Chapter 2 – The Night of the Comet 1x02

Edit: 11/12/2021

Alliana was wandering around the forest. She started first by admiring it, and then wound up lost. She was about to give up and just start calling for help when she stumbled upon a small clearing. The clearing was a small spot filled with wildflowers. The sun was shining brightly, making the colors look very bright and vibrant. Alliana sat in the small clearing, looking at the clouds, making flower chains, and daydreaming. She didn't notice the person watching her.

She turned around, spotted their silhouette, and called to them. "Hello. Who is out there? You don't have to stand in the shadows," she calmly spoke to the person. The person walked out into the sunlight and she smiled. "Oh, Hello. Elijah, is that correct? You are one of Rebekah's older brothers."

"Yes, that is my name. Hello, Alliana."

"What were you doing just standing in the shadows?"

"I was wandering around the woods, when I walked here. I saw you just calmly sitting there. I was not in the shadows for very long."

"I love it here. It is very calm and peaceful. I love the beauty of it. I could spend all of my time here." She looked towards the lowering sun, glancing at the man from the side of her eyes, "Oh, it appears I have spent a much longer time here than I expected. It is very late in the afternoon. I have to return to my aunt to help with supper." She got up to leave and Elijah followed.

"Here let me accompany you. I will help you to get home safely."

She smiled even brighter as he steps towards her, "Thank you. I am glad you asked." She looks down demurely, "I feared I may have become lost."

"There is no need to fear. I shall lead you home."

They start walking through the forest. Elijah leads with Alliana following closely behind. They walk through the wild terrain with Elijah guiding Alliana over any spots she has difficulty with. Alliana always quick and willing to grab Elijah's arm for balance.

"Have you happened across this place before?" Alliana asked as she clutches Elijah's arm close.

Elijah looked down at the girl and admits, "Yes, it is my place to think."

Alliana avoids his glance coyly, "Oh, I apologize if I have intruded."

"No, it is fine. I do not mind sharing from time to time."

Alliana smirked and turned back to him and spoke, "I love to lose myself. Just let myself be free like a bird. I wish to be able to fly, to be able to go anywhere and meet all new people." She stopped. "I apologize. My thoughts seemed to have gotten away from me."

Elijah gave her small smile before he turned back to focus on the path, "That is a wonderful daydream, I suppose."

The girl watched him with narrowed eyes for a moment in silence before returning to her cheerful and almost foolish attitude of before, "You do not have to be serious all the time Elijah. I apologize for being forward, but would you like to be my friend. I will help you learn to have fun."

"Yes. I would like that."

Alliana smirked in response.

Ready for school, I walk out my door to see Jenna talking about how she looks to Elena.

"Do I look adult? As in respectfully parental?" Jenna asks Elena.

"Depends on where you are going," Elena replies.

"Jeremy's parent-teacher conference. Hair up or down?" Jenna pulls her hair up into a ponytail.

I jump into the conversation, "you look like a sexy stewardess." Elena looks over to me and smiles. She looks more herself than I have seen in a long time. It's good to see despite my dislike as to the reason causing it. Jenna puts her hair back down into its regular copper ringlets. I sigh as I remember being so jealous as a kid of Jenna's hair color. Who am I kidding, I still am. It would be better than the boring brown I have now.

"Boozy Housewife," my sister names the look and I laugh.

"Up it is." Jenna decides. She turns to my sister and notes, "You are feisty today."

"I know, right?" I add.

"I feel good, which is rare. So, I have decided to go with it," Elena replies.

"Amen to that. Fly free, sister. Walk on sunshine and all that," I say. "Where is Jeremy?"

"He left early." Jenna replies, fixing her hair, while looking in the mirror. "Something about getting to wood shop early to finish a birdhouse." Elena and I both pause with confused faces. "There is no wood shop, is there?" I shake my head.

I contemplate out loud, "He is probably checking on Vicki. He found her last night after she got attacked by an animal. I am sure he is fine." Hopefully that animal is the only nocturnal kind.

After another frustrating Tanner class, I walk quickly past my twin and Stefan talking. They were again making googly eyes at each other throughout class. I hear a quick snippet of their conversation. Something about the Bronte sisters and their pseudonyms. I love reading their stories, back in the early days of sneaking peaks over my mom's and aunt's shoulders. Stefan apparently has one of the original copies. Ugh, jealous. Maybe my sister could benefit from spending time with someone who loves to read, and by Elena benefiting, I benefit, so win-win. I quickly walk to my best friends who are walking the opposite direction, again talking about Bonnie being psychic. I still don't quite believe the psychic aspect, but after that whole episode last night, I have some ideas about another word that could describe Bonnie.

