"I'm not saying don't date the guy. I'm just saying take it slow"
"You were the one who told me to go for it"
"Now I'm saying take it slow"
Alyssa walked away from the tentative conversation Bonnie and Elena were having about Elena's relationship with Stefan and Bonnie's sudden about face on the subject.
"Next time, I'm riding with you" She told Matt when she came to stand beside where he was throwing around a football with Tyler and another guy she knew was on the football team with Matt and Tyler.
Matt chuckled at the forlorn look on her face and tossed the ball to their teammate. "What girl talk not your thing"
"No I'm all about gossip just not one that involves my sister" especially given that's all Elena seemed to talk about now and she was really getting sick of the topic of her and Stefan. It was worse than when she and Matt use to date and that was saying a lot.
"Oh look" Tyler said bringing her and Matt's attention to Elena and Stefan, Bonnie no longer there. "There's Elena and her new boyfriend. Now what are they doing? They're walking, walking, walking, Yep. Right into the sun set"
Alyssa rolled her eyes at Tyler's immaturity and Matt responded with, "You're a dick" a sentiment Alyssa wholeheartedly agreed with.
Tyler was unaffected by his best friend words and continued. "While you're just standing there looking like one of those little year trolls"
"Gnomes" Matt corrected tossing the football again.
"Whatever" Tyler shook off and tossed the ball to Matt.
"What am I suppose to do Ty, she made her choice"
Tyler got the ball from the black guy and said, "Let her know she made the wrong one"
Before Lyssa could consider what that could possibly mean Tyler threw the football to the back of Stefan with strong protest from Matt which Tyler ignored and with quick reflexes Stefan turned around and caught them ball and tossed it back to him. Leaving Matt,Tyler,shocked while Alyssa mentally congratulated him for showing up Tyler and turned to said person.
"Real mature Ty" and walked off.
Alyssa and Matt walked into History after stopping off at their locker with Matt arguing Stefan's case
"You know we need him Matt." Alyssa said sitting down in her seat in the back next to Matt's. She had been trying to convince Matt to get Tanner to let Stefan join the team after over hearing Elena suggest it to Stefan, she thought that it would be a good idea. They're team sucked.
"No," Matt sat down beside her setting his bag on the beside her. "We don't"
Tanner began his lesson as soon the bell run and and Alyssa waited for him to turn away from them before she starting talking to Matt again. That opening came when he began an oral pop quiz she took it as the invitation she needed once his back was turned.
Leaning over she said, "Matt our team sucks. The last game we didn't get completely crushed in was back in freshman year"
"Even if I wanted to" He responded once he pivoted. "Varsity try outs were last year."
"So once Tanner sees how awesome he is there is no way he won't put him on the team" She was highly convinced of that.
"Miss Gilbert" Alyssa and Matt looked up but saw that Tanner had his sights on Elena instead of Alyssa.
"Pearl Harbor"
Elena responded with umm… and Alyssa started to rescue her sister but was beat to the punch by Stefan.
"December 7, 1941"
"Thank you Miss. Gilbert"
"Anytime"
"Very well" Tanner took Stefan's invitation and that began a series of rapid fired questions. "The fall of Berlin wall"
"1898"
"Civil Rights Act"
"1964"
"John F. Kennedy assassination"
"1963"
"Martin Luther King"
"68"
"Lincoln"
"1865"
"Roe versus Wade"
"1973"
"Brown Vs. Board"
"1954"
"The battle of Gettysburg"
"1863"
"Korean War"
"1950 to 1953"
"Ha! it ended in '52"
"Uh, actually sir, it was '53"
Alyssa turned to Tanner and he didn't look so sure of himself anymore. "Look it up somebody, quickly"
"It was...1953" a student in the front said and Tanner looked completely stunned. A look Alyssa completely marveled in, and continued to do so after class.
"Did you see the look on Tanner face?" She was happy that someone was finally standing up to their ass of a teacher. "He looked like he was ready to explode. Good for Stefan for showing him up" They stopped at the lockers and Matt pulled out his book for calculus.
"Don't tell me you're jumping on the Stefan bandwagon too?" She had talked nonstop about him since that morning and he seriously hoping she wasn't started to develope a crush on him.
"Are you kidding me?" She leaned against her locker facing forward. "Like I would ever go for the same guy my sisters into. I have enough insecurities concerning her as is. I definitely won't be adding to that list." almost as an after thought she adds. "Besides mysterious loner isn't exactly my type"
"So what is your type? A guy from the wrong tried a tracked," He asked as they walked to second period.
"Please," she stopped outside his math class as the warning bell rung, "that is such a cliche and I have way better taste than that"
"Enlighten me then"
"I'd prefer…..boy next door" She said back away, "Even if he were a jock" a second bell rung prevented Matt from responding. By the time it ended Alyssa had already walked inside the classroom.
"I can't believe you're actually doing this" Vicki voiced in disbelief after Alyssa had changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top.
"It's all part of the new me" She said closing her locker and lacing up her sneakers.
