A/N: Hey readers! I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who put this story in their favourites or alerted, and thank you to givemefire, MoonLight415, Sonny13 (Who happens to be one of my favourite author's by the way!), britt4565 and Marina164509 for reviewing!
Okay, so without further ado, here's chapter 5!
Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries.
Brooke's pov:
"I repeat, the animal terrorizing Mystic Falls has been caught."
"Scumball. Scumbucket." Entering the kitchen I raised an eyebrow at Jenna as Elena and I listened to her insulting someone. The question is, who is she insulting?
"Jen, who are you talking to?" Elena and I asked in usion, causing the two of our faces to break out into small smiles as we winked at each other. That's one of our things, sometimes we'll say the same thing at the same time, proving that great minds really do work alike.
"Him." She informed us, as if it was obvious. She cocked her head towards the television and I could see the sheriff speaking to a news reporter, the name Logan Fell printed to the screen. Logan Fell... Why does that name sound familiar?
"The news guy?"
"Also known as Logan Scumfell. Did Miranda ever tell either of you why I moved away from Mystic Falls?" Oh, now I remember: He's Jenna's ex-boyfriend. Aunt Miranda told me about him after I heard her having a conversation with Jenna. I was only eleven at the time and Jenna was sixteen. I giggled at the look on her face. She was totally bummed out after he cheated on her. Elena also giggled when she realised.
"Oh, no way! You and him?" Elena asked incredulously.
"He's cute." Elena stated as I nodded in agreement. He is quite cute, but I don't like the colour of his eyes. The blue orbs seem dull compared to Damon's vibrant ones. What did you say you were going to do Brooke? Not think about Damon. So why are you thinking about him? Get yourself together.
"He is not cute. There's nothing cute about him." Jenna spat out venomously but I just laughed at her. I remember the first time Jenna got me drunk when I was sixteen, we snuck out into a club and some girl started having a go at me because apparently I'd pushed her over and made her spill her drink all over herself, when in actual fact she was too clumsy and she fell onto her ass when she tripped over her own feet. Jenna was fuming; it was the first time she'd ever defended me and she went crazy, so the way she is acting now is a lot more toned down from how I've seen her in the past. She turned the television off and Elena opened a box, retreiving a pocket watch.
"What are you doing with that?" Jenna and I sat down at the dining table next to Elena whilst Jenna handed me a mug of steaming, mouth-watering coffee. I smiled at her. Caffine is definitely something that I can't live without in the mornings.
"I went yesterday and got it from the safety deposit box. Mom had told Mrs Lockwood that she would loan it to the founder's council for their heritage display." Elena wiped the dusty pocket watch down with a cloth while I leaned back in my chair and Jenna snooped around the box.
"Is that grandma Beth's wedding ring?"
"Originally it was great, great, great grandma Mary's ring." Jeremy entered the kitchen as I sipped my coffee some more. I really need some energy today; it's my first day at work and I have to be there in an hour. I was originally meant to start work on a Monday, but the boss who I believe is called Keith said that if I didn't come into work today (Saturday), then I wouldn't have a job. I'm starting to see why everybody hates this guy.
"How much do you think this stuff is worth, like on eBay?" Jeremy picked up something out of the box and I scoffed. Is it so you can afford to buy some more drugs?
"You're not going to find out." Elena stated.
"This stuff is mom and dad's, you can't just give it away!" Jeremy burst out, confusing me slightly. Looks like mood swings are a side affect from popping pills, who knew? Well you do Brooke; do you remember anything you learnt at Stanford?
"We're not giving it away, it's called a loan Jeremy." Elena spoke, clearly aggravated. I don't blame her. Suddenly, the door bell rang. Elena got up to answer it whilst I downed the rest of my coffee, hissing slightly as it burned the back of my throat. Right, best get ready. Strolling into the hallway I halted as I saw Stefan and Elena providing quite the performance with their major show of affection and I whistled, giggling at the embarrassment on their faces.
"Just use protection kids, don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"That doesn't leave much room then does it?" I smacked Elena on the arm as I passed her, grinning like a Cheshire cat as I bounced up the stairs, stopping at the top step to turn around and face the two.
"Nope!" They chuckled and I waltzed into my room to choose an outfit to wear. Looking through my closet I realised I was running short of clothes and I came to the conclusion that me and Jenna needed to go shopping soon.
"Hey Jenna!" I yelled as I walked into her room.
"Yeah, what's up?" I looked through her wardrobe, pulling out a pair of slim leg dark blue jeans and a green and white chequered cami top.
"I'm borrowing this. I don't have many clothes, so can you and me go on a shopping trip when I finish work? I'm only working till one, it's kind of pointless going in but I have to if I want this job." Jenna nodded.
"Yeah, that's fine, I need some retail therapy after seeing the scum of the year on the television." She pouted slightly and fell onto her bed.
