the meet
Today would would change me. Everything would come to light. No more secrets or lies would exist. Things I've only read about would be true. Some of my fears would come to reality.
I woke up as I usually do, stretching out and getting dressed. Today was my first day back at school after a heart breaking summer. My friend, Elena, was in a car accident. Her parents passed away, but she survived. She nearly drowned. Me, Caroline, Bonnie, Tyler, and Matt all took care of her. Her younger brother, Jeremy, wasn't as phased by it as she was. He was always quiet, but this made him even more quiet.
I was going to be giving Elena a ride to school today. Her aunt was supposed to, but I volunteered. Jeremy would come with us, too, but I barely even notice he's there.
Mystic Falls was always foggy and chill, so I dressed in a maroon sweater and jeans with brown boots. I walked downstairs to an empty house. My dad was always out of town on work. My mom left us when I was younger and its been me and him ever since. More like just me, actually. As I leaned over the counter to grab an banana, I noticed a note.
I opened the envelope.
Left to go to North Dakota. Won't be back for two weeks or so. Here's some money for groceries and other things. See you soon. Love you.
-Dad
Behind the letter was five hundred dollars cash. I grabbed the money and stuffed it into my wallet in my bag. I swiped the keys off the counter, forgetting breakfast, and headed out the door.
Why does he do this to me? I thought. Why can't he get an ordinary job and stay home. I see him probably 65 days out of the whole year.
I started my car and drove to Elena's house. She only lived five minutes away, so as soon as I got there, I got out the car. As I walked towards the door, I sensed her worry.
I walked in and looked at her. "Don't worry," I said as I patted her shoulder. "No one is going to ask you questions while I'm around."
"Thanks, Maddy." She said. "For everything."
"No problem. Now, where's Jeremy?" She glanced up the stairs. "Let's go, kid. We haven't got all day. I'm going to leave in two minutes with or without you."
Elena's aunt walks in the hallway, smiling. "Thanks for taking them to school and not giving them so much pity."
"Pity makes us weaker and more vulnerable. Plus, people hate it."
She continues to smile. "Very true."
Jeremy walks down the stairs with earbuds in both ears. As soon as his foot hits the last step, I open the door and let him out. Elena soon follows and so do I. Jeremy reaches for the passenger door and Elena stops him.
"Don't even think about it, little brother, that's my seat." She flips her hair and opens the door.
I let out a small laugh.
*******
We pull in to the parking lot of Mystic Falls High. Everyone is doing there usual thing: finding their friends and comparing their schedules. All of my friends and I are in a group chat and we already know what classes we share.
I pulled into a parking lot and as soon as I place my vehicle in park, Jeremy opens his door and gets out of the car. I pull out the keys and look over at Elena.
"You ready?" I asked with a smile.
"Yeah, I think so." She smiled back. "I just hope it won't be awkward between me and Matt."
"Me, too, but I don't think it will be. We all grew up together and you guys were friends before you started dating. Plus, it was only not even for a year."
We both got out of the car.
Elena and our friend Matt dated last year and a little through the summer. After Elena's parents passed, she broke up with him because she said she had lost her feelings for him. I completely understood.
I looked over to my left and saw Caroline and Bonnie walking towards us.
"Hey guys," Caroline said as she walked over, swaying her hips side to side. "Elena, are you ready for today? You know, Matt?"
"Caroline," Bonnie objected. "They'll be fine. Remember that we were all friends before any of this started?"
"I was just saying that, Bon. Matt is the only one that can make it awkward." I laughed.
"Exactly. So, are we all going to head to the bathroom before our first class?"
"Of course," Elena jumped in. "That's our everyday thing. We'll touch up our makeup and fix our hair."
"Mine looks fine," I said. "But, I'll come to avoid the weird stares from the teacher when I'm the only one in the classroom."
"That makes both of us," Caroline laughs. "I mean about the hair, not the teacher."
We all laugh as we make our way in the school. We go into the girls bathroom closest to our first class. We all had History together first period.
Elena and Bonnie fix their hair and touch up their makeup. Caroline joins in and so do I. I smooth down my hair and take a quick brush to it. Once we are finished, I lead the group out of the bathroom, Elena being last. We all exit, but someone bumps in to Elena. They try to get around each other, but keep going the same way. They introduce themselves and he says his name is Stephen, then he walks away.
"What was that?" Caroline asked.
"I have no clue," Elena said. "It felt good, though."
Bonnie tapped my shoulder. "And it made Matt jealous, too."
Elena heard and looked over her shoulder. Bonnie was right. Matt was staring over at Elena with an upset look on his face. He turned and walked in the opposite direction.
"I hope he's okay." Elena looked down at the ground. "I didn't mean to make him upset."
"He's fine," Caroline said. "It's been three months. He should be over you by now."
"Caroline's right, you know?" I rubbed her shoulder. "He should know that you'll move on at some point, not that this was that, but he should be able to be okay with you talking to other guys."
"You guys are right," Elena smiled. "I didn't do anything wrong."
We all smiled at her and went into history. We took our seats and kept a gossiping conversation. Then, I notice that guy, Stephen, is in this class with us. I nudge Elena and glance at him.
