Chapter-1
"Meredith... Darling... Wake up! Bonnie is here to take you to school." Mr. Sulez knocked on his daughter's bedroom door as he shouted.
Meredith slept in late while doing research on her upcoming project. She lost so much time researching that she fell asleep almost around 5o'clock in the morning. Meredith woke up from her dreadful slumber and looked into the clock at the bedside table.
"Oh shit! Look at that time. 30 minutes till I get to school." She quickly packs her bag and got dressed into a sky blue t-shirt, a white pair of Capri pants and black converse. She didn't waste any time doing any sort of makeup. Because according to her friend Elena, her fair olive skin, elegant pair of eyebrows with blue eyes and black wavy hair, she looked so perfect that even without makeup, she seemed like the fairest of all maiden. She grabbed her bag quickly and dashed off downstairs to the kitchen where Bonnie was waiting for her sitting on the tool at the counter talking with her father.
"Slept in late again?" Bonnie says as Meredith entered the kitchen.
"Sorry Bon Bon let's hurry up. We still have to pick Elena."
"Don't forget your juice Meredith." Mr. Sulez hands her daughter a bottle containing orange juice. Meredith takes it and puts it inside her bag.
"Okay honey, now take care of yourself and you too Bonnie."
"Okay dad, see you later." Meredith takes Bonnie's hand and dashes off towards Bonnie's car.
In Bonnie's car
"So tell me, on which topic have you been researching now?" Bonnie asked as she was driving the car.
"It's not much of a great subject. Tanner gave me the topic on researching the past history of Mystic Falls. It's all about the founding families, culture, tradition, past society blah blah blah."
"On that note, I have got something interesting to share."
"What is it?"
"Let's get Elena first then I'll tell you both."
After driving for five minutes, Bonnie and Meredith reach Elena's house. As they reach her house, Bonnie honks the car signaling Elena to come out. Elena comes out quickly. She gets into Bonnie's car.
"Hey guys."
"Hey Elena." both Meredith and Bonnie said in unison. Bonnie presses the accelerator and starts driving.
"Bonnie. Aren't you forgetting something?" Meredith says in order to remind Bonnie about the thing she was supposed to talk about.
"Oh! Yeah, I almost forgot about it. So listen up guys. Grams is telling me I'm psychic. Our ancestors were from Salem, witches and all that, I know, crazy, but she's going on and on about it, and I'm like, put this woman in a home already! But then I started thinking, I predicted Obama and I predicted Heath Ledger, and I still think Florida will break off and turn into little resort islands."
"Is that it? You just wanted to tell you were a psychic?" Meredith asks bit bored and also annoyed.
"Yeah, that's all." Bonnie then looks at Elena who was lost in thoughts.
"Elena! Back in the car."
"I did it again, didn't I? I-I'm sorry, Bonnie. You were telling me that..."
"She's a psychic now." Meredith answers for Elena.
"Right! Okay, then predict something. About… me."
"I see..." Bonnie was about to answer that's when a crow hits on the windscreen of the car. Bonnie stops the car pushing hard on the brake stopping to a screeching halt.
"What was that?! Oh, my god! Guys, you okay?"
"It's okay. I'm fine."
"I'm not!" Meredith says as she rubbed her chin where she was hurt.
"It was like a bird or something. It came out of nowhere."
"A crow? Seriously?" Meredith says irritated from the pain on her chin.
"Really, I can't be freaked out by cars for the rest of my life." Elena says as she feels guilty that the almost accidental thing happened because of her.
"Come on Elena it's not your fault and you know it." Meredith says as she feels that Elena is guilty.
"I predict this year is going to be kick ass. And I predict all the sad and dark times are over and you are going to be beyond happy."Bonnie says in order to cheer Elena up.
"That's more like my Elena." Meredith hugs Elena giving her a bit of comfort.
"Now we should get to school quick." Elena says as she breaks the hug from Meredith. Bonnie starts the car and goes to the direction of the school while a crow is sitting on top of a sign watching the car.
Inside School
"Major lack of male real estate. Look at the shower curtain on Kelly Beech. She looks like a hot — can I still say "tranny mess"?" Bonnie says to Elena.
"No, that's over."
"Yup. Elena's right." Meredith joins in their conversation too.
"Ahh, find a man, coin a phrase. It's a busy year." Bonnie says to both Elena and Meredith.
