Mystic Falls, Virginia
1864

   Inconsequent polite conversations, sparkling champagne in tall glasses, canapés that were more decorative than tasteful, and the soft sound of music. The instrument that stood out the most was the piano, its keys causing the glass in my hand to gently vibrate. Following that, it was the violin. Its strings made my heart flutter as the player pressed the strings and allowed the bow to carefully dance upon the strings between the bridge and the fingerboard. I watched in amazement, a small smile on my lips as the man kept his eyes close, the chords memorized like touch of a lover.

   "You're too intrigued," a soft voice whispered next to my ear. I turned my head to see who it was, and smiled at the owner.

   "You know my love for music," I told him, smiling. "I wish I could play as amazing as he does."

   "Well, maybe not the violin," he shrugged, letting out a gentle chuckle. "But, I have heard you play the piano. I'd say you're better than Mr. Martin there." He pointed at the man on the piano with his chin as a small smirk spreading around his lips.

   "Damon!" I pushed him gently, laughing. "He's the one that's teaching me to play, there is no way I could be better than him." I turned back to see Mr. Martin play, letting the smile stay on my lips. "After all, he's such a grand player. Apparently, he's going to New York to play for a French duchess."

   "Hmm," he hummed, tilting his head to the side. "I couldn't imagine him playing in front of such an audience. You, on the other hand, would be magnificent."

   "You're patronizing me," I giggled, playfully rolling my eyes. I bit my bottom lip and looked back at Mr. Martin, who finished his song. The people around us clapped as he stood and took a bow. I took a deep breath, and looked up at a clapping Damon. "I'll tell you what."

   "I have a feeling you're going to make this night quite interesting+, Miss Forbes," Damon said, stopping his clapping and glancing down at me. "Tell me, what do you have in mind?"

   "If I play a song here, you spend the night with me." I held my head high, smiling softly as butterflies fluttered around my stomach.

   Damon's lips spread into a smirk, one that teased and showed amusement. "Are you insinuating that you want to spend the night with me?" He took a deep breath and chuckled. "It surprises me that you're being so straightforward, Miss Forbes. You're usually quiet when it comes to these things."

   "I don't mean that!" I laughed, pushing him gently as the heat formed around my neck and cheeks. "I meant a romantic night at the quarry with a warm fire, a warm blanket, maybe a basket with food, and you and I." I glanced up at him, raising a brow with a grin.

   He was staring down at me, a small smile around his lips that was barely visible. With a deep breath escaping, he nodded. "Fine," he said. "We'll have a romantic picnic in the middle of the night at the quarry. But, may I remind you that it's very cold outside?"

   "There will be a fire," I countered with a small grin. "You won't be that cold. Don't act like a child, Damon."

   He laughed. "You're telling me not to act like a child?" He took my hand as he took a stand in front of me. "May I remind you that you're the one that whined when we were out last time, Clara? You were the one that continued to whine because it was cold, because a grasshopper jumped on your lap, and because a bug got caught on your hair."

   I made a face, pursing my lips slightly. "Hmm," I hummed as I drank the rest of my champagne. I placed the empty glass on the platter of a passing waiter. "I don't like the quarry that much, anyway."

   "Then why do you want to go there in the first place?" he asked with irritation.

   I looked up at him with a slight frown. "Because you enjoy it," I answered. "Because you love going there, Damon."

   He stared at me for a couple of seconds, his mouth slightly open from my surprising answer. With flushing cheeks, I looked down at my hands. I let out a small, embarrassed laugh as I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "I should search for Mother," I broke the silence. "She must be angry that I have yet to make my appearance."

   I walked away, holding on to my stomach as I took deep breaths. There were butterflies fluttering all over my stomach and chest, their wings brushing against my insides and making me want to vomit. Or maybe, it was just the corset that had been tightened too much.

