My boots were very loud against the metal runway leading to the plane. It seemed like every step I took, echoed louder in my mind. It was my minds way of telling me I was making a giant mistake. There had to be some other solution to this big emotional problem. I let out a breath as I shuffled all the way down to the window seat. Even if there was another solution it was too late now. I tried to get comfortable in the overwhelmingly uncomfortable plane seat. I leaned my head back, my eyes softly closing. What was I going to do for the next three hours? My head, being the great joke that it is, said I was going to think.

What better time to think about the very last time I was in the very place I was heading?
_

"I can't believe Elena and Matt had a fight, they never fight." I said in exasperation. I felt for both of them, evidently Matt more. He loves Elena so much, the pure devastation on his face was enough to break me.
"I don't know." Mia sighed from beside me. I gave her a questioning look as we continued to stroll along. "Elena is just not into it anymore." She explained focusing on her own feet as she walked. "Hmm I didn't notice." I mumbled more to myself biting my lower lip. Mia let out a breathy laugh. "You don't notice much of anything anymore." I gave Mia a cheeky grin as a hand tightened around mine.

I looked to my left and to the face of my boyfriend Jeremy Gilbert who flashed me a smile.

A wind drifted our way and I instinctively shivered. We were walking around at night, I know I know, it's dangerous to walk around at night by ourselves but if you heard Matt and Elena arguing you would go as far away as possible too. "Are you cold"? Jeremy asked looking at me playfully. "What if I was..?" I prompted trying hide my smile. "Then I would give you my jacket." He replied simply. "And if I wasn't"? I asked a smile now playing on my lips. He looked deep in thought for a second and my smile dropped. Then with out warning he twirled me into his chest and started tickling my sides. I laughed uncontrollably and tears started to form in my eyes
"And that's my cue to leave," Mia said.

"Jeremy stop"! I managed through my laughter. He finally complied and I fell back into his chest my sides aching. "I'm going to go check on Elena before heading back to the party." I told Jeremy before I started to walk away. "What no kiss goodbye"? He called after me. I turned around and my eyes moved over his pouty face.

"You don't deserve one after tickling me, and plus it's not like I'm gonna be gone forever I'll be back in a few minutes." I smiled to myself as I heard him let out a little whine. "Gabriella"!

I was forced to turn around again when he latched onto my wrist and gently spun me back to him. He captured my lips with his own, in a feverish kiss. I instantly started kissing back and the kiss soon intensified as his arms snaked around my waist, his fingers bunched up my shirt. Lifting it up just a tad, I felt his hand creep onto my bare skin. I let out an involuntary shudder, as his warm hand sparked my skin. He nibbled on my lower lip but I wouldn't let him in and after a few tries he growled in frustration and I laughed which allowed his tongue to slip in my mouth. I smoothed my hands up his chest, then skimmed my fingers along his jawline.

I quickly pulled back wanting to check on Elena and make sure she was okay after that fight. This was the third time this week. I feel like the only reason I got such an intense kiss from Jeremy was because he was worried we would be next.

"What was that"? I gasped trying to catch my breath from the intense kiss. I was only expecting him to give me a little kiss goodbye. "We should always kiss like it will be our last." Jeremy whispered tucking a hair behind my ear and his fingers trailing down my neck to the necklace I was wearing. It was a heart with a J engraved in it. He gave it to me for Christmas and he had one with a G in it. (Though he kept his hidden underneath his shirt most of the time.) I smiled softly as he let out a breath. "I just feel like something bad is gonna happen." I stared at his face sensing the worry.

I quickly reached up and kissed his cheek. I let my lips linger for half a second. Truth was I didn't want to leave him either, it was a like a tether was keeping me here. I couldn't move so far away because my stomach would ache. "Nothing bad will happen." I promised. He didn't want to let go of my hand, so I had to pry it out. Then I turned on my heel and set off in the direction Elena went.

Oh how I was very wrong.

