There were no balloons, streamers or banners that indicated at a party, no. It wasn't their style when hosting a party, and they knew it wasn't hers either. The Salvatore boarding house stood there in all its glory just as she remembered. Thus far, Elena was honestly starting to think that nothing had changed since she left.

They were welcomed by the roar of music as Elena, Caroline and Bonnie stepped over the threshold. Elena simply stood for a moment, taking everything in.

She stood in a little red jersey dress with sleeves and a dipped back, that hugged at her lithe body, enhancing just how much she'd blossomed since her teenage years. In the warm lights of the opulent mansion, she looked positively Godlike.

Everyone surrounding her sported a familiar face, and when those faces turned on her, the fact of her return dawned in their eyes, eliciting smiles - she was entirely overwhelmed, balling her hand up by her mouth, fighting back tears of joy. In this moment in time, Elena was only just realizing the extent of how fervently she'd missed her home town and its people.

There was a chorus of her name being called over the music, people rushing towards her in an attempt to embrace her first.

None other than Mrs Lockwood managed the first welcome, chastely wrapping her arms round Elena.

The woman was Tyler's mother and the town's, so to speak. As Mayor, she made it her business to know everything about everybody - Elena was no exception, but their family's had been close until her family had ceased to exist.

"Oh Elena, darling, it's so good to see you! Gosh, how you've grown! You make a fine young lady, your parents would be proud. I think I speak for the town when I say you've been dearly missed." Carol Lockwood gushed, taking both of Elena's hands in her own, clearly genuine in emotion.

"Thank you so much, Mrs Lockwood, it's good to be back home. I know they would have wanted this." Elena warmly replied, nodding profusely like a bobble head pooch.

"Oh, yes, yes! Come now, dear, let's get you a drink." Carol paused, laughing loudly as she placed a hand on her chest.

"Never did I think I'd be offering you a drink so soon, I remember when you were just a little girl at school with our Tyler." She said almost to herself, before ushering them to the bar where servers waited to take orders.

Elenas EPOV,

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't much of a drinker, so the fresh mojito in my hand didn't stand a chance. Right now though, I felt the need to drink. It would help in stomaching the onslaught of people eager to get their grabby little hands on me. Carol was long gone by now, and already well over half the towns people had expressed their happiness at my return. So the fact that I was tired was an understatement.

Plus, I couldn't seem to get a lock on Bonnie or Caroline in the sea of people. I felt like a lost little lamb, which wasn't a common feeling for me. Of course seeing everyone was wonderful, and right now, I was still all warm and fuzzy with emotion, so I couldn't really complain.

I was just anxious about seeing Stefan, because the man hadn't made an appearance at his own house yet, giving me the inkling that it may be because of me.

"Elena." An almost hypnotic voice softly said, close enough to pull me from my reverie and making me shiver.

What was more alarming, was how one word uttered by a stranger was having such an effect on me, it was incomprehensible.

Whipping round on the balls of my feet, I was left standing face to face with a man.

The word man felt inadequate at this time; he was positively demonic with that curved smile, killer jaw, jet black hair and arched eyebrows that framed those startling blue pools - which were currently smiling down at her, almost mocking. Something told me I knew this man, but I couldn't recall where from. If I were wrong though in that assumption, I had the feeling I would want to get to know such a face.

It wasn't just that though, it was his whole magnetic presence, and the way in which he confidently held himself.

Attractive in the extreme, almost intimidating, but I could hold my own with just about anybody, thankfully.

My lips parted to speak, but for a fleeting moment, nothing came out but a short breath.

His smile grew.

That pushed me.

"I don't believe we've met." I said a little coldly, his demeanor forcing me on the defensive.

"That's because we haven't." He bluntly retorted, as if amused all the more.

"So-"

"But now we have." The strange man interjected.

"Now we have." I echoed, perplexed yet more than intrigued.

I claim no responsibility for my smile.

"Damon." He offered with an extended hand, his face softening as he dropped his sardonic pretence.

I warily took it. I should have guessed he'd bring mine to those lips.

Of course, I thought wryly; the name suited him so much it was almost comical.

"Stefan's brother."

