A/N Seriously, you guys rock! I'm blown away by all the comments I've gotten. Really, they mean a lot to me! I'm so glad you all like it! (oh, and I don't own tvd, obviously. lol)
Angela woke up in a daze, unaware of her surroundings, she looked around to find herself in Jeremy's room. For the past few days, out of concern for her brother, Angela had been sleeping in his room. If Jeremy thought it was weird, he didn't show it, Angela got up and suddenly memories from that night hit her like a freight train, Angela grew panicked and searched for Jeremy. "Jeremy?" She called, fear creeping into her voice. When she didn't get an answer she rushed downstairs calling his name even louder, "Jeremy! Jeremy, where are you?"
Hearing his sister in distress Jeremy peered out from the kitchen and got off the phone, looking concerned. "Hey Angie, what's wrong?" He asked softly, walking over to her cautiously.
Angela's eye's widened when she saw her brother standing safe in front of her, and a flash a relief flooded her face. Without answering him, Angela ran over and threw her arms around his neck in a tight embrace. Closing her eyes, Angela just whispered one phrase, the only thing that mattered to her, "You're okay."
Jeremy was taken aback by this sudden burst of affection and gently removed his sister's arms from around his neck. He wondered why she was acting so strange, but one look at the dark circles under her eyes caused Jeremy to grow concerned, and he decided not to question it. "Of course, I'm okay." Jeremy said with a slight smile.
Angela nodded and looked away from him, and walked into the kitchen. She didn't know how to act around him since he had his memories stolen from him. Every second that she knew, and he didn't, Angela felt like she was breaking the trust they shared between them. Pouring herself some cereal,Angela offered Jeremy some, "You want?" She asked, indicating the flecks of fruit flavored substance in her bowl.
Jeremy shook his head in reply, and watched as his sister grabbed a spoon and filled her cereal bowl with entirely too much milk as the cereal rushed to the rim, daring to spill out. Jeremy rolled his eyes and sat down next to her as she ate, and listened to her hum in between bites. It seemed, she was starting to act normal since her outburst minutes prior, until Elena walked in. "Hey Jer, I just talked to Matt and.. Oh," Elena paused and took a deep breath when she saw Angela. "Angie... Can I talk to you for a minute?" Elena asked, pointing to the hallway, indicating she wanted to have this talk in private.
Angela scoffed and put her spoon down, "Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of Jeremy, right Jer?" She said, glaring her sister down.
"Angie.. Please, it's important." Elena begged, as she moved to stand next to her sister.
Angela rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Not now." She said, refusing to look at Elena.
Elena looked upset, but she remained quiet. Jeremy, feeling the tension between his sister's, cleared his throat. "Uh, hey Elena, what were you going to say about Matt? He tell you I talked to him?" Jeremy asked, attempting to change the subject.
Elena took one last look at Angela, and then at her brother and sighed, "Matt filed a missing person's report with the sheriff the other night, but this morning..." She paused and looked at her sister who was glaring daggers at her, "This morning, after you talked to Matt, he visited the sheriff, saying Vicki left town. Now the sheriff wants to bring everyone involved in for questions, to make sure Vicki did leave town." Elena said, softly, trying to focus all her attention on Jeremy.
Jeremy laughed at the fuss everyone was making, "Of course she left town, where else would she be?"
"Yeah, Elena, where else would she be?" Angela asked angrily.
Jeremy Shrugged, not knowing what was going on between his sister's, but he knew he probably didn't want to find out, "So, what time do we have to go to the station?" Jeremy asked Elena, once again attempting to be the buffer.
Elena looked away from Angela and smiled at Jeremy, "Whenever you're ready, though soon would be preferable."
Jeremy nodded and got up, "Well, let's just go now." He said, grabbing his coat, staring at Angela expectantly.
Angela looked up at Jeremy and shuffled under his glare, as Elena waited in the car for them. "What?" Angela asked with unease.
"You're coming too." Jeremy said, grabbing her hand and pulling her up from her seat.
"But what about my cereal?" Angela whined, and attempted to sit back down.
Jeremy rolled his eyes, "Forget your cereal, whatever is going on between you and Elena.. You need to fix it, you haven't talked to her in days." Jeremy said, pushing her towards the front door.
"It's not that simple Jeremy.." Angela sighed as they walked to Elena's car. Jeremy shrugged and got in the back seat, and locked both doors, forcing Angela to sit in the passenger's seat next to Elena.
The ride to the sheriff station was a long and uncomfortable, awkward one. Jeremy had attempted small talk for part of the ride, but when he saw it wasn't getting any results he stopped trying. Pulling into the parking lot, Elena unbuckled her seat belt and walked toward the building with her siblings in tow. She paused for a moment when she saw Stefan was already there, talking to the Sheriff without her. When he stepped out of the office he nodded to Elena and walked outside to wait. Elena waved in recognition and turned to her siblings, "Alright guys, this should only take a minute, Jer, you're up after me."