She wrinkled her nose. "I like the old you better"
"Well tough" she dropped her leg from the bench. "This is the me you're stuck with so get use to it"
"I don't ever think I could get use to you like this" Vicki was having a hard time wrapping her mind around the fact that her best friend left the dark side to become a cheerleader.
"It's to honor my mom" She said as they left the girls locker room. "I know how excited she was when Elena joined and I thought I'd give it a try" her mother, was also a cheerleader when she went to Mystic Falls High and she thought somehow it would make her closer to her.
"You know you don't have to make everything in your life about pleasing your parents. I think they'd want you to live your life," she looked towards her brother who was on the field congratulating his offensive line. "Not Elena's"
"Well they were hell bent on comparing me to her when they were alive I'd think they'd be thrilled I'm becoming Elena 2.0"
"You know that's a load of crap right." Vicki was determined to make her see that. "Your parents you loved you. They only wanted what's best for you which is a hell of a lot more than what I can say of my parents. Who both ditched us for their own selfish reasons."
"Yeah but my parents hated that I hung out with you. They always thought you were a bad influence."
"That's because I was-"
"But I'm not changing that am I? You're always going to be my sister from another mister and nothing's going to change that. Elena 2.0 or not," She grabbed her hand and smiled. "I'm going to always have your back."
Vicki smiled and squeezed her hand tightly. "I got to get to work and you have to go join the land of the rah rah girls. But I'll see you after my shift."
"Yeah, Elena's planning a dinner so that Bonnie and Stefan can get to know each other." she told her so in between fourth and fifth period. "So I'll probably just crash at your place tonight. I'd hate to have to bare witness to a sisterhood of the traveling pants moment"
"Yeah" she scrunched up her nose as if she smelled something horrible. "That'll be bad."
"Complete torture"
"Inhumane"
"Definitely" She said as if she couldn't imagine anything worse than that and then the gag was over.
"So I'll see you tonight"
"Yeah" She confirmed with a nod and watched Vicki leave before joining the girls on the field.
"Seriously, where's Caroline" Bonnie asked with a hint of concern and a tinge of agitation.
"She's not here yet?" Alyssa asked joining her sister and Bonnie side.
Caroline, their cheerful, controlling, captain was always the first one their, made sure practices were started on time, and made sure every routine was done to perfection. Which was a bit tiring at cheer camp but she knew it paid off in the long run.
"No, and we haven't heard from her all day" Elena said and even Alyssa had to admit that was a bit odd.
"I'll try her again" Bonnie said with her phone already out and preparing to dial her number but she arrives in the next three seconds in Damon Salvatore car and leaned over to kiss him.
"Uh…." Elena words pretty matched what Alyssa thought as she watched Caroline exit the car and walk over to them.
"I got the other brother. Hope you don't mind" She said to Elena in passing. "Sorry I'm late, girls. I uh was busy"
"More like getting busy" Alyssa mumbled under her breath and Elena nudge her.
"All right lets start with the double pike herkie hurdler" Caroline instructed and began counting off. "And five six seven eight and one, two, three, four, five, six, seven eight."
Elena tried to follow the count and the squad lead but Alyssa could see she was having trouble with the movies. She wasn't the only.
"Elena sweetie, why don't you observe today okay" Caroline asked singling her out and she stepped off to the side. "Do it again from the top and five, six, seven, eight, and one two three four five six seven eight."
"It's official," Elena said setting her bag down on the couch. "I suck"
"You don't suck," Bonnie said and Alyssa tried not to comment on that. "You just need some practice"
"Yeah," Alyssa stopped beside her sitting her bag down as well. "Lots of it" Bonnie shot her look that said she wasn't helping and she rephrased it. "I mean Bonnie and I will be happy to help you catch up."
"Yeah, we could schedule extra practice after school" Bonnie suggested and Alissa made her way into the kitchen opening the fridge.
"Yup just say when" She closed the fridge and turned back to Bonnie and Elena.
"Okay but before then we have to get through this dinner" Elena said effectively changing the subject. "Speaking of which," she turned to Alissa, "What are you going to be doing tonight?"
"I'm going over to Matt's. Vicki and I are going to spend some much needed bff time so I won't be back tonight."
That gave her some pause. "Your spending the night over Matt's?"
"Yes, and before you get all preachy I will be sharing a bed with Vick not Matt so you have nothing to worry about" she knew Elena was afraid that her and Matt were becoming more than just friends. "Though, if I were, it wouldn't be any of your business since you broke up"
"Two days ago you said that the two of you were just friends and now-"
"Nothing's change," she said wanting to squash any thoughts she might of had. "But it might, in the future and if it does I want to have your blessing"
"You want my blessing to date Matt. The same Matt I use to date for years and whose your best friend brother"
"Yes, and only if it comes to that I just don't want it to be weird so I want to get it all out on the table now so you won't be blindsided by it."
"Wait I'm confused" Bonnie said trying to piece what little information she had together. "You and Matt"
"No, not yet and possibly not ever but it looks that way maybe and I just want to know that Elena's going to be cool with it if it does" she turned to her sister to get her reaction.
