I'll Never Leave

Chapter 14 - Memorial

The little town looked exactly the same as if she hadn't left months ago. Ivy had decided to miss the funeral for Pastor Young, as she didn't know him to mourn him

The vampire chose to drive to Florida to pack up her little bungalow. Forgetting just how long and boring the day between the two states was. She believed that now was the best time to make the move to Mystic Falls official. With her dad gone, she could move into his apartment and feel closer to him. There was no point in wasting money on the bungalow if she wasn't going to live there anymore

As she drove down her street, she took in everything. The Chinese place she used to get food for Noah and her when they were too lazy to cook. The grungy bar she used to work at across the street. The colourful graffiti that painted bare brick walls with life.

As she turned onto her driveway she began to feel glum. She was closing the chapter of herself and Noah. Apart from the engagement ring, this was the last page. She knew deep down in her heart that she needed closure if she was to move on.

Sat in her Mustang, glancing at her white painted wood panel bungalow with bay windows. It didn't occur to her, just how hard this was going to be. She took a deep breath before exiting the car, grabbing some boxes and entering the house.

The living room and kitchen was one massive open plan room. A wall to the right blocking anyone from seeing the bedroom and bathroom. The living room was the first room anyone entered. A TV mounted on the large wall to the right, opposite a grey inviting corner sofa asking to be sat on. A glass coffee table situated in the middle of the empty room between the sofa and TV. There was a large window behind one side of the sofa that looked out onto next doors house and part of the beach. Behind the other side of the sofa was a long counter of the kitchen which made its way around the kitchen in a u shape. Oak wood was used for the cupboards to compliment the light ocean toned decor. An island in the middle which Ivy used for preparing meals and learning specific drinks for the bar. The small appliances were teal to add a pop of colour to the room. There was a back door that led to the small garden and the beachfront. There were photos and knick-knacks placed around both the rooms. Her house was basically an album of nostalgia as each knick-knack had a memory attached.

The framed royal blue sea glass on the wall was from a date with Noah. They had decided to spend the day at the beach. Ivy believed she was a fish in a previous life because she loved being in or watching the ocean. They watched the sunset as if they were in some romantic comedy. As they got up to go back to their bungalow, Noah noticed the royal blue sea glass. He told her that he would have it made into a piece of jewellery so she could always remember their perfect day. Ivy surprised him by having it framed and put on the wall. Noah later surprised her by referencing the royal blue colour in her engagement ring.

Ivy's eyes drifted to a selfie of her mother and her during a hot summer. The two were completely drenched from head to toe after just having a water pistol fight. Ivy's curly hair was straight dark and plastered against her face. Her mother, Brooke, had strands of hair stuck to her face, unable to get them off as both hands were occupied. In the picture Ivy was laughing at Brooke as she tried to move the damp heavy hair from her face by blowing.

Ivy remembered that being one of the last summers she spent with her mother. Before she would stay with Alaric for the hot months

The vampire started to pack up the living room, just taking the photos and items that meant the most to her. She didn't mind leaving the furniture for the next tenant as it wasn't like she had anywhere to put it all. She placed pictures of her and Alaric, her and Noah and a couple of her with both her parents, into a cardboard box. Going into the kitchen, she packed most of her small appliances. She thought that the colour would help her dad's place look a little less dark and dreary.