Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter 16
There Goes the Neighbourhood
"Hey Beth-Anne," Anna cheerfully greets one of the tomb vampires before pausing to see what they're doing, "What are you guys watching? You guys have been watching the same thing the whole time? There are over one hundred and fifty channels," she explains picking up the remote, "its called a remote control. The button changes the channel. Hold it like this," Anna instructs, helping the vampire, before disappearing into the kitchen.
There she finds Frederick feeding off the house owner Miss Gibbons, "Did you get enough sweetheart?" she asks kindly as he takes his fangs out.
"For now," Frederick responds coldly.
"Anna are you hungry, do you want a little?" she questions turning to Anna with a smile on her face.
Anna smiles at her, "No thank you Miss Gibbons. Why don't you lie down for a while and get some rest?" she suggests kindly.
"She's fine, aren't you Miss Gibbons?" Frederick compels her.
"Of course I am, I'm fine," Miss Gibbons assures Anna before leaving. Anna and Frederick look at each other both equally unhappy as the other.
"You know as much as I love nature, I'm not entirely sure I want to be near the woods so early," I tell Daniel joining him on a picnic table.
Daniel laughs, "Sorry we have cousins visiting," he explains, as he sees me about to ask why he shakes his head, "don't ask."
I nod even though I was still curious, "Okay well what are we doing?" I question.
"Talking, you've been so busy I wanted to check you were alright about your mother," Daniel admits giving me a concerned smile. I close my eyes trying not to think about my possible vampire mother or my possible dead mother both options weren't comforting.
"You know what I don't want to think about, I have a great family I don't know why I'm wasting my time trying to think about one I'll never have," I say to him, trying to put up a brave front in the hopes it might actually be true.
"Its okay to mourn her," Daniel says to me gently.
I take a deep breath, "I know," I reply looking into the sun.
"Hey, mom, mom," Matt calls as he knocks loudly on his mother's door, trying to awaken her, "mom."
"What? I'm trying to sleep," Kelly snaps irritated as she opens the door.
"I was just making sure you were alive," Matt tells her.
Kelly's face softens, "I'm sorry sweetie. It was a late night. My head is throbbing," she explains to him.
Matt sighs, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't bring the party home, and I'm pretty sure the neighbours would appreciate to," he informs her coldly.
"It wasn't a party, it was one guy, don't be so judgy," Kelly snaps, upset about her son's behavior.
"Well, I talked to Roberta at the Grill and there's still a bartending position open if you want to," Matt pauses, looking at his mother, "get a job."
"I figured she'd still be pissed about last time I worked there," Kelly says in surprise.
Matt shrugs, "I think she's desperate," he guesses.
"I'll check it out," she tells him.
"Yeah?" Matt questions in surprise.
"Don't act so surprised," Kelly accuses him smiling.
"Well I mean, I didn't know how long you were planning on sticking around," Matt admits.
"Well, theres a back rent due," Kelly mutters.
"There's back everything due mom," Matt corrects her.
"Like I said I'll check it out," she assures him, as a knocking sound flies through the house, "who's that?" Kelly asks curiously.
"It's Caroline," Matt tells her as Kelly makes a face at the name, "easy," Matt cautions her, to which Kelly raises her eyebrows, "come in," Matt calls.
"Hi, Mrs Donovan," Caroline greets Kelly cheerfully as she walks in. Kelly gives her a look before leaving the room.
"Hey, ok. Well we're going to be late. So let's get going," Matt suggests seeing Caroline's down heartened face.
"Yeah," Caroline agrees slowly.
"Hey," Matt greets her again smiling.
Caroline smiles back, "Hey," she replies.
"How are you?" he questions concerned.
"Good," Caroline tells him.
"Damon hasn't said a word to me. Everytime I try to talk to him he shuts me down," Stefan explains to Elena as they stand in halls of Mystic Falls High School.
"Do you think he's still trying to find them?" Elena asks curiously.
Stefan sighs, "I don't know," he admits honestly, "he waited a hundred and forty five years only to find out they didn't care less. I mean its got to hurt right?"
"And it couldn't of happened to a nicer guy," Elena snaps in annoyance thinking about her birth mother.
"You have every reason to be upset with him. Have you thought about what you're going to do?" Stefan questions her concerned.
"About what? Isobel, my vampire birth mother, who's related to my vampire ancestors Katherine and Rose, who screwed over your vampire brother? Nah I haven't thought about it at all," Elena tells him her voice laced with sarcasm.
"I'm sorry I brought it up," Stefan apologizes.
"It'd just be nice if we could get through one day without having to deal with any of it, no vampire brother or mother," Elena says to him tiredly.
"No vampires at all?" Stefan questions smiling.
"No vampires but you," Elena assures him grinning, "I just want to get back to normal stuff like school and homework and here's a thought fun."
"Oh that's sounds good to me when do we start?" Stefan questions smiling, as they both laugh.
"We can watch a movie at my place," Matt suggests to Caroline as they walk through the halls.
"With your mum and a six pack?" Caroline questions.
