This fanfiction is written part by me and part by my friend Chantal. Who also wrote Fiery Sunrise with me. No that's not a dead project, so please don't give up on it. This is first "chapter" is pretty rough. Not sure if it'll ever get fixed, but please stay with it. I have the utmost faith that it will get better! Thanks for taking interest!

Prologue

He had her in his iron grip. Neck bared, like an open invitation. Her skin was so close to his lips, he could almost taste it. He imagined the texture and savoriness of her blood, as it tickled down his throat. The thought made his eyes and the skin around them darken, like a terrifying mask. As he went in for the kill, his sharp fangs grew closer and closer to her exposed neck. And right as his lips caressed the soft skin there, something he could not describe stopped him in his tracks.

At First Sight

"Ugh." Scarlet grunted as she let her loaded suitcase thunk to the floor before setting a full box of small nick-nacks and trinkets on an empty dresser beside her. "I'm glad you convinced me to bring only half of my closet with me. I don't think we have room in this dinky dorm room for all my clothes." she chuckled, turning to look her best friend ,Aubrey, in the face.

"Oh, I know. We can just get the other half when we go home for fall break so you can trade out your fall/winter clothes for some spring/summer attire." Aubrey smiled back.

"I like your thinking." Scarlet chimed.

Aubrey set her stuff down on the bed she'd claim as hers and put her hands on her hips, examining the room. "You know, these things always look bigger in tv shows."

Scarlet turned and took in the room as well. "Well, get used to it girlie. This is home for the next year."

It was both Aubrey and Scarlet's freshman year at Mystic Fall's Academy. It wasn't anywhere near their hometown and that was part of it's appeal. Having been best friends for years, they'd had this move planned. Somewhere far away, with academics that would get them to where they wanted to go in life. Both were timid about the distance and new surroundings, but extremely excited as well.

After retrieving the remaining boxers of goodies from their vehicles, they both settled in an unpacked what they felt necessary.

"So, do you think we'll get lucky and meet any boys while we're here?" Scarlet asked, wiggling her eyes brows at her friend, playfully.

"Hopefully, I mean. . isn't that really what college is for?" Aubrey giggled.

"I really hope the boys here are more mature then those beefheads we went to high school with. I am so over immaturity. We are adults now." Scarlet explained, setting up pictures of friends and family on her designated desk.

"Exactly. I want a guy who can sweep my off my feet. Someone who's cultured, experienced and someone who can prove that chivalry isn't dead, you know?" Aubrey expressed as she shoved some clothes into her dresser.

"And he has to have a sense of humor. I can't stand serious types. I mean, whats life without laughing, you know?" Scarlet wrapped her arms around herself.

"Agreed, one hundred percent." Aubrey smiled.

Almost two hours and many boxes later, the girls had finished unpacking and were situated in their substitute house.

"I'm starving, are you up for some grub?" Scarlet asked, grabbing at her growling stomach.

"Sure, got any place in mind?"

"How about that sports bar we passed on the way here? I'd like to sit somewhere and eat. I'm kinda tired of drive-threws." Scarlet frowned.

"Definitely. That sounds good." And with that the girls were on their way.
As soon as they were parked, Scarlet killed the engine and stepped out of the driver side door.

"Next time. . I drive." Aurbey called out for over the hood of the car.

"Why? Don't like my driving?" Scarlet teased.

"It's not that, I'd just like to live to see my first day of college, that's all." Aubrey smiled widely.

"Ha-Ha-Ha. I can't help it. I like the speed."

"Yeah, well like the speed when I'm not in the passenger seat, okay?" Aubrey, now at Scarlet's side, grabbed her arm and tugged her inside to doors of the dinner.

Upon entering the two were seated at a near by booth in the dim restaurant area of the bar, both took in their menus carefully. "What to get, what to get." Aubrey mumbled to herself.

"Ooo. The South Western Ranch burger sounds good." Scarlet commented.

"Eh, I'm in the mood for chicken fingers."

Both girls skimmed the menu, undecidedly as the waiter approached them.

"Hello ladies, may I take your order?" the brown hair, brown eyed young man said, a pen and paper in his hands.

"We're still deciding. Can you give us a sec?" Scarlet asked politely, still focus on the menu.

"Yeah. Sure. Um. . you gals aren't from around here, are you?"

"What makes you ask that?" Aubrey inquired, meeting the boys eyes.

"It's not a very big town." he said, scratching a the back of his neck with the pen. "And I'm sure I'd remember your faces." he smiled

"You're right. We aren't. We just arrived today. We start at MFA tomorrow." Scarlet explained. The color of her cheeks matching that of her name.

The boy was cute, neither girl could doubt that, and obviously sweet. Perhaps their luck in the boy department was looking up.

"Awesome! I go there. I'm a sophomore. My names Sam." he extended his right hand out and shook both girl's hand. "Maybe if we're lucky we might have some classes together."

"That' be cool. Maybe we could get there a little early tomorrow morning and you could show us around? I mean the campus doesn't look too big, but we get lost pretty easily." Aubrey played with an end of her hair flirtatiously.

"I could totally do that. Um, remind me to give you girls my number before you leave and we'll figure out a spot to meet at."

"Awesome." both girls chimed.

"Do you ladies work around here or. . ."

"We are actually looking for a job at the moment. You wouldn't happen to know any place that's hiring, would you?" Scarlet questioned.

