A/N: First thank you to everyone that followed, favorite, reviewed or looked at the story (and too the one that made me a favorite author). If I'm being honest I didn't think anyone would read it so it was a pleasant surprised to learn that people did. And I'm so sorry that it took so long to post a new chapter, I promise in the future I'll try not to take this long.
xGirl690x - Alex is defiantly flirty but you'll have to tell me if she's dangerous. I was going for someone that could take of herself.
Guest - For right now yes the story will follow the series mostly, but as the story continues it will have changes. Don't expect the big changes until season 3 though.
LuvinYouwasRed - You will forever hold a special place for being my first reviewer.
Don't forget to review ;) Oh and I think I fixed that boldness problem I had, if not I'll figure it out.
The next morning I wake up on my bedroom floor half undressed. I groan as my body moves slowly off the floor and get up to take a shower when Jeremy burst thru my door.
"Hey! Knock first what if I was naked."
After a pause Jer let's out a small chuckle. "Wouldn't bother me were not really family. Anyway I'm going to see Vicki so I'll meet you at school."
I nod my head at him as he leaves. I meander over to the bathroom and run the shower. As I take a moment for the water to get warm, my mind can't help but drift to what Jer said about me not being family. It stung more than I would like to admit to hear him say that, maybe it's because I've lived with him for awhile now that I started to see them like that. Dangerous territory right there.
After the rejuvenating shower I sneak out one of my drug bags and take out the coke I scored last night from Darren. Finally after snorting a few lines I start to feel like myself again, well I guess I should say the me that everyone sees - the wild party girl who cares about nothing but the next great thrill.
Heading out of my room after throwing on some heels, jeans, a deep V-neck blue tank and chunky bracelets, I see Elena coming out of her room when Jenna comes rushing out.
"Do I look adult? As in respectfully parental?" Jenna questions anxiously.
"Depends on where you're going." I said looking Jenna over.
"Jeremy's parent-teacher conference. Hair up or down?" Ah. So that's the reason for the panic.
Jenna puts her hair up. "Sexy stewardess." Jenna lets it down. "Boozy housewife." Elena's little fire is back.
Me and Jenna both stare at one another then turn to Elena. "Up it is. You're feisty today." Jenna states somewhat cautiously.
"Yeah is this all from Stefan's influence." I tease her.
"I feel good, which is rare. So I've decided to go with it. Fly free, walk on the sunshine, and all that stuff. Where is Jeremy?"
"He left early. Something about getting to wood shop early to finish a birdhouse." Jenna pauses. "There is no wood shop, is there?"
"No." Elena and I say together.
"Yeah." Jenna sighs somewhat sadly.
"He went to the hospital to see Vicki. Everyone can relax." I state as I make my way out of the house.
"He told you." Elena accused me.
"Yeah somehow I've become his sister." I grumbled as Lena rolled her eyes.
Boy does Lena have it bad for this guy. Our entire history class Elena and Stefan haven't looked away once from each other. If there was a ever a moment where you saw Cupid shoot his arrow, it was now. Too bad the moment was ruined by Tanner.
After class ended I escaped to skip the rest of the day where no one would expect to find me - the library - my hidden in plain sight sanctuary from all those around me. Receiving a text from Caroline to meet at the grill later I pondered the life I had created. Full of drug induced comas, binging on alcohol and romances with people that don't give a damn about me. I've fallen so far from the girl my mother had raised me to be. Could I ever go back to that girl or did she die years ago like I felt she had. Shaking my head from my dark thoughts I walked out and over to the grill.
"Well, I was talking to Grams, and she said the comet is a sign of impending doom. The last time it passed over Mystic Falls, there was lots of death. So much blood and carnage, it created a bed of paranormal activity." As Bonnie was talking my order of fries had finally come. Yeah munchies!
"Yeah, and then you poured Grams another shot and she told you about the aliens. So then what." Poor Bonnie being insulted by Caroline, the roll of my eyes could not be helped. She then turned her attention to Elena.
"So then nothing."
"You and Stefan talked all night? There was no sloppy first kiss or touchy feely of any kind?"
"Nope. We didn't go there."
"Not even a handshake? I mean, Elena, we are your friends. Ok? You are supposed to share the smut." Caroline's out for information as usual. And as usual everyone indulges.
"We just talked for hours." Elena said simply.
