A.N: hey! New chapter! So I hope you guys like this story so far, I know it seems to be stretching on but I'm trying to follow the seasons so there won't be any Jacq/Kol scenes yet but I'm thinking until then she might give some other character a chance, still working out the kinks, anyways I hope you like this chapter definitely less random than last chapter but this one is shorter. I thank you for the reviews and hope you keep reading. Also I'm posting the link to my Polyvore on my profile bio just in case you can't see these outfits.

Jacq's outfit: chapter_hand_life_its_lemons/set?id=111468587&lid=2747929

Chapter 8: Hand Life its Lemons Back

I managed to squeeze a few hours of sleep in before everyone was bustling around the house getting ready for the day. Caroline had run over to the house and packed me a small bag of clothing for the next few days. I pulled out the first things I saw and changed in one of the guest bedrooms I was currently occupying.

I pulled a beanie on over my head after I put on my makeup, I sighed and walked downstairs, Caroline was off in her guest room and I was bored as hell. I wasn't allowed to go anywhere while Katherine was still a threat to my family, I hated being cooped up, but what I hated more was being cooped up with Damon Salvatore. So far I had managed to avoid him which was good luck in my books but as I walked down the stairs I saw him standing next to the mini bar in his living room nursing a glass of bourbon.

"Isn't it a little early to be drinking?" I asked, wrinkling my nose in distaste.

He shot me a look of annoyance, "Ugh I forgot you were still here" He grumbled.

I glared, "Trust me I would rather be anywhere but here with you Dick head" I snapped.

Damon smirked, "Profanity from a child? I don't think your mom will like that very much"

I rolled my eyes and walked past Damon, I plopped down on the couch with a pout on my face.

"If my mom wasn't such a vampire racist I wouldn't even have to be here with this ass" I mumbled to myself.

"I can hear you" Damon sang, not turning to look at me.

I flipped him off, even though he didn't see it. There was a loud knock on the door, with a groan Damon walked to the door and opened it, I got to my feet and peaked past Damon to see Jeremy Gilbert.

"I need to talk to you" Jeremy said to Damon.

"And why do I need to talk to you?" Damon asked shutting the door.

Jeremy stopped the door, pushing it back open.

"Tyler Lockwood has to kill someone to activate his curse. He's not a werewolf yet" Jeremy announced.

I frowned and moved closer to stand next to Damon; Jeremy looked at me in surprise but turned his gaze back to Damon.

"Wow, fascinating. Not enough" Damon answered unimpressed.

Damon tried to close the door again but Jeremy stops him and shoves it back open, "But Mason Lockwood is and he's looking for a moonstone, a special rock connected to the werewolf legend. That's why he's here"

Damon frowned in thought, "A moonstone?"

Jeremy nodded, "And I know where it is"

"And you're bringing me this why?" Damon asked curiously.

"Do I need a reason? Look, I just want to help, okay?" Jeremy replied fiercely.

"What's your sister say about this little discovery?" Damon asked mockingly.

Jeremy didn't answer; I looked between the two curiously. Why were they so interested in the Lockwood's being werewolves?

"Oh, you haven't told her, have you?" Damon baited.

"Well, Elena doesn't want me getting involved in all this" Jeremy answered trying to walk into the house; Damon shoved him back with a lazy smirk on his face.

"And you're a Gilbert and you just can't help yourself. Wow. Your search for life's purpose is as obvious as it is tragic" Damon said sarcastically.

Jeremy rolled his eyes, "Are you going to let me inside or not? I mean you let Jacq inside your house" Jeremy argued.

Damon stepped aside, "Trust me I don't even want her here, she annoys the hell out of me" Damon said as Jeremy stepped inside.

"Hey! I am standing right here asshole!" I hissed.

"I know" Damon replied with a fake smile.

I glared at him and stomped off to find something to do. Surprisingly Caroline had packed some of my homework so I sat on the comfy bed and opened my history book; half way through my homework Caroline popped her head into my room.

I looked up from my books and smiled, "Hey Care what's up?" I asked.

"I was going to go check on mom again; do you want to come with?" Caroline asked nervously.

I scooted off the bed and walked out of the room; Caroline took a look at my outfit and chuckled.

"What?" I asked defensively.

"Thank god you're back in your right mind, that cat thing was too much" Caroline replied.

I shot her a dirty look, "You better watch yourself, cat's are still in Caroline you mark my words" I said darkly.

