chapter two.     party gone wrong

season one—————episode one.

ELODIE REGRETTED MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT HER interaction with Stefan Salvatore to Caroline. The girl hadn't stopped pestering her about everything. She even took a detour to school to make sure Elodie told her every detail, the taller blonde pouting when she found out all that happened was him driving her home.

      "Is that literally it!" Caroline pestered, even going as far as walking her to class to peak in to check out Stefan.

      "Caroline! Yes, he picked me up, took me home and then told me he'd seen me tonight at the party. Gotta go, bye!" Elodie rushed into the classroom, knowing she had been saving that final detail to drop right before they had to separate.

      Caroline's head popped into the classroom, "I will hear this story, Elodie Grace!"

      Elodie turned a bright pink as the students in the classroom glanced at her, but thankfully Stefan hadn't come in yet. Her smile dropped slightly when him and Elena entered class at the same time, laughing. But she didn't show anything but happiness as she smiled at Stefan. The brunette sitting next to her, a row behind Elena. A different set than yesterday's, Elodie noted.

      As soon as the heel rang, Mr. Tanner jumped straight into his lecture about the Civil War once more. "The battle of Willow Creek, took place right at the end of the war in our very own, Mystic Falls. How many casualties resulted in this battle?" Mr. Tanner questioned, stepping around to the front of the desk, and when no one volunteered, he decided to pick on someone. "Ms. Bennet?"

Elodie watched as Bonnie fiddled with her pen, she clearly didn't know the answer, "um. A lot?" Her response evoked chuckles from the class, "I'm not sure, but like a whole lot."

Elodie watched as Mr. Tanner didn't have the same reaction as the class, narrowing his eyes on her, "cute becomes dumb in an instant Ms. Bennet." His comment noticeably dimmed Bonnie's mood, and Elodie had half a mind to butt in and answer the question. She knew the answer after all.

"Mr. Donovan." Mr. Tanner dragged his name out, "would you like to take this opportunity to overcome your embedded jocks stereotype?"

Elodie glanced behind her, where Matt Donovan sat, mostly dozing off as she watched the boy jump at his name. "It's okay Mr. Tanner, I'm cool with it."

Elodie could tell that Mr. Tanner was beginning to get irked by the responses he was receiving, so she raised her hand, only to be ignored as the teacher called on another student."Elena." Everyone's eyes fell on the brunette, who quickly shied away from the eyes of everyone in the class. "Surely you can enlighten us about of the towns most historical events."

"I'm sorry. I-I don't know," Elena's voice shook softly as she spoke.

"I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reasons, Elena, but the personal excuses ended with summer break." Elodie watched as Elena demeanor cracked under the harsh words of their teacher. Elodie dropped her hand as she slouched in her seat, her top raising slightly as the seat kept it in place.

"Three hundred and forty six casualties, Mr. Tanner. Unless you're counting local civilians." Stefan spoke up from next to her, a smirk covering his lips as he watched their teacher from a relaxed position.

"That's correct, Mr. ..."

"Salvatore," Stefan answered with the tip of his pen towards the front of the room.

"Salvatore? Any relation here to the original settlers here at Mystic Falls." Mr. Tanner only held curiosity now, leaning against his desk waiting for a reply.

"Distant," Stefan answered, and Elodie could only watch Stefan as he spoke, absorbing every fact about his life. God, Caroline was rubbing off on her.

      "Brilliant, except of course, there were no civilian casualties in this battle." Mr. Tanner turned his back and began walking the few steps back to the board before Elodie spoke up.

      "Actually there were, uh, twenty-seven, sir." Her teacher and Stefan both looked at her bewildered, Elodie only sat up straighter as she continued, "confederate soldiers fired on a church believed to be housing weapons. And they were wrong. It was a night of great loss." She watched as Mr. Tanners cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

      "The founders archives are stored in Civil Hall if you'd like to brush up on your facts." Stefan spoke up, finishing—in a much meaner way—what Elodie was saying. To his last statement, the class let out a laugh.

