"Wake up, wake up-"

"No go away" Ava whined pulling the covers over her head

"Get up-"

"Ergh-"

"Up AVA NOW" Claudine shouted and rolled her eyes when all she got was a huff and nothing else. Ava curled up into a little ball and shuddered feeling the breeze on her skin "Gran-"

"Up and up and oh yeah up"

Ava swore and yelped when she got thumped upside the head "Oww-"

"Yeah oww, now get up. I got pecan waffles cooking and-"she didn't need to finish the rest of her sentence since Ava flew off her bed and ran towards her bathroom "Ava-"

"Oww"

"Well-"

"I'm good" she jumped onto her feet, she had run head first into the door, Claudine rolled her eyes

"Quit banging your head, the amount of bruises you accumulate people are going to think I beat yah"

"Well-"

"Ava go and get ready" Claudine ordered "Or I won't feed you" the petite teen's response was to slam the bathroom door. The elderly snorted and left her grand-daughter to her devices. Ava did her usual morning routine and turned on the shower.

She washed her toothbrush and dropped it back into its pot. She held out her hand and felt that the water was warm. Ava had a quick shower and reached out grabbing her fuzzy towel, she dried herself off and wrapped it around her body. She padded barefooted back to her room.

Ava blow dried her hair and brushed it. She opted to leave it out and rummaged through her closet; she felt the tags and knew Gran must've put them back on. Ava decided to wear a pair of skinny black jeans and a purple jumped she pulled on her boots and ran down stairs.

As soon as her feet planted on the last step she could smell the delicious aroma of food, she skipped into the kitchen and plopped down at the table

"Smells good Gran-"

"I know-"

"Cocky much?" Ava snorted as Claudine placed a plateful of food in front of her

"I am dear, and incredibly sexy and have a libido or-"

"Ok" Ava shouted over her, she picked up her fork and scoffed down the food

"God's sake Ava what's going on with your hair" she tutted and grabbed her hairbrush and started to brush the knots out of Ava's hair

"Argh Gran fucking-"

Claudine swatted the hairbrush at her "No swearing now eat-"

"How the hell can I eat? You're ripping my freaking hair out" Ava grimaced when she ripped out another knot.

"We're women honey, multi task"

"Oh my god-"

"Use OMG sounds much cooler-"

"Ok I am so not taking slang skills from my grandmother" she muttered and groaned when she was bopped on the head "Gran-"

"Shut up and eat-"

"Hard to do that when I got a crazy lady pulling my hair out" Ava popped the pieces of waffle into her mouth.

"Ha ha, there all done. Now hurry up are you catching the bus or-"

"Elena is picking me up" Ava said through a mouthful of food,

"Honey don't spray it-"

"Say it" they finished in unison, Claudine chuckled and fish braided Ava's hair and patted her on her head.

Ava giggled and shook her head, she finished off her breakfast, she sipped her glass of orange juice "So what are you doing tonight?" she asked

"Greg is taking me out-"

"You said his name was Gary-"

"Honey he could be called Douche bag for all I care, his a god in the sack he has the biggest pe-"Ava spat the orange juice all over the table top

"AVA-"

"Oh god I think I'm going to throw up" she gagged she went to wipe her mouth with the back of her sleeve but Claudine grabbed her hand "Wha-"

"This is a nice jumper" Claudine uttered and grabbed a napkin and hastily wiped away the mess on Ava's face

"Oww, what the hell Grand is that sand-paper?" she asked rubbing her skin.

"No napkin. Now shoo go I think Elena is-"there was a loud beep coming from outside "There she is, don't get in trouble"

Ava rolled her eyes and got off her chair "See yah Gran" she yelled over her shoulder hurrying down the hallway, she grabbed her bag which was by the door she shouldered her bag and opened the door

"Ava" Elena called from the car

"Hey" she grinned and hurried down the gravel pathway, "How are-"

"AVA YOU FORGOT YOUR CANE" Claudine screeched "Catch-"

"Gran-"

"Kidding" Elena giggled and watched as Ava rushed back to the elderly woman taking her cane,

"Have a good day" Gran dropped a kiss on her temple and lightly push her towards the car, Ava had just climbed in and buckled herself in

"So how was-"

"AVA-"

"WHAT?

Elena clutched her hear as her friend screamed back, the way these two were going they'd wake up the whole street

"YOU WAS WRONG"

"WHAT ABOUT?" Ava yelled

"I'M NOT JUST CRAZY I'M A HOT SEXY MOMMA-"

"ELENA DRIVE" Ava shouted over her, her cheeks were practically bleeding red. Elena laughed as the blond sunk down in her seat

"AVA, AVA-"

"Oh got the postman is here as well" Elena uttered and grinned seeing the mortified look on Ava's face she squealed when the smaller teen slapped her hand on the arm "what the hell?"

