It had been a week since the Founder's party and February had already rolled in.

The rumors had also skyrocketed as well.

When people found out she'd punched the living day lights out of Tyler and told the Mayor to shut up, the teenagers of Mystic Falls High had gone up to Cherith, telling her how cool she was and how they respected her for what she did.

It had been hilarious, especially when Cherith had returned to school that Monday without any injuries but Tyler had had a slight bruise on his face that had already faded away by now.

Leslie had also gone hyper when she'd found out about Cherith's lip session with Timmy Turner when he had walked up to her that Monday and proclaimed how he'd love to hangout with her again.

She'd felt like strangling him but decided not to, especially when she was still basking in the glow of her newly found positive popularity.

That morning, Cherith dressed in a pair of dark blue washed skinny jeans, black tank top and a jean jacket, brown heeled boots to her calf and hair in a high ponytail.

She grabbed a pair of her black fashionable glasses and walked down the stairs, a skip in her steps as she walked into the kitchen where Jenna and Elena were.

"So! What do you think? Will I look good when I get my learners permit and drive to school like this?"

She twirled, putting on her glasses and Elena and Jenna smirked.

"It's not your birthday yet though…"

Jenna said and Cherith huffed sitting down and making herself cereal.

"Doesn't matter though, does it? It's my birthday month, my birthday is in two weeks there about… and I already know the car I want."

"Really?"

Jenna asked, curious.

"Of course, dear auntie of mine. It's going to be a convertible. A red one at that. I have to look the part of an high school senior/graduate/college student anyways… rolling down to classes like the boss I so obviously am!"

She smirked, looking afar and Elena shook her head with a chuckle.

"Well I'm glad you're excited about going to Whitmore. I'll be right back. Let me just go grab my bag."

She said, rushing up the stairs.

As soon as she was gone, Jenna turned to her youngest niece.

"You still haven't told them about where you really plan to go?"

Cherith sighed.

"No… I just know it's gonna bring more drama to the table. I think I'd just rather finish everything up before mentioning it… there are many ways I could go to college after all, I don't need to choose just one."

She grinned and Jenna nodded, agreeing.


Mystic Falls High.

Cherith waved goodbye to her sister and headed into the school building, listening to music with her phone as she walked to her locker, meeting Leslie on the way.

"Hey Les!"

Leslie grinned, turning from her own locker, a half eaten cupcake in her hand.

"Hey… sorry, full mouth."

She munched before speaking again.

"I didn't have the time to eat much. Apparently they announced the candidates in the Mystic Falls founder's court and my cousin Amber's on it."

She grinned and Cherith's eyes widened in remembrance.

"Oh yeah! Miss Mystic Falls! I had totally forgotten about that."

Leslie gave her a looked, shaking her head.

"Only you would forget something like that… I heard your sister's on it too… and Caroline."

"Oh…"

Cherith mumbled, not sure what to say.

She remembered her mum had been super excited to help Elena go through with the competition, and Elena herself had been excited to do it too, but then… the accident happened and things went south.

"I'm not even sure Elena's gonna want to do it."

She mumbled and Leslie nodded understandingly as she closed her locker and moved to stand next to Cherith who was dropping some things in her own locker.

"Totally understandable."

"Oh well… I'm happy for your cousin anyways… not being from a founder's family and still being a candidate. A true honor."

Cherith finished sarcastically and Leslie snorted.

"Pretty sure they selected a girl from a non-founding family background so they don't seem racist family-wise. But still, I'm happy for Amber though… even though she's usually anxious and has this really huge stage fright."

Cherith snorted.

"Well good luck to her, I guess… with people like Caroline and the Fell cousins in the running, she'll definitely need all the luck she can get."

Which was the truth.

Cherith remembered Leslie's cousin, Amber Bradley.

She was a rather beautiful girl in Elena's year, with blonde ringlets hair and green eyes, but she was also super shy and quiet though friendly.

"Although… Didn't Tara and Tina Fell both have DUIs? Although Tina's is just one. I heard Tara had been selected but because of some of her… after school activities, if you know what I mean, and multiple DUIs… they ended up reselecting her sister, Blair instead. Could you have imagined if Tara was there?? 3 Fells competing for the crown this year."

Leslie questioned quietly and Cherith snorted.

"Ugh, Tara Fell. The blonde bimbo… I never liked her."

"No one really likes her, Cherith. She just loves to act like the best female in town… spreading her legs all around."

"Well it's literally free real estate."

Cherith smirked and the two friends giggle as the walk off.

"So what outfit is Amber planning for the dance?"

"Oh, it's this really gorgeous black strappy backless dress that…"


Gilbert Residence.

After school, Cherith had just finished washing her hair, drying it with a towel as she jogged down the stairs and into the kitchen to talk to her sister who was on the phone.

"My mom was really into this Founders' day stuff. She was even Miss Mystic in her day. I kind of want to do it for her."

