Chapter 15: The Glass Menagerie
19th December 2009,
It's been awhile since I last wrote anything here. I don't know where to begin. Things have spiraled out of control.
I thought that maybe Damon would be the worst thing this town would experience in a long time.
But I was wrong.
Funnily enough, he's been keeping a low profile since that night. Guess the disappointment finally sunk in. I mean I did warn him about Katherine and the tomb.
A few nights ago, the tomb was opened and it already claimed one life.
Sheila Bennett is dead, opening the tomb was too much for her.
I let her siphon magic from me but I think Sheila cut off the connection the moment it got too much. After that, I think she must have tried to carry the spells all by herself, not even letting Bonnie share the burden. All that magic took a toll on her and like grandma Janine, we lost Sheila.
Her funeral was today.
Not surprisingly the whole town showed up along with some people from Whitmore. Mom cried out hysterically. I mean why wouldn't she? Sheila practically raised her after her own mother died. Bonnie was numb, she didn't cry or say anything and her mom never showed up. Poor thing.
Mom's still trying to reach Abbie but no sign, even Mr Hopkins tried to get through to her but nothing. At least he showed up for the funeral. He's probably gonna leave soon. Bonnie's dad never sticks around much since Abbie left him. I feel bad for Bonnie but all I can do is be there for her.
I couldn't save Sheila.
I tried and tried so hard to prevent anymore deaths but nothing is going the way I want it to. It's like everything in my life has been going wrong since the whole Spring Break trip. God, I wish I never went on that trip. I was trying to run from what happened that night but it's like I ran straight into the fire.
- Ava R. Fitzroy
Putting down the pen, I closed the leather-bound journal and set it aside on the dressing table. I sighed and shut my eyes for a second before breathing out loudly and sitting up. I stared at the journal for a moment, contemplating my next move.
Pulling a drawer open, I carefully used the small dangling from my bracelet to open a hidden compartment under the drawer. I placed the journal and put everything back as I found it.
I wasn't a secretive person, I was being cautious. It's not like I didn't trust my family or anything but it never hurt to be extra cautious.
A sound from my phone stopped me in my tracks. Great, more messages. No doubt from Stefan or Elena apologizing. I clicked my tongue and walked over to the dressing table. My phone was neatly placed on a corner of the table. I blew out a breath and picked it up.
1 Missed Call.
I scowled as I flipped the phone open. Immediately, I closed the phone after seeing the caller. I scoffed in disbelief and almost let out a sarcastic laugh.
Damon had the guts to even think of contacting me after everything. I admit, I was thankful for the times he saved my life but that meant nothing compared to what he did for Katherine.
"Ava?" A soft and cautious voice called out to me. I turned my head to glance at the door to my room. There my mom stood with her hands clasped together. Between them, I noticed her phone. "Is Bonnie sleeping over?" She asked, gesturing to me with her head.
"She's coming over in an hour or so." I nodded, walking over to her. "Did Abbie pick up?" I questioned.
"I don't know where she is. I don't even know if she even still has this number. She didn't even come back for her own mother's funeral. I don't know what's going with her—Like where is she? What is she doing? I don't know anything—I'm just—Ugh." She groaned and loosened her braided hair in frustration.
"Stressed."
"Yeah." She huffed and sat down on the couch.
For a moment, she didn't say anything. She just stared into thin air. Too tired and sad to do anything or say anything. My mom who was always so full of life looked like she had seen better days. Sheila had, after all, practically raised her after her parents and younger sister died.
I didn't even notice but she had gotten up from her seat and stood in front of me. "What happened to Sheila...wasn't your fault." Mom pushed my hair behind my ears and pursed her lips. Her eyes glazed over.
I looked down and bit my lips. "I failed her and Vicki." I continued, ignoring what she had just said.
She shook her head. "No. You didn't."
"You don't understand—"
"Ava." She stopped me mid-sentence with a soft but stern tone. Her eyes still glazed but now her jaws clenched and her hands shaking slightly. Slowly, she retracted her hand from my shoulder and clasped it over her chest.
For a moment, neither of us said a thing.
The only thing I could hear were the distant voices of my cousins running around the house and the sounds of the wind rustling. I watched in quiet sadness as mom sucked in a breath painfully and let it out. Her eyes had now started to turn an unsightly pinkish red from holding back tears.
Mom shook her head wordlessly before she broke the veil of silence that hung around us for what felt like hours. "...I...I know what you are going through, seeing death so close—" She swallowed thickly. "I know but—"
"—You get used to it. Being a 'Founder'." I cut in with a cold look.
She rolled her eyes and huffed, a few teardrops escaping. "Yo..you do. But that's not what I was going to say." Turning away from me, she moved closer to the door to the hallway. "I just want you to know that you can't save everyone, Ava." She continued, letting go off her clasped hands. "...Sooner you learn that, the sooner you'll understand."
"But I can try."
"And you'll only hurt yourself." She let out a deep breath. "I can't lose you, not after—" She wiped the stray tears before she plastered on a smile that radiated warmth and hospitality.
The woman in front of me from her posture to her expression looked so different from what she was a few seconds ago. I wasn't really surprised but almost used to her switches and she wasn't the only one. Everyone in this godforsaken family was like this. Even me.
'If you look away, it's not there.'
That was the unsaid rule in our family next to 'survival above all'.
" — I — don't know what to do."
"I really don't know what to do."
"She needs me."
"...Lost another one."
"— needs me."
"...Lost another one."
"Maybe I should visit their graves."
What surprised me were thoughts.
They were vastly different from what was on her face.
My mom had become so used to loss that she just bottled it all up. I see why she had chosen to be a doctor now. Despite what she said, it was obvious that she still felt guilt over being the only one in her family to survive. But she still carried on.
A part of me admired the woman in front of me for not drowning in her guilt. Yet accepting the notion of not being able to save everyone made me feel helpless. Like what was the point of it all, if I couldn't save anyone at all.
But I did save Zach and Lexi…
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"What on earth?!" She scowled.
Well there goes my time to wallow and pity myself.
I huffed and turned to swing the door open. Unconsciously I gladly invited the distraction. Mom followed me out the door, into the hallway. I almost tripped as a small figure sprinted past me. I barely heard a hurried and out-of-breath apology as mom and I shared a look.
Another figure, taller than the last sprinted from up the staircase and started to approach us. Gently, I dragged mom back. I frowned when I registered the face. Tall with an athletic build with soft hazel eyes along with the signature Fitzroy dark mahogany hair.
There was no mistaking it. That was my older cousin, Christian. I had forgotten that everyone was actually home today.
Joys of the holiday season.
I sighed and quickly realized what was going on. Dean, his younger brother, had done something stupid once more. Thirteen year olds were always a handful, my mom would know too well how my brother and I were at that age.
She spared me a glance and muttered quietly under her breath. "Christian." Mom greeted sternly.
"Sorry aunt Laila but gotta go." He dodged past mom and ran even faster. "COME HERE, YOU LITTLE TWERP." I heard him bellow down the hall.
I snorted and bit my cheek to stop myself from laughing. Mom shook her head and turned to stare at the stairs. Silently, I counted down in my head.
5. 4. 3. 2. 1.
"CHRISTIAN GRANT NOVAK AND ERIC FLYNN NOVAK!" The loud and shrill screeching voice of my aunt Evelyn pounded through the large Fitzroy manor as she stomped up the stairs in a furious stupor.
My oldest aunt, Evelyn Novak, was clad in black as her figure appeared near the top of the stairs. Like a ghost of vengeance, she marched straight past us. An elegant black velvet dress hugged her curves, coming just past her knees and matching leather gloves adorned her hands along with black tights and low black heels.
Her dark mahogany hair was pulled back in a simple bun with few graying strands tucked in between. A pearl necklace hung off her neck, swinging against her collar while she stomped over to her sons who had ceased running.
Needless to say she was furious. Her dark brown eyes were cold and jaws clenched as she huffed.
Her sons stopped running. Instead, they kept pushing and shoving each other as their mother marched over to them. "I wonder why aunt Evie is mad?"
"When is she not mad?" I heard a reply that was different from my mom's voice. My dad leaned over a wall next to my mom.
"Gabe, be nice." Mom hissed. He simply shrugged with a smirk.
