Brea's outfit for Miss Mystic Falls, her dress I have as the one Blake Lively wore to the 67th Cannes Film Festival to the Grace of Monaco Premiere

EDITED SEP22

"Come on, what can I do to make you not mad at me? I'm already coming to this stupid pageant. You know me well enough to know how sorry that makes me," Tyler begged. They were preparing for the Miss Mystic Falls competition. Elena and Brea had promised their mom they'd participate in it, and Brea had guilted Tyler into being her date.

"You beat up my best friend."

"I thought I was your best friend?" he asked with a smirk.

"You both were, now it's just Matt, because you beat him up! Now you've been demoted to an acquaintance."

"Why ask me to be your date then?" smiled.

"If I go with you, I can't win. They won't make me the winner if I've gone with you. Your mom couldn't do it. Bias and all."

"Or do you just enjoy my company?" he asked as they took their places.

"Honour your partner," Carol instructed. "Let's focus. Right hand around. Flirt with your eyes."

"Ew," Brea groaned as she and Tyler danced.

"Left hand around. Both hands."

"This is ridiculous," Tyler said as they walked in a circle.

"You don't say," Brea scoffed.

"Oh, oh! No, no, no, no," Carol berated Stefan and Elena, as Stefan dipped her. "There's no touching during this part. It's about the simple intimacy of the near-touch," she scolded them. "Very nice, Amber!" Carol encouraged.

"Haha, delinquents," Brea laughed at Stefan and Elena. "Don't laugh, focus," she scolded Tyler. "Just because I don't want to win doesn't mean you can embarrass me."

"Ric! Hey!" Brea greeted as Elena opened the front door for him.

"Heard you're driving," Elena noted.

"Yeah, I am. Let me get those for you," he said taking Elena's dress before walking forward and taking Brea's.

"Thanks," the twins said.

"Yeah, um, how is Stefan?" Ric asked.

"What do you mean?" Elena asked confused.

"He seems on edge," Ric noted.

"He has seemed different lately," Brea agreed.

"He went through a lot. He was in bad shape for a while. But he's bouncing back now," Elena reassured.

"Alaric," Uncle John said coming into the hallway causing Elena to walk off. "Hey, buddy. What are you doing here?"

"Well, I'm the chauffeur."

"Oh I thought I was driving," John said disappointedly.

"Oh no need," Jenna said coming down the stairs. "We're going with Ric."

"Are we ready?" Elena asked as she walked back into the room.

"Jeremy can ride with you," Jenna told John who looked disappointed to be missing out.

"Yo Jer!" Brea yelled. "Wish me, luck bro," she smiled holding up a peace sign. He just rolled his eyes and sulked away, determined to ignore her.

"Thanks for helping us," Elena said to Jenna.

"Don't thank me until you're sure your hair isn't going to burn off," Jenna joked as she curled Elena's hair.

Brea laughed, "Elena is clearly braver than I am. I would not trust you with a hot tool near my head," she joked.

"Yeah well, you're lucky your hair already has some nice waves," Jenna retorted, poking out her tongue.

"Well, I don't iron my hair straight every day like Elena. Au natural," Brea laughed.

"You know, I remember when we and mom were first applying for this," Elena said coming out of her daydream. "She was so excited."

"So were you guys, if I recall," Jenna said with a sympathetic smile.

"We were," Brea sighed.

"She just made it sound like so much fun. Lot has changed since then."

"Hate to break it to you both, but it's a little late for cold feet," Jenna said.

"I don't have cold feet. I just… I think I'd be enjoying it a lot more if she was here," Elena sighed.

"I'll be back," Brea said standing up and walked off to the bathroom. She pulled out her phone and texted Tyler.

B - You here?

T - Yeah, if I'm trying to get back in your good books I'm not going to be late!

B - Can you come upstairs to the bathroom, please?

T - You ok?

B - Yeah, just come, please

After a minute there was a knock on the door "Brea?" Brea went and opened the door. "Woah you ok?" he said as he grabbed the shoulders of his shaking friend.

"I can't do this!" she exclaimed.

"Why? Dude come on you gotta relax."

"My mom should be here."

"Oh."

"She should. We were meant to do this together! Me, her and Elena. It's not meant to be like this. She is meant to be here," Brea stuttered as she paced the bathroom.

Tyler grabbed Brea and pulled her into a hug. "Hey come on. We'll get through this. I'll help you get through this."

