"Smiling was always easier than explaining why are sad."

Sometimes all you can do is smile. Move on with your day, hold back your tears and pretend you're okay.

Head up, stay strong, fake a smile, move on.

I kept repeating this motto as I started to get ready for the first day of school. I took my leather purple skirt, a white lace top, purple stilettos, a white bag and I went downstairs. I had a strange feeling that somethings bad was going to happen, but I decided to not think too much at this.

"Really?" I said smiling at my sister and pointing at her sporty and comfy outfit. Elena throw me her most adorable smile and I scoffed. She was dressed in blue jeans with sneakers, a red blouse and black leather jacket. "You really want to make sure that everyone knows we are different, right?"

"Isn't that obvious?" said Jeremy, as he passed near us.

"Shut up!" I screamed to him but he was already in the kitchen.

"Toast. I can make toast." said my aunt, as me and my sister entered into the kitchen.

"It's all about the coffee, aunt Jenna." Elena said pouring some in two cups and giving one to me too.

"Is there coffee?" Jeremy asked and took the purple cup from Elena's hands leaving her without coffee and she scoffed smiling at me.

"Your first day of school, and I'm totally unprepared. Lunch money?" she asked and me and my brother took the money from her hands.

"Anything else? A number, two pencil? What am I missing?" she asked noticing my amused look at her.

"Don't you have a big presentation today?" I asked still amused.

"I'm meeting with my thesis advisor at...now. Crap." she said as she let her hair free.

"Then go. We'll be fine." me and Elena spoke in the same time.

"You ok?" I asked Jeremy after Jenna left the house.

"Don't start."

I stood there, trying my best to not cry in front of my sister. She already had enough of my breakdowns.

"Bonnie is coming to drive me with her car. Are you coming?"

"Nope, thanks." I said and I left the house stopping on the porch. All the bad feelings of the morning rushed over me again. The anxiety, the fear. And the certainty that something terrible was about to happen. Slowly, I started to step on Maple Street. Right now I was regretting that I didn't go with Bonnie's car, but since my parents tragic accident, I had a big fear of cars.

The tall Victorian houses looked strange and silent, as if they might all be empty inside, like the abandoned houses you see in movies. They looked as if they were empty of people but full of strange watching things. And suddenly I had the feeling that something was watching me. The air was stifling and I felt for sure that there were eyes on me.

"Oh, come on! You are big girl. You certainly shouldn't watched that horror movie last night." I said and looking around I was more than happy that nobody was around because I had the bad habit of talking with myself in loud voice. I kept walking until I caught the sight of something dark in the branches of an old quince in front of Donovan house. It was a crow, sitting as still as the yellow-tinged leaves around it. And that thing was watching me.

I tried to convince myself that it was ridiculous, but somehow I knew. It was the biggest crow I ever seen, plump and sleek, with rainbows shining in its black feathers. I could see very well every detail of it: the greedy dark claws, the sharp beak, the single glittering black eye. It was so motionless that it might have been a wax model of a bird sitting there. But as I stared at it, I felt myself flush slowly, heat coming in waves up my throat and cheeks. Because... it was looking at me. Looking the way boys looked at me when I wore for the first time a short skirt or sheer blouse. The same way Matty used to look at before he felt in love with Elena. As if it were undressing me with its eyes. Before I realized what I was doing, I had dropped my bag and picked a stone from beside the driveway.

"Get out from here. Go on! Get away!" I screamed and I could feel the shaking anger in my voice and I threw the stone.

There was an explosion of leaves, but the crow soared up unharmed. It's wings were huge, and they make enough racket for a whole flock of crows. I crouched, suddenly panicked as it flapped directly over my head, the wind of its wings ruffling my blond hair.

But it swooped again and circled, a black silhouette against the paper-white sky. The worst part was that somehow I was feeling that I knew that look. Then, with a harsh croak, it wheeled away toward the woods.

I couldn't believe what I had done. I never ever hurt any creature. But now that the bird was gone, the air felt ordinary again.

I was silly. Everything was alright, except that I was going to be late to school and Elena and Bonnie will expect me in the parking lot.

