Circumstances

Pairing: OC/Rebekah

Summary: As much as everyone thought they knew, Jacqueline always managed to prove them wrong. People claim to know who she is, what she's done, what's she's been through - and yet none of them can see all of it. What happens when she meets a certain Original Vampire who sees every little thing about her. From the way she walks to the way she acts... but will Jacqueline allow her supernatural mate to see her past as if they experienced it themselves. Elena bashing.

...

"There is an old saying; that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I don't believe that. I think that things that try to kill you make you angry and sometimes sad"

Jax Teller, Sons of Anarchy

NOVE

Jaqueline = 18
Elena = 16
Jeremy=13

Graduation Day.

Jacqueline was relieved that she was finally going to be done with school forever and she shuddered at the thought of the people looking forward to attending collage right after this. Why someone would do that to themselves - Jaqueline had no idea and no intentions on finding out. She was quite content to never attend another form of schooling ever again.

If that made her an idiot then so be it.

Jaqueline dreamed of travelling and getting out of the small town, sure, but she enjoyed being a tattoo artist and hoped to find another fun job that she enjoyed in the meantime. Once she could save up enough money - maybe if Elena and Jeremy got part-time work too during the summer break or something - then they could go travel somewhere during the next school break?

Standing in the kitchen she smiled when she heard the front door open and Tyler calling out that he had arrived. Personally, Jaqueline wouldn't have bothered making her graduation a big deal. Of course, she planned on going and then leaving to get drunk right after but apparently Elena had thought that was a horrible idea. Once again Jaqueline wasn't sure why... but she didn't argue.

Elena had taken to organising for dinner at a restaurant just outside of town as a celebration.

Jaqueline didn't mind, it wasn't like there was going to be any shortage of parties in town for the next month. Every year, right after graduation there's a party almost every night at the Falls to celebrate their newly found 'independence' or whatever excuse people made to go get drunk with their friends.

...She didn't bother with an excuse though.

Jaqueline had made it clear to Elena that she was willing to allow for a more family centred celebration tonight, but that would be expecting Elena to say nothing when the night came that Jaqueline attends a party. Which of course, will inevitably happen.

Sooner rather than later hopefully.

"Hey Jacq! Ready to graduate?" Tyler cheered when he walked into the kitchen and found himself a seat.

Jacqueline smirked and rolled her eyes before she made another mug of coffee and handed it to Tyler with a plate of food. "I am very excited to be done with school, as a matter of fact" she agreed easily and chuckled as she took her own seat

Jeremy laughed, "With how much you hate and complain about school... I'm surprised you stayed this long"

Jaqueline chuckled, "It's depressing really"

Elena rolled her eyes, "No it's not! It's a good thing!" Elena insisted like she always did when it came to matters like this. Always insisting that while Jaqueline did many things Elena didn't agree with and viewed as wrong, that Jaqueline was a good person.

It was overcompensating if you asked Jaqueline... but Elena didn't tend to ask.

Rolling her eyes Jaqueline shrugged, "Sure, it's good that I graduated. It's an accomplishment I'll need to get decent jobs and shit like that-"

"Language!" Elena sighed, "Today is supposed to be a good day. Can we go a whole day without the three of you swearing like grown men?" Elena, getting only begrudging grumbles of agreement from Jaqueline, Tyler and Jeremy who all sighed.

"Anywayyy" Jeremy cut in, perking up a little. "Since I'm 13 now and about to turn 14 soon... I want to go to the party-"

"No way!" Elena cut in staring in shock at Jeremy for even asking.

"It's not up to you, Elena!" Jeremy hissed back and then turned to Jaqueline who was watching the two in amusement. "It's up to Jacqueline! And she was drinking and partying before she even 13! Matter of fact, so were you Elena!"

Elena looked offended as she spat out, "No I wasn't!" in her own defence to the accusation of underage drinking when she was 13.

"Sure" Jeremy retorted disbelieving

Elena crossed her arms and huffed, "Jacqueline!" Elena whined waiting for Jaqueline to jump in and say something.

Jaqueline hummed, "Actually, Elena went to parties when she was 13 but I never witnessed her drinking any alcohol until she was almost 15" she corrected with an indifferent shrug of one shoulder, watching as Jeremy sighed and Elena looked triumphant.

"Told you!" Elena retorted at Jeremy

Jeremy sighed but still looked at Jaqueline with a thoughtful look on his face. "Are you saying that if I don't drink that I can go?"