"I'll give you a lift once you're ready."
"Thanks Jennifer." She threw a pillow at me.
"No problem, Brooklyn." I laughed and ran into my room. Jenna hates it when I call her Jennifer as do I when she calls me Brooklyn, but when Damon says it I don't get annoyed... You're doing it again. Oh, shut up! Sighing, I threw on the clothes I'd stolen from Jenna's room, pleased that we were the same size. I straightened my hair and applied some foundation, eyeliner and mascara and I was set to go.
"Come on Jenna!" She grumbled as she walked down the stairs.
"I was sleeping and having a really pleasant dream I'll have you know!" I smirked.
"Was it about Logan?" Her face turned redder than a ripe tomato and she grumbled again, starting the car and beginning the short drive to the grill. I then remembered my own dream from the other night and felt like asking Jenna to give me a huge slap around the face. Damon is a jerk, he tried to kiss your little cousin! Pull yourself together, Brooke.
"Okay, we're here, I'll pick you up at one o'clock; Good luck Brooke." Jenna smiled at me and I returned it.
"Thanks aunt Jenna, I think I'm going to need it." Her features took on a more sympathetic look as I exited the car and walked into the grill, going straight up to the bar.
"Well, you've arrived on time, at least you can do something right." I was almost speechless. I've not even started working yet and he's already giving me a hard time.
"What, cat got your tongue? Anyway, I'm too busy to talk to you, you're going to have to ask Vicki to help you." He walked through to the back, disappearing out of sight, and I'm not sure whether I was insulted or just relieved that he had left. You really want this job; you really want this job... I repeated that in my head a few times as a mantra and then set about looking for Vicki. My search party was over within seconds though, since I saw her walking through the door.
"Vicki, you're late again! Do you want this job?" I jumped when Keith returned and came up behind me, shouting at Vicki. Does he have to shout so loud? Vicki just rolled her eyes as Keith disappeared again, but she wore a smile as she introduced herself to me.
"Hey, obviously my name is Vicki, nice to meet you. Brooke, is it?" I nodded and shook her hand.
"Yeah, it's nice to meet you too Vicki. Is he always like this?" I pointed in the direction he'd walked off in and she shrugged.
"Yeah, you'll get used to it though. After the first few weeks you just tend to ignore him, he'll probably threaten to fire you at some point, but he never does so I wouldn't take him seriously. Come on, I'll show you the ropes." I spent a few hours with Vicki as she showed me what I'd have to do, though it was all fairly simple. After a while, the conversation of her animal attack eventually came up.
"How are you doing after the whole animal attack? I heard you were in pretty bad shape." Vicki sighed and rubbed her neck.
"Yeah, I was in hospital for a while, going out of my mind. I can't even remember what happened, all I remember is that I was in the woods and this animal attacked me." I flinched slightly.
"Ouch. Do you remember what kind? Is it that mountain lion they caught?"
"Yeah, it must be." She laughed for a moment and I smiled awkwardly. How is that funny?
"Sorry, it's just that when I woke up, I told people that it was a vampire that attacked me. Matt got a right good laugh out of it. God, I don't know what I was thinking..." She trailed off and my smile turned warmer.
"My father would just love you; he's convinced that there are supernatural creatures out there." We both chuckled and Vicki gasped.
"Wait, seriously?" I nodded and laughed at the look on her face. Yep, that's normally the reaction I get.
"Yeah, he's a nut job. I don't speak with him though, so it's all good." We talked for a few more minutes and then she went to go and serve some tables while I worked behind the bar. A few minutes later Vicki retuned with a furious look on her face and Tyler Lockwood following her every move. I groaned inwardly. Please don't talk to me.
"Who are you taking to the founder's party?"
"Vicki Donovan, do you want me to ask you to the founder's party?" I bit my lip to keep myself from saying anything. Why is she with such a jerk and trailing Jeremy along like a love sick puppy? God, some people these days have no idea what's right in front of them...
"No, it'll be stupid and lame." Vicki said in happier voice.
"True, but it'll be less stupid and lame if you're there." How have the pick up lines got even worse? Vicki agreed and went to go and serve some more tables, but Tyler was still stood a few meters away from me. Please don't talk to me, please don't-
"Hello there. You've probably heard of me, I'm the mayor's son, Tyler Lockwood." Dammit. I lifted my head and saw him sending me a smirk that probably had lots of girls swooning, but it didn't have the desired affect on me. Not wanting to be rude, I decided to just say hello back.
"Hey, it's nice to meet you Tyler." I walked away and served someone a drink, and when I finished serving he came over to me again. Why won't he leave me alone?
"You didn't even tell me your name."
"My name is on my name tag." I said in a bored tone and I saw his eyes flash towards it.
