Chapter 1: Already Knew Her

Glancing out of the window, the brunette thought to herself about leaving the town that she once loved...Rosewood. A town of wonder, a town of
mysteries. Some people may say, a town of dreams. There was one thing for sure, Aria didn't say that. There was everything in it. Her friends...Ezra...and...A. Ezra, her secret relationship or at least he was until a couple of weeks ago. Her parents, Byron and Ella forbid her to see him...which meant she's leaving without a simple goodbye or a kiss. A was the least of her worries at the moment, which made her laugh inside. The least of her worries...the past year; there had been nothing but worry with A. If it wasn't for A...she would still be with Ezra and lying on his couch, having one of their endless make out sessions.

Closing her eyes, she let sleep the sleep overtake her, knowing that it was much better than staying awake the whole journey, nervous for what was ahead of her in the town of Mystic Falls.

Dropping the girl to the ground, he swiped his hand across his mouth, clearing the smeared blood from his lips, hiding any traces of his activities. He didn't think his brother would approve of his diet when he was already on his back about several other things. Several other things being Elena...Katherine and that little thing called...Klaus. Or...big thing called Klaus. Looking down at the girl, he nudged her with his foot lightly to check for her state of consciousness. No movement...must have drank her dry. A light smirk covered his face at the proud feeling he got in the pit of his stomach as he began walking backwards. Was it really something to be proud of?

Walking out of the woods, he walked over and into the Grill, scanning the crowd and rolled his eyes, making his way over to the bar. Same old people everyday. The usual teacher here and there, couples, singletons. Taking a seat, he smirked as his eyes caught the waitress. Perfect for his next meal and for night of ravishing sex. Leaning on the bar, he gave her a charming smile as she came his way.

"What can I get for you sir?" She asked with a hint of flirting in her voice, causing his smile to turn into a grin. He was already in.
"Make it a bourbon and maybe yourself if your on the menu sweetheart." He told her as she gave him a smirk and poured out his bourbon.

"It's on the house," Pushing it towards him, she leaned on the bar as well, her face just inches from his, "I get off at 6"
"I'll be waiting Lilly." He responded with a smile as he read her name badge. Giving him a smile, she walked off down the bar as he took a sip of his bourbon and thought about the night he had in for him.

Aria glanced up at the school building and pulled at her dress, clearly nervous of what was to come. Making her way inside, she glanced around at the other students, already feeling a pit of butterflies, banging against her rib cage. Never was a good sign. Going into the registration office, she walked on over to the desk and was about to announce her name, but the woman slapped down a folder on the desk and pushed it towards her, grunting unhappily.

The brunette almost jumped at the loud sound and took her folder, her hazel eyes turning darker as she glared at the receptionist. If you hate your job
so much then quit. Once leaving the office, she looked around for her locker, knowing without a doubt, she was going to be late for her first lesson.

Rushing into class, she swallowed as everyone's attention turned towards, making her feel uneasy. She was never a person for audiences ,especially student audiences, they were the worse.

"Ah Miss Montgomery, take a seat please...and welcome." The middle-aged woman told her as Aria didn't hesitate to pick the nearest seat, knowing that people were still watching her. Do they not get many new people here or something? Looking up at the woman who had basically introduced her to the class, she took in her appearance. Round shaped glasses that she was surprised she could see out of. A long plaid skirt that touched the floor and a fairly decorated blouse. She hoped that there was better fashion than that in the town.

Hearing a hiss from behind her, she furrowed her eyebrows and turned her head slightly to come to face with blonde, whose blue eyes sparkled with excitement. Aria was about to turn back around again, until the blonde began talking.

"I'm Caroline." She whispered in hush tones, not wanting the teacher to hear them talking.
"Aria." The brunette replied softly as the blonde smiled and gave her a nod.
"So you're new to Mystic Falls?" Caroline asked, with a raised eyebrow as she took a quick look at the clock, hanging above the teacher's head.
"Yeah. I arrived last night. I'm guessing you don't get many new people here then?" Aria questioned, becoming very interested.
"Not unless they're crazy." She answered her back truthfully as Aria turned back around in her seat, letting her answer whirl around her mind. Not unless they're crazy? What does that mean?

Taking a seat in the cafeteria, she picked up her apple from the sickly green looking tray and bit into it, enjoying the sweetness that was indulged with it. Suddenly out of nowhere, 5 people took a seat at the table as she paused her chewing for the moment, not knowing what to say.

"Aria, this is Stefan, Elena, Bonnie and Jeremy, Elena's brother. Guys, this is Aria." Caroline smiled once she finished introducing and began eating her lunch.

"Hi." Aria greeted shyly as she continued eating her apple.
"How are you liking Mystic Falls Aria?" Stefan asked as he wrapped his arm around Elena's shoulders and began sipping his drink.

"Erm, I suppose I'm still getting use to it. It's not like my old hometown." She responded, looking away from the drink as she finished off her apple, dropping it into the trash can behind her.

"You will love it, trust me. It just takes a while getting use to. It's just one of 'those' towns." Elena told her with a smile as she began eating her lunch too.

"Yeah. Elena's right. Since your new...it will take a lot getting use to, but I suppose you're use to crazy aye?" The blonde asked, taking a sip of her drink.
"You could say that I suppose." Aria told her, feeling a bit more comfortable than she was a few minutes ago and smiled for the first time that day.

