AN: Thank you for the reviews! I have to admit I didn't expect anyone to read the story right away. I am glad you like it so far. Sorry chapter two took so long. My goal is to post a new chapter at least every week. We'll see if life accommodates that goal!
I own nothing. All of the characters and settings belong to L. J. Smith and the CW Network. I am making no money from this.
Chapter 2:
Elena walked onto her porch holding hands with Stefan. The pair walked in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. She stopped at the door and faced him as a smile crept across her face.
"What's that look about?' Stefan asked taking both her hands into his and drawing her to him. He looked down and their faces were only inches apart.
"Nothing really. It just feels nice to be happy." Elena answered. "While I was bummed that Bonnie cancelled on me cause I really want to talk to her, I'm glad we got to spend the entire morning and afternoon together. I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday."
"It was a pretty perfect day." Stefan agreed. His head turned to face the door as they heard laughter from inside. It was Jeremy and a female voice.
"Sounds like Jeremy has company." Stefan commented.
"I wonder who it is." Elena pondered. "Jeremy hasn't really been hanging out with anyone since Anna and from what he described to me, they aren't friends anymore."
"Maybe he's made a new friend."
"I just want him to be happy. He deserves it" Elena mused. "After everything he's been through – first drinking and doing drugs after my parents died, then getting mixed up with Vicki, dealing with her disappearance, thinking she is missing and now that Caroline's found the body and he knows she's dead– I am just worried he'll go back to drinking and drugs again."
"I get that you are worried and you have good reason to be. " Stefan sympathized with her. He pulled her into an embrace where her back was to his stomach. "Your brother's been through a tough time lately. But he's strong like you. He has you and your aunt pulling for him. He'll make it." He assured her. There was another burst of laughter from inside. "It already sounds like he's moving forward in the right direction."
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Elena conceded.
"So, are we still on for dinner tonight?" Stefan asked. He leaned in and kissed Elena before she could answer.
"You bet," she stated as Stefan broke the kiss. "I've got to call Bonnie first. Her text said that we would meet up later today and I haven't heard from her since. I want to make sure she is OK." She turned and opened the door. As she walked into her house she was greeted by a sight that could not surprise her more.
In her living room were her brother and her best friend. Together. Playing the Wii? What alternate dimension had she arrived in when she crossed that threshold of her door?
"Bonnie?" Elena asked as she walked into the living room.
"Elena!" Bonnie cried as she rushed forward and pulled her friend in a tight embrace. "I am so glad to see you!"
"Yeah, me too!" Elena agreed.
"I'm not pausing the game." Jeremy announced as he swung his Wii remote forward. He was smiling at Bonnie.
"I see you have to cheat to beat me!" Bonnie laughed as she turned her attention away from Elena and back to the game. She swung her remote and then jumped up and down in excitement. "Ha! Even cheating you can't be me!" She declared.
Rematch!" He demanded. He stepped closer to her.
"That was your rematch!" Bonnie countered.
"Then rematch of the rematch!" Jeremy offered.
"What is going on here?" Elena cut in. She was smiling at her best friend and her brother. "Are you two playing the WIi together?"
"Your friend here hustled me." Jeremy accused Bonnie he sat on the couch. There was humor in his voice.
"I did not!" Bonnie stated.
"You told me you never played video games before and then you kick my butt at them. That was a set up!"
"It was not!" Bonnie defended herself. "And you have a bad memory. When we were playing that other game, the box X-"
"The X-Box," Jeremy corrected her.
"Whatever. When we were playing that you kicked my butt. It wasn't until we played tennis on the Wii that I even stood a chance."
"How long have you guys been playing video games?" Elena asked.
"I dunno." Jeremy responded.
"What time is it now?" Bonnie asked.
"A little after 3." Elena replied.
"We started at about 10:30 so…" Bonnie trailed off as she did the math in her head. "FIVE HOURS!" She turned to Jeremy. "We've been playing fames for 5 hours!" Bonnie exclaimed.
'"I told you it was a good way to kill time." said Jeremy.
"I have to say I am impressed." Elena said. "Jeremy's the undefeated champ around her in video games."
