CHAPTER ONE||SEEDS

Aelia walked between Bonnie and Elena as they approached Mystic Falls High School. Aelia raked a hand through her golden hair as they walked— Her mind had become consumed with thoughts of the boy she'd met the day prior, Stefan Salvatore. The rough explanations Elena had given her on the three Salvatore's wasn't enough. Elena's words hadn't eased the Buzzing in Aelia's mind.

"So dinner? My place tonight" Elena suggested as she adjusted the bag on her shoulder, Both Aelia and Bonnie nodded as they walked, Aelia baring managing to focus on the conversation. Her first day back at school since the start of the semester and she had just as much to hide as she had the year before.

"Sounds good to me— I need to escape my house" Aelia smiled brightly as her angel-like eyes flickered between her two best friends, her wide smile causing Elena's to grow.

"Are Carson and Stefan coming?" Bonnie asked and Elena then gave an unsure look in return causing a soft sigh to escape Bonnie's Lips. Aelia's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Stefan.

Something didn't seem right, She'd only had one conversation with the boy and he'd infiltrated her thoughts in a way no one ever had. As if the conversation had planted a seed in her mind and she needed more, She needed to see him again to get that seed to grow...

"I'm not saying don't Date him. I'm just saying take it slow" Bonnie suggested while Elena's brows furrowed as she stifled a laugh, Aelia's eyes narrowing in confusion as she listened to Bonnie's words. Both brothers had seemed more than polite when she'd seen them.

"You are the one who said to go for it" Elena countered tilting her head as the girls walked, Bonnie almost instantly responding with an uncanny sense of urgency within her voice; "now I'm saying take it slow"

"Do what makes you happy- I think they were lovely" Aelia Smiled at her best friend, Anything that made Aelia's friends happy made her happy and that was more than good enough for her. After what Elena had been through, she deserved more than a bit of happiness.

"What's with the face?" Aelia's brows furrowed noticing the almost worried look painted across Bonnie's Features, drowning her doe eyes in panic, Elena's head jerking toward Bonnie at Aelia's words.

"yeah, what's with the about-face??" Elena questioned while Aelia stared at Bonnie awaiting an explanation, of course, Bonnie had more interactions with the Salvatore brother's yet Aelia couldn't seem to fathom how Stefan could come across as anything other than kind from just their simple conversation.

"It's not an about-face. you're single for the first time in your entire high school career, it's the perfect time to play the field" Bonnie suggested, a chuckle slipping past Aelia's lips at the almost instant offended-like expression on Elena's face.

"oh, because I'm so that girl" Elena shook her head while Aelia almost mirrored her actions, Bonnie sighed heavily as Elena added; "seriously? what are you not saying?"

"It's stupid" Bonnie dismissed herself causing both Elena and Aelia to stop with narrow eyes Both girls assuring their friend it wasn't stupid and they'd listen-- Bonnie sighed her eyes darting between the two girls in front of her as she debated letting it out.

"Bonnie you can tell us-- we won't think it's stupid" Aelia reassured inciting another sigh from Bonnie as she nodded meeting Elena's concern-filled eyes; "I accidentally touched Carson's hand in the grill the other day, and I just got a really bad feeling"

"Is that it?" Elena questioned unimpressed with Bonnie's words while Aelia stood waiting for Bonnie to continue there had to be more than that. yet Bonnie only went to walk away-- Elena grabbing the girl's wrist making her come to a halt.

"It was 'bad' bad" Bonnie exclaimed her eyes frantically darting between the two girls urging them to listen and take her seriously, Aelia stopped to think while Elena chuckled; "is this just the witch-Mojo thing again"

"you know what? I'm just concerned. this is me expressing concern over my best friend's new boyfriend" Bonnie sighed making her concern known in a way that didn't make her seem crazy, Elena smiled her hands falling on Bonnie's shoulders; "And I love you for it. but I feel good, and he's lovely-- right Lia?"

