A/N- OH MY GOODNESS I'M SO SORRY. I don't have any excuses this time. But a review I received yesterday really inspired me to finish this chapter up. So hopefully I'll get into my TVD groove and update this more. Because honestly, we all need some Damon during our summer break off. Enjoy!

Where did I go wrong?

I lost a friend somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

How to Save a Life- The Fray

The next few days were filled with funerals.

First, Alice went to Coach Tanner's; not everyone showed up on account of he was such a dick, but Alice felt like she had to go. It was sad; mothers wept and his students stared blankly ahead. Alice had felt a twinge of sadness, but it was nothing compared to the feelings that would come from Amelia's funeral.

She had never been so miserable in her entire life. Not a single person in the church wasn't wearing black. Almost everyone cried as the preacher talked about losing someone so young and full of life. Students went to the front and told stories they remembered about Amelia that showed just who she was; beautiful with a promising life ahead of her. Alice could hardly contain herself, she wanted to scream that it wasn't an animal. She wanted everyone to know that Amelia was murdered, not attacked.

But worst of all, he came.

Damon came with Caroline Forbes attached to his hip. Caroline cried so softly that she would still seem beautiful but also tragically depressed. Damon seemed to comfort her sometimes, but mostly he appeared to be detached. Alice caught him sneaking a few glances her direction, always attached with a smirk, as if to say we know the truth.

Alice didn't cry. She couldn't. She was numb. Divya tried to hold her hand throughout, but Alice kept pulling away. She didn't want comfort, she wanted to go back to before she met Damon. Before he ruined the town.

The next week was quiet, no attacks, no midnight visits from Damon. Alice felt things getting better, especially with the town. Slowly, people found themselves pulling out of the hysteria. They would remember Amelia and Mr. Tanner, but no longer mourn. They town would live for them.

And naturally, events went on as per usual. The annual Founders Party would be held at the Lockwood residence. Mrs. Lockwood would not stop talking about how excited she was whenever Alice ran into her. It was almost like the woman lived for nothing but fancy parties for the rich of Mystic Falls.

Alice went into the city with her mother to pick out a bunch of dresses for upcoming events. Aubrey had actually allowed Alice to purchase dresses shorter than her average length, which surprised her greatly.

As Roscoe drove them to the front of the Lockwood's house, Alice quickly prayed that Damon would not be there and that she could have a drama free evening thinking only about having a good time. Of course, that would never happen.

She stepped out of the car with the assistance of a valet. She straightened her strapless pink silk-chaffon dress that ended a few inches above her knees. It was still sophisticated, but with a little bit of sex appeal. Alice felt different.

"Alice darling!" Her eyes moved quickly to find Mrs. Lockwood waving energetically from the front porch. Standing next to her was her husband, the mayor, and Tyler who was staring at her in shock.

Alice found herself smiling at Mrs. Lockwood and waved back. She waited for a moment as Aubrey and Roscoe climbed out of the car. Together, the three of the them walked toward the house.

Tyler ran down the steps swiftly and offered his arm to Alice. She took it reluctantly. Quietly she said, "You're being awful chivalrous this evening Tyler."

She knew what it was really for- appearances. And the fact that he wanted to impress her. Alice was tired of his efforts.

Tyler looked at her with a crooked grin, "I always help a pretty girl."

She didn't reply, only looked away trying to keep herself from blushing. Stupid Tyler. She didn't need this. She was dealing with a murderous vampire and two over-bearing parents. A hormonal teenage boy wasn't helping, at all.

Audrey looked from her daughter to the handsome young man escorting her, "My Mr. Lockwood, hasn't your son grown into a strapping young gentlemen?"

The Mayor chuckled, nodded, and agreed, "Got it from his father, I hear."

Mrs. Lockwood giggled and playfully hit her husband on the arm, "Oh stop it, Richard."

