Stefan had offered me a ride to school when it was time, so now we walk across the lawn side by side and enter the school, moving through the crowded halls to make our way to the office.
He keeps a close eye on me, I assume it's because he's wary about me being around so many people and he wants to make sure I don't sink my fangs into the next student that bumps into me.
Eventually, after many, many students get gently pushed out of the way, we make it to the office. Stefan goes to take off his sunglasses, but I put my hand on his arm to stop him. "Can I do it?" I ask. "I need the practice anyways." I say.
He stares at me for a moment before caving. "You can, but say it exactly as I tell you."
I nod enthusiastically. "Of course!" I turn to the woman at the counter , Ms. Clarke, and stare deep into her eyes, even though I'm not required to, what with A Master of The Mind.
He mutters the words into my ear and I repeat it perfectly, my voice taking on a hypnotic quality.
Once I'm done, the woman hands us our schedules, both the same, and I begin reading mine. They're all classes higher than I used to take, so I'll probably have to compel the teachers to give me a passing grade, but that's fine. I'm pretty sure Alaric takes vervain though so I'll have to put Freya's Tincture in his drink or something to be able to do that unless I can convince him to help me without compelling him.
I turn around to see Stefan with an impressed look, and behind him, outside the office, is Bonnie and Elena talking to one another with curiosity in their gazes.
Both girls quickly look away and Elena walks towards what I assume to be the boy's restroom after saying something to Bonnie.
Bonnie nods to her and as I look away, watching her from my peripheral.
"You did a good job, Julia." Stefan says to me before he notices my gaze. He follows it and looks to Bonnie. She averts her eyes, but not before getting a good look at Stefan.
As we exit the office, she watches us walk by, and a few other students notice us as well.
I turn around to see Stefan with an impressed look, and behind him, outside the office, is Bonnie and Elena talking to one another with curiosity in their gazes.
Both girls quickly look away and Elena walks towards what I assume to be the boy's restroom after saying something to Bonnie.
Bonnie nods to her and as I look away, watching her from my peripheral.
As we exit the office, she watches us walk by, and a few other students including Caroline notice us as well.
Stefan keeps walking, so I follow him, not quite knowing where to go in the sea of students, watching as Jeremy leaves the bathroom.
As we walk, I remember the scene, and so as we move towards the men's bathroom, I tuck myself behind him like a shadow, not wanting to be noticed immediately.
Elena leaves the bathroom and Stefan continues walking, bumping into her and mumbling an apology.
"Is this the men's room?" He asks with an amused expression on his face.
She looks a bit stunned. "Yes, um... I was just um... I was just... It's a long story." She finally gets out.
They step in each other's way a couple times before Stefan turns to the side to let her pass. "Thank you." She says quietly, glancing at me as she passes by. She looks back at Stefan as she rounds the corner.
"That was somehow awkward and sweet." I comment. He lightly pushes me. It's kind of weird how we've become such fast friends. I guess that's the power of Real Charmer.
Mr. Tanner gave off the most atrocious vibes I've ever gotten from a teacher. I don't mean to be rude, but I already knew he was a dick, so I didn't really care if I offended him. I still wouldn't say it to his face, though.
"Once our home state of Virginia joined the confederacy in 1861, it created a tremendous amount of tension within the state. People in Virginia's northwest region..." Tanner was talking, but I forgoed listening in exchange for watching Stefan make googly eyes at Elena.
Imagining his face with googly eyes made me snort.
"Miss Bane, would you like to share what you find so humourous to the class?" Tanner asked.
I found this to be a wonderful opportunity and jumped up to the plate. "Yes sir, I would. I was imagining you with googly eyes, and that's what made me laugh." I explain. "I'm sure you can understand now, yes?"
He looked at me with annoyance as the students around me quietly chuckled at my brazenness. "No, I do not understand how that was so funny you had to interrupt my lecture. Meet me after class."
"I was already going to do that but sure." I shrug.
I stayed in my seat while the rest of the students trickled out of the room, some giving me sympathetic looks as they left. Stefan waited outside the room, but still seemed on guard, as if I was gonna chomp Tanner as soon as he turned his back.
Instead, when the last student left, I turned to Tanner and looked into his eyes.
"You will give me a passing grade on every assignment you give your students. You will not call on me in class, and you will not punish me in any way, and if you see me alone outside of school, you will ignore me." I tell him. "Now tell me how you will treat me."
He repeats my words in a blank sounding voice.
"Good, now continue your day as normal." I say.
He nods, and I make my way to the door. As I walk towards him, he smiles playfully. "You're getting the hang of this."
"I wouldn't have to if you had put me in my own grade." I mumble.
"Ah, but if I did that, how would I be able to see you make fun of Mr. Tanner?" He asks, lightly elbowing me.
I elbow him back, saying, "It was you who I was imagining with googly eyes. You were staring holes into that Elena girl."
"What, are you jealous?" He teases.
I fake gag. "As if!" He chuckles at my reaction and I smile back at him.
"C'mon, let's get to class." I say. "I'm about ready to drag you, but I don't feel like navigating."
We walk together to our next class.
