Forsaken Right

Mystic Falls looked exactly like the kind of place where nothing interesting ever happened. Small-town charm, complete with white picket fences and gossiping neighbors. The kind of town that pretended to be perfect, like a postcard you'd send just to brag about your boring vacation.

I stepped off the bus and took in the scene. Nothing but sleepy streets, a corner café, and a hardware store that probably hadn't changed in decades. It was laughable, really. But alas, I wasn't here by choice.

Reintegration. As if sticking me in this nowhere town would fix me as if I was broken. They thought they were clever, dropping me somewhere quiet, hoping the slow pace would do me good. Like I had to be fixed, I am pretty alright if I say so myself.

The high school was easy to find, the clock tower sticking out like an awkward afterthought. It was all brick walls and outdated architecture, trying too hard to look historic. I slipped inside and found the office, the secretary barely looking up as I handed her my transfer papers.

"Cyrus Black," I said, keeping my voice from sounding agitated.

She scanned the documents, not even bothering to question them. "Louisiana, huh?"

"Yeah.

She handed me my schedule and a map of the school. "First period's History with Mr. Tanner. Welcome to Mystic Falls High.

I headed down the hall, ignoring the curious looks from people who clearly didn't see new faces often. Let alone one with a defining disfigurement.

I was almost in the classroom when I nearly collided with two girls. The universe sure has a cruel sense of humor.

"You're new," Bonnie said, curiosity all over her face.

"First day," I replied, giving the bare minimum.

"I'm Bonnie, and this is Elena." She smiled, her eyes lingering a little too long. "Mystic Falls isn't that big. You'll get to know everyone soon enough."

"Great," I said, my voice flat. That was precisely what I didn't want.

Elena gave me a polite smile, but her eyes were distant, haunted. I'd seen that look before. She was carrying her own ghosts, but I couldn't give less of a fuck. I had enough shit on my plate.

Before they could ask more questions, Another girl burst onto the scene, all blonde hair and blinding confidence. "Elena!" She hugged her like they'd been separated for years, her voice loud enough to echo down the hall. "You look amazing! Are you okay? Do you feel okay?"

Elena forced a smile. "I'm fine, Caroline."

Caroline's eyes snapped to me, sizing me up in an instant. "Who's this?"

"Cyrus," I said, keeping it short. Her gaze lingered.

"Well, Cyrus," she said, her voice all sugary sweetness, "Welcome to Mystic Falls. Hope you like small towns."

I faked a smile. "I'll try to survive."

She laughed, clearly pleased with herself. "Stick with us, and you'll be fine. Come on, we're heading to History. Mr. Tanner's a nightmare if you're late."

They moved down the hall, talking and laughing like they didn't have a care in the world. I followed, keeping my distance. 

We slipped into the classroom just as the bell rang. Mr. Tanner looked up, his expression instantly sour. "Class, we have a new student. Cyrus Black, from Louisiana. Take a seat."

I picked a desk in the back, preferring to keep to the shadows, letting their curious & judgmental looks slide right off me. They'd lose interest soon enough.

Tanner launched into his lecture on the Battle of Willow Creek, clearly in love with his own voice. "Who can tell me how many casualties were reported?"

"Three hundred forty-six," I answered without hesitation, my voice cutting through the room. His head snapped in my direction, his eyes narrowing. But before he could say anything, another voice chimed in.

"There were an additional twenty-six civilian casualties," Stefan Salvatore said, his voice steady, confident.

Tanner's lip curled in disdain. "No, Stefan. There were no civilian casualties."

The class ended, and the cafeteria buzzed with energy. "They don't know how good they got it, do they? It was loud, chaotic, and painfully mundane like every high school cafeteria. I found a corner table and sank into the uncomfortable plastic chair, hoping I could disappear.

No such luck.

"Hey, new guy." Bonnie's voice was light, but there was an edge of curiosity. She slid into the seat across from me, her tray landing with a soft clatter. I didn't bother looking up, but I could feel her eyes on me, trying to figure me out.

I sighed, barely masking my annoyance. "Bonnie, right?"

She smiled, unfazed. "You remembered. That's a good start."

I finally met her gaze, leaning back in my chair. "I don't forget easily."

"That supposed to be mysterious?" She arched an eyebrow, her expression playful.

"Just a fact," I shot back, keeping my tone light. No need to be a complete ass. Yet.

Before she could respond, Caroline appeared out of nowhere. "Well, well, well. The new guy finally crawls out of hiding." She flashed me a dazzling smile, all teeth and confidence.

I glanced between them, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. "I wasn't hiding."

Caroline ignored that, plopping down beside Bonnie without an invitation. "So, Cyrus was it, What brings you to our little corner of the world?"

I considered lying some elaborate story to shut down the conversation but I didn't have the energy for it. "Needed a change of scenery."

Caroline's eyes flicked to the burn that ran jagged across the side of his face. Subtle, she was not. "Must've been some scenery," she muttered, not quite under her breath.

I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to snap. I wondered if she would make any snarky comments if I dragged her face across the ground at 300mph. "Yeah. It was."

Bonnie shot her a look, her expression softening as she turned back to me. "Sorry about Caroline. She's... curious."

Caroline scoffed, completely unbothered. "Oh, please. A guy our age shows up out of nowhere with a scar like that and no backstory? Anyone would be curious." She tilted her head, studying me. "What happened?"

I met her gaze, my expression "this bitch". "Life."

She blinked, clearly expecting more. When I didn't elaborate, she huffed, clearly annoyed. "Fine. Be all mysterious if you want. You'll crack eventually. They all do."

I almost laughed at that. She is definitely on the list. "Good luck with that."

Caroline leaned back, crossing her arms as she watched me, eyes narrowing in determination. "You're not like the usual new kids."

"Was that supposed to be a compliment?" I asked, letting the sarcasm drip.

She grinned, unbothered. "Take it however you want. So, you coming to the party tonight?"

I blinked. "What party?"

She looked genuinely shocked. "Seriously? Tyler's party? It's all anyone's been talking about for days. You're new, so you have to go. It's practically mandatory."

"Sounds... thrilling," I said dryly.

Caroline's eyes lit up, misreading my sarcasm as enthusiasm. "Right? Everyone will be there. It's at the Lockwood mansion. Big house, big party. You should come."

 "I'll think about it."

She beamed, clearly satisfied. "Great! It starts at nine. Don't be late."

Before I could protest, she stood up, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "See you tonight, Cyrus."

She walked off, her confidence radiating like a spotlight, and I fucking hated leaving me sitting there in the aftermath. Bonnie lingered, her eyes still on me, more thoughtful than curious now. "She means well," she offered her voice softer. "It's not often someone new moves to Mystic Falls. People are... interested."

"I noticed," I muttered, glancing at the empty spot where Caroline had been sitting. "Subtlety isn't her strong suit."

Bonnie's lips twitched, a flicker of amusement breaking through. "No, it's really not. But she's harmless. Mostly." Her expression softened. "Don't hold it against her."

I shrugged. "I've dealt with worse."

She looked like she wanted to say something more, but then she just sighed, standing up and gathering her things. "If you decide to come tonight, it'll be easy to find. Just follow the noise."

I watched her walk away, the cafeteria noise slowly filling the space.

I didn't belong here. And I didn't want to. Not even a full day in, and I'm already thinking about killing someone.

I hated it.

But... going to that party might help me relax; who am I kidding? That's an excuse., I've never been to a party, let alone invited to one, no matter how audaciously I was asked. And perhaps I could have a shot at what I always wanted some form of normality no matter how small.

All I'd have to do is survive one stupid party.

How hard could it be?