"What can I say?" Bonnie asked. She held her Wii remote to her face and blew the top of it as if it were smoking gun. "I'm a natural."
"I'll show you a natural." Jeremy declared. He pulled Bonnie down to the couch by her arm. "Give me that remote!" he demanded playfully.
"No!" Bonnie laughed putting the remote behind her back. She and Jeremy struggled good-naturedly for the remote for a few moments, laughing all the while. "Fine! Fine! I give!" Bonnie conceded. "My stomach hurts from all of this laughing." She sat up on the couch, still laughing.
"Looks like you two had a good time." Elena stated.
"Yeah. Yeah, we did." Bonnie stated as if she just had the realization that she was having a good time. She looked at Jeremy and smile. He returned the gesture. She felt the same spark she felt when they touched earlier. It unnerved her causing her smile to fade. Jeremy gave her a puzzled look and she turned her attention to Elena. "Not that I am not glad to see you. I've missed you so much." Bonnie stood and she and Elena hugged again.
"Come on. Let's go up stairs and we'll catch up." Elena said.
"What about our rematch?" Jeremy interjected.
"Rain check?" Bonnie asked.
"Any time."
"Come on." Elena said taking Bonnie by the hand. Bonnie pulled back when she saw Stefan standing in the background.
"Oh, hi Stefan." She said.
"Hi Bonnie. Good to see you." Stefan replied. Bonnie didn't reply and Stefan turned his attention to Elena. "Elena. I am going to head out for a little while. I'll come back to get you for dinner around 7." He leaned in and kissed here. "See you later." He turned to Bonnie and stated, "See you later. " With that he was out the door.
Elena led Bonnie upstairs to her bedroom and shut the door. The two girls hugged once again.
"You don't know how happy I am to see you." Elena stated. She and Bonnie sat on her bed.
"I know. I feel like I've been gone forever and it was only three weeks." Bonnie stated. She was looking down and away from Elena.
"Three of the longest weeks of my life." Elena said. She touched Bonnie's shoulder and got her to look up. "I know that they had to be pretty rough weeks for you, too. You loved your grams very much. How are you doing – really?"
"You know," Bonnie began, "If you had asked me that question last week or yesterday or even this morning, I would have lied. I would have told you I am fine. But the truth is, I coping."
"Coping is good."
"Tell me about it. The first couple of days after Grams died I wasn't coping. I was like a zombie just going through the motions of life. I had to work hard to get to coping."
"I know that struggle." Elena empathized.
"I have to tell you, I feel better just by honest with you and myself about how I really feel. Your brother helped me realized that."
"Jeremy?" Elena asked surprised.
"I know!" Bonnie stated with a giggle. "He was really insightful when we talked earlier."
"Ok – what happened? What parallel universe did I walk into where Jeremy Gilbert is insightful and helpful and Bonnie Bennett plays video games?" Elena asked with a laugh.
"It surprised me too!" Bonnie stated. "I showed up a ½ hour early for our shopping trip. I thought I sent you a text but I never did. I was about to leave when Jeremy and I started talking. He was really sweet and funny and..." Bonnie struggled for words. "I don't know. We just clicked and he helped me realize I don't have to pretend I am OK."
"That's right. No one expects you to go around like nothing happened."
"As far as the video games go, he challenged me and you know I can't back down from a challenge.
"I see," said Elena. From the tone in her voice Bonnie knew there was more to that simple statement.
"What?" Bonnie asked.
"You two 'clicked' as in-" Elena began but Bonnie cut her off.
"No! I didn't mean we clicked like that!" Bonnie added hurried. 'At least I don't think we clicked like that.' Bonnie thought to herself. She wasn't sure what she felt when she was with Jeremy Gilbert, but she was sure she felt something. "I just meant we were able to have a real conversation for the first time. Jeremy's not the kid I thought he was."
"He's actually pretty cool." Elena agreed. "He just works really hard to hide it." She joked getting Bonnie to laugh. "Not that would have a problem with you and Jeremy. It'd take some getting used to, but there could be benefits to my best friend dating my brother."
"Elena! Let's not go there.
"I just saying." Elena stated holding up her hand in a form of surrender. "If I can deal with Matt and Caroline dating, I can sure handle you and Jeremy."
