Cassie carried her lunch tray from the lunch line over to the table where the group, she was a member of, sat. Getting closer, she could hear her friends chatting away with a bit of excitement in their voices.

"Where is he from?" Cassie heard Bonnie ask as she took her place between Bonnie and Elena.

Stefan as usual didn't stick around for lunch, he usually hung out in the gym until the next class began. Sometimes Elena would stay there with him during lunch but today she was present at the table and didn't look as interested in the group's conversation as everyone else was.

"When Mrs. Scotts asked him to introduce himself in Algebra, he said that he had native ties here but has been moving around a lot and just came from Rome." Caroline answered in her usual gossipy tone of voice.

Delia, one of Caroline's other friends, gushed. "Doesn't that sound awesome? He is just so handsome!"

Cassie had to put effort in not rolling her eyes. "What are you guys talking about?"

"There is a new guy at school. He just enrolled today." Elena answered sounding unimpressed.

The second girl present that was Caroline and Delia's friend got a little huffy. "He isn't just some new guy. His name is Bryce Parker and he is absolutely gorgeous! He has this mysterious, sexy and appealing aura about him that makes him irresistible. Dark brown hair and stormy grey eyes…" Stephanie ended with a sigh.

Cassie shared a grin with Bonnie and when Bonnie put on a mock gushing expression, Cassie was hard pressed not to burst out laughing.

"I've had him in two of my classes so far." Caroline stated.

Delia pursed her lips in a bit of a pout. "It's not quite fair either. Stephanie and I have only had him in one of our classes while you and Elena have had him in two. You both have guys. Caroline you have football jock Matt and Elena has the mysterious Stefan. One of us other girls should get this one."

From the way Delia said the last sentence, Cassie knew that 'one of us' was her or Stephanie. The fact didn't bother her for Cassie was not looking to hunt for boys like these girls did. In her mind, a guy didn't solve everything. Like when it came to Damon for example, things got more complicated.

Suddenly Delia's gaze swerved and stopped. When Delia's eyes grew a bit, her breath caught and she continued to stare, everyone, including Cassie, followed Delia's gaze to see what had caught her attention.

"There he is." Delia breathed just as Cassie caught sight of this new guy.

Standing straight the guy was maybe one inch shorter than Damon but he looked just as broad. His body was athlete lean and muscled almost as well as Damon's. The way that this Bryce guy stood spoke of brimming confidence with no hint of any back down in him. He had just come through the cafeteria doors and was scanning the room of faces, most of which were looking at him. Cassie got a odd twinge when his gaze fell on her, or maybe it was just in this direction? He stood there for a moment before he began heading this way and Cassie felt like his gaze really was fastened on her.

"He's coming this way!" Stephanie said in a barely subdued squeal.

Cassie looked away from the approaching new guy to flash Stephanie a annoyed look then exchange a rolling of the eyes with Elena who apparently had the same sentiments. Footsteps sounded from next to her and Cassie saw Elena looked slightly past Cassie with a curious look. Becoming aware that the table had fallen silent, Delia and Stephanie were holding their breaths and the tingling sensation that she was being closely watched, had Cassie turning and looking up to see stormy grey eyes and a attractive male face.

"Do you mind if I take a seat?" He asked with a voice that was easy on the ears and probably had the ability to charm a cobra.

Cassie glanced at Bonnie who gave a slight shrugging of her shoulders. She felt a bit puzzled as to why he would come over here and ask to sit at their table. Was this just his way of trying to make friends and if so why her table?

"Uh no I don't mind." Cassie replied slowly.

Elena flashed Cassie a amused and playful grin before she slid over so that he could sit directly beside Cassie. Cassie wasn't sure whether to feel good that her cousin was so nice and polite or feel annoyed that her friend was possibly trying to set her up with this guy.

He sat down in between Cassie and Elena with grace and fluid moves that gave him a sophisticated atmosphere…sort of like Damon in a way, she couldn't help but think.

"My name is Bryce Parker. What might your name be?" Bryce asked as he offered her his broad hand.

Cassie looked from his stormy grey eyes to his hand which she finally shook. "Cassie Gilbert."

Bryce let go of her hand slowly that almost seemed like as if he was doing it reluctantly. Out of the corner of her eye, Cassie could see Delia and Stephanie shoot her dirty and jealous looks.

"Pretty name. It suits you. It's nice to meet you." The way Bryce spoke was with a polite and slight foreign accent that actually sounded romantic, not that she cared so much though. He crossed his arms and laid them on the table top. "I just moved here yesterday and was wondering if you might show me around."

