p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1d358c0b0076d9f5e5a6902745e0669f"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Chapter Seventeen/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e039e8d3b075bfb220ba8fb920bd1a91"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"MFH Hallway/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e6538afbca5538c871e4fef2ec4876cb"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Bonnie's POV/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="512bfd47f435947e9e805fec79d45f04"" I can't wait to accept the crown. It's the only thing I know I'm good at. And the competition doesn't bother me really. " Caroline tells me as we walk slowly down the hall. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="20835095fe3d8313b153567a0b1c5be3"I'm not one for beauty contests so I never signed up for Miss Mystic. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6d8e644f66affcc3c179ed15fb9ea8b2"" The Fell cousins don't have a shot and Amber Bradley is only on the court so the pageant doesn't look like its founding families only—which of course it is. " Caroline says as we finally see the auditorium in the distance. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="40b6a797f522f9589b76151208a5aee1"We're late. Caroline asked me to fill in for Mat for this dance lesson. How she manages to make it to school on time is beyond me. She's late for everything else./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="89c3905fede1f2d0d4e816557e2b7746"" So that leaves Elena and Mila. They both totally have the sympathy vote since their parents died. And Mila is the worst! I thought Elena was competition, but she's new, precocious, drop-dead gorgeous, and a real thinker. She's deep. How can I compete with that?" She asks like she didn't just say that out loud./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="23a2860e60a5bbb0c84c1ce4d8432be0"I can't believe she's talking about them like this. Despite my radio silence, Mila and I are still friends. I've been very unfair to her. Especially since she didn't even know we were opening the tomb. I need to talk to her. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="26192d48068fbaa17fb1f526f36bbe41"Shaking my head I say. " Very nice, very sensitive."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9538c3fef440ccfa6b7e2c4320687b7f"" Oh I'm sorry, this must sound really unimportant. In light of everything. " She says but I'm still a little shocked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="654687903256b7acf82d0fd9dc04f493"I say, " it's okay, I get it, you want to win. But do it because you're better at this, not because you're in competition with Mila and Elena. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="69c7c8b8fe183cc3f21b030a13aeb317"" Well, my grandmother was Miss Mystic and both of my aunts. " She says like it's some right of passage. " My mom is the only one who didn't get the gene and I want this. I actually deserve this. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2a943ed2e0bc8d7a4d309ffe99c7dcc8"I know how jealous she can be so I'm not going to hold it against her especially since I see Elena with Stefan. God, I don't want to do this right now.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f438d3fd23111df3a9cf75b424a1c557"" Bonnie. Hey." Elena says after making a beeline to me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="df03e53fd72be30471232bb38dc39348"I wave awkwardly. " Hey, how are you? "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f47ac23384f3b03f63c69d4a99c26f26"I don't answer. What am I supposed to say? That it's okay that my grams is gone because of him and his devil brother?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b080115cfbef3a4510d3b090a582b283"" I begged Bonnie to fill in for Matt, he had to work today. " Caroline says completely missing the tension in the room./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="35d0db791b1c8a91cedec53cd04a74d1"Elena looks at me with sympathy all over her face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="18acfb2324c72f8adc887bc12f02c09f"" Bonnie, do you have a minute? " She asks and I cringe./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ef9799e25ba3521dcc46b1157cbd0255"I shake my head. " We only have 30 minutes for rehearsal. " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="330bdc2eda6eaaeb03d6132391da06f6"" It'll only take a minute, please? " She says not taking no for an answer./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6d9fd99afd1a3856ce076a8859782503"We head out into the hall and I can't wait to get this over with. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f6b191c96dc91f033bf72e710221f734"" Bonnie, you have to tell me what's wrong. " She says oblivious./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b0515b5905cb51d2004c1e34dc6d4e9b"Shrugging I say, " it's not worth talking about. