Chapter 7

And where did I go wrong?

I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

How To Save a Life – The Fray

A few days after Miss Mystic Falls, I get a call from Elena, filling me in on everything that happened with Stefan since the pageant.

"Elena are you seriously telling me that you and Damon locked Stefan in his basement and starved him" I ask while trying to contain my laughter.

"It isn't funny Annie! We had to do something!"

"I know Elena, I am sorry it's just the whole situation is kind of funny, awful, but funny."

"I know that Annie, but at the time it was scary. I was scared of who Stefan turned into."

In a moment of silence, I allow myself to feel for Elena and say "I am sorry for what happened but I am glad you told me. Thank you for keeping my included in what is going on with you." "Annie we were once best friends and I want to get back to that, even if it is sometimes hard." Smiling to myself I agree with her.

Finishing our conversation and hanging up I think to myself I hope Elena and I's friendship can continue to build.

"So, these are the specs for the History department. For the Founders' Day float, we'll be recreating the battle of Willow Creek. Tyler has been nominated at the head of the production design." Announces Dr. Saltzman to our history class.

Sitting bedside Matt I see and hear Tyler ask him "You want to help me out with this?" Both of use laugh as Matt responds with distain "Not really, no."

After getting a text from Bonnie I make my way to meet her in the chemistry classroom where I find her and Elena looking at spell book.

As I enter the room, they both look up and smile "Come look what we found Annie," announces Bonnie.

Smiling back at them I walk over and look at the spell book. Pointing towards a small picture Elena says "That's the vampire compass."

"Yeah, according to Emily, Johnathan Gilbert never actually succeeded in inventing anything. Emily secretly spelled them all with magic. Compass, rings and the mystery device you told me about." Responds Bonnie.

"Wait hold on, what the hell is a vampire compass?" I ask them both.

Looking towards me Elena shares what they know about the compass so far. "So let me get this straight it helps find vampires?" I ask.

"I am not sure. My ancestor Emily pledged her loyalty to Katherine. But she couldn't stand by and watch innocent people get killed. This was the only way she could think of to help. To let Johnathan Gilbert believe that he'd actually invented these devices."

"So, what does it do?" Elena asks Bonnie.

Looking down at the page Bonnie reads a bit before glancing back at us both "This is a weapon. Against vampires."

Well shit.

Shortly after Elena leaves to find Stefan while Bonnie and I stay to chat.

"What are we going to do about this device Bonnie" I ask with uncertainty.

"Honestly Annie I don't know. I think I can unspell it but I don't know if it's the right thing to do." Shares Bonnie.

Sitting in silence for a moment I then ask "is this part of the tension between you and Elena? I am just guessing it has to do with vampires and your grams."

Closing the book Bonnie looks at me and shares "it all feels useless. Her death especially. I know she gave you back your memories of being a witch but she is gone and for what? For vampires to be free. I just wish Elena could understand how hard this is for me."

Nodding my head I then lean over to give Bonnie a hug and tell her "I trust you will do the right thing Bonnie, just let me know if you need help with it."

"No, no, no, no, no! It's all wrong! The marching band should be in front of the Historic Society. Matt, get up on the float. Boys, I asked you to put chairs on the Founders' Float. Ladies! Time to get on the float." Frantically states Carol as I try to hold in my laughter.

I am so happy I am not on that float I can only imagine Carol then.

After being released for Carol duty I wander around to find Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline.

I hope Matt is with them I want to check in on him after he hurt his arm.

Wandering for a bit I find the Matt and Caroline in their civil war costumes taking pictures with Bonnie as the photographer.

"Oh wait! Hide your cast, it's not era-appropriate!" I hear Caroline scold Matt.

Laughing I make my way closer to them to say hi. As I do Tyler also approaches the group. Giving him a small smile I hear Caroline announce she wants a picture with Bonnie and me.

"Here, I can take it." Announces Tyler as he takes Bonnies camera from her.

From beside him Matt states "I'll be on the float." Before storming off.

Looking towards Caroline Tyler says "I said I was sorry!"

Shaking her head Caroline looks at Tyler and says "You made out with his mother and then you beat him to a pulp. You're going to have to do a little bit better than sorry."

After her statement Caroline gently grabs Bonnie and I and pulls us towards Matt and the float.

In the crowd Bonnie and I stand together as Carol announces the parade.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our stunning Miss Mystic Falls Court and their handsome escorts. This is Caroline Forbes, Miss Mystic Falls. Aren't they beautiful?" commentates Carol as the float goes past us.

