A/N: Hey everyone! I'd like to apologize for the re-upload. I have been rewatching some of the seasons to see if maybe I could get past season three, and after rewatching season 6, I think my irritation with Elena's character arc flared up in this chapter, so I fixed it! Sorry for the emotional writing, but this really is just me writing without an outline. If you already read the original, I've added like 1,000 words, so I recommend reading again.

Thank you for the constructive criticism! I'm not a very good writer haha. Anyway, hope you enjoy the reviewed and renewed chapter!

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Pistanthrophobia: def. the fear of trusting people due to past experiences

Chapter 20: Keep Moving Forward.

All was quiet for the war council over the next week. There was no resurgence of tomb vampires, so really, my list of things to worry about was small potatoes compared to before. It essentially boiled down to this: Anna and Pearl, John Gilbert, and prepping for the return of Katherine Pierce within the next couple weeks. Me and Bons stayed out of the way for the most part of the little stuff.

Stefan was still a vegetarian, or at least I hadn't heard otherwise, since he wasn't nearly dead from tomb vampires. But, I wouldn't be going out of my way to help. Him and Elena could suffer. I also guessed that Jeremy had found Elena's diary, which btw is a terrible way to keep personal information, because he was avoiding me, Bons, and Care like the plague.

Speaking of Caroline, she and Matt had started dating, and both Bonnie and I knew it wasn't going to last for different reasons. Matt just wasn't over Elena, and as sad as we were that Caroline was going to get hurt, we couldn't shatter that dream for her after everything that's happened. Caroline Forbes deserved more than a few weeks of happiness and normality, but we'd make do with what we had.

Bonnie was, in all essence, not good, and I knew I wasn't good either. The recent blowup within our family had made us both a bit reclusive, not really going out and doing anything outside of school and cheer. Actually, we were talking about making daylight rings for cash. As much as I don't love the idea of a bunch of vamps being able to walk where they please, this would be a very quick way to get money to get our own place.

I would be eighteen in a few months, and we would be able to move out from Caroline's house, not that the Forbes minded us being there. I honestly think that Care is glad to have the company, since her mom is rarely home anyway, and she didn't have siblings to talk to, this was like adopting new siblings who happened to be her favorite people.

Bonnie still hadn't spoken to Elena or Stefan, and for that matter neither had I, but Bons not having anything to do with them was more significant. Me and Stefan weren't close, and clearly me and Elena had a mutual dislike for each other, so there was no love lost for me. Bonnie, on the other hand, wasn't speaking to her best friend, and I knew that it pained her significantly. Not that the doppelgänger didn't deserve to be iced out. Both of them did.

Damon Salvatore was in full blown 'Damon the Dick' style mourning. Drinking down college girls and shipping them back, being overly sarcastic and bitter, and genuinely not caring about much. Oddly enough, he was becoming a bit of a fixture for our trio, however, having us all come over for drinks and banter occasionally, and it was heartwarming to see that he wasn't completely shutting down on himself. Not to say his self destructive behavior had stopped though. He was very much still a murderous prick, and proved as much at the date auction and the grieving party for the founding families.

Actually, that woman he talked about, Isobel, would be another potential problem.

Rolling my eyes, I realize that this is quite the mental checklist, and honestly, I don't really wanna. My brain had been happy not worrying so much for the past week, and I'd only just gotten Tyler to rub out the stress knot on my back. Yeah, I know, surprisingly, Tyty's very talented at massaging sore muscles.

Back to the point.

So here I am, parked behind Caroline's pretty blonde head and fashioning her curls in a body wave to win Miss Mystic Falls. Bons was downstairs with Ty and Matt, not wanting to be around Elena in the dressing room on the off chance she lit something on fire.. Like Elena's head.

Care Bear looks flawless, and I can't help but wonder how a certain Original would react if he saw her now rather than later. Speaking of Klaus, I also needed the moonstone. But, I'd have to wait for Mason to come back to know where the hell that was, so again, back burner.

