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CHAPTER TWO
bitter are the wars
between friends
╚═══*.·:·.☽✧    ✦    ✧☾.·:·.*═══╝

( the night of the comet )

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Harper's POV.

*Mystic Falls High School*

"I'm confused. Are you psychic or clairvoyant?" Caroline asks Bonnie as we make our way down the hall.

"Technically, Grams says I'm a witch," Bonnie says. "My ancestors were these really cool Salem witch chicks or something. Grams tried to explain it all, but she was looped on the liquor, so I kinda tuned out. Crazy family, yes. Witches? I don't think so."

We turn a corner and head down another hallway lined with lockers.

"Yeah," Caroline says, "well, feel free to conjure up the name and number of that guy from last night."

My head quickly turns to Caroline. "What guy?" I ask with a playful grin.

"Oh my goodness." Caroline sighs deeply. "There was this super-hot guy at the grill last night. You should have seen him."

"Why didn't you just talk to him?" Bonnie asks.

"I dunno know. I was drunk," Caroline says.

At the end of the day, I manage to find both Elena and Matt in front of the school. We start talking like old times . . . well, almost like old times.

"They're keeping her overnight to make sure there's no infection," Matt explains, referring to his sister Vicki, "but she should be able to come home tomorrow."

"Wow, that was fast," I comment, ducking under some low branches as we pass under a tree.

Elena readjusts her school books in her arms. "That's good news," she says.

"Yeah," Matt agrees.

"Did you get in touch with your mom?" Elena asks.

"Called and left a message," Matt says. "She's in Virginia Beach with her boyfriend, so . . . we'll see how long it takes her to come rushing home."

"Vicki's lucky that she's okay," Elena says.

"I know," Matt sighs, "and now there's talk of some missing campers."

"It's pretty crazy," I speak up. "My dad said the campsite was still there, but the campers were gone."

Since my dad is a police officer, I always get the inside scoop. It's pretty cool to know the happenings around town before anyone else. However, nothing truly terrible like these animal attacks has ever happened before . . . at least, not that I know of.

"Did she say what kind of animal it was that attacked her?" Elena questions curiously.

"She said it was a vampire."

Elena and I both stop in our tracks. "What?" we ask simultaneously, turning to face him.

"Yeah, she wakes up last night and mutters 'vampire' and then passes out," Matt explains.

"Okay, that is weird." Elena laughs it off.

"No offense, Matt," I begin awkwardly, "but you might wanna check what she's been eating lately."

It's no secret around town that Vicki does drugs. It's probably one of the reasons why we never got along because I would NEVER take drugs.

"Yeah." Matt sighs. "I think she was drunk." Matt's attention turns elsewhere. I follow his gaze to Stefan, who's sitting alone on top of a picnic table. I can't help but check him out for a moment. He looks like a freakin model all alone by himself like that.

Matt turns his attention back to us. He looks at Elena. "So what's up with you and the new guy?"

An uncomfortable tension suddenly hangs over our little group.

Elena shakes her head. "Matt, the last thing that I want to do is hurt you."

Well, that's my cue to leave, but before I can get the chance, Matt changes the subject. "You know, I'm . . . I'm actually gonna go back to the hospital. I wanna be there when Vicki wakes up, get the real story about last night." He nods.

"Good idea," I say quickly for fear of the subject changing back.

Elena clutches her school books a little tighter. "Okay," she says.

"Bye." I give Matt a hug, and we let go of each other. "I hope Vicki feels better."

"Thanks," Matt says before turning around and walking away.

Once Matt is out of earshot, I turn to Elena. "So what is up with you and Stefan?" I ask curiously, cocking my head to the side.

Elena lets out a deep sigh. "I dunno. I haven't talked to him since this morning."

"Then why don't you —" I begin but stop as soon as I notice that Stefan is no longer sitting on the picnic table. I turn my head from side to side. "Where did he go?"

Elena takes a look around for herself. "I have no idea."

Thursday, September 10, 2009

*The Night of the Comet*

*Mystic Falls Town Square*

After handing out a pamphlet to a little girl, I join Elena and Bonnie on the sidewalk. The three of us are giving out pamphlets for The Night of the Comet Festival that's happening tonight. It's a celebration for the comet that passes over Mystic Falls every 145 years. Apparently, the last time it passed was back in the year 1864.

