Bloodlines, the TVD spinoff

Chapter 1

She sat alone by the bar, looking into the glass of bourbon. It was late, not that she cared. It was also getting boring, even though it rarely did. She had dark brown, almost black, wavy hair that framed her face. Her eyes were almost of the same colour, just slightly lighter. At 18, she was often the centre of attention in places like this. But today, she was alone. She finished the drink in one go, tipped the bartender and stood up. She was tipsy, but she knew she could get home. She headed toward the door and suddenly collided with another woman.

-Marissa!- the woman said, sounding quite upset.

-Stephanie!- Marissa replied, mocking her tone and tried to leave. The sooner she goes, the smaller the chance anyone's going to realise the two of them are related. It wasn't something you notice immediately, for 21-year-old Stephanie had straight, dirty blonde hair and baby blue eyes. She grabbed Marissa by the arm and turned around to face her:

-You're drunk!- Steph whispered angrily.

-Ugh, whatever! Dad drinks more before breakfast.

-But you're not Dad, which is something you don't seem to understand!- Marissa rolled her eyes at the comment:

-I know you're mad, Steph, but, newsflash: I don't care! Now leave me alone, okay?

-No, Rissa, it's not okay! You're not yourself now that you're... you're...

-A vampire?- Marissa asked, loud enough for only her sister to hear. She knew how much Stephanie hates this, and she liked it, though not as much as she liked liking it. She had only turned a few weeks ago, but the whole world seemed different. It seemed better.

Stephanie didn't think so:

-It's not about turning, Riss, and you know it, it's about the way you did it. You didn't tell me, you didn't tell Mom... you didn't even tell Dad!

-And what was I supposed to say, huh? "Hey, folks, died yesterday, now eat blood, anyway, love ya"?!

-You could at least not act like you suddenly forgot how to feel!

-Well, maybe I did! Don't tell me you didn't consider the possibility?

-Rissa...

Marissa groaned:

-Ugh, save me the speech, Steph, I gotta get home before sunrise!- with those words, she walked out of the bar. Stephanie watched her little sister disappear down the streets of New York and wondered how they got here. They used to be so close, and now Marissa's off to live forever, while Steph can't even figure out how to get her sister to listen. Though how do you even do that when she's a vampire? No, wrong question... how do you even do that when she's Marissa?

-You want anything?- a voice called out, startling Stephanie. She turned around and saw the bartender. He was maybe 24, tan, really short black hair, grey eyes.

-No, I'm good.- she said, smiling.

-You sure?- he asked with a sheepish chuckle. -I already prepared a glass!

-Oh, and it's so important that you use the glass?

-Nah, I just need the tip...- Steph giggled, despite herself. She rolled her eyes and sat down across from him:

-Okay,- she said. -One coke.

-Coke? Really?

-I have work tomorrow!

-Come on!- Steph knew he said it was about the money, but he was actually kind of cute.

-Okay. One beer.

-Yeah, I'm gonna need an ID.

-What?

-It's not my fault you look 16!- she rolled her eyes. She hasn't been told she looked 16 for five years, and the previous time, she was 16, and that was her dad's way of saying "Happy Birthday". Of course, she knew this guy was just flirting, but she couldn't help but think what it would be like, to always look 16. Marissa will always look 18.

Steph pulled her ID out of her pocket and handed it to the bartender with an exaggerated eye roll:

-One beer, coming up!- he grinned. She read "Alfon" on his name tag. Smiled to herself. Alfon. He handed her the beer. She took a sip. He spoke up:

-So, I think we should address the elephant in the room... What just happened between you and that girl?

-That... is the last thing I wanna talk about right now.

-Ex?

-Ugh, no! Sister!- she took another sip. This would've been so much easier if they—she and Rissa—were back home. Everyone would've already known about them arguing in the bar, and their mom would've already been there to fix all the problems.

She overtipped him. Not too much, but she knew he noticed because of the way he smiled. She was just about to leave and catch a taxi, when she heard Alfon's voice again:

-You forgot your ID, Stephanie Salvatore!