The Second Life of Katie May Fleming.
Friday 10th June 2011.
I let out a nervous breath.
Maybe this isn't such a good idea after all.
I mean sure; recently Jenna gave me a call to tell me that Elena had found out about being adopted and it could be the right time to let her know that she has a half sister. But still, just showing up on their doorstep like this has to be a recipe for disaster.
To my surprise, a boy opens the door. He is well, to put it mildly: extremely good looking. He has brown hair which is in the fashion that all boys are wearing it now: Slightly longer, with a swishy fringe and that really nice blow dried look. He has a nice mouth, deep chocolate eyes, and a really cute nose. The muscles in his arms are showed off by the light brown, short sleeve t-shirt he's wearing. There is a silver watch strapped to his wrist, along with a black bracelet, with a single silver charm on it.
He smiles, and asks:
"Can I help you?"
Mm...He does have a rather nice smile and voice.
"I'm looking for Elena Gilbert?"
He looks a little puzzled.
"Oh God, I've just completely embarrassed myself by coming to the wrong door haven't I?" I sigh, feeling slightly angry with myself.
He laughs.
"No, she does live here. Let's just say it's been a bogus year, and I've just learnt not to invite strangers in too lightly," he laughs at himself, and then holds out a hand, "I'm Jeremy Gilbert. Elena's brother,"
I shake it, smiling. Part of me thinks: 'Damn, we're partly related', while the more intelligent part of me figures out that this is true, but we aren't blood related, and so it would be fine if we hooked up.
I cannot believe i even thought that. You've just met him! He could be a total ass for all you know! For fucks sake Katie, sort your life out.
"I'm Katie. And actually, I have some things to explain," I admit.
He smiles, and extends a tanned, (very nice) arm; a silent invitation into the house and I step over the threshold.
I leave my bags in the car for now, and follow Jeremy into a very nice, modern and shiny kitchen.
I sit on one of the high stools, and Jeremy goes over to a big black expensive looking coffee machines.
"Milky, two sugars," I tell him like a reflex.
"You got it,"
He administers my coffee to me, and sits on the opposite stool.
"So, out with all this 'admitting' which you have yet to do," he grins, holding the mug between his hands.
I take a sip of caffeine, and start.
"So, I got a call from Jenna recently saying that Elena found out that she'd been adopted, and I have my own baggage to bring with this, and I figured that I would wait a little while before coming up. I'm still not sure if it's my best plan yet, but here I am,"
"And what consists of this baggage that you carry?"
"I'm Elena's half sister," I tell him.
His jaw drops a little, in a way which suggests that news has come as a surprise to him, but things fail to really shock him anymore. I wonder why this is.
"Sorry, i'm blunt," I laugh nervously, looking at him as he regains his cool.
"Wow. Which side..?" he refers to John or Isobel.
"Isobel," I reply.
He nods.
"I could kind of tell. You look a bit like Elena,"
"Really? I've never seen her before. Like, ever. But i'm sure glad that i'm not a Gilbert. From what Elena's father is anything to go by..." I widen my eyes, then add quickly "No offence,"
"Ah, you've had the pleasure of meeting John?" Jeremy grins, amused.
"The one and only," I say a little bitterly.
"That bad?"
"The guys a total ass," I roll my eyes.
He can't contain a laugh.
"Well, lucky for you, he's coming to stay in a couple of weeks,"
"Oh super. Why?"
"The council needs him or something do with founders crap," he shrugs, looking completely uninterested.
"Aren't you part of that founders crap?" I question.
"Well, yeah. But-"
"You have more important crap to deal with now?" I finish for him.
He smiles.
"Yeah. Something like that,"
"So what is the deal with all the founders stuff?" I query, interested.
"The ancestors of the families who started Mystic Falls. Apparently we have 'responsibilities' or something. Like attending all the ceremonies. It is 'sacred' that we go, otherwise we're practically peeing on our family legacy,"
"That's what John told you right?"
"Yep. I mean; those weren't his real words, but I know he was thinking it," Jeremy laughs, picking up his coffee. And that's when I notice the ring on his finger.
It's the exact same ring which John used to wear.
Why would John have given him a family heirloom? It doesn't sound like they're close. But... Grayson, John's brother was Jeremy's Dad. I guess he had one aswell.
"That's a cool ring," I comment, eyeing it over the top of my own mug.
He absently looks at it.
"Yeah. Family heirloom,"
"From your Dad?" i ask gently.
His eyes pierce mine.
"How much digging did you do before you came here then?" he returns my enquiry with another question.
"Not much," I shrug.
"You're a terrible liar," a smirk tugs at the side of his mouth.
Suddenly there is footsteps, and in walks Jenna.
I haven't seen her since I was ten, which is near enough to 7 years ago, but I still remember her vividly.
The thick strawberry hair, falling in straight and curly waves over her shoulders. The face which reminds me of a porcelain doll; pale skin, and pink cheeks. The dark eyes. The pretty smile; made by red lips which pulled back to reveal straight white teeth. The size 10 frame, with petite arms and waist.
She stands in the doorway wearing high waist shorts, a three quarter length sleeved purple top and gold sandals.
"Hey," I greet her awkwardly.
She comes ever and hugs me tightly.
"I can't believe you're here!" she doesn't seem angry or anything, but i still feel the need to apologise.
"I'm sorry i just turned up like this. I know I should've called but I didn't really know what I was doing until I was like, half way here,"
"It's fine. Really. Appreciated actually. If we're going to have guests i'm glad that at least one of them will be bearable,"
"John is coming to stay," I state.
Her smile turns into a grimace.
"Well, I see you've met Jeremy," I catch her giving him a suspicious glance.
"And very nice he is too," I smile.
"Well, since you two are getting along so well, Jeremy, why don't you help her unpack?" she suggests.
I blush, feeling 8 years old again when if you were even caught talking to a boy you'd caught cooties.
"Sure. You leave your stuff in the car?" he questions, pretending to be oblivious to my blush, although his cheeks are coloured too.
"Erm, yeah,"
"You kids have fun, i'm going out with Alaric," now she turns colour.
"Mm. Bye," Jeremy waves her off as we walk out the front door.
There's a car parked behind mine, with a tall, handsome, sandy haired man leaning against it.
They greet by kissing, then they get in the car and disappear down the road.
