Knocking on the front door, I thought of the first time I stood here. It had been right after I met Willow, which seemed a long time ago. Unbelievable I hadn't noticed her being a witch. I hadn't thought about the guy mysteriously flying back. Willow opened and smiled.
''It worked?'' She asked.
''If it didn't, would I be here?'' I winked and walked in where after she closed it.
''I can't believe Stefan made a deal with you. Too bad he isn't your only brother.''
I shivered at the thought only. If he was the only sibling I had, I probably could've had none as well.
''I'm glad he isn't. But it was indeed easy. I didn't even need to say what I wanted to do; he dropped me here without questions asked. ''
''And what was the deal again? '''
I grinned.
''I told him that if he lied to Elijah, brought me here; he could do whatever he wanted while he is supposed to watch me. ''
We both laughed and went upstairs, to her room.
''Make yourself comfortable; just don't look under the bed. ''
I made a weird face and sat down on her bed, carefully pulling my legs up. Not sure what to expect if I looked under it, I asked her what to do about the curtain. Thankfully, she knew what it was and what to do.
Two and a half hours later, I was back in my room. I had already told Caroline, Bonnie and Jenna about the plan in a text message where after I immediately deleted it. Just in case Klaus got hold of my phone again. Since it was a Sunday, only two pm, there was almost nothing to do but to go roller skating. It had been a long time and Damon, who was home, also liked it since there were a lot of girls who sucked at roller skating and could use help. It just so happened Damon loved to 'help'.
After asking whether someone else wanted to come, only Rebekah and Michael said yes.
Once at the skating rank, I got a little bit nervous. I'd only done it once in my entire life and that was back in the seventies. My sister got caught up with Michael and started making out in the middle of the rank. Damon left me the second his skates were on and I swear, the moment he stepped on the wood, he was already holding a girl. I rolled my eyes and tried to tie the skates properly but they felt wrong. I sighed and leaned back, looking at Damon and Rebekah, both kissing someone and leaving me on my own.
"You tied them wrong. They're not tight enough, you'll fall.'' A male voice said who had sat down in front of me. He was a little older than me, tall, muscled and pretty good looking.
''I can't get them tighter, I've tried.'' I admitted. The guy sighed and grabbed my foot. In the middle of untying my skates, he looked up and saw the look on my face.
''Can I?'' He asked, a little late.
I nodded and thanked him. After he finished, it felt like the blood was cut off from my feet.
Once on the skating rank, I immediately grabbed the walls and didn't want to let go. I was even worse than I thought. I saw the guy who tied my skates, skating like it was something he could even do blind. A rush of jealousy went through me as I saw him skating harder than all the other people. I looked at my feet and tried to push myself from the side but I was not steady and almost fell. I heard laughter to my side and looked up. It was him again.
''Teach me.'' I said. I was alone and wanted company, but I also wanted to be able to move further than one little baby step. He rolled his eyes but still gave instructions. In the corner of my eye, I could see Damon making little heart signs with his hands but I ignored him and concentrated on doing what the guy was telling me to. It went a lot better.
''So, Kyle, do you come here often? You're a good skater.''
''How do you know my name?''
I shrugged.
''I heard one of your friends say it.''
He nodded and looked away.
''I'm practically here every day.'' Kyle said where after he went after a couple of the guys who had dared him to race. Damon came back to tell me we were leaving but instead of leaving the rank with me, he quickly went to Kyle. I frowned and wondered what they were saying. I looked around for Rebekah but she was nowhere to be seen. I sighed, no vampire hearing to listen in. After five minutes, he came to me and ushered me out the door.
''What did you say?'' I asked.
''None of your business. '' Damon shortly answered. I sighed and untied my skates.
''I want to do this more often.'' I told Damon on our way to the car.
''Yeah, I like it too. '' He answered to my surprise.
I wanted to get in the front seat but Damon quickly locked it from the inside.
I threw my hands in the air.
"What now?''
''Go sit in the back. ''
''You're serious?''
''Yeah, I am.''
I growled and did what he told me to. When I called him an ass under my breath, he made a very sharp turn which made me fall to the right and hit my head against the glass. I could feel a headache coming later. Why did vampires need to be so extreme? I sat back straight and pretended nothing had happened. Once we arrived home, Willow came knocking on the door. I let her in and we went upstairs. I immediately took a pen and paper and wrote:
Did it work?
Willow answered by nodding and wrote back:
A quarter after you left, there was no one else in the house. That's when I did it. It was easy.
I shook my head and smiled.
''Show off.'' I punched her softly on her shoulder and stood back up. We did a little more small talk and she left. A couple of minutes later, Elijah came home. I ran down and gave him the most adorable look I could bring up. It didn't work though.
''You will not go the party and that's it. '' Was his answer.
''Could you at least give me a reason?'' I deserved to know.
''Because I say so. One other thing, Alaric will be holding you company that night. Me and your other siblings need to do something.''
''Why is he even coming? It's not like I can get out of the house without any of you. '' I said, hoping nobody'd be home. I also felt glad that neither Stefan nor Damon would attend the ball. I wouldn't have to worry them seeing me there.
''You won't be alone if he's here.''
''But I'd like to be alone, for once.''
''My answer is definite and I'd like to hear nothing else about it. Go clean your room.''
''But why do I have to do it? You can do it in less than a minute!'' When their vampire speed came in handy, they wouldn't use it. Of course.
''Elena, go clean your room!'' Elijah screamed.'
