To Change or Not To Change: Time Traveling AU

Note: Rant time, you have been warned! So it was pointed out to me that Elena is technically mature and wouldn't let people interfering with her life— news flash, she hasn't seen her parents in years. Yeah she wouldn't take crap (who would?) however her parents have been dead and now, instead they are alive. She has a chance to be happy again and be who she ALWAYS wanted to be. She might seem a little OOC but this is how I see Elena would act. Her friends aren't fighting for their lives, her parents are alive, Jeremy is happy— and nobody for the love of god has died in this time line. She wouldn't want to risk anyone's happiness. End of rant. Enjoy the chapter.

IMPORTANT PS: I checked on the internet (such an AMAZING place) for Elena's age in season 1. She's 17 so I'd say during that summer her parents died so I got it wrong when the party would be. But whatever, this is fanfiction for a reason lol so I tried to fic it a little in this chapter, now enjoy

Chapter 4: The "New" Student

The weeks blurred together. Grade 10 got up and left, leaving Elena feeling a little better. She knew that something dramatic would happen soon as her parents were still alive. She didn't know how this would affect the future but she was ready for it. Summer came and went and finally, it was the first day of Grade 11. Elena had decided to walk to school as she had time and Jeremy was even up.

Yesterday Aunt Jenna had shown up and asked to stay with them for a few weeks as her ex boyfriend was stirring up trouble. So Elena kissed her aunt goodbye as well as her mother. She hugged her dad and then left with Jeremy. The two siblings chatted about what they hoped this school year would be like.

Elena hoped Jeremy wouldn't get into drugs this time around.

Once at school, Elena waved to Jeremy who said he'd see her later and then she went to her friends. Caroline and Bonnie hugged Elena upon seeing her. Caroline said she'd be back as well, as she had to check on a few things. Elena and Bonnie began to walk to Bonnie's locker which happened to be across from the school office and Matt's locker.

Matt still hadn't forgiven Elena for breaking up with him so the two didn't even look at each other. Elena felt too awkward for breaking Matt's heart technically twice and Matt felt hurt. As the friends chatted, Bonnie said something that surprised Elena.

"Grams thinks I'm a witch," Bonnie said grinning. "Can you believe it? She's crazier than I thought!"

Elena was brought back to reality, and it scared her. Of course she remembered Bonnie was a witch. She remembered everything from her other life. "Weird," she said calmly. Right then, they looked over and seen a new student's back.

Bonnie gasped softly. "I hope he's cute!" She gushed.

Stefan. Elena remembered. She stared at his back and wondered how their lives would interfere now that they wouldn't be together. She wanted to go talk to him but knew she must stay away. I came back here to say goodbye to Damon and instead I can't bring myself to part with this! Mom and dad are alive, and I have a chance to be with Damon fully! Elena thought.

She was hit with another reality. She didn't want to go back to her real time zone.

In that world, Damon was dead. Elena shook her head as she waited, watching as Stefan turned around and started walking. She wanted to see him, talk to him— but she couldn't. He didn't know her and she didn't know him. She silently watched before she turned and didn't expect the vampire to realize she was there. He hadn't saved her from the crash thus he didn't know who she was.

So you can imagine how surprised she was when Stefan looked right at her.

|x|

After Stefan looked at her (he seemed bored), then walked away, school went by quickly. Elena could admit that she missed her best friend or one of them, but this Stefan didn't know her. He was still fighting with his inner self who craved human blood. And she could admit also that she didn't want to get into that whole problem.

As the end of school finally came, Elena thought long and hard about when she would see Damon again. The only thing she could place was that Damon would see her (as Stefan's girlfriend) when she went to go talk to Stefan about getting the nasty done. She groaned to herself.

I need to find Damon and quick! She thought. It had been too long since she had last seen him, and she hadn't thought of him as much since she spent so much time with her normal friends and her breathing parents. Elena shook her head as she uttered a quick see ya to her friends who said they had stuff to do (cheerleading). Elena started walking when she was stopped by somebody.

She made an 'oomph!' sound. She blinked as she looked up and found Stefan, who looked utterly in disbelief. "Katherine?" He questioned, his voice holding a slight hope. Not like Damon's had, but there was some hope even if Stefan wasn't in love with Katherine anymore.

She shook her head, "No…Elena. And you're that new kid, aren't you? Stefan right?"

Elena would pretend she hadn't felt Stefan's burning holes in her back as he watched her all day. Stefan nodded. "Yeah….you look very familiar."

Elena smiled softly. She wondered if she could use Stefan to get to Damon but then realized how wrong that was. "Well, see you around yes?" She offered and Stefan nodded.

Elena left and started walking home. Her thoughts racing in her mind. What am I going to do to find Damon? She thought.

|x|

There was no surprise for Elena when she felt Stefan watching her that whole day. She wasn't interested in him that was for sure. She only wanted his brother. So she was confused as to why she decided to go to that party— she knew where this would all lead. Even if Jeremy hadn't decided to sleep with Vicki— or fall for the girl— Elena still felt bad. Tyler was mean to her.

It wasn't fair what would happen to the girl. So Elena simply made sure to keep a look out for Vicki. She spoke to Bonnie who was over the moon for Stefan, saying how cute he was and how she wouldn't mind getting some of that. Elena didn't care really, as she wasn't interested in Stefan this time around. She kept looking around in hopes of catching Damon's shadow or form.

Sadly, no luck!

Besides the whole Stefan trying to get her attention by getting her to walk with him, the night wasn't interesting… Vicki didn't even get attacked so that was a bonus.

|x|

The next morning, Elena was in History. She could feel Stefan's eyes on her and she wanted him just to stop. She stared at her work and then watched Mr. Tanner. She did not want a repeat detention.

Mr. Tanner was talking about this Comet, and Elena couldn't help but wonder why she felt Stefan was so important way back when. He was weird. But still, her friend….

Ugh. Were we really this weird way back when? Who ever thought this staring thing was CUTE? She thought. She couldn't believe how utterly annoying Stefan was now that she wasn't hopelessly in love with him. She got a text from Bonnie saying how Stefan was looking at her. And when class was over, she was collecting her things when Stefan came up to her.

"Elena right?" so he was going to play cool… Elena looked up. "I was just wondering if you wanted to work on this English project together?"

Elena knew this was her chance— and she didn't have to try and sleep with Stefan! "Oh sure, I'd love to."

"Great, so I'll see you later?" Stefan offered.

Elena nodded and she watched the vampire walk out of the room. What had she gotten into?

Review! Next chapter we have an English project and Damon comes back into the picture! Yay!