"You're smiling"

"How do-"

"Serious? I know, now come on let's go" Ava muttered "is she flashing him or?"

"No but her dressing gown is getting incredibly loose-"

"Ok just drive" Ava ordered, Elena laughed and pressed her foot down on the accelerator.

"Yeah I got something to tell you as well-"

"You're nut dumping me are you?" Ava said straight face but then giggled "no serious what's up?"

"It's about Isobel"


"One of the most embarrassing moments in my life" Ava said pulling out her text books,

"Really?" Elena cocked an eyebrow slamming her own locker door shut "What about the time when you and Claudine both got taken to jail and mom and dad had to bail you out?"

"Oh now that's Gran's fault" Ava grinned that was a long night

"Yeah didn't she get a restraining order from-"

"Harrison Ford? Yes….I don't know why that happened in the first place" she muttered as she ran her fingertips down the spine of the book and felt the brail beneath her fingers.

"Well you two were found in the bushes" Elena uttered

"One time thing, it'll never happen again" Ava shook her head finally managing to locate the book she needed. She pulled it out and swore when practically the rest of her locker fell out. She heard the sound of her books falling to the ground

She dropped to her knees and picked up the books

"Ava you should really-"

"Watch what I'm doing?" she snapped and sighed in frustration

"Hey Ava" Stefan knelt down "everything ok?"

"Yes, sorry Elena" she apologised

"No problem" Elena smiled as she and Stefan both picked up her books, they then helped her put her books back in her locker

"You know you should organise it" Stefan commented and lightly poked Ava when she rolled her eyes causing her to squeak.

"Ok, ok i-"

"Can help" Elena smiled, Ava leant against the locker with Stefan standing next to her

"Right, that'd be fun" the blond drawled earning another prod "I'm beginning to see a pattern emerging, is it poking Ava day?"

"Technically that's everyday"

"Elena did I ever tell you that your jokes are lame?" Stefan snorted getting a swat from his girlfriend.

"Stefan Ava's being mean-"

"Aha, bros before hoes-"

"Did you just call me a hoe?" Elena balked

"And you're not a guy so you literally can't be a bro-"

"Ok" she cut him off "there's several things wrong with that statement no need to carry on" Ava slammed the locker door shut.

"I'll say" Stefan snorted and grunted when Ava managed to hit him.

"You are such a-"

"Alright, alright, no more picking on Ava" he swooped down and pecked her on the cheek. Ava smiled her thoughts strayed to Damon

"How is he? How is Damon?" Ava asked quietly

"I don't know" Stefan admitted as swarms of students were making their way to their first class "every time I try and talk to him, he shuts me down"

"Do you think he's still looking for Katherine?" Elena asked

"He waited a hundred and forty five years to find her and only to find out that she couldn't have cared less" Stefan sighed; Ava felt a pang of pity for the vampire. "It's going to hurt right?"

"And it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy" Elena snickered.

"Elena he's heart broken, no need to be snarky" Ava sniped surprising her, she didn't expect that "It's….I…he is just so confusing"

"And you're confused?" Elena asked softly

Ava nodded "One part of me feels so sorry for him, and the other part is just…ergh-"

"You have every right to be angry Ava" he dropped his arm around her shoulders, "So Elena have you thought about what you're going to do?"

"About what? Isobel my vampire birth mother who is related to my vampire ancestor Katherine, and screwed over by your vampire brother?" Elena said sarcastically "no I haven't thought about it at all"

"Yeah Elena you can't do sarcasm" Ava drawled, making Stefan snigger.

"Funny" Elena sighed "but it'll be good just to have one day with no vampire mother no brother-"

"No vampires at all?" Stefan asked, Ava rolled her eyes

"No vampires but you-"

"Oh my god, am I invisible?" Ava said causing the other two to jump "or should I step away why you guys get your freak on?" she suggested

"No we won't be" Elena said

"And you're hardly invisible" Stefan squeezed her shoulders

"It'd just be nice to get back to normal you know? Like school-"

"Ergh-"

"Homework-"

"Dear god I'll rather just deal with the vampires" Ava shook her head hitching her bag up higher

"Fine what about fun?"

"Oh that sounds good to me when do we start?" Stefan asked, Elena giggled

"Come one" Elena said, Stefan kept his arm around Ava's shoulders as they walked down the packed corridor to head to class.

"Stef we got Art" Ava uttered

"Yep" he kissed Elena goodbye and linked his arm with hers "Should be fun-"

"Just remember to stay on your side of the table" Ava said making the vampire chuckle

"After last time-"

"You're the one who took my charcoal-"

"I just borrowed some" Stefan rolled his eyes, that day he ended up with a face-full of water he had learnt early on don't touch Ava's art supplies. He had also learnt that she had a preference for charcoal instead and that she usually ended up smudge charcoal marks all over her arms and cheeks.

