Rose Hathaway sat in the passenger seat of her mother's car, watching the trees fly by as they drove down the highway. She had just moved to Mystic Falls, Virginia, with her mother Janine and her father Abe, a Moroi vampire. She hardly had a life in montana, her family didn't want her to
Rose was excited about the move, eager to start fresh in a new town. But at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Mystic Falls was a town full of supernatural creatures, and Rose knew that she would have to be careful.
As they drove through the town, Rose took in her surroundings. Mystic Falls looked like any other small town, with its quaint houses and bustling streets. But there was something eerie about it, something that made her skin crawl.
"Here we are," Janine said, pulling into the driveway of their new home. Her father was a very very wealthy man. She didn't know his job but she did know that he worked with not only high level moroi, but also high level humans. His name held weight all over the globe so they could afford almost anything. At least that's what he told her.
Nestled within the rolling hills of Virginia, stood a grand and luxurious home that was the epitome of wealth and opulence. The sprawling estate was surrounded by acres of lush greenery, and a long, winding driveway led up to the front entrance, which was flanked by a pair of imposing pillars.
The exterior of the house was a beautiful blend of classic and modern architecture, with a grand façade that was a feast for the eyes. The brick exterior was painted in a pristine white hue, which contrasted beautifully against the black slate roof. Large windows with intricately designed shutters were strategically placed throughout the house, allowing natural light to flood the interiors.
Rose stepped out of the car and took a deep breath. She felt a sense of excitement and apprehension all at once. This was her new home, and she was determined to make the most of it.
As they entered the home, they were greeted by a grand foyer with a soaring ceiling and an exquisite chandelier that sparkled like diamonds. The walls were adorned with tasteful art pieces, and the floors were covered with gleaming marble tiles that shone in the light.
The living room was spacious and sophisticated, with high ceilings and a fireplace that served as the focal point of the space. Plush sofas and armchairs were arranged around a large coffee table, creating the perfect spot for entertaining guests or relaxing with family.
The dining room was equally impressive, with a long wooden table that could seat up to 12 people comfortably. The walls were covered with intricate wallpaper that added a touch of elegance to the space, and a crystal chandelier hung above the table, casting a warm and inviting glow.
The kitchen was a gourmet's dream, with top-of-the-line appliances and custom cabinetry. The countertops were made of luxurious granite, and the floors were covered with polished hardwood that added a touch of warmth to the room.
The bedrooms were equally lavish, each with its unique character and style. Her parents suite was particularly impressive, with a king-sized bed that was surrounded by plush bedding and pillows. A large balcony offered stunning views of the surrounding landscape, while a cozy sitting area provided the perfect spot to unwind after a long day.
The lavish secondary bedroom that belonged to Rose was a stunning reflection of her bold and adventurous personality. The walls were painted in a rich and vibrant red hue, which contrasted beautifully against the dark hardwood floors and crisp white ceiling.
At the center of the room was a luxurious four-poster bed, adorned with plush bedding in deep shades of red and black. The headboard was intricately carved with images of dragons and other mythical creatures, giving the bed a sense of power and strength that perfectly suited Rose's fierce and determined spirit.
The room was filled with carefully chosen decor that spoke to Rose's adventurous nature, including a large map of the world hung above the bed, showcasing all of the places she had traveled and hoped to explore in the future. The walls were adorned with photographs of Rose on various adventures, including hiking, rock climbing, and other daring feats.
In one corner of the room, a large leather armchair was situated next to a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, which was filled with novels, travel guides, and other books that spoke to Rose's love of reading and exploration. A colorful tapestry hung on the wall behind the chair, adding a touch of bohemian flair to the space.
The windows in the room were dressed in flowing, sheer curtains in shades of red and gold, allowing natural light to flood the space and creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. A chandelier made of wrought iron and adorned with red crystals hung from the ceiling, casting a soft and warm glow throughout the room.
The backyard was a tranquil retreat, with a large swimming pool that was surrounded by a meticulously manicured lawn. A pergola covered in climbing vines provided shade from the sun, and a large stone patio offered plenty of seating for outoor gatherings and barbecues.
This home was a true masterpiece, a luxurious haven that exuded wealth and sophistication in every corner.
As they unpacked their belongings, Rose couldn't help but notice the strange energy in the air. She knew that Mystic Falls was a town full of secrets, and she was determined to uncover them.
That night, as Rose lay in bed, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching her. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on her breathing, but the feeling only grew stronger.
Suddenly, she heard a rustling outside her window. She sat up, her heart pounding, and peered out into the darkness.
That's when she saw it. A dark black raven sat perched on her window sill. It intrigued Rose,it sat there seemingly staring at her, watching her with intense blue eyes.
Rose's heart skipped a beat. She knew that there was something different about it, something that she couldn't quite put her finger on.
As it flew away, Rose knew that she had to find out what it was. She was determined to uncover the secrets of Mystic Falls, no matter what it took.
The morning sun shines down on Elena's family home as the birds chirp and a veranda wraps around the front of the house. Elena, 17, stands in front of her bedroom mirror, taking a moment to silently assess herself before moving to her desk to start writing in her journal.
Jenna, Elena's aunt, is in the kitchen with the morning news muted on the TV. Photos of a missing couple flash on the screen as Jenna studies the fridge's contents. Elena enters the kitchen and goes straight for the coffee pot.
Jenna greets Elena, "Good morning, sleepyhead! You look beautiful as ever."
Elena smiles, "Thanks, Aunt Jenna. Coffee, please."
Jenna pours Elena a cup of coffee, "So, first day of school, huh?"
Elena nods, "Yeah, I'm a little nervous."
Jenna chuckles, "Don't worry, you'll do great. It's your senior year, enjoy it!"
Elena takes a sip of her coffee, "I'll try."
Jeremy, Elena's 15-year-old brother, enters the kitchen, "Morning."
Jenna hands him two power bars, "Good morning, Jeremy. Ready for your first day of school?"
Jeremy nods, "Yeah, I guess."
Jenna checks her watch, "Oh, I'm running late for a meeting with my thesis advisor. Elena, you'll make sure Jeremy gets to school on time, won't you?"
Elena smiles, "Of course."
Jenna hands Jeremy some cash for lunch, "Here you go, lunch money. Do you need anything else?"
Jeremy shakes his head, "Nah, I'm good."
Elena declines the offer, "I'm good too, thanks."
Jenna rushes out the door, "See you guys later!"
As Jeremy finishes getting ready for school, Elena takes a deep breath, "I can't believe we're starting our senior year."
Jeremy chuckles, "Yeah, it's crazy. Time flies, doesn't it?"
Elena nods, "It really does."
As they exit the house and head to school, Elena feels a sense of unease. The events of the night before still weigh heavy on her mind, but she knows she has to focus on the day ahead.
The sun beats down on Mystic Falls High School's parking lot, filled with cars and students milling about. Among them is a mysterious guy, his face obscured, moving through the crowd. As he passes, heads start to turn, noticing the new arrival.
Cut to the hallway, where Bonnie and Elena are walking when Caroline Forbes, the school's queen bee, approaches. Caroline greets Elena with an overly manufactured smile and hug, but Bonnie informs her that Elena and Matt broke up over the summer.
Caroline asks about their current relationship status just as Matt, the All-American jock, rounds the corner. He exchanges a brief, awkward greeting with Elena before leaving, prompting Caroline to comment on their tense dynamic. Bonnie offers a supportive smile to Elena before departing with Caroline.
Meanwhile, the new guy is seen walking down another hallway and entering the administration office, revealing a chiseled profile and sunglasses.
