❝ We should strive to welcome change and challenges, because they are what help us grow into the person we were born to be. ❞

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"You can't run from me, my star," An accented voice spoke. Cordelia grinned to herself as she hid behind a tree. She bit her lip as she listened carefully to the steps behind her until suddenly arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her into their embrace. "I caught you, love," The man whispered before he lightly kissed her neck. 

Cordelia melted completely into his embrace as sparks tingled through her body with each feathered touch. "You know, love... I never believed that I'd find you and yet, here you are," He teased. "And I'm not going anywhere," Cordelia replied as another appeared in front of Cordelia. "Without me? Where's the love?" Stefan teased as he stepped closer.

Cordelia snapped up from her slumber, she wiped the sweat from her forehead and cursed to herself for the inappropriate dream she had just had. She knew these visions would keep happening, but she felt guilty for dreaming about Stefan, considering he was clearly with Elena. "Are you okay?" Jeremy asked with a teasing grin. He held a sketchbook in his hands. 

"Whatever you heard, just forget it," Cordelia told him as she lay back down. "So you weren't moaning my sister's 'boyfriend's' name and some guy named Nik?" Jeremy taunted with a smirk. "Nik?" Cordelia replied with furrowed brows. The name felt familiar, but settled in her brain like a distant memory she wasn't supposed to know yet.

"Yeah, are you moaning about some unknown person in your sleep?" Jeremy asked while Cordelia sighed and sat up. "Jeremy, I need to tell you something, and you aren't gonna believe me, but I need you to," Cori told Jeremy, who noticed the serious expression. He put his sketchbook aside and turned to her. 

"Alright, lay it on me, Cornflower," Jeremy told her. Cordelia took in a deep breath before she began preparing herself to tell him everything she had learned. "Well, first things first, I got you this," Cordelia pulled out a leather bracelet that she had not only soaked in vervain but had vervain sewn through the leather.

"That looks cool," Jeremy said as Cordelia took his wrist and tied it on so it comfortably rested against his skin. "It's been soaked in Vervain, which will stop compulsion being used on you," Cordelia told him before looking up at him. Jeremy furrowed his brows in confusion. 

"Vampires are real, Jeremy. Stefan and Damon are Vampires, but they both mean no harm, hopefully," Cordelia continued, not giving Jeremy a chance to laugh or tease her. She knew how she sounded, and most of all, she was worried that Jeremy would walk away from her, but she wouldn't hide anything from him 'cause they've always told each other everything.

"And you don't have to believe me, Jeremy, but I need to be certain that you are safe because if anything happened to you, I'd be lost," Cordelia said with a shrug. Jeremy's expression was soft, welcoming towards whatever she was telling him. "Now what I'm about to tell you will change a lot," Cordelia added before she explained everything that Sheila had told her. 

Once she was finished, she sat back, allowing Jeremy to process everything. "Okay," Jeremy replied with a nod, making Cordelia furrow her brows. "Okay?" Cordelia asked. "You're my best friend, Cornflower. And I'll help you through all of this the same way you help me," Jeremy told her before the two hugged each other. 

Cordelia then drove Jeremy to the hospital before leaving for school. As the blonde drove herself to school, where Jacob was waiting for her to arrive, her mind trailed back to the strange vision that she had of Stefan and the stranger named Nik. 

Something about the name settled like a flutter in her heart, a sense of distant loss typical between long-distance lovers washed over her, and she began to yearn for whoever this man was. And though Stefan was present in the town, just in reach if she dared to stand between him and Elena, yet her mind was focused on the unknown man with a touch that made her feel completely alive.

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"Originally discovered nearly 5 centuries ago, it hasn't been over Mystic Falls in over 145 years. Now, the comet will be its brightest right after dusk during tomorrow's celebration," Mr Tanner told the class before turning to Stefan and Elena, who were sharing longing glances, "Are we bothering you, Mr Salvatore? Ms Gilbert?" 

Cordelia looked up at the two as they dropped their gazes. She bit her lip and looked away as her strange dreams flashed through her mind before she shook them away. The moment the bell rang, Cordelia collected her books and rushed out of the classroom with Elena and Stefan trailing behind her.

