Slight AU. It's my first time trying to write a story this way. We'll see how it goes. 'M' activities will come later, as will the dark stuff. Bear with me, please. Enjoy.


I DO NOT OWN VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS.


Chapter One:


"Hey Bonnie, can I talk to you for a minute after class?" Alaric asked after wrapping up the history lesson. I nodded.

"Of course," I wonder what he wants to talk to me about – normally he doesn't really say much to me during school. Weird. Oh well. It's probably nothing. I packed up my things and put them in my bag while I waited for the class to clear out, just in case it is supernatural related.

"I was going through some things that I hadn't unpacked last night, and I found a box of grimoires. They must have been Isobel's…" he cleared his throat. "When she was still human and researching everything. Anyway, I really don't have much need for them, and I thought of you when I found them. They're yours if you want them." He explained, with a crooked smile. I nodded my appreciation.

"Thanks, that'd be great, actually. I have a few that Grams collected and some that circulated through the Bennetts… after she passed. It'd be helpful to have the heritage from those." I told him with a small smile. He nodded.

"Alright, well, why don't you come by my place tonight? I didn't want to bring them in. I figured it was just asking for bad luck."

"You're probably right not to jinx it." I laughed. I headed for the door. Well, today just got more interesting.

But, that's not always a good thing around here. I mean, with Stefan AWOL with Klaus, and Elena gone… things can't really get too much weirder. Stefan leaving and Jenna dying made it too hard for Elena to stay in the house. She wanted to do some soul searching. Matt decided that's something he could use, so they left together. Jeremy moved in with Tyler and his mom. They're friendship really grew after Jenna died. At least something good came from it. Caroline and Tyler are still going strong. Damon is well, Damon. He and Alaric seem to hang out a lot. Alaric seems to be doing alright, too.


"Hey Bon, what's shakin'?" Caroline asked her normal, bubbly self. I couldn't help but to smile at her.

"Not much, just taking over the world – the usual. Ya know." I laughed. She beamed.

"You're gonna make me VP right? 'Cause, I mean, who else understands how you think as well as I do?" She asked.

"No one but you," I told her with a wink. She laughed.

"Damn straight," She answered. "Anyways, I'm planning a movie night for Friday. SO, in other words, you should make yourself free so you can come."

"Alright, you bet. Your place?"

"Yep, bring yourself and something delicious." She looked down at her phone. "Shoot, gotta go. Later Bon Bon." She hurried off.


I pulled into Alaric's driveway and turned off my car. I haven't been out to his new place. His old place kind of lost its appeal after Klaus hijacked his body. It looks like he's home. I can hear music from the windows. I knocked on the door.

It looks like a nice neighborhood. I gave a slight jump when the door swung open. I didn't even hear him come up to the door.

"Hey," he smiled. "Come on in." He opened the screen door for me.

"Thanks," I walked in. It looks nice. It's comfortable.

"They're on the coffee table." He motioned to the table in the living room. I nodded and made my way over. "Make yourself at home. Can I get you anything to drink?" He offered.

"Water?" I asked. He went into the kitchen as I started looking through the grimoire on the top. Just by touching it, I can tell that it's powerful… just by all of the witches that have added to it before my time. It's beautiful.

"Oh, I can't guarantee that they're all in English – knowing Isobel, it's a toss-up."

"I always like a challenge." I assured him. He laughed.

"Then this shouldn't be a challenge…" His stomach growled, interrupting him. I chuckled. "You know, I was about to order Chinese before you got here – have time for dinner? I'm no linguist, but I might be some help." He offered.

"That'd be great; thanks." I smiled.


All but two of the grimoires were in English, thankfully. The food definitely helped, but Chinese normally does.

"Can I ask you something Alaric?" I looked at him, hopefully. He nodded.

"As long as you call me 'Ric' – Alaric makes me sound old." He cringed. I laughed.

"How did you deal with everything without freaking out? I mean, vampires aren't something that most people just accept without freaking the freak out."

"Well…" he thought about his words for a second. "I think it was one of those things that I had to accept. Honestly, it's so routine now, that it's not as hard as it used to be."

"That makes sense. You know, I think you're a lot stronger than people give you credit for." I told him, softly. He looked at me, quizzically.

"How so?"

"You lost Isobel and Jenna. You stepped up to help 'raise' Jeremy and Elena. And, well, everything that we went through with Klaus and Katherine. Not to mention that Klaus picked your body to possess." I explained. He laughed.

"I guess when you say it like that…" He said, still sounding doubtful.

"I never said that you had to agree with me." I said, sticking my tongue out at him. He laughed.

"I'm glad you came over to look at the grimoires. It was nice to have a relatively normal conversation." He said, smiling.

"Well, you know what they say; using your words can do wonders. Imagine if everyone in Mystic Falls were mimes." I looked at him, expectantly. He squeezed his eyes closed.

"Oh God, and I thought this placed was fucked before." He grimaced, shaking his head. I laughed at his facial expressions. Priceless.

"I'm gonna use that as your teacher ID picture in the yearbook." I told him, after snapping a shot of it on my phone. After my words dawned on him, he tried to grab my phone. I laughed and ran into the kitchen, stashing my phone in my pocket.

"Blackmail isn't very nice." He told me, trying to get my phone.

"It's not blackmail – it's funny." I corrected. He smiled and shook his head.

"…if you don't give me your phone, I will… fail you." He threatened. My jaw dropped.

"You wouldn't dare." I countered. He nodded.

"Oh, yes. I would."

"Evil." I told him. I sighed and pulled out my phone. I handed it to him slowly. "Fine, but you owe me."

"And what do I owe you?" He asked.

"Oh, nothing," I told him, keeping a straight face. "BUT, you should know that I sent the picture to Tyler, Jeremy, Caroline, and Damon." I chuckled. He glared.

"You didn't."

"Oh, I think I did." I told him.

"Detention tomorrow," he sputtered.

"You're not serious."

"The hell I'm not. Damon is never going to let me live that down. I wouldn't be surprised if that's on my headstone, someday." He countered, shaking his head. He gave my phone back to me.

"Fine, BUT it was worth the detention." I told him. "We can finish looking over the grimoires later; it's getting late. I better head home… especially since I have detention tomorrow." I told him with a mock-glare. He chuckled.

"Bye Bonnie," he followed me out. "Oh, and Bonnie," he said. I turned around. "If you ever need anything, or just need to talk, I'm here for you." He said. I nodded.

"Thanks; I'll probably take you up on that." I smiled and left.


I sighed as I lay in bed. Tonight was fun. Honestly, I didn't expect it to go that way. Alaric's always been pretty chill, but I caught a glimpse of the guy that Jenna fell for. It's nice to know that he's still in there, somewhere. I mean, he's been through so much. But, to be honest, we all have. It's nice having him around, having someone else around, after all that's happened.

It's hard to get close to the people in Mystic Falls that just don't know anything about what went on. I envy their ignorance, at times. It's hard being alone, sometimes. My Grams' is gone, and my dad is always away on business, and my mother split so long ago.

I glanced at the clock. Tomorrow's gonna be here too soon. We'll see how detention goes. At least I'll get to spend it with Ric. I can't wait to see what Damon has to say about his picture.


Author's Note: Well, there it is. Reviews are love. No, but seriously, let me know what you think.

Xo Xo
Anneryn