"Wake up Ava"

The petite blond muttered something incomprehensible and snuggled into her pillows "Ergh-"

"I don't even think that's English" Claudette rolled her eyes and shook her granddaughter "Wake up you have school. And it's the Halloween dance tonight-"

"Ergh-"

"I swear to God Ava move your ass or I will" when Ava didn't move an inch only to pull her blanket over her head Claudette huffed "Fine you asked for it" with that she shoved Ava off of the bed

"Oww" the teen whined rubbing the back of her head "That hurt-"

"You're fault-"

"You pushed me! How the hell is that my fault" she appeared on the other side of the bed, her blond bangs covered her eyes.

"You're the one who didn't wake up" Claudette countered "Now-"

"Ergh I don't want to go school-"

"Ava I made chocolate chip pancakes" the older woman wasn't disappointed by Ava's reaction the teen literally leapt over the bed "No wait Ava-"

"Argh" the blond shrieked having run into the door

"Yeah your bathroom door is closed"

"Shut up Gran-"

"What did you say?"

"Nothing…nothing-"

"That's what I thought, now go get ready for school" she instructed and left Ava to her own devices. "Oh and I'll get some ice for your nose"

Ava grumbled under her breath and headed into her bathroom much more slowly, she swore she had left the bathroom door opened she put it down to the draft that had probably closed it. She twisted the tap and pulled out her toothbrush from its holder. She brushed her teeth and gingerly touched her nose she hissed when it throbbed

"Oww….oww…oww" she whimpered damn she thought she did do a number on her nose. She slowly brushed her teeth and inwardly groaned when she stepped up the spray of warm water. She gingerly worked around her nose so as not to aggravate her bruised nose. Ava reached out and felt the fuzzy material with the tips of her fingers. She dried herself off and wrapped it around her body, the blond teen padded barefooted back to her room and quickly got dressed and hurried down to the kitchen

"See ya-"

"No get your ass in here" Claudette ordered, Ava huffed but obliged knowing it wouldn't be smart to go against her.

"Oh that looks sore"

"That's because…oww—"

"Don't be a drama queen its ice. Now hold it against your nose with any luck it won't bruise, so you won't look like you Rudolph the red-nose reindeer for the Halloween party" Claudette said taking the seat opposite her, she held her mug up to her lips

"Who said I was going to that?" she scoffed and was about to take bite down on a big chunk of waffle but the fork as snatched out of her hand "Hey-what Gran-" she yelped when she was slapped upside the head "What the hell-"

"Don't say hell at the kitchen table-"

"Gran-"

"You're going to that Halloween party. A night out is what you need-"

"I want to stay home" Ava pouted

"No you're a teenager when I was your age I was partying it up-"

"Yeah and then you got pregnant before senior year" she mumbled under her breath

"Yeah with your ma so technically you should be grateful" Claudette rolled her eyes "Honey you need to get out, I had so much fun you don't know what you're missing out on-"

"Why should I? it's not as if I can see anything" Ava huffed "I don't want to-"

"You can't stay cooped up here with me every time when there's a dance at the school. Go have fun-"

"I don't even have a costume" Ava uttered she heard the plate being set back down in front of her she gingerly picked up her fork, making Claudette roll her eyes

"Eat Ava I'm not going to snatch it off of you again"

"Fine" Ava started to eat again

"You're going Ava-"

"But-"

"No buts, you're going and as for costumes Caroline's got you covered-"

Ava thumped her head against the table "Oh why?" she whined "Caroline's going to me dress as a slutty maid or something…?"

"You know Ava you can pull off a short skirt-"

"Gran-"

"Kidding, kidding" Claudette laughed seeing her grand-daughter's face "anyway she guaranteed me you will look super…adorable. Yep that's the word. If you argue Ava I will spank you so hard you won't be able to sit for a whole month."

"Fine I'll go" Ava scowled. Claudette tutted and kissed the teen's temple

"I'm not trying to be mean honey" she wrapped her arms around Ava and rested her chin on her the top of her head "I just want you to have a normal happy-"

"Gran I'm blind not exactly normal" Ava sniped "I don't want to go, what's the point?-"

"Because you can Ava" she kissed her temple "Go Ava, and who knows you might have fun. Plus I'm out for the night me and Sheila will be partying it up at her place"

Ava shook her head, she might as well go she wouldn't have mind spending the night in since she thought Gran would've been home but she might as well go if no one was going to be home. Plus she got the feeling that Caroline wouldn't let her get out of this.

"Ok" she murmured

"Great" Claudette kissed her temple "now eat up, who's picking you up?"

"Hmm….I'm thinking Elena or Bonnie" she replied eating her breakfast. Just as she swallowed the last bite there was the sound of a car honking outside "That's my ride, catch you later Gran. Are you going to be home?" she asked shouldering her school bag

"Yep, I have to actually make sure you go to this dance" Gran called after her "and take your cane Ava"

The petite teen rolled her eyes but grabbed her cane which she had left by the door.


