Thanks so much for all the people who read and reviewed my story, and for anyone who put it in the favorites and alerts. I had no idea the answer to this story would be so great! It's unbelievable, thanks so much!

I have to say, I'm not really satisfied about this chapter, maybe because I never really liked this episode -except for the Damon/Elena interaction of course -. The rest of the episode is pretty boring, isn't it? Anyway, here it is. I'm really sorry about the wait but I promised I'll try to update faster for the next chapter.

That said, I really hope you'll like this chapter. I really did my best but I'm not very satisfied with it. Tell me what you think by leaving me lots of comments!

THE NIGHT OF THE COMET

"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times,

if one only remembers to turn on the light."

(Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban)

Dear Diary

After everything that happened yesterday, I should be worried, scared about what this day would bring. And yet, I can't. I've never, in my entire life, backed down from anything thrown in my way and I'm not going to start now. I know that yesterday was just the beginning – of what, I'm not yet certain -, and yet I can't regret the change because – let's face it – my perfect, peaceful life, ended the moment my parents died. Yesterday's happenings have shaken up my life even further but not everything has been bad. I was so focused on my pain and my grief that I'd almost forgotten that I still have so much to be grateful for, so many people still that I love, that I almost took for granted. This is a mistake I'm not going to repeat. Yesterday has been a wakeup call, in more ways than one. And today, for the first time in four months, I feel alive again. I feel that, no matter what's going to happen from now on, as long as I'll have the people I love with me, I will be ready to fight back.

Amanda took a deep, fortifying breath and then smiled. She was ready. She left her room and almost smacked against her aunt, who was looking at herself in the mirror in the hall and trying to decide how to wear her hair today. Amy looked at her amused and curious. Jenna was dressed smart too, what was the occasion?

"Do I look adult? As in respectfully parental?" Her aunt asked her as soon as she noticed her, standing there and observing her.

"It depends. What are you dressing up for?" Amanda exclaimed with an inquisitive tone.

"Jeremy's parent-teacher conference. Hair up or down?" Jenna put her hair up with a hand to demonstrate and Amanda smirked. "Sexy stewardess". She answered cheekily. Jenna let it down and Amanda laughed. "Boozy housewife" she exclaimed with a not-really sorry expression on her face. Jenna frowned at that. "Up it is then. You're feisty today."

"I feel better; not good yet, but better. So I've decided to go for it. Who knows when I'll feel like this again, best to enjoy it till it lasts. Where's Jeremy?"

"Jeremy left early. Something about getting to the wood shop early to finish a birdhouse". Amanda looked at her with a raised eyebrow and Jenna sighed. "There is no wood shop, is there?"

"Nope." Amanda was ready to bet Jeremy left early to visit Vicky at the hospital. She couldn't blame him, really. Jeremy was really worried about her yesterday, it was obvious he had deep feelings for her.

"Yeah." Jenna shook her head, obviously berating herself for her naiveté. "Anyway, something tells me your sudden good mood has something to do with the houseguest from last night."

Amanda smiled coyly at Jenna. "Maybe. I mean, he's very…handsome and mysterious and…I don't exactly mind his attentions."

Jenna smirked at her. "Hum, hum. He's certainly cute. And very polite. Though be careful, he seems more taken with you than you are with him."

Amanda rolled her eyes at that. "Come on, Aunt Jenna. I'm sure he's not in love with me after a single night spent ONLY talking. We're…getting to know each other, that's it. If we'll become more than that…only time will tell."


Amanda was sitting in history class and she could feel Stefan's gaze posed on her. She listened absentmindedly to Tanner's lecture about the Comet that was going to appear in the sky the following night, all the while sneaking peeks at Stefan's figure from behind her hair. She smiled when their eyes clashed and then turned around again before Tanner realizes she was distracted.

"Originally discovered nearly five centuries ago, it hasn't been over Mystic Falls in over 145 years. Now, the comet will be its brightest right after dusk during tomorrow's celebration." She heard Tanner saying. Amanda looked at Stefan one more time and in that moment, of course, Tanner catches her. "Are we bothering you, Mr. Salvatore? Ms. Gilbert?" Tanner exclaimed out loud, interrupting their staring contest.

"No. Thank you, Mr Tanner" She replied to Tanner cheekily. The class laughed. "Please teach away".

Tanner was probably going to answer with some scathing remark but in that moment the bell rang, putting an end to the lesson.

"Hey." She said to Stefan as soon as class was over when Stefan reached her side.

"Hey." Stefan replied back, smiling at her. They left the classroom together, side by side. "You shouldn't antagonize Tanner like that, he's going to do something about it sooner or later." Stefan said but he was laughing.

Amanda rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. I know how to handle Tanner. I've been through far worse" 'Understatement of the century'. At Stefan's questioning look she explained, "Back in England I had this professor who loathed my existence and didn't waste any chance in making it known to the entire class. Tanner's snarky remarks are nothing compared to Snape's, trust me".

"Why did he hate you?" Stefan asked with a frown.

"Well, it's kind of complicated to explain but I'll try. So, basically Snape and my adoptive parents…they were the same age and they went to school together - this boarding school in Scotland which I started to attend too since I was eleven. So, basically, he was in love with my mother and had been since they were like seven or something because they were neighbours and they knew each other since they were little. At the same time, he hated my father with a passion because he was a bully and Snape was his favourite target. So, when my parents started dating, well, let's just say, he didn't take it well. So, once he became a professor and I became his student, he decided that treating me like shit in class was the best way to get back at my father for what he did to him."

"What a dick" Stefan commented and she laughed at him saying 'dick' with a straight face. It was weird, Stefan swearing. She pegged him for this gentleman-like-guy who was always good and proper.

"Yeah, he kind of was" She said with a faraway look. "But there was more to him than that. I wished I realized that before it was too late."

"Too late? You mean…?" Stefan asked with a look of sorrow.

"Yeah" She said with sudden tears in her eyes. "He died." She couldn't say anything more without giving too much away so she stopped talking altogether.

