Summary: After Damon and Stefan rescue Elena from Elijah, they forget to also rescue Maddison Bennett, also known as Maddie. Elijah ends up finding her and as time passes they grown an instant connection with one another. Maddie knows that it's wrong and she ultimately shouldn't be with Elijah, but she doesn't care. This is her story.

Review Responses to Chapter 58

TriniDem – Yes she finally got to see New Orleans. Thank you so much for reviewing. I hope that you enjoy this chapter.

NicoleR85 – So glad that you are enjoying everything. Thank you for always continuing to support this story. I appreciate it.

LoneButterfly05 – No cheating here, don't worry. I am so delighted that you are continuing to enjoy this story. Thank you for reviewing.

ILOVETMI – First, thank you for reviewing. I appreciate it. And yes she did go with North Carolina. I didn't want her to be one of those girls who went to college because of a guy. I want her to have independence and live her life even though she is in love with Elijah, which he understands. Sorry, didn't mean to go on a tangent lol. I hope that you enjoy this chapter.

Kineret – Yeah, I decided to drop it and just leave it open so later down the road if I did a sequel to this story I could always go back to. Thank you so much for reviewing. I hope that you enjoy this chapter.

Before the Sun Sets

CHAPTER 59 ~ The Last Day

I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

She had done it.

Committed to North Carolina.

In the fall she would be attending as a student and she would also be on their women's lacrosse team. She and Hanna would be roommates. It had already been determined that Hanna was going to borrow clothes from her, a lot, to which she had to smile. Not only that but it looked like Katie had a good chance of attending their as well the following year. A scout had approached her about playing lacrosse and she was raving. She wanted to commit immediately but Maddie told her to think about it. There would be no need for her to rush.

As soon as May arrived so did A.P. testing. It went by in the blink of an eye. She thought she had done well on them considering she hadn't found anything on it to hard. When that was over everything that had to do with school was way more relaxed for her. Cordelia had finished her second year at Stanford. She was now home for the summer. For her birthday she had went out with her friends and Maddie to dinner and a movie out of town. She had spent the night with Klaus, which only Maddie knew. Her parents thought that she was Arianna's for the night and her friends thought that she had went back home. Considering the grin that stayed on her face when she got back the day after her birthday Maddie figured she and Klaus had a great time together. Her parents had been kind of enough to gift Cordelia with tickets to Orlando, Florida for the summer. She, Maddie and their cousins, Kyle and Chris would all be spending a week down there together. It would be good catch up time for them before they were all officially in college and learning the ways of the world.

After Cordelia's birthday they celebrated Katie's. She was now officially seventeen years old. It was crazy to think about for Maddie. Especially when they had just been preparing for her sweet sixteen the year before. Katie had a little party at her house followed by a sleepover to which both Maddie and Cordelia attended. It was great and Maddie was thankful that she was able to get in as much time with Katie as she could before the year ended. While she was sure they would continue to be friends even when college started she still wanted to apricate all of the memories she was making now with her friends.

Her lacrosse team had done it. They had won the grand championship. It was a sweet way for her to end the year. Even if they hadn't won it all she would have still felt happy about everything that they had accomplished. She and Paul even got along now. Prom tickets had been on sale, Caroline and her cheerleaders had everything done in an orderly fashion. Maddie had a feeling that it had really been Caroline who set up everything. They were on okay grounds. Not best friends but they could have a short conversation. The same went for her and Damon. From the few times she had seen him, he was busy trying to get Elena to turn her humanity back on, they had nice and short simple conversations which she did appreciate. However, she could never see them being as close as they had been at one point.

May had gone by so quick. Blink of an eye. And then June crept up and now it was almost mid-way. It was crazy how fast everything had went for her. And now she was here. Looking at her reflection in the mirror as she prepared to say goodbye to high school. Her last day of school was finally upon her. She felt a mixture of emotions. Excitement and sadness being the main two. Although she was ready to be done and graduate another part of her would miss it, especially her friends. She knew that a lot of the times you would no longer see a lot of the people you did in high school and she was prepared for it she was just going to miss the memories.