   I mentally called myself stupid for allowing myself to say such things to Damon. Those feelings were supposed to be kept to myself forever. I did not want to divulge that I went to the quarry because he liked it there, because it was the only place where he and I could freely touch and kiss. No, those thoughts were supposed to be kept private. He was never supposed to know.

   "Clara, is everything all right?" A soft voice broke my thoughts, causing me to jump and turn to it. Stefan stood there, his brows furrowed and eyes staring at me in curiosity. "You look... You look worried."

   "I'm fine," I told him, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "I am perfectly fine. I'm sorry, Stefan."

   He chuckled. "Sorry? What for? You merely bumped into me."

   "Well, I could have spilled the champagne on your jacket," I said as I fixed his coat, a small smile on my lips. "You're seventeen years-old, Stefan, you could at least learn how to dress yourself properly."

   He gave me a gentle scoff, playfully rolling his eyes. "I do know how to dress myself; thank you for your concern, Clara." He dusted himself off and laid the now empty glass on the tray of a passing waiter. "I have a very important question for you, though."

   "Please, do not ask me when are Damon and I going to get married," I sighed, quickly glancing down. "I've been asked that at least a dozen times tonight."

   He opened and closed his mouth, nodding with a small smile that suddenly appeared. "I was going to ask if you wanted to dance." Stefan held his hand out. I took a deep breath, smiled, and nodded as I grabbed his hand. He led us to the middle of the floor, wrapped his arm around my waist as I laid my hand on his shoulder. With the rhythm of the instruments, we began to move around the room just like the other dancing couples did.

   I smiled as we moved, enjoying that small moment filled with happiness. Stefan was a great friend, one that knew mostly everything about me. We were friends since childhood, even though I was two years older than him. He, Damon, and I used to be inseparable as children, especially since he and Damon were the best of friends. Wherever Damon was, Stefan would follow. No one minded, in fact they loved seeing such a close friendship between brothers. They thought it was adorable.

   "I'm surprised you're not here with Miss Katherine," I told Stefan as we danced. "You're nearly always with her."

   "Jealous?"

   "Annoyed," I corrected him.

   "Ah, so you are jealous," he chuckled. "Don't worry, Clara. Damon would never look at another woman; he's too in love with you."

   "Then why is he looking at Katherine the same way he used to look at me?" I asked, stopping the dance and staring at the other dancing couple.

   Damon's arm was carefully wrapped around Katherine's waist, his eyes staring down at her with a loving gaze. I laid my hand on top of my stomach in order to calm my erratic heart and breathing, silently hoping the tight corset would do no harm. They moved around the room in perfect synchronization, almost as if it was planned to dance so perfectly.

   I had known that loving deeply meant a risk of great pain. Suddenly, I was lost. I had never looked at another, wanted another. The look Damon had in his eyes as he stared down at Katherine was the same look he used to stare at me with. It was the look filled with love, filled with adoration and lust. Watching him, seeing the look in his eyes broke me.

   Katherine's eyes met mine, and a small smirk spread around her lips as she pulled Damon closer to her. I took a deep breath and looked away, setting my eyes on something that would erase the smirk that appeared on her lips. It was a disgusting smirk that knew what exactly she was doing.

   "Thank you for the dance, Stefan." I forced a smile as I laid a hand on his arm. "It was lovely."

   "Clara..."

   "I should find Charlotte," I continued, keeping the forced smile on my lips. "She must be looking for me. I'll speak to you later, Stefan." I nodded and walked away, my smile immediately fading.

   The party continued with me walking around with Charlotte, arm in arm as we greeted those who came. Our father decided that it would be a great time to introduce us to suitors. I stood by Charlotte as she spoke with an overjoyed grin. Even though some men would speak to me, I would make sure that they could see the ring on my finger. When they did, they would excuse themselves and leave.

   "Clara!" a soft voice giggles besides me. Annabelle Zhu stood besides me, a wide grin on her lips. She was the daughter of Pearl, the owner of the apothecary. Both were lovely women who had smiles to give and helped a lot. My father was quite joyful of Pearl, but he was always like that to every women. I felt sorry for my mother when my father shared private looks with them.

