Elena is forced to spend the summer at the lake house after her parents' death. She is ready for a boring summer when she meets a gorgeous, mystery guy with penetrating blue eyes. Things seem to be going well until she realizes he has a secret…and a jealous brother. Rated M for later chapters!

I dreamed this last night and had to get it down. I hope you enjoy. It is rated M for later scenes. ;) This is mostly a character study of TVD's dreamy cast. You may see a different side of these characters, as I believe everyone is multidimensional. However I hope they stay, mostly, in character.

I own nothing except the words written in this fan fic. No copyright infringement intended.

It had been exactly two week since the funeral. Two weeks and I still felt nothing, numb. Was this normal? I wondered. I had cried but it still hadn't sunk in that they were gone. I completely expected to wake up each morning and hear my parents' voices in the kitchen. Mom was always making coffee while Dad told her silly jokes that she was nice enough to laugh at. But the silence that I woke up to was deafening. Overwhelming. So much so that I typically only got out of bed so I could get ready, leave the house and escape it.

I'd made the habit of coming here, to their grave. Morbid, I know. The previous version of myself would have laughed at the girl sitting on a damp patch of freshly laid sod. The Elena I had become before they died was light hearted, carefree and unable to understand the tortured soul I had become.

Honestly I hated myself. I was furious that I had to go to that party. I had become the teenager that snuck out just to hang out with my friends and drink. I was disgusted by my actions and their horrific consequences. If I had any energy at all I would have started an anti drinking campaign or done something else productive. But I knew that wouldn't bring them back.

It was the beginning of summer, typically my favorite time in Mystic Falls but not this year. Last year around this time I was shopping with Mom for a bathing suit. I was going to pool parties with Caroline and Bonnie and to the movies on dates with Matt. I didn't seem to care about any of it now. Everything had changed and I felt as if I didn't know who I was anymore. Who would I become without parents?

I opened up my diary and took a pen out of my small tote bag I'd brought along. I had taken a blank diary from one of my book shelves as it didn't feel right to continue writing in a journal which last entry contained my complaining about finals and gushing about Matt and the spring formal. So I opened to the first page and wrote something honest for the first time in weeks.

Dear Diary,

Today is the first day of summer break. My friends are off enjoying the freedom that comes along with it while I sit in front of the graves of my parents. I know it's insane that I come here. They'd probably lock me up if anyone found out but it's the only way I feel close to them anymore. I still can't believe they're gone. It feels so final like my life will never be the same. Jeremy and I are supposed to leave today to spend the summer at the lake house. Jeremy doesn't want to go. I think that's just because his druggie friends are here along with his slutty girlfriend. I don't know what I want. No matter where I am they're still gone. Aunt Jenna will be coming to stay with us at the end of the summer, before school but until then we have to go to the lake house. Uncle John will be supervising us. I guess this is the only reason I don't want to go. He assured us we'd still have a fun summer as he's just going to be there to clean out some things and make sure we don't get into trouble. I know he's never liked me and I don't want to spend my summer around someone like him. Especially not after all I've been through. I feel so guilty. I know Mom and Dad would be here today if I weren't so stupid.

I felt tears drop from my eyes and as my stomach knotted up.

I can't write about this anymore. I better go, as everyone will be wondering where I am. If I do leave, I'll bring this diary with me and write more.

Sincerely,

Elena

I wiped my tears and put my diary and pen away. I stood up, picking up my bag and dusting off my backside as I gave one last glance at their headstone. Fighting back more tears I turned and made my way home.

When I arrived in the house Jenna was in the kitchen lecturing Jeremy.

"I'm sorry Jeremy but you can't stay here all summer. I know you want to be with your friends but I have things I have to tie up at school."

I rounded the corner to see Jeremy standing opposite Jenna with his serious face on. He thought he was so grown up.

"I'm not a child. I have rights. I don't want to be stuck in some cabin all summer where I only have memories of Mom and Dad. My life is here. I want to stay here."

Jenna spotted me and gave me pleading eyes. "Elena, please explain to your brother that his friends will still be here in August."

I blinked. How was I supposed to tell Jeremy what I wasn't so sure of? I guess it was time to suck it up and fake being the one in control and sure of things.

"Jer. Its only a couple months really. We do this every summer. Plus Uncle John will be there. You guys can hang out like you used to." I knew at least Jeremy liked our uncle.

Jenna made a sickened face when I said Uncle John's name. They weren't really on speaking terms anymore. I couldn't totally blame her.

"If its that bad I can be back by the end of July. Maybe even earlier if I am able to talk with my professors and finish up some things I missed at the end of this semester." Jenna interjected.

Jeremy looked defeated. "Fine. But I'm not going to like it." He turned and stomped off to his room.

Jenna sighed and I shrugged. "I just don't understand why your parents thought I'd be good at this. I know nothing about being a parent. Especially being a parent to two teenagers."