In honor of their last day the whole senior class would be wearing their senior shirts. Caroline had this idea to do a whole senior apparel sell to help with prom as well before tickets were sold. It had done very well considering mostly everyone had ordered the t-shirts and the sweatshirts were a hit as well. The shirts that majority of their class would be wearing today said Mystic Falls High School on the front and their graduating year on the back. There was also going to be a countdown and a water balloon fight in the parking lot once classes ended for senior only. It was going to start at two-thirty, which would give teachers and other students enough time to leave. Maddie was going to go back home and get them on her time off before going back for the countdown. She had already bought some and Hanna had given her bins to the put them in the day before. They would be a team together. Hanna had also gotten water guns.

"Knock, knock."

She didn't look up from tying her sneakers, "Come in mom."

Janette entered the room, "It's always so clean in here."

"I try."

"Unlike that one," Janette joked, cocking her head across the hall. "How do you feel?"

She shrugged, "Good."

"Nervous?"

"For?"

"Today is your last day. No more high school after this."

"Bitter, sweet." Maddie replied. "Of course it's kind of sad but in a way it's like I'm moving on. One door is getting ready to close and another is opening."

"Very philosophical of you."

"I try."

"Are you going to stay the whole day? I know you have early dismissal."

Maddie shook her head, "No. I'm going to do my regular classes and then I'm going to head out and come back home. We have the water balloon fight so I'm going to do that, go back for the countdown that's later, do the water balloon fight and then come back home."

"Sounds like a busy day."

"Sure is," she got to her feet, a grin on her face, "but exciting."

Walking over to her desk she picked up the small carry on wallet, her cell phone and her car keys. Her yearbook was still in her car from the day before. These were the only "supplies" that she would need for the day. That and her sunglasses. She would most definitely be needing those today.

"Ugh, my baby is about to graduate." Janette said.

Maddie gave her a small look, "Mom graduation isn't for another two weeks. Today is just the last day to a twelve long year journey. Besides we have to get through prom first."

Janette's face lit up for a moment, "Where is your dress?! Oh my god did I forget it all the time at the-." She stopped talking when she noticed Maddie laughing at her. "What's funny about this Maddison?"

"It's in my closet. I picked it up when it was done. Remember, I told you not to worry about it."

"I forgot all about that."

Maddie joked, "You are getting a couple steps closer to retirement."

"That's true."

She was preparing to leave her bedroom when she stopped. "Wait seriously. Are you thinking about retiring?"

"Your father and I talked about it a little bit. We both have good paying jobs. We don't have to worry about your sister's school tuition or yours either for the matter which is a plus to us. The mortgage is almost paid off. And we are blessed that we live a very nice life. It wouldn't hurt me if I did retire but I think I would get bored. It isn't like you or Cord would be home. Come August she is going back to Stanford and you are going to North Carolina."

She nodded. It would be kind of lonely in the house for her mom, "What about the cheerleading coach position."

"I'm taking it but I am still weighing my options."

"As you should."

"Well we can finish this conversation later. You have to get to school and I would prefer it if you weren't late today."

"I'm not late," she started, "that much."

"Tell that to someone who doesn't get an email everyday from the school that you were tardy."

Her face fell for a moment, "Wait what? They emailed you that stuff."

Janette just continue to grin, "Have a great last day."

"So for the last day of school you decide to come on time?"

She shut her locker for what would be the last time. She had all of her textbooks in her hand and she would be returning them today.

"What can I say," she said looking at Katie, "my priorities are all messed up."

"It's not going to be the same without you hear next year."

"You'll find some way to make it fun."

"I'll surely try. I mean just to think we won't be on the lacrosse field together is hard. Paul isn't admitting it outright but he is going to miss you."

Her heart melted slightly, "I'm going to miss him too. He was an ass but in the end he wasn't all that bad. We definitely grew a mutual respect for one another. Don't worry though, I'll be cheering you on at all of the games. At least the ones that I can come to."

"Can't wait. We should go out tonight! You know last day celebration."

Maddie thought about it for a second. She didn't have any plans for tonight. In fact, she didn't have any set plans until prom and graduation and then the graduation party that her sister had planned. Other than that she was completely free.

"I would love to. What are you thinking?"

