Azalea told Elena that she was going to walk to the school the next day. She wanted to see if she could master her locker before it became a real problem. In jeans and a lilac long shirt she made her way to the school. Ok she told herself. You can so this. 48, then left to 15 then 24 flick it right and nothing… frowning she tried again. She turned it right and tried to open. It didn't.

She grunted hitting the side of it.

"Whoa hey easy," a voice called up the hall. It was the blonde guy that Tyler was with yesterday.

"Sorry, I just… I don't see what I am doing wrong. Look." Azalea put in the code and clicked it right and pulled. It didn't budge.

"See! I am doing exactly what the paper says." She glared at the lock.

"Let me try," he said smiling, taking the paper and putting in the combination. He clicked right and it opened he smiled at the shocked look on her face.

"There," he said.

"How did you do that?" she asked staring at the opened locker.

"It just takes practice," he smiled. "Something tells me you have never used a locker before."

She blushed.

"Where did you get that from?"

"Listen, don't worry about it you'll get it. I'm Matt," he said offering his hand.

"Lea," she smiled taking it. He was cute, she thought, in a way that made Azalea wanted to cuddle him and pinch his cheeks.

"Thank you, I know who to pester between classes."

"I'm sure Elena will help too," he said.

"You know – right small town."

"That and we used to date, so…" he rubbed the back of his head and looking down. "I'm sorry about Tyler yesterday, he can be a dick."

"It's not your fault." She said smiling.

"Come on I'll try and help you figure it out." he said, shutting the locker and holding the lock…

"The battle of Willow creek. Took place at the very end of the war right here in our own Mystic Falls. How many casualties resulted in this battle? Miss Bennett?"

"Um a lot," Bonnie said, everyone sniggered. "Like a whole lot." She said smirking. He smiled too.

"Cute becomes dumb in an instant Miss Bennett." He looked around for his next victim, "Mr Donavon, would you like to take this opportunity to overcome your imbedded jock stereotype."

"It's ok Mr Tanner, I'm cool with it," he said, Azalea burst out laughing at that comment.

"Miss Potter, as you find this so amusing perhaps –"

"Pass," she said.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Oh right, I don't know, I haven't got up to that chapter yet, we don't study the civil war in England, we just kind of do the world wars over and over again, sir." She said smiling innocently at him.

"Elena, surely you can enlighten us about one of this town's most significant events."

"I'm sorry I don't know," she said.

"I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reasons. But the personal excuses ended after summer break…"

Azalea felt her blood boil, without being consciously aware she had stood up.

"How dare you," she snarled interrupting his rant, the expression on her face furious. "There isn't a bloody off switch for grieving, you prat. You never stop grieving you have days where you're fine a song won't bother you, and then other day, wham, tears. So don't you dare talk to her that way! She was politest of the four who answered so pull your neck in you're a teacher not the minister." And with that she furiously swooped up her belongings in her arms and stormed from the class. For long moment everyone stared at the door in shock. Most felt simply stunned, others felt joy at someone talking to Mr Tanner like that. Elena Gilbert felt extremely grateful and sad for the English girl; she got the emotion down, because of this, she knew that Azalea had lost people too. Now that she thought of it she hadn't seen Azalea's parents yet. Then she realised that the redhead had not answered the questions Stefan had the night before. She would ask her in the most gentle way possible to see if her hunch was correct. But if it was, who was she living with? Surely she wasn't by herself?

Stefan was all the emotions that the class were feeling, plus amused as he had watched the delicious smelling girl go with a smile on his face. He knew he was going to like her. Her smell was like her personality, like if you smell fresh orange peal you can't help but smile, it was the same when she spoke.

The group set out to find Azalea at lunch time thought they didn't have to look far she was in the cafeteria stabbing at her casserole.

"Lea!"

The witches head snapped up she was Elena, Bonnie, Stefan and Caroline rushing towards her. As they sat she spoke.

"Look I know I shouldn't have said it, but –"

"No, thank you for what you said, it meant a lot," Elena said sincerely.

"Oh… er, no problem, he is way out of line the way he treats all of you." she said her frown growing deeper. Even Snape would have never made a comment like that. And that's grumpy slimy (thought admittedly selfless, silent guardian) of a git.

