Welcome to Mystic Falls

A/N: Originally published Dec 12, 2013. Rewritten May 30 2015.

Emma stared out the airplane window; her brother fast asleep in the sit next to her. We were supposed to be on a plane to London. She sighed as she watch the clouds pass under them.

"Emma, Elliot!" Her mother called; they were almost done packing, you could practically feel the excitement. Touring the world was a once in a life time opportunity. Although she would miss her final year with her friends; nothing could get her to miss this.

"Yes mum?" Emma said.

"Sit down." The two blondes did as their mother instructed.

"I'm sorry but we're not going to be able to travel."

"What?" Elliot screamed at the top of his lungs. "This isn't fair you can't do this! What could be more important?!"

Even Emma was dismayed. "Why?"

"Your father business-" Emma resisted the urge to roll her eye, and Elliot suppressed a groan. Since his business picked up, it seemed to get in the way of all the family activities. Her mother pursed her lips; her children's assumptions were not wrong.

"Can't we go without him?" Elliot said.

"No, it was supposed to be a family trip. Beside I have to join father and help with presenting."

"So we're just going to be here alone?" Emma asked.

"No, you will be going to your cousin's Elena, and Jeremy's in Mystic Falls Virginia."

"What?" This time it was Emma turn to nearly lose it. "You cancel our trip the day before we leave, and then you're shipping us off to our cousin's house in America? We haven't seen Elena in years." Emma emphasized the word years. "I can take care of Elliot just fine by myself. I don't seen any reason to leave."

"Now, Emma, you know you technically cannot be left alone with him since you both are considered minors." Her mother said calmly. "Although you may not have seen them in a while, we have kept in touch and they thought it would be nice to have some extra hands around the house." Emma shot her mother a puzzled glance. "You plane leave tomorrow." Her tone was final.

Elliot march to his room and slammed the door. Emma walked to hers in a daze. She's leaving her friends for her cousin's that she hasn't seen in forever, and has to keep a major secret. Great.

One the drive to the airport, the sibling were informed that Elena's parent's had died and to help out with whatever was needed. They agreed without complaint.

Emma began to unpack the rest of her things. The room itself was no larger that the one back home, but it did feel empty. On the bedside table, Emma placed the two picture she brought; one of her, Cleo, and Rikki at the beach, and the other was of her and Ash.

"Knock, knock," The voice was accompanied by a few taps on the door frame. "Jenna said dinner will be ready in soon."

"Thanks." Emma said.

"Need help unpacking?" Elena asked.

Emma shook her head, "I think I'm just about done. Thanks though." Emma looked up seeing Elena standing in the doorway she told her "You can come in if you want." Elena came and sat on the edge of the bed.

"So," Elena said trying to make conversation. "School starts tomorrow at seven, my friend Bonnie, said she could pick us up at six thirty-ish. Jenna also said that she's going to strangle your dad when they meet." Her tone was questioning. "She said you'd understand."

Emma smiled a bit and rolled her eyes. "When Jenna pick us up from the airport, my father gave her a check as a sort of thank you for watching us."

Elena laughed knowing Jenna and her stubbornness; she wouldn't accept help even if she truly needed it.

"It was literally the most embarrassing thing ever." Emma was finishing a story when Jenna called them.

Elena laughed. "No way!"

"I wish I was kidding." Emma replied standing up and Elena lead her down the steps.

"Okay that's embarrassing, but I have to tell you about this one time in seventh grade."

"Seriously all of my dress." Elena voice grew louder as she came down the step. Emma's laughter could also be heard and soon could Elena's.

Jenna smiled at the sound of something she has not heard since her arrival; Elena's laughter. It was light and whimsical, not strained and force. Having Emma here might be a good thing. Jenna tried to wipe the growing smile off her face so she did not let the girl know she heard anything.

The table was set and Elliot and Jeremy soon followed down.

Elliot was obviously tired long flight and time change, shot the girl the 'do you have to be so loud?' look. Jeremy grabbed his plate and took his food to his room, ignoring Jenna's pleas to stay. "Jeremy, we have family try at be welcoming." she tried, but he was already halfway to his room. Jenna apologized Emma and Elliot.

Elliot look at Jeremy's direction thoughtfully. "Excuse me," he spoke. "Can I eat later?"

"Sure thing." Jenna said; Elliot looked exhausted, yet he spirited to his temporary room. "Are you okay?" Jenna asked Emma.

"Yeah. I'm fine actually." Surprisingly the nearly twelve hour time difference had not affected Emma that much.

Elena sat on her bed, diary and pen in hand.

Dear Diary,

My cousins arrived today. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect; I haven't seen Emma since we were nine and Elliot was only a child. Emma seems like she's really nice. We talked a bit and I really believe that having her here might not be so bad...

School start tomorrow and I promise it will be different. I has to be...

"It's actually not that bad." Emma's voice was hushed incase the other people in the house had already fallen asleep.

"Really?" Cleo asked.

"And the weather?" Rikki asked.

"I'll deal with that when it comes." Emma sighs.

"That's not the 'always have a plan' Emma I've known and occasionally gotten annoyed with." Rikki stated.

Emma rolled her eyes. "I'm actually going to miss you."

"Me too." Rikki's voice lost the teasing tone for a second. "Without you who's going to nag at us to do our homework?"

Cleo and Emma chuckled. "Don't know. guess you'll have to start remember to do it yourself." Emma replied.

Rikki groaned. "Ugh. Cleo?"

"Alright," Cleo said. "Em, I have to free period is just about over."

"Wait! Free period almost over?"

Cleo and Emma laughed.

"Shut up." Rikki replied.

They were silent for a moment. Emma could hear the bell ring and they said their goodbyes.

A/N: What do you think? Hope it's better and you like it! Please Review! (no beta'd)