"Maybe dinner, movie and a sleepover."

"What's playing?"

Katie grinned, "Wonder Woman."

Maddie laughed at that, "My sister has been talking about seeing that nonstop."

"Because Cordelia has excellent taste." Katie noted. She caught the eye of someone and her face lit up. Maddie looked to see who it was and she grinned seeing that it was Rachel and Mary waving at her. Maddie waved to them as well. "Alright, I will text you times and stuff! Invite Hanna and I'll invite some of the team and stuff!" She had already started walking away.

Maddie just nodded, "Alright. I will see you later."

"Can you believe that we got to this point?"

Maddie turned her head. Matt was looking at her seriously. She smiled at him, "No, I really can't. I mean don't get me wrong I have dreamed about this for awhile but now that it's actually here-."

He cut her off, "It's kind of surreal."

"Yeah. That's one way to describe it."

"I can't believe we are actually graduating."

"Me either."

"Next thing you know we will be getting our caps and gowns."

"Right after prom," Caroline said. Maddie and Matt turned to look at her. Since the past current events it had really only been them three in class. That knew about all of the supernatural things went on in this town anyways.

"When are we getting those?" Matt questioned.

"We have graduation rehearsal the morning of prom and then we have Friday off, you know so everyone that's hungover from the after party can recover. Then Saturday we have our graduation ceremony."

"Can't wait," Maddie said honestly.

"There are so many parties the day of graduation," Matt rubbed his head. "I doubt I will make it to every single one."

Caroline nodded her head, "Yeah, Tiki is having hers so I'm going to go."

"You don't even like Tiki," noted Maddie.

"But she is going to have the good alcohol," Caroline said honestly.

Maddie chuckled. That was true. "So is she throwing the prom after party or nah?" No one knew for sure who would be throwing it yet. There was talk and speculation but nothing was set.

"You should throw it," said Matt. "I mean you have one of the biggest houses to fit everyone."

"While that's true my parents aren't going for that. It's one thing for Cordelia and I to drink at the house but everyone else," she shook her head. "My dad would freak. Besides my mom wants to do prom pictures at my house." She looked between Matt and Caroline, "Everyone is invited."

"That's nice," Caroline gave her a heartfelt smile. "You do have one of the nicest porches in town."

Maddie turned back to Matt, "You should throw the after party. I mean Tyler's house is huge and everyone likes you so no conflict there."

"She has a point," Caroline noted.

"Besides, I'll help you clean up if it gets too out of hand."

"Are you even going to drink?" Matt asked.

"I might. We'll see. I would have to go home right after prom ended anyways to change my clothes." She wasn't worried about it. She knew how to have a good time without alcohol being mixed into the equation.

"Well what are you doing after graduation?" Asked Caroline.

"Go home and change because Hanna's party starts at three, or four. And I know Katie and I are going together."

"I thought Katie was going to Tiki's." Maddie gave her a look. They both knew that Katie, like most people, couldn't stand Tiki.

"Funny. Nope, she is opting out."

"When is your party?" Caroline wondered.

Maddie shrugged, "I honestly have no idea. Cordelia is in charge of all of that."

"It's the day after graduation," said Matt. "Come on Maddie get it together."

Maddie laughed, "Sorry. you know me. Never paying attention to stuff like that."

Matt laughed aloud. Maddie turned back to her phone. Looking around the room most people were either signing yearbooks, on their phones or taking pictures. She knew that before the countdown she was supposed to take a group picture with some people from field hockey and lacrosse. She had been getting texts since class started on where to meet so they could get a picture with certain groups. This was what today was all about. Saying goodbye to teachers and getting last day pictures with all of her friends.

She was starting to feel more bitter than sweet.

As time dwindled down class was almost over. It was weird. She had since gotten up and talked to various people in the class. She had even gotten a picture with Matt and Caroline. Now they were all just waiting for that bell to ring that would signal the end of their first period.

"Well," Ric said, taking a stand in front of the class. Maddie noticed how awkward his body language was. She had to smile. Considering that Ric had most of these students for two years now it was probably weird for it to be their last day. "It's been a great year. I have to go say I've enjoyed all of the laughs that this class has given me. I hope that you all have a great graduation-," he was going to continue until he was cut off.