"Here, actually. we just had three waitresses quit to go to school out of state. You don't have to have any experience. Randy, my boss, usually hires what he can get." Sam chuckled.

"Oh wow. You think he'd hire us?" Aubrey wondered.

"I don't see why not. Pretty girls always seem to attract business." he grinned. "Here, while you ladies look over the menu and decide I'll go get two applications from the back, alright?"

"Thank you, Sam." Scarlet exclaimed.

"That'd be great. Thank you!" Aubrey smiled widely.

And with that Sam was off.

"Wow. He's a cutie." Scarlet commented, trying to focus back on the menu.

"And so sweet. I hope everyone here is that sweet. Geesh."

Sam promptly returned with applications in hand and took both girls orders. Before either one knew, he was back with the food as well.

"Whoa. Great service." Scarlet commented.

"Evin's the cook. The fastest in town." Sam said, throwing his thumb over his shoulder, gesturing to back where the cook would be. "I figure you ladies should probably get to know the names of your future co-worker's." he chuckled, causing the girls to join in with him.

"Alright, I'll leave you to your food. Holler at me if you need anything." Sam bowed his head quickly and then departed.

"That'd be so cool if we both got jobs here." Aubrey unwrapped her fork from the napkin.

"Yeah it would. I wonder if the tips are any good." Scarlet pondered before biting into her burger.

Aubrey simply shrugged.

Two more bites into their meal and Scarlet was stopped by something mid-bite. "Um, Aubrey. . .I'm being watched."

"What do you mean watched?" Aubrey's eyes grew wide. "Is it Sam?"

"Nooo. Not Sam. I wish it were Sam. Or at least a little less obvious. This guy is just. . watching me." Scarlet tried everything in her power not to stare right back. She had no idea who the boys was that was staring. All she knew was that both he and his companion were gorgeous.

"Is he just like, blatantly staring?" Aubrey questioned, dipping one of her chicken fingers into the honey mustard on her plate.

"I doubt he's even blinking, brey."

"That bad, hu?"

"Yes. That bad." Scarlet tried to focus back on her food, picking at the french fries on her plate. Normally she'd be flattered by this, but they way he was watching her was indescribable. His brilliant blue eyes piercing through her like ice crystals.

The boys friend finally noticed his improper staring and moved to say something to stop him, obviously a little peeved by his companions actions. The friend smiled and bobbed his head toward her as a silent apology.

"I'm going to say something. . "

"Aubrey, don't."

As Aubrey turned to address the young man about the very impolite staring, she was stopped by a sudden intake of air, "Excu. . . ."

She whirled around, back towards Scarlet quickly. "Why didn't you tell me their were two of them and that they were gorgeous!"

"Because! This is awkward."

"True. But look at them!"

Scarlet looked back over at the gentlemen, sitting casually at the bar, both now staring. The darker haired one, with light blue eyes smirked, as though he somehow heard.

"Let's just finish our food. Maybe if we act like we aren't interested they'll leave." Aubrey tried to reason and began again at her food.

Scarlet fallowed suit, glancing up at the beautiful strangers every so often, continuing to connect eyes with them every time.

As Scarlet and Aubrey finished up their last bit of their uncomfortable meal, Sam made his way to their table. "Well, I hope that was enjoyable." he grinned.

"Yeah, the food and the service was great." Scarlet commented, glancing over at the strangers that still sat across the room.

Sam turned his attention around, to look at what she saw. "What? Were those guys bothering you?"

"No. They just. . they were just staring a lot. That's all." Aubrey explained.

"Don't mind them. They're the Salvatore brothers. They pretty much keep to themselves. They've lived in this town. .well. . forever, really. They shouldn't bother you. But if Damon's staring gets to you, let me know and I'll chat him up about it." Sam offered.

"Thanks Sam."

"Well, here's the bill. And at the bottom of the customer copy I included my number. I get off at ten, you can call me then or in the morning when you're ready to set a meeting place for our tour." he smirked.

"Sounds good." Aubrey smiled, slipping her debit card toward him. "It's my turn to pay." she said to Scarlet.

"I'll be back in a sec." Sam announced before departing again.

"So. . the Salvatore brothers." Aubrey spoke.

"The name suits them. Just as mysterious and intriguing as the owners." Scarlet said, trying to nonchalantly look in their direction.

"Hmm."

"Here you are ladies." Sam reappeared, handing Aubrey back her belonging. "I'd love to stay and chat, but it's around dinner time and the seats are filling fast. Let me just say it was really nice meeting you this evening."

"It was nice meeting you as well." Scarlet grinned.

"I' hope I'll be hearing from you soon." he said, shaking their hands once more.

"You will. Have a good night." Aubrey smiled.

"Good night gals." said Sam who was off to finish the rest of his shift.

Both girls stood from their booth seats and gathered their purses quickly, still feeling the awkwardness of the stare on their backs.

"I got the tip." Scarlet announced, rummaging threw her bag to pull out a few bills.

"No, no. Allow me." an unfamiliar, rather husky voice said.

Caught of guard Scarlet and Aubrey gasped, watching the black haired stranger set down a five dollar bill on their table. His ice blue eyes never leaving Scarlet's.

"You two beauties have a lovely night." he said smoothly, kissing both of their hands swiftly, and so gentlemen like. "See you around." he winked.

And before either girl could speak, he and his companion were gone. Out of sight.
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