For so long, I have lived in Secret.
Hiding in the Shadows.
Alone in the World.
Until now.
I shouldn't have come Home.
I know the Risk.
But I have no Choice.
I have to know HER.
I am a Vampire.
And this is My Story.
~Dreamscape~
Amidst the darkness that surrounded Mystic Falls, Amaya Gilbert unexpectedly found herself overlooking an abandoned backroad as an unfamiliar dark SUV appeared at the edge of her Peripheral Vision. However, the Gilbert Girl was suddenly startled from her justifiable confusion when the conversation between the passengers of the vehicle filtered through the otherwise silent night as though she were present in the SUV as well while the occupants conversed between themselves.
"An hour's drive to hear that crap. You know, it wasn't even a band. A guy with a guitar. An hour each way." An unfamiliar male voice commented with a slight chuckle as he jokingly complains to his girlfriend.
"He wasn't that bad." An unknown female voice retorts with an amused tone of voice as the Navy Blue Eyes of their unseen witness continue to follow the vehicle with curiosity and confusion.
"He sounded like James Blunt." The male complains with another chuckle that caused an amused smile to appear across the Gilbert Girl's features despite the situation.
"What's wrong with that?" The female questioned with a slight laugh as she glanced towards her boyfriend with an arched brow.
"We already have a James Blunt. One's all we need." The male declares with an affirmative nod of his head while maintaining an expression of feigned seriousness.
"So, why'd you come?" The woman questions as she lulled her head against the headrest to glance towards her boyfriend with an amused expression.
"Because I love you." The man declares without an ounce of hesitation as he glances lovingly towards his Girlfriend.
"Nicely done." The woman responds with a genuine smile before turning her attention towards the road as a thick layer of fog begins to shroud the path before them. "What's with all the fog?"
Almost immediately, an expression of confusion registers across the Gilbert Girl's features as she observes the vehicle being shrouded within the thick blanket of fog that seemed to have appeared within mere seconds. And as an eerie Sense of Darkness settled over the area, Amaya allowed herself to survey her surroundings with furrowed brows as she searched for the source of the foreboding sensation.
"It'll clear in a second..." The man responded absentmindedly as he observed the road vigilantly, being mindful of the danger that such circumstances could create.
And with the overwhelming instinct that the foreboding Sense of Death was originating from the occupants of the SUV that she had previously been observing, Amaya directed her attention towards the vehicle once more. However, as a shadowed figure suddenly appeared on the margin of the backroad directly before the SUV, an audible gasp of horror escapes from the Gilbert Girl's lips as her Navy Blue Eyes widened in anticipation of the inevitable accident.
"Watch out!" The woman screamed as she just barely noticed the figure standing in the middle of the road, causing the man behind the wheel to slam on the breaks in an attempt to avoid the collision.
The sound of frightened screams echoed throughout the otherwise silent night from both the occupants of the SUV and the unfortunate observer of the accident as the tires skidded across the wet pavement. And as the shadowed figure that had been standing in the middle of the road toppled over the hood of the vehicle, the windshield shattered beneath the weight of his body before he was eventually thrown to the pavement in an unceremonious manner.
With an expression of unimaginable horror etched across her delicate features, Amaya deftly covered her mouth with her dainty hands to conceal her silent screams as her widened eyes remained fixated on the horrific accident that had seemingly caused her entire body to become frozen at the traumatizing scene. And as the unyielding tears continue to stream down her flushed cheeks, Amaya visibly flinches as the alleged victim of the collision collapses to the ground in an obvious misshapen form.
"Are you okay?" The man questioned his frightened girlfriend once the vehicle had finally stopped skidding across the slick pavement.
"We just hit someone! Oh my god!" The woman exclaimed as she threaded her fingers through her hair with an expression of horrified panic.
"... Call for help." The man demands after pausing momentarily to gather himself before emerging from the Driver's Side of the SUV to check on the unfortunate victim of the collision.
"Come on! Come on!" The woman muttered as she attempted to dial 9-1-1 without much success since the Cell Reception in the area was weak.
Meanwhile, the Driver cautiously approaches the contorted body that was sprawled across the dampened pavement of the backroad as he continuously muttered beneath his breath in sheer desperation for the mystery person to survive. With an expression of apprehension displayed across her features, Amaya silently observed the scene with baited breath as the eerie Sense of Death seemed to have merely heightened as the moments passed despite having assumed the darkness that she were feeling had actually been caused by the gruesome accident moments prior.
"Please be alive!" The man whispered with an obvious desperation twinging his tone of voice as he deftly knelt on the ground beside the Crash Victim before unsuccessfully searching for any semblance of life. "Oh my god."
However, as the distorted figure that had been sprawled across the pavement suddenly surged toward the unsuspecting Human Male, an earpiercing frightened scream was immediately emitted from the trembling witness that had been unfortunate enough to have watched the entire ordeal while Amaya once more pressed her dainty hands against her mouth in an attempt to silence her deafening screams as she watched the previously injured victim latch his mouth onto the throat of the unsuspecting man with an inhumanvengeance.
However, as the Passenger of the SUV unexpectedly emerges from the vehicle, Amaya watches through blurry vision as the alleged Crash Victim disappears into the surrounding darkness with the limp form of the Driver within mere seconds, causing the unsuspecting woman to survey her surroundings with furrowed brows of confusion.
"There's no signal...! Darren? Darren?!" The woman shouts into the otherwise silent night as she continues to search in vain for her boyfriend.
But when the Driver suddenly dropped onto the hood of the SUV with blood pouring from the wound on his neck, the deafening screams of both the Passenger of the vehicle as well as the unfortunate witness of the scene echoed through the silence of the night once again. And with an expression of combined fear and horror etched across her features, Amaya watches helplessly as the unsuspecting female begins to sprint away from the ravaged form of her boyfriend before suddenly being snatched into the darkness with another shrill scream.
~Gilbert Residence~
With an audible gasp as she was jolted awake from the horrific nightmare, Amaya bolts upright in her Sleigh Bed as she searches frantically through the darkness of her Second Floor Bedroom with widened eyes while trembling breaths continuously wracked her petite form. Though when the shrill tone of her Alarm Clock promptly shattered the silence, Amaya could not stop herself from flinching at the sudden sound of the piercing noise.
And once having gathered herself by shakily threading her fingers through her Mahogany Brown Hair, Amaya eventually forces the terrifying nightmare into the furthest recess of her mind as she begrudgingly leaves the comfort of her Sleigh Bed to prepare herself for her First Day of Junior Year at Mystic Falls High School. All the while, the Gilbert Girl remained completely oblivious to the significance of the events that she had witnessed during the frightening nightmare the night prior.
Once the Younger Gilbert Daughter had deemed her appearance adequate enough, Amaya descended the staircase with her School Bag hanging from her shoulder as she made her way towards the Open Concept Kitchen. And upon entering the Attached Dining Room, Amaya immediately noticed the frantic behavior of her Aunt and Legal Guardian as she scurried around the Kitchen in anticipation of the First Day back at Mystic Falls High School for the Gilbert Siblings while the Elder Gilbert Daughter had long since perched herself at the Kitchen Island with a steaming mug of coffee grasped between her hands.
"Toast...? I can make toast." Jenna Sommers suggested with an anxious smile as she glanced towards her Younger Niece, who had immediately approached the Coffee Machine upon entering the Kitchen.
"It's all about the coffee, Aunt Jenna..." Amaya responded with an absentminded tone of voice as she carefully poured the steaming beverage into two individual mugs.
"Is there coffee...?" Jeremy Gilbert questioned with furrowed brows as he entered the Kitchen before making his way towards his Elder Sister as she silently extended one of the Ceramic Mugs towards her Younger Brother in offering while simultaneously sipping from her own cup as she had done since they had started partaking in the caffeinated drink.
"Your First Day of School and I'm totally unprepared..." Jenna muttered beneath her breath with an expression of frustration as she retrieves Lunch Money from her purse for her Nieces and Nephew. "Lunch Money?"
"I'm good." Elena Gilbert denied with an absentminded shake of her head as she glanced briefly towards the Sommers Woman before returning her attention to the Coffee Mug in her hands.
"Thank you." Amaya voices with an appreciative smile directed towards their Aunt as she and Jeremy pocketed the money.
"Anything else? Number 2 Pencil...?" Jenna jokingly questioned before pausing as she averts her gaze away from the Gilbert Siblings with furrowed brows of confusion. "What am I missing?"