Jaqueline stared Jeremy down in silence knowing it not only unnerved Jeremy but the other two as well. Sometimes not knowing what kind of reaction you were going to get was more worrying then seeing it straight away. She let her face grow stern as she rose a brow, "I'm warning you now, Jeremy Gilbert, I'm a fairly laid back person... but if you ever lie to me I'll make sure your the towns hermit for the rest of your life"

Jeremy gulped under intense stare but he gave a quick jerk of his head in agreement.

Jacqueline nodded her understanding and shrugged at Elena. "As long as he's honest with me about what he's getting up to... then he can go. Just as you did at that age"

Elena looked like she wanted to yell and put a stop to Jeremy attending a party. Though not even Elena was bold enough to pull something like that when under Jacqueline's intense stare. Smirking Jacqueline relaxed and returned her attention to her coffee again.

"What's the plan for today then, Elena?" Jacqueline asked

Elena smiled, "Uh, so we have to be leaving here at 10am. Then pictures at the school cause they've set up a nice background"

Jacqueline hummed before looking at the younger teens. "I assume you three know you'll be getting dragged through this with me. Right?"

Tyler snorted and rolled his eyes. "I'm surprised your letting her plan all of this in the first place"

Only shrugging in response Jacqueline turned back to Elena, allowing the girl to continue. While Jacqueline didn't hold much importance to these events she knew Elena worked hard organising it all for her anyway.

"The ceremony starts at 12 and it goes until 2pm" Elena explained, "we'll be in the crowd. Then after that we get the pictures with the rest of your class and friends. We'll come back here so you can change before we head to the at 5pm"

"Sounds great, Lena" Jacqueline smiled at her sister

"Yeah" Elena beamed then looked serious all of a sudden. "Now go get dressed!" Elena shooed her out of the kitchen laughing.

Standing in her cap and gown in the high school gym she was more than sick of waiting in line. Elena is insisting though, that they take a family picture in the pre-set up backgrounds. Normally Jacqueline wouldn't really have a problem with that - only they'd been waiting for an hour already!

"How goddamn long does it take to get a picture taken?" Jacqueline huffed for the tenth time. Jeremy and Tyler both nodded weakly in agreement - liking waiting in this line as much as Jacqueline did. Elena, however, hit Jacqueline on the shoulder for the complaint.

Jacqueline rolled her neck and glared up at the ceiling. She continued trying to remind herself that she was going this for Elena... otherwise there was a chance she might just leave and ditch the whole thing!

"Jacks!" A voice hollered

Jacqueline peered in the direction of the voice and smirked when she spotted Bradley and Samantha. Flipping the two of them off she shook her head in exasperation at the two laughed at her expense. Samantha is her grades 'pill pusher' but overall a pretty badass bitch. Jacqueline remembered buying weed from Samantha one day with Bradley when some asshole grabbed Samantha's ass. Jacqueline had been seriously impressed when Samantha put the fucker on his ass for it. They'd been friends instantly after that...

In fact, Jacqueline had done all of Samantha's tattoos. And Samantha - in all of her neon pink haired glory - was responsible for the blue strip of hair Jacqueline had a few years ago.

"I can't believe your friends with her" Elena sighed recognising the schools oldest and most feared 'pill pusher'.

Jacqueline tisked in annoyance at the comment. "She's fun and we get along like a house on fire"

"I'd bet" Tyler snorted, "Wasn't it only Monday last week that you two beat the shit out of Duncan James together for suggesting that you two should get it on and let him watch?"

Jacqueline hummed, "That was Tuesday morning"

Jeremy scoffed in laughter, "and what happened on Monday?"

Smirking she shook her head at Jeremy in amusement and sighed in relief when they moved up in the line again. "Finally!" She muttered once it was their turn to take pictures. The four of them stepped up to the picture set up. There was a white backdrop surrounded by an arch of balloons. Rolling her eyes at the whole thing she stepped up in her burgundy cap and gown holding her arms out for the others to join.

The student she recognised as Caroline Forbes, was snapping pictures like she was some photographer. Apparently Caroline wasn't sticking to the traditional; 'say cheese' type of phone.

Jacqueline smiled as the four of them stood together ready for their picture to be taken.

"Cheese!" Caroline called out giggling as she took the picture. "Okay now one with Jacqueline and each of you individually!"

Jacqueline looked at Elena hoping to see that this one picture had been enough. Unfortunately judging by Elena ushering if Jeremy out of the frame; it wasn't. Shrugging she turned to Tyler and posed nicely for the picture.

"Cheese!" Caroline called

Doing the same thing with both Jeremy and Elena, the photo shoot ended with a line picture of Jacqueline being taken. In combination with the random pictures Caroline had been taking through... she was sure there was plenty.

