my black shoulder bag and head for the stairs. "Duh! Of course we are, but spill right now. Why are you so happy for the first day?"
We made our way down the stairs, and towards the front door. I couldn't help but ponder her question myself. Maybe I was happy to see Elena again. Elena and her little brother, Jeremy, had kind of dropped off the map after the tragic passing of their parents in late spring. Other than a couple calls and texts, I hadn't heard much from her this summer; I miss my best friend.
Or maybe it was that every first day of school is like a new beginning. Honestly, I had no idea why I was in such high hopes.
"I am just happy! C'mon Car, let's go make this the best first day ever." I smiled. Caroline returned my smile with a laugh.
"I don't know what's up with you, but I love it!"
I enter the Mystic Falls High School with my head held high. Two more years and I will graduate high school, hopefully with honors. It would be an accomplishment to be proud of. Then of course, Caroline and I would take on college. We, or more like she, had our next couple years all planned out. The plan wasn't just me and her either; Elena, Bonnie, Caroline, and I all want to college together after we graduate, if that's possible.
"Okay, you go first! What is your main goal for this school year?" Caroline questions while we walk towards her locker. Caroline waves at everyone she knows, which might as well be the whole school. She is pretty popular around here; due to the fact she is involved in everything.
"I think I am going to mix it up this year. It would be nice to go on a first date." I tell her, taking a sip of my mocha coffee. Maybe this year I will finally catch the eye of Tyler Lockwood, but probably not, since him and Viki are a thing right now.
Boys haven't been a big part of my life. There were a couple of crushes here and there, but nothing serious. With only two years of high school left, I think it is a good time to change it up. What could one date gonna hurt? Maybe one kiss? Or possibly one boyfriend?
We stop at Caroline's locker and get her books for first block. "Dreaming big this year! That's adorable Lia." she giggles. Caroline must not think I am being serious, but I can't blame her. "This year I am going to make sure all our parties are wild, have the cheerleading squad in top shape, and let some lucky guy take me out."
Typical goals for Caroline, she may get older, but she never really changes. Caroline quickens her pace as we leave her locker and she catches site of Elena and Bonnie, our closet friends.
"Elena! Oh, my god. How are you?" Caroline asks, bringing Elena in for a hug.
I can't help but laugh under my breathe. Elena's brown eyes are screaming for help as Caroline practically squeezes the life out of her.
"Oh, it's so good to see you." Caroline continues. She turns to Bonnie making a serious face. "How is she? Is she good?"
"Caroline, Elena can still hear you, even if you turn towards Bonnie." I comment. Caroline has the tendency to take things a little over the top.
"It's good to see you." I give Elena a hug, and she squeezes me tightly. Elena is one of those friends that no matter how long it has been you pick up right where you left off before. It is refreshing to see her after the many months of not hearing much from her. She looks happier than the last time I saw her. Wounds like hers take a while to heal, but it's nice to see she is doing better after only a couple months.
"Really Caroline, I'm fine." Elena insists. shaking her head.
I give Bonnie a hug, as Caroline hugs Elena one more time. Bonnie and I had spent most of the summer trying to stay cool. Summer hadn't been that exciting this year. And even in summer Caroline found something to keep her constantly busy.
"Oh you poor thing." Caroline sighs, breaking apart from Elena again. She looks at all of us together, and a smile widens across her face. With a small clap, she is ready to move on and go talk to other people she hasn't seen since school ended. "Okay, see you guys later. Lia don't forget, Mystic Grill after school!"
"I won't." I wave her off, giving Elena and Bonnie a smile. Caroline can be overbearing, but you just have to love her regardless, she always means well.
"No comment." "Yeah, I am not going to say anything." Elena and Bonnie laugh as we walk towards our first class. We all have history together with Mr. Tanner who happens to be the most disliked teacher at Mystic Falls High.
We get halfway there and Bonnie throws her arm in front of us, stoping Elena and I in our tracks. "Hold up, who is this?" We turn to see a new guy standing in the office.
"All I see is back." Elena says cocking her head slightly to the side.
"Leather jacket and Ray-bans? Ten bucks he is attractive." I chime in, causing them to laugh. There hasn't been a new kid in our grade for years. A small like Mystic Falls didn't really attract new comers.
"I am sensing Seattle, and he plays the guitar." Bonnie whispers.
"You're really going to run this whole psychic thing into the ground huh?" Elena scoffs, rolling her eyes.
"Psychic? I mean, it makes sense, Bonnie did predict Obama." I admit. Bonnie had a knack for predicting things. It didn't happen everyday, but every once in awhile she would blurt out something. And later down the line it would happen.
"That's what I said!" Bonnie tells me with a huge grin. Elena just rolls her eyes at us.
Seconds later Elena's smile suddenly disappears as Jeremy walks in to the boys bathroom. "I will be right back." she hisses.
Oh no, that's not good. Jeremy had picked up a drug habit since his parents passing, and needless to say Elena was less than thrilled. Everyone had their own way of coping, and even though I don't believe drugs is the right way, I still pitied Jer. I really hope Elena isn't too hard on him. I think of Jeremy as a good friend, no matter how distant he has been.
"Please be hot." Bonnie chants, ignoring everyone around her; only paying attention to the mystery guy. She barely realizes Elena walked away from us.