"Sooo what happened." I asked under my breath.
"We'll see." He replied as more footsteps were heard.
Aunt Diana ran up the stairs gracefully with her husband, Ethan Von Allen, following her. Uncle Ethan ran his fingers through his honey-blond hair with a curious glint in his dark gray eyes.
"Evelyn, I think you should calm down." Aunt Diana tried to grab ahold of her sister but aunt Evelyn didn't want to hear it.
Uncle Nate ran up behind them and as usual, had a mischievous smile on his face. He whispered something to his older sister who only got angrier. Aunt Evelyn's face became redder as she stomped past her younger brother.
I leaned back just as Daniel came out from his room. He looked tired but eager to know what was going on. He and I shared a look as we leaned back against the walls near us and watched as the show began.
"Moooom." Lauren Novak's loud voice echoed across the halls as she ran to her mother. "Look! Look!" She gestured frantically to a small statue in her hands that looked broken.
Aunt Evelyn stopped glaring at her sons and turned to look at the broken statue and then back at her sons. "See what you two did!" She pointed at the crumbled antique in her daughter's hands.
Lauren's jade green eyes gleamed with mischief as she stuck out her tongue at her brothers.
"He did it." The Novak brothers chimed in at the same time. "No! You did it." Flynn shoved his older brother and pointed at him.
Christian scoffed. "Right. I totally threw a frisbee in the library instead of finishing my essays that are due soon." He rolled his eyes and dusted off his shoulders. His younger brother shook in anger.
"Alright, I better break this up before this escalates into a fist fight." Dad pushed himself off the wall and walked over to Lauren. He tapped her shoulders and pointed at the crumbled statue. "Can I have that?" He asked in a small voice.
Lauren pursed her lips and looked at my dad with wide eyes. She bit her lips, looking around her mom and then at me like a child who had been caught doing something they shouldn't.
I narrowed my eyes at this and let out a little laugh. It was her. She broke it. Well, I could hardly expose her since I had just broken a vase during one of my out-of-control power trips where I lost control of the light-thing. So I zipped my mouth.
Instead, I watched as dad placed the statue in his hands and examined it. His eyes crinkled and narrowed as he brought his face closer to it.
After a moment, he turned to my brother and gestured to him to do something. Daniel, without a word left. He came back with a black plastic bag and opened it. Dad simply dumped the remnants into the trash bag and dusted his hands off.
"Problem solved." Dad said with a satisfied smile.
"You just dumped it into a trash bag. If anything, you've created another problem." Aunt Evelyn pointed out dryly. She crossed her arms and stared at her younger brother unimpressed. "That was an antique."
"It was an imitation."
"It was an antique that belonged to our father."
"Again! It was a goddamn imitation, Evelyn."
Aunt Evelyn scoffed. "I think I would know the difference Gabriel."
"Would you?" His eyes drifted over to Lauren's who cowered slightly in fear of being discovered. I held my breath and stared on with wide eyes. Dad let out a little laugh. "The real one is in the vault." He added softly, going back to the initial subject and trying to diffuse the growing tension in the house.
Aunt Evelyn held her tongue and didn't bother to retaliate. Seeing this, Lauren's eyes started to glaze over as she bit her lips to prevent herself from crying. She puffed up her cheeks just as they were tinged with a bright red blush against her pale skin.
I watched as she looked down in childish guilt, her dirty blonde hair spilled over her shoulders and covered her face.
"Aunt Evie..." I called out, standing straight and walking over to stand in the middle of the hallway.
Aunt Evelyn snapped her head to stare at me. Her gaze softened as she stared at me in silent shock. It was like she had forgotten that there were more people in the house.
"You're scaring Lauren." At my words, she blinked twice and moved to engulf her youngest into a hug, patting her back in comfort.
Dad threw me a grateful look and tried to end this whole show. "Come on, Eve. It's the holidays. Relax." He tried to coax his older sister to calm down.
Reluctantly, aunt Evelyn nodded. She stood up and glanced at her sons. Without another word, the Novak brothers stubbornly traded apologies mixed in with some insults while their younger sister looked on. God, I was so glad that Daniel and I moved past that.
"Tis the season to be jolly..." Daniel hollered tiredly out of nowhere while everyone else stared at him with a dead look. He did not care at all and carried on singing Christmas carols. I snickered quietly, well, at least he got rid of the tension in the room
Before I knew it the holiday season had passed in a blink of an eye. Uncle Nate and dad made us train like hell almost everyday. You'd think they were training us for the end of the world or something.
On the bright side, I managed to get my magic under control. I could now summon light whenever I wanted to, make it float, use it to attack etcetera. I kinda wish I learned before instead of putting it off, maybe then there would be less casualties or maybe I would've stood a chance.
At least, I made sure to check in on Bonnie. She and I kept in touch while she stayed over at her aunt's on her dad's side. Now and then, Caroline would crash our calls and we'd do a group call.
As for Elena…
I sighed as I brushed my hair thinking about my other childhood best friend. It wasn't like I was avoiding her but it was hard to see or think about her without her words to Sheila echoing in my head.
Like what was she thinking asking Sheila to open the tomb?
I clutched the hairbrush tightly, staring into my reflection. I couldn't blame her.
But I did.
I gently put down the brush and grabbed some pins. Carefully, I pinned some of my hair back. I finished quickly but instead of doing anything, I just stared down at my hands. I still felt empty.
The loud ringing of my phone broke my train of thought. I rolled my eyes and got up. Apprehensively, I reached for my phone on the far left corner of the dressing table.
Please don't be him. Please don't be Damon. I had just about enough of his stupid drunk calls.
Like no I don't want to be your therapist or your friend or listen to you ramble on tragically at three in the freaking morning.
I paused and poked my cheeks in uncertainty looking at the caller ID.
Elena.
I sucked in a breath and carefully tried to map out my thoughts. Don't Be rude. Don't blow up. Be nice. I chanted in my head. I cleared my throat and let out a nervous breath.
"Ava. Hey." Elena nervously greeted me from the other side of my cell phone.
"Hi." I replied as I sat down on my bed.
"H...how have you been?"
"Good. Spending time with my family. We went to Paris for the New Year."
"Oh. How was that?"
"It was good until Lauren threw up on my bed, the morning after the new year."
I heard Elena make a sound. "That sucks."
"Yeah, great way to start the new year...but you didn't call for some small talk, did you?"
She tried to protest against what I had said before audibly sighing. "I was trying to catch up—"
"And ask me for a favor?" I cut her off before she started trying to make a flimsy excuse or mention Sheila and Bonnie. Last thing I wanted was for my temper to flare up and for me to say something I would regret.
"You read my mind."
"Not really. I just guessed."
She sighed. "Well...I think I found a way to get to my birth mother."
Hearing her, I stood up and moved to grab my journal back from its hiding spot and some post-it notes. I needed to make a note of this before I forgot. "What do you mean?" I sat back down and grabbed a pen.
"Isobel. Her name was Isobel."
"We know that part already."
"Yeah but get this—" I heard some rustling on the other side of the phone. "—Mr Saltzman's wife was also called Isobel."
Thought that name sounded familiar, I knew I had heard that name inside Mr Saltzman's head, more times than I could remember. Especially when he was with Damon. "I've heard that name before."
"You have?"
"Mmm. Whenever I accidentally read his mind. It might be a coincidence?"
"That's what I thought...until Jenna decided to ask him." She paused for a moment.
I decided to put my unease with Elena and Salvatore brothers to rest, choosing to focus on 'Isobel' instead.
"Mr Saltzman said his wife was called 'Isobel Peterson', so Jenna bing'ed that name. Her picture came up along with another woman's. Jenna showed him the picture."
"Then what?"
"It was her."
"What?"
"Mr Saltzman's wife is my birth mother. She was using an alias but it was her. Her real name was Isobel Flemming."
For a moment, I didn't say anything. "Wow. Who would've thought? Mr Saltzman's your stepdad. Did not see that one coming."
"Out of everything, you decided to focus on that?"
"Hey. It's interesting. Our history teacher is your stepdad."
"Ava."
"Right. Right." I shook my head and stopped myself from making any more sarcastic comments. "...Are you sure about this? Finding your birth mom." I asked, cautiously.
