New guys and old crushes

I took a deep breath as I entered the school grounds, familiar faces all around me, hugging, chatting as everyone came back to Mystic Falls for the new school year. I smiled and waved back at the people greeting me in passing while I tried to make my way through the sea of people to the inside of the building in search of my best friends. I scanned the crowd with watchful eyes, and it didn't take me too long to find my tall and blonde friend, Caroline Forbes, who happened to stand right next to my other best friends, Elena and Bonnie.

Just as I managed to reach the group, Caroline headed off, not seeing me behind her.

"Aaaaand, she's gone!" I sighed, shaking my head in played exasperation.

"Lori!" Bonnie exclaimed and pulled me into a tight hug. "We missed you!"

"Well, it's nice to be back," I said as she released me. Her dark hair looked like it had grown at least a couple of inches and her dark skin positively glowed. The summer break certainly did her good. I looked over to Elena and guilt washed right over me. I pulled her into a hug too, burying my face into her long brown hair.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there... I wanted to, I swear. You're always welcome to stay at my place, you know that, right?" I said, whispering low enough that she would be the only one to hear it.

I pulled back, looking into her big chocolate eyes and searching for confirmation that she understood me. Elena was there for me when my grandma died, a person that was more of a parent to me than my dad, and I sure as hell would be there for her after her parents had died.

"I know," she answered me, putting on a smile, "but I'm much better now, really."

I raised an eyebrow, not buying it, but I let her be for now.

"So how was your summer?" Elena asked effectively changing the subject. "You look good," she said admiring how tan my olive skin had gotten.

"Californian sun. Any longer and I would have come back with blonde hair," I said grabbing a strand of my light brown hair that had gotten significantly lighter over the summer. "And don't even get me started on the tan lines!" Laughing, I pulled down my jeans half an inch, so they could see the harsh line on my waist.

"Well I have to agree, it does suit you, it really brings out your hazel eyes," Bonnie said smiling warmly.

"Thanks," I mouthed, and blushed slightly. "Enough about me! What did I miss?"

We walked down the hallway, on our way to our first class, while Bonnie brought me up-to-speed with her "psychic abilities".

"Hold up, who's this?" Bonnie asked, making us stop in front of the school's office.

In there, talking to the secretary Mrs. Clarke, stood a tall guy with brown hair wearing a leather jacket.

"All I see is back," Elena said bluntly.

"It's a hot back," Bonnie stated, making us all chuckle. "I'm sensing Seattle...And he plays the guitar," Bonnie said in a mysterious tone.

Elena and I shared a glance before we scoffed.

"You're really gonna run this whole psychic thing into the ground, huh?" I asked trying to contain my laughter.

Bonnie simply shrugged before answering flatly, a dreamy look on her face, "Pretty much."

Elena's smile faltered suddenly, and before I could ask what's wrong or see what caused the change of mood, she walked away.

"I'll be right back."

I watched her disappear into the men's room. I furrowed my brow in confusion but figured she probably had a reason why she entered the wrong bathroom and shifted my attention back on Bonnie who now stared intently at the new guy.

"Please be hot," she whispered.

I watched her with a grin on my face when moments later he finally turned around. He was definitely a looker with his strong jaw, straight nose, and deep brooding eyes. His open jacket hinted towards a well-toned physique and his whole demeanor extruded confidence.

I had to admit my heart skipped a beat when he walked past me.

Bonnie's eyes didn't leave the stranger one second and as he turned to walk down the hallway, she absentmindedly started to follow him. I was just myself about to run after her, a tease already on my lips when a broad and tall figure blocked my way.

"Hey, Babe."

I groaned. Loudly.

"Duke," I stated matter of factly as I tried to move past him, not even bothering looking up.

Besides being an enormous jerk, he also lived up to his jock reputation by being completely daft and trying to get into every girl's pants. Of course, he wasn't going to just let me leave. Putting a hand on my hips he pushed me backward until my back touched the locker row behind me, trapping me.

I swatted his hand away, sending him a death glare. He smirked at me, his brown eyes twinkling with mischief, as he ran his fingers through his spiked-up ashy blonde hair.

