Eternally Yours (TVD)

Sixteen

･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ･

❝Those we love never truly leave us. There are things that death cannot touch.❞
- Jack Thorne

･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆

*not edited*

Reflection. The word was defined as a serious thought or consideration - something I've had plenty of time to do. Being back in Mystic Falls was forcing me to think about what has happened, and what's most likely going to happen. Tonight was the masquerade ball, and here I was doing what I do best - avoiding.

I was avoiding everyone like the plague, I wasn't ready to deal with them and all of their questions just yet. I know it was childish of me to sit in my room while the masquerade ball was getting under way, but I had no desire to smile, and pretend like everything was alright when it was nothing but. My head just muddled with my thoughts, ranging from Damon kissing Elena to everything Duston had shared. My heart was torn to shreds and I felt like everything I knew and loved was all a lie.

The curling iron was delicately pulled away from my hair and sat on my vanity, "There all done!"

"Thanks, Mom," I weakly smiled at her through the vanity mirror.

Carol smiled sweetly at her daughter, "You look absolutely beautiful, I know your father would be so proud if he was here."

My stomach knotted at the thought of my late, adoptive, father Charles. The beloved mayor, and a decent father who did love in fact his children. We had a complicated relationship, his tireless endeavors to become Mayor and keep that position had put a damper on his life at home. After his passing, and learning the truth it did make Adriana's heart feel as if there was a missing piece. So much has changed, and yet it felt like it was just the tip of the iceberg.

"I better get going, you know, I'm the hostess and all. Will you be alright?"

I nodded, "I'll be fine. I'll be down in just a minute."

Carol gave her daughter's shoulder a squeeze before she headed out of her room. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, feeling like I barely recognized myself anymore. The stress of everything was starting to get to me, it felt like a rug was continuously being pulled out from under my feet. A dark sapphire colored cocktail dress adorned by body, the mask matching it perfectly. It's showtime, I thought bitterly, already wishing for the night to be over with.

I hastily made my way out of my room and downstairs, if I was lucky I could score a few cocktails to help ease my nerves. My mother was thankfully a little lux when it came to underage drinking, and she was never one to let the booze dry out at a party. I smiled as I passed by masked covered guests, but quickly stopped when I noticed my brother sitting in our late father's office.

I stepped inside, shutting the door behind me, "Well, well, well - look who we have here."

"Add's!" Tyler exclaimed quickly rushing over to hug his sister, "I missed you! It's been awful without you here, mom has no one else to bug besides me."

"Sorry Ty, I've been busy, but hey, look at you! Don't you look handsome, trying to impress someone?"

Tyler's cheeks reddened as he became defensive, "No! Just didn't want to hear mom complain that I don't make any effort for her events. Plus...I feel bad, I've been kind of a jerk lately since dad died and she doesn't deserve that."

"It's okay, Ty. Cut yourself some slack, it's been hard on all of us."

Tyler nodded, before his eyebrows furrowed, "Hey, I know you've not been around but have you heard from Mason?"