December 10

"Are you planning on seeing Caroline?" Miranda questioned her daughter while finishing the last batch of pancakes and bacon.

"No." Elena replied shortly. Her gaze fixed on her plate avoiding Miranda's questioning gaze at all costs.

"I'm sure she would love to see you." She suggested, but her daughter was too stubborn to giver in. She just shook her head and went back to finishing her plate to food. 'You will have no choice eventually, not if you're with Mason.' Miranda added.

'What do you mean?' Elena pressed, a small frown appearing between her brows. "Why would I have to see her, I don't understand."

"I guess Mason never mentioned it to you!" Her mother placed the pan into the sink and then continued, "Caroline is engaged to Tyler Lockwood." Her eyes shot up in surprise

"He never mentioned that to me." Elena said, gritting her teeth, her anger level rising the more she though about it. "We were supposed to go to the Lockwood Sunday brunch. That means I will definitely have to see Caroline, I can't believe he was going to let me go without knowing!" She pressed her fingers into her temples in anger. There was no way to get out of that brunch, they promised Carol they would turn up.

"Well you better start getting ready, Mason should be back to pick you up in a few moments." Her mother ushered her out of the kitchen. She made her way up the stairs and into the guest room to change into a pair of black high waisted pants and a blue blouse with a low neckline that was just on the edge between casual and formal. She topped her outfit off with a pair or blue Louboutins. She styled her hair into loose ringlets and finished her makeup with a nude smokey eye and some nude lipstick. Soon after she received a message from Mason signalling he is back from an outing with his friends and is waiting outside the house to pick up Elena. She headed out the door and straight for the black BMW.

"You never mentioned your brother's engagement.." She spoke out with a hint of nonchalance and sarcasm. Her fiancé narrowed his eyes and started off the car's engine without responding to her.

"Were you seriously planning on letting me go in there and ignore the fact that my old best friend was in the same room?' She said loud, her voice increasing in volume as she got more worked up. 'I left with no explanation. Disappeared from her life. Do you really think she won't try to ask questions? How do you know that I won't have a breakdown in the middle of the Mayor's brunch?" She continued to press on his guilt.

"You're exaggerating babe, just calm yourself down." She couldn't believe the way he was speaking to her. He was never so uncaring towards her, not until they returned to Mystic Falls.

"Calm down? Are you kidding me?" She responded to his advice. Her voice softened as she said, "I am so not ready to see her." She pressed her rigid body tightly against the seat, staring into the road in front.

"Can you believe this?" A 20 years old Elena squealed to her best friend, they were driving to the shopping mall the day after her engagement.

"I am so jealous! You have the most perfect fiancé, and a baby on the way, a career in front of your face and the most amazing best friend you could possibly have." The blonde confirmed.

" I definitely agree with the last point." Elena replied and they both erupted into a sea of giggles.

Life was so easy back then, Elena thought as she was brought back to the present. A longing for the past present in her mind. If only she wasn't such a coward, she would still have everything she ever wanted. She would have him. Putting thoise unwanted thoughts to the back of her mind, she started to think of a way to stay away from Caroline.

"Mason, Elena. We are so happy that you made it today." Carol greeted the couple. Elena barely resisted rolling her eyes at her fake smile. She hated the woman, but she was Mason's mum so she had to compress those feelings. "We are just waiting on a few people, but you go in. Take a seat at the table, the food should be served soon." Hand in hand the pair walked into the grand dining room with marbled floors, a giant mahogany table centre and an expensive chandelier hanging from the ceiling. All eyes were on Elena, who ignored the stares and found their seats at the table She didn't realise her seat was directly opposite the one dedicated to Caroline. She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. Breathe. She told herself. When she opened her eyes, they locked with a pair of light blue ones. She panicked for a second before realising it wasn't him, but the alternative wasn't that much better. Caroline looked like she was frozen in the centre of the room, her mouth agape in shock at seeing her friend. She quickly composed herself, letting a little smile appear on her lips. Even though she was angry, she was so glad to see Elena. She thought she would never see her again.

''Elena.'' She squealed like a teen, moving so she was standing in front of Elena.