The front door slammed behind her, she used her cane to aid her as she walked down the porch steps

"Ava" Elena called watching her friend coming towards her. She leant over and unlocked the passenger door.

"Hey" Ava smiled climbing into the car "So is Jeremy-"

"He's on the search party looking for Vicky." Elena uttered, from her tone Ava could tell that she was worn out.

"Didn't Stefan call you?...or –"

"He told you didn't he?" she asked looking at Ava who shrugged her shoulders sheepishly

"Erm…well me and Gran sort of ambushed him" the blond admitted "but…yeah….so-"

"You know how awkward you are right?"

Ava rolled her eyes "Shut up Elena" the engine rumbled she could feel the slight vibrations

"Buckle up" Elena instructed, she waited as Ava fumbled with the belt and when she was secure Elena pressed her foot down on the accelerator. Ava yawned and tucked in a stray curl

"So Gran is forcing me to go to the party at the school tonight" she commented

Elena chuckled "Yeah I wouldn't put it pass Claudette to drug you and ship you out to a rave. So are you going?"

"Sort of have to. She threatened me"

"With what?"

Ava tapped her fingers against her cane "She threatened to spank me till I couldn't sit anymore" Elena snorted at that she actually could imagine

"Elena you're being mean"

"Sorry, I'm just remembering the last time Claudette spanked you"

"That was years ago" Ava leant her head against the window

"Yeah you were….nine-"

"Ten" Ava clarified

"And what did you do?...something that pissed Claudette off so much" she murmured

"I threw my cane in the trash"

"Oh right" Elena chuckled recalling the look on the elder Xenia's face; she wasn't going to lie that she was even terrified for her friend.

A frown marred her face "Elena where are we going?"

"How-"

"We take the same route to school every day, I got it down Elena. So where are we going?" Ava asked. Elena sighed she was stupid thinking that Ava wouldn't realise.

"I need to make a pit stop at Stefan's place-"

"Elena I need to get to school and-"

"Don't worry I'll drop you off before first period" Elena promised her

"Fine" she huffed "but if Gran finds out-"

"I'm not worried about myself" Ava shook her head her lips twitched into a smile "I'm worried about you if Gran finds out you're the reason I'm out here-"

"She will kick my ass" Elena finished off and pulled the car to a stop "we're here"

"Oh the joy" Ava said sarcastically opening the car door. her feet landed on the hard ground, she gripped on to her cane and could hear Elena coming round to the side of the car

"Ready?" Ava asked as they walked up to the grand Boarding House, they had come to a stop at the front door

"Maybe we should just go-"

"No way" Ava scoffed "I could be risking the wrath of my granny and now you want me to go back. pfft-"

"Ava no-"but the blond ignored her and banged her fist against the door- Elena pulled her back

"I think that's enough knocking" Elena hissed as the door opened revealing a smirking Damon

"Oh now this is a surprise" he smirked

"Lovely isn't it? Elena hurry up. The creepy brother is here" Ava hissed, the vampire's lips twitched in amusement at that, she was feisty.

"Is Stefan here?" Elena asked unlike her companion she had the good sense to be afraid of the smug vampire

"Yes"

"Wonderful now if you don't mind" Ava went to push pass him he blocked her

"I wouldn't do that if I were you" Damon's lips were aligned against her ear "now how about a bite-" Ava smirked "I don't think so, so if you like your manly bits I suggest you back off" she whispered back, Damon looked down and felt something against his crotch, he smirked at that. Ava had managed to press her thin metal cane against his neither regions.

"Fine, fine" he stepped back

"Where is Stefan?" Elena asked not liking the look on Damon's face; she stepped in front of her friend

"Did I tell you princess you and Elena both have impeccable manners?" he drawled

"Cut the crap, and answer the question" she snapped he irritated her beyond belief she just found so arrogant.

"Oh look at you two" he cooed "Little Miss tough and the other little Mss I'm on a mission"

Ava's jaw clenched "Can I just smash him with my cane?" she whispered to Elena, who glared at the vampire

"How can you be so arrogant after everything you've done?" Elena sneered at the vampire

"And how can you be so stupid to call a vampire arrogant?" he countered.

Ava rolled her eyes, she was getting impatience "If you wanted to kill us you would have-"

"Yes I would-"

"But wait" she said sarcastically "we're here, look here's some proof" with that she pinched Elena causing the taller teen to yelp "So how about you move you arrgo-humph-"the rest of her sentence came out muffled since Elena slammed her hand over her mouth effectively shutting her up.

"Where's Stefan?"

"He's upstairs singing the rain in Spain" Damon retorted leaning against the doorframe "knock yourself out"

Elena grasped tightly onto Ava's wrist and led her into the Boarding House

"You know Ava, you should watch yourself. You might say something to the wrong person. And they might not be friendly as me" Damon murmured as their shoulders brushed against each other, the brunette ushered the petite teen ahead seeing the look on the vampire's face.

"Ok Elena I can walk you know" Ava muttered shaking Elena off

"Sorry-"

"It's fine, by the way Damon is a complete douchebag" Elena snorted and shook her head "Oh so-"

"No Ava, no wondering off" she grabbed the back of Ava's top when the blond was about to stroll off.

