02; Pilot | Part Two

After school, Marissa laid across her bed on her stomach as she began to work on her homework. She couldn't believe some of her teachers had already assigned homework on the first day of school.

Marissa was concentrating so hard on the math problem she was working on, she didn't hear anyone enter the house until Caroline walked into her bedroom.

"Hey, sis, I was surprised to see you weren't at the Grill after school," Caroline said, coming into the room and sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Yeah, I decided to come home and get started on homework," Marissa explained.

"Since when do you care about homework?" Caroline asked with a laugh.

"I don't," Marissa answered with a laugh of her own. Sitting up on the bed, she added, "But I was hoping if I finished it, you would let me go with you to the party."

"What party?" Caroline asked, playing dumb.

"Oh, come on, Care, I know there's always a back to school party at the falls."

"Oh, right, that party," Caroline joked.

"So can I go this year?" Marissa asked with a hopeful smile on her face.

"I don't know," Caroline said, pretending to think about it.

"Please, Care, please," Marissa begged as she poked out her bottom lip.

"Okay, fine, you can go," Caroline said laughing. "But I get to pick out what you wear because if you're going to be seen with me, then you have to look hot."

"Alright deal," Marissa said laughing.

Caroline stood up from the bed, then walked over to the closet. She turned around and said, "But there will be no drinking, no wandering off and no making out with boys."

Marissa rolled her eyes, then said, "Fine, besides the only boy I'll be around is Jeremy."

"Like I said though, no making out," Caroline warned.

"Of course I won't make out with Jeremy, he's my best friend," Marissa said laughing.

"Yeah, but he's a boy and I've noticed the way he looks at you," Caroline added.

"What are you talking about? What way does he look at me?" Marissa asked confused.

"That boy is in love with you, Rissa."

"Jeremy? Jeremy is in love with me?" Marissa asked, then began to laugh. "That's crazy, Care, he just sees me as a friend. Besides he's all into Vicki."

"Because he can't have you," Caroline pointed out.

"You're crazy and have no idea what you're talking about," Marissa said.

"Fine, don't believe me." Caroline laughed as she held up her hands. "But you'll see one day."

"Just pick out my clothes so I can finish this and we can go," Marissa said as she laughed and throw a pillow at her sister.

Caroline caught the pillow, then threw it back with a laugh of her own before turning to walk into the closet.

She and everyone else knew Marissa and Jeremy would hook up one day, they were just waiting until it happened, but it was going to be a long time unless Marissa could finally see what was right in front of her.

•••

"Okay, remember what I told you, no drinking, no making out, no-"

"I know, I know, Care," Marissa said, interrupted Caroline as they walked toward the party that was already in full swing.

She slipped on the fitted blue jean jacket on top of the dark grey flowy tank top Caroline picked out for her. The tank top ended a few inches below a pair of dark blue jeans she was wearing.

"Oh, there's the new guy Stefan Salvatore. Isn't he so hot?" Caroline said when she noticed Stefan standing off to the side.

Marissa laughed at her sister, then said, "I told Bonnie you would go after him."

"That's because you know me too well," Caroline said laughing. "Alright little sis, pay attention, this is how you get the man you want."

Marissa laughed again as she watched Caroline approach Stefan and do all of her little flirty moves. She watched for a few more minutes before growing bored and walking toward Bonnie and Elena, who was talking and laughing with each other.

"Hey," Marissa called out as she stood beside the two girls.

"Hey! Caroline finally let you come to the party I see," Bonnie said smiling.

"Yep," Marissa said smiling.

"Good, maybe you can help me keep an eye on Jeremy," Elena said to the younger girl.

"Where is he anyway?" Marissa asked as she glanced around at all the people but not seeing him.

"He's around somewhere," Elena answered.

"Well, I'll find him later," Marissa said, then asked, "So what are we talking about? What's the latest gossip?"

"We were talking about how Elena is crushing on the new guy," Bonnie answered.

"I do not have a crush on him," Elena added.

"Yeah, you do," Bonnie said laughing, then asked, "So where is he?"

"I don't know. You tell me, you're the psychic one," Elena joked.

"You're psychic?" Marissa asked Bonnie with a surprised look on her face. Before the dark headed girl could answer, she looked at Elena and added, "Oh and Stefan is over there, Caroline has her hooks into him."

