Day 3:

Common enemies.

That is the factor that binds most groups together.

In this town, however, there were too many enemies to focus upon. It makes my plans easier to accomplish, flying under the radar of one already shady suspect.

They haven't pinned her, yet, but she will be guilty of more things than she will be able to recall.

I tapped my fingers against the bar of my kitchen, noticing the way my nails clinked against its counter top. I was lazily staring at my now decorated fridge, mostly by recipes and magnets I'd picked up over the years, but there were a few pictures, too.

I zoned in on one picture in particular, of a very old photo that was worn along the ends, and losing its shading. The Victorian aged woman was beautiful, with striking red hair and green eyes. She didn't smile, however. She looked a little bored, in fact.

Uninterested.

But in it's own way, she looked, and felt so familiar. I just couldn't place my finger on it.

Perhaps a peruse of some historical literature on previous persons would solve my issues there.

Quickly, I stood, making to grab the picture from under the magnet that held it, and grabbed my things from the bowl once again.

I gave a brief look to my now furnished apartment, although many things were still in boxes beside the furniture, and closed the door behind me, locking it swiftly.

Nancy stopped me at the front door as I made to leave, and I blinked in her direction.

"Deary, you have a letter!" She waved it about it her hand as she stood in the doorway of her disaster of an office.

"...Not in my mailbox?" I asked, approaching her with my hand extended.

"Said it needed to be delivered right away. They were only here a few moments ago. I'm surprised you missed them!" She handed it to me. I looked down at the fancy penmanship of my name scribbled across the front. I turned it over to see a red seal on the back, and all the hairs on my neck stood on end.

I didn't know why, but this symbol made every inch of my body crawl: A fancy 'M' in the middle of the red wax stood out at me. Quickly, i pushed to the outside, flicking my head around, trying to spot a figure that would seem out of place, but no one walking around this early afternoon struck any chords in my senses. I cursed, turning right back around and swinging the door to the complex open.

"Did they come inside, Nancy?"

"No, they caught me as I was coming in. Why do you ask?" I clicked my tongue in annoyance.

It explained why I hadn't been felt any presences here. I quickly ripped into the letter, feeling Nancy draw closer to me in an attempt to read it over my shoulder.

-'Where have you been hiding?

We've missed you.

-M'

I read the letter twice over, the pace of my breathing picking up.

Why did this bug me so much when I had no idea who it was? I turned it over. Nothing on the back. Quickly, i tore it into as many shreds as i could muster, handing it to the Landlady next to me.

"Burn this, please."

"Wha-Burn it?" She seemed confused as the little crumple of pieces expanded in her hand.

"Please." I said quietly before I left the building, carefully folding the picture I took from my fridge and placing it in my jacket pocket.

I tried to shake the feeling off of me as I made it onto the town square, pulling my glasses from my face with a sigh. I'd continue to the Town Hall, see if I could dig anything up on my past there.

Before I made it much closer, however, I heard a familiar voice from across the way, using a tone I found genuinely concerning. I stopped just in front of the bar and turned to the center of town. Stefan was standing there, chatting with someone who I wasn't familiar with, and they were talking quite hushed, as if they were hiding a secret. I waited a few moments, scanning their surroundings as I did.

The trees were beginning to bloom around them, as spring had arrived only a week or so ago. They were tall, and becoming very green in color, but still hardly provided any shade, which meant the midday sun was beating down right on them. Several pedestrians walked by them, clear lost in their own worlds and not paying a lick of attention to the conversation going on.

I took a few steps to the left, and caught view of the one he was talking to. A girl, nearly as tall as he was, with long brown hair and a look of pure concern across her face, as well as a touch of anger. I narrowed my eyes as I tilted my head. I made to listen to the conversation, but a throat being cleared quite close to me pulled me away.

Slowly, I turned my head and blinked up at a man who was leaning against an older car: A Camero that was well kept, blue in color with a convertible top.

He had black, shaggy hair and deep blue eyes, and wore a black half sleeve shirt, and black pants to match. He seemed to turn to me at the same time and smiled.

"They look like they're having fun, huh?" His voice was gruff, and sarcastic. I raised an eyebrow.

"Is that the idea?" I said, turning my attention back to them. "Do you know them?" I inquired.

"Do I?" He seemed offended by the notion, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw him shake his head in their direction. "My idiot brother and his equally annoying Ex girlfriend. They're having an interesting conversation."

"Stefan is your brother?" i perked up, turning back to him with a grin. He gave me the most confused look as I smiled. "You must be Damon Salvatore." The Bad Brother, I reminded myself.

"How'd you know?" He gave me a devilish grin as he pushed himself off the vehicle and took a step towards me, his arms pulling down to his sides.

"I met Stefan yesterday." I grinned, folding my hands behind my back. "He was kind enough to give me a tour."

"So you just moved here?" He raised an eyebrow as he looked around. "Why, doesn't it seem kind of boring?"

"Luckily, I like small towns." I shrugged. "More personable."

"Personable, huh?" He took another couple of steps until he was right in front of me. I looked up at him, gauging just how tall he was. Maybe a whole foot over me. His smile was very charming, but it didn't reach his eyes, either.

