Delerium

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𝒞𝑜𝓊𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓈 - 𝒪𝓃𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝓅𝓊𝒷𝓁𝒾c

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─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

Third Pov

─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───

“Ughh, I just-”

Standing in front of the mirror Elena had brought out, Jenna felt confident before all of her doubts crawled up on her. The person she stared back at had pale, clammy skin, hair as flat as straw, and a skirt that was long enough to have a train.

“You got this! How can they say no when you look so great?”

A compassionate smile from Elena softened her Aunts nerves.

One look from Miranda could calm Jenna; it seemed fitting that her niece inherited the skill.

“Tom and you have too much faith in me.”

Jenna’s hazel eyes faintly sparkled as she gazed down at the simple band with her husband’s initials delicately engraved. From the very moment she saw him: she knew he would mean something to her.

With newfound confidence, Jenna flipped her light auburn hair over her shoulder before rearranging it shortly after.

“I still think that I should have gone blonde.”

Elena’s nose crinkled, as she fought back a laugh. It was a little early for that, as she had yet to indulge in caffeine.

“How many times have I told you...going blonde...won’t solve all your problems.”

Jenna shrugged her shoulders, leaned her head back, and took in the subtle palliative smell of lavender.

“Okay, so maybe it wouldn’t be the best look on me.”

Elena nodded in agreeance and was met with a bone-crushing hug.

“Oh, Jenna!”

“I know, you gotta go! You’re already ten minutes late for your brunch with the girls. Tell them I said hi, and remind them that they can come over whenever!”

She laughed at the mixture of her Aunt’s enthusiasm and nervousness, “I will...good luck.”

Elena exited the cozy cabin-like home, gasping as she picked up on the slightly chilled air. She frowns, hugging her tingling arms, thinking, ‘maybe it was too soon for short sleeves.’ She is, of course, right.

How could one expect Spring’s warm embrace when the pleasant greeting of flowers was amiss? Mystic Falls weather had been weird these past couple of years... Longer cold months, and shorter hot ones.

Under a gainsboro sky, a single shiny black feather descends to the ground, temporarily hidden from view by stalks of dewy grass. A crow perches on the branch of a fern tree in front of the family’s lawn, blacker than coal. It blankly stares at the girl: insides as hollow as a rotten log. Two more join its side, just as oddly silent as the first. The occasional insect and wildlife sounds had come to a complete halt this April morning. The chill in the air did not deter them...the fowl did.

“Hey, kiddo, I uh thought you’d need this.”

The teen jumped at the sound of her Uncle’s voice. She would often get lost in her thoughts, even if she was in the middle of doing something. She recalled her mother having outbreaks similar to what she experienced, but it was never as bad. Elena never acted zombified. It was almost as if someone had pushed a pause button controlling her actions.

The man chuckled softly as she turned around, cheeks flushed, but the relief was plain on her face.

Tom was a little on the small side. People in town liked to joke about how he wasn’t exactly ideal for Jenna because he was four inches shorter than her. No one took him seriously despite his impressive credentials. It didn’t matter to them that he was a good physician. But Elena and Jenna could care less about his height and more about who he was on the inside.

“Didn’t you hear the weather this morning? The highest we get today is fifty-six. And sorry for scaring you, you forgot this.”

He held a light lilac jacket in his hand, and in the other, he jingled her car keys, “and these.”

Elena took her keyring and briefly inspected it. There were a few melted flower charms and some unintelligible phrase tags. Her dad had been obsessed with cute little decorative and themed elements of all kinds, and Jenna managed to save a few.

“Teenagers don’t pay attention to the news channel.”

“Right, I keep forgetting that.”

Elena smiled, grateful as he helped slip the jacket over her shoulders as the wind blew her long hair around her. “Thank you.”

“You don’t ever have to thank me,” the doctor smiled, and his kind eyes crinkled at the sides. Elena knew his smile was one of the things her Aunt fell in love with the most besides his heart and drive to help others.