I sprinted toward where Elena had took off, my hi-heeled boots clicking. I came to a stop at Wickery bridge crickets chirping in the distance. Where could she be? I could have sworn I saw her take off in this direction. I leaned over the side of Wickery bridge trying to catch my breath. Elena wasn't in sight so I might as well get back to Jer I thought
hopelessly. It was then I saw something big and dark sinking in the water. Water was bubbling from it too. I narrowed my eyes trying to figure out what it was and by the time I did the car was already covered. My heart started hammering in my chest as I swallowed. I stumbled back thinking of what I should do. I yanked my hand from my hair looking at where I had come from. If I went to get help it might be too late... I fumbled with getting my phone out of my pocket and my fingers clicked the first number I saw when I unlocked my phone. She picked up after two rings and I heard laughter in the back ground. "Hey! Are you coming back soon, we're running out of alcohol." Mia it was.

My voice came out in rasps seeing as how I felt like I couldn't breath and my heart was pounding in my chest. "Mia call an ambulance now and get them to Wickery bridge!" I commanded. "What? Why?" Mia sounded like she had instantly sobered. "I don't know, a car or something drove over the bridge we need help!" I pleaded.

She let out a shaky breath. "Ok I'll call but Ella I know you and don't do anything stupid." I briefly squeezed my eyes shut, time was running out. "If you know me, you know I won't listen to that." With that I let the phone fall from my hand hearing Mia screaming from the other line. The phone dropped with a clatter, shattering the screen. All that was running through my head was, I have to save those people. Me being a teenage girl what could I possibly do? Well, we were about find out.
I took in a deep breath then launched off the bridge in a dive. The cold water surged through my body as I broke the surface. I fought to keep my eyes open so I could see through the murky water. The car was settled at the bottom and I pushed myself hard to swim down there as fast as I could. I was so relieved when I grasped the cold car handle and peered in the window, my blonde hair flowing out around me. My eyes widened when I came to the fact that it was Elena's parents in the car. I started pounding on the door and Elena's dad gave me a sincere look. The look absolutely broke my heart, It looked almost as if he knew he was gonna die. I looked past him and saw Elena's mom was knocked out cold. I pulled as hard as I could on the door but I felt my arms start to weaken at the water pressure. I kicked and pounded and pulled but nothing seemed to work. I had already glanced in the back seat expecting to see Elena but she wasn't there which was a great relief. I meet Grayson Gilbert's eyes. The dad I had come to know and love, my boyfriends dad. In that moment I felt my throat start to close up and my head start to throb as I struggled to breathe but refused to give up on him.
'Take care of Jeremy' he mouthed. I somehow managed to mouth back, 'I will' before darkness clouded my vision. The last thought I had was,

This is going to kill Jeremy.

I flinched awake, just as I felt the plane bouncing as it touched the ground. I rubbed my eyes, as they tried to droop shut again, praying that I didn't damage my makeup. I stretched, waiting for everyone else to get off the plane before I stood. Was I avoiding? Yes. I reached up and retrieved my bag. My legs were wobbling as I walked off the plane, I had to calm my nerves. I wasn't even in Mystic Falls yet. I tucked my hair behind my ears, searching the airport with my eyes.

"There she is."

I whirled around so fast you would have thought I broke something. I dropped my bag completely, the thud ringing through my ears. My feet took me forward as a huge grin spread over my lips. When walking didn't seem to be enough, he was still too far away I started sprinting. It wasn't long before I collided with him. My feet were swept from the ground as both of his arms circled around my waist, using all of his strength he hoisted me off the ground. I crushed my head into his neck as I was spun around breathing in his scent of apple cinnamon and pine. I had missed that smell so much, I actually had a candle placed in my room to replace his smell.
He was letting out his big long boisterous laugh, that it made my heart clench. He finally set me down on the ground, and I was able to step away, but my hands rested loosely on his hips so I was still in close proximity. He grasped my cheeks and I giggled at his slack jaw look as he examined me. "Look at you! What happened to my little girl? Who let you grow up?"

I rolled my eyes. "Matt I've only been gone for not even a year."

"Details! Details!" He yelled as he jogged to retrieve my bag. "A lot can happen in a year." I couldn't keep the smile off my face, I was nervous about coming back but seeing Matt Donavon was refreshing. He came back and threw an arm around me, and began to lead me out of the airport. "Time to see your sister."

My sister. At that moment I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. The whole reason I was here. My sister was sick. I rested my head into his shoulder. Bring it on Mystic Falls.

