Chapter 12

Driving to my motel, packing up the car I drove across town to where Zach lived. We only called him Uncle Zach because great nephew Zach might be too weird for some. Pulling up out the front I could see Stefan's red pickup truck, I never understood his fascination with beat up trucks. I like my ride to look smooth and purr with power, much like my women. That made me think about Elena, she was in the exact image of Katherine, she even had the same smile. I will have to watch myself around her, if I called her Kat it could get awkward. Just to annoy Stefan, I may play around with her, after all it was his fault I was a lone vampire all these years. It is to my advantage that she doesn't know what we are and also that I am able to compel her, could come in handy. I get out after parking and gather up my belongings , I ring the bell because I don't have a key , I could just break a window and get in but it's not my style. I prefer to inflict my presence boldly, if I want something I can just simply take it.

I could hear a heartbeat within the house; I ring the bell again and bang on the door. "Come on Zach, I can hear you in there, don't think I won't break this door down" I could hear his heartbeat increase in panic. "I honestly mean no harm, just let me in and I will be staying in one of the rooms, but if you refuse to open the door, you will force me to take action, and you will regret it" I could taste the hesitation in him. Then I heard him on the phone to Stefan, "He wants to be let in" "Don't let him in I will be there shortly". Well he wanted it the hard way. I kicked the door so hard it flew off the hinges and landed behind Zach. "I told you I could do this easy, but instead you turn to Stefan, who might I add is significantly weaker than me so your screwed either way" He stumbled backwards to get away from me but I caught his eyes before he could escape.

"You are going to invite me inside and I am living here if anyone including Stefan asks" he nodded in acceptance "Please come in Damon" he said just as Stefan rushed inside and shoved me hard enough for me to hit the window frame in the side room. "What did you compel him to do?!" He was standing right in my face; I was beyond over his arrogance. I kicked him so he landed through the wall into the backyard, he landed face down.

"Now that is for continually pushing my patience and attempting to exert power over me, fool for you brother" I turned around picked up my bags and climbed the stairs, when I was at the top. "Oh and you better be ready, we need to leave soon to meet the girls", and with that I found an empty room and run a hot bath. I wanted to smell great for tonight, a part of me wanted her to like me. But that was a part of me that was alive such a long time ago, the part that fell in love with an orphaned young woman, and betrayed my own blood for.

I didn't know how to process the information that Stefan was already at Caroline's when I called, he had only just left my house. Her place was at least 15 minutes from here, even by car it would take at least 5 minutes. The thought of it was hurting; I decided I wouldn't be able to think of a rational explanation worrying about it. I only had an hour to get ready, Caroline should be here soon. I could ask her about it. Sorting through my wardrobe, I didn't really have anything new to wear. I chose a red sundress, being warmer for this part of the year, the breeze was nice. There was a knock at the front door, I heard Jeremy answer the door and let Caroline inside. She climbed the stairs and knocked on my bedroom door. "Come in" she entered and she had the broadest grin on her face. "Hello, wow that color looks great on you" she walked over to my bed and put her bag down. She was wearing a pale blue dress, that color looked great on her, she can pull off anything with her stunning appearance. "Hey Care, thanks I don't have much to choose from, I haven't been shopping lately, have you got time to do my hair?" Caroline nodded in enthusiasm.

"Sure, how would you like me to do it? I think with that dress it would look amazing tied up" looking at her I couldn't help but smile, it had been a long time since I have just been content with Caroline. For the longest time I had her at arm's length in fear of letting anyone truly know how I feel about them passing. Now that I am with her again, I regret not letting her in. I nodded and we moved to the bathroom where I was able to sit in front of the wall length mirror. By that time we only had 30 minutes before we had to leave, she made quick work of my long hair and when she was done she added hairspray. "Just to make sure it doesn't fall down" She seemed impressed with her handiwork.

I must admit my hair felt nice off my shoulder, and the intricate pattern she had arranged my hair in was wonderful. "You look smashing, not as good as me but you'll do" she gave me a cheeky grin. I softly tapped her at her jibe. "Yeah I must say you can rock an outfit". "What accessories are you wearing?" I asked her. She pulled out a long beaded necklace that was an emerald green. I gave her an ironic look, of course. "I have something for you though, I was going to give it to you for your birthday but with everything that happened….." she pulled out a locket with a ruby stone in the center. I averted my gaze before she finished what she was saying, I didn't want to remember why we had not seen each other on my birthday. I looked up at the necklace, it was beautiful. I held out my hand for it "oh Care that is lovely, where did you get it?" looking into her face, she seemed to hesitate than quashed it with a confident explanation. "Oh you know me; I find Gems in little places….put it on!" I turn my back to her so she can put it on. When it touched my skin I felt a hum of security, I shivered involuntarily.

