CHARLIE HAD A LOT to process after the party. She hadn't known Lexi for very long...actually she didn't really know her at all, but she seemed pretty great. Stefan must've been so crushed, if he had any emotions, which was still a mystery. She'd be shocked if he showed up to school that day. 

On the other hand, she was over the moon about kissing JJ, and she swore that she could still feel the blonde's lips on hers. She was so scared that she would get to school and realize that it had all been a dream.

"Have you even talked to Bonnie?" she asked Caroline as they made their way down the sidewalk, past the buses and toward the school. The blonde was still upset with the Bennett girl after their argument at Stefan's party.

Caroline sighed, looking back the girl. "No. I'm mad at her. She needs to make the first move," she replied. Charlie internally groaned at her friend's stubbornness.

"Be the bigger person," the Lockwood told her.

The older girl scoffed, her steps getting heavier and heavier as she got angry thinking about it. "Impossible in her presence." She looked down at the ground and fiddled with the strap of her messenger bag.

Charlie rolled her eyes. "Why are you so pissed at her, anyway?" she questioned, making eye contact with the girl beside her.

"She's a thief, that's why?" the Forbes replied. "I gave her my necklace, and she refuses to give it back. It's a matter of principle," she explained to the younger girl who was still slightly confused. 

Charlie nodded. "All right. Well, I tried. I'm officially out of it." She had had enough of the Caroline-Bonnie fight for one morning.

"Good," Caroline said. "Now, it's your turn. What happened with JJ the other night? I saw her yesterday, and she couldn't stop smiling. I thought her face had gotten stuck like that. Something happened between the two of you. I know it."

Charlie beamed, looking down at her feet to hide her blush. "Okay, um, I stayed afterwards to help clean up a bit, and she might've kissed me."

The brunette flinched slightly as the girl beside squealed. "Oh, my God. I cannot believe you didn't tell me sooner!" Her smile could not have gotten any bigger, and it was kind of scaring Charlie. 

"It just happened a couple days ago," she defended.

Caroline groaned at her friend, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, but you could've called or texted the second it happened. That's what friends do, Charlie." 

"Well, I figured that you would be occupied. I saw you leave the party with Matt, and you did not look like you were in the condition to gossip about my love life," the brunette explained, running the hand that wasn't carrying her books through her hair.

Just then, Matt walked by them. Caroline followed him with her eyes, and when he noticed, he looked back at her. "Hey," he greeted before continuing to walk.

"Hey," she replied, offering a smile that quickly turned into a frown when he kept on walking. 

Charlie furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and question. "What was that?" she quizzed, her lips turning up into a smirk at the blonde's flustered face.

"Nothing," she answered abruptly. "I have to get to class." Caroline then proceeded to speed walk into the school, leaving Charlie standing all by herself on the sidewalk.

She nodded, slightly bewildered. "Okay, then."

☾⌑❄⌑☽

Brown eyes met blue across the hallway as Charlie was making her way to history. Apparently, they had hired a new teacher, so that should be interesting. She was surprised anyone even took the job after the last one got brutally slaughtered. She really hoped this didn't turn into a 'Defense Against the Dark Arts' situation.

Once JJ spotted her, the blonde walked over to her. "Hey," she greeted, falling into step with the Lockwood girl.

"Hey," Charlie smiled, looking at the other girl in admiration. Every time she saw her, she couldn't help the butterflies that formed in her stomach, and she loved it. Her light blonde hair was tied up in a ponytail with a few strands framing her face. Her bright blue eyes pierced Charlie's like sharp ice, and it was thrilling.

JJ beamed back and spoke up. "So, I've been thinking..." she slowly trailed off, seemingly nervous. Charlie nodded for her to continue. "Since I haven't seen you since the party, I was wondering if you would like to get dinner with me."

Charlie froze, stopping her journey to class. She hadn't told anyone except Caroline about what happened with JJ at the party, and she wasn't quite sure when or who she was going to tell next. Well, she'd have to man up sooner or later. She hesitated before nodding. "I'd love to."

"Great," the Martin said. "I'll see you later." And then she was gone. 

Her lack of presence left Charlie cold and empty. She shook it off and headed to history, ready to meet the new teacher. Hopefully, he or she was better and a lot nicer than Tanner was. She stepped into class and found her seat, and it wasn't long before a young man walked in.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Alaric Saltzman."

☾⌑❄⌑☽

"Hey, Lockwood," a voice behind Charlie called. She was on her way to lunch when she turned to see Jeremy Gilbert jogging toward her, backpack slung over his shoulder. She smiled at him as he approached her.

