Almost a week later, Caroline tries to convince me to go to the Miss Mystic Falls ceremony as I stand in her room, helping her with Miss Mystic Falls.
"You have to go. Everyone goes!" Caroline exclaims.
"That doesn't mean I have to," I point out.
Caroline says, "You're going there to support two of your friends. Remember?"
"Right. Why do you want this anyways? It's just a title."
"It's not just a title. There's pride and honor in it," Caroline explains. "It comes from alot of work. And my Grandmother and both of my aunts won Miss Mystic Falls. My mom was the only one who didn't get the gene. I want this. I actually deserve this."
"So you want to live up to the family name or you will feel like you aren't good enough?" I question.
Caroline looks down. "I probably won't win. Elena's running, and she's everyone's first choice."
"I doubt that."
"It's true! Matt still has feelings for Elena. Bonnie chooses Elena to confide in. You hang out with her a lot, too. Stefan chose Elena." Caroline sighs.
"Hold up," I command. "I have my reasons for hanging out with Elena. And who have I been hanging out with this past week? And who am I helping with Miss Mystic Falls? You or Elena?"
"Me," Caroline says with a small smile.
"See? Not everyone chooses Elena. You can do this, Caroline."
"I can do this," Caroline repeats, sounding more confident than before. "Thanks, Adele. I needed that."
"No problem. Now, what dress are you wearing?"
"The green strapless one, obviously."
"Obviously," I repeat with a smile.
"Wait. You are coming, right?" Caroline asks, sounding worried because I still haven't answered that yet.
"Yes, Caroline," I tell her. "I'll go to the ceremony."
"Yes! Thank you!" She hugs me tight. I smile. I'm helping a friend for a ceremony that is pointless in the end, but it makes me happy to do so. Normal can feel really good.
"So, how are things between you and Matt?" I ask, curiously.
Caroline says, "Great. I mean, I know he still has feelings for Elena, but he is really great. I really like him."
"I know you do. He is a third of what you are usually talking about."
"Oh, yeah?" She questions. "And what is the other two-thirds?"
"Lately one of the thirds is Miss Mystic Falls," I answer. "The other third is whatever else you feel like talking about."
"Adele, I... I think I might be falling in love with him," she admits.
My eyes widen. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I've seen the way you look at him. It isn't the first time I've seen that look."
"Where have you seen that look? Your parents? Stefan and Elena?"
"Nah, my mom died shortly after I was born, and I don't pay too much attention to Stefan and Elena's relationship. I prefer not to see their couple stares."
"Oh, right. And I know the feeling. Though, they are cute together," she points out.
"Yeah, they are. My oldest brother exchange looks of love with his best friend. I totally think they should get together already, but he won't because he doesn't want to admit that he's attracted to the guy and loves him. He's totally bi, though. Just not out of the closet."
((A/N: Sorry if you don't ship Destiel. I do, and Adele does, too. Btw, if you still have doubts about Dean Winchester's sexuality, look up 'Dean is Totally Straight' and 'Proof Dean Winchester is Straight' on YouTube))
"Your brother is bi?" Caroline asks. "My dad is gay. He divorced Mom and now lives with his boyfriend, Steven."
"Aww. Sorry your parents got divorced, but I am happy to hear he accepted his sexuality," I tell her.
"Yeah. I don't see him much, though, but that's life."
"Yes. It is. My dad was gone alot when I was younger. Work."
"That sucks," Caroline says.
"Yeah, but that's life."
She grins, and we both start to laugh.
"I'm so glad we met," Caroline tells me.
"Yeah," I smile. "What would I do without my insecure, control freak, caring, awesome, loving friend that convinced me to go to a formal event to support her?"
Caroline smiles.
The next day, Jeremy is avoiding me. He's been avoiding me since the Founder's Party. I don't know what I did. I've been trying to figure it out, but I don't think I said or did anything to make him avoid me. There is a pain inside my chest when I think about it. What did I do?
After school, the Miss Mystic Falls contestants are practicing their dance, and Caroline convinced me to observe. She's very persuasive when she puts her mind to it. Mrs. Lockwood wonders why I am there, but Caroline basically says I have to be there. I sit on the table and watch. Matt had to cancel practice because he is working. Elena and Stefan are talking about God knows what. It looks coupley, and I'm not eavesdropping on that. Bonnie came back, but she isn't talking to Elena. Vampire problems and all. I don't blame her. Her grandmother died because she helped vampires. I empathize her. I've been in a situation like that.
Suddenly, I hear giggling and look over to see Stefan and Elena break positions and he dips her down before lifting her up again. Carol Lockwood scolds them before they continue practicing.
After practice, I tell Caroline, "I'm not coming to this practice tomorrow."
"I guess it was a bit boring just watching, huh?" she noticed.
'Just a little bit," I lie.
"Okay. I get it."
"Sorry, Care-bear," I apologize.
"Care-bear?" Caroline questions, amused.
"Yeah. It's a nickname."
"I know what it is," Caroline laughs. "I've just never had anyone call me that before. It reminds me of those bears in those shows and movies."