In the football field's empty bleachers, where Jeremy and some stoners are hanging out near the storage garage. Vicki, a sexy and desirable girl, takes pills from Jeremy and swallows them without asking what they are, leading Jeremy to inform her that they're alprazolam. Tyler, an athletic and arrogant guy, interrupts them and takes a joint from Jeremy, teasing him about his eyeliner.
Vicki pulls Tyler back and informs him that Jeremy is Elena's little brother, but Tyler remains unimpressed and even mocks him with a fake-out lunge. Tyler takes a toke from the joint and kisses Vicki, leaving Jeremy feeling deflated as he takes another hit from the joint.
Rose walked down the street, taking in the sights and sounds of Mystic Falls. She stopped at a coffee shop, hoping to find some information about the town.
As she stood in line, she felt someone's eyes on her. She turned to see a tall, muscular man with dark hair and piercing green eyes watching her from a distance. He was wearing a black leather jacket and looked like he had just stepped out of a motorcycle ad.
Rose felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something about him that made her uneasy, yet at the same time, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him.
The man didn't say anything, but Rose could feel his eyes on her. She tried to ignore him and focus on ordering her coffee, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching her every move.
As she stepped out of the coffee shop, the man was waiting for her outside. Rose felt her heart race as he approached her.
"Excuse me," he said in a low, smooth voice. "I couldn't help but notice you're new in town. My name is Stefan."
Rose smiled politely, her heart still pounding in her chest. "I'm Rose. Nice to meet you."
Stefan leaned against the wall, watching her with a hint of curiosity. "So, what brings you to Mystic Falls?"
"My family just moved here," Rose said. "We thought it would be a good change of pace."
Stefan nodded. "Well, Mystic Falls is certainly a change of pace. It's a town full of secrets."
Rose felt a shiver run down her spine. "What kind of secrets?"
Stefan hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "Nothing important. Just the usual small town gossip."
Rose wasn't convinced. There was something mysterious about Stefan, something that made her curious.
The small Virginia town was quaint and picturesque, the kind of place one would love to raise a family. Southern in its hospitality and northern in its attitude. Main Street had mom and pop shops, a couple of restaurants, a hardware store, and a church. Elena was riding beside Bonnie, a loyal friend with a big heart. Bonnie was in chatty Cathy mode, telling Elena about how her grandmother had told her that she was psychic because they were descendants of the Celtic Druids.
"I know, right? I wasn't buying it either until I remembered my uncanny accuracy. I predicted Obama, I predicted David Cook, Heath Ledger, Britney's comeback and I still think Florida will break off and become little resort islands. I think there's something to it," said Bonnie.
Elena was staring out of the window, lost in her thoughts, not listening to Bonnie.
"Did I tell you about the orgy? I had the football team over. Threw a blindfold on. I still don't know who took my virginity -- ELENA! BACK IN THE CAR!!!" yelled Bonnie.
Elena jumped at the sound of her name and quickly snapped out of her daze.
"I did it again, didn't I? I'm sorry, Bonnie. You were saying…" said Elena.
"What? C'mon, you can do it…" encouraged Bonnie.
"Something about being psychic," said Elena, thinking hard.
Bonnie was turning a corner, waving her hand like a magic wand in complete goof mode.
"I see puppies and daffodils and a naked Ryan Gosling…" joked Bonnie.
Suddenly, something flew into the windshield, and Bonnie jerked the steering wheel. The car went skidding, and she slammed on the brakes.
"What was that? Oh god…" panicked Bonnie.
"Elena? Are you okay? I'm so sorry," asked Bonnie, turning to Elena.
"I'm okay. It happens," replied Elena, frozen in the front seat.
"No, I'm so sorry, it was like a bird or something. It came out of nowhere," apologized Bonnie.
"It's okay. I can't let cars freak me out for the rest of my life," said Elena, determined not to let it cloud her day.
Bonnie predicted that the year was going to be kick-ass, and all the sad and dark times were over. Elena would be happier than happy, with some hot sex too.
"That's all good. Just one thing. If you're psychic, how come you didn't predict the bird?" asked Elena, smiling.
Bonnie grinned, hit the gas, and they were off. As Bonnie's Prius took off down the road, the camera panned to a telephone pole, where an ominous black crow sat perched at the top, deadly still.
The sun beats down on Mystic Falls High School's parking lot, filled with cars and students milling about. Among them is a mysterious guy, his face obscured, moving through the crowd. As he passes, heads start to turn, noticing the new arrival.
Cut to the hallway, where Bonnie and Elena are walking when Caroline forbes, the school's queen bee, approaches. Caroline greets Elena with an overly manufactured smile and hug, but Bonnie informs her that Elena and Matt broke up over the summer.
Caroline asks about their current relationship and status just as Matt, the All-American jock, rounds the corner. He exchanges a brief, awkward greeting with Elena before leaving, prompting Caroline to comment on their tense dynamic. Bonnie offers a supportive smile to Elena before departing with Caroline.
Meanwhile, the new guy is seen walking down another hallway and entering the administration office, revealing a chiseled profile and sunglasses.
On the football field's empty bleachers, where Jeremy and some stoners are hanging out near the storage garage. Vicki, a sexy and desirable girl, takes pills from Jeremy and swallows them without asking what they are, leading Jeremy to inform her that they're alprazolam. Tyler, an athletic and arrogant guy, interrupts them and takes a joint from Jeremy, teasing him about his eyeliner.
Vicki pulls Tyler back and informs him that Jeremy is Elena's little brother, but Tyler remains unimpressed and even mocks him with a fake-out lunge. Tyler takes a toke from the joint and kisses Vicki, leaving Jeremy feeling deflated as he takes another hit from the joint.
The halls of Mystic Falls High School were buzzing with excitement as a new student made his way through the administrative office. Caroline Forbes and Bonnie Bennett couldn't resist the temptation to sneak a peek at the mysterious newcomer. As they approached the office, they saw his back facing them, his dark hair falling just above his collar.
"Who's this?" Caroline whispered to Bonnie.
"I can only see his back," Bonnie replied, squinting through the window.
"It's a hot back," Caroline giggled, eyeing the stranger's boots.
The secretary looked up from her paperwork and addressed the new guy. "Your records are incomplete. You're missing immunization records, transcripts, parental contact information..."
Caroline couldn't help but comment on the guy's style. "There's style there. Check out his boots. California? New York?"
Bonnie closed her eyes, trying to tap into her psychic abilities. "I'm sensing Seattle. And he plays a guitar."
"Turn around, turn, turn..." Caroline pleaded.
As Stefan lowered his sunglasses, the secretary became transfixed by his piercing gaze. "Please look again. I'm sure everything you need is there," he said in a low, soft tone.
The secretary was flustered and scattered, but Stefan's charm had worked its magic. "Well, you're right. So it is," she stammered.
As Stefan turned around, Caroline and Bonnie held their breath in anticipation. They still couldn't see his face, but they knew he was definitely thumbs up.
Meanwhile, Elena Gilbert was at her locker when she saw her younger brother Jeremy stumbling down the hall with his stoner friends. She was filled with anger as she watched him disappear into the men's room.
She slammed her locker shut and charged off down the hall, determined to confront her brother about his drug use. Little did she know, her life was about to change forever with the arrival of the enigmatic Stefan Salvatore.
Stefan stepped out of the office, his tall figure and broad shoulders drawing the attention of other students as he made his way through the hallway. Bonnie and Caroline trailed behind him, keeping their eyes fixed on the new kid. They couldn't help but notice the way other students turned and glanced at him, reacting with curiosity or awe.