"You've that Psychology Presentation scheduled for this morning, do you not...?" Amaya questioned with furrowed brows as she glanced towards her Aunt with an expression of thoughtful consideration.
"I'm meeting with my Thesis Advisor at..." Jenna pauses as she glances towards her Wrist Watch, her eyes widening in panic as she realizes the time. "Now. Crap!"
"Go." Amaya urges with an encouraging smile directed towards the obviously distressed Strawberry Blonde Woman. "We'll be fine."
With an appreciative smile directed towards the Younger Gilbert Daughter, Jenna gathered her belongings before rushing from the Kitchen towards the Front Door. And with an expression of genuine concern having appeared across her features, Amaya eventually directed her attention towards her Younger Brother as Jeremy continued to sip from the steaming cup of coffee that he had in his hands.
"Are you alright...?" Amaya questioned with an innocent tilt of her head as she observed Jeremy with furrowed brows of sincere worry.
"I'm fine, Belle." Jeremy responded with an affirmative nod of his head towards his Elder Sister before making his way towards the Front Door to take his leave.
And as the Younger Gilbert Daughter directed her attention towards the steaming mug of coffee grasped between her delicate hands, Amaya remained completely oblivious to the News Report that was displayed across the Flatscreen Television in the Living Room directly behind she and her Elder Twin Sister.
MISSING PERSONS:
Darren Malloy
Age: 24 Years
Brooke Fenton
Age: 22 Years
~Mystic Falls High School~
Upon the Younger Gilbert Daughter's arrival at Mystic Falls High School, Amaya was immediately accosted by her Childhood Best Friend as soon as she emerged from the Pristine White 1969 Chevy Camaro that had been her 16th Birthday Present from Grayson Gilbert in the Student Car Park. And without an ounce of hesitation, Amaya allowed herself to momentarily indulge in the comfort offered by the Forbes Daughter's supportive embrace.
"Oh, Buttercup..." Caroline Forbes whispered with an expression of sympathy written across her features as Amaya clutched onto the fabric of her clothing.
"I missed you, CareBear... So much." Amaya admits ever so softly once she and Caroline had parted from the embrace.
"I'm so sorry..." Caroline voiced with an apologetic frown etched across her lightly glossed lips, causing Amaya's brows to furrow in confusion of the Forbes Girl's remorseful demeanor. "I knew I should've stayed home this Summer-"
"No." Amaya declares with finality as she grasped Caroline's hands between her own as she leveled her Childhood Best Friend with an expression of stern resignation. "You'd merely done what I asked of you, CareBear... Elena, Jeremy, and I... We needed time to ourselves this Summer. To grieve. And to process our loss... And it would have been wrong of me to ask you to forgo Cheer Camp without legitimate cause."
"You lost your Parents, Amaya..." Caroline retorted with an obvious gentleness lilting her tone of voice as she gazed down at the petite Gilbert Girl. "I think that would be considered legitimate..."
"I know..." Amaya admitted with an audible sigh of resignation as she averted her gaze to the ground with an apparent frown etched across her features. "And I miss them more than I could express with words but... Neither of them would have wanted me to suffer because of their loss. It is my belief that... Regardless of where they are, they are watching over me. So... I will merely have to continue living my life as best I can."
And with that sentiment, an encouraging smile appeared across the Forbes Daughter's features as she gazed down upon the Younger Gilbert Daughter, causing Amaya to allow her rosy lips to upturn ever so slightly into the first genuine smile she had exhibited in several months as her mind whirled with her immense appreciation for the staunch friendship that she had always had with Caroline since the moment they had been introduced by their Mothers as mere infants even despite the glaringly obvious rivalry between her Childhood Best Friend and Elder Twin Sister.
And as the Forbes/Gilbert Duo begun making their way towards the Front Entrance with their arms intertwined, Amaya revelled in the much appreciated sense of normalcy that she had not felt since the Wickery Bridge Accident as she listened with rapt attention while Caroline cheerfully recounted her experience at Cheer Camp, causing an expression of sheer contentment to appear across the Younger Gilbert Daughter's features as she accompanied the Forbes Daughter into the crowded Corridors of Mystic Falls High School.
As the Forbes/Gilbert Duo approached the Administrative Office, Amaya immediately noticed her Elder Twin Sister lurking in the corridor with the Bennett Daughter as their attention seemed to have long since focused on the New Student speaking with an Office Attendant, causing the Younger Gilbert Twin to exchange curious glances with her Childhood Best Friend before she and Caroline paused momentarily to observe the peculiar behavior of the Bennett/Gilbert Duo.
"I'm sensing Seattle... And he plays the guitar." Bonnie Bennett declared with an absentminded tone of voice as she continued to examine the New Student, causing the Elder Gilbert Sister to smile in amusement of her Childhood Best Friend's alleged prediction.
"You're really going to run this whole Psychic thing into the ground, huh?" Elena questioned with an amused smile etched across her features as she glanced towards her Childhood Best Friend.
"Pretty much." Bonnie admitted with an affirmative nod of her head in response to the amused inquiry.
However, as the Eldest Gilbert Sibling glanced further down the School Corridor, Elena immediately noticed Jeremy making his way through the crowded hallway towards the Men's Restroom with an apparent smirk, causing Amaya to avert her gaze towards Caroline with an audible sigh of frustrated resignation as she anticipated having to defuse yet another toxic altercation between her Elder Twin Sister and their Younger Brother.
"Sibling Conflict Alert... I'll have to meet you in class, CareBear..." Amaya commented with an annoyed expression written across her features as she noticed Elena whispering something to Bonnie before following in the direction Jeremy had been headed.
"I'll save your seat for you..." Caroline assured with an affirmative nod of her head in acknowledgement before watching as Amaya made her way through the crowded corridor towards the Men's Restroom that her Elder Twin Sister and Younger Brother had disappeared into.
Without sparring another glance towards the New Student that had obviously caught the attention of the Bennett Girl, Caroline resumed her journey through the throng of High School Students towards the First Period Lesson that she and her Childhood Best Friend shared even as Amaya silently entered the Men's Restroom to discover that her Elder Twin Sister had their Younger Brother cornered against the Bathroom Sinks.
"Great. It's the First Day of School and you're stoned." Elena comments with an expression of disbelief written across her features, causing Jeremy to roll his eyes in response to his Eldest Sister's attitude.
"No, I'm not." Jeremy denies with an annoyed scowl directed towards the Elder Gilbert Daughter while her Younger Twin Sister silently observed the interaction.
"Where is it...? Is it on you?" Elena demands as she searches through the Gilbert Son's clothing for contraband.
"Stop, alright?! You need to chill yourself!" Jeremy exclaimed with an expression of shocked disbelief written across his features at his Eldest Sister's ridiculous behavior.
"Chill myself...? What is that? Stoner Talk? Dude, you are so cool." Elena declares with a derisive scoff as she resumed searching her Younger Brother while Jeremy continued to react to her audacious behavior with animosity.
"Stop! I don't have anything on me. Are you crazy?" Jeremy shouted with an incredulous tone of voice as he attempted to distance himself from Elena while Amaya prepared to intervene.
"You haven't seen crazy, Jeremy! I gave you a summer pass, but I am done watching you destroy yourself..." Elena announces with finality as she glowered at her Younger Brother with narrowed eyes, causing Jeremy to attempt sidestepping his Eldest Sister with an apparent scowl of annoyance. "No. No. No. You know what...? Go ahead. Keep it up... But just know that I'm going to be there to ruin your buzz every time, you got it?" Elena declared with absolute sincerity before pausing as her expression softened into that of the concerned Elder Sister. "Jeremy, I know who you are... And it's not this person... So, don't be this person."
"Elena." Amaya interjected with such ferocity that the Elder Gilbert Daughter actually flinched at the mere tone of voice exhibited by her usually calm Younger Twin Sister. "That's enough." Amaya asserted with finality as she glared harshly at her Elder Twin Sister, causing Elena to gape at the Younger Gilbert Daughter with an expression of shocked disbelief as Amaya briefly glanced towards Jeremy. "Head to Class, Jer... I do believe that Elena and I need to speak... Privately."
"Sure..." Jeremy agreed with an affirmative nod of his head as he glanced between his Elder Sisters with an expression of hesitancy before focusing his attention onto Amaya. "Thanks, Belle... I owe you one."