I gave her a half smile and tried to think of something comforting but I was too emotionally wrought to comfort someone else.

"Oh I'm so sorry Elena." Jenna began. "I shouldn't talk to you about stuff like this. I guess I need to find an adult to talk to. That would usually be your mom." She looked down, sniffed and met my gaze again with watery eyes. "You guys will be fine. You'll have a good summer and I'll be back soon and we'll be okay. Okay?"

I nodded.

Jenna pulled me into a hug and for a moment I felt like things would be okay. I pulled back and said "I better go get packed."

A few hours later we were in the car. A weepy Jenna, sullen Jeremy and numb Elena. It was only a 45-minute drive to the lake house and I tried to make conversation with Jenna when she spoke but I was too far gone to converse with anyone.

As we pulled up to the lake house I fought back more tears. I could imagine Mom on the deck, reading a book and Dad out fishing on the dock with Jeremy. Just last summer we'd spent nearly every weekend here as a family.

Only memories now, I told myself as I climbed out of the car. Jeremy stomped into the house, past a grinning John Gilbert.

"He's not taking things well I see?" Uncle John asked as he approached the car.

Jenna scoffed at him as she unloaded a couple bags from her trunk.

"Good to see you again as well Jenna." He smiled some more.

I tried not to roll my eyes but I'm pretty sure I was unsuccessful.

"Can I help you with anything Elena?" He asked, meeting me with a concerned look.

Where was this coming from? "No." I answered quietly, not meeting his eyes. "I'm fine. I'll be inside."

I walked toward the house and looked back to hear Jenna threaten to slam Uncle John's appendages in her trunk. I shook my head and fought back a giggle. Mom would have loved to see this.

The lake house was shockingly the same; the same dusty, beginning of summer smell, the same old but quaint furniture. I was overwhelmed with years of memories as I entered the door. I made my way up to my room and sat down my bags. I'd unpack later. At the moment I felt the sisterly need to check up on my moody baby brother.

"Jer?" I peeked into his room. He was laying on his bed, headphones in his ears and eyes closed. I could hear the loud garage band music from here. I walked closer and nudged the bed a little. "JER." I shouted.

"What?" He said jerking his headphones off and opening his eyes.

"I know this sucks."

"You don't know anything Elena." He snapped back.

"Yeah. You're right. I don't know that you're only mad because you can't party with your friends this summer. You don't really care about Mom or Dad."

He gave me a dirty look.

"I'm going into town. Do you want to come?" I asked.

"No. I'll stay here."

"I'm sure you can find someone to get high with in this town just as easily as Mystic Falls." I smirked and narrowed my eyes at him. If I was good at something, it was pushing my brother's buttons.

"Look. I don't do that as much as you think I do. I'm upset too okay. You don't get to be the only depressed one."

"I'm not depressed." I crossed my arms over my chest. "And you're allowed to be upset. Never mind." I sighed. "I'll be back later. Tell Uncle John and Jenna I went to get lunch."

I was halfway down the stairs when I heard him say "Wait." I whirled around.

"I'll come with you. I'm kinda hungry." He admitted.

Probably the drugs, I thought.

Jeremy caught up to me as we made our way out of the house.

"Where are you two going?" Jenna asked.

"Into town." I said. "We'll be back by dinner before you leave." I knew Jenna had agreed to stay until that evening and then drive back to school. I also knew she wouldn't be happy about it.

"That just leaves the two of us." John smirked at her.

"Oh God." I heard her mumble as we walked up the path into town.

Jeremy and I made our way toward Main Street. We were just ten minutes from the hustle and bustle of the small town of Fair Oaks, a town even tinier than Mystic Falls. Main Street held a few clothing shops, an ice cream store, a dozen antique malls and two of the best restaurants in town: an Italian diner and a burger place. Today Jeremy chose the diner and I happily followed.

We sat down in a nearly empty restaurant. I guess the lunch crowd had arrived hours earlier as it was nearly 3 o'clock. I was politely waiting for the hostess when I saw him. I felt someone watching me and looked over toward the bar area. The most gorgeous man with penetrating blue eyes was watching me. And it wasn't just a glance or the flirty thing some guys do by looking you up and down or anything. He was staring. If I wasn't so enthralled by his gaze I would have been offended. He had a furious look on his face for a fleeting moment and then it turned into what I can only describe as confusion. Just as I realized I had been staring back Jeremy pulled me out of the trance.

"Elena?" He asked.

I snapped out of it and looked at my brother and the hostess who were waiting for me. "Sorry." I responded. I looked back as I followed Jeremy to our table and saw that the mystery man had disappeared. That wasn't possible. Was it?

So don't worry. I'll get to the good stuff! This is my first fan fic but I've been writing my own characters for years. I just felt like I'd play with someone elses characters for a for a beta if you're interested!

R&R please! I'd love to know what you think. ;)