The morning after the bonfire was rough. I had expected life to follow to the original story pretty close. What I did not expect was to arrive home with my sulking siblings to an empty house and a two-page apology letter from Jenna saying she couldn't juggle her college life and taking care of the house. In addition, paperwork signing me off as the guardians to Elena and Jeremy. Jeremy acted like he couldn't care less but I could see the pain in his eyes knowing that another family member had left us, this time willingly. Elena was the one that surprised me. Her anger has been known to stop people in their tracks while cowering away from her.

"Can you believe this?! I always knew she was flaky, but I thought finally understood!" as Elena continued raving, I sat at the dining table and smacked my head to the wood.

"Ivy.. you okay there?" Elena questioned me as she sat down at the head of the table.

"Why would she do this to me, Lena? At least she's somewhat of an adult! I'm only nineteen. Like sure I'm a genius but I don't know how to look after people! Jeremy is still acting emo and you say you're fine, but I can see through that like tissue paper!"

"We'll be okay. I'm finally starting to feel like myself again, and Jeremy has always listened to you best, Jenna wouldn't have been able to get him out of this funk anyways."

I raised my head to stare at her balefully. "I'm going to have to deal with bills. Oh god meetings. Jenna said that she had a meeting with Tanner tomorrow! You know how much he hates me."

"Tanner has always been a douche. Just deal with him like you did in class."

"I was a kid in a room of teenagers and I ridiculed him. If there is anything that man does know is how to hold a grudge. That's why I started online courses."

Getting up and moving to the fridge, I grabbed a carton of ice cream and 2 spoons placing it on the table between the two of us.

"Distract me please. Tell me about your new boy toy." I begged of her.

"He isn't my boy toy.." Elena muttered while picking at the chocolate chunks.

"Yea and I'm the Queen of England," rolling my eyes at her and smirking.

"He's nice and there is so much more depth to him than I got with Matt. I feel like I can actually connect with him. Like he gets me, and I can act like myself how I am now. I don't have to be the girl I was before." Elena started off slow and built up to gushing about Stefan like he hung the moon and stars.

I smiled at my sister, seeing how much he makes her happy again. I knew he was going to be the great love of her life- the human one at least. It was nice to see the love developing right from the start.

"Make sure you get to know him. There is nothing like having a boyfriend and best friend all in one. You have to trust him and be there for him too."

"I know. He's mysterious, which I don't like, but it goes both ways."

"Just let him take his time then, people are all different. Don't be pushy."

"I'm not pushy."

"Yes, you are but I'm forced to love you anyways." Giggling at her.

"Gee love you too sis. I'm gunna head to bed. Will I see you in the morning before school?"

"Yea I'm gunna have to start staying around to make sure Jeremy actually makes it to school now. Sleep tight."

I stayed up later into the night. Originally, I was going to just be the easy going sister and help out in the back ground where I could. With Jenna gone now though I was going to have to take a more active role in Elena's life and the trouble she was going to get into. I wanted her to be able to trust me with her secrets not be kept in the dark like Jenna.

I was up early the next morning, or that morning rather. I wanted to be able to catch Jeremy before he crept out to visit Vicki in the hospital. Making a to go thermos of coffee and egg English muffins to take to Matt. I went up to nudge Jeremy awake when I ran into Jeremy as he opened his bedroom door looking already ready to go.

"Morning. I made some breakfast if you want to eat before we head to the hospital."

"Hospital?" Jeremy questioned with a confused look on his face.

"I know I haven't been the most attentive sister recently, but I do know how much you like Vicki. Were gunna check on her and bring Matt some food before I drop you off at school."

"Ugh – do I have to?" Jeremy groaned and walked downstairs.

"Yes mister you do. As the new head of household, I am going to make sure you are in class even if I have to drop you off and pick you up. I am not going to deal with Tanner any more than I have to." As I followed him down stairs and into the kitchen.

"Ah I see, this is all to your own benefit not mine." Jeremy quirked an eyebrow at me as he poured a huge cup of coffee.

"Yep." Grinning at him as I hopped up onto the corner counter, crossing my legs and cradling my own coffee cup in my hands. "You should really lay off the caffeine dude. You're only 15, do you wanna be scrawny forever?"

