Bonnie stayed over that night. We talked until we were both slurring the words and eventually Bonnie didn't answer my questions, she had fallen asleep. We woke up early morning with her phone ringing.

"Hello?" she answered groggily. "Elena? Weren't you going to Duke?" she sat up with Elena's answer and I raised my head to watch as she got up. "Okay, thanks. Good luck, bye"

"What happened?" I groaned sitting up.

"My dad called Elena last night and she told him I had fallen asleep there and was staying the night. I have to go home now" she said.

I nodded and stood up. We walked out of my room and I noticed Charlie's bedroom door was open, his bed made.

"Breakfast?" I asked as we got downstairs.

"No, thanks" she smiled.

"Okay" I shrugged and walked her to the door.

We exchanged numbers and she told me to call her if needed. I thanked her and once she was gone, I went to the kitchen to start breakfast. Charlie had left a note saying he had to go to work and wouldn't be back for lunch. It was only seven, how could he be at work already? I ate breakfast, sitting in my couch, and looking around. Once I was done, I grabbed a bucket of paint and brushes and covered the living room furniture. I was done in two hours and had a triumphant grin. I was choosing frames to go on the walls when I heard the doorbell. I went to the door and my smile fell as Stefan gave me a small smile. I remembered what Bonnie said about vampires not coming in unless they're invited and I took two steps back, getting away from his reach.

"Bella, listen…"

"Go away, please" I said shakily.

"We are not going to hurt you. Surely Bonnie told you that" he said with a frown.

"Listen I'm tired of this supernatural shit. It never ends" I sighed as he arched an eyebrow. I had told him too much. "I will stay away from you, and please, stay away from me, and my father. I will not tell anyone what I know"

"Alright" he sighed. "Are you okay? You seemed… shaken when you left yesterday"

"I am fine"

"Okay" he nodded. "See you at school"

I didn't answer. Just closed the door. I watched from the window as he walked to his car and left. I sighed with relief and went back to decorating the house. A while later my phone biped, a new message. I took it and frowned.

Bella, there's a party tonight. Let's go?
We could go out for lunch and get some clothes.
I'll show you the town.
xoxo
Bonnie

Although I never went to parties, and I hated shopping, I thought it was a good idea. Ger my mind off things, have fun. I needed to change. I texted her back.

Alright. What time do we meet?

I went to my room, and chose clothes while waiting for an answer before showering.

Pick you up in an hour. It will be great :)

I took a shower, and changed into jeans, a red tank top and sneakers. I was pulling my hair in a ponytail when I heard the doorbell. I ran downstairs, grabbed my keys and locked the house. Bonnie was by her car, waiting.

"Ready?" she asked smiling.

"Ready" I smiled.

She drove around a little, showing me the town, and then we went to a store. We bought shorts and at her insistence I even got a few skirts. Since around here was sunny, I would need it. We went to lunch in a small restaurant and got a table outside to enjoy the sun.

"So, Tyler texted everyone saying there will be a party at his family's property. There's a small lake, so we'll need to get you a bikini" she said after we ordered.

"Wait, wait" I interrupted. "Tyler? Tyler Lockwood? The guy I got into a fight with?"

"Yeah" she said with a small frown but then gave me a reassuring smile. "It's a great opportunity to apologize and to meet people"

"Fine" I sighed and she grinned. I narrowed my eyes at her. "But no bikini"

"Oh, come on, Bella!" she chuckled.

She stopped and the smile disappeared. I looked behind me and almost fell from my chair as I saw Stefan. I took a deep breath and avoided his eyes as he sat by my left, giving Bonnie a small smile.

"What do you need now, Stefan?" she asked harshly.

"It's not for me, it's for Caroline" he said. "She needs a ring"

"You think I will help her? You think I'll give her an opportunity to kill people?" she asked scowling. "No"

"Bonnie, she wants to try my diet, but I can't help her if she's stuck inside my house"

"Stefan she will hurt someone"

"She needs to be given a chance. We need to have faith on her. She really feels bad about last night" he said softly.

