DISCLAIMER
Vampire Diaries belongs L.J. Smith and the CW. I only own characters that you don't recognize and the new spin on things. Some slight language in this chapter and some dialogue from the actual ep.
Friday couldn't come fast enough for Elena. When it finally came though, she found herself trying on different outfits. Finally, she threw a shirt on her bed with a frustrated groan. Why was she obsessing over this? It wasn't like it was an actual date. She hardly even knew him for Pete's sake! Jenna poked her head in. The older woman was wearing a blue blouse and a white skirt with a silver cross necklace and gold ball earrings. Her brunette hair had been pulled back into a ponytail.
"Yikes. It looks like a tornado landed on your bed," she commented, noting that the girl was wearing a dark brown skirt.
"Ugh! I have no idea what to wear!" Elena groaned. "And Stefan's going to be here any minute!" she continued. Then, "Why am I even stressing? It's not like we're even going out!"
"But you wish you were," Jenna surmised. "Someone's got a crush," she teased. With an exclamation, Elena leaned over and threw a shirt at her aunt.
"Don't make fun. I need help," she stated. "I mean-I know it's not a date, but I still wanna look good," she continued.
"White top with the brown skirt you're wearing," Jenna told her, grabbing a white shirt and giving it to her niece. Elena took the shirt and put it on, making sure that the necklace that Stefan had given her didn't get caught on the collar. Then, she ran her fingers through her hair, giving it some volume.
"Ugh. Your mother was able to do that, and I always hated it," Jenna said. Meanwhile, at the Salvatore mansion, Stefan was also trying to figure out what to wear, while the others simply got dressed in the outfits they had chosen. Anna was wearing a white blouse with gold buttons, a black skirt, clear stockings, and black shoes. Her hair had been brushed straight and then curled with an iron and she was wearing a heart necklace with heart earrings as well as a silver lapis lazuli ring. Pearl was wearing a long black dress with black tights and black heels and a pearl necklace, along with a silver lapis lazuli necklace.
"Uck! This is ridiculous. I don't even know what I'm doing," he muttered in Italian, tossing a shirt to the floor and rummaging around his closet. At the moment, he was topless with black slacks, white socks, and brown boots.
"Problems, Brother?" Damon asked. The oldest Salvatore watched as his brother continually tried on shirts and rejected them. Ah, the Founder's Party, Damon thought to himself. He remembered the feeling of nervousness and anticipation he had had when he had escorted Katherine to the very first one. He was wearing a black silk shirt covered by a nice black dress jacket, black slacks, black socks, and a pair of black loafers and his hair had been slicked back. Stefan ignored his brother's question as he grabbed a black silk shirt and then held it up to see what it looked like. As he did so, his mind went back. Stefan walked through the Salvatore house, looking for his fiancée, Allison Maxwell. Presently, he came upon one of the many bedrooms, this one having its door ajar.
"Allison, are you in here?" he asked, pushing the door open further. There was a gasp of surprise.
"What the hell?" a man's voice queried as the door was opened further. Stefan felt his eyes widen at the sight of his fiancée on top of another man. He hurried out, trying to deny what he had just seen. There was no way this was happening.
"Stefan! Stefan!" Allison cried, hurrying after him. "Stefan, honey. Wait," she pleaded, grabbing his arm.
"Let go of me, Wench. Our engagement is off," Stefan snapped, pulling out of her grasp.
"Bad memories?" Katherine's voice broke through Stefan's reverie.
"Well, as you know, the Founder's Party was not one of happiness for me," Stefan answered, casting the black silk aside and then choosing another shirt.
"Oh, yes. You caught that wench cheating on you," Katherine remembered, her face scrunching up in disgust. Honestly, who could ever bear to hurt Stefan like that? It was something she had never understood. "You should've just let me make a meal of her," she continued. The woman was wearing a dark green blouse with a black skirt that was just barely long enough to escape being called a mini and pair of green heels. She had teased and coifed her hair until it was lying in curls.