With an affirmative nod of her head in acknowledgement of her Younger Brother's gratitude, Jeremy made his way into the corridor while the Gilbert Twins remained in the Men's Restroom for the moment. And as the Eldest Gilbert Sibling observed the interaction between her Younger Twin Sister and their Younger Brother, an expression of disbelief had long since registered across Elena's features as she watched Jeremy leave the Men's Restroom with one final glance between she and Amaya.
"Amaya-" Elena began with furrowed brows of confusion as she observed the Younger Gilbert Daughter's daunting behavior.
"Enough." Amaya asserted once more with finality as she gestured for her Elder Twin Sister to cease her dialogue, causing Elena to immediately silence herself with widened eyes of shocked disbelief. "You have no right to dictate how Jeremy processes his grief. And... Perhaps you've forgotten... But you weren't the only one suffering from their loss, Elena... Not that you'd seemed all too worried for how Jeremy nor myself had been fairing since the Car Accident. Considering you had hidden yourself away in your bedroom since the Funeral without an ounce of concern for either of your Younger Siblings..."
With an apparent flinch from the Elder Gilbert Daughter, Elena stared at Amaya with widened eyes at the mere notion of being so thoroughly chastised by her Younger Twin Sister for her admittedly selfish behavior following the unfortunate demise of Grayson and Miranda Gilbert.
"Mom and Dad wouldn't want this-" Elena muttered with an expression of uncertainty written across her features as she shifted nervously on her feet.
"They probably wouldn't have been elated with the development... But Mom and Dad would have wanted Jeremy to find his way out of the darkness without you leading him by the ear, Elena..." Amaya declared with finality as the glare she had long since directed towards her Elder Twin Sister seemed to harshen at the mere mention of their Late Parents. "I don't know where this Mothering Act that you seem to have adapted all of the sudden originated. And... Quite frankly... I couldn't care less. You are not our Mother, Elena. So, stop behaving as though you are."
"I wasn't-" Elena began with an unconvincing shake of her head in denial of the allegations, only to be interrupted by her obviously infuriated Younger Twin Sister.
"I do not care for your excuses, Elena..." Amaya declared as she gestured for her Elder Twin Sister to cease her explanation once more. "You want to start behaving like the Elder Sister that Jeremy and I deserve...? Then, by all means... Knock yourself out... But our Mother is gone, Elena... And you are not her replacement... No matter how much you may behave as such."
And without further comment from the Younger Gilbert Daughter, Amaya averted her attention from her Elder Twin Sister as she took her leave from the Men's Restroom with an agitated scowl etched across her delicate features while Elena remained essentially catatonic as she seemed to process her Younger Twin Sister's uncharacteristic behavior.
However, as the Younger Gilbert Daughter stepped into the crowded High School Corridor, her adorably petite frame immediately collided with that of another High School Student, causing Amaya to stumble from the mere force of the impact as her Navy Blue Eyes connect with the Forest Green Eyes of the New Student that now had his hands resting on the curve of her slender waistline as he helped her regain her balance.
"Pardon me... Is this the Men's Room...?" The Mysterious New Student, Stefan Salvatore, inquired with furrowed brows as he briefly glanced towards the Men's Room Door with an expression of feigned confusion.
"Yes, it is... I'm sorry... I were just-" Amaya paused as she struggled to form coherent sentences as she noticed the subtle force guiding her towards the Handsome Young Man, whose hands were gently settled against the slight curve of her waist. "It's complicated..."
Once silence had descended between the Salvatore Son and Younger Gilbert Daughter, Amaya was suddenly distracted from her pleasantly dazed thoughts by Elena emerging from the Men's Room, effectively reminding the Younger Gilbert Twin of her earlier agitation as she glowered at her Elder Twin Sister before directing her attention towards Stefan once more while Elena merely glanced between her Younger Twin Sister and the New Student with furrowed brows before hesitantly taking her leave as she realized that neither Stefan nor Amaya intended to acknowledge her presence.
With an embarrassed blush etched across her flushed cheeks, Amaya attempts to make her way towards her First Period Lesson, causing Stefan to begrudgingly release his hold of her slender waist. And for the briefest moment, the Salvatore Son and Gilbert Daughter fail to part ways as their bodies seemingly follow in one another's direction. And as an apparent smile of fondness appeared across his lips at the sight of the blushing Gilbert Girl, Stefan deftly shifted to the side of the busy hallway to allow Amaya the chance to resume her journey through the corridor.
"Thank you." Amaya whispers with an obvious bashful tone of voice as she glances towards Stefan through her thick lashes before walking away with her head bowed as her Mahogany Brown Waves curtained her blushing features.
Once the Gilbert Daughter had neared the end of the corridor though, Amaya chanced one final glance backwards at Stefan to discover that he had watched her departure from his position at the door of the Men's Restroom, causing the blush on the Gilbert Girl's cheeks to darken ever so slightly as she rounded the corner of the corridor on her way towards her First Period Class.
Once Third Period had arrived, the Younger Gilbert Daughter had happened upon the Salvatore Son once more during their shared History Lesson while listening to the less than entertaining narration of the Division of Virginia between the Union and the Confederacy during the Civil War from the commonly despised History Teacher, William Tanner.
"Once our Home State of Virginia joined Confederacy in 1861, it created a tremendous amount of tension within the state... People in Virginia's Northwest Region had different ideals than those from the Traditional Deep South... Then Virginia divided in 1863 with the Northwest Region joining the Union..." Tanner narrated with an expression of indifference written across his features as he addressed the Class of Junior Students.
Midway through the Lesson, Amaya could sense the unrelenting gaze of another focused solely on her being, causing the Younger Gilbert Daughter to briefly avert her attention from the History Teacher as she searched for the one responsible. And as the Gilbert Girl's Navy Blue Eyes connected with the Forest Green Eyes of the Salvatore Boy, an immediate blush appeared across Amaya's cheeks as she averted her gaze with an apparent bashful expression etched across her features.
With the blush on her cheeks steadily darkening as the watchful gaze remained fixated on her, the Younger Gilbert Daughter attempts to focus her attention onto the History Lesson once more, only for the soft vibration of her Cell Phone to immediately capture Amaya's attention from Tanner's dialogue as she was alerted to an Instant Message from her Childhood Best Friend.
HAWT-E STARING U ~CareBear
And as the words filtered through the Younger Gilbert Daughter's thoughts, an elegant smile etches itself across Amaya's delicate features as she returns the device to her Satchel before finally directing her attention towards the History Lesson once more, oblivious to the fondness that had long since appeared across the Salvatore Son's features as he continued to observe the Younger Gilbert Daughter.
~Mystic Falls Cemetery~
Once the School Day had come to an end, Amaya had immediately made her way towards the Mystic Falls Cemetery to visit the graves of Grayson and Miranda Gilbert. Upon arriving to the Burial Site, the Younger Gilbert Twin kneels on the ground with a somber smile as she diligently removes the dead leaves and tufts of mowed grass from her Late Parents' Tombstone with care. However, Amaya was suddenly jostled from her peaceful reverie by the shrill 'CAW' that echoed through the otherwise silent Graveyard.
With an apparent flinch as she was startled by the abrupt noise, the Younger Gilbert Daughter averts her gaze to the Black Crow that had perched itself atop the Tombstone directly behind Amaya while observing her actions with an eerie concentration that caused the Younger Gilbert Daughter to slowly stand from the soft grass that she had been knelt upon.
"Okay... Hi, Bird..." Amaya greeted the creature with furrowed brows of curiosity as the Black Crow seemed to respond to her comment with an evident tilt of the head. "That's not peculiar or anything..." Amaya whispered with an obvious sarcasm tilting her tone of voice before shaking her head to clear her mind of the ridiculous thought that the creature could understand her. "Shoo!"
With the nonchalant wave of the Gilbert Girl's hand towards the idling creature, the Black Crow soared into the air with another shrill 'CAW' that caused Amaya to breathe an audible sigh of relief at the departure of the peculiar bird. However, as the Gilbert Daughter directed her attention towards the tombstone of her Late Parents once more, Amaya emitted an audible gasp of alarm as the crow suddenly appeared atop of Grayson and Miranda Gilbert's grave.
And as an undeniably familiar fog gradually swept across the ground, Amaya carefully retrieved her Shoulder Bag from the ground while maintaining eye contact with the ominous Black Crow. And after the understandably frightened Gilbert Girl had carefully distanced herself from the idling creature, Amaya's Navy Blue Eyes suddenly widened as she noticed the shadowed figure shrouded within the thick blanket of fog, causing the Gilbert Daughter to immediately flee from the cemetery as quickly as she possibly could.
