I walked into my homeroom and smiled seeing my soon to be uncle Alaric, greeting me with a smile. I sat quietly, staring at my book. I thought about the boy I had just met a few minutes ago. He was really nice to me and so handsome. I hadn't had a nice interaction with anyone in school before. I had experienced a lot of catty girls in the previous years of school. All the boys were jerks and it was nice to see that it might be different here. Alaric took roll call and as he said my name, a blonde haired girl darted her eyes towards me. I knew her face it was Caroline Forbes, one of my best friends growing up. I smiled at her and she just looked at me before turning her head.

When homeroom ended I sped up to catch up with Caroline. I stopped her in the hallway. "Caroline?" I said trying to get her attention as we continued walking.

She stopped in her tracks and looked me up and down. "Yes?" She said while folding her arms, her tone was snotty and I was taken back.

I awkwardly played with my fingers. "I know you probably don't remember me but we use to be friends when I lived here." I said trying to jog her memory hoping she had just forgotten.

Caroline shook her head. "And I'm suppose to care about that for what reason?" She said with no care, just a mean girl eye roll.

My face was written in shock. "Okay, sorry that I bothered you." I turned around quickly and got out of there.

I didn't expect her to welcome me into being best friends or anything but that was cruel. I didn't remember the people here being so bitchy. I guessed that maybe I wasn't supposed to make new friends. That cute blue eyed boy was probably just a fluke. It was awful being so alone in this world. I have Jeremy and I know he cares for me but he's never reliable. I craved the idea of being more to someone, to anyone.

I carried on throughout the day. I noticed plenty of faces I recognized but I didn't approach them in fear of what happened with Caroline. I wasn't going to make that mistake again to no surprise no one recognized me. I began to realize I was doomed to being a loner for the rest of the year. When it came to be lunch time I ducked out of the cafeteria and went into one of the bathrooms. I felt my stomach growl but I ignored it like I always did. I heard someone come into the bathroom and I quickly pretended like I was washing my hands.

She glanced over at me while she was drying her hands and she did a double take. "Elena?!" I looked over at her. "Elena Gilbert?" She asked to make sure she wasn't seeing things.

My eyes widen. "Bonnie!" I smiled really big, seeing my best friend after six years and her actually giving a fuck made me feel a whole lot better.

Bonnie embraced me in a warm hug. "What are you doing back here?" She asked me as we pulled away.

"My uncle got a job offer and we had to make the move back here." I explained how he was still the same jerk he was before. I left out the part of how worst he's become.

She smiled. "Wow, it's so good to see you Elena!" She went on.

I laughed. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you." I was thrilled to be reunited.

"Is it hard being back here?" Bonnie asked trying to tip toe around the subject of my parents.

I nodded. "It's not easy but it's nice being reminded of my parents." I paused thinking about how much I missed them. "I'm sorry I never contacted you after we moved. There's been so much going on and I didn't know how to be a good friend." I apologized, knowing how easy it would have been to find her number over the years.

"No. Elena I completely understand, I could've done the same but I didn't want to remind you of the life you left behind." Bonnie explained that her intentions weren't to hurt me.

Bonnie caught me up on a lot about her life that I've missed. It was good to hear she was doing so good. She lived with her grandmother most of the time who I adored as kids. She always was so sweet and loving to Bonnie's friends. I was glad to hear she was still the same old grams. The bell rang after awhile but Bonnie promised to hangout this weekend and catch up even more. I felt million times better about everything.

I left my final class of the day and walked outside of the school waiting to see my brother, who was probably off doing who knows what. I noticed a boy standing behind me, watching me. I turned around and raised my eyebrow wondering what his deal was. "Can I help you?" I asked bluntly.

He was taken back a little but he adjusted to my bluntness. "No. Sorry I just never had seen you before and I was curious, you know small town." He walked closer and extended his hand. "I'm Stefan." He hung his hand out for me to shake.

I reluctantly shook his hand. "Well I'm Elena and yes I'm new but I use to live here a long time ago." I informed him.

Stefan smiled hungrily. "So Elena, would you like to do something this weekend?" He asked me so suddenly with so much confidence that I didn't have an once of.

My face went blank. I never had been asked out before and he was attractive but I wasn't sure I was ready for all of that and I didn't even know this boy. "I'm sorry but I just don't know you that well." I said hoping to let him down easily.

His expression changed from confident to surprised. "That's what dates are for Elena. We can get to know each other then." He persisted.

I felt really uncomfortable. "I'm sorry but I don't think so." I tried to turn around but he walked in front of me.

He stared at my lips. "Come on don't be like that." Stefan shamed me for not being interested. Clearly he's never heard the word no before.

I backed up a little. "I said no." I clarified once more.

Stefan got pretty mad so I went to leave but he grabbed my arm. "Hey! I'm not done talking to you."

I got really scared as he touched me. His grip wasn't tight but it still startled me. "Hey! Stefan! Leave her the hell alone." I heard come from behind me.

He let go and glared at me. "Whatever." He mumbled to the voice behind me before walking away to cool down.

I turned around and saw the blue eyed boy from this morning. "I'm so sorry for my brother's actions." He apologized.

I nodded my head. "It's okay. It wasn't your fault." I said trying to calm down.

"I know but he's been through a lot and I'm trying to straighten him out, teach him not to be an asshole." The blue eyed boy explained which I got completely with all the family drama I've suffered through.

"I understand I have brother too, he's a mess but a work in progress." I laughed a little.

He smiled at me. "Well I hope our brother's get their shit together." We laughed and it felt nice.

"I'm Elena." I said softly.

"It's nice to meet you Elena, I'm Damon." I smiled at him.


Damon's POV

I walked into the house after Stefan slammed the door behind me. He had his headphones on the entire drive home. I was so pissed with the way he treated Elena. It worried me. I didn't want my brother turning into someone that can treat a woman with so little respect. I walked inside and ran up the stairs going after Stefan.

"We aren't done here." I shouted at my little brother who was standing in his doorway with his arms folded.

"What's the point Damon?" Stefan asked. "You don't need to look out for me. I'm not your puppet, I'll do what I want." He continued to push me.

I shook my head. "Look kid, I've been where you have been and you know that. I'm not going to let you ruin your life over what life has dealt us." I tried to reason with him.

Stefan laughed me off. "I'm not you and I'm not acting out because dad's a sick freak and mom's a whore." He wasn't being honest with himself and I knew that.

I sighed. "If you keep doing dumb stuff Stef, people are going to catch on that it's pretty much just us." I explained, hoping Stefan would understand I only wanted to protect him.

"I know that Damon. I'm trying okay? But I don't need you breathing down my neck." He threw his hands up in frustration.

"I know you are and I'm proud of that but know my intentions are out of wanting to keep the only person I have left out of trouble." I pulled my little brother into a hug.

He pulled away after a quick second. "I'll try hard but please just give me some space." Stefan begged.

I nodded my head. "Okay fine. I'll give you some space but I don't want to see another repeat of today or else I'm going to not let you out of my sight." I agreed.

"Fair enough." My brother went off into his room.

This was all really hard on me being strong for Stefan. We had this big mansion all to our selves but we both felt incredibly lonely. Our father made sure we were all taken care of but he left such a mess in our lives that money can't buy. Mother took her share and got the hell out of here. I missed having a loving family often, until I remember how much of it was just an illusion.