"Not a child Elena" Ava sighed she tapped her cane against the hardwood floor "Stefan" she shouted

Elena grimaced at her loudness "Ava-"

"Hey we need to hurry this up, Gran is going to have a fit if I at least don't show up for second period" Ava defended herself

"Fine Stefan" Elena called

"Yes?" Stefan said from the landing causing both teens to jump, Ava gripped onto her cane "Ava why-"

"Elena dragged me here" Ava uttered swinging her cane low to make sure that there was nothing in her way, she reached out and placed her hand on what felt like was a table. Her hand trailed up a vase. "Huh carvings" she placed it back on the table but cringed when she heard it shatter. "Oops sorry Stefan" she said sheepishly.

"Ergh" Elena walked forward and grabbed the blushing blond towing her so that she was standing beside her "This is why we can't go nice places-"

"Oh that's what Gran says. Stefan-"

"It's fine Ava, I hated that thing anyway it was ugly" he assured her his lips upturned into a small smile

"Where is Vicky?" Elena asked bringing the subject back on track.

"Ssh" Stefan pressed his finger against his lips. He came down stairs and reminded himself to clear up the broken shards "She's upstairs"

"Oh so you found her then?" Ava asked tucking in a stray curl behind her ear

"In the woods" Stefan said

"What happens now?" Elena asked as Ava shifted from one foot to the other "because my brother is out there searching for her with the rest of the town. What do we tell them?"

"I'm working on it" Stefan said "it's going to take time she's very bottled and impulsive personality, she's a drug use and all of that is going to play a part in how she responds to this"

Ava licked her lips anxiously

"So she's a vampire with issues?" Elena uttered "what am I supposed to do? Because I am lying and so is Ava to everyone we care about-"

"Erm…technically I'm not lying to everyone. Gran knows what's going on" Ava commented

"Well beside Claudette, I feel like I'm lying to everyone. What's going to happen to her?" Elena asked

"I'm going to keep her here with me" Stefan said "till I know she's safe"

"How long is that going to be?" Vicky called out, Ava ears perked up

"We can talk about that later" Stefan shifted slightly so that he was standing in front of Ava, after all he didn't trust the newly turned vampire to control herself.

"Hey Vicky how are you?" Elena asked

Ava wanted nothing more than to slap her friend upside the head for that incredibly dumb question.

"How am I?" Vicky scoffed "You're kidding right?"

"No she wasn't but that was a stupid question" Ava intervened "So can someone take me to school?" she asked

"Not yet" Elena murmured "I promise to drop you off"

"Fine"

"Come on"


Ava's elbows were resting on the dining table, her, Elena and Vicky were sat around it the blond wondered where the hell was Stefan this was so awkward

"So Vicky-"

"Shut up Ava"

"Bitch" Ava muttered

"What'd you say?"

"For a vampire you really are deaf aren't you" Elena resisted the urge to once again slam her hand over Ava's mouth, another thing that both Ava and Claudette shared was that they had no filter for their mouths, whatever they would think they would just blurt it out.

"I swear to god Ava I will-"

"Here we go" Stefan called entering the room, carrying three mugs of coffee "Ava" he set her drink down in front of her.

"Thanks" Ava smiled as Stefan sat down next to Vicky; the blond picked up her glass and felt that it was cold. She sipped it and if it was possible her smile grew wider "Chocolate milkshake?"

"Figured I owe you one" Stefan smiled at her.

Ava downed her drink damn it was cool and thick,

"Why do I have to drink coffee all the time?" Vicky asked holding her own mug

"Because coffee is our friend" Stefan started "it's the caffeine that circulates through our veins and warms our body so it's not so cold to touch"

Ava leant forward she found this intriguing the whole vampire thing

"But what if I wanted to drink human blood?" Vicky asked eyeing a oblivious Ava, making Elena shoot her a dirty look.

"Then you're going to have to live with that urge" Stefan told her "and fight it on a daily basis one day at a time"

"Ergh" Vicky rolled her eyes "don't start that talk about that whole twelve step thing. School councillor been down that road it doesn't work for me"

"I'll say look at the mess-"Ava grunted when Elena pinched her thigh. "You should've just taken me to school" she muttered under her breath.

"I should have" Elena agreed

Ava rolled her eyes and played with the stray thread of her top, she focused back on the conversation at hand.

"It can work for you" Stefan said "It's your choice Vicky."

"So you never tasted human blood?"

There was a moment of silence as the three females waited for Stefan's answer "Not in a long time" he finally said. Ava had the urge to ask him why but thought better of it and kept her mouth shut.

"How long?" Vicky questioned

"Years and years" Stefan replied, picking up his own coffee. "I'm not proud of my past behaviour"

Ava frowned thinking what did Stefan do in the past to make him sound like that; she was pulled out of her musings by the newly transitioned vampire

"Ergh" Vicky groaned "when does this sketchy feeling go away?" she rubbed her head "I feel like I got a massive hangover. And this daylight thing is a bitch-"

"Sort of like you"

"Ava" Elena scolded; the smaller girl rolled her eyes and turned her head side to side to stretch her stiff muscles.