"Hmm" she murmured "There goes Elena she looks so happy-"

"When will he ever look like that, the way he looks at her"

"Ava you ok?" Stefan frowned

"I erm…"

"Mind reading thing?" the vampire asked quietly seeing her pale face "Are you-"

"It's fine Stefan" she shook her head trying to rid it of Caroline's and Matt's thoughts "sometimes they just leak in" she uttered

"Come on we got class" Stefan said

"Ava your fat ass is blocking the door" Tiki sneered

"Oh just fuck off you whiny bitch, by the way your boyfriend, Tommy was it? Is fucking your sister-"

"No I'm not-"Tommy denied "I love you Shiki

"Yeah he is" Ava smirked "Isn't Shiki your sister name-"

"You bastard-"Tiki shrieked and lunges towards her boyfriend

"What type of name is Shiki? Let alone Tiki? Was your mum on crack when she-"Stefan placed his hand over her shutting her up

"And this is our cue to go" Stefan ushered her inside the classroom, she could hear the various sounds of fighting and what sounded like Alaric trying to pull Tiki off of Tommy "That's not a responsible way to use your abilities" the vampire murmured as they sat at their usual table

"Oh come on Stef, live a little" Ava grinned "no pun intended" he chuckled and shook his head.


Ava shoved the rest of the books from her locker into her bag, she slammed it shut, Caroline was on one side of her and on the other was Elena and Stefan, they had all just finished class and were grabbing their books

"Nothing huge just dinner at the Grill, and a great movie" Caroline said

"You mean like a double date?" Stefan asked shoving his own book in his bag

"Two pairs out on a Friday night coupled yeah, double date"

"You think that's a good idea?" Elena asked she noticed that Ava wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention to the conversation at hand

"Why not? We haven't gone out together before. I don't want it to be uncomfortable for us the couple dynamics has change and there's been a little awkwardness between you, Matt and me. And I just think it's important we get over it" Caroline explained

"I don't know" Elena muttered

"You know what?" Stefan stepped in "I think that sounds like a good idea-"

"You do?" the brunette looked up at him

"Yes a nice evening out with friends, sounds fun," he nodded

"Oh fun" Ava grinned coming back to reality; she only just managed to catch the last few snippets of the conversation "So where are we meeting up? Or are one of you going to swung by? I could walk it, since it-"

"Ava, it's a double date" Caroline cut her off tartly "meaning a pair of couples."

"Oh" Ava felt disappointment ebb up in her "right, sorry" she turned away re-opening her locker

"Right, well see you tonight" the taller blond smiled completely oblivious to the saddened petite teen.

"Right" Elena nodded looking over to Ava whose face was downturned, Caroline smiled and walked off.

"Ava if you want to come you can" Stefan said his voice full of concern "Ava you-"

"What?" She asked slamming her locker door shut "and be a fifth wheel? No thanks" she smiled at the pair but they both could see it was wavering "she's right it's been awkward between all of you guys, have fun-"

"Ava-"

"I'm taking the bus home I got to go to the library anyway" Ava uttered and literally ran off.

"She's sad" Stefan muttered his eyes following the small teen

"I know, but she won't admit it. Too stubborn" Elena muttered feeling bad about this

"Elena has Ava ever been on a date?"

"Once it was a disaster" Elena replied as they walked down the corridor "worst date I've ever seen"

"You was there?"

"All of us was" Elena grimaced recalling that disaster "we were concerned-"

"You were spying" Stefan shook his head

"Ok, but it ended up with Claudine starting a bar fight and Jenna with a black eye"

"Oh my god I so need to know this story" Stefan chuckled he could actually picture the elder Xenia doing this.


Ava sighed and dropped her bag and jacket near the front door, along with her cane.

"Gran?" she called

"Upstairs dear" Claudine yelled,

Ava knew she was probably getting ready for her date, seems like everyone had a date except her. Her boots clicked against the wooden floor and made her way into the kitchen, she rummaged through the cupboards, and held her hand out, it came into contact with a cardboard box. She plunged her hand into the box

"Cookies" she grinned and strode over to the living room, where she flopped down on the couch. Ava started grabbed the remote-control knowing it was on the table as it's always is. She turned the stereo on and nearly fell off the couch at the volume coming from the speaker.

"Bloody Hell Gran really?" Ava shouted

"What? It's my song" Claudine appeared in the doorway "come on dear, dance to it 'I'm sexy and I know it'-"

"Yeah no" Ava yawned and sniffed the air "oh new perfume, so date going to happen?"