"Oh God. They are still going out? I hoped she would lose interest and move on. I mean Matt is a great guy and all but I can't really see him and Caroline together."
"It gets better. We went on a double date."
"You didn't!" Bonnie exclaimed. "Why would you do that to yourself? I can't believe Caroline agreed to it."
"It was her idea." Elena stated to a surprised Bonnie. "She wanted to show Matt that I'd moved on with Stefan and that he was free to move on with her. It didn't really work as Matt and I spent a lot of time telling stories from our past. She actually blamed me for ruining the date."
"I don't know why I am surprised. That girl needs to get a grip. So other than that, how are you doing?"
Elena sighed. She then looked at Bonnie and began to tell her all she'd missed while she was away. She told her about being adopted and Mr. Saltzman's wife being her mother. She explained that Caroline had found Vicki's body. She explained about the vampires from the tomb seeking revenge and how she fed Stefan her blood to save him.
"Elena, my God. I am so sorry I wasn't here for you through all of this." Bonnie stated pulling her in another hug,
"Don't apologize!" Elena chastised her. "You were dealing with Grams' death. Besides, Stefan was here to help me through all this and he was amazing."
"I'm sure." Bonnie added stiffly. She glanced up at the clock on Elena's wall. It was six thirty. "Oh my God! Look at the time." Bonnie stated standing up. "I have to go. I told my dad I'd be home by 6:00. I have a ton of makeup assignments I have to finish. I start school again tomorrow."
"Stefan will be back at school tomorrow, too."
"Yea." Bonnie stated with lackluster enthusiasm eliciting a peculiar look from Elena.
"I am so glad you are back, Bonnie. See you at school tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow." Bonnie echoed her. With that, she traipsed down the stairs to leave. She darted in the living room to get her purse and get going. It wasn't on the couch. She looked behind the pillows and on the floor.
"Looking for this?" she heard Jeremy's voice behind her. She turned to see him holding her purse.
"Yes! Thank you." Bonnie stated as she reached for her purse.
"Not so fast." Jeremy stated holding the purse in the air above her head.
"What are you doing? I have to get going. I'm late." She reached for her purse but Jeremy held her at bay.
"We have unfinished business. " Jeremy declared using his free arm to wrap Bonnie up and hold her against his chest. She was surprised at its firmness. "There is the small matter of a rematch."
"You're kidding me, right?" Bonnie asked in disbelief. "I can't play games right now."
"It doesn't have to be right now. Name the time and we'll get it done."
"Jeremy! Stop this right now."
"If you want this to end, all you have to do is give me time for our rematch."
"Fine. Tomorrow. After school."
"It's a date." Jeremy stated releasing Bonnie and handing her the purse. "See you tomorrow."
"You are going to regret this when I kick your butt tomorrow." Bonnie stated. She walked to the door. As she got there, she turned and said, "And Jeremy," He looked up at her. "It's not a date. "
XOXOXOXO
Elena and Bonnie sat next to each other waiting for the bell to ring and class to begin.
"So how is it being back?" Elena asked.
"Same old same ole." Bonnie replied. "I turned in all of my past due assignments. That leaves me free to do all of the current homework they are piling on us."
"Oh look. Here comes our other returning student.' Elena stated as Stefan entered the room. "Hey." She greeted him.
"Hey yourself." He replied taking the desk on the other side of her. "Hi Bonnie."
"Hi." Bonnie said curtly. She turned to face forward away from Elena and Stefan. Elena gave Stefan a strange look before turning back to Bonnie. She was about to call out to her best friend but the bell rang and Mr. Saltzman walked into the room.
"Good afternoon class. " Mr. Saltzman began. "I trust all of you had great weekends and are ready to get back to work after the weekend."
"You're wrong on that one." Tyler Lockwood called out. Several of the students laughed at his joke.
"Well Tyler, you need to get ready quickly." Mr. Saltzman stated. "Today, I am handing out the final project assignment." There was a collective groan from the class. "I glad you all approve." Mr. Saltzman continued despite their objections. "I actually think you guys will enjoy this assignment."
