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The Last Year: An Original Story
"Founder's Day"
The sun was shining through the east window of her bedroom. As Lyn opened her hazel eyes, her vision was greeted by the pastel blue wallpaper of her bedroom. Lyn checked the time with the clock on her wall, and then slowly moved her gaze to the trail of clothes which led to her queen-sized bed. Her lips curled into a smile as her eyes drew up from the clothes to the other occupant of the bed, the dirty-blond haired man sleeping soundly.
She could have watched him all morning until lunch time, but her bliss was interrupted by her cell phone. The man groaned as Lyn reached her phone on the nightstand near her side.
Lyn checked the caller ID and answered her phone. "Hello, Jenna. What news do you bring me this lovely morning?"
"Morning? It's almost lunch time, missy! Let me guess, Dean spent the night at your place and that's why you're probably still in bed." Jenna responded, at to which Lyn smiled automatically. "I can't believe how well you know me, Jenna Sommers." Lyn replied.
"Hah. Anyways, Lyn, I'm calling because I wanted to invite you to watch the Founder's Day parade with me…and Alaric." Jenna said with a pause. Lyn sat up in her bed, "So you and Alaric are back on track again, huh? I don't mind double dating with you guys, but what time's the event?"
"Yeah, luckily we sorted things out after the whole Isobel ordeal. The event officially started 30 minutes ago, actually. There are period costumes, booths, and the whole shebang. Elena's going to be on the Miss Mystic Falls float – which the parade will be starting pretty soon. I just finished helping her put the dress on." Jenna explained. Lyn checked the clock again. "I think if I can manage to wake up my fiancé, we could be there around 11:20." Lyn said after some quick calculation. "Great! Text me when you arrive at the plaza." Jenna replied. The two girls said their goodbyes. After hanging up, Lyn closed the cover of her phone. She sighed as she pondered on how she would wake up Dean, who was not a morning person.
As Lyn reached over to give Dean a nudge, he spoke up, "I'm awake." Lyn giggled. "Then I should deduce that you heard the whole conversation?" Lyn asked. Dean sat up next to Lyn, but his eyes were still closed. "Only the 11:20 part." Dean replied before taking Lyn's hand and kissing her fingers. "Oh, don't you dare, mister! We only have half an hour to get ready!" Lyn cried as Dean pulled her back into bed. "You know that is plenty of time for us." Dean remarked before planting a kiss on her lips.
o.o.o
"I can't believe we are late! Look at all those people! Oh, my god – that's Elena on the float over there, isn't it?" Lyn cried as she kept checking the time on her phone. She and Dean managed to finally find parking and were furiously making their way through the crowd of the plaza. Dean was straggling behind her, who honestly did not find the Founder's Day event to be amusing. "Who cares about all these old things when we live in the future?" Dean remarked, adding to the tally of five total from the ride over. Lyn, of course, ignored him. "Oh, sweetie, look at that gorgeous dress Elena is wearing. And Stefan, too! He is such a gem. And I think that's…Carol, with Matt?" Lyn cooed over the outfits of the girls on the Miss Mystic Falls float. Dean snickered, "Let's just find Jenna and Alaric." At that moment, Lyn's phone rang.
"Where are you? Elena's float just passed." Jenna shouted into the phone. "I'm by the fountain. Come by the fountain!" Lyn hollered back through the cheers of the crowd. It was only a few moments until Jenna emerged from the horde of people with Alaric, holding hands. Jenna quickly spotted Lyn, who was wearing a bronze tank top and dark boot cut jeans. Standing only inches away from Lyn was Dean, in a simple t-shirt and jeans.
"Hey! I'm glad you made it, but you just missed Elena." Jenna greeted her best friend. "Luckily, we were able to see Elena on the float with her boyfriend." Dean corrected. "Yeah, I can't believe how stunning she looked! It must have taken ages to curl her hair. You did a great job, Jenna." Lyn chimed in. Jenna beamed. "Thanks. But Elena did most of the curling. The dress, however, has been in the Gilbert family for generations. Anyways, Alaric, you remember Dean and Lyn, right?" said Jenna. Alaric took out a hand to shake Dean's and said, "Oh, yeah. I think we met once before."
"Look, I only have a couple hours of free time before I have to head back home. Let's end the chit chat and have some fun!" Jenna exclaimed. Lyn gave Jenna a look. "Is it that class with O'Donnell?" Lyn questioned suspiciously. Jenna rolled her eyes. "Yes! He sure loves to give big assignments." The two women chatted away as the men led them to the drinks and food booths.
o.o.o
Before they knew it, the sun was gone and the event was coming to a close. Jenna went home to work on her graduate assignment, Alaric had duties to attend and Lyn wanted to meet the mayor to discuss charity details. Lyn managed to get the attention of Carol Lockwood, the wife of the mayor whom Lyn had met on many previous occasions at local charity events. Carol had promised previously that Lyn would be able to meet the mayor himself, to discuss charity issues and investment proposals of Mystic Falls.
Lyn and Dean waited beside the stage, waiting for the mayor to finish his speech.
"Enjoy yourselves!" The mayor shouted before finishing his speech and walking off stage with his wife. The couple walked down the stairs as Lyn and Dean approached them. "Mrs. Lockwood, you remember me, right?" Lyn greeted quickly. Carol was surprised to see her. "Lyn Ambrose, of course! I was going to introduce you to my husband." Carol replied. Lyn smiled, but could notice that the mayor was trying to proceed away past them. "Yes, we were going to discuss about the charities." Lyn reminded her. "I'm sorry, dear, but tonight is actually busy for us. Other plans came up suddenly. I hope you understand." Carol quickly explained. Lyn talked and walked beside them. The mayor listened to their conversation, but did not stop walking. "It will only take 5 minutes-" Lyn began to speak but the mayor cut her off. "Ms. Ambrose, I apologize, but we have to be somewhere else right now. Please come by the house tomorrow and my wife -"
"Richard!" Carol shouted.
The mayor suddenly collapsed, while Dean and Lyn began screaming in pain and clutching their heads. Those around them were watching in confusion. In the midst of the chaos, Lyn could see blood dripping out of the mayor's ears. Before she knew it, there were men in police uniform approaching her and Dean. She grabbed Dean's hand to escape but it was too late – she felt a prick on her back and passed out.