The drive to Mystic Falls was shorter than I expected. The scenery was nice but the town itself is just. WOW. What can I say? It was rustic chic and such a small community I know I'm going to stick out. I decided to park my car near the town square and grab a bit to eat. "The Mystic Grill" seems to be the local watering hole but inside it seems home-y. I grab my purse and make my way inside the grill. Pool tables and a bar make it more of a pub then an upscale restaurant like local ads suggested. Quickly spotting the restrooms, I walk towards them hoping to wash my hands before eating. A young man, no older than 20, wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans stops in front of me.
"Hello Ma'am. My name is Matt. I'll be the server tonight. Once you grab a table, I'll bring you a menu. Is that ok?" His soft baby blue eyes were gentle but he had dark shadows under his eyes like he had not slept. I quickly realized I was staring at him and blushed softly.
"Ok. Thank you Matt. I'll grab a table after I wash my hands." I politely excuse myself and walk into the ladies room.
Inside the bathroom I grab the biggest empty stall and take out my baby wipes from my purse. I wipe down my arms, legs and face. Thankfully fall time in this town is not to cold and I can still feel comfortable in my blue jean shorts and soft pink t-shirt. I begin to finish cleaning my face when I hear another girl enter the bathroom. Peeping between the stall doors I realize its two girls not one. One girl has blonde hair and is chatting away about a beauty pageant. The other is a brunette and looks disinterested as her friend continues to talk without seeming to take a breath. I step out of my stall and walk to the sink and start to wash my hands.
"Oh. Hi there! Are you new to town or passing through?" The blonde girl asked excitedly when she spots me. I grab a paper towel and smile softly.
"I'm just visiting the town for research purposes. I'll only be here for a few weeks so I guess I could say both." Technically I'm not lying. I do write in my journal after all. The brunette looks at me and raises an eyebrow.
"A book? You? You barely look older than us." Her tone seems condescending and dismissive but I laugh lightly not taking offense. I know I don't look my age.
"I'm 28 years old but I know I don't look it." I smile softly. The girl's mouths open wide then close.
"WOW. OH MY GOSH! I wish I look as good as you when I am that old! I'm not saying you are old by the way. Oh my gosh! Has anyone shown you around town yet?" The flurry of questions come at me at lightning speed from the blonde.
"No. I literally just got here."
"OH! Well how about you eat lunch with us and we can tell you a bit about the history!" The blonde smiles wide and I mick her smile.
"Sure. I would like that. My name is Buffy by the way. Buffy Summers." Shaking hands I realize that the brunette is looking at me intently.
"Summers? My Aunt Jenna's last name is Summers. Any relation?"
"Really? My dad has sisters but I've never met them before. I can't recall their names for the life of me though. I would really like to meet your Aunt! It would be interesting if she turned out to be my aunt to." I muse at the thought. I definitely think I should call Giles and have him check into my aunts now.
"I can arrange that. She's at the bar right now actually. Oh. I'm Elena Gilbert and this is Caroline Forbes." We made our way out of the bathroom as Caroline began to chat about the town history. We decided to sit at the booth closest to the stairs and pool tables. We placed our orders with Matt, who turned out to be Caroline's boyfriend. Afterwards Elena got up and brought a young woman over. The woman had dirty blonde hair and green eyes very similar to my own.
"Hi. I'm Jenna Summers. Elena here says we might be related?" She struck out her hand and I shock it gently.
"Maybe. Ha-ha do you know a Hank Summers? Winner of the deadbeat dad award of 1997 and still the reigning champ?"
Surprise lights Jenna's eyes as she takes another look at me. "Oh my god! Wait! Are you Dawn or Buffy?"
Jumping up I grab Jenna's shoulders and pull her into a tight hug. "I cannot believe I finally met you! How's your sister? Miranda right?" Her name finally surging into my mind. I noticed Elena stiffen and Jenna looked as though she was going to cry as I released her. I know that look far to well. "Jenna? When did she die?" I ask quietly. For the next 30 minutes Elena and Jenna trade stories and memories of the one aunt my father never let me meet. The pair were starting to smile again when a strange look came across Elena and Caroline's face. Turning around in my seat to follow their line of sight I noticed they were staring at a man.
