"This is a start of something new,

Something full of adventure,

And lust and love. And I'm ready

I'm bracing for impact."

New Orleans University

College Freshman Week

7:00 A.M.

It's the beginning of her freshman year in college. Elena was jittery with excitement as she stepped out from her brother's truck. Jeremy pulled their suitcases out from the trunk. Elena stepped out and gazed at the sight before her.

She grinned widely at the school building before her. It was magnificent in her eyes; the dorms were off in different parts. The students cheerily walked with their friends and families while saying their last goodbyes.

Jeremy parked his truck next to the rest of the crew. Caroline and Tyler drove in the same car, while Klaus joined Bonnie. Klaus was at his third year in college so it was obvious he'd help Caroline around.

The whole crew was here and Elena's life seemed perfect. Her little brother who was way too smart for his age had skipped a year and joined Elena. All she needed was a hot boyfriend, and a new adventurous life.

"It would be great if you helped, Elena." Jeremy grunted as he started to pull Elena's luggage.

She snapped back to reality and rushed over to Jeremy. She took her suit case in her hands and planted it on the ground. She slammed the door close and locked it as they finished unpacking.

Caroline talked to Bonnie and Tyler and Klaus tried their best to avoid each other. Tyler gave glares at Klaus as they unloaded their trunk as well. Once everyone was done, they all traveled their separate ways.

Elena stood by the end of the sidewalk with a map of the school in her hand. Her baggage was planted beside her. Everyone passed, not giving a second glance. Though a few gorgeously looking men, watched her coolly.

Elena was always favorited by men, but since her over protected father only approved Matt Donovan, she didn't have any relationship with any other guys. But now she's free she can finally date who she wants, and though many men have already lost their virginity by now, Elena was still the pure one. Not that it bothered her, she was proud. She wanted it to be special, not quick and rough like it was just a meaningless hookup.

Elena focused back on the map and sighed heavily, as she was frustrated enough with the fact she had tons of luggage to carry. She ran her fingers through her hair roughly, trying to understand the directions to her dorm.

"Your dorm is right by the school library." A voice said. Elena figured it was a man's but didn't look up until she finally realized who it was.

"Stefan?" She squeaked. She recomposed herself from the sight of this gorgeous looking man before her. Stefan Forbes was Caroline's adoptive brother, who was supposed to be going to NYU, not New Orleans.

"What are you doing here? Did Caroline invite you?" Elena asked still a little shocked from Stefan's arrival. Elena always had an attraction to Stefan. It was undeniable.

"Nah, I made some last minute changes, I wanted to be as close to home as possible." Stefan said matter-of-factly.

"Ha, that is the very opposite from what I want." Elena retorted, getting irritated at what her parents told her to do, she still remember the moment clear in her mind.

"You're kidding me?" Grayson retorted a bit flustered from Elena's choice of college.

"No, Dad. I'm not. I really want to go here, mostly because I want to be as far away from Mystic Falls as possible." Elena whined.

"Well, we want you close to home." Miranda spoke from off by the stove cooking eggs. Elena huffed disappointingly.

"If I want to become a writer, I have to be the best. I have to be where the best have been. John Green. Stephanie Meyer. They are great writers, who all went to great schools!" Elena protested, hoping to change their minds.

"I'm sorry Elena. I'm not letting you." Her father answered, sliding the pamphlets back across the table.

"You always want to rule my life! I'm not your little girl anymore! I'm going to grow up, get married, and have kids! I'm going to make my own choices!" Elena yelled loudly enough for her mother to flinch at her tone.

Frustrated, Elena ran her hand through her hair, slamming the papers to the floor and stomping up the stairs. She was acting childish, but she didn't care. She was upset; she wanted to make her own choices.

She slammed her body against the wall of the wall, and slide down disappointingly.

"Hey 'Lena. It'll be okay, you'll be a great writer." Jeremy said soothingly from his room. He stuck his head out from his doorway with a soft smile.

"Glad to see you believe in me, Jer."

"I always do." He answered kindly.

"How so?" Stefan asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I was planning on moving to the UK for Briton, but as clingy as parents get, they wanted me to be close as possible." Elena answered with a half-smile.

"That's sucks." Stefan laughed carefully trying not to press any of her well-known nerves.

"No kidding." She laughed sarcastically. She picked her bags on, and hissed as the pain on her shoulders grew heavier and heavier.

"I'll be on my way. Thanks for the directions." Elena answered as she walked off. She trudged the whole way down. It wasn't all that embarrassing, though she suspected she looked stupid as hell, it was still possible someone thought she was cute.

She walked through the halls, passing girls who had already met their roommates. Once Elena reached her door, she kicked it open with the tip of her foot. She sighed and let out a relieved breath as she dropped her luggage.

A blonde sat by her side of the bed with her desk filled with her necessary materials, she sat with a bored expression and dully stood up and took on glance at Elena and her expression lightly changed.

"Rebekah Mikaelson," she said referring to herself. "You must be Elena."

"You'll like it here Elena. I can show you around.

There are plenty of hot, single men, who'd

Die to meet you.

Trust me, Elena."

"Hi." Elena said straight faced. She didn't have a clue how the blond wonder knew her name. Rebekah stood up and moved her items off Elena's bed and onto the floor.

"Lotta luggage you got there?" Rebekah eyed her six duffle bags that surrounded Elena at her feet. Elena looked down then up again, with her lips pressed together in a smile.