As Stefan approached a door, it swung open, revealing Elena standing on the other side. She froze in her tracks as she caught sight of him, and for the first time, we finally saw Stefan's face. He was strikingly handsome, with chiseled features and a timeless elegance that seemed to belong in a museum.
Stefan bumped into Elena, quickly apologizing before removing his sunglasses to reveal his piercing gaze. He asked if the door was the Men's Room, and Elena nodded, feeling her heart race as she found herself mesmerized by his presence.
As they both tried to move around each other, they kept almost bumping into each other until Stefan stopped, allowing Elena to pass. She couldn't help but smile in embarrassment, feeling drawn to him even as he disappeared behind the door.
Elena turned back, watching as the door closed and Stefan's eyes met hers once more. She couldn't help but wonder who he was, and what secrets lay behind his captivating gaze.
As Rose walked back to her house, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to Mystic Falls than she had originally thought. Everyone in this town seemed sort of strange.
Rose spent the rest of the day unpacking and settling into her new home. She couldn't stop thinking about Stefan and the mysterious vibe he gave off. She wondered what he meant by the town being full of secrets and what he was hiding.
Later that evening, Rose's mother Janine suggested they go out for dinner to celebrate their first night in their new home. They went to a small restaurant in town, where they were greeted by a friendly waitress named Bonnie.
As they were waiting for their food, Rose noticed that Bonnie kept glancing over at her. Finally, Bonnie walked over to their table.
"Excuse me," she said to Rose. "I hope this doesn't sound too forward, but you look really familiar. Have we met before?"
Rose shook her head. "I don't think so. I just moved to Mystic Falls today."
Bonnie looked puzzled. "That's strange. You remind me of someone I used to know."
Rose felt a pang of curiosity. "Who?"
Bonnie hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "That's just the thing. I have no idea...Never mind. It's probably nothing. Enjoy your dinner!"
As they finished their meal and got ready to leave, Rose couldn't stop thinking about what Bonnie had said. Who did she remind her of? And why did Stefan seem to be keeping something from her?
As they walked out of the restaurant, Rose saw Stefan standing across the street. He gave her a small nod and disappeared into the shadows.
Rose couldn't help but wonder what kind of secrets Mystic Falls held, and what role Stefan played in them. She was determined to find out.
Rose and her family arrived back at their new home, exhausted from the long day of moving and exploring Mystic Falls. As they sat down in the living room, Rose let out a deep sigh.
"I can't believe we left Montana," she said. "I miss our old home and our old life."
Janine put a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder. "I know it's hard, Rose. But we'll make new memories here, and who knows what kind of adventures we'll have."
Abe chimed in with a grin. "And who knows what kind of creatures we'll run into! Mystic Falls seems like a place full of surprises."
Rose rolled her eyes at her father's comment. She wasn't in the mood for his jokes, especially after the strange encounters she had with Stefan and Bonnie earlier in the day.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Everyone looked around confused. Who could be knocking on their door when they just got to town? Janine went to answer it and was greeted by a bubbly blonde girl with spiraling long locks and dressed head to toe in pink.
"Hi there!" the girl said cheerfully. "I'm Caroline Forbes, and I live down the street. My mom is sheriff in town and I just wanted to come over and welcome you to the neighborhood!"
Janine smiled warmly. "Thank you, Caroline. That's very kind of you."
Caroline's eyes lit up as she spotted Rose. "Oh my gosh, you must be Rose! I heard there was girl coming also from my mom. I'm throwing a party tomorrow night, and I'd love for you to come!"
Janine hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I don't know, Caroline. We just got here, and we're still getting settled."
Abe spoke up. "I don't see why not. Rose deserves to have a little fun after a long day of moving." He popped his head from the living room to look Caroline over. She seemed like a decent girl so why not?
Rose's eyes widened in surprise. She wasn't expecting her father to be so okay with Rose going out when she just arrived to town, but she was grateful for it.
"Hello.. am I allowed to answer or do my parents speak for me?" Rose smartly asked. Abe chuckled and Janine moved to the side so Rose could properly view the blonde girl. She was a little cheerier than her other and only blonde friend Mia.
Mia was a bitch. Not bubbly at all. Her disposition being a byproduct of her very short, very thin frame. This girl was definitely not Mia.
"Sure, why not?"
Caroline clapped her hands excitedly. "Yay! It's going to be so much fun! I'll swing by to pick you up tomorrow night, Rose." She reached in to hug Rose, her long arms and engulfing the shorter girl. Rose could smell her perfume and that familiar scent of human. A scent that vampires and dhampirs can smell very strongly on humans. Their sense of smell was not nearly as good as the vampires and dhampirs.
As Caroline left, Rose couldn't help but feel excited for the party. She was eager to make new friends and finally feel like she belonged in Mystic Falls. But she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something dark and dangerous lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly peaceful town.
The sprawling cemetery was ornate, filled with enormous mausoleums and rows and rows of well-tended tombstones. The town was rich in history, and its dead were revered. Elena leaned against a tombstone, scribbling in her diary.
"Dear Diary. I made it. I got through the day in one piece," Elena narrated to herself. "Okay, so I wasn't feeling the pom poms. But I think that could be a good thing..."
As she wrote, she noticed that the tombstones beside her were labeled "GRAYSON GILBERT" and "MIRANDA SOMERS GILBERT. LOVING PARENTS." She glanced around and noticed someone lurking in a nearby crypt, watching her.
Elena looked up and saw a large, black crow perched on her mother's tombstone. It stared at her unblinkingly, and she greeted it nervously. "Okay...hi, bird. Not creepy or anything. Big black crow in a cemetery."
As a slow, thick fog crept in around her, Elena stood up and brushed it off. "And cue the fog. Jesus." She tried to shoo the crow away with a wave of her hand, but it stayed put, watching her intently.
Elena suddenly lunged for the crow, startling it into flight. "That's what I thought," she muttered triumphantly. But as she turned around, the crow was perched on the tombstone behind her, its eyes burning into her. She gasped in surprise and confusion. "How did--"
Suddenly, Elena heard a noise and turned to see a figure through the fog. She freaked out and ran in the opposite direction, racing through the cemetery until she collided with Stefan.
"Elena, are you okay?" he asked, concerned. Elena scrambled back, startled. "Were you following me?"
"No, I mean, yes, sort of. I saw you fall," Stefan explained.
Elena looked behind her, searching for the figure she had seen before. "You like to lurk in graveyards?" she asked suspiciously.
"I was visiting...I have family here," Stefan replied. Elena sagged in embarrassment and nervously introduced herself. Stefan brushed a leaf from her hair, and there was a charged moment between them.
As Stefan pulled his hand away, Elena noticed a ring on his hand with a lapis stone at its center. "Nice ring," she commented dryly.
"It's a family ring. I know it's weird," Stefan explained.
Elena looked down and noticed a small cut on her leg, which was bleeding. Stefan's eyes fixated on the wound, and he suddenly ordered her to go away. Elena was stunned and confused, watching as Stefan spun away from her and disappeared into the fog.The Salvatore Boarding House stood like a grand fortress, hidden deep in the woods. Its turn-of-the-century architecture was accentuated by a stunning arched window on the upper floor. Inside, Stefan Salvatore sat at an old desk, his quill scratching against paper as he wrote in his journal. He stopped and read over his words, his brow furrowing in concern.
"I lost control today," he had written, and the admission weighed heavily on him. He continued writing, his thoughts pouring out onto the page.
"In an instant, my veins were on fire. I couldn't resist her. I never should have tried to enter her life. What would she do if she ever learned the truth? About me...and why I'm really here."