The gnawing feeling was back and I was worried. Something was telling me that this 'Isobel' case was gonna be the next 'Pandora's box' after the whole 'tomb' business.
"Yeah. I have to know."
"I don't know, 'Lena. I have a bad feeling about this."
"And I trust you. I wish I did back before—"
I didn't want to talk about that night. "So what do you want me to do?"
"Can you come with me?" Her voice dropped down and she sounded somewhat sincere. From her tone, some desperation seeped through. "Please, Ava..."
"Where exactly are we talking about?"
"Grove Hill."
I knew that town well. Too well. The 'Grove Hill Cemetery' was a constant in my childhood. Oh boy. I sucked in a breath and licked my dry lips. "Grove Hill, Virginia?" I tried.
"Yeah, it's not far. I can drive us there."
"I know." I quietly replied. "I'll ask my mom and get back to you soon." Without even waiting for her reply I hung up. This was gonna be a long day.
"Elena called me earlier and...asked me to go with her to Grove Hill."
I watched my mom as she froze. She swallowed and slowly turned to stare at me. Her eyes wide, her jaws clenched and lips pursed. She was not happy or in a particularly good mood.
Carefully, I pushed myself off my seat near kitchen island and walked over to her. I made a move to snap out of her daze but she moved faster.
She gasped and broke out of a daydream. Hunching over the kitchen sink, she almost broke down. But before I could blink she stood up after a second as if nothing had happened.
I sighed and looked away, taking my hand away and wrapping my arms around me, awkwardly. I should've known better to bring up that town. After all, it was where she became an orphan.
"Why?" I heard a hoarse voice ask.
My head snapped to the direction of the voice, only to find it was none other than my own mother. I had never seen her like this. Seeing my reaction, she coughed twice and quickly composed herself.
And she was back to being the perfect woman everyone knew her to be.
She coughed again and turned around for a moment. I watched with trained eyes as she loved to grab a glass off the rack and fill it with water from a nearby glass jug.
"...sore throat." I heard her make a flimsy excuse. She really thought I would believe that.
"It's fine." I mumbled back. "I can come back later." I tried, slowly backing away.
"No. No. It's really fine." She emptied the glass within seconds and started washing it. "Um. Right, you were saying—Elena asked you about..." She started again but drifted off right before she uttered 'Grove Hill'. There was a feigned cheeriness to her tone that almost felt grating to my ears.
"Grove Hill." I added.
"Right. So why did—" She picked up a towel and dried the glass, hanging it up again on the rack. "—she asked about that?"
"You remember her whole thing with finding out she was adopted." She made a sound of understanding. "So she did some digging. Turns out, her biological mom was from Grove Hill."
"And she may or may not be my history teacher, Alaric's ex-slash-not-really-ex dead wife. Almost forgot, Alaric may or may not be a vampire hunter who's trying to find his wife's killer who might be Damon. At least that's what Stefan told me."
Mom blinked in confusion. "Come again."
"Huh? Which part?"
"Uh. All of it, maybe?" Tilting her head to the side, her eyes wandered above, trying to make sense of what I just said. She scrunched up her face and tried to visualize it. "Wait. I think I've got it." She clapped her hands and stared at me. "Elena's real mom had her with someone but then went on to marry your history teacher, Alaric Saltzman who—pause—is a vampire hunter."
"Yep. Pretty much."
She blinked again. "And I thought this family was insane."
"Hey, at least our family tree is not...that complicated." I whined, clearly offended.
"It is. Once you start digging into your Grandma Mila's family." She stated under her breath. "Off-topic?"
I nodded. "Anyways. Elena said her mom's name was Isobel Flemming—"
"Oh my god." Mom exclaimed.
"What?"
"Elena is Izzie's kid. All this time…I should've seen the resemblance, really."
"Pause. Wha—"
She had a far off look in her eyes like she was remembering something from another time. "Um. Isobel, Elena's real mom was someone I knew a long time ago." She leaned against the sink and clasped her hands. "She was a few years younger than me. She was the same age as your aunt Sonia. I remember them being...really good friends. Izzie was devastated when Sonia passed away." Her eyes started watering.
"A sweet girl but she was a kind of a...bitch at times but she bawled like crazy at the funeral." She sucked in a breath and smiled sadly. "Maybe that's where it started."
I scrunched up my face and stared at her. "Where 'what' started?"
"Her obsession with death." My eyes widened at her words and I shook my head in disbelief. "She was...eh... obsessed with the dead. Well, more precisely, the idea of evading death..." She drifted off and narrowed her eyes. "Come to think of it, she hung out with John a lot and y'know founding families and their vampire problem."
Ignoring the latter bit, I focused on the name she mentioned. "John? As in Elena's uncle." She nodded.
"I wouldn't rule him out as being Elena's real dad." I looked disgusted and gagged. "What? It could be true. Grayson always mentioned that Elena was a Gilbert, no matter what which is a little out there considering..." She turned to look at me with a serious look. "So don't rule out John just yet. There's not many Gilberts left after all."
Elena quietly drove through the almost empty roads of Grove Hill. I sat beside her and stared out the window. Unlike last time I had seen her, this was a comfortable type of silence.
Grove Hill really hadn't changed since the last time I had been here. The same places were still standing. I smiled when we passed the café that used to be mom's favorite. I remember her saying they have the best apple pies.
"Who would've thought your mom knew mine." Elena randomly commented as she stopped at the signal.
I laughed quietly and turned to face her. "Small world. Huh."
"Yeah. I wonder if they were close."
"Isobel was close to my aunt." I replied, glancing at my best friend.
She turned to stare at me in silent surprise. "Diana and Evelyn?."
"Neither."
"Then who—"
"My mom's younger sister, Sonia—she and Isobel were apparently childhood friends along with Trudie Peterson."
"Oh. How come I've never met her." Elena questioned out-loud just as the lights switched to green.
She started the car again and started driving. "We can meet her if you want to." Elena glanced at me with a small but interested smile. "...Right over there." I pointed to the 'Grove Hill Cemetery' just as Elena passed it.
Her smile froze and she blinked rapidly. "Oh. She's—"
"She died when my mom was fifteen."
"I didn't know..."
"I never mentioned it." I freed myself from the seatbelts and waited as Elena parked the car outside an old house. "A burglary gone wrong. At least that's what the cops said."
She nodded understandingly and got out of the car. I followed her. I watched in silence as she held up the post-it note with Trudie's address and then looked up at the house to match the address.
Nervously, Elena walked up to the front door. She paused to glance at me for support and to follow her. I sighed as I stopped leaning against her car and followed her to the entrance of the old house.
Another deep breath, Elena's hands shook slightly as she prepared to knock, but hesitated for a moment. Oh boy, this was gonna take a while. I rolled my eyes and gently shoved her aside. Without even a moment of hesitation, I knocked three times on the door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
We waited a while but nothing.
No answer.
Elena groaned disappointedly and turned her away, preparing to drive back to Mystic Falls. But I didn't move. There was a sound of the handle being turned and the door opened.
On the other side stood a woman in her mid-to-early thirties. She looked like she had seen better days. Behind her eye bags and messy blonde curls, I could tell she was once very pretty. She still was but I guess her best days had gone by.
The three of us stared at each other in confusion. The woman tried to smile at us, only for it to come out as a half-attempt. "Trudie Peterson?" I asked.
"Yes?" She answered, dazed.
"I'm Rose." I gestured to myself.
Elena raised her eyebrows at that. I didn't even bother to stutter or give Elena a quick explanation. Just because she was an old friend of aunt Sonia and Isobel's didn't mean I had to give her my real name. Besides, it wasn't a fake name. It was my middle name.
"Laila Shaik's daughter and Sonia's niece." I continued.
Her eyes widened and a genuine smile across her face. Hearing my late aunt's name, she looked brighter, relaxed and almost nostalgic. "Oh I haven't heard those names in a while."
"Right." I clasped my hands together and beamed brightly, giving her my best smile before turning to Elena. "Um. My friend has something to ask you." I signaled her to start or even try to begin somewhere instead of standing there awkwardly.
Getting the hint, Elena moved a little closer to Isobel. "Uh, my name is Elena Gilbert." She began unclasping her hands and clasping them again. "I wanted to talk to you about Isobel Flemming."
"Well, there's another name I haven't heard in years. How do you know her?"