"I'm confused. Are you psychic or clairvoyant?" my bubbly, blonde best friend says.

"Technically, Grams says I'm a witch. My ancestors were these really cool Salem witch chicks or something," my brunette best friend says.

"Whoa, that would be so cool. Imagine if you were a witch. You would have so much power," I say to them. I join them, walking towards our next class.

"I don't know. Grams tried to explain it all, but she was kind of looped on the liquor, so I kind of tuned out. Crazy family, yes. Witches, I don't think so," Bonnie says.

"Yeah, well, feel free to conjure up the name and number of that guy from last night." Caroline says. What guy?

"I didn't see him." Bonnie turns to me and I shake my head confused. "Neither did Emmy. Only you saw him," Bonnie points out.

"And you were really drunk" I add.

"If he was so hot, why didn't you talk to him?" Bonnie asks.

She shrugs cheerfully, "I don't know. I was drunk." She starts giggling and Bonnie and I quickly join.

It feels good to laugh again.

At lunch, Elena and I meet up with Matt to ask about Vicki. He tells us that she will make a full recovery. I hesitantly ask about his mom, and if he got in contact. Of course, she's not even here to hear about her only daughter almost dying. Not the typical Mystic Falls adult. Then again, she adored Elena and was vaguely polite to me, so maybe she was.

"Called and left a message." Matt answers. "She's in Virginia Beach with her boyfriend. So, we'll see how long it takes for her to come rushing home."

"I'm really sorry Matt, but I think we all know that she isn't going to come home at all," I point out to him.

"Well, Vicki is lucky to be alive," my sister changes to subject. We walk past Stefan who is sitting alone on top of a picnic table. Weird.

Matt nods, "I know. Now, there is talk about some missing campers."

"There sure has been a lot of missing people and animal attacks all of a sudden," I comment. Something is not being subtle.

My sister sort of ignores me and continues to focus on Matt. I wish she wouldn't do that. I know she doesn't mean to, but I feel she is playing with Matt's feelings. "Did she say what kind of animal it was that attacked her?" she asks.

"She said it was a vampire," Matt replies. That's not good.

"What? Are you sure that is what she said?" I question.

"Well, she woke up last night mutters 'Vampire' and then passes out," Matt reveals.

"Ok, that is crazy," my twin says.

"I think that she was drunk," Matt declares. That could explain Vicki's episode. It makes a great defense, but with everything else going on, I'm not going to buy it. But I'm not gonna be telling anyone that. No need for people to think I'm the crazy, drunk one. "So, what's up with you and the new guy?" Matt asks Elena. I sigh and turn to Matt. Of course, he wouldn't let go.

"Matt, the last thing that I want to do is hurt you," my twin utters. I can see Matt's face fall for one second.

"You know- I'm actually going to go back to the hospital. Be there when she wakes up. Get the real story about what happened last night. I'll see you guys later." Matt walks away. Elena just sighs. I turn to see Stefan is no longer on the picnic table…weird.

Bonnie, Caroline, Elena, and I are at the Grille after school and I am so excited. One, it's finally just the four of us hanging for the first time in forever. And two, it's comet night. Every 145 years, a comet passes over Mystic Falls. The last time it passed was in 1864. I can't help but imagine what life would have been like back then. Was there a store in the same place advertising the night's excitement? Was there a friend group of young women hoping to enjoy the festivities? Was someone wondering what life would be like today, just like I am wondering what life was like back then? Ugh, History is just amazing that way; time passes and a million things change, but yet humans are still just humans.

I focus back on Bonnie talking about how her Grams said that the comet is a sign of evil. Last time it passed through the sky, there was so much death that it caused a bed of paranormal activity. My heart thumps as I realize, based on what I hear, Grams is not wrong.

"Yeah, and then you poured Grams another shot, and she told you about the aliens," Caroline sarcastically replies. "So, then what?" Caroline asks Elena about Stefan.

"Then nothing."

"You and Stefan talked all night?" Caroline asks her. "There was no sloppy first kiss? Or touchy feely of any kind?"

Elena shakes her head, "Nope. We didn't go there."

"Not even a handshake? I mean, Elena, we are your friends. You are supposed to share the smut."

I gag. "Oh, ew. That's my sister, Caroline," I reply, as everyone laughs. As bad as that comment was, that's Caroline, she's very blunt at times, which is part of the reason why she is my best friend. She says a lot of what I'm thinking out loud.

"We just talked for hours."