"I'm sorry" Stefan said in compassion.

She shrugged "Like I said, we weren't exactly close so…"

It was obvious that Stefan didn't know what else to say and she cursed at having made things so awkward.

"Sorry, I'm getting maudlin again. I swear, I should hire you as my therapist or something. Every time we talk, I always end up telling you all about my sad history…it's embarrassing…"

"I don't mind" Stefan said with a gentle smile. "I want to get to know you, sad things and all".

Amanda smiled at him with a blush.


A little while later, she saw Bonnie and Caroline in the hall and decided to join her. She didn't feel exactly comfortable, talking with Caroline after having heard what she said about her yesterday, but she decided to forget about it. After all Caroline was drunk and upset, not a good combination, for anyone.

"Hey guys." She said as soon as she reached their side.

"Hey Amy!" Bonnie smiled at her while Caroline just nodded her head at her. She looked pretty uncomfortable.

"I'm confused. Are you psychic or clairvoyant?" Caroline was asking Bonnie, obviously continuing a previous conversation.

"Technically, Grams says I'm a witch. My ancestors were these really cool Salem witch chicks or something. Grams tried to explain it all, but she was looped on the liquor so I kinda tuned out. Crazy family, yes. Witches? I don't think so."

"Yeah, well, feel free to conjure up the name and number of that guy from last night." Caroline said.

"What guy?" Amanda asked curiously.

"This really hot guy I saw yesterday at the Grill." Caroline said dreamily.

"And you don't know who he was?" Amanda asked, a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"No, I never saw him before yesterday. He had those amazing blue eyes and dark hair. He was older than us too I think."

Of course it was him. How many new handsome guys could possibly appear at the Grill, all in the same night?

"Was he as hot as Caroline describe him Bonnie? Because I wouldn't mind meeting him if he was..." Amanda asked just to know if Bonnie had seen him too. Caroline scowled at that, her competiveness' streak when it came to boys and with everything that had to do with Amanda, rearing her ugly head.

"What? Stefan Salvatore isn't enough for you?" Caroline asked her scathingly.

"Wow, Caroline. Calm down. I was joking." Amanda replied, a little taken aback by her hostile tone.

"Sorry" Caroline said contritely.

"I don't know" Bonnie answered then, probably to avoid an impending cat fight between her and Caroline "I didn't see him." Bonnie answered then asked Caroline. "Why didn't you just talk to him?"

"I don't know. I was drunk." was Caroline's only answer.

The three of them went outside and in that moment Amanda noticed Matt sitting alone at one of the plastic tables that were scattered all over the courtyard.

"There's Matt. Sorry, I have to talk to him, see how's Vicky doing. See you later." She waved at them and reached her ex-boyfriend's side.

"Hey Matt? So how is Vicky? Is she going to be okay?" She asked him without preambles.

"They're keeping her overnight to make sure there's no infection, but she should be able to come home tomorrow." Matt answered with a soft smile, obviously grateful that she had asked about her sister.

"That's good news." Amanda said with an optimistic smile.

Matt nodded, obviously sharing the feeling.

"And your mom? Did you get in touch with her? Is she coming home?"

Matt sighed at that. "Called and left a message. She's in Virginia Beach with her boyfriend, so. . .we'll see how long it takes her to come rushing home." Amanda grimaced at that but didn't comment.

"Vicki's lucky that she's ok." Amanda commented out loud. "I mean, because of all those other animal attacks. Those people have not been as lucky as her." Then she realized how blunt she was being and she winced, immediately apologizing to him.

"It's okay. I know what you meant. Yes, she's been very lucky, and now there's talk of some missing campers."

"Did she say what kind of animal it was that attacked her?" Amanda finally got to ask the question she was really dying to ask.

"She said it was a vampire." Matt answered her, a frown of confusion marring his handsome face.

"What?" Amanda startled at that, her initial suspicions seemingly being confirmed.

"Yeah, she woke up last night and muttered 'vampire' and then she passed out."

"Hum." Amanda didn't know what to say so she stayed silent. Matt, probably taking her silence for disbelief said "I think she was drunk. So, I saw you talk with the new guy last night. I thought you said there was nothing between you two."

Amanda frowned at that. "No, I said that I didn't know yet if I was interested in him or not. And anyway Matt, I thought we already had this conversation yesterday." She was probably being a little harsh with him but he needed to get over her, for both their sakes.

Matt scowled, uncomfortable and probably a little hurt too. "Yeah, you're right. You know, I'm. . .I'm actually gonna go back to the hospital. I want to be there when Vicki wakes up, get the real story about last night."

"Yes, of course." Amanda smiled sadly at him and let him go.


After school Amanda, Bonnie and Caroline were all sitting together at a table outside the Grill.

"Well, I was talking to Grams, and she said the comet is a sign of impending doom. The last time it passed over Mystic Falls, there was lots of death. So much blood and carnage, it created a bed of paranormal activity." That was Bonnie. Amanda listened intrigued. Now that she knew Bonnie's grandmother was saying the truth about Bonnie being a witch, she was very interested to listen to what she had to say.

Of course Caroline had to interject her own opinion, obviously more than a little skeptical of what Bonnie was saying.

"Yeah, and then you poured Grams another shot and she told you about the aliens." Caroline said derisively, then turned her attention towards her, obviously more interested in what she had to say about her night spent with Stefan "So then what?"

"So then nothing." Amanda said, a little embarrassed.

"You and Stefan talked all night? There was no sloppy first kiss or touchy feely of any kind?"

Amanda shook her head. "No, I told you. We didn't go there." Her tone was enough for anyone else to understand that she wanted to drop the conversation, but Caroline was not everyone else.

"Not even a handshake? I mean, Amanda, we are your friends. Ok? You are supposed to share the smut." Caroline inquired further.

"We just spent the night talking, that's it."

Caroline looked at her in disbelief "OK, what is with the blockage? Just jump his bones already! Ok, it's easy. Boy likes girl, girl likes boy, sex!"

