Airports sent chills down the back of Elena's spine - not out of fear, but pure excitement. To her, there was nothing better than the thrill of escaping to another part of the world, away from the norms of everyday life. That was a certain novelty that kicked off the healing process of loosing your family in one single day. All that mattered now though, was that she was finally setting foot back in her childhood town. She hastily got off the plane, all too aware of the lingering stares of Mr smoky eyes behind her. Her carry-on wasn't heavy thankfully, so Elena wasn't weighed down in her sluggish state, the jet lag palpable.

"Oh boy." Passed silently through her lips as she looked through the vast expanse of windows towards the entrance of the airport, the feat of her actions only just dawning on her.

Really, what do I even expect to accomplish here? Elena mentally quizzed herself with disdain.

The weather was abysmal, though warm - summer rain in this instance, wasn't a godsend.

She warily stepped out into it, getting a good soaking in the process. Despite herself, a smile lingered on her plump lips.

Who or what it was for, she had yet to figure out.

The rubber soles of her converse made hardly any noise on the pavement outside, unlike the jet-setting business women that swarmed around her, lugging around their leather briefcases.

Travelling was to be done in comfort - she'd save the heels for later.

"Hey! Wait!" Someone called in the distance, the sound of running becoming increasingly louder.

Elena span round on the ball of her heel, face like a deer in headlights.

"Matt?" She scoffed, hardly believing her eyes as she squinted for a better view.

"What the -" cut off mid sentence two long arms flung themselves around her weary body, cutting off her oxygen too.

"Elena! Oh man, oh man, oh man..." he repeatedly laughed, shaking his head, blonde hair glowing. "How many years now? I can't believe you're really here - the whole town is just... going crazy." Matt could hardly take a breath, unable to stop talking but at a loss for words.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa calm down." She teased, laughing in earnest.

There was a time when they were the best of friends, nothing more though, but inseparable nonetheless.

It felt good to see him again, making her swell with happiness.

"It's really me, and my gosh have I missed you!" Elena chirped, ruffling what she could of his short hair, a goofy smile plastered on her face.

What surprised her the most, was how not awkward any of this was; she had a feeling everything was going to be way better than she'd originally thought.

"I'm the cabbie for today, madam, hope that's quite alright." Matt threw in to clarify, putting on ridiculous voice, a fist over his chest.

"Where's the goddamn car?" She retorted, rolling her eyes as she trudged off to the car park, peeking over her shoulder to grin.

Just like old times, Elena thought, relieved and soothed.

The car ride over to Mystic Falls was, quite simply, one filled with unlimited banter. They re-hashed on what they'd done in life since she'd gone, laughing at all their mishaps. Town gossip was a topic of conversation, but that was normal; Mystic Falls was never a dull place. He did well on avoiding Stefan Salvatore altogether, she mused.

It was comfortable, to the extent where Elena even managed a little kip.

The next time her long lashes fluttered open was to her old friend's lovely face... in her face.

"That's a little creepy, don't you think?" Caroline commented, an eyebrow cocked speculatively.

"I know it's been like, ages, but c'mon... Bonnie," When the girl showed no inclination to move, still grinning, the blonde folded her arms. "Bonnie... seriously... BONNIE."

"OH MY JESUS WHAT'S GOING ON?" Elena shouted, reflexively springing to life, alerted by the commotion.

Bonnie was still hovering over her at the time, so their foreheads collided with a painful sound, causing Elena to topple backward, Bonnie going down with her.

"Ouch..." Caroline muttered from the sidelines, pursing her lips to form an ooh.

Elena rose a hand to her forehead, unable to stop herself from laughing.

"The fuck.." she mumbled unintelligibly, before recognizing the lump of body on top of her own.

Their eyes met, and they both stopped laughing, and just stared. It hit them eventually, as they began squealing like giddy school girls, wrapped up in a hug.

"Women." Matt offered, stood, visibly shaking with laughter beside Caroline.

"Girls." Caroline corrected, lips curling.

"My girls!" She added, voice raising ten octaves, clapping her hands like a seal.

Before they knew what was even happening, the three girls were jumping up and down and talking over one another, unable to control themselves. It was the warm welcome home she'd dreamed of, and sure enough, it reduced Elena to tears.

When they'd finally got the last of the giddy giggling out the way, the jumping, the shouting and the skipping, not to mention her suitcases - yes, suitcases, plural - the trio retreated to Bonnie's bedroom and settled down, already on the wine.

"I still can't believe you're single." Caroline said, flailing her arms around, wild with outraged gestures. "Have you seen you?" She did have a point.

"Please - nothing serious my way, thanks. But, er, tall, blonde and gorgeous - where's prince charming already? Me and Nonnie placed bets that you'd be happily hitched by now."

"Mhm, to some rich douche." Bonnie confirmed.

"See?" Elena shrugged, taking a hefty swig of Pino Noir, grinning all the while.

Caroline's eyes narrowed, but the smile that followed was as plain as day; Elena could tell she was happy with the idea of it.

The blonde hopped to her feet now, stationing herself by the walk-in-wardrobe.

"Then let's fix all that." Caroline began, before clearing her throat.

Elena was perplexed, noticing how sheepish she'd suddenly become.

"Go on..."

"Tonight." She continued, before mumbling a few words, along the lines of sounded like, 'because there's this totally huge surprise party for you at the Salvatore boarding house'.

Elena could feel her jaw drop, but it just stayed there.

"You what."

"BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO PART-AY!" Bonnie shouted, jumping up, arms stretched high.

"Bonnie - just no." Caroline shook her blonde curls, before turning sympathetically to Elena. "The whole town is so, so, soo excited, you have to come see everybody - I know that..." She paused, frowning and tight-lipped, looking to Bonnie for assistance.

"We'll be there, okay? It's been years; trust me, he's not angry with you, not in the slightest. He even contributed to the party idea." Bonnie soothed, reasoning with her.

It's funny, they didn't even have to say his name, but she knew. Stefan Salvatore. Her old love. It made her uneasy just by the thought alone, but she'd have to face the music some time - and when better than with actual music?

"No." She stated simply, rubbing it off nonchalantly.

"Please." That was Caroline.

"Pleaseee." That was Bonnie.

"PLEASE." And that was Caroline - again.

"PLEASEEEEEE." And one more from Bonnie for good luck.

Elena was about to hang herself.

"Okay, okay already." Elena said with a heavy sigh, clearly caving in, making the other two grin with anticipation.

"Well?" Caroline demanded tentatively.

"I'm game. I'll go... I'll - I'll even dress up." Elena answered, unable to hide her smile.

"Good. To be honest, babe, it's not like you had a choice anyway, so."

And with that she flittered inside the wardrobe, tossing out dresses on her path of destruction. Closing her eyes briefly, Elena began silently chanting to herself, warding off the anxiety. "You'll be fine, you'll be fine, you'll be fine, you'll have a good time..." It was the sympathy of the towns folk she just couldn't stand the thought of.

Sorry it's so... Idk. The story will get moving soon! Too much girly action, not enough Salvatore?

You just wait, my pretty little readers. Please read and review!

Thank you all for your suport so far - I'll be updating with the party chapter real soon, promise. :}

-A xoxo