I left my room and walked into the hallway. I'd barely slept last night, the image of Vicki bitten and bloody stuck in my head.

I noticed Jenna standing in front of one of the mirrors on the wall, fussing over her appearance.

"Good mornng," I said, walking up to her. "How is my favorite aunt?"

"I'm your only aunt," she pointed out.

"Thus my favourite," I told her.

"Do I look adult? As in respectfully parent?" she asked me. Not able to help myself, I read her mind. She wanted to look as adult as possible for the Jeremy's parent-teacher conference.

"Jenna, trust me, you rock the parent look. I'd be surprised if anyone who hates kids would even want to be near you."

"Thank you. I think. You're feisty today."

"I don't feel feisty," I sighed. "I feel tired. I haven't really slept much."

She looked at me with sympathy. "You and Jeremy were the ones that found Vicki."

"Yeah, we were." I noticed my brother's door open but no brother inside. "Speaking of which, where is my favorite brother?"

"Your only brother." Jenna gave me a look, which I returned. Thus, my favorite brother. "And, uh, he left early. Something about going to a wood shop and finishing a birdhouse."

Yikes.

She must have understood what I was thinking from my expression, because she said: "There is no wood shop, is there?"

"No," I said, smiling wryly. Jeremy got points for creativity. "I think he should get a pass, though. I mean, I was shaken up by finding Vicki like that and I, well… I hate her. Jeremy cares about her. Finding her like that…"

"Yeah." Jenna appeared to be lost in thought.

In the silence, I began to think as well. Yesterday, I'd found out Jeremy was in love with Vicki. I hated it, and I wanted to tell him to stay away from her, but last night when I couldn't sleep I realized I shouldn't. It was what Elena was doing—her tough love thing, trying to control Jeremy's choices.

I didn't want to do that. I knew that Jeremy was making a mistake—Vicki was with Tyler, after all, not with him. I didn't want Jeremy to get hurt, which was probably what would happen because this situation sucked. But he had a right to make his own choices, not to be constantly harassed by me and Elena. It would only drive him further away.

"I'm gonna go see if Elena's ready to go."

I went to my sister's room to find her writing in her journal on her bed. I knocked on her door to let her know I was coming in. Elena quickly shut her journal and looked up at me.

I raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah, let me put this away and I'll meet you outside, okay?"

I nodded before leaving her room.

I walked out of class with Bonnie and Caroline, who were talking about Bonnie's newfound ability to see things through beer bottles.

Caroline was saying, "So are you a psychic or clairvoyant? Either way I'm confused."

"Technically, Grams says I'm a witch," answered Bonnie.

"Alright, Bonnie the Teenage Witch." I pointed at her lazily. "Your first official act as a witch better be turning Tyler into a toad, or I'm gonna sue."

Bonnie laughed, before launching into an explanation. "My ancestors were these really cool Salem witch chicks or something. Grams tried to explain it all but she was looped on the liquor so I kinda tuned out. Crazy family, yes. Witches? I don't think so."

Caroline smiled dreamily. "Yeah, well, feel free to conjure up the name and number from last night's mystery guy."

I raised my eyebrows. "What guy?"

"Well, when you stood up and left, I noticed him sitting at the bar. He smiled at me and I smiled at him. Then he left and went outside. It wouldn't be such a big deal, but oh my god, he was so hot."

"What is up with all these attractive new people in Mystic Falls lately?" I wondered out loud.

"Why, did you meet another?" Caroline asked me suggestively.

"Well…" I sang.

"Oh my god, you totally did!" Caroline squealed. "I can't believe I'm only hearing about this now. Spill!"

"Alright. Last night, after I left the Grill. I was being a little clumsy and stumbled around a bit. There was this really good-looking guy who helped me…" I shrugged. "He thought I was drunk. I didn't correct him."

Caroline smirked. "Nice."

"Hey, maybe your mystery guy and Care's mystery guy are the same one," said Bonnie thoughtfully.

My mind instantly went to last night's 'I'm never the one' declaration. I quickly shook my head.

"No, I don't think so," I said. "I'm telling you, there's something in the water. Mystic Falls is just a magnet for attractive people now. Maybe there's one for you as well, Bonnie…"

"Hmm." Bonnie laughed. "There's a thought."

I glanced at Caroline. It appeared I saved the situation before it could really become one. I couldn't spot any trace of insecurity on her face, but maybe she was better at hiding it now that she was sober.

We walked outside, and I noticed Matt Donovan walking all by himself.

"I'm gonna go talk to Matt for a sec."

Both girls gave me looks of disbelief and incredulty.