She said into the phone and Cherith sat on a stool, waiting patiently for her sister as she dropped the slightly wet towel on her lap and waited.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow, I love you."

Cherith made a face instantly, knowing Elena was talking with Stefan.

"Disgusting…"

Elena gave her a look as she cut the call, a small smile on her face.

"It's not… disgusting, Cherith… you just haven't had the opportunity to feel like I have."

"Oh, you mean absolutely silly and dumb when In love? Well, sorry to burst your bubble sis but I'm not that kind of a girl."

She said as an her right hand lit up and she levitated the jar of cookie in the upper cupboard slowly but surely over to herself and Elena looked alarmed, craning her neck to be sure no one was watching.

"Cherith! What do you think you're doing?! Jenna could come down the stairs at any moment!"

Cherith rolled her eyes at her sister's uprightness, grabbing a cookie and taking a bite out of it.

"Chill out boring pants… I'm trying to live out my Matilda fantasy here… anyways… I heard Bonnie's back? How is she?"

Elena sighed.

"I don't know… she's acting all, strange… with me… I don't… I'm not sure yet. I'll see her tomorrow, so…"

Cherith nodded.

"I'll talk to her then I guess. So you're also going to compete for Miss Mystic Falls too?"

Cherith questioned her sister, mouth full with cookies and Elena rolled her eyes before nodding.

"Yeah… mom would have wanted me to do this… you can't do it next year, obviously, so I have to do it for her…"

She finished morosely and Cherith nodded understandingly.

"Well I'll support you sis… just make sure to give me half of your winning loot after we're done."

Elena snorted as Jenna walked into the room.

"Winning loot? We? You're not following me up on the stage, last I remember…"

"Following you where?"

Jenna asked as she swiped a cookie from Cherith's hand making her pout.

"Miss Mystic Falls. Totally forgot about it."

Jenna's eyes widened.

"Oh wow… honestly, me too… we have a lot to do then…"

Jenna said, planning in her mind already.

"Your dress… your make up and accessories… shoes…"

"Snacks…"

Cherith added, still munching on another cookie and Elena gave her a look before yanking the cookie jar from her hand and putting it back in the cupboard.

"Woah, hey!!"

Cherith shouted, turning to Jenna with a pout.

"Jennaaaa!!"

Jenna ignored her, looking at her fingers as if counting something in her head and Cherith sighed, standing up.

"Whatever. You two take care of the… boring preparations and all that nonsense. I'll support you at the competition."

"You could always help me with my hair, you know… you've mastered yours, it'll be easy to help out with mine."

Elena called out to her sister who waved her off as she walked away.

"Hm, maybe… I could help out with your limp and unoriginal hair."

"CHERITH!"

Cherith giggled as she jogged up the stairs.


2 Days After…

Miss Mystic Falls.

"Cherith! Are you ready??"

Jenna's voice sounded from the passage way as Cherith made some finishing touches on her face.

"I'll be right down!"

She shouted back, smacking her light peach lips together so the lipstick could blend and she grinned at herself in the mirror.

She might not be a candidate for Miss Mystic Falls, but she was going to look like one, just for her mother.

For both her mothers.

She wore a black strappy silk gown that fell to her mid thighs, with a black detachable fluffy tulle train that was about an inch or so longer than the gown itself, making the gown look Cinderella-ish from behind but more elegant at the front, the belt having dark glitters on it.

She paired it with black strappy heels and a simple black chocker, 2 gold plain rings on both of her index and middle fingers.

Her hair was done in a slightly rough but elegant low bun and black dangling earrings completed the look.

Once done, she grabbed her black, shiny clutch with her phone and other necessities in it and left her room, going down the stairs.

Alaric was there already, along with Jenna, Elena and John.

They turned as she walked down and John smiled.

"You know, if I hadn't known any better I'd think you were a candidate for Miss Mystic Falls."

Elena nodded agreeing with a smile as well as the others and Cherith blushed slightly.

"Aw shucks! You guys are gonna make me blush. I know I'm absolutely fabulous."

She smirked and Jenna scoffed with a smile.

"While we still have a lot to do about your high self esteem, we really have to leave now so we can prepare Elena for the competition."

Cherith nodded, patting John as they walked out of the house.

"See you there Uncle John!"


Founder's Hall.

The Hall was brimming with people who had all come to watch the show, all dressed elegantly and in beautiful gowns… some, not so beautiful of course.

The contestants and their family and friends were presently in a make up room, putting on their make up and doing their hair.

Cherith helped her sister gain curls on her hair with the curling iron and it was looking absolutely beautiful as they dropped and bounced like ringlets, gaining her an aristocratic and confident look.

"Thanks for helping me you guys… really!"

Elena breathed out as she stared into the giant mirror in front of her, smiling at the curls around her hair and actually loving it.

Jenna grinned.

"You're welcome kid, though I think you should be thanking Cherry even more. Without her, I might have quite possibly burnt your hair off or something."