Matt sighs, "You know you don't really help the situation. You could at least try to be nice," Matt suggests nervously.
Caroline gives him a look, "Oh I'm sorry. Its hard for me to show kindness to people who hate me, I'm not that evolved," she tells him, annoyed at the suggestion. Matt hardly hears her words drawn by the site of Elena and Stefan as they kiss each other, Caroline follows his gaze hurt by what he was looking at.
"So, a movie tonight?" she suggests turning back to Matt.
"Whatever you want to do its good for me, but I'm late and I've got to go," he tells her, his attention refocusing.
"Ok," Caroline agrees quietly, leaning in for a kiss but Matt walks away before she can.
"The keypad if for texting which is what you do when you want to avoid talking to someone," Pearl explains to Harper as she shows him Anna's mobile. Harper takes it in awe pressing a button as the phone goes off a text from Jeremy.
"I didn't break it, I swear," he says frightened as Anna rushes over taking it from him.
"I was just showing Harper what you taught me," Pearl explains to Anna, "what a marvellous device."
"Who was that?" Harper questions curious.
"Jeremy Gilbert," Anna replies.
"Is that your boyfriend?" he asks her.
"Of course not," Pearl replies icily before Anna can say anything. Standing up she looks at her daughter, "What do you think?" she questions gesturing to her outfit.
"Very respectable," Anna tells her smiling.
"That's the goal, can't say I miss the corsets," Pearl comments, looking down at herself.
"Susie Sunshine gave me her keys and her ATM card," Anna explains grinning.
Pearl frowns at the foreign words, "What's that?" she questions confused.
Anna sighs, continually forgetting the things her mother didn't know, "I'll explain later," she assures her tiredly.
"Where are you going?" Fredrick calls to the two of them as they walk out of the room.
"We have some business in town. We'll be back as soon as we can, I trust you'll keep an eye on things," Pearl says.
"So I'm the baby sitter now," Fredrick hisses in annoyance.
Pearl sends him a look, "Fredrick if this going to work we have to cooperate with other another," she explains to him as if he is a child.
"So your saying," Fredrick begins coldly, "I'll watch things Miss Pearl," Harper interrupts sensing the discontent.
Pearl sends him a thankful look, "Thank you Harper," she tells him sincerely.
"What are we talking about?" I question nervously as I walk up to where Caroline is talking animatedly to Elena and Stefan. I desperately needed to tell her that me and Elena were related but I couldn't work out the right way to do it, besides I was afraid she'd react badly. "A double date," Elena explains giving me a small smile.
I look between the three of them, "Won't that be awkward, I mean considering Matt," I start before Caroline glares at me, "Elouise stop talking."
"Sorry," I squeak, knowing I shouldn't have brought it up.
Elena eyes light up as if she's just had a great idea, "Why don't you come to Elouise?" she suggests.
I frown, "Yeah I'm not into being a fifth wheel besides me and Daniel will probably be doing something," I tell them, looking for an out. The last thing I wanted was to deal with all that awkwardness.
"Actually that's a great idea, just bring Daniel," Caroline tells me.
"How is it a great idea?" I question confused.
"Elouise it should be fun," Stefan adds giving me a smile.
"No," I deadpan it wasn't going to happen, before my eyes strayed to all of their faces, "fine," I cave at their looks. Although I figured convincing Daniel wasn't going to be as easy.
"Hello Damon," Anna and Pearl greet Damon as he walks into the Salvatore Boarding House where they stand waiting.
"Ever hear of knocking," Damon suggests annoyed at their rude intrusion.
"An invitation wasn't necessary, I'm surprised that no living person resides here. Is it just you and your brother?" she inquires curiously.
"Yeah, how do you keep pit unwelcome vampires?" Anna questions ass well feigning the same curiosity as her mother.
"I kill them," Damon says simply, rushing towards Pearl as he attempts to strangle her. Pearl easily overpowers him grabbing his wrist and forcing him to the ground.
"Have a sit, Damon, I was hoping we could have a word," she tells him pleasantly.
"Sure," Damon agrees realizing he is outmatched.
Meanwhile in the Gilbert house Jeremy is busy chatting on a vampire website in the hopes to find out more. "How do you become a vampire?" he questions the site waiting patiently for an answer. "Brad Pitt changed me," one person responds. "Go to Vegas ask for Wayne Newton," another replies. Jeremy rolls his eyes at the joke answers deciding on another question, "How do you kill a vampire?" "The blood of Paula Abdul," one of them says as a joke. "Serious answers only please," Jeremy requests. "Stake in the heart always works," one responds seriously. "You're a believer?" Jeremy types in surprise. "Aren't you?" the response comes back to him.
"We've been taking residence at a farmhouse just outside of town, it'll suffice for now," Pearl explains to Damon as they talk.
"All 25 vampires?" Damon questions in surprise at the thought of them all living together.
"Not at all. I imagine that a few have already left town. Others are probably still in the woods or like us acclimating," Pearl informs Damon.
