“You know,” Jeremy says, stuffing his binder into his locker, “I might’ve set a record for the worst history essay in Mystic Falls High.”

You grin. “We studied together last night!”

He shrugs. “Yeah, until someone started rambling about the Salvatores being secret vampires again.”

You nudge him. “They’re just dramatic. Not everything’s a conspiracy.”

Mr. Tanner’s voice bellows down the hall. Without thinking, you and Jeremy bolt, ducking into the art room. Breathless, you both collapse onto a paint-splattered table.

“I swear,” he says between laughs, “we’re gonna end up with permanent detention.”

“At least we’d be in it together.”

He glances at you, suddenly serious. “Thanks for not thinking I’m crazy. About all this weird stuff.”

Before you can respond—

“They’re not just dramatic.”

You freeze.

Standing in the doorway is Stefan Salvatore, calm, composed… eerie.

Jeremy straightens. “How long have you been there?”

“Long enough,” Stefan says, stepping into the room. His gaze moves to you. “You really shouldn’t talk about things you don’t understand.”

You glance at Jeremy. “This is a joke, right?”

Stefan drops something on the table between you—a tarnished silver bracelet.

“For protection,” he says. “Mystic Falls isn’t as safe as you think.”

He’s gone before either of you can say a word.

Silence.

You and Jeremy stare at the bracelet. Then at each other.

“…I told you,” he whispers.