Cherith snorted.

"Well, it would have been a new style. Never before seen by a candidate of Miss Mystic Falls."

Jenna and Elena rolled their eyes at her, smiling and then Elena spoke up again.

"You know I remember when my mom and I were first applying for this, she was so excited."

"So were you if I recall"

Jenna added and Elena sighed, looking slightly down.

"I was. She just made it sound like so much fun. Cherith had been super excited that she wouldn't have to ever do it, since she'd be in college by the time the next one rolled in. A lot really has changed since then."

Cherith nodded in agreement with her sister and Jenna gave Elena a look.

"I hate to break it to you, but its a little late for cold feet."

"You know, if you have cold feet you can always just walk away now. Mum wouldn't mind… she never would have."

Cherith added rather softly as she finished curling the hair and styling it elegantly.

"I don't have cold feet. I just...I think I'd be enjoying it a lot more if she was here."

"Well I can tell you one thing, she'd be one hundred percent proud of you doing this… never doubt that."

Elena smiled thankfully at Jenna and her sister before standing up.

"Okay, I should go put my dress on"

She turned to the still hot curling iron and gave Cherith a look.

"Jenna, make sure Cherith doesn't take that anywhere. Lord knows who might piss her off so bad she ends up burning their lips off."

Cherith scoffs, folding her arms.

"Believe me, I'd be burning their tongues out instead. Something about poetic justice, don't you think?"

Elena scoffed as she walked away and Jenna began arranging the table.

Cherith turned behind and saw Caroline seated, looking slightly down.

Cherith looked around and didn't spot the Sheriff anywhere near and frowned. She was probably patrolling around the party to be sure nothing was going to happen.

The workaholic that she was.

As much as Caroline loved to act like she was okay and nothing could shake her, she knew she'd wish deep down that she had family around or even friends, to show their support for her.

She honestly seemed so… alone.

Without so much of a push, Cherith moved to her.

"Care bear! How've you been? Wow, you look smashing! And your hair!"

Caroline looked up at her and beamed.

"Of course! What did you expect?!"

She grinned, applying some lip gloss on her lips, her smile brightening up.

"Well believe me, if your gown is as beautiful as you look you just might be the winner."

Caroline looked up at her from the mirror.

"Really? I might actually have a chance?"

Cherith scoffed.

"Please, The Fell cousins don't stand a chance and Amber Bradley might be beautiful but she lacks the confidence. Then there's Brianna… no need to even go there. And Elena… she's my sister and I love her but she doesn't even seem that into it. So trust me, you're my number one candidate… don't tell anyone…"

She whispered the last sentence and Caroline giggled, the lights in her eyes finally shining bright again.

She looked at Cherith through the window and smirked.

"If I didn't know any better I'd think you were a candidate too… just that you have on too much black."

Cherith smirked.

"Well it's a slightly mournful day, is it not?"

Caroline scoffed at her exasperatedly.

"It is not a mournful day! It is a celebration!"

Cherith waved her off.

"Yeah, yeah… well my hair is already shiny enough for that… and my peach lipstick is also doing the job. And look… I've got my bling on too."

She waggled her fingers at Caroline, showing her the baby gold rings and Caroline rolled her eyes, a small smile on her face.

"Okay! It's my cue to leave now… wanna go down and see just what's happening. Good luck!"

Cherith waved at Caroline who waved back and she headed down the stairs, looking for Leslie who she knew would be there somewhere.

As she walked down the stairs, she saw a bunch of people staring at her and she covered a smirk.

Really… it was whenever she was so much as well dressed that people realized she wasn't a kid anymore.

It didn't help too that while she was quite interested in fashion and all that it brought, she was more of a inside kind of gal.

Ah well…

She walked out of the building and looked around the back which was now well arranged, like a wedding was about to take place there, the band playing beautiful orchestral music with beautiful instruments and Cherith sighed.

"Not bad at all…"

She smirked.

She looked around and spotted her Uncle and Jeremy at the back, standing by a white clothed table with a vase of flowers in it and walked over to them, especially since she hadn't spotted Leslie yet.

"Hey you two…"

She greeted them and they smiled at her.

"You look like you're enjoying the party… not like Jeremy here."

John spoke up, gesturing to Jeremy who scoffed and Cherith wrinkled her nose.

"Hm, not that I'm enjoying it, per se… more like something is bound to happen at a place like this… it's just up to me to be there with a glass of champagne in my hand."

John gave her a look.

"You shouldn't even be mentioning that to my face. I just might warn all the waiters to steer clear of you as your ACTUALLY just turning 16, and not the 21 year old that you look like."

Cherith scoffed, folding her arms and grinning.

"Oh that's your problem John… I'm rather diabolical. I always… always, get what I want."

John smirked at her.

"Ah, don't we all know that…"

"You mentioned you know a lot about the family. You know anything about our ancestor Jonathan Gilbert?"