Amanda laughed at that. "Very classy, Caroline. It's not like I met him two days ago or anything…"

"So what? He's crazy about you. It's obvious." Caroline said, a fleeting look of jealousy crossing her face.

"It's too soon. I'm not going to sleep with him after only just met him. I don't know him well enough yet. Sex is a big deal for me, okay? The only person I slept with is Matt, you know that…"

Caroline nodded her head in apology. "Yeah, okay. Sorry."

Amanda wondered if she was being stupid. I mean, she wasn't a virgin anymore and it wasn't like the times she had had sex with Matt had been bad, far from it. And it wasn't like she wasn't attracted to Stefan, because she was but…she wanted to be sure, this time. She would sleep with Stefan only when absolutely sure of her feelings for him and his for her, not before.

That didn't mean that she couldn't spend as much time with him as possible in the meantime. She suddenly stood up, wanting to see him.

"Where are you going?" Bonnie asked her, seeing her standing up.

"Caroline's right. It is easy. If I sit here long enough, I'll end up talking myself out of it instead of doing what I started the day saying I was going to do."

She drove to the Salvatore Boarding House, trying to calm her racing heartbeat. She parked her car outside the large mansion before getting out, looking around her in awe. She had never had the possibility before to see the Boarding House, this was the first time she could see it at such a close range. Of course, nothing could compete with Hogwarts Castle but she had to admit that the Boarding House was really beautiful.

Amanda reached the big front door and knocked. When there was no answer, she tried to open the door and found to her surprise that it was already open. She entered a little hesitantly, calling out Stefan's name, hoping he was inside. She suddenly heard cawing from behind her and turned around. A crow was flying towards her and Amanda lowered her head to avoid it. When she turned around again, she collided against the very attractive man from last night.

"We really should stop meeting like this." He said with a smirk.

Amanda blushed slightly, embarrassed but smiled at him. "Yes, we should." A moment pause during which the two of them looked at each other intently and then Amanda spoke again. "I. . .I'm sorry for barging in. The door was. . .open." She turned around to prove her point but she found the door closed. She frowned, confused and a little suspicious but turned around again, pretending that everything was fine.

"Don't worry about it. I don't mind." Damon said with a flirty tone that was obviously part of his nature.

"Thank you then."

"You're welcome." He looked at her for a second, his amazing blue eyes scrutinizing her and then he spoke again.

"You must be Amanda. I'm Damon, Stefan's brother." Damon said with a smirk.

Suddenly a flashback of a memory made its way inside Amanda's mind.

"Oh, you – you just look…" Damon shook his head, confused. "I'm sorry, you just really remind me of someone. I'm Damon."

"Are you okay?" Damon asked, bringing her back to reality.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine." Amanda smirked at him in turn and answered, instantly recovering from whatever it was that she saw. "Oh right. The one he doesn't talk to." She said a little ironic.

"Stefan told you about me?" Damon asked her, obviously taken aback by her words.

"Not exactly. He let it slip, more like."

"Of course." Damon kept silent for a second before offering. "Please, come." Gesturing towards the inside of the house since they were still in the hall. "I'm sure Stefan will be along any second."

"Thank you." And then, noticing the room in which they had just entered, she asked "Wow. This is your living room?"

"Living room, parlor, seventies auction. It's a little kitschy for my taste." Damon answered. "I see why my brother's so smitten. I'm very happy for him." He continued. He didn't sound the least bit sincere though, just sarcastic. "It's about time. For a while there, I never thought he'd get over the last one. Nearly destroyed him."

"The last one?" Amanda asked curious and maybe a little upset.

"Yeah. Katherine. His girlfriend?" Damon answered like it was obvious.

Another flashback.

"Katherine." The handsome man suddenly in front of her exclaimed. It was Damon.

"No – um – I" Amanda looked behind her to make sure he was not talking to someone else. "I'm Amanda."

"Okay, what was that?" Damon's voice once again brought her back to the present. "This is the second time I've seen this blank look on your face in less than two minutes. Am I boring you? Because, let me tell you, I'm not used to people ignoring me. Especially if they're beautiful women." Damon asked her with his usual irony, even if he seemed kind of worried.

"Have we met before?" Amanda asked him out of the blue.

"What?" Now he seemed more than worried.

"Have we met before?" Amanda repeated.

"What makes you think that?" Damon asked, and his tone was suddenly defensive.

"I-I'm sorry. I just... it doesn't matter. Forget I said anything. You were telling me about Katherine..."

Damon looked at her for a long moment, obviously studying her but in the end he just shrugged and smirked again.

"Yes, Katherine. The love of Stefan's life." His tone was bitter, angry... jealous even. "So, you two haven't had the awkward exes conversation yet."

Amanda shook her head. "No. Not yet. But we met two days ago after all so...I don't expect him to tell me all of his life history so soon." She answered, though she had to admit she was a little upset because she had told Stefan so much about her already but he didn't share half as much.

"Yes, of course. Well, I'm sure it'll come up soon enough. Or maybe he didn't tell you because he didn't want you to think he was on the rebound. We all know how those relationships end."

She smiled at Damon ironically at that, having the impression that he was telling her all that just to stir trouble between her and Stefan. "You say it like every relationship is doomed to end."

Damon smirked at her and shrugged. "I'm a fatalist. Hello Stefan." His last words were said in the same tone as the first so for a millisecond Amanda didn't realize what it was that Damon had said. Then, once she understood, she turned around suddenly and came face to face with Stefan. Stefan didn't look pleased to see her with Damon, far from it. If looks could kill. She thought with a roll of her eyes.

"Amanda, I didn't know you were coming over." Stefan exclaimed with a tone devoid of feelings.

"I know. I'm sorry, I should have called, I just..." She tried to explain but Damon interrupted her. "Oh, don't be silly. You're welcome any time. Isn't she, Stefan?" Amanda noticed immediately the change of tones in the conversation. Damon had been a mix of sarcastic and flirty before with her but it was obvious that that was just the way he was. He was just teasing her, and Amanda was teasing right back. But now, he had suddenly become harsher somehow, his tone was still sarcastic but not playful. It seemed like he was goading Stefan towards some kind of reaction. And it seemed to be working because Stefan had become suddenly stiffer if that was possible. Stefan, Amanda noticed, was glaring at his brother forcefully. Damon, that had obviously noticed this, smirked at him.