"I think that, um, well...do you know if she had a baby that she gave up for adoption?"
She stared at Elena in surprise as she brought her hands to her mouth. Her eyes wide like someone had thrown cold water all over her. She shivered a little and let out a breath.
"My god." She paused to collect herself for a second. "You're her daughter." She laughed a little.
At first glance it seemed like she was happy but I noticed that she started fidgeting with her hands. She was nervous for some reason.
"I was just gonna make some tea. Would you two like some?"
"Sure." Elena answered before I could even register what Trudie had said. I glanced at Elena from the corner of my eyes, still a little apprehensive about it all.
Trudie stopped fidgeting and took a step back. Her smile felt more and more plastic to me. "Uh, the kitchen's this way." She said with a dazed look and backed away from the door, almost giving way for us.
Taking the lead, Elena stepped over the threshold. I followed her quietly, still keeping my eyes on Trudie. Discreetly, I watched as Trudie released a breath, like she was relieved.
The moment we were inside. She hurried behind me and shut the front door but not before she threw a quick nervous glance outside. I turned around and followed Elena before she noticed me staring.
Pausing, I let my hands fall to my side as I realized something. Trudie never invited us in. She just ushered us to the kitchen without telling us to come in.
Slowly, my eyes wandered over to Trudie who was just walking over. "Is everything okay?" She asked with an anxious smile. I flashed a painted smile and simply nodded. "Well, the kitchen's this way."
"Ah right. I have a really bad sense of direction." I lied as I laughed.
Trudie laughed. It was different from before. This time it was more relaxed. "Sonia was like that too." She commented with a friendly grin, leading the way. "...Has anyone told you, that you look a lot like your—"
"—Grandma Mila?"
"Yes." She beamed brightly. "Especially the eyes."
"Mom does a lot."
"Hmm." She giggled and shook her head.
The memories of better times gave a slight shine to her blue eyes that previously looked dull and lifeless. I watched as she peeked her head into a room which I guessed was the kitchen. Elena was already inside. That I knew.
Guess she was checking if Elena found her way. She pursed her lips and blinked twice before painting a smile. Tilting her head back and forth, she gestured me into the kitchen and I followed with my suspicions.
"We weren't gonna come." Elena began as she started to remove her jacket just as Trudie and I walked in.
"We didn't think we were." I chimed in, only unwrapping the belt of my short red coat. Unlike Elena, I was still on my guard and was very reserved against Trudie. She knew more than she let on.
"—but I was driving, and I hit this stoplight…" Elena continued. "...and it made me think about when I was learning how to drive and then my mom would always warn me about this blind turn on the left-hand side, and then I was thinking about my mom, and—I had your address. A—Rose was with me so I thought why not." She pulled at her scarf as she stared at Trudie with a hopeful look.
"We're sorry for barging in." She ended with a sheepish grin.
Trudie shook her head and flashed a kind smile. "It's no problem." She gestured to sit down as she did so. I decided to sit in the middle of Elena and Trudie. Honestly, I would've preferred to stand. "Um, just a surprise, though."
"She shouldn't be here."
"—is not going to be happy."
"I need to quickly send them off."
"She kinda looks like Izzie…"
"I wonder how Sonia would feel seeing her niece."
"Sonia..."
"...Isobel"
I shook my head just as Trudie's thoughts bombarded me. A slight headache was growing. A loud static rang through my ears. Then there was nothing. When I came back to reality, I tried to catch on to what Elena and Trudie were talking about.
At least I got something out of it. She was still in touch with Isobel or thought of her a lot. And one of us was not meant to be here.
Curiously I stared at Elena who was animatedly talking to Trudie without a care in the world. Geez, this girl really was so defenseless.
You'd think being surrounded by vampires, she'd be less trusting. I mentally facepalmed myself seeing how trusting Elena was. Especially when the person she was talking to, did not want her here at all.
"—Seventeen years ago, when she left to go have you. We kept in touch for a while, but, well, you know, people drift apart." I barely managed to catch that just as I stopped mulling over my own thoughts. "Are you okay?" Trudie asked, looking concerned.
"Sorry, I was kinda in my thoughts." I replied with a friendly but awkward grin. Trudie nodded fondly and turned back to Elena.
"And you don't know where she ended up?" Elena questioned.
"She was in Florida for a while. She was on her own. I know it wasn't easy."
I leaned forward and put my hands on the table. "How come her parents never stepped up?"
"Well. Her relationship with her parents wasn't really the best." She laughed nervously and bit her lips. "If anything she had a better relationship with your grandparents and y'know how that ended."
"My mom mentioned." I quietly commented.
Elena nodded at this, taking the information. "Do you have any idea who my father is?" She asked a little hesitantly.
"I could never get her to fess up. Anyway, she finally pulled it together, got into college on a scholarship."
"Where did she go?
"Somewhere in North Carolina. Duke, I think. Smart girl, smart school." Trudie clasped her hands together and widened her smile. "Come to think of it. I heard Laila went to Duke."
"My dad went there too." I added.
"How cute." She commented. "Did they meet there?"
"No. Uh. They actually met in High School."
The loud shrill whistling sound interrupted the conversation. Trudie craned her head over Elena to take a look at the stove. "Let me just grab that."
"I need to tell him."
"—needs to leave..."
"—Just like her mother, getting innocent people involv—"
I raised my eyebrows at Trudie's fleeting thoughts just as she walked away. She definitely was in contact with Isobel or Isobel had dragged her into something she wanted no part in. Hmm. Maybe this day wasn't gonna be so wasteful.
"Why did you tell her your middle name?" Elena whispered.
I pursed my lips and leaned over to her. "Because there is something 'off' about her."
"Ava!" She hissed.
"Hey. Right now, it's Rose. And I'm allowed to be on the defense."
"Ugh. Fine. Whatever. Just don't mess it up."
"Speak for yourself, 'Lena."
I paced outside for a bit, holding up my phone to my ear. Now and then I would crane my head to Trudie's kitchen window and try to peer in, to check on Elena. Ugh. I didn't wanna leave her alone but Matt called and I didn't blow him off either. I mean I could still somewhat read their thoughts inside.
"...Ava? You there?" Matt's frustrated voice echoed through the other side as I stopped pacing.
"I was actually listening."
"Sorry. I'm just on the edge."
"I mean your mom's back. I can understand."
"It's just—I don't get her. She leaves then comes back into town outta nowhere and doesn't even care where Vicki might be."
My throat seized up and my palms became sweaty at the mention of Vicki. I swallowed thickly and made a sound. "Can I say something?"
"Go on."
"I think you're being...a little harsh on her. Also I get it she's a terrible mom. No offense—"
"None taken."
"...It's just y'know how bad she is but you're still going off on her for meeting your expectations on the 'bad parent scale'. I honestly feel bad for her too—hard being a single parent. God knows how Caroline's mom did it. Even so Caroline had her dad for a while—I'm trying to see all sides of the story."
"And I appreciate that. But—" He sighed audibly. "I don't know, Rosy. It's hard."
"I know. Y'know you can always crash at my place if things get that bad. I'm sure Dan would love to have you over."
"I'll keep that in mind. Also can you keep this between us?"
"Meaning?"
"Don't tell Caroline 'bout this. She gets jealous really easily."
I laughed in disbelief. "Seriously? Come on." Matt didn't say anything. "Oh wow. Gotcha I'll keep this between us. Kinda feels weird but okay."
"I mean that's not the only reason."
"She can't stand your mom?"
"She can't stand my mom." Matt repeated, confirming what I said. "And mom can't stand her—more to do with the fact Caroline's mom's the Sheriff."
"Modern day Romeo and Juliet. Adorable." Before Matt could protest or reply. "Hey, look I gotta. I'll see you around?"
I flipped my phone close and made my way back inside. I walked over to the kitchen and sat down where I sat before. My scarf on the back of the chair.
On the table, there were pictures and yearbooks scattered around. Elena and Trudie were leaning over them and going through them. Trudie looked nostalgic and in a daze while Elena looked happy and content.
"You're back." Trudie commented with a light smile on her face.
"Yeah…sorry that took a while."
"It's fine." She shook her head and passed a teacup in my direction. "It's still slightly warm."
