A/N: Hey people! So I've seen a few of these "adults of TVD as teenager" stories floating around and I didn't really like them. Apologies if you've written one, the ones I read just weren't my cup of tea. Anyway, I decided to give it go. Let me know what you think. Just know that this won't be updated quickly. I've got so many other fics that I really, really really need to update right now. I have a plan for this story so if you enjoy it stick with me. Thanks!

Enjoy!

Happy Reading!

And as always, REVIEWS = LOVE!

ProTIP:

Please note that this story is a prequel to TVD. None of these characters are married so I had to make up last names for the women. Don't be confused. Same character just with made up maiden names.

(i.e. Liz Forbes, Kelly Donovan and Carol Lockwood)

Disclaimer: I do NOT own: The Vampire Diaries, any characters, places, words or phrases from the books or television show, Blondie, Kool & The Gang, Michael Jackson, Prince and the Revolution, Whitney Houston, Paula Abdul, Bobby Brown, New Edition, Whitesnake, Purple Rain, Ford Escort or anything else you can find outside of fandom. All OCs and plot belong to me.

THIS FANFICTION IS UNBETA'D BUT PROOFREAD BY HUMANS. ANY REMAINING MISTAKES ARE UNINTENTIONAL. APOLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.

September 8, 1989

Dear Journal,

It's been five months, one week and one day since I've written anything down. It's been 132 days since I've smiled, or spoken really. I have been this giant ball of grieve and sadness all this time but today Journal, today is going to be different.

Today I'm going to smile. Today when someone asks me that dreaded, "how are you" question, I'm going to smile and say. "I'm fine. Thank you for asking." I'm going to be bright, happy, peppy Miranda. The Miranda that people expect me to be. It's been five months, one week and one day since…since my mom died. No one but my family cares anymore.

I know that I've been crappy in the friend department and I know that two my best friends, Liz Stanley and Abby Bennett probably feel like they are the ones to blame for what happened; but they're not.

If anything, the blame is on me. The guilt and heartache that I feel on a constant loop is solely on me. Yes, Abby and Liz convinced to go to that Lockwood party but everything after that is on me. I'm the one that had a crappy time, called my mom to come get me thus losing her in the process in that accident on Wickery Bridge.

I still remember what the newspaper article said about the accident.

MYSTIC FALLS RESIDENT DROWNS AFTER CAR GOES OFF WICKERY BRIDGE

Helen Sommers, 47, died Saturday night after her car went over the edge of Wickery Bridge. Police say that Sommers was alone in the car but that according to her husband, Brent Sommers, she was on way toward Lockwood Manor House Road to pick up her daughter, Miranda Sommers, 16, Junior at Mystic Falls High School. No word yet on why Sommers drove off the edge of the bridge but a full investigation will begin soon and as per request of the family an autopsy will be perform to determine cause of death. Helen Sommers is survived by her husband, Brent, and two daughters, Miranda and Jenna.

They had summed my mom's accident up in a couple of sentences and the people she left behind, who have this hole in their lives get mentioned as an afterthought. I don't know, Journal. Maybe I'm a little sensitive but she was my mom. Not news for this crappy town's paper.

Now, this is the part where I deep sigh, Journal.

I know that I haven't made things easy on my dad since the accident. I've been mopey and less than helpful. But part of that has everything to do with him. I can't look at him; because I know if I do, all I'll see my guilt shining back at me. I know that he blames me for what happened. Even if he doesn't say it out loud. I don't know what to do. There is nothing I can do to change what happened because believe me, I would if I could.

But like I said before, Journal. Today is going to be different. Today, I am going to be the Miranda that people expect to see on the first day of school. Today, I'm going to be the Miranda that my dad and my sister know. You and I will know the truth, Journal; and I'm ok with that.

Anyway, I've gotta run.

Miranda Sommers slide her leather bound journal into her leather backpack, looked at herself in the mirror and shook her head.

"Ok, Miranda, smile," she said aloud to her reflection. She looked herself in the eyes and smiled brightly. "Now you only have to do that 900 more times today," she said as she exited her room and headed down the stairs.

She had walked these stairs every day this summer and everyday they felt as if they were leading her nowhere. She had loved her mom so much. The lost of her was everywhere. Miranda threw her backpack down by the front door and proceeded toward the kitchen where her father and younger sister were already eating breakfast.

"Good morning, family," Miranda beamed as she grabbed a bowl of cereal. "How are we this morning?"

"Uh," Brent Sommers said with a quirk of his eyebrow and a glance at his younger daughter who just shrugged, "fine. How are you?"