I swear to god my mouth must have fallen wide open by that point.

"He never told me he had a brother." Was all I could say, quickly stumbling over the words, dumbfounded.

"Stefan's never one to brag." Damon smoothly, arrogantly gave as an explanation. This was clearly hysterical for him.

Somehow that didn't strike me as the real reason.

"I can see why my brother was so smitten."

Then it hit me like a wrecking ball, as I realized just where I knew him from.

"Wait - I've seen you before." That earned a smile from him; he was clearly pleased I was catching on now, slowly but surely.

"One summer, the one before…" I couldn't finish the sentence, self preservation demanded I didn't.

Talking about their death was never going to be easy.

Gathering myself, I went on. "I was in the gardens with Stefan that day, he was showing me the flowers and you… you were sat under one of the maple trees, reading." It shocked me just as much as it did him, as I recollected these finer details none of us expected me to.

We locked eyes; it unnerved me.

"I never asked him who that boy was, he acted like he didn't see you - I almost thought I was imagining you." And that earned a ludicrously wild smile from him; I humoured myself with a giggle and he averted his eyes to the floor, his own laugh deep and quiet.

"I seldom visit my brother, but when I did - you were never around. Timing, I guess. But that summer? First time I saw you - what a pity he never introduced us sooner." He flirted like a fox, clearly experienced, clearly used to getting what he wanted from women.

I'd be lying if I said it wasn't working on me.

Maybe that's why - Stefan could have been worried he'd try the moves on me.

Silly thought, I soon corrected myself, appalled.

"I'm here now… for a while, I think. Everyone has been so…kind." I couldn't help pausing on the word as we held eye contact.

"I can't bring myself to leave anytime soon. It's been too long since I was here. I owe to it everyone." I added with conviction.

"Do you want to be here?" Damon asked now with an inclination of his head, blatantly curious.

I had to give that one some thought before I answered, I mean, it's not like I want to re-visit my past, considering the circumstances - but that didn't mean I couldn't build new memories here with friends, and find some closure.

"I do." I replied in earnest.

He seemed to believe me, giving a curt nod.

It felt like our little bubble moment was coming to an end.

Funny, how the room around me seem to disappear; he was awfully engrossing.

"Pleasure, Gilbert. I'm sure we'll see each other again real soon." Damon said as two pretty women joined him either side, a little on the drunk, loud and giddy side.

It was our queue to leave.

I wanted badly to ignore the irrational pang of jealousy.

And just like that, he was gone, and I was left sipping the minty fresh cocktail.

After a few more of those and a little dancing with Caroline and Bonnie, something caught my attention from out of the corner of my eye.

"Look, he just missed you, ok?" Caroline whispered in my ear, trying futilely to reassure me.

She needn't any longer though, because when we saw each other, when I was reunited with that pair of grass green eyes, the whole room came to a standstill.
There was no malice, no resentment in that stare; all I got was a longing, one I could understand the feeling of. I left the girls behind to meet him half way, and before I knew it, I was wrapped up in his large, familiar arms.

Neither of us spoke for a while, as we stood there, caught up in one another.

Could it really be possible to get back together with him? I thought idly, as that old love for him flared up within me.

I really couldn't help it, I guess you just never forget what it's like with your first.

Stefan pulled back from me, but the butterflies stayed.

His hand gently caressed the side of my face, eyes tender.

"We've all missed you, Elena." Stefan said, echoing the words of Carol, much too general for my tastes.

"Especially me." That was more like it.

All I could do was smile, but something told me there was a tinge of sadness to the gesture.

" I've missed everyone - especially you." There was no beating around the bush with this;

I was caught up in the moment, seeing him like this, older, more refined, but still the same.

But at the back of my mind, the enigma of his elder brother made itself at home.

Okay, so you guys, hope you liked the new chapter!

Like the way the Salvatore's made their entrance?

Don't worry, the party scene's not over just yet, there's juicy stuff to come.

Do let me know if you prefer the story told from Elena's perspective.

Thank you for reading and staying with me, I appreciate the support, please do read and review!

Share the story, even!

I'll be updating almost immediately, and try to do so more frequently in the future.

-A xoxo