"Thanks." Gingerly I brought the tea to my face. Before I even could drink, I smelt it. The soft citrus-like scent I knew too well. Vervain.
She knew.
Trudie definitely knew about vampires. Without a word, I took small sips of the tea. It wasn't poison.
Seeing me drink it, Trudie relaxed and flipped a page of the yearbook. "Do you like it?" She asked.
"It's nice. Is it a herbal tea mixed with lemon or lime?" I questioned with a hint of naivety.
"Something like that." Trudie replied quietly.
I watched as she leaned back down and flipped another page of the yearbook. She stopped at a page. Pointing at a picture of her and Isobel, she laughed fondly.
"Ah. They came to the games for us." She began with a slight bashful look. "The football team hadn't won in years. We were the stars." She paused and then shrugged, almost correcting herself. "Well, Izzie was. But I was a damn good backup."
"Heh. This is great. Thank you." Elena smiled and pursed her lips. Her eyes glistened with joy. But I was even more apprehensive now.
Trudie nodded. "You're welcome." Her smile died when she noticed my almost empty cup and Elena's untouched cup. She eyed Elena for a second before plastering a small nervous smile "You haven't touched your tea."
"Oh. Yeah."
I silently watched as Elena picked the cup up and took a sip. Raising my eyebrows, I watched carefully. I wonder if she noticed. Oh she noticed. She furrowed her brow at the taste of tea and brought the cup closer before giving it a whiff.
Oh no. I knew that look.
"What is this?" Elena asked, clearly alarmed.
I got up suddenly, ready to stop her. "Oh, it's just some herbal mixture." Trudie nervously replied, fidgeting with her hands.
"Vervain?" Elena questioned. I mentally shouted at her for that.
For a moment Trudie didn't say anything. "Vervain?" I repeated after a while.
Tilting my head and widening my eyes in confusion while staring at Trudie. She started trembling as we both stared at her. Elena's look was hostile and full of betrayal while I acted confused.
"You know." Elena carried on.
"Know what?" Trudie feigned.
"Elena, I think you need to calm down." I tried to ease the tension in the room.
"Listen to Rose. Calm down."
Elena shook her. "You didn't invite us in, and you're serving vervain tea. You know." So she did notice. Maybe she should've kept it to herself.
All of sudden, Trudie stood up. She was shaking. Not from the cold or anger but in...fear. She kept glancing around. "I think that you two should probably leave."
"Trudie…" I tried again.
"Thank you." She simply replied. "It was nice to meet you. Tell your mother I said 'Hi', Rose."
I opened and closed my mouth. Elena and I shared a look as she placed the cup back on the table. "Wait. What are you not telling us?"
"Please leave." Trudie all but begged. "Now!" She shouted, still shivering.
Elena and I stared at each other before Elena grabbed her jacket and put it on. I mimicked her and grabbed my scarf. Without another word, Elena started to head out. As I left, my eyes lingered on Trudie who wrapped her arms around herself.
The moment I reached the front door, I stopped. There was a gnawing feeling in the back of my mind. Slowly I turned around to face the stairs and then looked at the entrance. "Rose I know you mean well, but please leave." Trudie called out. She stood outside the kitchen, her arms still wrapped around her.
"...Whatever you do, don't open your doors. Keep a knife with you when hecomes. Don't run up the stairs. Lock yourself in the downstairs bathroom… Please."
"Your eyes…"
I gasped quietly. "I'm sorry I got lost in my thoughts again. What were you saying?" I asked.
"Nothing." Trudie shook her head and ushered me out the door.
The minute I was out the door, Trudie locked the door. I could hear her thoughts faintly through the wooden door. She was scrambling inside the kitchen, getting a knife for some reason. I shrugged and walked over to Elena.
She stared at the house, a little upset before she shook her head and waved at me. I walked over and engulfed her in a hug, trying to comfort then letting go. She stood back and fumbled around her purse for her keys while I walked over to the passenger seat. Holding her keys up, she started unlocking the car, only to pause.
Her eyes wandered behind the car to the end of the street. I followed her gaze and stopped. There a man stood in the middle of the road. The man tilted his head and started walking towards us.
Panicked, Elena and I scrambled to get into the car. She ignited the engine and didn't even wait for the car to heat up or put on her seat belt before driving off.
I looked back and kept an eye on the man who slowly walked over to where we were parked. "Is he following us?" Elena gasped out.
"No...he's not." I answered, turning back and sitting straight. Elena and I glanced at each other, clearly unnerved by it all. What the hell was that about? "He was human." I muttered.
Slowly, Elena turned to stare at me just as we came to a signal.
Human.
She mouthed. I nodded. Both of us were confused why a human would be following us. Unless. Unless they were compelled. Looks like I might be right after all. Lately I had been right more often. And I think I didn't like being right all the time.
"—Yeah, I know." I answered lightly, looking around as I got out of my car. I parked in front of the grill and locked the car. Holding my phone up to my ear, I ducked my head as I pushed the door open to the grill. "Flynn, I'll just pick up the order and be right back. It might take a while." I mumbled.
My eyes wandered around the almost packed grill as I weaved my way through the crowd. The preparations for the bachelor raffle were on fire. I guess I had to give Mrs Lockwood some credit for all of this. Even so, all these people went for a bachelor raffle. Wow. They need to get on a dating website or something.
"Yes. Flynn, I'm here. I'll get your stupid chilly fries." I barked. "No, I don't care if Lauren is throwing a tantrum. Go to Chris. What? Chris is busy? Ugh. Go to Dan—well, I can't pick up the order and be at the manor at the same time—thank Dan and be extra nice to him."
"Hey." Matt beamed as he paused his task and waved me over to the front counter. "Here to pick up your order."
I nodded and rolled my eyes. I flipped my phone off and put it back into my coat. "Flynn and Lauren are driving me up the wall." I moaned.
"Can relate." He nodded, ducking down to grab a slip of paper. He disappeared for a while and then came back out from the kitchen. "A few more minutes. Sorry."
"It's fine. Don't worry about it." I shook my head and clasped my hands together as I took a seat at the bar. "So how's—y'know?"
Matt let out a tired laugh and sighed. "It's weird. I'm babysitting my mom."
"Yikes."
"Well, I don't know which I'd babysit, two kids or your own mother." Matt joked.
"Two kids." "Two kids." We both answered at the same time. "I mean, at least Dan and Chris are there."
"Oh yeah. So you have some help. Lucky." He went back to wiping the counter while looking over for any other customers. "I'm just shocked that you guys even placed an order for a family takeout. Aren't you guys the type to not do that? I remember your mom or even dad cooking for us no matter what."
I pursed my lips and let out a small groan. "Yeah. For some reason, 'the adults' have decided to do their own thing and I can't be bothered to cook. Chris has an essay due today and Dan is busy with...stuff."
"That sucks."
"Agreed." Matt and I laughed at the same time.
My laughter died out when I saw Damon. He stared at me with a smirk. His gray-blue eyes were narrowed in on me like a predator watching its prey. It sent shivers down my back.
Yes, I was still afraid of vampires even though I acted like I wasn't. They could literally kill me before I blinked.
Silently, I cursed myself for not noticing his presence. I guess I was getting too comfortable.
Matt gave me a look of concern as his eyes drifted to the older Salvatore. "Do you want me to—"
"No. But thank you." I cut him off, stopping from doing anything that would put him in danger. He was only human after all.
Matt nodded. Frustrated he ran his fingers through his hair and glared harshly at the vampire sitting in the distance.
Seeing this, Damon simply grinned. Bastard probably found it amusing. I rolled my eyes and just turned away from him. Luckily, that was just when the Sheriff decided to distract Damon for something.
Knowing it would take a while, I decided to take out a book, well, it was more of a play. Matt, in the meantime, carried on working. He would take orders and serve food while wiping the tables, all the while he would keep an eye out on Damon.
I just stopped caring after a while. I was too busy being immersed in my English homework—that I had totally not forgotten to do—and I didn't even like 'Romeo and Juliet'. It was just some stupid play assigned for English. Shakespeare had some good plays and this was overhyped. A couple of teenagers falling in love at first sight, it was strange.
Was it really love or the idea of love that enticed these two to get married after a week of acquaintance, I wrote down, bored. Or maybe it was a shared trauma of mutual loss due to family feud, I wrote down.