Stefan stood up from his desk, his body tense with restlessness. He paced the room, his eyes darting around as he tried to quell the emotions bubbling inside him.
"I should stay away," he muttered to himself, "But I don't know if I can."
He walked over to his desk and picked up a book, Elena's journal. He held it in his hands for a moment, his eyes lingering on the cover. He started to quickly get dressed. Stefan was now fully dressed, his shirt clinging to his damp skin. He stood at the ledge of the enormous window that lined his room, staring out into the darkening woods. Without a moment's hesitation, he jumped, plummeting fifty feet to the ground below. He landed gracefully and disappeared into the shadows of the forest.
Meanwhile, Elena was at home tending to a cut on her leg. Jenna stood in the doorway, chatting with her.
"Maybe blood makes him squeamish?" Jenna suggested.
Elena laughed, shaking her head. "This guy is not the squeamish type. This guy has DANGER tattooed somewhere on his body."
Jenna checked her watch. "Aren't you meeting Bonnie?"
Elena shrugged. "I'm gonna stay in. I'll call her."
Jenna frowned. "You should go. Don't sit home. Keep it up. You're doing good."
Elena smiled, grateful for Jenna's support. She put the bandage box back in the medicine cabinet but paused when she saw a prescription bottle. She shook it and opened it, her expression suspicious.
"What's the matter?" Jenna asked.
"Dr. Dragomir prescribed these after the accident," Elena explained, holding up the bottle. "I took two."
She tilted the bottle so Jenna could see that it was almost empty. "I'm gonna kill him."
Jenna stepped forward, her expression determined. "I got this one. He'll be home soon. Let me handle it."
The Mystic Grill was a cozy neighborhood bar and grill where locals gathered to unwind. Jeremy was absorbed in a video game, alternating between playing and eating. Vicki, a waitress, walked by without giving him a second glance. In a back booth, Matt and Tyler were sitting together, and Vicki brought over a plate of burgers for Matt. She gave Tyler a sideways glance before walking away, and Tyler couldn't resist checking out her rear. Matt called him out on it.
"Please tell me you're not hooking up with my sister," Matt said.
"I'm not hooking up with your sister," Tyler replied.
Matt wasn't convinced. "You're not an asshole, either."
In the back room of the Mystic Grill, Vicki was gathering supplies when Jeremy entered.
"You can't be back here," Vicki said.
"What's your deal?" Jeremy asked. "This summer you're one way, school starts and you can't be bothered."
"I'm ignoring you," Vicki replied.
"Ignoring implies caring enough to avoid," Jeremy challenged.
"What implies total lack of interest? Look, Jeremy, I appreciate all the attention and the pharmaceuticals, but you can't follow me around like a lost puppy," Vicki said.
"When was the last time you had sex with a puppy?" Jeremy asked.
Vicki looked around the dining room to make sure nobody was listening. "Keep it down."
"What does it matter who knows?" Jeremy pressed.
"Because I'm a senior and you're not. I don't wanna tell the world I deflowered Elena's kid brother," Vicki said.
"And deflowered and deflowered," Jeremy muttered.
"We hooked up a few times in a drug-fueled haze. Now, back off before you ruin things with me and Tyler," Vicki warned.
"The guy's a douche, he only wants you for your ass," Jeremy said.
"And what do you want me for?" Vicki retorted before blowing past him. Jeremy was left alone, feeling angry and hurt. He stormed out of the back room and made a beeline for the door. Vicki watched him go out of the corner of her eye.
Elena grabbed her purse and keys, ready to head out of her house. As she opened the front door, she was startled to find Stefan standing on her porch.
"Hi. Sorry. I was about to knock," Stefan said. "I wanted to apologize for earlier. I know it was strange."
"That's an understatement. How did you know where I lived?" Elena asked, still taken aback.
"It's a small town," Stefan replied before handing over Elena's journal. "You must have dropped it in the cemetery."
"Thank you," Elena said as she took the journal from him. She was wary but intrigued by Stefan.
"I didn't read it," Stefan said, assuring her of his integrity.
"You have more restraint than most people," Elena said, impressed.
"I wouldn't want anyone to read mine," Stefan admitted. "Memories are important."
Elena nodded in agreement and headed inside to put the journal away in her school bag. Stefan lingered at the door, eyeing the threshold but unable to enter. Elena called back to him, "You don't have to stand out there." It wasn't exactly an invitation, but Stefan declined, "I'm fine."
As Elena returned to the front door, Stefan noticed her purse and asked, "I'm sorry, were you going somewhere?"
"I'm meeting my friend," Elena answered, considering him carefully. "Do you want to come?"
Stefan smiled at her, a smile so captivating that Elena could have lost herself in it.
Bonnie slides into the booth with Matt and grabs a fry.
"Five minute heads up. I'm meeting Elena," Bonnie informs Matt.
"How's she doing? I can't get a read," Matt asks, concerned.
"Her mom and dad died. How do you think? She's putting on a good face, but it's tough. It's only been four months. She needs time," Bonnie replies.
"I get it. That's what I'm gonna give her," Matt says.
Suddenly, Bonnie's face shifts, and Matt turns to follow her gaze. Elena and Stefan enter together, and Matt's look hardens. He quickly turns back around.
Elena sees Matt's reaction and hesitates at the door for a second, uncertain.
Caroline appears at their booth and stares at Stefan with Elena. She looks at Matt and says, "Could you do something about your girlfriend? I'm getting really annoyed with her lack of respect."
"She's not my girlfriend," Matt responds as he gets up, just as Elena and Stefan arrive.
"Matt, have you met Stefan yet? He's new and I was telling him how this was the spot," Elena says.
Stefan holds out his hand, and there is a pause before Matt shakes it.
"It's the only spot," Matt says.
"Hey, how ya doin'?" Stefan greets him.
Matt returns to Tyler, avoiding more awkwardness.
Jeremy enters the kitchen from the back door, and Jenna finishes setting the table.
"Great, you're just in time for dinner," Jenna says.
"You actually cooked?" Jeremy asks.
"All your favorites," Jenna replies. Jeremy sits down and looks at his plate, startled.
"What is this?" he asks as he sees an assortment of pills, pot, and various accoutrements laid out like separate courses.
"I found the main course in your sock drawer. The sides, courtesy of your dress shoes. Oldest trick in the book, by the way," Jenna explains, pointing at a small bong. "Under the mattress," she continues, pointing at rolling papers. "DVD cases. We'll save the girl-on-girl porn you hid in Iron Man for another conversation."
"I can't believe you went through my room," Jeremy says.
"Technically it's my room. Your parents left it to me, along with the responsibility for you," Jenna explains.
"I guess that was their mistake, wasn't it?" Jeremy retorts.
Jenna exhales, keeping her anger in check. "Look, four months ago I didn't even know how to keep a plant alive. So I'm not pretending to be some expert on parenting. Because, let's face it, I'm better at being the cool aunt who looks the other way. But the jig is up. School's started and I know how it can go one way or the other for someone like you. So we're gonna go textbook on this one."
"Yeah, what's that?" Jeremy asks.
"You're not leaving this house for two weeks. School, home, every day. And that's law," Jenna says, firm and intense.
Jeremy is not happy with Jenna's new disciplinarian persona.
The Mystic Grill was bustling with activity as a group of teenagers crowded around a table, visible through the front window. Inside the restaurant, Caroline and Bonnie were seated opposite Stefan and Elena.
"Why Mystic Falls?" Bonnie asked Stefan.
"I was born here. I missed it," Stefan replied.
Caroline probed further, "Parents?"
"Both my parents are dead," Stefan revealed.
