Fate of Magic → The Vampire Diaries

ONE

[01]The Birthday
               The Grill, somewhere Melanie hadn't been since she was seven, looked almost completely the same as she remembered. Her father had talked to his old friends – hoping to help Melanie find some of her own.

But frankly, what her father didn't realize was that Melanie didn't like much of the other kids when she did live here. They were so cliquey, and annoying.

"Melanie?"

Mel sighed, rolling her eyes at the pitchy voice she recognized immediately. She formed a fake smile, standing up from her outside table, "Caroline? Oh my gosh! Look how grown up you are!"

Caroline smiled eagerly, "You're one to talk, Mel. You look just like you're mom." Caroline began to walk over, pulling a guy their age next to her. "I hope you don't mind, Tyler ran into me while I was walking over. You remember him, right?"

Tyler waved awkwardly, taking a seat next to where Melanie was sitting. "Sort of – you've got that hot uncle, Matt?"

"Mason, actually," Tyler chuckled. "Matt works here, if you remember him. Little blonde, blue eyes–"

"Matty blue, right." Melanie recalled, smiling towards Tyler. "So, tell me Care," She leaned up, placing her head into her hand, "How long have you and Tyler been dating?"

Caroline's smile dropped, "Oh, we're not – we're just friends."

"You're kidding?" Melanie furrowed her eyebrows, making Tyler laugh. "My mom thinks we are too," He looked at Caroline, making her scoff. "What?"

"We're together all the time. It's not a leap," Tyler looked at Caroline, then to Melanie. "That's crazy," Caroline laughed, making Tyler nod. "Right."

"Elena's 18th birthday party is tonight, Mel. Maybe you could come and say hi to everyone?" Caroline offered her, and Melanie pursed her lips. "Hmm," she paused, "I'm sure I can attended."

"And, if you two aren't dating," She smiled again, "Then I'm sure Tyler wouldn't mind being my date – as friends, of course."

Caroline's features hardened, but before she could intrude Tyler already agreed, "Yeah, no problem."

"You can help us set up later," Caroline shook off her feeling of jealously, being polite to the sort of new girl again. "If you want to, of course. I'm sure Elena would love to see you again."

"Pretty sure Elena would rather slit her throat than see me after I dumped glue all over her hair in first grade," Melanie scoffed, letting a laugh out. "And plus, I'm making my first debut back in Mystic Falls. I've gotta look hot, not sweaty from decorating."

Caroline frowned, not liking the attitude she was getting. "Okay then," She stopped, looking around. "Well, it starts at 8. It's at the Salvatore Boarding Home. I'll text you the address."