I take my place beside Bonnie.

"He didn't call, huh?" Bonnie asks Elena, obviously referring to the one and only Stefan Salvatore.

At the mention of Stefan, my interest peaks. I wait for Elena's response.

"Or text," Elena says. She hands a pamphlet to a woman passing by and then to a man. "Then I realized we never even exchanged that stuff. We never got to the texting part." Elena hands another pamphlet to a college-aged boy.

"That's an important milestone in any relationship," Bonnie says.

I take a moment to hand a pamphlet to a middle-aged couple before turning my attention back to the conversation at hand.

"The timing is wrong, anyway," Elena says.

"Yeah," I speak up. "I have to agree with you there. You basically just broke up with Matt. You need some time to yourself for a while."

Bonnie shares a look between both Elena and me. "Yeah, but when is it ever right?" she counters.

Elena shakes her head. "I'm not ready, Bonnie."

"Who is?" Bonnie argues.

We stop walking and stand in the middle of the sidewalk. I want to speak up and defend Elena's decision to stay single, but I decide to just keep my thoughts to myself. I don't feel like arguing with Bonnie today. She has her own thoughts on relationships, and I have mine.

Elena turns to Bonnie. "At least I put myself out there."

"Is that what you're calling it?" Bonnie questions.

Elena averts her gaze to the ground. "What do you mean?"

Bonnie turns her head to the side before looking Elena in the eyes. "All I'm hearing is reasons why you can't."

Elena doesn't say anything. She just nods her head before turning down another sidewalk. Bonnie and I follow her.

If there's one thing I hate, it's my friends disagreeing, and me in the middle of it.

*Later That Night at the Night of the Comet Festival*

*Mystic Falls Town Square*

With my unlit candle in hand, I join Matt, Caroline, and Tyler Lockwood around a bench.

When Caroline notices that my candle is still unlit, she offers to light it with her own candle. "Hey, let me light that for you," she offers.

"Thanks," I say admiring the newly lit flame on my candle. I'm not a big fan of fire, and I'm always extremely cautious around it, but there's just something about a beautiful flickering flame that appeals to me.

I look towards Caroline. "So where is Bonnie and Elena?" I ask.

"They just called. They should be here any minute," Caroline answers.

"Cool." I go and stand beside Matt. "How's Vicki?" I ask him.

"She's doing a lot better actually. They released her from the hospital earlier today. I think she might be at the grill talking to her boss," he says.

"That's good," I remark.

"Hey, I got you a candle," I hear Caroline say from behind me. I turn around to see that Bonnie and Elena have arrived. I watch as Caroline hands Bonnie a candle. Elena already has one.

"Hi," Elena says, looking at both me and Caroline. She then walks up to Matt. "Hey," she greets him with a very obvious amount of awkward warmness. At least, it seemed that way to me. I wonder how long their interactions are going to be underlined with awkwardness. It makes ME feel just as uncomfortable as it does for them.

I move away from Matt and Elena to give them some space and relieve the second-hand awkwardness that's starting to irk me. I contemplate sitting on the bench, but Tyler is already there.

I'm not exactly friends with Tyler. He's more friends with Matt than he is with me, Caroline, Bonnie, or Elena. But I've pretty much known him for most of my life since he is a member of a founding family, like I am. Also, his mom is good friends with my mother. His father, Richard Lockwood, is actually the current mayor of Mystic Falls.

Deciding against sitting next to Tyler on the bench because I just don't feel like putting myself in another awkward situation today, I move myself beside Bonnie.

"You know," Bonnie begins, turning towards me, "my Grams said the comet is a sign of impending doom. The last time it passed over Mystic Falls, there was lots of death. So much blood and carnage, it created a bed of paranormal activity."

I look up at the night sky and get my first look at the comet. The sight of it feels ominous but at the same time soothing. "Is that true?" I ask Bonnie absentmindedly. The comet had distracted me from what she had said for a moment.

"I dunno," Bonnie says. "She was looped on the liquor again."