When Bonnie continued in silence he sighed.

"She is your best friend, Bonnie" he pointed out.

"She isn't Caroline anymore"

"Bonnie" I said softly. "Remember what I told you?"

She looked at me with a frown, but as I inclined my head, it softened and with a sigh she turned to Stefan and nodded.

"I'll make the ring, but if she hurts someone, I will take off the spell"

"Thank you" he said and gave me a small smile. "Thanks, Bella"

"You're welcome" I mumbled and with that he was gone.

Bonnie and I got ready at my house. Bonnie wore a orange swing dress, with flat sandals, and a blue polka dot bikini under it. She had convinced me to wear a black bikini under the red shorts and green cropped tied front top, with my black slip-on converses. But I had won on the battle of hair and make-up, so I only had a little lipstick and waterproof mascara, with my hair in a ponytail. She explained what kind of parties Tyler normally had as she drove to the Lockwoods' property, and I arched an eyebrow as she casually spoke of booze. Maybe I was boring, always following rules. I had never drank. When I lived with my mother, I didn't go out, or was invited to parties. When I went to live with Charlie I had the worry of getting arrested by my own father. Not that I had the opportunity to drink, since I was so wrapped up in my relationship with Edward. Edward would never let me drink if I had the opportunity. I just knew it. He would go on and on about the damage to my health and the danger of being arrested, and all problems I could get into while drunk…

We walked the small distance from where the car was parked and where the party was. It seemed that the whole school was there. There was music, people dancing, talking, some swimming. There was a rope tied to a tree and people were using it to jump on the lake. As I look around, I smiled. This seemed fun. Bonnie got us drinks, and I we walked around, talking, meeting people and dancing a little. When I was really dancing, while laughing with Bonnie about a song she liked, I realized I had finished my second glass and was kinda of tipsy. Well, the fact that I was willingly dancing should have been the biggest clue. Bonnie asked someone to take a picture of us with her camera, and I frowned a little as Tyler Lockwood agreed. He gave the camera back to Bonnie, and after giving me a curious look he turned to leave.

"Wait!" I blurted.

He turned back to me and arched an eyebrow.

"Ahn, I'm sorry, about the fight. I am so sorry for attacking you like that it's just…" I frowned. "I had drank and I saw you two fighting…"

"And you decided to join it?" he asked amused.

"Ahn, yeah… I mean, it seemed an unfair fight. The guy would lose easily" I said hoping the compliment would help me.

"Thanks?" he asked while chuckling.

"Sorry" I said again.

"It's fine" he smiled. "Can I get you another drink?"

I looked down at my empty cup and smiled at him.

"Yeah, sure!" I said nodding.

He walked away to get me the drink and I turned to Bonnie who had a mischievous smile while arching an eyebrow.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing" she said and grinned. "Let's swim?"

"Is it a good idea? We drank…"

"Bella, I can swim even sleeping. We'll be fine. Not like there isn't anyone to help in case something happens"

"You're right, I guess"

"Let's put the clothes in my bag and leave it in a tree" she sad taking off her sandals.

I bit my lip and after looking around to make sure no one was looking, I took off my sneakers and top.

"Hey"

I almost jumped a foot on air and turned around with wide eyes. Tyler smirked at me, and looked at me up and down. I twisted the fabric of my shirt in my hands. I was not used to this. Not at all. He gave me the glass and when I turned to tell Bonnie if she could wait for me to finish the drink she just threw me her bag and then ran, jumping on the water. And leaving me alone and half naked with Tyler.

"Going to join her?" he asked.

"Yeah, I guess" I shrugged and sipped the drink.

"So, you moved her from where?"

"Washington State"

"Must be enjoying the heat"

"Yeah, I am. But I lived in Arizona, here isn't so warm" I smiled.

"You look very pale for someone who lived in Arizona" he commented.

"Yeah, not the bikini and sun lotion kinda of gal" I chuckled.

