New Beginning

Chapter Thirty-Five

***A/N: Here's a new chapter for ya'all. It's a bit of a filler so I hope you guys don't find it boring. A friendly reminder that this is fanfiction and because of that, I don't always follow the rules. I know that the song I have Elara play in this chapter would not have been released yet in the year this takes place... let's just ignore that fact mkay? Thanks! As always I appreciate the reviews, follows, and favorites. You guys are amazing; keep it up. Until next time. Hope you enjoy it!***

My nails chipped away at the wood beneath my fingertips as I absently stared out at the two people arguing in the front yard. I tried to ignore them with a deep sigh of irritation, focusing instead on tracing an indistinguishable pattern along the porch swing armrest. It had been days since Niklaus had appeared at our front door — making his presence in Mystic Falls known and subsequently learning of mine. Since then, I had heard nothing from him, not a peep. I had at least expected to hear from one of his lackeys; I mean, I did have access to what he needed for his ritual, but no...utter silence. I wasn't stupid, things were different now; he knew about my curse and what had led to it, but I had not at all expected his aloof reaction. He simply reiterated what I had told him, stood, and left. His end of the conversation had been cold and to the point; he had shown little to no emotion.

During our trip into my mind, things had seemed to be going well. We had even shared a moment or two — or had that only been my imagination? It would be rather fitting, seeing as we had been in my mind. Chuckling mirthlessly, I couldn't help but groan, throwing my head back with exasperation. With a jerk, I winced, brought out of my thoughts by a pinprick of pain. Glancing down, I found a small splinter sticking out of my nail bed. Grumbling at my stupidity and lack of luck, I pulled the small piece of wood out with my teeth, eyes rising to glare at the duo in the yard as their voices rose. Elena and Stefan had been fighting for as long as Niklaus had been absent. Stefan had arrived at our door as soon as I had called the all-clear. He was not happy to learn that Niklaus's reaction to my miraculous rebirth wasn't nearly as pleasant as Elena had expected. He was now back on the 'Elena should disappear' train. It was not only annoying me but also seriously pissing off my sister. She was starting to grind her teeth at even the sight of her ex-boyfriend. I couldn't help but point out how bad a sign that was — she hadn't appreciated my thoughts on the matter.

Pulling my feet beneath me, I put my elbow on the armrest, placing my knuckles under my chin as the swing shifted, and Jenna sat down next to me — two mugs of coffee in hand. With a moan of appreciation, I took the one she extended toward me and shot her a grateful smile. Nudging her head toward the arguing couple, her brows furrowed in sympathetic unease as she glanced over at me.

"What's going on there, and does it have anything to do with the weirdness Elena and Ric don't wanna explain to me?" she asked, crossing her legs and gently rocking us backward.

I had been amused to witness Jenna becoming something of an amateur detective since I had started dosing her with vervain. She was quick to notice the differences in Alaric and Elena's behavior, how they shifted conversations when she entered the room, and all the weird things that seemed to happen around them. It also didn't help that they both sucked at lying and were terrible actors. My lips quirked, and I quickly hid it behind my chipped rainbow coffee mug.

"Honestly, Jenna, their relationship issues are too numerous to list. Though the biggest would have to be that Stefan likes to act like Elena's father instead of her boyfriend." Jenna grimaced, her nose wrinkling with disgust, and a glimmer of understanding passed over her face.

I sat my mug down on my thigh and clicked my tongue, looking at her thoughtfully.

"And yes, what they are fighting about has everything to do with what Alaric and Elena are...reluctant to let you in on," I said, choosing my words carefully.