"What?" Ava hissed back she heard the sound of a chair being pushed back

"I need more blood"

"Are all vampires this moody" Ava whispered to Elena who rolled her eyes "Where's your bathroom? I have to pee. Why do I have to pee? I thought I was dead"

With that Vicky walked out.

Ava pressed the button down of her watch so that it tells her the time "10.45 am"

"Oh that fan-freaking-tastic" she swore "I'm late for second period and now Gran-"she didn't get the chance to finish a shrilly noise came from the depths of her bag, Ava fumbled felt the sleek device, she picked it up

"Hell-"

"Where the hell are you?" Claudette shouted

"Gran-"

"Ava"

She got up onto her feet and hurried outside not wanting Elena or Stefan to hear this "Gran what-"

"I got a call from the school asking if you got lost on the way to school"

"I….Vicky turned…and-"

"I told them you had a doctor's appointment, you got ten minutes to get to school before they marked down as skipping-"

"Sorry Gran" she murmured into her cell. Claudette sighed

"Honey…I'm mad at you…do you know why?"

"Because I skipped-"

"Pfft no" Claudette snorted "because I had no clue where you are. So get to school nine minutes and counting" without another word her grandmother hanged up

"Oh crap" she muttered running her hand through her thick blond curls. "How the hell do I get to school?" she knew there was no way she would get there roughly in eight minutes by driving.

"Everything ok?" Stefan asked his hand landed on her shoulder making her jump

"Yes…"

"Ava"

"You heard didn't you? With super power hearing thingy?" she huffed biting her lower lip. The vampire chuckled

"It's never been called that before. But yes I heard, so I know you're in-"

"Huge trouble if I don't get to school" she finished off. Ava groaned "What am I going to do? There's no way I'll make it there"

"Not on your own."

"Well do you see a flying pig somewhere?" she said sarcastically "there's now… Stefan-" he smiled

"I'll give you a lift"

"A car wouldn't get there in time"

"A car wouldn't but…" he trailed off seeing the smile on her face.

"A vampire would" she grinned "You sure?"

"Definitely" he wanted to help her out "here" he handed Ava her cane and her bag, she slipped her arms through her straps "So how are we going to do this?"

"Hop on to my back" he instructed, he crouched down in front of her

She snickered "What?" he asked looking at her from over his shoulder, she wrapped her arms around his neck

"Never thought I'd get on Elena's guy before she did" Ava laughed; Stefan straightened up and placed his hands underneath her thighs so she wouldn't slip off. "Is Elena going to be ok with Vicky?" she asked resting her chin on his shoulder,

"I'll be back in two minutes he" he assured her "Now hold on tight" he instructed, Ava shrieked when they blurred off.


"Ava there-why do you look like you been on a super-fast roller coaster" Caroline appeared in front of her,

"Is that a twig in your hair?" Bonnie asked they were leaning against the lockers as Ava pulled out her books.

"Erm…I…"

"What happened?" Caroline asked

"I fell into a bush" Ava blurted out the first thing that came into her mind

"That's the reason you're late as well?" Bonnie quirked an eyebrow as they walked down the hall, Caroline linked her arms through the other blond teen's one.

"Yep" she replied popping the 'p'

"Well don't do that tonight" Caroline was literally bouncing "here's your costume for tonight" she handed Ava a bag, Ava took it

"Is it good? Nothing slutty or-"

"No you're going to look adorable" Caroline squealed

"Bonnie?"

Bonne peered into the bag and couldn't help but smile at the sight of Ava's costume

"You're fine Ava, it's cute" she promised her "Great"

"Hey" Caroline whined "how comes you take her word for it? But when it comes to me…"

"You made me steal a mannequin's head Caroline?" Ava said deadpanned "hence not trusting your judgement"

Bonnie snickered as Caroline pouted "So where's Elena?"

"Erm…."

"I haven't seen her, I spent the weekend at Gram's place" Bonnie answered

"Ava?"

"I think she's with Stefan" she muttered

"Riding off to his castle no doubt" Caroline scoffed

"Does she sound bitter?" Ava asked looking amused

"I think she does" Bonnie played along

"Ohh" Ava mocked cringed "You know what they say Care, bitterness causes wrinkles" she flounced off leaving an amused Bonnie behind a stunned Caroline

"Is that true?" Caroline asked looking disturbed

"Erm…I don't know" Bonnie shrugged her shoulders attempting to stifle her laughter

"Oh my god. AVA" Caroline screamed running after the other blond.


"Oww Gran"

"Shut up-"

"It hurts"

"Do you ever brush your hair" Claudette sniped; she was helping Ava getting ready for the Halloween party.

"Yes-"

"You sure?" her Gran got through another tough knot.

"Yes I am" Ava rolled and closed her eyes, she could seriously lose herself from her Gran's ministration.