"Why am I not surprised," Elena joked.

"Hey, you were right," Bonnie said to Marissa as she remembered their conversation earlier that day at school. "Maybe you're the psychic one," she joked.

"Maybe." Marissa laughed, then added seriously, "No I just know how my sister is."

"We all know how Caroline is," Elena said with a laugh, causing the two other girls to laugh out loud too.

"So since you are psychic, tell me about my future," Marissa said to Bonnie. She had always been interested in psychics, she always watched any television show or movie about them and she thought it was pretty cool that one of her friends was one.

"Even I know what your future is and I'm not even psychic," Elena said to Marissa.

"What? What's my future then 'Oh Great Elena'," Marissa joked.

"You're going to marry Jeremy, have a house full of kids, then you two will grow old together," Elena answered. She, like Caroline, couldn't wait until the day her little brother and Marissa got together. She knew they would be perfect for each other.

"Oh, man, what is with all of you?" Marissa groaned.

"Sorry, Rissa, but I agree," Bonnie said. "We're all just waiting for the day."

"Yep, we have all placed our bets," Elena joked.

"You all do realize me and Jeremy are just friends, right?" Marissa asked.

"So, lots of relationships start as friends then go to more," Bonnie pointed out.

"Yeah, but, Jeremy sees me as the girl who use to climb trees and make mud pies with him," Marissa said. "He sees me as a friend, someone who has always been there for him, the person who will always be there for him; not a girlfriend."

"If that's what you think," Elena said with a secret smile. She knew Jeremy saw her as more, he never said the words, but Elena knew what her brother really thought of the beautiful blonde standing in front of her.

"It's what I know, so can we change the subject now?" Marissa asked, then added, "Bonnie tell Elena her future."

"Okay, so give me a sec. Grams says I have to concentrate," Bonnie said.

"Wait, you need a crystal ball," Elena joked as she leaned down to pick up an empty beer bottle.

As Elena handed the bottle to Bonnie, their hands touched, causing Bonnie to gasp in surprise and drop the bottle to the ground.

"What's wrong, Bonnie?" Marissa asked concern.

Bonnie ignored the younger girl's question as she looked at Elena and said, "That was weird. When I touched you, I saw a crow."

"What?" Elena asked.

"A crow. There was fog, a man," Bonnie said, then she shook her head and added, "I'm drunk. It's the drinking. There's nothing psychic about it. Yeah? Okay, I'm gonna get a refill."

Before Marissa or Elena could say anything, Bonnie ran off leaving the two alone. Elena turned to go check on Bonnie but instead ran into Stefan.

"Hi," Stefan said, looking at Elena.

"Hi," Elena said back.

"I'm gonna go find Jeremy. See ya," Marissa said, realizing they wanted to be alone.

Marissa walked away from the smiling couple and made her way through groups of people until she made it to the edge of the woods where Jeremy was standing alone drinking from a plastic cup.

"Hey," Marissa said to him as she stood beside him.

"Hey," Jeremy mumbled back.

"Are you still mad at me?" Marissa asked him quietly, she was hoping he forgave her for what she said about Vicki at school.

"What? No, I'm not mad at you," Jeremy said, looking at her. He threw an arm around her shoulder and hugged her close to him as he added, "I could never be mad at you."

"Good." Marissa smiled as she threw an arm around him and hugged him back. "So what's wrong then? You look upset."

Jeremy sighed, then said, "I just caught Tyler trying to force himself on Vicki in the woods."

"What? That's crazy," Marissa said shocked.

"Yeah, Tyler is a real gentleman," Jeremy said sarcastically. Turning to look at her, he asked, "Now tell me, why do you like that jerk again?"

"Jer, don't start," Marissa said with a sigh, then asked, "So what happened after?"

"I was just trying to help Vicki out, but she got pissed and we fought," Jeremy answered.

"Ugh, that girl is nothing but trouble. I really wished you would stay away from her," Marissa said.

"She's not that bad," Jeremy tried to argue.

"Yes she is, she's going nowhere and she's taking you with her," Marissa argued back.

Jeremy didn't say anything as he took a sip from his cup, the last thing he wanted to do was argue with Marissa again.

