The book of Ellie (remake)

Sixteen

Elena, Caroline, and I walk into the school. Caroline's especially grumpy today. Apparently she's mad at Bonnie.

"Have you tried talking to Bonnie today, Care?" I ask her.

"No and I won't either. She has to be the one to make the first move." Caroline says stubbornly.

"Maybe you should try being the bigger person?" Elena suggests. Even I know that's never gonna happen.

"Impossible in her presence." Caroline replies.

"Why are you mad at her?" I ask.

"Because she's a thief! I gave her my necklace and she refuses to give it back." She says looking over at me. "It's a matter of principle." 

"Okay. Well we tried." Elena chimes in again.

"Your turn." Caroline says turning her attention to Elena. "Where's Stefan? Are you talking to him?"

"He's avoiding me." Elena answers bluntly.

"Why?" Caroline digs.

"It's complicated." I respond vaguely for her. Elena gives me an appreciative smile, that I return.

"Okay. Well we've got to get to class." Elena says. Before we can say bye to Caroline, she walks off.

When Caroline's gone Elena speaks up.

"About the other night..." She begins but I abruptly cut her off.

"Now is not the best time to discuss that matter." I tell her with wide eyes. Was she really going to have that conversation with me right now?

"All I want to say is..." She starts again but I cut her off once again.

"That he's a monster, a psychopath, he's a selfish megalomaniac. I think I understand that now, Elena." I snap.

"I just don't want you getting hurt, Eleanor! You guys seemed very close at the party yesterday. I just want to remind you that he's the bad guy. You saw what he did to Lexi yesterday. He's not your friend." She snaps back at me.

"Stop calling me that. It's Ellie." I tell her rudely. Our conversation comes to an end as we walk into our history class.

I almost forgot that we've got a new history teacher. Due to Mr. Tanner being well...dead.

"Good morning everyone!" A man greets happily walking into the classroom. "Alrighty then." He says walking up to the chalk board. He grabs a piece of chalk and begins writing his name.

He points to the board and begins pronouncing his name. "Alaric Saltzman. I know. It doesn't exactly roll of the tongue. Saltzman is of German origin." I zone out as he begins explaining the origin of his name.

I look over at Elena, who's staring at Bonnie. Elena must've said something to Bonnie because Bonnie just shrugs.

I turn my attention back to our new teacher and try not to fall asleep during class.

————

"Then I end up at the remains of Old Fell's church." Bonnie explains to Elena and I. She's telling us about the weird dreams she's been having.

"And your ancestor Emily is always there?" I ask her.

She pauses. "Do you guys believe in ghosts?"

"Two weeks ago I would've said no...but now..." Elena trails off.

"I think I'm being haunted." Bonnie tells us seriously.