As Bonnie and I wave to Elena and Caroline, Damon steps in front of us and waves at Elena.

As Damon turns towards us I ask "what do you want Damon?" smirking he states "Just watching the parade."

Giving me a quick look Bonnie and I turn to leave as Damon asks "Where are you going?"

"Away From you" announces Bonnie.

Quickly Damon states "I just wanted to say thank you. The device that Emily spelled could have killed me. I don't take what you did lightly so...thank you."

Nodding her head Bonnie shares "I did it for Elena"

"I know that, but I'm still very grateful. And...I owe you." Announces Damon before walking away.

Turning to Bonnie, I look her in the eye and ask "So you did it then? For Elena?"

As I look Bonnie in the face a flash of unknown emotion flashes across her face as she shares "yes, I did it."

In the background I hear Carol say "Let's cheer for the Mystic Fall's high school football team. Alright! Let's show them our support, everybody!"

That night before the big party in town square, Tyler and I get told to go home by our dad. However, Tyler somehow convinces me to go to Mystic grill with him to meet up with Matt and Caroline.

While Matt and Caroline are sitting in a booth talking, Tyler and I are playing pool laughing and just having a good time.

When from behind us we hear a soft voice say "What are you doing here? I told you to go home."

Turning towards the voice I notice our father. Tyler is quick to say "We decided not to."

Almost as quick our dad grabs Tyler by the arm as he says "If I tell you to do something, you do it!"

"Let go of me" Yells Tyler.

From behind them I see Caroline and Matt making their way over.

"Come on dad its okay we will leave, just let him go" looking towards me and behind him my dad states "I need you to go home, now. Take your friends with you."

Looking confused Matt asks "Why? What's going on?"

Shaking his head dad announces "I can't explain. All of you need to get home, now. Please."

Noticing the shift of tone in his voice Tyler agrees and our dad gives us his keys.

In the car Tyler is driving with Caroline in the passenger seat and Matt and I in the back.

As we drive, we sit in silence when suddenly I hear a loud ringing noise in my ears and Tyler asks "what the hell is that?"

"You hear it too" I ask.

At the same time Caroline asks "What's the matter?"

In a flash the noise went from annoying to excruciating. At the same time Tyler and I grab our heads to cover our ears and scream.

Suddenly I hear Caroline and Matt scream then a crash.

Then nothing.

"Now remember honey, if you want to use magic you have to pull power from your necklace." Says a soft voice from behind me.

Vanilla and Jasmine, Mom.

Turning around I smile at her as ask "but why mom? Why can't I use magic like you or Ms. Shelia?"

Bending down to rest on one knee in front of me, my mom takes hold of my shoulders and shares "you are a very special type of witch my love. And you need a source of power when you use magic. Do not be afraid of your magic. Embrace it. Use it. Control it."

Nodding my head I reach out and hug her.

As I do I whisper in her ear "even when I am scared, I promise I will not be afraid of myself mommy" pulling back from me she smiles and stands.

As she does, I see a man walking behind her. My friend!

As he gets closer, I hear his voice "Wake up love… WAKE UP"

Jolting awake I realize I am laying on the ground with paramedics above me.

"What happened? Where is Tyler?" I frantically ask.

From beside me I hear Tyler say a similar thing then I hear Matt, "Guys don't scare me like that!" letting out a slight laugh I hear Matt again but this time he is yelling

"Caroline! Guys, over here! Caroline, wake up!"

Matt, Tyler and I are sitting in the hospital after being cleared waiting for news on Caroline.

As we are waiting Sheriff Forbes comes in and shares with us that the doctors are taking Caroline into surgery and are doing everything, they can for her.

Turning to Tyler and I she asks, "have either of your spoken to Carol?"

In response I shake my head while Tyler shares "I called and left a message telling her I was here."

Nodding her head she tells us to call her again "What is it" I ask.

Looking around she suddenly gets tears in her eyes as she announces "… It's your dad."

Sitting in my father large study with Carol and Tyler on either side and my father sitting at his desk I realise something is wrong.

"Now Anastacia, I see you and Tyler have gotten quite close as siblings. Carol and I would like you to move in with us. Permanently."

Looking at him with confusion I ask "But what about my mom?"

From beside me I hear Carol sigh before my father responds "Your mother is dead. That is all I will say on the matter and you will be living here with us from now on."

With shock written on my face all I can think is, happy 12th birthday to me.

A/N:

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for following along with my story so far. I just wanted to announce the end of season 1. The next chapter will be the start of season 2.

I hope you have enjoyed the story so far!

Alyssa