"There all done" Claudette stepped back, "just get dress now"

Ava nodded when she heard the bedroom door shut she stripped out of her clothes. Her costume was laid out on the bed, she leant over it she ran her fingers over the dress; she could feel that the dress was short, she wondered what the hell she meant to be. Whatever she was she hope that it wasn't anything slutty.

"Ava hurry up" she heard gran shouted

"OK" she yelled back and slipped on the dress "I'm done" she called

Claudette walked in "Great, now ya need some white stockings-"

"Huh?"

"Trust me" Ava felt nylon stockings being pressed into her hands, she plopped down on the edge of her bed and pulled on the stocking, they reached just above her knees

"Now what?" she asked

"This" Claudette stepped forward and placed something in her hair, she freed her blond curls "there all done"

"So what-"

"We're not done yet" her Gran lightly pushed Ava back onto her bed she bounced

"Now what?" Ava asked

"Shoes" she simply said, Ava felt Gran pick up her foot and slide shoes on to her feet, she frowned realising it was heels

"Gran I can't wear these they-"

"Aren't too high" Claudette uttered as she buckled the small straps, "plus you'll look weird if you don't wear them. All done" she stepped back "Oh you look so cute. Wait there let me take a picture-"

"Gran what am I?" Ava shouted after her

"You're Ava" Claudette yelled back hurrying back into the room, she flashed the camer in Ava's face

"Gran-"

"Wait I need these, you look so cute" she cooed,

Ava huffed and rolled her eyes "Ahh" Claudette squealed "this is the cutest one"

"So are you going to tell me what I am?" she asked as they walked out of her room, the older woman led the way

"You are" they had come to a stop at the front door, Ava picked up her cane and tucked a barrel curl behind her hair "Alice in Wonderland...well you can say Ava in Wonderland"

Ava's jaw dropped "And I was expecting a slutty maid-"

"No I'm going as that-"

"Gran"

"Kidding, kidding" she chortled and pinched her cheek making her grand-daughter squeal. "But you look adorable"

Ava smiled "Thanks Gran"

"So who's your ride?" she asked

"Hmm….I think Bon" just as she finished her sentence there was a knock on the door, Claudette opened the door

"Bonnie" she greeted the teenager

"Hey Claudette…Oh Ava you look great" Bonnie complimented her "let's go-"

"Oh wait I'm coming-"

"Gran"

"Ava-"

"Quick go, go, go" Ava uttered "before she actually comes"

Bonnie laughed at that and lightly grasped Ava's hand

"I wasn't going to come anyway." Claudette called after the pair.

"Yeah right, I could totally imagine her sneaking into the boot of your car" Ava muttered under her breath as they walked towards the car.


"So some party" Ava drawled she could hear the sound of her fellow students screaming and laughing,

"It is, the haunted house is awesome-"

"It would have been even more so if Ava didn't knock out the Freddy Kruger wannabee-"

"Hey he touched my back with his freaky claw things" the petite teen defended herself, it was true she had whacked the man on the back of his head effectively knocking him out.

"That's the whole point" Caroline rolled her eyes

"Yeah well I don't like being touched" Ava muttered under her breath she was grateful that Claudette had made her practise to close off her mind before she came here. since just from the noise she could hear she knew that she would've been overwhelmed.

"Cider ladies?" she recognised that voice belonging to one Tyler Lockwood "It's a Lockwood special"

"No way last year I was hung over till thanksgiving" Bonnie refused

"Ava?" Tyler offered her one

"Nope, last time I got drunk I threw up in Gran's closet, she wasn't happy" Ava said shaking her head

"I'm going to drink till someone is hot enough to make out with" Caroline took the plastic cup off of him.

"Sounds like a plan" she could hear the sound of the cups clinking against one another.

Ava sighed "Can I go home yet?" she folded her arms across her chest

"No way Ava you just got here-"

"Plus you look way too hot to go home right now" Tyler smirked "Hey Ava why don't you bend over-"

"Why don't I cut you pen-"

"Ok, how about apple bobbing?" Bonnie spoke over her and grabbed her by the hand and dragged her away.

Ava groaned and pushed her way through the sea of students, she got shoved more than once.

"Here's Johnny" someone grabbed her shoulders making her scream, her fist swung out hitting whoever that scared her in the face.

"Oww fuck Ava-"Matt swore "What the hell?"

"What do you mean by what the hell?" she yelled back clutching her chest "You nearly gave me a heart attack"

"Well you look lost-"

"And scaring the crap out of me helped how exactly?" she drawled her breathing going back to normal

"Erm…I don't know but it was funny" he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly "anyway why are you sopping wet?"

"Bonnie pushed me in to the apple bobbing stand" Ava replied

"Oh she's here, damn she's wearing that costume again" Matt thought

"Is Elena here yet?" Ava questioned

"Yeah, come on" he grasped her wrist and led the way towards Elena along the way Matt shoved several other students out of his path to make sure Ava didn't bump or hit anyone.

"You went with last year's costume too huh?" Matt grinned

"Yeah I didn't know I was coming till an hour ago" Elena grinned "Ava you look so cute-"

"I swear to god please don't pinch my cheeks, they are sore as hell" Ava uttered rubbing her pale cheeks which at the time were slightly flushed looking.