"Yeah, he's a jackass," Caroline said, making the redhead laugh.

"I'm buying you a drink next time we're at the Grill, no arguments," Elena said smiling at her. Azalea went to protest, but Bonnie interrupted.

"Comment and I'll get you one too,"

"Bullies," she grumbled eating a bit of her stabbed casserole…

Azalea decided to straighten her hair for the party; she put on a pair of dark denim skinny jeans and a pretty long bishop sleeved butterfly top. She was curious to what a Muggle party looked like, and she wouldn't be centre of attention. That was always a bonus. The redhead put dark blue eye shadow on to match her jeans along with lipstick, last but not least, a long lash mascara.

Matt had already offered her a lift to the party. She checked the time to see she had another hour before he said he'd be at her house. She sighed picking up her grey high heels she walked downstairs and turned on the TV, deciding to watch a documentary on Egypt she had recorded.

She jumped as she heard a knock on the door. That'll me Matt, she though putting on her heads and grabbing her bag, opening the door to a blonde blue eyed teen.

"Hey,"

"Hi,"

"You ready to go?"

"I reckon I'm all set."

"You accent is adorable,"

"Shut up,"

He sniggered but gestured for her to head towards the car, he opened the door for her.

"Er, thanks."

"I'm nothing if not a gentleman," he said, Azalea laughed.

"Haven't met many of them before," she giggled.

"Yeah, well, some of us have to be good guys or the bad guys wouldn't be as appealing." He said as he drove.

"Don't sell yourself short, I think someone would be really lucky to have you." she said smiling.

"So why did you move here?" he said. "Not to sound rude –"

"– Oh no, your fine, er, I moved here to try and live a life worth living. There are too many painful memories in England for me; I may be able to go back one day, but…"

"I get it, well I don't. I've never been in that situation, but I can imagine,"

"Thanks," she said softly.

"Well here we are," he said parking up, Azalea could hear the chatter of teens drinking and laughing.

"Oh you look really pretty tonight, probably should have said that already." He said rubbing his neck.

"Thanks, I'm not use to complements," she mumbled blushing, getting out of the car. He followed her lead and headed to the truck to get the cans of beer.

"Oh, I don't drink," she said as Matt offered her one.

"Smart, oh and just to warn you Tyler's not done yet."

"Thanks for the heads up," she grumbled.

"Hey Azalea." He said touching her arm, she looked up into his blue eyes. Wow, they were Ron's colour, she felt her eyes burn. "Thank you for what you did for Elena in class, Tanner was way out of line –you're crying? What's wrong?" His tone suddenly changed from being grateful to concerned and urgent.

"Oh Matt, I'm fine it's just you have the same colour eyes as one of my very best friends, it just was a little shock to the system, like I said it comes and goes."

Matt pulled her into a hug; the motion had shocked her, she stiffened before allowing herself to relax.

"I'm sorry for your loss, can I ask how he died?"

"I think that story is for another time, when I'm in a 'go' stage," she said with a small smile. "I am going to find Elena and Bonnie I'll see you later, thank you for the lift and sympathy… and your eyes." She said smiling at him before he lost her in the large crowd.

When she finally reached Bonnie and Elena she could hear Bonnie talking.

"He has that romance novel stare."

"Oh, you're talking about Stefan," Azalea said grinning, sipping her lemonade.

"Yeah, do you know where he is?" Bonnie asked.

"Haven't seen him," Azalea said honestly.

"You tell us you're the psychic one," Elena teased.

"Right, I forgot." Bonnie said amused. "Ok Grams says I have to concentrate," Bonnie said looking like she wanted to roll her eyes.

"You need a crystal ball," Elena said looking around before grinning and picking up an empty bottle. "Tada," she grinned as she offered it to the dark teen. Bonnie laughed and went to take it, as she did so she froze her expression changed. Then she quickly released it.

"What?" Elena asked concerned.

"That was weird, when I touched you, I saw a man in a graveyard watching you write in your diary."

Azalea noticed the look on Elena's face, this confirmed for her that Bonnie was a wiccan channel witch.

"I'm drunk, it's the drinking nothing psychic about it." She walked away; Azalea went after her she almost reached the fellow witch when a hand caught her upper arm.