Jesus, my brain has been scattered since opening the tomb.

Caroline smiles nervously at me from the mirror. "Oh god, Lessy, I want to win this so bad. I might cry if I lose."

Putting her curling iron down, I reach down and rub her shoulders comfortingly before shaking her slightly for being so silly.

"Care! You got this. There's not one girl in this room that matches your community service, your dedication to making Mystic Falls a wonderful place to live, and your obsession with making every event pristine. Trust me when I say, you're going to win this thing."

"You telling me my fortune, Aless?" Her tone is playful, but she doesn't look like she believes me, biting her lip nervously before reaching to reapply her pink lipstick, "Elena's going to win. She's better at everything, and as angry as I am with her over her attitude the last couple weeks, I know it's true."

I roll my caramel eyes, turning my attention towards finishing off the rest of her waves with some spray to keep the flyaways in place. "Caroline, you beautiful idiot. You're gonna end up owing me a Reese's milkshake when you win."

She raises a fine blonde brow, "I thought your favorite was cookies n' cream?"

Shrugging, I finish the final touches and wave my hand to display my masterpiece with a flourish, "I'm all about trying new things this year. Also, you're welcome."

She rolls her eyes at me, and looks as if she's about to clap back a sarcastic reply when the door leading out of the dressing room opens, revealing Elena Gilbert and her Aunt Jenna. Of course she's late. She doesn't actually care about this.

My eyes immediately narrow, and I feel myself quickly getting angry rather than my typical annoyance when it came to the doppelgänger.

Giving Caroline a look that says 'I'm gonna get outta here before I slap this bitch', I quickly exit the room, giving Elena a venomous smile on my way out. She blinks at me, as if she doesn't quite understand why I'm still pissed at her, and that only serves to fuel the flames further.

Striding out into the main hallway, and not really paying attention to what's around me, I'm surprised when I'm pulled back by a gentle grip on my arm. Spinning around quickly, I breathe out a sigh of relief that it's the ever so snarky Damon and not Stefan. The jerk kept trying to talk to me, even though I made it abundantly clear that his presence wasn't wanted, and I was debating carrying my vervain stakes with me everywhere to help get the point across.

"Hey," he says quickly, no typical grin on his face, so I can tell he's not in the best mood with John Gilbert being back in town, "we've got a bit of a problem."

"Problem?" I ask with an arched brow.

"Yeah, and as much as you're not gonna like it, Elena and Caroline need to know, too." My eyes narrow once again, and he puts his hands up, "Hey, I don't like it either, but I absolutely hate repeating myself."

Groaning loudly, I nod in acquiescence, mostly because if it's something he'd drag me to see Elena for, it has to be serious, and I seriously doubted that Stefan was going all ripper. He smirks at the quick win, and proceeds to drag me back where I had left a few minutes prior.

This is turning out to be a rough day.

Walking in right as Amber leaves, clearly panicked, Caroline, Jenna, and Elena are all who are in the room. All eyes snap to us, and Jenna's on Damon like white on rice.

"No one's supposed to be back here-."

Damon cuts her off, striding directly to her and saying, "You're going to walk out of this room and forget I came in. You finished helping Elena get ready and want to go see Ric."

The compulsion takes effect promptly, her eyes glassing over as she repeats the order back to him, and he smiles insincerely at her before unceremoniously shoving her out of the door. Caroline looks at me in confusion, and I give her an exaggerated shrug back, showing that I dunno what the fuck is going on.

Frankly, it's a bit refreshing.

Elena looks at Damon expectantly, and with a bit of anger in her doe eyes. "What the hell, Damon! Don't just compel my aunt-!"

He cuts the doppelgänger off mid-tangent, "I just did, but that's outside the point. We need to talk."

"Right now?" The doppelgänger asks, holding up her dress that she still has yet to change into, and the pageant starts in twenty minutes.

