Damon Salvatore: I will always choose you.

Isobel

EDITED// 02/12/22

Sitting in the cafeteria with Tyler and Matt while preparing for Founders Day was the most relaxed I'd felt in a while. Although, I wasn't exactly comfortable in the big, old fashioned ball gown I was forced to wear for the Miss Mystic Falls float.

The dress was occupying the seat next to me and just looking at it gave me nightmares. The dress itself felt beautiful but it was very wide and looked like something they'd wear in the 19th century - which I guess was what they were going for.

I was not looking forward to wearing that again.

Alaric was going around everyone's table handing out papers, stopping at our own to explain what they were about.

"So these are the specs for the History department. For the Founders' Day float we'll be recreating the battle of Willow Creek. Tyler has been nominated at the head of the production design." He informed all the students as they picked up the yellow sheet of paper.

Tyler pulled a face of disgust when he heard his name and quickly started questioning Ric. "By whom?"

"By me. I've seen your sketches and they're good."

"See I told you they were good Ty!" I smiled encouragingly and nudged his arm.

"I'm not really into the..." Tyler tried to argue but Ric intervened.

"Well, you just pick your team, be creative and..." he began but lost his train of thought when Stefan and Elena walked into the cafeteria. "Don't screw up." He tapped Tyler's shoulder and moved his gaze to me. "Lily can I speak to you for a moment?"

"Yeah sure." I said and left the boys to argue about the floats.

We walked over to Elena and Stefan, a serious expression forming on Alaric's face.

"Hey Mr. Saltzman. Lily." Elena smiled.

"Come with me. We need to talk." Ric said and took off urgently, leaving Stefan, Elena and I to trail behind.

We entered Alaric's classroom and not soon after Damon also joined us.

"Damon, thanks for coming." Alaric greeted him with a nod of his head.

"Sorry I'm late. My dog ate my uh... never mind." Damon said trying to be funny but realized this wasn't the time for it. "What's with all the furrowed brows?" He commented when he noticed everyone's expression.

"We're nervous about what Ric is about to tell us." Elena told him.

"Well get on with it then."

Ric took a deep breath before telling us. "I saw Isobel last night."

We all looked at each other and then back to Ric, trying to decipher whether we heard him correctly.

"Isobel is here?" Damon asked, to which Alaric nodded. "In town?"

Damon made eye contact with me and I could see that he looked a bit worried. I honestly didn't know how to feel. Was I meant to feel happy that my biological mother was still alive and nearby? Scared because she's a vampire who might want Elena and I dead? Angry because she abandoned us?

"Did you ask her about Uncle John? Are they working together?" It didn't take Damon long to start asking questions again which slightly irked Alaric.

"No."

"No they're not?"

"No, I didn't ask." Ric elaborated.

"What about the invention?"