Following everyone into the Grill, Aria took a chance to look around the place. It was up to date, that was a fact. The music in the background was fairly new. The people were all young, a few elders here and there. She was starting to like this place a lot.

"Aria, what drink do you fancy?" Stefan asked, taking Elena's hand in his as she giggled, leaning into him.
"Just a coke please." She replied, smiling as she took a seat with Caroline. Stefan nodded, leading Elena off to the bar with him.
"Jeremy and Bonnie will join us later, they're just...on a little...detour." Caroline told her with a playful smile as Aria laughed, knowing what she meant.

"So they're a thing...even when Bonnie is Elena's best friend and Jeremy is her brother?" Caroline nodded and gave a small shrug, playing with the salt and pepper.

"It took her a while to get use to, that's for sure. But...as long as they're happy, that's the main thing right?" Aria nodded in agreement as her thoughts immediately diverted to her and Ezra. Boy, did she miss him like mad. He was the reason she would wake up happy every morning because she knew that she would see him during the day. She hadn't even talked to him in weeks and she needed him.

Caroline got up, telling Aria she would be back in a second as she made her way to the bathroom, leaving Aria alone to herself. Getting her phone out, her fingers danced across the keyboard as she typed in Ezra's number and hit the call button. Holding it to her ear, she closed her eyes, just wanting to hear his voice.

"Hello. This is Ezra. Obviously I'm not here at the moment. Leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.." Swallowing back the lump
in her throat, she thought about the fact that he wouldn't even pick up her calls. He left his answering machine to deal with her. Slowly flipping her phone shut, she took a deep breath, slipping her phone back into the compartment of her bag. Maybe there wasn't any hope left for them.

"Here ya go. A coke with ice." Stefan announced with a smile as he placed the tray of drinks down on the table, taking a seat with Elena along beside him.

"Thanks." Aria murmured thankfully as she picked it up and took a few sips, hoping to make the lump in her throat go away.
"So, where do you live Aria?" Elena asked, raising an eyebrow as she took a sip of her drink.
"Erm, about 20 minutes away from here." She responded with a small smile, turning the glass in her hand as the ice clinked around the sides of the glass.

Damon walked into the mystic grill, slipping his shades off and glanced around, his eyes pausing for a moment as he seen Stefan and Elena with a girl. She's new, he thought to himself as he made his way to the bar, ordering his usual as he took a seat.

"Sorry about that, was really in need of a refresh." Caroline smiled, sitting down again as Aria smiled, loving how bubbly her personality was.
"We were just talking about where Aria lives." Stefan told the blonde as if he were filling her in on all the seconds she missed. The brunette laughed
at the situation. It was different from what she was use to. She was relaxed, happy; when being back at Rosewood, she was always on her toes awaiting a text from A.

Hearing a shrilling ringing, Aria jumped and took her phone, smiling at everyone apologetically as she got up and walked over to the bar and took a seat on the stool.

"Hello?" She greeted sweetly, playing with the bar mats that were laying there.
"Its me, Ezra." His voice swooned through the phone as she chewed on her lip, trying to control the way her heart had jumped up into her throat.
"H...hey. I thought you were avoiding me." She responded, trying to keep the hurt out of her voice, knowing that there was no use crying over boys or spilt milk for that matter.

"I was. Aria, you know we cannot do this and I don't want to do this anymore. I'm a teacher. I love what I'm doing. I don't wanna lose my job, my future is important. I'm sorry Aria. You're there. I'm here...this isn't what we use to have. It's gone." He told her as she swallowed and controlled the tears that were threatening to spill over.

She couldn't find the words to say that she was fine with it, because she wasn't. She was hurt. Slowly pulling the phone away from her ear, she flipped it shut, knowing there were no words to say that would fix this. Looking up at the bartender, she leaned forward.

"Can I have something strong please?" She asked shakily, not knowing where her sudden urge to drink came from.
"As soon as I get some ID" The blonde guy replied, drying glasses with a neutral look on his face.
"Please, please...just cut me some slack." Aria begged stupidly, knowing she sounded like a child.
"I said...ID." He repeated, walking down the bar as she leaned her head on her arms, hating being so young. Why did she have to be born later than earlier? She could have been 18 by now.

Feeling something cold rubbing up against her arm, she lifted her head to see a glass of brown liquid. Looking to her left, she seen a guy with dazzling blue eyes and a smile to die for.

"Take as much as you want. Looks like you could use it." He told her charmingly as she smiled in appreciation and wrapped her small fingers around the glass.
"Thank you." She murmured, taking a gulp and instantly regretting it as the strong taste hit her buds, causing her to stick her tongue out in disgust as he chuckled.

"It's strong. It takes a while, before you can stop shivering with the taste." He told her smiling as she slid the glass back to him, already feeling much better. Smiling softly, she took in his appearance, dark jeans, a button up shirt and a leather jacket. Mmh, something nice finally came out of this town.

"Well thanks for the drink...?" She gestured for him to tell her his name as he grinned and continued drinking.
"Have a nice day Aria." He told her as she looked at him shocked and nodded and walked backwards, heading back to the table as she took a seat.
"Anyone important?" Caroline asked as Aria shook her head, not really listening as she was thinking about the guy that wouldn't let her know him, but funnily enough, he already knew her.

A/N: Hey guys, hope it was okay, just a new story I'm trying out, hope you enjoyed it :D

Shauna
xx