I do not own The Vampire Diaries. I only own Tiffani.

Story Start

The grill was as busy as it was yesterday, and Caroline had been sitting with me while we ate until Elena and Bonnie showed up. She gave me a tight smile before excusing herself. I watched her go join Elena and Bonnie, who threw me a glare before they started talking quickly about something that looked urgent.

I just gave a shrug and started eating the French fries that Matt brought me earlier. People watching was always a fun thing to do when you're alone at a restaurant. I watched as Mr. Saltzman entered the building with a tall pale guy with dark hair and blue eyes. He was definitely nice on the eyes, but the more interesting thing was that Mr. Saltzman went straight to my cousin and her friends.

"What's up with that?" I thought as I watched them as sneakily as I could.

Unfortunately, the new guy that came in with Mr. Saltzman noticed that I kept glancing at them. I just kept his stare for a minute before eating another fry and looking away. I'm sure he told the others that I had been looking over there because I could feel their stares zeroing in on me.

"Damon, don't" I heard Caroline say before the new guy came and sat in the booth across from me. I could see Caroline glaring at the man out of the corner of my eye.

"So you're Caroline's cousin, not what I expected," Damon said as he looked me up and down.

I just raised an eyebrow at him and kept eating the French fries. If he wanted to sit down in front of me and be a jerk then I would let him dig his own hole. I would happily put him in his place in a minute.

Damon reached over and grabbed one of my fries, and now he was really trying to push my buttons. "So Tiffani, right, what brings you to Mystic Falls?" he asked before eating the fry.

"Well that's none of your business, now is it?" I asked before slapping his hand when he went to grab another one of my fries. "I don't know you, probably don't want to know you, and quit stealing my fries. It's rude," I said and stood up from the booth to go sit at the bar and bug Matt. "Oh also, if Elena sent you over here to be a dick, please tell her that I'll happily break her nose instead of just giving her a black eye," I told him with a smirk and I sent my own glare to Elena. I just rolled my eyes when I could have sworn that I heard the man growl at me.

Matt just watched Damon leave the booth and storm back over to Elena, and he just gave me a raised eyebrow. "I know you like causing trouble, but this early?" he asked and I just winked at him.

"I don't know who that guy is or why he's one of Elena's yes men, but I'm not going to put up with anybody's crap," I said before offering Matt some of my French fries.

Matt just took some fries before giving a sigh. He made me jump when he reached over the bar and grabbed one of my hands. "Just be careful, Tiffani, this town isn't as safe or as predictable as it used to be," he said and I saw sadness enter his eyes.

I had wanted to ask Caroline about this, but I couldn't wait anymore. "Matt, where's Vicki?" I whispered and I felt him squeeze my hands tighter. "Matt," I said softer this time as I saw rage and tears enter his eyes.

"She's gone, she was killed last year," he gasped out before I noticed him glare at Damon.

I reached over the bar and pulled him into a hug. "I'm so sorry," I said and I felt him hug me back.

"Please just promise me you'll be careful, I don't want anything to happen to you like it did to her," he said and then released me from the hug.

"I pity whoever tries to mess with me," I said and sent him a smirk, which made him chuckle but it still didn't get rid of the worry and anger in his eyes. "Seriously Matt, I'll be careful. Now you enjoy the rest of these fries, I need to get home and do homework," I said and gave him a wave before walking over to Caroline and her friends. It was still weird to me that Mr. Saltzman was hanging out with the group.

"What do you want?" Elena snapped trying to be intimidating, but she really just came across as whiny.

"Oh that's funny, I wasn't coming over here to talk to you, Elena, so do us all a favor and shut up. Anyways, hey Caroline, I'm heading back to the house. If you want to stay a bit longer, I'll just walk home," I said to Elena first but then I focused on my cousin. She made me jump when she practically shouted a negative response. Next thing I know, she's grabbed my wrist, pulled me out of the building, and said she would drive me home.

"Why is everyone in this town so worried about me being alone or out late?" I thought with confusion as Caroline drove us home.

Caroline dropped me off at the house before she left again. I just stared after the disappearing car before going into the house. My aunt was still at work so I just went to my room and started working on my homework. It didn't take long to finish it so I spent the next hour trying to find any cool old cemeteries in the town. I never did get to explore them when I was younger. I know I told Matt and Caroline that I would be safe, but this is what I did. I always went out late and explored haunted places or cemeteries. I would be fine.

"Bingo," I exclaimed with a smirk as I found an old cemetery that wasn't too far away. I could even walk there. "Let's grab a few things first though," I muttered and started packing a small bag before I left the house. I was surprised that Caroline and my aunt weren't home yet, but oh well. I would see them later or tomorrow morning.