Screaming Banshee

Chapter 4 - Family Ties

Willow tossed and turned all night just remembering the last few days. Running all alone from something, no someone. Not knowing that no one was really there at all.

Willow jolted awake sweaty and gasping for air. Searching her room with her eyes to make sure no one was lurking in the shadows. She sighed re-leaved to see that everything was the same. She laid back down and just stared at the ceiling, dreading the day to come.

Not being able to go back to sleep, Willow ended up staying awake for the rest of the night until, the sun came up. Her alarm goes off and she clicks it off and gets out of bed. There was a knock on her door, walking over to it and opening it. Leaning against it she looks at Matt.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" "I'm okay." Was all I said to him. "Really, because you look like you didn't get a lot of sleep." Matt questions. I just give him a fake smile, "I'm fine, Matty. I'll be ready soon, don't think I forgot the Founders Day Party today." Matt just chuckles, "Yeah, all right then I'll leave you too it. But if you need anything just let me know, okay." Matt says as he points a finger at me and has a very serious look on his face. I just nod and close my door, taking in a deep breath. Trying to prepare me for the unexpected things the day has to bring. Pushing aside all the bad shit. I start to get ready for the day. I do my make up and get dressed, I look myself over one more time then head out.

I get into my car and buckle up, then my phone rings. I look to see who it was and see that it's Elena. I answer it. "Hi?" "Willow, omg, it is so good to hear your voice. How are you, are you coming to the Founders day party?" Elena asked me. "I'm doing fine and yes, I'm going. I'm actually on my way there." "That's great then, I'll see you there and we can catch up." Elena says sounding very happy. "Yeah, sounds good." "Bye." I hang up and just sigh. I start up my car and head over to the Lockwood house.

*

I walk up the steps to the door and was greeted by, the whole Lockwood family. "Willow, how are you honey? Are you feeling better?" Mrs. Lockwood asks me. I just smile, "Yeah, much better." "Well come on in." Mr. Lockwood said. "Thanks." I walk past them and head inside. I look around and see the place packed.

*

I spot Elena and Stefan and walk over to them after I swiped a glass of champagne. Elena turns and has a huge smile on her face when she sees me. I smile back and make my way over to her. She gives me a bone crushing hug, "Omg, you look amazing." Elena says finally letting me go. "Thanks you do to." I smile back. I look at Stefan and lightly smile, we all walk into another room. Filled with a bunch of things.

"How are you handling everything?" Elena asked me. I look at her then at the pictures in front of me. "I'm great." "If you don't mind me asking but, why did you run off?" Stefan asks me walking closer to us. I look at him then Elena, when I thought about it the man from before popped into my head. "Uh, not really sure. The doctors say, It was just from the shock and stress, I guess." I say not really wanting to talk about it. "Well, I'm glad your safe." Elena says smiling at me. I just nod and look at the ground.

"The founding families in Mystic Falls welcome you to the inaugural founder's council celebration. "Wow, look, it's the original guest registry. Look at all these familiar names- Sheriff William Forbes, Mayor Benjamin Lockwood. Is that Damon Salvatore? And, Stefan Salvatore?" Elena says looking at me then at Stefan.

"The original Salvatore brothers. Our ancestors. Tragic story, actually." Damon says walking in with Caroline. We all turn and see them, I freeze the second I get a good look at him. He look's so familiar, but I can't place where. But I have a bad feeling and every time I try to take in all of his features they would just blur. Caroline walks over to us and just smiles. I'm not going to lie, he is hot. "We don't need to bore them with stories of the past." Stefan says. I just stand there staring at him, the only thing I can hear is my heart beating in my chest. Feeling like its going to just burst at any second. I look away from him when he looks at me. "It's not boring, Stefan. I'd love to hear more about your family." Elena says smiling at Stefan.

"I huh, have to go. I'll see you guys later." I say looking at Elena, Caroline, and Stefan. I walk past them and head to the door, Damon is standing right in the way, not moving. I just glare at him, "Excuse me." "You must be Willow. I'm Damon" Damon says with an amused look on his face. He holds his hand out for me to shake. I just cross my arms over my chest, I look at his hand, then at him. Seeing he is not going to move until I do so, I sigh and shake his hand. "Pleasure, I'm sure" I say smirking at him. He just grins at me, moving out of my way. I leave the room and glance back to see Damon looking at me. I turn back around and walk a little faster.

*

I spot Matt and walk over to him, garbing another glass of champagne. "Hey, Matty. Having fun yet?" I ask him. "Uh.. I guess." Matt chuckles. I just nod and look around, "Well I'll see you around." I tell him and then walk away.

I make my way outside and go for a little walk, away from everyone. Sometimes you just need some alone time. I stop when I hear something behind me, I look over my shoulder but don't see anyone. I turn back and gasp when I see Damon in front of me. I place my hand on my chest truing to calm my heart rate down. "God, do you always do that." He just smirks at me, "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Damon says as he holds his hands up. I just glare at him, "I'm pretty sure you just tried to give me a heart attack." I say putting my hands on my hips.

I just stand there studying his face, "Like what you see." Damon says smirking as he checks me out. I just huff and roll my eyes, "Please I've seen many people and things better looking then you." Damon just chuckles. "I'm sorry but have we meet before. You just look kind of familiar." I ask him as I get flashback to the hospital but, shake it off. Damon tilts his head to the side like a cute puppy. "I'm sorry, huh, just forget it." I try to walk around him but, get stopped. I look at him and just glare at him.

"Can I help you?" I ask stating to get annoyed. Damon simple just study's her face thinking. "Are you afraid of me?" I was not expecting him to ask me that. "Should I be?" I tease, with a raised eyebrow. Damon is beyond amused by her statement. "Well, only if you stay on my good side." "Oh, really and what are you doing to do if I got on you bad side?" I question him tilting my head to the side. Damon just tucks a strand of lose hair behind her ear. "What are you afraid of?" "Well, I have an acute phobia of people prying into my personal life." I spoke with a smirk, humor behind them, before I patted Damon on the chest walking past him. I look back at him and see him looking at me. I just laugh and keep walking.

*

I make my way back to the dance area and see Stefan and Elena dancing. Damon and Caroline are just watching them. I walk over to them, "Hey, care." I say as I stand next to her. "Hey, Willow." "Okay, great chat care. I can tell just how much you want to talk to me." I say with a lot of sarcasm and rolling my eyes. I was about to walk away when she stopped me. "No, Willow wait. I'm sorry, I was just in my own world... Hey, what was up with the whole running around the woods naked?" She questioned me.

I just sighed and looked back at everyone dancing. "I don't really want to talk about it care." "But I'm like your best friend!" Caroline whines. I just look down at the ground, "Look Caroline, I love you but, I just can't okay. I just want to forget all about it okay?" I said looking back at her. "Huh, fine." "Thanks care." I was all I said as I hugged her.

"Hey, do you want to dance?" I ask her. She just looked at me and smiled, "Because were freaky like that?!" I just laughed at her. God, did I really need this. "Oh, you know it!" I said and we both laugh. We linked arms and I looked over at Damon. "Hey, I stealing your date, hope you don't mind?" I asked him. He looked over at us, "She's all yours." I just smiled and pulled Care onto the dance floor. We were having so much fun. Hey, I might stick to myself sometimes but, it never hurt to hang with your friends sometimes.