AUTHOR'S Note:-
Hey guys. Another chapter is up. I really hope you people will like it. Thanks a lot to all the favs, alerts and reviews and to those who even read the story. Thanks a lot to all your appreciation and support.
UNDER CONTROL
In his bedroom, Stefan was struggling really hard to detox himself from the blood lust that had taken control over him, driving him insane. He was doing chin-ups using a wooden beam while an unpleasantly loud music was playing in the background that could be heard throughout the house. The blasting music was what that had attracted his elder brother to the room. Damon walked in with arrogant gait and a glass of crimson liquid gripped in his hands.
"Could you turn it up a little bit? It's not annoying yet", Damon said sarcastically.
"Sorry", he apologized as his feet met the floor with a gentle thud. Damon walked over to the stereo and switched it off so they could talk in silence.
"When are you going back to school?" Damon inquired.
"Soon", he answered shortly while moving on to push-ups.
"Oh come on. Just drink already", Damon insisted, crouching down beside him. "Come on, this self-detox is not natural", he said, bringing the glass closer to Stefan.
"Can you get that away from me please?" he demanded, trying not to concentrate on the sweet metallic smell that made his mouth water.
Damon ignored his statement.
Knowing Damon wouldn't stop tempting him; he straightened up and walked towards the couch using it for elevated feet push-ups.
"How long did it take you to wean yourself of it the last time you indulged?" Damon asked, facing him.
He didn't reply because he wasn't proud of the answer. "That's not good", Damon shook his head.
"I'll be fine; it just takes a little bit of time", he replied sharply.
"I don't get it; you know, you don't have to kill to survive", Damon reasoned. "That's what blood banks are for. I haven't hunted in a human in… God way too long", he added, trying to remember his last kill for food.
"Oh, I'm impressed", he said back tersely and stood up.
"It's completely self-serving", Damon shrugged. "I'm trying to get the town off the trail of vampires which is not very easy considering that there is an entire tomb of them running around", he informed, walking over to Stefan.
"What are we planning on doing about that?" he questioned, crossing his arms over his chest.
"We are not going to do much of anything if you don't have your strength", Damon told him. "There's nothing wrong with partaking in a healthy diet of human blood from a blood bank. You're not actually killing anyone". The blue-eyed brother tried again.
The offer seemed too appealing but Stefan couldn't give in. He knew if he drank the human blood again he could no longer be able to suppress the desire for it and would be a threat to everyone around him.
"I have my reasons", he responded as he wheeled around and took a few steps ahead.
"Well, what are those holier than thou reasons?" Damon questioned. "You know, we never actually discussed this. You know, I'd- I'd love to hear this story", he stated, getting himself comfortable on the couch.
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?" he asked, facing his elder brother who always found amusement in his misery. "Watching me struggle?"
"Very much so", Damon smirked.
"I hate to break it to you Damon but… I actually have it under complete control", he informed confidently.
"You do?" Damon questioned, with a disbelieving look. He reacted with a nod. "Well, then you should just carry on, making the rest of us vampires look bad. Have a great day, Stefan", he said, and walked out of the room forgetting his glass of blood on a pile of books placed on the table.
Stefan's eyes darted to the contents of the glass and stayed there for long period. He could feel the urge for blood too strong and couldn't look away. Suddenly Damon barged in making him quickly avert his gaze.
"Oh, hey, almost forgot something", Damon smirked knowingly, grabbing the glass. The elder Salvatore took a few swigs in front of him and then left.
Pearl parked her car on the side of the road outside a small cozy house. The house was midget as compared to the one that had been passed down to generations and generations of Normans.
She exited the car and waited for the hazel-eyed boy who had found at the last moment that his laces were undone and was tying them while sitting on his seat.
"Nice house", she complimented the homely looking building, smiling softly.
"Yeah", her brother answered casually, getting out and slamming the door shut.
As the two siblings trotted towards the front door, Pearl's eyes admired the beautiful little thing.
The house was made of fine red bricks. There was only a single window visible which was open with its flowered curtain swishing in the light morning breeze. The gravel path leading to the front door had wild flowers on both sides. Even the ivy spreading across the walls couldn't diminish the attractiveness of the place.
The mere sight was enough to refresh the memories of the little heaven her family had resided in before her father had died.
Like most of Eric's habits, she had also inherited her father's fascination with small homely residences. They made her feel all warmed up from the inside unlike the large ravishing houses that gave her a sense of loneliness and solitude. That's why she had protested a lot when moving to her family house in Mystic Falls.
Seth's manly fists thumped the old wooden door. They had waited for some time when the door was opened revealing a woman.
She was tall with a strong built and a taut look on her face. Her tanned skin was spotless and she had dark brown almost black hairs that were tied in a neat bun unlike Pearl's, which seemed like a result of some bomb explosion in comparison. She had an air of dignity and elegance about her. But there was something in those green orbs of hers that made Pearl feel uncomfortable.
"Good Morning, Miss Stevens", Seth greeted the woman with so much politeness Pearl never thought would be possible to put in those simple words.
"Good morning", the woman said, her tone of voice so patronizing.
"Emma said she needed a ride to school, so... ", Seth trailed off, feeling uneasy under the woman's sharp gaze.
"We are here to pick her up", Pearl added, steering the harsh stare of the woman towards her.
"Hey, Seth", a chirpy sweet voice came from behind the woman.
The expression on the woman's face changed suddenly to one of gentleness and love as she moved aside so that the short blonde girl came at the front. "Hey ,Pearl", Emma added as her green orbs darted to Pearl. "Thanks for coming. Why don't you guys come inside", the small girl invited warmly.
Pearl was really glad that Emma lacked her mother's attitude.
"No, we will be late for school", she refused.
"Okay, let me just grab my bag". Emma flashed a sincere smile and went inside to get her bag.
Emma's mother surveyed the two siblings one last time, her eyes staying on Pearl a little longer than necessary. Then she slammed the door shut.
"Dude, she was scary", Pearl said, releasing the breath that she was holding.
Elena was standing beside the lockers indulged in a conversation with her ex-boyfriend and quarterback, Matt. She was telling the blonde boy about her Uncle John's visit.
"He said his trip is open-ended", she informed Matt, leaning against the lockers. Elena made no attempt to hide the lack of fondness towards her uncle.