"Brea! Brea!" they heard Carol calling so Tyler opened the door. "Oh, Brea honey there you are! Are you ok?" she said looking Brea up and down.

"Yeah, yeah I um. I'm going to get dressed," she said running off.

"Has anyone seen Amber?" Carol snapped as she frantically looked around for her.

"Do either of you see Stefan down there?" Elena asked Caroline and Brea.

"Nope," Caroline said peering over the balcony. "Just my boring fill-in escort."

"What happened to Matt?" Brea asked.

"They wouldn't let him out of work. What happened to Stefan?"

"I don't know. He just disappeared somewhere," Elena answered looking around.

"Boyfriends," Brea sighed. "Such flakes. You guys should've just forced someone to go with you like I did. Scare them enough and they definitely won't go missing."

"I don't know. What am I doing? I should never have gone through with this," Elena fretted.

"Do you think Carol would kill us if we dropped out?" Brea asked

"Hang on…" Caroline started confused.

"I need to find Stefan," Elena said worriedly before looking at Brea. "This isn't me. I'm not this person anymore."

"Uh, no, no, no, no way, no," Caroline protested. "You had your chances to drop out. And believe me, I was all for it. Because there is no way that I could beat either of you. Guys, you're doing this because it was important to your mom."

Brea rubbed her hand up and down Caroline's arm. "Thank you," she whispered. A month ago Caroline never would have suggested that. Matt was good for her. "If you want, I'll trip Elena for you?" Caroline just rolled her eyes before walking to the top of the stairs.

"Brea, sweetie, you're next. Come on," Carol said after Caroline began descending the stairs, ushering Brea over to the staircase.

"Miss Brenna Gilbert, and her escort Mr Tyler Lockwood," the mayor called and Brea began descending the stairs, meeting Tyler at the bottom and taking his hand.

As she looked around her eyes widened and she hissed to Tyler, "where's, Stefan!" He looked around and shook his head not knowing where Stefan was, but they had no choice but to keep walking outside to take their places, Brea shot Jenna a wide smile on the way past. After they took their places Elena came out not long after, but it wasn't Stefan on her arm, it was Damon. Brea gave Elena a subtle look asking what was going on and Elena shot her a distressed look back, she didn't know where Stefan was either. The music then started playing and she and Tyler completed the dance without making any mistakes. "Thank you," Brea whispered to Tyler as they faced each other at the end.

"Any time," he said with a small supportive smile.

"Where's Amber?" Caroline whispered to Elena and Brea as they lined up to hear the results of the competition.

"I don't know," Elena answered as Brea shook her head looking around.

"Before I crown the winner, I'd like to offer a personal thank you to all of these young ladies for their efforts to better our community," the mayor said as the crowd applauded.

"What did you even do for your community service?" Caroline whispered.

"I told them I babysit Tyler Lockwood," Brea whispered back with a smirk, making Caroline snort.

"So, without further adieu, it is my honour to announce our very own Miss Mystic Falls, Miss Caroline Forbes!" As soon as the mayor announced this Brea's face broke out into a smile and she beamed at Caroline who was in shock.

"Congratulations," Elena said with a smile.

"You won! You won! You won!" Brea cheered whilst grabbing Caroline's arm.

"I actually won!" Caroline laughed in shock as she moved forward to hug Brea and Elena happily.

"Go!" Brea said to Caroline pushing her toward the mayor. Carol was standing there with a sash which she put over Caroline's head while the crowd clapped.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Brea asked Elena as they pulled up to the Salvatore Boarding House and walked in. Brea had been none the wiser, but Stefan had a blood problem. Elena had fed him her blood the other night when escaping from the tomb vampires, and it had triggered his addiction. He missed Miss Mystic Falls because he'd been busy feeding on a girl.

"Damon said it will work. It's my fault, Brea. I did this to him. I have to help him." Brea just nodded and let her run upstairs. Brea moved further inside to see Damon.

"Do you think this will work?"

"He won't hurt Elena. Don't worry Brea. It's our only option. He won't trust me. You ok?"

"Yeah," as she said that they heard a loud bang and Brea spun around.

"Woah, it's ok. She's ok," he said pointing to his ears to show he was listening. "I won't let her get hurt. It's ok Brea. It's done," he said to explain that Elena had successfully vervained Stefan. "Let's go," he said as they walked up the stairs. They walked into Stefan's room to see Stefan on the floor and Elena standing over him. "You sure you want to do this?" Damon asked and Elena nodded as Brea walked over to her.

