Chapter 3: A Disapproving Look
Okay. . . lets see what I got myself into. I'm back to Mystic Falls, still heart broken and all, to keep an eye on Katherine, and know I'm staying at Katherine's doppelgangers home, which happens to be Stefan's girlfriend and at any moment Damon could walk in at any minute, yup I am indeed crazy! I let out a heavy sigh, Elena looked at me, trying to process what could be wrong.
"Okay I'm trying to process all this, so is there any chance you can give me more details", she said sadly with a worried expression on her face.
"well, I would love to tell you everything . . . but it's rather too painful to remember those moment", I sighed out. I found myself walking around her room.
"Sure, sorry I know how loosing someone can hurt so much, but can you tell me anything about Stefan back then?", she asked shyly clearly giving me an all so cute and sad puppy dog look. Darn my weakness for puppies, I giggled.
"Sure, Stefan was annoying", I giggled, "but he was my annoying best friend, he was the best". "We loved heading in the woods and sitting by a stream, talking about our ambitions and life, and of course he would always enlighten me about Damon and his frustrating habits", I giggle. Okay, well maybe it won't be that hard, and Elena sure does lighten up when I talk about him.
"I felt safe and myself around, him I mean don't get me wrong, I felt the same way with Damon, but I don't know it was just like. . ."
"Being with a long lost, awesome family member", Elena added.
"Yeah, exactly it was just more of having fun and goofing around", I ended. Clearly I had reminded Elena about how she felt with Bonnie.
"Oooh, embarrassing story time, please tell me something about him", she was playfully groveling. Ha, I knew exactly with story to tell.
"okay, its December 1863, the Salvatore's were hosting a Christmas ball, and Stephan was smitten by some girl, I forgot her name, well anyways, he's taken her on a night walk around the courtyard, so me and Damon decided to follow them and ease drop. They were sitting on a bench looking towards the garden, we decided to hide behind these set of bushes. Stefan was so nervous, he was rambling on about some boring plant info, I mean the conversation was a deadly dull, the poor girl was yawning. So I hinted to Damon that I was going to mess with them. I started to make loud owl noises. Stefan glance back and saw us, he mouthed for us to leave, not trying to let the girl know we were there. Damon started making loud crow noises, Stefan started talking louder trying to ignore us, and well it wasn't working. At the end of their conversation he was practically yelling at her, she taught he was going mad. She made some lame excuse about her father calling her and she balled. Yeah I know, me and Damon where pretty annoying back they. He didn't speak to us for hours, but completely worth, the chick was bad news anyways," I laughed.
"Aww! Poor Stefan", Elena giggled out.
It was a nice feeling finally having someone to talk to, I've been so isolated for years now, not wanting to get attached to anyone. But, Elena was easy to open up to. That night, told her more stories about the Salvatore's and I. We also talked about what I've been doing for the past 145 years. I know I rambled on and on about living in Europe for most of my time, she was surprised about me living in every state for two years. I made that a goal, I wanted to experience life in varies places. We finally managed to knock out at 4 A.M.
I woke up next to Elena, looked at the alarm clock it was barely 6:30 and my head was a pounding mess. I managed to get up, I definitely needed a couple of hours of sleep. Well, if Elena was so kind to take me in for a couple of days, the least I could do was cook everyone some breakfast. I had just finished making Waffles, when Jenna and Jeremy came down. They were clearly surprised.
"Ummm, who are you?" asked Jeremy, while he glanced at me and Jenna.
"She's Elena's friend", she said to Jeremy. She looked back at me and said, "I didn't know you were staying the night, Elena didn't mention that to me, in fact I don't even know who you are".
"Sorry, me and Elena stayed up too late talking and I crashed her, oh! Where's my manners, my name is Trudence Brookes, but you can call me Tru", I said while moving my hand in front of me to shake hers and Jeremy's hand. "Sorry, I woke up and I knew you might get angry at Elena for not telling you, so I cooked breakfast for you guys", I cheerfully said, pointing at the dinner table where I had set out everything I cooked.
"Wow, Waffles, bacon, sausage, eggs, and hash; I love you!" Jeremy playfully said, while picking up a plate. He headed towards the food. Well seems like I made a good impression. Turned around as Elena was walking down the stairs.
"Well, we haven't eaten like this in a while", Jenna said, while chewing on a piece of waffle.
"Hey, I see you guys are up, wow! Tru did you cook all this?" She asked looking amazed.
"Yeah I wanted to make sure I buttered up Jeremy and Jenna", I giggled.