"What's up, Gilbert?" she greeted, and he began walking next to her. "Long time, no see." It was true. They hadn't really seen each other since the Halloween party...when Vicki died. She had heard that Damon compelled him to forget what happened, and it made her feel even more guilty. Here he was talking to her like nothing happened. Little did he know that he was being friendly and nice to the person that murdered the girl he liked. 

He nodded, "Yeah, sorry about that. It's just everything with Vicki..." 

"Y-Yeah, I get it," she told him, and she felt her face get red and her voice begin to shake when he mentioned the Donovan girl. She did horribly with guilt, especially in front of someone she knew or cared about.

Jeremy seemed oblivious to how flustered the girl was, for he asked, "So, have you met the new history teacher?" 

She had met Mr. Saltzman in first period. Charlie didn't like to speak ill of the dead, but he was a hell of a lot better than Mr. Tanner ever was. He made history interesting. Well, as interesting as history could get. "Yeah, I did. He seemed alright, but I've only had him for one class. So, you never know."

"Well, he called me into his room earlier," Jeremy explained, and Charlie's eyes widened, assuming the worst. When the Gilbert saw her expression, he shook his head quickly. "No, it wasn't like that. It was the opposite, actually. He said he wanted to give me a fresh start, and he's letting me do a project to get my grade up."

"That's great," the brunette girl beamed.

Jeremy looked at her, seemingly hesitant about what he was going to say next. "And I was wondering if you maybe wanted to come by later and help me choose a topic."

And, for the the millionth time that day, Charlie was caught by surprise. "Oh, um, actually I'm meeting a friend for dinner tonight," she told him, cringing slightly when she said the word 'friend.' 

Jeremy's face fell, and he looked down at the ground in embarrassment like he had just been rejected. He simply said, "Oh." He looked almost disappointed, which was an expression Charlie was pretty sure she had never seen on Jeremy Gilbert.

This made the Lockwood girl feel bad, so she quickly added. "But maybe I can come over afterwards. I don't have to be home until eleven tonight. In fact, I think my parents prefer me staying out late to having me in the house."

"Okay," the boy replied, the smile returning to his face. "I'll see you then."

☾⌑❄⌑☽

"So, what are we?" JJ quizzed, and Charlie almost choked on her water. They had been sitting in The Mystic Grill for the past hour, making small talk and waiting for their food that had come just a couple of minutes ago when JJ blurted out the question.

The Lockwood girl's eyes widened, and she froze as she stuttered out, "W-What do you mean?" Although, she was pretty sure what JJ meant. She was asking if they were friends, girlfriends, friends with benefits, etc., and the truth was, she had no idea.

"I mean, we kissed," the blonde said, and Charlie nodded. She was confused, but she knew that much. "And if I'm not mistaken, this is a date." The brunette repeated the action she just did in response. She was unsure at first, but JJ just confirmed it. "So, what are we?"

Charlie opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, someone approached their table. The girl breathed out a sigh of relief and silently thanked whoever was standing next to her. She looked up, and Jeremy Gilbert was looking back at her.

"Hey, Jeremy," she beamed, glancing back to JJ who was giving her a look. "JJ, this is Jeremy. Jeremy this is my..." she trailed off and hesitated before continuing, "...friend, JJ." She saw JJ's shoulders slump in the corner of her eye.

The Gilbert boy nodded, turning his gaze onto JJ. "Nice to meet you." He looked back to Charlie. "Hey, I was just leaving. Jenna's at the bar with the new teacher. You want me to wait for you?"

"Uh, no, you go ahead. I'll come by later," she answered.

Jeremy smiled, "Okay, I'll see you then." He then waved to Jenna at the bar and inclined his head in farewell to Charlie and JJ. He walked out of the restaurant, and the brunette winced as she turned back to the blonde in front of her.

"Well, that answered my question," the Martin girl said, standing up and grabbing her jacket from the back of her chair. She threw some money down on the table. "That should cover the dinner."

Charlie groaned, also standing up and following JJ who was already halfway to the door. "JJ-"

"You know, that's the friendliest I've ever been with any of my friends," the blonde cut her off as she reached the exit. She swing the door open, and Charlie ran after her.

She frowned, "Come on, please just let me explain." This was not how she had hoped this night would go. She had hoped that she would walk JJ home and kiss her goodnight before heading off to the Gilbert house, but that was clearly not happening.

"And two dates in a row? I didn't think you were that kind of girl, Charlie, but I guess I should have known better from what I've heard about the Lockwoods, especially Charlotte Lockwood who killed her best friend while she was drunk driving."

This made Charlie freeze. Tears were threatening to spill from her eyes as she stared in shock and disbelief at the girl in front of her. She scoffed, "And I didn't know you were the type to judge someone based on their past."