"Mr. Saltzman, I don't think you know us at all if you think we'll enjoy any assignment!" Tyler joked again. The handsome youth was behaving like his typical self, arrogant and loud.
"Well, the fact that you're thinking at all is an improvement, Tyler. Now pay attention. I am only going to go through this once." He stood silent in front of the class until he had all eyes on him. "We've recently been studying the Imperialist countries that established colonies all of the world, right? In our discussion on Friday, what did we establish as one of the reasons the imperialist nations were able to rationalize the destruction of the conquered nations culture and land?" He waited for hands to go up in the air. "Matt." He called.
"Lack of understanding and the fear of that which is different."
"Exactly!" Mr. Saltzman confirmed. "Instead of getting to know and understand the other cultures, they came in with guns blazing and destroyed them. We're going to do our part to ensure that never happens again. "
"What are you talking about, Mr. Saltzman? What can we do to stop imperialism?" Caroline asked.
"Awesome question, Caroline that brings us to the final assignment. You are going to get to know your classmates." He walked the front of the class handing the student in the front a stack of papers. "Take one and pass it back. This is the outline for your final paper. Each of you is going to be paired up with another student in the classroom, not your best friend, or boyfriend or girlfriend, and you are going to get to know them. I mean, really know them. I want you to understand who they are and what makes them tick. You are then going to write a paper about this other student."
"That's it?" Tyler asked. "That's the whole final project?"
"Well, there is a catch. The papers are going to be graded by myself as well as the subject of the paper. I will then take the grades weight them out and come up with your final project."
"So how do we choose our partners?" Tyler asked.
Mr. Saltzman chuckled. "You don't. I chose for you." There was a collective groan from the class. "I've been watch each of you, seeing who you hang out with and I've think I can match each of you with someone who isn't a part of your normal social circle." He grabbed a piece of paper off of his desk. "The pairings are as follows."
Mr. Saltzman rattled off selections he made. Elena was paired with Betsy Custer – a shy girl with multi-colored hair, very much into the arts into the arts. Stefan found himself matched with Dante Ladd. The handsome African American youth was star of the track team. Mr. Saltzman partnered Matt with Renee Colbert, assistant editor of the school newspaper. She adjusted her glasses and smiled at him. He returned the favor. Caroline pouted when Mr. Saltzman teamed her Adam Schoen. He was the 1st chair clarinet player in the band. Not exactly part of "the in" crowd.
"Tyler, you will be working with Miss Bennett on this assignment." Mr. Saltzman announced. Bonnie glanced over at Tyler and gave a weak smile. He just shook his head and looked away.
"Alright. That should be everybody." Mr. Saltzman declared. He stood in front of the class and clapped his hands together. "Time to get to work."
XOXOXOXO
"I can't believe this history assignment!" Caroline whined as she joined Elena and Bonnie as they walked out of the school. "Adam Schoen! He is the biggest geek in our class. And I have to spend time with him! This is so gross!"
"Caroline, I am sure it's won't be that bad." Elena comforted her melodramatic friend.
"Easy for you to say. Who did you get again?" Caroline asked.
"Betsy." Elena informed her. "I don't know her all that well but she's always been nice."
"You better be careful." Caroline cautioned her. "I bet she'll try to get you to dye your hair 1,000 different colors just like her's."
"Caroline." Bonnie stated. Her tone indicated it was a warning to knock off the bashing.
"Hey, what up guys?" Matt asked as he joined the trio in the parking lot.
"Nothing." Elena asked.
"We're just listening to Caroline complain about the history assignment." Bonnie added.
"I think it's kind of cool, actually," said Matt.
"You do?" Caroline let the surprise show in her voice.
"Yeah. I mean, I've gone to school with Renee practically my entire life, but I don't really know much about her." Matt explained.
"How can you?" Caroline countered. "She spends practically her whole life in the editing room working on the school paper. She only comes out to cover sporting events and news stories."
"That just means her interest are different that mine." Matt told her. He looked at his watch. "We'd better go, Caroline. I need to get you home before heading to work at the Mystic Grill."
"That's fine. I'll see you two later. Call me." Caroline stated. Matt said goodbye to the girls and walked off with Caroline.
