The morning only brought momentary relief. It ended the moment Jeremy remembered the events of the day before. The spell was still over. He sighed before sitting up and running a hand through his hair. He'd resolved to at least talk to Tyler. But he was terrified of what would happen. Putting it off would only make it worse and Jeremy knew it. With a sigh he stood and went out to Elena's door.
"Could we leave a bit early?"
"Yeah, okay Jer," she responded from behind the door. He went back to his room and dressed quickly, waiting for Elena at the bottom of the stairs. Thankfully she didn't take long. On the drive through town Jeremy asked to stop at the pharmacy, jogging in quickly. He was back in under ten minutes, ignoring Elena's questioning expression. For some reason or another she didn't press the situation. When they were actually parked in the school lot Jeremy had to take a moment to calm himself down before getting out of the car. Pharmacy bag fairly crumpled in one hand he made his way for the school. He couldn't decide if it was lucky or unlucky that he found Tyler at his locker. Tyler didn't look up, pulling books from his bag slowly and dropping them into the bottom of his locker. Closing his eyes again and catching his breath Jeremy let out a quick,
"Hey." He opened his eyes just in time to see Tyler look away from him.
"Gilbert," he offered in return. His heart contorted unnaturally before doubling its rate.
"Um," Jeremy paused, cursing himself. "I really don't want this to be awkward but I guess it really is and I just wanted to make sure that you're okay and give you this." He thrust the bag out. Tyler arched an eyebrow and took it carefully, his expression neutral. "I didn't really know what would help," Jeremy mumbled, thinking about the Alleve, Ace wrap, and Icy Hot inside. Tyler opened the bag and glanced inside, seeming to move in slow motion.
"Thanks," he murmured softly. Jeremy waited a few moments, wishing Tyler would say something that would make all of this okay. But he didn't. Jeremy supposed there weren't really words to make it okay.
"About the last couple days," he began, Tyler's lips thinned as he grimaced. "I know you weren't yourself," Jeremy rushed on, "and we can just pretend it never happened." Tyler still didn't say anything. For just a moment, Jeremy thought he might faint. "Bye then," he mumbled quickly. He headed for class, forcing himself not to look back.

TWO WEEKS LATER

Jeremy had become a zombie in his own life. He'd admit it…begrudgingly. It would seem that Elena had lost her patience with him. After ordering him to shower and bringing him fresh clothes she insisted, vehemently so, that they were going to the grill. Jeremy finally gave in because frankly, his room was starting to smell like zombies so fresh air could do him good, and Elena reminded him of a brunette pit bull when she was set on something. This, for reasons not entirely known, she was dead set on. Jeremy wasn't really paying attention, which he cursed himself for as soon as he realized Elena had stopped at a table that was already very much occupied.
"Matt!" Elena cried out joyously, "I didn't know you would be here." Jeremy could only listen to the exchange as his eyes were riveted on Tyler. The older boy stared straight ahead, a vein in his forehead throbbing, his fist clenched on the table. Too late he realized he'd been set up. Elena grabbed him by the hood when he tried to make a run for it. She yanked him down into the chair next to Tyler, sliding into the chair next to Matt before he even had a chance at moving. Jeremy sidled a bit closer to Elena before crossing his arms over his chest and looking down at his lap. Heat flushed through him uncomfortably. This could not be happening. "So Matt, how've you been? I feel like we haven't talked in forever."
"I'm fine. Tyler here was just telling me about…his day." Jeremy's jaw nearly dropped open. This was a full on set up. Even Matt was involved. He never knew what was going on. How was this possible? How could fate hate him this much?
"I'm fine," Tyler supplied tightly.
"Well I'm fantastic," Elena said, tone bordering on bubbly. "What about you Jer? How are you feeling?"
"Contemplating homicide," he let out quickly, shooting her a glare. She didn't even bat an eye. Fucking pit bull.

"So have you guys ordered yet?"
"Nope," Matt answered as they continued their lopsided conversation. Unsurprisingly Jeremy lost any vague hope of an appetite he had, rather feeling like he was going to be violently sick. When the waitress came Elena ordered for him as he'd totally resorted to the silent treatment, not a single syllable leaving his lips. She and Matt continued talking as if nothing was strange, each taking turns prodding both Tyler and Jeremy. It was without a doubt the most uncomfortable, awkward thing Jeremy had ever been through. It wasn't until half through eating that stage two of Elena's plan kicked in. Stefan approached the table.
"Hey Elena," he murmured, smiling warmly, "we need two more for pool."
"Matt and I would love to," she said, fairly yanking the blonde boy from his chair. In twenty seconds Jeremy and Tyler were alone at the table. In another ten Tyler had pulled out his wallet. He didn't look at Jeremy as he thumbed through it, tossing money on the table and standing.
"I'm sorry," he told the floorboards curtly, shoving his hands in his pockets before setting off towards the door. Jeremy stared after him. Sorry? Sorry for what?
"Shit," he muttered to himself before standing and chasing after him. "Tyler!" he called. Tyler stopped at the edge of the parking lot, his only reaction. "I don't understand," Jeremy muttered before he lost his nerve, "what are you apologizing for?" Tyler turned slowly, looking down so Jeremy couldn't see his expression.
"I don't know…what happened," Tyler said, looking at Jeremy for the first time. "I remember loving you. And then it was just gone." Jeremy was left breathless. He hadn't been expecting Tyler to just come right out and say it like that.
"I remember loving you too," Jeremy admitted before he could stop himself.

