As Stefan speeded down the road, the car was silent. Neither of us dared to turn on the radio, or to strike up a conversation. "So, how are you liking Mystic Falls so far?" Stefan asked. I shook my head out of my daze to smile at him and chuckle.
"I plan to stay here for a while," I said. He looked at me quickly, and gripped my hand tighter.
"I'd like that," he muttered softly, but my heightened senses caught it. I blushed and he must have noticed, because he threw his head back and laughed.
"Just keep your eyes on the road, ok? I don't plan on dying with a guy with a funky hairdo," I laughed. He chuckled more, but headed my wishes anyway.
"As you wish my lady," he smiled at me briefly. This time I gripped his hand tightly. We soon pulled up to the school, and he expertly parked the car in a vacant part of the lot. He stepped out and before I could open the door he had done it for me. I grabbed my bag and stepped out, laughing.
"What a charming gentleman, thank you Stefan," I smiled. He chuckled and took my hand, pulling me towards the front doors. However, we had reached a detour running into Caroline and Elena.
"Irene, hey! I didn't know you were coming to school already," Elena smiled her pearl white teeth.
"Yeah, are you starting today?" Caroline pestered. I only grinned at the pair.
"Well, thanks to this guy I am getting enrolled as soon as I can. You can thank Stefan later," I laughed. Stefan chuckled.
"If you need any help just tell us. It may not look big but things can happen," Elena said.
I nodded cautiously. "Whatever you say Elena," I said, and smiled softly.
She smiled back. "Well, we have to get to class! But we'll see you later, ok?" Caroline said. I nodded, and gave them each a hug.
When they left I looked up at Stefan. "Nervous?" he chuckled. I sighed and frowned.
"You have no idea! This is my first time in a school before," I sighed again.
"Were you homeschooled before?" he questioned. I jerked my head a bit.
"Something like that... Come on, I want to get an education before I'm a thousand years old here!" I giggled, grasping Stefan's hand this time. He chuckled, and swung our hands in between us.
"Ok, let's go then Ira," he smiled down at me. I grinned back.
"So, how about you get registered and I'll wait outside?" Stefan suggested. I nodded, and started to shake a bit. The place was like a maze, and there were so many people. It was a nightmare.
"Hey, hey; it'll be ok. Trust me, I'll help you trough this. Ok?" Stefan whispered, lightly gripping my arms. He went down to my eye level, and made me look at him.
"Ok, just don't leave me out to the wolves ok. Some of these people look lethal," I tried to act cheerful, but failed. He only smiled softly.
"I'll protect you. I'm the baddest thing in this building," he said. I giggled, and looked down briefly. I looked back into his light eyes.
"Thank you Stefan, I'll be fine," I whispered. He nodded and I turned, his warm hands falling away from my body. His touch made me burn, but it felt intoxicating. I almost sighed again at the loss of touch. I pushed the door open to the main office, and looked back at him. He smiled encouragingly at me. I smiled softly and went inside, sealing the deal.
After getting registered, I was handed a schedule, which confused me to no end. There was a slip I had to get signed by all of m y teachers. I also got my locker number. '456!' There were nearly 500 lockers in this school?! It was a mansion/maze! "Excuse me, but may you please show me where my first class is on here? I'm new to this," I smiled sheepishly.
She smiled at me kindly, and gently took my schedule. "Alright dearie, it looks like you have History as your first class. Mr. Saltzman's class is just up the hall, take two rights at two different corners right after each other, and his door says room 218. Do you think you have that all down?" she said gently.
"Yes, thank you very much. Have a nice day!" I smiled, moving towards the door.
"You too dearie! Enjoy your first day!" she smiled. i stepped out of the room, and began to walk slowly. I looked around the hallway in slight anxiosuness. 'Where's Stefan?' As I looked around, the entire hallway was vacant. 'Hmmm, must be first period already'. I began my trek down the hallway, and followed the lady's instructions. Soon I found myself standing in front of room 218. I sighed loudly, and opened the door.
All activity in the classroom ceased, and all eyes were on my, including Stefan's. My eyes narrowed at him, and he shrugged guiltily. I guess we would talk about that later. I looked at the teacher in the front of the room, and we both froze. I did not recognize him, but the intensity of his eyes was familiar. I broke the eye contact and looked down at my shoes."Sorry to disturb you, but I'm new to the school. I don't really know how this works," I grimaced. I heard snickers from the students and I flushed involuntarily.
"Well, neither have I - about the new student thing. How about you come and introduce yourself?" he smiled softly at me. I smiled back tentatively and walked over the stand in front of his desk.
"Hello, my name is Irene Engel, and I just moved here a few days ago. I travel around a lot but I was born in America," I said, a bit lowly.
"Where did you move from?" the teacher, Mr. Saltzman, inquired.
"Memphis, Tennessee," I said, and many people looked at me wide eyed. I guess people from a popular city did not visit Mystic Falls often.
"Well, Yza - I mean Irene!; why don't you sit next to miss Gilbert?" the teacher said. I smiled and made my way to sit next to Elena. She side-hugged me and I looked over at Stefan, who was one seat behind me and one seat over.
"Hey, I see you found your way," he said mischeviously. I gasped and smacked him flirtatiously.
"No thanks to you!" I gasped, but erupted into a fit of quiet rage.
"Hey, Irene, are you going to the 60s dance tonight?" he questioned.
I shrugged. "I am if you are, and Elena, Caroline, Bonnie, and everyone else," I smiled.
He smiled, "It's a date," he grinned, and I faced the front, flushed. I already had a date with Stefan. Luckily, neither of us or any of the class saw the teacher throwing us, mainly Stefan, murderous ,'She's mine, always and forever' he thought sinisterly. The werewolf inside him threatened to break free, but he couldn't do anything before the curse was broken.
The entire school day went by swimmingly, except for lunch. Someone named Klaus had sent Elena a message, using a girl named Dana.
I felt odd, like it was the same Klaus from a thousand years ago. I felt that something odd was about to happen tonight, but I couldn't bail on Stefan. Speaking of which, the handsome teenager was driving me home after school. W pulled up to my house He smiled at me ," How about I pick you up every day for school, and drop you off everyday?"
I smirked, "Wow, Stefan, way to move slow!" I laughed, and he laughed along with me. "But ok. I'd like that."
"Great, I'll pick you up at 6:30, the dance starts at 6:45, so we can hang out a bit before then," he looked deeply into my eyes. "I'd like that," I smiled and we both leaned in. Our lips brushed against each other's softly. He caressed my cheek, but I pulled back with a small smile. "I'm saving the rest of that for tonight!" I giggled, kissing him on the cheek.
"Bye Stefan!" I shut the car door and walked up to the door. I turned and smiled at him, and he smiled back, slowly driving away. I smirked, and went inside, to look for a sexy 60s dress.