She looks and giggles. "This is great. Love the awkwardness."
We all laugh. "We're loving it, too." Caroline smiles.
He takes a seat next to Elena on her right side. She turns to her left, where I am sitting. "Can't wait till class starts."
"Really? You hate History."
"Yeah, but-"
"History isn't even all that correct, you know? Maybe you'd like it better if it were." It was Stephen.
"And how would you know what is right and wrong about History?" Elena asked.
"My family journaled everything about history since 1863. I know my family wouldn't lie."
"I believe you, calm down." Elena laughed. "Oh, I'm just playing. You don't have to be so serious all the time, you know?"
"I know that."
I let them have there conversation until class started, then it had to end since our teacher was talking.
Our day flew by. There was a party tonight that everyone was raving about. I wasn't much of a party person, but all of my friends were going, so I had to.
I dropped Elena and Jeremy off and said I'd pick her up around eight.
I went home and laid out a pair of ripped jeans, a hoodie, and my boots. It's gonna be cold later and I'm coming prepared. Caroline is going to wear a dress or skirt of some kind and stay inside with the crazies. Everyone was going to drink and party, and I would grab the bottle of whiskey from the liquor cabinet and wander the woods. I was sick of being good and being the mom at all the parties. I drank when we had a party at my house, but that's because I didn't have to drive. I could count on Bonnie to drive me home tonight. We discussed it and her dad is letting her come.
Time passed and it was quarter till eight. I got dressed and headed over to Elena's. I picked her up and then Bonnie. Caroline always had a ride with Matt since they lived on the same street. Same with Tyler.
When we pulled into the drive where the party was being held, everyone was already there. We all hopped out of the car and went inside. I stayed in there for a couple hours and got sick of everyone. I made my way toward the liquor cabinet and grabbed bourbon. I've only drank this a couple of times and I know it's rough, but that's what I wanted.
I made my way for the back door, but someone stopped me.
"Aren't you a little young for something this strong?"
I looked up. A tall, dark haired man in a leather jacket was holding the bottle of bourbon.
"No. I can handle it."
"I'm not doubting that, but I'm wondering where you are going."
"Into the woods, wanna join?" I snatched the bottle back. "Bring glasses from the kitchen and go on the left most path in the back. Can't promise I won't start without you, though."
I pushed my way past him, then turned around and shot a smile as I shook the bottle, then turned back around. I walked down the trail and stopped at my favorite spot. There was a big rock that over saw a cliff where the river was. You could see the stars and moon from where I sat.
I waited about five minutes and opened the bottle. I heard a twig snap and stopped twisted the cap with a jump. I looked back slowly to see the guy that stopped me.
"I still can't believe you were going to start without me." He laughed. "Actually, I could."
"I told you I wouldn't and I am always honest."
"Really? Does your dad know that you drink?"
"Well, I'm mainly honest if you count that."
"That's what I thought." He took a seat next to me and bumped his shoulder with mine. "So, what's your name? I need to know the name of a girl who drinks hard liquor."
"Maddy." I smile. "And yours? I need to know the name of the guy who joined me out here. Most of the guys at our school are afraid of the dark."
He laughed. "Well, that explains why I'm here then. I don't go to your school, but my brother does."
"I asked for your name, not what school your brother goes to."
"Damon. And you're stubborn."
"Yeah, I guess its the Taurus in me."
"Is that why you like stars so much? Do you believe in the zodiac sign thing?"
"Sometimes, and it's nice to meet you Damon." I bumped my shoulder with his. "My friends drink the rum fruit mixtures and it's nice to have someone to drink with."
"If you'd open the bottle already then I'd enjoy it, too."
"Well, I was going to until you scared me half to death. You can't just sneak up on people, you know?" I opened the bottle and he held out the glasses.
"I thought you knew I was coming. Your flirting was pretty obvious."
I stopped filling the second glass and began to close it. "I was not flirting."
"Then why'd you smile so big and shake the bottle? You basically teased me to come."
"Okay, so maybe I did flirt a little. But, I am not a tease. I could never be one of those girls. It disgusts me." I shivered.
"Not that type of tease. You teased me with the bottle of bourbon. It's my favorite. I drink nothing else."
I nodded. "Okay. So, how aren't you dead from liver poisoning then?"
"I am."
I laughed. "Okay, so you're a ghost. Sorry dude, but to pull off that lie, I'd need to be more drunk to believe it." I took a big gulp from my glass and laughed a little again. "Dead. Wow."
He finished his glass and took the bottle. "Can't keep up, can you?" He shot a smile. It was a daring smile.
I chugged my glass. "I'm sorry, what was that?"
He poured us both another glass. "So why are you here? You don't seem like the party or crowd type."
"Truthfully, I don't know. My friends wanted to come, so I came. I'm just not one of the popular people. I don't socialize with everyone like they do." I looked up at the stars, then at my drink. "I've came to the conclusion it's for the view and the free liquor."
"Me, too. Plus, I have to keep an eye on my little brother. He can get himself into trouble sometimes."
