The Other Brother

Ch1: The Other Brother.

Bonnie slammed her locker shut, the sound echoing throughout the loud busy hallways. "What were you saying about Damon again? I was too busy thinking of all the ways I could kill myself before I ever set another eye on the Salvatore brothers again," she said with crossed arms. 

Elena raised her brows in a knowing look. "Come on, Bon, they're not that bad."

"You're right. They're not bad," Bonnie began, "they're awful. I hate them. I'm tired of the lies, the drama, the near-death experiences. And I'm so tired of all their selfish, manipulative bullshit."

Bonnie shook her head as she leaned back against the cold metal locker, her arms still crossed. "Every single time I think we're done with them, they find a new way to drag us back into their mess."

Elena sighed, tugging her bag higher on her shoulder as she tried to find the right words. "I get it, but...they're not all bad. Damon's just—"

"He's a sociopath, Elena," Bonnie cut her off sharply. "You can't keep defending him just because he has moments of not being a complete monster. I know you care about him, but I don't trust him, and I sure as hell don't trust Stefan."

"Stefan's... complicated. But he tries to do the right thing. They both do."

Bonnie let out a bitter laugh. "Right. Like the time Damon snapped my neck 'for the greater good,' or when Stefan went full-on ripper mode and left a trail of bodies to 'find himself'? They're dangerous, Elena. They make everything worse, and somehow, we're always the ones cleaning up their messes."

Elena bit her lip. "I know you're angry, Bon. I am too, sometimes. But they're our friends."

Bonnie shook her head, her voice lowering but still sharp with frustration. "I'm tired of losing people because of them. I'm tired of losing myself." She looked at Elena, but it was clear Elena wasn't getting it. Bonnie had given up trying to explain. Sometimes it felt like they were all tied to Elena in some twisted way—drawn into her orbit, and it wasn't healthy.

"What were you saying before I went off?" Bonnie asked, trying to steer the conversation away from her rant.

"Damon said he wants us to meet someone. He didn't say who, just that it's important," Elena explained.

Bonnie shrugged, glancing to the side. "Honestly, I couldn't care less."

"Bonnie, come on. They said it's serious," Elena pressed, her tone pleading.

Bonnie sighed, crossing her arms. "Fine," she muttered, giving in. "But I'm not doing anything for them. I don't care what it's about."

"Deal," Elena said quickly, a small smile tugging at her lips as she reached out her hand.

Bonnie raised a brow before taking it, her grip loose.

Suddenly, Caroline came running over, hands flapping excitedly, with Tyler following behind looking worn out. "OMG, you guys! I am so pumped for the Halloween party tonight!"

Bonnie and Elena waved at Tyler, who looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"Caroline's been keeping you busy, huh?" Bonnie chuckled.

Tyler rubbed his eyes and groaned. "We pulled an all-nighter trying on costumes at that new Halloween pop-up shop on Elm Street."

"I'm gonna be a sweet angel, and he's gonna be a sexy devil," Caroline said, grinning as she wrapped an arm around Tyler's shoulders, biting her lip.

Tyler didn't hesitate, leaning in to kiss her, and they whispered sweet nothings to each other.

Elena laughed, but Bonnie cringed, scrunching up her nose. "Boo! I'm throwing tomatoes," she joked. "Get a room!"