"He did seem nice, Stefan was really nice too" Aelia reassured, the two brothers truly did seem unbelievably nice, But maybe that was too good to be true. Bonnie sighed as the girls kept walking, the start of the school day approaching quickly too quick for Aelia, School served as a distraction but it was also another added pressure on her home life.

"Morning Ladies" A voice Echoed, Looking up Aelia could see the two brothers she'd met the night before approaching them-- Carson's eyes fixated on Elena while Stefan's forest green eyes focused on Aelia. Bonnie took a startled step back from the group.

"Morning Bonnie, Aelia" Stefan smiled, Bonnie's widened eyes darting back to the two girls as she frantically excused herself before walking off, Both Eelena and Aelia sharing a worried Glance as they watched their friend walk away.

"I'll see you after first period" Elena smiled at Aelia confusion still lingering within her eyes, Aelia nodded as Eelna walked off with Carson, His tall frame shadowing Elena as they walked away Leaving Aelia with Stefan.

"She doesn't like me very much.." Stefan suggested to Aelia as she sighed watching Bonnie walk away before looking back up at Stefan with a shrug; "She doesn't know you, Or your brother. she's just looking out for Elena but I'm sure she'll come around."

"Actually-- are you free tonight?" Aelia asked a lopsided smile growing on Stefan's face at the question he quickly answered without hesitation: "Yes"

"great! Dinner at Elena's tonight, 8 o'clock. I'm sure she's inviting Carson too. it'll give Bonnie the chance to get to know you and your brother better. " Aelia suggested, Stefan's soft smile growing at the chance to get to know Aelia better, Not Bonnie... Just as Stefan was about to agree and say it'd be his pleasure a Football was hurdled toward them. Stefan catching in-- he'd spun around so fast Aelia couldn't even figure out what was happening until she noticed the ball within his hands.

Aelia's eyes scanned their surroundings noticing; Matt, Tyler and Jay. Rolling her eyes she instantly apologised to Stefan. Elena had already warned her of the dislike Matt and Jay most likely had over Stefan and Carson. Aelia's lips parted in shock as Stefan threw the ball back to the two boys. His throw seemed effortless yet as Tyler caught it he stumbled back almost losing his balance from the pure force Stefan had thrown it with.

****

"That throw was insane, do you play football?" Aelia asked as she and Stefan walked through the corridors of Mystic Falls high on their way to Class, Aelia still shocked by Stefan's impressive throw.

"I used to. It was a long time ago." Stefan spoke, His voice like velvet every word slipping past his lips only causing the seed he'd planted in Aelia's mind the day before to grow, Filling her with curiosity. Stefan Salvatore rooted curiosity.

"You should totally try out for the team. You'd be great" Aelia smiled brightly as she fiddled with the small necklace that hung around her neck, Her eyes flickering up to Stefan as she spoke.

"yeah... I don't think so." Stefan chuckled as Aelia reached her locker walking off to the side and coming to a halt as she fiddled with the lock, Stefan following her and stopping beside her as she rose a brown: "So you don't like football?"

"No, I love football. It's a great sport. but in this case, I'm not sure football likes me. you saw Tyler over there... And I'm sure Elena's told you how Matt Feels. Jay-" Aelia shook her head cutting Stefan off.

"Jay is my fault- he can be a dick. But if you want to play football I'm sure I can speak to them... they don't know you, to them you're just a loner and the brother of the guy talking to Matt's Ex, it wouldn't hurt to be a part of, make some friends" she reassured her blonde hair falling perfectly over her shoulders, as guilt rushed through her body at the mention of Jay, Her Ex... Not boyfriend, But Ex something.

"Says the girl who missed the first two weeks of school" Stefan Lightly joked making Aelia chuckle hiding the reason reasonings for her being off school with a laugh: "I was sick, you don't know me well enough to judge me yet Salvatore, there's more to me then than just being Elena's sick best friend. you have a whole other Aelia to meet"

"I look forward to meeting her" Stefan smiled leaning against the lockers as the school bell rang indicating they really did have to get to class, Standing up straight Stefan added: "And when will that be?"

