Love Thy Neighbour (a Vampire Diaries fanfiction)

Chapter 5

"Maya! Are you getting ready for your wedding day in there? We have to be there soon."

"There will be enough burgers for everyone, Kai. Stop whining."

"You don't know that."

Preparing for the barbecue that was going to start in thirty minutes, I was currently in the bathroom putting on the outfit that Caroline had previously prepared for me on the bed, accessories and all. The purple floral dress had now been paired with a denim jacket and my brown buckled ankle boots, and a simple gold pendant with a delicate 'M' on it. Kai was waiting for me in my room, and he was obviously getting restless.

When I was decent enough for Kai to see me, I went out of the bathroom and saw that he wasn't alone. Enzo was there, having his – can you guess? – daily rendezvous with Damon. Obviously.

"Doesn't my room have any privacy?" I asked to no one in particular, knowing full well what the answer was.

"Nope," Enzo replied bluntly. There it is.

Kai took a good look at me as I made my way to the mirror and said, "Wow, looks like I'm going to have the most awesome date at the barbecue."

Did I hear that right? "What?"

"Excuse you?" Enzo eyed Kai, giving him a glare only my brother could master.

"What? I didn't say anything. What? You know what I mean." If there was one person Kai was afraid of, it was my brother. Although three years had passed since we first met, Enzo couldn't help but truly act like the big brother he is every time Kai was around.

I turned back to the mirror to do my hair, when I promptly heard a whistle.

"Damon, you did not just whistle at my little sister." And he even became over protective when there was Damon, because, well, Damon.

"What? She looks good," he pointed out from the other balcony. "You should wear dresses more often."

"Yep," Kai jumped in, still admiring the dress. Now they were making me feel awkward. I hated having attention drawn to me.

Even Enzo had had enough. "Okay, you," pointing at Damon, "You're done here. I'll see you at the barbecue." He didn't even give his best friend a chance to finish his sentence, as he promptly closed the curtain.

"And you," this time pointing at Kai, "I'm watching you. Take care of her, I need to leave. The mayor wants me to help with something at the barbecue. I'll see you there."

"Didn't know I needed baby-sitting," I said, now putting on some make up. "But okay."

"Your brother scares me," Kai said aimlessly, as Enzo closed the front door.

***

The barbecue hadn't started yet, but a lot of people had already turned up and were waiting for the festival to start. I couldn't see Caroline, but I could see that she, and the rest of the committee, had done a great job. The park was divided into different sections: on one side, the stage, where the Mayor would give the opening speech, and that would later give welcome to the festival with the kick-off concert; on another, the children's play area, that included a bouncy castle, puppet shows and face-painting; and the actual barbecue area, which had numerous barbecues all set and ready for the afternoon ahead, as well as plenty of seating room for the hungry. The chefs that had volunteered to take part were already preparing their food, setting the coal and making sure that everything was in order.

You could immediately feel how tight the community was through the atmosphere. Children were running around, playing tag and screaming with not a care in the world, admired and beamed at by young and old alike. Friends who hadn't met each other in ages started talking about old memories, reliving them as if it were just yesterday. Families took in the scene, pushing strollers and holding their young children's hands, making sure they don't wander off. Even stray dogs and cats were running around like there was no tomorrow. It was an event that was held once a year, and every year, everyone looked forward to it.