Damon looks from Pearl to Anna before asking the question that had been on his mind, "How'd they get out of the tomb?" he asks.
Anna shrugs, "I think the witch screwed up that part of her hocus pocus," she guesses.
"I understand from Anna that the founding families still have a secret council?" Pearl questions, turning the conversation back onto topic.
"And you're part of it," Anna adds.
"That's ridiculous," Damon exclaims, faking shock at the accusation.
"I've been in Mystic Falls since the comet, I'm up to speed," Anna tells him.
"And so am I," Pearl adds sternly, "and now since you've infiltrated the council, I'll need to know everything they know. Starting with a list names of all the council members and their families," she demands.
"And everyone you've supplied with vervain," Anna puts in.
"Yes, that will have to stop immediately," Pearl agrees.
Damon looks at both of them in confusion, "What exactly are you trying to achieve?" he questions them.
Pearl shrugs as if he should possibly know, "Mystic Falls is our home, Damon. They took that from us. Our land, our home. Its time we rebuild," Pearl explains simply.
"What are you crazy?" Damon questions giving her a look, "it was 1864. Wake up woman, the world has moved on."
Pearl sighs, "As a reward for your help I'm willing to give you what you want most," she promises.
"I want nothing," he denies quickly, and firmly.
"Katherine," Pearl tells him.
Damon looks up at the name, "You wouldn't even know where she was. You've been under ground for the century and a half," he reminds her harshly.
"Katherine and I were best friends long before we came to Mystic Falls, Damon, I know how she thinks, I know her patterns, I know where to find her," she promises him.
Damon shakes his head, forcing away the thoughts of Katherine and her betrayal, "I no longer have any desire to see Katherine ever again. And there's no way in hell I'm going to play the role of your little minion," Damon hisses at her, tired of this conversation, standing up signify the end of it.
Pearl stands up as well forcing Damon back onto the couch, "I'm not asking for your help Damon. Finding Katherine was a mere gesture of kindness, the rest is non negotiable," Pearl informs Damon, putting her fingers into his eyes as she forces him off the couch onto the ground, "I have four hundred years on you, little boy. I'll rip you from limb to limb without even blinking and you know it. I'll be in touch," she says as she releases him.
"Ahh why are we doing this?" Daniel asks me as I wait outside his room. To be honest I didn't know, maybe it was because even the suggestion of possibly dropping out had been shut down immediately by Caroline. She actually believed because I was friends with Elena and Stefan I might be able to stop the awkwardness that was bound to come, but I wouldn't. Although it felt nice to worry about something normal.
"I'm trying to not be killed by Caroline in my sleep," I try as Daniel steps out. He takes a second to pause on my appearance; self-consciously I tug at my dress.
"Its weird when you do the whole dress like a girl thing," he comments, putting his hands into his pocket.
I glare at him, "Are you implying that normally I don't dress like a girl?" I question, in fake offence.
Daniel rolls his eyes, "Seriously Elouise," he says smiling.
I laugh lightly, "Fine its weird, Caroline," I explain, rolling my eyes.
"Is it just me or is she softening?" Daniel asks me jokingly.
"No its not just you but don't say anything it might ruin it," I tell him firmly, linking my arm through his.
He gives me an odd look at the gesture, "What technically we're on a date, I will demand chocolates," I tell him grinning.
"Elouise, you're an idiot," he informs me.
"I'll take that as a compliment," I reply, "but I still want the chocolate."
"You got me flowers," Elena exclaims as she opens the door to see Stefan holding flowers.
"I figured it was a date," Stefan says shrugging, "I would have driven but you're the one with the car."
Elena smiles taking the flowers as she sniffs their scent, "You know, you think that for someone who was around when the car was invented you would have one," she tells him.
"Oh I have one, I just never drive it," Stefan informs smiling.
"You know its not too late to cancel," Elena suggests softly.
"Why would we do that?" Stefan questions confused.
"I don't know, it just seems surreal, like maybe we weren't meant to get the normal part," she admits sadly.
"That's exactly why we're going to do it. We're going to go out, have some fun and try to remember that we don't have to be serious," Stefan tells her firmly, holding her shoulders, "listen when I decided to stay here and to get to know you, its so I could do things like this. Bring my girlfriend flowers, take her out on a date, and try to be normal."
Elena sighs smiling at Stefan, "Fine, besides we can't leave Elouise alone," she reminds Stefan thinking about the girl.
Stefan laughs, "Yeah somehow I don't fancy a stake in my heart," he jokes, putting his arms around Elena.
"Miss Sommers," Pearl calls as Jenna stands outside of her brother's in law's old office.
"Yes hi Pearl," Jenna greets turning around to face her.
"Hi this is my daughter, Annabelle," Pearl introduces Anna.
Jenna's eyes light up in recognition, "Of course, Jeremy's friend," she says.
"Nice to see you, Miss Sommers," Anna replies politely smiling.
"Oh Jenna please. This property was in my brother and law's family for generations," she explains, "its one of the original structures of Mystic Falls. It used to be one of those old fashioned drug store thingies."
