I DO NOT OWN VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS.

Chapter Twenty-One:

A year came and went and gradually, we were all getting back to normal. Stefan and Damon put their house in my name, so undead things couldn't sneak up on us.

Tyler and Caroline called it quits about six months ago. Caroline couldn't get over Tyler's part in everything. I know that she tried not to blame him, but she couldn't change the fact that she did. She's been hanging out with Stefan a lot. I'm pretty sure that they're dating, but they aren't ready for everyone to know, just yet.

Tyler left town. He was going to travel with a wolf friend of his, Hayley. He wanted to do some good somewhere. He decided that he was going to travel to werewolf communities and help teach them how to control their shifting. I think it will be good for him, but I would be lying if I said that I wasn't going to miss him.

Matt came back. He got his job at the Grill back and found out that his darling mother had sold their house and stuck his things in storage.

Carol told Jeremy that he was more than welcome to continue to stay with her, but he ended up moving into the boarding house, instead. I don't think he could take the memories associated with the Lockwood residence. I know that I can't.

It worked out, because Matt moved in a couple months after Jeremy did. He was tired of living alone and he didn't have a place to live. It started out as a temporary situation, and he just never left. Honestly, I think everyone prefers it that way.

If we're going to be stuck in this fucked up world, we may as well be stuck together.

"Seriously, there is too much testosterone in here." Caroline complained.

"Did you invite your mom over?" I asked her, through a mouthful of mashed potatoes. She nodded and sighed.

"She has to work late tonight."

"That sucks."

"We could invite April." Matt mused as he smirked at Jeremy. Jeremy blushed and became suddenly interested in his food.

"April?" Caroline and I asked together.

"She's just a girl." Jeremy said, like that would detour us. Amateur.

"You dating yet?" I asked him.

"Are you wearing condoms?" Caroline pried. Matt choked on a mouthful of lemonade and spewed it all over the table. Thankfully, it missed the food and our plates.

"No to both! We're not together and I haven't slept with her." Jeremy told us, looking significantly embarrassed.

"Is she hot?" Damon asked.

"Oh, yeah," Matt smirked.

"When are you gonna find somebody?" I asked him. He got quiet.

"He's totally crushing on Rebekah." Caroline announced.

"So what if I am?" He asked, defensively.

"They're growing up so fast." I said, proudly. It was Stefan who laughed with me. For a couple of hours, we made small talk and things felt normal. It's nice. God, I've missed this.

A/N: I'll be going out of state until May 26th, so there won't be any updates until then. When I'm back the final chapter(s) will be written and posted!