Jeremy nodded and sat in the chair outside of the sheriff's office, he hadn't been sitting there for more than five minutes, when Elena had rushed out, motioning Jeremy to go in. Angela eye'd her curiously and walked over to the sheriff's office and attempted to listen to their conversation.
"Any signs of aggression or violence?" Sheriff Forbes asked Jeremy point blank.
Jeremy shook his head, "None that I remember." He said quietly.
The sheriff nodded and looked through her notes, of everyone else's responses, "So you believe Vicki really has left town?" She asked, hoping she really had.
Jeremy nodded, "I'll miss her, but...I think it's for the best."
Angela clenched her fists as she listened to her brother repeat the same tune she'd heard from him days prior, and instantly became enraged. Not wanting to cause a scene in front of the sheriff, Angela stormed out of the building, past Elena and Stefan, despite of their pleas for her to stop, and continued walking until she saw a bench and sat down.
Elena watched her leave and sighed, running a hand through her hair, "I can't do this Stefan. Angela hates me and every time I look at Matt or Jeremy, all I think is that Vicki is never going to come back. And they'll never know why. People around you get hurt and people die. I can't, I just... it's just too much."
Stefan looked at her, guilty expression crossing his features, "Why don't we go somewhere and talk about it?"
"No, Stefan you have to stay away from me." Elena shook her head, and stepped away from him, walking to her car.
Stefan watched her leave, and cursed himself for letting things get so messed up, in a moment of desperation, Stefan went in the direction Angela went, hoping to find her and talk to her. Imagining he could fix things with Elena by making Angela less angry. He followed the trail until he saw her, sitting, eyes closed, with her arms around her knees, as she appeared to be deep in thought. Stefan walked over, hesitantly, not wanting to startle her as he cleared his throat, "Erm, hello, Angela.." He trailed off, and waited for her reply.
Angela held her breath and opened her eyes, staring at Stefan, unsure of what to say. "Stefan.. What are you doing here?" She asked him, as she stood up, attempting to even the height disadvantage.
Stefan balanced on the balls of his feet as he replied, "I was hoping we could talk?" He asked as he took a step closer to her.
Angela shook her head and crossed her arms, "About what?"
"Look, i'm sure you're confused, I get it. You probably have questions, and i'm here to answer them." Stefan said quietly.
Angela let out a laugh filled with hostility, "I don't want to know anything Stefan, I just want to be left alone." She said, rolling her eyes as she tried to move past him, but Stefan grabbed hold of her arm before she could. "Stefan, let go." Angela said as she attempted to pull her arm from him.
Stefan shook his head and moved Angela over to the bench so she could sit again, "I understand you're angry, you have every right to be, but not at Elena. She was just doing what she thought was right." Stefan insisted as he finally let go of Angela's arm.
Angela glared at Stefan with such intensity that Stefan, stepped back slightly, realizing he may have done more harm than good. Angela rubbed her arm and stood back up and kept a safe distance away from Stefan before replying, "Listen Stefan, I get it. You're a vampire, I don't care to know anything else, unless you have some magical cure all for Jeremy's memories, I don't want to hear it." She told him, as she started walking away, "Now, please.. Just- just leave me alone!"
"Wait, just, hold on, please." Stefan called in a last ditch attempt to do some good.
Angela turned around, slightly and sighed, rubbing her temple, "What?" She asked, exasperated.
Stefan walked towards her slowly and held his hand out, "At least let me give you my number, I know you want nothing to do with me, but at least this way, if you change your mind, you can call me. And I'll do everything I can to help."
Angela looked him over, and could tell he wasn't going away. Closing her eyes, Angela reached into her back pocket and handed Stefan her phone reluctantly. Stefan smiled, and quickly entered his number and handed it back to her. "Is that all? I'm sorry Stefan, but I just need some time to process this." Angela told him gently, hoping he would just leave her in peace. Stefan nodded in understanding, knowing when he was pushing his luck and left Angela alone.
Angela looked around, and, when she was sure he was gone, began making her way towards her home. About ten minutes into her walk, a silver jeep pulled over next to her. Angela looked at it suspiciously until, she noticed Lauren in the driver's seat. "Lauren? Did you get a new car?" Angela asked, as she slowly approached the vehicle.
Lauren beamed and rolled her window down, "Do you like it?" She asked, as she unlocked the passenger door, "Come on in! I'll drop you home."
Angela nodded and opened the door and entered the jeep, it was more spacious than her previous two door Nissan, that's for sure. "Why did you get a new car? Or, how? I thought your mom refused to even consider getting you another one?" Angela asked, recalling an argument they had once had a year prior.
Lauren nodded and shut all the windows, and looked around, making sure there wasn't anyone else, "Can you keep a secret?" Lauren asked, in a subdued tone. Angela shook her head, not wanting to know any more secrets for the rest of her life. Lauren laughed slightly, "Oh come on! Seriously, let me tell you."
"That's probably not a good idea, whatever it is, just keep it to yourself." Angela wearily insisted, but Lauren shook her head.
