A 17. Party?

"Elena, honey!", Jenna shouted. "Look who are here!", she added.

Elena hugged her aunt and looked around.

Jeremy, Bonnie, Caroline, Matt, Tyler, the neighbors – certainly Jenna only invited them because she didn't want to be rude –, she saw some other girls from school, her history teacher Alaric and a dark haired girl, who Elena didn't know.

But where was Isobel? She had said she would come … well, she would probably turn up any moment.

But first Elena had to meet her friends. It seemed like ages since she had seen them the last time, although Bonnie and Caroline had visited her once in hospital.

"Elena!", Caroline cried. "Honey! We missed you!", Bonnie added. And they both hugged her tightly.

"I'm so sorry we haven't been visiting you more times in hospital, Elena.", Bonnie said. "But I just met this boy, he says he's a Warlock and he can teach me things about –" she looked around and lowered her voice. "– well you know what I mean – so I have been quite busy lately."

"Bonnie, but that's ok! I'm so happy there's anyone who can teach you, since your grandma …", Elena answered and left the rest of her sentence unspoken.

Bonnie's grandma had died already about half a year ago, but Bonnie was still not really over it, as her grams had been the only one who could teach her about being a witch and tell her how to handle it, since she had been a very powerful witch once herself.

"Oh, Elena …", Bonnie sighed. "You are too kind! To be honest … I wouldn't have liked it when you hadn't visited me when I was in hospital."

"Me neither!", Caroline added.

Elena giggled. "Well, I guess I have to admit you gals something …"

"What?", Bonnie and Caroline yelled.

"Ahem … well … me and … eh …", Elena said and unwillingly her eyes searched for Damon.

Caroline followed her gaze and laughed. "You and Damon? Oh Elena …", she shake her head. And then, triumphantly, she added: "I knew it!"

"So what?", Elena asked, a bit defensive. "

"Nothing – it's ok. Caroline is with Tyler, by the way.", Bonnie giggled.

"Bonnie! That's not true! I – we … just .. ehm …", Caroline replied.

Elena laughed. She had missed times like these. It felt like everything had gone back to normal. Bonnie and Caroline teasing and joking … She sighed and left the two of them alone to go to look for Jeremy.

She found him at the barbeque, placing some sausages on the grill.

"Hey Jer!", she said.

"Hey sis!", he said and locked her in his arms. "I'm glad you're home again! Jenna was driving me crazy with her being over-worried … Jeremy be careful – don't do this – don't do that – your sister already is in hospital, I don't want you there too … blahblahblah …", he said and rolled his eyes.

"Aaaw, poor Jeremy …", Elena teased. "But she only meant it good, Jer – don't forget that – and we can be really thankful that she gave everything up to move here and take care of us …"

"Yeah, of course, I know … but I mean I can take care of myself, Elena, and she can't forbid me to go outside or hanging out somewhere …", Jeremy sighed.

"I know, but well, I guess she was just a bit stressed and she'll be cool again soon.", Elena replied. "Hey, Jer, eh … I just got to go and see someone …"

"Sure, Elena, it's your party, so you can do what you want!", he answered. "I won't bother you any longer!"

"Thanks.", Elena replied and started walking towards a woman with dark hair who was standing with her back to Elena.

She hesitated, but finally she tapped her on the shoulder and the woman turned around.

"Elena.", she said.

"Isobel!", Elena said. "Thanks for coming."

"Thanks for inviting me.", Isobel smiled. "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing better, thanks.", she nodded. "Hey, do you want a drink or something?"

Isobel shook her head. "Thanks, but I already got one!", she said pointing at a champagne glass with a slice of strawberry hung over the rim standing on a high cocktail table beside her.

Suddenly Alaric encountered them. Staring at Isobel he whispered to Elena: "We got a problem, Elena, which is standing at your front porch right now."