"You hate Matt," Caroline stated.

"Well, hate's a strong word," I said. "I strongly dislike him. It's different." Both rolled their eyes at me. "He's my only source on how Vicki's doing, show me some support here."

Bonnie smiled at me. "Well, I think its great. Maybe you two can be friends."

"Ha." Caroline snorted. I gave her a look.

"I'll catch up with you guys and Elena at the Grill," I told them before walking away into Matt's direction.

"Melanie, what's up?" He smiled at me, but I could tell it was forced.

Suddenly, I remembered our last interaction. It was at the party, before Vicki had been… Well. Anyway. He'd told me I wasn't allowed to be bitter over Tyler, and I'd accused him of stalking Stefan and Elena. Not exactly a friendly interaction. Then again, none of our interactions really were, were they?

"Hey, Matt," I greeted him. "I know, I know. It's unusual for me to voluntarily talk to you." He rolled his eyes at me. "But I need to know how Vicki's doing. Is she okay?"

His eyes softened at the mention of his sister. "Well, they're keeping her overnight to make sure there's no infection, but she should be able to come home tomorrow."

"That's good news. Have you gotten in touch with your mother yet? She must be worried," I asked, though I wasn't too sure about that. Kelly Donovan wasn't really the responsible parent type.

"Well, I called and left a message. She's in Virginia Beach with her boyfriend, so we'll see how long it takes before she comes rushing home," he said, his tone scathingly bitter.

I nodded, feeling awkward. Matt and I weren't friends. We'd been on somewhat friendly terms when Tyler and I were dating, but that wasn't friendship, and it faded quickly after the Vicki thing. But while I would never admit it out loud, I respected the hell out of him.

His mom was a no-show, he was still in love with a girl who was clearly moving on, his sister had gone off the rails a long time ago, and said sister got attacked by an animal yesterday. And yet he just…dealed with it. Like it was easy. He wasn't my favorite person, but I did respect him.

"Well, Vicki's lucky that she's okay."

"I know. And now there's talk of some missing campers."

"Seriously?" I asked, my eyes widening. When was the animal that terrorized our town going to be caught? This was getting ridiculous. "Well, did Vicki say what animal attacked her?"

"She said it was a vampire," said Matt, amusement entering his face.

I let out a laugh. Vicki wasn't dead, but she sure was delusional. "A vampire?"

"Yep. Hey, Melanie…" A hopeful glint entered Matt's ridiculously blue eyes. "Is there any chance you could give Vicki a break? I know you hate her for what happening with Tyler, but—

"But, what? She slept with Tyler knowing he was with me. I have every right to be mad at her," I said, annoyance flooding me. I didn't want this to turn into some weird truce or bonding experience. I started to walk away.

"Melanie, wait," he said. I turned around. "One more thing. I have to know… What's up between Elena and the new guy?"

I saw an opportunity. "I'll tell you if you give me a ride to the Grill."

He shrugged. "I was heading back to the hospital. I want to be there when Vicki wakes up, get the real story about last night. The Grill is on the way there."

"Wonderful."

We arrived at the Grill. Before I got out of the car, Matt repeated, "What's up with Elena and the new guy?"

"They're in love," I told him, watching his face fall. "But they're not together, not yet. They haven't put a label on it. Honestly, though, after everything Elena's told me, I don't think you stand a chance. Cut your losses, Matt."

He didn't look at me. I got out of the car and noticed the girls sitting outside.

I took a seat next to Elena. "What are we talking about?"

"How did you get here?" Elena asked.

"Yeah, Mel, do you have a secret boyfriend we don't know about?" Caroline smirked at me. "A certain someone who thought you were drunk, perhaps?"

I shrugged. "Actually, Matt gave me a ride."

Elena groaned, well aware of my vendetta against the Donovans. "Please tell me you were civil with him."

"And didn't blackmail him into giving you a ride," Bonnie added. "He's in a bad place with Vicki right now, don't make things worse."

Ah, Bonnie, always concerned for others. She was too good for this world.

"I was perfectly civil," I told her, causing all three to scoff. I was offended. "But enough about me, what were you guys talking about?"

Changing the subject worked well, as Bonnie immediately started ranting about her Grams.

"Well, I was talking to Grams and she said the comet is a sign of impending doom. The last time it passed over Mystic Falls, there was a lot of death. So much blood and carnage, it created a bed of paranormal activity."

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Yeah, and then you poured Grams another shot and she told you about the aliens. So then what?"

"So then nothing," Elena responded.

"What's that now?" I asked, confused by the sudden change of subject.