Elena expressed her condolences, "That's terrible. I'm sorry."
"Thank you," Stefan replied.
Caroline didn't like the way Elena and Stefan were connecting, "No siblings?"
"None that I talk to. I live with my uncle," Stefan answered.
Meanwhile, Tyler and Matt were playing pool and keeping a watchful eye on Stefan's table.
"They're throwing looks. She's into it," Tyler observed.
"Don't want to talk about it, Tyler," Matt cautioned him.
"Just sayin', man. Looks like she's coming out of her 'I can't be with anyone' phase. You might wanna try to get back in that before it's too late," Tyler advised.
"You might wanna shut your mouth," Matt retorted, troubled by Tyler's words.
Tyler, however, had a plan. He headed over to the booth just as Vicki arrived with a tray full of soda refills. With the slightest nudge, Tyler caused her to spill the tray all over Stefan.
"Jesus, Tyler," Vicki exclaimed.
Elena got up, glaring at Tyler, as Bonnie and Vicki attempted to clean up the mess.
"What the hell was that?" Elena demanded.
"Sorry," Tyler smirked.
Tyler stared at Stefan, hoping for a fight, but Stefan refused to take the bait, "It's fine."
"Are you sure? Cuz I'd understand it if you were mad," Tyler pressed, smirking.
Stefan glared but still refused to fight.
Bonnie tried to clean up Stefan's shirt, but when she touched him, she stopped. Her face clouded for a moment as she looked up at him, troubled. No one else seemed to notice.
"It's only a shirt. It's about time I get going anyway," Stefan said to everyone. "It was nice meeting you guys."
He turned to Elena, "Goodnight, Elena," and then left.
It took a moment for Elena to shake off her feelings about Stefan's departure. She then turned to Tyler and expressed her disgust, "Really nice."
Tyler ignored her and basked in his successful plan.
Sure, here it is with the dialogue in quotation marks:
Stefan is writing in his journal again. A KNOCK on his door breaks his reverie. An OLDER MAN, Dimitri (Late 20's) enters. He's much taller than Stefan, standing at a towering 6 foot 7. He has a thick Russian accent and shoulder-length brown hair. He carries some papers.
Dimitri says, "I filled 'em all out. If that school needs anything else, have them call me."
Stefan replies with a thanks, "Thanks, Dimitri."
Dimitri sees Stefan's conflicted face and asks, "What's wrong with you?"
Stefan responds, "I think I've made a mistake exposing myself."
Dimitri reminds Stefan that it was his choice, "It was your choice. You wanted to be near her. To know her. Either leave or make the most of it." He then heads for the door, but turns back and smiles.
Dimitri says, "It's just teen angst. You'd think after 200 years you'd know that, Uncle Stefan."
Dimitri exits, but Stefan's smile goes away. He can't quite shake his turmoil. He goes to a big armoire, finds the key, and unlocks it. Inside are his private keepsakes and stacks of old journals from the last two hundred years. He pulls out one particular journal -- an older one. Aged leather, thick paper, written in quill pen. He flips to a page. It's a drawing of a girl. She looks identical to Elena. How is that possible? Only a closer look reveals the inscription: Katherine, 1864.
The lunchtime crowd at Mystic Falls High School mingles, eats, and chats. Matt and Tyler toss a football around with some other players. Elena and Bonnie sit together, snacking on chips. Bonnie points across the quad to where Caroline walks with Stefan, chatting him up.
"She's relentless," Elena comments.
"Like a pit bull. She's inviting him to the pop-up party," Bonnie replies.
"There's a pop-up party?" Elena asks.
"Tonight. Caroline decided. She wants to be the first one this year," Bonnie says.
"Why didn't she tell me?" Elena wonders.
"It just popped up. And she's pissed at you," Bonnie says.
"Because of Stefan?" Elena asks.
"Because you breathe, Elena. Because the teacher chose you to erase the chalkboard in the first grade. Because it's who she is," Bonnie replies.
Meanwhile, across the quad, Matt hurls the football and gets tackled right as he lets go. The ball sails off course and heads straight for Stefan and Caroline. Elena sees it coming and opens her mouth to shout a warning, but at the last second, Stefan turns and catches the ball with ease.
Elena and Bonnie exchange a look. "That was hot," Bonnie says.
As Matt jogs up to them, Stefan hands him the ball back and says, "Thanks." Matt heads back to his buddies.
Bonnie turns to Elena and asks, "So, party. You in? I mean, I understand if you're not feeling it."
"I'm in," Elena says, never taking her eyes off of Stefan. Bonnie registers this.
Later that evening, Rose stood in front of her closet, trying to decide what to wear to Caroline's party. She had never been to a human party before, and she wanted to make a good impression. She rifled through her clothes, pulling out different options and holding them up to herself in the mirror.
Finally, she settled on a cute black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. She paired it with a pair of strappy sandals and added some bold red rose earrings to complete the look. She decided to wear her big curly hair down and let it frame her face, which accentuated her big brown eyes.
As she finished getting ready, Rose heard a rustling sound coming from her closet. She froze, thinking that maybe it was a mouse or some other small animal. But before she could investigate, the doorbell rang, and she quickly pushed the thought aside.
She rushed down the stairs, excited for the party and eager to see what kind of people she would meet. As she opened the door, Caroline was standing there with a big smile on her face.
"Hey, Rose! You look amazing!" Caroline said, admiring her dress.
Rose smiled back, feeling a little nervous but excited. "Thanks, you do too!"
As they made their way to Caroline's car, Rose couldn't shake the feeling that someone or something was watching her. But she brushed it off, thinking that maybe it was just her nerves.
She looked around as they drove. Admiring the small town aesthetic when suddenly a very thick white fog engulfed the streets.
"Hey Caroline, why is there so much fog all of a sudden" Caroline brushes it off with a laugh.
"Oh that's normal. It literally happens all the time here. That's why they call it 'Mystic Falls'" Rose nodded her head, that makes sense. I guess.
Stefan stepped through the trees into a wide clearing where a bonfire roared in the center. Random teenagers were scattered around, enjoying their impromptu party. He scanned the sea of people, looking for a familiar face.
As he tried to filter through the sounds of the party, he heard the roaring bonfire, a couple of random girls rolling a joint, and a boy picking up on a girl. A cacophony of chatter filled the air, but then he heard the voice he was listening for - Elena's. She was talking to Bonnie, and Stefan listened in.
"It was more like a vibe," Bonnie said.
"What kind of vibe?" Elena asked.
"Like a dangerous vibe. I debated even telling you."
"Aren't you taking this psychic thing a little too far?" Elena questioned.
"Alright, maybe I'm not psychic, but I do have good intuition. And when I touched Stefan, I felt something," Bonnie replied.
Stefan overheard their conversation but wasn't sure what to make of it. As he started moving in their direction, Caroline intercepted him. She had a drink in her hand, and she was accompanied by Rose, the curly-haired girl he had met at the diner.
"You made it," Caroline said.
"I did," Stefan replied.
"This is my friend Rose. She's new in town," Caroline introduced.
Rose smiled and offered her hand. "Nice to see you again, Stefan," she said.
Stefan shook her hand. "Yes, it's good to see you again too," he replied politely.
Caroline didn't wait for an answer. "Let's get you a drink," she said, leading him away. They weaved through the crowd and before they knew it,
Meanwhile, across the way, Elena continued to talk with Bonnie, unaware that Stefan had arrived. Suddenly, Rose and Caroline sauntered over, and Caroline touched Elena's arm to get her attention.
"Guys, this is Rose. I invited her," Caroline said.