"And let the Council find you? Never," Stefan responded with a shake of his head. "Besides, Elena's not Allison," he continued.
"Elena?" Pearl queried. "Are you escorting the young Miss Gilbert to the Founder's Party?" she asked.
"As a matter of fact, I am," Stefan confirmed.
"Better than Allison Maxwell," Anna stated. Her mother fixed her with a glare. "What? We're all thinking it," she defended herself.
"She is right," Lexi agreed. She was wearing a long red dress and red heels as well as diamond stud earrings and her necklace which was a gold heart with red, blue, and green rhinestones adorning the edges on a silver chain. Like Katherine, her hair had been curled and surrounded her face in waves. Stefan ignored them and continued to go through his closet. Presently, Casey and Sam walked in. Sam was wearing a tan suit with a pair of tan loafers as well as his day-walking ring which was old-fashioned gold ring with a gray stone tinged with red coloring and his hair had been combed straight.
"I feel like an idiot," he complained.
"Oh, come on, babe. You look hot," Casey responded. She was wearing a pale yellow blouse with a white skirt that like Katherine's just barely escaped being a mini. She also had on diamond earrings and a gold cross necklace as well as her lapis lazuli ring.
"Cassandra, what are you wearing?" Damon asked sharply, his gaze focusing on the skirt.
"Clothes, Damon. They're called clothes," Casey replied.
"That skirt is much too short. Change it," Damon ordered, causing Stefan to turn around.
"No," Casey defied.
"Change it," Damon growled, his eyes flashing. He could feel his vampiric side threatening to surface and he tried to keep it down. But honestly! What did Casey expect from him when he saw her outfit?
"Damon, she looks stunning," Katherine defended. Besides, I'm practically wearing the same thing, she thought to herself.
"Gotta say I'm with Damon on this one. That skirt will only invite trouble," Stefan stated.
"Stay out of this, Stefano," Damon snapped, using his brother's birth name.
"Damone, she looks fine," Katherine declared in Italian as she came to stand beside her boyfriend.
"Besides, I can handle myself," Casey continued, also in Italian. Damon let out an unnecessary sigh. Casey was right of course and had in fact worn similar outfits. But he was the oldest; he had a responsibility to both of his siblings.
"All right, all right. You're right," Damon grumbled and Stefan resumed his search for a shirt. Finally, he pulled out a white shirt and slipped it on, fastening the buttons. When he was done, the boy grabbed the jacket part of his tux and put it on.
"Now if you'll all excuse me, I have a girl to pick up and escort," Stefan said, grabbing the directions he had gotten from Elena and then walking out of the mansion, just as Zach walked in.
"My, my. Don't you look handsome?" Pearl commented. Zach was wearing a black tuxedo, a white shirt, and a pair of good black shoes.
"I'm just glad I don't have to wear a tie," Zach replied and everyone laughed. Then, once they were all sure that they were properly prepared, they got into their respective cars and left. Back at the Gilbert house, Jeremy and Elena had finished getting ready and were in the living room. Jeremy was wearing a light gray tux and a dark black tie and his hair had been brushed and styled so that that there were some bangs in the front.
"I can't believe you're going with Vicki Donovan," Elena commented, checking her purse to make sure her Epipen Auto-Injector was inside and that it was still filled.
"Oh, come on Elena, she's not so bad," Jeremy defended.
"You guys are doing drugs together! How is that not bad?" Elena wondered.
"She didn't force me to take them. I made that decision all by myself," Jeremy told her.
"Oh yeah Jer, that's real comforting," Elena sarcastically responded.
"Remember, you're still grounded after tonight," Grayson reminded them and the kids nodded. It sucked, but what could they do? Grayson was wearing a gray tux and his hair was combed back. The doorbell rang and Elena hurried towards the front door. When she opened it, she saw Stefan and Vicki there.