"I'm great," she smiled. "How are you, little sister?" Miranda asked as she sat down at the table beside her sister.

"Fine," Jenna Sommers said sadly. "What's got you all chipper?" the nine year old asked. Miranda instantly felt guilt. She had tried to be there for her younger sister during all this stuff but because she was so into her own grief she knew that her neglect of her sister had made her resent her a little.

"I made a decision," Miranda told her.

"What decision? I didn't know you needed to make one about anything," Brent said as he sipped his coffee.

"I decided that it's time to do what mom would have wanted us to do," Miranda said boldly. For the past five months, one week and one day, mom or Helen were like dirty words that no ever said because if you did, the waterworks weren't far behind but they couldn't continue on that way. They just couldn't.

"What do you mean?" her dad asked clearing his throat.

"I mean, mom would have wanted us to be happy. She would have wanted us to grieve and move on," Miranda explained.

"You want us to forget about mom," Jenna said tearfully.

"No, Jenna," Miranda said, grabbing her sister's hand, "moving on just means that we don't live in perpetual sadness. Mom wouldn't have wanted that."

"She's right, Jenna," Brent said. "Helen would have wanted us to keep living."

"Exactly!" Miranda smiled. "So because of that, I'm in a good mood for the first time in months and I just hope that you guys can join me, you know."

"We can do that, honey," Brent said with a smile. "Alright girls. Put the dishes in the sink when you're done, don't be late."

"We won't, Dad," Miranda assured him.

"Alright," he said getting to his feet. He put his empty coffee cup and bowl in the sink, kissed his daughters on the head and slipped his suit jacket over his shoulders. "I'll be home late. Mayor Lockwood's called an emergency Council meeting tonight."

"I'll be at Mason's house," Jenna said. "His nanny, Rosa, makes the best spaghetti."

"I can do dinner," Miranda said. Jenna looked at her father with wide, pleading eyes.

"Maybe you should go over to Abby's for dinner, Miranda," he chortled.

"What? Why?" she questioned.

"Because you girls need to eat dinner," Brent said.

"I know that," Miranda said matter-of-fact.

"No you don't!" Jenna laughed. "If you did I'd actually be able to eat your cooking!"

"Hey!" the older Sommers girl said slightly offended.

"It's ok, Miranda. You're just like your mother. Can't cook a lick," Brent laughed. "Jenna and I accept that about you."

"Yeah thanks," she muttered.

"Alright, girls. I love you. Have a good day. I'll see ya," their father said as he grabbed his briefcase and bolted from the house.

The girls were silent for a few moments while they finished up their breakfast.

"Did you mean all that stuff you said?" Jenna asked breaking the silence. "You know, about being happy and moving on?"

"Yeah, of course I did," Miranda told her.

"Ok. Then I'll try too," Jenna smiled sadly.

"Good Jens," she said hugging her younger sister. Miranda cleaned up the dishes before the girls headed toward the front door. "Oh, wait on the porch for me. I forgot something in my room."

"Ok, hurry up Randa," Jenna said as she opened the door and stepped outside. Miranda ran up the stairs and grabbed a small gift wrapped box off of her dresser then bolted back downstairs. She grabbed her backpack, stepped out on the porch, then shut the door behind her.

A few moments later the yellow school bus with the words Mystic Falls Elementary School emblazoned on the side in bold black letters pulled up in front of the house.

"Have a good day," Miranda said as she hugged Jenna.

"You too," Jenna said returning the hug. She released her big sister and ran toward the bus. Miranda waved at Mason Lockwood, a chubby boy with black curly hair, smiley brown eyes and a gaped tooth grin, who was wagging his arm at her from his seat in the middle of the bus.

A horn honked and Miranda noticed that her best friend since birth, Abby Bennett had pulled up behind the bus. She waved at Jenna and Mason again before she headed toward Abby's black Ford Escort. She hopped in and buckled herself in.

"Hey," Abby smiled.

"Hey," Miranda smiled back. Abby leaned over and hugged her friend tightly.

"How are you?" she asked.

"I'm fine. Thank you for asking," Miranda said brightly. "How are you?"

"Fine but how are you really?"

"Abs, I'm fine."

"Rand, come on," Abby said pulling away from the curb.

"Fine," Miranda sighed heavily. "I'm better. Not as crappy as I've been the past five months."

"Better is good," Abby smiled.

"So, here," Miranda said presenting Abby with the wrapped box when they reached a stop sign.

"What's this?" she asked taking the gift.