      "Thank you for that, Mr. Salvatore, Ms. Solace, please don't interrupt my class again." Elodie swallowed harshly, wishing to turn back time and not interrupt Stefan, she hadn't even gotten berated in class, ever. Stefan watched Elodie's shoulders caved inwards, as their teacher angrily continued the class. Not once trying for participation anymore.

      Once the bell rang, Elodie had waited for the class to empty before approaching Mr. Tanners desk. Her teacher was writing something down on the board, most likely preparing for his next class. Elodie cleared her throat, "Mr. Tanner? I'd just like to apologize, I didn't mean to disrespect you in any way, I just assumed you were trying to catch a student off guard because of course everyone knows that civilians died in that battle!"

Mr. Tanner turned and watched the girl, "Ms. Solace, as I said before, do not disturb my class again or disrespect me in my classroom again. Now, if that is all, you may go."

      Elodie simply nodded, and stepped out of the class before heading down the hall to her English class. Ready to be interrogated by her best friend once again. She glanced behind her as a gust of wind ruffled her hair slightly.

Stefan Salvatore narrowed his eyes at his teacher, "you will not disrespect one of you students like that again. And next time you see Elodie, you will apologize for your actions."A compelled Mr. Tanner simply nodded, and Stefan was gone as soon as he had come, leaving only ruffled papers in his wake.

☾☾☾ ☼ ☽☽☽

ELODIE NEVER GOT OVERLY EXCITED FOR the back-to-school party hosted at the falls, so Caroline was confused as the blonde rushed around her room, searching for the right outfit. Elodie had already tried on four different variations of the same outfit—all of them including a pleated white skirt with a different top.

      "Oh! I've got it," Elodie shouted from inside her closet. Caroline winced as a loud thump followed. "I'm okay!"

      Caroline laughed, sitting up on Elodie's bed. She had been finding an outfit for thirty minutes, while Caroline had expected to just walk out the door like the past years. "Ellie, come on! We're going to be late, and for a party I planned, I can't be late."

      The closet opened and Elodie stepped out, dressed in a white dress with a black jacket draped over her shoulders. "What about this?"

      Caroline nodded as she pushed off Elodie's bed, "yes. It's perfect, let's go."

      Elodie frowned, glancing at the basic outfit Caroline was wearing. A simple red top and a pair of jeans. "No, if you're wearing that I can't wear this."

Caroline scoffed, grabbing Elodie's arm to pull her away from her closet and downstairs. "No, you will be wearing that because, Elodie. You look hot! And I know you're totally dressing for this Stefan guy, which by the way, I did call dibs on but I guess you can have him."

Elodie huffed, before yelling a goodbye to her parents before Caroline dragged her to the car. When they were on the road, Elodie finally spoke up, "Care, he told me that Elena invited him! So, really I can't do anything because he's obviously into Elena."

"If he was into Elena, why would he pick you up, and basically demand that he drive you home? Come on! He's in love."

"Oh gosh, I just met him!" Elodie protested, shaking her head as Caroline pulled into the parking lot for the Falls.

Caroline sighed, turning to the girl before she could get out, "leave the jacket at least. Maybe he'll give you his jacket if you see him."

Elodie sighed, but complied with Caroline's request. Leaving her black cardigan draped over the passenger seat of her car as the two blonde headed into the party. Much to Caroline's dismay, most people had already showed up, so she quickly leave Elodie to make her rounds as she greeted everyone.

      Elodie made her way to the drink table, seeing alcohol in every cooler besides on that was hidden under the table. Adoring a label that made Elodie giggle—ELODIES SODA. DO NOT DRINK. She smiled as she crouched under the table to pull the compact container towards her, opening it to find four cans of dr. pepper and a bottle of vanilla syrup. She poured one of the cans into a gray plastic cup before adding a splash of the vanilla syrup. She hide the material once more before standing up only to find Bonnie and Elena standing on the other side of the table.

