AN: I wrote and rewrote this chapter like 3x and didn't particularly like any of them – I write bits and pieces as inspiration strikes, so piecing them together is always hard. I'm on break right now (all week) so I have plenty of time to write and hope to post at least once more. I'm also in the process of writing a Teen Wolf 'fic' about an OC – Olivia – who's Allison's baby sister (she's like 14). I have a review requirement before my next update (yes, I'm being that writer) of 3 reviews (more is always lovely) so I hope to see some in my inbox. I love PM'ing so if you want to talk about any problems, errors, etc. in my story, just send me one – I love ideas! Alright, enough of my nonsense, enjoy! :)

Corinne fell back onto her bed, taking in the familiar smell of her laundry detergent and feeling of her bedspread; smiling widely to herself at the fact that her side of the room was still exactly like she left it all those months ago. The bed was still teeming with pillows and shelves were still filled with books, her vanity was still littered with makeup and nail polish and jewelry from the last time Caroline had been over; her mannequin was still dressed in her favorite outfit and shoes were placed methodically on the shelves.

Elena's side wasn't much different; and Corinne didn't know why something as simple as a bedroom being the same gave her such a sense of comfort. Elena would probably have a theory like she did for every other one of Corinne's strange behaviors; Corinne didn't like being over analyzed so Elena kept those theories to herself. But at that particular moment, she wanted nothing more than to hear Elena describe all of her silly habits.

The next days passed similar to the days before them; Corinne reunited with friends and acquaintances (enemies if you counted Vickie) and suffered through the condescending apologies and hugs Elena had endured after the funeral. The apologies weren't the worst part, the worst part was all the people asking her questions about her trip to Europe; but she quickly discovered which people to avoid, which questions to dodge, and which required formulating lies (on the plus side, her lying skills improved greatly). There were good moments too; like when she and Jeremy stayed up all night playing Fallout 3 and trash-talking each other, Jeremy occasionally letting her win and her pretending not to notice.

She went shopping with Caroline, who 'needed' a new outfit to wear to the party- an outfit that would impress Stefan no doubt. Corinne knew it was pointless; Stefan was so obviously into Elena, and it was just as obvious that Elena felt the same way.

Corinne wished Tyler was that transparent.

She'd yet to reunite with him; and that was because she wanted him to approach her, but she wasn't holding her breath for that to happen. Not when Tyler spent the summer screwing Vickie Donovan – Jeremy's girl – and probably other girls too; not bothering to answer any of Corinne's emails or phone calls. The worst part was, Corinne expected that from him; Tyler was and will always be, a player.

Corinne wasn't exactly innocent either, she'd done her fair share of 'cheating' while she was in Europe; but they weren't officially together, so it wasn't really cheating. But she definitely didn't sleep around as much as Tyler did; and she could count the number of people she'd slept with in Europe and in Mystic Fall's on one hand. Tyler would throw that back in her face if he knew, which is why she wasn't going to tell him.

That was one of Corinne's specialties; secrets. All of the Gilbert children were good at keeping secrets; secrets for each other and secrets from each other.

The shrill ringing of her cell phone startled her out of her thoughts; and she tried to blink herself back into reality. "Hey?"

"Hey. Are you ready? I can come-"

"No." Corinne quickly cut her off, "I'll walk, I could use some fresh air."

Bonnie scoffed, "Corinne-"

"I'll see you soon."

Corinne pushed the conversation she'd had with Grams to the back of her mind; choosing to think about getting drunk and getting Tyler to notice her first instead. She dressed more scandalous than she normally did, wearing a short black dress (she bought it in a boutique in Paris) and a pair of Louboutin pumps. There were a few hitches in her plan, such as A) Jenna would flip if she saw that she was wearing and B) looking older didn't serve its purpose if she didn't also act older.

Bonnie managed to convince Corinne to let her drive them to the party- Corinne didn't know why she agreed, but it wasn't as bad as she imagined. Still, as soon as they parked Corinne hopped out of the car, abandoning Bonnie in search of a drink.

Now that she could drink again.

She surveyed the area; Elena was with Bonnie, Caroline was with Stefan, Matt was talking to some of his football buddies, and Tyler was leaned against a tree, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a beer bottle to his lips.

Taking a deep breath, she started towards him (this didn't count as her approaching him first since she was technically going to get a drink) trying not to stumble in the uncomfortable heels she'd chosen to wear. After she got that drink, she'd be stumbling all over the place.

She reached across the table for a plastic cup and filled it with keg-pumped beer; her dress rising up just the tiniest bit. She downed the beer in one gulp quickly refilling her cup and repeating that process two more times.

Satisfied, Corinne headed over to Tyler, "Hey."

He looked her up and down, loving how grown-up she looked tonight and wondering when exactly she'd gotten that way, "Corinne? You look…"

She bit her lip, nodding, "I look great, huh?"

He stifled a laugh, she was definitely drunk. "I was going to say hot, but great works too."

"Hm, wanna' go see how hot I look without this dress on?"

He knew it was wrong.

She's a fifteen year old kid and she's drunk.

"Fuck it." He decided, leading her out of the party and into the dark, "I don't want Jeremy to see us." He explained, and Corinne – who was only partly aware of her surroundings – nodded, giggling. "It's our little secret."

Tyler smirked, "Exactly."

Suddenly, their lips were touching, hands roaming each other's bodies, each of them fighting for control. Corinne kept deepening the kiss, wanting more, "I want you." She panted.

That was all Tyler needed to hear.

"That was nice," Corinne murmured, absentmindedly tracing circles on his chest; completely content with life. "I like moments like this, when it's just us together," She continued to murmur. "Tyler."

He didn't bother opening his eyes, "Yeah?"

"I love you."

Tyler froze, unable to react to what she'd just said, unable to do anything but lay there and replay those words over and over again in his head.

"I love you."

Did Corinne really mean that – or was she sad and lonely and needing someone to love? Did she even know what she was saying right now?

She was drunk. He told himself. It doesn't mean anything.

By the time his mind stopped spinning, she was asleep. He carefully stood up with her in his arms and carried her over to his car; buckling her in the passenger seat (she'd kill him if she woke up without a seatbelt on) and quietly closing the door. He got in the driver's side and started the ignition, wincing when the radio blared and quickly turning it off, glancing over to make sure Corinne was still asleep- she was, before turning on the heat.

Thankfully, Corinne slept the entire drive (which wasn't very long) home; the downside to that was Tyler having to carry her into her house and that risked being caught by Jeremy or Jenna. He sighed, digging through Corinne's purse until her phone was in his hand and sending a text to Jenna.

Staying at Care's tonight. x Corinne

Corinne probably wouldn't be happy about him taking her to his house, but it was better than getting them both in trouble by taking her to house; his parents loved Corinne so having her stay over wouldn't be an issue.

That and they'd be asleep.

Back at his house, Tyler quietly snuck through the back door that lead to his bedroom, laying Corinne down on the center of the bed and getting comfortable in the armchair beside it. He turned off the lights and was asleep within minutes; Corinne's words still on repeat in his head.

"I love you."

To be continued...