We were all eating at the table, when Elena gave me a strange look. Well, I had no idea what she was trying to say by this but I played along. She looked at Jenna starting to make her sad puppy face and now I know what she was going to say.
"Ohh, Jenna . . . well . . . see I wanted to ask you if it would be okay for Tru to stay with us for a couple days", she asked giving her that irresistible look. I was trying to hold in a giggle, I wonder if I acted like this whenever I wanted something from Stefan and Damon.
"Well, if you dinner as well as you do breakfast, it would be an honor, but I wonder do you have any family here", she asked shyly as if she already knew the answer to my question.
At that very moment, the doorbell rang and Jeremy left to answer it.
There it was, I heard that voice and I knew who had arrived.
"Stefan, hey I didn't know you were going to stop bye so early?" Elena said while she glanced at me.
Stefan stopped in his tracks as soon as he saw me. I clearly knew he was trying to figure out who I was.
"Ohh, Stefan this is my friend Tru Brookes, she's staying with us, while she looks for a place here", she added while glancing at me definitely trying to see my reaction to seeing Stefan for the first time in years. Well, I'm not going to lie, I wanted to squeal and unleash my inner best friend mode, but as hard as it was I sucked it up and pretended as if this was the first time I was meeting him.
"Hello, nice to meet you, Stefan, Elena has talked or should I say rambled about you over and over", I said smiling at him.
"Stefan, grab a plate and have a seat", Jenna said while pointing at the empty seat across mine.
"So, backed to our question", Elena suggested, she was definitely trying to amuse me.
"Well, my parents aren't in my life at this moment, we sort of had a falling out ages ago, and I was emancipated", I said, which ultimately was somewhat true.
"Oh, I'm sorry, so you're buying a house here?" she asked looking puzzled. I glanced at Stefan and he looked at me intrigued, hmm, what I should say.
"Yes, well, I'm actually waiting to receive my keys for the place I just bought, it's on 174 Lightway Drive", I said. It was quite expensive, but I fell in love with it while I was searching for a residence two days ago.
"Wow! Are you kidding me? That place is like a mansion", Jeremy gasped. Jenna was looking at me with a surprised expression. I wonder why, wait that's right they think I'm Elena's age. Where would a 17 year old get money for that.
"Yeah, it was an actually a steal, I managed to persuade the agent to lower the price a bit", I explained but I knew by the look in their faces this wasn't going to be the only question they were going to ask me.
"Geese, who'd you, kill to for that kind of cash. . .", "Jeremy", Elena interrupted.
"No its okay, since I was young I had a passion to collect war bonds from the early 1900s'. . . I know that's real geeky, but I managed to collect some valuable ones and I sold them to collectors, I invested in different companies and it's paid out a bit", I said trying to shrug it off as if it wasn't anything.
"Wow! You will have to influence Elena and Jeremy to be that financially stable", Jenna joked. I laughed and I looked at Stefan who was also amused.
"So you're attending high school?" Stefan asked politely. Yeah I registered a couple of days ago, but I still have to go and get my schedule.
"I hope we have some of the same classes, in that case I can help you catch up" Elena said sincerely.
"I hope so too", I said while facing Elena.
"Okay, we should be heading out to volunteer for the carnival today . . . you should come with us that way you can meet Bonnie", Elena said. Clearly happy about this.
"Yes, that would be awesome", I said. Though I am nervous, man I need to man up. I can't do what I came here to do if I'm too scared to be in the same place as the Salvatore brothers. "Kay, well I have to go visit my place to get the keys from the agent, so I'll meet you guys there", I said while getting up and collecting everyone's plates.
"No, Tru please, let Stefan do, he did get a free meal from you", Jeremy winked at me he clearly didn't want to seem rude by not suggesting he was the dishes, so he roped in Stefan. Clever, I thought.
"I would love to", Stefan said, clearly amused by Jeremy.
I said goodbye to everyone, got on my bike and made my way to my newly acquired house. I had bought it a couple of months ago, just in case Katherine couldn't resist inviting herself into Elena and the Salvatore's lives and this was the first time I would be in it. I had furnished it, and sent my clothes from my previous location in New York.
It definitely was a mansion had six huge rooms and seven bathrooms. I walked in they had perfectly decorated it just like I wanted including my favorite Bosendorfer black grand piano, which I bout in 1901 in Germany, good days. I headed toward the main bedroom which only took me five minutes to find. Yes! Clothes came . . . the only reason I'm I was worried for them, was the fact that I've acquired a vintage look. I haven't thrown out any of my clothes trough out the 145 odd years I've been here; which ultimately works out since most of those fashions always comes back for a season or two.
