Chapter 4

I can see clearly now the rain is gone

I can see all obstacles in my way

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

It's gonna be a bright, bright sun shiny day

I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash

"Look Annie we don't have a lot of time, we have to follow Bonnie to make sure she is okay." Quickly I grab Elena's arm before she can run off "you have 30 seconds to explain to me what the hell is going on Elena, please." Letting out a sigh Elena tells me "Okay, Bonnie is a witch – please don't laugh. Bonnie is a witch and is currently possessed by one of her ancestors. There is more but I promise I will tell you after we help Bonnie." "I-I um okay. A witch. Cool cool… Lets go help Bonnie I guess?" I tell Elena while thinking to myself I guess that explains all the weird things I keep noticing around Bonnie. Nodding her head Elena grabs my hand and pulls me towards her car. "Where are we going Elena?" I ask as I buckle my seatbelt "To Fells Church" she responds without a second thought.

Running through the forest Elena and I make our way to Fells Church. "Is that fire?" I ask Elena as we get closer. "Bonnie" yells Elena as we break into the clearing. Suddenly Stefan has us both blocked and is holding us back preventing us from getting any closer to Bonnie. At the same time Bonnie throws something into the air and it explodes as Damon yells into the sky. Staring at Bonnie through the flames a dark look appears on Damon's face. As the flames extinguish Damon gives out a battle cry as he runs towards her and bites her neck. Letting go of us Stefan runs over and pushes Damon off Bonnie as Elena and I follow. "Oh god is she alive?" I ask as Stefan leans down to check her pulse "She's alive, but barely. I can save her." "Then do it" I state. Using his teeth, he rips his wrist and places it over her mouth. After a few moments Elena announces, "Her neck, it's healing." Looking towards Bonnie's neck I can't help but think What the hell have I got myself into?

After making our way towards Elena's vehicle Bonnie, Elena, and I stop to talk. With tears in her eyes Bonnie asks "I don't understand, Elena, what happened to me? He attacked me, and his face was like..." cutting her off Elena asks "How do you feel? Are you okay?" rubbing Bonnie on the arm I wait for her to respond "I'm fine. It's just this blood. I don't..." she trails off as Stefan approaches. Looking towards him I state "I think you need to back off Stefan" Sighing he responds "I'm not gonna hurt you." Turning back towards Elena Bonnie asks "What's going on, Elena?" "I'll explain everything, Bonnie. Okay? Let's just get out of here. Bonnie. Bonnie, look at me. Trust me. He's not going to hurt you. Come on. Come on." After leading Bonnie into the car Elena goes back to speak with Stefan as I sit and comfort Bonnie.

Once Elena finishes her conversation with Stefan as comes over to Bonnie and I. "Okay Elena, I think it is time for you to explain what the hell is happening?" Beside me I see Bonnie give a nod in agreement. Letting out a deep sigh Elena states "Okay, lets get in the car and I will explain." I help Bonnie into the front passenger seat before getting into the back seat behind her. "Here it goes…" Elena starts.

VAMPIRES. VAMPIRES. Are you kidding me. Not only is Bonnie a witch but Stefan and Damon are VAMPIRES. Sitting in my bed all I can do is sit in pure shock staring at my wall wondering how I missed this. Then again how would I know to look for VAMPIRES. Breaking me out of my thoughts a knock comes from my door and Tyler opens it. "Hey Annie, I thought you were at a sleepover with Bonnie and them tonight?" "Oh, yeah. I was but things got weird so I left." "Okay anything you want to talk about?" shaking my head in response Tyler nods and leaves my room. Sleep should be interesting tonight. I think to myself as I get into bed.

Darkness. A room full of darkness. A familiar dream and a familiar room. I look around knowing that an unknown man will appear shortly covered in blood and laying on the ground in clear pain. As though reading my thoughts a young man appears across from me laying on the floor covered in blood. I try to make my way towards his form but an unknown force holds me back. "Help.. me…" gasps the form. Knowing I won't be able to help, I fall to my knees as I watch the man gasp for air. As I continue to watch the young man tears begin streaming down my face. Eventually, even the form fades in the darkness and a voice rings out "Hello Love, I have been looking for you."

A few days later at the school's annual career fair Tyler and I find hiding out in one of the corners of the gym. "I am going to go wander before dad sees us standing here and not representing the family." I tell Tyler in a mocking tone. Letting out a chuckle Tyler agrees and we wander off in our separate ways. After a while of wandering, I notice Tyler walk out of the gym into the man hall. Hmmm interesting, if he is leaving, so am I. Making my way out the same door, I notice Tyler and Jeremy standing at the end of the hall. Suddenly Jeremy lunges at Tyler. As they start to struggle, I see my dad run towards them and with the help of Mr. Saltzman they pull Jeremy and Tyler apart. Looking between the two boys my dad states "you two follow me". Looking on in confusion Mr. Saltzman asks "Excuse me, Mayor. Where are you taking them?'' The three of them turn to face him and dad responds "I'm going to talk to them. All fights should end in handshakes, don't you think?" Bull and shit dad I think to myself as I watch him lead Tyler and Jeremy outside.