"What are you drinking?" Marissa asked as she took the cup from his hands.

"Beer," Jeremy answered, then said, "You can have some if you want."

"Thanks, just don't tell Caroline," Marissa said, taking a big swallow of beer from the cup. She wasn't a big drinker, but occasionally she liked to have a drink and what better time to drink than at a party.

"Don't worry, Ris, your secret is safe with me." Jeremy smiled as he looked at her.

"What? Why are you staring at me?" Marissa asked as he continued to stare at her.

"No reason," Jeremy said. "Just you look great tonight and earlier today at school too."

"Thanks, Jer," Marissa said smiling. She playfully punched his shoulder and added, "Now quit staring at me, you're being creepy."

Jeremy laughed as he grabbed the cup out of her hand and took a sip before glancing around at the party. He rolled his eyes when he saw Tyler standing around with his buddies joking around, then he became concerned when he didn't see Vicki anywhere.

"What is it?" Marissa asked when she saw the look on his face.

"I don't see Vicki," Jeremy answered.

"So? Maybe she went home," Marissa suggested.

"Or maybe she's still in the woods," Jeremy pointed out, then said, "I'm going to go look for her."

"Jeremy don't, it's dark out there and you could get hurt," Marissa said, hoping to change his mind.

"Just stay here and I'll be right back," Jeremy said to her.

"There is no way in hell I'm letting you go out there alone. I'm coming with you," Marissa said as she began to follow him.

Jeremy wanted to argue with her but knew there was no point in it. Once Marissa set her mind on something, there was no talking her out of it.

"Alright fine, but just hold my hand so I don't lose you," Jeremy said as he reached out and grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers

As he and Marissa walked into the woods, Jeremy fought the urge to roll his eyes, when he heard Elena following them and calling out their names.

"Jeremy, where the hell are you and Rissa going?"

"I don't want to hear it right now," Jeremy called out as he and Marissa walked further into the woods.

"Yeah, well, too bad," Elena said back as she followed along behind them.

Marissa turned her head to tell Elena they were looking for Vicki, when she tripped on something, pulling her away from Jeremy. He tried to grab her but was too late as she fell hard on the ground, hitting her forehead on a hard rock but thankfully it didn't cause her to black out.

"Rissa, are you okay?" Jeremy said as he and Elena ran to her.

"Yeah, I just tripped on something," Marissa said, sitting up and looking at Jeremy and Elena.

"Here, grab my hand. We'll help you up," Jeremy said as he and Elena helped her up off the ground.

Once Marissa was standing up on her feet, she glanced down at the ground to see what she tripped on, she gasped in surprise when she realized it was a body.

Jeremy, seeing her reaction, looked down and called out, "Vicki? Oh, my god, it's Vicki."

"Oh, my god," Elena said, placing a hand over her mouth in shock.

"She's bleeding," Marissa gasped when she saw the wound on her neck.

"You're bleeding too," Jeremy said, looking at her forehead. "Are you okay?" he asked with a concerned look.

Marissa nodded to answer, as Elena said, "Jeremy, grab Vicki. We need to get her help."

As much as Jeremy wanted to tend to Marissa first, he could tell that Vicki needed help more. He leaned down and picked up Vicki to carry her out of the woods with Marissa and Elena following along behind him.

Once they made it back to the party, Jeremy laid Vicki down on a table as Elena called out, "Somebody help."

"Vicki? Vicki, what the hell?" Matt called out as he raced to his sister's side.

"What happened to you two?" Tyler asked as he glanced at Marissa, then looked down at Vicki.

"Somebody, call an ambulance," Matt said, hoping someone standing around would quickly call for help.

"It's her neck. Something bit her. She's losing a lot of blood," Elena explained.

"Here put this on it," Marissa said, removing her jean jacket and handing it to Matt.

"Thanks," Matt mumbled. He grabbed the jacket and placed it against Vicki's neck as he said, "Vicki, Vicki, come on, open your eyes, look at me."

While Matt was trying to wake up Vicki, Tyler looked over at Marissa and asked, "So what happened to you?"

"I tripped on Vicki and hit my head," Marissa explained.

