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WREN'S MOTHER'S DEATH PROMPTED THE MOVE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, DESPITE HER FATHER'S VEHEMENT OPPOSITION.

She had never been so thankful for Chloe Decker, with her support and calming of Wren's father, whose wrath could quite literally level a city.

It was a fairly simple move, despite her doubts it would prove otherwise. She was moving in with her penpal, Bonnie, who she'd visited a few times when they were kids and always found love in the small town feel of Mystic Falls.

Which was exceedingly different to Los Angeles, where Wren was raised. The people were nicer and there was far less crime — as Chloe was sure to mention over a dozen times with statistics drawn on a glitter chart (courtesy of Trixie, Chloe's eleven year old) — which made Wren feel confident in her decision to move.

The flight was easy, she fell asleep for the majority of it, packed only two suitcases — she didn't want to keep things that reminded her of her mother — and exited baggage claim with a glance around the airport.

"Wren!"

Wren's face lit into a bright smile and she rushed across the flooring separating her and Bonnie, throwing her arms around her neck. Bonnie hugged her close, both of them squealing and tearing up.

"Oh, my god, it's actually happening," Bonnie pulled back with wide eyes. "You're here, really here. And you're gonna live with me."

"I'm gonna live with you, Bennett."

"I have so much to tell you," she said as Wren grabbed her suitcase in one hand and Bonnie's in the other. "Elena's got a boyfriend now—"

"—I thought she and Matt were a thing—"

"—Oh, they broke up so long ago now," Bonnie shook her head. "Let me finish, babe," she added in mild annoyance and Wren suppressed a smile. "So, Elena's got this boyfriend and he has this brother who kind of had a thing with Caroline — that's complicated to explain, and we're definitely not doing it here — and the brothers don't get on well, which, you'll meet Damon and totally understand—"

"—His name's Damon?" Wren raised her eyebrows. "Seriously?"

"Yeah," Bonnie rolled her eyes. "Stefan and Damon Salvatore. They have the Boarding House too and—"

"—I thought that was Zack's place—"

"—No, remember, I wrote to you that he died," at Wren's flicker of remembrance and a hint of guilt, Bonnie groaned. "Keep up, Wren."

"My bad," Wren laughed as they walked through the parking lot to Bonnie's car. "So Elena's dating Stefan, and Damon and Caroline were a thing but it's complicated. The brothers hate each other and—"

"—And," Bonnie dragged out the word, unlocking her car. She glanced around before looking to Wren. "Remember when you told me about your dad?"

Wren nodded. Of course she remembered. Bonnie was the only person aside from her family in LA that knew about her father being the Lucifer. About his powers and her grandfather being literally God, and her own powers.

Not that she used them.

As a baby her powers started showing and when she began to teleport out of her high chair to the cookie jar, her mother sought out her father, seeking an explanation from his "śaitāna genetics" and she was barred from using her gifts until she "was ready to acquire them."

Which she was grateful for because if she had to endure puberty with acne and the ability to warp reality, she'd have probably lost her mind.

She told Bonnie all of this, of course, even if the girl didn't believe her at first. Who would? But when she attached a video of her father's devil face — which Bonnie said scarred her for weeks and actually created a rift between them for awhile — Bonnie finally believed her.

"Yeah," Wren nodded. "Why?"

"I'm a witch," Bonnie breathed out, eyes wide and excited. Wren frowned. She'd read of witches and other supernatural creatures in Amenadiel's books, but didn't realize they still existed. "As in...Latin spells and a grimoire and—"

"—Salvatore," Wren breathed out, realization flooding her as the name tugged at a memory. A list of names. She remembered that one in particular because it was fun to say. "Vampires. They're vampires."

Surprise flashed across Bonnie's face before she sighed, letting out a small laugh. "I don't know why that surprised me. Nothing you do should."

"Oops?" Wren smiled weakly before her face grew serious. "Does Elena know?"

"That they're vampires?" Bonnie asked for clarification and at Wren's nod, Bonnie pulled a face, opening the driver's side door and getting in. Wren slipped her suitcase in the backseat and climbed in the passenger, looking at her friend who started the car up. "She won't listen to reason."

"I mean, maybe they're not bad," Wren pointed out. "My dad gets a bad rep."

Bonnie nodded, pulling out of the parking spot and setting into drive. "Fair enough. Do you know he sends me birthday presents every year?"

Wren smiled softly, the thought making her miss her father. He was many things, but compassionate was one of them. He had a deep fondness for the broken or wretched, those tossed aside finding haven with him.

Despite his ruling of the least popular place in the universe, he didn't mean for souls to be unhappy. They tortured themselves. If it were up to her dad, everyone would just follow their instincts and have a good time.

It came as no surprise that he was fond of Bonnie, with her broken family and headstrong tenacity. She was fierce and fun and the best example of friendship in Wren's life.

"...and Jeremy and I are kind of a thing?" Bonnie was continuing and Wren grimaced a bit, centering on the conversation. She hadn't meant to lose herself in thought. She blinked, registering Bonnie's words and turned in her seat to face Bonnie completely.

"Wait, wait, wait. Jeremy Gilbert? As in...Elena's kid brother who used to throw worms at you?"

"Yeah," Bonnie cringed a bit, as if expecting this reaction. "And I know what you're thinking, but he's...I don't know. He's sweet and funny and good to me." Bonnie smiled a bit, thinking about the teenager as they slowed at a light.

"Wow," Wren hummed in thought. "Okay. So...vampires, you're a witch, you're doing Elena's brother...am I missing anything else?"

Bonnie thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Nothing crazy. Oh, except Elena's got this vampire doppelgänger, or—I guess, Elena's her doppelgänger, so just be careful what you tell her."

"Welcome to Mystic Falls, Wren," she breathed out to herself.

So much for new experiences.

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