“Have I told you that you are the coolest Uncle I’ve ever had?” She asked, walking down the concrete porch steps. Tom put his arm around her shoulder, “No, but just know that I will cherish that moment forever.”

The two laughed as they journeyed to the blue little Chevy Cruz. He opened the driver’s side door, silently debating whether or not to ask what Jenna was unable to.

“Your brother, Jeremy, has he called at all?”

She shook her head, a pang of longing piercing her heart as she slipped inside the car. Jeremy had gone on a quest after discovering his curse and killing a vampire.

“No... but he’ll come around.”

Even as the words left her mouth, she didn’t believe them herself. It was more of a hope than anything. When their parents died, the siblings were affected. Jeremy thought only of the negatives. He spiraled, blocking out those closest to him, hurting them and himself in the process. It all came to a climatic end when he put Vicki and himself in the hospital, an ugly wake-up call for everyone. Elena, unlike her brother, tried her very best to gravitate to the positives instead, like how Jenna probably would have never met Tom if it wasn’t for their parent’s funeral. Before Jeremy left, the siblings got into a screaming match, each claiming the other didn’t care. Elena struggled with depression, and rather than push everyone away...she pulled them closer. Stefan left after making sure she was alright. He would sometimes visit her, despite never dating, he always treated her so kindly. Discovering the supernatural world was not the sole reason she voluntarily went to therapy. Elena had her sights set on the future because changing the past was unachievable.

Jeremy stayed gone even when she apologized (he hadn’t). Jenna and Elena were lucky if he reached out every Christmas to let them know he was still alive.

Tom closed the car door, his smiling face outside the window.

“Why couldn’t the pony sing a lullaby?”

Elena blinked hard, thinking. In her mind, he always came up with great jokes.

“Ummm because it was bad at it.”

His laugh was loud but pleasant to the ear, “She was a little horse.”

She laughed, even snorting a little as her hand hit her steering wheel.

“You are the only person who can make me laugh without drinking an entire pot of coffee first.”

Tom smiled, and his face reddened. The good doctor felt touched by her words.

“I do try my best. Having a wall of achievements only gets you so far in life. Now, on to more serious matters, if all goes well with Jen’s job interview, we might be abusing the grill later on.”

At Tom’s words, the teen’s face lit up, “Awesome, is it okay if the girls come over?”

By this time, four more dark feathered fowl had perched upon the fern’s branches. Fourteen beady eyes stared intently down at the scene below them. One stood apart from the others, holding its breath.

“Of course, you know I’m happy to have them over anytime.”

It was true. Tom adored Bonnie and Caroline. And her two friends didn’t detest the attention since their dads had either died or gone missing. He wouldn’t care if they had sprouted two heads or grew ears on their forearms, meaning he paid no mind at all that they were a part of the supernatural world along with Elena.

“Is there anything you need me to pick up from the store, Doc?”

He hummed, wracking his brain, “Charcol and lighter fluid.”

She clicked her tongue and gestured to her head, “It’s all in here.”

“Hopefully, drive safe,” he quipped. Elena reeved up her car, smirking.

“See you at five.”

─── ∙ ─── ∙ ─── ∙ ─── ∙

Elena pulled into Mystic Grill’s busy parking lot, quickly spotting Bonnie’s curly head and Caroline’s glossy gel nails.

The teen felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up as she closed the door and pressed the lock button. She smiled, grateful for technology. She was too focused on getting to her friends. Rather than stop and turn around and spare a glance at the lively bird that had pursued her here. It cawed in frustration before perching on a lamppost.

The famous Grill had gotten a vintage makeover. It was mainly reviewed as a fun, cozy cabin. As usual, the tv was playing highlights of last night’s football game. Smells of fried foods, quick breakfast grabs, and sodas filled the atmosphere (alcohol was available until midnight). Mystic Falls was intriguing, especially to out-of-towners. Animal attacks were lower than in any other town around the Virginia area, making it a safer and cheaper destination for tourists. The people who are born in this town stay most of the time too enthralled to leave it. Admittedly, Mystic Falls pulled others in, and fortunately, the Grill was one of the hottest zones in the progressive town.

