𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 | 𝐭𝐯𝐝

57

I laid in bed the next morning, breathing in the soft sheets and comforter. My back faced the fan and my mind was shut out from the outside world.

(flashback)

"Elena, run! The monster is going to catch us!"

The alluring scent of freshly mown grass and blossoms began to leave, only to be replaced with the smell of dried leaves and new, sappier ones taking its place. I was running through a meadow with Elena, Matt, and Tyler. The boys were always the big bad wolves or monsters because that's always their first pick. I quickly ran into the woods and behind a tree. I grasped my chest to catch my breath and peeked out behind the oak. "Raw!" Matt screamed, his hands positioned like claws. In these moments, we act frozen. This was our version of freeze tag.

I quickly froze in place. "Lena, help me!" I cried out. My sister stopped a few feet away and looked at Matt. She glanced at me and back at him, then ran again. Matt ran after her. She left me in the forest for the next hour, waiting to be unfrozen.

Sweat dribbled down my forehead as I continued in the position I was in. My stomach twisted in fear and hunger, but I refused to leave the position unless it was a cruel joke on Elena's part. I looked around nervously as the sun turned into the sunset. There was an orange hue laying across the grass from the burning sun. As gorgeous as it was, I couldn't admire it as my stomach was turning into knots.

"Sundance!"

"Sun?!"

Voices yelled. I didn't answer. I watched my mom and dad run across the field with Elena and Jeremy following behind. "Sundance!" Jeremy cried out. I gulped. Sweat fell from my brown hair and onto my nose. "Right there!" Elena pointed in my way. Relief spread across my parents' faces. They ran over and wrapped me into a hug, pulling me from my previous position. "God, you had us worried!" My mother cried. "Never do that again." She pulled away. I nodded, confused. I was just playing a game after all.

(end of flashback; new flashback, years later)

"Get out, Sundance! I'm trying to act my age! You should try it sometime."

I was now standing in front of Elena's door. Tyler, Matt, Caroline, and Bonnie were gathered in her room and hanging out. I was basically the same age as them. Why can't I hang out with them?

I frowned as she slammed the door in my face. I stepped back and tried to figure out what was so important that she couldn't tell me. I ran downstairs and grabbed a glass, then pressed it to the door. "Sorry. She is was too mettlesome." Elena mumbled. "She needs to grow up," Caroline suggested. I do not.

The glass suddenly dropped onto the floor.

I felt eyes watching my back, so I peeked an eye open lazily. I saw Damon and Stefan in chairs by my bed. "Can I help you two?" I rasped, flipping to my side to face them. "Join us for a little victory drink?" Damon handed me a glass of blood. "For what?" I frowned. "Did you see the way we stood up to Elena? We both totally rejected her." Damon smirked and looked at his brother. "I like you on my team. Must have driven her nuts." He chuckled. "You still think she's gonna screw this up, don't you?" Stefan scoffed. "I think somebody needs to talk to her. She's not gonna listen to anything I say and she sure as hell won't listen to a psycho brat of a sister." Damon said, making eye contact with me. I downed the glass of liquid. I remember when I first tasted blood as a human. It was thick, metallic, and stained my teeth. Now I down it like liquid chocolate.

"Is it because of your little sleepover with Rebekah last night?" I glared. "Don't be so angry all the time. It's not my fault she decided to get jealous." Damon shrugged. "Well, given who you chose to sleep with, I would say it's one hundred percent your fault," I remarked. "Whatever. Did Stefan a favor. Now he can come in and sweep her off her feet and you? You are left in the dust, Little Gilbert."