Jeremy asked John and Cherith turned to listen to the conversation they were having.

"Prolific writer, crazy inventor. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I read his journal."

"Is that right?"

He looked at Jeremy, slightly surprised and Cherith shrugged.

"I did too… well, after it finally got to my hands, that is…"

She gave Jeremy a look and he rolled his eyes at her, John looking at the two slightly surprised and cautious.

"I actually found it in all of dads' stuff."

"Well, it's surprising. Most of them are locked away."

John frowned and Jeremy looked at him surprised.

"There are more of them?"

Cherith scoffed, amused.

"It's a wonder how he wasn't locked up in a house back then… I mean… people might have wondered if he was mad or something."

Which was the absolute truth.

If Cherith hadn't known about the existence of the supernatural out there, she'd have probably thought that her ancestor had a loose screw somewhere.

She still thought it too.

"Well Jonathan Gilbert journaled his whole life. Right down to the bitter, insane, drunken end. He had a lot of demons."

"And did you read them?"

Jeremy questioned, looking like he was searching out an answer from John and Cherith frowned at her brother, eyes narrowed.

John shrugged, hands in his suit pocket.

"I've browsed, yeah."

"What did you think about what he wrote?"

John looked at his nephew quite curiously, wondering what his questions were all about. He looked… suspicious.

"Crazy ramblings of a mad man, of course."

Jeremy sighed, slightly disappointed and turned to look away, only to stop as his eyes caught a beautiful girl, John's eyes following his nephew.

"Well she's very pretty."

Cherith turned to where they were staring and she looked at Anna blankly.

"Ugh!"

She mumbled out.

Anna locked eyes with Jeremy before her eyes also caught Cherith looking at her, unimpressed and she backed away, wary eyed, walking back inside.

"Yeah… uh… she's a friend of mine…"

Jeremy said, looking like he was about to follow her and Cherith snorted.

"Yeah, and I stabbed her with a knife too."

She mumbled and John turned to her in horror while Jeremy looked at her, exasperated, raising his hands.

"Cherith!"

"In my dream! Okay??"

She added, giving him a look and turning away.

"Not my fault her face has a 'stab me' sign on it."

Jeremy gave her a look before walking away, jogging after Anna and Cherith huffed.

"You don't seem to like her."

John said and Cherith gave him a dry look.

"Gee, however did you figure it out."

She sarcastically said and he gave her a look.

"It's nothing. We just found ourselves disagreeing on a lot of things…"

"Oh?"

"Yeah… like uh… who deserves to live and die. Life lessons like that."

"Life less—"

"Cherith!"

Cherith turned at the familiar voice and saw her friend, Leslie with an older woman who she recognized as her grandmother, looking all spry and dressed up.

Leslie looked beautiful in a dark green satin like armless gown that flared from her waist to her knees and silver heels and bangles, her hair in a high ponytail with the end curled up in a single ringlet and a side bang.

"Sorry Uncle, I have to go now… interesting conversation calls."

She waves him and was walking over to her friend when she literally walks into a couple.

"Oops."

She muttered, stepping back a bit and realizing she'd walked into Chad and his… girlfriend? Mallory.

Mallory was a beautiful senior, with jet black straight hair and beautiful brown eyes, though they were always cold looking, like right now.

Pity for her it didn't affect her.

"Cherith hey! Wow, you look really good!"

Chad grinned, his long slightly wavy brown hair bouncing as he moved and his green eyes shiny.

Mallory hit him by the side with her elbow, looking disgruntled and he oofed, moving to rub his side.

"Hey Chad, good to see you. And dressed in a suit. The world must be ending."

She joked and he chuckled.

"I should be saying that about you. If I didn't know you I'd think you were 21 or something… or even a Miss Mystic Falls candidate."

Cherith playfully flaunted her imaginary hair and Mallory scolded before turning to Chad.

"I'll be with the others… find me later."

She huffed, turning on her ridiculously high heels and sauntered away, her red body hug dress catching eyes as she moved.

Cherith turned to Chad who had a slightly sheepish look on his face as he rubbed at his hair and Cherith crossed her arms.

"Chad, sweetie, as you know I've been said to have no filter, no matter who I'm talking to. So, I have to say this… your girlfriend is bullshit."

She said, face straight and Chad let out a small bark of laughter and sighed.

"Yeah, I kind of know…"

"Then what the hell are you still doing with that mean girl wannabe?"

She pointed at the direction Mallory had just gone through and he sighed.

"Honestly… I don't even know."

Cherith gave him a look.

"I get it, I guess… Love makes you stupid and incapable of thought processing. I've seen it in my sister."

Chad looked at her amused.

"I don't think—"

"Come on, I was going to greet my friend, let's go together, that way you can stay away from Mallory for the time being."

She dragged him by the hand towards a now alone Leslie whose eyes widened as she spotted the two of them walking over to her and patted her hair nervously.