"Caroline." Elena replied sharply, focusing her eyes on her nails, trying to appear ignorant - and it must've worked because Caroline frowned at the coldness coming from her friend.

''It's good to see you." Caroline carried on, ignoring her friends signals of not wanting to keep talking.

"Yeah, I've been hearing that quite a lot lately." The brunette replied, appearing unfazed by her friends presence. But inside; it was taking all her power not to pull Caroline into a big hug and cry.

"Wow." Caroline raised her eyebrows, "who are you, because you clearly aren't Elena?" The blonde's smile started to dissolve into a grimace.

Elena laughed sarcastically, "If you want the old Elena to come back running into your arms, go look for her somewhere else because she is not here." She spat out at the woman opposite her, who huffed in response and finally walked away. It's better this way, Elena thought to herself. Mason appeared in the seat next to her but he was preoccupied in conversations with his friend. So she was left to sip on her wine and ignore the questioning looks from the blonde sitting right in front of her. As the lunch came to an end, Mason stood.

"Me and Elena would like to say something." He spoke out, forcing Elena to put on another fake smile and give Mason another fake loving look. "I would like to raise a toast to my beautiful.. Fiancé" the gathering erupted into a load of awes and congratulations. Aside from Caroline everyone seemed oblivious to the strain between Mason and Elena. After the food was finished being eaten came the part where they had to pretend they were enjoying themselves and mingle with the other guests. The attendees of the lunch made their way one by one to the couple to give their congratulations. Just as Elena was going to propose leaving, Tyler and his fiancé came over to give their good wishes.

"I'm so happy for you bro." Tyler said as he and Mason gave each other a man hug and Tyler patted his older brothers back. He then turned to Elena and gave her a small embrace.

"Yeah, Congratulations. I'm sure you are very happy." Caroline said with a forged happy tone. Elena just replied with a cold smile.

"How long are you planning on staying?" Caroline interrogated.

"We were planning on spending Christmas in Mystic Falls." Elena replied, deciding it was better to be polite. She didn't want to attract unwanted attention from either Caroline or Mason.

"That's great, we will have lots of time for some brotherly bonding time." Tyler said with a laugh. "I'm sure you girls can't wait for some time together." He added.

"Of course." And she really wished that it could happen but she needed to stay strong.

"Caroline! There you are, I was going to ask you.." Her voice trailed off as the woman realised she interrupted a conversation. She was tall, with a light olive complexion and brown hair styled into a pixie cut that just reached her shoulders. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." She apologised, giving them a half smile.

"Don't worry about it Rose, this is Elena and Mason." Tyler explained, " Guys this is Rose, remember Mum's cousin Mary? Rose is her daughter, she is came here to work in the law firm." Tyler said. Rose extended her arm towards Elena, who shook it awkwardly.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, I've heard a lot about you." She said with a smile, but Elena swore she could see a hint of rivalry and anger in her eyes. She shook off the thought though and concentrated on what was happening instead.

"Where is your man?" Tyler inquired with a gentle smile.

"He had a business meeting in New York. He is coming back tonight, I can't wait to tell him who is back in town." Elena tightened her brows in confusion but before she could ask any questions Caroline pulled Rose away and said something about grabbing some drinks.

"Mase, do you mind catching a lift back with someone? I am not feeling too well, I think I will head home" She told him, keeping her eyes on the two women who were clearly having a bicker of some sort.

"Actually, I think I might spend the night here. You go on and head home if you want to." He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers quickly before pulling away and taking Tyler into the game room next door. As Elena walked towards the exit, she walked past the two arguing women and overheard Caroline say, " It's better you leave it. Maybe he won't even realise, you said he is leaving for another business trip tomorrow right? He will barely have time to socialise"

Another frown appeared on her forehead but she just dismissed the confusion with a shake of her head.

A/N - Who was Rose and Caroline talking about? I know Elena is being a bitch but she has a very valid reason which you will find out soon. Leave some guesses to why Elena fled Mystic Falls in the reviews! Also, if any of you know of a beta who would be happy to work with me, send me a message as I am looking for a Beta for this story!

I hope you are enjoying the story so far!