Cassie saw Bonnie and Caroline both smile and give playful flirty looks. They seemed fine with this while Delia and Stephanie looked almost green with jealousy but since Elena was on the other side of Bryce, Cassie didn't know what Elena thought. Cassie wasn't even sure what to think herself. Bryce was practically singling her out to become acquainted with and Cassie was beginning to get the picture that it was for flirty and attracted reasons.

"Actually I just moved here myself not but a week ago so I don't know everything about this school or town as much as some of the others would. I have some more learning and familiarizing to do myself." Cassie replied and looked away to her lunch tray to pick up her water bottle.

She raised it and took a drink but felt his gaze and from the corner of her eye saw him watching her. Bryce shrugged. "That's alright. We can learn together."

By now the two girls were glaring at Cassie, Caroline was still peppy and undisturbed, Bonnie was amused and playful. Cassie shot a quick glance toward Elena. Elena seemed curious but didn't show any objection. The soft smile Elena gave Cassie was a 'go ahead but be cautious' message that Cassie agreed with.

Cassie looked back around to Bryce. "Uh ok though I did warn you."

Bryce grinned good naturedly. "That you did."

The bell rang and the cafeteria became a place of noise and motion as people began filing out of the cafeteria to go to their next class. Cassie stood, picked up her tray and waited for Bonnie and Elena who both shared the next class, history with Alaric Saltzman. Bryce stood but didn't move away.

"What class do you have next?"

"History. You?" Cassie watched Caroline give her a parting smile before she left with the two jealously green girls following along.

"I have history as well." Bryce stated as he kept along side her as she, Elena and Bonnie went to throw away their trash.

The four of them left the cafeteria together and went down the hall to Cassie's and Elena's lockers that were in the same section. Bonnie's locker was a bit further down the hall and the one closer to the history room so that would be their last stop. Cassie unlocked her locker and shuffled through it for her history books, all the while conscious of Bryce standing directly beside her.

"Great." Elena muttered.

Cassie closed her locker and turned to Elena who had her locker open and cell phone in hand. "What is it?"

"Stefan just text me. He isn't going to be here for the rest of the school day." Elena closed her locker and Cassie could see a bit of worry in her expression. And was it her imagination or had Bryce stiffened just a little bit at the mention of Stefan's name?

"Why? What's wrong?" Cassie asked wondering what cause there was for Elena to be worried.

"He went to go meet Damon. Damon called him a while ago after having just been with the Sheriff and the town council. Something came up that they need to go see about." Elena was looking at Cassie with a pointed look that she quickly understood. It was a vampire issue. "They are headed out but both were reluctant to leave."

They headed for Bonnie's locker who was just then closing it. As the four of them approached the classroom door, Bryce leaned a bit closer to Cassie and Elena.

"Who is Stefan?"

"Stefan Salvatore. He is my boyfriend." Elena answered and entered into the room right after Bonnie.

"And who is Damon?" Bryce asked quietly as they entered into the room as well.

Cassie wasn't sure but it seemed like she could catch just the barest hint of dislike when he said Stefan and Damon's names. "He is Stefan's older brother."

Cassie went between a row of desks to take a seat beside Bonnie's and behind Elena. Bryce was quick to take the empty seat behind Cassie and just as Alaric turned to the board and began talking, he leaned forward and whispered near Cassie's ear.

"Do you know them well?" His breath tickled her neck and sent slight goose-bumps down her arms.

"Yeah. I've been around them both. I've known Stefan a bit longer than Damon but lately Damon is around me more than Stefan. He and I have some things to work out I guess you could say." Cassie whispered before she fell silent as Alaric turned back around and began the lesson.

For the rest of the class Bryce never said anything else. Cassie caught a few of Bonnie's glances but otherwise that was it. When the bell rang, they stood and filed out of the room and into the hall.

Before Bryce caught up, Bonnie nudged Cassie. "He was staring at you practically the whole time. I think he's into you."

The two of them fell silent as Bryce came up. "What class do you have next?"

"Economics." Cassie answered.

Bryce rolled his eyes. "I've got Biology. Sounds so interesting doesn't it?"

Cassie smiled good naturedly. "Very interesting."

"Well I'll see you later." Bryce flashed her a charming grin before he went down the opposite hall.

Bonnie linked arms with Cassie. "Dang girl! We are going to have to make sure that those other two girls don't try to eliminate you from their competition. He is already wrapped around your finger I think."

Elena nodded. "It looks that way though I'd try to take it easy Cass. We don't really know this guy yet."

"Hey don't worry. I'm not in any hurry to ensnare or match up with him…or any" Cassie's tone emphasized 'any' and she gave them both a pointed look that meant she spoke of Damon. "guy for that matter. I'm quite fine being single and as care free as can be."

Elena and Bonnie both grinned.