"A lot of people did that?"

"Namely my Gran, Bonnie and Caroline" Ava shook her head she yelped when someone lightly pinched her cheek "oww" she howled

"Couldn't resist" Jeremy grinned "Little Ava in Wonderland"

"Is he cooing at me?"

"Yeah he is. So you're going as you?" Matt said giving Jeremy a once over. The younger teen rolled his eyes and stalked off

"Well done Matt, you have a way with words" Ava drawled

"He's not talking to me right now" Elena said "we got into a fight"

"Yeah I got into it with Vicky when she got home" Ava frowned knowing that the vampire was meant to be staying at the Boarding House "I'm trying not to smother her tonight but part of me didn't want to let her out of my sight-"

"Wait" Ava cut him off "she's here?"

"Yeah you can't miss her she's a vampire" Matt chuckled oblivious to the panicked looks on both Ava's and Elena's faces.

"Where did Jeremy go?" Elena asked "he's going to see Vicky, she might hurt him-"

"Elena what's wrong-"

"I got to find him-"

"Elena-"

"Come on Ava" Elena grabbed her hand not wanting to leave the blond behind after all she was one of the only other person who knew what was going on. "We have to find Jeremy"

Ava nodded and opened up her mind, she was assaulted with thoughts causing her breath to hitch, there was so many thoughts ringing around in her head, from lewd ones to downright creepy ones.


"Anything?" Ava asked they had been going through the halls

"No I can't find her" she said beginning to get even more afraid. "Thank god-"

"What?"

"Stefan has Vicky" Elena said making sure to keep her hand in Ava's.

"What's up?" Stefan asked his eyes roaming over both Elena and Ava

"I lost track of Jeremy and was worried" Elena replied glancing over to Vicky

"What's going on?" Matt came striding towards the group his eyes landed on Vicky who Stefan was holding on to

"Nothing" Stefan said

"I told you to quit bothering me" Vicky pushed the other vampire away

"Really?" Ava asked in disbelief "Vicky what the hell are you doing?"

"Matt he won't leave me alone-"

"No Vicky don't do this" Elena said knowing that Matt was protective of his sister

"You need to back off" Matt threatened the vampire

"Matt its ok" Elena uttered trying to calm the situation down, Ava felt a pulse of air and paled knowing what just happened

"Stefan" she said quietly "Vicky"

"She's gone" Elena grabbed Ava's hand and both of them ran out of the hall. The blond concentrated on Jeremy she couldn't find his mind anywhere, Ava jolted forward when she felt someone shove her back

"Hey watch it" Elena snapped at the guy who held his hands up in surrender "there are too many people in the way"

"So we need to clear the path don't we?" Ava cocked an eyebrow

"Ava…what-oh my god AVA NO" she shouted as her friend swung her cane out wildly

"Out the way, out the way" Ava yelled at the top of her voice "Frankenstein's roaming the halls-"

"Ava what are you doing?" Elena hissed

"They think it's part of the party" she shrugged her shoulders "RUN-is it working?"

Much to Elena's disbelief it was working the halls were clearing up faster. "Come on."

They ran down another clear hallway,

"Oh my god this is Vicky and she wants me" her eyes widened, that was Jeremy's thoughts she scoured his mind

"Elena let's try the back of the school, it's empty" Ava said loudly over the music.

Elena nodded that made sense "Alright" they picked up their pace, Ava kept her mind open to Jeremy

"I can't believe she's here, and she looks great. I was so worried about her" she grabbed her head in pain when Jeremy screamed loudly in her min

"AVA-"Elena shouted as the blond ran off she shot off after her,

Ava slammed opened the back doors and felt the breeze hit her full on "ARGH-"

"Elena-"Ava shouted as the brunette ran pass her towards the cries off her brother on her way she picked up a plank of wood.

Ava stumbled after her, her mind was zeroed in on Jeremy and Elena. Since Vicky was a vampire she couldn't get a read on her

"Vicky NO" Elena screamed running forward she swung the plank of wood but Vicky tore it off of her and threw her. Ava heard Elena cry out in pain

"ELENA" Ava shouted. Vicky froze her eyes landed on the petite blond, she wanted her blood she needed her blood, it smelled so good. She wondered why she had never seen it before.

"AVA" Jeremy shouted seeing Vicky blurring towards the blond.

"AHH" Ava shrieked when Vicky fisted her hand in her blond locks and wrenched her head back revealing the pale expanse of her throat "NO DON'T-"she could feel the vampire's breath against her skin. She clenched her eyes shut expecting a huge amount of pain but all of a sudden the grip on her was gone.

Stefan had arrived and pinned the vampire against the wall but she pushed him away and disappeared. He turned around facing the three frightened teenagers, his gaze landed on Elena who was bleeding. His eyes then moved over to Ava,

"Go-"

"What-"

"Go Elena. Get them both out of here" Stefan instructed the brunette, she nodded and grabbed both Ava's and Jeremy's arms.