A devious grin appeared on her face.

Maybe she was doing it on purpose?

No one needed to know.

"Hey Les! You look great!"

Leslie beamed at her friend.

"Thanks! You look smashing too."

She then turned to Chad, smiling shyly.

"H-hi, Chad!"

Chad grinned at her and Cherith could honestly hear her friend sigh girlishly.

Ew.

"Hey Leslie! You look good."

"Thanks! You too."

"So, anyone want to enlighten me on any drama that might happen here today?"

Cherith questioned and Chad looked at her amused.

"Is that what you're hoping for?"

Leslie scoffed.

"It's Cherith. She wouldn't be around here if she didn't think something would happen."

Cherith noticed they were talking to each other and used the opportunity to plan something.

"Oh! I almost forgot the errand I was running for my sister. I'll be right back you two…"

Before Leslie could open her mouth, Cherith rushed off, a small maniacal cackle escaping her mouth letting some people stare at her cautiously.

Cherith smiled as she walked back into the house.

She should play matchmaker some other time.

It seemed refreshing too!

"Ugh! I cannot believe they chose her over me! I need a drink!"

A blonde haired girl dressed in a skimpy halter necked yellow gown and black heels walked past Cherith, almost walking into her and Cherith frowned, turning as the girl walked off, recognizing her as Tara Fell.

She snickered.

Karma really played her this time around.

Tara Fell was someone Cherith never liked because she loved to pick on everyone even though she was a useless piece of ass.

But… not everyone cared about their own negativity now, did they?

"You! I can't believe you did that!"

Cherith turned to her grinning friend and smirked.

"You should be saying 'Thank you, Cherith, you wonderful and absolutely gorgeous and fantabulous specie of human' you know…"

Leslie scoffed, playfully hitting her friend though a smile was still on her face.

"Where is he though? I thought you'd be trying to win him over right now."

"Oh I did. And he was super nice too! But then Mallory wondered back and dragged him off. He did say he'd see me around, so… progress!"

She squealed and Cherith chuckled.

"Good for you, I guess… and I just saw Tara Fell too… she looked, super pissed! I hope for Blair's sake she doesn't do something bad to her outfit or something."

Leslie chuckled, nodding.

"It'd be bad. Maybe lead to the two sisters fighting it out in public and tearing at their hair."

Cherith paused at what Leslie had said and suddenly looked contemplative.

"Hmmm… you know what? I just might like that. Maybe I should go convince Tara to do that?"

Cherith moved to walk away but Leslie dragged her back.

"No spunky… I don't think so."

Cherith rolled her eyes and grunted.

"When is this stupid thing starting anyways?"

Leslie grinned.

"Yes, there's the Cherry we all know and love."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the lineups will be starting soon. If you could please move outside and settle yourselves before we begin!"

Carol Lockwood smiled daintily at everyone from the staircase and Cherith didn't need to be told twice as she dragged her friend outside with her, joining the crowd to move out and finding a nice place at the front to watch the whole proceeding.


Stefan goes into the bathroom and slams the door in anger.

He couldn't believe Damon.

After trying to hide how much human blood affected him from Elena, his brother just had to spoil everything for him!

He puts his hand into a fist and slams it in the mirror opposite him, breaking it.

In that moment, Amber enters in the bathroom and stopped startled when she sees Stefan already in there.

"Oh God, I am so sorry! I didn't see—"

She stops in horror as Stefan's face transforms into its vampiric features and he walks towards her.


"God! What is it with these girls and their bad choices in outfits?"

Cherith pondered as Blair Fell walked out with her escort, dressed in a one armed gown that was white from the arm to under her bust, and then from the bust to her waist had black and silver sparkles and then from her waist down, plain black.

Leslie snickered, pointing at someone.

"Check out Tara Fell."

She pointed, and Cherith chuckled as Tara glared at her sister, staring at her outfit with anger in her eyes.

"Honestly, I prefer Brianna's outfit to hers…"

She pointed to the first candidate.

The brown haired girl was dressed in a chocolatey gold body hug gown that was quite beautiful.

It had a low v neck and was sleeveless, forming a sort of body wrap from the waist and falling straight to her knees and flared out to the floor.

Leslie nodded in agreement.

"Miss Tina Fell, escorted by Bartholomew Whitmore!"

The other Fell cousin came out dressed In a pink halter neck kind of flowy gown, blonde hair in a side do.

"Too ordinary."

Leslie whispered and Cherith nodded before smirking.

"It's like she's going to the beach."

The two girls snicker, ignoring the looks they were receiving.

"Miss Amber Bradley, escorted by Ryan Parker!"

Leslie stood straight attentively, waiting for her cousin to come out.

"Trust me, she's a high contender with all the… dish water dresses we've seen."

Leslie assured her friend and Cherith chuckled, waiting for Amber.

"I wonder what's taking so long…"

Leslie frowned, trying to crane her head to look inside but it just wasn't possible.