“Hey, Bon managed to snag our spot from some super old guy,” Caroline voiced over everyone talking and the music playing.

The vampire beamed without an ounce of embarrassment when everyone turned to look at her. Caroline giggled, “Sorry, I just get excited...”

Chuckles from the townspeople at the sheriff’s daughter were normal. The girl had a bubbly personality, it was hard to stay negative or be upset around her.

Bonnie shook her head, smiling at her friend’s exuberance. The three best friends hugged when Elena finally made it past all the people and to their spot. It wasn’t long before Matt, their friend, came to ask for their orders (as usual they all ordered Mr. Pibb). He hung around, draped his arms around the girls, joked, and shared a few laughs. That is before his boss, Jerry, told him to go do something useful.

He was a jerk.

─── ∙ ─── ∙ ─── ∙ ─── ∙

In no time, the friends had settled into their comfy, recently upholstered booth. Soon, the Grill could no longer seat everybody inside. Matt was currently sitting guests outside, warning them of the wet weather but they didn’t seem to mind. Jerry brought the girls burritos (on the house). But he tossed in an extra cinnamon roll to Bonnie, (who was oblivious as usual to the male gaze).

The Bennett witch had been feeling pressure recently and was actively coping with her Grams’ passing (even though it’s been a year). She had support from her friends, and shockingly even her Dad. But despite being well taken care of, Bonnie still felt a darkness inside that threatened to swallow her whole.

“Has anyone else got their letters from Whitmore?”

In a flash, Caroline pulled the letter out of her purse taking a sip of her Mr. Pibb. Bonnie and Elena were still in awe at their friend’s speed.

“I couldn’t open it without you guys present. It would be wrong. We sent them off together, so we should open them together too. And my mom already knows! I’m so nervous.”

Elena chuckled, and Bonnie’s brows rose, “Oh, we can tell, Care.”

Even as a child, Caroline’s rambling was a clear sign of her nervousness.

“That paper you wrote definitely stands out,” Bonnie asserted. “School should be fun and not boring.”

“Hey, Bon what did you write about?”

The witch shrugged her shoulders, her face blank. “I can’t remember.”

“I can’t remember either,” Elena wrapped her arms around Bonnie’s frame, trying to provide some comfort. Caroline chuckled, “Apparently, I’m going to be the academic one in this friend group.”

“Yep,” the two replied, grinning as Caroline scooted closer and quickly took a selfie.

At the sound of their high school’s name, the small group turned to the television screen.

“Look at Lockwood’s footwork, that technique is-”

“Yes, it certainly is impressive, Tina. Play off’s hasn’t started yet, but he sure is training his pants off!”

The brunette news reporter flipped her hair over her shoulder, giggling coyly.

“At this rate, Tod, he will lead the Timber Wolves to victory this upcoming season.”

Caroline gasped, narrowing her blue eyes in on the lean, nicely tanned football player. “Speaking of sports...have you guys thought about cheer yet?”

“Eh, not really, but I’d be open to it.”

“Yeah, for sure,” Elena agreed with Bonnie’s statement, leaning her head back. “Do you think we’ll get to meet him?”

The blonde whipped around, “Hey, you’ve had your go at two hot jocks, this one’s mine!”

Chuckling, Elena held her hands up in surrender, “Okay, okay! What about you Bon?”

“He’s not my type....but he is nice to look at.”

At once, they all giggled, drawing Matt’s eyes to their table. He waved in greeting, rolling his eyes at the tv.

Now that the three friends had their envelopes laid out on the surface of the table, they decided to wind down with small talk.

“Ugh, it’s supposed to rain for three days straight. I was supposed to visit Grams last week but my Dad called.”

Caroline’s cheerful facial expression morphed into a sympathetic one, “I can hold the umbrella for you if you want.”