"Do you want me to put that somewhere? I can put up in a tree, so the chance of someone getting it is smaller"

"Yeah, thanks!" I said passing him the bag after stuffing my top inside.

"The shorts?" he asked smirking.

I laughed.

"Trying to get me to take the clothes off, Mr. Lockwood?" I said cheekily. Dear. God. Vodka and I shouldn't mix.

"Maybe" he answered.

"Well, you'll be disappointed. I'm keeping the shorts" I said grinning.

He gave me a fake pout and then walked to a nearby tree, and climbed a three feet before putting the bag on a higher branch. He jumped back down with a grin and I finished my drink.

"Another one?" he asked.

"No, thanks" I said smiling. "I'll join Bonnie"

"Alright. Maybe I see you later, after you get out of the water?"

"Okay"

He grinned and brushing past me he walked away. I did take off the shorts since they needed to be dry when I got home, and threw them in the branch. I took deep breaths and tried to walk in a straight line as I neared the water. I saw people using the rope to swing and jump and I grinned. I walked to it and after a guy smiled at me, he gave em the rope. Gripping it tightly I ran the really short distance, jumping as the ground started to descend and squealed as I jumped on the water. I swam to Bonnie's side and we enjoyed the cold water for a while, while talking to some of her friends. Soon, the drinks I had drank weren't enough to keep me warm on the water and I decided to get out. Bonnie was going to follow me but I told her she could stay if she wanted. She did and I went back to the tree our bag was in. I didn't see Tyler around and I was too shy to ask someone to grab my bag. I started shivering as I jumped trying to reach for the bag.

"Hey"

I turned and sighed with relief as I met Matt's blue eyes.

"Matt, hi" I said.

He arched and eyebrow while taking off his football team jacket. He wrapped it around me, and I pulled it tighter around me.

"It's getting cold, where's your clothes?" he asked amused.

I pointed to the branch and he laughed.

"Who put it there?" he asked and smiled. "Or are you a monkey, climbing trees and all?"

He extended me his drink and I sipped it while he approached the tree.

"Tyler put it there. I should have thought better" I said.

Apparently he was not a very good tree climber. When he almost fell on his ass I laughed.

"Maybe we should look for the tree-climber champ Tyler" I said.

"No, I can do this" he said stubbornly for the fifth time while smiling.

"Matt, although I wouldn't mind letting you try to save your ego by succeeding to climb that tree, I will need another drink if I'm going to wait here and watch you"

I got another two drinks and when I got back he was almost reaching for the bag.

"Just… a little… more" he groaned stretching his arm.

And then he fell on his ass. I winced as he scowled but then started laughing. I helped him up and he laughed with me while wiping off the dirt on his jeans.

"Yeah, maybe we should look for Tyler" he gave in.

"But you barely even tried to!" I said sarcastically.

"My ego is already hurt, no need to kick me while I'm down" he laughed.

"Matt"

We turned and Caroline approached us with a scowl. I dropped my cup and grabbed Matt's arm, pulling him back a little.

"Caroline" he said happily.

Her eyes had narrowed when I had grabbed his arm and now she was glaring at me.

"Caroline this is Bella, she's new in town" Matt said.

"Matt" I said quietly while pulling on his arm again.

"Would you care to keep your filthy fingers off my boyfriend?" she snapped at me.

"Caroline" Matt said scowling.

"We should go" I said to Matt shakily.

"Like hell!"she snapped getting face to face with me. "Leave, now"

Her pupils dilated as she commanded me to leave. I frowned at her.

"Look, I don't want trouble" I said.

"Leave!" she snapped.

"Enough" Matt said trying to pull her away.

"Matt, no" I said. "Let's go, okay? Trust me?"

He frowned at me and Caroling grabbed my wrist, successfully making me let go of his arm. I yelped and she smirked triumphantly.

"Caroline!"

"Stay away from him" she sneered.

"Control yourself, Caroline" I whispered fighting tears as her grip on my wrist tightened. "This is why you can't be alone with anyone"

I yelped again as she twisted my wrist, and Matt grabbed her and pulled her away from me. He started to drag her away and I followed them as they went deeper into the woods. Not good.