Shoot, I was running late. I changed into my dark blue skinny jeans, red chucks, and my favorite Rolling Stones concert t-shirt. I quickly did my make-up and left to go catch up with Elena.
I wasn't sure where she was, but they I saw here, she was waving; I started to walk her direction.
"Hey, I'm glad you made it, Bonnie this is Tru Brookes, True this is Bonnie Bennett", she introduced us.
No introduction needed, I thought. The Bennett's blood line was known very well up there.
"Hi, I've heard so much about you from Elena", I said while giving her my I have a secret smile.
Two hours later and we were exhausted, we had been talking since, and we sat at the park bench. Bonnie was doing some serious flirting with some guy. This should be the perfect time to go snooping for any trace of Katherine, I indicated to Elena and a still flirting Bonnie that I was heading out to go a snack, we waved goodbye and I was headed off. There was something wrong, I could definitely sense it, but I wasn't sure what it was. I sense a vampire, but where, I knew it wasn't Stefan I can sense him from a mile away. This was different, new, I shrugged it off, and as I was walking I bumped into Stefan. Who if I wasn't mistaken had been following me of a bit, I didn't blame him I was suddenly new and Katherine had just arrived back, put two and two together and you get me, ha I thought to myself.
"Hi, Stefan", I said innocently as if there was a possible chance he knew what I was thinking, but of course that's a negative thankfully.
"Hey, funny running into you here", he said amused, gosh Stefan a century later and you still can't lie.
"So anything interesting you're looking for", he asked me. Damn, he's getting straight to the point.
"No, just trying to hide from Elena, she can be such a slave driver", I giggled which was entirely true.
"Working you a little too hard, I know what you mean", he chuckled.
"Well. If I wasn't mistaken, Stefan I believe your making fun of your girlfriend", I teased.
"Only because you are", he joked.
"Well, I've seen thoe peer pressure commercial, and if I'm not one, you've just became one", I laughed. He chuckled. I could easily see him lowering his guard up a little.
"Hey little brother!" Damon said while emerging from the shadows. Such a Damon thing to do, even before he became a vampire.
"Damon, what are you doing here", Stefan asked sternly.
"Just looking for a quick snack", he pointed to the like of food vendors, but I knew that's not what he meant.
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your deliciously looking new friend", he smirked. Ah, new Damon, I thought, he's such an ass.
"I believe we already met, Mr. Salvatore", I said cautiously. I looked at my hands for a second, I was nervous. Damn it, Tru, Get yourself together. Stefan looked at me, confused at were me and Damon could have possibly met at. As if Damon knew the question, Stefan was going to ask.
"She was clumsy enough to bump into me at the Grill", he smugly said.
"Well, if I'm not mistaken I believe you were the clumsily one that bumped into me", I lied.
"Please, I saw you checking me out, I know you did it on purpose, most women do, I'm irresistible like that", he shot me a smug and jerk-is smile.
Okay, love him or not, this means is an ass and I respect myself enough to not play into his game. I put on my best poker face and fought back.
"Well, you caught me, I clearly was mesmerized by your drunkenness, and your I'm the black sheep of the family persona, that I clearly had to lower my standards and bump into you", I smugly said. I know what I said and to whom I said it to, but you know what I was proud of myself, any regular guy would have gotten an upper cut to his jaw. I saw Stefan smile a little, he was amused and so was I
.
"Please, if anyone is lowering their standards, it's me, sorry toots", he shrugged as he said it. I smelled his breath man he reeks of Brandy. And as fast as I could process my thoughts he slaps me in the ass. What are you kidding me, Trudence Brookes, control yourself be the bigger person, I told myself.
Oh wait! To late!
I punched him straight in the Jaw, god I love my Angel Strength, I barely put in any strength to my punch and he was down. I face Stefan, who looked to be shocked, yet he was smiling.
"Sorry, I feel your brothers needed a lesson in manners, I'll see you later Stefan", I waved and left.
Okay, I got to say that feels empowering, sure he was out of line, but I knew I just released some of my anger from 145 years ago. I was definitely in a cheerful mood, I saw Jeremy running towards me.
"Wow, Tru, you just knocked out Damon, did I ever mention you're my new hero", he praised me.
"Technically I didn't¸ knock him out, but I did wanted to", I giggled and made my way through the crowd trying to find Elena. I felt my cell vibrate.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Tru, its Elena Meet me the tables, its Caroline my friend, Katherine turned her, I need you to help", she pleaded.
