She's eighteen when she leaves home. She's still so young and it just became too much for her to bear. She doesn't say goodbye to anyone. Not even to him. He'll understand, she knows. After all, eternity is a long time. They'll meet again eventually. Then, they'll have a chance to do and be whatever they want. They'll have a chance to be great. Someday, she promises to herself.
She goes to London first. She needs rain and she needs a big city. London is perfect. No one knows who she is and she makes sure it stays that way. She doesn't make friends. She only stays in hotels. She knows she can't afford herself a luxury of making a home and having someone who she'll soon call her friend. She's alone for the first time in her life and she's bravely dealing with it. London is a test. And she successfully passes it.
She returns to the States a few years later. She decides she wants to go to college. She's studies History and Music and she enjoys every second of it. She's actually a good student. She keeps in touch with Elena and Bonnie and she regularly chats with Stefan. They say that Klaus is dead and all's well in Mystic Falls again. Stefan mentions that he left the moment Klaus was dead but she doesn't get excited. She knows it's not their time just yet.
Every few years she moves. She's been in New York, Austin and Juneau. She mostly keeps to herself even though she manages to meet a few people who quickly become her friends. Sure, she had changed, but it's hard to get rid of her bubbly and nice self. Making and having friends is under her skin. She works as a teacher everywhere she goes. She loves her job and kids love her. Everyone is always sad when she announces she's moving. She's also always a little sad when she has to move but she fast learns that life will just have to carry on without her.
She's forty-eight years old when Stefan calls her and delivers the news of her mother's death. She returns to Mystic Falls for the first time since she left. The funeral is big and she hates every minute of it. Elena and Bonnie stand beside her while people give her their condolence because of her grandmother's death. Yes, she told everyone she was Liz's daugther's daughter. Her face is brave and she doesn't cry even though Stefan is behind her and holds her hand for the whole time. She's just glad no one asks how come Elena and Stefan still look the same even though it's been years since they've had seventeen. She needs her friends.
When everything's finally over, she goes to her old room and finds him lying in her bed. She breaks down in his arms and they cry together all night. It's dawn and she's half asleep. She suddenly feels his mouth on her forehead and she knows he's leaving. It's okay. She's okay. She doesn't cry anymore. Her mother wouldn't want her to. And besides, she knows it's not their time just yet.
She's eighty when they meet again. Elena and Stefan are getting married. She's Stefan's "best man" and he's Elena's "maid of honor". They joint their speecehs and it turns out perfectly. After, they dance. The next morning, he kisses her hand and leaves again. She knows it's not their time just yet. But she starts to wonder.
Her patience slowly starts to run out while she's traveling the world. She visits Cuba, Nepal and Europe for the third time. She realizes it'd be better if he was with her and she promises to herself she won't return again without him. She calls Elena and asks for his number the moment she returns to the States. The time is coming.
She finds him in Hawaii soaking up the sun and sipping cokctails. She's not surprised when he hugs her tightly and gives her a kiss that makes her whole body shiver. She's happy. And so is he, she feels. Their someday has finally come. Their chance is now and they won't screw it. They'll be great together. They already are.