"Brooke. That's a nice name. It suits you." I smirked, slightly amused. Why is this guy actually talking to me? Have I given him any inclanation to say that I want to talk to him? Despite this being the first time we've spoken to each other, it's definitely not the first time I've seen him. If I'm walking down the street, sometimes he'll beep his horn or he'll wink at me, and it's really frustrating. Why won't he just leave me alone?
"So, I've seen you around a lot recently, you new in town? If you'd like, I'm always free to show you around." I groaned and was about reply with some wiseass comment when Jeremy appeared. This is not going to end well.
"What, Vicki isn't enough for you so now you have to hit on my cousin too? You're ridiculous man." Please, not here, not on my first day at work!
"You're related to him? Woah, I feel for you, he has to be the worst person on the entire planet to live with." Jeremy went to shove him but I came round to their side of the bar as quickly as I could, separating the two of them.
"What the hell, why are you taking his side Brooke?" Jeremy asked in an aggravated tone as he tried to move past me, but I shoved him backwards.
"I'm not taking any sides! Just back off Jeremy and go home, you remember what almost happened the last time you and Tyler got into a fight, don't you?" I spoke as I referred to Stefan having to intervene during their last altercation. He glared at me and walked away while Tyler flipped him off from behind his back. Turning around to face him, I shoved him as hard as I could.
"Okay, I'm only going to say this once so listen very carefully. Stop winking at me when you see me in the street, stop picking fights with Jeremy, and stop being a dick, just in general! And if you ever come near me again, I swear to God that I will punch your lights out. Are we clear?" He nodded.
"Good. Now fuck off." I pushed him out of my way just as Jenna walked through the door.
"Finally, it's time to leave!" Quickly picking up my bag I ushered Jenna back into the car.
"Bad day? Was it your boss?"
"At first it was, but now, not so much. I can't even be bothered to explain; let's go shopping. I'm in need of some serious retail therapy." Jenna hit the pedal and off we were. I hope Tyler actually goes away this time. I think he will though; he did look slightly scared when I said I'd punch his lights out. The thought had me snorting lightly.
Damon's pov:
I just don't understand. Why on Earth does Stefan want to go to school? Aside from listening to one of Stefan's lectures about why human life was so important, it has to be one of the most boring things in the entire world. At least in the eighteen hundreds they taught us something worthwhile, now I don't even understand how most of these teachers even get a job.
Besides, there's no point in going to high school. We can't get jobs because we can't settle down in one spot for too long. Stefan thinks otherwise though - he wants the whole human experience. How pathetic is that?
I heard Zach approaching the living room and I groaned in annoyance. I actually prefer Stefan to him.
"I didn't know you were here." Of course I'm here, I live here. I rolled my eyes.
"Just going through Stefan's homework. Boy, this country has certainly dumbed down in the last hundred years. Why he wants to go to high school is beyond me. I mean in the seventies he went Ivy League, Harvard I understood." I paused for a moment before continuing. "Actually no, I didn't get that either." Zach stood there and averted his eyes away from me. Aww, Zach wants to say something but he's too afraid, let me guess 'why are you here Damon?' He is so annoying; I don't go asking him why he enters his own house do I?
"Go ahead. Purge, get it out, what's on your mind?" Zach and Stefan are so predictable. After a few moments of hesitation he finally figured out how to operate his vocal cords and blurted out a question.
"Why are you here, Damon?"
"To spend time with you Zach. Family's important." I closed Stefan's book and smiled patronisingly at Zach.
"I know you. You always have a motive." I leaned back on the scarlett couch. Yes, and it's been the same motive for the last one hundred and forty-five years, so if you really knew me or if Stefan did for that matter, I think you two would have figured it out.
"So tell me, what is it this time?" The same one it's always been. God, some people really didn't get a good education. I blame the teachers, none of them are qualified. I rolled my eyes. Zach needs to learn his place on the food chain. Whipping out of my seat I had him grabbed by the throat within a second and he choked when I squeezed my hand a little tighter.
"You are in no position to question me." He gasped for breath as my hand remained gripped tightly around his throat. I loosened my hold slightly, waiting for him to get out a few words.
"I didn't... mean to...upset you." He wheezed out as his hands clawed at mine, attempting to escape my death grip, but his attempts were useless. He should know better than to think he's stronger than me.
"This isn't upset, Zach." I referred to myself and his eyes widened as I lifted him off the ground. Just when I was about to dispose off the trash, saint Stefan waltzed in like the hero he is, here to save the day. Does he ever get tired of being the good guy?
"What's going on?" Zach relaxed slightly as he realised that Stefan was there to be his knight in shining armour. Dropping Zach to the floor I heard a loud thump as I turned towards Stefan.
"Having a family moment Stefan, spending some quality time together." I informed him as if it was obvious. Superman lent down to help Zach up from the floor while glaring daggers at me and I shrugged innocently. Is there anyone in this God forsaken town that knows how to have fun? I sighed in disappointment as I vacated the room. Right, time for the next phase of the plan. Tonight, I'm getting that crystal.