"You think she bailed?"

Leslie shook her head, a frown on her face.

"No. I don't… I'm not sure if that's even possible. She was nervous yeah, but also excited to be doing this too. I mean… she just can't…"

Leslie frowned, confused.

"Miss Caroline Forbes and her escort Jeffrey Lockwood Hamilton!"

Carol Lockwood called out again and some murmurs passed around, wondering what happened to the other candidate.

"I wonder what happened…"

Cherith mumbled and Leslie scoffed.

"I swear I cannot believe that girl bailed. She shouldn't have gone for it then!"

She shook her head and the two turned to watch as Caroline came out with her escort, a confident smile on her face and Cherith smiled at how beautiful the girl looked in her dress.

"Okay, now that… I can call a dress."

Leslie whistled and Cherith and a large number of those present agreed with her words.

She wore a beautiful emerald green gown that was armless and had a sort of bow like form to the front, flowing to the ground beautifully and a front slit, showing her beautiful gold shoes and long legs.

"I mean… it's Caroline, who else would look this fabulous. And look!"

Cherith gushed, pointing at the front of the gown, on each side of her waist.

"Are those… miniature pockets?!"

She grinned and Leslie clapped quietly.

"Yep. She's the winner alright."

Leslie said, grinning.


"You're about to miss Elena's introduction."

Anna spoke quietly to Jeremy who rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, I don't really care."

"So, she has no idea you read her journal?"

Jeremy shook his head.

"She keeps things from me, I'm gonna keep things from her."

"And what about Cherith? Does she know too?"

"I don't know. I haven't been able to ask her yet. I really hope she doesn't though… cause I'm honestly so mad at a lot of things right now."

"What are you gonna do now? Now that you know everything that she's been hiding from you?"

Jeremy sighed, his hand running through his hair.

"I don't know. There's a part of me that's so angry, you know, that she covered up what happened to Vicki and erased my memory but there's also this other part of me that's glad. I…I don't want to remember Vicki like that."

Anna swallowed slightly

"As a monster?"

"No, as someone who wanted to hurt me."

Anna looked down, feeling slightly guilty.

"When I met you, you were just a part of my plan to get my mother back but then things changed…All the time we spent together…I would never do anything to hurt you, not now. You know that right?"

Jeremy smiled softly.

"Yeah. Yeah I know that."

They look at each other and smile.

Meanwhile, John stands just a few feet behind them, hearing every single thing that was said.


"Miss Elena Gilbert, escorted by Mister Stefan Salvatore!"

Carol called out and Cherith stood straight at the mention of her sister's name.

"Ooh! Power couple."

Leslie giggled and Cherith rolled her eyes.

The school's view of Stefan and Elena was 'power couple extraordinaire'. It was amusing to hear sometimes.

Cherith frowned though, as Elena walked out escorted by none other than Damon Salvatore.

She was dressed in a spaghetti strap maroon blue silk gown with a sweetheart neckline, her necklace given to her by Stefan on her neck. The gown had a slightly low back with an x strap.

"Uhh… except my eyes are deceiving me, that's not Stefan Salvatore."

Leslie muttered and Cherith sighed out.

"Not one bit."

She looked around, looking for any sign of the other brother even as the contestants and their escorts prepared to dance.

"I wonder where the ass is…"

Cherith muttered under her breath as 'All I need by Within Temptation' began to play.

Cherith watched her sister and Damon as they danced.

They seemed to whisper something urgently to each other before focusing on the dance.

She didn't know why, but she just had a bad feeling about… whatever that was.

She just hoped she was wrong and her eyes were deceiving her on how couple-ish they looked.

She might not be a fan of Stefan, but compared to the things Damon had done, she preferred to have him around Elena more.

If there was a way to yank the Salvatore brothers from her sister's life, permanently… believe her she'd jump on that opportunity.

It was just disappointing that Elena didn't seem to mind them both.

But Cherith did.

She might endure their presence but she was no fan of either of them.

The moment they rolled into town, things just seemed to go downhill from there.

People had died.

She looked at Damon, eyes narrowing slightly.

If it ever surprised her sister that she was making her decision to school somewhere far from Mystic Falls, then she had a lot to think about.

Of course, Cherith was also concerned for her aunt and Jeremy as well.

If she left… what's to say nothing would happen to them?

Though the thing was that even if she stayed, anything could still happen.

After all, Jeremy befriended a freaking Vampire without anyone knowing.

Yes, she wanted to school somewhere far, so she could also use the opportunity to search for more information on her Cadwallader blood, but at the same time, she wanted to be near her siblings too, in any case of life or death situations that they couldn't treat on their own because, Cherith sure as hell wasn't going to let anyone force her into doing what she didn't want to.

"There's probably online college…"

She mumbled, which had been on her mind for a long time now and she'd gotten in touch with her 3 leading schools about it too.