"That girl will never change." Bonnie stated.
"That's kind of comforting, in a strange way." Elena replied. "But speaking of history class, there was something I wanted to ask you."
"What's up?" Bonnie asked.
"Did you snub Stefan during class today?"
"What are you talking about?" Bonnie faked surprise.
"Come on, Bonnie. When Stefan joined us you totally stopped talking to us and turned around. Do you have a problem with Stefan?"
"I don't really know. Every time I look at him, it takes me back to the night that Grams died and I get so angry. It hurts to see him. I'm sorry"
"Don't apologize!" Elena stated vehemently. She grabbed both of Bonnie's hands in hers. "I totally understand where you are coming from." Bonnie tilted her head and gave her a look that she didn't actually believe her best friend. Elena gave a small laugh.
"No, really Bonnie. I do know what you are going through." Elena stated. She threw her arm around Bonnie and they continued to walk towards their cars. "The cop that told us about our parents – every time I saw him it was like getting the news all over again. He was the focal point of all of my anger."
"Yeah, well lucky for you that cop wasn't your best friend's boyfriend. I mean, was that cop even cute?" Bonnie joked.
"Well, if a 45 year old balding deputy is your type he would have been perfect. Eventually, I was able to see that Deputy Jenks didn't take away my parents. I was able to move forward."
"There's a difference, Elena. Damon and Stefan really did take my Grams away." Bonnie turned to face her angrily. "How am I supposed to get move past that?"
Elena stepped back, surprised by Bonnie's anger. "Bonnie-" Elena began, but she was cut off when Tyler approached, also calling Bonnie's name.
"Bonnie!" Tyler called as he jogged up to her. "Oh, hey Elena."
"Hey Tyler." Elena stated. "Bonnie and I are in the middle of something."
"It's gonna have to wait." Tyler declared. "Bonnie, we gotta work on our project and we gotta do it today."
"Hello to you too, Tyler." Bonnie stated with a smirk.
"I said hello already." Tyler stated with a smile. "Look – I got track practice every day this week and a meet this weekend. I talked to the coach and today is the only day he'd let me out of practice. So if you want to work on the project, it has to be today."
Bonnie sighed and turned to Elena. "Elena-"
"No, its fine Bonnie. We'll talk later."
"See you later." Bonnie states as she hugged her. Elena walked away. "And then there were two." Bonnie said turning to Tyler. "Well I guess we should get started. Where do you want to work? We could go to my house."
"Nah. I'm starving. Let's head to the Mystic Grill. I'll buy you dinner."
"Fine." Bonnie acquiesced
XOXOXOX
Bonnie sat back in the booth across from Tyler as he shoved the last bit of his hamburger in his mouth. She sighed irritatingly and rolled her eyes as he then sucked down the last of his Pepsi. Her own chicken sandwich sat next her largely untouched.
"Are you finally ready?" Bonnie asked with a sharp tone.
"What's your problem?" Tyler queried, confused by her annoyed attitude.
"My problem is that we've been here for almost an hour and haven't done anything unless you count eating our food and enjoying the awkward silence between us."
"I had to eat first." Tyler explained defensively. "I can't focus when I'm hungry." He waved the waitress over.
"As opposed to when you aren't hungry?" Bonnie mumbled under her breath. Tyler ignored her comment.
"Hey." The waitress said as she stood at the side of the booth. The young girl was a member of their class and recognized both Bonnie and Tyler. "What can I do for you? You guy want dessert or something?"
"Or something." Tyler answered. "My soda is gone. I need a refill. And clear these plates away. We need to work."
The waitress didn't reply. She just moved to comply with Tyler's orders. "You want this sandwich wrapped up?" she asked Bonnie as she picked up her plate.
"Yes, please. It's Sarah, right?" Bonnie answered and the girl nodded her head. "I thought so. We had English together last year, right?"
"Uh-huh. I'll be right back with that soda and your leftovers."
"Thank you." Bonnie called out as the waitress walked away.
"Are you ready to get to work?" Tyler asked. He sat sideways in the booth looking away from Bonnie.
"You have no idea, do you?" Bonnie shook her head in disbelief.
