AN: Sorry for the late update.. I'll try hurry up next time but i've got so much to do recently it's hard to keep up.. Enjoy the chapter, and as always- please review :)

Elena woke up on a Monday morning, but to her, it was just a day like any other since summer was still going on. What Elena really loved about this summer was that it was different from any other summer she spent in Mystic Falls. For the first time in a very long time, she felt included and accepted there. She didn't feel like she was the girl who comes back only for summer holidays. Elena knew that she had Caroline to thank for that. Caroline has been inviting her everywhere throughout the entire summer holiday. She made sure that Elena was having a good time wherever they went. Elena was glad that she had a friend like Caroline. Even if she and Stefan were still together and most probably having a great time, Elena was thankful that they were both in her life. Although Stefan told Elena that he was going to fix everything and that he wouldn't give up on them being together, he never mentioned when he was actually going to do anything. The day after that dinner? Today? This week? These holidays? This month? This year? No concrete answer. Elena just decided to let them be. She was tired of waiting for someone who didn't care about her as much as she cared about him. He said all of those things, but did he actually mean it or was it just so she wouldn't let her hopes down? She decided to just go with the flow, deal with things as they came along. Elena sighed heavily as her thoughts drifted back to the summer she was spending. She never had that much fun before in Mystic Falls. Everyday was different. She would literally come back from somewhere before her phone buzzed indicating her that she better be prepared in 20 minutes because they were heading somewhere else. With everything going on, she didn't realize how fast time was actually passing her by. For the first time in 10 years, she'll be one of the last ones to leave Mystic Falls. Usually, she's one of the firsts since school in Bulgaria always started so early. Not this time around though, since she finished school. Elena was going to Toronto in Canada to study psychology, and that was only in September. Caroline was leaving again for Australia in two weeks, as well as Damon. Only difference was that he was heading back to Switzerland. Jeremy was leaving for Bulgaria in a week while Stefan was leaving in a month to some place she had no idea since she never asked. Elijah was leaving in a month and a half and Elena was leaving a week before he was. Things were coming to an end way too fast. She wasn't ready to start saying her goodbyes, not after spending holidays like she just had. So far, they were unforgettable; she didn't have a trace of a doubt about it. It wasn't only the holidays that made her cringe the goodbyes, but it's also the fact that everyone is leaving one after the other. Elena was used to saying goodbye to everybody in one night and the next day she'd be gone. This time however, since she's one of the last ones in her group of friends to leave, she actually has to endure the goodbyes for over a month.

Elena signed as she got out of bed and headed to the bathroom she shared with Jeremy. Then it hit her- today they were celebrating her birthday. Her actual birthday wasn't until late-August, but since most of her friends would already be gone by then, she decided to celebrate it early. She wanted Damon, Jeremy and Caroline to be there. Alaric had agreed to help with everything. Her mood suddenly got lighter and the thought of goodbyes and the ending summer faded away. She quickly brushed her teeth and then stepped into her shower. She got out with a towel wrapped around herself and turned her computer on. She grabbed some clothes from her wardrobe and put them on. She was wearing mid-thigh brown shorts and a black tank top. It was going to be a busy day today setting everything up, so she might as well wear something she's comfortable in. By the time she was all dressed up, her computer was ready to be used. As usual, like most teenagers today, her first move was to log onto Facebook and read the newsfeed like it was her daily newspaper. She hated how addictive and revealing that website is. She had to admit though that it was probably the best way to keep in touch with your friends. You didn't necessarily have to write emails to each other to know how your friend was doing. You could determine all of that from the pictures they have recently been tagged in. Altering from emails, you could just simply write a couple of sentences on each other's wall and it would be enough to make the other person smile and feel loved. As soon as she had logged on, a pop-up chat message came. She only had to look at the name for her to have a smile on her face.

Stefan: tell me you're free this upcoming Wednesday and Thursday.

Elena: Wednesday I'm free. Thursday I've got an appointment in the morning but I'm free all afternoon.

Stefan: You suck

Elena: Whyyyyy ?

Stefan: I'm organizing a camping trip. But I guess you'll come next time then. :(

Elena: Can't you postpone it?!