"I'm sure," she said resolutely. They then went downstairs and locked Stefan in a cell in the basement.

"There's no guarantee this is going to work," Damon said to the twins.

"It has to," Elena said.

"It's what he planned to use to hold when you first got to town," Brea said to Damon. "So I think it's our best bet."

Damon then started to walk off and Brea followed. "You coming?" he asked Elena who had not moved.

"I'm going to stay here," she said barely taking her eyes off the cell door as she slid to the floor. Damon then sat down opposite her and Brea narrowed her eyes at his notion. She didn't want a repeat of 1864.

"Why don't you stay here tonight Lena? I'm going to go home," Brea said leaving.

1697

"Tell me, darling, why do you enjoy these events so much?" a man asked Brenna with a wide smile.

"Because my love, I get to spend the night with you, and only you, no Mikaelson family drama," she answered as the couple danced.

"But these balls are so dull sweetheart."

"Only for those who cannot appreciate the beauty of dance," she said with a curtsey.

"Well I assure you, I can most certainly appreciate beauty," he said spinning her as she giggled.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," she smirked.

"Well you are certainly the most beautiful creature in my eyes," he said leaning forward to kiss her.

"Now now Mr Mikaelson," she chastised, placing a finger on his lips. "We are in public."

"Now now darling, don't be a spoilsport," he mocked leaning in again.

Before their lips could connect, she took his hand and spun under his arm. "I am a respectable young lady Mr Mikaelson. Engaged or not."

"Ah societal rules," he sighed. "They shall forever be a plague upon my very existence," he said as he lifted her in the air in time with the music. As he placed her down she let out a small cough and his eyes widened and he placed both his hands on her cheeks. "Are you alright love?" he said studying her face.

"I'm fine Mr Mikaelson. It is just a cough. Nothing to worry about," she assured with a small smile as his face relaxed and he placed one hand back on her waist as they continued to dance.

1864

"I think he's cute," Katherine said to Brenna as they walked through the Salvatore Gardens.

"Well Katherine, I would most certainly be a liar if I did deny that," Brenna giggled.

"I think he'd make a perfect distraction," Katherine said with a smirk.

"From what?" Brenna asked confused.

"Him."

"Katherine, I am not looking for a replacement."

"Not a replacement, a distraction. There is a distinct difference my darling sister."

"Hello Miss Katherine, Miss Brenna," Henry greeted tilting his hat as he walked past them.

"Hello Henry," Katherine said with a coy smile nudging Brenna.

"Hello," Brenna smiled shyly.

"Hey Uncle John," Brea said as she ran down the stairs. "Have you seen Jer?"

"Yeah, he left for the Grill," John answered.

"Oh," Brea said dejectedly.

"Everything ok with you two?" John asked, leaning on the counter.

"I wouldn't know," Brea sighed. "He's ignored me for the past couple of weeks."

"Have you tried to talk to him about it?"

"Ha, I've tried. We usually hang out after school, but he keeps running off," she said as Elena came through the front door and went straight upstairs. "Speaking of people I haven't seen in a while. I'll talk to you later John," she smiled before running upstairs after her sister. "Hey," she said as she reached Elena's room.

"Hey."

"How's Stefan doing?"

"Not good. You should come to see him. A different face might lift his spirits, Brea."

"I don't know. I thought it might be a little weird. I mean it's not really my place."

Elena rolled her eyes and then put her hands to her lips in a shushing motion and said "he has to eat," into her phone. "What's his favourite kind of, um…"

"Damon?" Brea mouthed and Elena nodded.

"Type of animal blood that he prefers?" she asked Damon. "Your joking doesn't help." After hearing Damon retort she came back with "I would say drop dead, but…" and Brea nodded her head and smirked in approval at her sister's quick wit. Damon then said something she didn't like and she scoffed and hung up. "You going to come?" she asked Brea before shutting her closet door only to find John on the other side making both girls jump in shock as their uncle startled them.

"Sorry," he apologised.

"Lurker," Brea said putting a hand on her chest.

"Uncle John," Elena breathed in irritation. "I didn't see you there."

"I thought we three could talk. We haven't really had a chance to catch up."

"I'm actually just heading out, so…" Elena said as Brea smiled, she then took Brea's hand and made to exit the room.