"I can't, please? If I don't tell anyone I'm going to explode!" Lauren all but shouted. Angela
Was surprised by her outburst and sighed, motioning for her to continue, thinking it must be important, and couldn't possibly be worse than vampires. "My mom's having an affair with the mayor." Lauren blurted.
Angela's eyes widened in shock, whatever she was expecting, it wasn't that, "Oh my god, what? I'm so sorry Lor..." Angela trailed off, "Does your dad know?"
Lauren shrugged and started driving, "It's fine, my dad's always on business, and look, I have a new car!" She said, feigning indifference.
Angela looked at her friend with sad eyes, knowing it was all an act, "Come on, don't be like that. You're allowed to be upset."
Lauren said nothing and focused all her attention on the road, "Is it okay if we stop at my house first? I have to get something." She asked, with a quick glance in Angela's direction.
Angela nodded, "Of course, I'm in no hurry." She said, thinking of her own drama, she'll be going back to.
Lauren smiled, and turned left, down her street. When they pulled into the driveway, and parked, they got out and walked toward the green and ivory colored house. "Thanks, it'll just take a minute." When Lauren went to open the door, she stopped cold, seeing the mayor on the other side.
"Oh, ahem, hello girls." The mayor said, confusedly as he turned to Mrs. Avery, "Goodbye Lisa,
I'll uh, I'll see you tomorrow, in my office." He said hurriedly, as he left the house and got in his car.
Lauren walked past him and scowled, heading up the stairs, "Seriously, mom? Seriously?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you'd be home. Honey? Let's talk about this!" Mrs. Avery called after her daughter, but she had already gone up to her room. Mrs. Avery sighed and looked at the front door, seeing Angela standing there awkwardly.
"Uh, I can wait outside if you want?" Angela said, staring at the strawberry blonde haired woman.
Mrs. Avery smiled, and shook her head, feeling embarrassed, looking at her daughter's oldest friend, "I wouldn't think of it. Here, come on in and wait, I'm sure she'll be down soon." She said smoothly and she led her in and closed the door. "I'm going to go talk to her. Feel free to make yourself comfortable." She said, with a grin as she left Angela downstairs.
Stepping further into the house, Angela looked around and sat on the couch waiting for Lauren to come back downstairs. While she was waiting she began to doze off until she heard a bell jingle, and she felt the cushion beside her move. Angela stirred and saw Mrs. Avery's Ragdoll cat Toby, sitting beside her. "Oh, hey there little buddy." She said, smiling as she picked him up and placed him on her lap, and ran her fingers through his long white coat.
"Just stop, I don't want to talk about it anymore!" Lauren yelled, walking away.
"Sweetheart, please. You have to understand..." Mrs. Avery attempted to soothe her daughter.
"No!" Lauren said, as she reached the stairs.
Hearing all yelling, the cat leaped off Angela's lap, scared of the noise. This cause Angela to look up and see her friend rushing down the stairs. "You ready?" Lauren asked, eager to get out of the house. Angela nodded and walked across the room to the door.
"Are you okay?" Angela asked, gently rubbing her friend's arm.
Lauren nodded and smiled, "Let's just get out of here." She said as she unlocked her jeep and got in. Angela took one last look at the house, and sighed, seeing Mrs. Avery's devastated expression as she got in the passenger's seat.
Lauren drove silently, listening to the radio as Angela looked out the window, not wanting to say anything to get her upset. When they reached Angela's house, Lauren pulled over and kept the jeep running. Angela looked confused, "You're not coming in?" She asked, pointing to the house.
Lauren shook her head in reply, "Thanks, but I have some stuff I need to do."
"Are you sure? We can order pizza and watch that dumb show you like!" Angela offered, not wanting her friend to be alone.
Lauren laughed,and hugged her friend, "Maybe next time."
Angela smiled and hugged her back, "Okay, but call me later." She said as she got out and walked toward the house.
When Angela walked in she saw her Aunt and Elena sitting on the couch, when she walked past them, she saw Jeremy sitting at the table, writing something. "What are you doing?" She asked, walking over to him.
Jeremy rolled his eyes and looked up from his papers, "I'm doing my homework, and relax I'm not an alien."
Angela looked confused as she went and got a glass of water and sat down next to him, "That's good to know..." She said, taking a sip.
Elena, hearing her sister's voice perked up and walked over to her. "Hey Ange, can we talk? Please.." She asked, holding her hands together.
Angela looked at her warily, but nodded and got up, remembering what Stefan had told her earlier, and seeing Her friend's own family troubles, Angela didn't want to fight with Elena anymore. She went to grab her water, but Jeremy had taken it and pointed toward Elena, giving her a stern look. Angela sighed and followed Elena outside.
Angela and Elena went outside on the porch to talk, Angela shuffled her feet and stared at Elena expectantly. "Thank you..." Elena looked around awkwardly and continued, "For not telling Jeremy about.. You know." Elena said quietly, with a tiny smile.
"I didn't do it for you, Elena, I did it for him." Angela said, tiredly as she walked to open the door.