Amanda wondered once again what the hell had happened between these two. Why two brothers couldn't seemingly stand to be in the same room together.

"You know, I should break out the family photo albums or some home movies. But. . .I have to warn you. He wasn't always such a looker." Damon said then.

"Thank you for stopping by, Amanda. Nice to see you." Stefan suddenly said, interrupting the conversation.

Amanda looked at him, surprised by his sudden rudeness and decided to tease him a little. "Well, this was certainly a dismissal if I ever heard one."

Stefan frowned, obviously a little embarrassed, but was firm in his decision. "Don't be rude Stefan, Amanda has come here just to see you." Damon said mockingly.

Amanda rolled her eyes again before saying "Well, I should go, I suppose" She threw a last look at Stefan, bewildered and a little offended by his behavior before turning towards Damon "Damon, it was... interesting meeting you." She said, not sure how to define their encounter. Damon smiled at her amused and taking Amanda's hand in his, he kissed it, looking into her eyes. Amanda tried really hard not to swoon but then chastised herself for almost doing so. "Great meeting you, too, Amanda."

Amanda went to leave but her way was blocked by Stefan, who was still glaring fiercely at Damon.

"Stefan!" Amanda said to get him to move but he didn't seem to hear her. "Stefan!" She called a second time and finally Stefan moved out of the way. Amanda was finally able to reach the door. After one last look towards Stefan, who stood with his back to her, rigid and probably still glaring at his brother, she crossed the doorway and left the house.


Damon watched Amanda go and smirked.

"Great gal. Whoo. She's got spunk." He said just to irritate Stefan. "You, on the other hand, look pooped. Did you over-exert yourself today? Let me guess. . . hospital."

Stefan glared at him and Damon's smirk grew larger. "Someone had to clean up your mess."

"Well, were you successful? Did the powers of persuasion work? Remember, if you don't feed properly, none of those little tricks work right."

The lines on Stefan's forehead deepened. "How long was Amanda here?" His tone was both worried and jealous.

"Were you worried, Stefan? Scared we may be doomed to repeat the past? Isn't that why you play your little game, "I'm a high school human"?" He taunted him.

"I'm not playing any game."

Damon rolled his eyes at that. "Of course you are. We both know the closest you'll ever get to humanity is when you rip it open and feed on it."

"What kind of game are you playing, Damon?"

Damon's grin became amused but his tone was dark. "Guess you'll just have to wait and see, won't you?"


Amanda had returned back home about an hour ago. Amanda was now telling Jenna what had happened between her, Stefan and Damon that afternoon and Jenna was listening patiently to her. Amanda had tried to pretend that it didn't matter, that everybody had exes in their life, someone that once upon a time had been important to you, and that that didn't mean that Stefan wasn't interested in her or that he was trying to replace Katherine with her - she ignored the little voice in her head, telling her that it was exactly what was happening -. And of course that was also the fact that Damon was not exactly an impartial voice in this since, from what Amanda was able to gather from his tone, it was obvious that Katherine had been important to Damon too. Maybe Katherine was the real reason why they had such a messed up relationship.

"So, yeah. I'm a little upset. But it's not the fact that he had an ex-girlfriend that's the problem. It's more the fact that he didn't tell me about her. Or about his brother. Or about anything else really. I told him so much about me already. I mean, he knows about Matt, and 'the switching-babies' thing and about the accident and about my adopted parents and also about my not exactly stellar life with the Dursleys. And I realized that, I don't know anything about him. He hasn't opened up to me about anything about his life before moving to Mystic Falls. The few things I know, I found out by reading between the lines of the cryptic remarks he made from time to time and what his brother told me. How messed up is that?"

"Well, at least his issues are about an ex-girlfriend. Wait till you date a guy with mommy issues or cheating issues. Or amphetamine issues." Jenna said just to lighten the mood. Amanda grinned at her but she was still upset. Jenna realized that because she said "Hey, don't worry, okay? I'm sure he'll tell you everything, once he's ready. Give it time."

Amanda smiled at her and nodded, a little reassured.

The moment was interrupted by Jeremy that entered the house just in that moment. Amanda realized instantly that her little brother was high... again.

Jenna had probably realized too that something was wrong with him because she immediately left the kitchen and followed him in the hallway. "Jeremy? Jeremy, where were you?" She asked him, her voice raised like Amanda had never heard her use before.

Jeremy looked at her for a second, smirked and said "More stoner stories? Look, Jenna, I get it, you were cool. And so that's. . .that's cool." He gestured with his hand, a mocking smile on his face, before making his way up the stairs.

"Oh, no, no, no!" Jenna protested before grabbing an apple from the kitchen counter and threw it at Jeremy.

Jeremy looked at her in disbelief for a second, like he couldn't believe their aunt could do something like this. "Ow! Why? Why. . .why did you do that?" The situation could have been funny if it wasn't so sad.

"Listen up! Quit ditching class or you're grounded. No discussion." Jenna continued. Jeremy wasn't the least bit intimidated though. "Parental authority, I like it. Sleep tight." He mock-nodded at her before going up the stairs to his room. Amanda looked at Jenna with a frown. The situation was really, really bad.


It was the next day, late evening to be exact, and Amanda and Bonnie were handing out flyers in preparation of the event of the night, the night the comet would pass over Mystic Falls. Caroline was on the other side of the town square, doing the same thing.

"Tonight, night of the comet! Would you like a program?" Bonnie was saying before turning towards Amanda. "He didn't call, huh?"

Amanda sighed and shook her head no. "Or text. But then, I realized, we didn't even exchanged numbers. We basically spent a whole night talking and we didn't exchanged numbers. We've never gotten to the texting part, or the calling, or you know, the sharing information part."

