❝Unexpected things come around more than once, and it's surprising how it's still unexpected❞
•

I couldn't save him.

This is what ran through my mind as I drove myself home from his funeral. I didn't invite since I knew they had bigger things to do, but Tyler tried to argue with me and come.

I stayed in my bed for days, although everyone came to stop by to see how I was doing. Even Damon. I got sick of the hourly visits, so I told my mom that when they come over, tell them I was asleep.

They brought plush toys and chocolate with cards that say; 'You'll get through this' or 'feel better, Ro'. They knew I didn't enjoy sentimental things.

To be honest, I though I would stay in bed forever, listening to my phone ring constantly or cry myself to sleep. But right now, I'm searching on my computer for answers of what I am. All day yesterday I was so busy reading through the bestiary that I didn't go shopping for a dress. I might not even go.

However I did learn a lot about banshees. It mentioned how a banshee is a female spirit who wails when feeling someone is near death. And that made me think of when Vicky, when I kept seeing her! She was death, but apparently brought back. At first, I thought I was like Jeremy; who could see the dead, but I'm different. Supposedly.

It made some sense as to why I screamed, but I still didn't get why I didn't know how my father would die. I didn't get how everything was numb when I saw his body or when I had him in my arms.

I rub my head, feeling a headache form. It was happening again, but now I knew that it was meaning death would arrive. I close my eyes, but when I open them, a man with a suit stands in front of me, with blood in his hands.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Michael. And you are the banshee." He answered me.

"Don't call me that." I warn, "What are doing here?" He doesn't answer me. He just pulls out a stake, before aiming towards me.

I cover my face with my arms, quivering. I peek through my hands, seeing no one there. Michael? Why does that name seem familiar?

"Knock, knock." A voice interrupted my thoughts. I look up to the door and see my mom. I sigh and look back down at my computer, hearing her walk inside my room, "I thought you would like to go to homecoming.." She trailed off, placing a light pink dress that match the pink shoes on my bed.

I study the dress and the smile on her face before looking back at my laptop, "I'm not going." I couldn't go. I can't go face everyone after ignoring them for what seemed to be forever.

"Everyone's worried about you and I am too, Rowan. I know what happened to your father was tragic and I'm sorry you had to see that, but I think being around your friends will help." She spoke softly, as she walked to the door. "Just think about it."

With that she left my room, having me stuck with my inner thoughts. I pick up my phone at laid on my bedside table and called Dylan.

"Hel-" He tried to answer, before I heard a thump in the background. "Hey, uh, what's up?"

"Are you going to the dance?" I asked, before I heard a few seconds of silence.

"Yeah, uh, yeah. Of course. Do you want to go with me?" He asked suddenly, before I got the chance to ask him. "I mean, if you want to. We could just hang out. Or do nothing at all. It's up to you."

I smiled still managed to crawl it's way onto my face, "I'll go with you."

"Really? That's great! I'll pick you up and we can go to Tyler's house."

"Wait," I pause, "Tyler's house?"

•
•

"You can do this." I whispered to my reflection. "You will do this and have fun. No backing out now." And it was true. I already had my dress and heels on, with my hair put into a braided updo. I put my necklace that had a key on it and my vervain bracelet. I put on my flower studs and grab my beige purse with my phone before making my way downstairs.

"Don't you look gorgeous." My mom cooed, taking a picture, but I groaned as Dylan chuckled by the door, his hands in his pocket. "Stand still!"

"Mom, please stop." I whined as she ignored me and took more pictures as I walked towards Dylan. "Hey."

"Hey. You look- wow!" He stammered and I let out a soft laugh. "Uh, we should get going."

"Yeah. You should hurry." My mom rushed out, opening the door for us, "Now go and have fun." She shooed, pushing us out of the door. "Don't do anything I would do."