However, as the Gilbert Girl had been sprinting from the Graveyard, Amaya was suddenly thrown to the forest floor when she stumbled across an uprooted tree limb, causing her to tumble to the ground in an unceremonious manner. And as she forces herself upright by balancing her weight against the nearest tree while vigilantly searching her surroundings for potential threats, Amaya could not stop herself from emitting another shrill scream of fright as her Navy Blue Eyes connect with the Forest Green Eyes of Stefan Salvatore.
"Are you alright...?" Stefan inquires with an expression of concern written across his features as Amaya attempts to regulate her breathing.
"Were you following me...?" Amaya retorted with furrowed brows as she glanced between the Salvatore Son and the short slope that she had fallen from.
"No... I'd merely seen you fall." Stefan answered as he briefly nodded his head towards the small hill that Amaya had tumbled down.
"Right. Of course..." Amaya whispered with an affirmative nod of her head in acceptance of the explanation before inhaling another calming breath and smiling towards the Salvatore Son in greeting. "I'm Amaya."
"Stefan." Stefan responded as he flashed his most charming smile towards the Gilbert Girl, causing Amaya's expression to brighten at the polite introduction.
"I know... We have History together." Amaya commented with an enchanting smile directed towards the Salvatore Boy.
"As well as Algebra, Literature, and French." Stefan responded with an affirmative nod of his head, causing the pink twinged blush on Amaya's cheeks to darken ever so slightly at the amused smile that had appeared across his lips.
"Right..." Amaya whispered with an apparent smile of sheepishness directed towards the Salvatore Boy for having overlooked such.
And as silence descended between the Salvatore Son and Gilbert Daughter, Stefan slowly reached forward to gently unravel the tiny leaf that had been entangled within Amaya's silken Mahogany Brown Waves, causing an adorable blush to etch itself across the Gilbert Girl's cheeks while the expression on the Salvatore Boy's features seemed to soften at the development.
"Thank you." Amaya muttered with an appreciative smile directed towards the Salvatore Son before averting her gaze elsewhere while gently nibbling on her bottom lip as her Navy Blue Eyes gravitate towards the Antique Signet Ring on Stefan's hand. "Beautiful Ring."
"Hmm...? Oh. Yes... Well, it's a Family Heirloom... I suppose I'm stuck with it... It's weird. Right?" Stefan mentioned with an amused chuckle as he absentmindedly twisted the Signet Ring on his finger.
"Not at all..." Amaya responded with an enchanting smile etched across her delicate features that caused Stefan to gaze down upon the Gilbert Daughter with fondness in response to her compassionate reassurances. "Heirlooms are significant pieces of our history and should be honored... My Family Locket has adorned my neck since my Mother gifted it to me on my Sixteenth Birthday... So, I completely understand the notion."
And as silence descended between the Gilbert/Salvatore Duo once more, Amaya found herself struggling to avert her Navy Blue Eyes from his own Forest Green Eyes as she sensed herself gravitating towards Stefan once more with the guidance of an unknown force. An aspect that the Gilbert Daughter could not bring herself to hinder as Amaya allowed herself to become ensnared within the abyss that was the Stefan Salvatore's unrelenting gaze.
"... Did you hurt yourself...?" Stefan questioned with furrowed brows after pausing momentarily, causing Amaya to tilt her head at the unexpected inquiry.
"Hmm?" Amaya hummed with an expression of confusion etched across her delicate features as she observed the Salvatore Son's peculiar behavior.
"Did you hurt yourself?" Stefan inquired once more as his Heightened Sense of Smell caught the scent of blood emanating from the Gilbert Girl.
"Oh... I don't know..." Amaya whispered with an expression of thoughtful consideration as she stepped away from Stefan before elevating her leg atop an idling tombstone as she noticed the faint sense of pain emanating from her shin. "Oh..." Amaya muttered as she noticed the small scratch that she had obtained during her earlier tumble. "I hadn't even felt it..."
At the appearance of the crimson substance slowly trailing across the Gilbert Girl's unblemished skin, Stefan averted his gaze from the seemingly inconsequential trail of blood that marred Amaya's flawless complexion. However, regardless of his lack of reaction in the presence of alleged Human Blood, Stefan refused to risk harming the Younger Gilbert Daughter due to his insatiable Bloodlust.
"You should probably take care of that..." Stefan suggested as he remained with his back towards Amaya as he focused on maintaining control of himself, not even recognizing his lack of reaction to the angelic scent of her blood amidst his concentration.
"Honestly, it's nothing..." Amaya assured as she lowered her injured leg to the ground before directing her attention towards Stefan once more.
However, as the Younger Gilbert Daughter noticed the Salvatore Son's abrupt disappearance within the mere seconds that she had been distracted, Amaya surveyed her surroundings with furrowed brows of confusion as she searched for Stefan amidst the ominous foliage that surrounded the clearing that she had found herself within.
~Mystic Grill~
Once darkness had descended across Mystic Falls, the Forbes Daughter had found herself at the Mystic Grill with the Bennett Daughter, awaiting the arrival of their respective Childhood Best Friends to the Mystic Grill. And as it would seem, since having noticed the Salvatore Son's obvious interest in the Younger Gilbert Daughter, Caroline had apparently taken the initiative of gathering every facet of information about the Mysterious New Student that she possibly could.
"His name is Stefan Salvatore. He lives with his Uncle at the old Salvatore Boarding House. He hasn't lived here since he was young... Military Family. So, they moved around alot... He's a Gemini. And his favorite color is blue." Caroline announced with an accomplished smirk etched across her features as Bonnie subtly rolled her eyes at the Forbes Daughter's behavior.
"You got all that in one day?" Bonnie questioned with an expression of feigned amusement as she glanced towards Caroline while the two of them made their way through the crowded restaurant.
"Please. I got all that between Third and Fourth Period..." Caroline retorted with an expression of confidence as she glanced towards the Bennett Daughter with an accomplished smile. "If I'm going to be playing Matchmaker for him and Amaya, I need to know everything there is to know about him."
At the Forbes Daughter's unexpected admission, Bonnie understandably found herself gaping at Caroline in shocked disbelief at the mere notion of the Forbes Daughter willingly relinquishing interest in the Salvatore Son on behalf of the Younger Gilbert Daughter. However, as the Bennett Girl silently considered the unprecedented development, Bonnie noted that Caroline was the type of person to discover every available detail about any Potential Suitors that expressed interest in her Childhood Best Friend.
~Gilbert Residence~
Meanwhile, at the Gilbert Residence, Amaya descended the Staircase with an easy smile as she prepared to make her way towards the Mystic Grill where she and Caroline intended to celebrate the completion of their First Day of Junior Year. In the Living Room of the Gilbert Household, Jenna had settled herself onto the couch with a glass of White Wine to relax after the admittedly stressful day that she had endured.
"I'm meeting Caroline at the Grill." Amaya announced as she paused to inform the Sommers Woman of her intentions for the Evening.
"Okay, have fun..." Jenna responded with an absentminded tone of voice before pausing as she glanced towards her Younger Niece with an authoritative expression. "Wait. I got this... Don't stay out late. It's a School Night."
"Well done, Aunt Jenna." Amaya commented as her gentle laughter filtered through the otherwise silent abode.
Without further comment from the Sommers Woman, Amaya made her way towards the Front Door while simultaneously filtering through her purse to ensure she had everything that she could possibly need for the night. However, as soon as the Gilbert Daughter had opened the Front Door, Amaya emitted an audible gasp of alarm as she unexpectedly collided with the Salvatore Son as Stefan stood before the threshold of the Gilbert Family Residence.
"I'm sorry... I was about to knock..." Stefan comments with an apologetic smile directed towards the Gilbert Daughter as his hands rested upon the slight curve of Amaya's slender waist. "I wanted to apologize for my disappearing act earlier. I know it must have been... Unusual."
"No worries... I understand... Blood makes you squeamish." Amaya surmised with an elegant smile directed towards the Salvatore Son in reassurance.
"I suppose you could say that..." Stefan agreed with an amused chuckle as he nodded his head in acknowledgment of the Gilbert Girl's assumption. "How's your leg?"
"Hmm...? Oh, it's fine... Nothing to worry about." Amaya assured with an appreciative smile directed towards the Salvatore Son for demonstrating such concern. "How did you know where I live...?"