"Aw... Come on," he said, his cocky grin not leaving his face. I so damn wanted to wipe it off of his face. "I missed you this summer, we could have had so much fun together."

He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, making me shudder in disgust.

"Listen," I hissed through gritted teeth. "There is no ‚we', you and I made out one time when I was wasted drunk, and I knew right away that it was a terrible mistake. So please, just leave me the hell alone!"

I tried to push past him, but he was an immovable force. Moreover, my futile attempts to get away from him seemed to amuse him.

"Duke," I growled warningly. "Let me go!"

"There's no reason to play hard to get with me, Lorraine," he said, his voice becoming low and husky. "We both knew you enjoyed it."

"Duke!"

We both turned to the voice calling his name, and I sighed in relief when I saw Matt coming towards us.

"The first period hasn't even started yet, and you're already tormenting poor Lorraine?" Matt said jokingly, giving Duke a handshake.

"Tormenting is a big word, I prefer the word courting," Duke said winking at me.

Matt just raised an eyebrow.

"Man, you got to learn to take a hint," he said while shaking his head and chuckling. "I'll see you at practice after school?"

Matt's tone, while friendly, left no doubt that it was time for Duke to go. Finally, he stepped back, allowing me some more breathing room and to discreetly step closer to Matt in the process.

"Sure, see you later," he said walking away.

I turned to Matt, a thankful smile on my lips.

"My knight in shining armor," I said attempting a curtsy.

"It was an honor, milady," he answered mock-bowing before hugging me. "It's nice to have you back."

My heart beat a thousand miles an hour as I took in his scent enjoying the moment while it lasted.

"It's nice to be back," I answered nestling my head in his shoulders, but alas the moment ended too soon, as he released me from his embrace.

"So, Duke has decided to annoy you again?" he said, a crooked smile on his face.

I sighed, rolling my eyes to the sky, "Evidently so, I just wished he would finally find himself some bimbo so that he'll leave me alone."

"Well, you have to admit, that you're giving him mixed signals there; one day you kiss him, and the other you're sending him death glares."

Matt just ducked right in time, before my fist could hit his shoulder, laughing as he did so.

"Ok, smartypants, first off, I was wasted that night, and secondly I didn't kiss him, he kissed me," I tried saying keeping an angry serious tone, but Matt's laughter was contagious, and soon I was laughing with him.

"As I remember seeing it, you kissed him back, so maybe you should stop drinking, you make really poor life choices when drunk."

"Yeah, maybe I should," I murmured, sobering up.

"Once our home-state of Virginia joined Confederacy in 1861, it created a tremendous amount of tension within the state," Mr. Tanner recited at the front of the class. "People in Virginia's northwest region had different ideals than those from the traditional deep south. Then Virginia divided in 1863 with the northwest region joining the union."

I zoned out, my thoughts wandering back to Matt. We've always been close, but I knew that he had only eyes for Elena. It was hard to not feel jealous or bitter at times, but she was my best friend and I knew she wasn't to blame. Hell, she didn't even know how I felt about Matt, no one knew. I looked through the classroom and, briefly, my eyes met those of Stefan Salvatore, the new guy from before, but they soon drifted away to Elena. I wasn't the only one noticing. Next to me, Bonnie pulled out her phone, writing a message:

HAWT-E. STARING U.

Looking up I saw that Matt saw it too. He pulled his mouth in a hard line and proceeded to look straight ahead. I felt a pulling ache in my heart, seeing him suffer like this, but there was nothing I could do about it.

The school bell rang, ending the school day. I grabbed my stuff and exited the classroom with Elena and Bonnie.

"Looks like Tanner didn't get nicer or more interesting over the summer," I said laughing as we walked down the hallway. "You guys wanna hang out at the Grill?"

"Sure," Bonnie said with a smile. "I just want to drop off some things at home first, but right after that. Elena?"

"Later? There's this thing I got to do first, but let's meet at around 8?" Elena said with an apologetic smile.

"Of course," I said with a warm smile. "Take your time. I'll text Caroline too, it'd be nice having the whole gang together again."

"Yeah, sounds fun! I'll see you guys later then?" Elena asked, on the verge to leave. We nodded and hugged her goodbye.