"OK, what is with the blockage? Just jump his bones already! Ok, it's easy. Boy likes girl, girl likes boy, sex!" Caroline exclaimed like that was what everybody should do, act like a some common whore.
"Profound." Elena replied sullenly.
I threw a french fry at Caroline who looked at me sharply. "If you want to take things slow you can." Elena gives me a small smile and nudges my shoulder before standing up.
"Where are you going?" Bonnie probes.
"Caroline's right. It is easy. If I sit here long enough, I'll end up talking myself out of it instead of doing what I started the day saying what I was going to do. Alex come on."
"But I just got my fries!" I whined. Lena started to leave so I stuffed my face and grabbed some to go, as Bonnie laughed at me.
Elena pulls up to the old Salvatore Boarding house that's practically as old as this town. Damn can this girl be anything else than a love struck puppy when it comes to Stefan. Elena tried ringing the bell to no answer, then knocks when the door swings open widely and starts to go inside. I grab her arm and turn her to face me. "Elena what are you doing you can't go in there." I exclaimed.
"Please Alex I know you've done worse than this."
"Yes I have but that's not the point. I wouldn't go breaking into a guy I have feelings for but refuse to admits house. Kinda sends the wrong impression don't you think." Elena just looks at me as if i've grown two heads and goes inside anyway. Great now I have to. Day could not get any worse.
Elena enters the house calling Stefan's name when we hear the door creek. We both turn back to look when this crow comes out of nowhere. I duck and turn when I bump into someone's chest. I slowly peek up and see the most outstanding blue eyes I've ever seen. They peer down at me in amusement and my cheeks blush furiously. Stepping back quickly I try to think of some excuse but all wit has left in this moment. Wonderful.
"I...I'm sorry for barging in. The door was...open." Elena at least has the decency to sound guilty when she talks. I look back to see the door closed. Strange it was open a moment ago.
Turning back to the man before me, I finally find my voice. "Yeah we're very sorry." I smile shyly and turn to Elena. "Come on we have to go." I stress at her but once she ignores me and continues to stand there.
"Nonsense. You must be the most stunning woman I've ever laid eyes on and … your Elena. I'm Damon, Stefan's brother." He replies while smirking and looking down at me, cocking his head to the side.
"He didn't tell me he had a brother." Elena says accusingly.
"Well, Stefan's not one to brag. Please, come. I'm sure Stefan will be along any second." Damon replied while leading us - mostly me - into the living room.
Whoa I thought this place would be that creepy decrepit house that no one goes near. My mistake because this house can't get any better was the only thing running thru my mind when entering the living room.
"Wow. This is your living room?" Looks like Elena read my thoughts. Bet there's a lot you can hawk in this place.
"Living room, parlor, Sotheby's auction. It's a little kitschy for my taste." I spot the alcohol.
"Do you mind?" I motion towards the decanter while asking Damon. He shakes his head and pours me a glass and hands it off while brushing his fingers against mine. I can't quite describe what I felt but it seemed to be electric. Damon looks at me with an odd look, like he felt it too.
Damon suddenly turned towards Elena. "I see why my brother's so smitten. It's about time. For a while there, I never thought he'd get over the last one. Nearly destroyed him."
"The last one?" She questioned.
"Yeah. Katherine, his girlfriend? Oh, you two haven't had the awkward exes conversation yet." Damon probed.
"Nope." Elena shifts uncomfortably as I sip my drink and take a look around.
"Oops. Well, I'm sure it'll come up now. Or maybe he didn't want to tell you because he didn't want you to think he was on the rebound. We all know how those relationships end." Well this douchebag just loved to torture his brother.
"You say it like every relationship is doomed to end." Elena stated.
I snorted. "What do you expect he's a first rate jackass." I half expected Damon to kick me out but his smirk only got bigger.
"I'm a fatalist and a jackass seems a little uncalled for, you could hurt a man's feelings with that." Damon moved so close to me we were only a few inches apart by this point. "Hello, Stefan." Stefan was here I didn't even hear him come in.
"Elena. Alex. I didn't know you were coming over." Stefan gazes intensely at his brother.
"I know. I should have called, I just…" Elena trails off sort of guiltily.