Online college would help her in a long way.

She could still travel to the UK, check out the school itself and it's students too while also looking for the reason she went there, and also go back home for months at a time if she wanted to, before returning back to UK and doing the same thing over and over.

It would be stressful in a way, and cost flight money, but honestly… she didn't mind it. At all…

It also helped that her investments were going smoothly as well.

It was a win-win situation in a way!

The sound of clapping brought her out of her reverie and she noticed the dance was over and she looked around. No sign of Stefan.

"Have you seen your cousin anywhere?"

Cherith questioned Leslie who rolled her eyes, disgruntled and shook her head.

"No. She probably ran off somewhere to hide till the competition is over, so she wouldn't face anyone that would drag her back to compete. Well she won, this time…"

Cherith chuckled halfheartedly, not liking how things were going.

She felt… odd, like her gut was telling her something was up.


Later that evening, all the candidates, except Amber, stood on the stage as they got ready for the announcement.

"Who do you think will win?"

Leslie asked Cherith who looked at the stage.

"Well… with how things are going, I think it's obvious it's going to be between Caroline and Elena."

Leslie nodded.

"True. Even their dresses have more… pizzazz! Than the other girls'."

"Before I crown the winner, I'd like to offer a personal thank you to all of these young ladies for their efforts to better our community."

Mayor Lockwood spoke into the mike, a card in his hand as he smiled into the crowd and Cherith wrinkled her nose at him.

She still felt like punching the living daylights out of him.

Smack the pride out of his features.

"And so, without further a due it is my honor to announce our very own Miss Mystic Falls, Miss Caroline Forbes!"

Everyone burst into loud applause, Cherith included as she smiled at a shell shocked Caroline who hugged Elena and stood at the middle of the stage as a sash and a small but beautiful tiara was placed on her head, a bouquet of flowers dropped in her hand.

"Go Care bear!"

Cherith screamed out, laughing at the beaming grin on Caroline's face.

Today, she was the center of attention and that was all that mattered.

Especially because, she deserved it and more.


Cherith hugged and congratulated Caroline when she finally got to her, and then walking away.

It had been quite a long day and she was pretty much tired already.

Leslie had left already with her grandmother as the poor woman was beat too.

Cherith decided to go search for her aunt to see if she was ready to head on home and so she could hitch a ride with Alaric, and if not go find Uncle John.

She stopped when she spotted Bonnie a few feet from her and grinned.

She hadn't seen her all day and hadn't been able to also talk to her since she returned back to Mystic Falls.

"Hey—"

She stopped with a frown, watching Bonnie watch Damon and Elena who were whispering seriously.

Cherith frowned, wondering what was going on and moved to sneak behind Bonnie who followed after Elena and Damon.

She followed them as they rushed outside and she heard Elena's voice.

"STEFAN!!"

Cherith rushed behind them, coming to a stop as she saw Amber Bradley on the ground, blood around her neck and Cherith swallowed down, her heart beating fast.

Stefan then moved to attack Damon, throwing him against a tree and he blurred back up.

He prepared to attack his brother again when he suddenly held at his head, falling to the ground with a groan, blood around his mouth, looking like a monster.

Elena and Damon frowned, turning to Bonnie who was concentrating only on Stefan and Cherith stumbled over as best as she could with heels on, staring in disgust at Stefan.

Suddenly he stood up, looking at them all, pain in his eyes as blood dropped from his mouth.

"Stefan… it's okay, Stefan…"

Damon said softly to his brother who looked like his whole world had fallen apart and he ran away.

Cherith rushed to Amber's side, kneeling on the ground, ignoring the pain of the roots and dead leaves around her knees.

"Amber…"

She whispered softly, brushing her hand through the girls hair as she stayed unconscious.

She looked up at Damon with accusing eyes and Damon swallowed, looking away.

"I should… I should call the sheriff. You guys should move further from her. And call 911 while you're at it too. I'll be right back."

Was all he said as Bonnie brought out her phone shakily to call for help and Elena slowly walked up to her sister.

"Cherith… we should… we should move back…"

She moved to hold her sister's shoulder but Cherith shook it off.

"I can stand on my own, Elena."

She mumbled, bringing herself up to her feet and walking away from her sister, moving to a sit against a tree a bit further away, hands in her hair.


"She doesn't remember what happened."

Was all the sheriff said as she walked away from Amber who sat at the back of an ambulance getting treated.

Cherith had messaged her friend to tell her what had happened to her cousin.

The abridged version that is, of an animal attacking her in the woods.

"It's a good thing the girls got here when they did, she lost a lot of blood."

Damon added, talking to the sheriff who nodded before she turned to the 3 girls.

"You didn't see anything? Anything at all?"

She questioned them both, hoping they could give her a clue on whatever it was they saw, or if they'd even seen anything in the first place.

There was a long pause as Damon and Elena turned to Bonnie who still looked disturbed, and Cherith who was still resting against a tree, on the floor, legs crossed and blank faced.

