Annabelle Mikaelson, known as Annabelle Denver in Mystic Falls, has been a vampire for centuries. After finally having enough of her Uncle, she travels to Mystic Falls, where she then meets some of her closest friends and all-time crush. However, as...
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Annabelle
JEREMY AND I were getting along well, both of us trusting each other more than we should. Thankfully, I had yet to be kicked out of the Salvatore house so I was able to stay there rather than the crappy motel.
A knock sounded on the room I was staying in. It didn't feel right to call it my room, so I didn't. "Come in," I called out and the door opened to reveal Stefan, a suitcase in hand. Instantly, I was on my feet. "Is that my suitcase?"
"It is," Stefan nodded as I took it from his hand, moving to set it on the bed.
"Thank you," I said gratefully. "How did you even get it?"
"I caught your sent in the woods," Stefan shrugged, leaning against the door frame. "I was looking for animals to snack on and followed your scent to a car, where I found your suitcase."
"How did you know it was mine?" I questioned as I sat on the bed beside it.
"It reeked of you and it has your name engraved out it," Stefan replied, motioning towards the top of the suitcase where it clearly said Annabelle.
"I really appreciate you bring it to me. Now I won't have to borrow Elena's clothes." We both shared a laugh a laugh at though.
"Oh, hey, where did you go after the party yesterday?" Stefan asked me and I knew I had to think of something quick, knowing that Stefan would probably tell Elena that I was at their house. I wasn't sure why it was a big deal but it seemed to bother Jeremy so I never mentioned it to anyone.
"Just went wandering about, eventually ended up at the Grill, where you picked me up," I lied easily, though I knew Stefan would probably pick up on my lie. My family always did, claiming my heart rate skipped a beat.
"Mhm," Stefan hummed. "That's why I smelled you at Elena's house." I let my eyes lower, locking onto the ground, my suitcase, my backpack in the corner, anything but Stefan's eyes. "Belle, why were you at their house?"
Eventually, I knew I had to tell the truth. "I went to see someone," I opted to say, avoiding Jeremy's name. "Look, it didn't put anyone in danger but I'm not really comfortable giving you details."
"Alright." Stefan was easy to get to stop asking questions, which I was thankful for. "I'll leave you to it." I decided not to reply, instead nodding. After he was gone, I unzipped my suitcase and pushed it open. On top of everything I had in there was my first ever stuffed animal, from before I was turned. Somehow it was the one thing that always made it out of everything, it had survived as long as I had. While I still had the more recent stuffed animal in my book bag, I liked this one much better.
My father gave it to me as one of my first gifts, from before I was even brought into the world. I smiled as I looked at it before setting it on the bed. It was the only thing I really cared about, the only thing to remind me of my father. Other than pictures, of course.
I sat on the large bed, silently missing my family. I desperately wanted to be with them, to have things be like it used to be. Then I remembered that all but one was daggered, and the one that wasn't dagger was the one I ran from. I realized a long time ago that nothing would ever be the same but I held onto that small ounce of hope.
***
The next morning, Stefan drove me to school before immediately meeting up with Elena. I waved to them as I walked away, heading to my locker to gather my school supplies for the day.
The stench of blood had been driving me crazy all morning; it was the first thing I smelled when I woke up. Even though I was going to be surrounded by humans, it was reassuring to know that none of them were actually gushing blood, nor did they have any open wounds.
"Belle, hi, good to see you again," Caroline said as she caught up to me in the hallway, grinning brightly. She locked arms with me, walking beside me as we headed down the hallway.
"What can I help you with?" I asked politely. While Caroline had been nice to me, I could tell she wanted something from me.
"Well, have you ever heard of Miss Mystic Falls?" Caroline began. I hadn't but I had seen signs posted at the school about it.
"I've seen stuff about it but I've never looked into it," I explained, quickly unlocking my locker as I pulled out the books I needed. "Besides, you have to have an interview so it never piqued my interest. I haven't been here long enough to have a full interview."
"One of the girls dropped out," Caroline continued, leaning against the locker next to mine. "I was wondering if you would be willing to fill in the spot? Normally we'd just go on with one less girl, but this is the third to have dropped out and I've asked multiple people, all of which said no. Besides, I convinced the judges that one person not having an interview wouldn't be the worst thing ever as long as more than four girls were standing in line."
I sighed heavily, shutting my locker. "Pageants aren't really my thing. Besides, I wouldn't even have a date."
"I can find you one," Caroline offered, setting a gentle hand on my arm. "Please, Belle. I need somebody."
"If I can find a date, I'll think about it," I told the girl after a moment of silence. She squealed, practically jumping up and down. "But I'm not doing any sort of interview."
"Thank you, thank you! I'll help you find someone, I promise," Caroline said, just as the warning bell rang.
"That's my cue to leave, I guess," I said and she nodded, allowing me to go to my first block. When lunch rolled around, I was happily eating my human food when Caroline came up to me again.
"Belle," Caroline gained my attention, a nice-looking boy standing beside her. "This is Noah. He's a friend of Matt, my boyfriend."
"Hi," I gave an awkward smile and the boy waved at me.
"Noah is willing to be your date for the pageant," Caroline explained to me, looking between us as realization dawned on me. This was the third boy Caroline had brought to me, and at first, I just thought it was weird but now it makes sense. She wants me to have a date so I will give in and go.
"Can I actually talk to you about something?" I asked, pushing myself to my feet. She quickly nodded, looking over at Noah, who took the hint. He walked back towards his group of friends, who were staring at us, while I walked in the opposite direction of Caroline. "Caroline, I don't need you trying to set me up."
Caroline gave me a guilty smile. "Sorry, I just thought you didn't really know anyone here so it would be easier to bring the options to you rather than you have to find one." I could tell she only meant good by it, but it kind of annoyed me. Though her good intentions softened the ounce of annoyance I had.
"I get it and I appreciate it," I said, grinning to show her I wasn't truly mad at her. "But I have someone in my mind that I might ask."
"Who?" Caroline asked me, curiosity swarming in her eyes. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for her to freak out.
"Jeremy Gilbert," I said after a moment, biting my lip. Caroline practically laughed in my face.
"I'm sorry but Jeremy doesn't do pageants or dancing," Caroline told me and I shrugged.
"It doesn't hurt to ask. Besides, he's the only guy I really know." Caroline patted my shoulder in reassurance.
"Good luck. And if you need help with anything, I'm always here. Just ask Elena for my number."