"Small town... I asked the first person I came across..." Stefan answered with an absentminded shrug of his shoulders, causing Amaya to nod her head in acceptance of his explanation. "I had thought you might appreciate having this returned."
And without further indication, Stefan carefully retrieved an Antique Silver Locket with an ornate Crystal Gem from his jacket pocket, causing Amaya's Navy Blue Eyes to widen at the realization that the necklace must have fallen when she had been fleeing the cemetery earlier that afternoon.
"Oh... It must have fallen without my knowing..." Amaya whispered with an expression of horror etched across her features at the notion of having misplaced her most treasured possession as she accepted the Antique Jewelry from the Salvatore Son. "I would have never been able to forgive myself if I had lost it..." Amaya whispered beneath her breath as she made to clasp the Antique Locket around her neck once more before glancing towards Stefan with an expression of immense gratitude. "Thank you so much..."
And as the Gilbert Family Locket rested against the Younger Gilbert Daughter's delicate skin, Stefan barely disguised the expression of thinly veiled gratification that had appeared across his features with the knowledge that he had managed to sequester the minimal amount of Vervain that he had access to within Amaya's necklace while it had been in his possession.
"Were you going somewhere?" Stefan inquired with furrowed brows of feigned confusion as he noticed the Car Keys that Amaya had grasped within her dainty hand, having previously heard her earlier conversation with the Sommers Woman about where she were heading.
"Mhm... I'm meeting someone at the Grill..." Amaya admitted before pausing as her head tilted ever so slightly with an expression of consideration etched across her features. "Would you care to join us?"
With an appreciative smile directed towards the Younger Gilbert Daughter for the invitation, Stefan nodded his head in affirmation as Amaya stepped across the threshold before guiding the Salvatore Son towards where she had parked her vehicle in the driveway earlier that Afternoon.
~Mystic Grill~
Once the Younger Gilbert Daughter had arrived at the Mystic Grill with the Salvatore Son at her side, Caroline had immediately ushered Stefan and Amaya towards an unoccupied table before being joined by the Bennett/Gilbert Duo. And despite his obvious interest in her Younger Twin Sister, Elena seemed not to have hesitated even slightly on directing her attention onto the undeniably handsome New Student.
"So... You were born in Mystic Falls?" Caroline questioned as she effortlessly directed the conversation towards the Salvatore Son.
"Mhmm... And moved while I'd still been young." Stefan admitted with an affirmative nod of his head while continuously glancing towards the Younger Gilbert Twin.
"Parents?" Bonnie inquired with an expression of minimal interest as she attempted to contribute to the conversation.
"My Parents passed away." Stefan responded with an expression of discomfort in regards to the sensitive subject of his long since deceased Mother and Father.
"I'm sorry for your loss..." Amaya whispered with an expression of sympathy directed towards the Salvatore Son.
"Thank you." Stefan countered with an appreciative nod of his head towards the Younger Gilbert Daughter.
"Have you any Siblings?" Amaya inquired with an innocent tilt of her head that caused Stefan to smile endearingly towards the curious Gilbert Girl.
"None that I'm in contact with." Stefan answered with complete honesty as he skillfully avoided admitting to having an Elder Brother.
"So, Stefan..." Elena interjected with an alleged flirtatious tone of voice as she attempted to divert the Salvatore Son's attention from her Younger Twin Sister onto herself. "Since you're new, you probably don't know about the party tomorrow night."
"It's a Back-to-School thing at the Falls." Bonnie continued as she glanced from her Childhood Best Friend towards the New Student with furrowed brows.
At the Elder Gilbert Daughter's feeble attempt to divert the Salvatore Son's attention from her Younger Twin Sister, Caroline glowered darkly towards Elena for her selfish behavior while Stefan merely continued to gaze fondly at Amaya with an affectionate expression written across his features, causing the Forbes Daughter to smile in satisfaction of the Salvatore Son having completely disregarded the suggestive comment.
"Will you be there?" Stefan inquired with an innocent tilt of his head in curiosity as he smiled towards the Younger Gilbert Daughter.
"Of course she will." Caroline interjected as she crossed her arms before her chest with an accomplished smirk as she glanced between Stefan and Amaya.
And as an embarrassed blush appeared across the Younger Gilbert Daughter's features at her Lifelong Best Friend's confident demeanor, Amaya glanced towards Stefan with an adorably sheepish smile as she absentmindedly tucked her silken Mahogany Brown Waves behind her pierced ear while the Salvatore Son merely observed her behavior with an apparent fondness.
~Mystic Falls High School~
The following Morning, Amaya had found herself seated beside the Salvatore Son during their shared Third Period Class as she alternated between distractedly listening to the narration of the Battle of Willow Creek and occasionally exchanging brief glances with Stefan throughout their joint History Lesson.
"The Battle of Willow Creek took place right at the end of the war in our very own Mystic Falls... How many casualties resulted in this battle..? Ms. Bennett?" Tanner questioned with an expression of indifference as he diverted the Bennett Girl's attention from the whispered conversation between she and the Elder Gilbert Daughter.
"Um... Alot? I'm not sure... Like a whole lot." Bonnie retorted with an innocent smile directed towards the strict History Teacher.
"Cute becomes dumb in an instant, Ms. Bennett." Tanner commented with an accomplished smirk directed towards the frowning Bennett Girl before averting his attention towards another student. "Mr. Donovan...?" Tanner announced with an obvious taunting tone of voice directed towards the Blonde Quarterback. "Would you like to take this opportunity to overcome your embedded Jock Stereotype?"
"Its okay, Mr. Tanner. I'm cool with it." Matt Donovan responded with an expression of amusement written across his features as he rested his forearms against the surface of his desk.
"Mmm..." Tanner hummed with an annoyed scowl directed towards the Donovan Boy before averting his attention towards the Elder Gilbert Girl, knowing that her Younger Twin Sister would more often than not have an accurate answer to any manner of question he posed. "Elena...? Surely, you can enlighten us about one of the town's most significant Historical Events?"
"I'm sorry... I-I don't know." Elena admitted with an embarrassed frown as she glanced towards the History Teacher with furrowed brows.
"I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reasons, Elena. But the personal excuses ended with Summer Break." Tanner asserted with an unapologetic scowl directed towards the Elder Gilbert Daughter, causing her Younger Twin Sister to stiffen at the insensitive comment about the rather recent deaths of Grayson and Miranda Gilbert.
"There were 346 casualties. Unless you're accounting for Local Civilians." Stefan interrupted with finality as he noticed the Younger Gilbert Daughter's immediate reaction to Tanner's audacious remark towards her Elder Twin Sister.
"That's correct, Mister...?" Tanner admitted with an expression of disdain for having been outwitted by the New Student.
"Salvatore." Stefan responded with an even tone of voice as he glanced towards the Younger Gilbert Daughter momentarily to discover that Amaya was glaring heatedly at the History Teacher in resentment.
"Salvatore... Any relation to the Original Settlers here in Mystic Falls?" Tanner inquired with mild interest displayed across his features as he focused his attention onto the Salvatore Son.
"Distant." Stefan admitted with an affirmative nod of his head in acknowledgement of the History Teacher's inquiry.
"Well, very good... Except, there were no Civilian Casualties in this battle." Tanner commented with an egotistical smile directed towards the Salvatore Son, causing the Younger Gilbert Daughter to interject as her Navy Blue Eyes remained narrowed on the History Teacher in unbridled fury.
"Actually... There were 27 Civilian Casualties. Confederate Soldiers fired on Fell's Church, believing it to be housing weapons... They were wrong. It were documented as one of the most unfortunate tragedies committed during the conflict... The Founder's Archives are stored in Civil Hall if you would prefer to reeducate yourself on such matters, Mr. Tanner..." Amaya suggested with an apparent challenge lilting her tone of voice as she continued to glare daggers at Tanner for his insensitivity to the unfortunate Wickery Bridge Accident that had orphaned the Gilbert Siblings only four months prior.
And as the History Teacher glanced towards the Younger Gilbert Daughter with an expression of shocked disbelief, Tanner refrained from commenting on Amaya's audacious remark knowing that she had merely been reciprocating in kind for his rather inappropriate comment towards her Elder Twin Sister about the unfortunate demise of her Late Parents. Not to mention, if word somehow reached the Board of Administrators of what had occurred between he and the Gilbert Sisters, he would more likely than not suddenly find himself unemployed considering Amaya and Elena were both Founding Families Members, which were practically regarded as royalty in the small town.
