The Salvatore Home
Bonnie smiled as she watches her two daughters Zoe and Kenzie help each other prepare breakfast in the kitchen. She has been standing there for a while now half hidden in the door way.
"All done Toffee what's next?" Kenzie called out over her shoulder when she was done setting the table.
Zoe looked back and smiled warmly. "Wow Kenz the table looks beautiful and I just love the yellow sunflowers. It really brightens up the room and what better flowers to go with a nice sunny day.
"Really? I thought I over did it. I mean its just breakfast and not a five-star meal in a fancy hotel." Kenzie said.
"Au contraire ma chère soeur." (on the contrary my dear sister.) Zoe said and walked to the table with a small basket of warm baked bread in it. She placed the basket next to the tall narrow vase with the sunflowers in it. "Every meal with family should feel special even thou its just baked bread and scramble eggs, coffee and juice. It's the thought of being together that counts." Zoe said with a soft smile.
"Tu feras une bonne femme un jour." (You will make a good wife someday.) Kenzie said and tenderly wiped back a cheeky curl from her sister's cheek.
"I'm sorry I did not understand that. The juice is in the fridge you can take it to the table Missy." Zoe said quickly and smiled shyly.
"But its true Toffee and the man that gets to marry you will be the luckiest man on the planet and just remember, I know you and Sophi are like sisters but I'm going to be your maid of honour one day as you will be mine and that is our sisters promise." Kenzie said and smiled.
"Sisters promise but luckily you will get there before me. Antwone is a good guy. I can see someone like him in your future Kenz."
"I know." Kenzie said with dreamy eyes. "I think I'm falling in love all over again when ever we see each other. He is so funny and smart and so gentle. I feel safe when I'm with him. Its like when I talk he really listens to me. I don't have to pretend to be this mean ice queen that everyone thinks I am."
Zoe bit her bottom lip with a nervous look on her face.
"I know that look, out with it." Kenzie said and poked the tip of Zoe's nose in a playful manner.
"Well, sometimes you do come off a bit strong and people find that intimidating. You don't have to pretend to be someone your not. I mean isn't it hard to keep pretending all the time. I'm saying this out of love for you and I'm not judging but you have to be who you are and not what people expect you to be." Zoe said with a soft smile.
"I know but I have my insecurities Toff. I sometimes feel like I don't deserve Antwone's love, like I don't deserve anyone's love or to be admired and adored by so many people just last night I found a small red pimple on my forehead and I freaked out because I have this image of always looking perfect. You have no idea how hard the pressure is to look and stay perfect in the eyes of todays society." Kenzie said with a vulnerable look in her eyes.
Zoe walked to Kenz and took her hands in hers. "Kenzie perfection is a goal that will forever remain impossible for any human being to achieve. We all have our internal struggles and personal challenges that we have to face everyday. But know this, you don't have to look and act a certain way to please people, make your own rules set your own standards live and grow by that, don't let the rules of today's artificial societies rule you. You should rule them." Zoe said with a fierce look.
"Damn Toffee." Kenzie said amazed. "No wonder you took home the cup for your debate team. How old are you again because I swear it's days like this where I forget I'm suppose to be the older sister. You are so mature for someone your age." Kenzie said and kissed her sister on the cheek.
Zoe blushed a little. "I just try to see the positive side in every thing but I'm not dumb or naive to the cruel things in life, and you know what dad always say, a smile is better then a frown but there is something that's bugging me." She said softly.
"Is this about Aslan leaving? Look I will talk to dad I know I'm not on his favourite list right now but he always listens to me." Kenzie said.
Zoe bit her bottom lip. She looked unsure and a little sad. "Aslan leaving is weighing heavy in my heart but this is something else Kenz."
"Okay what is it?" Kenzie asked with a look of concern on her face.
"Sophi's menstruation cycle started yesterday for the first time and we were so excited. We are both fourteen and I haven't had mine. Is there something wrong with me? I know some girls are late bloomers but all the other girls are starting to have theirs or already menstruating from the age of twelve. I feel like the odd one out. I'm turning fifteen soon so should I be worried Kenz?" Zoe said with red cheeks.
"Oh Toffee you can be so adorably naive sometimes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. We are not all the same and our bodies develop differently just give yours time it will come and when it comes sister you best be ready because believe me, with it comes the pains and cramps and the mood swings, so if I were you enjoy the time you still have left before it starts." Kenzie said and laughed softly.
"Sophi said she's having weird cravings and she's feeling super uncomfortable around Chad."
Kenzie laughed and said. "She will get use to it just stay away from boys when you get yours and that is period. Big sis talking now."
"Will do." Zoe quickly stuttered out.