"Whose trip is open-ended?" Pearl piped up with a bright smile, approaching the two.
"Uncle John", Matt answered. "I never really liked that guy", he told honestly.
"Don't tell me". Pearl's smile faltered as she glanced at Elena hoping that she would deny Matt's words but the tall girl nodded with a weak smile. "Like I don't have enough on my plate… Now I have to deal with my mum's stalker", the petite beauty scoffed.
"You still think that he is interested in Angela?" Matt asked, his blue eyes shining with amusement.
"I know for sure", Pearl said back confidently but bitterly.
"I'm here for moral support if you guys need me", Matt presented, seeing the miserable looks on their faces.
"Thanks, but you've been through enough", Elena refused politely.
"Thank you by the way, for just… for everything you did at Vicki's funeral and the memorial. I couldn't have done it without you", Matt told her gratefully.
"Of course Matt", Elena nodded as she rubbed his arm.
There was a protracted pause in which Matt and Elena stared fixedly at each other's faces, ignoring Pearl who was standing quietly and rather awkwardly on one side tapping her foot. Finally the small girl coughed lightly reminding them that the third wheel was present too.
"So, was Caroline still baking for you guys, around the clock?" Elena asked and gave a gentle laugh.
"She finally went to her dad, which is a good thing because my mom was going to strangle her if she dropped off one more lasagna", Matt answered jokingly, closing his locker door. His statement was followed by musical laughs of the two girls.
Together the three made their way towards the first class of the day.
Jeremy was sitting outside the school building on one of the benches. He was engrossed in his own thoughts that involved a certain Donovan girl and her death. He was confused, had many questions and was craving for answers.
The dark-haired Lockwood boy joined him on the same bench and offered him a joint.
"Nah", Jeremy refused at once.
"What's your problem?" Tyler quizzed with a calm tone. There wasn't any sharpness in his voice.
"I just don't want any", Jeremy shrugged.
"All right", Tyler nodded. "They say she OD'ed", he said after a short pause. His eyes seemed fixed somewhere in the distance.
"That's what I don't get, she was doing okay", Jeremy responded with a wrinkled forehead as he glanced at Tyler.
"Apparently not", Tyler argued quickly.
"How did she end up buried in the woods? That's what I don't understand". Frustration was all that was visible on younger Gilbert's face.
"By whoever was with her when she OD'ed", Tyler suggested.
"Yeah but you leave her, you don't take the time to bury her", Jeremy countered. He was persistent that there was something fishy about his girlfriend's death.
"Maybe she saw something and…", Tyler started but didn't know what else to say. "Hell man, I don't know", he said looking as much puzzled as Jeremy.
After Damon was done observing Stefan's behavior, he arrived at the council meeting called at the Founders Hall. He chose a spot at the back as sheriff Forbes informed how they had covered Vicki's death.
"The coroner's office has officially ruled Vicki Donovan's death a drug overdose. Her family has been notified, the truth will stay in this room and we can put this behind us", Liz Forbes notified.
The right side of his mouth twisted into a smirk. None of the council members would have thought in their wildest dreams that the real reason of drug addicted girl's death was standing right behind them.
"Thank you Sheriff", Mayor Lockwood came forward and took sheriff's place.
Liz walked over to Damon and stood beside him. He directed a smile at her which she returned.
"And on to a more pressing issue, John Gilbert has asked to say a few words", Mayor said.
As John Gilbert's name was announced, a surprised look crossed Damon's face. He eyed John carefully as he stepped forward. The elder Salvatore wasn't aware that Gilberts had a relative involved in the council matters.
"Welcome back John, it's good to see you", Mayor Lockwood shook his hand and gave him space so that he could address the members.
"Hello everyone, it's wonderful to see you", John greeted oblivious of elder Salvatore's scrutinizing gaze. "I wish it were under better circumstances. As a founding family member I find it's my duty to report some very distressing news".
The solemn look on John's face made the raven haired vampire uncomfortable.
"He's a Gilbert?" Damon quizzed in a hushed voice.
"Elena's uncle", Liz answered. "His name is John but I call him Jackass", she hissed.
"A hospital blood bank in the neighboring county of Amherst has reported several break ins over the past two weeks", John pronounced. "7 hunters, 4 campers and 2 states employees have been reported missing as well. All of this within a 75 mile radius of Mystic Falls".
"Okay okay, no need to get alarmed right at this moment", Mayor cut in.
"Meaning he doesn't want to cancel the Founders' Day kickoff party", Liz interpreted for Damon in a low voice.
"You think all of your problems are over but I'm here to tell you, nothing's been solved", John stated.
Elena and Pearl entered Alaric's classroom finding him seated on a desk while going through some papers. A few formal greetings were exchanged before Alaric came to the point taking out Jeremy's history report.
"I made a copy of a paper Jeremy wrote for me. I think you should take a look at it", he passed the paper to Elena.
"Fact or fiction: The truth about vampires in Mystic Falls", Pearl read aloud.
"Jeremy wrote this?" Elena questioned, turning a few pages her.
"He's very clear that he didn't think it was real", Alaric told them.
"I really hope you're right because I've done so much to protect him from all of this", Elena told, giving back the paper. He placed the paper back at its place with a long sigh.
"So, how do you two deal with it?" Alaric asked, looking between the two girls.
"Deal with what?" Pearl asked, failing to understand what Alaric meant.
"With all the lies and the secrets", he glanced at the petite beauty. "You have to lie to everyone who's important to you".
"If lying to them can protect them, keep them safe, then I don't think it's a bad thing", Pearl shrugged.
"We only keep it from them, because we love them", Elena added. Alaric nodded understandingly and stood up.
"I think Stefan is a good guy. But at the end of the day he's still a vampire", Alaric reminded the two.
"I know it's hard to understand but Stefan is different", Elena responded, defending her boyfriend. "He would never do anything to hurt me", she told with a hint of persistence in her voice.
Stefan could distinctly hear the conversation going on downstairs at the Gilbert's house but his attention was solely on his girlfriend, who was sitting beside him on a bed, informing him about her brother's history report with a look of concern on her pretty face.
"Why would he write a report on vampires? Do you think he's starting to remember?" Elena questioned.
"Damon took away those memories for good, you don't have to worry about that", he assured. "I tell you what: why don't you just ask him?" he suggested.
"I… I can't", Elena faltered. Her face held a guilty look.
