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Athena wasn't expecting a grand welcoming party after getting out of rehab but she was at least expecting someone to pick her up. She knew things had been rough between her and her family while she was using but she didn't think she made their lives so miserable that they decided to completely forget about her.
Jenna and Jeremy being the closet to the teen had called routinely to check on her throughout the first three months of her stay, but after that the calls became less and less until they stopped completely. She hadn't heard from anyone in her family for about two months and she was worried.
When the teen discovered that no one was there to pick her up she asked the receptionist of the rehab center Ruby, where the nearest bus stop was. Thankfully for Athena it was only two blocks away. She tried not to be offended that her family wasn't there to pick her up but she was hurt.
Athena was lucky enough to have had some money on her when she went in to rehab that they gave her back when she left or she wouldn't have even been able to pay for a bus ride home.
The whole two hour bus ride home was spent calling each member of her family. Her first choice was obviously Jenna seeing as the woman was the one with the car but she hadn't answered any of the ten calls Athena had left. Athena's next best option was her little brother Jeremy, who of course sent her straight to voicemail just like Jenna.
The Gilbert girl didn't relish in having to call Elena for help, knowing that her older sister would find something to lecture her about but she was her last option.
Elena's phone going to voicemail was the most shocking to Athena because like any other teenage girl, Elena's cellphone was practically glued to her side, she always had it.
Athena didn't know what to think as she hopped off the bus at the one and only bus stop in Mystic Falls. The fact that all of their phones went to voicemail put the brunette on edge. She was beginning to think that either they really were ignoring her or there was something serious going on with them. Athena wasn't sure which it was but she decided that she was going to figure out what was going on whether they liked it or not.
Unfortunately for her, it looked like she was going to be walking the rest of the way to the Gilbert house seeing as she didn't have any more money to pay for a cab.
The whole walk home the girl spent her time concocting hundreds of possibilities as to why her family was being weird. She even considered them possibly being kidnapped by monsters that took their phones and banned them from speaking to anyone, but that was ridiculous.
•✫•
Fifteen minutes of pulling her heavy suitcase along the uneven sidewalks had Athena ready to collapse in her bed and sleep for the next ten years. It was safe to say the teen was not as in as good of shape as she was when she was on the cheer team. She definitely needed to call Caroline and beg for her spot back if she was now going to have to walk everywhere.
When Athena pictured returning home, she imagined walking up and seeing the three remaining members of her family sitting in the living room laughing about something on the tv. Then she'd walk in and give them hell for not answering their phones and they'd feel bad and tell her it had nothing to do with her and that it was just all some big misunderstanding and then they'd all hug and tell her how happy they were to have her back.
But that's obviously not what happened.
What Athena saw as she walked up the steps of the front porch was a dark haired man in a leather jacket with his tongue down her older sisters throat.
So much for something serious happening that made Elena not be able to answer her phone. She was just too busy hooking up with some guy to answer her sister.
"Wow Elena." Athena scoffed getting the attention of the couple. "And here I thought something bad had happened to you that you couldn't answer my calls."
Both of the individuals in front of her looked utterly confused as to who she was and what she was doing on the Gilbert's front porch.
"Can I help you with something?" The dark haired man asked looking at the suitcase the teen was holding onto. Damon made it his mission to know everyone in town and he certainly didn't know who this new girl was, but he wouldn't deny that she was good looking.
"Couldn't even tell your boyfriend you had a sister?" The brunette shook her head walking closer to the two. "I guess you also forgot that I was coming home today too."
"Sorry?" 'Elena' said but it sounded more like a question than a statement.
"Can't say I'm surprised." Athena mumbled cutting in between the two to get to the front door. As she walked past them her arm happened to brush against Damon's causing the girl to shiver. There was something off about the man to Athena but she didn't think too much on it just chalking it up to his interesting taste in fashion. She liked black as much as the next person but how much was too much? She thought he'd look nice in something colorful that could bring out the blue of his eyes.
"Sister?" Damon questioned with his mouth hung open and wide eyes. It wasn't hard to notice the similar features the two girls shared now that he was looking at them side by side. If Damon were to squint he would probably mistake this girl for Elena.
"I think you should go." 'Elena' spoke glancing at Damon before watching this new girl enter the Gilbert house. She didnt give the Salvatore time to reply before she was entering the house and closing the door in his face.
"Are Jenna and Jeremy home?" Athena asked looking her sister up and down. She thought Elena looked healthier than the last time she saw her, which would make sense seeing as the last time was right after all of their worlds had fallen apart.
"Oh no." The older girl shook her head. "There was a fire at the Gilbert building, Jenna had to meet the fire chief about it."
"Oh..." Athena sighed looking around the living room, nothing had changed. At least that explained why Jenna wasn't answering her phone. "And Jeremy?"
"I think he's out with his girlfriend Annabel at the founders day celebration."
"I didn't realize that was today." Athena admitted turning to look at her sister. She couldn't explain what it was about Elena but the way she was currently staring at Athena was making her slightly uncomfortable.
The two girls attention was disrupted by a loud clang in the kitchen followed by the whirling of what Athena assumed sounded like a coffee machine. "Who's that? Another boyfriend of yours?"
"No." 'Elena' shook her head letting out a small giggle. "John's been staying with us for a little."
Her sister's words caused a frown to make its way on to Athena's face. If there was anyone Athena hated in the world it was her uncle John. She couldn't stand how he acted like he was superior to everyone. She thought he needed to be taken down a peg or ten.
"I'm going to get settled in. I don't have the patience to talk to him tonight." Athena rolled her eyes grabbing her suitcase and ascending the stairs. At the top she paused and looked back down at Elena who was watching her with a sweet smile on her face. "Can you not tell Jenna or Jeremy I'm home. I want it to be a surprise."
"Sure sis. I'm so happy to have you home." The girl grinned as Athena disappeared into her room. "It's going to be so much fun getting to know you."