"Let's go." I drag him towards his car and I hesitantly get into the passenger seat. I let out a shaky breath, buckling up, feeling his gaze on me. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay." I smile at him before he drives off towards Tyler's house. I still couldn't manage the fact that the school's gym had a flood, so out of all people, Tyler decided to throw a homecoming. I haven't seen Tyler since he brought me to his house, against my will and let me cry my eyes out to him until I fell asleep. When I woke up though, I sneaked out his house and walked back to my house, still wearing my father's blood. My mom was asleep on the couch, crying herself, so I just stayed in the bathroom for what felt like forever and then that's when the visiting came.

Dylan, of course, understood and texted me, saying how he'll give me space until whenever I need him. I guess now was the time.

We make it to Tyler's and I already see numerous people dancing and drinking. A band was in the backyard, playing loudly as I just stayed in the car.

"Are you sure you're okay? I could take you back to your house if you're not ready." His voice was gently as he placed his hand on mine.

I look up and force myself to smile, "I'm fine. Come on." I get out the car, letting go of his hand. I fix my dress and my hair as Dylan comes around the car and stands by my side. I grab his forearm and walk towards the party with my head high.

When I reached the doors, people whispered as I passed and muttered a hi to me, but I ignored it all. I just sighed and walked with strength, however when I saw Caroline come my way, I felt weak. I waited for the sympathy speech and hug, and I was of course granted this.

"Oh my god, Ro. I can't believe you're here. You look gorgeous! How are you?" She asked and I nodded with no intention.

"I'm fine." I smiled, looking around, hoping I see no one else. Caroline nods, looking at Dylan.

"You must be Dylan! Hi, it's so nice to meet you." She greets, but winks my way. "I have to go find Tyler. Everyone is acting so weird."

"Can you get us a drink?" I asked Dylan and he nodded, leaving me with Caroline. "What do you mean?"

"Half of the people here, don't even go to our school." She gritted, and I look around, now realizing it.

"Who did Tyler invite?" I question, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"You mean; who did Klaus invite."

•
•

I lost sight of Dylan awhile ago, so I'm just standing in the backyard, sipping on my drink. Multiple people asked me if I was okay, although it was strange when Elena didn't. I didn't pay much mind to it though.

"Don't you look beautiful." A voice says and I groan, knowing it's Klaus.

"Thanks." I mumbled, really hoping that Dylan will magically appear from the shadows. But then I realize that Klaus is back. Like really back. "What are you doing here?"

"Enjoying the death of my father." He answered and I look at him questioningly. "What are you doing here?"

"Trying to get over the death of my father." I force a smile, but he looks at me sympathetically. "Don't."

"What?"

"Don't give me the sympathy speech. I have heard it from fifteen other people." I huffed, twirling the last of my beer in the bottle.

"I'm not big on sympathy, so.." He trailed off, a smirk on my face. "You look like you're bored though."

"Because I am. This is the first homecoming of my senior year and I should be happy." I down the last of my beer, glancing at him. He looked good; he wore a black suit with a pearly white shirt and black tie. "And, technically, this isn't homecoming. Beer and a band playing isn't homecoming. It's a concert. Just classier with the outfits."

He chuckled at my outburst, finding it amusing, "Do you want me to take you home?"

"Nope, I have a date." I responded, simply and he looked taken aback.

"Oh, I saw him. While you were with your date, have you happened to know what your friends are planning?" Klaus wondered and I gave him a confused look.

"Is that why you're here?"

"I came back for many reasons. Don't worry, you're one of the many." He smirked and I scoffed.

"Trust me, I don't care. And no, I don't know what they're planning. They wouldn't tell me either way." I tell him bluntly, but his smirk is practically stuck on his face. I see Dylan not far, talking to some guy. "I have to get back to my date." I say, beginning to walk down the stairs.

"He's seems like a good guy if your around him." Klaus stated, "He's not right for you though."

This made me turn to him, "How so?"

"You're into the bad guys. I can tell."

"You don't know nothing about me. At all." I sneered, and he shrugged.

"I know a lot more than you think, sweetheart."