Crimson Whispers

Chapter Two

The new guy ended up being in three of our classes and he kept staring at Elena. It was honestly weird. Apparently his name is Stefan Salvatore and I know more than I want to know about him thanks to Caroline and her snooping skills.

For instance, I now know his favorite color is blue. He is a Gemini. He lives with his uncle at the Salvatore boarding house. He hasn’t lived here since he was a kid. And he is in a military family so they moved around a lot.

Thank you Caroline for giving me too much personal information about a guy I don’t even know. She has a big crush on him and is already planning a June wedding for him and her, but hasn’t even known him for 24 hours yet.

After school ended I went home to relax for a bit while I wait for Elena to come home so we can meet Bonnie and Caroline at the Grill. When she finally does come home, her leg is bleeding.

Skylar: “Elena, what happened to you?”

Elena: “Uh, nothing really. Your dream kinda happened. It was very Hitchcock. I ran from the crow and fell. Also, Stefan was there and we talked a little. Mostly just an introduction really.”

Skylar: “That’s really weird. Let me help you with that. Just sit here and I’ll get the first aid kit.”

She nods while taking a deep breath and sits on the couch. I wipe off the blood and her wound with some alcohol and bandage it.

Skylar: “Okay, I’m done.”

Elena: “Thanks, Sky.”

Skylar: “No problem.”

She goes upstairs to change before joining me downstairs. Jenna comes home just as Elena and I are about to leave.

Skylar: “Hey Aunt Jenna.”

Elena: “We’re meeting Bonnie at the Grill.”

Jenna: “Kay, have fun.”

She passes us and quickly pauses, turning back to us.

Jenna: “Wait. I got this. Don’t stay out late. It’s a school night.”

We giggle as she puts her hands up triumphantly.

E&S: “Well done, Aunt Jenna.”

Elena opens the door and gasps when we see Stefan right outside it. I knit my brows together in confusion.

Elena: “Oh.”

Stefan: “Sorry. I was about to knock. I wanted to apologize for my disappearing act earlier. I know it was strange.”

Elena: “No worries. I get it. Blood makes you squeamish.”

Stefan: “Something like that.”

I clear my throat.

Elena: “Oh, Stefan, this is my twin, Skylar.”

Stefan: “It’s nice to meet you, Skylar.”

Skylar: “Likewise, Stefan.”

Stefan: “Are you fraternal twins?”

Skylar: “Yeah, don’t worry, we get people asking why we don’t look the same all the time.”

Stefan: “Makes sense. Elena, how’s your leg?”

Elena: “Oh, it’s fine. Just a scratch, barely. Skylar patched me up. How did you know where I live?”

Stefan: “It’s a small town. I asked the first person I saw. Um,[he pulls a book out of his back pocket.] I thought you might want this back.”

It’s her diary. He hands it to her as she sighs.

Elena: “I must have dropped it. I… Thank you.”

Stefan: “Don’t worry. I didn’t read it.”

Elena: “No? Why not? Most people would’ve.”

Stefan: “Well, I wouldn’t want anyone to read mine.”

Elena: “You keep a journal?”

Stefan: “Yeah, if I don’t write it down, I forget it. Memories are too important.”

Elena: “Yeah.”

They stare at each other for a moment before Elena finally blinks.

Elena: “I’m just gonna… um,[she takes a step back and puts her diary on the bookshelf in the living room.] You don’t have to stay out there.”

Stefan takes a step forward but doesn’t come in which in my book is kinda weird.

Stefan: “I’m fine.”

He notices how I’m looking at him.

Stefan: “Sorry, were you two going somewhere?”

Skylar: “Yeah, we’re meeting some friends.”

Elena comes back to the door.

Elena: “Do you wanna come?”

Stefan: “Yeah, I’d love to join you.”

Skylar: “Great, let’s get going.”

We get in my jeep and go to the grill. When we arrive, the three of us walk in together and I can feel the judgy eyes on us. Matt comes up to us and shakes Stefan’s hand.

Matt: “Hey, I’m Matt. Nice to meet you.”

Stefan: “Hi. Stefan.”

Matt and Elena stare awkwardly at each other before saying hey, and I can tell he isn’t over her at all. God I just wanna hug him and make him feel better, but I know that would be inappropriate right now. Matt leaves and the three of us join Caroline and Bonnie at a table.

Caroline: “So you were born in Mystic Falls?”

Stefan: “Mhm and I moved when I was still young.”

Bonnie: “Parents?”

Stefan: “My parents passed away.”

Bonnie glances at us which causes Stefan to glance at us too.

Elena: “I’m sorry.”

Skylar: “Any siblings?”

Stefan: “None that I talk to. I live with my uncle.”

He and Elena keep staring into each other's eyes.

Caroline: “So, Stefan, if you’re new, you don’t know about the party tomorrow.”

He looks at Caroline before looking back at Elena.

Bonnie: “It’s a back-to-school thing at the falls.”

Stefan: “Are you going?”

He directs his question only to Elena.

Bonnie: “Of course she is.”

Skylar: “We always go. It’s a tradition.”

Elena has a blushing smile as she glances at me and Bonnie while tucking some hair behind her ear. We continued our conversation for a little while before heading home for the night.

Skylar: “I swear every boy is so drawn to you, El.”

Elena: “Sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about, Sky.”

I giggle and roll my eyes playfully. She throws a pillow toward me, but I duck and throw it back to her. We giggle together before finally going to bed.

The next day we are all in Mr Tanner’s class and he’s going on about some town history that honestly none of us are really paying attention to.

Tanner: “The Battle of Willow Creek took place at the end of the war in our very own Mystic Falls. How many casualties resulted in this battle? Ms Bennett?”

Bonnie looks surprised as she looks up from her notebook.

Bonnie: “Um… A lot? I’m not sure. But, like, a whole lot.”

I hear Matt giggle behind me while I am just thankful I didn’t get called on.

Tanner: “Cute becomes dumb in an instant, Ms Bennett. Mr Donovan, would you like to take this opportunity to overcome your jock stereotype?”

Matt: “It’s okay, Mr Tanner. I’m cool with it.”

Everyone in the room, not including Mr Tanner, chuckles at his response.

Tanner: “Elena? Surely you can enlighten us about one of the town’s most historical events.”

Elena: “I’m sorry, I don’t know.”

Tanner: “I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reasons, Elena. But the personal excuses ended with summer break.”

I can tell this upset Elena and now I want to slap this man in the face. How dare he do that to my sister in front of so many students.

Stefan: “There were 346 casualties, unless you’re counting the local civilians.”

Tanner: “That’s correct, Mr?”

Stefan: “Salvatore.”

Tanner: “Salvatore. Any relation to the original settlers here in Mystic Falls?”

Stefan: “Distant.”

Tanner: “Well, very good. Except, of course, there were no civilian casualties in this battle.”

Stefan: “Actually, there were 27, sir. Confederate soldiers fired on the church, believing it to be housing weapons. And they were wrong. It was a night of great loss. The founder’s archives are stored in Civil Hall if you’d like to brush up on your facts…”

Mr Tanner looks a little embarrassed as he was just shown up by a student in front of his entire class. I’m really liking this guy right now. Serves Mr Tanner right.