Elena turned to the sheriff and shook her head.

"No, we just found her and then called Damon."

"Is she gonna be okay?"

Bonnie shakily asked and Cherith looked up slightly.

The girl had lost quite a lot of blood after all.

Sheriff Forbes nodded affirmative.

"It looks like it yeah. Why don't you girls get back to the party? Damon and I can take it from here."

Elena nodded, turning to leave with Bonnie, Cherith helping herself to her feet, giving Amber a last look as she turned too, while Damon and the sheriff stayed behind.


Elena rushed after Bonnie who wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone.

"Bonnie, can we talk about this?"

"There's nothing to talk about."

Bonnie replied, still walking and Cherith followed behind them slowly.

"Bonnie, please!"

Bonnie turned back to her, exasperated and slightly angry and still shaken up from what she had just seen.

"I told you I wasn't gonna make you choose but I need to make the choice for myself! Please just leave me alone!"

She spoke strongly to Elena before turning and walking into her silver car, driving off and leaving a sad Elena behind.

Cherith watched her sister from behind, hoping she understood Bonnie's plight.

"You know she's right yeah?"

Cherith lazily spoke to her sister, making Elena turn to her.

"What?"

Cherith waved her hand.

"About this whole… situation. Heck, if you weren't my sister I swear I'd have dumped your ass a long time ago."

Elena looked at her sister hurt and Cherith rolled her eyes, frowning.

"Don't look at me like that Elena. Not everyone is a fan of your friendship with the Salvatore brothers, especially when it seems their presence continues to bring nightmares to our door step. But you continue to be with Stefan, who's now some sort of… blood addict. And then there's Damon who made Sheila open the tomb only for the chick he was so obsessed with to have dumped his ass 145 years ago apparently. Sheila died… Elena, in case you've forgotten."

Elena shook her head.

"I haven't, Cherith."

Cherith nodded, satisfied that she seemed to be getting to her.

"Good. Then you'll understand why it's better to give Bonnie some space. It might hurt you, but try and put yourself in another person's shoes for once. Sheila was a mentor to me and honestly I always have this urge to avoid the Salvatore brothers whenever they're in my vicinity. How do you think Bonnie is feeling, when that's her grandmother?"

She finished softly, moving to pat her sister and stopping, looking her in the eye so intensely that Elena actually felt the hairs on her skin raise as a slight crimson glow appeared in her sister's eyes.

"Also… Amber Bradley might not be my friend, but she's my close friend's cousin. Next time Stefan or even Damon so much as harm those around me… I swear, Elena, you begging on your knees and crying out blood will do nothing to stop me from tearing them apart. I give you my word."

She said softly yet sincerely, giving her sister a soft smile before turning to head back in, shivering in the cold night air and Elena stood outside, pondering exactly what she could do to help Stefan, while trying not to take her sister's words too seriously.


Soon enough, it was time to head on home and Cherith was absolutely beat!

Today had definitely been a full on day and she just needed to have a hot shower and lay in her bed and sleep for as long as she could, because when the following week rolled in, she promised herself she was going to do something that had been plaguing her for quite a while now.

She was going to learn how to fly.


Hi guys!

So before I begin anything, here's a rant.

The contestants dresses, apart from Caroline's and Elena's... how hideous was it to you on a scale of 1 to 10????????????

I mean... Couldn't the directors have just made it less obvious!!! That one Fell girl in a pink dress actually looked like she was going to the beach! Or going to pre school to pick up her kid.if you can't remember it... please search them out.

Honestly, even in 2010 there were obviously better outfits than... sheesh!

Also... Cherith seems to be getting colder... don't you think?... Wonder what thats all about...She seems to be getting darker as time goes.

When I rewatched this episode, the dance scene btw Damon and Elena was actually nicer than I remembered.

I'm not exactly a Delena fan, I sort of prefer Stelena though their relationship is not that balanced either... Heck, I wouldn't have minded the whole TVD being a bromance btw the 2 brothers.

Elena wasn't good at making decisions, if you rewatch the TVD with an open mind and no shipping, you'll realize it.

Most of the things she did, based on 'family' and what was right, was more of what SHE thought was the right thing to do and how it would make her feel at ease, and most of them were easy ways out, not the best ways out.

You can catch a lot of scenes in between but only if you're looking for it.As you can see, I'm making Elena's character quite similar to how it is in TVD, but at the same time, I'm bringing out more of the character TVD tried to bury away, especially when you have a younger sister that is beloved and doesn't give a shit what you think or say.

Jeremy was just a nice brother honestly. In real life, I don't think many of us will condone most of the things he accepted.

Hope you like it!

Cherith knows what all of the characters are capable of so you won't see her jumping into anyone's band wagon so easily.

And from here we will begin to see the already straining relationship btw the sisters worsen.

I wonder how her run in with Isobel or Katherine will be