"No idea about what?" Tyler asked. He still wasn't looking at her.
"About how rude and arrogant you are." Bonnie almost yelled. Tyler looked at her with anger creeping across his face.
"Is this some chick thing cause I don't have time for your moody emotional rollercoaster."
"No! This is not some chick thing!" Bonnie did yell this time. She looked around and toned her volume down. "I can't believe you even asked me that. This is a human being thing."
"Stop talking in riddles and tell me what the problem is. I am just trying to get our assignment done."
Before Bonnie could reply the waitress came back with Tyler's drink and Bonnie's sandwich. She sat them both on the table. Tyler said nothing and Bonnie thanked Sarah. There was another uncomfortable silence between the two. Tyler finally broke the silence.
"Are you over your issues enough to get to work? Today is really the only day I have to work on this."
"You really don't see it, do you?" Bonnie asked. Her toned softened however slightly. "Tyler," Bonnie struggled with what to say. She signed again and resigned herself just to come out with the blunt honest truth. "Tyler, you're a jerk. I just about cringed when Mr. Saltzman paired me with you."
"That's harsh." Tyler stated.
"Ok – you can be a jerk." Bonnie revised her statement. He looked as if he didn't believe her. "What, do you want examples?" Bonnie asked. She didn't wait for him to reply. "Fine. I can give you two from today alone. First, you didn't even ask me if I had anything going after school today. You just assumed this was the best time because it worked for you."
"Is that what this is about? How am I supposed to know you had something going if you didn't tell me?"
"You shouldn't need to be told to think of someone else; you're not a child. Besides, you never gave me the opportunity. And the way you've treated Sarah has just been-"
"Who the hell is Sarah?" Tyler interrupted her.
"Sarah. Our waitress. The girl that's been going the school with us for half our lives."
"She's our waitress. I'm a jerk for having her bring me a refill on my soda?"
"Of course not. But would it kill you to say please and thank you? I get that you're from one of the founding families and that your dad is the mayor and that your family has more money than anyone but that doesn't give you the right to treat everyone else like they're beneath you."
Bonnie finished her rant and there was another silence between them. Again it was Tyler that broke it.
"Are you done ragging on me and making me feel like crap?" Tyler asked.
"I didn't mean to make you feel bad."
"You didn't? So this is what, your idea talking dirty?" Tyler asked. There was a small smile in the corner of his lips. Bonnie returned the smile.
"Maybe we should just get started on the project." She suggested.
"Yeah, sure. I'll try to keep my jerk-iness to a minimum," said Tyler with humor in his voice.
"Tyler." Bonnie warned.
"What? It was a joke. I'm just trying to get on your good side."
"Hey we ace this project and you can be on any side of me you want." Bonnie stated reaching into knapsack to get a notebook.
"Really?" Tyler asked. "He leaned across the table to be closer to Bonnie. "I've never been so motivate about a school project in my life." Bonnie actually laughed.
"Well isn't this cozy." Bonnie heard a voice behind her. It startled her and she jumped at the sound of the voice.
"Jeremy! Hey." Bonnie stated. For some reason she felt guilty with Jeremy catching her with Tyler. She didn't know why and she tried to dismiss the feeling.
"What do you want, Gilbert?" Tyler asked. There was no love loss between him and Jeremy and he would only tolerate Jeremy for as long as he had to.
"Nothing from you, douche bag." Jeremy replied. He turned to Bonnie. "What happened to you this afternoon? I thought we had plans."
"Oh crap!" Bonnie stated. "I am so sorry! We got our final projects for social studies today and we needed to work on it this afternoon. I completely forgot to call you and let you know I couldn't make it."
"Don't tell me you have a date with this kid?" Tyler asked Bonnie.
"What's the matter? Afraid another girl will choose me over you?" Jeremy taunted Tyler. Bonnie began to pack her things into her knapsack.
"Where are you going?" Tyler asked Bonnie.
"I want to get out of here before you both whip it out and put it on the table to see whose is bigger."
"Bonnie, don't go." Tyler pleaded. "We still have a lot of work to do."
"She can make her own decisions." Jeremy snapped.