"Why not?" he asked. "I mean if he doesn't know anything then it's just an innocent question", he shrugged.
"I don't even know how to talk to him anymore. I mean, we used to be a lot more open with each other. But now, with all these secrets just piling up… You know, I haven't even told him that I am adopted yet", she replied with a down tone.
"Maybe it's time you start opening up to him. I'm not saying you should tell him everything but at least try to find out what he does know and be prepared for it", he advised.
"What about you, how are you doing?" she questioned while kneading his broad shoulders. He relaxed into her touch.
"Much, much better. I'm still, you know… a little jittery, a little bit on edge but I'm gonna be okay", he answered, reassuring himself more than her.
"I've been really worried about you and I missed you", she told him lovingly.
"I just needed to lay low for a little while and let my body readjust. It's only been a few days", he chuckled softly at her impatience.
"It feels like a lifetime", she answered, making his heart beat faster. She leaned in kissing him lightly on the lips.
"I've missed you too", Stefan whispered as she pulled back.
Pushing her gently on the soft bed, he climbed on top of her as his passionate feelings for her rose to the brim. He captured her lips and continued to kiss her breaking the walls that had restrained him from getting any closer. The tall brunette turned them over so she was on the top.
A deep growl escaped his lips as he rolled her back, pinning her down with his strong frame. Suddenly his senses heightened and he could hear the sound of blood rushing through her veins. His passionate love for her was turned into lust – lust for blood.
The hunger was so strong that she seemed to him only a prey he was ready to suck dry. His gums began to hurt and veins started protruding under his eyes- he was transforming in his true self. All he could think of was the sweet fluid running through her body.
"Stefan, what's wrong? Stefan?"
Elena's scared voice echoed in his head bringing him back to his senses. He stared down at her, the look on his face mirroring the one on Elena's.
Not wanting to do any more damage than he already had done, he slammed himself against the opposite wall breaking a lamp in the process as he tried to leash the monster inside him.
The next day: Pearl entered her bedroom with a large bowl of chips in her hands. She walked towards the bed on which her tall best friend was sitting cross-legged.
"So, you told Stefan about Jeremy's report?" Pearl asked, occupying a spot beside Elena and offered her the bowl.
"I did", Elena answered while munching on chips. "He doesn't think Damon's compulsion is wearing off. Have you tried to ask Seth?" she questioned, thinking Seth might know something about Jeremy's behavior.
"Believe me if Seth knew something that he shouldn't, he would have spill it out by now", Pearl answered. "He doesn't know how to keep a secret especially from me".
Elena nodded silently but still seemed anxious.
"How is Stefan?" Pearl inquired, changing the subject. "How is he holding up? Is he okay?" she asked, showing her concern.
"He is not", Elena said after a pause as flashes of his transformed face ran through her mind. "He is struggling very hard", she told, looking troubled.
As the elder Salvatore stood outside the Norman's residence, the place that he loved to visit in his mortal life, a series of flashes welcomed him- dark-brown pools, soft lips, and musical laughter. No more wanting to visit those bitter-sweet memories, he rang the door bell and heard the soft chime echoing inside the house.
While waiting for someone to answer the door, he observed the surroundings that had changed over the years. The place had been completely reconstructed and renovated.
The light footsteps alerted him and a few seconds later the door was opened, revealing a short framed girl dressed in casual clothing not showing any unnecessary skin- a white button-down shirt and baggy jeans.
"You came", she breathed out, sounding almost relieved.
"You ask I come. I'm easy like that", he smirked, stepping inside the house.
She beckoned him to follow her and he did at once, like following a candle that would illuminate the darkest parts of his life. And Pearl was indeed a luminous candle, just not the right one to brighten his darker existence.
As they reached the hallway that led upstairs to her bedroom, she stopped abruptly and spun around. He had been confused by the sudden stop when she titled her head towards living room. Damon looked the same way and saw Seth sitting on a couch indulged in his work.
He glanced back at Pearl, his eyebrows raised. She pressed her index a finger on her baby pink lips that he wished to capture... well his wish list was quite long when it came to Pearl, but knowing her it was highly unlikely any of those pleasurable wishes would come true… unless she was drunk.
And as much irrational and reckless he was, he would never dare to do something that would hurt her.
"No Pearl, I will not go to your bedroom with you", he said the words loudly, earning a slap on upper arm while making her brother to quickly turn his head.
The two boys shared a smirk before Pearl grabbed his arm in her soft, delicate hands and dragged him to her bedroom.
The touch was innocent and gentle but it was enough to make his mind crazy and he wanted nothing more than to have her then and there.
He knew he wasn't supposed to feel this way for her. It should be her getting mesmerized by his sight, becoming insane just by his mere touch like other girls. But Pearl Norman wasn't any other girl.
Her best friend also his brother's girlfriend, was in the room too, sitting on a chair beside the extremely disorganized study table.
Elena gave him a look full of concern and he realized in an instant that the reason for invitation was his younger brother.
"Ah, just like I remember", he said, wiggling his eyebrows at the petite girl.
A glare was casted at him but like always it never did the intended task and only amused him.
"Did you know that your uncle has been kicking it with the Founder's Council?" he questioned the tall girl, as he made his way towards Pearl's bed and lied down like he owned the place.
"John?' Pearl asked, with her brow furrowed as she leaned against the study table.
"Yep", he nodded popping 'p'.
"Perfect, we'll just add it to the growing list of how everything is falling apart", Elena uttered with a sarcastic smile.
"So why am I called?" Damon still questioned even though he knew answer.
"Its Stefan", Pearl answered quickly, proving that he wasn't wrong. She glanced in Elena's direction.
"I am worried about him, Damon. Stefan says that everything's okay but he's clearly struggling", Elena explained briefly. "How long is it gonna take before he goes back to normal?" she quizzed, worry etched on her face.
"A few days. Give or take", he shrugged.
"It's been a few days", Pearl countered immediately.
"Give then, I don't know. What's the big deal?" he asked, rolling his pretty blue orbs. He got up and sauntered towards Pearl's dresser.
"He's not himself, Damon", Elena said helplessly.
"Well, maybe his problem is that he has spent too long not being himself", he told, facing the two.
He opened one of Pearl's drawers and took out a picture. It was of a little girl who was smiling goofily at the camera with her front teeth missing.