Elena smiled warmly. "Hi, Rose. It's nice to meet you," she greeted.
Rose returned the smile. "Likewise, Elena. I've heard a lot about you," she replied. She notices that Elena is just as stunning as Bonnie, but in a different way. Elena has a more classic beauty, with sharp and defined facial features. She has striking blue eyes, full lips, and high cheekbones. Her long, straight, dark brown hair frames her face perfectly and cascades down her back in glossy waves. Rose can tell that Elena is athletic too, with a toned and fit physique that is evident even under her casual clothes.
Despite Elena's beauty, Rose can sense a guardedness about her, like there is a hidden depth to her that she has yet to reveal. Rose makes a mental note to keep her guard up around Elena, even as she can't help but be drawn to her natural magnetism.
Bonnie greeted her right after, she reached for them to shake hands and when they did, they both felt a strong familiarity between them. Bonnie's eyes widened in recognition and she apologized for their earlier confrontation. Rose brushed it off, saying "I have that type of face."
Bonnie laughed and said, "Yeah right. You're definitely not a forgetting face. Very easy to spot in a crowd."
Elena looked at Bonnie.
"You were saying?" Elena asked.
Bonnie hesitated for a moment before replying, "It's nothing, Elena. Just a feeling I had."
Caroline raised an eyebrow. "A feeling about what?" she pressed.
Before Bonnie could answer, Tyler appeared out of nowhere and rammed into Jeremy from behind, knocking the wind out of him. Vicki laughed as Tyler laughed himself silly.
Rose stood with Elena and Bonnie, while Caroline drunkenly stumbled off to "make out with a hot guy."
Bonnie asked, "No sign of Stefan?" Elena replied, "Mr. Danger Vibe?"
Bonnie admitted, "All right, all right, I take it back."
Elena couldn't help but ask, "Can your psychic powers tell me if he's coming?"
Bonnie playfully responded, "Go ahead, make fun of me. I'm sure the Druids were laughed at too."
With her eyes closed, Bonnie concentrated on using her psychic powers. Elena watched, amused, wondering if anything was happening. Rose interjected, "You need a crystal ball. Wait--" and grabbed a beer bottle from the ground. She placed it in Bonnie's hands, and their fingers touched. Suddenly, Bonnie's face shifted, and she grabbed Rose's wrist. Rose yelped, "Ow. Easy there tiger--" as Bonnie stared off into nothingness like she was in a trance. Rose pulled away, snapping Bonnie out of it.
Bonnie was disoriented, admitting, "Okay, that was weird."
Rose asked, "Ya think? What happened?" Bonnie explained, "I don't know. I'm drunk. It's just, when I touched you, I saw a crow."
Rose and Elena froze, listening intently. They'd both separately came across a crow, although no one knew their strange coincidence.
Elena asked, "What?" Bonnie continued, "Yeah, I saw this black crow and..."
Rose interrupted, "What else?"
Bonnie paused before answering, "I felt scared -- or more like I should be scared...because the crow brings death. Wait, that's not it...the crow brings the man, and the man brings death. Yeah, that's it."
Elena and Bonnie were both disturbed. However, Rose looked intrigued, and she thought maybe she really did have psychic abilities.
Bonnie stated, "I need a drink," and Rose followed her, leaving Elena alone.
Elena turned around to see Stefan standing in front of her. She said, "Oh..." Stefan apologized, "I did it again, didn't I? Sorry."
He smiled charmingly and sheepishly, but then he noticed the expression on her face.
Stefan asked, "You're upset about something."
Elena replied, "It's nothing. My friend...she thinks she's --" but then shook it off, saying, "Never mind. Hi. You're here." She seemed glad to see him, and he was pleased to see her.
Stefan simply said, "I'm here."
Jeremy takes a swig from his drink and then spots his sister, Elena, and Stefan across the bonfire. He quickly ducks out of sight and navigates through the crowd, recognizing his stoner friends. Just then, he sees Vicki and Tyler disappearing into the woods, both of them drunk and giggling.
Meanwhile, Elena and Stefan are walking aimlessly through the party with the crackling fire casting a romantic glow behind them. Elena brings up the fact that Stefan has become the talk of the town, with his new guy, tragic past, and air of mystery. Stefan is curious as to how Elena knows his past is tragic, to which she replies that he lost his parents. Stefan acknowledges this with a nod.
In turn, Stefan asks Elena about her own sad story, to which she retorts with a touch of humor that they technically met in the men's room. However, she then turns serious and tells Stefan about the tragic accident that claimed her parents' lives last spring, with her in the back seat of the car. Stefan thanks her for sharing this with him, acknowledging how truly tragic it is, and they both fall into a solemn silence, united by their shared experiences of loss.
Jeremy staggers through the woods, his alcohol consumption apparent. He finds a spot to relieve himself, then hears some noise that catches his attention. Curious, he staggers in the direction of the noise, stumbling through trees and bushes, until he sees Vicki and Tyler.
Tyler has Vicki up against a tree and they are all over each other. The sight makes Jeremy feel uncomfortable and he's about to leave when he hears Vicki say, "No way, Ty."
Tyler is laughing and enjoying himself, not taking Vicki's rejection seriously. He tries to convince her, "C'mon, it'll be hot."
Vicki replies, "For who? Not going to happen. Not here like this. No, no, no..." But Tyler is persistent and aggressive, making Vicki feel uncomfortable.
Vicki cries out, "Ow, now that hurt." That's when Jeremy emerges from the trees and tells Tyler, "Leave her alone."
Tyler pulls back, a little breathless. "You're starting to get on my nerves, Gilbert," he says to Jeremy.
Vicki tells Tyler, "Just go, Tyler, get the hell away from me."
Tyler gathers himself, playing it cool. "Vicki Donovan says no. There's a first," he says with a sneer, then leaves.
Vicki adjusts her clothing and looks up at Jeremy. "I didn't need your help," she tells him.
Jeremy responds, "Seems like you did."
Vicki shakes her head, "He was just drunk."
Jeremy challenges her, "I'm drunk. Am I throwing myself on you?"
Vicki responds sarcastically, "No, you're worse. You wanna talk to me. Get to know me. Really, truly, deeply. See into my soul. Be dazzled by my intelligence. And screw and screw and screw until you're done with me."
Jeremy is taken aback by her drunken and honest outburst. He looks at her, trying to make sense of it all. "Is that what you think?" he asks her.
Vicki looks him straight in the eyes, "It's what I know."
With that, Vicki takes off through the woods, leaving Jeremy alone with his thoughts.
Stefan and Elena sat on the edge of the bonfire, away from the lively crowd. The warm light cast a golden glow over their faces, as they talked in hushed tones. Caroline was nearby with Bonnie, trying to avoid making eye contact with Stefan and Elena. But, it seemed like an impossible task for Caroline.
Stefan broke the silence. "I like Bonnie. She seems like a good friend, very loyal," he said, looking over at Caroline and Bonnie.
Elena smiled in agreement. "Yes, the best," she said.
Stefan looked back at Caroline, perplexed. "You might have to explain Caroline to me," he said.
Elena sighed, "She's one of my oldest friends, and she's just playing some role she thinks she's supposed to. You know, like seen on TV. But, it's not really her," she explained.
Stefan raised an eyebrow, "And Matt? Who can't keep his eyes off of us."
Elena looked around, and sure enough, Matt was with a group of girls, but his gaze kept drifting their way. "Friends since pre-school. Good friends. But, somewhere along the way, we had this notion that we should be more than that. So we started to date. It was comfortable, but not...," Elena trailed off.
"Passionate," Stefan finished her sentence.