"I don't even know how to respond to that"
"It's okay you got time to process it. But while you are, can we maybe get a move on. I promise Vick I would meet her at the grill so I'm going to go change and let you digest the information maybe talk it over with Bonnie." She said backing out of the kitchen. "She's always been the voice of reason." She turned and left.
"So do you want to tell me why Elena's been glaring at me for the past minute" Matt asked stopping beside Alissa who sat at the bar.
She turned to him as he sat down. "I might've implied that I was interested in you and that we could be getting together in the near future."
Matt paused, "You did what?"
"I know. I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. She was standing there all smug like there was no chance you would ever fall for me after being with her and I just said the first thing I knew would get under her skin."
"Why does she get to you so much?"
"I don't know. Deep seeded issues caused by our parents, and don't worry I know you're not over her and you probably never will be so don't worry I don't expect anything. I was just using you as a weapon and I'm sorry." She pouted, "forgive me"
"Yeah, it's fine. Besides," he turned towards the bar and she did the same. "It'd be good for her to think that I'm over her."
She turned to him, "so now your using me."
"Yeah, you okay with that"
"I get a pretend hot jock boyfriend while sticking it to my sister. Need you even ask"
Matt asked with a raised brow. "Did you just call me hot?"
"Yes, but don't let it go to your head."
"I can't believe you're really going through with this" Vicki said as she watched Alissa study her reflection in the mirror.
"I know me either but I am" she said tugging down the end of her skirt.
"My brothers going to die when he sees you in that"
She stepped from the mirror and turned around to face Vick, "And that would matter to me because?"
"Don't act like you don't know what I"m talking about"
"I don't." Alissa grabbed her overnight bag preparing to leave the Donovan house.
"Sure you don't," she got off the bed. "Just make sure I'm the maid of honor at your wedding" She said as they left the room.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, lets be honest here. In the past, we used to let other teams come into our town and roll right over us! But that is about to change. We've got some great new talent starting on the offense and I'm gonna tell you right now, it has been a long time since I have seen a kid like this with hand like these. Let's give it up for Stefan Salvatore!"
The crowd cheers at Tanner's words and Alissa looks down the line towards Stefan to see Tyler with a not so happy look on his face.
"So for all you have been waiting for us to put a check in the win column, I have one thing to say to you...Your Timberwolves are hungry"
The crowd interrupts in more loud cheers and Tyler walks away from the crowd and over to Vick.
"And the central high lions are what's for dinner!"
Alissa steps out of line when she hears Vicki for Tyler to stop and she walks over to the crowd that had gathered to see Jeremy and Tyler fighting.
"Hey, he's down! Enough!" Stefan intervenes and Tyler punches him but it has no effect.
Jeremy grabs a broke glass bottle and strikes at Tyler who moves out of the way and he cuts Stefan hand instead.
"Tyler knock it off! Stop!" Matt steps in and push Tyler back and Elena checks on Jeremy.
"What the hell, Jeremy? Put your head up, you're bleeding"
"I'm fine," he said pushing away from her and Alissa joins her sibling side.
"Yeah you smell fine" Elena said smelling the alcohol on his breath.
"Just stop, okay?" Jeremy said walking away while Matt pushes Tyler away so that he can cool off.
Alissa contemplated following Jeremy but knew he needed sometime to himself plus she wasn't even sure what to say to him. He was spiraling out of control and she didn't know what to do to help him.
"I can't believe what happened to Tanner" Alissa heard Jeremy say where she stood in front of the bathroom mirror. "What kind of animal could be doing this?"
Alissa walked back into Jeremy's room with a glass of water and some aspirin. "I mean first there was those missing couples and then Vick and now Tanner"
"I don't know" she handed her brother both the pills and the water. "We just have to be more careful." She then sat on the bed in front of him. "Which means no more getting drunk and while you're at it you could stop getting high."
"Don't you start you too"
"Somebody has to Jer. You can't keep doing this to yourself. Getting high to escape the pain is one thing but skipping school, getting drunk, and starting fights is completely different."
"That dick had it coming"
"Yeah, maybe he did, but it doesn't mean you should."
"That's rich coming from you"
"I know I'm the last person to judge but I'm the perfect one to talk to about this. I know how you feel Jer. The emptiness. The lonely feeling, it's rough. But doing drugs and getting high isn't going to make the pain go away. Yeah sure you'll feel better for a while but eventually it'll wear away and all that's left is that pain and loneliness. And you'll have to take more pills to get that same high and forget. And then that's all you do and all you are. I want better for you than that Jer. Mom and dad would want better for you. More importantly you should want better for you then this. Because this isn't who you are. Make sure you drink all of that" She said getting up and leaving his room.
Dear trying teen,
I got through another day. This time without any setbacks. At least for me. Jeremy on the other hand has seem to have gotten worse. Our relationship has starting to take a turn for the better though I'm not sure where we stand after tonight and I don't know what else to do help him. Maybe Elena is right, maybe he does need counseling or maybe even rehab. Somewhere he'll be forced to talk about whatever's on his mind because he isn't talking to me, Elena, or Aunt Jenna. And it's clear he needs to talk to someone. I just don't know who to turn to.