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8116ccff947f93472fe52ac69f84611b"" What do you mean not worth it? " She asks with hurt written all over her face. " You barely said ten words to me and you won't even look at Stefan. Is that what it is? Is it Stefan? "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7593bd23a81ce591be4055547255e27a"I sigh hard. " Listen, Elena, I can't just pretend that everything's okay. Everything my Grams did was to protect us from those vampires in the tomb. And now they're out which means she died for nothing. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="26fa5df342708ec3b1a49e46dc88caec"" I'm so sorry Bonnie. What can I do to make it better? " As if there is anything she can do. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="50feaf6d42ec2d8daba16b5bb9ab7597"" That's just it, there's nothing you can do. " I say bitterly. " I blame him, Elena, him, and Damon, and I'm not gonna put you in a situation where you have to choose sides. I'm just having a hard time with it, okay? "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="38559c871fba28d992ead51549367f83"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2160a8de676e12106cb0242e2a2bab0c"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Day Of Miss Mystic Falls/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8cdc459bae859b3fa24069087b059a70"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Mila's POV/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2fa1699e8037b73aa8cca534b1b2151d"Today is the day. Time to get lined up and judged based on my looks. My dress and shoes are ready but I am not. I get why Elena is doing it, but why me? Oh right, because apparently, this is what sisters do. We're there for each other. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fa93a652a8abf57cd870643310849b4d"Especially since the tomb vampires kidnapped Stefan. She has been so worried about him drinking human blood and I can see he's struggling. I just hope he gets back to normal or whatever it is for us vampires. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="89d4666397772a3bd9bece7b8d07d8b8"I hear the doorbell ring and get a whiff of Alaric's scent. Time to get going. Grabbing my dress and shoes I head out of my room and downstairs. My fake smile turns into a scowl when I see John and Alaric looking ready to be chauffeurs. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a324ff0b78c7ae7fe7b2639a22cea42c"" I thought I was driving. " John asks in confusion. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2370334dd0f69e878e5a95e9f4d0ed4b"Jenna comes down right behind me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="07ccb40940486cde311a0482900a9d3c"" No need, we're going with Rick." She says nudging me to the door./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="51149f445b0d230651660fc40d6e6797"Thank God I'm not going to be stuck in the car with John. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3426a7402a34aaddbbdbf60266ee9bbe"" Are we ready? " Jenna asks us. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9c15bbb2f643431b2bf4f6af66f61e02"I head out before I can respond. " Jeremy can ride with you. " I hear her tell John./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3b383ce75053d2d32efb6bdd327688c1"Good looking out Jenna. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5fd25ae5d96e6337ae87b51b484a31e3"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="16a49656938a2d1abc56d31b086ee529"So here we are. I'm putting a full face of make-up on. Jenna is curling Elena's hair. And I'm next./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fbb63c74c0d202acfc9336ed9fa596ff"" Thanks for helping me. " Elena says to Jenna./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="77a6d9f9926b7d5ddc3355389c46ab17"I nod. " Yeah thanks, Jenna, I know it's kind of a lot. " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d06b500ce3052f864d5c4debf9ab1e04"" Don't thank me until you're sure your hair isn't gonna burn off. " SHe says smiling at us./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="901a75bbac91c590da3ad0ec4b6ed29a"" You know I remember when my mom and I were first applying for this, she was so excited. " Elena says with a frown./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cb73039ea696bbc8197b123a9b8a9a24"Jenna chuckles. " So were you if I recall."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="63aa5f5e5fb5a5ba9c1aa04f05fcd409"" I was. She just made it sound like so much fun. Lots has changed since then. " I feel bad for her I really do. My mom and I weren't really all that close so I can't imagine how she's feeling./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0fe21789c727abc266d418f9e71caa94"She shakes her head. " I hate to break it to you, but it's a little late for cold feet. For both of you."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f7011d4f9d1c21b4cd182311a645286c"" I don't have cold feet. I just...I think I'd be enjoying it a lot more if she was here. " Elena says sadly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="85d6c4cb54931f342b380749c2bd24a4"" Well I tell you one thing, your hair would have a better chance if she was. " Jenna jokes. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="534b7149e1602b0f90ab955a1500b7ce"Elena takes a deep breath. " Okay, I should go put my dress on. Be careful with that thing, don't hurt anybody. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a1f21ca39ae99a9e23ae5f4074d02ca9"She gets up and leaves and Jenna holds up the curling wand. Oh, god. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae7419000"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;".../span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4e24767f3dc1e5bf9eb6b7e8c2c9fea2"" Wow, Jenna. I love it. " I say once I'm in my dress and my hair perfectly compliments to the dress. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 30px 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; position: relative;" data-p-id="333fbeac9b3a3eaff017eb1fd6417412" data-media-type="image" data-image-layout="one-horizontal" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ddc3db3ccd27bccdaab8fcd7517b7b06"" You look great, Mi. Your mom would be proud. " She says with a smile./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3c5da803d04340befd432d0a0a5f930d"Smoothing my dress down I say, " I never thought I'd actually be doing something like this. Where I come from we don't do things like this. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e7d04b7e94d43dfffc77c02e0abd4a6c"" You are going to remember this for the rest of your life, Mila... " Jenna says looking around. " I didn't want to say it in front of Elena and Caroline, but out of all the girls, you have a real shot at winning. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3e67ffd8001f4358c018aeb2421302fe"I admit, at first I wasn't feeling this. But she's right. I look beautiful and I have a hot dance partner. Even if we aren't together anymore. This is going to be a good night. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b82006e4feeebaaadf2865dda91e426e"" Thanks, Jenna. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that. " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ddbda43c0c701bd6392045ba46ee7c4a"She hugs me. " Anytime. " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8d6b1633ff14db223d01b5125a8dc280"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="501ce4ea5bd83bbac1c7deec1a5a5927"We're all lined up at the top of the stairs waiting to be called down. It's alphabetically of course so I'm right behind Elena and she's right behind Caroline. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7c0948d7ad0cb7174845c5dce98fbadd"I watch as their names are called and I feel little butterflies in my stomach. This is really happening and I'm actually excited. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8a99c5fbb324eaf777f39ffb34b0df95"" Ladies and gentlemen, Miss, Mila Gilbert and her escort Damon Sal- Tyler Lockwood! " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="efcf17955bdfd8b27933e977b3aeb971"I walk down the stairs and see Tyler Lockwood waiting for me. " Where's Damon/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3587b127d618f5dc5b45cde2a6a26965"Tyler points over to the dance floor. My face heats up in anger as I see MY sister dancing with MY date. What the fuck? I take his arm quickly and let him lead me to the dancefloor. We begin to dance and I'm literally shaking. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d55bc595f55ae6b19ccf146eb8c7dfa0"This is so embarrassing. I feel both Elena and Damon's eyes bore into me. I don't care what their excuses are this is unforgivable. After everything, she said " I'm not into Damon, I love Stefan " and yet here she is, back in my ex's arms. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="13cd65aee15a3c2c27554c85494cdde9"" Thank you. " I mouth to Tyler, who nods before glaring at Damon. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="11710409bdbb2b3248d55f980ead1a88"Down boy, he isn't what you think he is. Tyler dances pretty well for someone who wasn't in the dance classes. We dip and twirl around and I almost forget the betrayal that happened mere minutes ago. The music ends and we both bow to each other before he escorts me off of the dancefloor. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4d4b56ef531e95ccd888adb97dcb44a7"Now, all we need to do is wait. We've already done the judge interviews and I really think I aced mine. Being the new girl in town really gives me an advantage since everyone is so curious about the other Gilbert sister. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="52dd29928073b2c7db8ac22ab1ffbc39"Tyler goes to talk to his mom about something and Elena and Damon both walk-up looking guilty. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ac836bcc449c68d82130c18eb61084ea"" Mila please, we can expla- " I don't let her finish./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="082db6bb78a786334f384c75958bf626"" Explain that Stefan is still drinking human blood? " Yeah, I got the memo when I heard them talking from the other room. " I don't care! I didn't even want to do this and I was actually letting myself enjoy it. Because I thought t was going to be a good memory. How dumb of me to think that this wasn't going to end up being all about you and your drama! " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="19824408b2d988f72feb0306a2358efd"She tries to grab my hand. " I'm sorry please,- " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fa22e2d61c07ec8a5f1358f638bd5706"" No! " I say looking around to see if anyone is seeing our argument. " I am so embarrassed right now. Both of you need to leave me the fuck alone. " I say before going over to stand next to Caroline. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9f85673feb35e7202b68922960175f32"Elena stands on the other side and for once does what I asked her to do. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="db4488946d0ecd203eb4e039301208e6"" Where's Amber? " Caroline asks looking around for her. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a314b1a8575cf67564d9025f0dff3e9e"" Before we crown the winners, I'd just like to thank our young ladies for their efforts to better our community. I said winners because this year we came to a deadlock. It came down to two girls who we could not decide between. So without further ado, I'd like to announce our winners, Miss Caroline Forbes and Miss Mila Gilbert! " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3a1415677d0fa0b5e865de7efe50e56a"Excuse me? I look at Caroline who is just as confused. We both step up and everyone applauded us. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7441b92ee7f2002b5ff279576513bec5"" Congratulations! " I hear Elena say as we both step forward and get our sashes put across us and crowns placed on our heads./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0b5e332352798c80df8f3fe3ac19f5a8"We both look at each other before realizing that we're both idiots for not giving each other a chance. We hug each other and when we pull back she straightens my crown. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="71995117752ffa52ce6b690edb3dd984"" We deserve it. " She says with tears in her eyes. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0c8c65bb395c48e78d24bec5af7a4eae"I smile. " Yes, we do. " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="167d3fa8aac9a81b4198a0b555e4cf7b"Besides the whole douche bag Damon and Elena thing, I know I'm going to remember this amazing feeling for the rest of my life. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e039e8d3b075bfb220ba8fb920bd1a91"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"MFH Hallway/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e6538afbca5538c871e4fef2ec4876cb"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Bonnie's POV/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="512bfd47f435947e9e805fec79d45f04"" I can't wait to accept the crown. It's the only thing I know I'm good at. And the competition doesn't bother me really. " Caroline tells me as we walk slowly down the hall. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="20835095fe3d8313b153567a0b1c5be3"I'm not one for beauty contests so I never signed up for Miss Mystic. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6d8e644f66affcc3c179ed15fb9ea8b2"" The Fell cousins don't have a shot and Amber Bradley is only on the court so the pageant doesn't look like its founding families only—which of course it is. " Caroline says as we finally see the auditorium in the distance. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="40b6a797f522f9589b76151208a5aee1"We're late. Caroline asked me to fill in for Mat for this dance lesson. How she manages to make it to school on time is beyond me. She's late for everything else./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="89c3905fede1f2d0d4e816557e2b7746"" So that leaves Elena and Mila. They both totally have the sympathy vote since their parents died. And Mila is the worst! I thought Elena was competition, but she's new, precocious, drop-dead gorgeous, and a real thinker. She's deep. How can I compete with that?" She asks like she didn't just say that out loud./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="23a2860e60a5bbb0c84c1ce4d8432be0"I can't believe she's talking about them like this. Despite my radio silence, Mila and I are still friends. I've been very unfair to her. Especially since she didn't even know we were opening the tomb. I need to talk to her. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="26192d48068fbaa17fb1f526f36bbe41"Shaking my head I say. " Very nice, very sensitive."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9538c3fef440ccfa6b7e2c4320687b7f"" Oh I'm sorry, this must sound really unimportant. In light of everything. " She says but I'm still a little shocked./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="654687903256b7acf82d0fd9dc04f493"I say, " it's okay, I get it, you want to win. But do it because you're better at this, not because you're in competition with Mila and Elena. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="69c7c8b8fe183cc3f21b030a13aeb317"" Well, my grandmother was Miss Mystic and both of my aunts. " She says like it's some right of passage. " My mom is the only one who didn't get the gene and I want this. I actually deserve this. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2a943ed2e0bc8d7a4d309ffe99c7dcc8"I know how jealous she can be so I'm not going to hold it against her especially since I see Elena with Stefan. God, I don't want to do this right now.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f438d3fd23111df3a9cf75b424a1c557"" Bonnie. Hey." Elena says after making a beeline to me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="df03e53fd72be30471232bb38dc39348"I wave awkwardly. " Hey, how are you? "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f47ac23384f3b03f63c69d4a99c26f26"I don't answer. What am I supposed to say? That it's okay that my grams is gone because of him and his devil brother?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b080115cfbef3a4510d3b090a582b283"" I begged Bonnie to fill in for Matt, he had to work today. " Caroline says completely missing the tension in the room./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="35d0db791b1c8a91cedec53cd04a74d1"Elena looks at me with sympathy all over her face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="18acfb2324c72f8adc887bc12f02c09f"" Bonnie, do you have a minute? " She asks and I cringe./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ef9799e25ba3521dcc46b1157cbd0255"I shake my head. " We only have 30 minutes for rehearsal. " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="330bdc2eda6eaaeb03d6132391da06f6"" It'll only take a minute, please? " She says not taking no for an answer./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6d9fd99afd1a3856ce076a8859782503"We head out into the hall and I can't wait to get this over with. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f6b191c96dc91f033bf72e710221f734"" Bonnie, you have to tell me what's wrong. " She says oblivious./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b0515b5905cb51d2004c1e34dc6d4e9b"Shrugging I say, " it's not worth talking about. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8116ccff947f93472fe52ac69f84611b"" What do you mean not worth it? " She asks with hurt written all over her face. " You barely said ten words to me and you won't even look at Stefan. Is that what it is? Is it Stefan? "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7593bd23a81ce591be4055547255e27a"I sigh hard. " Listen, Elena, I can't just pretend that everything's okay. Everything my Grams did was to protect us from those vampires in the tomb. And now they're out which means she died for nothing. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="26fa5df342708ec3b1a49e46dc88caec"" I'm so sorry Bonnie. What can I do to make it better? " As if there is anything she can do. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="50feaf6d42ec2d8daba16b5bb9ab7597"" That's just it, there's nothing you can do. " I say bitterly. " I blame him, Elena, him, and Damon, and I'm not gonna put you in a situation where you have to choose sides. I'm just having a hard time with it, okay? "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="38559c871fba28d992ead51549367f83"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2160a8de676e12106cb0242e2a2bab0c"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Day Of Miss Mystic Falls/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8cdc459bae859b3fa24069087b059a70"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Mila's POV/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2fa1699e8037b73aa8cca534b1b2151d"Today is the day. Time to get lined up and judged based on my looks. My dress and shoes are ready but I am not. I get why Elena is doing it, but why me? Oh right, because apparently, this is what sisters do. We're there for each other. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fa93a652a8abf57cd870643310849b4d"Especially since the tomb vampires kidnapped Stefan. She has been so worried about him drinking human blood and I can see he's struggling. I just hope he gets back to normal or whatever it is for us vampires. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="89d4666397772a3bd9bece7b8d07d8b8"I hear the doorbell ring and get a whiff of Alaric's scent. Time to get going. Grabbing my dress and shoes I head out of my room and downstairs. My fake smile turns into a scowl when I see John and Alaric looking ready to be chauffeurs. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a324ff0b78c7ae7fe7b2639a22cea42c"" I thought I was driving. " John asks in confusion. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2370334dd0f69e878e5a95e9f4d0ed4b"Jenna comes down right behind me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="07ccb40940486cde311a0482900a9d3c"" No need, we're going with Rick." She says nudging me to the door./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="51149f445b0d230651660fc40d6e6797"Thank God I'm not going to be stuck in the car with John. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3426a7402a34aaddbbdbf60266ee9bbe"" Are we ready? " Jenna asks us. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9c15bbb2f643431b2bf4f6af66f61e02"I head out before I can respond. " Jeremy can ride with you. " I hear her tell John./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3b383ce75053d2d32efb6bdd327688c1"Good looking out Jenna. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5fd25ae5d96e6337ae87b51b484a31e3"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="16a49656938a2d1abc56d31b086ee529"So here we are. I'm putting a full face of make-up on. Jenna is curling Elena's hair. And I'm next./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fbb63c74c0d202acfc9336ed9fa596ff"" Thanks for helping me. " Elena says to Jenna./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="77a6d9f9926b7d5ddc3355389c46ab17"I nod. " Yeah thanks, Jenna, I know it's kind of a lot. " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d06b500ce3052f864d5c4debf9ab1e04"" Don't thank me until you're sure your hair isn't gonna burn off. " SHe says smiling at us./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="901a75bbac91c590da3ad0ec4b6ed29a"" You know I remember when my mom and I were first applying for this, she was so excited. " Elena says with a frown./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cb73039ea696bbc8197b123a9b8a9a24"Jenna chuckles. " So were you if I recall."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="63aa5f5e5fb5a5ba9c1aa04f05fcd409"" I was. She just made it sound like so much fun. Lots has changed since then. " I feel bad for her I really do. My mom and I weren't really all that close so I can't imagine how she's feeling./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0fe21789c727abc266d418f9e71caa94"She shakes her head. " I hate to break it to you, but it's a little late for cold feet. For both of you."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f7011d4f9d1c21b4cd182311a645286c"" I don't have cold feet. I just...I think I'd be enjoying it a lot more if she was here. " Elena says sadly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="85d6c4cb54931f342b380749c2bd24a4"" Well I tell you one thing, your hair would have a better chance if she was. " Jenna jokes. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="534b7149e1602b0f90ab955a1500b7ce"Elena takes a deep breath. " Okay, I should go put my dress on. Be careful with that thing, don't hurt anybody. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a1f21ca39ae99a9e23ae5f4074d02ca9"She gets up and leaves and Jenna holds up the curling wand. Oh, god. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2f43b42fd833d1e77420a8dae7419000"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;".../span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4e24767f3dc1e5bf9eb6b7e8c2c9fea2"" Wow, Jenna. I love it. " I say once I'm in my dress and my hair perfectly compliments to the dress. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 30px 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; position: relative;" data-p-id="333fbeac9b3a3eaff017eb1fd6417412" data-media-type="image" data-image-layout="one-horizontal" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ddc3db3ccd27bccdaab8fcd7517b7b06"" You look great, Mi. Your mom would be proud. " She says with a smile./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3c5da803d04340befd432d0a0a5f930d"Smoothing my dress down I say, " I never thought I'd actually be doing something like this. Where I come from we don't do things like this. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e7d04b7e94d43dfffc77c02e0abd4a6c"" You are going to remember this for the rest of your life, Mila... " Jenna says looking around. " I didn't want to say it in front of Elena and Caroline, but out of all the girls, you have a real shot at winning. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3e67ffd8001f4358c018aeb2421302fe"I admit, at first I wasn't feeling this. But she's right. I look beautiful and I have a hot dance partner. Even if we aren't together anymore. This is going to be a good night. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b82006e4feeebaaadf2865dda91e426e"" Thanks, Jenna. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that. " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ddbda43c0c701bd6392045ba46ee7c4a"She hugs me. " Anytime. " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8d6b1633ff14db223d01b5125a8dc280"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="501ce4ea5bd83bbac1c7deec1a5a5927"We're all lined up at the top of the stairs waiting to be called down. It's alphabetically of course so I'm right behind Elena and she's right behind Caroline. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7c0948d7ad0cb7174845c5dce98fbadd"I watch as their names are called and I feel little butterflies in my stomach. This is really happening and I'm actually excited. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8a99c5fbb324eaf777f39ffb34b0df95"" Ladies and gentlemen, Miss, Mila Gilbert and her escort Damon Sal- Tyler Lockwood! " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="efcf17955bdfd8b27933e977b3aeb971"I walk down the stairs and see Tyler Lockwood waiting for me. " Where's Damon/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3587b127d618f5dc5b45cde2a6a26965"Tyler points over to the dance floor. My face heats up in anger as I see MY sister dancing with MY date. What the fuck? I take his arm quickly and let him lead me to the dancefloor. We begin to dance and I'm literally shaking. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d55bc595f55ae6b19ccf146eb8c7dfa0"This is so embarrassing. I feel both Elena and Damon's eyes bore into me. I don't care what their excuses are this is unforgivable. After everything, she said " I'm not into Damon, I love Stefan " and yet here she is, back in my ex's arms. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="13cd65aee15a3c2c27554c85494cdde9"" Thank you. " I mouth to Tyler, who nods before glaring at Damon. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="11710409bdbb2b3248d55f980ead1a88"Down boy, he isn't what you think he is. Tyler dances pretty well for someone who wasn't in the dance classes. We dip and twirl around and I almost forget the betrayal that happened mere minutes ago. The music ends and we both bow to each other before he escorts me off of the dancefloor. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4d4b56ef531e95ccd888adb97dcb44a7"Now, all we need to do is wait. We've already done the judge interviews and I really think I aced mine. Being the new girl in town really gives me an advantage since everyone is so curious about the other Gilbert sister. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="52dd29928073b2c7db8ac22ab1ffbc39"Tyler goes to talk to his mom about something and Elena and Damon both walk-up looking guilty. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ac836bcc449c68d82130c18eb61084ea"" Mila please, we can expla- " I don't let her finish./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="082db6bb78a786334f384c75958bf626"" Explain that Stefan is still drinking human blood? " Yeah, I got the memo when I heard them talking from the other room. " I don't care! I didn't even want to do this and I was actually letting myself enjoy it. Because I thought t was going to be a good memory. How dumb of me to think that this wasn't going to end up being all about you and your drama! " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="19824408b2d988f72feb0306a2358efd"She tries to grab my hand. " I'm sorry please,- " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fa22e2d61c07ec8a5f1358f638bd5706"" No! " I say looking around to see if anyone is seeing our argument. " I am so embarrassed right now. Both of you need to leave me the fuck alone. " I say before going over to stand next to Caroline. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9f85673feb35e7202b68922960175f32"Elena stands on the other side and for once does what I asked her to do. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="db4488946d0ecd203eb4e039301208e6"" Where's Amber? " Caroline asks looking around for her. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a314b1a8575cf67564d9025f0dff3e9e"" Before we crown the winners, I'd just like to thank our young ladies for their efforts to better our community. I said winners because this year we came to a deadlock. It came down to two girls who we could not decide between. So without further ado, I'd like to announce our winners, Miss Caroline Forbes and Miss Mila Gilbert! " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3a1415677d0fa0b5e865de7efe50e56a"Excuse me? I look at Caroline who is just as confused. We both step up and everyone applauded us. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7441b92ee7f2002b5ff279576513bec5"" Congratulations! " I hear Elena say as we both step forward and get our sashes put across us and crowns placed on our heads./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0b5e332352798c80df8f3fe3ac19f5a8"We both look at each other before realizing that we're both idiots for not giving each other a chance. We hug each other and when we pull back she straightens my crown. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="71995117752ffa52ce6b690edb3dd984"" We deserve it. " She says with tears in her eyes. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0c8c65bb395c48e78d24bec5af7a4eae"I smile. " Yes, we do. " /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="167d3fa8aac9a81b4198a0b555e4cf7b"Besides the whole douche bag Damon and Elena thing, I know I'm going to remember this amazing feeling for the rest of my life. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" /p