The mysterious guy turns around and my jaw drops at how attractive he is. Bonnie is also speechless. Neither of us move as he passes by us; our eyes follow the boy until his out of sight. There was something undeniably alluring about him.
"Well, now that both of us look like staring fools, should we go to class?" I inquire, closing my mouth quickly. Never had I gawped at a man like that before.
"Yeah, yeah we should probably do that." Bonnie says, almost like she's in a trance. I loop her arm around mine, pulling her towards first block.
Let the school year begin.
"So Lia, any men on your radar this year?" Tyler throws a fry at me, but misses and it lands in my drink. My first day had flown by and now I was waiting for Caroline at the Grill.
"Gross, thanks for that." I pretend to be mad, however it only lasts for a second. Tyler Lockwood has been a crush of mine forever. His dark brown eyes, black hair, and toned body is almost irresistible. Then he opens his mouth, and you realize he can be a real jerk . I still love the kid though. Him and Matt have been around since I was a little girl.
"Don't get me wrong there are attractive guys in Mystic Falls, just none that peak my interest." I lie, picking the fry out of my soda.
I can't exactly tell him I like him, because him and Vikki, Matt's older sister, have a thing going.
"Better to be alone than to be heartbroken." Matt mutters under his breathes. Matt's frown makes me sad. It's been hard on the whole friend group since him and Elena's breakup. Matt can't seem to get over it and Elena doesn't want to acknowledge it happened.
Before I can answer, Vikki brings us another round of cheese fries. Her eyes linger on Tyler as she puts them down.
"Thanks Vikki." I say, not that she notices.
"Would you like another refill?" She questions Tyler, all flirty like. I look out the window in order to hide my jealousy.
"I'd love one." Tyler responds smoothly, probably giving her a dreaming stare. Gross.
"Please tell me you're not hooking up with my sister?" Matt commands. Poor Matty, probably the only person who hasn't caught on to whatever Tyler and Vikki are.
I look back over at the boys. "I'm not hooking up with your sister." Tyler replies, trying to seem innocent. His doesn't stumble over his words, but I already know he is fibbing through his teeth.
"You are the worst liar, Ty." I roll my eyes, and he gives me a swift elbow to the stomach. There isn't enough time to block his arm and I let out a groan as his elbow collides with me.
"You're such a dick." Matt mutters, looking down at his phone.
Sitting her feel slightly awkward now, but I don't want to just leave. Where the heck is Caroline? And as if the universe heard my question Bonnie and Caroline walk through the front doors.
"I would love to stay and chat, but you know how Car can be. I got to go." I announce, jumping down from the stool I was sitting on.
"Cheer up Matty, you will find someone new." I kiss Matt on the cheek. Matt gives me a small grin, at least he tried to smile.
I give Tyler a soft punch to the shoulder. "Bye Ty!"
"Text you later Lia." Tyler shouts after me. Butterflies swarm in my stomach, but I quickly shoo them away. Tyler is with Vikki; he only sees me as a friend.
I walk up to Caroline and Bonnie in time to hear Caroline say she is having a June wedding. I slide into the chair next to hers. "Ohh who is the lucky guy? Can I be the maid of honor?"
"His name is Stefan Salvatore. Looks like I am one step closer to my goal, snagging a guy. " She asserts.
My smile falters as she says Stefan's name. Elena and him had practically fallen in love during first block, one constantly catching the other staring at them. I bite my cheek not wanting to hurt Caroline's feelings. The look Bonnie is giving me says she feels the same way.
I am sitting at the bar chatting with Lucas, a football player and a good friend. I didn't feel like playing pool with Car and Ty. Bonnie and Matty were having a heart to heart, so I decided to grab a drink.
"Little Lia, tell me how was your first day?" Lucas ponders. Lucas believes since I am a year younger than he is, and a tad shorter, it is okay to call me 'Little Lia'. I am not too fond of the nickname, but he is too sweet of a guy to correct. Lucas is your typical boy-next-door kind of guy. If only I had a crush on him instead, things would be easier.
"It was how all first days are, exciting and nerve wracking." I explain, taking a sip of the water he just gave me. My hands wrap around the cool glass.
The doors opening cause me to turn around, just in time to see Elena and Stefan walk in. Shock runs through my body. They sure got together fast.
The surprise from seeing them together feels like it's building in my body. I try to shake the feeling, but it won't go away. Suddenly the glass in my hand shatters, cutting my palms.
"Oh ow!" I scream, slightly freaking out. How did that just happen? I wasn't even squeezing the glass. Blood starts to trickle to my fingertips, and I close my hands, not wanting anyone to realize I had cut myself.
"What just happened?" Lucas looks at me with wide eyes. I look up to see him eyeing the broken class. One piece in particular that is blood stained.
"I don't know I-"
"Whoa Lia, you okay? What happened?" A voice behind me asks. Without looking I know the voice is Matt. I start to panic not knowing how to reply. I have no idea what just happened. I grab a couple napkins off the bar and get up.
"Matt...or Lucas...could uh one of you tell Car I left? I am really tired." I lie. There was no reason to wait on a response, things were weird enough.
I wish I could say that was the first time something unexplainable had happened to me, but that was just one of the many. And all of it is starting to make me feel insane.