He had never yelled at me before. I was stunned. Right at that moment, Rebekah walked in and gave me a hug.
''Elijah, it's not her fault. Don't take it out on her.''
Without saying another word he left and ran out the door. Rebekah followed him and I was left behind without knowing what happened.
It took me only one second before realizing I was alone. For the first time in my life, I was alone. Not for too long though. Alaric and Damon soon came home. I greeted them and explained what had happened. Damon shrugged and Alaric got a worried look.
''Damon, you should-'' Alaric started his sentence but was cut off by Damon.
''He'll be fine.''
Alaric raised his eyebrow and crossed his arms. It was fun to see one of my older brothers getting told what to do. I sat down and enjoyed it.
''Don't you give me that look.'' Damon said and turned his head the other way around.
Alaric sighed and took the bottle of Vodka from his hands.
''Go.'' Was his short command. I looked back and forth between the two, wondering how Damon would react.
''Rebekah's already there, why should-'' Alaric coughed heavily while Damon was speaking.
''Fine. I'm already gone. '' He left in a blur, taking the Vodka with him.
Alaric shook his head and turned to me.
''Hi Elena. Long time no see.''
I smiled and said hello back.
''Quite a family you've got.''
''I know. Makes me wonder why I'm part of it. '' I smiled and winked.
''Don' t flatter yourself.'' He retorted.
''What's for dinner?'' I asked. I got up and walked over to the kitchen table.
''You know how to cook, Elena. I'm not your personal servant.''
''Elijah always cooks.'' I pointed out. Alaric wasn't planning on matching up on Elijah because he took a plate with a carrot on and put in front of me.
''Go ahead rabbit. Eat your carrots.'' He sat down on the couch and put the television on.
''Shoes out.'' I said and pointed at his feet. Alaric kicked them out.
My stomach growled and reminded me I needed to eat. I opened the fridge and saw some leftovers from yesterday. Spinach, cucumber and fish. I was craving for some sugar and fat. I looked at Alaric and wondered whether he'd let me eat a pizza or even Chinese food.
''Alaric.'' I said, with my sweetest voice. Alaric just hummed , he didn't take his eyes of the tv.
''I'm going to order Chinese. You want some?'' I crossed my fingers and bit my lip.
''Yeah, order me some of those fried chicken balls. You know what I mean.'' He sat up and looked at me.
''But don't tell your siblings I let you. ''
I was so happy I ran over and hugged him. He laughed and hugged me back before handing me his phone.
''The number is in the list, I just love Chinese. ''
I smiled and dialed the number.
Half an hour later, the bell rang. I stood up to open the door but Alaric gestured he'd do it.
We ate the food and it was delicious. It had been a long time since I had eaten this good.
I stood up and walked to the kitchen, asked if Alaric wanted to drink something. He asked for a beer and I went in the basement to get it. I opened it and looked over my shoulder. The tv was too loud to hear the cap pop off. I put the white stuff Willow had given me in it and steered it with a long toothpick I had taken with me from upstairs. I put the cap back on, took another bottle and walked back upstairs, into the kitchen. I put the bottles down, at the same time and popped open the other one. I took them both in my hands, put one back in the fridge and gave the other to Alaric.
''Thank you.'' He said.
''You're welcome, and you're getting bald. '' I smacked his head on top and grinned.
''I'd be the first vampire to lose hair, hope I get at least an award for that.''
I rolled my eyes and ate further, hoping for the white stuff to work. It was nearly ten and I needed to get ready soon. Five minutes and an empty beer later, Alaric was passed out on the couch. I checked twice, slapping his face as hard as I could, but he didn't react. After waiting another five minutes, just to be sure, I called Willow.
She answered the phone.
''It worked. Meet me in half an hour.'' I said without greeting her and hung up.
I ran to my bedroom, took out the clothes I'd borrowed from Willow and sat down in front of the mirror. It had been a long since I've gone out and I enjoyed straightening my hair and doing my make-up. As we agreed, Willow stood at the front door half an hour later. She gave a quick glance at Alaric and smiled.
''Why are you still standing there?'' I asked her when she stopped next to him.
''Because, '' She said, ''It's my first time doing that spell. And it worked!''
My mouth fell open.
''You mean there was a chance things could've gone wrong?'' I couldn't believe this girl.
''Well, yeah. But it was only one percent.'' She shrugged and caught up with me.
I shook my head and went further to my room.
''How did you know what to do exactly?'' I asked her, fixing the last couple things.
''It was easy. This shield was made by one of my family members, even though I don't know which one. I recognized it as soon as I touched it. '' She answered and got lost in her thoughts.
''Wait,'' I said, '' you mean someone you know works for my brothers? They let a witch from your family do this?'' I realized. I had no idea what it meant but somehow, it scared me.
''Yeah. Let's not think about it tonight, though. Are you ready?'' Willow asked.
I looked one last time in the mirror before I said I was good to go.
''So, where is it?'' I asked and looked around the room. Willow rolled her eyes and opened the window.
''I made the hole right over here so you could just step out of it. There's also a ladder outside, something I've also thought of. '' She looked at me, searching for a compliment.
''You did a great job.'' I smiled and gave her a quick hug before trying out the hole.
I stretched my arm out the window and was surprised to see it go out instead of bumping into a wall. I grinned and stepped through, onto the ladder. Willow followed and we drove in her car to the party. Nothing could ruin my night anymore. At least, that was what I thought until we arrived at the ball.