It made me remember the conversation I had overheard on the phone. "So, Stefan Salvatore hey?" She looked up at that, a little too quickly, nervously. "Yeah, I have a thing for hot guys, who knew right?" She was deflecting, if it was anybody else, they would not see it but I do. "What do you like about him?" I could tell she was becoming uncomfortable with the questions but still willing to answer to avoid suspicion. "Well, he has an amazing body" she had a coy grin on her face; well clearly that was not a lie. "And those eyes, wow are like so green I can see so deeply into them" Huh, so apparently she is into him, I am happy for her. I allow a slow smile to come over my face at that. Regardless of my suspicions of their conversations, I let that warm feeling that I had take over and fill me up with excitement. "So what's his brother like?" She asked excitedly. "Well, he is older and has an edgier tongue, but word of warning there may be some thorny words between the two, they don't seem be on the best of terms" Caroline rolled her eyes. "Brothers… when do they ever get on, we shall have to knock that out of them" I thought how absurd it would be to actually knock it out of them. I wasn't sure I was at a stage where I am wanting to have a boyfriend ,that thought hadn't occurred to me and because I was dwelling on it I started to panic . "Wait, I hope Damon doesn't think that just because we are going for dinner that anything ….. Is going to happen" Caroline understood the insinuation. "Well I hope that's exactly what Stefan thinks" I was shocked at her forwardness. "Caroline you minx, surely you can't want that so quickly, you don't know him at all" Caroline was starting to sense my panic. "Elena, you're almost eighteen, if you don't want to do something then just don't do it, he will just have to get with the program" Glancing at the clock, I notice it's nearly six.

"We are going to be late if we don't get a move on" Running down the stairs I quickly let Jeremy know of my plans and for him to let Aunt Jenna know when she got home from work. We headed for the door when there was a knock. I opened the door to what felt like a mirror, a woman who was my identical twin stood on the other side. Confuse clearly showed on my face as she spoke "Hello , I am Katherine ,You will not remember me but I am here to tell you both to stay away from the Salvatore's!" she said before she left at an incredible speed.

Caroline seemed entranced and started walking back into the kitchen. I stared out into the front yard, not seeming to understand nor quite believe, she looked exactly like me. How is that possible? How did she know the Salvatore's? How did the Salvatore's know her? Too many questions, I was getting a migraine. I followed Caroline into the kitchen to see how she was dealing with what just happened. She was leaning against the counter talking animatedly to Jeremy.

When I entered they both acknowledged me but continued talking. She was acting like the whole thing never happened. "Hey Caroline did you see her?" Caroline confusedly watched me. "See who?" I stare at her like she is crazy. "Katherine, she was just at the front door" Caroline's face showed no recognition to the name. Was I crazy? Did it really happen? Before I could continue making my head ache worse. "Weren't you going out?" he asked me. That was right, glancing at the clock it was past 6 now. I looked at Caroline who didn't seem to care about going now. "Caroline let's get going, we are already late" I just had to push my confusion at what just happened to the back of my mind, I didn't have time to dwell. "Go where?" she asked, and I believed that she honestly was not aware we were going out. "Caroline we had a double date, do you not remember?" i tried to make her understand without actually giving too much information, Jeremy within earshot. "Oh Elena, could we not just stay in, I don't really feel like going out now" she pouted at me. What is up with Caroline?

"Oh okay, well I will still have to go and tell them that the date is off because we don't have their numbers" I picked up my handbag and walked out the front door, very aware of my visitor. I was being crazy, it was just because I hadn't had much sleep, maybe Stefan was right, I do need more rest. I hop into my car and reverse out of the driveway, the grill was not far into town, I told Caroline I would be back in 30 minutes then we could have a girl's night. I prepare to turn off the motorway when my breaks don't seem to be working, instant panic engulfs me so much so I nearly choke on it. This can't happen again, I cannot have a car accident, thinking quickly I pull up the handbrake and the car goes skidding sideways and lands across something solid. The black abyss takes me under within seconds, my head hurt, badly.

There you go, hope you are enjoying ;)

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