The next day, Vicki was discharged from the hospital, but she and Matt chose to skip school. In the cafeteria, Elena didn't just ignore me—she actively glared from across the room, her eyes filled with frustration and disdain. The atmosphere felt heavy, and I wondered if her hostility stemmed from the fact that Jeremy was sitting with me.

"Have you seen Vicki?" Jeremy asked, his brows knitted in concern as he leaned closer.

"No," I replied, my voice quieter than I intended, "but—"

"What are you reading?" He leaned even further, peeking over my shoulder. "Varney, The Vampire?"

"Just some research," I mumbled, feeling the weight of his gaze.

"For what? A vampire attack?" He chuckled, the sound lightening the mood for a moment. "Do you actually think a vampire attacked Vicki?"

"No, but I'd rather be safe than sorry," I retorted, a hint of defensiveness creeping into my tone. "It was published the same year as my all-time favorite book."

"What's your favorite book?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"Wuthering Heights," I said, the mention of it warming me slightly.

"I think Elena likes that book too," he remarked casually.

"Oh—"

"What was your life like before...?"

"Before death?" I offered, the words tinged with bitterness.

"Yeah, sorry about that," he replied, looking a little sheepish.

"Normal, boring, but—"

"Happy?" He pressed, leaning back slightly, as if probing for more.

"Yeah," I admitted, my voice almost a whisper.

"What were they like? Your parents, I mean."

"Charlie, my dad, wasn't the type to express his feelings easily. I think I inherited that from him," I said, the weight of my words settling heavily on my chest.

I glanced away, hiding behind my hair as I watched Jeremy poke at his mystery meat, the thick cafeteria air filled with a mix of awkwardness and lingering tension.

"My dad always encouraged my sister and me to share our feelings with him and each other," he shared, his tone reflective.

"Was your dad a doctor?" I asked, intrigued.

"Yeah," he replied.

"Psychiatrist?" I guessed.

"No, just a regular medical doctor. How about yours?"

"He's a sheriff," I said, a hint of pride slipping into my voice.

"Did we use to play a game when you were the sheriff and I was the doctor?" I recalled, a smile breaking through my somber mood.

"Deputy," I corrected myself, a playful smirk forming. "Caroline was always the sheriff."

"Oh, right!" Jeremy laughed. "She never wanted to play anymore after you left."

"What about Bonnie and Elena? Didn't they want to be her deputies?" I asked, curious.

"Elena was—she kind of is still, a bit bossy."

There was no kind of!

"She never gave off that impression," I replied sarcastically.

He laughed, clearly appreciating my wit, then glanced over at his sister sitting at another table with Stefan Salvatore. They were both watching us, each for their own reasons, and I felt a sudden flutter of nerves.

"What was your mom like?" he asked, bringing the focus back.

"Renee, my mom, was eccentric and an experimental chef. She was forgetful, but very perceptive in a childlike way. She was an elementary school teacher," I shared, a wave of nostalgia washing over me.

My spirits plummeted with each word as memories flooded back.

"Sometimes, I felt like the parent in our relationship. My erratic, harebrained mother was my best friend," I said, my voice trailing off as the sadness consumed me.

"Are you alright?" Jeremy asked gently, concern etched on his face.

"I miss my parents," I confessed, my heart aching.

"I'm sorry. I understand how you feel," he replied, a hint of empathy in his tone.

Memories of Charles and Renee crashed into me like a battering ram, pushing my emotions to the surface. I held

back tears until suddenly, I felt a hand on mine. It didn't take long for me to realize one of those hands belonged to Jeremy, but what startled me was the warm, reassuring hand resting on my shoulder. Stefan Salvatore's exquisite face flashed in my mind, and just like that, I felt a spark of hope.

"Elena?" I blurted out, my earlier cheer rushing back.

But my mood plummeted as soon as I heard her name.

"What is it?" Jeremy asked, sensing the shift as I turned to face her.

"I think I left my diary in Bella's truck," Elena said, her voice rising slightly, laced with frustration.

"Did you?" I shot back, not convinced she carried anything with her.

"I can't find it!" she exclaimed, her frustration now palpable.

"Well, I don't have it!" I snapped, defensive.

"Elena, are you sure you didn't leave it at home?" Jeremy suggested thoughtfully.

"Maybe you left it at Stefan's, and his brother has it," she shot back, her eyes narrowing at me.

Elena glared as Jeremy remarked, "I didn't know he had a brother."

That makes two of you.

"I didn't leave it at the boarding house, and I didn't have it this morning!" she retorted, exasperation evident in her voice. "Just give me your keys."

"No way!" I replied firmly.

"Excuse me?!" she shot back, incredulous.

"I'll unlock the truck for you, but I'm not giving you my keys," I stated my resolve firm.

"Are you hiding my diary?!" she yelled, her anger flaring.

"Why would I offer to take you to it if I were?" I argued back.

"Are you calling me stupid?!" she challenged, eyes blazing.

"Yes," I replied without hesitation.

"No, I'm not insulting your intelligence," I countered.

I respect stupid people too much to lump you in with them.

"Hey, what's going on?" Stefan Salvatore's melodious voice

cut through the tension, racing my heart.

"Elena's accusing me of stealing," I grumbled, looking away in annoyance.

"I didn't!" Elena snapped, her face flushed.

"You kinda did," Jeremy added sheepishly, earning another glare from her.