Elena turned around and stopped her, "What do you mean?" She asked, confused.
Angela, kept her hand on the door knob and turned slightly towards Elena, "Elena, without any way to make him remember... There's no point in telling him what he's missing. It'd just make things worse.. I mean, how do you even begin to tell someone they saw their girlfriend die? Then go on to say 'But due to some wacky Vampire circumstances, your memory was erased' I mean..." She paused and chuckled for a moment, "He'd think we were crazy."
Elena nodded and quickly hugged her sister before she had a chance to move, "I'm sorry, I screwed up, I didn't know what else to do I.." She trailed off, her voice beginning to break up.
"Elena..." Angela sighed and broke the hug, "I know it's not your fault. Okay? I mean, Vampires, who knew, right?" She said, attempting to lighten the mood. "I just need some time to get used to all of this. I'm trying my best not to be mad about Jeremy, I am. Just give me some space." She said, as Elena nodded slightly and they both went inside.
"What was that about?" Aunt Jenna asked, as she watched Elena head upstairs to her room.
Angela shrugged and sat next to Jeremy, "Nothing, she just had to tell me something." She said as she grabbed one of Jeremy's pencils and began drawing idly.
Jenna narrowed her eyes in suspicion, but decided she didn't want to know, "Okay... well, I'm going out, I'll be back in a few hours." She said, grabbing her keys and headed out the door.
"Alright. Spill." Jeremy said the second his Aunt was out of hearing range.
"Nothing, honestly.. Don't worry about it.." Angela said evasively.
"Right whatever." Jeremy said as the doorbell rang and Jeremy looked up, put his pencil down and started to get up.
"No Jer, i'll get it." Angela said, pushing him down in his seat as she walked over and opened the door and saw Bonnie standing there. "Oh, hey Bonnie." She said, opening the door further and letting Bonnie inside.
Bonnie smiled, "Hey Angie, uh, is Elena here?" She asked looking around.
"Mhm, she's upstairs in her room." Angela said, closing the door behind Bonnie.
"Great." Bonnie said as she started to go up the steps, she paused and looked at Angela, "Listen, um, do you want to come up with me? There's something I have to tell Elena.. To both of you." Bonnie said and motioned for her to follow.
Angela hesitated, "Well... what is it?" She asked, curiously.
Bonnie shook her head, "It's kind of a secret, but come on, and I'll tell you upstairs."
"A secret? Sorry Bon, I think I'll have to sit this one out. Have fun with Elena, though." She said, not being able to handle another secret so soon.
Bonnie looked put out, but she nodded and went up the stairs. Bonnie enters Elena's room and see's that Elena is lying in her bed. "You up?" She asked as she closes the door.
Elena shakes her head, "No." Bonnie smiles and walks over and tries to pull the covers off Elena's head, "No, no!" Elena says, grabbing the blankets.
"Why haven't you called me back?" Bonnie asks, feeling hurt.
Elena sighs, "I'm sorry."
"Are you going to stay in there forever?" Bonnie asks crossing her arms.
"Yep." Elena nods.
Bonnie laughs and sits on the bed next to Elena, "Move over." She pauses and lies down after Elena shuffles over. "I'm officially worried. What's going on?" Bonnie asks, turning to her friend in concern.
"I'm tired of thinking ... of talking I..." Elena stutters and trails on, unable to explain her current situation.
"Can I get a one-line version so I can at least pretend to be helpful?" Bonnie asks.
Elena sits up and pulls the blanket off and sighs, "Stefan and I broke up."
Bonnie's eyes widen, "I'm so sorry. Are you ok?" She pauses and when she realizes what she just said, "Right stupid question. I know I've been kind of MIA when you need me the most. I suck." Bonnie says, frowning.
Elena smiles, "You want to make it up to me? Get my mind off of it." She says hoping for a distraction.
Bonnie grins and gets up excitedly, "Just remember you asked for it." She walks over to the window and closes it and starts ripping one of Elena's pillows to shreds and empties out the feathers on the bed.
"Hey!" Elena exclaims, jumping up and looking at her ruined pillow appalled.
Bonnie held a finger to her lips and shook her head, "Be patient." She said, trying to calm her friend down.
"Okay." Elena nodded and looked at Bonnie skeptically.
"I need to swear you to secrecy." Bonnie said quietly, before she continued.
Elena sighed, "It's kind of a bad week for that kind of stuff."
Bonnie looked confused, "Angela said something similar... what?" She paused and looked at Elena's concerned face, Never mind, come on you need to swear, 'cause I'm not supposed to be showing you this." Bonnie said, getting back on point.
"Okay" Elena nodded, "I swear."
"There's no windows open, right?" Bonnie asked, smiling.
"Right." Elena answered, confused why it mattered.
"There's no fan. No air conditioning." Bonnie pointed out.
Elena shook her head and looked around, "None. What are you doing?"
"Grams just showed me this. You're going to love it. You ready?" She asked as she began to set up.
"Bonnie, what's going on?" Elena asked worriedly. Bonnie doesn't reply as she levitates a feather in front of Elena. Then she levitates several more. Elena watches on with shock and amazement.