"What bears?" I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.
"You seriously have never heard of care-bears? How were you raised?"
"I didn't really watch tv. And when TV was on, Dean was watching porn or stuff like Dr. Sexy MD. And sometimes Back to the future, Star Wars or Lord of The Rings. He's a HUGE geek, even though he doesn't admit it."
"So no tv for you, then," Caroline sums up.
I tell her, "I enjoy watching the geeky stuff. And Dean usually watches the porn when - Sam and I are out."
"That is good."
When I get back to Ric's, I call Jeremy, whose number I got at some point or another. He doesn't pick up. I groan before pocketing my phone once again. I saw him at school so he isn't missing. Why is he ignoring me? I pull out the homework that is pointless for me to do since I know what I am going to do when I get out of school. I'm going to be a hunter. I am just here for Dean and - Sam's sake. I miss Sammy. I'm surprised I haven't tried to bring him back yet in Mystic Falls.
When night falls, I pull out some things from my collection to summon a crossroad demon. The last one told me he couldn't. Just like the time I tried to save Dean. Screw promises. He is family. I have to try at least one last time. I walk until I find a dirt crossroad and draw a devil's trap. Then I start digging before burying the little box.
"Round and round the Winchester's go." The demon laughs. Then she looks down. "A devil's trap? Really"
"I want-"
"Don't even bother. I know what you want. Precious Sammy, right?"
I grit my teeth, feeling the painful ache in my chest. "Yes."
The demon says, "Well, no can do, kiddo. I can't."
I knock her down in a swift move and have my angel blade at her throat. "Don't forget. I may be the youngest and shortest, but I'm still a Winchester."
"You wouldn't. My host is alive."
"I'm sure you have heard of all of the demon's we ganked. Try me."
"You forgot something, Winchester. Dirt moves."
I look to the side and see the devil's trap is broken. I fly backwards as the demon sees me distracted. I get up, ignoring the pain in my head and back. I run back at the demon, and she knocks me down. A fist comes at my face. The impact causes a stinging pain, but I use my legs and flip the demon over before shoving the blade at her neck again.
"Look, I literally can't, alright?" she says.
"Well, you must be one low level crossroad demon," I insult.
The demon grits its host's teeth as the blade pushes hard enogh to make her neck bleed. "He's in the Cage which is highly guarded. I couldn't get him out even if I wanted to. Which I don't. It is amusing to watch you Winchester's suffer."
I take the blade away from her neck and, without thinking, shove the blade into their heart. The demon's eyes and mouth light up before they die. I get up and brush the dirt off. "I'm sorry," I apologize to the woman I just killed. Blood drips from my nose, and I wipe it off. I cover up the devil's trap and undig the box. There is a chance I will need it again. I wipe the blood off of the angel blade and onto the woman's shirt. I start walking away before calling the police and reporting the body.
"What's your name?"
"My name? Oh, yeah. Sure. My name's- " I hang up the phone before heading to Ric's once again with a quicker pace.
When I get there, I take care of the blood on my face from the nosebleed and throw my blood-stained shirt in the wash. I covered it up on the way here. I lay down on my bed and rest.
In the morning, my head is pounding and my body aches. I pull out my duffle bag, take out Ibuprofen and throw a few into my mouth. I swallow them. Ric sees me as I exit my room.
"Ouch. What happened," he questions.
My hand reaches up to where I was punched. "Is it bad?"
"Not too bad, but you might want to cover it up to avoid questions, if you can."
I go back into my room and pull out a small thing of makeup that matches my skin tone to cover up my bruise. Then I go to the bathroom and look in the mirror. It is not bad. I've definitely had worse, but Ric is right. We don't need questions. I put on the makeup, and it looks like I don't have a bruise. Then I head to school.
On Saturday, I put on my dress and brush my hair before heading to the Lockwood mansion for the Miss Mystic Falls ceremony. I look around at all of the people. Caroline wasn't kidding. Everyone comes. I shouldn't be here. This crosses too far into the line of normal. More so than the Founder's day kickoff party. Pretend you're on a case, my brain tells me. I take a deep breath and walk into the crowd. When I enter the Lockwood mansion, I feel an arm pull me to the side. Jeremy.
"Can we talk?" he asks.
"Uh, sure, Jeremy," I answer and follow him into an empty room.
When the door closes, he turns on me. "I know."
"Know what?" I question, even though it feels like I know the answer.
"I know about you. I know you are a hunter."
"So I hunt bears and deers and things. So what?"
"Not that kind of hunting. I know vampires and witches are real and that you used to hunt them.
"How?" I breathe out.
"I read Elena's journal," Jeremy answers. "Did you know about Vicki?"
My eyebrows furrow in confusion, "What about Vicki?"
"She was turned into a vampire and attacked me. Then one of the Salvatores killed her, and Damon compelled me to forget it."
My eyes darken. "He did what?"
He tells me, "Yeah. Elena told him, too."
"Jeremy, I promise you, I had no idea about this, and I definitely wouldn't be okay with you being compelled to forget. I know what it is like to have your mind messed with. I will never be okay with compulsion."