"Hey guys!" Elodie smiled, her drink almost splashing over the edge as she wave at the two.

"Elodie! Are you. . .drinking?" Bonnie questioned.

The blonde laughed, "oh no! This isn't alcohol, it's dr pepper with vanilla syrup! Caroline hid it under the table for me because she knows I don't like that stuff."

      "Do you have enough down there to spare me one?" Elena questioned, a blush coating her cheeks.

      Elodie smiled, crouching down to grab another can before handing it to the brunette, "have all you'd like, every party Caroline throws there's at least a couple hidden for me."

      Elena smiled, "have you met the new boy yet?"

      "Stefan right," Elodie swallowed, glancing around to see if she could find him. "Yeah, we've met, he dropped off this adorable little kitten last night."

      "Elena has a little crush on him," Bonnie interjected with a smirk.

      "I do not!"

      Bonnie sighed, turning to face Elena fully, "just admit it, Lena!"

      Elena sighed, "okay fine, so he's a little pretty."

      "Please!" Bonnie squealed before turning to look at Elodie, "he's got that romance novel stare." Bonnie cleared her throat, making her voice deeper, "Stefan looked deep into her eyes piercing her very soul."

      Elodie cracked a laugh at her joke, before catching Dalton who definitely wasn't supposed to be here, "I'll catch you guys later!"

      Elodie waved to them, her back facing where she was walking—a biggest disaster waiting to happen, as she stumbled over her feet ready to fall backwards, only for someone to grab her hand. Elodie was pulled into a hard chest, arms wrapping around her waist. Elodie glanced up, finding Stefan's green eyes looking at her with worry.

"You keep doing that," Elodie smiled, as Stefan took a step back from her.

"Keep doing what?"

Elodie glanced up, craning her neck to meet his eyes, "you keep saving me, my prince charming in a leather jacket armor."

Stefan laughed, "I'm no prince charming, Elodie." She smiled, shaking her head, "you look beautiful."

"Caroline wouldn't let me change my outfit again," Elodie shook her head, "I think I'm too overdressed."

Stefan agreed, everyone around them was dressed in jeans and simple shirts, but Elodie stood out in her white dress. "Well, I still thank you look amazing." Elodie shivered, crossing her arms to rub at them, trying to bring some warmth back. Stefan hurried to pull off his jacket, "here, take this."

Elodie tried to protest, shaking her hand but Stefan still helped her into his jacket. It was warm, as much as Elodie hated to admit it, she smiled up at him. Only to have their little moment interrupted by Elena, "wow! Stefan I—you're here."

"Yeah, I guess I am," Stefan nodded.

Elena glanced at Elodie, before drawing her eyes back to Stefan, "um, want to walk with me."

Stefan tried to object, but Elodie smiled at him before stepping away to find Caroline. His eyes watched her the entire time until she found Caroline. Only then did he finally pay attention to the conversation with Elena.

"Oh my gosh!" Caroline squealed as soon as Elodie was close enough to the girl.

"Okay, calm down, Care." Elodie giggled, "he just gave me his jacket."

"No! This is such a big deal, he gave you his jacket!" Caroline squealed again, shaking her arms as she jumped up and down.

"I was cold, he was being nice," Elodie shrugged, watching as Caroline threw back whatever concoction she had made before making her way towards where Stefan had just made his way out of the woods.

"Caroline!" Elodie hissed, "where are you, Caroline!"

The taller blonde didn't hear her, stalking towards Stefan with a drunken grin, "there you are! Have you been down to the falls yet? They're so cool at night and Ellie here would be happy to show you."

Her face flushed as Elodie caught up to Caroline, who was asking out the boy for her. "Im so sorry, she's had way too much to drink." Elodie stumbled out, trying to pull Caroline away from the boy.

"Of course I have!" Caroline giggled.

"Let's go going, Care," Elodie pulled the girl farther away, "sorry about her!"

