I own nothing but my characters. All rights go to L.J. Smith, Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec.

Previously on The Occult Chronicles…

After Ms. Bennett assures her fellow neighbors of her and her family's complications being over, only daughter Bonnie Bennett is still mourning over her late sister and chooses to suppress her sadness despite her true and deeper feelings.

Enjoy!

September 9th

Last night was… weird. To say the least, anyways. I fell asleep after listening to my mom's odd goodnight and woke up early. Too early. It's seven o'clock now but I've been awake since 5. Avoiding my mother… my feelings… my life. But will today be any different? Yes. Today will be different because I will be okay. I will tell everyone that I am okay. That Alex is in a better place as even though I'll always miss her, my days of mourning have shortened and I am a lot better now.

"Bonnie, breakfast!" A warm toned voice called, traveling into her bedroom.

I mean.. what else can I do?

Bonnie didn't place her diary back into the closet. It went tucked under her arm and slid into her backpack when she got that in clutch.

Already clothed, Bonnie checked herself in the mirror, took a deep breath before leaving her room and going downstairs.

"I'm not hungry."

"You're hungry, you're just too sad to eat."

Bonnie rolled her eyes. She wasn't 100% sure when or why her mom decided it'd be a good idea to get a housemaid. Sure, the house was bigger than three- two people needed but a housemaid? What were they, the actual definition of having more money than what they knew to do with it? Crystal maybe. Not Bonnie.

"And that's okay. You can talk to me, Bonnie." Continued Mrs. Lewis.

The older woman placed her hand on top of Bonnie's. Tears brimmed her green eyes but she yanked her hand back and replaced the feeling of skin with an apple. Taking a big bite, she looked up at the woman with the darker skin tone and smiled. "I'm okay, Regina. Alex is in a better place and even though I miss her, she wouldn't want me mourning forever." Phase one of being "okay"- complete.

Bonnie swallowed and sat the apple down. "I'm going to be late." She said.

"Bonnie-"

"I'm fine, I promise. Have a good day."

"But-"

Regina couldn't protest anymore because the door had slammed shut and Bonnie was already off to the garage. Alexandra drove dark blue Dodge Dart. Bonnie knew that being in this car wasn't right. Surely, as much as Crystal would be against it, Bonnie didn't care. This is a coping mechanism.

Mystic Falls High School also known as MFHS was crowded with students, they spread like wildfire across the school's campus. Everyone waiting for that first bell. Bonnie got out of the car and locked it three times. Just for the hell of it.

She could feel the eyes on her already. All she wanted to do was get to first period before everybody else. Even though they were her friends, the last people she wanted to see were-

"Bonnie, you're here." Matt said the most sincere way that he could as he, Tyler and Caroline approached the green eyed girl. Great. "I-I mean, of course you're here. It's good to see you."

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Damn, nice car. If a car is what I get out of a death in my family, then I happily volunteer my father." Tyler Lockwood spoke, trying to make a joke. Though it obviously was not the right time.

While Caroline and Matt were noticeably taken back. Bonnie on the other hand shrugged. "It was Alex's." With that, she began towards the school.

Matt glared at Tyler then ran to catch up to his friend. "Do you have a compassionate bone in your body?" Snapped Caroline.

He scoffed. "I could ask the same, Wednesday Addams." Tyler remarked, speaking on Caroline's choice of dark attire. "Go back to your coffin, vamp."

"As soon as you go back to the pound, mutt."

Matt and Bonnie were inside of the school at her locker. "Tyler's a jerk. Are you-"

He was the first to speak. Honestly, Bonnie thought he'd not say a word and just stare. Matt thought the same but to his friend's dismay, chose otherwise. "I'm okay, Matt. Don't worry, Tyler's words won't leave a mark."

In the corner of both of their eyes, was Vicki. Alexandra and Vicki were best friends. Bonnie knew what Vicki was going through, how she was feeling. They shared a look and Vicki came walking to Bonnie and her younger brother.

