Chanel sat at her desk trying to focus on what Mr. Tanner was saying, but her mind was still reeling from the night before. Not only did she find out that her aunt and cousins were actual vampires, but turns out, Bonnie's crazy grandma was right about witches in Mystic Falls. Chanel was one. So far, she only had that one vision, and she was hoping that was the only one she ever got.

"Originally discovered nearly five centuries ago, it hasn't been over Mystic Falls in over a hundred and forty-five years," Mr. Tanner spoke, referring to the comet that would be passing over Mystic Falls. "Now, the comet will be its brightest right after dusk during tomorrow's celebration." He noticed Elena and Stefan staring at each other, smiling. "Are we bothering you? Mr. Salvatore? Miss Gilbert."

Elena shook her head. Lana looked back at Stefan. Pull it together...Uncle. Stefan straightened up in his seat as Lana turned back around.

Ebony and Chanel were walking with Caroline and Bonnie through the halls, talking about what happened at the party. Apparently, Bonnie had a vision, too.

"I'm confused," Caroline said. "Are you psychic or clairvoyant?"

"Is there a difference?" Ebony asked. "I thought they meant the same thing."

"Psychics see the future, clairvoyance is, like, all-knowing or, whatever," Bonnie explained. "But, technically, Grams says I'm a witch. My ancestors were these really cool Salem witch chicks or something. Grams tried to explain it, but she was looped on the liquor. I tuned out. Crazy family, yes. Witches, I don't think so."

"Imagine being a Black witch during the trials in the South," Ebony said. Both she and Chanel shuddered at the thought. "Even without the witch accusations, we'd be burned."

"Lynched," Chanel added.

"That took a dark turn," Bonnie said. She nudged Ebony. "You guys alright?"

Ebony smiled. "Look, I'm just saying," she shrugged. "Times were terrible during the Trials for slaves. Add being accused of witchcraft on top of that? Hell."

"Look if you are a witch, feel free to conjure up the name and number of that guy from last night," Caroline told Bonnie.

"I didn't see him. You did," Bonnie said. "Why didn't you just talk to him?"

"I don't know," Caroline answered. "I was drunk." Chanel chuckled.

At the house, Angelo stood in the kitchen, cleaning up after breakfast. Theresa laid on the couch in the living room, mindlessly flipping through channels on the tv. A news report of Vicki's attack caught her attention. She stopped for a second watching as they still hadn't determined what attacked her. Then the announcement of the comet celebration was mentioned, making her sit up.

"No," she muttered. 

Angelo walked into the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. "What's wrong?" He walked over to the couch.

Theresa shook her head. "It's nothing," she said. "I didn't know the comet celebration was this soon." She held her head in her hands.

"Is that a problem?" Angelo asked, sitting next to her.

"She said the comet is a sign of impending doom," Bonnie said, telling the girls what her grandmother told her. "The last time it passed over Mystic Falls, there was lots of death. So much blood and carnage, it created a bed of paranormal activity."

Chanel quickly scribbled down what Bonnie was saying. She wanted to ask her mother about this stuff to see if Bonnie's Grams was telling the truth, or if she was just a drunk like everyone seemed to think.

"Yeah, and then you poured Grams another shot, and she told you about the aliens," Caroline replied sarcastically. Chanel rolled her eyes, still writing. Caroline turned to Elena. "So then what?"

"So then, nothing," Elena shrugged.

"You and Stefan talked all night," Caroline deadpanned. "There was no sloppy first kiss, or touchy-feely of any kind?"

"Nope, we didn't go there," Elena said.

"Not even a handshake?" Caroline asked. "I mean, Elena, we are your friends. Okay? You are supposed to share the smut." Ebony and Bonnie shared a look before looking away and chuckling.

"We just talked for hours," Elena told her.

"What is with the blockage?" Caroline asked. "Just jump his bones already. Okay, it's easy. Boy likes girl, girl likes boy, sex."

"Profound," Elena replied, messing with the menu on the table.

"Pretty sure you missed a couple steps there, Caroline," Chanel said, putting her pen down.

"Girl," Ebony said, eyebrows furrowed. "Get it together." She reached for her cup. "Why are you interested in her sex life?"