She heard Stefan chuckle as they started to head away, Elodie followed his form, watching as he smiled as he approached Elena. She sighed softly, helping Caroline farther away from the party, only to get distracted as a scream sounded from the opposite side of the party. She dropped Caroline's arm and ran towards where Elena and Jeremy were helping two limp body's from the woods.

She noticed Vicky as one, but what made her heart stop was Dalton in Jeremy's arms. "Dalton!" Elodie stumbled around people who were standing around, watching the chaos mindlessly. "Dalton!"

      Elena placed Vicky on a picnic table, as Jeremy placed Dalton on the table next to her. She heard someone call 911, but Elodie wasn't focused. Vicky was bleeding from her neck, and Dalton had a wound on his forehead as well as cuts on his arms and hands. Elodie's hands shook as she held them hovering over the bleeding wound on his head.

      "No, no, no," Elodie mumbled, someone pulled her away pressing her face into her chest.

      "Don't look," Caroline whispered, having sobered up slightly in the chaos, "don't look, Ellie."

      The rest of the night blurred together, the police were called and soon enough the party were swarmed with EMT's and police that were trying to help. Half of the students had run from the party, not wanting to get caught for underage drinking, while the other half had stayed to watch the rest of the night unfold. Elodie had sent Caroline away, knowing she would want to get in hot water with her mom. She had wanted to ride in the ambulance with her brother, but the EMT's had requested that she didn't. They had called her parents, but Dalton wouldn't be able have any visitors for at least a day.

So, Elodie stood in the trashed Falls, mostly empty aside from the police tape that crossed the woods. She couldn't find it in herself to leave, not like she could. Caroline was her ride, and when she had sent her away, Elodie had basically promised to walk home. While she was stuck her, Elodie had decided to clean up as much as she could. Having found a few trash bags hidden in the one overflowing trash can at the entrance.

Every few steps, she would have to tug down her dress as she collected the forgotten beer bottles and plastic cups. A throat clearing had Elodie spinning the trash bag forgotten on the floor. Stefan stood behind her, hands crossed behind his back. Elodie smiled at him.

"Are you alright, Elodie?" Stefan questioned, stepping closer to the blonde.

She hummed, "I don't really know. But, I guess I have to be."

"You don't have to be, it's alright to show any emotion besides happiness, Elodie."

"You know, you don't need to call me Elodie. You can call me Ellie, everyone does." She smiled, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear.

"Do you need a ride home, Elodie."

Elodie smiled, blushing softly, "I was planning on walking home once I finished cleaning up here."

Stefan sighed, "it's well past midnight, someone was just attacked in these woods, Elodie. Please, can I take you home?"

      Elodie sighed, and simply nodded. Stefan smiled holding his hand out for Elodie, which she took with only a moment's hesitation. Stefan led her to his car, even opening the door for her before rushing to the other side. She couldn't wipe the smile off her face with Stefan, even with everything that had happened that night.

      When they pulled into her driveway, all the lights in the house were turned off. Elodie paused, "no one's home, if you want to come inside for a little?"

      Elodie was oblivious to the undertone in her words, that had Stefan blushing. "Oh, um, I can't."

      Elodie sighed, "right. Oh gosh right of course! I'm so sorry, um, thank you for the ride."

      Elodie rushed out it of the car, almost running inside. Only when she was locked in her bedroom did she realize that she had forgotten to give Stefan his jacket back. She tossed it to her desk chair, the dark black leather a steep contrast to the light colors of her room.

That night, as Elodie slept, oblivious to the world around her, her hands admitted a soft yellow glow. And when she woke in the middle of the night, gone were her baby blue eyes—replaced with a golden color that illuminated the room.

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KENNEDY SPEAKS :

swear this chap is all over the place, but here
it is!!!! i love ellie so much, and stefan is such a
cutie and very much overprotective!!! i love it.
and if this chap made like zero sense pls let me
know.

also decided to my love -novxscomet bc she has
definitely not let me keep the promise of this
being a book for next year!