Instinctively, the two hugged. Honestly, Bonnie and Vicki weren't close but this hug wasn't for them to become instant best friends. It was more for them to fully acknowledge each other's similar pain.

"If you ever want to talk, we can." The older classmate offered, lowering her gaze to the floor. She sniffled before strutting away. Matt's eyes followed his sister's movement.

"Go. I'll see you in History." The two didn't say another word. Bonnie watched Matt go after his sister. Just as she was closing her locker, Bonnie felt another pair of eyes on her. Her head lifted and she locked eyes with Jeremy Gilbert. He wasn't a friend to her but was to Matt. As well as her sister.

That's the thing about Alexandra. She was friends with everybody. They were all friends with her. She was perfect. Even in death, she's perfect. Even in death, they're all still talking about her.

"Jere-" the bell rang and Bonnie jumped, glancing at the clock behind her. 7:45. It read. She had five minutes. When she looked back at where Jeremy was, he was no longer there. Turning back, a sharp gasp left her mouth. "Tyler, you scared me."

"Sorry Bon..." He was just getting started. Bonnie could already hear his apology. Means Caroline must have talked some sense into him. "Look, I'm really sorry. I don't know why I said what I did."

Bonnie folded her arms in front of her, close to her chest. The chuckle that left her mouth surprised both her and Tyler. "Don't sweat it. I mean, it's not everyday that your sister drives herself off of a bridge and to her death, is it?"

Is this a trick question? Tyler thought. Was he really supposed to answer that? "Nobody knows what to say, Tyler. Don't worry."

The second and late bell rang. Bonnie departed from Tyler without saying anything else. She didn't want to, didn't have to, nor was time on her side to do so.

She's lucky if Mr. Tanner isn't in the classroom yet. Then again, it is the first day of her Junior year and what teacher would be late let alone what student?

"Ah, Ms. Bennett." Sung Mr. Tanner as he met Bonnie at the door before she could step foot inside. "Late? I didn't think students wanted detention the first day."

"Most students don't. I am one of those most."

He sighed. "Then answer this. The Battle of Willow Creek took place right at the end of the war in our very own Mystic Falls. Can you tell me how many casualties resulted in this battle, Ms. Bennett?"

Bonnie's mouth fell open and her eyes instantly went to Caroline who should have sat biting her fingernails because she was just as unprepared.

"Time's a tickin', Bonnie."

"I'm sorry, I-I don't know."

"Well isn't that a shame." He said, pointing to her and signaling her to follow. If Bonnie gets detention, she gets house arrest.

Crystal is not a lenient parent.

"There were 346 casualties. Unless you're counting local civilians." A crisp voice spoke directly behind Bonnie. Chills ran down her spine. Is this stranger her ticket out of detention?

Mr. Tanner's eyes widened as he looked up. "That is correct. Mister…?"

"Salvatore. I can spell it out for you to write on that line if you'd like."

Wait… Did he just?

Bonnie looked over and up at the cute stranger beside her. Tanner looked at Bonnie then back at the Salvatore boy.

"That won't be necessary." Tanner said. "Ms. Bennett, sit." Bonnie nearly ran to her seat next to Caroline. "Mr. Salvatore-"

"My name is Stefan."

Tanner rolled his eyes. "Great. You can sit in the front. I think you'll be a great asset to that row."

If the front row is punishment for answering Bonnie's question, she kind of felt bad. But better him than her.

"As for those local civilians you spoke of, Stefan?" Stefan looked up. "There were none."

Stefan sighed. "Actually, there were 27, sir. Confederate soldiers, they fired on the church, believing it to be housing weapons. They were wrong. It was a night of great loss. The founder's archives are, uh, stored in civil hall if you'd like to brush up on your facts, Mr. Tanner."

Students snickered and Mr. Tanner's face turned red. What a start to the first day.