He didn't see much difference in the girl who was in the picture and the one who rushed to his side and tried snatching the photo back. Pearl had just grown a few feet and now there were no missing teeth but other than that the innocence and childishness was still there.
"Give it back, Damon", Pearl demanded in an unmistakably annoyed voice with a slight hint of embarrassment in it as a blush rose to her already rosy cheeks.
He put it out of her reach and smirked down at her. She huffed crossing her arms over her chest.
"It is what it is. The Stefan you know was 'good behavior Stefan', 'reign it in Stefan', 'fight against his nature into an annoying excessive level Stefan' but if you think there isn't another part to this then you have not been paying attention", he drawled.
"He's not you", Pearl responded, shaking her head. "Not even close". Pearl words stung a little but he didn't show it.
"Well, he doesn't want to be me", he told moving closer to erase the space between them, completely ignoring Elena's presence. "That doesn't mean that deep down that he's not", he almost whispered giving Pearl her picture.
"Oh god! I shouldn't be here", the younger Salvatore grumbled, arriving at the front door of the Lockwood mansion where 'Founder's day 150 anniversary kick-off party' was organized. It seemed the whole town had gathered there.
"Come on, don't be a downer, it's a party for the founding families! That would be us", Damon spoke up from beside him, stepping inside the mansion. "That would be rude to skip it".
Following his brother's actions, Stefan entered the packed mansion too with his palms sweating slightly and his throat a little dry of thirst.
"I really liked you a whole lot better when you hated everybody", Stefan stated, scratching the back of his neck, looking on the verge of losing control.
"Oh I still do", Damon admitted. "I just love that they love me", he added and gave a smug smile. "How are you feeling?" he asked after a short pause, a look of concern shadowed the usual cockiness.
"I'm good, I'm fine", Stefan answered, but the restless demeanor told otherwise.
"No cravings? No urges? Is that whiskey you've been drinking all day doing its job?" Damon referred to the whiskey bottles his brother had emptied the whole day "We are who we are Stefan. Nothing's gonna change that".
"Ah! Nothing will make you happier to just see me given up, Damon?" Stefan looked at him knowingly.
"Whatever, it's inevitable", Damon said back, his tone full of confidence.
"Well, I'm gonna find Elena", Stefan stated, not wanting to talk about his lust issues anymore and left his brother's side.
"Don't embarrass me young man!" Damon called from behind.
On one side of the dance floor near the bar, Elena was standing quietly watching her drunken vampire boyfriend dancing with Matt's mom enjoying himself immensely. She could sense the edgy behavior that he was trying so hard to keep at bay and couldn't stop from thinking that she was the one to be blamed.
"Have I entered an alternate universe where Stefan is fun?" the intense blue eyes twinkled with humor as they met her brown pools.
"Is he gonna be okay?" She looked over at Stefan.
"Eventually", Damon nodded, glancing at his brother. "One way or another".
The next moment, the blue-eyed vampire fell silent as his eyes darted to the hall entrance. Following his line of sight wanting to know the reason for the mesmerized look on his face, a smirk came at Elena's lips when she saw the object of Damon's fascination.
Standing in the doorway was her petite best friend dressed in a pretty plain ivory dress that came down just above her knees showing the remaining of her smooth creamy legs. Her dark-black hairs were perfectly styled in heavy ringlets that were draped over her shoulders like a black shawl contrasting perfectly with her dress.
It was clear to Elena that the cocky vampire was stunned into silence. And he couldn't be blamed because the Norman girl looked very stunning. The innocence on her face that wasn't at all dimmed by the makeup was just adding to her beauty.
Pearl waved in her direction and she waved back enthusiastically.
With a frown on her face, the petite girl made her way towards where Elena was standing near the bar very slowly. Elena's eyes moved to Pearl's feet and she found the reason for short girl's awkward gait- four-inch silver heels.
"Hey, Lena", Pearl greeted, finally approaching her. The petite girl exhaled a breath as if she had crossed the longest walk of her life.
"Hey", she greeted back with a warm smile and hugged her. "You look beautiful", she complimented, releasing her.
"Thanks", Pearl managed a strained smile. "It was all mum's idea. She wanted to spend some quality girly time with me and it ended up with me being in this super uncomfortable dress", she told.
"You look angelic", a husky voice came from right beside Elena.
Not only Pearl but Elena was too startled by the comment even though it wasn't directed at her. The tall brunette had never expected such a compliment would escape from Damon's lips. He was more of a type to give compliments like 'sexy', 'smashing', even 'gorgeous or sometimes beautiful'. But angelic...
And he was right too; no other comment would do justice to Pearl's appearance.
"Thank you", Pearl uttered awkwardly, fiddling with her hands as she gave him a small smile which he returned by his own genuine one.
By seeing the interaction in front of her, Elena's lips shaped into a smile, knowingly. She was aware of the fact that elder Salvatore felt something towards Pearl; the look on his face at the sight of her small friend gave away everything.
The way he endure every insult that came out of Pearl's mouth, the way he seemed to have eyes only for her petite friend when she was around. The small gestures like kind smiles that were reserved only for her, the look of care and kindness... Everything told Elena that there were clearly some dormant feelings that were getting stronger every passing day.
But her best friend, being the most oblivious girl in the world she was when it came to such matters, considered his advancements just a way of annoying her.
However, it was also true that Pearl's attitude had considerably changed towards him. It was a real progress that the looks sent his way by Pearl had gone from 'You irk me to no ends' to tolerating his company, saving his life and even defending him in front of her mother. She knew Pearl even had some unnamed feelings for the elder Salvatore but the oblivious girl couldn't recognize them.
Only the time could tell where these feelings would lead the two.
"What has been up with you lately?" the younger Norman pried, as he walked along side Jeremy.
"What do you mean?" Jeremy questioned, his brows drawn together.
"Well, you know you have been all secretive… and you don't hang out anymore". He tried reading the look that crossed Jeremy's face but failed.
"What do you think about Vicki's death", Jeremy asked, meeting his gaze. "The way she died".
"It was a drug overdose", he answered simply. "That's what coroner's office confirmed".
"Her body was buried by someone", Jeremy retorted.
"So you think there is more to the story", he said back. "That she was… killed", he said after a short pause in a hushed voice.