The brother's had that in common, apparently.

"So, you said they were having an interesting conversation?" I said, side stepping to view the two across the way. "Anything concerning?"

"Not for you, or they'd be over here." Damon seemed to prod. I rolled my eyes, smiling big at him.

"Nor you, yet you know what they're discussing anyway?" I inquired, which caused his eye to twitch slightly. "Don't worry, I won't tell Stefan you were spying on him." I chuckled, turning towards Damon.

"Oh, he knows I do. I think he's given up hiding things from me." He gave a smirk before tilting his head. "You look... Familiar."

"Do I?" I tried to maintain a normal posture, knowing well he would be able to catch if I lost my composure for any reason, but it did startle me that he seemed to recognize me, even if not fully.

I thought Stefan would be the one to worry about, but maybe not.

"Only you've just moved here, right?" He raised an eyebrow. "You sure we haven't met before?"

"Not that I can remember." Which was true. I shrugged slightly. "I do meet a lot of people."

"I feel like I would remember someone that looked like.. Well, you." He seemed like he was genuine, his face scrunching as if he was trying hard to remember where he had seen me before.

"...Thank you, I think?" I laughed slightly before a voice piped up next to us.

"Damon, who are you- Oleander." The surprise in Stefan's voice when he approached us was pleasant, and he smiled at me when I turned to greet him. "Hey."

"Afternoon, Stefan." I smiled. The girl he was previously conversing with stepped up next to him, eyeing Damon slightly, but then smiled at me.

"Oleander, this is Elena Gilbert." Stefan introduced. The two of us reached for each other's hands and shook gently.

"Nice to meet you." Elena smiled warmly. I noticed that she had been the only one so far that her smile did reach her eyes, and that made me curious. Was everyone else really so unhappy?

"Likewise." I responded.

"You just moved in, right?" Elena inquired, still smiling brilliantly. "I hope everything has been pleasant so far." She flicked her eyes over to Damon, and he seemed to scoff quietly.

"I'm enjoying the pleasantries." I laughed quietly. "I still have to settle into my apartment, but everyone's been quite, uhm... Nice?" i shrugged, not quite satisfied with the description, but it would do.

"No one's approached you with strange rumors yet?" Stefan inquired with a teasing smile. I rolled my eyes with a grin I couldn't stop from spreading.

"Not yet. Give it a few more days." He chuckled alongside me.

"We were discussing lunch." Elena grinned towards everyone. "Would you like to join us?"

"I wouldn't want to infringe, if you have plans." I held up my hands slightly. An arm clasped around my shoulders and I looked up to see Damon grinning.

"Not at all, Firecracker." He mused, and I couldn't stop the disgruntled look on my face from revealing itself from not only the pet name, but his decision to be overly friendly with the touching.

"Damon." Stefan seemed to warn, but he paid the brother no mind.

"What? I want to make sure our new friend here gets the real friendly experience. Right, Elena?" I followed his gaze towards the girl, who remained unmoved, except for her annoyed look flashing between the two of us.

Was this a normal behavior for him?

"Alright... I'll join you." I smiled very wide, and turned to grin at Damon. My face must've had an interesting look, because even his smile wavered. "If you get your bloody hands off of me." I said with a sweet tone. He stared at me for a moment before giving an impressed expression, and pulling his hands away with a bit of dramatic flare, backing away from me.

"My apologies, Princess." He seemed to tease.

"Damn right." I grinned over at the other two, who were trying not to smile as I crossed my arms over my chest. "Now... You were saying lunch?"

"Oleander is a writer." Stefan offered to Elena as they picked fries out of the basket in front of them, snacking before the main meal. Elena hummed interest as she turned to me, and I laughed gently.

"It's not as glamorous as it sounds." I shrugged, reaching for a fry myself. Right as I went to grab one, Damon, across from me, snatched it from under my fingers and popped part of it into his mouth, grinning and raising his eyebrows at me in a playful manner.

How I wished I could magically spell the rest of the fry up his nostrils.

I grabbed another fry as I saw Stefan noticeably shove his elbow into Damon's side, gaining a groan from the man.

"Have you done very many works?" Elena asked, clearly unphased by the two.

"I suppose you could say that." I easily popped the fry into my mouth, noting that the temperature of the product was a bit lukewarm compared to most foods. "I use several pseudonyms, so it's possible you've read a few novels here or there."

"That's so exciting! So, you're actually kind of famous." She grinned, genuinely excited about my talent. For whatever reason, that warmed my heart, and I couldn't help but smile at the girl.

She was kind of refreshing, emotionally.

"I suppose..." I said quietly, reaching for another fry.

"So modest." Damon rolled his eyes slightly as he reached for my fry yet again. Quickly, I moved for a different one before he could grab it and grinned at the triumph of thwarting him.

"Hn... Am I prude for not flaunting my fame around, Damon?" I tilted my head slightly.

"Well, if you have it, why not show it off?" He said, leaning forward, his smile settling into a smirk, although not matching the tone in his voice. I narrowed my eyes slightly.