"I forgot how much you're like a bloodhound-"

"Are you calling me a dog?" she sat up which was a struggle since she had been hanging upside down

"A cute dog" she patted her head "Ava there's cookies all over to couch" Claudine slipped on her heels

"I was eating them" Ava uttered leaning her head back "so have fun-"

"What are you up to?" Claudine asked

"Nothing going to stay home tonight" she answered rolling over so that her back to her Gran "and lounge around"

Claudine frowned knowing something was off with the teen "Why don't you go out? Elena?"

"Busy"

"Caroline?"

"Busy"

"Stefan?"

"Busy"

"What about Matt-"

"Gran they're all busy with each other"

"They're not having an orgy-"

"EWW" Ava shrieked smothering her face into the pillow "that's disgusting"

"Ok, ok no need to be dramatic" Claudine rolled her eyes, Ava shifted so that her back was no longer facing the elderly woman she saw the affronted look on the blond teen's face

"Me? I'm dramatic? How does that work out? You're the queen of drama-"

"I've never been dramatic in my life-"

"Oh fuck no-"

"Are you swearing at me?"

"Nope"

"Ava-"

"Love you gran" Ava grinned cheekily, Claudine snorted and spun around

"So how do I look?" she asked the teen

"Gran I can't-"

"See. Yes I know, but what do you think anyway-"

"You look fat"

"WHAT?" she shrieked, Ava cackled with laughter but yelped when she was pushed off the couch

"Oww Gran" she whined "I was joking-"

"Never call a woman fat, it's a big no, no" Claudine said

"Is this one of your wise moments or-"

"No I just don't want you to get a beating"

Ava rolled her eyes and shuffled backwards till she was leaning against the bottom of the couch. And fiddled with her braid "So your date-"

"Hopefully it'll go well" Claudine said "what about you? A boring night on the couch? Go hang with your friends-"

"Gran they're all having a double date thing" Ava muttered "so I'm clearly not invited"

Claudine frowned; she knew that at times her granddaughter felt incredibly lonely, even with a bunch of friends around her.

"Well honey go out-"

"No-"

"I'm not cooking dinner so you might as well go to the Grill. Here" she handed some cash over to her "Take it and go-"

"I don't-"

"Ava swear to god if you don't go, I won't ever feed you again"

Ava pouted "Fine-"

"Honey I'm not being mean-"

"Err yeah you are" she muttered tucking in a stray curl

"Ok maybe a bit. But I don't want you to be a hermit, so please go out, you've got no homework or anything and it's a Friday night. So go and enjoy yourself"

Ava sighed knowing there was no point putting up a fight anymore, when Claudine was determined it was just best to go along with her.

"Fine" she reluctantly agreed, Claudine leant forward and kissed her on the cheek, she then pulled her onto her feet "are you going to be home later or-"

"Yes I am" Claudine uttered "and if this date goes to hell we can eat ice cream till we burst"

Ava smiled and nodded "So is it wrong that I want your date to go badly?"

"Yes" Claudine laughed and lightly slapped her upside the head "No go-"

"I'm going-"

"Wait-"

"But you just told me to go-"

"I can't let you leave the house like that" Claudine scoffed pulling her back, "Your hair looks like a birds nest"

When she was done she patted Ava on the back "Off you trot-"

"Trot? Really? Not a horse" Ava rolled her eyes getting back onto her feet, "Bye Gran-"

"How are you getting there?" she asked following the petite teen down the hallway and grabbed her jacket for her. Ava slipped it on and shoved her money into her pocket

"Walking and Gran don't worry" Ava said knowing she was going to add that on "I'll be fine-"

"I know, you know this town like the back of your hand." Claudine stepped forward and zipped up Ava's leather jacket "Take this, and listen before you cross the roads"

Ava nodded and felt her cane being pressed into her hands with a wave, she was gone.

She walked down the road knowing the direction of the Grill.


Ava pushed the door open to the Grill and stepped in, she could hear the buzz of chatter and low music in the background. She made a beeline towards the bar

"Oh she's here"

Ava plopped down on the stool at the end of the bar "Kelly-"

"How the hell-"

"I can smell your cheap perfume from here" she rolled her eyes

"Aren't you a bit too young to be a bar-"

"Aren't you a bit too old to still be acting like a skank" Ava countered easily, Kelly smirked slightly there was always one thing that she liked about the teen and that was her quick responses, she always has an answer for everything

"Ava" Steven the barman greeted her "You're not staring trouble again are you?"

"Pfft no way" she uttered

"Your usual?"

"Yes please" Ava answered placing her cane besides her

"So Ava? Broke into any-"

"Oh no one cares Kelly, go back to your drink" she spat as a drink was set in front of her

"There's the trouble-"

"Trouble is her middle name" Kelly scoffed downing her drink,

Ava rolled her eyes "Nope my middle name is actually is Grace-"

"Hmm so Ava Grace Xenia, sounds angelic yet oh so sexy" a familiar voice purred into her ear, she jumped

"Damon?" wondering when did he arrive

"The one and only princess" he took the vacant seat beside her

"Hi?"

