In Loving Memory - 1x1

Chapter Two: Losing Control

I lost control today. Everything I've kept buried inside came rushing to the surface. I'm simply not able to resist her. Why does she look so familiar but as a stranger at the same time?

The sun was starting to make its way beneath the horizon but it was still bright out. Jeremy Gilbert had entered a local restaurant called the Mystic Grill. Scanning the area, he is clearly looking for someone. After the conversation they had during lunch he really wanted to talk to Vicki but she was always distant. Finally finding her, he made his way over to her. "Hey, Vick." His voice is low but she can hear it. Glancing at him she shakes her head and lifts two mugs with one hand and turns to walk passed him.

"Working." She mutters. Moving toward the bar, she sets the dirty glasses down and retrieves a fresh drink. Jeremy continues to follow after her like a lost puppy with his eyes as she arrives at another table. Setting the drink down, Jeremy watches her mingling with Tyler and Matt. His face is visibly hurt.

"Thanks, Vick." Matt smiled happily at his sister. Nodding she smiled back and looked at Tyler with a smirk.

"Do you need a refill?" Tyler's eyes focus on her as he licks his lips.

"I'd love one." The two share a glance that Jeremy sees and grimaces. Casting another smile at the dark-headed male, she turns to head back toward the bar. The blond-haired boy, Matt, looks at the male across from him.

"Please tell me you're not hooking up with my sister." No sooner than the words leave Matt's lips, Tyler's smiling at him knowingly. He nods.

"I'm not hooking up with your sister." The two paused and stared at each other and Matt shook his head. After rolling his eyes, he scoffs.

"You're such a dick." Tyler laughs as he grabs a fry from the basket and begins eating it. Vicki grabs a rag from behind the counter and wipes the bar down before turning to grab a clean glass. Setting it onto the counter, she grabs the three dirty ones and returns them to the kitchen area. As she exists, Jeremy is hovering over the bar. She sighs.

"Hey, what's your deal? I mean, summer you act one way, and then school starts and you can't be bothered." Shaking her head, Vicki grabs the drink and begins refilling it.

"Look, Jeremy, I really appreciate all the pharmaceuticals, but you can't keep following me around like a lost puppy." Jeremy's face twists slightly.

"When's the last time you had sex with a puppy?" Vicki's mouth falls open as she sets the drink onto the counter firmly.

"Hey, keep it down. I don't want to tell the whole world I deflowered Elena's kid brother." He shakes his head annoyed with her response but she grabs the drink from the counter. Beginning to make her way toward the table but stops when she hears Jeremy's voice behind her.

"Yeah, and deflowered and deflowered." Swiftly, she turns. The drink sloshes slightly from the speed as she glares at him defensively.

"We hooked up a few times in a drug haze. It's over. You gotta back off before you ruin things between me and Tyler." Once again, he shakes his head in annoyance. His brows furrowed as he raised his voice.

"Oh, come on, the guy's a total douche. He only wants you for your ass." Staring at him in disbelief she clenches her jaw.

"Yeah? What do you want me for?" For a moment, they are silent but the tone in her voice was vulnerable. Turning away from him again, she takes off toward Matt and Tyler's table. Plastering on another smile and pretending their conversation hadn't happened. The door to the grill opens and a familiar blonde and black-headed girl enter. Caroline is going on about Stefan Salvatore to the girl she is walking with.