CHAPTER 3: Nice to meet you, again…
When I was 14, before the crash, I had a friend. He lived next door to me in South Africa. Every single day, without fail, we'd be together, the three of us; him, his brother and me, the inseparable trio. When I found out about the divorce, they held and comforted me while I cried, and when I left, they kept a piece of me with them. Damon always told me that Salvatore men grew on you, and for once, he was right.
"Tyler, if you don't hurry up we're going to be late!" I yelled up the stairs. I pushed my bang out of my eyes. I had recently dyed that section of my hair blue and cut the rest of it short, like Anne Hathaway short. I walked through the kitchen, looking for my glasses, I hated contacts.
"Looking for something, Katie?" Aunt Carol asked, holding my glasses in her hands. I stuck out my tongue and grabbed them out of her hands. After I slipped on my Ray-Beans, I could see the look the she was shooting me.
"What?" I said with mock innocence, I knew exactly what.
"Your clothes," she said exasperatedly. I looked down at myself. I was wearing black jeans, a baggy band shirt and grey ankle boots. Around my neck hung my usual platinum chain with a symbol for bravery stamped into the pendant.
"I don't see anything wrong,' I replied shrugging. I checked the time on my watch and rolled my eyes.
"Tyler Lockwood, if you don't not get down here in the next 10 seconds, I oath to God I will tie you to the back of the truck and drag you behind me as I drive to school!" I yelled at the ceiling. Tyler appeared next to the kitchen door immediatly.
"I'm ready, jeez Kitty Kat, keep your pants on," he said holding hi hands up in surrender.
"Just get in the car Ty," I said rolling my eyes. Aunt Carol grinned at me knowingly.
"You two are like twins," she said.
"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that," I replied before leaving the kitchen. I could still hear her giggling form the garage.
"Katie!" a familiar voice squealed as Tyler parked the car. I opened the door and got out, just in time to be hit at full force by the hurricane known as Caroline Forbes. I gave my best friend a hug and glared at Tyler, who had started laughing.
"Care, I love you, but let's try to remember that people need to breathe," I wheezed. She released me from her death grip and smiled.
"Sorry Katie, I just missed you," she said sheepishly. I rolled my eyes and grabbed my bag out of the car.
"C'mon, I assume you want to attack Elena as well?" I teased before walking with her to the school entrance. She slapped me lightly on the shoulder.
"Shut up Katie," she mumbled, just before catching sight of Elena and Bonnie talking by the lockers. Caroline ran, I kid you not, she ran, to where they were and hugged Elena before starting her verbal freight train. I got them just as she was leaving.
"Katie!" Bonnie exclaimed happily when she saw me. I smiled back at her and Elena, who seemed distracted by something. I saw her brother, Jeremy; walk into the bathroom looking hazy.
"And there she goes,' I commented as she rushed after him. I examined the people in the hallway, paying special attention to the males.
"Is it just me, or are there no hot guys this year?" I asked Bonnie.
"I know, right? It's like they all decided to move or something." She commented. Something caught her eye.
"All except him…" she murmured looking at someone who was leaving the admin office. As soon as I saw his face I stifled a gasp. I walked up to him and tapped on his shoulder.
"Stefan, Stefan Salvatore?" I asked, feeling unsure. He turned and a smile lit up his face.
"Katie, wow, it's been forever!" he said giving me a hug. I hugged him back tightly, completely ignoring the stares from the other people in the hallway.
"I haven't seen you since we were 14," I stated, trying to ignore the anger and hurt bubbling up inside me.
"I'm staying at the old boarding house with my Uncle Zach," he said, awkwardly trying to change subject. I blinked in surprise; I didn't know had any uncles.
"Wait a second, what about Damon?" I asked suspiciously. His eyes flickered to the ground and I narrowed my eyes.
"You two are such idiots," I said, sounding like an exasperated parent. He smirked at me and I punched him in the arm.
"You and I are going to talk about you and Damon later, okay?" I told him and he smiled.
"Great, now go stalk that girl you've been thinking about the whole time you've been talking to me," I ordered. He rolled his eyes.
"Same old, Katie," he muttered as I turned to go to class.
I saw History on my schedule and a grin spread across my lips. Tyler walked past me in the hall with Matt but stopped when he saw the smile on my face.
"Oh, no," Ty said, stopping in front of me.
"What?" I asked with mock innocence. Matt rolled his eyes at us and started to walk away but froze when he saw the look I was shooting him, one that said, Stay here. Tyler, who was completely oblivious to what was going on, just continued the banter.
"That's your, its-time-to-torture-Mr Tanner look," he said, with a smirk. I put a hand over my heart and gasped dramatically.
"Tyler Joseph Lockwood, how dare you accuse me of such a thing?" I said with exaggerated offense in my voice. He and Matt actually burst out laughing. I bowed.
"I know, I know, I'm amazing," I said before grabbing Matt by the arm and dragging him to History. i stopped just before entering the classroom and turned him to face me.
"Why have you been avoiding me?" I asked, trying not to let the hurt show in my voice. I probably didn't do a good job because his face softened.
"Katie, I'm sorry, it's just everytime I've seen you this summer you've been with Elena, and as much as I want to be there for her, we just broke up and it's awkward," he explained. I sighed unhappily.
"Fine Matty, you're off the hook. It's just you and Ty are my best friends, I'm closer to you that I am to the girls and I need you, 'kay?" I said, conceding. Matt gaped at me.
"Did the Katie Charleston just admit defeat? Hell must be freezing over," he said, feigning horror. I mock punched him in the shoulder.
"Your lucky I love you so much, Donovan," I muttered, making him laugh.
I pushed Matt into the History class first, wanting to Mr Tanner some false hope before ripping it away.
"Well, if that's everyone here that lets begin," he sounded so happy. I sauntered into the class with a smirk on my face.
"Sorry I'm late Mr Tanner," I said in a sing-song voice, watching the hope in his eyes disappear. I pouted.
"Why the long face Mr Tanner, not happy to see me?" I tried to act sincere but I cracked up, unable to be serious about anything when it came to him. Matt coughed in a poor attempt to cover his laugh, but failed miserably. I turned my head in his direction and winked.
"Just take your seat Ms Charleston," he ordered, sounding exhausted.
"Fine Mr Tanner whatever you say," I said winking before I sank into my seat between Matt and Stefan.
"You are so mean to him," Matt stated. I shrugged.
"What am I supposed to do about it? He's just so much fun to tease," I replied winking at Matt.
"Donovan!" I yelled, walking towards the car park. He looked up, away from his conversation with Tyler.
"What Kat?" he yelled back, making me scowl. He and Tyler laughed at my expression.
"Don't call me that," I muttered, making them laugh again.
"Whatever, I'll guess I'll just walk to the Grill," I said, shrugging and turning around, only to feel strong arms wrap around my waist and pull me back.
"Dammit Matt!" I exclaimed, struggling in his grip. I could hear Tyler laughing and could feel Matt shaking.
"Fine, you win, put me down," I conceded, with a sigh. He dropped me on the ground and I landed on my butt. I glared at him, pushing my red bangs out of my eyes. He and Tyler were still laughing.
"I hate you two," I muttered, standing up and brushing the dirt off my jeans. Tyler rolled his eyes and smirked. I ignored him.
"Matt, I'm going to be late," I said exasperatedly.
"Fine Kat, let's go," he replied, pulling me towards his truck.
A/N: Wow, 2 chapters in one day, amazing. The fourth one is almost finished so it will be up either this week or next week. Until then, REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
Becca