As they were walking towards the school, Elena sees Matt, her ex-boyfriend and waves to him. But he ignores her.
"He hates me." Elena says sounding sad.
"That's not hate." Bonnie replies.
"That's 'you dumped me, but I'm too cool to show it, but secretly I'm listening to Air Supply's greatest hits'." Meredith says to comfort Elena. Then Caroline approaches them.
"Elena. Oh, my god." as she says it she hugs Elena almost squeezing her.
"How are you? Oh, it's so good to see you." looking at Bonnie and Meredith she asks, "How is she? Is she good?"
"Caroline, I'm right here. And I'm fine. Thank you."
"Really?"
"Yes. Much better."
"Oh, you poor thing." as she says it she hugs Elena again.
"Okay, Caroline."
"Oh! Okay, see you guys later?"
"OK! Bye!" both Meredith and Bonnie says in unison. As Caroline walks away at a safe distance, Meredith speaks up.
"Weirdo."
"No comment." says Elena who looks at Bonnie.
"I'm not going to say anything."
Then the trio walks towards their classes. While they were passing by the school office, Bonnie stops an calls upon Elena and Meredith who were almost to their classes.
"Hold up. Who's this?"
Elena looks up to see the back of a guy.
"All I see is back."
"It's a hot back."
"Guys! Come on. We are going to be late for class." Meredith says as she looks at the time of her watch.
"You go on we'll catch up with you later." Bonnie replies not even looking at Meredith who was engrossed in admiring the new guy's back.
"You coming, Elena?"
"Oh n-no... You carry on."
"Fine! See you guys later."
She walks towards her English class which was on the first period on her routine. She is in the same year as Jeremy, Elena's younger brother. Both Meredith & Jeremy used to be best friends. Nobody could separate them ever. They always stuck together. Some people even mistook them as couples. But their friendship got messed up after Jeremy's parents died in a car accident a few months back. He shut out everyone. Meredith tried to reach out to him but he didn't want to talk to anybody. Not even Meredith. So she stopped trying to reach out but didn't stop to look out for him. She was always there whenever he was in trouble these days with drugs and all. But still, Jeremy didn't appreciate her.
Meredith enters the classroom as the bell rings. She tries to look for Jeremy but he wasn't there in his usual seat.
"Must be another class bunking I suppose." Meredith thinks to herself as she nods her head sideways in disappointment. She takes her seat and focuses on the lecture that the teacher was giving out in front.
Outside school
After school, Meredith catches up to Bonnie and Caroline who were talking by the parking lot.
"Hey guys. Where's Elena?"
"She said she had something to do." Bonnie replies.
"Guys, why don't we go to the Grill?" Caroline speaks up.
"Good idea. I'll text Elena to meet us there." Bonnie replies.
At the Mystic Grill
After driving for 10 minutes in Bonnie's car they reach the grill and enter. They sit at a table.
"What would you guys have?" Meredith asks Caroline and Bonnie.
"I'll have black coffee." Bonnie replies.
"I'll just have green tea."
"I'll be back in couple of minutes." Meredith then goes towards the bar to order.
"Two coffee and green tea please."
After ordering, she waits there to take her order. While waiting for her order to come up someone taps on her shoulder from behind. Meredith turns around to see Tyler, her ex-boyfriend who cheated on her with Vicki.
"What do you want now Tyler?"
"Look I just came to talk."
"I don't want to hear any of your 'talk'. You can go ahead and screw with Vicki."
"I'm so-"
"Just leave me alone before I punch you and break your ugly face."
Meredith grabs the tray on which her order was ready and walks towards the table where Caroline and Bonnie were sitting.
"Tyler troubling you again?" Bonnie asks who was watching the drama between Meredith and Tyler from the table.
"Forget that dick. Let's talk about something else."
"Oh, okay. Caroline, why don't you tell us about the new guy who came to school today?" Bonnie asks Caroline changing the topic.
"Oh! I almost forgot about the hot & sexy back you were admiring Bonnie." Meredith says grinning widely while both Bonnie & Caroline rolls their eyes on her snarky comment.
"Listen up guys very closely. His name is Stefan Salvatore. He lives with his uncle up at the old Salvatore Boarding House. He hasn't lived here since he was a kid. Military family, so they moved around a lot. He's a Gemini, and his favorite color is blue."
