❝𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳.❞
Estella Delacour was a normal girl. She had her best friends, was po...
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THE SCENT of old paper and nervous energy hung heavy in the air as Estella settled into her desk. Stacking her textbooks with meticulous care, she found a small measure of calm in the orderliness. The weight of Ariadne's secret, the weight of Stefan's struggle, all felt temporarily subdued by the familiar classroom setting.
Alaric, ever the sardonic observer, sauntered in, his words cutting through the muted chatter like a well-aimed barb. "Okay," he began, his voice laced with amusement, "this week we're gonna set outside our regular curriculum for a lesson in local history as we approach Founders' Day. Apparently, the community leaders feel it's more important than World War 2 but hey what do I know?"
Estella suppressed a smile, the corner of her mouth twitching. Alaric's cynicism was a comforting constant.
Then, the door creaked open, and Bonnie stood there, hesitant, a small, strained smile gracing her lips. She looked just like Estella remembered. The brunette wasn't sure why she had been expecting anything different. Relief washed over Estella, a tangible easing of tension in her shoulders.
"Sorry, I'm late," Bonnie apologised.
"Well, it looks like we will be at full occupancy today. Welcome home, Bonnie," Alaric responded, offering a small nod of acknowledgement.
Estella's smile widened, genuine warmth flooding her face as she met Bonnie's gaze. Bonnie returned the smile, but it flickered, dimmed when her eyes landed on Stefan. A shadow passed over her expression, and she deliberately turned away, ignoring him.
Estella frowned, knitting her brows together. She glanced at Stefan, catching the confusion etched in his emerald eyes. The air, already thick with unspoken anxieties, seemed to grow heavier still. A silent question hung between them, a subtle unease that resonated deep within Estella.
꧁༒☬☬༒꧂
EVERY head turned their way as always.
It was a result of being popular after all.
The girls had learned to ignore it, making their own way without serving the other students a glance. Until required, of course.
Caroline, a whirlwind of blonde hair and breathless pronouncements, led the way down the hallway. "You have to get the white dress, it looks gorgeous on you, although you did suit the purple one as well, and the pink, and the blue."
Estella, a playful smile gracing her lips, chuckled and turned to her friend. "Considering the fact I can't wear four dresses at the same time, you are going to need to narrow it down for me."
The upcoming Miss Mystic Falls pageant had ignited a fire in Caroline's competitive spirit. Estella found herself caught up in the excitement, imagining the perfect dream dress, the flawlessly styled hair, and the perfect date to complete the picture. Her smile faltered, a sudden wave of realisation washing over her. She didn't have a date.