You could always tell everyone you stopped to throw stones at Peeping Tom, I thought and I almost giggled. Now, this would give them something to think about.

It felt strange to be again into the school yard. I went to my sister and I hugged tightly my best friend, Bonnie.

"Major lack of male real estate," Bonnie said as we three entered into the school. "Look at the shower curtain on Kelly bitch. She looks hot--Can I still say tranny mess?"

"No, that's over." Elena said smiling.

"Ahh, find a man, coin a phrase. It's a busy year. And you missy," Bonnie said pointing at me, "you really need to find a boyfriend. It's a busy year."

Me and Elena looked to the hallway noticing Matty. We raised our hand to wave at him but he ignored us. He certainly will receive a slap from me. Maybe he is upset with Elena, but I was innocent in this whole story. I mean I didn't even had her blood in my veins, since I am adopted.

"He hates me." Elena said sadly.

"That's not hate. That's you dumped me but I'm too cool to show it but secretly I'm listening to air supply's greatest hits." I said giggling.

Just then Caroline Forbes came throwing us in a very tight hug.

"Elena. Mel. Oh my God. How are you? Oh, it's good to see you." and Caroline let us free. "How are? Are they fine?" the blonde girl asked, this time looking directly at Bonnie.

"Caroline. We are right here and we are fine." me and my sister answered in the same time politely. Even if we are completely different physical and our way to dress was extremely different, the pain was the same. We both lost our parents.

"Really?" Caroline asked unconvinced.

"Yes. Much better." I answered smiling at her.

"Oh, you poor thing." the blond girl said as she hugged us again.

"Caroline. I can't breath." I said slowly.

"Oh. Okay, see you guys later?" she said and Caroline disappeared on the hallway.

"No comment." I said smiling. "I'm not going to say anything."

"How come you and Caroline aren't best friends, Mel? I mean you two have like the same taste in clothes."

"And that is the only thing I have in common with Caroline Forbes, Bonnie. I actually have more in common with a crow than with her." I said and regretted because I remembered the huge bird from earlier. "Besides you are a amazing best friend." I added as I took my books from my locker.

"Nice. So, I'm gonna predict your future now... My grandma says I'm psychic. So... You will gonna meet two brothers... One is..." Then Bonnie stopped and her face went white as she saw something frightening. I smiled warmly at her.

"Bon Bon? We have class."

"Right." she answered and we start walking, until Bonnie stopped us in front of our secretary office.

"Who's these?" Bonnie asked pointing at a tall men, dressed into jeans and a leather jacket.

"All I see is back." I said disappointed.

"It's a hot back. I'm sensing Seattle and he plays guitar." told us Bonnie.

"You're really going to run this whole psychic thing into the ground, huh?" I asked her.

"Pretty much." she answered.

"I'll be right back." Elena said and she followed Jeremy into the boys bathroom. I decided to stay out of it. Jeremy kinda hated me right now. I mean, we have been best friends at first, in the time I was a total nerdy unpopular girl, but when I decided to change that, Jeremy started to estrange from me, saying that he had enough with a Miss Popularity in the house and I preferred to stay out of his way. Then I spotted someone who needed a slap.

I approached to Matty's locker and I slapped him on the back of his neck.

"What the... Mel!" he said and tried to take me into his arms but I stepped away.

"Last time I checked I wasn't invisible, Donovan. So, I wanted you to know that I don't care what it's or was between me and my sister. I am not Elena, if that isn't obvious... I thought that we were friends..."

"We are, Mel. Believe me, you are my best friend. And I really missed you."

"Then I think you should find another friend, because I am not friend with a jackass."

I was so angry and I was trying so much to not let the tears fall that I didn't saw were I was going, so I bumped into someone.

"I beg your pardon..." I said softly.

"Don't worry..." the guy said and then he looked at me and his face went pale as he saw a ghost. "I'm sorry, did I met you before?"

"I don't think so. I spend all my time here. And obviously, you aren't from here." But somehow, something was telling me that I knew his green eyes and his perfect sculpted face.