"Whose your brother? Maybe I know him."
"Stephen Salvatore. He is new this year."
That's the guy that was talking to Elena in History. "Yeah, I know him. I have History with him first period."
"His favorite class." He gulped down half of his drink. "So, your dad lets you come to things like this, huh?"
"God, no. He is always out of town on business. I see him about twenty percent of the year or less."
"And your mom?"
"She left us when I was little." I finished my glass and poured us another drink. "And what about you, Mr. Salvatore? What about your parents?"
"Oh, that's simple. They are both dead."
My eyes went wide. "I'm so sorry. I had no-"
"It's fine. It was a long time ago. I've forgotten that they even existed."
I drank my last drink and poured on last cup. I gave Damon the bottle and went to the edge of the cliff. I sat with my legs hanging over the cliff and laid back, staring at the stars. Damon joined me.
The alcohol was started to get to me. "Do you ever think there is more out there than we even know about?"
"What, like aliens?"
"Not just that, but anything?"
"Definitely. Not one person knows everything that exists in the world. There could be creatures out there that we've read about and people think they aren't real."
"I feel that, man." I chugged my last drink.
"You sure you can get back to the house?"
"Yeah, I can handle it."
"Well, I'm going to head back. I'm starving and need some food. Do you need help up?"
"No, I'm going to stay here a little bit longer." I smiled and handed him my glass. "Can you take this back for me?"
He nodded. "Before you fall of the cliff to your death..." he grabbed my phone off the rock and came back over to me. He typed in his number and took a picture of mine with his phone. "Here. I made a contact for myself. See you around." He laid my phone on the dirt and headed back toward the house.
After half a minute, I sat up and looked back, but he was nowhere to be seen. I slowly stood up, almost falling over. I grabbed my phone and put it into my back pocket. I started walking back towards the house, grabbing each tree to steady me.
I noticed something giving off a glare on the path and walked toward it. It was two glasses, just like the ones me and Damon were drinking from. I heard a quick yelp and looked over to my right. Far into the woods was a man pressing another guy against the tree. The guy was fighting for freedom, but he soon stopped. I looked harder and the man's mouth was on the guys neck. He was dead. The man's mouth was covered with blood.
I soon noticed that the man covered in blood was Damon. My chest was getting tight and my legs heavy. Stephen flashed before my eyes. He swooped me up and took me back to the house. He ran there and it took two seconds. What was going on?
He looked into my eyes, his pupils dilating. "You never saw Damon. You never saw him kill someone. You will tell your friends you feel sick and want to go home."
"What are you doing? Of course I saw that. He drank that guy's blood from his carotid artery. He's a vam-"
"Don't finish that sentence. Keep quiet about this. Don't tell Elena or Caroline or anyone. Got it?"
I nodded. "You have to make deal with me, then."
"Fine. Whatever it takes."
"You have to explain what that was. I pulled out my phone, blinking to see it clearly. "Put your number in and I'll text you with details."
He typed it on quickly and disappeared into the woods.
Now I knew what Damon was talking about back there. He knows what he is. Was Stephen one, too? Why didn't Damon kill me? What did Stephen try to do to me?
I walked slowly back to the steps when Bonnie and Elena were walking out. "You got trashed, Maddy." Bonnie had a concerned look on her face. "You look like you are going to puke."
I leaned over the railing and vomited. It wasn't the alcohol, nor the blood. It was that I was scared. I was terrified of what just happened. But, they can't know that.
I wiped my mouth on my sleeve. "Yeah. Things with my dad aren't going so well."
"Let's get you home. Come one, Elena. Stop being so smiley at a time like this."
"I can't help it," she said as she grabbed one of my shoulders and Bonnie grabbed the other. "Me and Stephen hit it off tonight. I know it's weird being so sudden after Matt, but he was no sweet."
"Good for you," I laughed. "Now, can we get me home and have a sleep over-hang over slumber party?"
"Yeah, let's do it."
They helped me into the car and Bonnie drove to my house. We all got out and went in. They went upstairs to change and I followed slowly. I can't get the image of Damon's mouth on that man's neck. He gulped down his blood faster than he gulped down the bourbon.
Elena and Bonnie made popcorn and drinks. Caroline walked in with candy bars and Twizzlers. We had a feast and watched a movie. I was the first to fall asleep.
I woke up the next morning an made pancakes for everyone. My head was pounding. Everyone got picked up by their parents, or in Elena's case, her aunt. My phone lit up and I rubbed my face before I looked at it. It was Damon.
How's the hangover treating you?
The hangover I was used to, but the fear I wasn't. If I don't answer, he'll know something was up.
I typed, Bad, you??
His reply read, Don't feel a thing.
I gave it a thought. Since he was a vampire, does he even feel pain? I texted back, I have a question...
What is it?
Why is someone who graduated high school talking to a junior??
For being a junior, you are mature... Plus we have the liking of bourbon in common. Is there a problem or something?
No, just wondering. Usually people don't even notice me, so I'm not used to the attention.
I feel that.
I left him on read. I shot Stephen a text. It read, We need to meet... NOW.