"Matt, no! Let her go!" I said reaching for him.

Matt ignored me and continued to drag her away as she tries to get free to, probably, kill me. She glared at me and although I knew I should have left, should have been scared as hell, I couldn't just leave Matt with her.

I tripped and fell, twisting my ankle in a rock, and getting a deep scratch on it. Matt stopped and turned to help me. I quickly got up and grabbed him, pulling him back as Caroline's gaze locks on the blood on my foot.

"Caroline?"

I pulled on Matt's arm, and considered telling him to run, but then I decide against it. I remembered a time when Edward said that when the prey ran it made a vampire even more excited about the kill, becoming more violent. Matt wouldn't be able to outrun her. And I doubted he would leave me behind, I couldn't run with a sprained ankle.

Caroline literally hissed as her eyes turned red, her veins standing out on her skin and her mouth opening to reveal very sharp fangs.

"Run!" I gasped to Matt.

While grabbing me he started to walk backwards, and Caroline stalked, predatorily. In a blink she stood in front of me and grabbed me by the neck. I choked and Matt snapped at her to let me go. Stefan showed up and pulled her away from me. Matt held me up as we watched Stefan hold her by the shoulders and talking camly, soothingly. In a moment, her eyes were back to normal and she had a sad frown to us. The silence was too tense for the next minute and then it was cut by a loud howl. A howl? Wolves?

Jake.

What if he found out there was vampires in Mystic Falls? What if Charlie told Billy about his job? Jacob would come here with the pack to make sure I was safe. They would probably kill Stefan and Caroline.

"Come on, we have to go" Stefan said.

With Matt's help we walked fast through the woods, in the opposite direction of the howl. We stopped as Matt and I needed to take some air and my ankle couldn't handle anymore. The only sound was of out breaths and we looked around searching for the animal.

"Be careful, Caroline" Stefan said quietly.

I heard a growl and step back, looking at my left. A big wolf, but still a common wolf, was looking at us, snarling and I swear, his eyes were glaring at Caroline. He ran and jumped on her, but Stefan pushed her out of the way. He and the wolf fell on the ground and he quickly scrambled up, and faces the wolf. As the wolf started for him again, without thinking, I did the stupid thing. Because I was Bella Swan, I always did the stupid thing. Like running to meet James instead of staying with the Cullens.

I ran – as best as I could – to get in front of Stefan.

"No!"

The wolf hesitated, a second from jumping on me. Tyler approached slowly.

"Stop!" Tyler yelled.

The wolf growled to us once more, scaring the death out of me. A wolf was inches from me. A wolf that probably would kill me.

And then, the wolf turned and left. We all let out the breath we were holding. Tyler turned and tried to follow the wolf, and no one stopped him.

"What the hell was that?" Matt finally said.

"Bella, are you alright?" Stefan asked worriedly.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes while shaking my head. No, I was not alright. I almost died, trying to save a vampire. What the hell was wrong with me?

"I think I need to sit" I mumbled.

He wrapped an arm around me and led me to a large rock, where I sat down.

"Stefan, I'll take Matt home, alright?" Caroline asked.

"Be careful" he said.

She nodded and led Matt away. Stefan nodded to my ankle with a questioning look and I nodded while taking deep breaths. He gently lifted it to his lap and evaluated.

"It's not broken, I think. Just sprained" he said quietly.

"I know, I have a lot of experience on sprained ankles" I said with a smile.

"Are you hurt somewhere else?"

"No"

"I'm sorry for letting Caroline out of my sight. I should have known better…"

"It's okay. It's not your fault. And… I think it's not hers either. After all, she's trying to adapt to this new life of hers"

"Thank you, for being understanding" he said with a small smile. "And, thank you, for what you did. You shouldn't have"

"I didn't exactly think it through" I chuckled. "I just jumped"

He nodded and I sighed. He probably thought I was crazy. Well, I kinda of was. His head snapped to the right and he frowned. Soon, the sound of drunk teenagers laughing and talking loudly cut through the silence of the woods and a girl, with a guy with his arms wrapped around her stumbled in our direction. As he helped her stay up their eyes found Stefan and I and they both stared. I waited for them to say something and when they didn't I looked between them and Stefan. The girl arched an eyebrow and I followed her eyes to my leg spread on Stefan's lap.