"Hello" he couldn't help but smirk "breathe Ava, not going to bite you, unless you want me to"

"And here's the arrogant-"

"Sexy-"

"Guy I know" she finished off, he chuckled

"What's with the glasses inside?" Kelly asked watching the exchange from the other end of the bar.

"My eyes are a little sensitive today" Damon shed the sunglasses and tucked them into his pocket. Steven returned with Ava's meal and drink, she picked up the burger and was about to take a huge bite out of it but it was snatched out of her hands

"Hey-"

"It stinks of pickles princess" Damon uttered and set the burger back down, he lifted the bun off and picked out the pickles and took a huge chunk out of it "There ya go"

"Thanks" Ava picked it up and rolled her eyes and then took a bite out of it "You had to bite it didn't you?"

Damon smirked seeing the smudge of sauce on her face "I did, and you got something there-"

Ava raised her hand but missed it, "Where?"

"Let me" he leant forward, her pulse spiked when she felt his smooth finger tips near her lips, Damon wiped off the sauce with his finger and then sucked on the digit "Hmm, delicious-"

"And here you come across as a pervert" Ava utter her pulse rate steadying.

"Somehow you bring out my sexual prowess" Damon uttered "It's a lovely skill to have you should be proud"

"Yay me" she drawled, the vampire chuckled and snatched a fry, Ava once again rolled her eyes and pushed the plate of food to that it was in-between them.

"You're new around here" Kelly commented finding the raven head male attractive

"On the contrary I am very old-"

"Very old in fact-"

"Ava here" he shoved a fry into her mouth shutting her up, his lips twitched seeing the pout on her face "Bourbon neat, and her food is on me" he handed Steve the cash surprising the blond.

"That's nice-"

"I can be at times" Damon countered

"Hmm, you should be more at times" Ava grinned at him, she didn't hate the vampire and she got that he had major issues, doesn't necessarily makes him a bad person.

"I haven't been gone for very long. So I would remember someone like you-"

"How'd you know? You was high most of the time you was around" Ava uttered earning a glare from the older woman,

"Ya know Ava" Damon whispered "one day your mouth is going to get you in trouble-"

"Yeah and there'll be no way out-"

"I wouldn't say that. I'll probably be around" the vampire said, Ava didn't know what to say so she opted to remain quiet. "So where did you go?" Damon asked Kelly as Ava chewed her fry

"Around and about" Kelly uttered

"Been there done that" he downed his drink

"I love to see a man drown his sorrow, it's so sexy-"

Ava snorted "No it's sad and clear signs he has a problem. Did you hit your head Kelly?"

"Back off little girl" she sneered

"It's more like nursing my wounds" Damon intervened not in the mood to break up a cat-fight

"Well I was supposed to be interviewed for the bartender job but I think the manager blew me off" Kelly uttered.

Ava rolled her eyes hearing that, she finished off her burger and was now sipping her drink

"That doesn't sound very nice"

"FYI" Ava commented "The manager Carrie? Has every right to be mean to her. She-" she referred to Kelly "slept with her boyfriend"

"Now that doesn't sound nice" Damon uttered turning on Kelly who merely smirked and shrugged her shoulders

"It happens"

"Yes it does"

"How?" Ava asked "she slept with her friend's guy, how does that just happen?"

"Ava don't you got some colouring into do. Leave the talking to the adults" Kelly snapped at her. Ava scowled and finished her drink

"Kelly?" Jenna called out recognising the woman "Kelly Donovan?" she laughed rushing over to her

"Jenna" Kelly embraced her

"I heard you as back in town, she use to baby sit me-"

"And then I partied with her-"Kelly finished off, both she and Jenna turned to look at the vampire

"Doesn't that leave you with a stellar impression?" Ava quirked an eyebrow

"Oh shut up Ava. Go find friends your own age why don't you?" Kelly spat, "oh wait" she said mockingly "you only got a few don't ya? Since it's a miracle that they can stand your company"

"Kelly" Jenna frowned "Don't-"

"Whoa back off" Damon said "You're ruining my buzz-"

"Just telling you the truth" Kelly smirked

"It's not funny" Jenna snapped glaring at her,

"Right, right sorry Ava that was out of order" Kelly uttered, Ava could tell that she didn't mean it and didn't really care

"Whatever" Ava mumbled

"Hey" Damon called out to Steve "another lemonade for her"

"What?"

"Might as well get you a drink, non-alcoholic though. Don't want a repeat in Atlanta" the vampire murmured "but got to admit Ava you are an epic drunk"

Ava laughed and thanked him for the drink, the cool liquid slid down her throat.

"This woman" Jenna gestured towards Kelly "is crazy-"

"Not as crazy as you though" Kelly countered

"Not anymore" Jenna shook her head

"What does that mean?"