Bonnie nodded. "These are all important milestones in any relationship."

Amanda agreed. "Right?" She stayed silent for a second before sighing and saying. "It's just another thing to add to the thousands things I don't know about Stefan Salvatore. You know what? Whatever. The timing wasn't right anyway."

Bonnie frowned at her. "When is it ever right?"

Amanda shook her head again. "Relationships are hard work Bonnie and truth to be told, I just…I don't know. I think I don't have the energy for it. I'm just…not ready, okay?"

Bonnie looked a little exasperated now. "Who is?"

"Hey, at least I tried. I did, but it didn't work so…" Amanda tried to defend herself.

"Is that what you're calling it?" Bonnie raised an eyebrow at her, obviously skeptic.

"What do you mean?" Asked Amanda defensive.

"All I'm hearing is reasons why you can't." Was Bonnie's only answer. Amanda looked at her for a long moment before sighing. "Yeah, well, maybe I think I'm wasting my time okay?"

"Wasting your time how?" Bonnie asked, obviously not understanding her point. Amanda rolled her eyes. "Come on Bonnie, I told you what Damon told me. I'm not sure Stefan is really interested in me. Actually I don't think he wants me at all."

"Why do you think that?" Bonnie asked bewildered.

"Because I think Damon was right. Stefan is still on the rebound for his ex. I kind of have the impression that I remind him of her and that's why he was so immediately interested in me instead of any other girl in school. I really don't want to be the rebound girl Bonnie. My self-esteem couldn't take it." Amanda finished jokingly but she was dead serious.

"I don't think it's like that at all. I saw him with you Amanda. He genuinely likes you. He likes spending time with you. He smiles around you, thing that - let's admit it - it's something he doesn't do often. Don't let your insecurities stop you from getting what you want."

Amanda smiled at Bonnie, a little reassured but not yet ready to hope. "I don't know Bonnie. I really don't know."


Night had fallen over the town square, the time for the comet to pass over Mystic Falls was almost there. Amanda looked around at all the people gathered for the event, trying to find her friends in the crowd. In that moment she noticed Damon on the other side of the street, looking at her. She was about to join him when some people walked in front of her. A moment later, when her view was free again, the place where Damon was a second ago, was now empty. Amanda shook her head, confused, then shrugged. Caroline reached her side in that moment, some white candles in her hand. "Hey, I got some candles." Caroline gave her one and then walked away to do the same thing to the others gathered there. Amanda looked at the candle for a second, checked that nobody was looking her way and then stared at the candle with intensity. A moment later a tiny flame was burning at the top of the candle. Amanda smiled satisfied. A second later Matt walked up to her. "Hey." She smiled at him. Matt smiled back at her and returned her greeting. She lighted his candle with her own. "Thank you." Matt said to her. "You're welcome." Matt walked away and Amanda went up to someone else to light their candles. A moment later she looked up and saw Stefan coming her way. She sighed but smiled at him. "Hi."

"Hi." Stefan repeated. "You know, that comet. . .it's been traveling across space for thousands of years. All alone."
Amanda grimaced a little. "Yeah, Bonnie says it's a harbinger of evil."

Stefan shook his head. "I think it's just a ball of. . .snow and ice, trapped on a path that it can't escape. And once every 145 years, it gets to come home." He hesitated a little then continued. "I'm sorry about yesterday. That scene with my brother, I didn't want you to see that. I wasn't myself."

"It's okay. I gathered it wasn't me you were upset with."

Stefan looked surprised at that, then upset. "What Damon told you?"

"Not much. I just realized that you and him have a really tense relationship."

Stefan sighed. "Yeah. Tense." He kept silent for a second then continued, his tone determined. "Listen, Amanda. Damon is not a good guy, not matter what he seems. You should stay away from him, for your own good."

Amanda widened her eyes at that and then laughed, she really couldn't help it. Noticing Stefan's offended face, she sobered instantly and apologized. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh at you. It's just…I'm not sure if your warning is because you really think Damon is dangerous. Or it's because of what happened between you two in the past. Anyway, it doesn't matter. I'm not hanging out with Damon, we met like...twice. I barely know him. In any case, I know how to take care of myself. Trust me, I met a lot of people who are much worse than Damon. You don't need to protect me".

"I'm not joking Amanda. He could be... really dangerous."

"I understand what you're saying Stefan. And I'm telling you, I know how to defend myself if the need arise okay?"

"All right." Stefan answered defeated. Then a moment later, after realizing what she had said, he asked "What do you mean, 'because of what happened between you two in the past'. What exactly did Damon say to you?" Stefan asked cautious.

Amanda shrugged. "He told me about your ex, Katherine. That she broke your heart. But I sort of realized that he loved her too. He did, didn't he? I mean, the way he was talking about her…it was pretty telling…"

Stefan sighed. "Yes, he did. But it was a long time ago."

"It didn't seem that way for him. And anyway, when you lose someone you love, that hurt, that hole in your heart, it never really goes away. It's like a scar, throbbing from time to time, never actually healing. Always there, as a reminder that no matter what you do, no matter how much time passes, the tiniest, most insignificant event can make it bleed again."

"Amanda…" Stefan tried to say but Amanda interrupted him.

"It's okay, Stefan. I'm not angry. I get it. You have no idea how much I get it. Complicated brother? Check. Complicated past relationship? Check. Too complicated to even contemplate dating? Double check. It's okay, really. We met, and we talked, and it was pretty amazing, but… the sun came up the next morning and reality set in. So…" Amanda blew out her candle and walked away without another word.


Amanda entered the Grill just in time to see Jeremy and Tyler arguing. And, of course, it was about Vicky once again. Amanda made her way besides them. Caroline and Bonnie were already near them, probably curious about what was going on.

"Hey, has anyone seen Vicky?" Jeremy asked them. Amanda shook her head, she had no idea where Vicky could be.

"You're her stalker. You tell us." And that was Tyler. Amanda rolled her eyes, Tyler was such a douche.