I walked with Bonnie towards the parking lot, she was talking more about her "psychic abilities" and her past predictions, but I wasn't really paying attention, as I saw the guys from the team going over the sports field to practice.

"Hello! Earth to Lorraine! Are you even listening to me?"

"Erm, yeah, yeah," I mumbled and looked back over to her feeling a little disoriented. "You predicted Obama, and Heath Ledger, and something about Florida."

Bonnie just looked at me, an amused smile on her face as she watched me squirm. It was hopeless.

"Sorry Bonnie," I sighed.

Her gaze softened.

"You know, you're only going to hurt yourself. The crush you have on Matt?" Bonnie clarified after seeing my confused expression.

She knew?

"Of course I know, I'm psychic, remember? Also, the loving stares you send him are quite revealing in themselves."

I felt caught out and grew red like a tomato.

"I don't–, it's not that–, I–" I stuttered, feeling a little panicky. Did Elena know? More importantly, did Matt know?

Bonnie stroke my arm calmingly.

"Hey, don't worry. Your secret is safe with me, and I don't think anybody else noticed. I just don't want you to get hurt. Matt is still in love with Elena, and it will get him a long time to get over her."

"Yeah, I know…" I said, trying to put up a smile. "He and I can never work, I just have to get him out of my system."

"Don't worry we're going to find you somebody great, that deserves you and who isn't still in love with his ex-girlfriend."

And with that, she pulled me to her car.

The Grill was already packed with people when I arrived, mostly kids from school, chilling out after the first day.

"His name is Stefan Salvatore. He lives with his uncle at the old Salvatore Boarding House. He hasn't lived here since he was a kid. Military family, so they moved around a lot. He's a Gemini, and his favorite color is blue."

I grinned at the infallible source of information that was Caroline Forbes. Of course, she would already know everything about the new guy.

"You got all that in one day?" Bonnie asked with raised eyebrows.

Caroline just rolled her eyes.

"Oh please, I got all that between third and fourth period. We're planning a June wedding."

I exchanged a glance with Bonnie, not sure if I should laugh or be worried.

"So what about you, Lori?" Caroline turned to me, as we sat down. "Any hot guys in California? Maybe some college guys, friends of your brother?"

She wiggled her eyebrows, making me roll my eyes.

"No…" I said, smiling mischievously. I just loved taunting her.

She pouted, faking being offended at my playing on her weakness.

"Ok, so there may have been one, who wasn't that bad," I admitted, slightly blushing.

"Oh come on, get to the juicy bits!" Caroline whined making Bonnie and me laugh.

"Hello Ladies," a deep voice interrupted us. I looked over, seeing the familiar face of Tyler Lockwood standing next to our table. Matt standing just a few feet behind. "Is there any way to interest you in a game of pool?"

I chuckled in embarrassment looking down at the table. The girls also staying silent.

"I'm sorry, did we interrupt something here?" Tyler said, a cocky grin on his face.

"As a matter of fact, yes," Caroline said in an annoyed tone. "Lorraine was just about to tell us all about a hot mystery guy she met in California."

I groaned, kicking Caroline under the table.

"Is that so, Lorraine?" Tyler asked, his grin getting wider.

I took a deep breath, putting on an innocent face.

"Nah, there's nothing interesting to tell. You wanted to play pool? Let's go play pool!" I said jumping up, and dragging Tyler with me, but not before sending Caroline a glare.

"So anything you want to tell us, Lorraine?" Tyler asked while Matt was racking the table.

"Oh, shut up, Tyler," I said punching him in the arm, carefully avoiding Matt's gaze.

We played for a while, I was of course bad as ever, barely managing to even get one ball in.

"Damn, Lorraine," Tyler said laughing. "Your pool skills got even worse over the summer!"

I watched in defeat as the ball I meant to put in the hole missed and hit one of Tyler's, that then got pocketed, earning him an additional point. Yes, I was that bad. I looked over to Matt, my teammate during this round, mouthing the word 'sorry'.

Caroline came over, drink in hand. I looked over to Bonnie who was on her phone, probably texting Elena.

"Lori, we never got to finish our conversation," she said pouting.