Elena sighed, “I would offer a hand but the last time I went- -”

“You almost had to get stitches because you slipped in the mud and landed on a gravestone,” Bonnie finished, touching her friend’s hand, “I appreciate the thought girls but I would like to go alone.”

Respecting her decision the blonde, and brunette moved on, “Why do you think your Dad called?”

“Caroline!”

“What?” The blonde asked, “It’s a fair question, he’s never around anyway, am I right?”

Bonnie nodded, picking aimlessly at her cinnamon roll, “You’re right and I have no idea. The last time he came down he gave me a down payment for my car which was nice. And some old pictures of my mom and Grams. I think now that I’ve grown up he is starting to feel bad that he missed out on everything.”

“I remember your Grams despised him,” Elena told. “The sleepover before Freshman year.” The two girls nodded, that fight had been memorable as the fallen tears and tight support hugs.

“Tom said you girls could come over if Jenna’s job interview went well.”

“Ooh, sounds fun. She is going to be the best yoga instructor in this town.”

Bonnie tilted her head to the side, “Isn’t she the only one.”

“No, our 4th-grade math teacher is in the running.”

“Mr. Hank? Right, I remember those downward dogs whenever someone dropped their pencil...ugh, I still have nightmares.”

Elena laughed, her shoulders shaking, “At least it is not Ms. Vix, God, she was so rude.”

“You are forgetting the Hollywood all-star. He checked all the boxes, the one and only... Tanner,” Caroline jumped in. “I still believe he had it in for you and Bon.”

The witch shrugged, “After all these years I still don’t know what I did to that man.”

“Exist.”

Bonnie turned, surprised, “Hey, Matt. Didn’t he hate-”

“My guts, my face, probably something along those lines,” he supplied, aimlessly sweeping up the clean floor.

“And it’s nice to see you too,” Matt winked, disappearing as quickly as he appeared, leaving the three girls gawking at him.

“Care please-”

But it was too late.

“Oh my God, Bon, he totally likes you.” Elena offered an awkward smile, “Before you step into that area, just letting you know he’s a nice guy.”

Bonnie blushed, “And he is also our friend. It doesn’t matter that he has nice-”

“Arms.”

“Abs.”

The Bennett witch blinked, “Eyes. Geez, ya’ll have some dirty minds. But even if all that is true, I would prefer to keep our friendship than risk it all.”

Caroline pouted, opening her mouth to say something but Elena expertly interceeded “Hey, let’s open these babies up!”

With brief hesitation, the three reached for their envelopes. In the end, Caroline had to open all of their letters with her super-strength.

“Oh.”

“My.”

“God,” Bonnie finished for Elena and Caroline. An unstoppable excitement rose in her, blocking her inner turmoil, making it seem non-existent.

They screamed in sync, “We’re going to college!”

Care burst into tears and hugged Bonnie and Elena, so overcome with joy.

Sensing that they were going off the rails, Elena changed the topic and raised her glass. “We have been put through a lot, these past years. You know what, our whole lives! But it is important to remember that we are still here.”

“Our friendship still stands,” Bonnie joined, raising her glass, grinning despite the awkwardness. They were so grateful for each other that it was difficult to put into words.

“Best friends forever,” Caroline sang, and they laughed before taking a sip of their sodas.

There is no place the friends would rather be.

A raven pecked at the window, everyone was too busy to notice it staring at the friend group in earnest, midnight feathers ruffled in agitation. It swiveled its head toward the witch and pecked on the glass impatiently.

Bonnie turned, locking eyes with the bird, in mid-laugh. She gasped for breath, startled at her willingness to follow it. Rather than trust her instincts like her Grams always said she clenched her jaw and turned back to her friends, ignoring her desire.

Moments later, the raven fled the scene, answering its master’s call.

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5 hours later

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The wind had dissipated along with the odd birds. Occasionally the raven from the Grill would swoop over the area. The rain clouds had faded away, a forget-me-not blue spreading like fire above the town. It was looking like a peaceful beginning to the evening.