"Oh, don't be silly. You're both welcome anytime. Aren't they, Stefan?" Damon smoothly replied while never looking away from me. If he wasn't hot it would be a bit creepy. "You know, I should break out the family photo albums or some home movies. But...I have to warn you. He wasn't always such a looker." I can't help the roll of my eyes at his arrogance.
"Thank you for stopping by, Elena. Alex. Nice to see you."
"Yeah, we should probably go. It was nice to meet you, Damon." Elena replied politely.
"Great meeting you, too, Elena."
I finish off my drink and set the empty glass down. "See you around." I stated and started to walk around him when he pulled my hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of it - his eyes never leaving mine, not even a second. My heart skipped a beat.
I turn and notice that Stefan is blocking Elena's way as he stares at Damon and I. Quickly I yank my hand out of Damon's and move my feet to get out of this place. "Stefan...Stefan?" Stefan finally moves with Elena tailing me as we leave.
Talk about cutting the tension with a knife. Serious issues with those two that no one should get in the middle of that's for sure.
Back at the house Elena recounts our afternoon with the Salvatore boys to Jenna. Seeking advice perhaps. "He's on the rebound and has raging family issues." I can't help the eye roll that follows Elena's whine.
"You only heard one side Lena." I remind her.
"Well, at least it's an ex-girlfriend. Wait till you date a guy with mommy issues or cheating issues. Or amphetamine issues."
"Dated a lil bit of everyone haven't you." I couldn't help but tease Jenna. "Besides she's right mom issues are the worst, ain't no coming back from that." I cringe as Jeremy enters the house and Elena leaves to touch up for Stefan.
"Jeremy? Jeremy, where were you?"
"More stoner stories? Look, Jenna, I get it, you were cool. And so that's...that's cool." Jeremy is so damn nonchalant. He can't be that's my thing.
"Wait stoner stories and you never shared any with me, your resident junkie." I exclaimed.
"Oh, no, no, no!" Jenna shouts as she throws an apple at Jeremy. My cue to leave.
The next day at the town square Elena and Bonnie are stuck handing out flyers. They can do whatever drill sergeant Caroline wants but I'm not. I walk over to Jared and tell him I'm in for later. He's a goofing smiling guy who would do whatever I wanted if I asked. Not my style though. I mean sure I steal and con people, but I don't do it that to friends.
I head back over to the square catching the tail end of whatever conversation Elena and Bonnie were having when it seemed that Caroline came out of nowhere.
"Hey, I got some candles." Caroline replies in her typical perky voice and passes one to each of us. As soon as she hands me mine I practically run when I see Matt come over with Stefan not far behind. Shit storm will implode one day. I pocket the candle and walk between the crowds and find my marks. Bald man with nice watch, easy pickings.
After getting a sizeable score from the local town's people I head over to the grill, ordering my usual while placing a fifty in the palm of the bartenders hand. Buying off the bartenders just a part of the game I learned a long time ago.
"You know stealing, not very nice." I've only met him once and I would know that voice anywhere. I look over and see Damon sit next to me at the bar with a drink in hand.
"Well it's a good thing I never said I was a nice person." My drink is placed in front of me and I take gulp.
"Quite a score you managed. Indulge me, how did you manage to do it without anyone catching you. Besides me." His voice is literally like black silk that can make even a nun swoon.
"Simple really. It's all about distraction." I turned to face him. If he wants to know I'll make him an example. "Human behavior is rather predictable. If you look them in the eye they don't notice your hands." I hold up his wallet to which he smirks as he takes it back. "If your hand is here," I touch his right shoulder, "you take from here. See simple." I grin as I show him his ring and finish off my drink.
Damon's eyes widen over the fact that I got the best of him and snatches it back. "Okay I'll admit you're better than I thought. Buy you a drink."
"Sure...tomorrow." I give a flirty smile and walk away towards Elena. When I look behind me Damon had already left.
Matt, Elena, Tyler, Caroline, Bonnie and me are all sitting around having a good time when Jeremy walks over asking about Vicki. If that didn't ruin the buzz then Tyler and Jeremy arguing sure did. And if it could get worse it did when Elena heard the pill pusher comment. Shit.
"What's with the pill pusher?"
"Ask him. Or better yet Alex." Tyler sneers down at me.
"You wanna do this right now?"
"Are you dealing?" Elena starts to panic. Then she turns to me. Wonderful. "Why didn't you stop him?"