"Says you midget." He muffled through a huge bite of the egg English muffins I made.

"Just because I was not blessed with height does not mean anything. I'm fun size." Seeing Elena enter the kitchen, I threw a dig in "That's why I'm the more fun sister."

"Not anymore, you're now the parental authority." Elena wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"Ew. Don't remind me." I muttered with my coffee cup raised half way to my mouth. "I always aimed to be the cool older sibling who bought you booze and drove around at night buying cheap take out and jamming to too loud music. Now I trade in my coolness for a mini van of duties with a side of scolding. So you best start sucking up now!"

They both rolled their eyes at me. You'd think they were siblings instead of cousins right? Ha.

"Yea. Yea. Elena you joining us on our morning adventure or is Bon-Bon going to be here soon?"

"Depends on where you're going."

"Hospital to see Vicki and Matt."

Elena made a face at the mention of the Donovan's. "I think Bonnie should be here soon. It's still awkward being around Matt."

"Okay. I'm going to be picking up Jer after school- yes I really am Jeremy- are you going to be around? Want a ride?"

"No Caroline roped Bonnie and I into folding pamphlets for the comet tonight."

"Alright let me know if you need an escape plan at all." Winking at her.

"Caroline isn't that bad."

"She is the only one in this town that I believe could dominate the world one day."

Hopping off the counter, I started putting together a doggy bag of supplies for Matt. Looking to Jer and asking if he was ready to go. Without replying he left his empty coffee cup and walked out the room, a second later we hear the front door slam shut.

"Well that is my cue. Have a great day Sunshine!" I hip check her slightly on my way past, ruffling her hair as I did so.

"HEY!" I hear her yell after me.

"Love you!"

"Yea, you too!" I hear her call back. Smiling as I shut the door behind me.

After the hospital, I drove Jeremy and Matt to school early with them teasing me the entire way about my upcoming meeting with Tanner this afternoon.

"Ms. Gilbert. Please, do come in." Tanner greeted me slowly. "I was expecting an adult. Jenna was her name?"

"An adult is what you have got. I am now the official guardian of Jeremy and Elena. Now you said you have some concerns you wished to discuss.?"

"All right? I'm concerned as Jeremy's teacher. His grades are already slipping and its only the third day of classes."

"You are aware there are no official grades yet as you have yet to teach anything substantial enough to grade students on this early in the semester, correct?"

"Yes while that is true, attendance also counts towards his grade for participation in classes."

"Even if he was sitting in class, participation is voluntary. I mean unless you're.. you. Right, Mr. Tanner?"

At this he glared at me, moving to stand over me as I was sitting in one of the student desks.

"Is there someone else who can come in for a meeting? Someone who will take this seriously?"

"I am entirely serious about my siblings, sir. I just don't see how it is relevant to already have a teachers conference this early into the first week of classes." Standing up to face him evenly.

"He needs to start taking his schooling more seriously, anything after this is going to be detrimental to him passing his classes. With the drugs he's been doing, I already anticipate him failing everything that he hands in, in my classes."

"I'm aware that our family is struggling right now. We're making progress and he has been getting better gradually with support and understanding. Both of which are not given when he attends your classes. If anything, being in your class is worse for his grades, I believe." Smiling innocently as I saw a few students filing into the classroom as the bell rand signalling the end of lunch hour. A few of them smirking as they caught the tail end of our conversation. "Sorry Mr. Tanner that's all the time we have today. Please the next time you call me in have something more relevant to talk about. Have a great day" As I walked out the door and down the hall.

Catching sight of Elena and Stefan in the hall way, a book in Elena's hands. Sidling up to her, "Please tell me you have already had history today?" Ignoring Stefan's presence as I questioned my sister.

"What dd you do?"

"I just had a nice chat with Mr. Tanner about our family and his teaching methods."

"As if I believe that one bit. He's going to be a menace now!"

At this Stefan cut in, offering his hand to me. "Hi I don't believe we've met, I'm Stefan Salvatore." Giving me a tentative smile.

"Hmm. There's a reason we haven't met." This prompted Elena to hit my arm, giving me a stern look and Stefan's smile to slowly drop off his face.

