Rylie finally found a small enough town to call home. All that was left was to find a place to live and a job off the books. Walking down the long curvy road she kept looking over her shoulder. She kept wondering if this was the right spot to start over. It had been raining and she was drenched. She didn't bother looking in her bag, she knew they clothes she had in there were just as wet. Up a head Rylie saw buildings. A small smile appeared on her lips. She was starving. The food she had was eaten hours ago. Her stomach needed something in it. It was starting to yell at her. She picked up the pace and hurried to the town. Just over the hill she saw it. She threw her head back in happiness. This is the first town she saw in days. She saw the random diners and delis in the middle of nowhere. But this was the real deal. She really didn't want to sleep outside again. Especially in the rain. Rylie reached the town and looked around. A coffee shop, an animal hospital, various clothing stores, a diner, a grill, a bar. She went to the coffee store. She needed something warm. But when she reached the door it was closed. Crap, she thought. She turned around and saw the diner and the grill. The grill was closer. Her legs hurt from her miles of walking. She walked to the small distance and was thrilled to see it was open. She pulled the door open and the noise poured out with the smell of burgers and food. Her stomach growled to the smell and her mouth watered.

"Welcome to the Mystic Grill. Can I get you a table?" a brunette host asked. Rylie looked at her and smiled.

"In a few. Where's the bathroom?" the hostess looked her up and down and pointed to the other side of the restaurant. "Thanks." Rylie walked towards the bathroom. She wanted to check the clothes she had. She knew they were wet but she wanted to just make sure. The clothes she was wearing felt disgusting. She entered the restroom and saw it was empty. Putting her bag on the counter she pulled out her hairbrush and toothbrush. After brushing her hair and teeth she started to go through her clothes. As she suspected, they were all drenched from the weather. At the bottom of her backpack in a small plastic bag was her money. She had enough for one maybe two months' rent depending on the apartment. She also had a few extra bucks for food. She pulled out a ten hoping it was enough for a burger and water. She went to the hand dryer to try to dry herself off. It really didn't work.

After the dead attempted of drying off she exited the bathroom. Looking around she saw how busy the place was. There were people of all ages in this place. She looked at the bar wanting an alcoholic beverage. But that would be more money than she was willing to spend. As she was taking in the scenery someone bumped in to her.

"Oh, sorry." The brunette said looking up from her phone.

"It's my fault I was just standing here." Rylie answered while walking away. She went back to the hostess and asked her for a table closest to the fireplace. As she sat down she opened her menu. The prices weren't that bad here. She was actually able to order a soda instead of just water. She made a mental note to get a water to go and not to eat her whole meal. She wasn't sure when she would be able to find work and an apartment.

The waiter came over and took her order. Before he left she asked him for a spare pen. After receiving one she took a napkin and started on a must do list. Find apartment, find a job, buy clothes, buy food, buy pre-paid cell. She didn't need much, just more than what she carried on her back. While she was writing her food arrived. She thanked the waited and bit into her burger. Rylie closed her eyes and enjoyed the burst of flavor in her mouth. She took a sip of her drink and put the burger down to start on the fries.

"Everything alright?" she heard the young waiter say.

"Great, thanks." She said looking at him. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Is there anyone around here renting an apartment or looking for a roommate that you know of?"

"New to town?" He asked crossing his arms. Rylie just looked at her backpack.

"Yeah. I'm staying in town for a little while. I just got here tonight and have no place yet."

"I'm not sure about anyone looking. But if I hear of anything I'll let you know."

"Yeah, if you could that would be really great."

"I'm Matt by the way." He said putting his hand out. Rylie took it.

"Rylie. Thanks for all your help Matt." She said with a smile.

"All in a day's work. Where you from?" She didn't want to answer it. So she answered it like she did at the diner two nights ago and the deli four days ago.

"Around. I moved a lot. My dad is in the service."

"What are you doing in Mystic Falls?" How was she going to answer that without raising red flags to the locals?

"Once I find that out I will let you know."

"Well Rylie, if you need anything let me know." Matt smiled and walked away.

Half way through her meal she wanted to finish it. But she needed to keep it just in case there were no apartments available. She waved down Matt to pay her bill.

"Everything alright?" he asked as he approached.

"Yeah, I just want to take this to go and to pay the bill."

"On the house." Rylie looked at him. "You're new. Don't worry about it."

"Thanks." Rylie asked gathering her stuff.

"Good luck." Matt said waving her a farewell as she made her way to the front. She saw the hostess from before.

"Excuse me?" She asked. The brunette looked up with a snobby smile.

"Yes?"

"Do you know of any hotels in the area?"

