The Eternal Curse (TVD FanFic)

Chapter Nine: Morning Smiles

Scarlett's phone buzzed with a loud, obnoxious alarm, jolting her awake. She let out a groan, squinting at the screen as she tried to make sense of the time—7:30 a.m. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been up this early and not felt like a zombie, but today felt different. There was a strange lightness to her mood, a feeling she couldn't quite place. Maybe it was because she'd slept well for the first time in days, or maybe it was because of last night's encounter with Stefan. Whatever the reason, she found herself actually looking forward to the day ahead.

Yawning, she reached for her phone, the screen lighting up with a new message. Her brow furrowed as she opened it—it was from an unknown number.

Unknown: Hey, it's Stefan. I'll be outside your house at 7:45 to walk you to school.

Scarlett blinked, surprised. "How did he get my number?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head. It was a small mystery, but she decided to let it go. If Stefan wanted to walk her to school, she wasn't going to question it too much. At least, not yet.

She got up and headed to her closet, pulling out a simple but stylish outfit: a black fitted leather jacket over a white V-neck shirt, paired with dark skinny jeans and ankle boots. She added a silver necklace, the pendant shaped like a small crescent moon, a piece of jewelry she never left the house without. It was understated but felt like a good-luck charm, something that gave her a small sense of comfort.

After getting dressed, Scarlett made her way to the kitchen, heading straight for the fridge. She opened it and grabbed a blood bag, letting out a relieved sigh. After everything that happened last night, she needed this. Holding it up to the light, she tilted her head, studying the dark red liquid for a moment before she bit into it, taking a long sip.

Just as she was enjoying her drink, the doorbell rang, startling her. Scarlett quickly pulled the blood bag away from her lips, wiping away a stray drop. "Who could that be?" she wondered, hiding the blood bag behind her back just in case it was a nosy neighbor.

She opened the door, and there was Stefan, standing there with a small, amused smile on his face. "Good morning," he greeted, raising an eyebrow as he noticed the way she was awkwardly hiding her hand behind her back.

Scarlett let out a small, nervous laugh and pulled the blood bag back into view. "You're early," she remarked, giving him a playful glare. "I wasn't expecting my morning snack to be interrupted so soon."

Stefan's smile widened, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I wanted to make sure you had company on your walk to school," he replied. "And maybe I was curious if you'd actually be up this early."

Scarlett leaned against the doorframe, taking another sip from the blood bag. "What, are you and Damon my personal bodyguards now? Should I be expecting a Secret Service detail next?" she teased.

Stefan chuckled, stepping a little closer. "Well, considering how much trouble you seem to attract, it's not a terrible idea."

She rolled her eyes, though there was a smile playing on her lips. "I can take care of myself, you know."

"Oh, I don't doubt that for a second," Stefan said, his voice softer now, almost earnest. "But it doesn't hurt to have someone looking out for you."

Scarlett felt a small flutter in her chest at his words, but she quickly covered it up with a smirk. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're starting to get attached, Stefan."

He gave her a mock-offended look. "Me? Attached? Never."

They both laughed, the sound light and genuine. Scarlett couldn't remember the last time she felt this at ease with someone, especially someone she'd known for such a short time. It was strange, but she decided not to dwell on it too much.