"One more!" Caroline suggested, "You're so photogenic"

"No!" Jacqueline snapped making Jeremy and Tyler laugh while Elena only rolled her eyes. Jacqueline was quick to take that as a way to escape and walked away.

They made their way towards the football field were the entire graduating ceremony had been set up to happen. There was a hundred chairs all spaced out in front of a makeshift stage. Parents and families had gathered to take the front row seats and students were making their way to the designated seats. "All right" Jacqueline smirked turning around and nodding to the three younger teens. "Get your seats. I'll find you after"

"Good luck" Jeremy said hugging her tightly. "I am proud of you, by the way" he whispered quietly

"Thank you Jeremy" she whispered back before letting go again.

Jacqueline hugged Tyler who whispered quickly, "The ceremony will be over soon and then we can party!" She sniggered and nodded in agreement as she pulled away. Jacqueline was very much the person who would rather celebrate an accomplishment than get an award or recognition for it.

Elena grabbed her and hugged her tightly. "I'm proud of you Jacq. I love you"

"Love you too, Lena" Jacqueline whispered hugging her sister. "Thank you for planning today for me. Even though I complained about it"

"You're welcome" Elena smiled and then pulled away

Jacqueline smirked before she wandered off to find her seat for the ceremony. Groaning she realised the seats were in alphabetical order. Putting her next to Jenny Gleeson and that bitch is annoying as fuck. "Great" she mumbled to herself before taking her seat and watching the principal begun the ceremony.

All the graduating students were standing, line by line, to walk across the stage for their award. Jacqueline was sure that she would be shocking the whole of Mystic falls when her name is eventually called. Glancing over at Bradley and Samantha she knew she wasn't going to be the only one surprising the residents of the judgy little town they call home.

For as much as she hates high school, Jacqueline could admit that her wacky group of friends had made the times she actually attended school, bearable.

If it hadn't been for the nerd who used to take notes for her everyday, and her friends, she would have dropped out a long time ago. Jacqueline knew she didn't exactly deserve the graduating award - considering she hadn't even been in class for a quarte of the required time - but that wasn't going to stop her from accepting the award.

...as long as they got to get rid of her from campus then she was sure the school wouldn't care.

Rolling her eyes she focused her attention back on the stage where the principle had begun shaking hands with various students. God how fucking long was this shit going to take? Jacqueline groaned quietly but got a look for it from the cow sitting beside her; Jenny Gleeson. Turning an angry and soul piercing glare towards the blonde, Jacqueline internally reminded herself that she's not supposed to strangle annoying bitches during their graduation ceremony.

What a shame...

When her row was finally called, Jacqueline stood with the others and walked in the line towards the side of the stage. It was still hard to believe she was really graduating, honestly she thought she had been preparing for the school to fail her and refuse her a graduating grade. Though she didn't say that to Elena, it had been the most likely result. Despite the fact that Jacqueline had managed to score a pass on each of her exams. Apparently the school doesn't much care for grades when you don't actually turn up to do anything but cause trouble.

Not that this was much of a surprise.

What is a surprise however is the Principle allowing the troublemakers with passing grades to graduate. Apparently he was getting close to retirement and just didn't have the patients to keep students 'who live to cause a 40 year old man to have heart attacks' in school.

Whatever that heart attack business was about, Jacqueline didn't know, but she hadn't bothered questioning Principle Riggby when he said he was allowing them to graduate.

"...Jenny Gleeson" Principle Riggby announced from the stage and the cow in questioned smiled that ditsy smile before going to receive her award.

Jacqueline rolled her eyes and stepped up into place to be next on stage, she was ready to ditch this circus and get to the real party!

"Jacqueline Gilbert" Principle Riggby sighed as he said her name and Jacqueline couldn't fight the grin that took over her face at the sound. There were sniggers in the crowd as people laughed at just how tiered and unenthusiastic the Principle suddenly sounded.

Honestly, Jacqueline found herself quite fond of the man and how could she not be?

They'd spent enough time together over the years that he was pretty much the only member of staff that she knew the name of.

Shaking the vice Principles hand, Jacqueline smiled slyly when she came to stand in front of Principle Riggby who seemed more exasperated at her taking her sweet time than anything else. Secretly, Jacqueline suspected that Principle Dan Riggby was much less annoyed then he pretended to be. Often she caught his dry chuckle at her sarcasm and snark but it was her annoying the asshole teachers of the school where she saw real amusement.

...It might explain why she always got the asshole teachers on her timetable. And now, the more she thought about it, the more she suspected it wasn't solely for the purpose of punishing her - but maybe the teachers as well.