"Yo Britannia," she heard a horrible familiar voice say; well at least she had Matt's warning.

"What do you want Tyler?" she sighed.

"I'd like to see your pussy,"

"I haven't got a cat," she said confused.

"Come on you must know what that means it's in a lot of movies,"

"I don't watch many films," she said. "I didn't have a TV, now let go or I'll bloody knock you out," she warned. He chuckled.

"Damn you're cute," he said. "Ok I'll let go if you give me your digits,"

"My digits?" she snorted.

"Yeah, your cell number,"

"Give up. I am not going to give you my phone number. So put a sock in it will you, Tyler," she sighed walking away.

"What?" he said tugging her back with his strong grip.

"It means shut up and get lost!" she said irritated, still trying to yank her arm from his grip. Suddenly she saw Matt.

"Let her go Tyler," he said pulling her from his grip. "Go get some water," he said, Tyler shrugged.

"Next time Azalea," he said before stumbling away.

"Thanks,"

"Anytime," Matt said.

"Oh, Matt?"

"Yeah?"

"What's a pussy… other than a cat obviously?" she asked curiously, Matt looked at her stunned.

"Oh… it's… er… well. It's… Ask Elena." he said blushing and scuttling after his friend. Azalea sighed by Matt's reaction she could guess what it meant. Grabbing a bottle of Pepsi she sipped, she would have to get used to things like this, sure they had parties in the tower, but they didn't have as much on alcohol, as the twins could only steal so much from the kitchens. In the Muggle world the aim seemed to be to get drunk. Shaking her head she took another sip, she glanced through the crowd at the happy normal teens and sighed. She wasn't use to this way of life, walking towards the forest she smiled sadly touching the tree trunk. She missed Hogwarts so much, but she couldn't go back, it was too painful. Practically everyone was gone, the some teachers, Draco and Dean were the only people left whom she cared for. But those people were not enough for her to swallow her pain. It felt good to escape her life, at least for now.

"Hey you ok?" she heard a voice call jumping to see Stefan Salvatore before her.

"Hi, sorry I was miles away, literally," she said trying to laugh. It sounded wrong.

"Newbie friendship code demands me to ask if I can do anything to help?"

She smiled at him, catching Bonnie behind him. He turned to see where she was staring. "Looks like we made the same friendship group."

"Something tells me that you and Elena will have more than just being a part of each other's friendship group." Azalea said raising a brow at the mysterious person before her. "You are both as obvious as I am ginger."

He gave a small chuckle.

"I hope you're –"

" –Somebody help!" she heard Elena yell. Azalea saw her and her little brother carrying a girl from the woods.

"Vicki!" Matt yelled as she rushed towards her.

She fought through the crowd.

"Move. I know first aid," she said they pulled away allowing her to get by. Azalea saw the wound. Vampire.

"Bonnie, call an ambulance!" she called putting pressure on the open vein. "Right, give me a jumper,"

"What?"

"Your bloody sweater!" she snapped, looking up to see Matt throwing his jumper off, she took it with her free hand and held the pressure there.

"Right Matt I want you to hold her hand and keep asking her to squeeze it." She looked up.

"Everyone else buggar off," she yelled, but as she looked around she saw Stefan his eyes and cheeks were red through the veins on his face. Stefan was a vampire, but he didn't do this.

"Vic, come on. Open your eyes," Matt said.

"Matt, ask her to squeeze your hand, and give it a small squeeze as you say it," Azalea said, knowing sometimes you could hear, but not quite find body parts unless someone touched them. The quarterback did as she asked.

Holding pressure she could soon see the flashing lights. Vicki was taking inside, Matt right beside her. The police arrived not long after; Azalea saw Elena and Jeremy talking.

"Hey Lea," Jenna said smiling.

"Hi Jenna," I said warmly.

"Would you like a lift, I'm here to pick up Elena and Jeremy,"

"Thanks, I would be really grateful."

Elena and Jeremy walked over and the four of them walked to the car in silence.

Hey everyone, I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far! Thank you for all the lovely comments they really make me smile and cheer up my day. Also in this story Teddy was never born. Sorry, but it was easier to not have him with Azalea given all the stuff that goes down in the vampire diaries. ZodiacsKaroline one of your pairing was correct

See you guys at the next chapter xxxx