"I know I missed your birthday. I'm sorry. I'm a sucky friend," the Sommers girl said.

"Uh, your mom died. I think I can give you a free pass on the whole birthday thing," Abby said.

"Just open it, Abby," Miranda said. Abby nodded and Miranda watched her slender fingers pull the bow off the top of the little box and tear the paper open. Abby popped the box open and inside was a large silver heart locket on a long silver chain.

"It's beautiful," Abby smiled.

"I'm glad you like it. Open it," she told her friend. The Bennett girl opened the locket and on one side was a photo of Miranda, herself, Liz Stanley and Kelly Madison. And on the other side was a tiny bit of a purple plant.

"Is that vervain?" Abby asking, making eye contact with her friend.

"You know I want to keep you save, Abby. Indulge me," Miranda said.

"I don't need it but thank you," Abby smiled.

"You know the stories," Miranda said as Abby pulled away from the stop sign.

"I do. And I know that I'm seventeen and I've never met a vampire," she said.

"Well, I haven't either but they're dangerous," Miranda told her.

"I know, I know but I promise you I don't need it," Abby said. Miranda looked at her sideways. Abby chuckled. "Grab my backpack off the back seat." Miranda unbuckled her seat belt and grabbed the button covered leather bag.

"Got enough buttons, Abby?" Miranda laughed as she read some of them. Blondie, Kool & The Gang, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Huey Lewis and The News, Paula Abdul, Bobby Brown, New Edition, Whitesnake and Prince and the Revolution just to name a few.

"Shut up, pull out that old looking book," Abby said rolling her eyes playfully. Miranda gingerly pulled out the antique leather bound book. She gently opened it and read the first page. She looked to her friend in the driver's seat with wide eyes. "I'm a witch!" Abby beamed.

"A real one? Really?" Miranda asked shocked.

"Yeah, you know my Grams, Felicia, had been telling me for years that I was a witch but I just thought it was stories," Abby said. Miranda nodded. "Well, it's all true."

"That's...wow!" Miranda smiled. "Have you done any of these yet?"

"Well no. I was...waiting," Abby said softly.

"Waiting?" Miranda asked, pulling her eyes from the book in her lap. Abby's eyes were locked on the road but even in profile Miranda knew the answer to her question. "See? I told you. Sucky friend. I'm so sorry, Abs."

"Don't be," Abby smiled. "It's ok Rand. You've been through a lot."

"I know but this is huge and I wasn't there."

"Well, I'm not even supposed to tell you. I'm breaking like 100 witchy rules as it is," Abby joked.

"Well, I'm glad you did," Miranda laughed. "We can go out in the woods after school and you can show me something."

"Or not," Abby said as she continued driving.

"Why not?"

"I would rather not have the stoners see me and alert the town that my family is full of witches."

"I totally understand," Miranda chuckled.

"Come over," Abby said.

"I was supposed to see if I could anyway," Miranda told her. "Dad's got a council meeting or whatever and Jenna going to the Lockwoods."

"Yeah, sure. I wouldn't want you to have to eat your own cooking," Abby said with a loud laugh.

"Ha, ha. Shut up," Miranda said, slapping her friend on the arm. "Anyway, you look great," said looking at her friend's outfit.

"You think so?" Abby said glancing down at her dark purple tutu, dark purple motorcycle boots, black t-shirt with the Purple Rain album cover on it and her cropped leather jacket. Her brown curly hair in controlled chaos around her head.

"Yeah, I look a like a loser next to you," Miranda said looking down at her high-waisted light wash jeans, over-sized blue with yellow flowers button up shirt that hung off of one shoulder to reveal her wide strap yellow tank top and her favorite pair of low Doc Martins. Her dark brown main hung straight down, unlike the crinkled mess it was last year.

"You look great," Abby assured her.

"Thanks," Miranda said. "Sooo!"

"So what?"

"Are you excited?"

"About what? The first day of school? No, not really," Abby answered.

"No, dummy; about seeing Zach," Miranda said happily.

"What? No! What?" Abby said trying to convince her friend.

"Yeah right! I may have been in a funk for the past five months but I'm not an idiot," Miranda laughed.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Abby said as she pulled into the parking lot of Mystic Falls High School.

"I'm talking about the fact that you are in love with Zach Salvatore," Miranda said as they exited the car.

"Shut up! I'm so not," Abby said, eyes wide.

"Right and I'm the president," Miranda said playfully rolling her eyes.

"Well, let's grab a table Madam president," Abby said as she linked her arm into Miranda's.