The morning air in Mystic Falls carried the first hint of autumn, crisp and laced with the scent of damp leaves. Rose Gilbert sat cross-legged on her bed, sketchbook resting against her knees, pencil in hand as she shaded the same pair of eyes that haunted her dreams. They were intense, ancient, and eerily familiar—though she had never met the man they belonged to. It was a ritual by now, waking up and immediately capturing the image before it faded.

"Elena! Rose! You're going to be late!" Jenna's voice carried through the house.

Rose sighed, setting the sketchbook aside before getting up. She threw on a loose sweater, jeans, and her favorite pair of boots. Her style was a mix of casual and artsy, a reflection of her personality. By the time she made it downstairs, Elena was already grabbing an apple from the counter, Jenna looking frazzled as usual.

"I'm so unprepared," Jenna muttered, rubbing her temples. "What do you need? Number two pencil?"

"It's all about the coffee," Elena replied, pouring herself a cup just as Jeremy snatched it from her hands.

"Oh, there's coffee?" he quipped, taking a sip.

Elena rolled her eyes and grabbed another mug, pouring two travel thermoses—one for herself and one for Rose, who took it gratefully.

"Lunch money?" Jenna asked, holding out some bills.

"We're good," Elena and Rose said in unison.

Jeremy, however, took the money before anyone could stop him. Elena shot him a look but let it go. "Don't you have a meeting with your thesis advisor?" she asked Jenna.

"Yeah, I'm meeting my thesii advisor at—crap, now!" Jenna groaned, realizing the time.

"Go," Rose urged, watching as their aunt rushed out the door. Jeremy was already gone, too.

Bonnie's car pulled up outside, honking once. Elena grabbed her bag and looked at Rose. "You coming?"

Rose hesitated, then shook her head. "I'll walk."

Elena frowned but didn't push. They both knew Rose hadn't been comfortable in a car since that night. She only rode when absolutely necessary. And besides, the walk to school gave her time—to clear her thoughts, to puzzle over her dreams, to brace herself for another year.

By the time she arrived at school, the parking lot was already bustling. She walked into school heading to her locker. She spotted Elena and Bonnie at her and Elena's locker, sss also spotted Matt Donovan at his locker with Tyler, his gaze lingering on Elena before he quickly looked away.

"He hates me," Elena muttered, watching him.

Bonnie scoffed. "That's not hate. That's tortured pining. 'I'm still listening to Aerosmith, but I'm too cool to admit it' kind of pining."

Rose barely had time to smirk before she felt another pair of eyes on her. Tyler. He stood at Matt's locker, his usual cocky demeanor subdued as he watched her. Their gazes met, and he tipped his head slightly, a silent question: Are you really okay?

She gave him a small, tired smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. He held her gaze a second longer before looking away, but she knew he understood. He always did.

"Oh my God, there you are!" Caroline bounded up to them, her blonde curls bouncing. She grabbed Elena in a quick hug before turning to Bonnie. "So, how are they? Are they okay?"

Elena sighed. "I'm fine, Caroline."

Rose arched a brow. "You literally talked to me this morning."

Caroline waved a hand. "I know, I know. I'm just checking!"

Before Rose could respond, Caroline looped her arm through hers. "Come on, history class. You know how Tanner is if we're late."

They made their way to class, slipping into their seats just as Mr. Tanner began his lecture.

"The Battle of Willow Creek took place right here in Mystic Falls," Tanner announced. "Who can tell me how many Casualties there were?" His gaze swept over the class before landing on Bonnie. "Miss Bennett?"

Bonnie hesitated, clearly unsure. "Uh…a lot"

Tanner sighed dramatically. "Cute becomes dumb in an instant."

Rose rolled her eyes, already irritated.

"Mr. Donovan," Tanner continued, shifting his attention to Matt. "Care to break your jock stereotype and enlighten us?"

Matt shrugged. "Nah I'm cool with it Mr. T."

"How about you, Miss Gilbert?" he asked, turning to Elena.

Elena glanced at Rose, but she didn't have the answer. "I don't know."

Tanner's lips pressed into a thin line. "I was willing to be lenient with you last year, given…obvious circumstances. But personal excuses ended with the summer."

Rose clenched her jaw, fury burning in her chest. How dare he?

Before she could say anything, a new voice cut in. "346 unless you are counting local civilians."

Tanner turned, eyebrows raised. "Excuse me?"

Tanner crossed his arms. And you are?"

"Stefan Salvatore."

A murmur rippled through the class as Tanner narrowed his eyes. "Salvatore? Any relation to the original founding settlers?"

Stefan offered a tight smile. "Distant."

Tanner scoffed. "Your answer is right, of course, but there were no local civilian casualties."

Stefan met his gaze evenly. "Actually, sir, Confederate soldiers fired on a church, believing it to hold weapons. It was a night of great loss. The records are in the Founders' Archives at Civil Hall if you want to brush up on your facts."