"Profound thoughts you got there, George Elliot." I heard someone comment.
My jaws clenched and my fists hardened around my pen. I really thought it would go away if I just ignored it. But nope.
"Damon." I greeted icily, giving him a side-eye. I really didn't want to see or talk to him. In fact, my fear of death was being trumped by my rage over Sheila's death. I was this close to turning him into a pile of dust right here but I held it all in.
"This seat taken?" He asked, not caring about my tone.
"Yes." Matt answered, appearing out of nowhere.
"Really. I don't believe I asked you."
I sat up straight and looked between the two. "Matt." I quietly said. His eyes snapped to mine. He was concerned. It was natural. His current girlfriend was treated horribly by Damon. "I'll be fine." I tried to smile reassuringly. Matt didn't believe me. "Really." I tried.
Reluctantly, Matt backed off and went back to the kitchen, to check if my order was done. "So—"
"—What do you want?" I cut him off, turning away from him once again.
"Geez. Are you angry at me, Little Red?" Damon asked, bringing his face in front of mine and blocking my vision. Little red. Huh, so creative. Maybe I should stop wearing red jackets and coats.
"...Little Red." Birds chirped around me as the wind rustled the leaves on the trees. I was in a forest overlooking a lake.
I wasn't alone.
I blinked and it was gone.
I flinched. "Don't call me that."
"Well, you're wearing a re—nevermind. Whew. I messed up. Didn't I?"
"When do you not?" I smiled sarcastically. Turning to glare at Damon, I closed the worn out copy of 'Romeo and Juliet'. "Y'know I could give you a whole list of times you have 'messed' up and you would manage to add more to the list."
Damon laughed drunkenly. I poked my cheek, annoyed at this and narrowed my eyes again. "Sorry but you keep a list of times I've messed up. Quite extensive, I'd say."
"Don't flatter yourself, Salvatore."
"Says the one who keeps leading me on." He grinned flirtatiously.
I threw a look of disgust at him and rolled my eyes. "I'd lead you to hell if I could." I bit back.
"And I would follow you there."
I gagged and turned my head away from him. "Please don't. I'm not going for a 'Katherine two-point-O'."
His face hardened at the mention of Katherine and he looked away. For a moment, he didn't say anything. Inwardly, I smiled, knowing I won this round. He took a swing of his drink. His jaws clenched and his eyes glazed over in despair. I almost felt bad for him.
Almost.
Sheila Bennett died because of his obsession and I wasn't going to forget just yet. Elena could. But I wasn't her.
Lost in his sadness, Damon drank away, almost forgetting about me. I didn't care to go at him for some cheap shots. I wasn't someone like that. No, I started getting my stuff together and quickly texted my brother and cousins that I'd be home soon. I was already out past the time I was supposed to be.
"Order for Ava!" One of the other waiters called out just as at my wits end.
I sighed in relief as Matt hurried over with my order. He shoved the plastic bag in my hand and I passed him the cash, also making sure to tip him. Matt gave me a look, telling me not to go overboard. I shrugged and begrudgingly listened to him.
I was done here now.
There was no point to linger around here.
With a final glance to Damon, I got up and started to leave. I didn't get very far. I barely made it to the parking lot. When I looked up to unlock my car, Damon stood in front of me. He grabbed my wrist and pushed me against another car. It wasn't painful but it was annoying.
"Seriously. I don't have time for this." I hissed, trying to get out of his grips.
Ignoring my protests, his grip tightened on my wrist. "You knew." He began. "You knew that Katherine wasn't in the tomb."
My breath got caught up in my throat and I almost choked. I did know and the guilt of it was eating me up, day and night. Admitting that I knew would only bring up more questions, I didn't have the answers.
He loosened his grips on my wrist and backed off, like he was offering peace. I huffed and tried to get past Damon. But he wouldn't budge at all. There was an intense look in his eye that betrayed the carefree smile on his face.
Backing away from him, I looked up at his face. His stormy blue eyes stared deeply into my honey brown eyes trying to find something. "Move." I growled out.
Ignoring what I said and he carried on. "How did you know?" He took a step forward again, almost trapping me between him and the wall. I was getting tired of his games. I just wanted to go home.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I broke the staring contest first.
"The night we found the grimoire, you said 'Katherine might not be in the tomb'-now..." He trailed off, taking a step back and turning his back to me. "...why would you say something like that?"
"I told you I was guessing."
"Guessing?" He repeated.
I nodded. My jaws clenched and fists tightened. I rolled my eyes and let out a nervous laugh. "Come on, Damon. You think a vampire as old as Katherine would let herself get caught like that?" I shook my head. "No, they wouldn't. You don't make it that far unless you have backup plans."
That wasn't a lie. At least I didn't think it was.
Damon laughed sarcastically, making me almost believe he fell for what I was selling. His face dropped as his eyes narrowed. "I'm not disagreeing but what are the chances that you're almost always right."
"...Coincidence?"
He bobbed his head up and down, placing his hands behind his back and leaned towards me. "I just find it funny how you just happen to be at places where you have no business being or..." He stood straight and backed off. "...you just happen to know things that you shouldn't."
"Good instinct?" I tried with a nervous smile.
"I don't buy that. Not for one second. I know there's more to you than 'that', glow-thing." He gestured to my hands. "I just know it."
"Maybe there is. Maybe there isn't but one thing's for sure. I'm never gonna tell you." I bit back.
"You will." He stated.
"I won't." I retorted nonchalantly as I rubbed my sore wrists. I pushed past him, I strutted over to my car and unlocked it.
"Oh and heads up. If you're gonna go and have your little temper tantrums, could you not go on the sorority girl diet." I turned around and folded my arms, the door of the driver's seat, half-open.
"Stefan complained." He said with a bored look.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "He didn't have to. The whole 'sorority girls flocking to a boring small town over winter break when they could be going on ski trips' is a huge red flag."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"No you won't." I retorted, getting in and not even bothering to bid him a goodbye. I was so drained. Talking to him just drained me. Mentally and emotionally.
Mom clutched one of my arms as we both walked into the Grill with bright smiles on our faces. We were trying our best to keep up appearances. Downside of being one of the founding families. She sighed and waved at Carol Lockwood, who stood on the stage.
Mrs Lockwood smiled and I watched as she handed her mic over to one of her assistants before coming over to us.
"Laila!" She squealed quietly in faux-joy as she engulfed my mom in a hug, severing the connection between me and mom.
Reluctantly, I let go and stood back. She also let go and stood straight. "Thank you so much for coming. I know it must've taken a lot from your time with the hospital and all."
Seeing these two from the outside, a stranger would never be able to tell that the Lockwoods and Fitzroys did not like each other at all but then again neither mom or Mrs Lockwood were an actual Fitzroy or Lockwood. They were free to do whatever they wanted without the whole grudge of the past.
"Not at all, Carol." Mom said in a sickly sweet smile. "I took some time off after Sheila's...passing."
Mrs Lockwood nodded in feigned sympathy as she patted my mom's arm in small comfort. "It must be hard losing someone again. First your own mother, then your mother-in-law and now your godmother." She paused to smile at me. "It must be really hard."
Wow, she really outdid herself. I wanted to snap at her for being so goddamn insensitive but I held myself back.
"I'm coping."
"I understand." Mrs Lockwood smiled again.
It looked sincere enough to me this time and it seemed there wasn't any hidden meaning to it. She sucked in a breath and let it out before going back to her 'trophy wife' self.
"So I take it Nathaniel will be skipping on this again?" She asked, looking for a sign of my uncle. Instead, her eyes traveled to my father who looked busy with Mayor Lockwood and Sheriff Forbes.
Mom smiled tightly and shrugged. "Well, he'd rather donate than take part." She replied with a polite nod.
"Of course. I understand." She replied without even looking at my mom. That was rude. "Well, will you be buying a ticket?" She asked, again not even looking.
"I'm good, Carol. But thank you for your generous offer." Mom retorted, her annoyance almost leaking through.
Mrs Lockwood turned back to face us, at last and blinked twice. She looked confused for a second, her eyes trailed to my dad and her husband and back to my mom. She let out a little laugh that sounded a bit upsetting as she nodded. "I understand." She patted mom's arm and left.
I watched her walk off and act as if nothing had happened. "Well. That was weird." I stated.