"Yes", Jeremy answered shortly. "I am gonna go ask sheriff about the investigation". The younger Gilbert made his way towards sheriff Forbes who standing with Damon.
"Where is Elena?" Angela questioned, approaching Pearl who was standing outside the main hall, leaning against one of the many tables watching the crowds with her chin rested in her hand.
"She is dancing with Matt", she answered and forced back the thick curly locks that weren't leaving her face alone.
"So why don't you just grab someone and dance with them too", Angela suggested softly, as she unfold Pearl's lace sleeves that had been folded up to the elbows.
"Not a good idea, mum", Pearl shook her head. "Especially when I am wearing this", she gestured towards herself.
"Hello Angela".
The two were interrupted by John Gilbert. "Hey, Pearl", he looked at Pearl with a warm smile but received no reply from her in return.
"Hello John", Angela greeted back. "Welcome back".
"You two look really beautiful today", John complimented, honestly as he looked between the two ladies.
Pearl rolled her eyes and gave an inaudible scoff.
"Thanks", Angela smiled a lovely smile. Angela glanced at Pearl's way finding her with her arms crossed and lips pursed together at John's sight.
A look was passed Pearl's way and she readily understood the meaning that her mother was trying to covey silently- 'behave'.
"Thanks", Pearl uttered with a very forced smile. She bit back the inside of her cheek to restrain herself from saying anything that might be inappropriate in her mother's eyes.
"Where is Seth?" John asked looking straight at Pearl, clearly making an effort to earn a place in her good books.
"Don't know", she answered shortly, her voice a little raised. "We should go, Jenna was asking for you", she told her mother, lying smoothly in front of John.
Pearl just wanted to escape before her patience ran out.
"What was that about?" Angela asked her daughter with narrowed eyes as the two walked away leaving John alone. She was never able to understand Pearl's dislike towards him.
"What?" Pearl asked, acting clueless. But Angela knew better than to be fooled by her daughter's innocent face and naïve act.
"That's not the right way to behave with anyone, Pearl", Angela told her off.
"I don't like him", Pearl stated, as she flipped her hairs back irritably.
"So, at least pretend to be nice", Angela tried to make her understand. This could be the most difficult task in the world if her daughter wouldn't want to cooperate. "He is Elena's uncle", she reasoned. "At least be nice for her sake".
"I can't pretend to be nice to someone who I don't like. That's just not me", Pearl stated clearly.
"Pearl... ", Angela trailed off, wrinkling her brow.
"I need to find Elena", Pearl spoke up and stalked off.
"You know I love a woman in uniform but I have to side with this one. You look… you look smashing", Damon complimented Sheriff Forbes, who wasn't dressed in her uniform but a stunning black dress.
She gave a nervous laugh. "Thank you Damon. Cheers! I needed that". She clinked her glass against his. "You know I had my doubts about you at first but like everyone else on the council you've won me over".
"Thanks Liz", Damon said gratefully, smiling at her. "It's really nice how welcoming the council has been. I like my life here in Mystic Falls", he shrugged. "Starting to feel like home again… ".
"Well, you're not gonna like what I have to tell you", she shook her head. "Jonathan Gilbert's claims check out. Blood bank, the missing people, all of it's true. We might have a problem", she informed in a hushed voice.
"Excuse me Sheriff", Jeremy interrupted their conversation. "I was curious if there's been any more information about what happened to Vicki Donovan?" he questioned.
Seth passed a smile to Damon who returned the gesture and then the vampire became attentive at the words being exchanged between Jeremy and sheriff.
"It was an overdose, Jeremy", sheriff Forbes responded, looking straight at him and then at Seth.
"Yeah, but her body was buried. Somebody must have done that", Jeremy countered.
"We're aware of that", sheriff Forbes nodded as an uneasy look came at her face but she really did well to hide it. "The investigation is ongoing but there's nothing more I can tell you at this time. I'm sorry", she apologized sincerely seeing the concern in Jeremy's eyes.
"It's okay", Jeremy nodded, though he still seemed dissatisfied and left with Seth behind him.
"Please dance with your alcoholic vampire friend", Stefan slurred, stopping Pearl as she was making her way through the swarm of people in the main hall.
"Not now, Stef", Pearl shook her head, anger evident on her face as she tried to move past the younger Salvatore.
"Come on, please", he requested with a puppy dog look Pearl had never seen on his face.
It made her chuckle with amusement, making her forget the anger that she had seethed with. Stefan raised his eyebrows at her.
"Sorry, sorry", she uttered after successfully smothering her laughs. "See, here is a thing, you are drunk and I am clumsy wearing four-inch heels", she reasoned as motioned towards her feet. "We won't even last one minute on the dance floor".
"We won't know until we try", he urged and grabbed her arm trying to drag her to the dance floor. "You have no choice", he told stubbornly.
"Okay, Okay wait", Pearl spoke, finally giving in to his persistence. She removed his grip from her arm earning a questioning look.
She grinned at him and stooped down to takes off her sandals. She carelessly threw them on one side.
"Come on'. Pearl linked her arm with Stefan's and the two sauntered towards the dance floor.
Pearl had barely danced for a minute when Stefan spun her around and her back slammed right into someone. She turned and found a guy looking down at her with a scowl on his face.
"Wow! Watch it!" he growled with narrowed eyes.
Pearl didn't like the guy's tone and the anger that had subsided threatened to rise again but she didn't want to cause a scene in the Lockwood mansion… for the sake of her mother.
"My fault, I am clumsy", she admitted with a forced smile.
"Then get off the dance floor", the guy sneered.
"Who do you think…. ", she moved ready to improve his face as her hand curled into a fist but someone halted her movements by gripping her upper arm.
Pearl wheeled around and found brown pools staring back at her.
"Let it go", Elena almost pleaded.
Pearl wanted to refuse so badly the offer of cease-fire but still nodded and was about to walk away when Stefan came at the front with a hard look that told the two girls that he wasn't ready to let go.
"That no way to talk to a lady", the green-eyed Salvatore hissed.
"Whatever", the guy rolled his eyes and turned to leave. Stefan's vice grip on the guy's muscled arm restrained him.
"I think you need to apologize", Stefan demanded, his pupils dilating.
Elena and Pearl glanced at each other's faces and found the same creased eyebrows and apprehensive looks.
"I'm sorry", the man said in robotic tone, looking at Pearl. As he was about to leave again Stefan again stopped him.