~Mystic Falls Nature Park~
Once darkness had descended across Mystic Falls, the students of Mystic Falls High School had gathered at the Local Park for the Traditional Back-to-School Party. Amidst the idling teenagers, Amaya Gilbert could be found conversing with Caroline Forbes near the roaring flames of the ongoing bonfire. And as the Stefan Salvatore appeared at the edge of the adjacent Car Park, he paused for the briefest moment to search for the Younger Gilbert Daughter with his Enhanced Hearing.
"Just admit it, Buttercup..." Caroline taunted her Lifelong Best Friend with an arched brow as she crossed her arms before her chest with an amused smirk.
"Fine... He is very handsome." Amaya acquiesced with an audible sigh of resignation as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the admission.
"He has that Romance Novel Stare..." Caroline commented with an exaggerated sigh for dramatic effect that caused Amaya to emit genuine laughter in response to her Honey Blonde Best Friend's taunting comment. "Stefan gazed deeply into her eyes. Piercing her very soul..."
And as the laughter of the Gilbert/Forbes Duo filtered through the Salvatore Son's sensitive ears, an endearing smile registered across Stefan's features as he turned his gaze in the direction that Caroline and Amaya's voices had originated. However, as the Salvatore Son made to approach the Best Friend Duo, Elena Gilbert appeared directly before him as she deliberately obscured his path to her Younger Twin Sister.
"Hey! You made it!" Elena shouted over the booming music with an enthusiastic smile as she attempted to subtly prevent the Salvatore Son from joining the Bonfire Festivities.
"I did." Stefan agreed with an uneasy tone of voice as he nodded his head towards the Elder Gilbert Twin in acknowledgement.
"Well, let's get you a drink." Elena suggested with an alleged flirtatious smile directed towards the Salvatore Son.
"Actually, I was-" Stefan attempted to deny the invitation with an expression of discontent as he glanced in the direction that the Forbes/Gilbert Duo could be found.
"Oh, come on..." Elena urged as she grasped onto the sleeve of the Salvatore Son's jacket to guide him further away from her Younger Twin Sister's location.
Though as soon as the Elder Gilbert Daughter had momentarily averted her attention from the Salvatore Son, Stefan had disappeared into the crowd of High School Students as he made his way towards the Younger Gilbert Daughter while simultaneously listening to the amicable conversation between Caroline and Amaya.
"I sincerely hope you know how grateful I am for all that you've done to help me maintain my position on the Cheer Squad, CareBear. If not for your efforts... I would've probably been forced to resign from the team due to how far I've fallen behind since the accident." Amaya surmised with an appreciative smile directed towards her Childhood Best Friend, causing the Salvatore Son to smile at the confirmation that Caroline was an invaluable friend to the Gilbert Daughter.
"There's no need to thank me, Buttercup." Caroline responded with an apparent smile of reassurance directed towards the Younger Gilbert Twin.
"Regardless... I want you to know that I am thankful for the effort you've made to ensure I could maintain my position on the Cheer Squad." Amaya conveyed with an expression of gratitude as she smiled appreciatively towards the Forbes Daughter.
"You're welcome." Caroline responded with an honest tone of voice as she grasped onto Amaya's hand with an endearing smile.
Without further hesitation, the Salvatore Son approached the Best Friend Duo as Amaya and Caroline continued conversing between themselves near the roaring flames of the bonfire. And since the Gilbert Daughter had her attention focused on her Lifelong Best Friend, neither she nor the Forbes Daughter had noticed Stefan appearing beside them.
"Hi." Stefan greeted the Gilbert/Forbes Duo with an expression of amusement as both Caroline and Amaya flinched at his sudden arrival.
"Hi." Caroline and Amaya greeted in tandem with one another as they glanced towards the Salvatore Son with welcoming smiles.
"If you'll excuse me... I think I'll go find Bonnie and Elena." Caroline commented with a secretive smile directed towards the Gilbert Girl before making her way towards the Refreshments Table.
Once the Forbes Daughter had disappeared into the surrounding crowd of High School Students, Amaya had hesitated momentarily before eventually proposing visiting the Falls together, causing Stefan to immediately agree with the suggestion on the mere notion of not having to be worried about unwanted interruptions.
"You know... You've become quite the controversial topic of conversation since your arrival..." Amaya commented as she glanced towards Stefan with an innocent tilt of her head as an enchanting smile appeared across her features.
"Have I?" Stefan inquired with an amused tone of voice as he arched his brow at the Gilbert Girl while Amaya merely nodded her head in affirmation.
"Mhm... Mysterious New Student... Quite riveting." Amaya conveyed with an expression of amusement as she and Stefan made their way across the Viewing Platform.
"Well... I've come to notice that you have the mysterious quality about you as well... Twinged in sadness." Stefan commented with an ever so gentle tone of voice as he gazed down upon the Gilbert Daughter.
"What makes you think that I'm sad...?" Amaya questioned with an expression of hesitancy as she averted her gaze to the ground with furrowed brows.
"Well... We had come to meet in the Cemetery." Stefan retorted with an easy smile that served to lessen the Gilbert Daughter's hesitancy.
"Actually... We had originally met outside the Men's Restroom..." Amaya corrected as her delicate laughter briefly echoed through the otherwise silent night before she eventually sobered as her expression saddened. "You wouldn't want to know... Its not exactly Party Chit-Chat."
"Well... I've never been one for Chit-Chat..." Stefan countered with an encouraging smile as he gazed down upon the Gilbert Girl with gentle eyes.
"Last Spring... My Parents' car veered over Wickery Bridge into the lake... Elena had been in the backseat when it happened and... She had somehow managed to escape the vehicle and waded to shore... But they weren't so fortunate." Amaya explained with an anguished tone of voice as she averted her gaze to the ground once more, causing Stefan to pause momentarily as he gazed down upon the Gilbert Girl with an expression of sympathy as his mind whirled with memories of his involvement on the night she were speaking of. "And that's my story."
Once the Gilbert Daughter inevitably noticed the Salvatore Son having paused in their journey across the Viewing Platform, Amaya directed her attention towards Stefan with an expression of confusion displayed across her elegant features as she observed his behavior with an innocent tilt of head in curiosity of the somber glimmer lurking in the depths of his Forest Green Eyes.
"You won't be sad forever, Amaya." Stefan voiced with complete sincerity as he stepped closer to the Gilbert Daughter, his hand coming to caress the delicate skin of her cheek as an immediate blush tinted her flawless complexion.
And for that brief moment, the Gilbert Daughter's Navy Blue Eyes fluttered closed at the pure intimacy of the Salvatore Son's hand against her flushed cheek, causing an endearing smile to appear across Stefan's features as he stared fondly down upon Amaya while she seemed to allow herself to be immersed within his mere presence.
Once the Salvatore/Gilbert Duo had made their way back towards the bonfire, the Salvatore Son excused himself from the Younger Gilbert Daughter's presence before making his way towards the Refreshments Table while Amaya perched herself on the banister of the Wooden Canopy to await Stefan's return. However, as the Salvatore Son made to approach the Younger Gilbert Twin once more, he had immediately been accosted by her obviously intoxicated Elder Twin Sister as she wavered ever so slightly on her own feet.
"Hey! There you are... Have you been down to the Falls yet? Because they are really cool at night. And I can show you... If you want." Elena suggested with an alleged flirtatious tone of voice as she brushed her fingers against the fabric of Stefan's leather jacket in such manner that he could not refrain from comparing her behavior to that of her Vampire Counterpart.
"I think you've had too much to drink, Elena." Stefan commented with an expression of thinly veiled displeasure displayed across his features as he glanced down upon the Exact Replica of his Vampire Sire.
"Well, of course I have. So-" Elena responded with an expression of forced nonchalance as she disregarded the Salvatore Son's comment in an attempt to achieve that of which she had desired since having seen Stefan.
"Elena... I have no interest in you. Platonic or otherwise based on your blatant disregard for my attraction towards your Twin Sister... I'm sorry." Stefan admits with an apologetic tone of voice as he sought to avoid upsetting the obviously intoxicated Elder Gilbert Twin as much as possible.
Without further comment from the Salvatore Son, Stefan promptly resumed his prior journey towards Amaya without further interference. And for the briefest moment, the apprehensive expression that had momentarily appeared across Amaya's features alerted Stefan to the absurd notion that she had been afraid he would abandon her for her Elder Twin Sister. However, once the Salvatore Son had continued making his way towards the Younger Gilbert Daughter with an endearing smile, Amaya allowed the trepidation that she had been feeling since the moment that Elena had approached Stefan to fade from her senses as she focused her attention onto the handsome young man before her.