Elena looked directly into his eyes. A jolt of electricity sparked between them. She leaned over and brushed his bangs aside, a current of attraction passing between them. Stefan inhaled deeply, struggling to keep his composure. "Are you thirsty?" he asked.
"A little," Elena replied.
Stefan took her cup and walked away, disappearing into the crowd. Elena waited, slightly confused by his sudden departure.
Meanwhile, Vicky stumbled drunkenly through the woods. The thick mist swirled around her feet, rising to waist level. She looked around, the fog was everywhere, and the trees were barely visible. Suddenly, a rustle of leaves made her spin around. "Jeremy?" she called out. A black crow swooped down from the trees, flying by her.
"Jesus," Vicky whispered, her eyes darting up to the trees. Suddenly, a whooshing sound startled her, and she was yanked down, disappearing into the ground. A blood-curdling scream echoed through the woods, followed by an eerie silence.
Elena approaches the keg, looking around for Stefan. She doesn't see him anywhere, but Matt is there. Rose is also nearby, chatting with a group of people.
"Looking for someone?" Matt asks Elena as he pours a cup of beer.
She takes the cup and thanks him. As they stand in an awkward silence, Rose approaches them.
"Hey guys," Rose says with a smile. "What's going on?"
Matt explains the situation with Vicki, and Rose's expression turns serious. "Is there anything I can do to help?" she asks.
Elena shakes her head. "Thanks, but we've got it under control."
Meanwhile, Caroline sees Stefan heading for Elena and intercepts him.
"There you are," Caroline says, moving closer. "Have you been down to the falls yet? It's really cool at night, I can show you...if you want."
"Are you drunk?" Stefan asks, raising an eyebrow.
Caroline giggles. "Very drunk. C'mon, let's go. If the water's warm, we can..."
"It's not going to happen," Stefan says firmly.
Caroline is stung by the rejection and gives him a polite smile before walking away. Stefan heads over to Elena, leaving Caroline in the dust.
As they come together, Elena smiles. "I was wondering who abducted you. Now I know."
"Is she like this with all guys?" Stefan asks.
"You're fresh meat," Elena replies. "She'll back off eventually." She notices Jeremy stumbling through the crowd and realizes he's drunk. "You've got to be kidding me," she says.
"What is it?" Stefan asks.
"My brother," Elena says. "That's the drunk kid."
Stefan offers to help, but Elena insists he stay put. "Trust me. You don't wanna witness this," she says before hurrying off to find Jeremy.
Rose stays behind with Matt, her mind racing with questions about what happened to Vicki. She watches as Elena disappears into the woods, wondering what kind of trouble her friend is getting into now. Suddenly she hears a man scream. It's bloodcurdling and worrisome.
As soon as Stefan catches a glimpse of Vicky's lifeless body lying on the ground, he freezes in shock. His mind races as he realizes the truth about what happened to her. The sight is too much for him to handle, and he backs away slowly, freaked out.
Meanwhile, Rose watches the commotion unfold from a distance. She can see the panic and confusion on everyone's faces as they try to help Vicky. Without hesitation, she steps forward and approaches Elena.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Rose asks in a calm and collected voice.
Elena looks up at Rose, surprised by her sudden appearance. "I don't know," she replies hesitantly. "Bonnie is calling 911, and Matt is tending to Vicky."
Rose nods and takes out her phone. "I'll call 911 again, just in case. We need to make sure they're on their way."
Elena watches as Rose dials the emergency number and speaks with the operator, giving them the location and details of the incident. Rose's quick thinking and level-headedness in the midst of chaos impress Elena.
As they wait for the ambulance to arrive, Elena looks around at the gathering crowd. She spots Stefan, who has now disappeared from view. She wonders why he ran away, but right now, her focus is on Vicky and hoping that she will make it through this ordeal.
Stefan rushed into the Salvatore house, startling Dimitri with his ferocity.
"What's going on?" Dimitri asked.
"You said it was quiet here, that I was the only one," Stefan replied.
"Mystic Falls hasn't been active in years. I'm certain of it," Dimitri said.
"A girl was attacked tonight," Stefan said, cutting him off.
"Do you think it was...?" Dimitri started to ask, but Stefan was already running up the stairs. Worried, Dimitri watched him go.
In Stefan's bedroom, his attic loft, he found the huge bay window open, curtains blowing. He walked slowly towards the window when a black crow darted through and disappeared into the rafters. The crow fluttered back and forth, up and down, and Stefan watched it until he sensed something amiss. Then he turned and came face to face with a darkly handsome man, Damon. Stefan's eyes burned with distaste.
"Damon," Stefan said.
The man's piercing eyes glittered smugly. "Hello, brother."
The crow sat on the windowsill, watching as Stefan paced across the bedroom floor. Damon could be seen through the bathroom door, washing up.
"When did you get here?" Stefan asked pointedly and reservedly.
"I couldn't miss your first day of school," Damon replied, deliberately light and casual.
"How did you find me?" Stefan asked.
Damon stopped and looked at his brother, as if to say, 'Really? Do I really have to answer that?' "Your hair's different. I like it," he said.
"It's been 15 years, Damon," Stefan said.
"Time flies. Thank god. I couldn't take one more day of the 90's. That horrible grunge look. It didn't suit you. It's important to stay away from the fads, Stefan. Always opt for timeless," Damon said, drying his hands. Stefan couldn't help but wonder if it was blood he was washing away.
"Why are you here?" Stefan asked.
"I missed my brother," Damon said with a smirk.
"You hate small towns. It's boring. There's nothing to do," Stefan said.
"I've managed to keep busy," Damon said, his tone light. "You almost killed that girl tonight."
"You like the pill-poppers," Stefan said with a hint of disgust. "Nice buzz. Don't worry, I made it look like an animal. They'll blame a bear or mountain lion. You're safe."
"You didn't come all the way back to Mystic Falls just to play games," Stefan said.
"Maybe. Maybe not. I would ask you the same question, but I'm fairly certain the answer is all summed up in one word: Elena," Damon said with a grin. Stefan's jaw clenched at the mention of her name. Damon knew he'd hit his target.
Jeremy sits under a tree, watching the scene unfold before him with glassy eyes. He sees the ambulance take off, and Elena walking over to him.
Elena says, "Let's go." Jeremy staggers to his feet silently, and they start walking towards the road.
Suddenly, Tyler appears, attacking Jeremy. "You son of a bitch. Why did you leave her?" Tyler shouts as he straddles Jeremy and begins to choke him.
Elena tries to break them apart, but Tyler is too big. She yells, "Stop, Tyler! Get off him!"
Just then, Rose bursts onto the scene, breaking up the fight with her incredible strength. "That's enough, Tyler," she says firmly. "Let him go."
Tyler stumbles back, startled by Rose's sudden appearance. Jeremy sits up, gasping for air. Elena looks at Rose, surprised and relieved.
"Thanks, Rose," Elena says gratefully.
Rose nods, her expression serious. "Are you all right?"
Elena nods, but then Bonnie comes up to her, her face tense and drawn. "We're gonna go mainline coffee and wait for news," Bonnie says.
Elena nods, understanding. "I have to get Jeremy home," she says. Bonnie looks at her, haunted.
"Bonn? What is it? Are you okay?" Elena asks.
"I know, I know...but, I'm getting this crazy feeling that whatever happened tonight...is just beginning," Bonnie replies.
Elena stares at her friend, unsure of what she means. Jeremy looks up at them, guilt-ridden. Tyler stands off to the side, still reeling from the encounter with Rose.