"It means" Ava cut in "is she has grown up….something that you should've done I think"

"You know Ava" Kelly uttered "every time I see you, you sound more and more like Claudine-"

"At least I have a decent role model, you're Matt's right?" Ava said "very nice"

"Ava-"

"Stop" Jenna said sternly, Damon noticed that Ava seemed to slump in her seat it looked as if a parent was scolding their child "I'm more responsible now haven't you heart?"

"Well take a night off. It's good for the soul-"

"Great for the soul" the vampire added on

"Fine-"Jenna sat down

"You do realise that you've just given into peer-pressure?" Ava drawled

"Shut up Ava" the three of them said in unison, they then ordered three glasses of shots. Ava leant against the bar

"This is so not going to end well" she muttered under her breath, and rummaged through her bag to pull her book out.

"Can't wait" Damon smirked as they clinked their shot glasses together.


Sure enough Damon, Jenna and Kelly were giggling wrecks half an hour later. Ava shifted in her seat she had to pee and she'd been keeping it in as soon as she got in, she sighed and jumped onto her feet, the place was a bit more crowded since it was Friday night.

Ava weaved her way through the crowd leaving her cane at the bar. She pushed her way through and finally managed to get into the ladies. When she was done Ava exited the bathroom and headed back to the bar, but her trip there was much harder.

She slammed into something hard with enough to send her crashing down onto the ground, there was the sound of something shattering

"Fucking hell" Ava muttered rubbing her hands they were stinging

"Do you mind?" she cringed smelling the man's rancid breath

"It was an accident and-"

"Always an accident isn't it" he sneered "Watch where you're going-"

"Billy don't pick on the blind kid" another voice snapped

"Seriously where a bell-"

"Fine" she spat and got onto her feet "It'll be easy to go round you if you weren't such a fatty-"

"What?"

"What?"

"What did you say?" the large man growled he towered over her

"Nothing" she gulped shit she thought her mouth ran away from her "I didn't say anything" Ava took a step back

"You said I was a fatty-"

"Then why did you ask? Thick-shit" Ava slammed her hand over her mouth "Oh-"

"Did you call me a thick-shit?"

"Pfft you must be hearing things" she spun on her heel but before she could run away a meaty hand clamped down on her wrist

"I know I'm not hearing things-"

"Good for you. Now let go" she scowled trying to wrench her hand free

"I don-"

"Listen to her, or you'll regret it" Stefan growled, he could see the commotion from the table he had shared with Elena, Matt and Caroline

"What? Are you going to make me?" the man laughed, Stefan's eyes hardened seeing her wince

"Yeah who else-"

"Just back off buddy" Matt glared at the two larger men, Stefan grabbed Ava's hand and tugged her towards him, and he pushed her behind him

"Well-"

"Hey" Steve the bartender called "Is there any trouble here? If there is I have to kick you guys out"

"We're cool"

"Ava go back to Damon" Stefan lightly pushed her towards his brother, who had been watching the scene from afar, if it had gotten out of control he would have stepped in.

Ava dropped back down in her seat

"Causing trouble again Ava?" Kelly asked downing a shot

"Being a skank? Yeah" she replied

"Here" Damon slammed another glass down in front of herself "Your mouth really runs away with you sometimes" he murmured

"Problem?"

"I find it sexy" he countered. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, the vampire ordered another drink. Jenna saw the sour look on his face

"Don't be grumpy" the strawberry haired woman uttered "it can't be that bad"

"You'd be surprised, my primary reason for existence has abandoned me and after today's events the remains of the shaky ground I walk on are about to go kaboom."

"You really do need a new lease in life" Ava muttered sipping her drink "Why don't you find something-"

"Sounds boring" Kelly's voice rang out

"Agree, let's get hammered" he grinned sliding over to Kelly

"Oh god he's sexy I would so do him, I bet he has-"

"Shut up" Ava snapped

"What's wrong?" Jenna frowned "You want me to take you home Ava-"

"No I….I…..was-"

"She's fine; now let's get the party started. And leave the brat" Kelly grinned, both her and Jenna had a slight buzz going on.

Ava scowled feeling once again left out, was it too much to ask sometimes to be included, or was she that different.

She turned her attention back to her book but kept an ear out for the three drunkards next to her.

"Quick hide we're not here" Jenna hissed at Kelly managing to spot Elena and the others

"Why where are we?" Kelly whispered

"Children under our care five o'clock"

Ava rolled her eyes "They already know you're here" she drawled "you two laugh insanely loudly"

"Crap" Jenna muttered,


Ava felt someone brushing against her back and pushed her so that her book clattered to the ground. She sighed and knelt down to pick it up

"Sorry my fault" a deep voice uttered "I was in a rush"

"No it's fine" she smiled

"Here you go" her hand brushed against the man's she froze feeling a shiver run down her spine, her whole resolve stiffen, "You ok?"