"I'm not typically the first one to agree with Elena," my favorite blonde says, "but she has a point. This can't wait thirty minutes?"

Rolling his crystalline blue eyes at how he hasn't been able to make his point yet, he sighs audibly before starting, "Normally, I'd have a completely different outlook on what I'm about to tell you all, but since it could really inconvenience me, I'll squeal."

His debonair smile coupled with his general 'don't give a fuck' air are extremely familiar, and I already know what the bad news is. The only question is how the hell did Stefan get back on human blood?

Scoffing, Elena shakes her pretty brown doppelgänger head at Damon's verbiage, and I can see Caroline prepping to digest really badinformation.

"What are you talking about?" The doppelgänger asks, and I can't help the small amount of glee I feel that I'll get to witness Elena freak out. Serves her right.

"Stefan's still drinking human blood."

Caroline gasps, clapping a hand over mouth, and I pretend to act surprised at this information drop. "'Still'? What do you mean 'still'? You never told us he started in the first place, you dick."

He glares at me, but it has no real heat behind it. "I would've, if I thought your little war council gave two shits about it. Remember? You said, and I quote, 'don't bring up Stelena in my presence'."

Oh yeah. I forgot about that.

I shrug it off sheepishly, and Damon rolls his eyes again before turning back to a now very concerned doppelgänger.

"What?" The brown haired girl asks in disbelief.

"Yeah," is Damon's nonchalant reply, "A month ago, I would've rejoiced. But, with the Council still on their toes, it is not a good time for Stefan to fly off the handle."

Caroline's blue eyes meet mine nervously, but I nod in reassurance. I had told Bons and Care about rippers a long while back, and they were well aware that Stefan had a bit of a drinking problem from the numerous hints Damon dropped when we were all drunk.

But, I'd protect my Care Bear with my life, even if that meant ending Stefan's.

She seems to get the message, and nods shakily back, turning to look back at Damon. "So, he's gone on a binge?"

Before Damon gets to answer in the affirmative, Elena interrupts, "I know he's been a little edgy lately, but he said that was normal."

Elena. Stupid, ignorant Elena. He's as much of an addict as Vicki is/was. Thinking of which, I should check on her soon. My list of shit to do continues to grow.

Damon shakes his head at her, "He has a fridge full of stolen blood bank contraband in the house. So, yes, Caroline, before I was so rudely interrupted, he's on a bit of a bender."

Care clasps her hands together nervously, taking a few moments to calm herself down as Elena plops her butt on the chair incredulously. "Oh my god."

Damon strides around the room, looking all debonair and professional, and honestly it makes my cheeks flush a bit at how in charge of the situation he is.

Oof, those daddy issues are a powerful drug.

"His entire existence isn't normal. Normal to a vampire is drinking human blood. But, he spent all this time fighting it, when he should've been learning how to control it. And now, it's controlling him instead."

"I-I can't believe this! I mean, it's Stefan we're talking about here," Elena says breathlessly in response.

Groaning, I roll my eyes at Elena's persistent ignorance and she glares at me, "I understand you're upset with me and Stefan, but this is serious, Alessia."

I glare right back at her, laughing snidely, "I know that, but do you? He's a vampire, dipshit. And not only that, the dude is a bonafide blood-aholic. And as much as I loathe both you and Stefan, we're wasting time talking about your feelings when we should be either getting him clean or getting him under control. I don't want Damon to die because of you two's stupid decisions."

Damon's eyebrows raise in pleasant surprise, while Elena's lower into a scowl, "I thought I was just an annoyance to you."

I smile at her mockingly, "Well, congratulations. You've upgraded to the gold package of Bennett disdain. Bonnie included, free of charge."

Her face becomes slightly pained at the mention of her ex-bff, and I turn to face Damon now that I've sufficiently shut her up for a moment. I'm about to speak, but pause when I hear something- a slight creaking on the other side of the door. I tilt my head towards it mouthing, 'Stefan', and Damon is, thankfully, quick on the uptake.