Alice subtly removed her arm from Tyler's and responded sincerely, "He's a real charmer." The parents all chuckled together, but she could feel Tyler's eyes glaring at the back of her head. She nodded to the Lockwood's, "What a wonderful party." And stepped beside them to get inside the house.

She had been to the Lockwood's estate before. It was one of the only houses in Mystic Falls that was bigger than hers, other than the old Salvatore boarding house. The thing about the Lockwood's is that they carried a feeling of entitlement. It made Alice sick to her stomach. Her family, while they acted superior, they at least gave back. Her mother threw herself into charity projects and other philanthropies. In fact, all of her mothers money made from her job was given to her own foundation- The Audrey Vreer Group.

"Alice, wait a second."

Pausing and turning her head over her shoulder, she found Tyler pushing through the crowd at the door toward her. She finally got a good look at him- handsome, toned, with a incredible jaw line. She was a sucker for good jaw lines.

His light grey suit fit him pretty damn well, too. She quickly realized that she was checking him out and moved her eyes back to his face, which was suddenly smirking playfully. "I knew you liked me Alice Vreer."

"Hardly," she sighed, crossing her arms over her chest, but allowed herself to show a half-grin. "You look handsome."

"Thank you," He replied coolly, adjusting his jacket for effect. Alice couldn't help but inwardly groan, but kept appearances on the outside. "Listen, I want to apologize."

"For what?" Alice's eyebrows furrowed together, surprising herself. She wasn't used to playing a role, she was usually just herself.

"I've been- well, I've been a total jackass to you lately. What with that thing with Vicki and pretty much hitting on you every chance I get. Look, I know it's annoying. So I'll stop. I just-" He paused, then leaned closely with a grin on his face. "I'm not used to girls turning me down."

Alice bit down on her lip, trying her best not to burst into fits of laughter. "Right. No girl has ever said no to you?"

"None," he winked. His eyes moved away from hers to her body, then quickly snatched back up again as he realized what he was doing. "Dammit, sorry. Not again."

Alice watched him for a moment, deciphering whether he was being serious or not. Deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt, she reached up and patted him softly on the head, "Good boy."

"Thank you." Tyler sighed. "That's such a relief. If I had to explain to my parents why the girl they are trying to set me up with is ignoring me, I'll never hear the end of it."

Alice frowned. So he wasn't actually sorry. He was just keeping appearances. Lovely. "Oh piss off." She snapped, shoving her hand against his chest and turning around, stomping in the other direction.

For a half-hour or so she mingled with other party guests. But there was something missing. Her partner for these sort of society events. Amelia would have been at her side, giggling, making fun of the hideous dresses, commenting on the cute boys. Alice felt lonely. She felt like there was a part of her missing. Even though Amelia could be a pain in the ass, she was Alice's pain in the ass and had always been.

She reached for a glass of champagne and suddenly felt a pair of eyes on her back. Thinking it would be some parent, she turned around, but was surprised to find Stefan Salvatore staring directly at her. He was holding hands with his date, and girlfriend, Elena Gilbert.

Alice felt a twinge of worry for the girl, who she presumed had no idea that her current beau was snacking on blood to stay alive. But then, she let it slide as Stefan tilted his head to the side just barely, motioning for Alice to go into the other room.

Carefully, she grabbed the glass and walked casually into the other room. Alice watched as Stefan kissed Elena's cheek and pulled away. When he walked into the empty artifacts room, he stuffed his hands into his pockets.

They didn't say anything for a few moments, just stared at each other. He looked like he wanted to say something, but didn't know where to start. Alice knew to keep her mouth shut.

Stefan was attractive, much like his older brother. As toned and fit as Damon was, Stefan was at least two times that. He was sculpted and looked like he belonged in a different century. Which, truthfully, he did. But unlike Damon, Stefan's eyes were filled with warmth, sincerity. He looked like he truly was worried about Alice.