Cordelia approached her locker and looked from Stefan and Elena to Caroline and Bonnie with a sigh. She turned back to her locker and pulled out the book she needed for homework, knowing that Jacob was waiting for her. Closing the door, she was startled to see Stefan standing there. "Are you alright?" Stefan asked with concern pooling in his green eyes. 

"Uh, yeah. Just... stressed," Cordelia answered him as her phone buzzed. She pulled it out of her jacket pocket and saw Jeremy's name and a message informing her that he had threatened Tyler. "Boyfriend troubles?" Stefan asked, making Cordelia laugh. "No boyfriend to have troubles with," Cordelia replied. Stefan smirked at her words; he liked the sound of that.

"Uh, it's my best friend, Jeremy. He's always finding trouble, but I wouldn't have it any other way, you know? He's my platonic soulmate," Cordelia expressed to Stefan, who thought of Lexi. He could understand what Cordelia was saying, and he was glad that the blonde had someone who cared for her as much as she cared for them. 

"Friends like that are rare. The ones that feel like another part of your soul," Stefan said with a small smile. Cordelia grinned at his words. "Exactly," Cordelia agreed as the two made their way out of the school into the yard. "I need to be honest about something," Cordelia told Stefan as they stopped by a lunch table.

"What is it?" Stefan asked her, noticing the worry in her eyes. "I know what you are," Cordelia told him outright. She had decided to do so in public, and she had vervain on her and in her system to prevent any potential compulsion. "How?" Stefan asked as he glanced around in case someone was listening in. 

"The best way I can explain is..." Cordelia thought for a moment before remembering that Shelia said she would be powerful, so it was probably better to hide what she truly was until she could trust him. "I'm a witch," Cordelia told him, allowing him to relax, "I felt it when our hands brushed." Stefan nodded, "I live off animals."

Cordelia knew why he was telling her that; he wanted her to know that he wasn't a threat to her or anyone in Mystic Falls. "That must suck," Cordelia said, making Stefan shrug with a laugh. "It isn't so bad... just means I'm weaker than other Vampires who fed off of humans," Stefan explained to her. It felt nice that he could be himself completely around the girl he felt alive with. 

"Well, if I'm in trouble, I know who to call," Cordelia teased, making Stefan chuckle again; he was glad to know she was comfortable around her. "You're awfully calm for what you know," Stefan pointed out, causing Cordelia to scoff. "Oh no, I'm freaking out. This is me freaking out, can't you tell?" Cordelia spoke sarcastically before the two laughed.

"You know what this means now, right?" Cordelia asked with a grin. "And what is that?" Stefan questioned her with narrow eyes. "We are now friends, which means you have no choice but to accept my offer of a movie night at the Forbes residence so I can get to know you better," Cordelia told him with a smirk.

She was intrigued about Vampires, but also something nagged in the back of her mind to keep him close, and who was she to deny the chance to brag to Caroline about how she made a new friend without her help. "That sounds like a plan," Stefan replied with a smile. He was keen to keep Cordelia around, and it wouldn't hurt to have a real friend in town.

Jacob watched from where he leaned on his own car next to Cordelia's. He narrowed his gaze at the sight of Stefan, feeling unease settle into his bones. He knew exactly who the Salvatores were; he also knew that it wasn't only Penelope that he held a promise to. 

He sent a message through to Cordelia saying he'd left for work but would visit after his shift. On his drive to his shift at the local mechanic, his mind reeled over the changes coming their way, and he knew that he'd have to tell Cordelia the truth about everything eventually, but for now, he'd remain her protector.

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Thursday night, Cordelia climbed out of her car and looked towards the packed town square. She knew the comet would bring in a crowd, but she hadn't realised how interested people were. "You seem uninterested," Tyler Lockwood spoke as he walked up to Cordelia. "Crowds..." Cori whined, making Tyler laugh before he looked around. 

