Jet leaned casually against the brick wall of Mystic Falls High, his sharp eyes scanning the bustling courtyard. Students hurried to classes, chatting and laughing as though the world wasn’t on the verge of a supernatural war.
Aria stood beside him, her arms crossed and a small smirk tugging at her lips. “This is weird,” she said, her voice low.
Jet raised an eyebrow. “What, the fact that we’re babysitting our mom at school?”
“No,” Aria replied, rolling her eyes. “Well, yeah, that too. But look.” She nodded toward the entrance.
Jet followed her gaze and spotted Elena Gilbert walking into the school with her best friends, Bonnie Bennett and Caroline Forbes, flanking her. Elena looked every bit the normal teenager—smiling, carefree, and blissfully unaware of the twins’ watchful presence.
“She seems… happy,” Jet admitted, his voice softening slightly.
“Yeah,” Aria agreed. “It’s strange seeing her like this. No vampires, no Hunters, no endless chaos.” She paused, her eyes narrowing. “And yet, it’s about to start. Look over there.”
Jet turned his head and spotted him: Stefan Salvatore.
---
The First Meeting
Stefan stood near the steps, his expression calm but distant as he surveyed the crowd. It was his first day at Mystic Falls High, though the twins knew it marked the beginning of far more than just a school year.
Aria’s smirk deepened as she watched their mother glance over at Stefan, her eyes lingering for just a moment too long.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“Well, well,” Aria said, nudging Jet with her elbow. “There it is.”
Jet frowned. “What?”
“The look,” Aria said, gesturing subtly toward Elena. “She’s looking at him like that. You know, that look. The one she usually reserves for Dad.”
Jet’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Elena interact with her friends, her gaze flicking back to Stefan occasionally. “Weird,” he muttered.
“Totally weird,” Aria agreed, grinning.
---
A Quiet Observation
The twins stayed out of sight, following Elena and her friends as they walked toward the main building. They listened as Bonnie teased Elena about the “mysterious new guy,” and Caroline speculated about his romantic potential.
Jet rolled his eyes. “I forgot how much people talked in high school.”
“Let them have their fun,” Aria said. “It’s not like they’ll remember this day as normal once everything starts unraveling.”
“True,” Jet admitted.
They shadowed their mother to her first class, positioning themselves near the back of the room where they could blend into the background.
Watching Elena sit at her desk, twirling her pen absently as she half-listened to the teacher, felt surreal. She seemed so young, so untouched by the weight of the supernatural world that would soon consume her life.
“Think she has any idea how crazy things are about to get?” Aria whispered.
Jet shook his head. “Not a clue. And we’re going to keep it that way.”
---
Lunchtime Revelation
By the time lunch rolled around, the twins had fallen into a rhythm of silent observation. They followed Elena to the cafeteria, staying far enough back to avoid detection but close enough to keep an eye on her.
Their quiet vigil was interrupted when Stefan walked into the room, his presence commanding subtle attention from everyone around him.
“Here we go,” Aria muttered, leaning forward slightly.
Stefan’s gaze locked onto Elena almost immediately, and he made his way toward her table. The conversation between Elena, Bonnie, and Caroline faltered as he approached, his polite smile disarming.
“Hi,” Stefan said, his voice calm and measured. “I’m Stefan. Mind if I sit?”
Elena blinked, caught slightly off guard, but quickly recovered. “Sure,” she said, offering him a small smile.
Jet and Aria exchanged a look.
“This is so weird,” Aria whispered. “Watching them meet for the first time. Like, is it wrong that I feel a little protective right now?”
Jet smirked. “Yeah, it’s wrong. But I get it.”
They watched as Elena and Stefan began to talk, their interaction shy but undeniably warm. It was the beginning of something the twins knew all too well, and yet, seeing it unfold in real time felt strangely intimate.
“She likes him,” Aria said, almost accusingly.
“Relax,” Jet replied. “It’s just the start. Besides…” He trailed off, his smirk turning playful. “Dad wins in the end.”
Aria rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips.
---
The Shadows Linger
As the day went on, the twins remained vigilant, their senses alert for any signs of danger. Though the Hunters hadn’t appeared, the looming threat kept them on edge.
“We need to be ready,” Jet said as they stood near the parking lot, watching Elena and her friends head to their cars.
“Always,” Aria replied.
But for now, they let themselves relax just a little, content to watch over their mother from the shadows.
---