Stefan: No :( Is there any chance you can come or should I give your place to someone else?

Elena: Let someone else take my place. But thanks Stef.

Stefan: Shame :(

Elena: If I didn't have that appointment I would have come- you know that. You're coming tonight right ?

Stefan: I forgot to tell you, but no. I can't. Sorry.

Elena: Excuse me?

Stefan: Of course I'm coming Lena. Don't be stupid; it's going to be huge.

Elena: :)

Stefan: I've got my cousin over at my house for a couple of weeks and would it bother you if he comes along?

Elena: Of course not. I mean, it's not a huge thing tonight, but still, the more the merrier :)

Stefan: Okay thanks. I somehow knew you'd understand ;)

Elena: Aren't you just the mind-reader? :P

Stefan: Hahaha. You're so sarcastic- I love it !

Elena: Hey Stef, I've got to get going. I need to get things ready for tonight. But I'll see you then :)

Stefan: See you then ;)

Elena quickly logged off before getting distracted any further from Facebook. Alaric was over at the Gilbert's house preparing and setting up. She told him multiple times that he didn't have to come over, but he insisted that she was like a daughter to him, so he wanted to make her 18th memorable even though she wanted to keep it simple. Caroline had proposed to help organize the event but Elena had to decline the offer. Truth be told, Caroline doesn't know how to keep things small when it comes down to parties. She was fine at handling small gatherings over dinner or whatever, but parties were usually just a whole other level. Elena went downstairs and joined Alaric and Jeremy in the kitchen. Alaric took one look at Elena's face before noticing that something wasn't quite right with her. He's gotten to know her quite well over the years and he started to read her like an open book.

"What's up?" he questioned.

"No, nothing. It's just that Stefan invited me to this camp thing he's doing. He literally invited everyone who's going to be here tonight, so all of my closest friends are going. However, I can't go because it's on the same day as my hairdressing appointment. So yeah, I can't go…" she repeated herself.

"You can't go because of a hairdresser, seriously?" Jeremy intervened. He couldn't believe his sister, missing out on a camp with friends because of a stupid hairdresser.

"It's not like that Jer. She's the kind of hairdresser you need to book 4 months before because she always overbooked. I was lucky to even have an appointment on such short notice… I can't cancel it."

"Whatever you say," he answered with a roll of his eyes before exiting the room.

"Elena, if you didn't have that hairdressing appointment, you know that you could have gone, right?" said Alaric trying to reason with her.

"Yeah, I know, I get it. No need to rub it in my face Ric. I get it," she answered annoyed at how much of a parent freak he was. She appreciated it but right now she just wished that she could go to that camp. It wasn't just because of Stefan, but because it would probably be the last time they all get to do something like this together before the end of the summer. Elena knew she was being a whinny teenager and she hated it. She walked up the stairs and flopped down onto her bed, face down and sighed. She heard Jeremy leave his room, but his footsteps weren't stomping away, instead it was coming towards her room. 'What do you want?' she thought.

"Text Stefan, tell him you're in for that camp thing he's got going on."

"Jer, I told you, I can't go. I have that hair…"

"Hairdressing appointment?" he interrupted her. "Yeah I know, and I took care of it. It so happens that she got a last minute cancellation, so she booked you in at that time- 1pm tomorrow. You're welcome."

Elena couldn't stop the smile from forming onto her face. She jumped off her bed and hugged Jeremy. She didn't let go of him for a while.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you! How did you get her number?"

"Oh I got it from your phone, which I left in my room. Sorry."

"Gosh, don't apologise, it's fine. Why would you do that though?" she couldn't stop from asking.

"You're my sister. The question is why wouldn't I do that?" Jeremy lifted his sister's head up and looked at her straight in the eyes. "I've never seen you have so much fun before. You're always out and about and you have this constant smile on your face. I want to make sure you enjoy every moment of what's remaining of our summer."

Elena hugged her brother again.