He stepped closer, but Alice held her ground. "What's your name?" He cooed, as Alice believed, in his vampiric voice.

She was unaffected, which she presumed was from the blood she'd consumed from Damon last week. She'd taken a lot. Probably too much, and it seemed to still be in her system. "I'm Alice. You're Stefan, Damon's brother."

Stefan looked a bit surprised. "He didn't-"

"No, he didn't. Or, he doesn't. I know everything, so don't even bother trying to cover it up." She said lightly, taking a drink of the champagne and wishing it would take immediate effects. "He says its more amusing for him when he doesn't compel me."

Stefan noticed the scoff to her voice, he furrowed his brow. "You mean, that Damon doesn't erase your memories? He just, trusts you?"

He was stepping closer, like he was planning on doing it for Damon. Alice knew Damon wouldn't like that. And she sure as hell didn't want it done to her, she quickly covered her tracks, "I'm not stupid enough to tell anyone. Who knows who he'll tear apart then?" She snarled the last bit, out of character.

Stefan took a half-step back. "Alice, you need to trust me. I can- I can make Damon go away. Forever."

She looked away, not believing him. "Please, Damon will find his way back. Then he'll just tear apart my neck."

"You have to trust me-" Stefan's hand grasped around her arm. Alice turned to look at him.

"Stefan? Are you in here?"

He dropped Alice's arm immediately as Elena stepped into the room. The gorgeous brunettes eyes warmed at the sight of her boyfriend. She turned her eyes to Alice, "Oh! Alice, how are you?"

"Just peachy," Alice said dryly, looking at Stefan out of the corner of her eye. "Excuse me."

She pushed past them out of the room, only to bump into a body coming out. She raised her eyes, knowing full well who it was.

Damon grinned maliciously down at her. "Excuse me." he said coyly, allowing his eyes to wander down her body. Alice glared at him before Caroline pushed him through.

"Honestly Damon, do you have to flirt with everything that moves?" she snapped, turning her head back to look at Alice. "Sorry."

Alice didn't say anything, just watched Damon's retreating back.

Taking a deep breath, she moved as far away from the room as possible.

Wandering on the grounds wasn't something Alice expected to do at the party. She was ruining her heels. She was getting mud all over her ankles. But anything, anything as better then being inside that house with Damon, Tyler, and the rest of the people who just seemed so intent on making her miserable.

Everything was changing. She hadn't talked to Divya in what seemed like years, even though it had just been a week. Alice felt alone. She didn't have any close friends. She had no one to talk to. She was isolated. Her parents were never the warm and cuddly types. Even Amelia wasn't close enough to tell her that she was being stalked by a terrifying vampire with a superiority complex.

There literally wasn't anyone in the entire world who she could express how she was feeling to. No one.

And that made her cry.

Alice felt herself break down. The tears started to pool down her face like a waterfall. She sobbed silently, and grabbed onto a tree for support. She was a mess.

All she wanted was to get out. She wanted to run away as far as possible and never look back. Her life sucked. Her life fucking sucked and there was no way for her to change it. She could never take her own life. No, she wouldn't be able to do that. Nor did she want to do it.

As she wiped away the tears, Alice looked around the tree to see Vicki Donovan arguing to a boy whose back was to her. She didn't even have to see his arrogant face to know it was Tyler Lockwood. "Let's go Tyler!" she snapped, grabbing his arm and tugging him toward the house.

Tyler seemed to want none of that as he whipped his arm out of her reach. In a fit, Mrs. Lockwood approached and Vicki stormed off. Alice watched in silence as his mother said, "That's what happens when you bring trash into the party."

He looked away, glaring at the ground. She continued, "Go find Alice."

Hearing her name being mentioned, Alice turned and pressed her back against the tree. If the Lockwoods saw her like this, they would surely tell her parents. And then she would never hear the end of it. Embarrassing them at a party. They would go berserk.

