Expecting it was Damon or Elijah, I didn't struggle but when I looked in the eyes of a stranger, I panicked. I screamed and tried to get loose from his grip. If his hands had felt cold, I would've guessed a vampire. But they weren't. He was too strong, I soon gave up the struggle and let him win. The guy, or man, he looked about forty years old, threw me over his shoulder and started walking. I thought he was insane. Jake, who apparently had been sleeping next to me, had woken up and sat up immediately. I couldn't help but think that the messy look looked cute on him. He looked at the ripped tent, at me and then back at the tent. The man speeded up a little and repositioned me on his shoulder by throwing me in the air , it wasn't that high but his shoulder was a hard stump in my stomach. I gestured to Jake to do something and he finally got out of his haze.
''Conchobar!'' Jake stood up and ran to us. Conchobar didn't stop when his name was called. He kept a steady pace.
''Put me down, '' I said, ''Please.'' His shoulders went up a little and I couldn't help but think he laughed at me.
''Jake.'' I said, pointing to the man's back. Jake lifted his hands in the air and gestured he was helpless. I sighed.
Since I was dragged out of a tent in the middle of nowhere and kidnapped, I hadn't paid any attention to my surroundings. There were more tents , definitely more than a dozen. I wondered whether the people lived here or were just camping. I saw a couple of family's but also younger couples. A few of the younger people from the campfire were looking at us with a confused look. A wave of shame came over me, I was hanging over someone's shoulder and there was no one who hadn't noticed. Finally, Jake thought of something but when he ran away, my hope was gone. Great friend, Jake.
''Conchobar, what are you doing?'' A woman asked. I couldn't see her because my butt was turned to her face and I suddenly wished Conchobar had held me the other way around.
She sighed.
''Put her down.''
''No. She needs to leave.'' So Conchobar did have a voice, it was very low and deep. Almost like he growled.
''She can leave herself and wouldn't have minded if you asked her.'' I told him. Talking about being assertive.
''Why does she need to leave?'' The woman matter of factly asked. I couldn't believe they were talking about me as if I wasn't there. I also felt kind of unwanted.
''I'd like to know that as well.'' A male voice said. So there were at least two people talking to my butt now. Conchobar finally put me down. The woman who had spoken first was beautiful. Not the model-kind of way, she was just pretty in her own way. I looked up to see the face of my carrier, it was exactly as I had imagined. Big eyebrows, strong cheekbones and a hooked nose.
The woman smiled apologetically but the man ignored me.
''Would you like to eat something?'' She gestured to follow her. I wasn't hungry, I just wanted to get away from all the staring eyes and Conchobar. So I nodded and went after her. Jake caught up with us and I wondered where he'd been. After walking less than a minute, we came to a little wooden cabin , surrounded by green and trees.
''Jake, honey, '' The woman said, ''Can you let Elisa get some eggs please?''
''I don't think asking Elisa is a good idea, I'll get them myself.'' Jake answered, looked at me and went back outside.
''Excuse me, but can you tell me what time it is?'' I looked around to see a clock hanging somewhere on the wall but there was none.
''Time gives people too much pressure.''
''Yeah, well, it's more that my brothers give me pressure and if I don't get home on time, they'll get mad.''
The woman frowned.
''Aren't you already too late?''
I suddenly remembered I had my cell still in my pocket and took it out. It was 7.18. How on earth would I make up an excuse for staying away all night? Unless, they hadn't noticed me being gone for so long. I had five new messages. One was from Caroline, saying I needed to stay and not be such a pussy, two others said goodnight. The fourth and fifth one were from Rebekah. She wanted to know whether I was having fun and when I'd be home. The last also said she went away with Michael so no one'd be home. I looked up, feeling so lucky I couldn't believe it. I immediately tried calling Stefan and as a miracle, he answered with a raspy voice.
''Stefan?'' I said.
''You dialed my number so yes, I'm Stefan.''
I smiled.
''Are you already home?''
''No, I'm still at the party, why?''
I blessed him and sent a quick thank you to God, even though I wasn't really religious.
''Because you need to take me home.''
''Yeah, I'm not by car, remember?''
''Since when do you need one?''
I heard him sigh on the other side of the phone. I also heard a faint sound, it must've been music and laughter. It was gone after two seconds where after I swear I heard a woman's voice.
''Stefan? '' I asked.
''Meet me at the front of the Lockwood's house in an hour.'' He hung up before I could answer. For the first time in my life, I was glad Stefan didn't care about my whereabouts and what I did. He hadn't asked a single question. Things were going too good, I expected to have some bad luck soon.
''The Lockwood's property is only a mile and halve from here. I'll let Jake escort you.''
I looked at the woman, totally forgotten she was her. How had she heard Stefan on the phone? He hadn't spoken very loud and she was on the other side of the room.