"Tell me about it."
"Laila? Is that you?" A slow and seductive voice called to my mom just as Mrs Lockwood left.
Mom and I shared a look before she turned around. I followed her actions and found none other than a woman. She had brunette curls that looked presentable but at the same time, she looked the opposite.
Oh god.
I mean I knew she was back. But seeing is different.
Kelly Donovan, Matt and Vicki's mom. Matt and I shared a look of panic. Kelly was a loose cannon to say the least and a not-so great mom. She was always on the move ever since Matt and Vicki's dad left. But she could be sweet and kind when she wanted to.
I shook my head of those thoughts and took in the view. Kelly stood near the ticket booth, well, it wasn't exactly a booth. It was more like a table where Caroline sat and Matt stood by his girlfriend for support. Elena stood by, looking like hell. She really did not want to be there. Kelly stood next to Caroline over the counter with a beaming smile.
On the other hand, Caroline looked tired. She had a bright smile plastered on her face that seemed inviting and perky but her eyes screamed 'kill me now'. I almost snorted seeing my blonde best friend, doing her best to be nice.
Mom walked over to Kelly and stood in front of her. "Kelly, it's been a while." She started with her hands clasped together. The two women smiled brightly at each other. Unlike with Mrs Lockwood, my mom actually looked genuinely happy to see her.
"It has. Hasn't it?" Kelly laughed as she engulfed my mom into a hug. "Oh you haven't changed a bit and here I thought marrying into a Founding family would turn you into another 'Carol' but you're still the same."
Mom rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Are you gonna stick around for a while?" She asked, ignoring the comparison to Carol Lockwood.
"Maybe. Who knows? I'm a free-spirit."
"Kells…"
"Hey, not everyone can be happy and stable. You got lucky, Lay."
"Kells…"
"By the way. How is Gabe?"
"He's fine. As you can see." Mom turned around and gestured to my dad who was in the distance, chatting away with the council members.
Kelly smiled sadly before she shook her head and turned to me. "And wow." She looked back and gave her son a look. Oh I knew that look. Awkward. "Look at you. You've grown up so well. Took after both your parents."
"Thank you, Kelly." I politely replied.
"Aww. Last time I saw you and your brother, you two were tiny. And now look at you. Oh how's Dan?"
"He's a freshman in college." Mom answered.
"Wow college. They grow up so fast." Kelly commented, dazed.
Elena and I shared an awkward look while Kelly looked lost in her own thoughts. Caroline looked a little sad for a second for being ignored by Matt's mom but she quickly masked it with a small but welcoming smile on her face.
All of sudden, Kelly snapped out of her little daze. "Oh." She glanced over at Caroline and gave her a painted smile while she looped her hands around my mom's like it was the most natural thing in the world. My mom went along with her old friend's actions, not even caring at that point.
With her free hand, Kelly took out some cash and handed it to Caroline. "Here you go, sweetheart." Gingerly, Caroline accepted the cash and started counting away, ready to ask her how many tickets she wanted but Kelly beat her to it. "...However many that'll buy." Kelly added absentmindedly.
Seeing her friend's actions, mom frowned and sighed. But she chose not to say anything instead she threw an apologetic look to Caroline. Kelly, ignorant to everything else, rambled on. "I just hope I don't get Bachelor 3. I dated him in high school. You remember that? Don't you, Lay?"
Mom nodded. "Unfortunately. I remember it too well...especially the—yeah, I'm not gonna." She said with a grimace.
"A total waste of time." Kelly added. "Not impressive." She dropped her voice and turned to us. "In any way."
Matt's face turned a few shades of red as he shook his head in embarrassment.
Mom slapped her hand on her face and groaned quietly. "Kelly." She hissed, trying to save some face. "I'm so sorry, Matt." She added in a quiet voice.
Caroline smiled awkwardly while Elena looked like she wanted to hide. I decided I was never there. Never saw that or heard that. I was simply not there, mentally.
Kelly simply ignored all of that and smiled excitedly as Caroline handed her the tickets. "Very exciting." She took the tickets and walked off into the grill with my mom, who no doubt would struggle all night to keep her old friend in check.
"None of you guys better pull that on me when we get to that age." I stated, watching the two women walk away.
"You definitely won't get that from me." Matt said with a traumatized look.
"Or me." Caroline and Elena said at the same time.
Mrs Lockwood stood on the with a confident smile despite her husband, the mayor leaving before the event even started. I almost gagged seeing why she was so excited.
Damon.
Her eyes would wander around but would always stop at Damon. I rolled my eyes and took a sip of my drink.
Slowly, the grip started to get packed as more people shoved themselves into the grill. Some men walked up to the stage and took their places. The bachelors. I choked on my drink when I noticed two familiar faces.
Damon.
Again.
And Mr Saltzman.
Unconsciously, I turned around to glance at Jenna. She stood near one of the tables and met my gaze. Instantly, she knew what I was thinking and mouthed 'for a good cause'. I shook my head and gave her a teasing look. She simply rolled her eyes and went back to focusing on the stage.
"Stefan." I greeted without even looking up. "Surprised you showed up." I carried on, turning to look at him.
"Hey. Look I just wanted—"
"Save your breath. I'm not the one you should be apologizing to." I finished my drink and stood up to look him in the eye.
He looked conflicted and pained as he sighed. "I know but—"
"Wait for her to come back." I cut him off again.
Bonnie was the one who really deserved an apology from him, Elena and Damon. Not me. Sheila was one of the few people Bonnie could call family.
"...And before you ask. No. I'm not gonna pass on a message. She'll hate that even more."
"Right. Sorry again."
"You apologize a lot."
"It's a...force of habit."
"Get rid of it." I smirked. "People will take advantage of that if you don't."
"Thanks for your advice." He flashed a small smile and ran his fingers through his hair as he looked around the grill.
I hate to admit but the Salvatore gene was too good. There was no way that both brothers were that good looking. I could see why Elena liked him. Unfortunately, he was too polite and almost a pushover. Not my type.
Stefan turned back to look at me and opened his mouth to say something. He was tackled into a hug. Elena engulfed her boyfriend and giggled brightly.
"There you are." And it began. The PDA. The couple stared at each other deeply before my friend snapped out of her daze to look at me. "Ava. Hey. Didn't see you there."
"Yeah. I bet you didn't." I retorted, teasingly, giving Stefan a look.
"Listen—"
"I really don't want to."
"Oh it's no—there's Jenna." She quickly changed the topic as Jenna walked over to a table and sat down. Elena turned to look at her aunt, distractedly and gave me a quick hug before she all but skipped to where Jenna sat down.
I watched Elena go as I turned to Stefan, again. "She seems happy." I lightly commented, folding my arms.
Stefan sucked in a breath and let it out. "Isobel. The trip to Grove Hill was...informative." Even though he looked happy for his girlfriend, I could tell there was something else. Like me, he didn't seem too happy about this whole situation.
"You could say that." I nodded along.
"Thank you by the way." He stood next to me with a ghost of a smile etched onto his face.
"For?" Tilting my head, I questioned.
"For going with her. I know how hard it must have been after—" He trailed off just when I gave him a look. He didn't bother to go back to finish his sentence. "Right. Um. You've heard about Mr Saltzman's ex-wife."
"Elena's birth mom." He nodded just as I replied. "That's old news."
He paused, looking around for something before he looked at Elena. "She doesn't know this yet but…" He trailed off and took a few steps closer to me.
Then he bent down a little, he was now close enough for his lips to brush my ears. I almost froze and instantly wanted to push him away, I liked my space.
"...Damon might have killed Isobel." He whispered, going back to his previous position.
"Y'know, at this point I shouldn't even be surprised." I sighed and my gaze wandered to Elena and then Damon. I almost let out a sarcastic laugh but stopped myself. Elena really was too kind and Damon was someone who didn't earn that kindness.
"It's just a suspicion." He said as I started walking towards Jenna and Elena. Stefan followed me with a pained look.
"And that usually means one thing, Stef." I hissed as I weaved through the crowd, trying not to push.
"Alaric said he saw someone like him over Isobel's body."
"So he did it."
"We don't know that." He stopped in the middle of the grill and I stopped as well. He narrowed his eyes and looked really remorseful.
