[At the Mystic Grill].
Vicki finished her shift, ignoring the whispers of the customers around her about what Matt had done. Then she heard a boy's voice that made her groan in exhaustion.
"Hey, Vic."
She turned toward the voice and saw Jeremy Gilbert standing behind the counter.
"What is it, Jeremy? I'm working," Vicki said irritably as she prepared another customer's order.
Jeremy followed her and said, "Wait—what's your deal? I mean, all summer you treat me one way, then school starts and suddenly you don't care?"
Vicki ignored him and headed toward the kitchen to get another order for a customer.
"Vicki, I'm talking to you! You can't just ignore me like that—that's cruel!" Jeremy said angrily as he followed her into the kitchen.
Vicki turned to face him. "Jeremy, can you please leave? This area is for restaurant staff only, not customers."
Jeremy looked at her and said, "We need to talk about that night, Vicki."
She glared at him sharply. "I thought I told you never to bring that up again. And you need to stay away from me, Jeremy—you're ruining things between Tyler and me. He accused me of cheating the last time he saw you around me, and trust me, you don't want to anger him by going after his girlfriend. He'll kick your skinny ass, and no one will do anything about it because of his influence as the mayor's son."
Jeremy stared at her and said, "What? Screw Tyler. Come on, Vicki, you know he doesn't care about you—he just care about your ass. He's a complete jerk."
Vicki grew angry at his words and snapped back, "So what do you want, Jeremy? Why do you follow me every day and try to flirt with me?"
Jeremy looked straight into her eyes, stepped a little closer, and said, "Because I love you, Vicki."
Vicki blinked, staring at him in shock. "What? What did you just say?"
She hadn't expected such a bold confession.
Jeremy stepped closer again. "You heard me. I'm in love with you, Vicki. I love you so much. I can't stop thinking about you—you're the sweetest person I know."
Vicki stared at him for a moment, then sighed, thinking about how to respond without hurting him.
After Jeremy's parents died, he had started spending a lot of time alone at the Mystic Grill, always drowning in grief and loneliness. Since Vicki had known him since birth and saw him like a little brother—just like Max—she felt sorry for him. She kept him company and stayed by his side.
Jeremy began coming to the Mystic Grill every day, growing attached to Vicki. He told her everything—his pain, his suffering, how he blamed himself for his parents' death because he was supposed to take Elena home from the party, but lied and said he was sick because he didn't feel like walking or pushing himself.
He told her how he had grown to hate his life and how he had fallen into drug use. He never told her that Max was the one selling him drugs, but he told her almost everything else.
Vicki tried to be wise with him, playing the role of the older sister, pulling him out of the darkness. It worked—temporarily.
Until one night, when Jeremy came to the Mystic Grill and found Vicki drowning in her own sorrow, drunk from excessive alcohol. He sat beside her and told her it was his turn to comfort her this time.
Under the influence of alcohol, Vicki did things she would never have done sober. She cried to Jeremy, complained about her exhausting life, about Tyler, about all the pressure she was under. Jeremy hugged her, trying to comfort her—and under the influence, one thing led to another.
Vicki slept with Jeremy by mistake that night.
When she woke up the next morning, she was furious—because Jeremy hadn't been drunk, yet he didn't stop her and took advantage of the situation. She scolded him and told him never to come to the Mystic Grill again and never to speak of that night, or she would make him regret it.
But ever since that night, Jeremy had grown bolder and started harassing her every day.
Vicki looked at him and said firmly, "Look, Jeremy—me, and you? will never happen."
Jeremy's heart ached, his expression changing.
"There's a five-year age gap between us, Jeremy. I'm older than you and Elena combined. I don't date minors. It's illegal. And I'm already in a relationship. So please, stop. I care about you—but not romantically. That night was a mistake. I was drunk, and you know it. You took advantage of me. If you really loved me, you would have stopped me."
Jeremy looked at her and said, "I'm sorry, Vicki. I really am. But I swear my feelings for you are real. I'm not like Tyler."
Vicki raised her hands. "Please, Jeremy… just stop. Stop following me around like a lost puppy."
She turned away to continue working, but then she heard something that made her snap.
"When was the last time you had sex with a puppy?"
Vicki spun around and slapped him hard across the face.
Smack!
The sound echoed through the kitchen, followed by silence.
"Get out," Vicki said coldly.
Jeremy clutched his cheek, staring at her in shock, realizing he had crossed the line. "Vicki, I'm sorry—I didn't mean—"
"I said get out! Now!" she screamed, throwing utensils and dishes at him.
Jeremy dodged them and rushed out of the kitchen.
Vicki stared angrily at the closed door, then collapsed onto the kitchen floor, sobbing.
[Meanwhile, with Elena]
"Aunt Jenna, I'm going to meet Bonnie and Caroline at the Mystic Grill. Do you want anything from outside?"