"Now say it like you mean it", Stefan said, seeming dissatisfied with the apology.
"I'm really, really sorry", the guy said to Pearl.
As much as Pearl liked to hear his apologies all night because of his jerk-like behavior, she didn't like the look on Stefan's face- like he would rip him apart mercilessly.
"Stef, it's fine", Pearl tried to calm his temper.
"Now walk away", Stefan pushed him forcefully. "You okay", he asked rubbing her arm in a soothing way. Pearl nodded but she and Elena shared a worried look behind Stefan's back.
"Have you noticed your brother?" Pearl asked as she walked over to the bar where the elder Salvatore was busy drinking his favorite bourbon. "He seems on edge".
"No, I have been too preoccupied with yours and Elena's", Damon answered as his crystal blue orbs stared in her dark-brown ones, giving her a look that made her feel he could tell her deepest secrets just by looking in her eyes. She almost gulped at the intensity of his gaze.
"What do you mean?" she said back hoarsely as if her throat was dry.
"Jeremy has been asking questions about Vicki Donovan's death and your brother is playing the role of his right hand man", he informed. His gaze shifted from her to the drink in front of him.
"They know her death was because of drug overdose", Pearl said confidently.
"Really..?" Damon gave her a challenging look. "Oh but sheriff, someone buried her. Who would do that?" He mimicked Jeremy's voice. "I know I know! Me!" he whispered, holding his hand up in air. "I mean I could compel them but they are wearing vervain. May be you could help me with that. Cook up some lie, you would do it just with a flick of your fingers", he wiggled his eyebrows
"Seriously you make me sound like the biggest liar in the world", she crossed her arms over her chest with a scowl. "I don't always lie".
"Once a liar always a liar, Pearl", he drawled.
Pearl glowered at him. She knew she lied most of the times but hearing those words from Damon's mouth made her feel really terrible, like he didn't trust her. Lying was an old habit of hers that always come in handy.
And even if she wanted to change it, she was helpless in the department- old habits die-hard.
'You are thinking of changing your habits for someone… that's new' a voice echoed inside her head.
Damon's touch brought her back to present. "Joking", he said shortly with an apologetic tone, removing a few stray locks that were falling in her eyes.
"Its Elena's call to make", Pearl spoke up, ignoring the tingly sensation she could feel in every fiber of her body. "But I don't want you to compel Seth and I also don't think Elena would be in favor of compelling Jeremy again".
"If they keep asking questions… ", Damon trailed off.
'No", she replied with finality in her voice. "They won't. I'll tell Elena she will deal with Jeremy and leave Seth to me", she assured.
"Okay. Don't say I didn't warn you", he responded, grabbing a dark-red rose from the nearby vase and presented it to her.
"What if told you I am allergic to roses", Pearl questioned with a straight-face but her eyes were twinkling with mischief.
"Then this will cure you".
He smirked but Pearl didn't understand the meaning behind his words until his lips brushed against her cheeks softly.
Damon didn't even give her time to react as he vanished in the crowd of people. Her fingers gently touched the soft petals of rose as her mouth curved into a smile.
The tall brunette had been informed about Jeremy's and Seth's suspicions regarding Vicki's death by her petite best friend. Elena hadn't wasted a moment in finding her brother and trying to convince him about the so-called drug overdose that had been the official cause of his girlfriend death. She had almost given out that she knew something but had fixed her mistake at the last moment.
As she exited the room after talking to Jeremy, she was stopped in the hallway by the blonde quarterback.
"Who knew I've been missing all the fun at the Founder's parties?" Matt announced.
The Donovan boy seemed to be in good spirits and she was really happy to see that goofy grin on his face that was a sign that he was moving on.
"This is rare, believe me", she said back, walking further down the hallway.
"Is it bad that I'm enjoying myself?" Matt asked, his tone getting a little serious.
The tall girl stopped beside a large closed window and faced him with a lovely smile on her face.
"No, it's great that you are enjoying yourself", she told him. "Thanks for making me dance", she added as she removed the distance between them and hugged the blonde boy, for whom she deeply cared for.
"Hey, it's normal", he responded and laughed, hugging her back. "Air, I need some air. Come with me?" he requested hopefully, pulling back from the embrace.
Before accepting Matt's offer Elena wanted to make sure her vampire boyfriend was okay and not on the brink on breaking anyone's neck. She scanned the sea of people and found Stefan near a table drinking whiskey.
"Sure", Elena nodded, accepting Matt's offer.
Together she and Matt exited the main hall where the party was going on and out into the backyard.
"You haven't seen my mom have you?" Matt questioned, as his gaze wandered around in search of his mother.
"No, not in a while", Elena replied. "Oh my god", she whispered, seeing the sight that greeted her.
There standing at a few feet distance from her and Matt was Kelly Donovan kissing the dark-haired Lockwood boy whose hands were around Kelly's waist. They continued to kiss unaware that they had an audience.
Matt scurried towards the two and forcibly pulled them apart.
"What the hell are you doing man?" Matt growled at Tyler, his whole face turning red.
"Matt?!" Kelly uttered, horrified at the look of pure rage on her son's face.
"Mom!" Matt screamed, turning to his mother.
"Whoa dude calm down". Tyler came forward.
Just the sight of Tyler made Matt's blood boil and he didn't thought twice as his fist made contact with his best friend's face. It didn't cause any damage but it sure angered Tyler who didn't miss a beat and fought back.
"Stop it", Elena shouted but none of the boys listened to her.
Kelly came behind Matt for stopping him but as Tyler pushed Matt backwards the Donovan boy slammed right into his mother making her knocked back into a table. Tyler shoved Matt down on the floor and continued to hit him, not giving him a chance to retaliate.
"Matt! Stop it! Tyler! Stop it, you're hurting him! Somebody help us". Elena tried again. Fear was etched in her voice as she watched Tyler strangling the blonde boy almost to death but at the last moment Alaric came and pulled Tyler off of Matt.
"What the hell is that?" the history teacher yelled angrily, holding Tyler against a wall trying to refrain him from getting anywhere near Matt.
Elena rushed to Matt who was the only one hurt in the fight with a bloody and broken face.