After school, we split up. I tell him I want to go clothes shopping, and although he's loathe to let me, he's noticed how I have no other clothes, and he very obviously doesn't want to come with me.
I head to the closest clothes store and pick out any comfortable thing I can find. I grab a few hoodies and sweaters, a cardigan, a button-up shirt, several pairs of shorts, some leggings, and whatever comfy pairs of skinny jeans I see. I buy some boots, some sneakers, some flats, and slip-ons. And socks, don't forget socks. There's more, but I don't care to list them all. Either way, When I come home, it's with bags covering both arms.
Using vamp speed, I rush to my room. When I get there, I empty the clothes out on my bed, sort them into outfits, and put them on hangers. I organize the shoes at the bottom of the closet, and put the socks at the top. Once I finish, I throw away all of the trash. It's so much that I have to take it downstairs, and as I do, I see Stefan leaving the house.
Oh! The Grill. I almost forgot about that. I throw everything away, speed upstairs to choose an outfit, and change.
I end up wearing a dark pair of skinny jeans, a cherry red sweater, and some black flats.
Biting my lips to give them more color , I gulp down two blood packs and leave.
I make it there early enough to hear Matt ask about Elena, and I wait for her and Stefan to arrive.
They do, not two minutes later, and Matt comes over and introduces himself.
I place myself in view of Stefan, and he blinks when he sees me. While Matt and Elena exchange awkward greetings, he waves me over and leans in to ask, "What are you doing here?" The question sounds bad, but his tone is not unkind.
"Just exploring the night life." I say, giving a shrug.
He huffs a laugh, a small smile on his face, but before he says anything, Caroline and Bonnie converge upon us.
"Hi there! I'm Caroline, and this is Bonnie. I see you're here with Elena, would you like to come sit with us?" She asks, not giving us any time to answer before guiding us to their table.
"Yeah, sure." I say dryly as she sits me in the seat the furthest from Stefan.
I'm sitting between Bonnie and Caroline when they launch into what is basically an interrogation.
They ask about where Stefan was born, about his parents, and about his siblings before they turn their attention to me.
"What about you?" Bonnie asks.
I had spent the time they were questioning Stefan fabricating my own answers, and so it comes easy when I say, "Well I was born in Texas and I'm emancipated. I don't really talk to my family anymore."
Stefan seems very interested in my background, and so it's no surprise when Caroline distracts him with mention of a party.
Boy asks Girl to party, Girl's friend says yes for her, Girl's friend tries to include me in the conversation.
"Are you coming? You definitely should, it'll be great." Bonnie says.
"I am indeed planning to attend." I say, nodding. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go to the restroom." I stand up and make my way to the bathroom, using my enhanced hearing to listen as Caroline follows after me. I'm sure she's loathe to leave Stefan with Elena, but it seems she sees me as the more prominent issue.
When I enter the restroom, I go to stand in front of the sink and look into the mirror.
It's the same old sight, skin covered in freckles, dark brown hair that's a little longer than shoulder length, hazel eyes, slightly round, pink cheeks, and full lips.
I watch through the mirror as the door opens, Caroline stepping into the restroom.
"Do you need something?" I ask, turning to face her.
She walks to the sink beside mine, and looks herself over in the mirror. "Are you and Stefan dating?" She asks casually.
"No." I respond, matching her tone. "I'm just staying at the boarding house. I have no romantic interest in him." I see her perk up. "Don't get too excited," I warn. "After all, he seems to have the hots for your friend, Elena."
"I will give you some advice, though." I say, using Compulsion. She turns to me as if in a trance. "Do not let Damon Salvatore make physical contact with you without your explicit, genuine consent." She nods. "Now continue on as normal." She blinks and leaves the bathroom.
I leave as well and take my seat back at the table. I react to the conversation when needed, but I barely say another sentence by the end of the night.
Bonnie mentions the time, and everyone begins to say their goodbyes.
Stefan chooses to walk with Elena, waving to us as they exit The Grill.
Bonnie drives Caroline home and I am left on my own. Instead of heading home just yet, I decide to take a walk around the square.
As I do, I see a jewelry boutique closing up shop. An old woman is at the entrance, locking the door from the outside and I hurry over.
Tapping her on the shoulder, she startles. I give her an apologetic look before using Compulsion once more.
"Open the shop and let me buy what I need." I order. She immediately unlocks the door and opens it for me.
Speeding through their selection, I buy several pieces of jewelry with lockets. Bracelets, necklaces, even a few rings with compartments I can put vervain in.
These will be good enough.
Author's Note:
Caroline follows me into the bathroom and as I reach the toilets, she grabs my hair, pulls my head back and kicks the backs of my knees. They slam against the tile and I let out a pained gasp. She bashes my head against the porcelain toilet several times before sticking my head into the toilet water, flushing the toilet continuously.
What the fuck, Caroline?!
Sweet Caroline ba ba ba. That's the sound of my head hitting the porcelain.
AKA Caroline's a Jealous Josie and I love her so much I imagine her brutally beating my SI-OC to death, apparently.
Thank you for reading, I appreciate you.
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