Accepting her award from Principle Ribby's hands she leaned forward and kissed the man on the cheek, "Its been fun, Mr. R" she smirked and wandered off of stage listening to the hoots and hollers from the other students.

Retaking her seat in the crowd Jacqueline chuckled as she watched Mr. Riggby regain his composure with an almost fondly exasperated shake of his head. "Daniel Garet" he continued on and thus her attention refocused on her phone.

She didn't give a shit what the other students did.

Finally, an hour later when the ceremony ended Jacqueline started looking for Elena, Jeremy and Tyler who texted that they were in the crowd still. She smirked when she found them and slung an arm over Jeremy's shoulder as she handed her award to Elena. She knew out of the four of them that Elena was the only who would truly appreciate the graduation award.

Elena could do with the award as she pleased.

Jacqueline didn't have any need for it anyway.

"That was cool" Jeremy told her referring to the thing with Principle Riggby and Tyler nodded in agreement with a chuckle of his own.

Jacqueline smirked, "I'm pretty sure he doesn't hate me as much as he pretends to" she told them getting a disbelieving look from Elena.

With an eye roll Elena shook her head, "Let's go back home"

They followed to the car and Jacqueline drove them home all the while nagging Tyler about when he was going to start driving her around instead. Only receiving a few eye rolls from Tyler she huffed and pulled into the driveway.

"I need to get out of this goddamn gown!" Jacqueline muttered as she unlocked the door and headed straight up to get changed. When she was done she found Elena, Jeremy and Tyler sitting in the living room talking. Jacqueline joined them as they all waited, killing time, until they had to leave to go to this restaurant Elena booked for the night. Elena sure had put work into her planning of the day. Idly Jacqueline realised that while the graduation ceremony was a little over the top - that she'd had a nice day regardless. Samantha and Bradley had kept her sane with their jokes over text during the boring ceremony. Elena, Tyler and Jeremy had kept her entertained the rest of the time as well. It had been fun... despite the pompous event.

And now she was starving.

"How long until we can go, Lena?" Jacqueline asked

Elena checked the time on her phone and for some reason practically beamed at the device.

"Lena?" Jeremy frowned, just as suspicious of Elena as Jacqueline currently was.

Elena looked up at then and smiled widely but didn't say anything. Instead Elena gave a secretive shrug of her shoulders. As if looking innocent was even possible anymore.

"Elena?" Jacqueline cut in with a stern look. "What did you do?"

"Nothing bad" Elena rolled her eyes at them but it didn't take away from her giddiness. "You'll love it!"

Jacqueline pursed her lips a heavy feeling settling in her stomach that suggested otherwise. Shaking her head she sighed in exasperation, "C'mon Elena...spill"

Heaving a sigh Elena smiled before announcing, "I called Mom and Dad and Jenna, they're coming to dinner with us"

Jacqueline stared at Elena hard - anger rising in her eyes that seemed to take Elena by surprise. Standing up, Jacqueline sighed angrily before turning to face her siblings. Tyler gave her a sympathetic smile in support, both knowing what she needed to do.

"Jenna is welcome" Jacqueline stated firmly, "But I'm sorry Elena... Miranda and Greyson aren't welcome in this house"

Elena gaped like a fish out of water, her mother opening and closing in indignation.

Jeremy didn't look all that surprised but he seemed more curious than anything else. Which was probably by he was the one to ask; "Why?"

"Because after everything the two of them have done - I won't allow them to hurt you two" Jacqueline stated full of determination. "This is a long conversation... I'm happy to finally give you both the answers to all of your questions; tomorrow"

And with that Jacqueline turned on her heel and marched into the kitchen.

God she was in need of a strong drink!

Just as she was about to put herself a glass of whiskey, the doorbell rang. Jacqueline stiffened and exhaled the closest thing to a calming breath as she was capable of at the moment. Walking out of the kitchen she headed straight for the front door, only to be cut off by Elena.

Elena ripped the door open and ushered three people into the house.

Miranda

Greyson

Jenna

Jacqueline's face hardened and she held back her rage. Tyler stepped up beside her and shook his head sadly, "Maybe you have to show her instead of just telling her?" She say anything to his suggestion but nodded her head.

If Elena wanted to learn the hard way that their parents were no good then so be it. It wasn't like Elena was a little girl anymore. A 16 year old should be able to handle lessening the truth without it causing too much damage.

"Jackie" Miranda's voice was sly and knowing. As if Miranda was fully aware that this had not been Jacqueline's idea.

"Miranda" Jacqueline nodded in greeting, outwardly showing nothing but indifference to the woman.

"Hey, Dad" Jeremy greeted Greyson a little awkwardly but greeted him nonetheless.

.

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