Chapter 1- A New Start
"Yes, Aunt Jenna I have all my stuff," Elena droned for the millionth time to Jenna as she lugged her bags off the cab.
"I'm just worried; it's the first time you've been away from Florida for more than a month. And what if you miss my cook- "
"You don't cook Aunt Jenna,"
"Elena, it's the first time you've been back there since the accident. Are you sure you're okay?" Jenna's voice suddenly took on a serious tone.
I'll be fine if you didn't mention it, Elena thought. Guilt immediately set in. Jenna was just worried for her. Why was she being so difficult and bratty? She sighed.
"I'm fine, Aunt Jenna. Really. Now stop fussing over me and go get ready for your date with Ric." She smiled when she said that. She's going off to college, Jeremy's finally out of trouble, and now Jenna can finally have some 'me time' and enjoy her life. She could almost hear her aunt smile over the phone.
"Alright. Love you Elena, and don't forget to call back at least once a week!"
Elena slipped her phone into her jeans pocket as she looked up at the building in front of her. Mystic Falls University was built upon an old church burial ground, sparking many of the school's creepy stories of the supernatural. Nonetheless it was an amazing architecture. The whole school compound was separated into five different buildings, three main study buildings and two as dorms for the student body. Each building was slightly different in structure and style, but overall they maintained the ancient gothic vibe that the town seemed to come with.
It had been quite a while since Elena left Mystic Falls, but she could barely spot any difference in the town. It was as if she hadn't left at all. Snapping herself out of memory lane, she carried her luggage up the crumbling steps and entered the main hall.
"Freshmen, please gather here for registrations!" a loud, high pitched voice echoed down the hallway. The source of the voice came from a short, soured face attendant who briefly reminded Elena of a bulldog.
"Please get ready your identifications before proceeding to the office! Get your room cards and please head to your rooms immediately. Lights out is at 11!"
"There's a curfew time? What are we, in high school?" a tall blonde behind Elena blurted out. The girl had straight, buttery blonde hair that fell to her shoulders and striking almond shaped blue-green eyes. Elena turned around and gave her an agreeing smile.
"Now, Miss..." the attendant paused briefly, looking at the stack of papers in her hand, "Miss Caroline Forbes, here in MFU we will have students understand that any misconduct or misbehavior is strictly not tolerated. And if you look under the school handbook it clearly states under rule 5, paragraph 16 that students staying in the schools dormitories are to followed dormitories rules, set by myself of course."
"Since you know apparently know all about misconduct and misbehavior," Caroline muttered under her breath, shooting Elena a playful smile. Elena smiled back and stuck out her hand to Caroline.
"I'm Elena," this is how people make friends right, Elena thought.
"Nice to meet you Elena, I'm Caroline." She flashed Elena a brilliant smile. "I don't think I've seen you around before, your not local I take it?"
Elena cringed inwardly. She had hoped no one would bring up where she came from so she didn't have to explain her past. In a small town like this, news traveled fast. And if Caroline was local then she would definitely know what happened and that was the last thing Elena wants.
"I was actually, but I moved when I was eight. There was an… accident." Elena shrugged, trying to look as casual as she could.
"I moved here four years ago actually, small town right?"
Elena tried to mask her relief. It's okay, she doesn't know, your fine. She smiled politely and nodded as she passed her papers to the attendant.
"Ms… Gulbert is that correct?" her lips puckered into a thin line unattractively.
"It's Gilbert actually. Elena Rose Gilbert."
"Well, Miss Gilbert," the attendant said, placing special emphasis on her last name, "I don't seem to have your papers here registered here under the students who applied for dorms so if you would just step aside please."
Elena swallowed uncomfortably. She was extremely tired from her flight and wanted nothing more than to lie down on a bed and go to sleep. Apparently this day has more in store for her than she thinks. Elena shot a helpless glance to Caroline as she walked towards Elena with her room keys in hand.
"Trouble in paradise?" Caroline joked, plopping down next to Elena on the worn leather seats in the office.
"Not quite," Elena smiled, she like this Caroline girl, who would be a much needed ray of sunshine in her life. "Something wrong with the papers it seems."
"Well, after the amazing administration has sorted out your papers, you wanna go through orientation together tomorrow or something? I'm assuming here that you haven't made any friends besides me yet." Caroline said, shooting a pointed stare at the attendant while saying it.
"I would love that," Elena replied. Yup, she decided, she definitely likes this Caroline.
"Miss Gilbert… Miss Gilbert!" the attendant's sharp voice woke Elena up. Her cheeks flushed red when she realised she fell asleep.
"Sorry to keep you waiting but we have sorted out your paperwork now. You will be staying on level 8, room 81 in building 1. Here's your key and student handbook. Now hurry on it's already past lights out!" the attendant semi-growled at Elena as she passed Elena her things and pushed her out of the office.
Someone forgot to take her happy pills today, Elena thought. She quickly made her way to her dorm to settle down. Level 8 was the top floor of building 1 and was themed after a Mediterranean room plan. All the rooms were supposed to be designed after the cool colors and style of the Mediterranean Sea. How the school afford such lavish designs were beyond Elena, but damn was she thankful for it.
Her dorm was painted a soft turquoise, not too flashy and disquieting, but just bright enough to give the room a young vibe. The room had simple decorations, just a few empty photo frames on the wall and two white built-in bookcases on the left of the room. Two metal framed beds separated by a bedside table stood on the center of the room, their bedspreads a calming silver. The front of the room had simply two desks and a small television in between them. To her delight, the dorm came with a small bathroom, with nothing more than a toilet and bathtub. Elena laid on her bed after unpacking and as exhaustion took over, she briefly wondered where and who her roommate was, before drifting off to a deep sleep.
A/N: Please review to let me know if you guys liked the story, thank you!