"And she can speak for herself. Now both of you stop acting like little kids!" Bonnie let her words hang in the air before continuing.
She turned to Jeremy. "I am very sorry I missed our-," She struggled for the right word before continuing. "I'm sorry I missed our appointment. This project came up and I should have called you. Right now, Tyler and I have a lot of work to. Let's meet up the day after tomorrow and I'll make it up to you. Sound like a plan?"
"Yeah, sure. You'll probably need a day to wash the stench of Tyler's failure off of you anyway." He leaned on the table in close to Bonnie, though he looked at Tyler with a mocking smile on his face. "Can you smell it; it's suffocating."
"That's it!" Tyler declared. He stood and shoved Jeremy back away from the table.
"Tyler!" Bonnie cried also standing.
"What!" Jeremy demanded regaining the ground he lost when pushed away by Tyler. "Are you going t hit me again, prove to Bonnie you're a big man."
"Jeremy!" Bonnie yelled stepping in between the two. "Shut up." She turned to Tyler. "Sit down!"
"Hey Bonnie." Matt stated walking over to their booth. He was wearing his bus boy outfit since he worked at the Mystic Grill. Clearly, he was coming over to play peace maker before the restaurant management got involved in the skirmish. "Is everything ok over here?"
"Every things cool, right guys?" Bonnie answered. Tyler just looked away and Jeremy nodded. "Matt, can you do me a favor?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Can you keep Tyler company while I walk Jeremy out?" Bonnie asked.
"No problem," Matt replied. He went back to the booth with Tyler while Bonnie headed towards the door with Jeremy in tow.
"I get that you don't like Tyler but that whole display was so not cool." She told him.
"He's an ass." Jeremy stated plainly.
"Yeah, Tyler's a jerk. What's your excuse?" Bonnie leveled at Jeremy.
He didn't reply right away. Instead he changed the subject. "So we're meeting up on Wednesday?"
"Yeah." Bonnie stated. "Oh! I just had an idea." She exclaimed excitedly. "Can you meet me at Gram's house around 5:30 instead of your house?"
"Your grams had a Wii?"
"No, but you can bring that over, right?"
"I guess. Why are we meeting there?"
"Stop asking so many questions. I'll text you the address and see you Wednesday."
Meanwhile Tyler and Matt were sitting that the booth talking.
"I'm surprised you're even talking to me," said Tyler.
"Why? Because I caught you making out with my mom and we got into a fight. No, this isn't awkward at all." Matt lied.
"Listen Matt, I am really sorry about that. With Vicki dying both your mom and I were in a bad place-"
"I don't want or need you to explain your behavior to me. Or my Mom's." Matt told him in controlled anger. "Vicki was my sister. You don't see me going out and doing something stupid."
"You mean beside Caroline?" Tyler shot back at him.
"You really are an asshole." Matt declared as he stood to walk away from the table. He bumped into Mayor Lockwood as he walked away. "Sorry." Matt mumbled and kept going.
The mayor slid into the booth across from his son.
"Dad." Tyler acknowledged him nervously.
"What the hell is going on here!" Richard Lockwood demanded in a harsh whisper. "I thought I told you I was done with you embarrassing our family and now I witness that ungraceful display between you and that Gilbert kid. What the hell is your problem?"
"I'm sorry, Dad." Tyler apologized. His head was down and he didn't make eye contact. "It won't happen again."
"You're damn right it won't or I am going to make your life a living hell." Mayor Lockwood leaned back in the booth. "What are you doing here anyway? Didn't you have track practice today?"
"I did. I got out of it to work on my final social studies project with Bonnie Bennett. The coach said today was the best day I could get out of practice since he would be focusing on the field players and not the track runners." Tyler explained. As he finished the sentence Bonnie approached the booth again.
"Mayor Lockwood." Bonnie stated, surprised to see him sitting in the booth.
"You must be Bonnie Bennett, the young woman who managed to get my son to skip track practice to do homework." The mayor stated smoothly. Tyler had always been amazed at his father's ability to be charming and personable in public and a complete bastard in private. "I wondered how you managed to accomplish such a monumental feat, but now that I've met you, it's clear. You are a very beautiful young woman."
