Part One

I loved to take walks. I enjoyed the lovely smells that the autumn weather brings. Naturally this is my favorite time of the year, other than the holiday season of course. I am strolling along the Mystic Falls Park sidewalk observing and savoring the wonderful scenery of this small Virginia town. "I should have brought Pilot along with me. He loves walks." I say aloud. My dog Pilot will be upset when I tell him what fun I had at the park today. I don't know why I did not bring him along with me. I wished he was here now; being alone sometimes makes me uncomfortable or distressed. I need some sort of living being with me. I had just moved here not a week ago, my grandparents offered me to take care of their art gallery here in Mystic Falls. The reason being was that they are retiring and are moving to the beach. I am just getting used to the small setting. I was currently living in the city and secluded towns such as this won't take time to open up to- I am very adaptable. Anyways, my cousins and their aunt live here and I have not seen them in two years. Not since their parents funeral. My grandparents were their great uncle and aunt.

"I hope Elena, Jenna and Jeremy are surprised with my sudden arrival- the little home Is, I think, five blocks away from their neighborhood from what I can remember." I spoke happily. I then look up to the beautiful cloud filled sky, sprinkled with the colorful leaves from once green trees. I you ever gave it any thought, when you notice the very common leaves begin to turn to the brilliant shades of red, yellow, orange and eventually brown, this ultimately means they are slowly dying sadly.

"At least their death is beautiful." I sigh smiling. I wonder then will I have a peaceful death like theirs? I believe everyone hopes and prays so. Enough about dying, It pains me to even think about it. I continue to wonder down the wooded path trying to rid my thoughts of death, but unfortunately a mysterious crow fluttered into my view. He then landed not far from a convenient bench. I then glance at my watch given to me on my 16th birthday seven years ago by my grandparents. It is a gorgeous watch passed down from many generations to now, me. "Eleven thirty? A nice rest wouldn't hurt." I speak to no one. However, the dark crow looked directly at me or in my direction I suppose. Then a natural feeling aroused in me that automatically made me smile at him. I walked his way toward the bench; he made no movement while I continued to eye him as I sat ever so gently down. I look up at the vibrant canopy above me and close my eyes, for a moment or so I hear only the swishing of wind and the rustling of leaves. The sweet and mute sounds were broken with the familiar sound of a "caw". Quickly I opened my brown eyes to still see the crow now beside me on the handle of the bench. I grin at him, "Well hello Corvus brachyrhynochos." I say to him, giving him his binomial name. The only reason why I know the Latin name of a crow is because a friend of mine was obsessed about birds and I happened to remember what a crow's Latin name was.

I had decided that I will try and talk to my new friend Corvus since I had no one else other than myself earlier. I watched him look at me so intensely that it almost made me think he was smirking. Others would think me absolutely insane, but nobody was here to see or even think that. I then remembered something about crows.

"I wonder why you are alone Corvus. I often see and hear you all together in a flock, or should I say a murder." I pause, "I also wonder why you crows are often thought of as bringing bad luck or most concerning and known, Death. Even a group of you is called a murder." He then takes a leap off the handle and by my side, taking many steps towards me. I don't move; just ponder while he comfortably takes his place beside me. I'm flattered by this birds' attraction towards me.

I then frown. I have always watched the world around me and gazed upon couples enjoy life, together. But I have my friends and family to take care of. There is no need for relationships. I never been in a serious relationship with another, why would I need or want one now? I am perfectly fine without... who am I trying to kid, myself? How pathetic you are Joanne. Again I close my tired eyes and lean back, shifting my weight and happy that the old metal bench that must have withstood so many storms and weary days is here to support me. Not many can say they will do the same for another, like this poor bench here.

It must have been fifteen minutes when I woke feeling a tap on my shoulder. I look over and see a masculine hand, then a strong arm. My eyes finally reach this man's face. "Oh my, this man is very good-looking." I think to myself. He stares at me with his florid blue eyes that I had only saw that kind of color in the clear waters of the Caribbean. But, those bright eyes seemed dark and mysterious somehow. His black raven-like hair complemented his defined square jaw. What amused me the most was his smirk that played on his lips, like he was born to only make that smirk and that smirk alone. I think again, "He is such a character." I think that merely because of him being draped in black clothing. His leather jacket and black boots portrayed him as the "bad-boy" character.

I then smile at the man. His response to my smile was him removing his cocky smirk to a friendlier smile. A genuine smile you would call it, from the lined curves around his cheeks and to his pearl teeth.

"Are you alright?" His voice slipped out of his mouth and into my ears.

"Oh, yes. Of course I am- I seemed to have dozed off. It was so nice I found it hard not to relax here." I politely smiled and looked down into my lap as I spoke. I turned my wrist to look at my watch, it read twelve sixteen. I look up to him seeing this man's full figure as he stood before me. He was normal in height and athletically built, he had a dark almost Grecian profile. I watched him begin to speak as he effortlessly walked in my direction.