"I'll take it from here; I'll take it from here". Mayor Lockwood came and released Tyler from Alaric's hold. "Are you hurt?" he asked his son who didn't have a single scratch on his face. Tyler shook his head. "Go get cleaned up its okay", he told pushing his son towards the house.
"Everything is fine", Mayor announced to everyone who had came out of the house to watch the reason of commotion. "Come on everybody let's get back to the party let's go. Come on, have a good time!"
"Are you okay?" Elena asked Matt helping him to sit up.
"Where is she?" Matt barked.
"I don't know. Put your head up", she ordered as she titled his head to get a closer look at his injuries.
"You want to hear the bad news or the really bad news?" Damon approached his brother who seemed to have a mission of draining Mystic Falls liquor to subside his urges.
"Actually, I don't want any news Damon", Stefan shrugged; nonchalant about whatever Damon had done as he took a swig of his glass.
"Alright, let me rephrase", the elder Salvatore said back. "Do you want to hear how the council is back in vampire mode or how I just killed Uncle John Gilbert?"
"What?" Stefan's mouth was hanging open at the news.
"Great party by the way, huh?" Damon gave a smirk and turned to leave.
Stefan followed his elder brother who was arrogantly walking away from him. Suddenly Stefan stopped in his tracks as the potent smell of what he was craving for reached his nostrils. Stefan changed his direction and went inside a room where Kelly was sitting on a couch with a cut on her forehead and tears falling down from her eyes.
"Is everything alright?" the younger Salvatore asked softly, as he reached her with slow steps.
"No", Kelly shook her head. "I ruined it, I always ruin it. What is wrong with me?" she said to herself, looking down at the floor.
Stefan knelt in front of her on the floor. His eyes were fixed on the blood oozing from of the wound. He breathed in deeply to catch the heavenly smell. His fingers twitched slightly as they touched Kelly's cut.
"What are you doing?" Kelly's voice brought him out of his trance.
"Uh, I'm sorry", Stefan quickly apologized and got away from her as fast as he could manage through his normal human speed.
He bolted outside the house and stopped in the yard beside the metal fence gripping it tightly so that his knuckles became white, breathing in the fresh air. His eyes looked at the blood on his fingers and after a few seconds he hungrily licked it off of his fingers.
Damon was standing in the main hall listening to the loud music that was blaring out of the speakers as his eyes wandered to his surroundings. A look of shock came at his face as he watched John Gilbert entering the main hall.
"You got to be kidding me".
"Thank you all, thank you very much, thank you", Mayor Lockwood stepped on the makeshift stage amid thunderous applause. "Thank you all for joining us tonight in just a few moments we will officially begin the countdown to our upcoming founders' day celebration", he told everyone".
The elder vampire brother walked in and stood in the middle of the crowded room.
"And it's a very special one this year. The one hundred fiftieth birthday of our town", Mayor went on. "I would like to welcome back one of our town's favorite sons to do the honors of ringing our official charter bell. John Gilbert, would you please join me up here?" he called John Gilbert on stage.
The audience applauded as John Gilbert joined Mayor Lockwood on the stage standing next to a large ancient looking bell.
"One hundred and fifty years of community, prosperity, family", he started his speech with a warm smile. "We take care of each other, we look after each other, protect each other", he added staring right at Damon with a silent warning look in his orbs. "It's good to be home".
Damon's crystal blue eyes were on John as he gripped the string of bell tightly in his both hands and rang it. At last Damon saw something that explained the reason of John's survival even after the Gilbert man had been thrown from a balcony with snapped neck just few minutes ago.
Damon strode towards Alaric who was standing in another corner of the room. Leaning closer to the history teacher, he whispered. "Look at his right hand".
"Who's?" Alaric questioned in a low voice.
"Towns favorite's son", Damon hissed. "Look at his ring", he repeated.
"Well, it looks like mine", Alaric responded, noticing the ring that John was wearing.
"Yeah, and that would be a big coincidence if he didn't just came back from the death 5 minutes ago", the vampire snarled. "Where the hell did you get that ring?" he demanded.
"Isobel, my wife", Alaric answered simply.
"Who gave birth to Elena, under the medical care of the esteemed DR Grayson Gilbert, John's brother!" Damon added, a look of comprehension dawned on his face as he fitted all pieces together.
"Do you think John knew Isobel?" Alaric questioned, glancing at John.
"I think John knows a lot of things", Damon responded, as he sipped his drink.
Pearl found Seth sitting in a room all alone while playing with his phone. Her brother couldn't live without three things- one; his phone, with which he had an unbreakable bond, second was the tons of greasy junk food that he loved to inhale and third was the gory video games.
"You didn't tell me about your part-time job", Pearl stated as she occupied a spot on a couch beside Seth and snatched his phone.
He gave her a questioning look as he tried getting the phone back but his efforts weren't met by any fruitful results.
"You and Jer have been playing detectives asking questions about Vicki's death", she reminded him.
"Who told you that?" he asked, tilting his head to the side. But at the next moment he answered his own question. "Damon".
"So what's going on". Pearl raised her eyebrows.
"Jeremy thinks that Vicki's death wasn't due to drug overdose. He thinks someone murdered her", Seth explained with in a hushed voice even though there wasn't anyone around.
"But the coroner's office has confirmed it", Pearl reasoned.
"But they aren't making an effort to find the truth", he argued.
"And you and Jer can find it because you two are smarter", Pearl scoffed. "Come one Seth you know Jer. He loved Vicki and he is overanalyzing everything. You should be helping him to move on, not siding with him on every insane idea he came up with", she responded, shaking her head.
"His idea isn't insane. Why would someone bury Vicki then?" he countered, confidently.
"I don't know, okay. You and Jer should concentrate on your school. Let the authorities do their work", she replied and left.
Jeremy returned from the party early. He entered the house where no one else was present and made his way straight to Elena's room. He had a feeling that his elder sister was hiding something from him about Vicki's death. The way she didn't look straight in his eyes or tried to change the subject was all the proof that he needed.
He rifled through Elena's things but came up empty-handed. Not wanting to leave any stone unturned, he looked behind the painting that was on the opposite wall with a dishearten look on his face. But it changed into a triumphant one as he finally found the object of his search- Elena's diary.
Not even worrying about invading her privacy, Jeremy opened the small book and began to read all the secrets that had been kept hidden from everyone.
"Vicki was a monster".