"Hey" the girl mumbled and smirked. "Where is Elena?"

"She couldn't come" Stefan said carefully.

"Riight" she slurred glancing at her friend and they both snickered.

Two other girls and a boy joined them and one of the girls frowned at us.

"Wasn't he dating Gilbert?" she blurted.

The other girl laughed and Stefan carefully put my leg down on the ground and stood up. He looked down at me with a small smile and held out his hand. I took it but as I stood up the effect of a sprained ankle and alcohol in my blood made me stumble. Stefan used his quick reflexes and steadied me. We ignored the group watching us as he helped me walk back to the party. But as we were approaching the lake, we saw blue and red lights.

"Shit, my dad" I said ducking behind a tree and pulling Stefan out of sight with me. "Shit, shit, shit"

"Bonnie took off" he said looking around the tree.

"Great" I grumbled.

In my nervousness, I forgot my injured ankle and shifted on my foot, whimpering and grabbing Stefan's shoulder to avoid falling. He looked down at me with pity, and inclined his head.

"Can I help you?"

I nodded, and he picked me up, bridal style, and quickly walked away from the ruined party. Although I knew he could have ran, as fast as Edward did probably, he only ran as a normal human. Well, except a normal human wouldn't be so graceful running in the darkness, in the woods and carrying a person. And would be tired. Stefan didn't even have trouble breathing when he started to slow down. I followed his sight and sared at the huge house in awe. It was clearly from at least three centuries ago, and was in good shape, showing the good care they had with it. He opened the door almost with no difficulty and took me to the living room, putting me down in the comfortable couch. I leaned back enjoying the softness of the furniture, and the several pillows around me. Stefan chuckles and got me a drink.

"Thanks" I said taking the crystal glass.

"It's scotch, very strong" he said as I sipped.

"Yeah, noticed" I mumble with a scowl.

"How's your foot?" he asked.

I looked down at it and he put a pillow under said foot. It was swelling and I groaned.

"Great" I grumbled. "How will I explain to my dad that I sprained my ankle at home? I should be watching a movie and catching up on assignments with Bonnie" I looked down at my state of undress. I was still on only my bikini and Matt's jacket. "I can't go home like this!"

"Here" Stefan said giving me his cell. "Call Bonnie, she can come to bring your clothes and take you home"

"Thanks" I said and gave him the glass. "I should stop now"

"Yeah" he smiled.

I found Bonnie on his list of contacts and called her. She apologized for leaving like that, but one of her friends had said I left with Matt so she thought I was okay.

"By the way… You left with Matt?" she screeched. Yep, she was still drunk. "Caroline will kill you!"

"No. I mean, I was talking to him, but Caroline got there… Bonnie it's a long story. Can I explain it later?"

"Fine"

"Can you come to Stefan's house to bring my clothes and take me home? Dad thinks I was at your place"

"Ahn… I'm sorry, Bella" she said. "My friend drove me to her place with my car, but her mom took my keys and hers until we're sober. We'll take some coffee and eat and I'll get you in a couple hours. Ok?"

"Bonnie, you… I'm in Stefan's house" I mumbled with a frown.

"I know. Sorry. But don't worry. Although I'm not really happy with any of them, I know you'll be safe with Stefan. It's Caroline and Damon we should be worrying"

"Okay. I'll wait here then"

"Sorry"

"It's fine, thanks"

"Bye"

I hung up and Stefan came in with coffee.

"Here" he said giving it to me. I returned his phone and gave him a thankful smile. "Can I do something else for you?"

