Author Note: I hope you like this! (I apologise for the Mario and Luigi reference but they were Italian names - and i just couldn't resist!) Oh, and this story is a mix of the books and the TV show - the beginning is from the books, but bits of it might not be...

Chapter 1

"Alicia! The carriage is about to leave. Hurry up!"

"I'm coming, mother." I stood up, pulled myself together and glanced in my looking glass. Ever unperturbed, Alicia DiGrazio stared back at me from her bedchamber. Chocolate waves cascaded down her back, with a few wisps framing her oval face. Her deep green dress matched her forest eyes and the emerald pendant round her neck. She turned away, and I picked up my skirts to descended down the marble staircase. "Alicia, try to look more excited. Or at the very least, less miserable." Mother continued to criticise me all the way to the coach, but I tuned her out. The doubts that had been bugging me since the invitation finally became too much, so I had to voice them. "I haven't seen Stefan in years, are you sure it's fitting for me to turn up to his engagement celebration? What if Carlotta doesn't like me? Can Stefan and I still be friends even though he is engaged?" The worries tumbled out effortlessly, and I felt my porcelain forehead crinkle. "Don't frown like that – you'll only have permanent frown lines later." I sighed heavily and relaxed my face to shut her up. However, the knot in my stomach refused to relax. "If it were not fitting, Giuseppe Salvatore wouldn't have invited us, and whilst your 'friendship' with the young Mr Salvatore may not last, we will find you a husband and you will forget all about him." Mrs DiGrazio said, attempting to be reassuring.

"Mother, I'm sixteen, and-"

"Stefan is sixteen too. As is Carlotta."

"I know, but I don't want to marry yet-"

"Don't be ridiculous! We're only looking for suitors – you can't marry until your sister has."

"I know that too, mother, but-"

"This is just silly now, I know you were romantically interested in him, but you missed your chance." My jaw dropped. "Romantically interested in him! Romantically interested in him! Mother, he was always a friend. Just a friend! How could you suggest something like that!" Just as I finished my rant, I felt her hand strike me across the cheek, leaving a pink handprint as evidence. Despite the fact Mother often becomes frustrated with me, she had never slapped me! I was in shock.

The coachman opened up the door, and my fuming mother stalked in. Arianna, her second youngest and, save for moi, her only unmarried daughter, followed her. Squishing myself next to Arianna's canary yellow puffy gown, I spent the rest of the carriage trip in silence, with my head down.

After what was only fifteen minutes, but felt like forever, the coach pulled to a halt outside the Salvatore mansion. It was already crowded with many townsfolk – but what had I expected? Mother always demands we arrive 'fashionably late' (but bugs me about my 'tardiness' non-stop.) Mr Coachman – I didn't know his name – unbolted the door of my silent prison and I stepped out to a few 'ooh's from the guests. A woman came up to me and asked, "Are you Alicia DiGrazio? My, how you've grown!"

"Uh, yes ma'am." I replied, involuntarily glancing at my mother for approval. She nodded her head once, her expression remaining stony. The busybody woman threw another question at me. "How many years has it been now? Six? Seven?"

"Um, only five ma'am."

"I see you have learnt some manners, young lady. I must speak to your mother and find out which school you attended." And with that, she strode off, to irritate my already aggravated mother. I silently wished her luck, and made my way to the doors, where the guard checked my invitation. He looked it over and handed it back to me, saying, "You look beautiful tonight, miss. Enjoy your evening, miss." I hoped he was told to say that, and not being a little too friendly.

Immediately on edge, I pulled my gown upwards a little, and tried to pull my chest in. I had no such luck. It seems, only your stomach can be pulled in, but my corset was already doing a good job of that. Too good a job. Feeling a little dizzy, I stumbled over to a pillar, and tried to breathe evenly. A couple of minutes passed, and I felt as if I could walk without collapsing. I took a deep breath for good luck, and entered the ballroom.

The dazzling light from the gilded chandeliers hit me the instant I walked in. Brightly coloured drapes and wall decorations hung from every available surface, and the ice sculptures glistened in the overwhelming light. Giuseppe really had gone to town.

My throat prickled a little, so I carefully picked my way across the room, trying not to step on anyone's dress. The drinks table was covered in shimmering champagne glasses; I selected one near the front so I wouldn't spill them all with my clumsy arm. I gingerly sipped at mine, not sure if I would like it, but my taste buds exploded at the sweetness of the sparkling wine. My brow furrowed once more, as I believed that champagne would be bitter rather than sweet. But what did I know. Or maybe Giuseppe had the servants put extra sugar in to show off his wealth. At this rate, he'll have no money left for Stefan's wedding – let alone Damon's! Speaking of which, I haven't seen either of them...

A boy who introduced himself as Mario Di...something... chattered to me as I looked around the room for either of the Salvatore brothers. "Alicia?" he asked, frowning at me. Damn, I think he asked me something. What do I say? "Erm... I'm terribly sorry Mario, but could you repeat that?" He raised his eyebrows. "I was lost in your... dreamy eyes." It sounded more like a question, even to me. "I said would you like to dance? Miss DiGrazio." He added as an afterthought. No I don't, thank you very much Mister Mario DiSomething. But my stupid mouth garbled out, "I would be honoured." And my stupid knees bent into a curtsey. The boy smiled, a little forced, I thought, and kissed my hand. I trotted after him onto the dancefloor and he whirled me around a couple of times. He glanced over my shoulder, at another girl to dance with, I hoped, and whispered, "Your mother is watching us."

"Oh, great." I let slip. Me and my big mouth. He looked bewildered, poor thing. "Is that a problem Miss Alicia – if I may have the honour of calling you that?" Oh dear God! This boy was fawning over me, and Mother was watching, and then she would force us to 'court' as she put it, then get married, and then have children and... I stumbled backwards and Mario caught me and took me to sit down at a table. "M-miss Alicia, are you feeling alright?"

"I'm just feeling a little faint; I'll be fine in a minute or so."

"Are you sure miss, you look quite ill... I'll go fetch your mother." He was too nice and caring.

"NO! I'm fine." Mario looked shocked at my outburst. Maybe that was a little unladylike – fat lot of good finishing school did for me. "I mean, that's not necessary. Perhaps you could get me another drink?" I amended hesitantly. "Of course, Miss Alicia." He seemed as nervous as I did. Poor boy. Unfortunately, I had a way of intimidating boys – probably from spending my childhood with a couple of them.

Mario disappeared into the crowds and I breathed a sigh of relief. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing to help me relax.

"I see you met my brother." A slightly amused voice jerked me out of my reverie. I opened my eyes to find chocolate brown ones staring back at me. He stuck his hand out and then grabbed mine when I didn't reach out. Pulling me up, roughly, I might add, he smirked and growled, "I'm Luigi Russo." I stared at him for a minute. "Mario's brother. You were dancing with him, poor darling." He was beginning to creep me out. "I'd much rather be dancing with him, Mister Russo." I injected as much venom as I could into the last two words. So I suppose Mario's surname was Russo, then... Not DiSomething... That's my concentration for you, though... I narrowed my eyes, yanked my hand out of his vice-like grip, and stalked away.

I heard footsteps behind me and saw Mario following me with a champagne glass. Damn! As much as I'd rather be with him than his slimy brother, I'd still rather be alone. I dodged in front of a white puff of net and prayed he hadn't seen me. I snuck a glance over my shoulder and saw him walk straight by me. I sauntered off and went to chat to Arianna.