Later that day Tyler and I are sitting in an empty class room as Tyler tells me about what happened with dad and Jeremy. "And then Mr. Saltzman said dad looks like a fully grown alpha male douchebag, it took everything in me not to laugh" letting out a chuckle I glance a Tyler's smirk and state "well he isn't wrong. I am almost surprised dad didn't try to fight you himself when you and Jeremy refused to go at it" "yeah me too, thank God for Mr. Saltzman. I think I am going to go find Matt and head out. Do you need a ride or are you good?" "I am good, go have some non-stressful time with Matt." Shaking his head Tyler gives me a quick hug and makes his way out of the room to locate Matt. If only our dad was less of a jerkface.

A couple of days after the career fair incident Bonnie, Elena, and I met at the grill for dinner and a long-awaited girl talk. "I can't believe you're adopted. I never saw that coming." Retorts Bonnie after Elena shares that her parents are not her biological parents. "And it gets weirder. I looked at my birth certificate. It lists Miranda and Grayson Gilbert as my birth parents. None of it makes any sense." Says Elena. "This is crazy and makes my head hurt. Have you asked Jenna?" I ask as Elena lets out a groan. "First of all, the Elena I know would always want the real truth, good or bad." Explains Bonnie as I nod in agreement. "And second of all?" "You just found out your boyfriend is a vampire, so unless your birth parents are aliens… How bad could it be?" Bonnie whispers as Elena laughs when Bonnie mentions aliens. "Not to mention that no matter how bad it is you will always have us" I announce. Letting out a small smile Elena thanks us. "I have to head out and get some more accessories for my outfit tonight. But before I leave, Annie, I want you to take this bracelet. It will stop vampires from being able to compel you" Letting out a smile I nod "thank you Elena, I appreciate it" not that it will do much for me anyways, at least it is cute. As Elena stands up Bonnie notes she will pay the bill. Once Elena leaves Bonnie and I are approached by none other than Damon Salvatore. "What do you want, Damon? '' I ask with irritation clear in my tone. "I think we all need a fresh start" "you tried to kill me" responds Bonnie. "But I didn't, and if I wanted to, I would have. Does that not count for anything?" "You know, I can start fires with my mind. Fires kill vampires, right? Just stay the hell away from me and my friends.'' As Damon looks at us in concern an unfamiliar guy walks towards us and asks "Everything ok over here?" Turning to the figure Damon responds "Yeah, we're fine." "I wasn't talkin' to you." With a dark look in his eyes Damon storms off, letting out a brief laugh I turn to Bonnie "well that was fun, I am going to head out thanks for dinner Bonnie" I say, looking at the stranger I give a brief nod before I take my leave.

"I know why I didn't go to the dance tonight but why didn't you?" asks Matt as he cleans the table beside me. "Well Matt when you live with someone like Carol Lockwood you quickly learn to avoid dances when you can" I laugh out. Shaking his head at me his face quickly changes into one of annoyance. Glancing the way, he is looking I see Caroline and Bonnie enter the grill. "You okay Matt?" "Fine. I am gonna go clean another table before my boss gets mad" as he walks away Bonnie and Caroline make their way over to my table. "Hey Annie can we sit with you" "Go for it" I say as I smile. "Don't rain on my hot guy parade" Bonnie tells Caroline as they sit. "What? It's just a drizzle. Ben McKittrick? Really?" responds Caroline. "Sorry who is Ben?" "The guy who interrupted Damon the other day" shares Bonnie as I nod. "He's a washed-up jock who pours drinks for a living. You could do way better." "Wow Caroline really" I say as I notice Matt listening in. Glancing my way Caroline notices Matt "Hey" she smiles at him. Pushing past our table he responds "what's up?" before walking away.

"Tonight was so much better on paper, '' shares Caroline as we eat our food. "Ah, you're just feeling sorry for yourself. Go and talk to him. Be bold and fearless" exclaims Bonnie. "Yeah, this coming from the girl who's been eye stalking the bartender." Letting out a laugh I notice the determined look in Bonnie's eye. "Go get him Bonnie'' I state as she stands and makes her way over to Ben. As we watch Bonnie and Ben flirt Caroline notices Matt walking by "seriously" she asks. "Is that for me?" "Do you see anyone else in the vicinity?"" Do you need something?" "No Matt we are okay" I try to interject as Caroline asks "Are you mad at me or something?" "No, Care. I'm not mad. I..." "Well, then why are you being so weird?" interrupts Caroline. "I'm not. I'm working." "You're avoiding." "No. I have a table to clean. You know, that's the kind of thing that washed-up jocks do to make a living." Matt announces before walking away. Closing her eyes a look of realization comes across Caroline's face. Lifting my fork to my mouth I state, "yeah you really fucked that one up Care." Once we finish eating Caroline announces she is going to go talk to Matt. "Make sure you apologize Caroline" I state as she walks towards him. Unable to hear, I watch the pair until Caroline storms out of the grill. Well that went as well as expected.