"Well, it won't take long," John protested and Elena stopped.

Elena turned with a huff. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Don't be rude," Brea hissed under her breath.

John then put down a photo frame of the twins with their parents. "Well, I know you know."

"You're being a bit cryptic there, Uncle John," Brea said tilting her head.

"Know what?" Elena asked.

"It's really silly to keep pretending," he said as Brea looked between her uncle and her sister. "What do you think your mother would say if she knew you were dating a vampire?" As soon as John said this, Brea's eye's stopped moving and she turned to stare wide-eyed at her uncle.

"Which mother?" Elena sneered and Brea raised her eyebrows at her sister's bluntness. Elena then took Brea's hand and dragged her out of the room and out of the house.

"Hey Stefan," Brea said poking her head into the opening bars of the cell as her sister looked to her for assistance. "Um, yeah it'd be really cool if you could drink that blood Elena gave you. I mean not to be selfish but I kind of miss my sister, because she's been here all the time. So if you'd drink that she could come and stay at home," Brea said quickly and Elena shoved her out of the way softly with her hip.

"You need to drink that Stefan. Can't survive without it," she said.

"I don't want to survive," he said solemnly and Brea's eyebrows shot up and her head spun to look at Elena's shocked face.

"What? No don't say that," she said confused.

"I'm sorry Elena. No more. After what I've done, it has to end. I just want it over."

"Come on, Lena, come on," Brea said pulling her shell-shocked sister out of the basement.

"Did you hear that?" Elena asked Damon shakily as she sat down on the couch.

Damon gave a solemn nod. "He was just being dramatic. He's not going to starve himself," Damon tried to comfort.

"Why would he say that?" Elena asked confused.

"He feels bad about hurting that girl. It's very typical Stefan martyr stuff. It will pass," Damon said not showing much concern.

"Will it?" Elena asked doubtfully as Brea took her hand to comfort her. "Because he seemed to be in a lot of pain."

"Yeah. Well, that will pass too once he eats."

"I didn't mean physical pain," Elena stated looking down sadly.

"I know what you meant. Look, are you both gonna be ok here if I run out?"

"Where are you going?" Brea asked.

"I have to go on an errand with the teacher."

"The teacher?" Elena asked.

"Ric?" Brea asked and Damon nodded.

"Are you two friends now?" Elena asked.

"I don't have any friends, Elena."

"Hey!" Brea said standing up offended.

"Fine. One exception," he smirked before walking off.

"Right," Elena said quietly, also slightly offended.

"You should, um, you should stay up here. You shouldn't be down there by yourselves," Damon suggested.

"We'll be fine," Elena muttered.

"You know… you're very trusting of him, given the circumstances," Damon noted.

"So are you," Elena said. "Otherwise you wouldn't be leaving," Elena pointed out.

"I won't be long," Damon said walking off.

"Hey, wait up," Brea called running after him. "Damon!" she yelled when he didn't stop.

"Yes Brenna?" he sighed, turning around.

"Can I come?" she asked.

"No," he denied as he continued to walk away.

"Oh come on, please. Don't leave me with her."

"I was listening to you downstairs, you said you missed her."

"Yeah I miss the normal Elena, this is mopey Elena. She is no fun. So you seem like the best option going around."

Damon narrowed his eyes. "It could be dangerous."

"I reincarnate, no biggy. If I die I'll just see you in 16 years or so I guess," Brea said nonchalantly.

"Brenna, I'm not putting your life in danger. The answer is no." Brea just crossed her arms and stared at him. Damon groaned and shook his head. "Fine!" he snapped and pulled her arm.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Bye Elena!" she yelled out. "So where are we going?"

"Check out a house that we think your vampire mom Isobel is hiding out at."

"Woah, you didn't tell me that," Brea said as they got in the car.

"Want to go back inside?" Damon huffed.

"No," Brea said crossing her arms. "Vampire mom beats mopey sister any day."

"Fine, let's go pick up the teacher," he huffed.

"This is the one here," Ric said as they walked up to the house.

"Not too shabby," Brea said looking the place up and down.

"The records show this was paid 3 months in advance," Ric informed them. "I'm still not happy she's here," he said to Damon as he looked over at Brea.

"She begged me to come," Damon defended himself as Brea nodded in agreement. "This is where it gets tricky," Damon said looking at the front door. "I may or may not be able to get in," he told them as he knocked on the door.