"You got all of that in one day?" Bonnie asks.
"Oh, please, I got all that between third and fourth period. We're planning a June wedding."
"Come on, get a grip on yourself Care! One day you are surely going to get smacked right in the face by me." Meredith says bit annoyed at Caroline's annoying imaginary fantasy as usual.
"Why? Are you jealous?" Caroline says snickering.
"Why should I be jealous? I have no interest in that guy whatsoever."
"Well, I don't believe you. You better stay away from him." Caroline says bit furious.
"With pleasure." Meredith replies smirking while Caroline was still fuming with anger.
While the trio were discussing about school and other stuffs, Matt walks towards them.
"Hey guys. How's Elena doing?"
"Her mom and dad died. How do you think? She's putting on a good face, but it's only been four months." Bonnie replies.
"Has she said anything about me?"
"Oh, no. So not getting in the middle. You pick up the phone and call her."
"I feel weird calling her. She broke up with me."
"Give it more time, Matty. I know she'll come around sometime soon." Meredith says to Matt while Elena enters the grill with Stefan.
Matt looks at them and then looks back to Meredith and asks, "More time, huh?" He walks over to Elena and Stefan.
"Hey, I'm Matt, nice to meet you."
"Hi. Stefan."
"Hey, Matt." Elena greets Matt.
"Hey."
"You want to come and sit with us?"
"Thanks but I have got some work to do."
"Okay then, see you later."
"Yeah."
Elena and Stefan then walk up to the table where Meredith, Bonnie and Caroline were sitting together. Both of them sit down. Caroline seemed to look jealous seeing Elena and Stefan together. Caroline then speaks up to get Stefan's attention who was looking at Elena all the time.
"So, you were born in Mystic Falls?"
"Mm-Hmm. And moved when I was still young."
"Parents?" Bonnie asks.
"My parents passed away."
"I'm sorry. Any siblings?" Elena asks.
"None that I talk to. I live with my uncle." Stefan again looks at Elena into her eyes lovingly. Caroline feels jealous at this and again speaks up to get Stefan's attention.
"So, Stefan, if you're new, then you don't know about the party tomorrow."
Seeing Stefan confused, Meredith speaks up, "It's a back to school thing at the falls."
Then Stefan looks towards Elena and asks, "Are you going?"
"Of course she is." Bonnie replies for Elena.
"Yup only if you are going." Elena says.
"Then I'll go too." Stefan says with a big grin on his face.
After couple of coffee Meredith gets up to leave.
"Guys I really have to go. Finish my homework and then my project."
"Don't sleep in late again Meredith." Bonnie says to Meredith.
"I'll try. See you guys' tomorrow." with that Meredith leaves the grill and starts walking by the road.
It was night time. The street was empty. At that time people were either at the grill having fun or at home spending time with their family. Meredith never got the chance to spend time with her family. Because her mother had died giving birth to her. Her father never had enough time for her as he was really busy doing work reaching home late at night. She had to spend all day and night with her baby sitter during her childhood time. She sometimes went to have sleepover with Elena and Bonnie whenever she used to feel lonely. Even Caroline used to be with her every time. But God knows what came over to her. She changed completely. All she could care about was her reputation and popularity in high school. Meredith really misses Caroline and Jeremy, her best friend.
As she was walking by the empty road, she felt like someone watching her intently. So she looks around to see whether anyone was around or not. Finding no one she starts walking again for sometime only to stop again. This time she felt like someone was following her. She quickly turns back to see if anyone was following her. Shrugging it off as goose bumps she turns front to start walking. Only she didn't know that a guy was following her around all day and still is. The only reason for him to follow her was due to the mystical aura which is around her intrigued him to know more about her.
Mystic Falls High School
The next day, Meredith had nothing much to do except for attending boring classes. So after school she catches up with Bonnie and Elena.
"Hey guys ready for party?"
"Yeah I just need to go home and change first and then grab some things." Elena replies.
"I have to change too." Bonnie also replies.
"Okay guys see you all at the party then." With that Meredith goes to her home to change and get ready for the party. She chooses a navy blue t-shirt, a black pair of skinny jeans and black boots. She gets into her clothes after a quick shower. Then she starts walking to where the party was being held.
She reaches the party within 10 minutes of walking and starts looking for Elena and Bonnie. She spots them soon enough and starts walking towards them only to be stopped by Tyler.