Unfortunately, Elena is not, and doesn't understand what the hell I'm doing.

"What about Stefan?" She asks, and I have to close my eyes and center myself before I 'accidentally' smack her for being so unaware of her surroundings. Luckily for me, Caroline is right beside her and smacks her shoulder hard.

The door opens as Elena yelps in pain, revealing a very skittish looking Stefan Salvatore, and I can't help but snark, "And my dislike continues to grow in regards to you, Elena."

Stefan looks a bit confused, but I can guess that he's probably been listening to us for a minute. If we were lucky, it was only for 'the gold package' part, but I doubted it.

Ugh, when did everything get so serious? The constant planning is starting to age me.

Oh, no. What if this gives me wrinkles? I have a baby face, I can't pull those off. I'll look all saggy.

Stefan's voice knocks me out of my pubescent-life crisis.

"Uh, what's going on in here?" His tone has the correct amount of suspicion, but looking into his calculating green eyes, I can tell that he's heard more than I'd hoped. Damon must've come to that conclusion as well, because he tells the truth.

Turning, he smiles at Stefan, "Just filling Elena and Co. on your extracurricular activities."

Stefan's eyes turn cold and unflinching, but his pleasant smile stays on his face as he scoffs.

"What are you talking about?"

I'm feeling very much like an unnecessary accessory in this conversation as Stelena lock eyes. It's impeccable how they can make the rest of the room feel like a third wheel.

"I-I know about the blood, Stefan. But it's okay, we can fix it."

Oof, I do not wanna be here.

Damon takes the lead in exiting the awkward tension, "Well, I'm getting a drink, any plus ones?"

"I'm game," is my immediate answer, and Caroline is right behind me.

"Yeah, I'll go wait at the line up!" She replies a little too brightly, the bizarre tension in the room making her noticeably antsy.

With that, we all promptly exit the room, and I can't help but heave a sigh of relief that I don't have to witness their romantic issues in full flux.

Damon carries on down the grand staircase, but I pause momentarily to look at my pretty blonde bestie.

"You drank your vervain tea this morning, right?"

She nods fervently, blonde hair bouncing, "Totally, Aless. And I'm still wearing that locket you and Bonnie gave me. I'll be fine, just... Watch him, okay? I don't want this ruined. Not after working so hard for it."

I furrow my brows momentarily, because stopping Stefan is equivalent to helping him and Doppelena, but shake myself out of it for Care Bear's sake. "Don't worry, chica. Your Willow is on the case."

I promptly turn to head down the stairs with a grin as Caroline gasps, "I knew you watched Buffy!!"

*

Sipping out of the glass of champagne that I swiped earlier, my interest is currently being held by watching Anna and Jeremy out of the corner of my eye. Their banter is relatively adorable, and I'm saying that as someone who doesn't like Jeremy all that much. The couple is all longing glances and playful joking, and I can't help that I'm a wee bit jealous that Little Gil of all people has beat me in the relationship race.

Or, at least, I was until I saw Stefan pulling out poor little Amber by the arm. Goddammit.

I knew the sweet girl would live, but my promise to Care Bear would not be ignored if my conscience had anything to say about it. With a roll of my eyes, I down the rest of my drink for good luck and set it in a nearby plant. I'm sure the waiters won't mind.

Gliding gracefully through the room as I smooth out my conservative black dress, I try to use my five D's to avoid any polite conversation with the people of this town. One of them being the one and only John Gilbert.

"Alessia Bennett. I haven't seen you in a while, how've you been."

Smiling politely, I quickly say, "Hey, John. How's the wife? Still haven't got one? Well, that's my bad. Gotta blast, but this has been a wonderful chat."

His face has gone slack at my disinterest, and I quickly slide past him and out the front door.

