Evelyn Gilbert (TVD)

As I Lay Dying

Evelyn

"Hey! There you guys are," Caroline says as we see Elena and Jeremy sitting on a blanket at the town square.

I stop Caroline before we walk to them. "I thought you said it was just us?"

"Oh, come on, you can't avoid her forever." She shrugs.

"I just think I should give her more space—" She cuts me off.

"What you need to do is officially apologize, and spend time together. You shouldn't be alone, Evelyn." She shakes her head.

I nod. "Okay." I sigh before taking one of the picnic baskets and follow her.

"Who's hungry?" Caroline asks as we set the baskets down.

"Are we really doing this?" Jeremy questions.

"Yes, we are really doing this. We are going to take a page from Scarlett. We made it through the war. I know you guys went through hell, and my mom knows I am a vampire, so basically, it's like Atlanta has burned." Caroline sits down next to Elena. "And yet, in spite of everything, we persevere." She lifts her fist, smiling.

Jeremy sighs. "Alright. What are we eating?" He sits down.

"Something good," Caroline answers as Elena throws him a baggy with fruit in it.

"Um, Elena, can we talk? Please?" I ask. She looks at me with uncertainty before nodding. "Thanks." I glance at Caroline, who gives me a reassuring smile, before I walk away with Elena. "I'm sorry about trying to feed you my blood. I wasn't thinking straight, but that doesn't excuse what I attempted. I'm really, really sorry, Elena, and I hope you can forgive me."

Elena inhales deeply, her breath shaky. "Thank you for apologizing, Evelyn. Although you didn't actually feed me your blood, the intent was there, and I'll need some time." Her gaze holds a mix of vulnerability and resolve, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

I nod. "Of course. Take all the time you need."

Elena humorlessly chuckles. "Damon said the same thing."

"He apologized to you?" I question.

She nods. "He said he did it for you. But that doesn't excuse his actions either." Elena's voice wavers slightly, her expression conflicted. "I just need time. I don't mind you staying with us because I don't want any of us to be alone." Elena's shoulders slump as she exhales deeply, her vulnerability palpable in the air. "I hope you understand."

~~~

"Hey." Stefan smiles as he walks up to Elena, Caroline, and Evelyn.

"Hey," Elena replies. "Look who couldn't resist an epic romance."

"Will you come take a walk with me? You too, Evelyn," he says, looking between them. Elena and Evelyn stand up and follow him to the sidewalk.

"You're breaking the rules, you know. Movie night's supposed to be a distraction. Tomorrow we can return to our regularly scheduled drama," Elena tells him.

"I know. I wish this could wait, but it can't. Listen, um, the other night when Damon was helping Tyler, something happened." Evelyn looks at him, confused. "Tyler was starting to transform, and Damon was bitten."

"What?" Evelyn and Elena ask at the same time. "Is it...is he gonna..." Elena trails off.

"Yeah." Stefan nods.

"Oh, my god. And he came to the house this morning and, and tried to apologize. I-I practically slammed the door in his face," Elena says.

"He told me not to tell you, especially you, Evelyn, but I figured if you wanted to talk to him, I...I wouldn't wait."