Brooke's pov:
"Hey honey, I'm home!" I shouted as I walked into the house, Elena rushing out to greet me immediately.
"Did you get me anything?" She asked with a hopeful look on her face, her eyes twinkling. I shook my head slowly and her shoulders slumped. She didn't ask me to…
"Sorry Lena, but you can borrow the stuff I've got, I might even have to put some stuff in your closet since I've bought so much." Her frown was replaced by a smile just as Bonnie walked into the hallway. I hadn't seen her since that night a almost a week ago, and during that time I'd had a chance to think about our little argument. You could've been a bit nicer, Brooke. An apology was on the edge of my tongue, dying to be let out.
"I'm sorry!" We both said it at the same time, and it broke the ice that was left between us. Truth be told, while I still thought I was right the other night, so was Bonnie. I can understand where she was coming from and she was right. Caroline seems like an insecure person, and I don't want her to think I was out to get her boyfriend.
"Let's just forget about it. Now girl, do you want to see all of the clothes I've got?"
After I'd shown the girls all of the clothes that I'd bought (which was a lot), we all stood infront of the mirror in Elena's bathroom getting ready. I'd already curled my hair loosely and done my makeup, so I was doing Bonnie's hair for her whilst she applied her makeup. Suddenly, the phone rang and Elena - noticing that me and Bonnie were busy - rushed out of the bathroom to answer it. Finishing off I ran my hands through Bonnie's ringlets and we smiled at each other, only to frown as we heard Elena's aggravated voice say a series of curse words from her room. Walking out to find her we saw her jumping up from her bed and hanging up the phone.
"What's wrong?"
"Mrs Lockwood doesn't know where the pocket watch is and she's freaking out because she thinks she lost it, but I think I have a good idea of who actually has it." Elena's heated glare turned towards Jeremy's room and I understood immediately. He was asking about it this morning and freaking out when he heard we were giving it to Mrs Lockwood. I'm going to kill him. Storming out of Elena's room and into Jeremy's I knocked the headphones off his head, causing him to flinch as I stood there with my arms crossed.
"Agh! God, what now?" Jeremy asked in a pissed off tone.
"The pocket watch. Where is it?" Jeremy sat up more in his chair.
"What watch?" Jeremy questioned, pretending to be oblivious. Does he not remember this morning in the kitchen? Of course he does, he's just trying to squeeze his way out of this.
"The one you stole from your mom's box. Look, Mrs Lockwood just called Elena freaking out. It was on the list Jeremy and she can't find it so she thinks she's the one who lost it."
"Well maybe she did, or maybe your boyfriend Tyler took it." Jeremy sneered, trying to frame one of the Lockwoods, namely Tyler. It's not like I'm the guy's biggest fan, but Jeremy isn't much better than him. He'll use any opportunity to make him look bad and vice versa.
"First of all, he's not my boyfriend, and second of all don't even bother playing that card Jeremy, you took it. If I go online am I going to find it on eBay? Is that how you pay for your pot?" I asked him snidely as his eyes burned with rage. He stood up abruptly.
"Screw you!" He walked across the room and reached into his bookshelf, retreiving the pocket watch and raising it up so that it was closer to my face.
"I would never sell this okay!"
"Then why did you take it?"
"Because it's supposed to be mine! Dad said that it goes to the first born son, his father gave it to him and now what?" Jeremy said, frustrated, shoving the pocket watch into my hand before returning to his computer chair. I closed my eyes in confliction. Mrs Lockwood needs this for her display and she really wants to see it. But, what about Jeremy? His dad was going to give him this. It's like a piece of uncle Grayson is in this locket, and it was intended for Jeremy. How can I take this away from him?
"And he was going to give it to you."
"Yeah." He gestured towards the door with his hand, but I couldn't just leave like this, not when I could be getting somewhere with him.
"Jeremy, it's still yours okay? Your mom promised Mrs Lockwood, what am I meant to do?" Without missing a beat Jeremy reached for his headphones and replied snarkily to me.
"Just take it and get out." He glared at me and put his headphones on, signalling that the conversation was over. Stepping out of his room and shutting the door I twirled the watch around in my fingers, sighing in dispair. What am I supposed to do?
Stefan's pov:
"It's cool not growing old; I like being the eternal stud." Damon remarked as he checked himself out in the mirror in my bedroom, God knows why he's in here. Most likely trying to piss me off.
"I guess being a one-hundred and forty-five year old teenager has been the height of my happiness." I responded sarcastically as I held up a glass filled with scotch from Damon's stash. The truth is, immortality is the worst part of being a vampire - aside from the bloodlust. It's difficult to forge relationships with people when you know you'll either have to leave them or watch them die, because I live on, eternally seventeen years old. Then why are you with Elena if it's going to make things harder for you? Why are you friends with Brooke? I locked away those thoughts in my head. I just want some happiness, just this once. Why shouldn't I be allowed to have friends and a girlfriend?
