Forever

Trailer Park Wolves

"Hey." Tyler leaned against the lockers next to mine.

"Hi?" I glanced at the jock. "You don't usually talk to me." He was usually with Caroline or Matt, but after the thing with Matt's mom, I'm not sure they're even friends anymore.

"I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime?" Tyler kept glancing around like there was someone out to get him.

"Why?" This was kind of weirding me out. Why was he even paying attention to me? Me and Jeremy weren't exactly on his radar.

"I wanted to get to know you?"

"Was that a question or an answer?"

"Answer, definitely an answer. So the grill? After school?"

This was strange. "I guess? I have to get to class."

"Great!" He grinned. "See you later."

I quickly made my way to Ric's room. "Do you know what's up with Tyler?" I asked lowly. 

"Why? What happened?" Sometimes it was kind of reassuring to have a vampire hunter so close.

"Nothing, he just asked me out?"

"He triggered his curse." Ric looked back at the papers he was grading, a worried crease in his brow. "I wouldn't be alone with him."

"I wasn't planning on it. I'm still recovering anyway."

"How are you doing? Yesterday was stressful."

"I'm fine." I promised. The bell rang prompting the start of class. "A little shaken up but who isn't on their second kidnapping." It happened to Elena all the time and she was always fine.

"It's worrying that you're so calm about that."

"Have to joke about it or I'll cry."

"We'll talk about that later. Go sit down so we can start."

I nodded, walking to my seat and trying to ignore the way my hands shook. I really didn't mind Ric all that much, he was a good guy, and he treated Aunt Jenna with respect.

Ric started his lesson. A creeping sensation ran up my neck. I was being watched. I glanced around but everyone else was either on their phone or actually paying attention.

Then I looked outside and my stomach dropped.

In the tree line was Elijah.

He was staring straight at me, his head tilted slightly to the side. "Can you hear me?" I muttered under my breath, silently praying that the students around me wouldn't hear and think I was crazy.

Elijah nodded his head. Glancing up at Ric I tried to subtly get his attention, but his back was turned and I didn't want to make a scene.

Shit. What was I supposed to do?

Looking back outside, Elijah still stood, he was wearing a suit, same as the first day I met him.

"Are you here to kill anyone?" I muttered again, watching carefully for any kind of reaction, he slowly shook his head no.

The bell rang, making me jump, quickly gathering my things, I sent one last look at the man, before rushing out of the classroom.

...

"Guys. Elijah was here." I set my lunch tray down next to Jeremy.

"What do you mean he was here?!" Elena asked. "He's supposed to be dead."

"He was watching me while I was in history, he said he wasn't here to kill anyone."

"He talked to you?" Caroline exclaimed, garnering looks from some students a couple tables over.

Luckily we were sitting outside so the majority of the student body was inside.

"No, he was too far away for a human to hear his voice so I could only ask him yes or no questions" I gripped my tray. The whole thing felt off.

"And he was just watching you?" Stefan questioned.

"Yeah, it was creepy." I debated telling them about my dreams. I'd need to leave out the soulmate part, but Kol was giving me information we might need.

If it was real.

"Do you know why he was there?" Bonnie asked, Jeremy put his arm around my shoulder and I leaned into the touch.

"I think he was there to make sure I was okay." It was just a theory. If there was any truth to what Kol was saying, and he was real. Then Elijah might just be trying to protect me.

"Why you specifically?" Stefan's brow furrowed.

I could lie, instead I shrugged. "He was gentle yesterday when he could've been worse, like he was with Elena." Kol warned me not to tell, so I wouldn't, at least not until I could figure this out.

"How did Elijah survive?" Elena picked at her food.

"I don't know, but someone has to stay with Drew until we know." Stefan crossed his arms and leaned against the table.

"What about Elena? She's the one they wanted to bargain for." I gestured to my sister.

"Right, so I'll stay with Elena and Damon will stay with you, deal?" He nodded along. "Just until we know why."

Caroline sighed. "In other news, Tyler triggered his curse, and his mentor or whatever, Jules keeps pressuring him to become part of her pack."

"When did this happen?" Elena demanded

"During the masquerade, and he came over to my house after." Caroline shrugged. "Jules has been whispering in his ear about vampires, since before the ball, he probably knows about Elena too."

"Is that why he was being so sketchy earlier?" I glanced around wearily, I had that prickling sensation again. "He asked me out to the Grill, but why me?"

"I don't know, but I want Damon with you." Jeremy ran a hand through his hair. "I can't go, Jenna will kill me if I don't get these assignments in."

Damon was already on guard duty.

"Do we know how long Elijah has been hanging around?" Stefan wrapped his arm around Elena's shoulder.

I shrugged. "I don't know, but if he was watching me in History, he's probably been watching all day." The food on my tray was getting less appealing by the second.

"What if he tries to take Drew?" Jeremy asked

"We'll protect her Jer, don't worry." Elena reassured.

I looked around us. "Guys, he's here."

"What? Where?" Stefan froze and nodded toward a spot just beyond the school boundary line. "Why are you stalking us?" He paused and I could barely make out Elijah's mouth moving in response. 

"What's he saying?" I poked Stefan.

"He's here to keep an eye on Elena and Drew." He relayed. "Why?"

Elijah disappeared.

"Alright. No one goes anywhere by themselves. You have to have at least one vampire with you, and no, being a vampire yourself doesn't count." Elena's hands were shaking as she hid them under the table.