"An apothecary," Pearl corrects her.
"Yeah," Jenna confirms.
"You don't say," Pearl murmurs to herself thinking of the time when it was once her own shop.
"Sorry if it's a little bit musty," Jenna apologizes as Anna's eyes catch Jeremy in the distance, "no one has been here for months."
"I'll use my imagination," Pearl assures her, "Annabelle?" she questions as her daughter's eyes stay on Jeremy Gilbert.
"I'm coming mother," Anna says turning her eyes away as they walk inside.
"Whats with the glasses inside?" Kelly questions as Damon occupies the seat next to her.
"My eyes were a little sensitive today," Damon tells her.
"You're new around here," Kelly comments looking Damon over.
Damon smirks at the comment, "On the contrary I'm very old," he corrects her, "bourbon, neat," he tells the bartender.
"I haven't be gone that long. I'd remember someone who looked like you," Kelly argues.
"Yeah, where did you go?" Damon asks her, turning to face her.
Kelly shrugs, "Around about," she replies.
"I've been there," Damon tells her smiling.
Kelly smiles back, "I love to see a man drown his sorrows, its very sexy," she flirts, moving closer to Damon.
"Its more like nursing my words," he corrects her, "and you?"
"I was supposed to be interviewing for the bartender job but I think the manager blew me off," Kelly informs her, hardly seeming to care.
"Well that's not very nice," Damon comments.
"Yeah, last time I was in town I slept with her boyfriend," Kelly explains.
"That's not very nice either," he replies, taking a sip of his drink.
"It happens," Kelly says shrugging.
"It does," Damon agrees as Jenna approaches.
"Kelly, Kelly Donovan?" she questions in surprise looking at her old friend.
"Jenna," Kelly exclaims pulling her into a hug.
"I heard you were back in town," she says turning to Damon, "she used to babysit me," Jenna explains.
Kelly laughs, "And then I used to party with her," she adds.
Jenna laughs at the memories, "This woman is crazy," she exclaims.
"Not as crazy as you," Kelly argues.
Jenna shakes her head sadly, "I'm not any more," she tells Kelly.
"Well, sit, drink," Kelly invites tapping the spot next to her.
"I shouldn't, I'm more responsible now. Haven't you heard?" Jenna questions her even though her resolve was shaking.
"Well take a night off its good for the soul," Kelly tells her.
"Great for the soul," Damon agrees.
Jenna sighs beside the two of them, "This is not going to end well," she comments.
Damon smirks, "Can't wait," he says raising his glass.
"I hate this house," Frederick announces as he paces in annoyance.
"Its better than the tomb," Beth-Anne reminds him, shivering at the thought of all they had suffered in there.
"I didn't stay locked up for a hundred and forty five years to end up locked in here," Frederick growls angrily.
"Maybe you should quit complaining," Harper suggests from where he stands near the door.
Fredrick glares at him, walking over to stand in front of him, "You going to stop me?"
"Let it be Fredrick, you heard what Pearl said," Beth-Anne cautions her friend.
"I don't care what Pearl said," Fredrick hisses, "what you got boy?" Harper walks forward pushing Fredrick down on the couch, in a flash Fredrick gets up pinning Harper against the wall. "Try that again," he taunts.
"Back off, back off," Pearl warns as she arrives her hands clenching against Fredrick's neck, "we don't fight each other. Those are the rules."
Fredrick pushes her away angrily, "And I'm tired of your rules. I want out of this house," he shouts, "why can't we go out on the town?"
Pearl sighs, "Eventually, but for now we have to keep a low profile," she tells him.
"No one knows who I am," Fredrick argues.
"The Salvatore's do," Pearl reminds him.
"And I wish to hell that I could run into them. They are the reason we were caught in the first place," Fredrick hisses.
"So Matt how do you like working here?" Elena questions Matt as the six of us sit around the table.
"Its not that bad. Wait staff is pretty good and they can't keep a bartender to save their lives. I actually put my mum up for the job," Matt tells us. I frown at the words I didn't even realize Matt's mother was still around, I kind of figured she'd died or something. "How has that been? Having Kelly back?" Elena asks genuinely concerned.
Matt shrugs, "You know same old Kelly. She's trying sort of," Matt tells her.
"Kelly and my mom were best friends. That's how Matt and I first, we shared a crib together," Elena explains to us.
"You're kidding?" Stefan questions in surprise. I frowned, I didn't really know that, for the first time it struck me how little I actually knew about these people. I guess I was so busy trying not to be noticed by people I forgot to notice them.
"No we have known each other our whole lives," Elena tells him smiling. I watch Caroline from the corner of my eye as she sighs, I couldn't really blame her it was turning into the Elena and Matt show. Daniel hits my arm and I turn around with everyone else as our eyes spot Damon, Jenna and my mind Kelly Matt's mum who wasn't dead, drinking. I don't know why but I almost felt annoyed when I saw them and I couldn't figure out why.
"Where are you going?" Harper questions Beth-Anne and Fredrick as they make their way to the door.