"That was funny Stefan." Damon congratulated, his voice sickingly fake as he pulled on his black suit jacket. I tipped my head back so the bitter alcohol could slide down my throat.
"We should have a drink and celebrate." Damon said as he noticed the glass in my hand. He took it away from me and went to fill it up at the side.
"Eighteen sixty-four. You and Katherine were the perfect couple. It was hell watching you dance with her." Damon revealed to me, though I'd always known it anyway. He knew that too. I do regret a lot of the choices I've made. Choosing Katherine over my brother, being completely infatuated with her. I wasn't shocked when he fell for her too. It's a shame that I didn't realise what she was really like at the time. Maybe mine and Damon's bond wouldn't have been destroyed - and Damon wouldn't have turned into the bloodthirsty monster he is now.
I heard the scotch being poured into his glass. He's not going to fall for it, I know he isn't.
"Yeah well, my happiness was short lived, as you know."
"I remember. I left the party early; I was waiting for her. The night you dropped her off I was just inside. You were such a gentlemen, you gave her a kiss on the cheek, though what she really wanted was... Oh well. Here's to history repeating itself, huh?" Damon winked at me and lifted his glass, pouring it all over the floor as he let out a shocked and very patronising gasp.
"I admire your effort Stefan. Pouring yourself a drink and then spiking the bottle with Vervain." I clenched my jaw in frustration, hoping that it would look as if I was actually angry over the fact that Damon had found out what Zach and I were planning.
"I'm not some drunk sorority chick, you can't roofie me. But, I can't help but feel a little used. I thought we were having a moment. Great, now I have to go to the party angry. Who knows what I'll do." Damon walked out of the room with an annoyed look on his face, though I know he was enjoying this whole thing. Finally. Now it's time for the next phase of the plan - find Zach.
Changing as quickly as I possibly could using my vampire speed I raced down the stairs, bumping straight into Zach. Just the man I'm looking for.
"The Vervain was in Damon's scotch, I thought it would work." Zach said as he referred to our previous plan that the two of us came up with. Zach doesn't know that I changed it, but I only did that because I knew Damon wouldn't fall for it. He's not that stupid. He's not stupid at all actually, that's the problem. He's too smart; so I'm going to have to play him at his own game.
"Oh, I wasn't counting on it." Zach looked at me in surprise.
"You knew it would fail." I nodded.
"It did what I wanted, it lowered his guard, he won't expect me to try again so soon." Zach held up the vile of Vervain I'd asked him for earlier.
"I doubled what I put in the scotch." He handed it to me and I walked out of the door. This plan will work. I can stop the monster terrorising Mystic Falls. I can save everybody in this town from him. But, I'm locking up my brother to do it.
And? It doesn't matter; get over it Stefan. We haven't been brothers in a long time.
Brooke's pov:
Slipping on my black patent, four inch high heels I stood up and smoothed down my black bandeau chiffon dress with flower beading in the top left corner, the dress falling about half way down my thigh. I put on some bright red listick and smiled at myself in the mirror. Looks like I'm ready to go. As I was about to step out of my room I noticed the pocket watch out of the corner of my eye, sitting on my vanity table. Guilt flooded through me like a tidal wave. Jeremy doesn't have much left that reminds him of his father.
Picking it up I let myself into Jeremy's room, knowing that if I knocked he wouldn't invite me in anyway. He refused to look at me, pretending to be engrossed in his music so I sighed softly, putting the watch on his notepad before I left the room. You tried Brooke; all you can do is try. He just doesn't want your help.
After Stefan came to the house, me, Elena, Stefan, Jenna and Bonnie all arrived at the Lockwood mansion. Jenna and I gushed over the place. After all, it is gigantic.
Jenna and I reminised about old times whilst Bonnie, Stefan and Elena disappeared somewhere, and before I knew it, it was night time and the sky had turned black. Jenna suddenly grabbed my arm and linked the two of ours together, pulling me towards a waitor, placing a glass of champagne in my hand. I'm not particularly fond of champagne, but Jenna insisted on it. I was about to ask what was wrong when I heard a voice.
"Jenna." Jenna paused in mid-step, forcing me to stop because our arms were joined together.
"Hello Logan." Jenna said in a slightly forced tone. Oh, Logan's here! This should be entertaining...
"It's good to see you!" He moved to pull her into a hug but she leaned backwards and grimaced.
"I thought I might see you here." Jenna said in a tone that sounded almost like disgust. I wanted to laugh, but she seemed to notice and her grip on my arm tightened, so much that I was afraid there may be a bruise on my arm tomorrow morning.