It was practically silent in the car.
No matter how joyful Matt was upon seeing me, he was hesitant. He knew about the past, and there was something he was hiding. I knew it. I hated secrets. I sat criss crossed in the front seat of his truck, drumming with my hands in my lap. "Alright out with it." He rolled his head towards me, raising an eyebrow. I sighed, hoping our friendship meant a little bit more to him and he wouldn't try and hide whatever's going on. "Don't play dumb Matty." At this he let out a sigh of his own. He stared ahead, gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly. He took a deep breath and I prayed that he stops prolonging this. "Elena called, right before you got off the plane. It's Jeremy." My heart dropped, I hadn't heard that name since I left, since that night. I nodded for him to keep going. My heart rate quickened, anybody but Jeremy. Was there something wrong with him now too? Matt took his eyes off the road to look at me briefly. "He tried to kill himself Ella." The breath was knocked out of me. My legs fell and I clutched my stomach. "What?" Had I not heard him right?

"He tried to commit suicide last night." A million questions flew through my head, why? How? Matt must have noticed my horrified look. "He's been doing so many drugs since you left, and then he started hooking up with Viki, then she died, somethings just been seriously wrong." He rambled, with every word he said I felt more nauseous. I rolled down the window, tears gathering in my eyes. How is it that Jeremy had fell so far? Was it my fault? Air wasn't getting to my lungs; I began to hyperventilate. Matt rubbed my back, surprisingly enough what he was doing wasn't helping. We were halfway to the hospital and while I seriously wanted to see my sister I had this dire need to check on Jeremy first. I just had to see him. I had to know what put him in that state where he thought there was no way out but to kill himself.
"Turn the car around." Matt froze, he knew where I was headed with this. "Gabriella-"
"MATT. I'm not asking, turn this car around before I do it for you."
My voice was on the verge of hysteria, as I screamed this, Matt seemed to snap. He veered the car to the right, and sped the opposite way. "This is a bad idea." Oh yes, he had made his opinion clear. It only took us three minutes to reach the Gilbert family house, I counted. The moment he pulled up, I was scrambling out of the car. "Wait for me," I breathed to Matt before fully sprinting to the front door. I burst through the house, not bothering to waste time with knocking. The house looked like fight club, things were broken and carelessly thrown to the ground. I remembered exactly where Jeremy's room was, I had snuck into it many times in the past. My feet rumbled on the stairs but from what I saw no one was home. Had I come here for nothing?

"Jeremy?" I screamed my voice now hoarse from my held in tears at hearing this news. "Is that?" I faintly heard Elena's voice.
I bustled into Jeremy's room, walking right past Elena in the arms of some guy I don't know. I fell to my knees; I didn't even have time to relish in seeing him again. The boy, I considered to be the love of my life before everything happened. Before all that I knew. His eyes were wider than I've ever seen them, he was stunned. Who wouldn't be? I caressed his face tightly with my hands, my tears were falling freely now. "Jeremy, oh Jer, I thought- Matt said terrible things. Are you okay?" He blinked out of his surprise and his electric cold hands came up around mine. He ripped my hands away from his face. "I'm fine."

I took a frantic step back as he got to his feet. His shoulder slammed into mine as he walked past, starting to head down the stairs. "You're fine?" I hollered chasing after him. "I can't believe what I'm hearing, you are not fine Jer. You wouldn't have tried to kill yourself if you were fine!" He stopped at the bottom of the stairs, but wouldn't look at me. I was right behind him. My chest was heaving at a fast pace, that's how angry I was. Tears were building in my eyes again, but this time they were angry tears. I couldn't believe him, the nerve of him. "And you did drugs and screwed Viki, that's right I was told!" I seethed, I had to steady my arm on the banister because I suddenly felt lightheaded. "Oh, why does it matter to you huh?" He growled. I flinched, with his close proximity. "You were selfish enough to leave, now you are suddenly interested, you're suddenly back? You might as well leave because no one wants you here. You made everyone happy by leaving."

Smack. I heard it, It rang through my ears. My hand started to tingle. I didn't even realize what I had done. His head was jerked to the side from the force of my slap. My vision began to blur, with how much water coated my eyes. Jeremy gave me a look that I had never ever seen before from him, as he rubbed his now reddened and slightly swollen cheek. His eyes averted to something behind me and I turned around to find we had an audience. The only person I recognized in the three people that were huddled at the top of the steps was Elena. A girl I didn't recognize, clutched her stomach for dear life practically bursting at the seams with laughter. "Damn, she just slapped the shit out of you. Can you do it again?"