"Jer, Vicki's here!" she called. Jeremy walked up and grinned.
"Wow, Vic…you look…beautiful," he breathed. The girl was wearing a soft-looking yellow dress and her brown hair was positioned around her face in soft, curly ringlets.
"Really?" Vicki queried shyly. I'm not wearing anything really fancy. I'm sure he's used to a girl with more class, she thought to herself.
"Yeah. You look amazing," Jeremy confirmed. He reached over to cup her cheek.
"You look nice," Stefan commented, looking Elena over.
"Well, don't let it be said that I can't clean up well," Elena joked and they all laughed. After a couple of pictures courtesy of Grayson, they all left. Minutes later, they arrived at the Lockwood Estate, where they were invited in by Richard and Carol Lockwood. The vampires looked at each other subtly and then followed the rest of the guests in. As they headed for the registry, Vicki smoothed her dress nervously. Maybe coming here was a mistake. She was trash and she was here at this party, probably embarrassing Jeremy. Almost as if he sensed her thoughts, Jeremy pulled her close.
"You're beautiful," he told her, placing a small kiss on the top of her head. She smiled.
"Thanks. I needed that," she murmured. They signed their names and then went on. When Stefan and Elena came up to the registry, he tensed. Would Elena make the connection?
"Wow. Look at all these familiar names. All of the Founding Families turned out for this back then," she breathed. Then a certain name caught her eye. "Stefan Salvatore? And Damon and Cassandra?" she queried in slight surprise.
"The original Salvatores," Damon responded from behind them. "We were all named for our ancestors," he explained and as Damon revealed a little of their family history, Stefan's mind wandered. Stefan walked over to the refreshment table and swiped a drink.
"Don't let your father catch you," Katherine teased warningly.
"At this point, I would not care," Stefan responded, taking a drink.
"What is it? What happened?" Katherine asked in concern. Stefan wasn't usually so snappish or prone to drowning his sorrows, so what had happened to cause this reaction? Before she could ask any more, his fiancée walked up to him.
"Stefan, will you please listen to me?" Allison questioned and Katherine let out a growl that was too low for human ears. Along with the human's scent of lilies, Katherine could also smell sex emitting from the other girl. Now she understood what was happening: Stefan had caught Allison cheating.
"Stefan, we need to discuss what just happened," Allison told him.
"There is nothing to discuss. Our engagement is off," Stefan replied. Stefan gave himself a mental shake and moved on, giving his brother and sister a chance to sign the registry. Once they had all gone through, the kids went off in different directions. Stefan let out an unnecessary breath and he looked around. It was quite a gathering, just like the first one. While this was going on, Richard and Carol had approached Grayson.
"Grayson, so glad you could make it," Richard stated.
"Hey, Richard. Hey Carol," Grayson acknowledged.
"We wouldn't have held you and the kids to coming, not while you're still grieving Miranda," Carol assured.
"Thank you. That's very kind of you," Grayson commented.
"How are you and the kids holding up?" Carol questioned.
"We're managing," Grayson replied. At the same time this was going on, Jenna approached the bar.
"Beer please," she requested. The bartender poured her the beverage.
"Jenna, hey," Logan said, coming up behind her.
"Go away," Jenna respond, turning from him.
"Oh, come on. Don't be that way. We can be friends. Heck, we used to be more," Logan reminded, sidling up to her. The bartender looked at them and then moved about his business. He wasn't going to get in the middle of a couple's squabble.
"Get lost, Logan," Jenna snapped. From where he was, Stefan heard their conversation. His eyes clouded as his mind went back.
"Stefan, please talk to me!" Allison begged, reaching out to grab his wrist.
"I told you, there is nothing to talk about! The engagement is off!" Stefan shouted, breaking free of her grasp. Giuseppe Salvatore quickly walked over to them. What was going on?
"Stefan, what is going on? What do you mean your engagement is off?" he demanded.
"Just what I said. I do not wish to see this wench ever again," Stefan snapped as Allison's father Robert joined them.