"Yeah, I'll be on my way", I ended the call. Shoot, Damn Katherine always raising the casualty mark. I ran towards the tables where she is. Wait is that Caroline, I hadn't formally met her, but I'd sense her before. I ran towards her she was crying. Damn, she fed she killed someone. I need to help her, she didn't deserve this, and no one does.
"Caroline?" I called out.
She turned and looked at me completely scared and puzzled.
"Who are you", she asked petrified.
"I'm a friend of Elena, I'm here to help you", I reassured her with my eyes. She calmed down a bit, this always works, I thought to myself.
"Stay away from her!" Damon said walking slowly towards us. He had something behind his back, a steak I believe, Shit he's going to kill her.
"Damon, I tried, I just couldn't, I killed him, I don't want to be this", she cried out.
Damon glanced at me, trying to figure out why I wasn't running.
"It's okay Caroline, I'll help you", he said while hugging her.
No he's gonna kill her.
"Don't!" I yell, while shoving Caroline back a foot or two. That's when Elena runs to us and puts herself in front of Caroline. Damon lunges and stops inches away from Elena's heart.
"No! Damon don't", she pleaded. He lowered his hand and took a step back. That's when I realized what he felt for Elena. It was clear; my mind froze for a minute. Bonnie came towards us in tears, she was having an argument with Caroline and Elena. Next thing I see is Bonnie using her powers to drag a whole of something and spray it on him, she was lighting him on fire.
"NO!, Bonnie stop", I yelled
"No, you don't know him, he did all this, know he must pay", she said, she wasn't going to stop. I felt it all my emotions made me woozy, I felt it build in me. I have to do this or he'll die.
"Stop, Bonnie, or I'll make you stop", I shouted. I heard him scream, scared.
"STOP!"I raised both of my hands, I raised my right and lowered the flames until they banished.
"No what did you do!" she screamed at me. I swooped my left arm and sent her flying ten feet away from where she was standing.
"WHY?", I heard her scream out.
"It's Katherine's fault, not his", I said. They were all looking at me, surprised and possibly scared. Damon stood up and just stared at me. No words where uttered. Just silence.
"What are you?" I heard someone ask. I didn't answer, I looked at Elena.
"Thank you", she said. I nodded.
"If you need me, just call", I said while heading back to my bike, I managed through the crowds not wanted to look back. If I look back, I'll see him, and all I want to do is make sure he is okay and to comfort him.
(Damon POV)
"Stay away from her", I said to who I know see is the bitch that punched me. Barbie looks at, fuck who did she kill. I guess I am going to have to kill her. She runs up to me.
"Damon, I tried, I just couldn't, I killed him, I don't want to be this", she cried out.
I looked at the chick, tru I think, why the fuck isn't she running. Something's up, I thought.
"It's okay Caroline, I'll help you", I said while hugging her, well this is the perfect opportunity to kill her. I raised the steak I had behind her, bye Barbie.
"Don't!" tru yelled. She came towards and shoved Caroline back a foot or two. That's when Elena out of nowhere comes running. Next thing I know I'm about to stab her. I managed to stop myself, just in time.
"No! Damon don't", she pleaded. I give up then, I can't hurt her.
Shit, the witch is here, damn, the pain, she's doing it again. I fall to my knee.
"What's going on", Elena yelled out.
"It's her", I scream.
"NO!, Bonnie stop", tru yelled. What is she doing? I can't take it, the blinding pain.
"No, you don't know him, he did all this, know he must pay", she said, she wasn't going to stop. She brought some hose and sprayed something, gas I think, shit she's going to burn me to death. I catch on fire, I can't stop it. The Burning, fuck all I can do is scream out in pain.
"Stop, Bonnie, or I'll make you stop", she shouted.
"STOP!" she raised both of my hands. I felt the fire extinguish. What did she do? She stopped it.
"No what did you do!" the witch yelled
She sent the witch flying. Fuck, what is she and why did she just save me.
"WHY?", I heard the witch.
"It's Katherine's fault, not his", tru said.
How did she know about Katherine. Does she know where she is or what's she's here for?
"What are you?" I heard Stefan ask.
All she did was look at Elena.
"Thank you", Elena said. They know each other, what the fuck is going on?
Next thing I know she left, in a hurry I guess, I couldn't stop from staring at her, I don't know who she was, other than Muhammad Ali's daughter. I have to find out.
A/N: Hope you guys like this chapter! I was supposed to upload it yesterday, but i have made it longer. Hope you guys like it. Please Comment, woul love to hear what you guys think.