"Yeah, how does that work?" Ric asked, "you always have to be invited in?"

"By the owner or the person of entitlement," Damon told him. "Short-term rentals and hotels are a bit of a grey area. You kind of gotta play it by ear."

"Could we not kill anyone tonight, please?" Ric asked Damon.

"You mean, you just brought me along for our company?" Damon asked.

"Yeah, I'd really like to get out of here without watching someone die," Brea agreed with Ric. Damon smirked and tugged the handle off of the door before gesturing for Ric to walk inside. As Brea went to follow, Damon stuck his hand out in front of her and shook his finger, making Brea glare.

"It doesn't look like anyone's home," Ric called back to them as he walked further in.

Damon inspected the doorway hesitantly as Brea tapped her foot, waiting for Damon to let her go inside. Damon took a step inside and nodded. "Yeah, I'm good," he said as he walked inside, Brea following him in. "Hey, you, stay behind me ok. I'm not joking," he warned her. Brea looked at his face, which was the picture of seriousness before nodding slowly. Damon shut the door behind them. "No permanent resident, apparently."

"Or a dead one," Brea muttered. Damon grabbed Brea's elbow, pulling her behind him as they split up from Ric. Damon opened the door to the fridge and looked back at Brea. Brea frowned as she noticed an item in the fridge that most humans didn't stock. "Blood bags," she whispered.

"Uh, Ric, we have company," Damon called out as Ric started grunting. Brea spun around to see Ric being aggressively held up against a wall by a vampire. Just as she was about to yell at Damon, who wasn't moving very fast to help, Ric stabbed the vampire with one of his hidden stakes. As the vampire was getting up to attack Ric again Damon intervened, racing forward and throwing him to the ground. "Boys, boys, that's enough," Damon smirked as Ric moved protectively in front of Brea. "I know you," Damon said.

"Damon?" the vampire asked standing up. Brea frowned as she recognised the voice and she moved out from behind Ric.

"Your name is Henry. You were in the tomb," Damon noted.

"Yes sir," Henry said.

"Henry?" Brea asked in shock as she came to stand next to Damon. "Henry!" she exclaimed happily as she ran forward and hugged him.

"Miss Brenna?" he asked in shock, hugging her back as Damon grabbed her and quickly hauled her back. Henry laughed in shock at seeing Brea. "What are you doing here? Are you a vampire Miss Brenna?" Brea, Damon and Ric then exchanged glances, unsure how to proceed.

"So how do you guys know John Gilbert?" Henry asked.

"Well, I've known him for years," Damon said, attempting to give off the impression they were friends.

"John is my uncle," Brea said.

"Well, how could that be?" Henry asked. "You're Brenna Pierce?"

"Yeah, right," Brea said shifting uncomfortably. "It's Brenna Gilbert now."

Henry was about to continue questioning Brea when Damon cut in. "John's a good friend. How do you know him?"

"I met him right after I got out of the tomb. He's been helping me out." Damon and Brea quickly locked eyes, confused as to why John would be helping a vampire, he hated vampires.

"Helping you out how?" Ric asked.

"Adapting. It's a whole new world. Cars, computers. There's so much to learn. He helped me get this place."

"So do you live here alone or is there someone else here?" Ric prodded.

Henry looked around confused at the line of questioning. "That's my friend's very… passive-aggressive way of asking, um, do you know a woman named Isobel?" Damon tried to cover.

"Um, no. No, I don't know an Isobel," Henry answered looking between Ric and Damon. "I know John. He's my only real friend. He really showed me the ropes. How to use a microwave, separate my whites."

"What else do you do for him?" Ric asked making Brea glare at his lack of subtlety.

"I help keep an eye on things, you know, with the others. They'll be so glad to know you're still alive Miss Brenna."

"The others?" Damon asked.

"From the tomb. Brenna, you should meet them, I'm sure they'll be pleased."

"I'm not so sure about that Henry," Brea said with a small smile.

"Yeah, I suppose if you tell them you go by the name Gilbert now they'll be mad. They're still pissed at the founding families for trying to burn them alive. I'm cool, but those tomb boys, they want revenge."

"What does John want with them?" Ric pushed further as Brea huffed.

"He's just keeping an eye on them, you know? Trying to make sure they stay out of trouble."

"Well, that's John. He's such a do-gooder," Damon said and Brea raised her eyebrows, holding back a scoff.