I tear my gaze away from the comet and look at Bonnie with a playful "seriously?" look.

She just shrugs. "Same old Grams."

I look up at the comet again. "Well," I start, "let's just hope nothing bad actually happens. It's junior year. We don't have time for any distractions."

Once the comet starts to get harder to see, we go to the Grill to hang out for a while. Even though it is still a school night, I don't mind too much staying out late tonight as I would have since all the teachers were required to not give us any homework. The comet only passes over Mystic Falls every 145 years. It would be messed up to give homework on a day with a once-in-a-lifetime viewing of a majestic comet.

As Caroline and Matt return from ordering our drinks, Jeremy marches up to our table. "Hey, has anyone seen Vicki?"

"You're her stalker. You tell us," Tyler says, crossing his arms on the table in a resentful manner. There's some obvious beef between the two of them. Great, another awkward encounter.

"I can't find her," Jeremy says worriedly.

"She probably found somebody else to party with," Tyler suggests. "Sorry, pill pusher, I guess you've been replaced." Tyler's lips form into a pleased grin.

Elena gives Tyler a weird look. "What's with the pill pusher?" she questions.

"Ask him," Tyler says nodding to her brother Jeremy.

"You wanna do this right now?" Jeremy snaps at Tyler in irritation.

Uh oh. I know what this is about. Jeremy has always had a thing for Vicki, and since Vicki does drugs, she's probably influenced him into taking drugs as well. Ugh, I'm fine with Vicki destroying her life with drugs cause its her life and her choice to make, but a line has to be drawn when it comes to Jeremy. He's only fifteen years old. He's too influenceable right now.

Elena gives Jeremy a sharp look. "Are you dealing?"

Jeremy doesn't answer Elena's question. He just blinks his eyes in annoyance.

"She's never gonna go for you," Tyler says, referring to Vicki.

Anger forms in Jeremy's eyes. "She already did," he states, "over and over and over again."

"Yeah, right," Tyler huffs in disbelief.

I internally cringe. Elena really needs to keep tabs on her brother. If I were his sister, he would have gotten it good already.

Caroline speaks up for the first time since Jeremy arrived. "You slept with Vicki Donovan? I mean, Vicki Donovan slept with you?" she asks incredulously, her eyes on Jeremy.

"There's no way," Tyler says.

"And I didn't even have to force her into it," Jeremy snarks.

It's Matt's turn to speak up. "What the hell is he talking about, Ty?" he questions his best friend accusingly.

"Nothing, man," Tyler shakes his head. "Just ignore him, he's a punk."

Gosh, can things get any more awkward?

"You know what!" Matt raises his voice. "How about all of you shut up and help me find my sister?"

A silent decision is made between all of us to do just that.

"We'll check the back," Bonnie says pointing behind her and looking at Caroline.

Oh great, we're splitting up. This never goes well for me. I always end up getting stuck with someone I don't feel like talking to at the moment.

"I'll check the square," Matt states. And before I get a chance to say "I'll go too," my little drug-lord of a cousin beats me to it.

"I'll come with you," Jeremy says turning to follow after Matt.

"Oh, no, no, no," Elena protests, chasing after her brother. She grabs him by the arm. "You are coming with me."

I grin at the two. Jeremy is finally gonna get some sense talked into him.

Now that Matt is going alone. I join him to search the town square for Vicki. It was either join him or Tyler, and for me the answer was obvious. I'd pick sweet and understanding Matt over bold and big-mouthed Tyler any day. Guys like Tyler just don't seem to get socially awkward and quiet girls like me.

As we're walking through the dark town square, I notice Stefan up ahead on the sidewalk. My heart leaps at the sight of him until I remind myself that I need to calm down. He's probably here to see Elena. I doubt a festival for a comet in a town that he just moved to would interest him very much.

When Matt sees Stefan, he walks right up to him. I follow closely behind for fear of appearing impolite if I don't at least say hi.

"Hey," Matt greets.

"Hey," Stefan responds. He nods to me in greeting when he notices my presence which automatically shoots butterflies into my stomach. I try to ignore them.

"Have you seen my sister?" Matt asks.