"I can't find her." Jeremy continued, ignoring Tyler. He was obviously worried.

"She probably found somebody else to party with. Sorry, pill pusher, I guess you've been replaced." Tyler continued.

"What's with the pill pusher?" Amanda asked Jeremy with a suspicious tone.

"Ask him." Tyler answered.

Jeremy shook his head at her. "You wanna do this right now?"

"Are you dealing?" Amanda asked again.

"She's never gonna go for you." Tyler goaded Jeremy.

Jeremy looked at Tyler with a slight smirk. "She already did. Over and over and over again."

Amanda widened her eyes. "Okay, too much information Jeremy."

"Yeah, right." Tyler said, but it was obvious he kind of believed Jeremy's words.

"You slept with Vicki Donovan? I mean, Vicki Donovan slept with you?" Caroline asked with her usual tact.

"There's no way." Tyler shook his head.

"And I didn't even have to force her into it." Jeremy said with fake nonchalance.

"What the hell is he talking about, Ty?" Matt asked, having obviously heard Jeremy's words.

"Nothing, man, just ignore him, he's a punk." Tyler said, defending himself. Amanda looked at him with disgust. It was obvious he had a guilty conscience. What Jeremy said was probably partly true.

Matt shook his head. "You know what, how about all of you shut up and help me find my sister?"

"Yeah, you're right." Amy agreed.

"We'll check the back." Bonnie said, leaving the Grill with Caroline.

"I'll check the square." Matt said before leaving too. "I'll come with you." Jeremy tried to say but Amanda immediately stopped him.

"Oh, no, no, no. You are coming with me." Together, the two of them left the Grill in search of Vicky. "So that's your game now, dealing?"

"I'm not dealing." Jeremy said with an exasperated tone.

"Look, we both know Tyler is a complete dick besides being a bully but if what he's saying is even the slightest bit true...I'm gonna kill you."

"It's not" Jeremy said with a glare.

Amanda wished she could believe him but she didn't. "Look, Jer, I'm worried okay? And pretty damned angry at you right now. I know that what you're going through is not the same as what I'm going through because I've known Mum and Dad for a year and you've been with them your whole life but that doesn't mean that I'm gonna stand aside and watch your life fall apart without doing anything to stop it."

"You and Jenna, between the two of you. Enough already!"

"I know that the drugs are not the problem. I know that you're in pain and that, probably, the drugs are helping you…numb the pain. But if you keep going like you are, they will become a problem. And then what? Do you really want to become an addict? Do you really think that's gonna help? Because it will not. Maybe Jenna and I should just send you to a therapist and been done with it. Would you like that? Tell all your problems to a complete stranger that has certainly no idea what you're going through. Or… you could talk to me."

"I vote for none of the above." Was Jeremy's only answer. He left without another word. Amanda sighed, watching him walk away.


Stefan stared at Damon with worry. What had just happened with Vicky has proved to him once and for all that Damon was once again trying to ruin his life. When he came back to Mystic Falls he really thought that he could start over, forget about his past and his sins, meet Amanda and try to live a normal life in his home town. But you couldn't start over when you had a brother intent on destroying your life over and over again. He had breathed a sigh of relief when Damon had compelled Vicky again after having convinced her that Stefan was the one who attacked her but he knew perfectly well that Damon hadn't done it because he was feeling guilty. Damon simply didn't want to end his game too soon, he wasn't done playing with Stefan. And his game would have ended if the Council had found out that he was a vampire. Stefan would have been killed and Damon would have to renounce his vengeance, think that he couldn't allow. It was nothing more than that. He just wished he knew what Damon was really planning, beside making his life hell of course.

"It's good to be home. Think I might stay a while. This town could use a bit of a wake-up call, don't you think?" Damon's words brought him back to the present. His older brother was smirking, obviously satisfied by what had transpired between them.

"What are you up to, Damon?" Stefan asked directly, even if he knew he wouldn't get an answer.

"That's for me to know and for you to. . .dot dot dot." Damon stopped speaking for a second before adding. "Give Amanda my best. Or maybe I'll simply do it myself. I think she likes my company, don't you think?" Stefan glared at him at that and Damon laughed. "Oh don't be jealous Stefan. You wouldn't for history to repeat itself, would you?" Damon smirked some more before saying. "Smart girl Amanda. Really perceptive. She reminds so much of Katherine. And I'm not talking about her physical appearance... Well, I best go now. See you around little brother." And in an instant, he was gone.


"Ugh, it's just so much drama. Ever notice how the druggies are the biggest attention whores?" Caroline was saying.

"Yeah." Bonnie was not really listening to her, just pretending to for her friend's sake. They were again at the Grill, the two of them like two nights ago, sitting around a table near the door.

The moment was interrupted by Stefan Salvatore, Amanda's possible new boyfriend. "Excuse me. Hi." He was always so polite.

"Hi." Bonnie answered with a smile.

"Um, have you guys seen Amanda?"

"I think she went home. I'm gonna give you Amanda's cell number and her email. She is big on texting, and you can tell her... 'I said so'". She scribbled Amanda's number and email on a napkin before offering it to Stefan.

"Thank you." Stefan said. In that moment their hands touched and Bonnie shivered, a cold, empty feeling like anything she had ever felt before making her way inside her.

"You ok?" Stefan asked her, bringing her back to the present. Bonnie withdrew her hand from Stefan's and got up.

"What happened to you?" She asked before shaking her head, confused and upset. "That's so rude. I'm sorry. Excuse me." She left without a moment thought, leaving two very bewildered people staring after her.


Amanda couldn't believe Bonnie had left without telling her. She had entered the Grill, searching for Bonnie and Caroline had said that she had simply left after talking with Stefan, leaving her alone at the table, looking like an idiot. As far as she understood, Bonnie had given Stefan her number and when they had touched hands, Bonnie had suddenly sprung up from the table and left without a word. So now that she had lost her drive home, all she had left to do was walk, alone, in the dark, with wild animals roaming the town. If they actually were wild animals. 'Thanks a lot Bonnie. If someone tries to kill me, I'll blame you!'

