Since the moment Stefan was taken by Klaus, life has felt eerily muted, as if the vibrant colors of my world had been replaced by shades of gray. I've tried reaching out repeatedly—my phone is filled with calls and texts, but each attempt has gone unanswered.
The weight of loss hangs heavy in the air. Jenna Sommers and John Gilbert are both gone, and their absence has cast a long shadow over us. Grief is palpable, and everyone seems to wear it like a second skin, keeping their distance from one another.
Caroline and Jeremy filled me in on the latest chaos: Klaus isn't just a powerful vampire; he's also a werewolf. He attacked Damon, leaving him wounded, and the twisted price for Damon's cure is Klaus's blood—by some cruel twist of fate, it's connected to Stefan. Klaus didn't just want to end Stefan's life; he wanted him—body and soul.
Klaus took Stefan, and in the aftermath, Jeremy told me how Elena spent the entire summer frantically searching for him, her determination unwavering as she teamed up with Damon and Mr. Saltzman in the quest. Yet, frustratingly, no one seems to know anything about how that search has been unfolding.
It looks like I'll have to call her to find out more.
'Hello?'
'Elena?'
Silence.
'Elena?' I choked once more.
I heard a door slam, then, 'Bella.'
'Are you back in town?'
'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 plate of brownies 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.
Obviously.
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.
"Isobel just walked in," Alaric murmured into my ear, the sound barely rising above the throbbing music as he handed me a cold beer. A wave of annoyance washed over me, and I rolled my eyes dramatically. "Maybe she's just here to wish you well. It's your birthday, after all."
The thought of facing Bella made my stomach twist, but she was weaving through the crowded room, her eyes on me.
"Just hear her out," Alaric urged his tone a mix of encouragement and exasperation.
Sighing heavily, I braced myself as she approached, her smile bright but awkward. "Elena, hi!" she chirped, her voice cheerful despite the chaos around us.
"Isobel," Alaric replied, extending a bottle toward her with a friendly grin. "Glad you could make it."
She set the bottle down without so much as a glance at it. "I'm 15; I don't drink," she stated matter-of-factly. "It's Bella."
Ugh, she's such a dork. I couldn't help but roll my eyes again at her earnestness.
With a determined grip, I seized her wrist and pulled her gently but firmly toward Stefan's bedroom. "Let's get this over with," I said, the weight of the night pressing down on me as I prepared for whatever awkward conversation lay ahead.
The moment Caroline caught a whiff of Bella's familiar scent, a surge of urgency welled up within her. She hurried down the corridor, eager to find her.
As she had expected, Bella was in Elena's company.
Bella had never been one to let things take their course. She was driven and direct, always ready to engage.
They were nestled in Stefan's room, where Bella animatedly dominated the conversation. Although the exchange was light and filled with small talk, it was evident that Bella was trying to connect.
"How have you been?" Bella inquired, her voice laced with friendliness.
"Fine," Elena responded stiffly, her tone lacking warmth.
"Any luck finding Stefan?" Bella pressed, searching for a hint of hope.
"No," Elena replied, her expression hardening.
"Happy birthday!" Bella added, attempting to inject some cheer.
"Thank you," Elena said, her gratitude minimal and clipped.
"I made you some brownies," Bella offered, her voice brightening, hoping to break through Elena's icy demeanor.
"Thanks," Elena replied flatly, clearly unenthusiastic.
"Let's just hope Jeremy and Mr. Saltzman don't devour them all," Bella joked, but a heavy silence enveloped them afterward. Bella took a breath, ready to continue. "So—"
"Just stop, Bella. Please," Elena sighed, frustration evident on her face. "Get to the point."
"I'm sure Caroline shared what she knows about Isobel's mother," Bella said, her voice steady but insistent.
"She has," Elena acknowledged, her eyes narrowing.
"I really think we should consider visiting her together," Bella urged, trying to convey the importance of the connection.
"Well, I don't," Elena shot back sharply, her defenses clearly up.
"That's… fine," Bella replied quietly, visibly deflated. "I suppose we can go separately—"
"No, Bella. I want nothing to do with Isobel or you," Elena stated firmly, the finality in her voice cutting deep.
"I understand I'm the last person you'd want as a sister, but—" Bella began, desperation creeping into her words.
"I don't want you as anything!" Elena interrupted, her voice rising with indignation.
"And that's fine!" Bella retorted, frustration simmering just below the surface. "Honestly, my life is better without you, but I think you should still meet Isobel's mother."
"And I think I've made myself perfectly clear," Elena said, crossing her arms, an impenetrable wall.
"And I think you need to get over yourself!" Bella shot back, anger igniting.
"I want to get over you!" Elena declared, her voice firm.
"The feeling is mutual," Bella responded, her tone sharp but pained. "But we don't have a choice—"
"I do, and I choose not to recognize you or Isobel as family!" Elena hissed, her face a mask of determination.
"Just because you despise Isobel and me doesn't mean you should take it out on an innocent person," Bella implored, her eyes pleading.
"That didn't stop Isobel from handing me over to Klaus," Elena spat back, bitterness leaking into her words.
"What does that have to do with a dying old woman?" Bella countered, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"My aunt Jenna is dead because of her—" Elena's voice faltered, pain breaking through her anger.
"No, she's dead because of Klaus," Bella corrected gently, clarifying the chaotic emotions.
"Bella, I don't want you in my life," Elena insisted, her voice strained with sorrow and resolve.
Elena, no. Caroline thought.
"You know what," Bella said, her voice rising defiantly, "to heck with you! My life was better when I didn't have to interact with you. I don't need you."
In a fit of frustration, Bella swung the door open with force and stormed out of the house, leaving a heavy silence in her wake.
'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 entered 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.