John Gilbert can collect himself on his own time. I'm busy.

Quickly walking until I'm out of sight, I pick up my pace to a jog, which let me tell you is not easy in five inch heels. What? I like to feel tall.

The driveway is long, but, eventually, I come across Stefan and Amber, the former pacing vigorously while gesturing. As I get closer, I start to hear bits and pieces of what he's saying.

"I'm not very good to be around right now," he erratically spouts out to the compelled girl, and even though I've seen this, it seems much more visceral now. "I've-I've been drinking the human stuff and it's really been screwing with my head."

I'd feel a bit bad for him, but.. I don't.

He got himself into this, and now I had to get him out. What a headache. I shouldn't have promised Caroline. He lets out a large exhale, starting to panic about Elena knowing when I'm finally close enough to be noticed by the pair.

"Hey there, Stefano. Long time, no talk."

He doesn't glare at me, he just looks at me as if it pains him to see me. Stefan runs a large hand through his hair apprehensively, blowing out another large expanse of air as Amber smiles warmly at me. "Oh, hi, Alessia. Are you here to help Stefan?"

I nod back, and give the poor sweet girl a smile back. "That's right. So, Stefan, how about you compel her to forget about this and I'll take you back to the boardinghouse. Pinky swear I'm not locking you in that gross ass basement."

Amber smiles brightly once again, "Oh, that's just wonderful. You can help him not be so sad!"

Stefan groans, "I'm not sad. I'm freakin' hungry."

I can't help but laugh at how emphatic he is, but immediately switch it over to a fake cough when he shoots a very mean glare my way. Rude.

"Come on, Stef," I ask quietly, knowing that this is the last time I'm going to ask and the next time is going to be a lot more forceful.

His pretty green eyes are exceedingly conflicted and darker than normal. I can see the frustration, and more fervently the hungerthere, and it sends dangerous tingles up and down my spine. My gaze remains unflinching, and I see Stefan's soften for the smallest fraction of a second before he flashes in front of the still happy Amber.

"You're going to forget the last fifteen minutes happened. You felt sick, so you decided to opt out of the pageant," he orders in a strained voice, clearly trying to rein himself in for a few moments. She nods, and he quickly adds, "Now, sprint back up to the party and don't look back."

She nods once more, eyes glazed before she takes off up the driveway, leaving me alone with the quickly-descending-into-madness ripper. Turning back my attention solely on Stefan, I can't help the bitterness over Grams that settles in the pit of my stomach. It must show, because the younger Salvatore momentarily grimaces, looking down guiltily at his dress shoes.

"Why are you helping me? I ruined your family, Alessia."

Rolling my eyes at the melodrama, I cross my arms, "I'm aware, dude. I was there. But, that's besides the point. Come on, we need to get out of here."

His gaze turns hard, and I see the hunger reappear much more strongly in his eyes as his veins descend. Stefan's broad shoulders tense, and he growls out, "You know I can't just do that, Alessia."

Fine. Hard way it is, then.

Not thinking twice about it, I quickly shoot a spell to burst his blood vessels. Stefan instantly cries out in pain, clutching his head as he collapses to the floor. Methodically, I grab the needle of vervain tea that I had kept in my hand bag just in case something vampy happened today.

What? I didn't know if my being here would change who was on the menu today, and I like being prepared. Also, like I said, Stefan's been bothering me as of late, so it might've also been for him. He lashes around on the floor, but I quickly stab the shot into his neck, causing his long eyelashes to flutter shut with a final painful groan.

Looking around, I'm happy to see that no one is outside where they could see me, but groan loudly once I realize a major issue.

My car was parked four cars down from here.

GODDAMMIT.

I'd have to heft Stefan's muscular, tall ass down this hill to get him into my car in these stupid heels. I quickly pull out my phone, sending a text to Bons, Care, and Damon letting them know to head home together.

Ugh. Today is really not my day.

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