Compulsion (loosely based off of TVD series)

I.

I wake up to the sound of my phone ringing, knowing damn well that it is my mother calling. Before my eyes can fully adjust to the morning sun, I catch a glimpse of the time. 7:28 am.

"Hello?" I say groggily.

"You coming in today, Vi?" Her voice chipper and high pitched.

"Of course mom, I have to shower first. Aren't they filming today?" I ask, slowly making my way out of my bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"Mhmm," she murmurs, "in the square." I nod to myself before realizing she can't see me.

"Okay. I'll be in soon. Love you." I stammer out quickly, hoping to get off the phone.

"Love you too honey, make sure yo-" I end the call before she finishes. I know she is going to tell me to wear our new store uniforms. She's been nagging about them for months. She wants me to wear slacks and a red collared shirt with Vampire Stalkers embroidered on the left breast. Instead, I know I'll opt for black skinny jeans and my red crop top with my Vampire Stalkers zip up.

I head to my bathroom, grabbing a towel and my water proof speaker, ready to shower. I turn the water all the way to the left, and step in.

After I finish my shower, I throw on my clothes and make my way to the door. I step outside, under the morning sky. The sun has yet to rise - considering it's only 8 am - and the air is still crisp.

I don't understand why my mother needs me here so early, the store doesn't even open until 10. But alas, I am making my way to the store. From my apartment, it is only about a fifteen minute walk to the store, and I usually stop at Scoops to get my morning meal. A white chocolate cappuccino, a vanilla yogurt, and a gingerbread latte for my mom. While I wait for the coffee to brew, I chat with Carol, Scoops' owner. Her and my mom are really close friends, and she usually opens the cafe a little early for us, but that's only because my mom introduced her to Matthew Davis.

"Hey Viv, do you know what time filming starts today? Matt said he would meet me for coffee this afternoon." She says with a hopeful grin. I reply with "two, I think." She thanks me, and turns back to the coffee, putting the whipped cream on the top of mine. Knowing to do so before I even have to ask. She hands me the drinks and my yogurt, I quickly thank her, and make my way across the street over to the shop.

I fully prepare for the lecture I am about to receive from my mom, about not wearing the new uniform. I open the door, and take a deep breath. Before she even says anything to me, she glares in my direction. Here we go.

"Vivien," she starts, crossing her arms and leaning against the counter top. I'm not the least bit surprised when I see that she's not wearing the uniform either, but instead a tight red dress. "Where's the uniform?"

I groan. "I don't know, mom," I arch a brow at her, and motion towards her with my fingertips. "Where's yours?" I ask back in a joking manner.

She scoffs and stutters, "That doesn't matter, I've been harassing you about the new dress code for days now! The rest of the employees have been doing it, why would you be any exception?" She takes my sarcasm all too serious, and begins to convincingly get irritated with me.

"Okay, mom. I was just joking with you, I will wear it this week." I give up the urge to argue back, and huff in surrender.

"Was that convincing, Viv? I've been trying to seem a bit more serious when it comes to the other employees. I think I give them too much leeway with this place." She smiles and turns on her heel. I drop my jaw, dumbfounded, not understanding how my own mother fooled me with an attitude. Still shocked, I begin to step towards the desk, thinking about the tour schedules for today and having to compensate for the actual filming taking place in the town. I quickly realize that it isn't even nine o'clock yet, and there isn't anyone scheduled on the first tour. I open the book filled with appointments, names and numbers. I make a few phones calls, and send a few emails here and there, and I now have the tour filled.

It is now around 10:45, and the first tour goes out in fifteen minutes. I round up my mom, who almost always leads the walks, and Amy, who is the tail end. Just to make sure we don't have any stragglers or misbehaving teens trying to sneak off and onto set. I let my mom know the time and that she should head to the welcome center, where the tour starts. There everyone will get to see the famous "Welcome to Mystic Falls Virginia" sign, take a few photos and move on. From there, I don't pay much attention. I've done these so many times that by now I've become less interested in the tour and more interested in watching everyone in the cast miss lines during takes. The first tour ends around 2, which is when filming starts, and most of the guests from the walk stay to watch some scenes take place. They are currently filming for season six, and there is already so many things happening in the show, that I can tell, the shop is going to be busy this year.

Around 3:30, Nina comes in through the back of the shop with a plate of fries from the grill. She peaks her head out from the back room and motions for me to join her. I make sure Jessica is still in the shop to watch the front end. I step out from behind the desk and meet Nina in the stock room.

"I'm so glad you came in today, I have been having such a rough day." She sighs, and shoves a fry in her mouth.

"Why, what's going on?" I speak with a mouth full. She laughs at my barely coherent words and eats another before she answers me.

"Ever since Ian and I broke up, filming scenes with him is always so awkward. And today, oh my god today, I had to pretend like I forgot everything about him and in a way it was sort of a relief but it was also really emotional and I felt really bad for forgetting Damon who is actually Ian who I dated so in a way it was like I was forgetting our real relationship but I really wasn't and it was just kinda sad-" "Nina," I cut her off. "you're rambling, breathe, and tell me." I laugh. "Sorry," she giggles, stuffing another fry in. "anyways, today we filmed a scene where I had to forget about Damon. And it just made me think back on our entire on screen and off screen relationship. I got really emotional, and it kinda took a toll on me, you know?" She sighs, and hangs her head. I mean, I would feel the same if I dated Ian, but I digress. "Yeah, I get it. Break ups are hard, especially when you don't really get the full break up experience. I know I can never quite understand your situation, but I can feel for you. I know you're having a rough day, I can see that. And that is why you brought fries and I brought my sympathy. I'm always here for you. In this store, usually behind the desk or stocking the floor." I breathe out a laugh and she shakes her head at me. She hugs me, and I can feel the weight lift off her shoulders when she does so. She hears her walkie going off, the set crew calling her back for a scene. She quietly gets up and thanks me for talking to her and she hurries out of the room.