"Char," JJ sighed, and the brunette could tell that the girl regretted what she said. "I didn't mean it like that."

"And how did you mean it?" Charlie asked, crossing her arms and propping her leg.

JJ ran a hand through her hair, looking at a tree in the center of town just to avoid looking at the girl she just yelled at. "I'm sorry, I was just mad. It's just- it's like you're ashamed of me." 

"What are you talking about?" the brunette quizzed, looking at the older girl with a concerned expression on her face. "That's crazy."

"Well, you introduce me as your friend, and you have a date with Jeremy Gilbert right after this. What was I supposed to think?" the blonde girl reasoned, and she started massaging her forehead in frustration. 

Charlie gaped in slight shock. "I do not have a date with Jeremy. I am helping him with a project for history. His sister is probably going to be there and possibly his aunt if she gets back from her date before I leave. And on the other thing, I haven't told anyone except Caroline about us, not because I am ashamed but because I don't know what people will think. I know that sounds shallow and everything, but what if everyone close to me hates me or thinks of me differently?"

"I'm sorry," JJ sighed out after the Lockwood finished her rant. "I was just being a jealous asshole."

"No, you weren't. It's totally reasonable. I'll start telling other people. I just need a little bit of time," Charlie told her, and she approached the Martin girl.

She took JJ's hands in hers and looked at her and smiled. The blonde beamed back, "There's no rush. I remember being in your position and I'm so sorry I pushed you. Take your time, Char."

"You're pretty great, you know?" the brunette complemented, leaning in and resting her forehead on JJ's. She felt electricity shoot from the spot where skin met skin. The smile never left her face as she looked at the girl.

JJ nodded, "Yeah, I know."

☾⌑❄⌑☽

The door of the Gilbert house swung open just as Charlie was about to knock. The sudden lack of something to hit made her stumble forward and her arm to swing forward and hit the person that opened the door in the head. Charlie gasped.

"Ow," Jeremy groaned, bringing his arm up to his head and holding it in his hand. "That hurt."

"I'm sorry," the Lockwood girl apologized, covering her mouth in shock. The other reason was to hide the fact that she was laughing at him and the ridiculousness of the situation.

The boy glared at her as he bent over in pain, hand still on his eye. He moaned as he said, "I think I'm gonna have a black eye tomorrow."

"Oh, come on," Charlie defended, rolling her eyes in annoyance, "It's technically your fault."

"How is this my fault? You hit me," he pointed out, taking his hand off his eye and showing it to her. "Is it bleeding?" he asked, and the girl in front of him gave him a look, so he looked back down.

She sighed, looking at him in disbelief. "You're being overdramatic. This never would've happened if you hadn't been so excited to see me that you just stood by the door until I came."

"I was not-" Jeremy started before realizing that he didn't really have an excuse. He breathed out before smiling, "Come on in." He stepped out of the way, and Charlie made her way inside. "So, I figured out what I want to for my project."

"Oh, really? And what is that?" she questioned curiously.

Jeremy answered, "Well, Jenna told me about how my family has this super cool history. So, I looked up in the attic, and I found a couple boxes full of journals and artifacts from, like, the 1800s. It's super interesting. I just need some help bringing the boxes down, if you don't mind."

"No, I don't," Charlie told him, shaking her head at how invested he was in this. She didn't think that Jeremy Gilbert could ever be so interested with anything regarding school work, but here he was, going on and on about the project.

They carried the boxes down the stairs, and Charlie pretended that she was struggling a little just to hide the fact that it was really easy for her with her strength. They set the boxes down on the kitchen table and began examining the contents. After a couple of minutes, Jeremy laughed.

"What?" the brunette quizzed, leaning over to see what the boy was chuckling about.

He beamed, "Look at this." He then proceeded to pass her what looked like a picture, and when she examined it more closely she noticed that it was Jenna standing next to Logan Fell, a pool stick in both of their hands and his arm around her shoulder. Charlie grinned at the photo in amusement before handing it back to him. "Yeah, he and Jenna used to go out. I guess it ended pretty badly, though. He didn't call her back."

Charlie nodded and offered him a forced smile. She went back to looking at the journals, guilt rising in her chest. She knew why Logan didn't call Jenna back. It was because Vicki Donovan, who she killed, had made a snack out of him. Recently, she was beginning to realize how many secrets she was keeping. Well, now was as good a time as ever to start to get rid of them.

"Jer, can I tell you something?" she asked, and he looked over to her and nodded, signaling for her to continue. "So, you know JJ?"

"Yeah, you introduced us, like, an hour ago," he pointed out, and Charlie could already feel herself start to blush. "What about her?" he questioned, sensing her nervousness and furrowing his eyebrows in concern.