"We'll see" Aelia winked with a smile holding back her soft laugh before taking a book out of her locker and walking off to class, Her mind again infitrated with thoughts of Stefan Salvatore.

****

Tanner's voice seemed to drain the life out of every student in class, so much so that Aelia had begun doodling in her notebook... But the doodles didn't match her usual sketches of flowers, and beautiful landscapes, subconsciously she had begun drawing crows, beautiful dark birds flying in the sun... At least that's what she was imagining but her school pens couldn't compete with her artistry pens and supplies she had in her room at home.

The history lesson seemed to drag on a lot longer than she wished her eyes instantaneously finding Stefan when her doodles weren't doing enough to ease her boredom-- the Salvatore leaning over his desk, His button-down shirt rolled up above his elbows showing off his muscular forearms littered with still veins while he fiddled with a pen his eyes focused lazily on Tanner.

"Pst-" Aelia leant over her desk trying to catch Stefan's attention, he instantly turned toward her after hearing her voice. His eyes finding hers with ease as he continued playing with the pen in his hands, Carefully twisting it between his fingers as Aelia spoke: "The football team sucks... they could use you"

"can't, I'm a loner" Stefan joked, A soft laugh escaping Aelia's lips which was almost instantly short-lived as Tanner called out her name causing her expression to dull; "Miss Miller? pearl harbour?"

"Uhm" Aelia sieved through her mind trying to pinpoint the date that linked back to Pearl Harbour yet being picked out in front of the whole class made her mind falter and her fingers tap anxiously against the table as she stared at Tanner coming up blank yet another voice, A familiar voice spoke up for her: "December 7th 1941"

"Thank you, Miss Miller " Tanner patronised while Aelia turned her head toward Stefan with a thankful grin, His green-blue eyes shining as they locked with Aelia's. Chuckles echoing throughout the room at Tanner's words which Stefan only replied with a quick: "Anytime"

"Very well- Fall of the Berlin wall" Tanner spoke smugly hoping to catch the Salvatore out yet Stefan's response was almost too fast taking everyone by surprise: "1989, I'm good with dates sir"

"Are you? How good? keep it to the year" Tanner challenged making Aelia roll her eyes at his lousy attempt at catching Stefan out. His shitty attempt at proving he was the best-- which he clearly wasn't. yet Stefan nodded, accepting the challenge with a grin. and Tanner started: "Civil Rights Act?"

"1964" Stefan answered causing Tanner's lips to tighten into a straight line while Aelia watched Stefan mesmerised as Tanner shot another question at him: "John F Kennedy assassination?"

"1963" Stefan fired, everyone in the class sitting up a little straighter hoping someone-- Stefan could humble Tanner at least a little bit, it was needed. Tanner took a step closer to Stefan's desk as he questioned again: "Martin Luther King"

"'68"

"Lincoln"

"1865"

"Roe vs Wade"

"1973" Stefan answered, the whole class silent as Tanner took agonising steps toward Stefan with each correct answer he gave hoping to catch the young teen out. Aelia watched in awe as Stefan effortlessly answered each question without hesitation.

"brown vs board"

"1954"

"The Battle of Gettysburg"

"1863"

"Korean War"

"1950-1953" Tanner surged forward at Stefan's words with a smug smirk-- seeming way too happy about a student's mistake, as he scrutinised with a chuckle: "Ha! It ended in 52'"

"Actually Sir it was 53'." Stefan corrected just as Tanner went to walk away, Tanner turned back-- to face Stefan a more than unimpressed look clouding his features as he studied Stefan's expression.

"Somebody look it up! Quickly!" Tanner ordered the surrounding students while he stared at Stefan which such a look as if to intimidate him, Yet it didn't work, not one bit. Stefan just sat there with a lopsided smile until he was proven right by a student across the class: "It was 53"

Aelia turned to face Stefan with a proud smile as if she was in awe-- which she was. while the surrounding students applauded him and chuckles filled the room at Tanner being humbled just as he needed.