''Thank you.'' I smiled and looked at the door, hoping Jake would come in soon because he was the only known factor here.
''So, Elena, right?'' She was taking all the ingredients to make pancakes, which I hadn't eaten in a very long time. I nodded but she was standing with her back to me so I answered out loud.
''How do you know my name? '' I asked.
''I'm Annabelle. Nice to meet you, even though I didn't like the circumstances in which it happened. Conchobar does not know how to be polite, he is a good man though.'' She said, ignoring my question.
''Nice to meet you too.'' I scraped my throat because it felt a little rude to ask.
''Why does he want me gone? Who is he?''
A pan dropped and the woman wanted to buck down but I could see her back would hurt so I took it for her.
She smiled and thanked me.
''You're a nice girl. So, Conchobar. He doesn't like vampires. He has his prejudices about them.''
I immediately turned my head by hearing the word vampire.
''You know? '' I didn't even try to deny it. Jake was a wolf, she knew Jake and maybe she also knew about him. I also felt like she was someone I could trust and another thing that surprised me, I liked her. I genuinely liked Annabelle.
Annabelle gave a quick glance at the door, sighed and murmured something about Jake staying away for so long with those eggs. She started doing the dishes and I offered to help. I dried, she washed.
When I finally got the courage to ask about this place, Jake came in , holding five eggs in his arms.
Annabelle dropped the plate she had been washing and took the eggs.
''Finally! You almost let the poor thing starve to death.''
Jake smiled and shook his head.
''I , unfortunately , ran into Amelie and you know how she is. She came with something original this time though, it wasn't one of her usual speeches. Amelie said she had royal grandparents, hadn't heard that one yet.''
''I love Amelie, she is such a good girl. I still don't get why you don't give her a chance.''
''We're not having this discussion again. You know how I feel about her.''
Annabelle rolled her eyes and started making the pancakes.
''Sit down, they'll be ready soon. ''
Jake and I sat down at a little squared table, already set. It had a little vase with flowers and other cute decorations.
''What is this place? '' I asked as soon as he was settled. Jake smiled and looked at Annabelle.
''This is my home. '' I frowned.
''I didn't mean this cabin, I meant, '' but I interrupted myself. ''Wait, your home? Is she your mother?''
Jake nodded and pointed outside.
''The man who stopped Conchobar, he's my dad.'' I felt stupid I hadn't looked better at the men, I wanted to see the similarities. I could only remember a faint image.
After the pancakes, I looked at my cell and saw I had fifteen minutes until I was about to meet Stefan.
''I need to go, '' I told them, ''It was nice meeting you, Annabelle.''
Jake stood up and followed me, after he closed the door, I wanted to speak but he put his finger on his lips. I frowned but listened.
''There are many ears here who shouldn't be listening. '' I looked around. Everybody was doing something, no one seemed to listen or was close enough to hear us. A couple of eyes were turned to us and I wondered again, what this place was. We walked past the place where the bonfire had been yesterday and I knew it wasn't far anymore so I stopped Jake. I knew the way from here on.
''Thank you, for everything. I had fun last night.''
Jake smiled and gave me a hug. I was startled.
''Yeah, me too. See you soon?'' He asked and I immediately said yes, even though I knew it'd be hard.
We waved goodbye and I left, alone.
A couple of days later, I was sitting on a bench in the park, watching Stefan playing a friendly match of football. I had finally some alone time to think. I didn't get it. Why did society thinks it's weird to not have a boyfriend, to be alone or single for longer than a couple of months? I didn't have a boyfriend, I never had one. Unless you counted the unwanted teen marriages and all that. I meant that I've never been in love with one of my companions. I looked at my fingers. There had been so much rings around that one finger but they all had meant nothing to me. I rushed my ring finger as a symbol to clean all the memories of those weddings. That time was gone. I didn't miss it, only the clothing. The dresses were so beautiful and it was much easier to decide what to wear. I looked around and almost everybody seemed to be in love or have a boyfriend. A couple was sitting on the grass, laughing and holding hands. Another boy, a couple of feet away, was flirting with a girl who obviously didn't mind it. And then , there was me, sitting alone on one of the benches. Stefan was playing a football game with the team from school and Damon was in a meeting with teachers so I needed to wait until one of them was ready. I sighed, knowing I needed to sit here for at least another hour. School had ended half an hour ago and I had been sitting here ever since. The wooden bench hurt my back and the sun was too hot so I decided to go look for a tree where I could sit in shadows. I didn't need to look for long though but someone else was already sitting on the other side. There was something very familiar about the way he was sitting, I could only see his back. After I saw the helmet, I knew it was him.
''Don't even think of trying to scare me, you know better.''
''I didn't-'' but that would be a lie. I had wanted to scare him with a smart remark. I hadn't forgotten his wolf hearing, I just hoped he was too caught up in whatever he was doing.