   "Anna," I smiled, giving her a quick hug. "I'm happy you made it. Did your mother let you come or did you sneak out?"

   "Mother is here with Johnathan Gilbert," she divulged, laying her fingers to her lip in order to shush me. "He wanted her to come with him instead of coming alone."

   I laughed and shook my head. "Mr. Gilbert does like older women," I commented. "And he does look good with Miss Pearl."

   "I brought you a drink," Anna suddenly said, handing me a tall glass of champagne. Instead of the sparkling yellow colour, it was rose. "It's, uh, it's rose champagne, Clara. The waiters found a bottle and have been handing it out. I thought you would like a glass."

   I smiled down at her. "Thank you, Anna," I said, lifting the glass to my nose to take a sniff. "I hope it tasted as well as it smells." With a smile, I drank the champagne. It tasted different than the other, but it was still delicious. There was a soft taste to it, almost salty and bitter yet sweet. I finished the glass and smiled at Anna, cleaning the remainder on the bottom of my lip with the tip of my fingers. "I never knew rose champagne tasted so well."

   "I'll get you more!" she smiled, grabbing the glass and walking away. She came back with another glass, the same pink sparkling drink on the glass. I drank it with a smile, thanking her. It would have been rude not to accept the delicious drink. By the end of the night, I had drank five glasses filled with the rose champagne.

   After the party, I was made to stand by the door and bid goodbye to each attendee while they were either half drunk or completely inebriated. Each person passed by, smiled and bid us goodnight, then left. A few were drunk to the point where they had to be helped, while others were merely buzzed with the excitement of the alcoholic drinks. The last to leave were the Salvatore's and Katherine Pierce. I kept my head held high and ignored each advance Damon would make.

   "Goodnight, Mr. Salvatore," I smiled at Giuseppe Salvatore, gently bowing my head. He returned my goodbye with a sturdy nod, a wave of the hand, and walked away.

   Stefan was next, with a small, knowing smile."Goodnight, Miss Forbes," he said, sending me a quick wink as he kissed the back of my hand.

   I giggled softly and shook my head. "Goodnight, Stefan," I said, seeing him follow his father out the door. After him stood a smug-looking Katherine. I straightened my posture and held my head high as I looked at her. "Goodnight, Miss Pierce."

   "It was a lovely party, Clara," she said, her voice hitting me like a slap. "It was fun." Her lips spread into a smile as she gave me a playful nod and walked away, following Stefan and his father.

   Damon stood before me after her, a soft look in his eyes as he stared down at me. It wasn't the same look as before, when he danced with Katherine; it was different. And my heart burst, the pain hitting not only my chest but my every part of my body. "Clara..."

   "Goodnight, Mr. Salvatore," I broke in, curtsying. When I stood, I looked at the waiting trio on the front porch. "I hope you all make it home safely."

   "Clara, please..." Damon continued.

   My name sounded sweet coming from his mouth, but I could no longer be hypnotised by it. I shut the door before he could let out another word. To the other side, I could hear him lowly murmuring with another voice. I desired to hear what they said, to continue to hear Damon's voice, but at the same time I did not. So, I took a deep breath and made my way to the bath.

   Dorcas, my handmaiden, made a warm bath with steaming hot water and a few drops of lavender bath oil. When I got in, I inhaled the camphor-like scent and leaned my head to the edge of the tub. I recalled running my hands through the lavender plant in the garden, the leaves and scent remaining on my fingers until I touched something that had a more potent smell.

   I watched the open window, paying more attention to the night sky. It was illuminated by stars, all of them shining brightly. They reminded me of candles flickering against the dark, some brighter than most. I slowly extended my hand to the window, imagining that I could somehow touch the stars and feel their warmth or cold. Were the stars warm? Were they cold? Were there worlds just like ours? Were there universes just like ours, or were they different? Was there a universe where Damon still loved me, where there was no Katherine to break us apart?

