'Hello?'

'Elena?'

Silence.

'Elena?' I choked once more.

I heard a door slam, then, 'Bella.'

'Are you back?'

'Yes.'

'How long have you been back?'

'Few hours.'

'Does Jeremy know?

'Of course, he's my brother.'

I'm your sister, and you didn't even think to tell me you were leaving. I thought bitterly.

'Did you have any luck?'

'What do you want, Bella?'

'Just want to check on you-'

'I'm fine. Goodbye.'

The line went dead.

Are you coming to Elena's party? Texted Caroline.

Elena invited me?

I'm throwing Elena's party. I invited you.

I don't know.

I do.

I don't want to encroach.

You're there seeing Jeremy and dropping off a birthday card for Elena, your sister. Legit.

Has there been news on Stefan?

No. How have you been, Bella?

Angela wrote me a letter.

Your friend from back home. What does it say?

She misses me.

Then, talk to her.

What do I say?

Leave out the vampires and werewolves. Do you still talk to Rosalie?

She and her family are spending time with her grandfather. Has Elena mentioned me?

She's been worried about Stefan. Give her time.

Ok.

Have you seen Isobel's mother?

No, not yet.

Why not?

I want to give Elena one more chance.

Come to the party.

I brushed my hair a million times and wore my best clothes: a long khaki skirt, a dark blue blouse, and a pair of white sneakers, and drove over to Salvatore boarding house.

You can't avoid me forever, Elena.

'Bella just walked in.' Alaric whispered into my ear as he handed me a beer. I groaned and rolled my eyes. 'Maybe she is just here to wish you well. It is your birthday.'

I didn't want to deal with Bella, but here she was, stumbling her way towards me.

'Just hear her out.' he insisted.

I groaned as she reached us. 'Elena, hi.'

'Bella.' Alaric gave her a bottle. 'Glad you could make it.'

She sat the bottle down. 'I don't drink.'

I grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her to Stefan's bedroom. 'Let's get this over with.'

The second she caught Bella's scent, Caroline rushed to find her.

She was with Elena, no surprise there.

Bella was not the type of person who let the chips fall where they may.

They were in Stefan's room; she was doing most of the talking. Small talk, but talking nonetheless.

'How have you been?'

'Fine.'

'Any luck with locating Stefan?'

'No.'

'Happy Birthday.'

'Thank you.'

'I made you some brownies.'

'Thanks.'

'Hopefully, Jeremy and Mr. Saltzman don't eat them all.'

There was a heavy silence.

'So-'

'Stop it, Bella, just stop it. And get to the point.'

'I'm sure Caroline told you about Isobel's mother.'

'She has.'

'I think we should see her together.'

'Well, I don't.'

'That ...fine, we can go separately-'

'No, Bella. I don't want anything to do with Isobel or you.'

'I get that I'm the last person you'd want as a sister, but-'

'I don't want you as anything!'

'You need to get over yourself!'

'I want to get over you!'

'The feeling is mutual, but we don't have a choice-'

'I do, and I chose not to acknowledge!'

'Just because you hate Isobel and I doesn't mean you should take it out on an innocent person.'

'That didn't stop Isobel from delivering me to Klaus.'

'What does that have to do with a dying old woman?'

'My aunt Jenna is dead because of her-'

'No, she's dead because of Klaus and Katherine.'

'Bella, I don't want you in my life.'

Elena, no.

'You know what, to heck with you. My life was better when I didn't have to interact with you. I don't need you.'

The door flew open, and Bella stormed out of the house.

'Bella.' Caroline called over the blaring music.

I had to call her; I just needed to hear her voice. 'Hello? Hello?' her voice gave me goosebumps. 'Stefan? Stefan, if this is you, you'll be okay.' she assured me. I love you, Stefan. Hold onto that. Never let that go.'

I said nothing, only nodded as I stood between Elena's and Bella's houses.

I heard Bella's truck roaring and hid behind the house as she turned into her driveway.

She pushed the truck door open and stormed into her house. 'Bella, how did it go with Elena?'

'Elena Gilbert is the most selfish person in the world.'

She stomped upstairs, slamming her bedroom door behind her. I climbed the tree closest to her bedroom and watched.