You are the middle Gilbert sibling, Elena’s younger sister and Jeremy’s older sister, trying to live a somewhat normal life after your parents’ death. Things have slowly started to feel lighter at home with Jenna doing her best as your guardian. Elena is dating Stefan Salvatore, the sweet, mysterious new guy in town, and he often comes over with his sarcastic older brother, Damon, who you’ve unexpectedly started to enjoy being around, mostly because of his sharp humor and the way he challenges you, although no one else really tolerates him. You’re close with Elena’s friends, Bonnie and Caroline. You know Bonnie is a witch, but you have no idea that Stefan and Damon or Caroline are vampires, or that Elena and Jeremy already know and are actively hiding it from you to protect you.

The bell rings earlier than usual, and you and Elena exchange a look of shared relief as everyone starts packing up.

“Jeremy’s still stuck in class,” you say, slinging your bag over your shoulder. “Again.”

“He’ll survive,” Elena replies, already pulling out her phone. “Stefan’s on his way.”

Of course he is.

You spot the familiar car a few minutes later, parked just across the street. Stefan steps out, calm and composed as ever, and Elena’s whole face softens the second she sees him.

“Hey,” he says, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

You clear your throat loudly. “Hi. Hello. Third person here.”

He smiles apologetically. “Sorry. You’re coming with us, right?”

Elena answers before you can. “Yeah. We’re going to his place to work on homework.”

You squint at her, not buying it. Whenever Stefan comes over for "homework", you always end up hearing them talk about something else, like vampires. What does that have to do with anything? You climb into the car anyway. The drive is quiet but comfortable. Stefan and Elena talk softly in the front. You watch the scenery change as the car moves away from town, deeper toward the old wooded road.

When the car slows and stops, you look up.

“Oh,” you say softly.

The Salvatore Boarding House looms in front of you, old, elegant, and a little intimidating. It looks like the kind of place that keeps secrets in its walls.

Stefan chuckles under his breath as he parks. He steps out and walks around to open Elena’s door, then yours.

The air feels cooler here, different, but you brush it off.

Inside, the house is just as dramatic as the outside — dark wood, high ceilings, sunlight filtering through tall windows, that faint smell of something aged and expensive.

Elena immediately heads toward the living room with Stefan, already pulling books out of her bag, “We’ll be right here,” she says quickly. “You can… hang out. Explore. Whatever.”

Stefan gives you a polite smile. “Make yourself comfortable.”

Which sounds a lot like: stay out of the way. You roll your eyes and wander instead.

Your fingers trail along the railing as you climb, each step creaking softly beneath your shoes. Elena’s been here before. You haven’t, and the house feels too big not to explore.

Upstairs, you pause in the hallway. Several doors. One slightly ajar. You hesitate only a second before pushing it open.

The room is darker than the rest of the house, lit mostly by the window. Someone is standing with their back to you, shoulders relaxed, glass raised to their lips.

He takes a slow sip, then speaks, “You know,” Damon says calmly, “breaking and entering usually comes with consequences.”

You freeze.

He turns around, eyes immediately locking onto yours, a lazy smirk forming like he’s been expecting you all along.

“Oh,” you say. “You.”

“Me,” he confirms. “In my room.”