A tear rolled over Bonnie's cheek. She felt a deep sadness in her. Hearing Kenzie's open heart talk with Zoe opened her eyes. Did she unwittingly favour the smaller kids over Kenzie now that Kenzie is on the brink of stepping in the big world. Did she leave her daughter to fend for herself. Kenz used to come to her with all her fears and dreams even when there was a boy in her life but that was years ago. Kenzie to her is the strong will independent one. And Zoe the mature rational one soft with a kind heart, both girls so different but so close. At some point I let them both down. Bonnie thought to herself.
When she heard Damon, Dylan and the twins coming down the stairs. She quickly wipe her face and plastered on a big smile for them.
Damon kissed her on her cheek and took her hand. "Where did you disappear so quickly this morning. We are suppose to wake up together." He whispered to her.
"I heard that dad and can I just say this, I did not wanted to hear that on a empty tummy." Dylan said to his dad.
Dylan could not stop babbling to everyone about his and Walter's comic book store that will be opening its doors soon. Damon listened but his mind was on Bonnie. She was too quiet. When the front door bell ring Kenzie literally jumped up quickly and excused herself to go see who it was. Anything to get away from Dylan's non stop babbling.
When she came back Abigail was with her. Zoe jumped up when see saw her grandmother and ran over to her and hugged her tightly. "What a nice surprise." She said to Abigail with a happy smile.
"Its nice to see you too Zoe. Good morning everyone." Abigail said softly.
Bonnie cleared her throat and said "Is there something we can do for you Abigail?" Damon's eyes widened briefly when Bonnie said that.
Abigail stood there awkwardly with a nervous smile. "Well, I was just wondering if I can invite you, Damon and the kids for dinner tonight. I have found my mother's old recipes and I would love to cook her favourite dishes for you and the family. That's if your not going out tonight or have other plans."
Zoe smiled happily and squeezed Abigail's hand. "We will love to come grandma and I don't mind giving you a hand. I always wanted to taste Grams buttermilk cornbread that is made just the way she wrote it down in her recipe book." Zoe said excited.
"Count me in I don't mind helping with the dinner and cornbread is still one of my favourites." Kenzie said and winked at Abigail.
"Zoe can you please sit down." Bonnie said a bit hard. Zoe looked confused and hurt especially when she saw how shocked everyone looked around the table. "I can't remember when last you offered to help me with dinner McKenzie." Bonnie said to Kenzie. Bonnie then looked coolly at Abigail and said. "Damon and I are going to Sir Ackerman's charity ball tonight. The kids will stay home Abigail."
"We going?" Damon said confused.
"I'm also confused mom. You said you don't mix with the rich snobs of this town so why are you even going there tonight." Kenzie said red in the face. Its was hard to tell if she felt embarrassed from being called out by her mom or was she angry.
"I don't think I have to answer that to you McKenzie. I say and what I say goes in this house. Do you get me?" Bonnie said in an icy tone. She immediately regretted it when she saw the sad hurt look on her daughters faces and the shock, confused looks on Damon and Dylan faces.
"Yes, mom." Kenzie said softly. Zoe swallowed her tears back and with a sad smile she said. "I'm sorry grandma I didn't know about the charity ball. I'm sorry mom I should have asked first."
"Abigail please sit down have breakfast with us." Damon said politely but Abigail feeling sad, hurt shamed and embarrassed politely decline. "Thank you for asking but maybe some other time Damon." She quickly said her goodbyes and walked out with a heavy heart.
Uncomfortable silence settled in the kitchen after Abigail left. "The kids are going to be late for school Damon where is Cayllum?"
"I'm right here Mrs Salvatore." Cayllum said from the door. He has been standing there for a while.
"But I hardly touched my food." Dylan complained.
"Then take it with you Dylan." Bonnie said as she got up from her chair.
"In my hands?" Dylan said wide eye. Bonnie walked out of the kitchen without saying anything further. Tears streamed down her face when she walked up the stairs.
"Is mom okay?" Kenzie asked her dad the minute Bonnie left.
Dylan sigh out loud for dramatic effect. "Its called PMS, the abbreviation for premenstrual syndrome for those who don't know." Dylan said and looked at the twins. The two cuties stared clueless back at him. "And not to mention keeping up with six kids. That is no joke. Its either that or she's pregnant with baby number seven, right dad?" Dylan said with an all knowing smirk.
Damon quickly looked back at the door to see if Bonnie came back before hitting Dylan lightly on the back of his head.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Dylan said and rubbed the back of his head. The two little twins cried out with laughter.
"If your mother came in and she heard you just remember you are on your own Dylan."
"Wow, it is really comforting to know that we are not the only ones scared of mom right now." Dylan said and smirked at his dad. Zoe smiled and Kenzie laughed softly when Damon's cheeks turned red.
Damon cleared his throat and pulled his tie straight. "What I'm trying to say kids, is that mom is going through a tough time especially now that her mother is back. We don't know the full history and Abigail becoming part of this family is not going to be an easy ride. Your mother might still resent her and she is clearly still hurt. You guys know she lost Sheila when she was fifteen and girls at that age needs a mother figure in their life. Your mother didn't have that. Now, I'm not saying you guys should ignore Abigail but be careful what you say and how you interact with Abigail in front of your mother. Hopefully things will get sorted out between the two of them just give it time."