"Beth-Anne and I are going out for a bit. Hit the town, kick up our heels," Fredrick tells him as if daring him to argue with him.
"We're not supposed to leave. Miss Pearl made that very clear," Harper reminds him meekly.
"You're going to stop me?" Fredrick questions holding his arms open, "didn't think so," he says as Harper remains still.
"Anna?" Jeremy questions confused as he opens the door to reveal the vampire.
"Surprised," Anna replies grinning.
"I thought you and your mom were leaving town," Jeremy says to her.
"Change of plans, I thought you'd be psyched," she responds slightly hurt at his reception.
"No, no, no I am. Of course I am," Jeremy assures her quickly.
"Alright then, step aside," Anna tells him, stepping in the house.
"At least they're having fun," Caroline comments as we play pool. I follow her gaze to see the three adults getting drunk.
"They're drunk," I hiss in annoyance, although still unsure of why I'm annoyed.
"Why so upset?" Caroline questions innocently.
I glare at her, "I'm not upset, I'm just stating fact," I tell her, embarrassed at the sudden attention.
"Right," Caroline replies sarcastically.
"Hey, remember when Elena's parent's busted us here after the homecoming?" Matt asks them, interrupting us.
Caroline bursts into laughter, "Oh my god yes," she exclaims.
"Here comes the stories that we have no idea about," Daniel says as I step back to stand next to him.
"Well its not just us Stefan as well," I remind him.
"Well we were wasted it was the first time I ever got drunk. I blame Matt," Elena reminisces.
"Her parent got seated at the next booth," Matt tells us.
"And Matt had to pretend I was choking so we could get away," Elena recounts, giggling at the memory.
"Except that her dad was a doctor so he jumped up to save her," Matt adds.
"And so I ran, slipped on the wet floor and bit it in front of everyone. Do you remember that? Three stiches and a hangover for days and I was grounded from seeing this once," Elena tells us looking at Matt, "for a week." They both laugh at each other.
"I'm going to go to the restroom," Caroline announces, "Elena," she says.
"I have to go to," I add, considering I had wanted to go for ages now.
"What made you and your mom decide to stay in town?" Jeremy questions Anna.
"She got this business opportunity; she's going to open up a little store," Anna explains, "its always been her dream. So yeah we're staying. And I'm thinking about going to high school, so you'll be seeing a little more of me."
"Yeah?" Jeremy asks surprised.
Anna nods, "Enough of home schooling. I'd like to be a normal teen for once. But I have to ask my mum first, no doubt she'll have an opinion," Anna mutters.
Jeremy smiles, "Well, I wish you were there now," he admits, "I actually have to write another paper. I was thinking about squeezing one more out on "the vampire in Mystic Falls."
Anna immediately frowns at his idea, "Really, haven't you already exhausted that subject?" she asks innocently.
"No I want to go deeper you know. I want to understand why people were labelled as vampires back in the day. I mean, maybe there's such a thing as vampires, they're just different from the way we always thought they were," Jeremy muses his eyes on Anna's face.
"What do you mean?" Anna asks curiously.
"Well, maybe they're normal and good, just outsiders you know? Umm misunderstood," he tells her.
Anna's eyes widen in shock, "You're kidding right?" she questions him.
"Don't you think it could be possible? You gave me all that info," he reminds her.
Anna sighs realizing she couldn't let this go on any longer, "Jeremy I made it up ok," she lies, "you were all cute and floppy and I wanted to make a good impression."
"Is there anything you're not good at?" Matt questions Stefan as the three guys stand around the pool table.
"Triple dating," he admits.
"I don't think anyone's good at this," Daniel comments, thinking of the night so far.
"Yeah its just I usually keep to myself, I don't always fit in," he tells them.
"That's because you're that guy," Matt says to him.
"What guy?" Stefan questions confused.
"The guy who seems like he has everything," Daniel explains to him.
"So the people that don't, kind of run the other way," Matt adds.
"Is that what I seem like?" he asks the two of them in surprise.
"Pretty much," Matt confirms.
"Yeah," Daniel agrees.
"Hmm, what a dick," Stefan comments causing them all to smile.
I turn the tap on startled to see Caroline all of a sudden in the middle of me and Elena. "What are you two doing?" she questions.
"Washing my hands," I answer confused, was it not obvious.
Caroline glares at me, "Well the point of this is to show how much you care about Stefan," she reminds Elena before turning back to me, "and you're me to be diverting conversation when certain people decide to hopscotch down memory lane," Caroline hisses.
"That's the worst job for me, I'm a horrible conversation diverter," I complain.
"Try harder," she hisses at me, "and try less," she snaps at Elena before storming out.
"I'll go," Elena tells me before disappearing to follow her. I wasn't even sure why Caroline was annoyed, she knew I wasn't good at talking in big groups.
I sigh drying my hands as I walk out, "Rose," someone says grabbing my hands.
"Um I think you have the wrong person," I murmur attempting to remove my hands.
"Elouise," Elena calls to me as she stands next to Caroline.