Someone in the room yelled, "AND PROM!"

That got majority of the class to laugh. Ric even gave an honest chuckle, "Yes and prom. How could I forget about that? And I hope that you all have a safe summer. Good luck to you all in college. I hope I don't see any of you in the paper getting arrested for stupid things."

That got another roar of laughter. "Question," yelled Jamie Hugh.

"Yes?"

"Can we add you as a Facebook friend now."

"You can," Ric nodded, "but I make no promises to accept everyone."

"But you'll accept my friend request, right?" Wondered Maddie with a smile.

Ric returned that smile saying, "I'll think about it."

"One last thing!" Everyone in the room turned to look at Matt as he got to his feet. "Prom after party at my house!"

The whole room erupted in cheers.

Calculus was another bitter sweet moment. More so sweet since Maddie wouldn't have to worry about math for the whole summer, or anything else for that matter. In fact, she planned to have an education free summer. This summer would be about having fun. In her literature class all they did was talk about what each student planned on doing with their futures. Everyone in the class was going to a different school, some weren't going at all choosing to either take off a year or just work instead. They all had their own individual plans. They all had their own goals and aspirations which was great to see. When that was over she didn't go right to Bio. She had to go swing by the guidance office. She had went and gotten Craig a gift. Knowing that he loved Starbucks she had gotten him one of their cups and put a gift card inside and a letter thanking him for everything. She even threw in one of her senior pictures, knowing that he would put it on his wall along with his other graduated students. She even made him take a picture with her although she would see him at graduation. But this picture she would be able to rub in Cordelia's face since Cordelia only had a graduation picture with him and nothing else. When she did finally get to Bio it went by quickly. Of course, when all you did is take a million pictures with people times flies.

"Can you believe it?" Hanna questioned later as they sat in band. "It's finally here!"

"We are one step closer to graduation."

"Thank goodness. I can't wait to be done."

Maddie raised an eyebrow at her friend, "So you're telling me that you're excited for the real world?"

"I'm excited to have a college experience yes. I am excited for professors to each me like an adult yes." Hanna beamed. "Although if I sat here and told you that I wouldn't miss this place, even just a little bit, I would be lying. It wasn't all bad."

"We had some good times."

"That we did."

"And now it's ending."

Hanna repeated her words, "And now it's ending."

"But on the bright side we are going to conquer North Carolina together."

Hanna's eyes lit up, "YES! Now we are talking."

"Have you seen Katie?"

She shook her head, "No. Why?"

"She wants to do something tonight. She was saying dinner, a movie and a sleepover."

"I'm down as long as we go see Wonder Woman."

"I can tell you and my sister will be sitting next to one another tonight."

Hanna chuckled, "I am glad that Cordelia has such great taste in movies. But come on, don't tell me that you haven't been watching the trailer every time it plays. Gal Gadot is a beast. Literally she is going to slay in this movie and she has given me the most perfect idea for my Halloween costume. I might just have to get to the gym some more to get my muscles to look like hers."

"Her body is amazing."

"Her personal trainer, or whoever she has needs to come and find me, as soon as possible."

"I can't with you."

"I am so serious."

"Trust me," Maddie breathed, "I know. She is supposed to text me with details later. I think she is seeing if Rachel and Mary want to go."

"Mind if I invite Casey, Addison and Miranda?"

Maddie shook her head, "The more the merrier. We can totally do the sleepover at my house. I know my mom won't mind. In fact, she will probably get excited. She always loves when we have people over. I think she enjoying every moment since in August both Cordelia and myself will be off to college so now it is just going to be her and my dad. At least until holidays."

"Your mom is a living legend."

"I am sure that she will appreciate you saying that."

"Besides, Cordelia tells me you have the best bed in the world so I call dibs."

Maddie laughed, "Literally she is always sleeping in my bed. Even when I'm not home. She takes naps in there, she will wake me up in the middle of the night and tell me to move over. She doesn't care."

"That's Cord for you." They were both silent for a moment before Hanna's face lit up, "You ready for this afternoon?" A look of confusion came over Maddie's face. Hanan snapped, "Water balloon fight!"