"You knew it." Logan's once pleasant smile fell.
"I dreaded."
"But were secretly hoping,"
"And now that I have." Jenna turned away from him and proceded to pull me away but Logan grabbed onto Jenna's hand, holding her champagne flute, causing me to once again stop mid-step.
"Woah, not so fast! I know you, you have a lot more insults in you, I can tell." I snorted. She definitely does. She wasn't exactly complimenting you this morning.
"Your hairline's receding."
"No it's not. You want to have lunch?"
"No." Her voice sounded sure, but her eyes didn't. I knew that she wanted to go to lunch with him - it was blindingly obvious - even though she's always trying to deny it. This is how she always falls for the wrong people.
"You haven't changed a bit."
"Oh yes I have, I'm meaner now." She pulled me away and I finally let my laugh escape. She glared at me, but it only made me want to laugh harder. After a brief discustion on Logan I excused myself to have a wander around. I could see Elena looking at the belongings her parents had donated for the display, including their wedding rings.
"Hey Lena."
"Hey Brooke." There were a few moments of silence.
"It's okay to miss them you know. I know it's really painful right now, but eventually you won't have to cry every time you think of them. I promise." Her eyes became glossy and I rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. She smiled at me as Stefan joined the two of us.
"Hey Stef." He smiled at me.
"Hey Brooke, Elena." After having a little conversation, Elena suddenly found something of interest.
"The founding families of Mystic Falls welcomes you to the inaugural celebration. Wow, look, it's the original guest registary," Elena spoke in awe as our eyes scanned over the list. "Look at all these familiar names: Sheriff William Forbes; mayor Benjamin Lockwood... Is that, Damon Salvatore? And Stefan Salvatore?" Elena spoke slowly as she and I ingested the information. Wait a second, now I'm confused - Damon and Stefan Salvatore?
"The original Salvatore brothers. Our ancestors. Tragic story, actually." Goosebumps appeared on my arms as I heard Damon walk up behind the three of us with Caroline clinging to his arm. Oh God, what is he doing here? Maybe he's here because he's from one of the founding families, you idiot.
"We don't need to bore them with stories of the past." Stefan said, almost sternly, only contributing to my already confused and lost thoughts.
"It's not boring Stefan. I'd love to hear more about your family." Elena said in her determined tone of voice and I knew why. She wants to know more about Stefan, who from what she's told me isn't really into talking about serious things, like his and Damon's ex-girlfriend Katherine. Fidgeting slightly on my spot I tried to look away from the two couples. I hate being the fifth wheel. I felt my skin grow hot as my eyes connected with a pair of dazzling blue eyes. I can't deny that they're utterly beautiful. It feels like I could look into them forever and never grow tired of staring into the hypnotic, enchanting pools of blue in his eyes; they are unbelievably gorgeous.
"Well I'm bored. I want to dance, and Damon, won't dance with me." Caroline pouted, forcing me to tear my eyes away from Damon's. He's bad. He's really, really bad. Don't be like Jenna who always falls for the bad guy.
"Can I just... Borrow your date?" Caroline asked Elena who looked slightly uncomfortable at Caroline's request.
"Oh, erm..." She laughed awkwardly as everyone stared at her.
"I don't really dance." Stefan intercepted.
"Oh, sure he does. You should see him, the waltz, the jitterbug, the moonwalk, he does it all!" Damon and Stefan stared at each other with indescribable looks on their faces.
"You wouldn't mind would you, Elena?" Elena's shoulders slumped and I could sense that she was going to give in to her peppy cheerleading friend, even though she didn't want to. That's Elena for you, always the selfless type; she's always trying to please others, even if it's at her own expense.
"It's up to Stefan." Elena replied reluctantly.
"Well sorry, but I'm not going to take no for an answer." Caroline grinned as she grabbed Stefan's hand and dragged him down the hall, leaving me, Damon and Elena stood in absolute silence, all of us unsure about what to say. Well, I am at least.
"I want to apologise to you for being such a... World class jerk. The other night when I tried to kiss you, there was no excuse." Elena nodded and I felt my chest tighten slightly. The thought of him trying to use Elena as a pawn in a game with his brother didn't sit well with me.
"My therapist says I'm acting out, trying to punish Stefan." Elena looked taken a back.
"For what?"
"It's a long story, it's all in the past, I don't even want to bring it all up. But, lets just say that the men in the Salvatore family have been cursed with sibling rivalry." Damon informed the two of us and I raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"And it all started with the original Salvatore brothers." Damon pointed to the registary.
"The Salvatore name is practically royalty in this town, until the war there was a battle here-"
"The battle of Willow Creek." Elena interrupted Damon.
"Right." He looked as confused as I felt a moment ago and Elena smiled slightly. I chose this as the perfect moment to jump into the conversation.
