"WHAT!" Charlie yelled, staring at Caroline, who just told her everything that happened the previous night. They were in a local boutique, looking for a dress for Caroline for the founder's party, as if she didn't already have a million of them.

Caroline nodded, "Yeah, Matt found him outside the stadium. It was crazy." She shook her head in disbelief as she ducked behind a curtain of dresses, sliding each one over to look at it and grabbing the ones she liked.

"Jeremy and Tyler got in a fight?" she questioned, wondering what it could be about. "Over what?'

Caroline stopped her searching to stare at her friend, her mouth hung open. "I just told you that our history teacher has been mauled by a wild animal, and you're worried about the fight between your brother and Elena's brother?"

"Yeah, sorry," Charlie sighed. She was really trying to draw the attention away from the 'animal attack' because she knew the real cause of the attack. "It's just so crazy. I didn't want to think about it."

"I know. I mean, who would've thought? Our small town being so dangerous," Caroline noted, taking a pile of dresses into one of the dressing rooms. "It makes you wonder if we're even safe here, you know?"

Charlie nodded, even though Caroline couldn't see her. "Yeah. So, um, what were Jeremy and Tyler fighting about?" she asked casually, looking at some of the necklaces on a rack next to her.

Caroline groaned, "Ugh, I don't know. Some boy stuff, probably Vicki Donovan. Or their toxic masculinity." She then pulled the curtain back to reveal her in a pale blue dress. Charlie nodded enthusiastically.

"That's the one," she told her, walking up to Caroline to feel the material. "I love it, and that guy you told me about is going to love it too, Damon?" Charlie hid her distaste for the man because Caroline was excited about him, but the Lockwood had a really bad feeling about him.

Caroline sighed, "I don't think I'm going to bring him. He's older, and my mom's gonna be there, and I just can't deal with all that right now. "I'll probably just go with Bonnie."

 Charlie smiled, happy that her friend was hopefully staying away from Damon for the time being.

☾⌑❄⌑☽

All of the Lockwoods were at the Mystic Grill, having a family night and discussing the Founder's Party. It was mostly lecturing the two teenagers on their behavior and how they were expected to act at the event. Charlie's parents had not fully trusted that she had changed yet. To be fair, she had been hanging out with Mason Lockwood all summer.

"So, what happens with the season?" Richard Lockwood asked Tyler, "One big forfeit?" Carol and Charlie rolled their eyes. Of course, he was talking about football when a teacher had just died. "They looking for a new coach?"

Tyler shook his head. "I don't know, dad. I doubt anybody's thinking about that right now." 

"Yeah," Charlie agreed, looking at her father. "You know, since the last coach was mauled by a mountain lion. Finding a new one might be a little low on the priority list right now." She reached over into her brother's fries and took one, causing him to slap her hand.

"Richard, Founder's Party, focus," Carol ordered, and Tyler smirked at his dad. 

Charlie took a sip of her root beer as Vicki Donovan approached them, pitcher in hand. "How are we all doing over here?" she asked, smiling. Tyler looked down at the table, and Charlie smirked at him.

"Yeah, we're doing great, sweetheart," Richard responded, dismissing her quickly.

Vicki looked over to Tyler who was refusing to look at her. She grabbed his empty cup and started pouring water into the glass, the actions were kind of aggressive. "Anything else I can get you?" she questioned with a harsh tone.

"No, we're fine, thanks," Tyler answered, mumbling. A tub of popcorn and Charlie would be all good. This was the only entertainment she had had all day.

Richard insisted, "Just the check, honey." Why did her dad have to be so creepy?

Vicki pulled the check out of the pocket of her apron, a lot less cheery now. "Here you go, Mayor Lockwood."

"Thanks," he replied, taking the check from her while Carol eyed Vicki carefully.

Vicki nodded, waving to Charlie as she walked to another table. Charlie chuckled, trying to cover it up with a cough but failing miserably. "Shut up," Tyler mumbled, kicking her under the table.

She looked back up just in time to see Caroline and Bonnie walking through the front door. "Hey, mom, Caroline and Bonnie are here. Can I-"

"Go ahead, be with your friends," Carol sighed, "We'll talk about the party later." Her mom was usually okay with her hanging out with Caroline and Bonnie because she knew their parents really well, and Caroline was a part of one of the founding families.