"My mistake," he tells me releasing my hands. I rub them wondering what just happened before I realize, Rose as in my doppelganger. Cautiously I pull out my phone texting Stefan writing that guy over there just called me Rose. Stefan glances over as he sees my text he steps towards them but they're already gone.
"Are you okay?" Daniel questions me concerned.
"Fine great," I tell him, giving out the best smile I could muster.
"So you didn't recognize him, you haven't seen him before?" Stefan questions me as we stand with Elena outside having managed to get away from the others.
"No, Stefan he grabbed my hands like we were familiar, I've never been that familiar with someone," I tell him, glancing around nervously.
Elena puts a hand on my shoulder in comfort, "Right lets call it night, send everyone home," Stefan suggest as Elena nods.
I shake my head, "No way, you guys wanted a normal night that meant not dealing with this so let's not deal," I argue.
"You're sure?" Elena asks me.
"Completely, look here they come," I say nodding my head over.
"This is a thousand times better than watching Damon visit cougar town," I tell them happily as we step into the Boarding house, "oh my gosh no offence, I'm super sorry," I say to Matt as he realized I was talking about his mum.
Matt shakes his head, "Its fine, just don't remind me," he tells me.
"Man I've always wanted to see what this place looks like," Daniel comments changing the subject to my relief.
"Yeah I guess it's a bit much," Stefan agrees.
"Yeah my entire house could fit in here like twice," Matt says, looking around. I followed their gazes I wondered when this place had become so familiar to me, I never would have imagined it would.
"Feel like I've been here before its weird," Caroline murmurs.
"Movie, we should watch a movie," I exclaim feeling instant guilt at Caroline's words. There was just too much stuff I wasn't telling her and Daniel, although with Daniel I knew it was only a matter of time.
"Whoa these are great," Matt comments walking over to the miniature car collection.
"This is uh a little hobby of mine," Stefan admits to us.
"I did the entire Mustang series when I was five," Matt says proudly causing me to smile.
"You like cars?" Stefan questions surprised.
"Its an understatement," Matt tells him.
Stefan smiles in knowledge, "Come with me," he says.
"So the thing about cherries, you have," Damon begins but Kelly places a single finger on Damon's mouth, placing a cherry in her own, "oh my goodness," Damon breathes leaning forward to remove the cherry with his own mouth.
"That's amazing you were fast," he tells her.
"That would be my queue," Jenna comments grabbing her stuff.
"You're giving up already?" Kelly questions even though her eyes remained on Damon.
"Oh yeah, see you guys," she says as she walks away from them.
"Prepare yourself, my friend," Stefan says before pulling the tarp off an old looking red car.
Matt circles around it in shock, "Wait, how you have this?" he asks shocked.
"Got passed down through the family," Stefan says or probably more accurately lied, another one of his collectibles over his years of being a vampire I guessed. Matt opens the door looking on the inside,
"Why don't you drive it?" Daniel questions from beside me in confusion.
"Well it doesn't run," Stefan explains.
"Why would you keep a car that doesn't run?" Caroline asks, her tone implying she really had no idea.
"Be more of a girl right now?" Matt says sarcastically causing Caroline to laugh.
"Hey want to come take a look at this for me?" Stefan asks him, standing near the engine.
"Elena remember the old Cameo your dad used to drive?" Matt questions her.
"Of course," Elena says in memory.
"I built and rebuilt that engine like 20 times," he recounts.
"Wow," Stefan comments.
"I don't like sports cars they're two hard to make out in," Caroline suddenly says.
"It wasn't that bad," Matt argues looking at Elena. My eyes widen as he says it, unbelieving he just went there, Caroline walks out of the garage upset and this time Elena and I both follow her.
As Jenna walks out of the Grill, she stumbles as the heel on her foot breaks. "Need some help?" a voice calls out as Fredrick steps out of the darkness.
"Damn it, stupid shoe," Jenna curses in annoyance.
"Pick up your other foot," Fredrick tells her grabbing the shoe and breaking the heel he hands it over to Jenna.
"Thanks I think," Jenna murmurs taking it.
"Was that Damon Salvatore you were with?" Fredrick questions curiously.
"The one and only, you know him?" Jenna asks.
"We go way back," Fredrick tells her, "he still live out by Miller Lane?"
"He lives in the old boarding house by Wickery Bridge. He's still in there if you want to say hi," Jenna says to him.
Fredrick shakes his head, "I prefer to stay here and talk to you," he tells her.
"Oh nice, very smooth with the shoe and the flirt," Jenna comments in realization, "but I'm a little drunk and a guy plus drunk me equals very bad things."
Fredrick leans closer to her face looking in her eyes, "I'm pretty sure you'd like it," he attempts to compel her.
Jenna bursts into laughter at his words, "Sorry that was a seriously lame pick up line," she tells him.
"That is a nice scent you wear. What is it?" Fredrick questions recognizing the effects of vervain.
"I don't know," she tells him shrugging, confused at the switch in conversation, "it was a gift and that is a cab so," she mutters walking past Fredrick and leaving. Beth-Anne comes out of the shadows to stand next to Fredrick as they watch her leave.