"What happened that you had your mind messed with?" Jeremy questions.
"I was 13, and I was on a hunt. This guy, Andy, could control what people do just by saying a few words. It kind of seemed cool, given that he wasn't the one killing people. But then we met, well, I guess you could say his evil twin brother. He was the one killing people. He didn't even have to speak to control people. We didn't know that until later. Dean and I were the snipers so we couldn't hear him while- Sam went in close because the mind control did not work on him. He did his nonverbal mind control and made Dean and I put the guns to our heads. I would have shot myself if it wasn't for Andy. He shot and killed his twin, freeing me from the mind control. That is why I hate compulsion. It reminds me of that. Having your mind messed with isn't right," I tell him. "No matter the circumstances."
Jeremy's eyes widen as I tell the story. "We should, uh, probably go back to the ceremony."
"Yeah," I agree.
"Hold up. Adele, if you need to get any of the stuff you went through or anything you need to say to someone, I'm here. Okay?"
I smile sadly. "Thanks, Jer. I don't want you to feel the pain, though."
"Sometimes it helps to talk," Jeremy says. "You taught me that."
"Maybe I will take you up on your offer one day," I tell him. "But I am fine for now, though."
"Okay."
We rejoin the party.
"Are you going to watch the ceremony?" I ask him.
"No," he answers. "She lied to me and got him to compel me. I'm not watching."
"Suit yourself. I swore I'd support Caroline so I am going."
I walk over to the staircase. I see Damon and my face hardens. The music starts to play, and the contestants slowly come down and greet their date. I scan the escort line and don't see Stefan or Matt. I think I remember Caroline saying Matt has to work. Where is Stefan? I look around frantically and notice that Amber isn't with the contestants. Didn't Stefan have a blood problem last week? If he still has problems and is the reason Amber isn't hereā¦
"Miss Caroline Forbes," I hear. I tune out her escort's name and watch Caroline descend the staircase.
I smile at her, and she smiles at me before taking her escort's hand. They walk out of the Lockwood mansion.
"Elena Gilbert," Carol calls out. "And her escort Stefan Salvatore."
Elena descends the staircase, and Stefan doesn't show. But Damon does. He offers Elena his arm, and she takes it. We follow them out of the Lockwood mansion and watch them dance. My eyes widen as I notice the sexual tension between Damon and Elena. I see more tension between them than Stefan and Elena. I shrug it off as me imagining things and step into the crowd. I walk around them and try to see if I can find Stefan. I can't find him. The contestants and their escorts stop dancing. I watch as they announce the winner of Miss Mystic Falls.
"The winner of Miss Mystic Falls is Caroline Forbes," Mrs. Lockwood announces.
I applause proudly with a grin on my face. Then I back off away from the crowd once more and look for Stefan. This turns out actually being a case. When I find him, Damon, Elena, and Bonnie are shortly behind. Damon pushes me back as I pull out my stake.
"I told you what would happen if anyone got hurt, Damon," I hiss.
Damon says back, "Just put it away. Look at him."
Stefan looks in horror of what had happened. The girl is on the ground, with blood on her neck. I sigh and put the stake up. I warn, "If anything else happens because of you or your brother, I won't hesitate to pull it out again."
"Fine."
He slowly approaches Stefan, and Stefan runs away at human speed. Damon calls the Sheriff who is part of the Founder's Council, and she come over to them.
"Did you see anything?" Sheriff Forbes questions.
"No," I lie easily. "We got here and we saw Amber with her neck bloody. Whatever attacked her was gone. Or it was too dark to see. I'm not too sure. Then I called Damon. It was too messy to see what exactly happened. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful with what attacked her."
"It's okay, Adele," she tells me, and I nod. She looks behind me for confirmation of what happened, and Bonnie and Elena nod, Bonnie with some reluctance. "You three should rejoin the party."
"Okay, Sheriff Forbes," I say before pushing them lightly forward. We walk towards the Lockwood Mansion.
Bonnie asks me, "How did you come up with that on spot?"
"Years of practice. My whole life. I've had to lie on spot for years. Even when I was arrested," I tell her.
"Hold up," Elena interrupts. "You were arrested."
"Don't give me that judgemental tone. Hunting isn't exactly within the law. And people don't know the truth," I explain. "Therefore my brothers and I have been accused of murder and bank robbery. Well, technically, we did lock people up in the vault, but in our defense, a shapeshifter was in the bank somewhere, and we couldn't risk anyone leaving."
"You robbed a bank?"
"Locked down," I correct. "And technically it wasn't us who started it, but we kept it locked when the guy died. Look, you can't be all judgemental when I am a hunter. It doesn't work, Elena. I do things. Things you wouldn't approve of, either of you, but it is what I have to do, so you better get over it."
I walk away from them and head back to Ric's apartment. I push on the door, but it is locked. I pull out the paperclip from my jacket pocket and pick the lock. Usually he leaves it unlocked. I enter the apartment and go to bed.
(A/N: Please comment on what you think. Your comments mean alot to me, and I would appreciate more input. Also, who do you want Adele to be with?)