"I was wondering who had abducted you... Now, I know." Amaya commented with an easy smile directed towards Stefan as he offered her an unopened Bottle of Water.
"Does she behave in such manner with everyone?" Stefan questioned with an expression of hesitancy as he refrained from allowing the disgust that he felt towards the Elder Gilbert Daughter's appalling behavior from registering across his features.
"Not particularly... You're new... She'll eventually lose interest." Amaya assured with an innocent tilt of her head as she smiled apologetically towards the Salvatore Son.
For the briefest moment, the Younger Gilbert Daughter allowed herself to become ensnared by the subtle force that always seemed to be subtly guiding her towards the Salvatore Son as her Navy Blue Eyes connected with his own Forest Green Eyes. However, once Amaya had inevitably noticed Elena stumbling behind their Younger Brother as Jeremy headed in the direction of the surrounding forest, Amaya emitted an audible sigh of frustration as she lowered herself onto the ground with an agitated scowl etched across her features.
"You cannot be serious..." Amaya muttered with an expression of frustration as she narrowed her eyes onto her Elder Twin Sister and their Younger Brother.
"What is it?" Stefan inquired with furrowed brows of confusion as he glanced towards the direction that seemed to have caught Amaya's attention.
"Elena..." Amaya sighed with an expression of utter irritation as she observed her Elder Twin Sister and Younger Brother making their way further into the darkened woods that surrounded the Back-To-School Bonfire. "Following our Younger Brother into the darkness while they are both drunk off their asses... Excuse me."
"Of course..." Stefan responded as he nodded his head towards the Younger Gilbert Daughter in understanding. "Take as much time as you need... I'll wait for you here."
"Thank you." Amaya whispered with an apparent smile of sheepishness as she leaned forward to brush her lips against the Salvatore Son's cheek.
And without further hesitation, Amaya disappeared into the surrounding forest as she headed in the direction that her Elder Twin Sister and Younger Brother had disappeared. And within mere moments, the Younger Gilbert Twin could be found following behind her bickering Brother and Sister as the Trio of Gilbert Siblings made their way through the ominous foliage that encircled the Back-To-School Party.
"Jeremy, where the Hell are you going?" Elena's drunken voice slurred as she continuously stumbled over uprooted tree limbs while following behind their Younger Brother.
"I don't want to hear it, Elena." Jeremy retorted with an expression of annoyance as he glanced towards his Eldest Sister over his shoulder.
"Yeah? Well, too bad!" Elena snapped with a derisive scoff as she rolled her eyes at the Youngest Gilbert Sibling's attitude.
"Enough! Both of you!" Amaya exclaimed with an expression of immense frustration as she steadied her Elder Twin Sister when she clumsily stumbled across yet another uprooted tree limb. "Come on. We should make our way back before you manage to harm yourself, Elena."
Once the Elder Gilbert Daughter had nodded her head in acknowledgement, Elena clumsily stumbled from her Younger Twin Sister's embrace before the three of them began to make their way back towards the Bonfire Party. However, as the Gilbert Siblings approached the clearing that was currently bustling with drunken High School Students, Jeremy suddenly stumbled before collapsing to the ground on top of the unconscious Elder Donovan Sibling, Vicki Donovan.
"What the Hell...?" Jeremy mutters with an expression of confusion that immediately morphed into that of absolute horror once he recognized the unconscious figure beneath him, causing the Gilbert Son to glance briefly over his shoulder towards his Elder Sisters with widened eyes of panic. "Its Vicki!"
"Oh my god..." The Gilbert Twins whispered in tandem as they stared down at the unconscious Donovan Daughter with widened eyes.
Once the Younger Gilbert Daughter had managed to dislodge herself from her state of shocked horror, Amaya had immediately instructed Elena to make her way back towards the bonfire to warn the unsuspecting High School Students of the occurrence while Jeremy gathered Vicki into his arms before being guided towards the Back-To-School Party by his Elder Sister as she simultaneously applied pressure to the Donovan Girl's neck wound to cease the blood flow.
"Somebody help!" Elena shouted as she emerged into the clearing with Amaya and Jeremy following behind her, the Gilbert Son struggling to continue supporting the unconscious Donovan Girl's weight.
"Vicki?" Matt Donovan, the unconscious Teenage Girl's Younger Brother, questioned with an expression of horrified disbelief before rushing towards his Elder Sister with widened eyes. "Vicki! What the hell?!"
"What happened to her?" Tyler Lockwood demanded as the Gilbert Son lowered the Donovan Daughter onto one of the unoccupied Picnic Tables.
"We don't know." Jeremy answered with an apparent sigh as he allowed his Elder Sister to continue providing Medical Care while the Forbes Daughter appeared beside her Childhood Best Friend to offer her assistance while the Bennett Daughter supported the trembling Elder Gilbert Twin.
"Somebody call an Ambulance!" Matt demanded with an expression of panic written across his features, causing the Forbes Girl to retrieve her Cell Phone from her jacket pocket with the intent of calling her Mother, Sheriff Elizabeth Forbes, while the Bennett Girl used her own Mobile Device to summon an Ambulance.
"Everybody back up! Give her some space!" Tyler demanded with finality as he aggressively ushered the crowd of overly curious High School Students further away from the Younger Gilbert Twin as she tended to the Donovan Girl.
"Something's bitten her. She's losing too much blood." Amaya announced as she accessed Vicki's wound with the expert precision that she had learned from Grayson Gilbert, the Local Family Physician.
"Here... Use this to apply pressure to the wound." Jeremy suggested as he tore the fabric of his shirt for Amaya to use in her efforts to prevent Vicki from succumbing to excessive bloodloss, the Gilbert Son silently thanking their Father for teaching First Aid Treatment to his Young Children before his untimely demise.
"Vicki... Come on. Open your eyes. Look at me." Matt pleaded with an expression of desperation as he attempted to rouse his unresponsive Elder Sister.
Unbeknownst to the Younger Gilbert Daughter, the Salvatore Son silently observed the ordeal from amidst the crowd of idling High School Students with an expression of troubled realization before promptly disappearing from the Mystic Falls Nature Park as he returned to the Salvatore Boarding House within mere minutes with his Enhanced Speed.
~Salvatore Boarding House~
Once the Salvatore Son had arrived back at the Vintage Boarding House from the Back-To-School Bonfire Party, Stefan immediately headed in the direction of his Attic Bedroom before pausing momentarily as he crossed paths with his Paternal Descendant on his journey through the Salvatore Residence.
"What's going on?" Zach Salvatore questioned as his Paternal Ancestor appeared in the hallway with an expression of trepidation written across his features.
"Someone else was attacked tonight, Zach... And I'm not liable." Stefan admitted with an urgent tone of voice that caused his Distant Nephew to slouch further into his Desk Chair as realization dawned upon him of the hidden meaning of his Vampire Ancestor's declaration.
Without further explanation, Stefan disappeared further into the Salvatore Boarding House as he resumed his hurried journey towards his destination without further interruption. And at the precise moment that the Salvatore Son entered his Attic Bedroom, an eerie Black Crow soared through the open Balcony Doors before perching itself atop an Exposed Beam, causing Stefan's expression to considerably darken as he directed his attention towards his balcony.
"Damon." Stefan voiced with an emotionless expression as he glowered at his Elder Brother with narrowed eyes of resentment.
"Hello, Brother." Damon Salvatore responds with an apparent smirk directed towards his Younger Brother as he stepped further into the Third Floor Bedroom.
"The crow's somewhat overdramatic, is it not?" Stefan commented with an obvious scowl etched across his features as he wearily observed the Raven Haired Man's actions.
"You should've seen what I can do with the fog..." Damon taunted as he glanced towards his Younger Brother, causing the scowl on Stefan's features to darken as he scowled at his Elder Brother.
"How long have you been in Mystic Falls?" Stefan questioned while maintaining the emotionless expression that had been displayed across his features since Damon's appearance.
"Long enough..." Damon responded with an arched brow directed towards his Green Eyed Brother, causing Stefan to scowl at the Raven Haired Man in response to his deliberate deference. "I couldn't miss your First Day of School, could I...?"
"It's been 15 years, Damon..." Stefan commented with an expression of annoyance as he continued to glower at Damon with narrowed eyes.