Elena put the menu down, gathering her belongings. "Where are you going?" Bonnie asked.

"Caroline's right," Elena said. "It is easy. If I sit here long enough, I'll end up talking myself out of it instead of doing what I started the day saying I was gonna do." Elena walked away from the table, leaving the other girls shocked.

"Well, damn," Ebony said, taking a sip of her soda. "She really wastes no time, huh?" 

Lana stood outside the all-too-familiar Salvatore house. She didn't want to be there, but she needed to know if Stefan was behind the attacks. She pushed back the sick feeling she had and walked up to the door. Before she could even knock, Elena walked out the door.

"Oh...hi," Elena said. Lana furrowed her eyebrows. "I-I gotta go." She quickly walked past her.

"O..kay," Lana said. She turned back to the house. She didn't even want to step into the house, but she knew she was always welcomed there. "Stefan, I need to talk to y--" Her bag slipped out of her hand when she laid eyes on him. She swallowed, eyes darkening. 

She didn't know what happened. One minute, she was standing in the foyer, the next, she being held back by Stefan while Damon was recovering from being thrown across the room.

"You son of a bitch!" Lana yelled at the older Salvatore brother. "Why are you back?"

"Good to see you too, Svet," Damon groaned, standing up. He coughed. "You are a lot stronger than I thought you'd be. Animal blood doesn't do that." He chuckled. "You're feeding, just like I am."

Lana shook her head. "I don't have to kill anyone to get what I need," Lana pushed her way out of Stefan's arms. "You're getting sloppy. You left that girl alive. Why are you back?" She turned to Stefan. "Why are any of you back?"

"Why are you back, Svetlana?" Damon asked. "I'm sure you didn't come here for a family reunion. Happy to see you're alive, by the way."

"I'm here because you don't know how to act," Lana said, pushing Damon. "It's only a matter of time before people start getting suspicious, Uncle Damon."

"Svetlana, you doubt me," Damon said.

"My name is Lana," Lana corrected. "Never call me Svetlana again." She sighed. "Look, I don't know what you're doing, and I don't care. Just leave me and my friends out of it." She walked to the front door. "And don't leave a mess. Either of you. Nobody else needs to get hurt."

Ebony walked around the celebration, face painted, popcorn in hand. She was looking for a place to sit that wasn't occupied. "I didn't think you liked stargazing," she heard Bonnie's voice behind her. Ebony smiled, turning around. "Wow. You look festive."

"Look, I just came 'cause I didn't want to be alone in my house," Ebony said, walking up to Bonnie. "Plus, my aunt's real big on stuff like this." 

"Here," Bonnie handed Ebony a candle. "Elena and Caroline are over there if-" Ebony shook her head.

"Not really interested in hearing about Elena and Stefan hunchin'," Ebony said. She offered Bonnie her popcorn. 

"It didn't happen," Bonnie shook her head. "She got there, chickened out, and left."

Ebony laughed. "That don't surprise me," she said. "Elena don't seem like the type."

"At least she tried, I guess," Bonnie chuckled. She glanced up at the sky. "Look." She was looking up at the comet, but Ebony's eyes stayed on Bonnie.

"Beautiful," Ebony said.

"Yeah," Bonnie agreed. "Even if it is a sign of doom, it's amazing to look at."

"Actually, I was talking about you," Ebony told her. "But yeah, the comet's nice, too." 

"Smooth," Bonnie smiled. "And how many times have you used that one?"

"Bonnie Bennet, what kinda girl do you take me for?" Ebony scoffed. "I don't do that, okay?"

"I'm just messin' with you," Bonnie laughed. "I know you use different pick-up lines."

Ebony laughed. "Funny." 

"Come on," Bonnie said, reaching for Ebony's hand. "We're meeting Elena at the Grill." Their hands barely touched, but it was enough for both of them to pull away from each other. "What was that?"

The lights of their candles blew out. "I don't- I don't know," Ebony replied. The two slowly joined hands, sighing in relief when dark feeling didn't happen again. Silently, the girls walked away from the celebration. 

"Hey, has anyone seen Vicki?" Jeremy, Elena's younger brother asked, walking up to the table. 