"It's true Elena. Everything my Grams told me. It's impossible and it's true. I'm a witch." Bonnie says, nervously, praying her friend would be alright with it.
Elena lets out a deep breath and smiles widely at Bonnie, "I believe you." Elena says as Bonnie's phone rings.
Bonnie visibly relaxes and goes to pick up her phone. "It's Weird huh? After all the times joking about being psychic. I really am a witch. You don't think I'm a freak now, do you?" She asks as she checks her messages.
Elena shakes her head, "No of course not. Bonnie I just ...don't understand though. If your Grams asked you to keep all this a secret, why did you tell me?" She asked tilting her head.
Bonnie smiled, "You're my best friend. I can't keep secrets from you."
Elena smiled back at her, and she suddenly had an epiphany about Stefan, "Sorry Bonnie, I just remembered I have to go out, Do you mind if we finish this later?" She asked apologetically
Bonnie laughed, "That's funny, I was just about to say the same thing, Care just texted me, saying she needed help at the Grill. Did you know she was having a party there today?" Bonnie asked as the two of them headed downstairs.
"A party? No, I had no idea. What's she having a party for?" Elena asked, grabbing her keys and her coat.
Bonnie shrugged, "No idea.. But maybe I'll see you there?"
Elena nodded, "Maybe." and the two of them left the house and got in their respective cars. Elena drives up to the Salvatore Boarding House and knocks on the door.
"It's open! Come on in!" A voice, Elena had never heard before shouted. Narrowing her eyes, Elena opened the door, and cautiously entered the house, walking in she see's a blonde woman standing in front of her in a towel.
The girl's eyes widen in shock and she is rendered completely speechless, "Oh My God! How...How...Who?" She asks, staring at Elena as if she had seen a ghost.
Elena looked confused and stepped away, "I'm Elena.. Who are you?"
"Lexi. A friend of Stefan's" Lexi said, once she regained her composure.
"Is he here?" Elena asked, looking around for a sign of him.
Lexi nodded, "He's in the shower. Do you want to wait?" She asked, pointing to the living room so she could sit down.
Elena shook her head and clutched her keys firmly in her hand, "No."
"I'll tell him you stopped by." Lexi offered.
"That's okay." Elena said as she left in shock at what she just witnessed. When she got home, she looked around, assuming she was alone, she sat on the living room sofa and stared at the wall, wondering how any of this could happen.
Upstairs, after an urgent message from Lauren about a party at the Grill, Angela reluctantly got ready, Deciding to keep the jeans she already had on and put on her favorite pair of boots and a batman tee. When she was finished, she began touching up her makeup, she was going to turn down the invitation, but after seeing how things were going for her at home Angela decided she'd go to make her friend happy.
Text from Lauren to Angela: "I'll pick you up in 20 minutes!"
Sighing at the message Angela hastily finished her makeup and went downstairs to wait when she saw Elena sitting in silence."Hey, are you okay? You look upset." Angela asked, walking over to her sister.
Elena nodded, "Yeah, I'm okay."
"Come on, don't do that. No more lies, remember? Tell me what's up." Angela said, sitting next to her.
"I was just at Stefan's... and there was a girl there." Elena said softly.
"And?" Angela asked, waiting for her to continue.
"And, I don't know, she was just standing in their hallway in a towel! I panicked and left. God, I am such an idiot." Elena said, berating herself.
"You aren't an idiot. Besides, there's probably a logical explanation, just talk to Stefan." Angela said, rubbing her sister's shoulder.
Elena looked up at her sister in confusion, "I thought you hated Stefan? Now you're encouraging me, why?" Elena asked.
Angela sighed, "I don't know, I don't hate him, I mean. I'm still not fond of the whole vampire thing, but before I found that out... Stefan seemed to make you happy, and I haven't exactly tried to hear either of you out." She paused and looked at her sister who was staring at her happily, "Let's just say, starting now I'm going to try not to be so quick to judge, okay?"
Elena smiled and hugged her sister, "Thank you, I really needed to hear that right now."
"Yeah, I'm sorry it took me so long, now go ahead, tell me everything. Or, well, the cliff notes version." She paused and checked the time, "I have about ten minutes until Lauren gets here to drag me to the grill." Angela said with a slight smile.
"Is everyone going to Caroline's party?" Elena asked, shocked at how big it was getting.
Angela shrugged, "I don't know, but you should come, It might make you feel better." Angela suggested. Elena shook her head not feeling up to it, and instead changed the subject back to the vampires, Elena was happy to finally have someone to talk to about it.
Angela listened and nodded at all the times she deemed appropriate until the reached the subject of Katherine, "Wait, I know this one." Angela said, recalling the bits and pieces she had heard. "Katherine... she's the one who died in the church fire, right?" She said, asking Elena.
Elena looked shocked, "How- how did you know that?" She asked.