"Thank God, you're here, Char," Bonnie groaned, "Please talk some sense into Caroline. She's taking Damon to the Founder's Party."

Charlie furrowed her eyebrows, confused. "I thought you said you weren't taking Damon, that you would ask Matt or something." 

Caroline shrugged, "Well, I changed my mind. A girl can change her mind." They made their way over to a table in the middle of the restaurant, sitting down.

"Well, what am I going to do?" Bonnie asked, "You were my date, and now I have to go alone. I can't go alone, that's sad and pathetic." She then turned to Charlie. "No offense, if you're going by yourself."

Charlie scoffed, "Like my mother would allow that. No, I'm going with Jeremy. You can tag along with us if you to. He won't mind." 

"No, it's fine," Bonnie sighed, "I'll just have to look really hot so no one notices I'm alone."

Charlie giggled, "If you look really hot, you won't be alone for long." The three of them chuckled slightly at the comment.

"Wait, Charlie, you're going with Jeremy? When did you two become a thing? I thought he was still hung up over Vicki," Bonnie quizzed, leaning forward in her seat to get closer to Charlie.

Charlie smiled nervously. "Caroline, what about your mom? Is she okay with you bringing Damon?" she asked, changing the topic from her to Caroline.

"And I'm supposed to care why?" she asked, tilting her head, and Charlie noticed the scarf around her neck. She had been wearing a lot of scarves lately, and the Lockwood girl was just hoping it was a phase and not something to do with Damon.

Bonnie replied quickly. "He's older, sexy, danger guy," she explained, and Charlie nodded along with her words. 

"Older, sexy, danger guy?" Caroline asked, clearly amused. "What, is that an official witch Twitter tweet?"

Charlie scrunched up her face. "Witch?" she questioned, turning to Bonnie for an explanation.

"I'll explain later," the Bennett girl said before turning to Caroline. "And you, no more witch jokes, okay? That whole Mr. Tanner prediction thing has me freaked." 

Now Charlie was really confused. "Okay," Caroline responded, pausing for a second. "And Damon's not dangerous. You know, he just has a lot of issues with his brother. You know, like major, deep-rooted drama."

"Like?" Bonnie quizzed.

Caroline bit her lip. "I'm not really supposed to say anything," she explained, looking down at the table with a small smirk.

"Caroline Forbes, when have you ever kept a secret in your life?" Bonnie asked, smiling at the blonde.

Caroline beamed, "Okay. But you can't tell Elena." That's not suspicious at all. It was probably something Stefan did. Charlie nodded quickly, eager to know more about the Salvatores.

"Okay."

☾⌑❄⌑☽

Charlie stood with her family outside the entry to her house, greeting people that were coming into the party. She really didn't know why they had to do that. If they didn't, people would not care less, but it made her mother happy, so she did it. She turned around to grab more programs when she heard something behind her.

"Hey," a familiar voice greeted behind her. She turned around to see Jeremy Gilbert standing in wait for her. He was wearing a nice suit, and he had combed his hair out of his face. He looked really hot, actually.

She smiled. "Hey. Thank you for coming," she told him, trying to ignore her mother's pleased smile. Jeremy was from a founding family, so of course, Carol was making a big deal out of it.

"Well, you asked me, and there's gonna be free food and champagne, so..." he trailed off, and Charlie chuckled slightly. "You look great," he complemented, looking down at her dress before meeting her eyes again. 

"You don't clean up so bad yourself," she replied before holding out her arm for him to take. He hooked his arm with hers, and she asked, "Shall we?" He nodded and led her into the house.

They smiled at her father and mother—who gave Charlie a weird wink—and Charlie saw Tyler pulling Vicki away from the line and toward the side of the house. What a dick, he's ashamed of her. Jeremy seemed to notice this as well because he tensed up beside her.

As soon as they got past the foyer where all of her family was standing, she pulled him further into the house, to the table of drinks. "The one good thing about these parties," she began, picking up a glass from the tray, "unlimited champagne." 

She took one long swig of the drink before handing a glass to Jeremy. "Thank you," he said before taking her arm again and walking her throughout the house. 