"Elena and Stefan just talked all night," Caroline told me.

"What, no kiss?" I asked Elena with disbelief. "But I thought you two were hitting it off!"

She shook her head. "We didn't go there."

"Not even a handshake?" Caroline exclaimed. "Elena, we are your friends, okay? You're supposed to share the smut."

"We just talked for hours."

"Okay, what is with the blockage? Just jump his bones already! 'Kay, it's easy. Boy likes girl, girl likes boy, sex!" Caroline said smugly.

"Profound," Elena stated dryly. I laughed.

"Hey, where are you going?" Bonnie asked when my sister stood up.

"Caroline's right. It is easy. If I sit here long enough, I'll end up talking myself out of it instead of doing what I started the day saying what I was going to do," she said before heading off, to the Salvatore boarding house.

Damn, Elena.

"Don't forget to use protection!" I called after her loudly, causing other patrons of the Grill to look at me, then look at Elena. My job as an embarassing sister was done.

Me and Jenna were in the kitchen when Elena came home. She walked into the kitchen after taking off her jacket.

"Hey," Elena greeted us. I blinked. That was not the face of someone who'd had a good time. That was the face of someone who'd had the exact opposite of a good time. I frowned. If Stefan hurt her…

I had to conceal shock from showing on my face after I read her mind. Elena had gone to the boarding house, but Stefan hadn't been there. His brother, on the other hand, had been. Damon Salvatore. As in, the exact same Damon from last night.

"I take it your visit to Stefan didn't go as you hoped?" I said knowingly.

"He's on the rebound and has raging family issues."

"Well, at least it's an ex-girlfriend." Jenna shrugged. "Wait until you date a guy with mommy issues."

I raised an eyebrow. "Or cheating issues."

"Or amphetamine issues," Jenna added. We all chuckled before we heard the front door open and close. Jenna looked at us before sighing and storming off to Jeremy. "Jeremy, where were you?"

"More stoner stories?" I heard Jeremy say.

I looked at Elena. "Stoner stories?" I whispered. She just shrugged at me.

"Look, Jenna, I get it. You were cool once, and that's…cool." Jeremy said, trudging further up the stairs.

"Oh, no, no, no!" I heard Jenna yell before hearing a muffled sound.

"Ow! Why? Why did you do that?" Jeremy asked. I snorted when I realized she had thrown something at him.

"Listen up!" Jenna said firmly. "Quit ditching class, or you're grounded. No discussion."

"Parental authority, I like it. Sleep tight," Jeremy responded before heading to his room.

Jenna returned to the kitchen, her face hopeless. I read her mind. She was thinking about Tanner scolding her and calling her a bad guardian during the parent-teacher conference. What a jerk.

Elena and I tried to reassure Jenna, but it wasn't really working, so we distracted her instead. We talked for a while, until I decided to go upstairs. I told Jenna and Elena I was going to my room.

I didn't. I went inside Jeremy's instead.

"Melanie, what the hell?!" he exclaimed when I entered. I closed the door behind me.

"Calm down. We need to talk."

"I don't want to hear it," he said stubbornly.

"Jeremy, please," I pleaded with him. "Can't we talk like we used to?"

Jeremy frowned. "I already know what you're going to say. You're going to scold me for making things hard for Jenna, and skipping class, and dealing, and everything else I've been doing wrong lately."

I let out a half-laugh. "Add being in love with Vicki Donovan to the list."

His features became icier. "That's not a mistake."

I sat down on his bed. "But it is, Jer. She's with Tyler. Not you."

"Eventually she'll realize what a douche he is and get together with me. She already slept with me." That's it, I was going to kill Vicki Donovan. "And she's not a mistake, okay. She makes me feel happy, and after Mom and Dad, I didn't think I could ever feel that again." He snorted. "And I can't believe I'm telling this to my sister."

"Well I'm glad you told me, even when I don't agree with everything you're doing," I said. "I'm just trying to look out for you, Jer. I don't want you to get hurt when Vicki chooses Tyler over you."

"She won't," Jeremy said, defensive. "Read her thoughts. You'll find out she won't."

"Okay, if you say so," I dismissed, wanting to keep things peaceful. "I'm gonna go to my room. But it's been nice talking to you like this. I missed it."

His eyes softened. "Yeah, me too. Night, Mel."

"Night, Jer," I said before walking to my room.

Progress! I really hoped this meant me and Jer were getting somewhere. I missed how close I used to be with my brother.

Tomorrow would be the night of the comet. According to Bonnie, it meant impending doom. I fell asleep trying to ignore the pounding in my head. I had a bad feeling about what was to come.