"Come on, don't you remember? The founder's party.. Damon told that story about the battle of willow creek... It makes a lot more sense now.. Knowing what we know." She said remembering how Damon behaved as he told the story. She had thought it was weird at the time, how he reacted to something so strongly that had happened so long ago.
Elena nodded, remembering and sighed, looking at the time, they had barely scratched the surface, but Elena was happy she had been able to talk about any of it. The doorbell rang and Angela got up, expecting it to be Lauren waiting for her, but she was surprised when she saw Stefan.
"Stefan, hey." Angela said, opening the door wider, just as Lauren pulled into the driveway.
Stefan looked shocked, "Sorry, I, uh, I was looking for Elena."
"It's fine." Angela said as she walked past him, letting Lauren know she'd be right there with a wave of her hand.
"What are you doing here?" Elena asked, walking over to them.
"Lexi said that you came by and you seemed upset." Stefan said softly.
"Right. The girl in the towel." Elena said, rolling her eyes, causing Angela to laugh.
Stefan looked at her curiously and then looked at Elena, "The towel?...Oh no no no no, not like that, she's not exactly a girl-Lexi's just 350 years old." He said, hoping that would clarify.
"You mean she's a.." Elena trailed off.
"Alchemist?" Angela piped in, pretending to be shocked.
Stefan chuckled at the reference causing Angela to smile, "She's my oldest friend, and nothing romantic ever has happened." He said reassuring Elena.
"Told you." Angela said, figuring she had what she needed and walked over to Lauren's car.
"What was that about?" Lauren asks as they drive to the grill.
Angela shrugs and smiles, "It's a long story."
Lauren rolled her eyes at that and kept driving. She noticed, lately there had always been some version of "It's a long story" and knew something was going on Angela wasn't telling her about.
Angela walks in the grill, with Lauren and pauses when she grabs the end of Damon and Caroline's conversation. "Go ahead, I'll meet you in a second." She tells her friend, who nods, and stares oddly at Damon as she walks the rest of the way without her.
"It's just some stupid necklace." Caroline had said, hoping he could just let it go.
"No, you are the only stupid thing here. And shallow. And useless." Damon said growing Angry and walking away from her.
Caroline stilled, watching him leave, what he had said, shaking her to her core, and she walked to the bar to grab a drink. "Caroline! Hey, Caroline wait!" Angela tried to stop her, but Caroline waved her off and went to drown her sorrows. Angela sighed and looked around until she spotted Damon. Growing Angry, she stormed over to him and tapped his shoulder. "Hey!" She said, irritated.
Damon turned around and smirked, "Well, if it isn't the Gilbert I was least expecting to see. Come to slap me again?"
Angela scoffed at how condescending he was being, "You know what? Maybe." She said, pulling him to the side, "You know, just because you're a vampire doesn't give you the right to be such a dick."
"Actually, I think it gives me the right to be whatever I want to be." Damon said, glowering.
Angela rolled her eyes, "You're such a smart ass. You can't just..." She trailed off, looking away from him, "Why waste my breath? You don't care." She said to herself, as she walked away from him, toward the pool tables where Stefan was.
Stefan stared at his pool stick intensely and made the shot, pocketing the 8-ball and winning the game, "Woo!" Stefan cheered, placing the stick down in victory.
"Nice!" Lexi smiled and clapped her hands.
Angela watched the two of them and cleared her throat, alerting them of her presence, "Good job Stef." She said, as she approached them slowly.
Lexi beamed, "Is this another one of your friends Stefan? Well, come on and get over here." Lexi said as she gently grabbed Angela's hand and pulled her over to where Stefan was. "Nice shirt!" Lexi added.
"Oh, thanks and Er, well, I mean Stefan Is..." Angela said, getting flustered.
Stefan smiled, "This is Angela, Elena's sister." Stefan told Lexi.
"Wow! It's so nice to meet you!" Lexi said as she hugged Angela.
"Oh, uh.. It's nice to meet you too." Angela said awkwardly, not used to such a friendly response.
"Is Elena here?" Lexi asked, looking behind Angela as if Elena would suddenly appear.
"Hmm." Angela looked around until she spotted her, "She over there, talking to Damon."
"You know Damon too?" Lexi asked, intrigued.
"She's talking to Damon?" Stefan said, debating whether he should go over there or not.
Angela nodded at Stefan, "He's such an ass." She said to Lexi.
Lexi smiled and handed Angela one of her shots, "Well, I'll drink to that!" She said as she downed the last one.
Angela smiled and winced as the alcohol stung her throat, giving a thumbs up, she looked at Stefan, "Wow, that was amazing. A+" She said, clearing her throat.
Stefan laughed and looked at Angela fondly, happy she didn't seem to hate him as much as she thought he did.
Lexi smiled, "Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go get some more shots." She said as she went in the direction Elena was.
They watched her leave and turned to each other awkwardly, "So, she's nice." Angela said, as she put down the shot glass.
"Yeah, she can be very... eccentric, but she's great when you get to know her." Stefan said as he was listening to Lexi and Elena talk.