"Confedarate soldiers fired down a church with civilians inside." I said. My father used to tell me the story every time we visited Mystic Falls, and that was a lot. The story has been burned into my brain, I don't think I could ever forget any of it. Especially the part where my dad (who must have been wasted at the time), told me that the civilians were vampires. Damon turned to face me with a small smile on his face, making my tightened chest relax.
"Well, what's been left out is that the people that were killed weren't there by accident. They were believed to be union simpathisers, so some of the founders on the confedaracy side back then wanted them rounded up and burnt alive." Elena and I were shocked at this information. He sounds so sure. Even though it seems a bit far fetched to me, it's more believable than my father's theory about the people being a bunch of vampires that were burnt to death.
"Stefan and Damon had someone they loved very much in that church... And, when they went to rescue them they were shot, murdered in cold blood." Elena excused herself, saying that she was going to get a drink and I looked at Damon intently, wondering who this person was and why they meant so much to the original Damon and Stefan.
"Who was it in the church that they wanted to save?"
"A woman, I guess. Doesn't it always come down to the love of a woman?" Damon's gaze burned through me and I suddenly became self concious. I could feel him looking right through me, into my soul, and my body welcomed the warmth of his gaze. He's bad, you know this. You remember that he tried to kiss Elena, right?
"Look, I'm sorry that you and Stefan have this thing between you, but Elena can't get in the middle of it Damon." He nodded and looked down towards the floor. I was going to leave it at that, but something inside of me didn't like the way his eyes looked so lost, or the way his shoulders dropped.
"I just... I hope you two can work it out." His head lifted and his eyes met mine, a small smile resting on his face.
"I hope so too." Elena returned and the two of them went to find their dates. In the mean time, I took a wander over to the bar, getting a glass of water since I'm not really in the mood to get hammered tonight. Just as I was served I heard Jenna speaking to Logan, only catching the end of their conversation.
"Her name was Monica, wasn't it?"
She stormed away from him and went down the hall. I ran straight after her, tugging on her arm until she stopped when she realised that it was me. Her eyes were glazed over and a silver tear rolled down her cheek as I pulled her into a hug. I sighed as I rubbed her back and she rested her head on my shoulder.
I hate it when Jenna's upset, especially over a guy.
"Logan doesn't deserve you Jen; you're are so much better than him. He doesn't deserve your tears, or your heart. He isn't worth it." She nodded and pulled back so she could look at me in the eye.
"I know Brooke, I know, and trust me it's not like I want to like him - I just do. But I won't get back together with him. You're right, he's isn't worth it." Elena rushed around the corner with Bonnie in tow.
"Hey Brooke, can I talk to you?"
"It's my fault, I planted doubt; I'm a doubt planter!"
"It's not your fault, I just feel terrible. I was all snotty." Elena said, dismissing Bonnie's blame and directing it towards herself. What is it with all of the guys tonight? They're acting like idiots.
"Elena honey, there you are. I noticed that the watch still isn't in the collection." Mrs Lockwood took a seat opposite from us three and Elena looked confused, but I wasn't.
"I thought Brooke had put it in the collection." Mrs Lockwood's eyes turned to me and I quickly tried to explain myself. No offense, but it's only a pocket watch, why is she so interested in it?
"Oh, I'm sorry Mrs Lockwood, I couldn't find it. I guess it's still packed up in Grayson and Miranda's stuff somewhere." I noticed Elena glance at me from the corner of her eye, probably figuring out the real reason behind the missing watch.
"I see. Well, please let me know if you do find it." I nodded as she left the room. Why would she want to see it if it's only needed for this event anyway?
"I'm going to go to the bathroom." Elena gave me a look and I stood up along with her.
"I'll come with you." We left the room and Elena started to interrorgate me about the watch's wear abouts.
"You know where that watch is Brooke, why didn't you give it to Mrs Lockwood?" She asked, not in a mean way, but I knew she was curious as to why I hadn't taken it away from Jeremy.
"You didn't see Jere's face Elena, he really wants that watch - it's important to him. How can I take something so important away from him like that?"
"Well, why is it important? And why do you care about what Jeremy wants? He's been such a jerk to you recently." I inhaled deeply before explaining.
"Well, in answer to both of your questions, your dad was going to give it to Jeremy, and I know that Jeremy has been horrible but he has a reason. I wasn't there at the funeral for your parents, and I am so sorry about that Elena; but I can't change the past." We reached the bathroom and went inside, noticing that Caroline was in there checking her makeup in the mirror.
"Hey." Elena said, quietly and nervously.
"Hey Caroline." She basically ignored me, so I bit my lip to keep myself from saying anything I might regret.
"So, how are things with Stefan?" Please don't tell me she wants both of the Salvatore brothers. I wanted to laugh, but then I remembered something - Katherine did. That thought shut me up completely.