With that statement I bolted. Towards the car I went, trying to regain my breath. He was an arrogant asshole, but who knew seeing ex's were so hard.

There was no sound at all, in the car ride to the hospital. At least no talking whatsoever. It was filled, with my shortened breath, and me choking on my tears. My sister, Jeremy, what would be next? I almost wanted my sister to get better now more than anything so I could leave again. I wouldn't be forced to come back here out of some moral code, or loyalty to my family. Me and my sister... we don't have the best relationship. But that wasn't about to stop me from coming to see her in her time of need.

I walked as quickly as possible through the doors of the hospital and into the lobby. It wasn't hard to spot my mom, she had the same short spiky blonde hair. "Mom," I called out to her. Upon hearing my voice, her whole body tensed. It wasn't even a second after she turned around that I wasn't in her arms. "Mom, I'm so scared. How is she?" There was just something about being in your mothers arms. I completely broke down, my crying before now transformed into hard sobs. "Sh baby." I faintly heard her whisper in my ear. I shuddered as her fingers stroked my hair. I tried to stifle my sobs, but it took a few minutes. When my breathing evened out, she stepped back from me. Releasing me from her tight embrace, she tried to smile at me but her bottom lip wobbled. "She's in surgery, the doctors are doing everything they can." I swallowed the huge lump in my throat. Was I expecting good news? That news wasn't bad, or good, it was just news. I nodded to my mom acknowledging that I had heard her. Only time would tell now.

I opened my mouth to say so much more to her. She was my mom after all, I think I missed her the most. A voice halted my thoughts. "Sheriff, I've been looking everywhere for you, I just heard the news." My eyes widened as a broad shouldered man strolled up to us. He was just about the hottest man I had ever seen, was he even real? He had floppy, stark black hair and crystal blue eyes along with a perfect complexion. His eyes took me in, the same way I imagined I was looking him up and down. "You must be the other Forbes girl."

Nod. What are you doing Gabriella? Find a way to nod! It's simple. I brought myself out of my reverie and nodded my head reverently. A smile curled on his lips, and I swear I felt like my legs almost gave out. "I'm Damon, Damon Salvatore."
Instead of going in for a classic handshake, he reached for my hand at my side and brought it to his lips. I watched him the whole time. Who is this creature? He must have shown up while I was away. I was probably grinning from ear to ear, I made a note to get a better handle on myself. I felt my mom giving me a weird look, so I excused myself. I hoped Damon didn't make too many appearances in my life, I didn't think my body could handle it.

I walked slowly to join Matt in the waiting area. Now that we were at the hospital, it was like his whole attitude had changed. He stared ahead, looking void of everything. I narrowed my eyes, and laid a hand on his. He didn't even notice that I had taken a seat next to him, but when my skin made contact with his he jumped. "Im so sorry, I should have protected her." He whispered his face screwing up into one of turmoil. Oh god, please don't cry I fretted. Whenever Matt cried, it was like an impulse- my tears soon follow. I wrapped my arms around the back of his neck as he folds in on me. I don't know why he was letting this get to him. From what I was told, this was a pure accident. No one caused her any harm, and he wasn't even driving! In this time I recalled something Jeremy's parents had told me a long time ago.

In times of need, when we are slashed with grief, our mind will go to places that aren't logical, not even in any aspect.

That must be what's happening with Matt. God, I missed Jer's parents. They were like my second parents, and the whole reason I left in the first place. I wish I knew what to say to Matt. I was completely clueless on how to help him and keep ahold of my own thoughts and feelings. I pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, my thumb unconsciously rubbed the side of his neck, since I was still holding onto him. "I'll be back." I said nodding softly, as if willing him to understand and see through his tears. He let out a soft snort which I gathered was produced because he was trying to stop crying. He nodded, I didn't trust his voice to speak back to me. Matt rifled around in his pocket and placed his keys in the palm of my hand. My hand curled around them, liking the cold compared to my sweating body. It happened all the time when I was nervous. I wasted no time with trying to come up with a parting remark for Matt. I just ripped my hand through my hair and walked with determination out of the waiting room.

