Chapter 2

It was early Friday morning and I was standing in my box room surrounded by enormous piles of clothing and in front of me stood an empty suitcase. What was I supposed to pack? It wasn't exactly winter yet, but Mystic Falls would indeed be a bit chilly. Mini skirts? Or sundress? Or jeans? I let out a humongous sigh as I fell back landing in the pile of clothes on my rocking chair. My flight was supposed to be leaving early tomorrow morning, but at this rate I would only be ready by next week. I was seriously considering not going. Imagine how awkward it would be? What would I say to Caroline when I saw her? What would I say to Stefan?

"Ah." A loud groan escaped as I shoved myself out of the chair. "Enough, Elena. You are going." I turned up the radio and began shoving various garments into the leather case.

"Elena!" I looked around me, searching through the crowded airport for the source of the voice. Eventually, after a frantic search I spotted Bonnie and Jeremy through the crowd. Hand in hand they manoeuvred through the crowd towards me.

"Ah! I've missed you so much!" Shouted Bonnie as she flung her arms around me, causing my hand luggage to fall from my grasp. Her arms tightened around me, as though she was never ever letting go. Over her shoulder I could see Jeremy with a broad grin spread across his face. He hadn't changed much since I'd last seen him. Perhaps his hair was a bit shaggier as it hung across his forehead. He also appeared to be a bit more ripped from what I could see of his arms peeking out from his navy blue shirt.

"I've missed you too, Bonnie!"

She pulled back and gave me a once over with her eyes. A small tear had escaped down the side of her cheek, causing my eyes to well up with emotion as well. Her hair had not been straightened yet, as it was four am in the morning, and fell in soft curls around her face. With the exception of the glistening tear, her face was brightened with joy, her smile reaching her eyes. "Well I am glad to see that you haven't changed so much! Maybe lost a few pounds. I see your hair has been left to curl too."

I let go of her one hand and ran it through my messy hair, "It was too early to bother with a hair iron, plus it was already packed."

"Well I like it like this. You look absolutely beautiful!"

"Looks like the rugged look suits you, sis." Jeremy chimed in. "Loving the jeans."

I looked down remembering that in my haste to get dressed this morning I had been forced to put on the oldest pair of jeans I owned which were frayed and paint spattered as I had accidentally packed in the clothes that I had planned on wearing for my flight.

"Very funny." I muttered in good humour as Jeremy claimed my other hand and pulled me into a tight hug. This time I managed to keep a hold on my hand bag.

Still holding on desperately to my left hand, Bonnie began dragging me to the exit doors. "Come on, come on. I want to miss traffic and I am sure that 'Lena is anxious to get some sleep. That flight could not have been comfortable!" Jeremy let go of me as I was pulled away. He picked up my discarded hand luggage and trailed after us pushing my luggage trolley as we made our way towards Bonnie's Prius.

The last thing I felt like doing so early in the morning was talking about what I was planning on doing when I saw Caroline and Stefan, as truth be told I didn't know what I would do or how I would feel. To avoid such a topic I began small talk as soon as Bonnie started the car.

"So what's new in Mystic Falls."

"Not much actually. Everything's exactly the same as it was when you left. Well except for the fact that it has been quite peaceful these past few years."
"Yeah, no vampire werewolf feuds at the moment." Jeremy added sarcastically.

Bonnie shot him a glare in the review mirror. "After Klaus left everything seemed to just relax. And Bex has actually been behaving herself so alls good on the Original front."

"Bex?" I could barely contain my snort.

"Yeah, you'll see. She has actually changed. Been hanging out with Matt a lot too, but I am not sure where he sees that going."

"I heard they were going to the wedding together." Said Jeremy, adding his two-cents once again.

"Oh really," I arched one of my eyebrows. "I wonder what's going to happen there. You know what they say about weddings."

"Bringing people together." Smiled Bonnie knowingly.