Silence filled the room. Tanner pursed his lips, clearly irritated at being corrected.

Rose observed Stefan with quiet curiosity. He had just arrived, yet he knew Mystic Falls history as if he had lived it. And there was something else—an aura about him that felt… familiar. Almost as if she had known him before.

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across Rose's bedroom as she sat curled up in her chair, sketchbook propped against her knees. Her pencil glided over the page, tracing the same piercing eyes she had drawn countless times before. Only this time, she reached for her colored pencils, layering shades of blue and green, trying to capture their depth, their intensity. They weren't just eyes; they were watching her, calling to her from the depths of her dreams. The familiarity of them sent a shiver down her spine.

She was so lost in her work that she barely registered the time until her phone buzzed beside her. A message from Caroline: Grill. Now. Don't make me come get you.

Rose sighed, shutting her sketchbook and pushing herself off the bed. She changed into something casual but nice—a knit sweater, jeans, and her favorite boots—before grabbing her bag and heading out the door. The walk to the Mystic Grill was brisk, the crisp autumn air cooling her flushed cheeks.

By the time she arrived, Caroline and Bonnie were already seated in a booth, deep in conversation. Across the room, Matt and Tyler were playing pool. Rose slid into the booth beside Caroline, who immediately launched into her latest obsession.

"Born and raised in Mystic Falls, moved away when he was young, military family," she said, speaking quickly, like she was trying to get it all out before anyone interrupted. "Lives with his uncles, Gemini. And guess what? We're having a June wedding. Mark your calendars." She winked at Bonnie, who chuckled despite herself.

Rose raised an eyebrow, her lips tugging into a small, amused smile. "The FBI would be scared of your skills, Caroline," she teased, and all the girls laughed, the tension from the day finally easing.

But before Caroline could respond, Matt walked over, his expression a little tense. "So, about Elena," he started, his voice cautious.

Rose and Bonnie exchanged a glance, both knowing where this was headed. Bonnie shook her head. "We're not getting into that," she said flatly, a subtle warning in her tone. "If you want to talk to her, you call her. She needs time."

Rose added softly, her voice quiet but firm, "Our parents died. We almost died. Time is something we all need."

At that moment, Elena stepped into the Grill with Stefan Salvatore in tow. Matt's expression shifted as he caught sight of them. He looked back at Rose and Bonnie, eyes narrowing slightly. "More time, huh?" he muttered to himself before getting up and walking over to introduce himself to Stefan. The brief exchange between them was tense but polite, and Rose couldn't help but notice the shift in the air as Matt extended a hand, and Stefan accepted.

Rose felt it then—the familiar presence of Tyler behind her, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. It was a silent gesture, the kind they'd shared for years. She squeezed his hand in return, grateful for his quiet support. There were no words between them, just a shared understanding. Tyler knew exactly what she needed. He knew she had to show their friends that she was okay, but he also understood the truth that she wasn't.

As Matt walked back to the table, Rose could feel the weight of the moment. Elena, Stefan, and Matt joined the group at the booth. Tyler, without saying a word, returned to his pool game with Matt, giving Rose the space to breathe.

Caroline wasted no time. "So, Stefan," she began, her voice sweetly inquisitive, "tell me everything. Where'd you go after Mystic Falls? What's your deal with the town?"

Rose leaned back slightly in the booth, watching the exchange unfold. Caroline's inquisition was more than just curiosity—it was her way of weaving people into the fold, of making them part of their circle. But Rose couldn't help feeling a subtle shift in the air. Something was different with Stefan, something that made her wonder if her dreams, the strange pull she felt toward him, weren't just figments of her imagination.

She pushed the thought away, letting the noise of the conversation carry her thoughts into a quieter place.

Stefan smiled faintly and gave his answer. "I was born in here. Moved away when I was young… My parents died when I was a kid." His eyes briefly flickered to Elena as he spoke.

Rose and Elena both exchanged a glance, expressions softening. "I'm so sorry," they said almost simultaneously.

Bonnie, trying to keep things light, asked, "Any siblings?"

Stefan's gaze shifted briefly, and he looked away from them. "None that I talk to."

Caroline noticed the shift and pressed on with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. "So, since you're new here, you don't know about the back-to-school party at the Falls?"

Bonnie piped up, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, it's a thing we do every year. You're going to love it."

Stefan glanced at Elena. "Are you going?"

Bonnie immediately jumped in. "Of course, she's going. and so are you Rose Gilbert."

Rose added, "Sorry, but I don't… nope, not my thing."

"Rose," Caroline said firmly, "you're going."

Tyler, who had been hovering nearby, walked over to the table with a grin. "Oh yeah, Rose, you're going. Even if I have to drag you there. You're going."

Rose rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "But—"

"No buts," Tyler cut her off with a laugh.

"Fine, Lockwood," Rose said, surrendering with a teasing glare.

Caroline leaned back, content with her victory. "Great. It's a date, then."