When Caroline pulls into the driveway, I can't help but smile.

"It looks just like I remember it." I pull open the door and climb out. I walk around the car and start towards the trunk. In a flash, Caroline beats me to it. She gives me a warm smile.

"I insist." Once again, she effortlessly pushes the trunk open. I reach in and grab my bag. We walk up the front drive.

"You're going to stay in the guest bedroom, because my bed is a lot bigger now and we couldn't fit a cot. Besides, you'll have your own bathroom, which is always a plus." Caroline grins over at me. "We are going to have so much fun. The Founder's Summer Kickoff is coming up, and as always, they're raising money for a cause. I'm on the planning committee- we're not totally sure yet, but I think that it's going to Mystic Falls Elementary. Anyway, it's in town square, and it's not as formal as most of the founder's parties. Usually, the teenagers drive down to the lake and swim. There's this awesome rope swing there, and I know how you love to swim."

"That sounds really fun! I think I packed a suit, I'll have to check."

We reach the front door and Caroline pulls the door open. I kick off my shoes and look around. Just like everything else in Mystic Falls, not much as changed- the same cozy smell, the same wooden furniture, and the same feeling of home. Only the pictures on the walls have changed.

Caroline bites her lip and calls hesitantly," Mom, we're home! I have Emma."

Aunt Liz calls back, "I'm in the kitchen."

I put down my stuff and run farther into the house. As I turn the corner, my aunt looks up and smiles.

"Emma! You're here!" She opens her arms for a hug and I rush into them.

"Hi, Aunt Liz!" My words are muffled by the fabric of her jacket. She lets me go and surveys me. "I know that you've probably been hearing this a lot, but you've gotten so tall!"

It's true. I'm almost taller than her now, so I can study her clearly. She's cut her blonde hair short, and she's definitely lost some weight. When I meet her eyes, I can see that they're tired and a bit wary.

"I got you a Welcome to Mystic Falls gift!" She reaches into her bag. I start to protest.

"You really didn't have to get me anything."

"I insist." She hands me a small black container. I open it and gasp.

"Aunt Liz, it's beautiful!" Inside lies a delicate silver bracelet. Chains link together and twinkling purple stones connect every few strands. In the middle of the necklace lies a clear container. Pressed inside of the container there is a purple flower. I slip it on immediately. It fits my wrist as if it was made for me. "Thank you so much! I'll never take it off!" She smiles and we meet eyes. As I keep looking, they suddenly grow tight and even a bit afraid.

I turn around. Caroline had crept into the room. She hovers on the threshold of the room and leans against the doorframe. When she speaks, her voice is tentative.

"Hi, Mom. I haven't seen you in a while. You always come home so late."

Aunt Liz positions herself behind the table. Her hand rests on the gun in her belt. Her voice is tight. "Work's been busy."

Caroline takes a step forward, her expression hopeful. "Maybe you, me, and Emma can sit down and catch up for a while."

Aunt Liz starts as if just remembering my existence. "Oh, Emma, I actually have to get back to work. I only came to grab something. I'm sorry, maybe some other time." She grabs her badge and rushes out the door before I can say goodbye. Bewildered, I spin and stare at Caroline.

"Car, what was that about? Is everything okay?"

She sighs and sits down in a chair. She rubs her temples. "Yeah, we've just been fighting. You know my mom- also mad about something." She props her head up on her hands. "Are you hungry? I can make you something."

I shake my head. "You look exhausted. I'll make some sandwiches."

"Thanks, Em."

I shrug. "No problem." I start looking around. I rely on my memory of the kitchen cabinets and gather materials.

"So I want to know all about you. How's life?"

I laugh. "It's been great." I tell her about my friends, school, and my soccer team as I bustle around the kitchen. Caroline wants to hear every mundane detail of my life. I'm filling her in on the last eight grade dance when it happens. I stand on my toes and open a cabinet that I remember holds the bread. I grope around with my fingers. However, instead of landing on the bread, my fingers find a small glass jar in the back on the cabinet. Puzzled, I pull it out and stare. The jar is full to the brim with the same delicate purple flowers that are on my bracelet. I pull one out and hold it up to the light. I turn and hold it up to Caroline.

"Caroline, what's this?" She looks up and her eyes widen. She rushes over and grabs the jar.

"It's nothing!" Caroline quickly places the jar back where it belongs and slams the cabinet door shut. "It's nothing to be worried about. Really."

I sigh. "Caroline, are you sure everything's okay? Why are you upset about the flowers? Your mother probably wants to make a bouquet or something."

She gives a high, false laugh. "I know. I guess I was just… upset that she didn't tell me! I'll talk to her later."

I want to tell her, I'm not stupid. I know that something is up, but how can I accuse my cousin of lying to me? She'd be so hurt, and if I was wrong, our relationship would suffer, so I close my mouth and turn away. I open the cabinet next to the flowers and find the bread.

"There it is." I lay out the supplies and start to make two sandwiches. I can't meet Caroline's eyes. The doorbell rings and Caroline stands.

"Wow, it's been busy. I'll get that." She rests her hand on mine. "Look, I'm so sorry about earlier."

"It's okay. You should probably get that."

She walks down the hall and I hear the sound of the door opening. I finish the sandwiches and dump them onto a paper plate. I make my way towards the voices in the front hall. As I approach, they become clearer. A familiar sounding female voice sounds out.

"We've got a new lead. There was an animal attack in Texas that sounds exactly like him. It's him, I can tell."

A bored-sounding male voice cuts in. "I told her I'd check it out, but it's nothing to get excited about, Barbie."

"Damon…" The girl warns. Caroline speaks up.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"He mentored you when you turned. I thought that you'd want to know."

This is making no sense. An animal attack that sounds like him? Who's him? And what does turned mean? Caroline replies as I step through the door.

"I do, but…" As if sensing my arrival, Caroline turns around and gestures to me. "Elena, Damon, meet Emma- my cousin."