"No, sorry. But there is the Salvatore Boarding House in the town." She took a piece of paper and wrote down a number. "Here's the number." She handed Rylie the paper and pointed to the pay phone to the side.

"Thanks." Rylie said as she looked at the paper and headed to the phone.

She grabbed the quarter out of her pocket and picked up the receiver. She slid the coin in and dialed the number. But nothing happened. She looked at the phone and then the receiver. She hit the end button a few times but with no result. She sighed in defeat. Putting her bag down she threw her blonde hair up into a loose ponytail while looking around the building. She was hoping to find another phone in the area.

Really, not my day right now. No phone, no address, come on I want a shower! She thought frustrated.

"Problem?" she heard from behind her. She spun around and saw a tall raven head guy with piercing blue eyes.

"Uh, yeah. The phone doesn't work, and I need it to."

"You don't have a cell phone? It is the 21st century." The man said taking a phone out of his pocket.

"I used to."

"You can use mine. Just local calls please." He smirked.

"Thanks, really I appreciate it. I just need to call the Boarding House"

"The Salvatore Boarding house?" The man asked.

"Yeah, the hostess said there are no hotels in the area but there was the Boarding House." Rylie said looking at him.

"Well, I know the owner and I can tell that they are not taking people in. They haven't for a while now."

"Well, I rather hear that from the horse's mouth." She said looking at the phone in her hand. It felt like forever since she had a cell phone in her hand. Or any phone for that matter. She had not had any communication with anyone since she started this thing.

"You just did." The man said making her forget her thoughts.

"You?" she asked.

"Damon Salvatore. Owner and operator of the Salvatore Boarding House. And sorry ma'am we aren't taking tenants."

Rylie looked down. First no phone, and now no place to stay. Why didn't this town have a place for visitors to stay? There had to be a way to get this guy to let her stay for the night. Just until she can move on to the next town. She needed a shower and she was getting distressed. Still looking down she handed Damon his phone back and went to the restroom. She found an empty stall and started to cry. She came all this way for nothing. She wanted to find a town in the middle of nowhere. Somewhere no one would think of looking for her. And here she was standing in a bathroom stall in a town no one heard of. Just to be shut out. She knew being anywhere was better than where she was. But she didn't think this would happen. What town doesn't have a hotel? This was for the best. She couldn't crumble now. Not after everything she just went through to even get here. She lifted her chin wiped her eyes and went to the sink. She saw a young blonde at the sink fixing her hair. She gave her a weak smile as she washed her face.

"Are you alright?" the blonde said. Rylie looked up at her at the mirror.

"Yeah, thanks." She dried her face with a paper towel.

"You aren't alright. People don't cry when they're alright. I'm Caroline. You're new."

"I'm fine really."

"Can I get you something to drink? Maybe some fresh clothes?" This girl was asking her if she needed help. And there was Damon Salvatore who saw her in the same position and can't open his Boarding House for one night.

"I just need a place to shower and then I'm out of this town. But there is no hotel. So I'm leaving. Thanks though." She said walking out.

"Hey, wait." Caroline said walking after her. "Come use my shower. I even have a whole bunch of clothes if you need them." Rylie looked at this girl like she was crazy. Was this young teenager really inviting a stranger into her house? "I live with the town Sheriff. I'm not some nut who does this all the time. But you really look like you need some help."

"At least someone sees it." Rylie mumbled under her breath seeing the raven head at the bar. Caroline looked too.

"What do you mean?"

"I was about to call the Salvatore Boarding House, but I met the owner. He isn't having people there." Rylie said looking away from Damon and back at the blonde.

"He's only one of the owners. He's got a little brother who is a little bit more understanding than him. Damon is a dick." Caroline said still looking at the bar. Rylie smiled and then looked back at the bar and Damon was looking at them. She saw Caroline smirk at the man then turned to Rylie. "So, again I'm Caroline."

"I'm Rylie."

"Come on, let's go get you cleaned up Rylie. Did you eat?"

"Yeah. Really I don't want to intrude. But thanks."

"I don't take no as an answer. So you might just want to say yes and get it over with." Rylie smiled a little with a laugh. She liked this girl. She was young. Younger than most of her old friends. But mature.

"Fine." Rylie gave in. The two blondes walked out of the Grill and got into Caroline's car. After a few moments of silence Caroline started asking questions.

"So what brings you to Mystic Falls?" she heard the teen say.

"I'm not too sure yet." She said still looking at the passing town.

"Well, where you from?"

"Around. My dad was in the service. We moved a lot when I was a kid."

"Where were you before you came here?" Rylie hadn't been asked that question. She didn't want to say where she was from. She just wanted to be away from there. She was trying to think of an answer fast so it didn't look mysterious.