Elena asked as she adjusted her clothes and checked her reflection in the mirror.
Jenna, Elena and Jeremy's aunt and their current legal guardian, looked at her and replied, "I don't need anything, sweetheart. Enjoy your time."
Elena turned to her aunt with a smile. "Alright, Aunt Jenna. I'll go now and be back this evening, okay?"
Jenna Sommers looked at Elena and said, "Okay, Elena—but don't stay out too late. It's a school night."
Elena smirked and replied sarcastically, "Yes, ma'am."
Jenna smiled. "Ma'am, huh? I like how that sounds. Honestly, I think I'm starting to get used to the whole parent-and-guardian role."
Elena looked at her aunt with a warm smile. Jenna hadn't been obligated to take guardianship or live with them, yet she left her life behind and came to Mystic Falls to make sure they were taken care of.
Jenna Sommers was beautiful—just like Elena, if not more so. She was fully grown and mature, with strawberry-blonde hair, sapphire-blue eyes, delicate features, and a slender figure.
Elena's smile faded when she smelled burnt toast coming from the kitchen.
"It looks like you still have a long way to go, Aunt Jenna," Elena teased. "I can smell the toast burning."
Jenna blinked, then screamed,
Oh, my god!, i completely forgot about the bread!!.
Then she jumped up and rushed into the kitchen.
Elena shook her head with an amused smile.
Jenna had struggled greatly taking care of her and Jeremy. She often didn't know what she was doing—but she never gave up. She fought through the entire summer and kept going.
Elena sighed softly, feeling sympathy for her aunt, then headed for the front door. When she opened it, she found Stefan standing there.
"Oh—my God! Stefan? What are you doing here?"
Stefan looked at her and said, "Sorry. I was just about to knock. I wanted to apologize for disappearing earlier. I know it was… strange."
Elena eyed him cautiously. "It's okay. I understand. Blood makes you feel nauseous."
Stefan gave her a mysterious look. "Something like that. How's your leg?"
Elena replied, "It's fine. Just a scratch, barely anything. How did you know where I live?"
Stefan answered, "It's a small town. I asked the first person I saw." He hesitated, then added, "I thought you might want this back."
He pulled her journal from his pocket.
Elena stared at it in shock, anxiety tightening in her chest at the thought that he might have read it. "Oh… I must have dropped it. I—thank you."
She took it from him hesitantly.
Stefan smiled, knowing exactly what she was thinking. "Don't worry. I didn't read it."
Elena looked at him in surprise. "You didn't? Why not? Most people would have."
Stefan replied, "Well… I wouldn't want someone reading my writing."
Elena stared at him in amazement. "You keep a journal?"
Stefan answered with a look that carried decades of memories and experiences. "Yes. If I don't write things down, I forget them. Memories are very important."
Elena smiled and gestured inside. "Yeah. I just—um… you don't have to stay out there."
Stefan tried to step inside but felt an invisible barrier push him back.
"I'm fine," he said lightly. "Sorry—were you heading somewhere?"
Elena thought for a moment, then replied, "Yeah. I'm meeting my friends at the Mystic Grill. Would you like to come? Meet them?"
Stefan smiled. "I'd be delighted, Elena."
She smiled back, and they left the house together, walking toward the Mystic Grill, talking and laughing the entire way.
---
[Meanwhile, at the Mystic Grill]
Caroline and Bonnie entered, talking about the mysterious new student.
Caroline said with a grin, "His name is Stefan Salvatore. He lives with his uncle at the old Salvatore boarding house. He didn't grow up here. His family's military, so they moved around a lot. He's a Gemini, his favorite color is blue."
Bonnie stared at her in disbelief. "Did you figure all that out in one day?"
Caroline smiled proudly. "Oh please. I figured it all out between third and fourth period. We're planning a June wedding."
Bonnie rolled her eyes. "You're impossible. You saw him once in math class and you're already planning a wedding?"
Caroline shrugged. "Can you blame me? I mean—have you seen Stefan?"
Bonnie fell silent. Caroline wasn't wrong. Stefan was handsome—too perfect.
In fact, something about him unsettled Bonnie. His face always looked clean, almost glowing, completely flawless. He never seemed to change—not even his hairstyle. It was as if… time itself was frozen for him.
Bonnie snapped out of her thoughts when she heard two familiar voices arguing loudly.
"Are you stupid, Matt? What were you thinking, punching that customer? What if he files a complaint and gets us fired?"
"Relax, Vicki. I talked to Tyler. He'll handle it."
"Always Tyler. You rely way too much on your spoiled friend, Matt."
"Yeah, maybe—but you know what's confusing? When I talked to Tyler, he said you already told him what happened. Care to explain that? And how did you even get Tyler's number in the first place?"
"I—I don't know what you're talking about."
Bonnie looked toward Vicki and Matt and saw them arguing near the kitchen door.
