"So I told her to get lost!" Julien finished his story about how he'd dumped his seemingly loyal and pretty girlfriend, earning thunderous laughter and applause from his friends.

I had to put a lot of effort into not rolling my eyes everytime one of them opened their mouth.

I hadn't been very eager to meet up with my brother's friends but I knew there was no way I'd be able to say no. You didn't say no to Steve Nox.

Star of the football team in highschool, blonde and blue eyed and every girls dream made him our parents' favourite. His grades were shit, but as long as you were good in a sport that didn't matter.

Of course all that made me the black sheep of the family. But I guess I would have managed that without his help.

"Another round of drinks?" Steve asked, being the generous rich guy he was. Not.

I looked around, hoping that someone would say no so that I could finally leave. I knew I must have looked pretty stuck up on my seat next to my brother, but I didn't care much. I didn't want to be here in the first place.

"If you're paying," Tony joked. I almost snorted. He was the heir of a multi million dollar company, he could buy the whole café without a flinch.

With one small wave of his hand Steve ordered the waitress to come over so that everyone could order what they wanted.

"I'll take another frappé," Alex grinned.

"Cappucino," Tony flashed his dazzling multi million dollar smile and added, "And your number, please,"

He was gorgeous and he knew it. I couldn't blame the girl for blushing and quickly scribbling down a few numbers on a napkin.

Everyone else ordered until it was only Steve and I left.

"And two iced coffees, please,"

If it hadn't been my brother I would have punched the dude. He knew I hated iced coffee. Or did he? Maybe he just didn't pay attention to me at all.

Bleh. I don't care.

I gave the obviously nervous waitress a sympathetic smile which she returned.

"So how's Steve's little sister?" Julien asked.

"She's great. She's right next to you so you can very well use her name. Unless you forgot it, wouldn't be the first time, I suppose." I hadn't meant to come off that rude and bitchy. But I did. Oh well.

"Uh-huh!"

"Burn!" One of them, I think his name was Elias, laughed.

"Attagirl," Tony grinned.

"Be nice," Steve's tone was playful and he covered the weirdness in his voice with his toothy smile. "Excuse her, guys. She's can be a bitch,"

I clenched my teeth. "You're an ass, Steve,"

"Whatever." He lifted his left arm and I sqeezed my eyes together as my heart beat began to race even faster than it usually did in the presence of my brother. My hands gripped tighter onto the armrest.

I was waiting for the hit, but it didn't come. I opened my eyes slowly to see that his arm was actually resting on the back of my chair, lightly draped around my shoulder.

I let out a breath of relief. That was a close one.

Over the calming background noise in the café I heard the bell above the door ring and I twisted my head to see who had entered.

But whatever I was going to do next disappeared out of my mind at the sight of the familiar stranger.

I pushed Steve's arm off me. " 'Scuse me," I muttered and got up to walk towards the entrance. I made my way through the maze of tables and my eyes never once left his face.

"Stefan Salvatore," My voice was full of surprise.

"Perse," He gave me his goofy smile.

I couldn't help myself and wrapped my arms around his neck. I pulled him into a tight embrace.

"I see you are happy to see me," He smiled. I pulled back and took in his appearance. His hair was messy and a bit longer than last time and he wore a button up shirt that was barely buttoned up, paired with jeans.

"Of course I am! It's been five years! For fuck's sake, I missed you!"

"I missed you too,"

"Why are you back?"

"And here I thought you were happy," He joked but then his face turned serious. "But it's actually a story you might want to hear...."

"I got all day," I said with a glance to my brother and his friends. They were all staring but when I looked at them they turned around and pretended to be deep in conversation.

"Want to take a walk?"

"Give me a second," I said. He nodded and I went back to the group of guys.

"Who's that?" Steve eyed Stefan carefully.

"He's an old friend," I replied and grabbed my jacket.

"We're gonna go and catch up a bit. You can have my iced coffee." I couldn't help but smile my sweetest fake smile. Ha.

He looked stunned.

"Bye guys. It was nice seeing you," I grinned, happy to get away, and walked back to Stefan as quickly as I could.

He held out the door for me and I, grinning like an idiot, slipped outside by diving through under his arm.

"Who was that?" He asked me when we were walking outside in the cold air. "Your heartbeat was racing like a little bunny's...."

"No one,"

He shot me a look. "Come one. We never asked any questions, you kind of owe us this,"

"He's my brother," I said sharply. "Happy?"

"No way," He stared at me in disbelief. "The blonde guy with the blue eyes who put his arm around you?"

"Stalker," I smirked. "And yes, that's Steve Nox. Our highschool's hero and parents' favourite,"

"You never mentioned that you had a brother,"

"You never mentioned that you were vampires,"

"Touché," He grinned.

"So what is it that you think I need to know?" I pulled my coat a bit closer around my body.

"I don't know if you've noticed-"

"The recent animal attacks?" I guessed. "Believe me, I have been paying a lot more attention to the news,"

"That means that there is vampires around,"

"Isn't there always? New York is a big city,"

"Well, a friend informed me that they were looking for someone. No name, just a description,"

"So?"

"I think they are looking for you,"

I took a deep breath, looked into the distance and sighed. "Another vampire related issue. Great."

I began massaging my temples. "And it's already giving me a headache,"