"Great, just great!" Elena said as she put on some lip gloss and I reapplied my lipstick. I don't usually wear lipstick, but I've always been a huge fan of red lipstick so I decided to wear it tonight.
"Really?" Caroline said in a disbelieving tone.
"Well, my radar must be off cause I was getting all sorts of other vibes." I saw Elena's posture turn ridged.
"What is that?" Elena asked curiously as she looked Caroline's neck. My eyes followed the movements of Elena's hand which reached out to touch whatever she could see, but Caroline batted her hand out of the way.
"Don't!" I then realised that there was something wrong and I pushed her hair to the side to take a look for myself.
"Brooke!"
"What is that?" Elena asked with a tinge of fear in her voice.
"Nothing okay, nothing!"
"That is not nothing! Did somebody hurt you?" I questioned her angrily as I saw some weird marks on her neck, familiar to bruises, but something was different about them. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to figure it out because Caroline had distanced herself from Elena and I.
"No okay! It's nothing! It's just... My mom would kill me." She murmured as she checked her makeup in the mirror, trying to escape the conversation. Elena's frantic eyes looked at me in the mirror and I knew that even though I didn't particularly like Caroline, I still had to help her, especially if someone was hurting her. I slid down the cardigan covering her dress, revealing some more marks on her back. These marks seemed cleaner, and I could finally see what they were: Bite marks. I blinked a few times, unsure if I was seeing things, but Elena's gasp assured me that I wasn't. Who could do this to Caroline? Especially in such intimate places? Then it came to me, just as Elena said the name.
"Did Damon hurt you?" Damon.
"No! No, of course... Of course not. Just leave me alone okay Elena! God!" Caroline pushed Elena away when she went to check for more marks and ran out of the room, but I was unable to move; I was paralysed in shock. Damon did this to her? The guy I've been having dreams about, the guy I think is the hottest guy on the entire planet, the guy with the looks and the I.Q to match. He was abusing Caroline?
"I can't believe this Brooke! Damon's been... He's been hurting her!" Elena's eyes welled up with tears and she went to leave the room but I caught her arm.
"Wait! Where are you going?" She took a deep breath.
"I'm going to go talk to Damon, tell him to stay away from Caroline." I shook my head immediately. No. Absolutely not. There is no way in hell I am letting her anywhere near him, who knows what he could do to her.
"No Elena, I'll go, you try and find Caroline, okay?" She nodded and we both took off down the hall in different directions. I went towards the garden and could see Damon's back facing me. I stomped over to him, shoving him as hard as I could. I'm no where near as strong as him so it didn't have the desired effect, but it caught his attention and he turned around.
"There is something seriously wrong with you. Stay away from Caroline or I will go straight to her mother - the sheriff. Got it? Stay, away from her!" I spat out in disgust before walking around him and going off to find someone normal and sane to talk to. You said it yourself Brooke, people who seem perfect are always hiding a dark secret.
Stefan's pov:
"I knew I couldn't spike your drink, so I spiked hers." I referred to earlier when I'd gotten myself and Caroline a drink, the latter being completely oblivious to the Vervain I'd put in her champagne. I crouched down to where Damon was on the ground, struggling to move as he groaned, a sign that the Vervain was passing through his system. He'll be easy to take care of now.
Picking him up I stole one last glance at Caroline who seemed to be waking up and ran off as fast as I could to the boarding house. I was there within seconds, and I dropped Damon into the cellar who had now passed out due to the Vervain.
I did what I had to do for Elena, and for Brooke. To protect everyone. Yes Damon, the headline reads, deadly beast captured. All is well in Mystic Falls.
I shut the cellar door while Zach stood behind me with a satisfied look on his face. He walked away and went up the stairs, whilst I stayed behind, peeking through the bars and looking inside to see my brother lying there in pain. I felt a something pierce my heart at the sight, but I reminded myself that he is no longer my brother. He isn't important to me anymore, Elena is. I have to keep her safe, no matter what the cost. Even my own brother.
Founder's Council (3rd person):
"Thank you for staying so late." George Lockwood said as he entered the sitting room, greeting the sheriff and various other members of the council.
"Did you get the Gilbert watch?" Elizabeth asked impatiently.
"She claims it's packed away in Miranda and Grayson's things." Carol Lockwood informed everybody in the room as Logan Fell took a seat in an arm chair, turning to face everybody with a beaming smile on his face as he proudly announced that he would manage to obtain it.
"I can get it."
"Good. We're going to need it." The sheriff commented. Everyone in the room exchanged looks as they finally came to the conclusion that they were back. What they had been fearing the most had returned to Mystic Falls.
"Are you sure?" The mayor directed his question towards the sheriff.
"Five bodies all drained of blood. I'm certain." Logan nodded in agreement.
"They've come back."
A/N: Hey everyone! That was Family Ties, I hope you enjoyed it!
Review!