"You're her stalker," Tyler said. "You tell us."

"I can't find her."

"Probably found someone to party with," Tyler replied. "Sorry, pill pusher, you've been replaced."

"Pill pusher?" Elena asked.

Tyler nodded to Jeremy. "Ask him."

"You wanna do this right now?" Jeremy asked.

"Are you dealing?" Elena asked her brother.

"She's never gonna go for you," Tyler told him.

"She already did," Jeremy said. "Over and over and over again."

"Yeah, right," Caroline spoke up. "Okay, you slept with Vicki Donovan? I mean, Vicki Donovan slept with you?"

"There's no way," Tyler said.

"I didn't even have to force her into it," Jeremy boasted.

"Can we not talk about this in front of her brother?" Mitchell spoke up, gesturing to Matt.

Matt looked at Tyler. "What is he talking about?"

"Nothing, man," Tyler answered. "Ignore him. He's a punk."

"Shut up and help me find my sister," Matt shook his head. 

"We'll check the bathroom," Bonnie said, walking with Twan and Ebony.

"Vicki, you in here?" Twan called into the bathroom. A person walked out of one of the stalls, but it wasn't Vicki. It was Theresa. "Ma, what are you doing here?"

"Came to watch the comet," Theresa shrugged, going to the sink to wash her hands. "Everything okay?"

"One of our friends is missing," Bonnie answered. "Have you seen her? She works here."

"Can't say that I have, sweetheart," Theresa said. She paused as she reached for a paper towel. She could hear voices speaking. "I'll let you know, though." She excused herself from the bathroom. She passed by Lana, who was also headed for the door.

"Mama Terry, can I talk to you?" Lana asked, grabbing Theresa's arm. "It's important."

"Not now, hon," Theresa said. "I'm trying to help them find that girl."

"I think I know who's responsible for the animal attacks," Lana whispered. Theresa turned around. A movement on top of a building got Lana's attention. She saw Damon and Vicki on the roof. Damon was holding Vicki's arm as they stood on the edge of it. "Shit."

Theresa turned around to the building Lana was looking at. "I'm assuming it has something to do with him?" She sighed. "Come on."

The two sped up to the roof of the building, standing with Stefan, Damon, and Vicki.

"Not bad," Damon said, looking at Stefan. "Have you been eating bunnies?" He looked at Theresa. "Hello there. You're new."

"Let her go," Stefan told him.

Damon uncovered Vicki's mouth. "Really? Okay." He leaned her back, pretending to let her go.

"No! No!" Vicki cried. Damon pushed her forward into Theresa's arms.

"Relax," Damon said, stepping down from the edge.

"What is happening?" Vicki sobbed. Theresa stepped back, quietly shushing the crying girl.

"Maternal," Damon said, commenting on how Theresa handled Vicki. "I don't need her to be dead, but you might." He looked at Vicki. "What attacked you the other night?"

"I don't know. An animal," Vicki answered.

"Are you sure about that?" Damon asked. "Think. Think about it. Think really hard."

"Stop, Damon," Lana warned him.

"What attacked you?" Damon asked again.

Vicki's expression slowly changed. "Vampire." 

"Who did this to you?" Damon asked, getting closer to the two women. Theresa pushed Vicki behind her as Lana stepped in front of Damon.

"You did," Vicki answered.

"Wrong. Stefan," Damon corrected.

"Don't," Stefan warned.

Vicki looked at Stefan standing next to her. She gasped, stepping away from him. Damon looked Vicki in her eyes. "Stefan Salvatore did this to you," he told her. Theresa turned Vicki's head away from him, but the persuasion already worked.

"Stefan Salvatore did this to me," Vicki repeated.

"He's a vampire," Damon admitted. "A vicious, murderous monster."

"Damon, stop," Lana pleaded.

"Please, Damon," Stefan begged. "Please don't do this."

Damon smirked, looking at Stefan. "You couldn't fix it before," he said. "I don't know what you're gonna do now. Your choice of lifestyle...has made you weak. Couple of vampire parlor tricks...is nothing compared to the power you could have." He looked at Lana. "Hell, even your own niece is stronger than you." He laughed. 