Maybe she was being paranoid but she remembered when she had studied vampires at Hogwarts in DADA and the common stories the muggles used to rationalize the attacks had been about wild animals. Attacks that, coincidence or not, had started at the same time that the Salvatore brothers had shown up into town. The only reason why she was pretty sure it was not them was because she had seen them walk during the day. After all the fact that sunlight was harmful to vampires was not a simple myth.

There were times when she lamented the loss of her powers and now was one of those times. If she had still been a witch, she could have apparated directly in her room without breaking a sweat, instead she had to walk. She had been walking for about five minutes when she noticed a blue Camaro approaching her side. And, of course, it was none other than Damon Salvatore. Lately, she had seen more of the Salvatore brothers – one or the other usually, never together – that she had of her own brother. Add the fact that both of them, no matter how charming they were, were highly suspicious and she was starting to wonder if maybe there was more to her thoughts than simple paranoia.

"Need a ride?" He asked her with his trademark smirk.

"It depends." She answered with a smile, hiding the fact that she was actually being serious. "Will you try to kill me?"

"Why do you think I'll try to kill you?" He was still smirking but his eyes were cautious.

"Oh, I don't know. You and me, alone in your car, nobody knowing where I am..."

"You and me together in my car, alone... it makes me think of other, more pleasurable, things to do with you than kill you." He said suggestively, doing this thing with his eyes that would have appeared ridiculous on anyone else but that on his face looked sexy. Amanda laughed at that, rolling her eyes a little. "Careful Damon, I'm technically dating your brother. We wouldn't want to give him the wrong impression, would we?"

"No, of course not" Damon replied, suddenly sarcastic. "Do you want a ride or not?"

Amanda sighed before accepting the ride he was offering and climbing in his car.

"So, how come you're stranded?" Damon asked her, as soon as she was safely ensconced in his car.

"I rode with Bonnie at this Comet thing and she just left. Something to do with touching Stefan's hand or something." Amanda explained.

"Poor girl. I'm not surprised that touching Stefan would have that effect on her". Damon said with a smirk.

Amanda tried not to smile but she couldn't help it. Suddenly, all her bad mood had vanished just by exchanging a few words with him. How did he do it?

"Ah, ah. I saw that" Damon said with a grin.

"You're so very charming. It's really annoying" Amanda said, unable to suppress her laughter any longer.

"I know. I'm irresistible"

"And modest too, I see." She shook her head but she was still smiling. Then suddenly serious, she added. "Thank you".

Damon looked at her confused. Amanda exclaimed, "For making me laugh. I needed that"

"Oh, tough night?" Damon asked her then.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that. I had a fight with Stefan."

"Oh, sounds serious! Troubles in paradise already?" His tone was suddenly mocking. It happened every time Damon talked about his brother. Amanda knew that it had something to do with whatever had happened between them and Katherine and she was really dying to ask but she knew that, if there was someone that needed to tell her about what had really happened, it was Stefan, not Damon, so she stayed silent.

"Maybe. I don't know. It's actually kind of your fault." She answered but she was joking.

"Oh really? What did I do then?" Damon was smirking.

"You made me realize that Stefan didn't share a damn thing about himself since we met. I mean, I told him so many things about me but he didn't do the same. Aren't two people who are trying to get to know each other, supposed to share things about themselves?"

"Maybe. But you said it yourself, you met him only a few days ago. Maybe he's not ready to share yet. I wouldn't be." Damon replied suddenly serious.

Amanda looked at him surprised. "Wow. I must being dreaming. Are you actually trying to defend your brother?"

"What? No. I would never do that." Damon said, faked offended. Amanda laughed again. "What I'm saying is that, if I were in his place, I would probably do the same thing. Not sharing, I mean. Not yet. Maybe after a while, once I know I can trust you."

"Do you think that's it? That he doesn't trust me?"

"Not that he doesn't trust you specifically. Just that he doesn't trust you with the truth of his past. It's too early for that. Have you told him everything about your past?"

"Well, no. But I did tell him some."

"Maybe he can't tell you 'some' without actually telling you everything. When he's ready, he'll tell you everything. That's what I would do."

"I suppose you're right. That's what Aunt Jenna said too. Give it time. So, okay, I'll give him time and I hope he'll open up to me one day."

"Yeah, you do that. But now, please, can I stop being your couple counselor?"

Amanda laughed at Damon's disgusted tone. "Of course. You wouldn't want people to think that you actually care about your brother. Or that you actually have a heart."

Damon looked at her for a second, before shaking his head.

"You know, you're not at all like I thought you would be."

"Oh, you had expectations about me?"

"Well, not you, as you. But you as someone whose my brother would be interested in".

"Are you trying to insult me?" Amanda asked, confused.

"On the contrary. I was trying to compliment you. I thought that, after Katherine, Stefan would have chosen someone…hum…all sweetness and innocence…"

"You mean…boring…?" Amanda asked him, once again reading between the lines.

Damon laughed. "Yes, yes. Boring. Someone like him. But you're the exact opposite of that."

"Thanks, I think. So, I suppose Katherine was far from boring?"

"Katherine had a lot of flaws. Being boring wasn't one of them."

Amanda looked at him, suddenly sad.

"You really loved her, did you?"

"And what makes you think that?" Damon asked her, suddenly defensive.

"The way you talk about her. As much as you try to hide it, I can see the pain in your eyes every time she came up in a conversation. I get it, you know. I can't say that I've ever been in love with someone the way you've loved her but I know what it's like to lose someone you love. You start to think that it's not worth it. Loving someone ever again because of the pain that you'll feel when you lose them, but it's not true."

"You really think so? That it's worth it?" Damon asked her, an intrigued, but also pained expression on his face.

"Love always is." Amanda said with conviction. Damon looked intently at her for a long second before nodding almost imperceptibly with his head, silently agreeing with her statement.

The two of them didn't talk anymore until Damon had suddenly parked his car in front of her house.