I had a plan in my mind, see I believed solely in the little things. Little things are what can change someones whole attitude, or what makes someone day. I was on a mission to get Matt's favorite meal from the Mystic Grill and bring it back to him, hoping that my actions can make up for what I cant say. I was going to bring Caroline a strawberry milkshake from there too, it was her weakness. She was going to be awake to drink it, I had to look at the bright side of things. I swung Matt's keys around on my finger as I strolled down one of the blank hallways to get out of this horrid hospital. I had hated hospitals ever since I was little, I mean who even has a taste for them? I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard hushed whispers. That's a general rule, people talk in hushed whispers when they have something to hide. I flattened myself against the wall, deciding that this is one thing I missed about this town. All the gossip that went on.
I squinted, shuffling closer to the voices. They sounded like people I knew. I craned my head, my heart starting to pick up in speed. I desperately hoped they wouldn't see me but I had to know who it was. "I can give Caroline some blood, she would be safe here in the hospital- it would be out of her system in a day." That guy I had just met was negotiating.

I slammed my head against the wall, catching a glimpse of who he was talking to. Elena and Mia. I wasn't about to pretend like it wasn't weird seeing my ex- best friend talking so closely with this complete stranger about my sister's fate. "It's too risky, no I am not letting you do it." Elena's voice was trembling. I swallowed, the confusion swarming in my stomach was spinning into frustration which was rapidly causing a lump to form in my throat. I closed my eyes taking long breaths, I had done enough crying for today I was not about to do it again. "Do it."

That cut off any and all thoughts I had. My eyes snapped open. Her strong voice made me want to reveal myself. Mia was going to let some stranger control my sisters life? If Elena was against it.. I wanted nothing more in that moment to scream. Turn the corner and reveal myself. "This is Caroline we are talking about. Gabriella's sister. I'm telling you, to do it." I blinked in surprise, so Elena hadn't filled her in on my return. Their voices became muffled and it was like my vision was fading in and out. I pushed myself off the wall, I wasn't going to burst in on their conversation but I did need answers. I climbed into Matt's truck. For a moment I just sat there, taking sometime to gather my thoughts. I felt like I was going to be sick, Mystic Falls was not as I remembered it. Here's what I know: From the intimacy, I saw earlier, Elena had a new boyfriend- and he was somehow tied to this Damon person. Considering they were both strangers to me and seemed to come from the same gene pool, there was no doubt about it. Mia was involved with these people, in fact they all seemed to have a weird friend group, Jeremy was in on it too. Another thing was that something happened over the course of this year that made Jeremy want to commit suicide, Matt was with my sister and blamed himself for her current state.

This whole town turned into a freak show after I left and now I needed to find all the answers.

I wasn't about to be left in the dark. I started the car and unconsciously drove, my thoughts still all absorbed on the matters at hand. My muscle memory had full control, and somehow, I ended up here. I blew out a huge sigh, second time of the day at the Gilbert residence. Hopefully, despite our problems Jeremy would be able to explain to me all that is going on. I still had that level of trust for him.

I yanked the key out of the ignition, and laid my hands into my lap. My head bobbed up hearing the patter of rain falling onto the windshield. Oh great it was raining. Metaphor for my emotional state? Who knows. I decided to just bite the bullet and hopped out of Matt's truck. I slammed the door, anticipation sprouting in my stomach. Did I really want to know what was going on? The whole point of this trip was to not get too attached, I was just going to leave again. I sprinted to the porch to get out of the rain, but hesitated at the door. My hair was damp, my makeup smeared. I probably looked like a mess, wait. Why did I care how I looked? I absolutely shouldn't, this man didn't deserve me worrying about how I looked.

My ears picked up on a glass shattering inside the house. I flung the door open.

Arabella's POV:

I swung my legs back and forth, entirely bored. How had my life become this boring? Where I sit here and I watch a human sleep. The only exciting thing to happen was when Gabriella walked in and slapped the sense back into Jeremy. How did I know her name you may ask? Well I know a lot of things. I like to consider myself the vampire version of a god. I sat up straight, my acute senses picking up that there was movement on the porch. Not a millisecond later, the door slammed open.