Caroline rolled her eyes and shoved me lightly, I almost toppled over and she burst out laughing. I shoved her back and she shot me a fierce look, I shrugged innocently.

Caroline and I walked down to the basement where our mom was being kept. It was so weird seeing our mom locked away in a jail cell like some prisoner. Caroline opened the door and we walked in to see our mom lying on the cot set up.

I shut the heavy wooden door behind us, our mom sat up to look at us. Caroline walked towards her and looked at our mom's tray of untouched food.

"You didn't eat much" Caroline mused, she was met with an awkward silence, "Good news: Doctor Damon said the vervain is almost out of your system. So with any luck, you'll be freshly compelled and back in your own bed by tonight" Caroline added brightly.

Our mom didn't answer her or look at us.

"Are you really just going to pretend like I don't exist?" Caroline asked, hurt.

"Yes. So please, go" Mom answered shortly.

I rolled my eyes as Caroline picked up her tray ready to leave, "As usual, you don't care. I got it. Just like before I was a vampire. It's not like I died or anything" Caroline snapped.

I opened the door so we could walk out but our mom's voice stopped us, "Are you… Are you really dead?" She asked, sounding lost.

Caroline and I turned back to her; we walked back in shutting the door behind us.

"Yes and no" Caroline answered.

Our mom frowned, "How is it possible?"

"Well, when the accident happened, Damon gave me some blood to heal me, that's why surgery went so great. But in the middle of the night Elena, or who I thought was Elena came into my room. It was when you guys went home, she told me her name was Katherine and she told me to give a message to the Salvatore's she said 'Game On' then she put a pillow over my face and killed me" Caroline explained.

I gaped at Caroline; she had never told me how Katherine had killed her. I felt rage rush through me and I cursed Katherine's name, I decided to give Caroline and our mom some time to themselves.

I quietly exited the cell and went back upstairs, my phone started vibrating I sat on the couch and pulled it out of my pocket.

There was one text from Tyler, I sighed and opened the text.

'Hey. I wish you would stop avoiding me :/ I don't know what I did. You should come over to my house and talk to me, please Jacq'

I read through the text and guilt hit me, Tyler was one of my best friends and my fear of commitment was ruining that friendship. I sent him a quick text back telling him I would be there soon and we could talk.

I opened the front door just in time to see Damon and Bonnie standing on the front porch. To my shock Mason Lockwood was slung over Damon's shoulder, unconscious.

"What the hell are you doing with Mason?" I demanded.

"He's working with Katherine, Where are you going baby Forbes?" Damon asked.

I made a noise of disgust at his nickname for me, "None of your business try not to do something to psychopathic" I replied, shoving past him and Bonnie.

I didn't even acknowledge Bonnie as I walked away from them, Bonnie hadn't acted like a good friend to Caroline, I was human and I reacted better to Caroline being a vampire. People were just too judgmental for their own damn good.

I got into my mom's off duty car and drove towards the Lockwood mansion, I parked my car and noticed people were setting up for some sort of party. Only one event came to mind and that was the Masquerade Ball, I remembered Caroline telling me last night that she really wanted to go but because of the whole Katherine thing she didn't know if she was going to.

I entered the mansion and walked past the volunteers, I recognized Tyler's mom, Carol. I approached her as she instructed some men setting up decorations.

"Hello Carol" I said politely.

She turned to me and plastered a large smile on her face, "Oh Jacquelyn! It's so good to see you, are you here as a volunteer? I really thought your sister would be here, she's amazing at this stuff and I'm a little sad she didn't show. How is she doing?" Carol asked shooting of millions of questions.

"Umm Caroline is good she's just taking care of our mom because she's sick. I'm actually here to see Tyler I was wondering if he was here" I cut in.

Carol smiled, "He should be in his father's office, he tends to spend a lot of time in there after…after the accident" She answered sadly.

I shot her a sympathetic smile, "I heard about that, I am so sorry for your loss Mrs. Lockwood. Thanks for helping me; I'll see you at the ball probably"

"Okay dear, have fun" Carol called as I walked towards the double doors on the other side of the room.

I saw Tyler sitting on the only leather couch a flask of alcohol in his hand, I walked over to him and sat down beside him. He regarded me in surprise; I shot him a small smile.

"I didn't think you were going to come, you've been avoiding me since the get together at Elena's house" Tyler accused lightly.

