Twin Gilbert

Homecoming

It had been almost a year since I stepped foot in Mystic Falls. Eleven months and 12 days, to be exact. And now, I was finally returning to my hometown.

After my parents' car ran off of Wickery Bridge and into the lake, causing their death, I fled. I fled from my house, my friends...

My family.

But I came to the realization that no matter what I did, my family still needed me. And I needed them, if we're going to get all sentimental.

The taxi pulled to a stop in front of my house.

Home. A year felt like a decade. I realized just how much I missed this place.

I opened the door and stepped around to the back to get my bags. But before I could actually grab my bags...

"VEENA!" I looked over to see Jeremy and Elena running over to me and I opened up my arms for a hug, grinning like an idiot.

"OOF!"

The next thing I knew, we were laying on the grass laughing.

"Veena, we missed you so much!" Elena exclaimed fron on top of me.

"Oxygen..." I wheezed.

Elena got off, but Jeremy wasn't so willing.

"Veena, don't you EVER leave me again, it was so boring without you-"

"Hey!" Elena exclaimed.

"Jeremy, I love you, but GET OFF!" I said, pushing him off of me and standing up. Taking a deep breath, I said, "Okay, bring it in."

They both pulled me into a hug again.

"Veena?"

I looked over Jer and Elena's shoulders.

"Jenna!" I tried to run to her, but Jeremy didn't let go. "Out of the way, peasant!"

I finally broke free and ran into Jenna's arms.

~~~

"So catch me up on stuff!" I said as Elena sat next to me with some popcorn.

"Well, Caroline has this new boyfriend."

"Oh?" I said and raised my eyebrows.

"But he's a complete jackass."

"Oh... So why is she still with him?"

"I never said anything about him not being good looking."

"Ahhh... Okay, sounds like Caroline..."

"I just wish she would see how bad he is for her. And I would tell her, but she's so standoff-ish lately. I don't know why..." She muttered, looking elsewhere. She seemed so secretive.

"Huh. That's weird." I looked down at the bowl, only to realize we had eaten it all. "We had to have made a world record just now."

Elena laughed and went to refill the bowl.

I got up when I heard a knock on the door.

Before me stood a tall guy with brown hair and green eyes. Was this the boyfriend Stefan? "Elena, listen we have to talk."

"Umm..."

He looked confused at my reaction, but soon came to realize I wasn't Elena. "You must be the oh so famous Naveena."

"It's just Veena, but yes. She is me." I said with a smile.

"I'm Stefan." He explained. "Is Elena home?"