They talked as they made their way throughout the party. Charlie pointed out everything from her family and told the story behind it. Jeremy pointed out everything from his family and didn't tell the story behind because he didn't know it.

"Hey, look at this," she called to Jeremy who was looking at the wedding rings his family donated. He came over and she began reading. "'The Founding Families of Mystic Falls welcomes you to the inaugural Founder's Council Celebration.' It's the original guest registry."

"Look at all these familiar names," Elena said as she walked up behind them with Stefan on her arm. "Sheriff William Forbes, Mayor Benjamin Lockwood. Is that Damon Salvatore?" This caught Charlie's interest. "And Stefan Salvatore?" Elena glanced at Stefan in hopes of an explanation.

"The original Salvatore brothers," a voice explained behind them, and they all turned to see Damon Salvatore and Caroline arm in arm behind them. "Our ancestors. Tragic story, actually."

Stefan shook his head. "We don't need to bore them with stories of the past," he told Damon, standing slightly taller in his brother's presence.

This was the first time that Charlie had actually been this close to Damon Salvatore. She had seen him in the Mystic Grill and around town, but they had never actually spoken. He was very attractive, and she could see why Caroline took an interest in him. But Caroline didn't know what she knew.

"It's not boring, Stefan. I'd love to hear more about your family," Elena insisted, looking at her boyfriend.

Caroline pursed her lips. "Well, I'm bored. I wanna dance, and Damon won't dance with me. Could I just borrow your date?" the blonde asked her friend, glancing at Stefan.

Elena seemed shocked, probably because she didn't want to be alone with Damon. "Oh, uh..." she trailed off, not sure what to say.

"I don't really dance," Stefan told her in an apologetic tone.

Damon scoffed, "Oh, sure he does. You should see him. Waltz, the jitterbug, the moonwalk. He does it all."

"You wouldn't mind, would you Elena?" Caroline questioned, but it was kind of a loaded question. Elena says no, she seems like a jealous, controlling girlfriend. She says yes, she is left alone at the party.

Elena glanced between Damon and his brother. "It's up to Stefan," she answered, and it was a good one.

Caroline leaned forward, taking his hand. "Well, sorry, but I'm not gonna take no for an answer." Stefan complied and allowed himself to be dragged off towards the dance floor, and, not wanting to be left with Damon and Elena, Jeremy and Charlie followed.

But something told Charlie that the original Salvatore brothers were the same ones she was just in a room with.

☾⌑❄⌑☽

"Do you like dancing?" Charlie asked, stepping in front of Jeremy's view of the dance floor. She smiled up at him, raising her eyebrows in hope while she asked him. She looked into his eyes for any answer.

Jeremy shook his head. "No," he answered, looking back at her and feeling bad when he saw disappointment cross his face at his words. 

"Oh," Charlie sighed, looking down at her feet to hide her face that was red from embarrassment.

Jeremy lifted up her chin with his thumb and pointer finger, forcing her to look at him. She felt sparks go through her body at his touch and her face got warm when she saw the look in his eyes. He smiled at her, saying, "Ask me anyway." 

She beamed at his answer and questioned, "Will you dance with me?" 

His response was grabbing her hand and pulling her onto the dance floor. His hands went to either side of her waist, and hers went around his neck. They said nothing as they swayed to the music, and as cliche as it sounds, they gazed into each other's eyes.His hands moved up and down her waist and she played with the hair laying on the back of his neck. 

"I had fun tonight," Jeremy told her, spinning her around before pulling her back. "More fun than I thought I could ever have at one of these parties."

"Oh, really?" Charlie smirked, ignoring the feeling she had at his words.

Jeremy nodded, "Yeah, must be the company. Or the unlimited supply of alcohol keeping me sane."

Charlie laughed. "Glad I could be of service," she responded, giggling more when he dipped her without warning. "And who knew you were such an amazing dancer, Gilbert?"

"I have many hidden talents, Lockwood," he explained.

They were interrupted when Elena stormed out of the bathroom and towards Damon Salvatore. She angrily talked to him before walking away with Stefan. Caroline came out of the bathroom soon after and left with Damon. 

As they were walking out, Charlie couldn't help but notice the bite marks on Caroline's back.