Pearl and Elena stepped outside into the night's chilly air. The petite girl shivered slightly and wrapped her arms around her torso as the two girls scanned their surroundings for Stefan who wasn't inside the house.
"Stefan, Stefan", they called but there wasn't any response but just a swish of wind.
"Elena", Pearl grabbed the tall girl's arm to gain her attention and pointed towards a guy who was lying on the ground unconscious.
The two ran over to him and knelt beside him. He was the same guy from before who Pearl had ran into while dancing. His eyes opened and he gave a perplexed look.
"Hey! Are you okay? What happened?" Elena asked, concerned.
"My arm. I lost my balance and fell. I'm clumsy", he said monotonously.
Inside his mother's room, Matt was throwing his mother's clothes and other belongings roughly in a suitcase.
"What are you doing?" Kelly questioned as she walked in. "Matt don't", she pleaded.
"I can't do it anymore mom so just go alright?" Matt's voice quivered with the bottled up anger. "You've done it before. More times than I can count", he reminded her.
"I'm not leaving you. Matty!" Kelly told him stubbornly. Tears brimmed in her eyes and started falling down her cheeks.
"Mom!" he yelled at her as she grabbed his arm and snatched it away. "Don't you get it? I'm better off without you".
"No, tonight was… God, I'm so sorry", she told him sincerely, as more tears streamed down her cheeks. "I know I failed you and I failed Vicki but I won't do it to you again. I promise I'll get it together", she gave him her word but Matt wasn't willing to take another chance.
"I want you out of the house and my life by morning", he said back resolutely, not affected even slightest by his mother's tears and pleads and stalked out of the room.
"Going somewhere?" Damon called after John who was leaving the party. He and Alaric were right behind John as he made his way towards the parking lot.
"I've never liked to be the last one to leave a party. It's too desperate", John answered as he continued to walk. "You're going to kill me again or you're gonna let Mr. Saltzman do your dirty work?" he questioned the vampire, as his eyes moved from Damon to Alaric.
"Okay, you obviously know who I am", Alaric stated, coming to a halt. Damon did the same.
"I do" John nodded with a mocking smile as he stopped too. "Alaric Saltzman, a high school history teacher with a secret", he announced.
"Sure know a lot for someone who just got to town", Damon responded, the right side of his mouth lifted upwards into a perfect smirk.
"More than you can imagine, Damon", John responded, nodding. "My knowledge of this town goes beyond anything that you", his eyes met Damon's, "or you", he looked at Alaric, "or the council knows. So, if you're planning on some clever high-speed snatch ring vamp kill move, know that if I die, everything I know goes to the council including the fascinating little tale of the original Salvatore brothers and their present day return to Mystic Falls", he went on with a threatening edge to his voice.
The elder Salvatore stiffened and continued to stare at John.
"How did you get that ring?" Alaric asked, taking a few steps towards John.
"I had inherited one, my brother Gray had the other", John replied. "This was his", he showed them his ring that was exactly like Alaric's, "and I wouldn't have given mine to Isobel if I had known she'd hand it over to another guy".
"So you did know her?" Damon spoke up, recovering from the shock.
"Who do you think send her your way when she wanted to become a vampire?" John asked back.
"You sent her?" Damon raised his eyebrows with a questioning look on his face.
"Guilty", John smiled. "Why, did you think someone else send her?" he looked at the vampire who shrugged in response. "Maybe Katherine Pierce?" he added with a knowing tone.
"How do you know about Katherine?" Damon quizzed.
"How do I know anything Damon?" he said back, making the elder vampire angry.
"What do you want?" Damon hissed getting closer.
"So many questions", John shook his head. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Rick. I've heard so much about you", he looked at the history teacher and left without answering.
Dream:-
Pearl stepped outside her bedroom. As she ambled down the dimly lit corridor she noticed a shadow descending the stairs slowly. She rubbed her eyes and looked closely to find a girl with long hairs and a small frame.
Pearl sprinted towards the girl and tapped lightly on her shoulder. The girl turned and Pearl jumped back, scared out of her wits… as her own face stared back at her.
"Who are you", Pearl spoke up, overcoming the inability to speak. The hairs on the nape of her neck were standing on ends and her heart was racing on the verge of exploding.
"I think you already know, Pearl", she answered in a high-pitched voice.
"Silvia", Pearl uttered, taking a few steps back from her vampire ancestor whose eyes held a cold look.
"One point for you", Silvia sneered, sauntering slowly towards Pearl.
Pearl continued to walk until her back hit a wall. Silvia stopped right in front of her with a dark menacing look on her face.
"You should stay away from what's mine", Silvia warned with a low voice.
"What do you mean?" Pearl questioned.
"You think I am not aware of your growing feelings for him. Don't act so innocent Pearl", Silvia spat. "If I can't have him, I won't let you have him too", she whispered and grabbed Pearl's neck with her hands.
Her ancestor continued to apply pressure on her throat cutting her oxygen supply and she couldn't do anything other than trying her hardest to prevent Silvia from throttling her to death. Pearl could feel the life escaping her body as she started seeing black.
Pearl's eyes opened suddenly and she sat up quickly gasping for breath. A feeling of relief washed over her knowing everything had been a dream. She grabbed the jug from the bedside table and poured herself a glass of water gulping it down in a single go.
Then the petite beauty left her bed and rushed to the bathroom. She turned on the tap and threw water on her pallid face. After she was done, she stared at her reflection in the large mirror and a sudden fear engulfed her. She touched her neck flinching slightly… there were fresh bruises.
A/N:-
Thanks a lot for SomebodyWhoCares , Bronzelove, Kira Tsumi, Guest(1) and Guest(2) for reviewing.
whitedwarf: Thank you very much for your suggestion. I hope I have been a little better in this chapter and I'll continue to try in the next ones. I really loved your ideas and suggestions as it helped me a lot with the story. Thank you again:)
So what you guys think about the chapter? Like it or not? I know Pearl's attitude towards John is hostile but you will know the reason for this soon. She isn't perfect and as the story will go ahead you will get a chance to see her other sides too like her insecurities, possessiveness etc.
What do you think about Damon's POV?
If you guys have any ideas on how Seth should find out about the supernatural world, please feel free to share.
Tell me how I can improve and if you have any ideas, suggestions feel free to share. Constructive criticism is always welcomed. Any questions you guys have feel free to ask.