The Salvatore house is dark, the only light coming from Stefan's bedroom window. Damon moves around the room, examining Stefan's books and pictures, his eyes scanning everything in sight. "I suppose I should go down and say hi to Dimitri. Are we calling him our great uncle?" he muses, "So much clutter. Do you save everything?"
Stefan is seated at his desk, closing his journal and putting it away. "She took my breath away--Elena," Damon says suddenly. Stefan turns to his brother, and Damon continues, "She's a dead ringer for Katherine. Is it working, Stefan? Being next to her? Being part of her world? Does it make you feel 'alive'?"
"She's not Katherine," Stefan responds coldly.
Damon's eyes narrow in amusement. "No? Let's hope not. We both know how that ended," he says with a sly smile. Stefan's anger begins to flare up, and he reins it in, but Damon sees it and continues to prod. "Tell me something, brother. When was the last time you indulged?"
Stefan remains silent, and Damon presses on, "Really? When was the last you had something stronger than a squirrel?" Stefan is disgusted by his brother's talk and ribbing. "Stop it, Damon. I know what you're doing, and it's not going to work."
"Yeah? C'mon, don't you crave a little?" Damon taunts, WHACKING Stefan on the head playfully but with force. "Let's do it. Together. You and me. I saw several little tarts tonight..." he continues. Stefan tries to dodge him, but Damon keeps coming at him, pushing him across the room and knocking his head.
"I bet you can barely resist her now. Imagine what her blood would taste like. I can," Damon goads his brother. Stefan has had enough. He whirls around, his eyes rimmed with blood, and veins protruding from under his translucent skin. Full of fury, he rushes at Damon, leaving the ground, and they both go crashing through the enormous window. Shards of glass rain down as they land on the ground with a thud.
Stefan lies flat on the ground, shattered glass all around him. He rises, rubbing his head, and he's back to himself. He stands up and looks up to the attic, seeing the broken window. Then he turns to find Damon leaning against a tree. "I was impressed. I give it a six. Missed on style, but I was pleasantly surprised. Really good with the whole face ARRGGGGHHH," Damon says, trying to lighten the mood.
"Stay away from her," Stefan warns his brother.
"You just proved you can't make requests. So, this Elena. You think she'd go for an older man?" Damon continues to push, but Stefan is firm. "Everything is fun and games with you. But wherever you go, people die," Stefan says.
"That's a given," Damon responds.
"Not here. I won't allow it," Stefan says firmly.
Damon then asks, "Where's your ring?" Stefan stops cold and looks to his hand. His ring is missing, and he feels instant panic and anger. "Couple of hours, the sun comes up, and poof. Ashes to ashes," Damon continues to taunt his brother.
Stefan tries to keep his anger in check as Damon holds his hand out with the ring lying in his palm. Stefan takes the ring and slips it on his finger when Damon suddenly grabs him by the throat, completely picking him up and throwing him across
Stefan lays there, taking deep breaths, trying to compose himself. He slowly gets up, looking at Damon with a mix of fear and anger.
"What do you want from me, Damon?" Stefan asks, his voice shaking with emotion.
Damon just smirks, crossing his arms. "What do I want? I want you to live a little, brother. Stop being so uptight all the time. Embrace your true nature."
Stefan glares at him. "I don't want to be like you. I don't want to hurt innocent people."
Damon's expression turns cold. "You already have, Stefan. You killed our father. And I've seen the way you look at Elena. You want her blood, just like I do."
Stefan clenches his fists, his eyes blazing with fury. "I won't let you hurt her. I'll protect her no matter what."
Damon shrugs. "Suit yourself. But remember, Stefan. I'm always watching. And if you slip up, if you let your guard down even for a moment... I'll be there to take advantage of it."
With that, Damon turns and disappears into the darkness. Stefan watches him go, his heart racing with fear and uncertainty. He knows he can't trust his own brother, but he also knows that he can't face this alone. He needs Elena by his side, to help him stay strong and resist the pull of his own darkness.
Taking a deep breath, Stefan turns and heads back inside the house. He'll have to find a way to explain the broken window to Dimitri and come up with a plan to keep Elena safe. The night is far from over, and he can't afford to let his guard down for even a second.
The Mystic Grill was buzzing with life as Bonnie and Caroline sat nursing their cups of coffee. Caroline was still visibly drunk, and Rose was texting on her phone while sitting at the bar. "Are you sober yet?" Rose inquired. Caroline thought about it, then shook her head. "Nope," she replied. Bonnie, who was ready to leave, urged Caroline to keep drinking. "I gotta get you home. I gotta get me home," Bonnie said.
Caroline was lost in drunken thought and suddenly blurted out, "Why didn't he go for me? How come the guys I want never want me?" Bonnie refused to answer, telling Caroline that she might remember the reason herself. Caroline answered herself, "I'm inappropriate. I always say the wrong thing."
Rose looked up from her phone and tried to soothe Caroline, "Don't say that Caroline, from what I can tell, you're a really animated girl." Caroline hiccupped and continued, "Elena always says the right thing. She doesn't even try, and he picks her. She's always the one everyone picks. And I work so hard, and I'm never the one..." Her voice trailed off, and she sat there in a stupor, looking sad and vulnerable. Bonnie didn't know what to say, and Rose walked up to Caroline and gave her a hug, surprising even herself.
Later that night, Elena pulled her car into the driveway of her house, and she and Jeremy sat there, neither of them in a hurry to get out of the car.
"People are gonna stop giving you breaks, Jer, because they don't care anymore. They don't remember our parents are dead. They're too busy living their lives. The rest of the world has moved on. You have to try too," Elena said.
Jeremy countered, "Like you? I've seen you at the cemetery writing in your diary. Is that you moving on?" Elena shrugged, at a loss for words.
"Mom and Dad wouldn't want this," Elena said. Jeremy replied, "Then it's a good thing they're not here," and he got out of the car, still angry and restless.
Later, Jenna saw Jeremy exit the bathroom and gave him a look of disappointment mixed with love. Jeremy gave an apologetic shrug and then disappeared into his bedroom. Elena went to her room and began writing in her journal.
Elena stood on the veranda of her house, gazing out into the night sky. "All you can do is be ready for the good, so that when it comes, you let it in," she mused aloud. "Because you need it." She took a deep breath, feeling a sense of emptiness inside her. "I need it," she admitted softly.
Just as she turned to head back inside, she heard a voice behind her. "Elena." She spun around to find Stefan standing on her front walk. She felt her heart race as she took in his face.
"I know it's late," he said, his voice low and earnest. "But I needed to know that you were okay."
Elena couldn't help but smile at his concern. "You know, for months that's all anyone has wondered about me. If I'm okay."
Stefan tilted his head slightly, a small smile playing at his lips. "What do you tell them?"
"I tell them I'll be fine," Elena replied, a note of resignation in her voice.
Stefan's gaze searched hers. "Did you ever mean it?"
Elena didn't answer right away. Instead, she simply asked, "Ask me tomorrow."
Their eyes remained locked, and Elena felt a sense of kinship with this mysterious stranger. "It's warmer in the house," she said finally. "We can talk."
She turned to walk inside, but she could feel Stefan hesitating behind her. It was only when she turned back and asked, "Don't you want to come inside?" that he finally stepped forward.
"Yes," he said simply, his smile genuine and heartfelt.
Elena led him inside, and as she shut the door behind them, she couldn't help but feel that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't yet imagine.
Bonnie got up to go to the bathroom, leaving Caroline and Rose alone. A man was sitting at a nearby table. When Bonnie crossed his view, he turned and eyed Caroline. It was Damon. Caroline caught his stare, and the looks began.