Tyler perked up, looking very interested. Matt just looked confused between the three of us.

"Did I miss something?" he asked.

"No, noth-" I attempted to say but got cut off.

"Apparently Lorraine has some juicy details to share about a guy she met in California," Tyler said, smirking.

"A hot college guy," Caroline added.

Matt looked back at me, shock and surprise clearly written on his face.

"Really?"

I, in the meanwhile, had turned the shade of a tomato, but funnily enough, it wasn't Tyler and Caroline's curiosity and comments that annoyed me most right now, but the incredulous look on Matt's face.

"And if so, what about it?" I asked, hand on my hips, slightly taken aback by his reaction.

Now it was Matt's turn to look a little bit put off.

"Erm, nothing," he assured. "It's just I didn't think you w- It's weird- I see you like a little sister."

He scrambled on that last part, and it took everything in me to keep on a poker face as I screamed internally. He saw me like a little sister?

An awkward silence fell onto the group, as I was still processing what Matt just said.

"I'm gonna sit down," he mumbled and moved past me to go sit down with Bonnie.

I looked back to Tyler who seemed thoroughly amused by the situation.

"No comment," I told him with a stern look. "Your turn."

Tyler smirked, holding his hands up in defense, before he leaned over the table and put his last ball straight in the hole, ending the game.

"For the record," Tyler said looking back up to me with a cocky smile on his lips. "I don't."

He winked at me and I had to admit, it took me a moment to understand what he meant, but when I did I shuddered exaggeratedly.

"Ugh, gross, Tyler!" I said laughing. Now while I admit that Tyler was handsome, I knew him well, too well. With our mothers being close back in the day, I had known him since we were both in diapers.

Caroline rolled her eyes beside us.

"Can I please get the story now?" she demanded. "I'm not getting any younger."

"You, Caroline, are the nosiest person I know," I said laughing and shaking my head in defeat.

At first, she looked offended, mouth open as if she was going say something, but it soon morphed into a self-satisfied smile.

"True, but you love me for it."

I was just about to start my story when the door opened and Elena walked in... accompanied by Stefan Salvatore. I saw Caroline's smile falter a bit, being replaced by a surprised look.

My eyes glided immediately to Matt. He looked heartbroken. At that moment I even wished he'd be back with Elena, so he wouldn't look so miserable. To my, and pretty much everyone's surprise, he walked up to Elena and Stefan, introducing himself, before walking back to us.

"I think I'm ready for another game," he said with a gloomy expression.

Elena and Stefan sat down with Bonnie, who waved at Caroline and me to come and join them. We left the boys to their game and grabbed a couple of chairs to sit with the newcomers.

"So, you were born in Mystic Falls?" Caroline asked, starting the interrogation.

"Mm-hmm. And moved when I was still young," Stefan answered in a good-humored manner, not letting it show if the questions annoyed him. He was trying to get some friends-bonus-points. I liked it.

"Parents?" Bonnie asked.

"My parents passed away," he answered, a tad slower. My gaze slid to Elena, her being an orphan too now.

"I'm sorry," she said. It was heartfelt. "Any siblings?"

"None that I talk to," he said with a little smile now. "I live with my uncle."

"Zach Salvatore, right?" I asked looking for confirmation, which he gave me. "My dad sometimes works with him on the Founder's Council, he speaks very highly of him."

"Your dad…?" Stefan asked, a little intrigued.

"Frederick Tate," I clarified with a smile.

"Well I'm sure to pass it on," Stefan said, a warm smile on his lips too.

"So, Stefan, If you're new, then you don't know about the party tomorrow," Caroline said her eyes twinkling.

"It's a back-to-school thing at the falls," Bonnie explained.

Stefan looked at Elena. "Are you going?"

Elena looked a little bit unsure, but Bonnie left her no say in the matter.

"Of course she is," she said grinning at her best friend.

A.N.: Hello this is my first time posting on here! I hope you will enjoy it. In this story, there is an additional founding family, the Tates, so we'll also later see some of Lorraine's ancestors in the flashbacks to 1864. I would love it if you'd leave a review! Let me know if you have any suggestions :)