Reaching into her clutch, Alice yanked out her compact mirror. She quickly rubbed away any signs of mascara running down her face, put on some powder to hide her puffy eyes, straightened her hair, and moved away from the tree.

Tyler was sitting on the bench, alone now. He was staring blankly ahead, looking seriously upset. Alice almost felt sorry for him.

She reached down and slipped her heels off, walking barefoot in the grass towards him. He must not have noticed her, because when she sat down next to him, he jumped a bit, startled. "Sorry," she sighed, dropped her heels onto the ground with a thunk. "I didn't mean to scare you, I just- I heard what your mom said."

"What, about how I'm not supposed to date anyone but you?" He snapped, leaning back against the bench.

Alice wasn't offended. "You know, I get it. Okay? I get it." She began. "Your life, it fucking sucks. Your parents? They make every decision for you. You have no freedom. Your life is planned out for you, who you'll marry, what school you'll go to. Everything. To the last detail."

Tyler turned his head to the side to look at her, "So maybe you understand."

Alice allowed a grin to tug at the corner of her mouth, but she hid it. "Of course I do."

They didn't say anything after that. Just sat together and started forward, at the clouds. After a few minutes, Tyler's hand moved toward Alice's, intertwining his fingers with hers.

A half hour later, Alice and Tyler parted ways. They didn't say anything to each other, just moved their separate ways. Tyler went to find his friends, Alice to go find her parents.

Audrey and Roscoe were both extremely tipsy. Her mother and father were dancing a bit seductively with each other. Alice was mortified.

"Mom," she hissed. "Can we, can we leave?"

"You can darling, take the keys." She chuckled as her father twirled her around. "We'll get a ride home."

Her father tossed her the keys before they danced off. It was such a strange sight.

She had never seen her parents open up like that. It was, for lack of a better word, fucking weird.

Twirling the car keys around her fingers, she made her out toward the car, only to realize she felt her thousand dollar heels out back. She swore, and moved quickly on a jog toward the back of the house.

As she reached the bench, she grabbed her heels. But then, just a few feet away Alice saw something.

Damon was standing with Caroline. But they weren't just standing. He was attacking her.

In a fleeting second, Alice realized something. She wouldn't allow Caroline to turn into her.

Unbeknownst to everyone else, she sprinted toward them.

Only to get caught in the arms of Stefan Salvatore. He wrapped his hand around her mouth and whispered, "It'll be alright. Trust me."

Alice fell silent, because this time, she did.

Stefan and Alice watched as Damon crumpled to the ground, hissing. Stefan let her go and he walked slowly toward him with Alice trailing behind.

"I knew I couldn't spike your drink," Stefan began, "So I spiked hers."

Damon gasped in pain. Alice pulled her arms around herself. "What are you going to do with him?" She asked quietly.

"I'm going to make sure he never hurts anyone, again." With that, Stefan scooped Damon up in his arms and disappeared into the night.

Alice was left there with a crumpled Caroline passed out of the ground. She squatted down to find the girl starting to wake up. "Where…where am I?" Caroline gasped. "What happened?"

"Ssh," Alice cooed softly, "You're going to be okay. You tripped and fell. I think you hit your head on a rock. Let's bring you home."

Suddenly, Alice felt like she was turning into him.

Too many lies.

WOOO. Ten chapters in already? I feel so proud of myself. But it NEVER would have happened without all of my lovely reviewers. Because, honestly, every time they show up in my email it brightens my day. NO JOKE.

So, still like where this is going? Something is starting a little with Tyler and Alice. And of course, Stefan's got Damon all locked up in that vervain room. Needless to say, next chapter will be intense. Yaaaay.

Hopefully next chapter will be up soon. I'm in the writing mood lately. So let's hope so? I'm ready to get things moving. Hell, Alice hasn't even kissed a boy yet. That needs to get done soon. So who do you think it'll be? DAMON or TYLER?

Guesses please!

And REVIEWS!

Love you lots!