I listened to his smooth voice say, "I agree, I think I will join you then."

He then took the vacant spot on the bench next to me. As he placed himself down he turned his head to look at me and I saw him open his mouth to talk again, but he stopped himself for some reason. Now he had shifted his body toward me, giving me the sign that he would like to have a conversation. Wishing to talk with him, I turned my body to face him as well. I smiled at him with ease.

Finally he spoke, "My name is Damon." He held out his hand out to mine. I gladly took it and firmly shook his hand. Though, when I had placed my hand in his I felt as if he were about to pull it toward him, like he were to kiss my knuckles. However, I took the given hand into my own and shook it vigorously and giggled as I watched his face make an expression of astonishment.

As I shook his strong hand I have my name, "I am Joanne. It is nice to meet you." I giggled again.

Damon smirked, "It is nice to meet you as well Joanne. I like your name by the way. It is very pretty and elegant. Quite like yourself." I was laughing at his comment and thought of him as quite the charmer. He must do this often; he seems to be well practiced with these sorts of "meetings".

I replied honestly, "My grandmother is more so, I was named after her. And your name Damon, I don't think I have ever met a Damon before."

"Well what can I say? I am one of a kind." Damon said cockily between his smirk and shrugged.

I laughed at that and marveled at his ego, "You seem to be the type of person who never finds themselves imperfect eh Mr. …?" I implied, there were no ways on me guessing his last name.

Damon grinned, "Salvatore, Damon Salvatore, Miss…?"

I lightly laughed, "Della, Joanne Della."

"Italian, am I correct?"

"Yes sir! I plan on traveling to Italy."

"When?"

"I'm not quite sure-" I paused and glanced into my lap once more and opened my clenched palms. I continued, "Most likely when I am too old will I be able to afford to do so."

I looked back at Damon's blue eyes as he furrowed his brows, "What do you mean, able to afford it? You should live your life to the fullest Joanne. Take my word for it. And I know that sounds a little cliché, but if you want to travel-travel."

"Oh, I know, but It would be unwise. I would ruin myself if I were to spend all that I have to use it on my behalf now. I plan to put that money to good use one day. And I do live my life Damon; In fact, I think it is already full."

"And what would be that good use? Please inform me." He grinned.

I gave him a questioning look and paused to think for just a moment, "Well, more schooling, family, future family, etcetera, etcetera. You know the everyday normal things." My poor explanation did not seem to satisfy him.

I asked, "What do you plan to do? You are young. Obviously you have your mind set on some things."

"Hmm, I do have a few. But none of which remotely resemble yours."

"How so?"

"Well, for starters, I am a selfish man and in being one, I only care for myself and do things for only my pleasure and amusement." Damon beamed.

I smirked at that, "I see, do you have a family with you Damon?"

He looked out beyond the orange-red woods and responded in a quiet voice, "A brother."

I looked at him shocked, only a brother? I unconsciously leaned closer to him because of the uneasiness on his face.

"Do you ever miss your family?" I meekly asked him, unsure of how he would react with me prying.

He turned to me with an almost angry expression. I backed myself away from his abrupt anger that aroused on his face because of me asking too many personal questions. I noticed my wrong actions and quickly frowned and pleaded, "Oh, I am sorry. I did not mean to make you angry. I will leave you be." With that I rose from the bench and was about to take a step when a cold breeze blew by me and watched as my long, thick dark brown hair blow with it. I gasped as I found Damon standing directly in front of me holding my arm, not allowing me to pass by him.

"No. You did no such thing." His voice was heavy and I could feel his hot breath on my cold face. I smiled, relief washed over me as I let out a deep breath. I was about to walk by Damon, but he had then gripped my arm a bit tighter. I had forgotten he had a hold on me.

"I was not angry at all. You, Joanne, you have to understand that I have never-" He stopped himself and quickly moved his head sharply as if he heard something. A look of annoy was placed on his face, but quickly suppressed it with his cocky smirk.

"It seems that there is someone looking for you Joanne. Your name is being called."

I turned my head in the direction Damon was looking and was skeptical, "Really? I hear nothing."

And that said he was gone, grip, beautiful eyes, and all. "That was odd." I said while looking around me, "Hmm, must be a fast runner." I smiled and looked down at my feet. Then looking back up to see a human figure waving a hand in the distance. A camouflage of yellows, reds, and oranges disguised this person. I faintly heard the deep voice of this person now jogging towards me. Finally I recognized the figure.

"Oh! Jeremy!" I yelled a loud and shook both arms in a huge wave. A big smile stuck on my lips as I began to run at him. Then we met at last and I pulled him into a big hug.