"Um, I was just in a town about 50 miles away 2 days ago." She answered. It was the truth. She just didn't tell the town.

"Did your car break down there? I know someone who is really good at repairing cars we can go there if you need to." Rylie just shook her head.

"I don't have a car."

"Did you take the bus or something?" the older blonde looked at the younger one from the corner of her eye. She could see Caroline eyeing her hands and wrists. Was she looking for something? Rylie saw a big blue ring on her hand. She fell in love with it. She turned her head all the way and looked even more.

"That is such a gorgeous ring." She stated. Caroline lifted her hand and looked at it.

"Thanks it's a family air loom. I never take it off." Rylie looked away. Family air loom? She would never have one of those. That could be a good thing. Just one more thing to hang on to if she had to leave in a rush. She couldn't do that. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah, I'm just tired. It's been a long few weeks."

"Do you have anything?"

"Just what's in the backpack." Rylie answered pointing to the backseat.

"Why?" Rylie wasn't going to answer that. That was the one thing she would keep her mouth shut on. She slumped farther into her seat and looked out the window again. Caroline saw the motion. "Hey sorry if I upset you. I'm just nosey. I will keep quiet." Rylie knew she meant it. But she still wasn't going to answer.

"Thanks for letting me use your shower. I really do appreciate it."

"Really, it's no problem. And if I can't get Stefan to let you stay at the Boarding house stay with me tonight. Get a good night sleep before you head out again."

"Thanks. Maybe a will take a nap and wait until the rain stops if the other owner says no."

"Spend the night. When was the last time you had a girl's night?" Caroline said looking at her. Rylie had no idea. It had to be in her senior year of high school. She was 23. "We can watch chick flicks eat popcorn. My mom is working tonight. I can invite my other girlfriends."

"As tempting as all that sounds, I haven't had a decent night sleep in weeks. If the Salvatore's say no, I'm just gonna take a nap and then head out. I rather not waste much time if I don't have to."

"What if I can get Stefan to say yes? Will you at least spend the night with me?" Caroline wanted to try to see what she was running from.

"ONLY if they say yes. And then tomorrow I will go the Boarding House."

"Good, because I have a whole bunch of clothes that you can have." The rest of the drive was silent. Rylie wasn't comfortable taking things from Caroline. She wasn't used to being helped or served. It was the other way around the last 5 years for her.

They pulled up to a white house. It was cute; it had the southern charm Rylie was starting to love about walking this way. It was much nicer than the place she was living at just 3 short weeks ago.

"This is it." Caroline got out of the driver's seat. Rylie followed after she grabbed her bag from the back. Caroline opened the door and walked in with the older blonde behind her. "Bathroom is this way. The lining closet is in the bathroom with towels. The shampoo is on the shower rack with the soap. If you need anything let me know." Caroline said in front of the room.

"Thanks." Rylie answered and walked in closing the door behind her. She knew the shower would be the best feeling in the world. He hoped the other Salvatore said she could stay at the house. She wanted to know she had a place to go if she needed too. If not then she was on the road later tonight.

While Rylie was in the shower, Caroline got a blood bag and brought it to her room as she looked for clothes to give to Rylie. She liked the older girl. There was something about her that she liked. She hated that if Stefan said she couldn't stay that she would leave. She made a mental note to call her mother and ask her if she can rent out the spare guest room to Rylie.

Caroline heard the shower go off. Using her vampire speed she ran and threw the blood bag away. While she was looking for clothes she found a pair of black skinnies and a peach blouse. She wasn't sure of Rylie's shoe size but figured she would ask later.

"Hey Rylie?" Caroline said from the outside of the door. "I have clothes for you."

Rylie couldn't wait to put dry clothes on. When Caroline announced she had some she was taking things out of her bag. Her money and her important paperwork. She opened up the door slightly and looked at the teen.

"Can I ask a really small favor?" Rylie asked shyly.

"Of course!"

"Can you put all of this in the dryer?"

"Sure. Is your old clothes from today in there?" Rylie nodded and Caroline took the backpack. "The pack too?"

"Please?"

"Sure." She started to walk away. "Oh, I put in a fresh pair of underwear. Never worn. And the shirt has a built in bra. And I didn't know what size shoe you were so I didn't bring you any."

"This is more than enough. Thank you so much."

"If you need a blow dryer it's in the bottom right drawer."

"Thanks. My hair dries straight."

"Lucky!" Caroline said as she walked away.

Rylie closed the door and finished dressing. She took her money and paperwork and stuffed them in the pocket of the jeans. Inside the bag with her money and paperwork, was a picture of her adoptive mother. She missed her. It was the one thing she made sure she took with her. She took it out and stared at it. Putting it away she left the bathroom. She ran into Caroline in the hallway.