"Yet." I didn't bother to talk to him any longer. Instead I stared at the stage, ignoring the presence of Stefan for now.
Mrs Lockwood had already interviewed about three bachelors including that plumber ex of Kelly's. Speaking of Kelly, my eyes wandered to look over at a table. My mom and Kelly sat next to each other. Dad was nowhere to be found. I snorted seeing this. He must've sneaked out when the event started. Kelly looked half-wasted while mom looked sober.
Bored, I continued to watch the whole show without even moving. Mr Saltzman's interview was awkward to say the least. He was too distracted by Damon to fully focus. I doubt that he cared. Poor Jenna. She always got stuck with guys who had baggage.
Then it was Damon's turn. Ugh. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Stefan wave at Elena with a dazed smile as he stood next to me. She waved back too, mirroring his exact look. These love-fool idiots.
"God you're so whipped." I commented under my breath. In response, he just shrugged but at least he looked lighter. Well, he did.
Seeing his brother on stage, Stefan visibly stiffened a little. I noticed this and went back to watching the interview when I too stiffened.
"—Oh, yeah. L.A., New York. Couple of years ago, I was in North Carolina. Near the Duke campus, actually. I think—I think Alaric went to school there." My eyes widened and I pursed my lips.
Stefan and I shared a look of shock. He couldn't be serious.
Just to prove me wrong, he carried on. "Didn't you, Ric?" Damon turned to stare at Mr Saltzman who also turned to look at him.
Mr Saltzman looked haunted and then anger took hold of him. I watched as he clenched his fists and tried to smile away the hurt.
Mrs Lockwood held the mic awkwardly in front of Damon. She looked between the two men with a frozen smile, trying to decide what to do. "He can't be serious." I mumbled.
"Oh he is." Stefan added. I looked at him incredulously.
I opened and shut my mouth, trying to find the right words. "Yeah, 'cause I—I know your wife did." But I never found any. As if it couldn't get worse. Damon had to go and do that.
"Elena..." I breathed out as Stefan and I shared another look.
Worried we both glanced at Elena. The smile she had before started to crumble as we both watched her suck in a deep breath.
Without a word, Stefan started moving toward his girlfriend while I just stood rooted to my spot. I glared hard at Damon, not caring if he met my eyes or not. If looks could kill, he would be a pile of ash right now.
"I had a drink with her once. She was—she was a great girl. I ever tell you that? Cause she was—Delicious. Mmm! Mmm mmm mmm." Damon carried on.
I brought my hands to my mouth and sucked in a breath. Almost everyone looked a little phased by this. I glanced again at my friend. This time she looked on the verge of tears. She met my gaze with a devastated look.
I know this was not the time to say this but I did know he was going to screw up even more.
Silently, I watched as Elena got up and left. Stefan ran after her in a hurry. I wrapped my arm around me and looked away from the stage. I looked back, Damon was staring at me with a proud grin.
I glared at him hard and turned away. I couldn't even look at him. I shook my head and turned around to leave. Instead of following Elena and Stefan, I just walked away somewhere else. I didn't care where. I just wanted to be out of his sight.
Tiredly, I rubbed my forehead with my left hand just as the headache was starting to form. I didn't know where exactly in the grill I was anymore. My mind was a mess. It didn't exactly help that the thoughts of everyone around me were loud.
Most were still wondering about Damon and Mr Saltzman so I couldn't exactly escape.
I came to halt.
Elena stood in front of me. Opposite her, Damon stood there. He swayed from side-to-side drunk with glee over getting something over Alaric. Seeing this, my face twisted. Before I could say something, his glee started to fade.
"—Just as I was starting to think that there was something redeemable about you." I barely heard her. Oh.
Quickly, I hurried over to her even though I wanted nothing more than to go home. If I just left her to own devices then I know she would say something stupid to get herself killed.
"Elena." Stefan and I both called out at the same time.
Stefan had snuck up on his brother and stood behind him while I stood behind Elena. At our voices, she first acknowledged her boyfriend before glancing behind, coming face to face with me.
"Don't do anything rash." I stated, gripping her arm.
She breathed out, tiredly and glared down at me hard. I simply looked up at her like a child who was about to throw a tantrum. Annoyed, she turned to Stefan for some support.
Thankfully, Stefan got the message. He shook his head. Defeated, Elena swallowed heavily as she threw a hateful glare at Damon and backed away slowly to stand next to me.
Confused, Damon's eyes wandered around, going from me to Elena then to his younger brother. He examined us with narrowed eyes.
He turned his head toward Stefan and tilted his head. "Am I missing something here?"
"Did I forget to mention earlier when we were talking about my birth mother? The one that gave me up?" Elena brought his attention back to her.
"Mm-hm." He grinned carelessly.
"Her name was Isobel."
I clenched my jaws. It still wasn't getting through to him.
"...The same Isobel you killed." Damon glanced at me as I took a step forward. He tried to say something but I ignored him and carried on. "What a small world? Huh." I added with a small sarcastic smile while Elena made a sound of betrayal, trying her hardest not to break down.
Well, what did she expect from someone like Damon? I did warn her.
I watched as Damon's cold blue eyes widened as if someone had thrown icy cold water at him. His smile faltered and he almost looked like he was guilty. Almost. He tried to hide it.
For some reason, he couldn't.
He opened his mouth to say something, only to get cut off by Elena. "Go ahead. Reminisce about how you killed her."
With that, Elena threw me one last fleeting look before she rammed into Damon, pushing into him as she walked past him.
Stefan and Damon stared at each other hard. Damon looked as if he was finally realizing that his actions have consequences while Stefan grimaced at his brother.
"You should go after 'Lena. She's gonna need you." I smiled comfortingly and wrapped my arms around me. Stefan looked at me and nodded before disappearing through the crowds.
I craned my head to check once again if my mom was still here, only to find her carrying a half-unconscious Kelly Donavon out of the grill with Matt helping. I rolled my eyes and sighed. Great. What a great way to end this night. I scowled, not even bothering to say or look at Damon.
Honestly, I was tired and I had no energy left whatsoever to even mock or tell him off.
"...I messed up." Damon began, looking at the floor. "Huh. A small world." He echoed my words.
I shook my head and started to walk past him. "This isn't my problem. I'm not—"
He flashed me away into a dark hallway and trapped me against the wall. "Did you know about this too? You just watched me taunt Alaric and—"
My back hit the wall and I grunted in pain. I hissed as I recoiled from the pain and looked back at him. His cold blue-gray eyes met my light honey brown ones like he was looking for the truth.
Almost gently, he brushed my stray hairs aside and tried to ask me again.
Breathing in and breathing out. I tried to drown out the voices of the people still there, instead focusing where Damon was grabbing both of my wrists.
I pushed Damon off of me. He flew across the hall and landed on the opposite wall as light flooded the darkened hallways. In silent shock, my eyes wandered to my hands. I brought them before me and instead of the wisps forming an orb, it seemed they were floating above my hands.
My hands were glowing.
Then it was gone.
Damon grunted on the floor as he slowly got up. I shook my head as the light disappeared. Turning away from him I started walking away. "I—I didn't kill Isobel." I stopped and turned to stare at him. My dark hair, almost falling over my face and covering my vision. "I turned her."
"...That's even worse." I muttered, slowly backing away before running away from the grill. I got into my car and left Damon behind.
Pictures of crime scenes and 'borrowed' crime reports were hung all across the false wall as I stood across from it. All of the reports were of so-called animal attacks dating back to the 60s around Mystic Falls. I sucked in a breath and started adding more to it.
Carefully, I placed the copies of reports and pictures I brought in with me on the table nearby as I got some pins and started hanging them up.
I paused.
'Hiker found dead, another animal attack.'
This one was recent. I craned my head to look at the article and leaned against the table.
'The Hiker's clothes were missing.'
I shuffled the papers around and stopped just as a knock was heard.
Knock. Knock.
Sighing, I turned to look at the door. There my brother stood with a grim look on his face. "We have a problem." He began as he walked in. I didn't bother to hide the 'murder board' from him, everyone in the family knew I had one. It was more to hide from the staff at the manor and guests.
I raised my eyebrows and motioned him to come in. He walked in and stood in front of the board. He breathed out, turning around to glance at me. "The tomb, it's empty." He breathed out.