"Because it's not my place to!" I shouted.
"She's never gonna go for you." The smugness on Tyler's face speaks volumes to his ego.
"She already did. Over and over and over again." Oh god Jeremy shut the hell up.
"Yeah, right."
I tune everything out by that point. I hate being involved in drama and the town's founding families club just loves to have it. By the time I'm back to paying attention Elena's lecturing Jeremy. Again.
"Look, I'm sick of the tough love speech, Jer. It's clearly having no impact."
"You and Jenna, between the two of you. Enough already! Alex is the only one here not on me!" Jeremy's shouting by this point and dragged me into it. I groan.
"We can stop if you want. Send you to a therapist where you'll be forced to deal with it or to rehab where you'll sit in group and tell some stranger how you let your life fall apart. Or you could talk to me..." Elena seems to second guess herself but proceeds "or Alex at the least."
"I vote for none of the above."
Everyone is scrambling around like chickens without a head looking for Vicki. God damn moron running off. No one seems to know her enough that if she took something she probably went to the roof of the grill where no one would see her.
As I walk up the stairs I can hear some sort of commotion but I can't make it out. "What happened? Where am I? Oh, I ripped my stitches open. Ugh…" I can hear Vicki groaning as I open the door to the roof.
"You Okay?" Stefan asked. He found her, thank god.
"I took some pills, man. I'm good." She starts to laugh. It was then that I noticed Damon was up here too.
I turn my attention down to my friend, "You can't fucking be serious Vicki." I'm glaring at her as she sprawls out like a kid in the snow making an angel.
"Lex. You're here and don't judge it's mean. Especially considering you're worse than me." She pouts.
"I may be worse but I don't go around worrying people." I snarled at her. "Get up. I'm taking you back to Matt." I haul her arm over my shoulder and drag her out. "Thank you for finding her." Stefan nods and Damon just gives smirk with a little wave of his fingers as I leave with Vicki in tow.
Matt is thanking me profusely for finding Vicki, but I brush him off and tell him that he should be thanking Stefan. Back at the house we hear someone rummaging upstairs and find Jenna searching Jeremy's room.
"Jenna what are you doing?" I ask as I lean against the door frame.
"Being part of the hypocrite patrol." Jenna sighs, "I've become my worst nightmare. The authority figure who has to violate a 15-year-old's privacy. Jackpot. I see the hiding places haven't gotten any more creative." Not for new users at least.
"What brought this on?" Elena inquires.
"Your ass-hat of a history teacher shamed me good yesterday."
"So you've met Tanner, welcome to the club." I clap her shoulder.
"'Discover the impossible, Ms. Sommers.' Got it. Thanks. Like I didn't know I was screwing up."
"You're not screwing up, Aunt Jenna."
"Yes, I am. You know why? Because I'm not her. She made everything look so easy. You know, high school, marriage, having you. I can't do it. I'm gonna say or do the wrong thing, and he's gonna get worse, and it's gonna be my fault. It's impossible." Wow I never knew Jenna had an inferiority complex to her sister.
"This is just the fear talking. You're a little scared, that's all. We all are. I have to go do something. But are you going to be ok?" Jenna nods.
"Go get him tiger." Elena looks over at me and gives a smile before rushing out to see Stefan. I walk into the room to see Jenna still stewing. "You know Elena's right, things will get easier. And try not to worry about him. Jeremy's not me, he's not on a downward spiral you need to stress about and if he does get worse I'll fix it."
Jenna has tears in her eyes when she comes over to hug me. I stiffen not use to affection from outsiders. "Thank you Alex. When someone's at there worst you know what to say to make it seem like the world's not ending." I swear I saw a lightbulb shine over her head with whatever idea came to her mind. "You should be a shrink. I found your future career."
I laugh. "Sorry Jenna but I don't think they let criminals get degrees." I head up the stairs to my room and climb out the window to sit on the rooftop. Pulling a joint out, lighting and taking a long overdue drag out.
Everything will be fine with the Gilbert's. Jeremy needs to find a new girl, Jenna has to stop over-reacting over the little things and Elena's got Stefan now. It's about time to leave this place and go somewhere new I think. But a pair of brilliant blues pops into my head. Damn Salvatore.
Groaning I stand up and jump down off the roof to meet up with Jared and the rest of the stoner gang.