"Not everyone is like you Damon." Elena said, rolling her eyes. "You'll have to excuse him, he doesn't have any restraint."

"Or manners." Stefan piped in, swiping another fry.

"Or care." Damon grinned with a tilt of his head.

"Yes, and that's why you have so many friends." A voice piped in to my left, causing me to turn quickly.

She had beautiful chocolate skin, and long, dark hair to match. She was smiling widely down at me.

Her smile reached her eyes as well.

"Hi there, I'm Bonnie." She grinned before turning and snagging a chair from the table behind her. "Sorry I'm late. I was uh... Studying." She grinned, taking a seat next to me.

"Nice to see you, too." Damon said with heavy laced sarcasm.

"Bon, this is Oleander." Elena introduced, and the girl, Bonnie, and I shook hands.

"Pleasure." I mused.

"So, what were we talking about, beyond the fact that Damon has some incredibly admirable qualities?" Bonnie grinned big, which made most of the table laugh. Damon only scoffed.

"We were asking Oleander about herself." Stefan said casually.

"By the way," Elena pulled my attention to her, "Do you like being called your full name, or do you have a nickname you prefer?"

"Oleander is fine." I nodded. "But if it suits you, Lea is easier."

"Lea, I like that!" Elena did a lot of grinning in social situations, I noticed.

"Huh." Damon said, and I noticed him eyeing Stefan, who was staring intently at the french fry in his hand.

I didn't like the sound of that.

"Share with the class, Damon?" Bonnie pressed.

"Nah. I'm good." Damon gave.

I stared at him for a few moments, watching his face contort with some form of defensive attitude, before he turned to me and raised an eyebrow.

"Want a picture?" He suggested.

"...Perhaps I should go." I suggested, looking to the rest of the party to my right. Both of them perked up, looking rather sad. "My presence apparently brings out the drama king."

"The drama king can hear you." Damon grumbled, and Elena snorted slightly.

"Everyone's presence brings out his majesty." Bonnie laughed slightly. "But if he's going to be such a downer, maybe he should find something else to preoccupy his time!" She then turned to him, almost as if she was silently commanding him to leave.

"Well, you know, I was getting bored. How thoughtful of you, Bonnie." Damon took another fry before pulling himself from the chair and walking towards the entrance of the Mystic Grill.

I watched him hesitate at the door as Bonnie shuffled to the open seat, exchanging a few words with Elena, turning to look directly at me. His face softened into something like confusion, then he disappeared out the door.

"Usually he picks on me." Elena said towards me, and I turned my attentions back to the group. "I wonder why he was so focused on you."

"Who knows what's really going on in his upstairs world." Bonnie sighed. "Are these free game?" She asked before digging into the fries, not really waiting for permission.

"I'm sorry if he struck a nerve." Stefan leaned over slightly and grinned at me. I shook my head with a grin.

"Quite alright. Actually, I did mean to leave as well." I said as I stood.

"So soon?" Stefan asked.

"No food?" Bonnie also interjected.

"Ah, well... I have to do some research, as it were."

"For a book?" Elena inquired with a gleam in her eye. I chuckled.

"Yes." I smiled at her, pushing my chair in. "But I enjoyed this exchange. If you're all free later in the week, perhaps we can mingle for dinner."

"I would love that!" Elena gleamed.

"Here, I'll walk you out while I snag your number for everyone." Stefan quickly jumped up, and I watched Elena's face fall into a mild confusion, although she tried her best to hide it.

"Thank you." I grinned. "I'll see you girls later." I said before walking out with Stefan next to me. He fiddled with his phone a bit while we were outside before handing it to me. I filled out the information lines before handing it back.

"Huh." He said as he saved it. "Thorn?"

"Is there something wrong with that name?" I tilted my head in his direction with a smile.

"No," He grinned up at me, "I just thought it was interesting. Your whole name is plant based."

"Well... When you put it that way, it's less interesting." We laughed together.

"Can I drive you somewhere?" He put his hands into his pockets as he fully turned to me.

"I'm only going to the... Library." I corrected myself. Doing "research" required books, and less about finding a person, so saying 'the town hall' would likely be suspicious.

"You sound sure." His smile widened a little. "Not somewhere else?"

"Well, honestly, it was to test you." I shrugged, hopefully catching myself. "I wasn't sure your town was big enough to have it's own library."

"Fair, considering we have a grill for a restaurant." He chuckled. It seemed convincing enough. "We do, although it's not very big. I hope you can find what you're looking for."

"Point a girl in the right direction?" I looked around before he pointed down one of the streets that interjected with the square.

"Right around the corner there. Can't miss it. Giant black letters on a brown building."

"How quaint." I mused, taking a few steps past him.

"I'll text you." He grinned, and we waved at each other before he dipped back into the Grill.

"Idiot." I cursed to myself as I made myself turn down the street towards the Town Hall. "What are you getting yourself into? Focus, dimwit!" I shoved my hands into my jacket pockets as I quickened my pace, my fingers running along the hem of the picture there.

I had to focus on my task. I couldn't afford to be distracted with social interactions, or 'friends'. I wasn't here for that.

And I'd do bloody well to remember.