Theresa looked at Lana, who looked away from her.

"You have two choices," Damon continued. "You can feed and make her forget..." He pointed at Vicki. "...or you can let her run screaming, 'Vampire!' through the town square."

Theresa and Vicki stepped away from the two brothers. She grabbed Vicki's arms, speeding her off of the building. A pill bottle fell out of Vicki's pocket. It was Oxycontin. Theresa picked it up, shoving it in Vicki's hand.

"What are you--?" Theresa cut Vicki off by staring into her eyes.

"You got high, and passed out," she told Vicki. "That's all you remember. The conversation on the roof didn't happen."

"The conversation on the roof didn't happen," Vicki repeated. Theresa threw Vicki's arm over her shoulder to keep her steady as the two walked back to the Grill.

"That's what this is about?" Stefan asked. "You wanna expose me?"

"No, I want you to remember who you are," Damon told him.

"Why?" Stefan asked. "So, what? So I'll feed? So I'll kill? So I'll remember what it's like to be brothers again? Let her tell everyone that vampires have returned to Mystic Falls. Let them chain me up. And let them drive a stake through my heart. Because at least I'll be free of you."

"Alright, enough," Lana said. "They're already gone. Theresa's not gonna let her blab. That compromises her, too."

"It's good to be home," Damon said. "Think I might stay a while. This town could use a bit of a wakeup call, don't you think?"

"What are you up to, Damon?" Stefan asked.

"That's for me to know and for you to dot, dot, dot," Damon answered. "Give Elena my best." He looked at Lana. "Talk to you later, kid." He gave her a wink before jumping off of the roof.

"I have a bad feeling, Uncle Stefan," Lana shook her head. "He's gonna do something stupid."

"It's a good thing your mom was around," Caroline said. "Who knows what would've happened to her."

"Yeah," Ebony said, looking at Vicki getting patched up by her brother. Something wasn't right. They found Vicki, but it didn't seem like the end of it.

"Hey," Bonnie tapped Ebony's arm, getting her attention. "You okay?"

Ebony nodded. "Yeah. Just happy we found her."

Stefan and Lana walked up to the table, catching Ebony's attention. She couldn't even stand to be in the same room as him two days ago, now she was fine? It didn't seem right.

"Excuse me. Hi," Stefan greeted as Lana sat down at the table.

"Hi," Bonnie replied.

"Have you guys seen Elena?" Stefan asked.

"I think she went home," Bonnie told him. He started to walk away from the table. "I'm gonna give you Elena's cell number and her e-mail." Bonnie quickly scribbled down the information on a piece of paper. "She is big on texting, and you can tell her I said so." She handed Stefan the slip of paper and their hands touched. That sinking feeling came back, washing over her, Ebony, Twan, and Chanel. Bonnie quickly moved her hand.

"You okay?" Stefan asked.

"What happened to you?" Bonnie asked. She blinked, snapping herself out of whatever daze she was in. "That was so rude. I'm sorry." She stood from the table, leaving. "Excuse me."

"Bonnie," Ebony called for her to come back.

"Yeah, she kinda wigs out," Caroline said. "It's like her thing."

Ebony rolled her eyes. She stood from the table. "I'll see y'all at the house." She walked out of the Grill, following after Bonnie. "Bon." Bonnie stopped walking when Ebony called her name. "Are you okay?"

Bonnie turned around. "Do you think my Grams is right?" she asked. "About me being a witch? Because one minute I'm skeptical, and the next, I'm doing things like that." She gestured to the Mystic Grill. "You don't think I'm completely crazy, do you?"

Ebony scratched the back of her head. "Well..." she trailed off. Bonnie tilted her head, hitting Ebony in the arm.

"I'm serious, Ebony," Bonnie said. 

Ebony chuckled. "No," she answered. "Look, if it's one thing I do know-" she put her hands on Bonnie's shoulders. "-it's to listen to the one person nobody believes. 'Cause more than likely, they're right about somethin'."

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey people! Just got back into the groove of writing more than one story at a time and I'm trying to work on a publishing schedule to try and stay consistent! Let me know your thoughts!!