"Yeah, yeah fine" Ava opened up her mind but couldn't get anything. He was a vampire.

"Well bye" before she could blink he was gone, she scrambled back onto her stool her heart was pounding. There was another vampire in town.

"Ava" Stefan dropped his hand on her shoulder making her jump. Damon and the other two women were too drunk to notice the exchange between her and the other vampire "It's me-"

"Hey Stef" she smiled

"Hi, you ok?" he asked spinning her stool around so that he could see her face

"Fine-"

"Ava" he said sternly, cupping her cheek "You're lying"

"I…" she swallowed and whispered "Stefan there's another vampire in town"

"How did-"

"I didn't get anything "she discreetly tapped her temple "anything" she repeated

Stefan nodded "Yeah he must've been the man that called Elena Katherine-"

"What?"

"I know, stay in busy areas Ava. And don't stray" he worried for her; Stefan had no doubt that those who are after Katherine, may go after Ava as well. He didn't know what she was but whatever she is, she is special

"Ok, are you leaving?" Ava asked

"Yes, thought I'd take Matt and Caroline to the Boarding House"

"How did it go?" she leant back against the bar "awkward or…"

"I called myself a dick" Ava giggled making him laugh

"One way to break the tension"

Stefan chuckled and dropped a kiss on her temple, "I should go…Ava why don't you come with us or-"

Ava shook her head "No thanks, double date meaning two couples. Have fun"

"Ok, remember to stay safe and take-"

"I'll cab it home" she assured him since it was getting late

"Ok you got cash and-"

"Stefan chill, I'm not a baby" Ava rolled her eyes,

"Ok-"

"Bloody hell Stefan quit worrying" she lightly smacked his arm; with a quick hug he was gone.


"So Ava got a boyfriend yet?" Kelly asked drunkenly "you know you should get laid-"

"What? every other night? Like you" she smiled sweetly, Jenna guffawed and muttered something about going to the bathroom.

"You know Ava sometimes you get really defensive, and I think I know why" Kelly commented twiddling with a cherry stem.

"Oh enlighten me oh wise one" Ava drawled a small smile was on her face, she shoved her book back into her bag

"Well I think you're defensive because you're a freak" Kelly stated, Ava's blood ran cold

"What?"

"You're a freak Ava" Kelly giggled completely hammered "You know it, I know it. The whole town freaking knows it-"

"Whoa hold on now, how is she a freak?" Damon asked

"She knows things about people and-"

"Probably it's because she listens" a new voice cut her off "now fuck off Donavan, your mere presence is killing my brain cells" Claudine spat appearing in front of her granddaughter

"Oh get off your high horse Xenia, you always hated me-"

"No, not always. My hate for you came when you walked out on your kids" the silver haired woman waved the bartender over and ordered herself a drink "now kindly fuck off-"

"Gran-"Ava hissed her cheeks were growing hot she could tell that everyone was looking at this exchange.

"What did you say?" Kelly snarled and was about to lunge forward but Damon grabbed her arm

"Let's go-"

"The company isn't as good"

"Damon" Claudine yelled "after you've done the dirty make sure-"

"You disinfect yourself, she's been everywhere" with that the two Xenias cracked up in laughter. Damon stifled his own laughter hearing them and dragged Kelly out.

"Oh Ava-"

"You're not going to scold me are you?"

"Cheers Steve" the elderly woman winked at the barman who nodded and rushed off to greet another customer "No, I'm proud, my sharp tongue girl" Ava wriggled when she dropped a wet kiss on her cheek,

"Is Jenna-"

"Claudine" Jenna slurred and giggled loudly

"Hey Jen-Steve call a cab please"

"Sure"

"Claudine-"

"You my sweet are drunk" Claudine uttered but laughed seeing the look on Jenna's face

"Ssh don't tell anyone" Jenna whispered "I'm off home-"

"Hold up, we'll come just going to pop to the ladies" Claudine downed the rest of her drink and hurried off.

"Oh god is it me or is it hot? Like hot, hot, hot-"

"Jenna why don't you step outside to wait for the cab for us" Ava suggested "You-"

"Perfect" Jenna staggered off.

Ava shook her head and grabbed her bag, she jumped off the stool and bumped into someone and cringed hearing something shatter

"Oh this is turning into a theme"

"Dude seriously back off" Ava recognised his voice as the guy who she bumped into earlier where Stefan and Matt both intervened.

