Ariana Gilbert

Chapter 1: Friday Night Bites Part 1

Ariana P.O.V

'Welcome to Mystic Falls' I sighed as I passed by the sign that reminded me that I was home. Six months had passed since I decided I couldn't stay here anymore... Not after my parents death any way. A couple of days after their funeral, I decided I just couldn't take it anymore and left for New York City, leaving my twin sister Elena, my little brother Jeremy and my Aunt Jenna here in the oh so wonderful town of Mystic falls. But now I was back, for good. I pulled up on to our drive way and took a deep breath, remembering how well my sudden departure went over with Elena.

~Flash Back~

I was packing my bags and checking I had everything ready when Elena barges into my room.
"So it's true then!?" she sneered at me.
"You're really just going to abandoned us at a time like this?" I sighed, rolling my eyes I turned towards her.
"Hello Elena good to see you too." I sarcastically replied,
"Don't change the subject!" she all but yelled, "tell me the truth!" my face dropped, tiredness and depression over coming me.
"Yes Elena, it's true. I need to get away for a while, away from all of the death and depression that seems to be surrounding this family and this town…I need to find a way to be happy again, to be able to truthfully say "I'm fine" when people ask me how I am...I just need time." Her sneer dropped from her face, and her lips quivered as silent tears began to fall from her eyes.
"But we need you Ari, without you we'll all fall apart, Jeremy will be lost without you, you know how much he looks up to you and craves your presence. Please don't go." She begged me. I walked over to her and pulled her into a hug, stroking her long straight brown hair; so similar to mine, except mine fell in ringlets to my waist.
"I need to do this Lena, so that when I get back I can be strong enough for all of us. I'll be back before you know it, I promise." She squeezed me to her and whispered,
"Do you promise?" I squeezed her back before letting go, grabbing my bags and heading for the door, stopping only to look over my shoulder at her and whispering
"I Promise." As I walked through the front door, ready to find a way to finally move on from my parent's sudden death, I call back to her
"Tell Jeremy and Aunt Jenna that I love them and that I'll be back in 6 months." Then just like that I got into my car and drove away from the hopelessness and longing.

~Flash Back Over~

I got out of the car and slowly made my way up the porch to the front door, silently praying for a warm welcome. I hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door. Footsteps could be heard heading towards the front door, as I waited hesitantly. As the door opened to reveal my twin, I took a moment to give her a once over and was glad to see that she no longer had the sickly depressed look that she wore prior to my departure, and couldn't help but wonder who or what was making her feel better. She gasped in surprise as tears filled her eyes, I smiled hesitantly at her, unsure of her reaction, when all of a sudden she pounced at me.
"Ari, your back!" she yelped happily, pulling me into her death grip, I sighed in relief and hugged her back just as tightly.
"Yes, I'm back, I know how much you missed my awesomeness, but you're kind of suffocating me Lena." I wheezed. She gasped and let go of me, looking at me as I smirked at her.
"I see your sense of humor has returned" she laughed. My smirk grew, as I winked at her and stepped inside the house.
"Yep, and I feel much better! Now do tell me about this new boyfriend I keep hearing about!?" I smirked at her excitedly. She blushed, and looked down as her hair covered her face.
"He's great, and he makes me so happy Ari." She whispered, staring off with a glazed look in her eye.
"Hmm… I definitely have to meet him now, so I can give him the stamp of approval!" I amusedly stated. She rolled her eyes at me, but smiled nevertheless.
"Well he and Bonnie are coming over for dinner tonight so you can meet him then!" she excitedly chirped. I did an imaginary victory dance.
"Sounds good to me!" I smirked. Thundering steps sounded from behind me, and a loud gasp echoed around the foyer. I sucked in a breath of anticipation, as Elena quickly and quietly made her way out towards the kitchen.
"Ariana?" a deep hesitant voice asked me. I slowly turned towards the voice of my favorite person in the world. (Sorry Elena hehe.)
"Hey Jer, I missed you." I hesitantly whispered. He stared at me for what felt like hours, when in reality it must have been less than a minute, when all of a sudden he flew into my arms and broke down in hysterical sobbing.
"Why did you leave me Ari, I missed you so much…" his small vulnerable voice broke through my cooing and his own sobbing.
"Oh Jeremy, I'm so sorry…" I whispered to him as I pulled him to the floor and cradled him against my small body. I kissed his forehead and brushed his hair gently from his face, as I whispered words of comfort to him. He hiccupped and finally pulled away, to stare at me with sad vulnerable eyes.
"I was sooo mad at you for aged Ari" he whispered to me. I looked at the ground in shame as he spoke the words I knew were coming.
"But I stopped being mad when I realized that you only left so that you could get stronger, so you could come back and look after us." He whispered as he pulled my chin up so I had to look at him.
"I'm so sorry Jer.." I whispered in my own vulnerable voice. He smiled softly at me as he wiped that last remaining tears from his face.
"There is nothing to forgive, just promise not to leave me again, or at least take me with you. I have felt so lost without you Ari, Elena just doesn't understand me like you do. We have a connection and I felt like I was drowning while you were gone." He whispered to me. I wiped away the tears that I didn't even realize had fallen and pulled him back towards me.
"I Promise Jer." I replied honestly.
"Ari, can you come and help me finish off dinner!?" Elena called, waking us from our bonding time, I internally rolled my eyes, Damn her.
"Sure thing sweetheart, be there in a jiffy!" I smartly replied, I could practically hear her roll her eyes at my smart mouth. I smirked, then turned to Jeremy,
"I'm not back for more than 10 minutes and already being bossed around like a servant!" I muttered in false offense. He laughed at me and ruffled my hair before helping me up, giving me one last hug and walking out the front door, calling back that he would be back by 10. I rolled my eyes at his teenage attitude and strutted into the kitchen with me head held high.
I was back, and I was stronger than before.