They were both silent for a long moment.
"It was easier then," Tyler said.
"Yes."
"I feel like it's not over." Tyler closed his eyes once the words were out, shoulders slumping. Hope and confusion exploded equally within Jeremy.
"How is that…possible?" Jeremy questioned.
"I don't know. All I know is that I never really knew you. Now that I do…I don't know what I feel. Not anymore."
"So what do we do?" Tyler lifted one shoulder in a shrug. Another awkward silence ensued.
"I can't just pretend it didn't happen. I told you shit I've never told anyone. I held you. Kissed you. Loved you. It happened." Once again Tyler's direct approach shocked Jeremy.
"Erm," he paused, cheeks heating, "alright. Yeah. I just- I mean I thought it might be easier."
"There's only one easy thing about any of this." Jeremy tried to gather the courage to ask what he meant as they both stood there. Tyler grabbed a fistful of his shirt before yanking him forward. He kissed Jeremy softly, moving his hands and grasping his hips firmly. The pressure of the kiss increased as Jeremy didn't pull away. Eyes sliding closed, he sighed into Tyler's lips instead. Tyler pulled back and blew out a breath before running his tongue over his lips. "Come on," he said, taking Jeremy by the wrist, "I'll walk you home."

Jeremy didn't know what to say so he stayed silent, trailing behind Tyler. Somehow the walk ended too soon and they stood in front of the porch, staring at each other once again.
"Good night," Tyler said.
"I've really missed you," Jeremy blurted out, sensing Tyler was about to leave. Tyler glanced down, shifting back and forth, as if he was about to run.
"Can we not get all mushy?" he questioned.
"R-right," Jeremy let out. "Of course. Sorry."
"No I mean…awkward," Tyler muttered. Jeremy let out a shallow laugh, half in relief.
"You're blushing Lockwood."
"Shove it Gilbert." They shared a smile.
"So can we," Jeremy paused briefly, teeth sinking into his lip, "hang out sometime?" Tyler shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels. For the first time Jeremy realized he'd never seen him so unhinged.
"Yeah okay," Tyler said in a rush. "Good night," he said again. There's no spell this time. It's just me. Jeremy smiled. He stepped closer before pulling Tyler to him by the edge of his jacket. He waited a beat; half to make sure Tyler wasn't going to punch him, before kissing him. He kept it short, very aware that they were in new territory all over again.
"Good night," Jeremy breathed before releasing him.

Elena leaned her pool cue against the table in order to answer her vibrating phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey Elena," Bonnie murmured, "So I talked to my gran." Elena left Matt, Caroline, and Stefan at the table, walking towards the bathrooms so she could hear better.
"Oh?"
"She said there was no mistake. The spell worked out exactly as it was supposed to." Elena's brow furrowed in confusion.
"I don't get it."
"Yeah, I didn't either," Bonnie said, pacing her room. "But then I thought about it. You and Stefan were obvious. From what you told me, Tyler and Jeremy kinda were too," she paused to shake her head. That one had thrown her for a loop. "And at times Damon can be really nice and charming. I could see myself falling in love with him," she carefully avoided the fact that she already was, "the one that really gave me a problem was Vicky and Caroline."
"I know what you mean," Elena said, turning and glancing back to the pool tables, where Matt was showing Caroline how to bank a shot.
"Gran said sometimes the spell won't match you up directly. It will just put you on the right path, or rather in the other person's path."

"Matt," Elena said, half raising a hand to cover her mouth.
"Bingo."
"Damn Bonnie…you're a witch." Bonnie laughed quickly.
"Yeah and get this," she continued after a moment, "gran said our ancestors were in England for a time before they came to America."
"Are you serious?"
"There's no proof," Bonnie said, smiling.
"Wow."
"Hey Elena, I've got to go."
"Yeah, alright. I'll talk to you later." Shaking her head at the kooky way things worked out in this town, Elena crossed back to her boyfriend, accepting a kiss on the cheek. Bonnie lit a candle on her nightstand and flicked on the small lamp before crossing and flipping the light switch. A breeze ran through the room, the candle flickering. She turned quickly, only to find the curtains fluttering.
"What is it that they say?" Damon questioned, lying across the bed, "'The course of true love never did run smooth.'" She couldn't help but smile before nodding in agreement.

A/N: So I know. This is short. In my defense..it was always supposed to be. So in a way, go me. Anyways, this is the ending but I could perhaps be talked into writing some little outtake nearly blooperish scenes. Interested?