"I'm kidding. Geez did you have to hit so hard, Lena? Nice to meet you Stefan. I'm Ivy, Elena's sister. She's mentioned you to me before, nice to have a face to match to the name." Grinning as Elena's face reddened and she started inspecting the book more closely.

"Well my trouble making spirit is fed. I will see you tonight. Nice meeting you Stefan, I hope to see you around the house."

"Yes, of course."

"He's on the rebound and has raging family issues." Were the words Elena greeted me with as she sat at the kitchen island. The exact words throwing me for a loop for a moment before I replied to her.

"You're seventeen how does he already have such a bad rebound that he's considered damaged by his brother?" I questioned aloud "Also, you're one to talk! You're the one that avoids your ex all the time."

Glaring at me she didn't give me a response besides picking at the bowl of ice cream I placed in front of her. I heard the front door open and called out for Jeremy to join us. For a moment I thought he was going to ignore me like he would Jenna. Surprising the both of us though, he sat beside Elena at the island and stole her ice cream.

"So I spoke to Tanner today. I got you off the hook for now with my sharp wit. Your welcome."

"I didn't say thank you."

"Well it's the only time I'm doing it so you better start going to class before you actually fail Freshman year."

That's when he stormed off. I knew he would.

"I thought we weren't supposed to antagonize him?" Elena asked as she took her bowl of ice cream back.

"He'll be fine. I think he just hasn't been laid in a while."

"Ew."

"Well maybe you should have some fun with Stefan. Then it would be so 'Ew' now would it?" using air quotes as I spoke.

"Its more than about the physical! You and Caroline both have said that today."

"That's just scary. Don't compare me to her." Shuddering at just the thought, season one Caroline is dreadful. "Arnt you supposed to be in the town square with Bonnie by now?"

"Yea I was hoping for a drive over? Please?" giving me her puppy look with her big doe eyes.

"Lets go. Sheila has been talking up this comet for weeks. I wanna see what's so special. Jeremy lets go!" Calling up the stairs for my little brother.

I was at the bar ordering food for myself and my siblings when I heard Vicki mumbling behind me. Glancing over I saw what I can only assume is The Damon Salvatore and Vicki in a staring match before she pushes past him towards the washrooms. Blinking once and he was gone. I thought he would be more subtle than that. I wonder if this is when I should reveal my knowledge of their undead state to Stefan. It might get him to trust me earlier on. Nah she doesn't die yet I have some time.

Half an hour later after diffusing a fight between Jeremy and Elena because of Tyler and his big mouth. Searching for Vicki is easy, I just wander around for a bit before finding a bench to sit on and watch the comet overhead. I know she will be okay, Stefan will look after her and make sure she doesn't run screaming 'Vampire'.

That was where Elena found me asking to take her home.

I could tell she was pretty upset after arguing with both Stefan and Jeremy today. We headed home to just cuddle on the couch and have bit of sister bonding time. "You know I think you're taking this Stefan thing kind of hard. Its only been a few days, trust takes time to build. If you give up now you'll never be let in by him without trying to be there for him first." Elena huffed while looking at me as I spoke to her. "It must be hard for him. He's an orphan too, doesn't get along with his sibling like you do and just moved to a new town and school. I'm sure he's just looking for someone to be friends with first. You should give him a shot. You wont ever get anywhere in life if you run scared."

"I think you're right. I just don't like to not know. Shouldn't he have told me first not Damon?"

"Those conversations come with time. I think Damon was acting like a dick on purpose. He probably enjoys getting under Stefan's skin."

"Ill talk to him at school tomorrow."

"No, no. Now. Or you'll come up with a hundred reasons not to by morning." Getting up and dragging her out the door causing her to laugh.

"I'm going, I'm going. You're pulling my arm off! When did you get so strong?"

"Maybe you're just weak little one!"

"I'm half a head taller than you, short stack."

"Be gone! Go get your man." Shutting the door after tossing her my keys.

They needed to have their first kiss. For a moment there I thought I had changed her mind. Without Jenna around she didn't come to the conclusion herself to be happy.

Ill have to start paying attention more to how I affect her decisions I thought to myself as I walked upstairs getting ready for sleep.