"Thank you, sir." Bonnie stated smiling.
"Tell me, you wouldn't happen to be the related to Dr. Thomas Bennett, would you?" The mayor asked.
"Yes sir; he's my father." Bonnie explained. Her father was the best doctor in town and an influential member of the community.
"He's a good man. We serve on the hospital board together. Bonnie, would you mind giving me and my son just a few more minutes together?" Richard asked, giving her his best smile.
"Not at all, sir." Bonnie stated. She grabbed her purse from the table. "I'll just head to the rest room."
The mayor turned to his son. "This is the direction you should be going. She is a definite step up from train-wreck trash Vicki Donovan."
"Give me a break, Dad." Tyler spat angrily.
"I've given you too many and that's part of the problem." The mayor said quickly. "The Bennetts are good contributing members of society."
"What, no comments about their social standing?" Tyler added sarcastically. "They are not a founding family and the Bennett's aren't as rich as us. And you did notice she's black?"
Mayor Lockwood eyes narrowed in anger. "That's small thinking, boy. Of course the Bennett's aren't as rich as us; nobody in this town is. But her father is a doctor for God's sake. Her mother side isn't as reputable, but there isn't anything shady that I know about. As far as her being black, of course I noticed. You dating her would just about guaranty me the minority vote in next year's election." They mayor noticed Bonnie on her way back from the bathroom. He stood to leave. "So do yourself and me a favor. Don't screw things up with her." He finished his statement just as Bonnie arrived.
"I am going to let you two get back to your study date." Mayor Lockwood announced. He ushered Bonnie back to her place in the booth. "Be sure to tell your father I said hello." And with that he left the two alone.
"Can we finally get to work now?" Bonnie asked smiling at Tyler. He seemed to be staring off into the distance and not paying attention to her. "Earth to Tyler." Bonnie called. "Anybody home?"
"Yeah, sorry about that." Tyler replied. He looked Bonnie dead in the eyes. "I was just thinking about something my dad said that was off the wall arrogant. And then I thought about what you said about me being oblivious and arrogant. I think that's worse." He looked down at the table, away from Bonnie. "And I don't want to be anything like my dad, let alone worse than him." Tyler admitted. He looked back up at Bonnie. "So I am going to do something my dad would never do. I'm sorry for basically being an ass today. I should have checked about working on the project and I shouldn't have let Jeremy get to me. He's just a messed up kid."
"I don't know if I agree about Jeremy, but I do appreciate the apology. And listen, I didn't mean to come down so hard on you earlier."
"It's OK. Very few people tell me exactly what they think about me. It was refreshing."
"Liar." Bonnie stated and they both laughed.
"Alright, it sucked." Tyler stated and he and Bonnie both laughed again. "You know, you're really easy to talk to when you aren't berating me."
"Was that a compliment?" Bonnie asked with a smile.
"Yeah, it was." Tyler confirmed. "You know there is a track meet this weekend?"
"Un-huh. It's against Iverson High, right?" Bonnie asked and Tyler confirmed by nodding his head. "Word has it you guys are going to crush them."
"Yeah, they won't be much competition," Tyler agreed. "But it might be a fun meet for you to come and watch. And maybe we could go grab a bit to eat after the meet?
"Umm," Bonnie stammered. Did Tyler really just ask her out? On a date? "Sure." She heard herself reply.
"Cool. I always drive to meets separate from the so I'll come pick you up."
"It's a date." Bonnie stated.
"Now, let's get to work on this project." Tyler stated opening her notepad.
End Chapter
Author's Note: So what's you think? Our girl Bonnie certainly has a lot going on, doesn't she? She's dealing with her Gram's death, the fact that she hates her best friend's boyfriend, her developing feelings for Jeremy and now a date with Tyler. That is too much! Bonnie and Tyler definitely have potential, but is he dating her because he likes her or because it's what Daddy Dearest wants? And if things get serious with Tyler, what about poor Jeremy? Keep reading, fellow Vampire Dairies fans because this is just the beginning. In chapter 3 Damon gets in the mix and you know he'll spice things up! Be sure to review and let me know your thoughts. I've outline three separate endings for this story. Feedback will determine which route I take!