''Are you reading?'' I asked. It sounded more amazed than I intended.
Jake raised an eyebrow.
''What? Can't a guy just love reading? ''
''No.'' I crossed my arms. He smiled.
''You're right. I hate it, I don't get why people would do it. ''
After he closed the book, I read the front.
''Homework?'' I guessed. Jake nodded and leaned against the tree trunk, closing his eyes and apparently enjoying the sun.
''I've read it, I could tell what happened.'' I sat down too and looked to where Stefan was playing. He was busy and we sat out of sight. It'd be safe to sit down here for a while but I needed to watch the time. Damon could be back too and if he found out, it'd be worse than Stefan.
''Like you would be that nice.'' He looked into my eyes.
I shrugged and smiled, uncomfortable under his stare.
''I'm known for being nice.'' I winked.
''And I'm known for liking cats.''
I laughed.
''So that's really true? That you don't like cats? How atypical.'' I sarcastically commented.
''Well, I guess you know everything about being atypical.'' he retorted.
My smile faded. I didn't want to talk about myself. Jake looked at me, really looked, as if studying me.
''What?'' I asked, suddenly feeling awkward.
''Nothing.'' He stood up, put all his stuff in his backpack and doubted for a second what to say.
I felt sad he had to leave, it felt nice to be with him. I wanted to grab his hand or give him a hug before he went away, because I would like it but also because I didn't know when I'd see him again.
I also wanted to ask him to stay but I didn't know when Stefan would even think about me and look in my direction and see Jake and me, or when Damon 'd come back. None of those scenario's seemed good so I said goodbye and was left behind by the tree. Seeing Jake leave, I thought about our first encounter, also at a tree or rather, in a tree. How weird was it to sit in someone else's garden? Didn't that say enough about him? Why did I even enjoy spending time with him, I barely knew him. I wondered where he lived. Probably with a lot of wolves and in the woods. He must have a pack where everybody loves and knows everybody. I wondered how that would be. I also still didn't know why he had murdered someone and who that someone was. Hell, I didn't even know his last name or age. The only thing I was certain of, was the fact that he was a wolf. Maybe that was all I eventually needed to know.
"Do you think I'm weird? ''
''Except from the fact that you are as old as this town, never age and have vampire siblings? ''
''No, because I've never been in love before.''
''You've never had a boyfriend in all those years?'' Caroline asked, eyes wide in surprise and disbelief.
''I've had some, I've even been married but I was never in love. I liked some of them though.''
''You've been married?'' she thought it hard to believe because nowadays, people didn't marry this young anymore. Except for the exceptions, of course.
''So you think I'm weird. ''
Caroline laughed.
''I think you're definitely special and maybe a little weird but not because you've never been in love before. You just haven't met the right one yet, those things can't be rushed. You can look for him , or even her, you never know, but you won't find him unless it's time. And since it can take a while with some people, you better make it a good waiting time, enjoy it. Everyone finds their match sooner or later.''
''Have you found yours?'' I asked her.
She sighed.
''Not yet. I've been in a couple relationships, I loved a lot of them but it was never the one. I don't even know if I would recognize him if he walked by but I know that when you've found him, you'll know that it is him. And since I've never been a hundred percent sure, I don't think I've met him yet. ''
Maybe I hadn't found him either, even after all these years.
''Don't be so sad, you'll have me until then. '' She winked and I smiled. She was right, until then, I was happy enough with my friends and family.
''I wonder what it feels like, to be in love. People do a lot of crazy things in movies and books, I don't get how you can love someone so much that isn't family and you'd do anything for.''
Caroline shrugged and we both kept silent.
I came home, threw my backpack on the couch and took an apple out of the fridge. Rebekah, Damon and Elijah were home.
''What does love feel like?'' I asked Rebekah, which got me a surprised look from the other vampires in the house.
''I'm out.'' Damon said and left. Elijah frowned and asked me why I wanted to know. I shrugged. I told him I had been thinking about Rebekah and Michael, they seemed in love but I had no idea how it felt because I've never been in love. Elijah told me about all my weddings and I said I liked them but that I've never felt something that looked like what people described in movies or books.
''Well,'' Elijah said, ''I'll leave this to you, Rebekah.'' Where after he left too.
Rebekah smiled and gestured to sit down at the table.
''Love is truly like it is in the movies or the books. But the actual feeling of being in love is indescribable and different for everyone. In the beginning, I literally felt butterfly's in my stomach whenever I saw Michael. When we got to know each other a little better, I always almost fainted when he touched me, that's how happy I felt. I know you'll find your love one day. Just have the patience to wait long enough.''
I thanked her and because I didn't want to think about it anymore, I put my running clothes on and went for a quick run around the house. The music from my IPod was a welcome distraction.
