Unconventional

- 2 -

<Taylor's P.O.V>

Sam left early the next morning in hopes to not be noticed by my parents. I knew my dad would've left early to take care of business with Vicki's animal attack from last night, but my mom was still here to make sure we would get ready for school.

I catch mom downstairs in the kitchen drinking coffee and watching the morning news. Mystic Falls news reporter, Logan Fell, is covering the story on Vicki's attack.

"Such a shame what happened to that poor girl." My mother faked her sympathy. She never liked the Donovan girls starting with their mother, Kelly. I didn't say anything in return. "I'm glad you and Tyler were safe, though. I'm not sure what I would do if this was either of you."

I scoffed.

"Is there a problem?" My mother raised her brows at me.

I poured my cup of coffee in my thermos to take with me to school. "Please, we both know if it was me sitting in that hospital on the verge of death, your problems would be solved."

She gasped as if she was offended. "Taylor Rosalee Lockwood, what on earth are you talking about?"

"Well, if I was the one attacked, then you wouldn't have to worry about me causing trouble to your perfect reputation." I felt the anger boiling up inside of me from the conversation I overheard two nights ago about them wanting to send me to boarding school. "Not to mention all the attention it would bring you."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Taylor." She replied. "I would be heartbroken if this was you. I don't know why you think that I care about a reputation more than I care about you?"

"Oh yeah." I said, slamming my hand down on the counter. "Then why does dad want to send me to boarding school?" Her face fell coming to realize that I overheard their conversation. "That's what I thought."

I turn to leave ignoring her calls to stop and go to school.

--

I get to school and find Tyler immediately needing to blow off steam and vent. Tyler overheard the conversation so I thought the best person would be to go to him about it. I found him talking to a couple of girls by the football field.

"So, I confronted mom about boarding school." I immediately say walking up to him not caring that he was already in a conversation. He looked at me surprised.

"What'd she say?" He asks.

"Nothing, like usual." I roll my eyes. "She was dumbfounded."

"Well, like I said they won't go through with it."

"Yeah, maybe you're right. I'd run away before I'd let that happen." I lean back against the fence. "How's Vicki? Have you heard anything?" I ask. I was worried for my brother since they are dating and all.

"You're suddenly caring about Vicki Donovan, now?" He chuckles.

"Hey, I may not like her but I don't want to see her dead." I shrug. I look over Tyler's shoulders to find Jeremy Gilbert making his way over here and it looks like he was on a mission. "Oh, no."

Tyler turns around just as he's walking up.

"Hey, Tyler." Jeremy says loudly. "Hey, I'm sorry to interrupt. I was just wondering how Vicki was doing since you guys are so close." I could hear the hatred coming off his voice. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine. Now get out of here." Tyler replies calmly.

"How bad is she? Do they know what attacked her? Is she going to make a full recovery?" He kept pushing on and on. "Was she happy to see you? What room number was she in?"