"How did you know where I live?" Amanda asked him, suddenly realizing that she didn't give him any directions to reach her house.

"It's a little town. And I've lived in Mystic Falls before, some years ago. I know where the Gilbert family lives."

"Right." She hesitated a moment, about to say something else before changing her mind. "Thanks for the ride then Damon." She ended up saying then before leaving Damon's car. "See you around then."

"Let's hope it's soon, Miss Gilbert." Damon smirked at her before waving his hand slightly. He started up the engine again until he was out of the driveway. Amanda watched him go, a slight frown on her face. Then she shook her head and went inside.

She got up the stairs when she heard noises coming from Jeremy's room. Maybe now was a good time to talk to her little brother.

"Jer?" She called aloud. When she went into his room though, there was no Jeremy waiting inside, it was Jenna.

"No, it's me, the hypocrite patrol." Her aunt answered.

"What are you doing?" Amanda asked her curiously.

"I've become my worst nightmare. The authority figure who has to violate a 15-year-old's privacy." Jenna was searching inside Jeremy's drawer when she noticed there was something inside one of his socks. Pot, to be precise.

"Jackpot. I see the hiding places haven't gotten any more creative."

"What brought this on?"

"Your ass-hat of a history teacher shamed me good yesterday."

Amanda nodded in understanding. "You got Tannered. Been there."

"'Discover the impossible, Ms. Summers.' Got it. Thanks. Like I didn't know I was screwing up."

"You're not screwing up, Aunt Jenna."

Her aunt shook her head, dejected. "Yes, I am. You know why? Because I'm not her. She made everything look so easy. You know, high school, marriage, having Jeremy. I can't do it. I'm gonna say or do the wrong thing, and he's gonna get worse, and it's gonna be my fault. It's impossible."

"This is just the fear talking. You're a little scared, that's all. But you're not alone Aunt Jenna. You have me. And I'll help, in any way I can, okay?"


Caroline had just left the Grill and was walking to her car, the parking lot seemed deserted. She suddenly heard something and stopped. She looked around her but she didn't notice anything. She resumed walking until she reached her car. She heard another noise and the keys in her hand dropped on the ground. She picked them up from the ground and when she stood up she came face to face with the handsome man she had seen the day before yesterday at the Grill.

"Oh... whoa." She exclaimed, a little startled.

The man smirked at her. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."

Caroline shook her head. "No, it's fine. Um. . .I was hoping I'd see you again." She said sincerely.

The man smirked again. "I know." He answered cockily.

"Cocky much?" Caroline asked with a giggle.

He smiled like at her, like a cat that ate the canary. "Very much." Caroline smiled coyly in return.


Amanda had just left her house and taken her car, intent of going to the Boarding House to talk with Stefan. After the conversation she had had with Damon, she had decided that she was ready to take a risk and really try with Stefan. Like she had said to Damon, love was always worth it. Maybe it wasn't love yet, but it could be, if she let it.

She parked just outside the Salvatore Boarding House and got out of her car, reaching the high double doors at the entrance. She rang the bell and waited a few seconds. Stefan answered the door almost immediately.

"Hi." Stefan greeted her with a smile.

Amanda smiled in return. "Hey."

"I didn't expect you to come here. Would you like to come in?" Stefan invited immediately.

Amanda shook her head, no. "The comet's actually this way." She gestured with her hand towards the porch outside. Amanda reached the porch and Stefan followed her.

"Sorry for barging in. Especially after earlier." Amanda immediately apologized, a little embarrassed.

"No, no. I'm glad you're here. The way we left things... I didn't like it." Stefan said with a slight frown. They stood side by side, without saying anything for a few seconds. Amanda took a deep breath, trying to find the courage to speak. "See, the thing is, I got home tonight planning on doing what I always do, write in my diary, like I have been doing since my mom gave me one almost as soon as I moved to Mystic Falls. She thought that it would help me adjust to the new situation, you know, putting my thoughts on paper. And it did, a lot more than I thought it would. It's where I get everything out, everything I'm feeling. It all goes in this little book that I hide on the second shelf behind this really hideous ceramic mermaid. But then I realized that I'd just be writing things that I should probably be telling you."

Stefan looked at her intently. "What would you write?"

Amanda sighed. "I would write. . .'Dear diary, Maybe it's better this way. I'm not ready. Not after everything that has happened to me. Not after all the people that I've lost. It's too soon.' But then I remembered my talk with Bonnie and Jenna. And my talk with Damon tonight and I realized that they were right. I'm bothered that you didn't tell me anything about your past, that's true. I want to know you but I feel like you're the one getting to know me but you're not giving me the same courtesy. You didn't tell me anything about yourself. And I get it, it's difficult. I know. I'm not ready to share everything either but I already told you so much." When she noticed that Stefan was about to interrupt her, she continued. "But…I'm willing to wait. Because Damon was right. I just have to be patient and wait for you to trust me with your past. And when you're ready, I'll be here and I'll listen."

"Wait, Damon? What Damon has to do with anything?" Stefan asked, half confused, half angry.

"He gave me a ride home and we talked. About you, mostly. And, I know it could sound strange but he gave me some sound advice. Reluctantly, mind you, but he did. He cares about you a lot more than he would want you to think."

"Are you sure that we're talking about the same Damon here?" Stefan asked bewildered.

Amanda laughed. "Yeah. I'm sure. He said that maybe you probably weren't ready to share. That it was too soon. But that didn't mean that you wouldn't, in time."

"Wow. You almost make my brother sound human."

Amanda smiled sadly. "I've met inhuman people. Someone completely incapable of feeling positive emotions like love or compassion, only hatred and the desire to hurt others. Your brother isn't like that. Not even close".

Stefan sighed at that. "I hope you're right. Because I would love nothing more than having my brother back."

Amanda smiled at him. "Trust me. You will". She looked at him, suddenly realizing that they were closer that she thought they were. When did they get so close? A moment later, they were kissing. She didn't know who made the first move and she didn't care. She didn't regret it.