"Oh, no! Thank you, Stefan! You're doing too much already. I'm sorry"

"Bella, it's the least I could do. You helped me with Bonnie, you didn't blame Caroline, and you risked your life for me" he said with a smile.

He sat down in an armchair and we stayed in silence for a long time. I looked around taking everything in. The house seemed nicely decorated, clearly no kind of vampires minded wasting money. Well, the house was beautiful, so it wasn't a waste, really. I saw a picture of Stefan and Elena, him with the football team uniform and her on her cheerleader outfit. There was another picture of them on what seemed like his car, and there was another one of him with a blond woman.

"Is that… Caroline?" I asked hesitantly.

He looked at the picture and with a smile shook his head.

"No, that's Lexi" he said. "An old friend. She helped me a lot on changing my diet. She was great"

"I'm sorry" I said and he arched an eyebrow. "I mean… You talk about her in the past, so I guessed she is… dead?"

"Yes…" he mumbled and downed the rest of his drink.

"I'm sorry" I said frowning. "I mean, it seems she was your best friend" he nodded. "I… I would die if something happened to Jake. He's all I've got"

"Your friend?" he asked softly.

"Yes" I smiled. "Kinda like Lexi for what I've got… Picking up my pieces, and helping me get on the right path"

"But you know he's not all that you've got" he said. "Bonnie seems to like you a lot. And considering she's a witch and can get people's 'vibe', I would say that she's already your friend"

"Yes, she is. I really like her too. She's… caring and truthful. I needed that. She understands me better than Jake in some ways"

"How so?"

"Well, Jake always hated my past and relation with vampires, but Bonnie doesn't judge…"

I sealed my lips shut as I realized I had said too much. He looked surprised and I sighed.

"Yes, I've met vampires before. But I would like not to talk about it, please" I said.

"Of course" he said. But I could still see curiosity in his eyes.

The door opened and slammed close. Damon Salvatore entered the living room looking pissed the hell off. He glared at me and Stefan before turning to the bottles of strong liquors.

"Damon, what happened?" Stefan asked worriedly standing up.

"Nothing!" Damn snapped.

"What did you find?"

"Almost nothing" he said and looked at me. "I'll tell you later"

"Do you want me to leave?" I asked.

"Yes" Damon said.

"No!" Stefan said glaring at his brother. "I'm sorry, Bella, Damon can be very rude"

"It's fine" I mumbled.

Damon rolled his eyes and turned to leave the room, taking a bottle with him.

"Hey! What's wrong?" Stefan asked frowning.

"Ask your dear, fucking manipulative girlfriend!" Damon snapped glaring at Stefan who frowned. "She is like Katherine in more ways than she lets on"

And with that he stomped upstairs like a rebellious bratty teenager. Stefan still had his frown and looked at me.

"Bella, I hate to ask… But would you mind staying here while I check on Elena?" he asked.

I remembered Bonnie telling me I didn't need to worry about Stefan but about Damon. By what she had told me, it didn't seem like I would be safe. But I couldn't make Stefan stay. He was worried about Elena and considering the way Damon was pissed he had every right to be.

"Yeah, sure" I said.

"I'll be back soon, don't worry" he said grabbing his keys.

I nodded and he left.

I was limping to the mini bar to get a glass with ice for my ankle. I was reaching for one of the crystal glasses when the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

"Well, well, what a nice view"

I turned to face Damon. He was leaning against the wall, looking at me up and down – making me feel too exposed – and had a mischievous smirk. I frowned at him and he started to walk toward me.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked.

You know those moments that stay in your mind, but you don't give much attention to? Those who in the future you realize they changed everything. Like when you looked at your best friend for the first time, and years later remembered that moment and though how could you not see he was your brother of another set of parents?

Well, those moments usually are simple, ordinary. Nothing happens, but when you look back on them, they are the ones most cherished.

And they should be acknowledged for their importance since the beginning because they really should be appreciated, and maybe they would make things a lot easier in the future.

But humans are like that. We don't realize until it passed, until it's too late? And then we have just to cherish with longing.