***

"Once our home state of Virginia joined confederacy in 1861, it created a tremendous amount of tension within the states." our history teacher started to explain. I had this class with Elena, Bonnie, Matt and our new student. "People in Virginia's northwest region had different ideals than those from the traditional Deep South..." he kept telling and I looked around throwing a cold stare to Matt and then I smiled at the new student. I sensed my phone vibrating. Bonnie sent me a message telling me that the new student was staring at me. I smiled warmly at the phone.

"Miss Gilbert." said the teacher getting my attention but Elena's too. "1863?"

"Which Miss Gilbert?" I asked genuinely and I smiled at the teacher getting some chuckles from the class.

"Since, you asked... usted." he said with disdain.

"In 1863, Virginia divided with the northwest region joining the union."

   After classes, I decided again to walk until home. As I kept walking, I decided to visit my parents grave.

"Mommy. Daddy. Hello." I said as I stood there, in front of their grave. "It was a good day, I think. No one really realized that I'm not fine at all. I kept smiling and laughing, even if I really wanted just to cry. Jeremy is bad. I think he takes drugs. Please, help us."

Then the same bird from morning sit on my parents tomb stone.

"Ok. Hi bird." I said and I laughed at how crazy I sounded right now. "Sorry from earlier, but you scared me. And this isn't creepy or anything." I added. But then a strange mist started to appear. "Shoo." I said trying to make the bird to leave.

When the bird appeared in my back I ran scared through the cemetery but I felt on another grave.

"D'Aubigne Delmonte Mira Marieluna Emmeline" was the name write on the tomb stone made from black marble and I started to feel fuzzy and I had a strange feeling as I kept watching the tomb. I wanted to ran but was like something attracted me to stay there, at this woman tomb that died in 1864.

"Are you okay?" asked someone and I jumped in fear. It was the new acquisition.

"Were you following me?"

"No. I, uh, I just... I saw you fall."

"Uh-huh, and you just happened to be hanging out in a cemetery."

"I'm visiting. I have family here." he said and watched the tomb behind me.

"Wow. Tactless. I'm sorry. It's the fog, it's making me, foggy. And there was this bird... And it was all very Hitchcock for a second. You know, the movies with the birds? It's Hitchcock movie, right? And you are here which means you can listen to me babble. Which will end, in... 3. 2. 1. I'm Isabella Melinda. You can call me Mel."

"I'm Stefan." he said amused.

"Nice ring." I said pointing his finger that had a massive silver ring with a big blue stone on it.

"Oh. It's a family ring, yeah. I'm kinda stuck with it. It's weird, huh?"

"No, no. I mean, there are rings... and then there's that.

"Did you hurt yourself?" he asked concerned and I looked at him confused. "Did you hurt yourself?" he repeated. Slowly I raised my leg and there was a ugly cut that was bleeding.

"Are you okay? Don't tell me you are afraid of seeing blood."

"You should go. Take care of that."

"Sincerely, it's nothing..." but he was gone.

   I was again into my room, this time dressed with a blue lace top and a jeans. I took my white Vans, not heels.

"I'm meeting Bonnie at the grill." I said to my aunt. "Are you coming, Elena?" I screamed.

"Ok. Have fun. Wait, I got this. Don't stay out late, it's a school night."

"Well done, aunt Jenna." I said and I opened the door and there was Stefan.

"Sorry, I was about to knock. I wanted to apologize for my disappearing act earlier. I know it was... strange."

"No worries. I get it, blood makes you squeamish."

"Um, something like that. How's your leg?"

"Oh, it's fine. Just a scratch, barely. How did you know where I lived?"

"It's a small town. I asked the first person I saw. Um, I thought you might want this back." Stefan said and gave me my silver heart locket, that I have from my parents.

"Oh, I most dropped it. Thank you. It means a lot for me." I said smiling softly at him. "It's the only thing I have from my parents, you know."

"Memories are too important." he said absently, looking at me.

"You don't have to stay out there. You want a juice, something?"

"I'm fine. Sorry, were you going somewhere?"