"Seriously wanting you to make me" he stepped up to her. Ava backed up against the bar "I know a way you can pay me back" he grinned lecherously, she was completely on her own, she swallowed when she felt his breath against her ear

"I got a way" without further ado Ava slam her head hard against him and heard a loud crunch. The man cried out and clutched his nose

"Broke my nose-"

Ava's temple was throbbing as the man stumbled back

"Hey" it was the guy's companion "you little bitch fuck-"he went to lunge forward but before he could something slammed hard against his head

"You're the bitch" Claudine had witnessed the scene and slammed a beer bottle against the back of the man's head. He dropped to the ground "Erm Ava….I think there's more duck" Ava dropped to her knees, she could hear shouting and smashing.

She crawled forward her bag slung over her shoulder and her cane was in her hand, Ava yelped when she felt someone shove her

"Come ON" Claudine grabbed her hand and they legged it out of the bar, Ava felt the breeze hit her skin

"Gran-"

"Hold the phone Jenna's got herself a guy-"

"But what happened?"

"Yeah it was a biker group and well lots and lots of things got smashed-"she linked her arm through hers, "Jenna who's your friend-"

"Erm-"

"Hi-"

"He's my rescuer, I don't have to go home with one heel" Jenna giggled,

"Oh nice of you-"

"I'm sorry who are you?" the man asked, Ava frowned attempting to recall the voice she knew it, she did it.

"Claudine Xenia-"

"Xenia-"there was a loud honking indicating that the cab was here

"Yes and-"

"Gran let's go" Ava hissed

"Ava don't be…" she trailed off seeing the look on the petite teen's face "Nice to meet you, bye" with that she dragged both a drunk Jenna and a pale face Ava over to the cab. The trio of women clamoured in, Claudine gave the driver their address and soon enough they were on their way home

"What happened back there Ava? With the guy-don't lie"

Ava sighed "Is Jen-"

"Passed out, god she's a lightweight now spill" Claudine ordered whilst checking to make sure Ava was buckled in.

Ava crooked her finger and gestured for her to lean down "The guy" she whispered "is a vampire"

"Shut up-"

"You shut up-"

"Honey I'm shocked" Claudine frowned great she thought another vamp in town.

"So?"

"We can't do anything" she uttered. Ava sighed and leant back in her seat knowing she was right, at least Stefan knew. "Oh shit-"

"What?" Ava frowned

"I didn't pay for my drink" she muttered.

Ava rolled her eyes and the car turned left "What happened? Back there I thought-"

"Yeah you head butted the leader of a biker gang-"

"And you?" she idly rubbed her temple

"I smashed a beer bottle against his right hand man" Claudine grinned

"And-"

"Yeah-"

"We started a bar fight didn't we?" Ava asked a grin also coming on to her face

"Yeah we did" she laughed

"And you sound proud?"

"I am, only three bar fights this year" Claudine laughed as the came to a stop outside the home.

"A new record-"

"Hell yeah. Now I'm going to set a movie up, I fancy some Harrison-"she rushed out of the cab running up the porch steps

"Did she-"

"Yeah kid she legged it" the driver chuckled. "So who's paying?"

Ava bit her lip and grinned remembering who she was next to her "Jenna" shook her awake

"Huh? What?" Jenna jumped up and groaned when she slammed the top of her head against the cab roof

"You got to pay the fare-"

"Oh-"

"And you own me fifty bucks-"

"AVA DON'T MILK IT" Claudine screeched from the doorway

"Ava-"

"Bye" Ava ran out of the cab, Jenna could hear a thump and a large 'ow' and then a cackle of laughter.

"Did she?" Jenna frowned handing the cash over.

"The kid legged it and then fell, and her granny is cracking up. Are they both drunk?"

Jenna snorted and slammed the car door shut "No that's how they are" she walked up to her porch and was about to slam the door but heard

"GRAN NO-"

"HONEY I DON'T GIVE TWO SHITS WE'RE HAVING AN INDIANA JONES MARATHON"

Jenna laughed and shut her door behind her.

Ava slumped in her seat beside Claudine "Here" Gran placed a bowl of popcorn in front of her which cheered her up somewhat. For the rest of the night the pair did have an Indiana Jones marathon. Halfway through the next movie Ava was out cold.

Claudine shook her head and dropped a quilt over her making her stir. The petite blond snuggled against her Gran and succumb to sleep.


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

So in this Chap-We witness Claudine's wake up call. There's an array of moments between Ava and Claudine throughout. Stefan and Ava go to Art class, where she manages to start a fight between Tiki and her boyfriend. Caroline suggest a double date and brushes Ava off. She feels left out. Stefan learns that Claudine started a bar fight. Ava goes home. But ends up at the grill later, there some Damon and Ava moments. Kelly isn't nice. Jenna defends her. Ava manages to anger a biker but Stefan comes to her rescue. Kelly calls her a freak, Claudine appears. Ava and Claudine start a bar fight and leg it. Ava makes Jenna pay for the cab. and her and Claudine have a movie marathon.

Next Chap-A rescue mission. With Ava involve it doesn't go smoothly.

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