He was clad in a black leather jacket, a black shirt, black jeans, and black shoes. Oh great. I James Dean wannabe. His hair was black and thanks to slayer eyesight I noticed he had striking blue eyes and a ring on his finger. He nodded towards us and looking back I noticed Elena and Caroline both scoff at him. "Uhhh guys? Is everything ok?" Pulling them out of their trance the two debated on who should speak first silently.
"Yeah, it's just neither of us are really found of Damon." Caroline said as she sipped her tea.
"You mean Mr. Talk-dark-and-totally-giving-off-weird-signals?" I quipped. I was getting weird signals from him. Using my slayer senses I zeroed in on this 'Damon' as Caroline had called him. It was sunny out so he couldn't be a vampire but he defiantly gave of a "more than human" vibe.
"Yeah. His my boyfriend's brother and he is a conceded jacksass." Elena alleged with a smirk. Jenna and I both giggled softly as Elena and Caroline decided to plot his demise together.
I sat and enjoyed their company for a few more minutes when I realized I still need to grab a hotel. Before excusing myself I grabbed their phone numbers and asked about the local hotels. Jenna mentioned a bed and breakfast up the street ran by a family called the "Fells". I waved goodbye and then walked out the door. The sun was beginning to set but the walk to the B&B was short and my legs were aching to stretch anyway. Walking around the town I noticed that many of the stores closed early. Maybe there was a town curfew or possib…..
"No please. Let me go." It was almost a whisper but my ears could hear the distress in the young woman's voice.
"Shhhh. It's ok. It's ok. I'm not going to hurt you… Shhhh….. I just need… I just need to feed." I followed the voice trying to remain quiet into a dark alleyway. I set my purse on a nearby dumpster and took out Mr. Pointy. My most faithful stake. Getting closer I noticed a man with light brown hair holding a young girl with brown hair against the buildings wall. He had blood dripping down from his mouth and his eyes were dark and the veins bellow them protruded out. The sight was freaky but I knew instantly that he was a vampire.
"Hey. Don't you know it's not nice to toy with your food?" I asked bringing his attention to me.
"GO AWAY!" the vampire snarled as he bared his teeth at me.
"Hmmm. No. I think I'll stay and make sure that this nice young lady gets home safely. Like a true gentleman would." Not waiting for his reply I kick him square in the chest sending him a few feet away from the girl. "RUN!" I yell to her which she does without a thank you. The vampire is quickly back on his feet and rushing towards me. I throw all my weight behind an upper cut punch sending him flying into a dumpster. Startled the vampire groans as he gets up and pulls shards of broken glass from his ribs.
"What are you?" He demands between gasps of breath.
"Slayer comma the. Look it up big boy." I retort as I send a flying Kick straight to his mid-section but this time he catches my leg.
"Well I'm …."
"STEFAN NO!" Elena scream pierces through the alleyway as she runs up and puts an arm on the vampires shoulder. He drops my leg and turns toward Elena with his head bowed. "Please no Stefan. What are you doing?!"
"Elena. What the Fuck?" I keep my fighting stance and wait for her to explain but instead someone grabs me from behind and restrains my arms. "Oh hell now." I flip the assailant over my back and kick the person in the stomach.
"Son of a bitch! What do you eat? Instant Oatmeal for Amazons?!" A male voice says and I notice that it's the infamous Damon that Elena and Caroline were talking about earlier.
"Actually I had eggs for breakfast." I quip as I back away from the trio. "Elena what's going on?"
Elena shifted underneath my heavy gaze as she began to tell me about Stefan and Damon Salvatore, the Founders Council, and a vampire named Katherine Pierce. The three took turns explaining that I had a whole new breed of vampires I had to do research on. I knew this town was going to be interesting.