"Thank God... I couldn't withstand another second of the Nineties... That horrid Grunge Look...? Did you absolutely no favors, My Friend." Damon taunted with an apparent smirk directed towards his already agitated Younger Brother.
"Why are you here?" Stefan demanded with finality as he glared towards his Elder Brother with blatant discontent.
"I've missed my Little Brother..." Damon retorted with an arched brow as he glanced towards the Green Eyed Man, causing the scowl on Stefan's features to broaden once more in response.
"You despise small towns... There's nothing for you to do." Stefan retorted with an arched brow as he crossed his arms before his chest.
"I've managed to keep myself entertained." Damon admitted with an obvious taunting tone of voice as he leaned himself against the Chest of Drawers that was positioned against the wall.
"I am well aware. You may be interested to know... That girl that you attacked tonight...? She survived." Stefan commented with an expression of feigned indifference, causing the confident smirk on Damon's features to broaden in amusement.
"That could complicate matters..." Damon admitted with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders as he pushed himself away from leaning against the Chest of Drawers to approach his Younger Brother. "For you."
"Why have you come home...?" Stefan questioned with an expression of agitation as he stepped towards his Elder Brother.
"I could ask you the same... Though I'm reasonably certain your answer could be summarized into one name... Amaya." Damon declared with an egotistical smirk directed towards his Younger Brother, causing the glare on Stefan's features to intensify at the mere mention of the Gilbert Daughter. "I have to admit... She's absolutely breathtaking... Amaya... Is it working, Stefan? Being near her? Does she make you feel Human?"
"I'm surprised that you had even noticed Amaya... Considering her Twin Sister is an Exact Replica of Katherine... Is that why you've chosen to return...?" Stefan questioned with an enraged twang barely concealed beneath his tone of voice as he attempted to divert his Elder Brother's attention from the Younger Gilbert Twin.
"Well... Let us hope not... We both know how that had inevitably ended..." Damon commented as he smirked towards his Younger Brother with an arched brow. "Answer me this... When was the last time you had something stronger than Squirrel?"
"I know what you're doing, Damon... It won't work." Stefan retorted as he rolled his eyes at his Elder Brother's attempts to agitate him.
"Oh? Come on... Do you not crave just one taste...?" Damon inquired with an apparent smirk directed towards his Younger Brother, causing Stefan's resolve to weaken ever so slightly at his Elder Brother's taunting.
"Stop." Stefan interjected with an angered scowl directed towards his smirking Elder Brother, causing Damon to arch his brow towards his Younger Brother in an obvious challenge.
"We can do it... Together... I noticed several girls at the bonfire tonight. Or better yet... We could just aim straight for Darling Amaya." Damon suggested with an expression of vicious sincerity as he continuously nudged his Younger Brother to further agitate Stefan to the point of snapping.
"Stop!" Stefan growled through clenched teeth as his Vampiric Facade made an appearance at the mere notion of the Gilbert Daughter being harmed.
"Imagine how delicious her blood must taste..." Damon taunted with such ferocity that his Younger Brother's entire body began to tremble in an effort to refrain from attacking. "I can."
"Enough!" Stefan exclaimed with such staggering force that his voice reverberated throughout the Salvatore Boarding House.
And with an exceptional bout of Enhanced Strength, Stefan viciously lunged towards Damon without an ounce of hesitation, causing the Salvatore Brothers to soar through the Balcony Doors before falling from the Third Floor to the ground below. However, while the Younger Salvatore Son struggled to recover from the descent, the Elder Salvatore Son had recovered almost instantaneously.
"I'll admit... I was impressed... Somewhat predictable on your behalf. But I was pleasantly surprised." Damon commented with an expression of amusement written across his features as he leaned himself against the shrubbery with his arms crossed before his chest.
"It's always fun and games with you, Damon. But wherever you venture... Death follows." Stefan declared as he narrowed his eyes onto the Raven Haired Man once having regained enough of his composure to stand steadily once more.
"That's only natural." Damon countered with an apparent smirk directed towards the Green Eyed Vampire.
"Not here... I won't allow it." Stefan declared with such finality that Damon hesitated as he assessed the unwavering resolve of the Chestnut Haired Man.
"I'll consider that an invitation, Brother." Damon retorted with an arched brow as he stepped towards his Younger Brother, causing Stefan to shake his head in exasperation of the Raven Haired Vampire's reckless behavior.
"Please, Damon... After so many years... Can we not just lay this to rest?" Stefan questioned with an expression of desperation as he all but pleaded with Damon for the much needed reprieve.
"I promised you... An Eternity of Misery... I'm merely keeping my word." Damon responded with an honest tone of voice as he tilted his head ever so slightly.
"I will only say this once, Damon... Stay the Hell away from Amaya." Stefan demanded with such ferocity that Damon felt compelled to divert the attention from the Younger Gilbert Daughter.
"Where's your ring?" Damon suddenly questioned as he briefly gestured towards the Green Eyed Man's hand with furrowed brows of feigned concern, causing Stefan to glance towards where his Daylight Ring should have been before directing his attention towards the Raven Haired Man once more. "The Dawn will be upon us in mere hours..." Damon taunted with an apparent smirk as he allowed himself to enjoy the expression of fear that registered across his Younger Brother's features. "Relax... Its right here."
Once the Younger Salvatore Brother had accepted the Daylight Ring from his Elder Brother, Damon watched as Stefan carefully slipped the extravagant Protective Jewelry back onto his Ring Finger. However, once Stefan had breathed an audible sigh of relief at the return of the Signet Ring, Damon suddenly grabbed him by the throat as his Vampiric Features overshadowed his Human Facade before throwing Stefan across the driveway into the Garage Door.
"You should know better than to think that you're stronger than I am... You lost that fight the moment you stopped Feeding on Human Blood..." Damon warned with narrowed eyes as he glared down at his Younger Brother while Stefan remained on the ground as he attempted to recuperate. "I wouldn't attempt it again..."
Without further altercation between the Salvatore Brothers, Damon made his way towards the Salvatore Boarding House without uttering another word as Stefan eventually regained his composure enough to stand steadily, the Chestnut Haired Vampire pausing momentarily as he averted his gaze in thoughtful consideration. And once the Raven Haired Vampire had entered the Salvatore Residence, Stefan disappeared into the surrounding darkness in the direction of the Gilbert Residence as his mind whirled with thoughts of Amaya.
~Gilbert Residence~
In an Upstairs Bedroom of the Gilbert Household, Amaya had nestled herself on her cushioned Bay Window Seat with her head resting against the wall as she gazed through her window in thought. Though as the Navy Blue Eyes of the Gilbert Daughter connect with the Forest Green Eyes of the Salvatore Son, an elegant smile appeared across Amaya's features as she noticed Stefan standing on her Front Lawn with his hands in his pockets as he stared at her through the window, causing the Gilbert Girl to hurriedly stand from the Bay Window Seat before rushing downstairs.
"Hi..." Stefan muttered with an apparent bashful smile as soon as Amaya had opened the Front Door to reveal him standing on the porch. "I'm sorry for coming by so late into the Evening. But... I just needed to know that you were alright."
"For months... That's all that anyone has wondered about me... If I'll be alright." Amaya admitted with an honest tone of voice as she gazed at Stefan with an innocent tilt of her head in contemplation.
"And what do you tell them?" Stefan questioned with an expression of genuine interest as his brows furrowed in curiosity.
"That I'll be fine." Amaya answered with an elegant smile as she nodded her head in affirmation of the Salvatore Son's inquiry.
"Do you ever mean it?" Stefan questioned with furrowed brows as his head tilted with honest curiosity, causing Amaya to pause momentarily as she briefly averted her gaze before directing her attention towards Stefan once more.
"Ask me tomorrow..." Amaya countered with an innocent tilt of her head as an enchanting smile appeared across her features. "Its warmer in the house. We can talk..." Amaya paused as she stepped aside to grant the Salvatore Son entrance to the Gilbert Family Home. "Would you like to come in?"
"Yes." Stefan responded as he nodded his head towards Amaya in acceptance of the invitation before stepping across the threshold with an apparent smile of fondness.
And as the Gilbert Daughter gently closed the Front Door, Stefan paused in the Entrance Corridor as he glanced towards Amaya with an affectionate smile etched across his features as her Navy Blue Eyes immediately connected with his own Forest Green Eyes, the familiar sensation of the inexplicable force guiding them together making an appearance almost instantaneously. As though the attraction between the Green Eyed Salvatore and Doe Eyed Gilbert were an unexplainable Force of Nature.