Angela nodded, "She seems like it... So, weren't you just at my house? I left before you?" Angela asked, slightly confused.
Stefan laughed and leaned closer to her, "It's one of these tricks us, vampires have. Super-speed. It's very cool, but I thought you didn't want to know?" Stefan said, looking around to make sure no one heard him.
"Impressive, and I didn't, but now I do, or at least I'm going to try to keep an open mind. Elena already told me some of what she knew, and I was hoping, you could tell me. When you have time. I want to hear what you have to say." She said, partially for Elena's benefit, but she had been harboring questions for days with no one to answer them.
Stefan nodded and smiled, "Of course." He said as Lexi walked back in their direction.
"Great, well I have to go find Lauren, but I'll see you guys later?" Angela asked.
Lexi nodded, "Duh, I'm going to need a drinking buddy! Your sister is just not going to cut it! She didn't even drink one shot!" Lexi exclaimed.
"How horrible of her." She said, laughing as she walked away from them.
Angela walked around until she found Lauren, "Hey, having a good time?" Angela asked as she snuck up on her friend.
Lauren jumped, "That's not funny! Can you believe my mom's here?" Lauren asked, pointing to the exits.
"What?" Angela looked around and saw dozens of deputies. "What's going on?"
Lauren shrugged, "I don't know, but if my mom's here, that means the Mayor will probably show up, and I can't even look at him." Lauren said with disgust.
Angela nodded, "Well, do you want to leave?" She asked, leading her to the door.
Lauren shook her head, "No, you stay and have fun, I'll leave." Lauren said, walking away.
"No let me come with you!" Angela called after her, but Lauren was already to far away too hear her. Angela sighed and started to follow when she saw Caroline crying with her head in her hands.
"I'm shallow, I am worse than shallow, I'm a kiddie pool!" Caroline cried.
"You're not a kiddie pool. You're not a kiddie pool." Matt insisted, trying to cheer her up.
"Can I just go home, okay?" Caroline asked.
Matt nodded, "I'll take you come on." Matt says, trying to help her up as she falls so the floor. "You're okay." Matt said, lifting her up.
"Hey, Matt, is she okay?" Angela asked, walking over to them.
Matt nodded, "She's alright, I just have to get her home."
Angela followed them outside, and held the door open for Matt since his hands were busy.
"What happened, Is she okay?" The sheriff asked on full alert.
"Like you care." Caroline scoffed.
The sheriff looked surprised, "Is she drunk?"
"As a skunk." Caroline replied.
Angela smiled, and hid behind Matt in an attempt not to laugh.
"Are they serving you in there?" The sheriff asked, outraged.
"I'll take her home. It's on my way. I haven't been drinking." Matt promised.
"I would appreciate that, Matt, thank you." The sheriff said with a tight smile before she turned to Caroline. "You and I will discuss this later."
Caroline rolled her eyes, "I can't wait." She says as Matt carries her away.
Angela walks behind them, making sure Matt didn't need any help until she overhears the Sheriff telling her officers not to let anyone else leave. Pulling out her, phone she searches for the number Stefan had given her and texts him.
Text from Angela to Stefan: "Be careful, I think something's up."
Angela rounded the corner and tried to get back into the building, but the deputies wouldn't let her. Sighing Angela turned around and headed into the parking lot where she saw the police officers drag Lexi. Angela rushed to help her, but before she got there Damon had stabbed her in the chest. "No!" Angela screamed as she saw Lexi's body fall to the ground, dead.
Hearing Angela Scream, the Sheriff rushed over to Damon, "Get her in the car, quickly!" She said, as she motioned for the deputies to detain Angela.
Damon watched as the deputies grabbed Angela and he felt a twinge of regret before shaking it off and nodding to the sheriff, "All right."
"Hey stop, what are you doing- let go of me!" Angela demanded, as she twisted out of the deputies grasp and ran straight into the Sheriff.
"Honey, shh, it's okay. I'm sure, you're confused. We just want to explain it to you." The sheriff said, lightly grabbing Angela's arm.
Angela looked at Damon, who shrugged and looked back at the sheriff and nodded, "Okay, okay." she said softly.
The sheriff nodded and led her to her squad car and opened the door for her. Once Angela was settled the Sheriff walked over to Damon, "You were pretty handy with that stake."
Damon nodded, "It's just... reflex. I guess the adrenaline kicked in." Damon lied.
"This nightmare is finally over." The sheriff said, with a relieved sigh.
"Yeah, we got a lucky break with that witness, without her you wouldn't have been able to ID the vampire." Damon pointed out.
"Yeah, we're lucky. Thank you again, but that's the least of our problems, now I have to go and explain to that girl about Vampires. That's something no one should go through, until they're ready, if ever." The sheriff said, gesturing to Angela in the car.
"Hmm." Damon said as he walked next to the sheriff, "What are you going to do if she decides to tell someone?" Damon asked curiously, wondering if they had handled a situation like this before.
The sheriff sighed, "If worse comes to worse, we have a witch on our side, who will hopefully be able to erase her memory of tonight.. Lets.. Let's hope it doesn't come to that." The sheriff said as she went in her car and drove off with Angela.
