I woke up to a bright light shining through my open curtains. "Ugh!" I complained throwing my blanket over my head. I got up slowly, and walked to the bathroom. I showered and got dressed. My bruises were fading slowly. I slowly walked down the stairs. I was glad I fixed everything with Stefan and Damon, but I didn't feel like talking right now. My phone gave an alert out of my back pocket, indicating that I had received a text message. I opened it.

Hey, pretty girl. –Ivan

Hey, Ivan. You still in Mystic Falls? –Ella

Yes. Interested in lunch? –Ivan

My mind thought back a few witty remarks, but I'm not dealing with another vampire.

Lunch sounds perfect. Mystic Grill at 1? –Ella

See you then. –Ivan

I smiled and put my phone back in my pocket. "What has you all smiles this morning?" Stefan asked from behind me. I jumped about three feet in the air. "Stefan!" I complained. "Sorry. I forgot you couldn't sense me." He said, chuckling to himself.

I rolled my eyes and went into the kitchen. I opened the refrigerator and sighed deeply. The only things in there were butter, mustard, and a very rotten apple. There were a few blood bags, but I didn't want blood. I wanted food. It's obvious Elena hasn't been here. She kept the fridge full of food. Elena… I should give her a call. Despite what she's done to my brothers, it's not like she meant to hurt them. And she's always been a good friend to me.

"Something wrong, kiddo?" Stefan asked, sitting at the table. I looked at the time. 12:35. I needed to leave for lunch anyway. I slept in late. "Nothing. Hey, I'm going out for a while. I'll be home later." I said, kissing the top of his head. "Where ya going?" He asked, curiously. "Meeting a friend for lunch." I responded, walking out of the front door. I heard him call out be careful, but I had already shut the door. Telling him I was meeting Ivan would just cause drama that I wasn't in the mood for.

I arrived at the Mystic Grill and saw Ivan sitting alone at a table. "Hey, Ivan!" I said, happily. We hugged and he was grinning. "Hey, Ella. It's good to see you. I didn't think we'd see each other again." I smiled. "I didn't either, but I'm glad we did. Are you sticking around for awhile?" I asked, as Matt came over to take our orders.

"Hey, Ella!" He said, patting my back. He looked at me curiously, and I knew he noticed the bruises. "Hey, Matt. Matt, this is Ivan. Ivan, Matt." I introduced them. Matt shook Ivan's hand. "Watch out with this one. She's a firecracker." He said, laughing. We ordered, and he walked away.

"Anyway, are you sticking around for a while?" I asked, again. He shrugged. "We'll see where the breeze takes me." He smiled. "Matt seems nice." He commented. I nodded. "Yeah, he's one of the sweetest guys you'll ever meet. I love him to pieces." I said, waving at some acquaintances from school.

"Are you pretty popular around here?" He asked, noticing the attention I was getting. "Actually, no. I mean it's a small town. Everyone recognizes everyone. My name is popular, but that's only because everyone thinks my brothers are hot." I laughed.

"I think you're hot." He winked at me. We laughed, as Matt brought our food. He smiled and walked away.

"Hey, Ella. Who's your friend?" Caroline asked, walking up to me. She made a noise when she noticed the bruises. I shook my head as if to tell her not to bring it up. "Care, hey. I've been meaning to call you. This is Ivan. Ivan, this is Caroline. Hey, if you see Elena later tell her we need to talk, okay?" I asked, subtly dismissing her. Caroline smiled brightly and nodded, and went to talk to Matt.

"Sorry that everyone is interrupting. This is like the only good place to eat in Mystic Falls." I said, eating a fry. We ate in a comfortable silence for a while until I felt someone staring a hole in me. I turned around and saw Alaric. Great. He's going to go running back to Damon. I smiled and waved at him. He waved back, but gave me one of his famous "does your brother know about this looks" I just turned back around.

"So, where are you staying?" I asked, Ivan. He looked at me intently. "Here and there. Just different places. I'm running on low on cash, right now. I'm going to have to stop somewhere and work soon." He said, looking down. He seemed embarrassed. "You know, we could probably find you a job here, if you need one. I know that the auto shop is looking for help. You know anything about cars?" I asked, hopeful. "Are you kidding? I'm a car fanatic! The auto shop is perfect! Can you show me where it is after we finish eating?" He asked. His eyes were sparkling. Something I hadn't seen, yet. He must be genuinely happy to work with cars.

We finished our food and had some more light conversation. Being with Ivan was so easy. I didn't have to try to impress or be someone that I wasn't. We could just talk. I felt like I knew him my whole life. I didn't want him to leave. He could be one of the best friends I've ever had.

After we ate, and I insisted on paying, I dropped him off at the auto shop. I was going to stay, but he got into an intense conversation with the owner, and I could tell he already had the job. "Just text me later." I told, hugging him quickly. He smiled and thanked me for everything.

I started my walk home, slowly. Obviously, I got tired quicker now that I wasn't full vampire. I enjoyed myself though. It was nice to be out and about without any worries. I did need to call Elena, and I needed to talk to Parker as well. I was unfair to him. I was already near Elena's place, so I decided to just swing by. I knocked and she opened the door. She looked a little scared when she saw it was me.

"I'm so sorry about the way I treated you, Elena. You've been nothing but a good friend to me, and I was a total bitch to you. I don't deserve a friend like you." I said, feeling very emotional. She had teary eyes, and she pulled me in for a hug. "I love you like a sister, Ella. I know you were just looking out for your brothers, and you've got all this other stuff going on, but I'll always be here for you. I promise." She said, actually crying now. "I know. Same here." I said, smiling.

We laughed about how emotional we were, and she invited me to stay and watch a movie, but I said that I really needed to get home. I'm sure Alaric would have told my brothers by now. They're probably pacing around the living room as we speak.

I hugged Elena again, and I left. I was almost home when I heard a car slow down beside me. "Get in the car." Came the familiar, gruff voice of my eldest brother, Damon. I turned around and smiled at him.

"Thank God. I'm sick of walking." I said, getting in. His face was very set. "Damon, chill out. He's just a friend that I met. He's actually really cool. His name is Ivan. I think you'd like him. You can meet him, if you want. I assure you that he's just a friend." I said.

"What the hell are you talking about? That guy Alaric saw you eating with? That's the least of my concerns right now. Well not the least." He added as an after thought. His words made me feel panicky.

"What's going on?" I asked, nervous.

"Parker dropped by the house today. By the way, I hate that kid. And he said we needed to keep an eye on you, because his friend Tex was in town, and he was looking for a way to get back at Parker. And he knew about you." Damon said, looking around him as he spoke. As if checking for someone.

"Oh? That guy. You could take him with your eyes closed. I'm not concerned at all." I said, reassuringly. "I'm glad that you're not. From now on, tell us where you're going and WHO you're going to be with. Got it?" He demanded. I rolled my eyes, but I didn't feel like fighting. I nodded.

"Now this Ivan, character." He started. "Oh, Damon. Chill out." I said, chuckling. He laughed lightly. "Stefan went grocery shopping for you today. He said you looked a little bummed about no food in the fridge." Damon said. The idea of grocery shopping hadn't excited me this much since the 1800s. "Good." I replied. My phone got a text, and I looked at it.

Got the job. See you soon, pretty girl. Thanks so much. –Ivan

Life was okay now. All I needed to do was figure out what was going on with Parker. Easier said than done.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I hope you guys like this chapter. Let me know your thoughts. I would love some feedback or ideas you have. Thanks for your time. You guys rock!