Henry's phone then started ringing. "That's John now," he said in reference to the phone and everyone straightened up.

"Oh, hey, let me talk to him," Damon said jumping up.

"All right. Yeah," Henry said handing the phone to Damon who just let it keep ringing. "Are you gonna answer that?" Henry asked.

"Am I gonna, answer that?" Damon asked Ric, who shook his head to say no.

"What's going on?" Henry asked. "Brenna?" he asked, turning to her, but Brea just stared at him guiltily. Henry defensively vamped out and lunged across the table at Ric. Brea jumped up in alarm and Damon grabbed ahold of Henry before he could get to Ric, and spun him around allowing Ric to plunge a stake into his back as Brea screamed.

"Henry!" Brea yelled as she watched him die. "Why did you do that?" she yelled at Damon and Ric. "Why did you do that?" she screamed before storming past Damon and Ric, stopping in front of Henry's body. "No, Henry," she stuttered before glaring at Damon and Ric and storming out of the room.

"Let's not kill anyone tonight," Damon said mocking what Ric said earlier. "Your words. Just pointing that out."

"Find anything yet?" Damon asked Ric as the men searched the house for clues whilst Brea sulked on the couch.

"No, I looked everywhere. The place is clean," Ric replied throwing his arms in the air before taking a seat on the coffee table next to Brea.

"Well I found this behind the blood in the fridge," Damon said throwing Ric a beer before coming to stand above Henry's body.

"Oh man, this was a real dead-end," Ric lamented.

"I wouldn't beat myself up over it, man," Damon comforted. "What did you think you were gonna find, huh? Isobel with a cigar and slippers," Brea glared at this but Ric just burst into laughter.

"Oh man, I gotta stop this. I can't - I can't keep searching for her."

"Really? After only 2 years? That's actually moderately healthy," Damon said thinking of Katherine.

"What are you going on? 146?"

"Well, I figure the 200 mark is probably a good stopping point," Damon said with a smirk making Brea look away guiltily, knowing that her sister didn't feel the same way for Damon as he felt for her.

"I mean, no answer is enough. I keep thinking I want to know why, when, you know, the precise moment when my wife decided life with me wasn't enough," Ric said sadly as Brea looked over at him.

"She charmed me, your wife Isobel. She talked a good game man. She was smart. She had this excitement in her eyes. I probably should have known there was something different about her, some tie to Katherine," Damon reminisced as Brea listened with interest. "There had to be some reason I didn't kill her."

"You don't have to kill everyone you know," Brea snapped angrily.

"That's enough Damon. I don't want to hear anymore. I just don't want to waste any more of my life searching for answers that I really don't want."

"Maybe you should take a page out of Ric's book huh, Damon?" Brea snarked.

"I'm through with Isobel. I… I'm done with all of this," he said walking off.

Brea went to follow but Damon caught her arm. "Hey, what's up with you grouchy? Why did you care so much about Henry here?" Damon said nodding his head to Henry's body.

"You really want to know?" she asked and Damon nodded. Brea sighed before explaining. "I've had dreams about him. Only snippets. But I think it's my fault he was a vampire. I remember he had a life ahead of him, a beautiful girlfriend named Olive. Katherine killed her. She thought Henry would be good for me, a distraction from my, uh, my, you know, the guy. She turned him so he could be with me, and distract me. I didn't want to be with him, because I… I love someone else. So he was turned into a vampire and then imprisoned for 150 years… all because my sister didn't want me to be lonely. And now he's dead Damon. Dead," she breathed.

As soon as Brea entered her room later that night she let out a gasp as she saw Anna sitting on her bed. "Oh my god Anna," she laughed. "What are you doing here?"

"Brenna?" she whimpered.

"Anna?" Brea said looking at her crying friend before running to her and leaning in front of her, brushing the hair from her face. "What's wrong? Are you ok? Anna? Hey! Talk to me."

"She's dead."

"Who! Who's dead?"

"My mother," she cried. "My mother's dead." As soon as Anna said this Brea froze, not knowing how to react.

"Your mother?" she asked and Anna nodded. Brea took a breath and sat down next to Anna, pulling her head onto her shoulder. "Anna I am… so sorry," she said hugging her, allowing the distraught girl to unload her emotions on her shoulder. "Stay here tonight ok? Just stay here," she said rubbing Anna's shoulder as she held her.