"That looks like a nasty cut. Does it hurt?" Tyler asked as he brushed a finger against her forehead near the cut.

Marissa hissed in pain, then said, "Yeah a little."

"What the hell are you doing?" Jeremy asked Tyler as he walked up to him and Marissa.

"I'm just checking on her, Gilbert," Tyler answered.

"It's a cut, it hurts, so stop touching her," Jeremy warned as he grabbed Marissa's hand and pulled her toward him.

"It's okay, Jer," Marissa said quietly.

Jeremy glanced over at the ambulance that just pulled up, then looked at Marissa and said, "Come on, let's get you checked out."

Jeremy had only taken a few steps when Tyler grabbed his arm and said quietly to him, "The last time I checked, Rissa isn't yours, she's free for anyone to take."

"Stay the hell away from Rissa," Jeremy hissed back before he began to walk again, pulling Marissa along behind him.

A few minutes later, Marissa was sitting on top of a table with Jeremy sitting beside her as a paramedic checked, cleaned and bandage up the cut. Thankfully the cut wouldn't need stitches, she would just have to keep it bandaged until it healed. Once the paramedic was done, he walked off, leaving Marissa and Jeremy alone.

Jeremy threw an arm around her shoulder, then sighed as he said, "I'm so glad you're okay."

"Me too," Marissa mumbled as she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. After all the excitement she was suddenly feeling tired.

Jeremy listened to her steady breathing as she slowly began to fall asleep, he kissed the top of her head and moved the arm that was on her shoulder down to her back to wrap his arm around her waist and pull her body closer to his.

Before she could fall fully asleep though, Caroline ran up and cried, "Oh, my God, Rissa, what happened?"

Marissa opened her eyes and raised her head to look at her sister, before saying, "It's okay, Care, I'm fine."

Caroline leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Marissa. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm okay," Marissa answered, then added, "How's Vicki?" Even though Vicki wasn't her favorite person, she still wouldn't wish anything bad on her.

"She's lost a lot of blood, but they are taking her to the hospital and she should be okay," Caroline answered.

Marissa and Jeremy both released the breath they were holding, they were thankful she would be okay. They knew things could have turned out worse.

"We better get out of here before Mom shows up," Caroline said. "If she catches me drunk, she'll be pissed."

"I can walk her home," Jeremy suggested, he wasn't ready to let Marissa out of his sight.

"Thanks, Jeremy, but Elena is looking for you and she's pretty freaked out," Caroline said. "You should probably go with her."

"Alright," Jeremy said with a sigh. As much as he didn't want to leave Marissa, he knew he better go with Elena, he wasn't in the mood for another fight with her.

Jeremy stood up from the table, then turned to look at Marissa before saying, "I'll call and check on you later, okay?"

"Okay," Marissa said.

After telling each other bye, Jeremy walked off to find his sister, leaving the Forbes sisters alone.

"It's so cute how overprotective he is of you," Caroline said with a giggle.

"Don't start, Care," Marissa said as she slowly stood up from the table.

"Sorry," Caroline said, throwing an arm around her sister's shoulder. "Hey, let's go to the Grill for a bit. I need coffee and lots of it."

"But I'm tired," Marissa whined.

"I know, but I'm drunk and need to sober up quick," Caroline pointed out. "I'll let you drive us there," she added, hoping to tempt her.

"Sweet, I'm in," Marissa said smiling.

Minutes later, Marissa and Caroline sat across from each other in a booth at the Grill. A glass of soda in front of Marissa and a cup of coffee in front of Caroline.

"Are you sober yet?" Marissa asked Caroline, who had her elbows on the table and her head resting in her hands.

"No," Caroline mumbled.

"Well keep drinking because we have to get home," Marissa said, pushing the cup of coffee toward her. "Why did you get so drunk anyway?"

"Stefan," Caroline answered, her tone sad as she dropped her arms on to the table and raised her head to look at Marissa.

"What happened, Care? When I left it looked like you two were getting along?" Marissa asked.

Caroline shook her head, then said, "He didn't go for me. Why didn't he go for me?"

Before Marissa could answer, Caroline added, "I'm inappropriate. I always say the wrong thing. And Elena always says the right thing. She doesn't even try, and he just picks her. And she's always the one that everyone picks, for everything. And I try so hard, and I'm never the one."