"You mind your manners, boy! That is no way to speak of my daughter," Robert growled, starting for Stefan. However, Giuseppe stopped his friend, while casting a confused look at his youngest son. He had raised his sons to be much more respectful of the fairer sex. What could have caused Stefan to act in such a manner?
"Pray tell me, Sir, how would you describe a girl who shares a bed with a man before wedlock? And an engaged one at that," Stefan spat out. Then, he stomped off. He sorely needed a drink.
"Stefan?" The sound of Elena's voice brought Stefan out of his reverie and he shook the memory aside. "You okay?" she asked, adjusting her purse on her shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he assured, flashing her a smile. Meanwhile, Jenna had grabbed her beer and had walked away, Logan at her heels.
"Will you at least talk to me? You owe me that!" Logan stated unaware that he had caught the attention of a certain member of Mystic Falls' faculty who headed for them. Jenna turned around and then let out a scoffing laugh.
"I owe you?" she repeated. "You weren't the one who was humiliated, I was. Now go away," she told him. Logan took a step forward and started for her.
"I believe the lady wants you to leave her alone," a voice told them and they both turned to see a man with chestnut hair, hazel eyes and a sharp black suit. "You want me to butt in or out?" he checked with Jenna.
"In!" she told him.
"Now, usually when a lady walks away from you, it means you're bothering her. So why don't you just take a hint and go get yourself a drink?" he suggested. Jenna let out a small grin. Lady. He had called her a lady. That felt…nice.
"Why don't you mind your own business?" Logan sneered. Really? Who did this guy think he was? What they didn't know was that their conversation had been noticed by Sheriff Forbes who began walking towards them.
"I would…except that she accepted my help and I don't back off," the man told him.
"Well, take it from me. You should," Logan stated, emphasizing his point with a small shove. When the man didn't react, he laughed. "What's the matter? Can't finish what you start?" he taunted, shoving him again.
"Okay, Logan. That's enough," Elizabeth interrupted as she reached them. "I suggest you move on unless you want me to arrest you for harassment and attempting to disturb the peace," she said. Logan huffed but did as he was told.
"Thanks, Sheriff," Jenna said. I can't believe this! I feel like a little girl, she thought to herself.
"Call me 'Liz', and it's not a problem, Jenna. If he bothers you again, let me know," Sheriff Forbes stated.
"Will do," Jenna promised. Then Liz walked away.
"By the way, I'm Alaric Saltzman," the man stated.
"Jenna Sommers," Jenna introduced herself. Then, "Alaric? As in Elena and Jeremy's new history teacher?" Alaric laughed.
"Yes, that's me," he confirmed. "Get her another drink…on me," he said to the bartender. Zach, who had witnessed the scene along with several others, shook his head. Leave it to Logan Fell to make a nuisance of himself. Now Jenna would really need a drink, though from the look of it, this Alaric guy seemed to be making a good impression on her. While all this was going on, Tyler was talking to Matt and some of their football buddies as their dates listened with some boredom.
"Man, I'm loving Coach Lyman," a boy stated.
"Yeah, he's made football fun again," Matt agreed.
"I'll drink to that. Well…so to speak," Tyler commented with a rueful grin.
"Couldn't even get near it, huh?"
"Nope." The boys laughed. Then Caroline walked over.
"Are you guys still talking football?" she queried.
"Yes, what else?" Anna quipped and Caroline laughed. On another part of the estate, Stefan and Elena had gotten caught by Tiki who had started talking to them incessantly. The two shared pained grins and then turned back to the girl. After a while, Elena decided that she had had enough.
"Um, Stefan, I'm a little thirsty. Would you mind…?"
"Not at all," Stefan replied. "Why don't you come with me?" he suggested.
"Good idea. After all, I'm not sure what Mrs. Lockwood has," Elena agreed.
