Fix You

Chapter 3

"I just heard a rumor that you've been studying abroad." Stefan says when he gets home and I just shrug with a smirk.
"What else was I supposed to say? The truth? It's not like I don't speak both French and German." I point out and he sighs.
"I thought your whole thing was that you didn't want to be noticed." He says and my face falls.
"No, Stefan. That's what I was raised to be. Unnoticed. You might not remember since you were always Father's favorite. But he's not here anymore, and I'm done blending in with the wallpaper." I snap and his hands go up in faux surrender and I roll my eyes.
"Anyways, why bring it up? All you have to do is agree that I was there. Or is this, like, your weird attempt at the role of protective older brother?" I say making a circle with my hand in his direction. He looks away from me, giving my answer and I roll my eyes again.
"I promise you all your football buddies are only interested in me because I appear to be a shiny new toy for them. It'll wear off after I reject the first one. Then I'll get the reputation as a frigid bitch and everything will be right as rain." I tell him dismissively.
"It wouldn't hurt you to go on a couple of dates." He says and I shake my head.
"Stefan, I can barely tolerate that place as it is. I don't need some hormonal little boy pawing at me because he bought me a cheap dinner." I say and he nods.
"You should seriously consider extracurriculars though." He says and I snap shut the book I was trying to read.
"Are you asking me to join cheer? Is it so you can keep a close eye on me or so I can get to know your girlfriend better?" I ask, not really expecting an answer.
"Both. You've been gone for years and it would be nice to get to know my sister again." He says and I let out a long groan.
"I hate it when the two of you pull the sister card." I mutter ignoring the smile that spreads across his face.
"Fine but just know I'm going to hate it. And I'm going to complain." I tell him and he laughs.

The duffel bag smacks against my thigh as I trail Stefan down to the field. A small spark of happiness lights in my chest when I see Caroline get excited when she sees me.
"Oh my god. I'm so glad you decided to join." She says and then looks me up and down.
"We'll have to get you fitted for a uniform but you're gonna love it." She says and I toss down my duffel bag next to the pile.

The routine that's being taught to us is a little plain, easy to pick up. Out of the corner of my eye I see a football beelining for Elena's face. Without much thought, my hand shoots out at the last second, snatching it away from her face. Her eyes go wide, seeing how close it was.
"Hey! Aren't you guys supposed to keep this thing on the field?" I yell at the group of guys who are waiting to get it back. One of them starts walking towards me, a goofy smirk on his face. I scan them and find Stefan at the back of the crown. I put my hand on the ball like he taught me and launch the thing as hard as I can at him. It goes sailing cleanly through the air and I laugh as I watch my brother have to sprint to catch it.

The guy who was walking towards me stares at me, somewhere between shocked and impressed.
"How did you do that?" He asks and I raise my eyebrows.
"What? Like it's hard to throw a ball?" I say with a smirk and turn back to my fellow cheerleaders. They all look a little shocked too and I roll my eyes.
"You guys didn't think our older brother was the one out there helping Stefan learn how to catch?" I say jokingly and they laugh.

"Okay, I'll see you ladies tomorrow." Caroline says, signaling the end of practice.
"Serena, if you wanna come with me we can get you set up with that uniform." She says and we start headed towards the school.
"I'm seriously so glad you decided to join cheer." She says and I shrug.
"Stefan said I need to 'make friends' and you guys all seemed friendly enough." I respond and she smiles.
"I cannot believe Stefan never mentioned having a sister." She says shaking her head and I shrug.
"The Salvatore clan isn't exactly known for being open books. Especially in matters of family." I say nonchalantly and she nods.

I step out from the changing cubicle in a skirt that hits mid calf and a top that shows a little more mid drift than what I'm comfortable with.
"It looks great!" Caroline says enthusiastically and then her phone buzzes.
"I'm so sorry, but I have to go. Are you okay getting home?" She asks and I wave her away.
"A little walking never hurt anyone." I tell her and she nods before slipping out of the room.

"I thought you swore you'd never come back here?" A familiar voice calls down the hall to me and I spin so fast I nearly lose my balance.
"And a cheerleader?" He asks and I cross my arms over my chest and stare at him.
"Says the one who disappeared without a word." I respond dryly.
"And anyways, you know how complicated family can be." I say rolling my eyes for the umpteenth time today.
"What are you even doing here, Niklaus?" I ask as he approaches me.
"Working on a project." He says and I sigh.
"What is it now?" I ask, knowing he'll never actually tell me.
"You'll have to find out." He says and I shake my head as my phone buzzes.
"Your brothers really keep you on a short leash, don't they?" He says with a smirk and for a moment I think about hitting him.
"It's Damon. He thinks it's his duty to keep me 'safe' like I can't handle myself, mostly." I say acknowledging the fact that Niklaus has helped me out of more than one sticky situation.
"You should go before he comes to hunt you down." He says, "Something tells me he won't be pleased if he sees us together."
"He can go to hell, then. You were there for me when they weren't. He's just gonna have to deal with that." I say as I give him a wave and leave the school.