I sighed and looked down at my shoes, "I'm sorry Ty. When you put your hand on my leg and started acting all flirty I freaked out. I've never been good with that kind of stuff, I kind of thought we were just friends you know?" I said quietly.

"We are friends Jacq I just kind of like you. I mean I didn't expect it to happen but it sort of hit me when I saw you at the water hole that day, there was something about you that drew me in. You've always been Caroline's kid sister to me but now you're all grown up, I don't know Jacq I'm not good with this feeling's thing" Tyler said gruffly.

I looked at him to see him glaring that the flask in his hand; I noticed his hand shaking slightly. I put my hand on his and the shaking stopped, he looked over at me with a blank face.

"It's okay to open up to me Tyler, I've been your friend for awhile now, I mean when I first thought about you thinking of me other than a friend I was disturbed, but like I said I'm afraid of getting close to people like that. I hate feeling vulnerable, but I could try to warm up to the idea. I mean it would be about time I actually date right?" I asked with a chuckle.

Tyler shot me a smile, "So will you go with me to the Masquerade Ball tomorrow?" He asked slowly.

I smiled back at him, "I would love to Tyler"

We smiled at each other for a few moments longer before Carol entered the room; she had a sad smile on her face.

"Hey mom, have you seen Mason? He's been AWOL all day" Tyler announced.

I gasped quietly remembering my encounter with Damon and Bonnie earlier, guilt flowed through me as I saw the look of worry on Tyler's face.

"That's what I wanted to talk about honey, Mason's gone; he left back to Florida" Carol explained softly.

I closed my eyes in regret as I realized where he really was, six feet in the ground. I knew Damon enough to know that he wouldn't leave Mason alive.

"What?"Tyler asked incredulously.

"I'm sorry honey. I know how much you two hit it off" Carol said sympathetically.

"So he just left?" I asked, trying to sound surprised.

Carol nodded and looked back at Tyler who looked devastated, "I was hoping he would stick around….I thought that with your dad gone…any way's he's gone. So, I guess it's just you and me now" She said to Tyler.

Tyler just nodded and I grabbed hold of his hand and squeezed it in reassurance, Carole smiled at me, "Are you staying for dinner Jacquelyn?" She asked politely.

I nodded, "Sure, I mean if it isn't a problem" I said.

Carol waved me off, "Of course it's not a problem" She said before walking out of the room.

I looked back at Tyler in concern, "Are you okay Ty?" I asked.

He shook his head, "He was going to help me figure things out, figure out who I am" Tyler grumbled.

I frowned deciding to play along, "Figure what out Tyler?" I asked.

Tyler shook his head, "It's nothing, come on let's go eat dinner. I'm sure you want to go home soon" Tyler said.

"Not really" I answered thinking about the Salvatore Boarding house.

"Well you can stay here if you want, I have a pretty large bed" Tyler said suggestively with a joking wink.

I shoved his shoulder and laughed, "Keep your dirty thoughts to yourself Lockwood" I said.

He laughed with me and we stood up from the couch and headed to the nice dining room, it was a nice quiet dinner, well it would have been if Tyler and I weren't making weird faces at each other from across the table and then giggling after wards.

When dinner was over, I texted Caroline telling her I was staying at Tyler's she was surprised to say in the very least.

Tyler lent me one of his t-shirts and pajama pants to sleep in, they were way too big on me but they were comfy and they smelled nice. We sat on Tyler's bed and watched Family Guy on his TV.

My phone started vibrating and Elena's name flashed on my phone, I picked up my phone curiously and answered it.

"Hey Elena what's up?" I asked,

"Katherine compelled Jenna to stab herself. Jenna is in the hospital and it's my entire fault" Elena sobbed.

Shock ran through me I tried my best to push past it so I could respond to my crying friend, "Elena it wasn't your fault okay, she'll be fine. Jenna is a fighter; I promise I'll be over at the hospital first thing tomorrow morning Okay?" I said gently.

"Okay, thank you Jacq" Elena sniffled.

I hung up and dropped my phone next to me; I dropped my head into my hands and fought against the tears. Tyler wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into a hug.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Jenna had an accident, she's in the hospital and Elena isn't taking it well" I responded, my voice thick with tears.

"It will be okay Jacq, she'll be okay" Tyler said.

The sincerity in his voice caused the tears to fall down my face; I let out a soft sob and held on to Tyler as I cried.

Tyler didn't say anything all he did was hold me and all I did was cry.