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MYSTIC FALLS HIGH
"MAJOR LACK OF male real estate," Bonnie Bennett exclaims as her, Elsie, and Elena Gilbert walk down the hallway on the first day of their junior year at Mystic Falls High School. They've been friends since they were children, so Elsie tracked down Bonnie and Elena the second she got to school. Bonnie frowns once she lays eyes on one of their classmates. "Look at the shower curtain on Kelly Beach. She looks a hot- can I still say 'tranny mess'?"
"No, that's over," Elena shakes her head as they reach Bonnie and Elsie's adjacent lockers.
Elsie opens it and sets her book bag inside, only taking out her pencil pouch and a folder before closing it again. She tilts her head at her friends. "Don't be mean."
"I'm gonna find a man, coin a phrase. It's a busy year," Bonnie shrugs, ignoring Elsie's comment as they notice Elsie's brother, Matt staring longingly at Elena.
His blue eyes are drooping, and he has earbuds in, no doubt listening to some sad music. He's been bummed out since Elena dumped him last year. Elsie is surprised that he's still upset with her since Elena's had a rough year.
Elena waves at him, but he chooses to ignore her. Elena sighs, turning back to her friends. "He hates me."
"I wouldn't call it hate," Elsie decides, giving her friend a sympathetic look even though she broke Matt's heart. She doesn't hold it against Elena, because she'd rather him be dumped than be strung along for a long period of time. "He's still sad, but he'll get over it."
"Elena!" Caroline Forbes cheers, dramatically sauntering over to them. Elsie moves to hug the girl, only to lay eyes on her ex-boyfriend, Tyler Lockwood.
She broke up with him right after the accident, because she was going through a rough patch from almost dying. She felt like she needed to be alone for a while, but she never imagined Tyler would respond by getting with her sister, Vicki. She leaves the group without another word, going in the other direction.
"Elsie!" Tyler calls after her, easily being able to catch up since he's an athletic person. He gives her a pleading look. "You can't ignore me forever."
"Yes, I can," Elsie insists, adjusting the strap on her backpack nervously. "Sounds like a solid plan, actually."
Pain crosses the Lockwood boy's face, because he knows how badly he screwed up. Elsie's all he's thought about since they broke up, and messing around with Vicki was his attempt at filling the gaping hole Elsie left in his life.
"Just let me explain," Tyler begs, a flicker of hope crossing his face. He thinks if he could just explain, he could make things right.
Elsie frowns, hating that she's hurting him despite how much pain he's put her through. Because her capacity to care is easily her biggest flaw. "You have one minute."