Matt crossed his arms. "Do you think I'm stupid, Vicki? What's going on between you and Tyler? Are you dating my friend or what?"
Vicki stiffened under his gaze. "No. I'm not dating anyone—and I definitely wouldn't date Tyler Lockwood."
"Huh. I hope you're telling the truth," Matt replied sarcastically.
He turned and noticed Bonnie and Caroline staring.
"Uh… are we interrupting something?" Caroline asked awkwardly.
Vicki quickly changed the subject. "No, we're done. How are you two? I haven't heard from you since summer."
Bonnie answered, "We're fine. I spent the summer with my dad. Elena was around, and Caroline was busy leading the cheer squad and traveling with the football team to other states."
"Really?" Matt asked in surprise. "Our team went out of state?"
Caroline smiled. "Yeah. We competed against several schools, topped the season, and made it into the league championships."
"Wow. That's impressive," Matt said.
Caroline's smile softened. "But the team isn't the same without you. Everyone really missed you."
Before Jackson, Matt had been the team captain, but he quit after their mother left and he cut off contact with her, burying himself in his own problems.
Matt nodded. "Well… it's good to know you didn't forget me."
Bonnie suggested gently, "Why don't you come back, Matt? You'd really help the team."
"I'll think about it," he replied.
Vicki asked, "So… how's Elena?"
Bonnie sighed. "Her parents died. What do you think? She's trying to hold it together, but it's only been four months."
Vicki asked hopefully, "Did she say anything about Max?"
Bonnie shook her head. "No. I'm not getting involved. If Max wants to talk to her, he can pick up the phone and call."
Vicki frowned. "Max feels awkward calling her. He and Matt think Elena broke up with him."
"She technically did," Matt muttered, silencing himself when Vicki shot him a sharp look.
"Give her time," Bonnie said.
At that exact moment, Elena walked in with Stefan, laughing together.
Matt looked at Bonnie sarcastically. "Time, huh?"
He started walking toward them.
"Matt, don't do anything stupid," Vicki warned, even though seeing Elena with Stefan hurt—because she knew what this would do to Max.
"Relax," Matt replied. "I'm just saying hi."
Matt approached their table. "Hey, I'm Matt. You must be the new guy everyone's talking about. Nice to meet you."
He extended his hand.
Stefan shook it politely. "Nice to meet you. I'm Stefan."
Matt smirked and tried to crush Stefan's hand—but no matter how hard he squeezed, it didn't work.
What the hell?
Matt stared at Stefan. His expression hadn't changed at all.
Matt released his hand reluctantly and sat down beside them, staring at Stefan in disbelief.
This guy is insanely strong.
Matt had been boxing and lifting weights five times a week. Even adults couldn't ignore his grip.
And Stefan? Thin, not muscular—yet unmoved.
Everything about him felt wrong. Even his skin was smoother than most girls', flawless like a newborn's.
Something was off.
Elena smiled warmly at Matt. "Hi, Matt. How are you?"
"I'm okay," Matt replied. "I hope you're doing better after what happened to your parents."
"I'm managing," Elena said quietly.
Caroline and Bonnie joined them and greeted Elena.
Caroline immediately launched into interrogation mode. "So, Stefan—were you born in Mystic Falls?"
Stefan nodded. "Yeah. I moved away when I was still young."
Bonnie asked, "Your parents?"
"They're dead," Stefan replied flatly.
Matt narrowed his eyes—there was no sadness in his voice.
Elena looked at Stefan sympathetically. "I'm sorry. Do you have any siblings?"
"No one I talk to," Stefan replied. "I live with my uncle."
Caroline smiled mischievously. "So, Stefan, if you're new here, you probably don't know about the party tomorrow night."
"A party?" Stefan asked. "What party?"
"The back-to-school bonfire at the falls," Bonnie explained.
Stefan looked at Elena hopefully. "Are you going?"
Elena blushed slightly, unable to answer.
Bonnie jumped in quickly. "Of course she is."
Stefan was about to reply when a voice interrupted them.
"With me."
Everyone turned to see Max approaching with a confident smile.
Elena stared at him in shock. "Max… I didn't know you were—coming."
Max smiled as he sat down beside her, kissed her cheek casually, and said, "Of course I'm coming if you're here, sweetheart."
What the hell?! everyone thought.
Vicki's mouth fell open like the O letter.
Bonnie and Caroline exchanged stunned looks.
Matt struggled not to burst out laughing.
Elena trembled and glanced nervously at Stefan.
Stefan's smile vanished, a dull ache forming in his chest.
Max smirked at Stefan. "As you can see, Stefan—Elena is my girlfriend."
He wrapped an arm around Elena's waist, pulling her trembling body closer.
"So she'll definitely be coming to the party with me."
Silence fell over the table.
The cheerful atmosphere vanished, replaced by suffocating tension and unbearable awkwardness.
-----------------------
Any suggestions?