   The water soon became cold, telling me that it was time to leave. But, I didn't budge. I did not want to leave the small comfort of the tub. Although the water was cold and my fingers wrinkly, I continued to stare at the shining stars and the slow moving flame of the candle by the window sill.

   "Miss Forbes!" Dorcas came in suddenly, almost out of breath. "Mr. Salvatore has told me to tell you that he will be waiting at the quarry."

   "Damon?" I asked.

   She nodded. "Yes! Now, lets get you dressed."

   "I do not wish to go," I sighed, turning my head back to the window.

   "He said it was very important," she urged, taking a seat by the side of the tub. "He said that it was a matter of life and death; a romantic night at the quarry."

   I looked down at my wrinkly hands and chuckled. "I'm supposed to be angry at him," I commented, biting my lower lip. "Should I not go, Dorcas?"

   "I think you should," she said, smiling. "You love him, Miss Forbes. You've told me many times; maybe he wants to apologise."

   I let out a laugh. "Apologise? Damon is one of those men who takes too much pride on themselves; the only reason he would apologise is because either Stefan coerced him or because he truly knows he did something wrong. Knowing him, it's the former."

   "Go, Miss Forbes," Dorcas quietly said, smiling. "You deserve to hear his apology."

   I stood from the tub and got dressed in a rosewood coloured dress. Dorcas helped me tighten the corset and dress, all while telling me that it was a waste to get so haltingly dressed since he was going to take it off. I deeply flushed and covered my face, making her laugh. That was when she told me that I was lucky to have Damon by my side. I uncovered my face, and told her about how lucky she was to have been married to her husband for thirty years.

   "The secret to a long marriage is love," she sajd as she fixed my hair. "That's the only secret: love. If you have love, than there is nothing to worry about."

   "Is love the only true secret?" I asked, looking at her through the mirror. "Is there nothing more?"

   "Of course not," she answered, grinning. "Love, trust, and honesty, but love is the only true answer, Miss Forbes. If there is no love, then there is nothing." She finished with my hair and laid her hands on my shoulder, smiling softly. "Only once in your life, I truly believe, you will find someone who can completely turn your world upside down. You tell them things that you've never shared with another, and they absorb everything you say and deaire to hear more. When something wonderful happens, you can't wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share your excitement. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they rise you up and show you things about yourself that make you feel special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. The things that seem unimportant to most people such as a note, a song or walk become perfect treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever."

   I stared at her as she spoke, my head slightly tilted to the side as she continued. She spoke of love, and I could hear that she was thinking of her husband as she spoke. There was so much love in her words, on her mannerisms, on the stare she kept at nothing. Her eyes spoke more love than ever before, and I recognized that look. It was the look Damon would give me, the one where he would keep his eyes on me even though I'd be doing something else. Maybe, maybe he didn't really love Katherine. Maybe it was my eyes playing tricks on me.

   "You should go now, Miss Forbes," Dorcas said, smiling. "It will be dawn soon."

   The woods were mostly quiet. Crickets were chirping, the frogs were croaking, the leaves moved gently against each other with the breeze, and the distant sound of the falls of the quarry could be heard. There was a light and gentle fog that covered my feet mostly, but nothing more.

   As I continued to walk, there was a smile on my lips. There was an anxiousness inside of me to see Damon, to apologise for acting like a fool. I had let jealousy consume me, and I needed to apologise for it. He deserved my apology, at least. And just imagining seeing him brought a smile to my lips, it made butterflies swarm around my insides.

   "Damon?" I called out as I got closer to out usual meeting spot. "Damon!"

   "Wrong." It was a feminine voice that spoke instead of Damon's sultry one. I turned to where it came from to see a women in the dark. She came closer, holding her dress up. I took a step back and gasped, seeing the woman through the moonlight.

   "Katherine?" I asked, laying a hand on my chest. "You frightened me..." I took a deep breath and looked at her, tilting my head to the side. "What are you doing here? No one is supposed to know about this place except..."