Dylan nodded his head. "Okay cool, and now that we are on the subject I visited Abigail with my girl Liz. I was thinking of telling mom this morning but now I know I should keep my mouth shut before she rip my lips straight off my face." Dylan said with wide playful eyes.
Everyone laughed even Zoe who looked so sad minutes ago.
Mystique Lake High School
"You missed a party Kenz, but don't worry I was there to make sure the girls keep in check." Stacy said all smiles.
"I kinda enjoyed staying indoors with the fam playing board games eating pizza and drinking sodas." Kenzie said when she closed her locker.
"Pizza and soda? Kenz you should study your figure. You know we cheerleaders can't afford to eat unhealthy and put on weight." Stacy said with a sweet smile.
"Speak for your fucking self Stacey. I eat what I want." Kenzie said annoyed. Estelle smiled gleefully behind Stacey's back.
"I'm so hungover and in no mood for math class. I just want to go to my room and sleep." Ling said and made a face.
"You drink like a fish Ling and its starting to show around your eyes." Stacy said with a sweet smile. She couldn't help taking out her anger and embarrassment on poor Ling.
"What ever Stace. Jeez. What is it with you today." Ling said with an annoyed look.
"I wonder if that girl Page is in school today. Garrick and his boys roughed her up. Why would she even show up at the lake." Estelle said and smiled inwardly when she saw how stiff Stacey's smile got.
"Well some people just don't know there place in life." Stacey said and tried to smile it off.
Kenzie immediately stopped walking and looked at Estelle. "They did what?" Kenzie asked with eyes shooting icy daggers.
"She showed up at the party and then all of a sudden Garrick and the boys beat her up." Ling said.
"I'm sure its not that bad." Stacey said and giggled nervously.
"Oh it was bad she could hardly stand on her feet. You saw how she looked Stacey. You took her home remember?" Estelle said.
"Oh yes I did, now I remember, silly me, but I did offer to take her to the hospital but she refused. She said she was fine." Stacey said quickly.
Kenzie heard enough. "Garrick and who?" Kenzie asked in a low voice filled with anger. Estelle and Ling wasted no time naming the other boys who was with Garrick.
Minutes later, Kenzie, followed by her group of girls burst into the boys lockeroom like hell angels out for blood. Kenzie in front looking like a war goddess ready for war. She walked to Garrick and smacked him hard in the face, so hard that his head hit the locker behind him. "You fucking asshole!" she seethed in his face.
"What the hell Kenzie?" Garrick asked shocked.
"I heard what you did, you jerk and I'm here to tell you that you are not going to get way with it." Kenzie said hard in his face.
"I don't know what the hell you're talking about." Garrick said and tried to smirk it off.
"Oh you do know Garrick. You and your coward pack of idiots beating up an innocent girl."
"I think you should leave Kenzie, just because your dad runs this town don't think that you run this school." Garrick said and tried to look brave. He knew he just made a big mistake but he wanted to show his friends that his not afraid.
Kenzie hit him again and this time she used her fist. "You better leave my dad's name out of your filthy mouth! Come on Garrick! Why don't you pick on someone your own size. What's the matter don't you feel man enough now? Hit me back!" Kenzie yelled. The coach came in wide eye shocked, confused and angry when he saw Garrick's nose bleeding. "What the hell are you girls doing in here? Garrick what happened to your nose?"
"Nothing coach." Garrick said quickly.
"I want this piece of shit off the team. Him and his friends that helped him beat up a girl." Kenzie said to the coach.
"Now hold on, I heard what happened McKenzie." Coach said calmly. "The boys told me they gave a boy a few smacks. We all know stuff like that happens. I know and you know how rough these parties can get. I will make them apologize but I can't afford to lose my boys."
Kenzie turned to the coach her eyes full of disgust. "I don't think you're getting what I'm saying through that thick skull of yours. I want Garrick and his friends off the team for the rest of the year."
"Are you nuts?" Garrick said hard. "We playing Mystic Falls Saturday night coach can't afford to lose us. This school can't afford to lose to them not again!"
Kenzie calmly took her shoe off. She then smacked Garrick hard in the face with it. "I was not talking to you and one more thing you and your buddies are on school duty for two months." She said with heated eyes. "I'm not afraid of you. I can fight my own battles without my father's help, unlike you."
Pandemonium broke out the minute Kenzie and the girls walked out. All the boys talked at the same time. Garrick turned to the coach red in the face. "Coach I can lose my scholarship. You have to talk to principal Hector."
Outside in the hall Estelle pulled Kenzie to her and whispered in her ear. "I saw Stacey talked to Page early that day. I think she might have invited Page to the party Kenz please don't tell her I told you."
"We have a class Estelle, lets go." Kenzie said to a confused looking Estelle.
...