Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my own characters Maggie and Ben (there may be more later on). All the rights go to the CW and L.J. Smith.

Hi guys, this is my first fanfiction ever so I am more than happy if you can give me some tips on how to improve my writing and I am always open for suggestions and ideas! :)

CHAPTER ONE

Maggie's POV

I woke up because the bright, warm sun was shining directly on my face. I groaned and pulled the duvet over my head, turned my back to the window and tried going back to sleep. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to go back to sleep because a few seconds later there was a loud bang on my door. "Maggie, get downstairs! We need to talk!" shouted my older brother Ben. "Leave me alone, it's Saturday for God's sake!" was all he got for an answer. I heard him laugh before he left.

Groaning loudly, I threw my blanket back and swung my legs over the edge of my bed. I shivered and reached for my night gown which hung over a chair nearby. Although it was already spring, it was still kind of cold in the morning. I walked over to my closet and pulled out a pair of skinny jeans, a dark blue button down shirt, my favourite black boots and my black leather jacket.

After I had taken a shower, I dried my hair so that it hung loosely over my shoulders, my dark brown curls bouncing up and down. I skipped down the stairs and nearly bumped into Ben who was standing at the bottom of the stairs. "Good, you're dressed. Grab something to eat; we are going for a walk."

Rolling my eyes, I brushed past him and entered our small, cozy kitchen. I poured myself a cup of coffee and started looking for something eatable. Finding something to eat for breakfast in our kitchen was already a difficult task during the week, but it was nearly impossible on Saturdays, as this was the day I usually did the shopping. "I really need to go shopping later" I said closing the fridge, trying to find some bread in the cupboard above my head. "I can drop you off later, on my way to work." said Ben and reached over my head and handed me the toast. I found some peanut butter and quickly made myself a sandwich. Gulping down my coffee, I shoved my phone into the pocket of my leather jacket and grabbed my sandwich.

When I walked out of the door, I stopped on the porch and breathed deeply in and out, enjoying the smell of spring in my nose.

As we walked through the woods, I felt Ben's eyes on me but he stayed silent. "So… you wanted to talk to me?" I asked and turned my head in his direction, but he avoided my gaze. "Hey, Ben. Look at me! What's going on? Why did you want to talk to me?" He stopped and looked me in the eyes. I could see the guilt in his ocean blue eyes which were so similar to mine. "They offered me a job." he said and looked down at his shoes. I was confused. That wasn't a bad thing, was it? Then he looked back up and said: "It's in Tokyo. And I can't take you with me."

Apparently the shock and hurt were evident on my face because he flinched and looked even guiltier than before. "What do you mean; you can't take me with you? It would probably be a pretty cool experience! Where should I stay? I am not eighteen yet, I can't live on my own! Do you just want to leave me at some boarding school? Or should I stay with some relatives? Please tell me, I don't have to stay with Aunt Lisa? She is crazy!"

I breathed heavily and looked at him, desperate for a solution.

"I am so sorry Maggie. I know it's been hard since Mum and Dad passed away. But we have to move on! We can't stay here in this house forever because we don't want to lose the last thing that holds memories of the!" I just stared at him, too shocked and upset to respond. There was a short silence, then: "So you just want me to move on. Just leave behind everything I am used to, everything I grew up with because YOU got a new job at the other end of the world? Is this your way of moving on, or what is it? 'Cause I honestly don't get it."

Ben looked hurt. "Do you really think that low of me?" he asked. I nodded and he sighed.

"Look Maggie, I really don't want to leave you, but this is an once-in-a-lifetime chance and I really want to take it. Additionally, I really think it's time for you to move on. You've been shutting everyone out for months now. Even me! You always stay in, just sitting upstairs reading or whatever you're doing there. That's not healthy!" He looked at me and shook his head.

"Do you remember Miranda and Grayson Gilbert from Auntie Lisa's wedding? I know you were just twelve back then."

Miranda and Grayson Gilbert? Doesn't ring a bell. "No, I can't remember them, why do you ask?" I asked grumpily. Ben sighed. "They were your aunt and uncle twice removed. They died in a car crash last spring. But Miranda's younger sister Jenna still lives in Mystic Falls together with their children Elena and Jeremy."

I stared at him impatiently. "And?!" Ben looked at a bird which was sitting in a bush a couple of metres away. "Well, I called them last night and you are more than welcome to stay with them. We will drive to Mystic Falls tomorrow morning, so we will get there until dinner. You're going to finish high school there together with Elena and Jeremy." When he looked at me I was surprised he didn't take a step back. I was pretty sure that I looked super angry.

"So, you are just sending me to some strangers so you can live the life that you want? You can't make me go there!" I stomped angrily with my foot. Ben laughed. He actually had the guts to laugh at me. What's so funny?" I snapped. Ben laughed even more. "Did you seriously just stomp with your foot? How old are you again?" I glared at him. He chuckled and continued. "To answer your question: You aren't eighteen yet and I am your legal guardian, so yes: I can make you go there."

I turned on my heels and stormed away from him, heading home. I couldn't believe it! Ben was sending me away to live with some total strangers! He was so selfish. He wants to live the life he's always wanted and who is paying the price? Me. But I was just his "little sister", no one important. Fuming with anger, I let myself into the house and stormed upstairs into my room. I knew I was supposed to be shopping but what was the point in that when we would be leaving this house tomorrow morning anyway?

Turning on some music, I took off my jacket and boots and jumped onto my bed. I bent down and pulled out a small wooden box from underneath my bed. Carefully, I lifted the top and looked at the photo that was on top of it. Four people, all smiling brightly into the camera. It had been taken three years ago in Florida. Ben and I were in the middle, his arm around my shoulder and my mum had her arm around my waist.

Smiling sadly, I put it next to me onto the bed and then looked at the contents of the box: a couple of drawings, a letter and some photos. At the very bottom was a thin golden necklace with a heart pendant. It had been my mothers and in her will it had said that she wanted me to have it if she passed away. I looked at one of the photos. It was an old photograph of my parents. Tears were streaming down my face and I quickly whipped them away, not wanting anyone to see me cry.

"I can't move on, Mum, Dad. I just can't." I whispered.

I put the things back into the box, closed it and shoved it back under my bed. Then I went to my wardrobe and took out two big suitcases. With a heavy sigh I started to pack all my belongings into the suitcases.