"Vervain, making it hard to find something to eat in this town," Fredrick hisses in annoyance.
"Caroline," Elena says gently as we arrive at where she stands.
"I don't want to talk about it," she tells us.
"You're being ridiculous," Elena replies.
"And insecure and stupid," Caroline adds, "but that doesn't change the fact that Matt's always going to be in love with you and I'm always going to be the back up." I felt truly bad for her Caroline wasn't openly insecure a lot but I kind of always thought she wasn't this bad. Maybe it was something I hadn't noticed about myself, even though shy, I was comfortable with who I am.
"You're not the back up," Elena exclaims.
"Yes, I'm Matts Elena back up; I'm your Bonnie back up," she complains turning to me, "I'm even your Elena back up." My eyes widen at the assumption I knew she wasn't happy about the amount of time we were spending together but still.
"Me and Elena are cousins," I say before I can stop myself.
"What?" Caroline exclaims in shock.
"We found our mothers, mine's dead, its nothing big and me and Elena's mothers were twins," I explain wishing I hadn't brought it up.
Caroline eyes soften just a little bit before bringing me into a hug, "I'm sorry," she says sincerely.
I shrug, "Its fine I like my family now and despite some of your more selfish ways you'd always be my first choice for sister," I tell her truthfully, although I would have never admitted it any other circumstances.
"Piece of cake," Matt calls as him, Stefan, and Daniel show up in the car.
"You know what? Why don't you guys go ahead and take it for a spin?" Stefan suggests.
"Really?" Matt asks surprised.
"Yeah," Stefan tells him. Caroline steps into the car as they drive home.
"Never allow me to talk you into this again," I order Daniel, this whole night had been a disaster.
"You don't have to ask twice," Daniel agrees.
"Alright, roast beef, turkey, what do you want?" Jeremy questions as him and Anna are in the kitchen.
"Lets do the works, pile it high," Anna tells him smiling.
"Ok, I like your style, can you grab the bread for me?" he asks her.
"Okay," Anna says as she turns away Jeremy pulls out the knife cutting his palm with it.
"What are you doing?" Anna questions concerned at the blood.
"Its just a cut," Jeremy shrugs, "can you pass me that towel?"
Anna stares at him uncomfortable, "I can't," she mutters.
"You got a problem with blood, Anna?" Jeremy asks her, staring at her face, he shows her his bloody hand moving forward, "its just blood Anna."
Anna grabs him by the neck pushing him against the fridge, "What are you doing?" she hisses as her face begins to change.
"I knew it," Jeremy says in triumph, "go for it," he tells her passing her his hand. Anna takes it unable to resist the blood she begins to drink, stopping suddenly as Jenna walks through the door. "Jenna, hey what's up," Jeremy says walking over to her.
"Regret make sure you lock up," Jenna tells him before going upstairs. Jeremy goes back to the kitchen to find Anna gone, looking down at his hand he smiles.
"Did I just pass the driveway?" Matt asks as him and Caroline drive.
"No, I think its just up there," Caroline tells him looking ahead.
"This is an amazing car. Did I pass?" he questions her at Caroline's confused look he continues, "the whole idea was obviously a test to see how I would do around Elena."
"I don't know, you were reminiscing about the Elena years the whole night," Caroline reminds him sadly.
"Caroline that stuff came before, its not just going to go away," he tells her.
"I know that okay, I know," Caroline replies in annoyance.
"No you don't, because you're letting Elena turn you into a crazy person. Look its my fault. I made it pretty clear early on that Elena still means something to me. But all that talk, that was just two old friends and some memories," Matt explains, "tonight wasn't about me and Elena. I was there because I wanted to be with you. And I don't know what that means or what we are but I do know that you are the only person I want to be in this car with right now. And I don't even know if that makes sense because I'm not really good at expressing myself."
"No, no I think you're doing just fine," Caroline assures him, leaning over to kiss her as her body hits against something.
"Sports cars," she complains.
"Yeah," Matt agrees as they kiss again.
I link my arm through Daniel's as we walk through the door shocked to see Damon with Kelly, who looked really ashamed. "I got to," Matt murmurs.
"Its fine just go," Caroline tells him.
"I'll take her home," Elena says to him.
"Thanks, man," Matt says to Stefan handing him the keys to the car. I glare over at Damon, anger boiling, I was so tired about not knowing how to feel about Damon. He just stares back at all of us, taking a swig from his bottle.
"Unbelievable," I hiss, storming out the door with Daniel in tow.
"Where have you been?" Pearl questions Anna as she walks in.
"I needed some air," Anna replies.
"For three hours? Tell me where have you been?" Pearl repeats her voice stern.
"Out, I was out," Anna snaps at her mother.
"Annabelle don't do this, I can't fight you too," Pearl pleads.
"I'm sorry," Anna murmurs hugging her mother.
"Sorry I'm bailing," Elena apologizes as Stefan walks her to the car.