Just then, Caroline approached us, her presence breaking the standoff. "Hey, what's going on over here?"

She looked radiant in a lemon-colored dress paired with a green cardigan and brown wedges, radiating effortless beauty.

"Well—" I started, but Caroline interrupted.

"Oh, before I forget," she said, pulling a small light green leather-bound book from her bag. "You left this at the grill last night."

Elena gasped, her eyes widening as she took the book from Caroline's hands; relief and indignation washed over her. Jeremy scoffed while Stefan shook his head in disbelief.

"What is it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"My diary," Elena said, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Your missing diary, Elena?

"Is something wrong?" Caroline asked.

"Nope, nothing is wrong—apparently," Elena replied.

"What were you going to say, Elena?" Caroline asked.

I turned to Elena, anticipation building as I waited for her reaction.

'Well, I-' she began before Caroline interrupted her.

'Oh, Bella, are you coming?'

I turned back to Caroline. 'Coming to what?'

'The Night Of The Comet.'

'Night of the comet? What's that?'

'It's only something that's only a century and a half in the making!' Caroline exclaimed. 'The comet hasn't been over Mystic Falls in a hundred and forty-five years! Everyone in town is coming; you can't stay home!'

'I think my grandmother would like that, but I'll ask her anyway. I need to keep her active.'

It would be an excellent opportunity to visit my grandfather and uncle Beau.

'You're bringing your grandmother?'

'Yes...'

'Ok...'

Caroline seemed far more upbeat than usual; I think Damon was to blame.

'Why don't you tell me more!' I said as I grabbed Caroline's arm, leading her away from Elena. 'I was only 4 when I left, so you'll have to forgive me if I appear lost when you mention town social events.'

'Well-'

'Have you met up with that guy?'

She pulled away from me, scoffing. 'No, I haven't.'

'Just be careful; I mean, I know we barely know each other-'

'You sound like Bonnie.'

'Bonnie is wise; listen to her.'

'She'd love to hear you say that.'

'Did she ever tell you what was wrong with her?'

'Nah, she just said she had a moment.' she turned to me. 'Are you sure you want to bring your grandmother?'

'Why wouldn't I?'

'That thing that attacked Vicky is still out there; what if it attacks tonight?'

The sentence struck me like lightning: what if Gran was attacked?

'Vicky was alone when she was attacked; my Gran won't be.'

'If you say so.' she shrugged, then leaned closer. 'So, I noticed that you were sitting with Jeremy-'

'It was great talking to you, Caroline, but I need to talk to Tanner about a grade-'

'Say no more.'

Mr. Tanner was seated at his desk, surrounded by a mountain of papers, his brow furrowed in concentration as he graded assignments. The soft sound of pages flipping filled the room.

"Mr. Tanner?" I called out, my voice breaking the quiet atmosphere.

He looked up, his expression shifting from focus to recognition. "Yes?" he replied, a hint of warmth in his tone. "Oh, it's you. What seems to be the issue, Miss Swan?"

"I hate to pester you," I began, feeling a little hesitant.

"A student eager to learn is never a bother," he reassured me, a smile breaking across his face.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "It's—are you going to the comet event?"

His eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Yes! This is nearly two centuries in the making," he replied, excitement evident in his voice.

I smiled, feeling the anticipation bubble inside me. "I wanted to bring my Gran, and I'd like you to meet her—"

"Miss Swan, I'm truly touched," he said, his surprise clearly sincere. "I'd be happy to meet her."

"Great! We should meet at the grill," I suggested, picturing the cozy atmosphere there.

"Sounds good," he replied, his expression cheerful. "I'll see you there."

After school, I set out with the intention of finding Elena to

apologize for Damon, but then I caught sight of Isabella as she stumbled out of the school, alone and a bit unsteady on her feet.

From the moment my eyes landed on her, I felt an irresistible pull—something deep beyond just her enchanting scent, the essence of her being that fascinated me.

Her fragrance enveloped me like a soft embrace, but her entire aura ignited my curiosity and made me yearn to understand her better.

The contrast between the two girls was stark; they seemed like night and day. Yet, strangely enough, Isabella embodied the twilight—a perfect blend of light and shadow.

Both girls were haunted by their own shades of sorrow, but while Elena was determined to rise above her pain, Isabella appeared to retreat into hers, cloaked in it. I had no doubt that Elena would eventually emerge from her sadness, but if Isabella didn't take care, her own melancholic fog could envelop her completely.

I couldn't help but wish that the two of them could find common ground and forge a friendship; despite their differences, they shared an undeniable kinship that seemed to go unnoticed.

As I observed Isabella walking away, the sunlight spilled over her hair, creating a warm glow that transformed it into a

brilliant shade of red.

Her skin was a striking white, reminiscent of a magnolia flower or the purest snow, with an alabaster hue that seemed almost otherworldly.

Like her name suggests, she was a swan—a delicate figure of beauty and grace.

Her complexion was so fair that her veins formed intricate patterns beneath her skin, a stark contrast that would likely leave her prone to burning under the sun, like a living representation of Snow White.

She passed by a group of seniors—three boisterous guys and two giggling girls. The guys tossed around crude jokes about their inappropriate desires for her while the girls traded shallow comments, their eyes shining with envy.

It was baffling how she could be entirely unaware of her beauty and grace. It was as if she moved through life without realizing the impact she had on those around her.