"Everything is in the dryer. I'm going to call Stefan. Why don't you go lie down? The guest room is right down the hallway to the right."

"Sounds great. Thanks." Rylie found the room and laid down. As soon as her head hit the pillow she was out.

Stefan's phone rang a few times before he answered.

"Hello?"

"I need a favor."

"What?" Caroline explained everything about Rylie. How Damon denied her, and how she felt that the girl was running from someone. "How do you know she is actually running from someone?"

"Just the things she says Stefan. The answers to my questions are all vague. She will leave if you say no. She has nowhere else to go."

"Where is she now?" he asked.

"She's sleeping in my guest room. Stefan you should have seen her. She was wet and dirty. And your brother being the dick he is denies her. She's scared of something. I just don't know of what."

"Look, why don't I come by and I can meet her. Is she a vampire?"

"Don't you think I would have told you that as soon as I called you? That would have gotten a text from me. She's not. However she loves my ring." Caroline said looking at the lapis lazuli ring on her middle finger. "But come by. I like her Stefan. She needs help. At least she will be protected in a town filled with vampires."

"Fine I'm on my way." Caroline hit the end button and went to her room and changed. A little while later she was opening the door for Stefan and Elena. "She's still sleeping. Should I wake her?"

"I would. I wanna meet her not see her." Stefan said smiling. Caroline turned on her heel and went into the guest room.

"Rylie? Rylie." She said. Rylie moaned and slowly opened her eyes. "Sorry, Stefan is here. He wants to meet you." Rylie slowly got up. "Want some coffee?"

"Oh my God you are now my best friend. Coffee sounds like gift sent from above." Caroline laughed.

"Coffee it is." Rylie got up and followed Caroline out of the room. Down the hall they entered the living room. She saw a tall guy who looked nothing like Damon. He had brown hair and green eyes that were a little darker than the green in her hazel eyes. He was with a young girl who had long dark brown hair. She could tell they were both around Caroline's age. "Stefan this is Rylie. Rylie this is Stefan Salvatore and his girlfriend Elena Gilbert." Caroline introduced. "I'm going to make Rylie some coffee. Anyone else?" Elena and Stefan both declined and the teen left the room.

"It's nice to meet you." Stefan said.

"Likewise. Thank you so much for meeting me."

"It's really no problem. I know how my brother can be. Where you from?" Rylie knew these questions would come. She sat on the winged chair in the corner of the room as she answered.

"Here and there. Dad was in the service so we moved a lot." The answer was become second nature. Stefan nodded.

"What brought you to Mystic Falls?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'm just looking for a new beginning." She wasn't completely lying. She had a past she didn't want to go back to.

"How long are you planning on staying?"

"That's the thing. I'm not sure. I can find a job and pay you and your brother for letting me stay there. I have a few bucks for a while depending on the price you offer." Caroline was walking back in the room with a cup of coffee for Rylie.

"Stefan is not going to charge you. You're my friend."

"She's right. Caroline's friend is our friend." Elena said.

"So you will let her stay?" Caroline said with a perky voice.

"Sure. When do you want to move in?"

"Tomorrow." Caroline answered. "Tonight we are having a girl's night. It the deal we made." The teen looked at Rylie with a smile on her face. And then looked back at Stefan. "Thanks so much. I will bring her there tomorrow afternoon. After she sleeps and we go through my closet and give her clothes." Stefan and Elena stood up to leave. Rylie followed their leads.

"Thank you Stefan. You have no idea how much this means." Rylie looked at her new blonde friend and smiled.

"If you need anything let me know. Caroline will give you my number." With that they left.

"Yay, you get to stay." Caroline said happily. Rylie was thrilled too. Deep down she knew she was going to miss Caroline if Stefan had said no. "Told you Stefan is more understanding."

The rest of the night went by in a blur. Caroline went through every drawer and every inch of her closet to find clothes to give to Rylie. She found shoes, jewelry, belts, hats, bags even sunglasses. It amazed Rylie that she had all this. Rylie kept telling her that she didn't need all of this. With Stefan not charging her for staying there she had enough money to hold her over for a little bit. But she was having a good time seeing all the clothes that she was getting for free. Caroline was more than happy to give them away. They decided that they would spend the night in Caroline's room. Around 2 am the girls finally laid down for bed.

"I can't wait to see Damon's face tomorrow when you show up at the Boarding House." Caroline said before she fell asleep. Rylie hadn't thought about that. Now she was anxious.

AN::: Chapter 1 of my third story. Please let me know what you think. And to all my loyal minions who have been with me since my first story "Do I Have To Cry For You?" let me know you are still with me! Feedback is much appreciated!