Jenna’s interview had been a success. The owner of the business loved her upbeat attitude. Mr. Hank had graciously accepted the role of receptionist. The girls and Tom were ecstatic for her. As promised, Tom planned on grilling, but the only thing missing was - -

“Oh, God, I’m sorry, Uncle Tom. I forgot the lighter fluid.”

Jenna kissed the top of her niece’s head, and whispered in her ear, “At least you got the charcoal, I wouldn’t have been able to remember that much without it in front of my face.”

“It’s okay, kiddo. Caroline, do you mind?”

The blonde smiled, “Not at all, but can I get a hug first,” she slightly bent down.

“Of course,” Tom replied.

Elena tossed her friend her keychain, “Carefully.”

“Don’t worry, it’s in my name. I have no choice.”

The two laughed. “That was so bad.”

“Have fun,” Bonnie sang, cutting up peppers with Jenna, the two of them discussing majors.

Caroline waved her hand in her friend’s direction. Aunt Jenna continued, “You know I’ve always pictured you as a librarian.”

“Really?” The witch was appalled.

“Yeah, that night we drove to that Linkin Park concert for Elena’s birthday bash. You didn’t really seem to enjoy the crowd, so I assumed you preferred a more docile environment. Which is neat.”

“Maybe I should shoot for a business major?”

Jenna hummed thoughtfully, “Do whatever you want, honey. And if you aren’t sure, that’s okay too. No one can stop you from being you, remember that.”

─── ∙ ─── ∙ ─── ∙ ─── ∙

Being the sheriff’s daughter everyone sorta knew who she was. Caroline was the runner, the one who went shopping and whatnot to get discounts. It wasn’t because her mom was a dirty cop, everyone loved and trusted her resolve to protect the town’s inhabitants.

Liz was a strong single mother who had raised an equally strong woman.

After the incident with Caroline’s father, Liz accepted her daughter’s fate. She loved her just the same and fought even harder for ways to keep her safe. Some would say she crossed the line but her daughter agreed that he had to be stopped and on that November night, they both slept easier than they had in years.

She sighed in exasperation at her glitching mp3 player trying to get a signal to download that catchy song she had heard playing in the convenience store.

“Hey, Blondie.”

Her blue eyes went round before she was thrown against the alley the bag of her purchases fell to the ground, splashing up on her and marking the ground. A hand wrapped around her throat. Constricting her airways, making it difficult for her to breathe but not impossible.

Caroline panicked and kicked the body away from her. She was successful. The girl doubled over, green eyes narrowed.

“Shit that hurt.”

“There’s more where that came from,” was her reply. Caroline aimed another kick but the woman caught her foot, admiring her shoes.

“Ooh, cute heels... Are these from Zara?”

“Yeah, they were on sale,” Caroline removed her foot from her tight grasp, brows furrowed.

Smiling she said, “It’s Lexi, by the way.”

“Hi, I’m um Caroline. Um, why exactly did you try to ki-”

“If I wanted to kill you, trust me, you would already be dead.” Lexi rearranged her olive jacket, which went well with her vintage outfit.

“You are in danger.” The younger vampire frowned, “I thought I just proved to you that I could handle myself.”

Lexi, smirked, tilting her head to the side, and walking closer to Caroline. “Sorry, older vampires have the upper hand, let’s not make this a pissing contest.”

Caroline stuck a hand on her hip and stared Lexi down. Despite the cockiness, she could see that her eyes were honest. “You and your friends’ lives are at risk. A powerful-”

The older vampire looked over her shoulder, a flock of black birds silently flew over them. She sighed, glaring up at them.

“We can’t talk here. Wickery Bridge, midnight, don’t be late.”

Lexi disappeared as quickly as she came. Leaving Caroline alone and confused in the alleyway, lighter fluid dripping down her legs.

ʚɞ: ʚɞ: ʚɞ

A/N: So, the opening chapter is published! What did you think? It’s pretty short compared to my usual chapters but I’m satisfied with it. Quality over quantity.