"Hey Mere-" Meredith doesn't let Tyler finish his sentence and shoves him out of her way and joins her friends.
"Just admit it, Elena." Bonnie says to Elena not noticing Meredith.
"Oh, okay, so he's a little pretty."
"He has that romance novel stare."
"So where is the so called 'Romance Novel Staring' guy?" Meredith speaks up from behind them.
"Meredith, it's good of you to come." Elena says as she and Bonnie hug her.
"Okay guys enough of hugging. Tell me where is Stefan?"
"I don't know. Bonnie. You tell me, you're the psychic one."
"Right, I forgot. Okay, so give me a sec. Grams says I have to concentrate."
"Wait, you need a crystal ball."
"Got'cha." Meredith gives Bonnie a bottle. Bonnie takes it and touches Elena's hand. Bonnie spaces out for a while, comes back to her senses, and abruptly pushing away her hand back.
"What?" Elena says bit shocked at Bonnie's abrupt reaction.
"That was weird. When I touched you, I saw a crow."
"What?"
"A crow. There was fog, a man. I'm drunk. It's the drinking. There's nothing psychic about it. Yeah? Ok, I'm gonna get a refill."
Bonnie leaves Elena and Meredith alone and walks away with long strides.
"Seriously? Bonnie is getting weirder by the minute." Meredith sighs seeing the weird behavior of Bonnie.
"Okay? Bonnie!" Elena turns around to go after Bonnie only to find Stefan standing behind her.
"Hi." Stefan greets Elena.
"Hi."
"I think I should go and have a drink too." Meredith says and she goes to look for Bonnie to let Elena and Stefan have alone time.
Soon enough after looking for a while, she finds Bonnie who was by the beer stand drinking beer.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"So... What was that about back there? I mean, I don't really believe in psychic stuffs but the way you acted I couldn't leave the matter alone."
"Meredith, there's no way I'm psychic. I know that. But whatever I saw, or I think I saw, I have this feeling..."
"Bonnie, tell me what it is."
"That it's just the beginning… I-I don't know. I think I'm just going crazy. I think I should take a drink."
"Yeah you should."
"So, where's Elena?"
"Stefan showed up out of nowhere. So, I thought of leaving the two love birds alone."
"You did the right thing you know."
"I know, right?"
While they were chatting and drinking, Meredith sees Tyler taking Vicki towards woods. She felt disgusted thinking about what is about to happen next.
"You know what Bonnie? This place is getting weirder and bit boring. I think I'm going to go to the grill. I'll catch up with you guys later there."
"Okay."
At the Mystic Grill
Meredith sits at the bar and orders for a coffee. After ordering, she waits there in her seat. A couple second later, a bartender comes towards her and gives her a glass of bourbon.
"I think I ordered for a coffee."
"This drink was given to you on the behalf of the guy sitting over there." The bartender says as he points towards the person who was sitting across from her. Meredith looks up to find a guy wearing all black. He had black hair and extraordinary rare grayish blue eyes. He had the perfect feature of an extraordinary handsome guy. The man smirks at Meredith and she smiles at him taking the glass of bourbon. She takes a sip of it and looks at the guy again only to find the guy gone.
"I wonder who he was." Meredith thinks to herself while taking sip of the bourbon.
Salvatore Boarding House
After Vicki was attacked in the woods, Stefan quickly rushes to his home finding his nephew Zach who was surprised to see Stefan rushing.
"What's going on?" Zach asks.
"Someone else was attacked tonight, Zach, and it wasn't me." saying it, Stefan enters his bedroom and a crow appears.
"Damon." saying this, Stefan turns around and sees a man standing on the balcony. It was the same guy who was at the grill with Meredith.
"Hello, brother." Damon says smirking.
"Crow's a bit much, don't you think?"
"Wait till you see what I can do with the fog."
"When'd you get here?"
"Well, I couldn't miss your first day at school. Your hair's different. I like it."
"It's been 15 years, Damon."
"Thank God. I couldn't take another day of the nineties. That horrible grunge look? Did not suit you. Remember, Stefan, it's important to stay away from fads."
"Why are you here?"
"I miss my little brother."
"You hate small towns. It's boring. There's nothing for you to do."
"I've managed to keep myself busy."
"You know, you left that girl alive tonight. That's very clumsy of you."