She took a deep breath before stuttering out, "W-Well, her and I are kind of...sort of...going out...on dates."

"Oh," Jeremy finally said after a long pause. Charlie had no idea how to respond to that, so she just sat there and let him process what he said. After a short while, he asked, "So, she's your girlfriend?"

They actually had not distinguished that yet, despite their entire fight about it earlier that night. Charlie wanted to be her girlfriend, and she hoped that JJ wanted to be her girlfriend. "Well, we actually haven't talked about that yet," the Lockwood answered, and when the Gilbert didn't reply, she added, "Please say something."

"I am a terrible friend."

"What?" Charlie choked. That was definitely not what she was expecting to hear, and she wasn't even sure what he meant. Thoughts were forming in her head as fast as lightning, some good, some bad. "What do you mean?"

Jeremy nodded, and he looked mad at himself, not at her. He groaned, "I asked you to come here. You didn't tell me you were on a date."

"Jeremy, you're losing me here. I have no idea what you are talking about," the brunette told him, and he simply just stood there for a moment, lost in his own thoughts.

After a very very very long pause, in which Charlie thought her went into shock for a moment, the boy finally blurted out, "If it wasn't for me, you could've gotten some tonight."

"Jeremy!" the girl scolded, her eyes widening and her cheeks reddening. She looked down at the ground in embarrassment before moving her eyes back up to the Gilbert who had a smirk plastered on his face.

He raised his hands in defense. "I'm just saying. If it weren't for me, you could be at her place right now." The smug smile did not leave his lips as he said that.

"I cannot believe you," Charlie laughed out, and she grabbed the closest thing to her, which was one of the journals, and threw it at him. This caused both of them to break out into a fit of giggles as the Lockwood felt her face go hot.

Her embarrassment was interrupted by the sound of laughter and the door opening. The two teenagers stopped chuckling so that whoever it was didn't think that they were having a seizure and turned to see Jenna half-stumbling through the door and Mr. Saltzman on the other side.

"You're so wrong," Jenna drawled, leaning on the door for support. "I'm much more pathetic."

Charlie scrunched her eyebrows up in confusion. That's an interesting first date subject. Maybe I should've tried that with JJ. 

Alaric shook his head in disagreement. "Oh, no, no, no. I've got you beat. I have pathetic down to a science," he explained and Jeremy and Charlie looked at one another, both of them weirded out. Such an odd thing to brag about.

"Uh, no. We haven't even covered high school," Jenna told him, "Braces. 'A' cup."

"Ah, glasses, skin condition," the Saltzman man countered, and they both laughed again while Jeremy and Charlie made gagging noises and faces in the background. There are some things you don't need to know about your history teacher.

Then, Alaric did something that the werewolf found peculiar. He glanced around the threshold of the house, examining the doorway in a way that she had only seen certain people do.

Vampires.

She narrowed her eyes at the man as Jenna said, "You can, uh...you know what? I'm not gonna invite you in." Smart move, Jenna. She glanced back at the two teenagers behind her who had stopped their gagging and kissing noises to listen to the conversation. "Kids."

"Well, some other time then," Alaric told her, and Jer and Char resumed their fit of giggles. "Have a good night, Jenna." He then walked down, off the porch, and toward the drive, and Jenna closed the door.

She smiled and hung her coat in the closet under the stairs. "Hey, Char." The Lockwood nodded in acknowledgment and turned back to the boxes. "So, uh, you guys found the boxes."

"We found this, too," Jeremy informed her before handing her the photo that they had been laughing at before. This caused Charlie to smile again as she watched the woman take it.

Jenna studied it before noting, "Me and Logan. That's just cruel." She dropped the photo back onto the table.

"No, cruel is dating my history teacher," Jeremy defended, looking back at the stuff in the boxes and smirking, and Jenna rolled her eyes.

Charlie shrugged and picked up one of the dozens of picture frames in one of the boxes. She glanced up at the two others. "Well, I don't blame her. He's definitely not the worst-looking teacher I've had."

"Seriously?" the Gilbert scoffed, glaring at her. "Whose side are you on?" he asked, and Charlie shot him a look of fake disbelief. He had just teased her about 'getting some' and now he was talking about sides? What a hypocrite.

"Shut up, Jer. He is very cute, and I'm not dating him," the older woman paused after the sentence before quickly adding, "yet." 

Both of the younger two laughed at that before turning back to the journals. Jeremy picked one up and opened it. It was one of Jonathan Gilbert's diaries.

And the date read, June, 1864.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

So, here is chapter 9. I know I haven't really put Charlie in the middle of any of all the supernatural action yet, but I'm kind of waiting until the werewolves show up to really get her in there.