Damon watched them leave, his eyes wide and full of surprise, he knew Angela wouldn't say anything, but he could imagine her reaction to getting told she might lose her memories and he knew it wouldn't be good.
In the car, Angela frantically tried to leave, but the doors wouldn't budge. So, she took out her phone and texted Elena.
Text from Angela to Elena: "I don't want to alarm anyone, but, I'm in the sheriff's car and I need help!"
Elena was following Stefan and ignored her phone. "He killed her! He killed Zach, he killed Tanner, he turned Vicki! I have to kill him!" Stefan yelled.
"No, you can't do that!" Elena cried, trying to get Stefan to listen to reason.
"Why are you trying to save him?! Elena, he's never going to change! Don't you see that?! He's never going to change!" Stefan said, angrily.
"I'm not trying to save him, I'm trying to save you! You have no idea what this will do to you, please Stefan." Elena begged.
"Everywhere I've been, pain and death follow; Damon follows me. No more." Stefan vowed.
"Stefan Please. Please just-just talk to me; Let me be here for you. Talk to me." Elena pleaded.
"No. You were right to stay away from me." Stefan said as he sped off to the boarding out.
Elena sighed and sat down in defeat, when she noticed her phone buzzing. Picking it up, and checking it. Elena read her sister's message and froze, "Oh no." Elena rushed to her car so she could get to the Sheriffs station.
Stefan rushes into the house and sees Damon standing by the bookshelf like nothing happened. Damon turns to him and smiles, "I told you I'd take care of it."Stefan runs and attacks him, they fight for a while until Stefan grabs Damon by the throat and pins him against the wall. "Come on, I did this for you. To get them off our trail." Damon says, wincing at the amount of pressure Stefan's using.
Stefan shook his head and grabbed a stake, "You never do anything, for anyone but yourself." He says as he stakes him just below his heart.
Damon opened his eyes and looked down at his still in tact chest, "You missed!" Damon says in shock.
"No, you saved my life. I'm sparing yours. We're even, and now, we're done." Stefan says as Damon slides to the ground.
Angela sat on the cold ground in one of the cells inside of the station. One of the deputies caught her attempting to send another text and confiscated it from her. Angela was miserable, "Hello? Is there anyone there?" She called out to the empty station. She was beginning to grow more and more concerned by the minute until she heard a familiar voice.
"Dear, what kind of trouble did you get yourself into this time?" The old voice asked.
Angela looked up as the cell was unlocked with wide eyes, "Mrs. Banks? What are you doing here?" She asked, standing up and hugging her.
Mrs. Banks shook her head, "I believe the right question is, what are you doing here? Come on, we have much to discuss." She said as she led her into the other room.
Stepping into the office Angela felt more relaxed as she sat down, "Okay, I don't know what they told you but-"
"Shh, this is hard to explain, but when the Sheriff comes in I want you to act like nothing has happened. Can you do that for me?" Mrs. Banks asked in a hushed whisper.
"Wait, what? I don't understand?" Angela asked confused.
"You need to pretend not to remember, can you do that? I promise I'll explain once we're out of here." Mrs. Banks implored.
Before she had a chance to say anything else Sheriff Forbes walked in, "Is it done?" She asked, looking between the two.
Mrs. Banks looked worried, but she just went with it and hoped for the best, "Yes, it worked like a charm."
Sheriff Forbes smiled, "Great, now Angela, I've called your Aunt to come pick you up. You should know that underage drinking is a very big deal. I know I used to cut you kids slack, but it can't be that way anymore." Sheriff Forbes said slowly. "Do you understand?"
Angela couldn't believe what was happening, but one look from Mrs. Banks told her to shut up, "Yeah.. I, uh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." Angela said, mustering up the most sincere look she could, given the circumstances.
The sheriff nodded and looked at her sympathetic and turned to Mrs. Banks, "Amazing work, Claudia." She said as she exited the office.
"What the?" Angela began, but Mrs. Banks had taken hold of her hand and lead her outside.
"Before you say anything, I need you to answer me honestly. Okay?" Mrs. Banks asked as they reached the parking lot. She waited until Angela nodded, "Good, did you know about the Vampire before tonight?"
"Yes." Angela said, and hoped she didn't ask for details, because she didn't want to betray Elena, or Stefan. "But wait, what just happened back there, why does the Sheriff think I'm drunk?" Angela asked.
"The Sheriff thinks you think you're drunk" Mrs. Banks answered.
"I'm not following." Angela said confused.
"The sheriff thinks I changed your memories." Mrs. Banks said shrugging.
"Wait... Are you a Vampire?" Angela asked, taking a step away from her.
Mrs. Banks laughed, "I am far better than a common vampire." She said with a grin.
"Then... what are you?" Angela asked, crossing her arms, unsure if she actually wanted the answer.
Mrs. Banks smiled and raised her hand, creating a small, contained ball of fire, "I'm a witch." She said, putting the fireball out.