[Chapter 1] ☾
When the bell rang, Jaylee Branson got out of class as quick as she could and walked in the school's backyard, sitting alone at a table. Her eyes roamed on the students getting out talking, laughing and friendly pushing each other.
She had never felt completely happy in the past year and seeing all these teenagers clueless about the dangers of this world made her grimace. Ever since her older brother had been found dead, Jaylee had wanted revenge. And now she was seeking it.
She knew Eryc's death was not an accident, it was murder. Someone, something, had brutally and remorselessly taken her brother's life to fulfill its needs of human blood. A night creature, a vampire.
Eryc had talked about it before and after his death, Jaylee had searched through his computer and had found many web sites related to vampires tribute, filled with informations, but it's only when she had a discussion with an old woman from her hometown that Jaylee knew everything was true. She had not been looking for her, the woman had found her. She was a witch, or at least that's what she called herself, and she had explained many things to the brunette, increasing her thirst of vengeance.
Mechanically, her hand reached for the special pendant hanging from her neck. The symbol was unknown to her but the lady had explained it would get warm when a night creature would be close. It was not much, but it was all she had, and the infos Jaylee gathered with the months brought her here, in this town.
Jaylee was new to Mystic Falls but she couldn't careless about the school works and the grades she'd get. Nothing was really important. In fact, she had to forge a fake school report to be accepted in Mystic Falls High School, pretending she had failed her last year and had to take it back.
Jaylee looked around the yard again, trying to find a clue, anything, that could help her take a step ahead on finding out who was not human but without much success. Perhaps, "close" meant closer than a few meters.
"Hey..."
Looking up, she met the gorgeous chocolate brown eyes of a brunette with a magnificent smile. Close to her but still behind, a handsome guy was standing, his hands in his pockets. He was either shy or stuck-up but Jaylee didn't want to categorize him yet.
"Hi."
"You're new, right?" the girl asked with a frown. "Jaylee, is that it?"
It was amazing that anyone would have noticed her. She had tried her best to remain under the radar and making friends was not part of the plan, anyway. She simply nodded.
"I'm Elena, and this is my boyfriend Stefan." the girl explained. "Can we sit with you?"
"Sure."
It was not in Jaylee's nature to be rude. In fact, she was pretty much the opposite. No, she was not there to make friends, but she was not there to make enemies either and maybe getting to know some people would help her get closer to her goal.
"So, how do you like it here? Not too hard on you?"
Jaylee bit her bottom lip. Of course, people would ask questions, and meeting new people also meant lying to them. She took a big breath and smiled. It was for Eryc. It was for the only person who protected her at all times.
"It's not that bad." she let out. "Can't say people are welcoming but hey, what can I expect from high school?"
Elena let out a short laugh and nodded.
"Well, next time, you can eat with us if you want to."
That's when two things happened. First, Stefan, although still silent, put his hands on the table and Jaylee noticed the unique old ring he was wearing, making her frown as millions of questions exploded in her head. She had seen it somewhere, hadn't she?
And second, she felt her necklace started to warm on her skin.
With a big sigh, Olivia Cooper walked reluctantly in the backyard's direction. For the first time, she was going to try out for the cheerleading squad. It was almost a mourning for her when the only school dance of Mystic Falls had closed and although cheerleading was not something she really appreciated, it was better than nothing.
She had already changed into her dance clothes and hoped that she could remember the routine she had to do for the audition. She didn't know many girls in the cheerleading squad but she hoped to fit anyway.
She noticed the girls waming-up and walked quicker. As usual, she was late.
"Hello new girl, you're late."
Caroline Forbes was probably the most popular girl of the whole school and even if Livia had heard good and bad things about her, she was not sure how she felt about her. She had to admit one thing, though. Caroline was gorgeous.
"Sorry." Livia simply told her, looking at her tying her golden hair in a ponytail.
"It's okay, we haven't started yet, but if you're picked, you ought to be punctual." she just informed.
The brunette nodded, moved to be front row and started warming-up too until Caroline clapped in her hands.
"Okay girls!" she let out, getting everyone's attention. "We're going to show you a routine and than, the seven of you will have to do it too. We're looking for two girls only."
Livia's stomach contracted and she bit her bottom lip. She didn't have much chanced to be picked but she still took a big breath and moved her chin up. It was worth a try.
"If we can't choose after that, we'll have individual auditions with you." Caroline finished.
The cheerleaders started doing their routine on a funky song that Livia could swear she had heard before. Unfortunately, she didn't often listened to radio and her choice of music was often seen as "old school". Livia tried to memorise every move and when it was her time to dance, she did the best she could, trying not to look at the girls dancing with her.
After trying other movements that Caroline showed her, Livia finally reached her bag and took out her water bottle. She jumped when she noticed someone besides her. She smiled back despite herself at the charismatic brunette who tilted her head.
"You did amazing, I'm pretty sure you'll be picked." the pretty girl admitted, making Livia's smile grow even more.
She knew her. Elena Gilbert, Caroline's friend and also a very popular lady in high school. In opposite of Caroline, though, everyone would agree that Elena was one of the sweetest girl in the whole town. Even after everything that happened to her, the brunette was still kind and carried a heart of gold.
"Thanks." she expressed with enthousiast. "I really hope so."
A noise was heard and many boys ran on the field for their football practice. Livia searched for a face in the crowd on the tip of her toes without even realizing it.
"There's a football guy who makes your heart jump?"
Looking away, Livia prayed she would not start to blush. In fact, there was a boy who made her heartbeats accelerate almost to light speed but it was so much more than your normal infatuation.
At the beginning of the last school year, Livia had noticed Tyler Lockwood in a way she had never saw him before. The weird thing was, she had known him since forever. He was in his class in elementary school and she'd occasionally see him in the halls of their high school. It had never occured to her that Tyler was special until a little over a year ago. She was not sure what had changed, but something obviously had. She was seeing him differently, now.
"Girls!"
Livia had been so lost in her thoughts she had barely noticed the smirk Elena was giving her and the boy coming their way.
"Sorry, we need the field."
Tyler Lockwood. Dark haired, full lips and a mischievous smile stuck permanently in his face.
"We're done anyway." Elena noted, moving her hand in the air.
When Tyler turned around, he dived his eyes in Livia's. This time, her heart stopped beating completely and it hit her. The reason of her attraction towards Tyler was obvious.
Tyler was not a hundred percent human.