"It isn't so bad," Tyler encouraged, but the look on her face told him all he needed to know. "I'm gonna go find the guys. You gonna be okay by yourself?" Tyler asked her, and she nodded her head before spotting her sister. "I'll stick with Care or find Jacob," Cordelia told him before they split off in different directions.

"Lia, you came!" Caroline cheered, gaining Stefan's attention. He turned from his search for Elena and looked the younger Forbes up and down. She wasn't wearing her usual choice of jeans and graphic t-shirts; she was wearing a short black dress with daisies printed on it and a grey cardigan with her usual boots. 

He thought she looked beautiful, and for the first time in his life, he felt a hunger that couldn't be satiated by blood. He was pulled from watching her when Elena appeared in front of him; a distant string seemed to tie his focus to the girl in front of him. He smiled at her as she lit the candle he was holding; however, his mind kept trailing back to Cordelia Forbes.

"I figured you wouldn't leave me be if I didn't," Cordelia told her sister, though she had been keen to see the comet. "I'm going to mingle, you should too!" Caroline encouraged before scurrying off to a group of girls who were on the Cheer Squad. Cordelia chewed on her lip as she looked around for a familiar face worth talking to. 

With Jacob potentially still working and Scott somewhere with Angela, she decided to just head into the Mystic Grill for a strawberry milkshake and fries. The moment she walked in the door, Samuel spotted her and smirked before working on her order without hesitation. "I had a feeling you'd show up," Samuel told her as she reached the bar counter.

"It's too crowded outside," Cordelia replied as she grinned at him, taking the strawberry milkshake he held out to her. "It'll be crowded in here soon," Samuel reminded her. "Yeah, which is why I'm enjoying this now," Cordelia said with a shrug before taking the basket of fries and slapping down the money. 

"Enjoy, Cori," Samuel told her as he took the money. Cordelia turned around and spotted Damon Salvatore talking to Angela, Scott, and a friend of Angela, Chelsea, who was twirling her hair and flirting with him, despite his eyes watching Cordelia instead of her. Cordelia raised a brow at him before turning away and sitting in the corner away from the others crowding the building.

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Cordelia was making her way to her car when she stumbled; her mind was pierced by pain as she leaned against the closest wall. Her breathing was heavy as she tried to open her eyes, only to close them again as strange visions bounced around her mind. "Cori?" Jeremy had spotted his best friend as he walked with Jacob, and her pained expression freaked him out as he grabbed her arms. 

"It hurts..." Cordelia breathed out fearfully, the visions flashing by so quickly that she couldn't see anything except the blur of people, blood and the feeling of death. It felt like something was trying to fight its way out of her head while simultaneously trying to dig its way in. "What can I do?" Jeremy asked as he looked around before looking back at her.

Jacob cursed under his breath. He moved closer to the blonde and cupped her face in his hands. "Cordelia, listen to my words... let it in, don't fight it, or you'll be in more pain." Cordelia whimpered as she initially fought the pain, but Jacob's soft yet stern words bounced within her mind, and she relaxed into his familiar touch. 

"Jeremy, make sure no one looks this way," Jacob instructed their friend. Jeremy nodded as he glanced around, thankful that others were distracted by the Comet that was passing over them. The same comet that was waking her power. "That's it, Cordelia... Let it flow through you, no matter how scary it seems," Jacob whispered with his eyes closed.

Cori finally opened her eyes to look up at Jeremy, whose eyes widened at the sight of her eyes that had gone completely white. "The comet has come... times will change... no one is prepared for their return..." Cordelia muttered in a monotone voice before she gasped, her eyes returning to their natural green as she collapsed in her friend's arms. 

"Cori?!" Jeremy called out, but Jacob shushed him as he lifted her into his arms. "Something wrong?" Damon asked as he walked towards them. "She passed out, I think she--" Jeremy was cut off by Cordelia, suddenly starting to shake. Damon rushed forward and helped Jacob lie her on the ground on her side. "A seizure?!" Jeremy shouted fearfully. 