"Oh, yeah right. We are all good for that. When I get home, I am going to fill up all of the balloons."

"I am totally going to dunk will when it's all over."

"Yeah, how is your boyfriend doing?"

"Hush you."

"Back so soon?"

Maddie looked at her sister. She was standing in the kitchen with Lucy by her feet. "Only half a day."

"You aren't staying the whole time?" She questioned. "Come on it's your last day of high school! Go talk shit with the teachers one last time. That's what I did on my last day."

"Yeah, as fun as that sounds I have water balloons to fill."

Cordelia's face lit up, "Fun! I'm helping."

"I have to go get the bins from my car and the balloons."

"What time do you have to be back?"

"They're doing the countdown towards the end of last period," she said. "So, I will get there before last period officially starts and hang around."

"My sister is about to graduate," Cordelia sighed. "I can't believe it. You were just getting in the car with me, ready to start high school and now you are about to be done. I do hope you know that I am going to be so obnoxious at your ceremony."

Maddie stared at her with a serious face, "I'll act like I don't know you."

"Like that'll actually work."

Maddie set down all of the things she had with her on the counter, except for her keys, before she went back outside. Going outside she grabbed the bins which were stacked together. In the top bin there was a bag that contained the water balloons she had gotten. By the time she got back to the kitchen her sister was gone. With a frown on her face she called out her name. She was going to put the bins down and go upstairs to look for her when she saw Lucy running from the screen door. She then saw it was slightly open. Adjusting the bins in her hand she made her way outside. Not before grabbing her phone and throwing it into the top bin. She could hear the bag paper make a sound as her cell phone hit the top of it.

"CORD!"

"I'm right here," Cordelia said. She was standing off to the side by one of the picnic tables they had on her phone. "No need to yell."

Maddie dropped the bins and grabbed her own cell phone. She had a text message from Katie and Hanna waiting to be read.

Katie – It's a go for tonight. Rachel and Mary are in. So are Kristen and Courtney. If you don't want to use your house we can use my basement for tonight.

Hanna – All good for tonight. Casey, Miranda and Addison are in too. Hibachi for dinner, wonder woman and then sleepover at yours or mine?

"Don't make plans for tonight," said Maddie not looking up from her phone as she texted her mom to make sure it was okay that she had a sleepover tonight. A big sleepover since it would be eleven people.

"Why?"

"Katie came up to me earlier and suggested that we do dinner, a movie and a sleepover tonight. Mary, Rachel, Kristen and Courtney are in and so are Hanna, Miranda, Addison and Casey."

"Nice, what movie?"

"Wonder woman."

Cordelia's face lit up, "Definitely count me in. Sleepover here?"

"Yeah. We can use my room."

"That would be best since your room is more put together than mine."

Maddie rolled her eyes considering that was no secret to anyone. Looking back at her phone she saw a text from her mom stating that it was fine. She quickly texted Katie back telling her they could use her house and then she proceeded to text Hanna and tell her that she would see her later.

"Alright, now that that's settled let's start on these water balloons."

Cordelia walked closer to her sister, "I hope they don't all pop while we get them together."

"Don't jinx us!"

"This is it!" Hanna said loudly.

Mystic Falls High School gymnasium was filled with it's senior class. Everyone staring at the screen ahead as it counted down the final minute of their senior year. Maddie was sitting in the middle of the auditorium with Hanna on her right and Matt on her left. She had her snapchat going so that she could easily catch every moment of what would be the last. Almost everyone in the room was standing up, holding a phone and circling it around the whole room, no doubt excited to have everyone on their snapchat friend list see what was going on.

"This is crazy," Matt murmured next to her.

"Right." She responded. "You ready for this water balloon fight?"

A grin came over his face, "I hope you know that you will be getting soaked by me."

"Game on Donovan. Game on."

Turning her attention back to the screen that was in front of her she let the grin that came over her face stay. Her heart was beating faster and faster with the anticipation.

"Thirty seconds!" Yelled Hanna. Maddie couldn't help but laugh as she watched her friend jumping up and down. She was glad she was enjoying the moment though.

"We're halfway there," said Matt in response.