I jumped to my feet, yes! Elena was back, I could go. I connected eyes with Stefan and he was scrambling out of the room. My eyes darted to Jeremy's sleeping form. Eh, he would be fine. I chased after Stefan, feeling fatigue in my step. I needed some ice cream and a long nap. My legs went weak at that thought. I reached the top of the stairs and suddenly I was in tune with everything around me. Stefan had Elena in his arms, a form you found them in often.

There was a jolt in my stomach, as I narrowed my eyes at her back. I was suddenly overwhelmed with a bad feeling, it was coming from Damon. He had figured something out, but what? That's when I realized. There was something off about her posture, you wouldn't notice if you weren't really looking. It was crazy, but this wasn't Elena. I was gone, the moment I had that thought. I used my vampire speed and stormed into Jeremy's room. I returned to the top of the stairs and cocked my arm back. The knife I had retrieved soared through the air and embedded itself into her shoulder. I made it the rest of the way down the stairs as Stefan's eyes convulsed and he bared his fangs at Katherine. In the blink of an eye he had her thrown against a wall, hand gripping her throat tightly. I stood by, this was his fight. I would jump in, if needed. "Katherine!" He hissed, so much distaste in his voice. I cringed, thinking all the drama this would start. I watched as he zoomed over to another wall, cracking it from the force he shoved her with. "At least I fooled one of you."

His eyes went blank, I knew his mistake the moment he made it. Her statement caught him off guard. She twisted his arm completely around and tossed him to the floor. She made moves for the door, but I stood in her way. She tumbled into my body when I thrust my arms out. "Leaving so soon?" I mocked, smirking at her position on the floor. She thought she could get the upper hand again with her vampire speed. Didn't she realize I had that too? She grasped my arms the same moment I went to block her again. We both had a firm grip, and that's what sent us flying into the kitchen table forcing us to let go. I didn't need time to recover, I was scrambling to my feet the moment we hit that table. If it hadn't been for the door bursting open. My eyes winded, as the petite blonde came fleeing in. I stood frozen in my movements. Not only would this give Katherine a chance to get away, we were exposed. Both me and Stefan had vamped out, no one had to show me a mirror for me to know my eyes were red and pumping. I took in her deer in the headlights look, the same look that was marred on her face that night that seemed so long ago. I couldn't help but remember that nights events.

Mystic Falls one year ago/

"I hate you." I mumbled.
Stefan turned to me with questioning eyes as we made our way through the dark woods. "I hate you and your hair product." I added kicking a rock but with my vampire strength it flew across the clearing and knocked into a tree, causing some of the bark to break off.
"You can't hate me, we're family and plus I don't use hair product." I scoffed at this and let out a dry laugh. "You hate Damon and yet he's family and seriously stefan your just in denial about your hair." He rolled his eyes and went back into concentration again probably trying to find a bunny to eat. I looked around longingly. I wish it could be this easy for me. "Ya know I'm starting to think you have something against bunnies." I said in an observatory tone. He sighed, I knew I was starting to annoy him. Half the time he wondered why he even spent time with me.
"I mean not only do you hunt the innocent little creatures you try to get others to hunt them too, it's quite terrible actually." I elaborated. All he did was chuckle. "Ya know your British accent is quite amusing." I slapped his arm playfully and he just laughed again. "You try being in England for ten years and not picking up an accent. I would probably still be there if you hadn't have found me and demand we see Zach."

Stefan shrugged, "What do you want me to say? Family's important."
I gave him a sideways glance. "Says the guy who's been ignoring his brother for half a century." I replied dryly.
A loud crash and splash of water sounded in the distance my vampire ears instantly picking up on it. Curiosity getting the better of me I zoomed over, Stefan right behind me. I ended up coming to a halt on a bridge, I glanced at the sign and read 'Wickery Bridge.' Obviously something had landed in the water, I edged over and peered over the side. Stefan was right behind me, ready to grab me incase things went south or something dangerous happened. My breathing quickened when I saw a car sinking in the water, quick too. My first thought was to alert someone and try not to involve ourselves in the situation too much but apparently Stefan had other plans.
Within seconds of seeing the car he has dived off the bridge. "Stefan"! I screamed but it was too late. I face palmed and grabbed my hair in frustration.

I swear I'm not related to him, I swear I'm not related to him I swear I'm not related to him!"