Caroline scoffs, "Okay, what is with the blockage? Just jump his bones already. It's easy." I groan internally; I just know she is going to say the boy-girl-sex thing. "Boy likes girl. Girl likes boy. Sex." I knew it.

"Still my sister, Caroline," I again add.

"Profound," my twin replies. She stops folding flyers for a second. Oh, no, she is thinking about it. I have to go along, don't I? One, she is my ride, and two, I can't trust him for her to go alone. Good thing I have music and headphones. I know as soon as she gets up that we are going to the Salvatore's house.

"Where are you going?" Bonnie asks.

"Caroline's right. It is easy. If I sit here long enough, I'll end up talking myself out of it, instead of doing what I started the day saying I was going to do." She gets up to leave.

I start collecting my things as I say, "Wait for me. You are my ride." Elena gives me a look and I hastily add, "I will just listen to music and draw until you are ready to go." Bonnie and Caroline give me a look. "Besides, I want to see the Salvatore Boarding house. I hear it is really cool." My friends nod and laugh at that comment. Curious about an old house is way more my kind of thing.

"Fine. Come on, let's go." I follow her into the car and we drive over to the Salvatore Boarding house. I have to admit that this house is amazing, even from the outside. We go to knock on the door, when it opens. Creepy. We walk into the empty house, looking around, with Elena calling out for Stefan. The house is even more impressive on the inside. Very antique, which I love. Antique things always have a story. We turn back to the door, when a crow flies past us. We jump, turn around, and run into a very hard chest. I look up and see the brightest blue eyes I have ever seen in my life. The man just smirks at us.

"We are so sorry for barging in. The door was open, and we walked in," I say. We turn around to find the door closed. Extra creepy.

"You must be Elena…and Emilia." He smiles at us. "I'm Damon, Stefan's brother."

"Oh, you are the sibling he doesn't talk to," I state.

Elena just looks at him confused. "He didn't tell me he had a brother."

"Well, Stefan's not one to brag. Please, come. I'm sure Stefan will be along any minute." He leads us into their large and spacious living room. Elena and I look around in amazement.

"Wow. This is your living room?" I gasp in amazement.

"Living room, parlor, Sotheby's auction. It is a little kitschy for my taste," Damon says.

"I really like it," I comment, barely paying attention to this new guy.

Damon turns to look at Elena. "I see why my brother is so smitten. It's about time. For a while there, I never he'd get over the last one. Nearly destroyed him." And now I'm back to focusing on him, cause that was suspicious. He seems too keen to bring up Stefan's ex. I mean you could hear the excitement under the false layer of concern. He was so obvious about it. No wonder Stefan doesn't want to talk to him, he's a dick.

"The last one?" Elena asks.

"Yeah. Katherine, his girlfriend?" Elena subtly shakes her head. "Oh, you haven't had the awkward exes talk yet," He continues in the fake polite tone of his.

Elena shrugs awkwardly. "Nope."

"Well, I'm sure it'll come up now." He takes a beat before he continues, "Or maybe he didn't tell you because he didn't want you to think he was on the rebound." Elena shakes her head. I just keep looking at Damon warily trying to figure out his angle. "We all know how those relationships end."

"You seem way too eager to talk about Katherine," I finally say.

Elena just disregards my comment. I am kind of used to it now, I guess. "You say it like every relationship is doomed to end."

"I'm a fatalist." He smirks at Elena. They just ignore me. "Hello, Stefan." Elena and I both turn around to see Stefan standing behind us. He has a very strange look on his face.

"Elena. Emilia. I didn't know you guys were coming over," he says.

"I know we should've called, we just..." Elena starts.

"Oh, don't be silly," Damon brushes off. "You are welcome any time. Aren't they, Stefan?" I can tell he is taunting Stefan in some way, but I couldn't tell exactly how. Obviously, some backstory there. My sister remains mostly oblivious. "You know I should break out the family albums, or some home movies. But I have to warn you. He wasn't always such a looker."

"Thank you for stopping by, Elena. Emilia." Stefan says looking at Damon. My name is an afterthought, of course. As usual, no one compares to Elena. "Nice to see you two."

I realize that this would be a good time to leave. Stefan and Damon clearly were having an issue, and based on the tension in the room, not something we want to be a part of. I grab my sister and say, "Yeah, we should probably go. It was nice to meet you, Damon." Nice is far too kind of a word for this meeting.

Damon looks to me, grabs my hand, and kisses it. I wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. He does the same to my sister. We try to say goodbye to Stefan, but all he does is move away to let us pass, still having an intense stare down with his brother. As soon as we get home, I know exactly what to do. I go to the kitchen, open the freezer, and grab the ice cream. It's time for some sundaes. Elena needs to vent about that awkward situation, and what better way than ice cream.