"Yeah. I'm meeting a friend. Do you want to come? Elena, I'm leaving!" I screamed again. "Can you excuse me for a moment?" I asked as I entered into the house.

"Elena is not coming." said Jenna. "She is crying again in her room."

"I can stay with you, Jenna."

"I'm alright. Go and have fun."

"So, you come?" I said again and Stefan smiled at me as we start walking to the grill. Between us was a uncomfortable silence. "So... tell me about you." I said trying to get rid of the silence.

"My name is Stefan Salvatore. I used to live in Mystic Falls when I was a kid. Now I live with my uncle in the old Salvatore boarding house. And you?"

"Oh, you know. The poor adopted girl that loses her parents for the second time. It's a boring story, actually." I answered and Stefan smiled genuinely at me and I felt something strange in his presence. Was like I already knew him, but in the same time something was dangerous at him.

I wanted to say something but just then we saw Mystic Grill. A small green Victorian building but in the same time a nice place for teenagers. As we entered I could feel the shock from Matty and Bonnie, the jealousy from Caroline eyes and the anger from Tyler.

"Hey, I'm Matt. Nice to meet you."

"Hi. Stefan."

"And Elena?" asked Matt looking at me confused.

"M.I.A, Donovan." and I looked ugly at him. "By the way, you didn't even say hi to me." Matty smiled sadly at me and kinda made me feel bad about this whole situation but he had to learn his lesson.

   Me, Stefan, Caroline and Bonnie sit to a table and I ordered a hot chocolate, even if everyone took a beer. I hated the alcohol.

"So, you were born in Mystic Falls?" asked Caroline looking at Stefan.

"Mmm. And moved when I was still young."

"Parents?" kept asking her.

"My parents passed away." Stefan said he looked at me. I smiled genuinely at him.

"I'm sorry." I said and I took another sip from my hot chocolate trying to not remember my own parents and Stefan nodded softly on my direction.

"Any siblings?" Bonnie asked and I scoffed looking at her.

"None that I talk to. I live with my uncle." Stefan answered still looking at me.

"So, Stefan, if you're new, then you don't know about the party tomorrow." said Caroline.

"It's a back to school thing at the falls." Bonnie explained.

"Are you going?" Stefan asked me and I sighed.

"Of course she is."

"Actually, Caroline... I don't want..."

"You promised, Melinda. So you come. Elena will come too." interrupted me Caroline and I smiled softly at her. There was no way to convince her that I didn't wanted to come to that stupid party.

The next morning, Elena was better. I told her about the party, and surprisingly, she accepted to come with me. That made me feel better about this party.

***

"The battle of Willow Creek took place right at the end of the war in our very own Mystic Falls. How many casualties resulted in this battle?" our teacher said. "Ms. Bennett?"

My friend looked at me desperately. "Umm ... a lot?" she answered and I burst in laughter. "I'm not sure. Like a whole lot." she added making me to laugh even more.

"Cute becomes dumb in a instant, Ms. Bennett. Mr. Donovan. Would you like to take this opportunity to overcome your embedded jock stereotype?"

"It's ok, mr. Tanner, I'm cool with it."

"Hmm. Elena? Surely you can enlighten about one of the town's most significantly historical events?"

"I'm sorry. I-- I don't know."

"I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reasons, Elena. But the personal excuses ended with the summer break."

"Oh, damn it. There were 346 casualties unless you're counting local civilians." My nerd part was still there.

"That's correct, Melinda. Except, of course, there were no civilian casualties in this battle."

"The confederate soldiers fired the church believing it to be housing weapons. 27 of civilians died that night. You can check in the founder's archive. There has to be the diary of a young lady that tried to save them. You know I'm fascinated with our local history, Mr. Tanner." I finished and all the class chuckled while Stefan looked straight at me.

***

"What should I wear?"

"You can take that crochetoff-shoulder white blouse, some jeans and a pair of brown boots."

"Thanks Elena. This is why I love you so much," I answered and I gave her my most beautiful smile. "Jeremy is coming?" Elena nodded absently.