"Now, text or call him before he gives your spot to someone else," he said and left the room. Without hesitation, she picked up her house phone and dialed Stefan's number. She knew it by heart but would never admit that to anyone. It rang 4 times before he answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey Stef, it's Elena. I'm using my house phone," she answered. "Ummmm, about that camping thing, did you already give my spot to someone else?" she asked hoping that he would say 'no'.

"No, not yet actually. Tell me you managed to figure something out and you can come," he replied. Elena could hear the excitement in his voice. She could almost sense his smile as well.

"YES! Jeremy managed to free me. So I'm coming!" she replied trying to and failing to contain her enthusiasm.

"That's awesome 'Lena! Remind me to thank him and treat him like a God when I see him tonight."

Elena giggled. "I'll remind you. Thanks for everything. I'll see you tonight."

"See you tonight."

"See you tonight 'Lena." Elena ended the call with a smile. She couldn't feel that way about Stefan, she knew that but she couldn't control herself either. Elena got back downstairs with her smile still plastered onto her face. Alaric looked at her before returning her contagious smile.

"There's that smile. Jer told me the news. I'm glad you can go."

"So am I. What time is it by the way?"

"Quarter past 6" he answered matter-of-factly.

"Oh crap! People are coming at half-seven. I don't have enough time to get ready!"

"An hour and fifteen minutes isn't enough? What the hell do you need all this time for?"

"1) Showering. 2) Choosing what I'm going to wear. 3) Trying it on and rejecting it. 4) Repeat number 3 four more times. 5) Make-up and 6) Hairstyle. Total amount of time: at least 2 hours Ric," she explained while counting off all the steps onto her fingers.

"That's ridiculous," he answered before smiling. She left the room running back upstairs into her room already in the process of taking her shirt off in order to gain some time, at least that was her logic.

Elena tried to hurry up but with difficulty. She stood in front of her wide open wardrobe for a good 10 minutes before setting for white trousers and a multi-coloured top. She was about to check the time when she realized that Jeremy still had her phone. She left her room and barged into her brother's room.

"Please tell me you're not wearing that," he commented.

"What's wrong with it?"

"It's your 18th, Elena. Wear a dress or something, you've got plenty of other occasions to wear trousers. Besides, you got good legs. Before you start commenting, as a brother, I'm allowed to say that. Aunt Jenna gave you that red dress for Christmas; wear that. And since you're tanned, it's going to look really good on you.."

"Since when did you become such a girl?"

"Hey, as a brother, it's my duty to make sure you don't embarrass me by wearing hideous clothes. I also like it when my sister looks good," he added.

Elena eyed him suspiciously before going back to her room to change. She found the dress Jeremy was talking about and she slipped it on. The length was just above her knees and the straps crossed on her upper back. It hugged her in all the right places and someone could easily think that it was tailored for her specifically. Satisfied with what she as wearing, she applied a slight bit of make-up on. Mascara, eye shadow, eyeliner, blush and a bit of lipstick did the trick. She let her hair dry naturally resulting into curls. She tied the top half of her hair in a lose bun while the bottom half was just flowing over her shoulders and back. She could hear Jeremy and Alaric getting agitated downstairs; bringing the food on the tables, making sure that there is enough to drink and installing the music. She quickly glanced at her phone: 7:30pm sharp. People would start to arrive anytime now. She switched the light from her room off and made her way down to the ground floor. Just as she reached the landing, both men turned around and stared. Jeremy had a goofy smile on his face and Alaric was just speechless. Elena just stared back at them both not knowing what to say. Alaric then walked towards and hugged her.

"I couldn't be more proud of calling you my daughter," he whispered to her and in response she hugged him even more tightly and trying with all her might not to tear up.

"Thank you," she whispered back. As the let go, Jeremy just looked at his sister and smiled wider, 'she truly is beautiful' he thought.

The moment came to an end when the doorbell rang indicating that the first guest had arrived. Elena was about to open the door when Alaric said, "Enjoy your night, Elena. And Happy Early Birthday."

AN: I know, I know- it was a crap filler chapter but i HAD to post something, I couldn't keep you from waiting too long. Hopefully next chapter will be better ! :) BTW- her hair style for her birthday is like the one she had during the party in episode 4x04 ! It suited her really well :)

Love y'all