"Ah. That can be a problem...for you."
"Why are you here now?"
"I could ask you the same question. However, I'm fairly certain your answer can be summed up all into one little word...Elena. And, also... the little Meredith. She seems bit different you know. Her aura is very strong and intimidating. Don't you feel the same thing Stefan? She took my breath away. Elena. She's a dead ringer for Katherine. Is it working, Stefan? Being around her, being in her world? Does it make you feel alive? And… Meredith. Hmm... That smells... really intriguing."
"Elena's not Katherine and you better stay away from Meredith."
"Well, let's hope not. We both know how that ended. Tell me something, when's the last time you had something stronger than a squirrel?"
"I know what you're doing, Damon. It's not gonna work."
"Yeah? Come on. Don't you crave a little?" with that Damon starts hitting Stefan.
"Stop it." Stefan tries to defend himself from Damon. But Damon was stronger than him.
"Let's do it. Together. I saw a couple girls out there. Or just, let's just cut to the chase; let's just go straight for Elena or... Meredith"
"Stop it!"
"Imagine what their blood tastes like! I can."
Angry at Damon's words, Stefan's face transforms. His eyes changes and veins start to appear under his eyes.
"I said stop!" Stefan runs into Damon, throwing him out of the window. When he lands on the pavement, Damon isn't there.
"I was impressed. I give it a six. Missing style, but I was pleasantly surprised. Very good with the whole face...thing. It was good."
"You know, it's all fun and games, Damon, huh? But wherever you go, people die."
"That's a given."
"Not here. I won't allow it."
"I take that as an invitation."
"Damon, please. After all these years, can't we just give it a rest?"
"I promised you an eternity of misery, so I'm just keeping my word."
"Just stay away from Elena and Meredith."
"Where's your ring? Oh, yeah, sun's coming up in a couple of hours, and, poof, ashes to ashes." As Damon says it Stefan checks up on his finger to find the said ring missing. It was a daylight ring. It was a magical ring which enabled him to walk during day time and also prevented him to burn in the sun.
Seeing Stefan scared and frustrated, Damon speaks up, "Relax. It's right here." Damon then shows Stefan his ring which Stefan grabs the ring and shoves it back to his finger. Then Damon grabs Stefan by the throat and throws him against the trash cans.
"You should know better than to think you're stronger than me. You lost that fight when you stopped feeding on people. I wouldn't try it again."
Seeing the lights turn on at the house Damon says, "I think we woke Zach up. Sorry, Zach." With that Damon vanishes within the blink of an eye.
Mystic Grill
Bonnie and Caroline go to the grill and sits beside Meredith where she was having her coffee all by herself. Bonnie then tells Meredith about the animal attack on Vicki that happened at the party in the woods.
"Have you heard the news?" Bonnie asks Meredith.
"What news?"
"Vicki has been attacked by an animal in the woods."
"Wow! Someone sure did something which I have been longing to do for a long time now. That bitch deserves it. Hats off to whoever who did it!"
"Meredith!"
"Okay okay! Sorry."
While Meredith and Bonnie chat, Caroline starts to order drink after drink. Looking at Caroline's condition Bonnie looks at her.
"Are you sober yet?"
"No."
"Keep drinking then." Meredith mocks Caroline while laughing at her. Bonnie nods her head in disagreement.
"I gotta get you home. I gotta get me home."
"Why didn't he go for me? You know, how come the guys that I want never want me?"
Caroline was upset at the fact that Stefan chose Elena over her.
"I'm not touching that." Meredith says sighing.
"I'm inappropriate. I always say the wrong thing. And... Elena always says the right thing. She doesn't even try! And he just picks her. And she's always the one that everyone picks, for everything. And I try so hard, and...I'm never the one."
"It's not a competition, Caroline." Bonnie says.
"Yeah, it is."
"Yeah, whatever. I gotta go guys. See you tomorrow." Meredith then gets up and leaves Bonnie and Caroline and to go home.
"I'll go and pay the bill for your drinks." Bonnie then gets up to pay the bill. While Caroline is alone at the table, Damon looks at her. Feeling like being watched, she looks around only to find a pair of grayish blue eyes looking at her. Damon smiles at Caroline and she smiles back.
A/N: I know it's not of a much. I'm an amateur writer after all. I hope to get at least 10 reviews for the next chapter. Thanks for reading.