"We just have to let her ride it out. Does she have them often?" Damon asked Jeremy, who shook his head as he spoke, "She's never had one before." Damon looked from Jeremy to Cordelia, who slowly relaxed, though blood began dripping down from her nose, her face turning pale. "It's her body responding to the comet," Jacob told Damon, the man raising a brow in understanding. 

Damon had an idea of what Cordelia Forbes was, and it left him intrigued to learn more about her. "We need to get her out of here," Damon spoke up. "Feed her your blood," Jacob said as he looked up at him, "We know what you are; your blood will heal her." Damon bit his wrist and moved it to Cordelia's mouth, forcing her to drink the blood. "If she turns, it's on you," Damon remarked, making Jacob scoff. He knew how the process worked.

Cordelia's face returned to its natural fair state, and she slowly blinked her eyes open to see Jeremy, Jacob and Damon leaning over her. "Are you okay?" Jeremy asked her, his eyes misty from tears that had barely formed. "I think so..." Cordelia breathed out. "Let's get you home," Damon offered before lifting her into his arms. Jacob watched him closely. 

Damon made his way over to her car with Jeremy following them. Cordelia settled into the passenger seat, giving Damon the keys while Jeremy and Jacob climbed into the backseat with their eyes watching their best friend. After giving Damon her address, he drove there and helped her inside after she gave him permission, with Jeremy moving ahead to pull the blankets back for her.

Cordelia sat on the edge of her bed and took in greedy breaths. She felt completely exhausted, and she didn't even understand why. Jeremy went into her drawers for pyjamas while Damon looked around her room, intrigued. Jeremy walked back over to Cori and handed her the clothes he found as Jacob pulled her boots off and grabbed her cardigan to put to the side. 

"Turn around, Damon," Jeremy ordered the older male, who smirked before doing as told. Cori had Jeremy and Jacob help her change into the graphic shirt and some shorts before she fell back into her bed. "Thank you, Damon," Cordelia whispered, knowing he heard her. "You owe me," Damon teased, making the blonde scoff, amused. 

"We'll stay with her. Thanks, Damon," Jeremy said to the older Salvatore. He bowed his head to the three before making his way out. He wasn't sure why he was so willing to help, but he remembered the look in Stefan's eyes at the idea of the blonde being hurt, and he couldn't find it in himself to walk away. 

"I'm right here, okay?" Jeremy whispered to Cordelia as he lay next to her. She instantly turned over and curled into his side as he ran his fingers through her hair. He had completely forgotten about Vicki, his focus on his best friend. He had no idea what had happened, but he never wanted to see her like that again; Her words bouncing within his own mind.

Jacob followed Damon out of the Forbes residence, closing the front door behind him before crossing his arms against his chest. "I don't care what purpose you and your brother have in this town, if any harm comes to Cordelia and those she loves, I will be the one you deal with," Jacob warned Damon. 

The older male turned his head to the seventeen-year-old, his gaze flooded with amusement. "If you think I'm afraid of some teenager, you are sorely mistaken," Damon mocked, only to grasp in pain, grasping his head as sharp, piercing pain shot through him. "You should know better than to disrespect witches or warlocks, Salvatore," Jacob snapped out.

"Things are going to get very messy in this town," Jacob added as he released the pressure from Damon, continuing his words, "And I already lost one sister to this town, I'm not losing another. So whatever games you have planned, I'd suggest you rethink them." Damon lifted his head to look Jacob in the eyes. 

Pain and sorrow were the first emotions he could see, but then anger and determination took over. Damon wasn't afraid of Jacob, but he damn well respected the man who wanted to do whatever it took to protect his family. Even if Cordelia wasn't his blood, he still was going to ensure that the girl and those she loved were safe.

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ᯓ★ EDITOR ROSE HERE ୭˚. ᵎᵎ

So I'm working on editing through these a little quicker, so some changes are more minor, but I'm slipping some better plot points in to connect it to later chapters.

What do you think of Jacob's role?

Cori's dreaming of "Nik" and Stefan, what do you think of that?

Cordelia confronted Stefan, and they've got a friendship blooming. How do you think that will go when Stefan can't stop thinking about her?

Any extra thoughts or questions?

See you in the next chapter!