Ava gripped tightly onto her cane, all she could hear was their footsteps and there harsh breaths.

"Elena what's going on?" Ava asked frightened

"We need to get inside" Elena said pulling open the door, she pushed Ava ahead of her and went to follow and Jeremy was bringing up the rear when all of a sudden he was pushed to the ground.

Elena felt Vicky grabbing the back of her dress and was shoved to the ground she landed beside Jeremy

"NO-AVA" Elena shouted seeing the vampire grabbing Ava by her hair and tossing her out of the room. Vicky grabbed her and bit down hard on the blond teen's throat

The empty lot was filled with a horrified shriek coming from Ava

"AVA" Elena yelled as Vicky pulled back and went again to plunge her fangs into her neck. Ava felt the most excruciating pain ever coming from her neck. The iron grip was all of a sudden gone, she heard Vicky gasped

"He staked her"

Ava dropped to her knees pressing her hand against her bloody throat stunned at what just happened,

"Vicky" Jeremy screamed, she felt a pang in gut hearing his cries "VICKY, VICKY-"

Ava's breath hitched her eyes welled up, one thought was running through her mind 'Poor Matt' he just lost his sister and she doubted that he would ever know the truth.

"Vicky-"

"Elena take Jeremy home" Ava took the lead

"Ava" the brunette dropped down in front of the smaller girl "I can't leave you like this-"she could see that Ava was in a state, blood marred her throat as well as tears

"You need to help your brother Elena" she said sternly cringing when she felt the burning pain. "Just go"

"Ava I'll get some help, just stay here ok?" Stefan told her. Ava nodded he reluctantly left.


She shivered and held her hand out while keeping the other firmly on her neck she could feel the warm liquid seeping from her wound, she felt Vicky's shoulder and moved her hand further up, till it rested on her cheek. She was cold to the touch and snatched her hand back feeling the veins protruding around the eyes.

Ava swallowed and winced when a shot of pain go through her, she tensed up hearing a pair of boot clad feet approaching her.

"You should go" Damon uttered. Anger was flaring up inside her, "I got this" she hated the fact that he was acting so causally, she scrambled onto her feet stumbling as she did so, she took a hasty step when she felt him touch

"You did this" she glared at him "this is all your fault" she snarled

"You confuse me with someone with remorse" he uttered.

Ava scowled and swung her blood covered hand out she went to slap him hard across the face but he grabbed her hand mid-air, she gasped when he tugged her forward slamming her against his hard chest

"You're confusing me for someone with remorse" he whispered into her ear, she tensed feel his breath wafted over her chilled neck. Damon swiped a trail of blood off of her neck and tasted the tantalising liquid; he groaned oh she was delicious. Ava shoved him back

"Don't' touch me" Ava sneered

"None of this matters to me Ava none of it" he said, she got the message and felt her gut churn with hate for him.

"People die around you Damon Salvatore, and none of this matters?" she asked her voice was hard "It matters you selfish prick and you know it" instead of slapping him Ava punched him managing to get his nose.

She stepped back hearing a low growl "Go now before I pull your insides out-"

"Bring it on bitch" she sniped

"One day Ava your mouth is going to get you in so much trouble" he snarled, taking a step towards her , she felt his chest brush against hers "So either get back to the party or go home-"

"Or you'll what?" Ava asked she had no clue where her cane was and also had no clue where Elena had led her too.

"I will rip-"

"You won't be touching her" Stefan growled storming towards them

"Keep her on a leash brother- and take her home. She's bleeding"

"You fucking-"

"Ava, leave him. Claudette is waiting at home for you" Stefan grasped her hand and shot his brother a glare, he picked up her cane and ushered her out of the school "your throat-"

"It's fine…it's-"

Stefan looked at her and frowned seeing a steady stream of tears coming down her face , they were further away from the school. They walked in silence Bonnie had given her a ride earlier hence she now had no ride home

"Ava-"

"It's nothing" she hastily wiped her tears away "I'm-"

"Hey" he grasped her other hand and swung her and gently cupped her cheeks "Ava what's wrong?"

"Everything" she gave him a meek chuckle

"Ava" he wanted her to talk to him

"Matt is going to go through a lifetime of not knowing what happened to Vicky" Ava confided in him "I know what happened to her Stefan. How am I going to face him? His sister is dead and…" she broke off.

Stefan pulled her into his arms and hugged her, he buried his nose in her hair and squashed down the bout of hunger he felt. She needed him at the moment.

"Ssh" he rubbed her back "Ava you need to be strong ok? Vicky is gone and there's nothing you can do about it" he pulled back and used his thumbs to brush away her tears, she could feel his breath on the bridge of her nose and the warmth of his body. "You have to get through this Ava and I know you can. You're strong ok?"

"Ok" she breathed feeling slightly better

"Let's get you home" he scooped her up, Ava wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her face in the crook of his neck. She felt her wind hit her and whipped her blond locks around her.