"Stop reminding me!" Maddie said next. "I'm going to cry."

Matt stopped, a frown suddenly coming over his face. "Are you really?"

She busted out laughing, "Nah. I mean if you really want me to I am sure I can pull out the waterworks. Only for you though. I need my bitch reputation to last."

"No one thinks that you're a bitch," responded Matt.

"You're so sweet." Her face turned back to the screen, "Twenty seconds left."

Maddie got to her feet along with everyone else. She decided to take a page out of Hanna's face and stand on the actual bleachers part. Taking a look around she noticed that not many people were sitting anymore. In fact, what she noticed the most was the flashlights that were shining out of everyone's phone. Matt followed in suit standing next to her. Opening up her snapchat she held the phone so that it had the numbers. She didn't start actually filming yet though.

Once ten seconds hit everyone began to chant together, "TEN, NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN, SIX-," Maddie began to start filming now, "FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE, ZERO!"

The whole room erupted with screams, cheers, laughter and tears. Maddie was with the people who decided to scream to show their excitement. The minute zero flashed on the screen different people began to shoot out different colored streams of confetti. It was falling everywhere. Their time for high school was now officially over. After about two minutes of it sinking in some people decided to leave the gym. She could briefly hear the alarm. She knew that most of the faculty would be leaving since they had no desire for their cars to be hit with water balloons. The other students would also be making their way out.

"And just like that," Hanna said giving Maddie a hug, "it is over."

"I know," she whined.

"Now we are going to go and kick the boys asses!"

With a grin on their face, they like the rest of the people inside of the gymnasium left the bleachers. However, they didn't leave the gym yet. Various people were getting last minute pictures with their friends. Maddie and Hanna were getting some as well. They took a picture together before they took one with Matt and Will. Hanna was on Will's back and Maddie was on Matt's.

"I hope you don't think that just because we took an awesome picture together we are going to go easy on you girls," joked Matt.

"Ha!" Said Hanna. "Donovan we are going to kick your ass so be ready."

"I doubt that," said Will. He had a huge grin on his face. "Come on Matt, let's show them whose boss."

"That would be us," said Maddie.

By the time she got home later she was soaking wet. Her shirt was soiled, her shoes were making squeaky sounds and her hair was stuck to the side of her face. As she entered the house she had a huge smile on her face. Even though she was a mess she was happy.

A happy mess.

Today had been a great day.

The moment she walked through the door she slipped off her shoes, followed by her socks before she ran upstairs to her bedroom. Cordelia was in her own room when she got upstairs, but she had her bedroom door open and was looking out of it.

"How was it?" She asked.

"It was good. Really good."

"I'm glad." She had a smile on her face. "We are going out for hibachi at seven, movie is at nine thirty and then sleepover is here."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Now go take a nap. You've had quite the day."

She smirked turning around and heading into her own room. Even though she knew that she needed a shower she sat laid back on her bed, looking at the ceiling. She began thinking about the whole school year. Even though she would still technically be a senior until she walked across the stage at graduation, she couldn't believe that school in a whole was over for her. Now she was about to enter the real world. But she couldn't deny that this had been an amazing last day.

"Oh my god!" Cordelia said when she was done chewing on her popcorn, "Look at her! She slays! In another lifetime, I'm telling you I married wonder woman."

Maddie sat up slightly from her reclined chair to look at her sister. Cordelia's eyes were glued to the screen as she enjoyed the movie. Shaking her head, she leaned back against the seat, getting comfortable in her position.

"She is so into this," murmured Katie who was on her other side.

"Her and Hanna both," Maddie said back. She had to admit it was a great movie so far. She was glad that they had decided to come and see it.

"I can't wait for this sleepover tonight."

"Me too."

"We should mess with Cord," whispered Katie.

Maddie gave a quiet sound of reassurance, "Of course we are going to mess with her."

They went back to watching the movie. Even as Maddie watched she couldn't help but think about how perfect today had been.

Thank you all so much for reading. I want to say thank you to everyone who favorited this story, added it to their alerts and a special thank you to everyone who took the time out to review.

I hope that you enjoyed this chapter.

In this chapter … Maddie's has the best last day of high school.

Next chapter … Prom!