Marissa leaned forward and laid her hand on top of Caroline's hand, before saying, "That's not true, Care. You're beautiful, smart, funny and lots of guys are just hoping for a chance with you. Any guy would feel like the luckiest man in the world to be with you."

Caroline sniffed and wiped away a tear from her cheek. "You have to say that, you're my sister."

"That's right, I am your sister and don't forget, us Forbes sisters are the hottest chicks around," Marissa stated. "We break hearts, we don't get our hearts broken, remember?"

Caroline couldn't help but laugh as Marissa repeated to her what she had always told her. Caroline had always told her, they were Forbes, they were strong and no man could hurt them unless they allowed it to happen.

"Thanks, Rissa," Caroline said with a grateful smile.

"No problem, sis. Now let's get home before Mom does or she'll freak out," Marissa said.

"She's already going to freak anyways when she sees the bandage on your forehead," Caroline said. "Then she'll totally blame me for it."

"No, she won't. I'll tell her the truth, it was my fault," Marissa said.

"Yeah, but I should have been watching you instead of wasting my time with Stefan," Caroline pointed out.

"Don't do that, don't blame yourself," Marissa said. She stood up from the booth and sat down beside Caroline. "It was a party, we had no way of knowing anything like that would happen."

Caroline turned in her seat and wrapped her arms around Marissa. "I'm just glad you're okay."

"Me too and don't worry you'll be okay too," Marissa said, hugging her sister tight.

"I think you might be right," Caroline said as she saw a cute guy with the bluest eyes she had ever seen sitting across from them at a table. He smiled at her and she smiled back at him over Marissa's shoulder.

Marissa ended the hug, then glanced at the guy Caroline was looking at. She couldn't help but laugh, she should have known it wouldn't take Caroline long to move on.

•••

Close to an hour later, Marissa walked into her bedroom ready for bed. Luckily when she and a sober Caroline returned home, their mother still wasn't home yet. Which was good since Marissa wasn't in the mood to hear her yell about them breaking curfew.

Marissa pulled back the comforter but before she could lay down, she heard her cell phone; which was on the table beside the bed, begin to ring. She picked up the phone and smiled when she saw it was Jeremy calling.

"Hey," Marissa said, answering the call.

"Hey, did you finally make it home okay?" Jeremy asked.

"Yeah, we got home a little bit ago and now I'm about to go to sleep. I am beyond exhausted," Marissa said, sitting down on the edge of her bed.

"Is your head feeling okay?" Jeremy asked concern.

"It's okay, I just have a bit of a headache," Marissa answered. "Have you heard any news about Vicki?"

"Matt called earlier and said she's resting and the doctors say she will be okay. I plan to go check on her in the morning before school," Jeremy answered.

"That's good," Marissa said, even though she didn't like Jeremy being around Vicki, she could understand why he would want to check on her.

"Are you sure you'll be okay tonight? I can sneak out and bring some mint chocolate chip ice cream," Jeremy suggested.

Marissa smiled, any time she had been sick or upset, Jeremy had always brought her favorite ice cream; mint chocolate chip. They would sit in her bed and eat the whole pint of ice cream together before laying down and falling asleep. She could always count on Jeremy to make her feel better, no matter what.

"As good as that sounds, I really just want to sleep, but we'll do it tomorrow," Marissa said.

"Alright, it's a plan," Jeremy said. "I'll let you get some sleep and I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay, night, Jer."

"Night, Ris."

Marissa continued to smile as she ended the call, she sat the phone back down on the table, then stood up from the bed. She glanced over at the bedroom window when she heard a noise outside.

She walked closer to the window and looked outside, then gasped in surprise when she saw a black crow sitting on a tree branch near her window.

Marissa stared at it for a few seconds, hoping it would fly away, but when it didn't she quickly shut the black curtains before making her way back over to her bed.

She laid down and shut her eyes as she waited to fall asleep which wouldn't come, she couldn't help but feel like someone was watching her.

•••

A/N; Thank you to everyone reading and/or adding the story. Also big thanks to KyroxIsxSmexy, ArtemisLuna85 and DamnWhoopsIMeantDamon for reviewing the first chapter.

Happy reading!
xx