   "Damon and you?" she finished for me."I'm well aware, Clara."

   "Then why are you here?"

   "To kill you," she said in a matter-of-fact tone. "What? Surprised? You needn't be; you should have been expecting this since I came, Clara."

   "Katherine, please!" I chuckled, shaking my head. "Murder is no joking matter."

   "I'm not joking," she said, smiling. "Clara, I am going to kill you."

   I took careful steps back, swallowing hard as I kept my eyes on her. She reminded me of a cat prowling its pray. A serpent. Her eyes followed my movements, but she stood still and her lips kept the smug smile. And for the first time in my life, I was truly terrified. The way she looked at me was like an animal ready to kill.

   "Run."

   I took off as soon as the word left her lips. I ran, and ran, and ran as fast as I could. There were branches in my way, causing me to stumble here and there. My feet ghosted upon the forest floor as I flew through between the trees. The sound of my heartbeat filled my ears, adrenaline pumping like ice in my veins, my instincts screaming at me to do nothing in particular. Fear filled my body like blood. This was the hunt, and I was the prey. I paid no mind to my direction, escaping being the only thing that mattered.

   I was vulnerable; I had never felt so mortal.

   I could not fight, I could not hide. I did not know how much longer I could keep running, I could sense her behind, rapidly catching up to me. I kicked off my shoes as I ran, no delay. Then the cold, wet mud kisses my feet and I push away the darkness. Just over the trees, the dark sky was beginning to lighten. My lungs were on fire, thighs burning, heart pounding, praying not to trip. Adrenaline almost bursting through my skin, eyes wide with fear, screams locked in my throat.

   Out of the corner of my eye I saw something move and come towards me. I switched directions and continued to run, longing to return to the warm comfort of my home. Katherine was suddenly in front of me, a smirk on her lips. I screamed as she reached for my neck, long fingers wrapping around tightly.

   "It's fun to play with your meal," she chuckled, letting out a breath.

   "Please!" I pleaded, crying. "Please, don't do this!"

   Katherine's eyes softened, but they soon returned to their amused look and her lips quirked into a smirk. "Plead all you want, Clara, it's useless."

   "Why are you doing this?" I cried, shutting my eyes as her hand tightened around my neck.

   "Call it jealousy," she shrugged. "Call it fun. Pick which one you prefer." Her face suddenly reassembled that of a demon; her eyes became red, veins bulged from under her eyes, and her teeth elongated to those of a dog. For the second time in my life, I was terrified. She opened her mouth wide and sunk her teeth to my neck. The pricking of a thousand needles moved through all my system, causing me to scream.

   "The murdered haunt their murderers," I hissed as she drank my blood. "May you not rest as long as you live."

   Katherine pulled away, my blood staining her smirking lips. "I'll live very comfortably, Clara. Do not fret. I'll have Damon and Stefan by my side. Maybe I'll help Damon while he mourns your death."

   "I will haunt you till you die," I hissed, swallowing what I could as she kept a tight hold on my neck. "I will be the shadow in the corner of your eye, the thing that scares you the most; I will become your nightmare, Katherine."

   "Compared to my nightmare, you're a rabbit." Teasingly, she brushed her fingers down my cheeks, an amused pout decorating her lips. "Pity that I have to kill you."

   Katherine sunk her teeth to my neck and continued to drink my blood, to drink my life. As my vision began to fade, as the trees and the awakening sky became hazy, I began to think about every sin I had made since my birth. Loving Damon was one of those sins. I loved him too much, maybe to the point where it caused my death. Was that a sin? Or was loving him just sweet pleasure? No, it was just love. It was nor sin or pleasure, it was love. There was no other explanation for it. But, as my life faded into Katherine's mouth, I regretted nothing. I did not regret falling in love with Damon, or sneaking out at night to spend time with him, or thinking that he was the only star in my darkened sky.

   I regretted nothing in that spare moment of pain and calmness.