Jenna walks over to us and Elena starts up, "He is on the rebound and has raging family issues." She practically breaks the spoon as she digs into the carton of ice cream. I would just rather eat straight from the carton.

"At least it's an ex-girlfriend issue," Jenna says as she grabs an apple. "Wait until you meet a guy with mommy issues."

"Or cheating issues," I add.

"Or amphetamine issues," Jenna finishes. Elena shrugs and starts eating her sundae, when Jeremy walks in. "Jeremy." Jenna calls. He just ignores her and walks up the stairs. "Jeremy, where were you?"

"More stoner stories? Look, I get it. You were cool. And so that's…that's cool." He gives her a thumbs up and continues to walk up the stairs. Stoner stories?

"Oh, no no no." Jenna says. She throws her apple at his back.

"Ow! Why? Why did you do that?" Jeremy asks.

"Listen up!" Jenna yells at him. "Quit ditching class or you're grounded. No discussion."

"Parental authority. I like it. Sleep tight." He finishes as he walks off. My heart drops watching Jeremy leave. He was such a great kid before all of this happened. Kind, artistic. My goofy, little brother. I miss seeing that side of Jeremy. I can't help but remember he running up to me with his latest monster doodle. He had the craziest imagination. We both loved sketching but it was different for each of us. He liked creating new, weird things. I like capturing what is already there. But he's not running up to me with his sketches. I don't think he's even picked up his sketchbook in months. I look over at the now empty living room. Our family would have these peaceful moments in here. Jeremy and I would both sit around and draw, or I would be reading. Dad would work on his patients' charts, while mom watched TV (or did research for the Historical Society), and Elena would be writing in her journal. I really miss those family moments. I try to blink away the rush of tears as I continue to eat my ice cream.

It's after school the next day and Bonnie, Elena, and I are passing out flyers for the comet tonight. Elena is again talking about Stefan.

"Tonight, night of the comet," I say to someone passing by.

"Would you like a program?" Bonnie asks. We hand out a couple flyers to a passing group of people. "He didn't call, huh?" She asks Elena.

"Or text," my twin says. "But I realized we never even exchanged that stuff. We've never gotten to the texting part."

"That is an important milestone in any relationship," I say. At least, it is in all the books and tv shows I watch.

"Isn't it? The timing is wrong, anyway," Elena says.

"When is it ever right?" Bonnie asks.

Elena sighs, "I'm not ready, guys."

I shrug, "Who really ever is?". Not me, for sure. Or most men.

"At least I put myself out there," Elena continues.

"Is that what you are calling it?" Bonnie asks.

My sister stops and turns to face Bonnie, lowering her the flyer in her hand, "What do you mean?"

I sigh, because I don't really want to give her reasons to pursue Stefan when he's being super sketchy, but I hate to leave her question unanswered. I point out "All we're hearing are reasons why you can't." I mean I could give her more, but she needs the encouragement more than my doubts. We turn back around to pass out more flyers and Elena has a pensive look on her face.

That night, I am standing with Caroline and Matt; we are holding candles to celebrate the night of the comet. Caroline hands a few to Bonnie and Elena. My candle is lit by Matt, who then lights Elena's candle. I see her turn around and light Stefan's. They walk a little ways away together to talk. I know that she is trying to distance herself from Stefan, not wanting to get hurt, but it clearly isn't working. I can understand why she would try to do that, and I'm all for it. But I want her to be happy. If Stefan helps her do that, then I'll get behind Stefan...Eventually.

I go to light other people's candles, before Bonnie, Caroline, and I walk around and talk. The excitement is in the air with every moment the comet is closer to appearing. I just wish my parents could be here to see it. My dad would be making bad jokes with Jeremy, while my mom and Elena gossiped. Now, our parents are gone and none of us kids are together. Even then, I am trying to remember the sight of this night. The candles are lighting some really beautiful scenes of other people of Mystic Falls. I may be sad, but others aren't and I can be present enough to see that. I just hope things like this will be a memory that will stay with me forever.

Later, after the comet appears and leaves, Bonnie, Caroline, Elena, Matt, Tyler, and I are at the Grille. Jeremy walks up to us and asks Matt about Vicki. Tyler, being an asshole says something about Jere being her stalker.

Jeremy replies, saying that he couldn't find her.

Then, Tyler says something that really gets me pissed, "She probably found someone else to party with. Sorry, pill pusher. I guess you've been replaced."