"Yeah, I brought everything." Elena answered with a light laugh. Rebekah cocked an eyebrow nodded her head silently.

"Why?" Rebekah asked her eyes furrowed.

"I won't be going home for break." Elena answered looking down with tears pricking her eyes.

"Same here, I guess we'll be spring break buddies, huh?" Rebekah chuckled as she lounged in her bed. She crossed her leg over the other and raised both arms over her head.

"Yeah, I guess so." Elena answered with a light chuckle. Elena dragged her baggage to her dresser and started to unpack. She looked back at Rebekah who mindlessly texted.

Elena sighed as she continued her unpacking. She was startled a bit when the door opened and a gorgeously looking man walked through.

He had raven black hair that was shuffled just the right way; his crystal blue eyes drew her in, and his jawline was just impeccable.

He wore blue jeans, and a white shirt. His black boots thudded with every step he took. He walked up to Rebekah, who ignored his very presence.

"Rebekah? Let's go." The man said aloud, standing in front her. Elena continued to stare back and forth between the two. The man turned his head and cocked it sideways at Elena.

She blushed intensely as he continued to stare her down. Rebekah put her phone on her nightstand and stood from the bed. She skipped over to Elena and wrapped her arms around her in a hug.

"Can't you see I'm busy bonding with my new roommate? Her name is Elena." Rebekah coolly said smiling down at Elena.

Damon looked at Rebekah with annoyed eyes and pressed his lips in a straight line. She smiled sarcastically and let her arms drop to her side. The man looked at Elena with an annoyed expression.

Elena didn't know what to think. This gorgeous man came looking for her roommate, she couldn't tell whether they were dating or not. It wasn't hard to believe but Elena wanted to believe that he was single. Because, damn…he was sexy.

"Yeah, sure. I'll you up later then." He retorted with anger in his voice. He left the room with a door slamming shut. Rebekah couldn't hold back the smirk. She raced towards the door and opened it wide; she jumped out and cupped her mouth with her hands.

"Thanks for checking up on me, brotha!" Rebekah screamed into the hall with a wide grin across her face.

Rebekah walked into the room, holding her head down as she laughed. She lifted her hand and brushed her fingers through her blond hair. She grinned at Elena, whose face was blank with no emotion.

Elena still wasn't over the man who walked in. She understood that they were siblings, and didn't look much alike. It was obvious.

"Is he your brother?" Elena asked thinking of his stare pierce into her. Rebekah tilted her head and sighed heavily before answering.

Rebekah hated thinking about who her family really is. Because genetically, she had no one. She was alone, and always will be. But she had Damon. Her somewhat half-brother. He was always there for her when she needed him. They've been together since they were 17. When the orphanage decided it was enough to keep the two most irritable children out into the real world.

"Genetically; no. Emotionally; yes." Rebekah answered with a smile, trying to hide the pain behind it.

Elena noticed the smile before; she pulled it off many times. She hid the unbearable pain behind that smile so many times in her life. She didn't know much about Rebekah but she knew there was pain. Pain that was so bad, it had to be kept behind a fake happiness.

Elena smiled softly; Rebekah swallowed the lump in her throat and turned away trying to oppress the tears from falling down her cheeks. She breathed in deep, and Elena grabbed her shoulder softly.

"I know that smile is just hiding pain." Elena said softly, Rebekah shrugged off her grip.

"I really don't want to talk about my feelings. You don't know what I'm hurting from. Trust me. " Rebekah said picking her pone up, trying to avoid Elena.

"If it makes you feel any better, my family isn't working too well at all." Elena said with her lips pressed together as her voice seemed to crack.

"Just stop. I don't need your sympathy." Rebekah retorted, finally turning around to face Elena. Her blue eyes were fierce with anger and sadness. Elena saw the same look in her eyes.

"I'm not giving you sympathy Rebekah. My own family is against every word that comes from my mouth. But the only person that keeps me going is my brother. If anything happens to him, I don't know what I'd do." Elena blurted out.

Rebekah's eyebrows furrowed and she took a few steps back.

"Really?" She asked confused. She thought all families got along and never fought, everything would be perfect in her eyes. But she guessed wrong.

"Having a family means they care for you and will always have your back. And in my life right now, my brother is the only family for me." Elena whispered her voice breaking and a single tear dripping across her cheek.

Rebekah laughed lightly while stifling her tears.

"That was quite the roommate bonding." Rebekah laughed wiping a tear that escaped. Elena shuffled her hair and kicked her bags out of their way. Rebekah sat by her desk, pulling her laptop out and screening up a movie.

"Next step: Watch a movie." Rebekah said in her best serious voice. Elena smiled and shared the seat beside her.

"Thanks for making me realize, any family is better than having none." Rebekah smiled at her. Elena nodded, assuring her a 'you're welcome'.

"Are we friends now?" Elena asked unsure if this bonding moment was only temporary.

"Friends? Are you kidding me?" Rebekah asked surprised. Elena was unsure on what she'll say but by the looks of it, it was something positive. "We're like best friends now. I mean, I barely share my emotions with my brother!" She laughed cheerily.

She focused back onto the screen of her laptop playing the movie Twilight. As corny as it was, Elena couldn't help but be dragged into Edward's golden eyes.

Elena smiled to herself, knowing her first day was going well. She saw a hot guy, and made a new friend. Maybe this year is starting off not the way she expected; it was even better.