Stefan slightly shakes his head. "No, sorry."

"Can't find her. She's missing," Matt explains.

Stefan's brow furrows ever so slightly, making it almost unnoticeable. It's a reasonable response to hearing news of someone gone missing, but for some reason . . . the gesture gave off some sort of different vibe, but I'm not sure what.

"I'll," Stefan nods, "I'll keep an eye out for her." He turns to leave, but before he gets very far, Matt calls after him.

"Hey."

Stefan stops and looks back at us.

Matt continues, "I saw you at the hospital yesterday."

Matt's words get my attention. What was Stefan doing at the hospital? Does he know someone there? Does he have a family member who's sick?

Stefan takes a step back towards us. "Did you?" he says.

"What were you doing there?" Matt questions.

It takes a moment for Stefan to answer. "Visiting," he finally says.

I decide to open my mouth and speak up for the first time. "Oh, who were you visiting?" I ask with interest.

Quickly, Stefan meets my eyes. "A family friend, you wouldn't know them." He shakes his head slightly.

Matt arches an eyebrow. "A family friend?" he repeats in a distrustful tone.

I want to give Matt a good slap in the back of the head. It was rude of him to say that. But I know what this distrustfulness is about. It's about Elena, as always. It's been very obvious these last few days that Elena and Stefan hanging around each other has been bothering Matt. The tension is so palpable, I could cut it with a knife.

"You know," Matt begins. "Elena and I, we've known each other a long time."

Oh here we go.

"And we might not be together right now," Matt continues. "But I look out for her. And I'll always look out for her."

Oh! If only Elena were here to hear this! She really has no idea how much the guys in her life care about her. She's so lucky, that cousin of mine.

Stefan nods his head in understanding. Suddenly, he turns his head to the side at an angle. At first I think he has a crook in his neck, until he looks back at us. "Excuse me," Stefan says before walking past us.

"Bye," I say, the word leaving my mouth before I could stop it. I can't help it. I was raised to be polite, no matter how awkward it is in certain situations.

Matt turns to me. "Don't you think he's a little weird?"

I shrug. "Maybe he's just shy. He's still new here ya know."

The six of us regroup back at the grill. None of us had any luck finding Vicki. I'm not too worried though. She probably just found someone to "party" with like Tyler had suggested. She's Vicki Donovan. I wouldn't be surprised at all.

Eventually though, Vicki does show up out of the blue. Apparently, she had been out wandering around, on some more drugs most likely. I really don't get why everyone was freaking out so much. It's not like Vicki has never been out on her own before. She's eighteen for goodness sake! Then again, their worry for her was understandable. She did just randomly get attacked by a wild animal the other day.

But what did surprise me the most was the fact that Stefan was the one who found her. When he said he would keep an eye out for her, he really wasn't kidding. Why is it that Elena always has to attract the guys with the most caring hearts? Life really just isn't fair.

After all the drama calms down, Elena drives me home. As soon as I walk through the door, I immediately prepare for bed and hop under the covers. It had been a long, tiring day, and I'm now exhausted.

As I turn on my side to flick the lamp off, my eyes land on my copy of New Moon lying on my nightstand. Something stirs within me to pick it up, so I do. I flip to the first page.

Well, I guess it's the start of a new chapter then . . .

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

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a/n:

You're probably wondering why Harper didn't go with Elena to the Salvatore's house. Well, because it wouldn't have made any sense! For some reason, in many of the Damon Salvatore fics that I have read so far, the OC always goes with Elena to the boarding house and then meets Damon. But that makes no sense at all. Elena went to the boarding house to see Stefan and be with him alone and get to know him better. Why would she bring someone else with her? Even if it was a family member? Elena is a very independent person. In most cases, she would not feel the need to take someone with her to go somewhere new.

You're also probably wondering why the history class scenes are never mentioned, well because Harper doesn't take history that class period. It wouldn't be very realistic if she had the same schedule and exact same classes as Elena. Harper is her own person. She isn't just some OC that follows Elena around *cough cough exactly what most other TVD OCs do in a lot of other fics*

Anyway, I hope you're enjoying this story so far!

-- roxy

( word count: 3.3k )