"Well, I'm thirsty too," Tiki told them. Stefan and Elena looked at each other. What could they say?
"Hey, Tiki!" someone shouted. The girl turned and then ran off.
"Oh, thank God. I thought we would never get out of there," Elena sighed in relief.
"That girl sure can talk," Stefan agreed. "I'll get the drinks. Allow me to be a good date," he told her.
"Okay," Elena agreed. She wasn't going to argue with that. Stefan walked off. As he did so, an older gentleman glanced at him, and then did a double take. He excused himself from his current conversation and then followed the boy.
"Excuse me. Young man," he said, loud enough for Stefan to hear, but not loud enough to draw attention from anyone else. Stefan's brows furrowed at the familiar voice. Reginald Jones? he thought to himself. He turned around and the man's eyes widened.
"Stefan. It is you. How is it possible?" he wondered. It's impossible! Stefan was my age, he thought to himself.
"I'm sorry, Sir. I don't know what you're talking about. I think you have me confused with someone else," Stefan replied. Reginald shook his head. It was impossible, but here was Stefan Salvatore looking the same way he had the last he had been in Mystic Falls.
"We were kids together," Reginald insisted.
"Oh, that was my grandfather. Like him, I was named for the original Stefan Salvatore. People say that I looked just he him when he was young," Stefan lied. Reginald shook his head in mild disbelief.
"Whoo! And here I thought I was going crazy," he stated.
"I'm sure it must've been a shock," Stefan sympathized.
"Is your grandfather here?" Reginald asked.
"Sadly, no. He passed away a few years ago," Stefan answered.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Reginald said, his face becoming sad.
"Thank you. It was a great loss for all of us," Stefan replied.
"I'm sorry to have bothered you," Reginald apologized.
"No bother at all," Stefan assured. Reginald walked away and Stefan immediately went to where Damon was.
"We may have a bit of a problem," Stefan murmured.
"What do you mean?" Damon asked in concern.
"Reginald Jones is here. I think he recognized me. I played it of like I was a grandson, but I'm not sure if he bought it," Stefan replied.
"Well, we won't make a move unless he does," Damon decided. Then Stefan realized that their Sire wasn't with him.
"Where's Katherine?"
"She said she wanted to mingle. And as you know, there's no arguing with her." Stefan nodded in agreement. It wasn't really wise to argue with the girl as she could argue circles around anyone. Plus, she was stronger than them. Zach walked over to them.
"Granted this may not be any of my business, is everything okay?" he asked.
"Everything's fine except that one of Stefan's buddies from the fifties recognized him," Damon answered.
"What?" Zach asked concern. That can't be good, he thought to himself.
"Like I told Damon, I played it off like I was a grandson, but if there's anything else that makes him suspicious…" Stefan's sentence trailed off. He didn't want to even think about possibly compelling the man. He didn't really like using that particular power unless he absolutely had to.
"I can keep an eye on him," Zach offered.
"Well, I don't think it's necessary, but if it changes, I'll let you know," Damon responded and Zach nodded. As this was going on, Reginald headed for the bar, mulling over Stefan's words. He wasn't sure if he believed the boy though. He had come up with the explanation too fast and it sounded rehearsed, though it could be true. But if it wasn't…well, maybe he was losing it. Meanwhile, Elena looked over the Lockwood Estate and let out a soft smile grace her lips. Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood sure knew how to throw a party. And Mrs. Lockwood wasn't even that bad. A bit stuck up at times, but she had a good heart.
"You must be Elena," a voice commented from behind her. Oh, there's someone new at the party, Elena thought to herself. It must be one of Stefan's friends. He had said that he and his brother had moved here along with some friends. Which was a little odd when you thought about it, but wasn't really any of her business.
"Yes, I am," Elena answered, turning around. Then, her jaw dropped in shock. She was staring at herself.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
The name of the new football coach was a shout out to the books by L.J. Smith. I'm not sure if I'll ever show him, but I wanted to at least mention him.