"What's with the pill pusher?" my sister asks.

"Ask him" is all that Tyler says. I look over to Jeremy. He looks really mad at Tyler.

"You really wanna do this right now?" Jeremy says.

"Are you dealing?" I step up to Jeremy to ask him, ignoring Tyler. Not only dealing but dealing pills. Pills we have in abundance. Or we should. This means Jeremy is stealing and profiting off the medications from our acccidents.

"She's never going to go for you." Tyler says. I place my hands on Jeremy's chest to keep him from actually fighting Tyler here in the Grille.

"She already did. Over and over again," my brother replies. I just stare at my brother. When did he turn into this person?

"Yeah, right." Tyler says.

"You slept with Vicki Donovan?" Caroline adds. "I mean, Vicki Donovan slept with you?"

"There is no way," Tyler says.

"And I didn't even have to force her into it," my brother replies. I shiver as I realize. No, focus. Oh, Tyler looks mad. So much for not fighting in the Grille. Tyler looks an inch away from punching Jeremy.

Matt turns to his friend, "What the hell is he talking about?"

"Nothing, man. Just ignore him. He's a punk," Tyler replies.

"You know what? How about all of you just shut up and help me find my sister?" Matt says. Everyone splits up to go in separate directions. Elena and I grab Jeremy before he can leave.

"So that's your game now? Dealing?" Elena asks.

"I'm not dealing," Jeremy replies.

I rub a hand across my face, suddenly exhausted, "Look, I'm sick of the tough love act. It is clearly having no impact."

"You guys and Jenna. Between the group of you-" Jeremy starts.

But Elena interrupts, "We can stop if you want. Send you to a therapist, where you'll be forced to deal with it. Or, to rehab, where you'll sit in a group and tell some stranger how you let your life fall apart." Ok, this isn't going to help.

I jump in, "There are options worse than that too. Especially now that I know you've been stealing our prescriptions!" I take a deep breath to calm down for a second. "Or you could talk to us."

"I vote for none of the above." Jeremy says, literally and figuratively pushing us away, as he walks out. Elena and I just look at each other, both beyond frustrated with Jeremy.

We go home calling for Jeremy. Instead, we find Jenna searching through Jeremy's room.

"It's only me. Hypocrite patrol," Jenna says, standing up straight.

"What are you doing?" Elena asks her.

"I have become my worst nightmare. The authority figure, who has to violate a 15-year-old's privacy." Jenna looks around the room until she spots Jeremy's bag. She searches through it until she finds Jeremy's stash. "Jackpot. I see the hiding places haven't gotten any more creative." She lifts up Jeremy's shoe, where she must have found it.

"What brought this on?" I ask.

"Your ass-hat of a history teacher shamed me good yesterday," she replies.

I laugh, "Oh, you got Tanner-ed. Been there," I say, while sitting down on one of Jere's seats. He's shamed me a couple of times for missing most of spring semester, even though that wasn't my fault at all.

"'Discover the impossible, Ms. Sommers.' Got it. Thanks, like I didn't know I was screwing up," she says, getting emotional.

I rush to comfort her, "You're not screwing up, Aunt Jenna."

"Yes, I am. You know why?" She asks. Elena and I both shake our heads. "Because I'm not her. She made everything look so easy. You know, high school, marriage, having you guys. I can't do it. I'm going to say or do the wrong thing and he is going to get worse and it is going to be my fault." Jenna says this with tears in her eyes. She takes a moment and sits down on Jeremy's bed. "It's impossible."

"That is just the fear talking. You're a little scared. That's all," Elena says.

I add on, "The same could be said for all of us. We are all in new and unfamiliar territory." I know as I say this, Elena has reconsidered her thing with Stefan. And by the look in her eyes, it's not something I can talk her out of. I guess, I'll go along with it, for now.

"I have to go do something." Elena says. Jenna nods her permission. "But are you going to be okay?"

"We'll be fine. I've got her. Go." I tell her. I wrap an arm around Jenna's shoulders, and we head downstairs.

We watch some television for a while and chat about mindless stuff (including all the times I've totally showed up the asshat history teacher, Tanner) for a few hours until I go upstairs to my room. I finish my homework and my drawing of Jenna and Jeremy. I also work on the one of my parents. It's nice to have something of them. Something that has positive memories attached to it. There's been too much doom and gloom this summer. I need something positive, something like whatever Elena gets from spending time with Stefan. Maybe I'm ready, most likely not. I'll figure it out tomorrow.

A/N: Hope you like it. Shout out to anyone who notices any edits I made.