The music echoed through the field behind the school, muffled by the laughter, screams and hasty conversations of the teenagers who crowded the party. The bonfire burned strongly in the center, casting dancing shadows on the faces drunk with freedom. It was an ordinary night in Mystic Falls - or at least it seemed to be.

You moved away from the agitation. The attentive eyes sought a little silence, maybe even something... interesting. The simple black dress she wore swayed with the light wind, and her eyes ran through the dark with the confidence of those who had already seen centuries pass before them.

Near a tree, slightly away from the light of the fire, he was.

Jeremy Gilbert

Open plaid jacket, gray T-shirt, suspicious cigarette between your fingers. The eyes too red to be just for the heat. The messy hair, the defensive posture, but still something in it drew attention: that silent anger, the sadness tucked under layers of rebellion.

You approached without him noticing.

“You’re aware that this is technically illegal, right?” - his voice cut the air with a calm, but provocative tone.

Jeremy turned around in a jump, clearly not expecting company.

“Damn... you scared me.”

He took a drag and stared at you with mixed suspicion and interest.

“You’re new here, aren’t you? I’ve never seen you before.”

You shrugged, leaning against the tree next to him, arms crossed.

“I’m just another Salvatore in passing.”

Jeremy frowned.

“Salvatore? Like... Stefan? That guy who seems to have come out of a perfume commercial?”

You laughed low, tilting your head.

“Exactly. Younner sister. More fun, by the way.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued now.

“Right. And what is the perfect little sister doing here with me, in the dark corner of the party?”

You took his cigarette from your fingers, observing the incandescent tip before briefly taking it to your lips - more out of provocation than out of interest.

“Maybe I like the dark corner of the party.”

There was a tense silence. His eyes were fixed on you, no longer with distrust - but with a spark. A mixture of desire and confusion.

He gave a half smile.

“You’re weird.”

You approached slightly, leaning towards his face, as if it were a secret between the two of you.

“You have no idea.”