"Gran stop" Ava groaned in pain when her grandmother attempted to use the anti-septic wipe

"Honey I'm trying to help-"

"You're not" she snapped there was a moment of silence, Ava sighed "Sorry Gran" she had changed out of her bloodied costume into a pair of loose shorts and a camisole, they were sitting on the couch and Claudette was attempting to clean her up but it wasn't working.

"Honey you want to talk?" she put down the wipe,

"No-"

"Ava" she wrapped her arm around her grand-daughters shoulders and pulled her to her side, Ava rested her head against her shoulder "What's wrong?"

"It hurts" Ava admitted "not the bite-well that hurts too. But knowing that Jeremy saw everything, he watched the girl he loved die right in front of him Gran, how's he going to pull through that?" she asked

Claudette sighed and kissed her temple "Jeremy Gilbert is strong Ava. He will pull through and move on-"

"How do you know that though?" she asked earnestly, Claudette wasn't at all surprised at Ava, she knew that she was seeking comfort and assurance, the look on her face reminded the elder woman that Ava was still a kid who needed guidance , she was still after all Claudette's baby.

"Because honey, that's how the world works, there are ups and down throughout life, and you let that stop up. You need to overcome them."

"How-"

"When the time comes Ava, you will know" Claudette brushed aside a few stray blond locks. "Is there anything else that's-"

"Damon" Ava uttered "he….he was so casual. It was as if he didn't even care that she's dead"

"Honey men are complicated creatures."

Ava nodded and leant back she hissed when her gran tried again to clean her wound "Oww" she whined "Stop it hurts-"

"Well you got two holes in your neck" Claudette muttered and groaned when Ava shifted again, she forgot how fidgety Ava was.

Before she reprimand her there was a knock on the door. "Stay here-"

"Where would I go?" Ava rolled her eyes.

But Claudette ignored her, Ava waited for a couple of minutes and felt the couch dip down in due extra added weight.

"Gran?"

"Here, drink up Ava, this'll make you feel better" a glass was pressed into her hand. "I'll set up a movie" she murmured.

Ava downed the drink and crinkled her nose

"What is this?"

"New type of milkshake picked it up at the store" Claudette replied

"Well don't get it again" she muttered feeling slightly better

"I'll remember, ok movie is on. I'll get the popcorn a quiet night in is just what we need" Claudette said. She exited the room and glanced over her shoulder and saw Ava settling back in the couch.

The silver haired woman took a deep breath and quietly made her way to the front door

"She drank it?"

"Yes" Claudette eyed the vampire "so Damon why did you give her your blood?" he had given a small bottle of blood to her, Claudette had mixed it with milkshake so Ava wouldn't know exactly what she was drinking.

Damon shrugged his shoulders "She's one of the few girls who talk back, don't want her slow down on-"

"Bullshit" the elderly spat "you care about her. That's why you gave her your blood-"

"Ava keeps things interesting" he smirked at her "speaking of interesting her blood. Now that's different-"

"And it's none of your business" Claudette finished off "Goodbye Damon" she went to shut the door but he placed his hand on the door stopping her.

"Is she ok?" Damon asked keeping his poker face on

"She hates your guts"

"Well that's nothing new" he rolled his eyes. She chuckled

"Goodnight Damon" with that she shut the door.

"Gran" Ava called, and could hear footsteps' coming into the room "was there someone at the door?"

"Nothing to worry about" Claudette sat down beside her, and glanced down at the wound, she could see that it was slowly fading away.

"Gran? You ok?" Ava asked her brows furrowing

"Yeah why?"

"You haven't started the movie yet and there's no popcorn"

"Oh damn, I'll make some-"Ava grabbed her hand and tugged her back down onto the couch

"No it's fine, let's just watch the film together"

Claudette smiled and pulled her close; she grabbed the quilt and placed it over their legs. The two Xenias sat back and watched a movie, Ava was grateful for this, she defeinintyl wanted to forget about tonight. But knew that wasn't going to happen but for now she could forget her troubles. She felt something being dropped in to her lap. She picked it up and could feel the hardback cover of a book,

"A new one?"

"Hmm… ordered especially" Claudette said her gaze focused on the television "Like it?"

"You got me Dracula?" she asked incredulously "Gran-"

"What I thought it was funny"

Ava snorted and rolled her eyes; she opened the book and trailed her fingers against the raised text. Well this was one way to keep her mind occupied.


AN: Apologies for grammar or spelling mistakes. Outfit link on profile. Thanks to those who reviewed.

So in this Chap-Its the Halloween party. Gran wakes her up and makes Ava walk into the door, Elena takes her to the Boarding House so she could talk to Stefan. Damon and Ava exchange some words. Ava gets a telling off from Gran and Stefan helps her get to school. Caroline gives Ava her Halloween costume. Gran helps her get ready. Turns out Ava is Alice from 'Alice in Wonderland' Ava ends up finding Jermey in her mind. Elena tries to hit Vicky but it doesn't work. Vicky bites Ava. Damon comes and tells her to leave, she ends up punching him. and some Ava and Stefan time. Gran comforts her, and Damon turns up and makes Claudette give Ava his blood.

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