"Just wish you would let me drive you home," he admits.
"Normal people don't have chaperones or bodyguards or baby sitters. We're normal tonight," she reminds him smiling.
"I know I just worry about you," Stefan tells her.
"Stefan I won't live every moment afraid someone is going to come after me. I won't, its not living," Elena says to him.
"Okay call me when you get home safe," he murmurs taking her face in his hands and kissing her deeply.
He opens the door for her as she gets in, "Bye Stefan," Caroline calls from the passenger seat.
"Goodbye," Stefan responds, watching as they drive off.
"Tonight was horrible, just plain bad," I comment as we sit on Daniel's porch.
"It could have been worse," Daniel replies.
"How?" I question, "and the end its like Damon ruins everything," I hiss.
"Yeah he kind of does, ah Elouise I want to tell you something its important so just listen," he says seriously to me.
I turn to him in surprise although my mind was still on Damon, my eyes widen as I think of something, "It wasn't jealously right, I'm not jealous, I don't like Damon, he's a monster, but what if I do," I muse, I shake my head at the very thought it was to horrifying, "sorry something important tell me."
Daniel shakes his head as well, "You know what its not important, not right now," he tells me standing up, "anyway I should probably head in."
"Right yeah sure," I murmur in confusion, "I'll see you tomorrow?" I ask.
"Of course," he replies walking inside leaving me to wonder what exactly just happened.
"Don't look at me like that," Damon complains as Stefan walks in.
"Are you crazy?" Stefan questions.
"Save the lecture, look," Damon starts but is interrupted as Fredrick jumps through the window, landing on Stefan as he slams a piece of glass into his body. Damon grabs him, forcing him off Stefan as they begin to fight. Beth-Anne walks through forcing Stefan to the ground, Stefan reaches his arm out snapping the leg of the wooden chair as he buries it into her heart. Damon throws Fredrick across the room. He stands up looking at the two brothers and then Beth-Anne before disappearing. "Damn it," Damon curses.
"I remember them from 1864, they were in the tomb," Stefan says.
"Yeah, about that," Damon mutters looking at his brother.
"Matt, Matt," Kelly calls as they arrive home.
"I don't want to hear it mom," Matt tells her upset.
"Matty, please," Kelly begs.
"Do you know what I was doing tonight, Mom? I was having fun, you know, trying to forget about all the crap that I have to deal with every day. Just enjoying a night with my friends. And then, there you are, wasted at the bar, where I work, by the way, to pay the bills that you don't pay. And then you're off acting like a freakin' kid, hooking up with some guy half your age. I'm the kid, Mom. You're supposed to be responsible for me," Matt snaps at her.
"I know Matt," she says sadly. He gives her a look before walking away.
"How was your night?" Elena asks Jeremy as she brushes her teeth.
"Ah same old same old you?" Jeremy questions.
"Yep," Elena agrees.
"So I want to talk about before what you said about your mom," Caroline says coming to sit opposite me as I spoon out ice cream from my tub.
"Oh right yeah, I wanted to tell you sooner I just didn't know how," I mutter frowning at the thought of her.
"Its okay," Caroline assures me kindly. I just assumed she'd be mad.
I shrug, "Her name was Olivia Flemming, she was ah cheerleader if you can believe it. She lived not far from here, and then she went missing and nobody really knows what happened," I tell her slowly, I didn't like saying it made it all too real.
"I'm sorry Elouise," Caroline says sincerely.
"Part of me hates her for giving me up but then again I don't because I love this family, I wouldn't trade it for the world, so part of me loves her for it too," I admit.
Pearl takes a bottle of blood from the fridge as Fredrick arrives, "Where is Beth-Anne?" she asks him.
"She won't be coming back," Fredrick informs her.
"What happened? Where is she?" Pearl questions concerned.
"Well you were right," Fredrick says looking over at Anna, "we shouldn't have left."
"No," Pearl agrees, "hungry?" she asks as she pours blood into a glass. Fredrick continues to stare at Anna as Pearl walks over with the glass and a wooden spoon. She holds the glass out as she stabs Fredrick in the stomach. Gently she places the glass on the table, removing the wooden spoon as Fredrick grimaces in pain. "Next time you'll listen to me," Pearl advises taking a seat, as Anna smiles.
"I'm home teeth brushed and ready for bed, safe and sound," Elena assures Stefan as they talk over the phone.
"Good, I'm glad," Stefan says truthfully.
"Is everything alright, you sound serious," Elena comments worried.
"No, no, no, not tonight you still have a few more minutes of normal, I'll tell you about it tomorrow," he tells her.
"I really had a nice time on our date," Elena says to him.
"Such a liar," Stefan replies.
"No I'm serious in a way it was exactly as it was supposed to be," she admits.
"I had a really nice time too," he tells her.
A/N I'm so sorry for taking so long for updating, this chapter just wouldn't work, it has annoyed me to infinity and I've reached a point where it just has to come home, but I'm not happy still...thanks to all those who reviewed last chapter...I'm really sorry next chapter will not take so long I promise :)