I walked nervously across the bridge. It only took a few seconds for Stefan to spring out of the water carrying what looked like a teenage girl. I breathed a sigh of relief that he was okay and rushed over. I used my vampire speed so the winds gushed around us blowing the girls hair out of her face. I gasped loudly the moment I saw her. Her neck was lulled to one side and she was soaked completely but I would know that face anywhere.
Katherine Pierce.
"Oh my god that can't be possible, Kath"? I stammered inching closer. I didn't want to get to close because I feared it would be like one of those cheesy horror movies. She would spring to life and I would quite literally pee my pants.

Stefan just shook his head muttering, "I don't think it's her, Katherine's gone Ara." I swallowed training my eyes on the ground. I knew she was gone, she's been gone for a LONG time. I just still had to admit that I couldn't handle the loss of her or Ella. If Katherine was here, she could lead me to her.. and the possibility of having my best friend back knocked the breath out of me.

When I looked back up Stefan was gone with the girl, he probably went to take her to the hospital. It was then I heard the patter of feet and could only guess someone was coming. I zoomed behind a tree as a girl came into view. She had blonde hair that bounced around her and piercing blue eyes as she looked around with worry and frustration. My body was numb. It was one shock after another. Seeing Katherine and now her in one night. This girl couldn't be her, she had a whole other vibe about her. Just because she was a basic carbon copy, no! Stop it! I couldn't keep fooling myself. I couldn't slip back into that state I had been in for years.. I instead chose to focus on the situation at hand.

I watched her closely intrigued by the girl as she fumbled with her phone. See this girl was smart! She called someone! I would have done that but no Stefan had to be the hero! I heard her and what I guessed to be her friend and a ghost of a smile formed as I heard how worried this so called 'Mia' was. I longed for friendship like that. Ever since the incident I had been on my own. I hadn't dare tried to replicate the friendship I had with her. No one would ever replace her.

My mind along with my body, went numb. This girl had done the smart thing, but then dashed that by diving off the edge of the bridge. "What the fuck." I cursed to myself.

I bit my lower lip rocking back on the heels of my feet trying to decide whether I should be the hero or not. Why not? Ya know what, screw everything. It's not like I had anything to lose and this girl looked too much like her for me to let her die.

With that I ran at full speed and came in contact with the water. It was cold, but the cold didn't phase me one bit. I looked around rapidly and spotted the girls mass of blonde hair before actually seeing her body. Her eyes were softly shut and she seemed to be slowly drifting to the bottom of the lake. It was clear she had tried to save the people in the car but couldn't. I latched onto her arm and tugged her to the surface. When we broke the surface I grasped her shoulders and lifted both of us out of the water. I landed next to her exhaustion washing over me my brown hair with blonde highlights now sopping wet and stuck to the sides of my face. Yuck. I hated the feeling of wet clothes clinging to my body.
I hovered over the blonde girl who looked so peaceful. I reached down and felt the slow but still moving pulse that throbbed in her neck. Speaking of her neck, I swallowed also hearing the blood flow. Damn witches. I will never be able to move past this.

Her eyes snapped open and she was gasping. "Your going to be ok." I said softly. I looked into her eyes and saw them pulse showing the signs of my compulsion. "You will slip into a deep sleep and not remember anything past diving into the water." I spoke clearly and without hesitation and watched as she nodded. I couldn't help but feel bad for compelling her. Wait! What? I don't feel bad for people! "You will pass out now." I said, I couldn't help but try to sound like someone from Star Wars. Hey, you really thought I would be able to get through this without throwing in a nerd comment?
With that her eyes fell shut and she fell back onto the bridge. When I looked up Stefan was standing over me a faraway look in his eyes. "You helped her." He whispered. I got to my feet sighing. "Maybe I'm actually starting to care about humanity Stefan."

"Cmon you care," he pressed. I closed my eyes feeling tired and he wrapped his arms around me. "Just about you." I muttered. I looked past Stefan's shoulder and the many trees surrounding Mystic falls. "Are we ever just gonna leave this town and never look back"? I asked. There was a pause and he finally said.
"No I guess not."
_

I threw my own body out of the flashback just in time to see the ends of Gabriella's hair as she fled yet again. I rolled my eyes, looking to my brother. Even he couldn't have an answer for this mess of a situation. I caught my breath the fatigue taking over again, I no longer felt adrenaline from that mini fight. I let out a nervous laugh.

"Houston we have a problem."

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