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𝖿𝗋𝗂𝖽𝖺𝗒 𝗇𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝖻𝗂𝗍𝖾𝗌 𝖾𝗉𝗂𝗌𝗈𝖽𝖾    |      𝟣𝗑𝟢𝟥

⸻⸻⋅☾ 🪐 ☽⋅⸻⸻

"𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 a good day and be good" Stefan called out standing on the field that stood outside of the school building. Clarke, who stood a few paces away, turned on her heels to face him. She gave a smile. Two weeks had passed since their first encounter and Clarke had become well acquainted with her estranged cousin. He was kind, light hearted, had amazing skills in the kitchen and overall became a surprisingly good addition to the house. Her nerves of the older boy had passed and she found herself becoming more and more comfortable with him as the days went by.

With her father's newest work opportunity and it only just starting out the poor man's hours have been somewhat chaotic. This gave Clarke the opportunity to get to know Stefan better, which was a success in itself. She walked everyday to school with him and spend the whole time talking to him. She found him an easy person to talk too.

Staring at her cousin, Clarke let her head fall back in a fake exhaustedly way.

"Yes cousin Stefan." She said in a string out tone fulling the man with great deal of amusement. While he trailed off towards the left of the field heading towards what she sees to be Elena Gilbert. She turned herself around heading off towards the main entrance and heading on into the school building.

Her eyes however caught sight of something just off to the left of the main building. The wide open space on a concrete plain home to the junkies of the school. The area looked to be unkempt with worn wooden benches housing a few hoodie wearing students all of which had some sort of cigarette within their grasps. Smoke filled the air and Clarke almost cringed at the strong scented air.

Her eyes grew from narrowed to almost soft when she caught sight of Jeremy sitting on one of the benches alone, holding what appeared to be a cigarette. The boys fingers curled around the bud as he lifted it too his mouth filling his air with a puff smoke.

She didn't know why she stood there. Watching him with a confused yet sad look. She's seen him there before. Sitting in that spot. He always looked the same. Never spoke, never smiled, just sat there watching the wall with his cigarette in hand. It was a sad sight Clarke always found she could never look away from. Watching it was like watching paint dry on a wall.

The same repetition it always was. He had yet to caught sight of her watching him but when he did his gaze turned from numb to an annoyed glare. The boy rolled his eyes jumping down from the bench and heading in her direction. Clarke only stood watching him as his furious steps neared her.

Taking the cigarette, Jeremy's hand quickly moved up as he aggressively threw the bud down causing it to land right next to Clarke. The girl jumped a few paces a look of absolute shock as she stared down at it was a start before moving her widen eyes moved to the aggressive boy in front of her.

Her mouth agape Clarke growled "What the hell!" She snapped her arms thrown up in exasperation.

"What?! Figured you wanted one since you've been stood here watching me like I'm some frinkin freak show!" His pissed off tone spoke, her brown eyes glaring hard at her.

In a soften tone she looked at him.

"I wasn't..." Before the girl could speak anymore the Gilbert had already stormed off heading away from her and the school building. To where he was going she didn't know.

She suddenly frowned. Was he right? Was she just watching him like he was some production put on for her amusement. But whenever she saw him on that bench she never felt any amusement or happiness. Her mind flashed back to that memory. Outside the church. The bright mid morning sky shining brightly in the background on the summon day. Him sitting alone on that bench, shoulders hunched with face in hands. She shook away the memory. She knew she didn't feel sorry for him. She just felt sad.

And as to why. Well... she simply didn't know.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

The late afternoon sun shone down on the school grounds that she walked along. With a hand on her bag strap, Clarkes eyes scanned the grounds looking for her cousin. It was odd that she hadn't seen him yet. Usually he always beat her out and would wait at the very bench Clarke now found herself standing in front of. The grounds were starting to clear as students either walked out or headed towards their cars. Class was well and truly out and the halls of the school were empty. She cursed herself for never getting his number as she had no way of contacting him to see where he was.

With a cast off look towards the back of the school Clarke decides to head on over towards the football field and try her luck there.

Today was the football and cheerleading tryouts. Since it was a small town with rarely any new kids it was always the small old people on the team. The day was usually held just to allow the freshman to try out. As she came around the bleachers she came upon a group of girls all wearing some form of work out clothing, all sat around or stood up stretching and warming up.

She smiled as she caught sight of Bellamy sitting amongst them, sitting down with her arm over her head and her hand touching her toes. Bells had been apart of the cheer squad since the two were freshman. While Clarke was the book smart school girl, Bellamy was the sporty athlete who loved doing all things exercise. They were two girls with completely different personalities that somehow brought out the best in one another.

Bellamy looked up and caught sight of her best friend walking over. Bellamy smiled.

"You're here! Has my non stop persistence finally made you want to join the team." The Daniel's girl spoke with a boat load of enthusiasm sitting up from her spot on the grass covered field. Clarke shook her head moving down to sit just in front of her friend.

"Not quite I'm actually looking for my cousin. He hasn't shown up yet and thought I'd try my luck here." The girl said, her head turning around as to scan the field seeing if she could spot the familiar tall boy. Bellamy too looked around, her eyes scanning the field. Her mouth went agape looking as if she were about to speak before someone walked over interrupted the Daniel's girl through process.

The girls looked up at the shadow figure that over took them. Clarke recognised her. Bonnie Bennett. A girl a few years older than her who was on the cheerleading squad. Clarke hadn't had many of any interaction with the Bennett girl but when she did the older girl was always sweet and kind to the younger one.

The Bennett girl looked at the two girls before settling her gaze on Clarke offering a warm smile.

"Sorry I couldn't help but over hear you said Stefan was your cousin and your looking for him?" Bonnie asked an eye brow raised in question. Clarke frown at the question before nodding in confirmation.

"Oh he's over at the football field. He's trying out for the team... he didn't tell you? Sorry it must have been a last minute thing he decided." Bonnie explained, her left hand raised and her finger pointing over towards the field. Craning her neck, Clarke looked over and in fact saw the sharp of her cousin running across the field, with a football helmet within his hand.

The girl never knew he was into football, or that he even knew how to play. In there two weeks together he never once mention his liking to football but as her eyes watched the older boy play she knew this wasn't his first rodeo. The way he moved around the field, playing with the other boys on the field, you'd have thought he'd been doing it his whole life. Bellamy moved to stand up to stretch more leaving Clarke, who was now stood, standing a few feet away to give her room.

She decided to wait around until the end of practice as so she could see Stefan and confront him about tryouts.

The sound of a loud engine filled the air as everyone turned to see a light blue Chevy Camaro Convertible drive into the car park next to the field. She made out two shapes in the front seats of the car. Sitting in the front seat was a young girl wearing a thick scarf and had her blonde hair wrapped tightly into a thick pony tail and flipped to the side when she placed a kiss on the cheek of the driver.

Her eyes widen when the driver turned to face someone and he slipped his sunglasses off his face to reveal familiar crystal coloured eyes. His shaggy raven hair blew harshly against the wind and along the back of his black leather jacket. It was the man. Damon. The one from last night. The one who saved her from the creepy man who she didn't even want to think about what he would have done to her if Damon hadn't shown up.

She body turned to ice when his eyes landed on her. It wasn't long, perhaps a few seconds, but somehow it felt entirety. His lips curled into what Clarke somehow learned to be his smile, a mix between a smirk and snarl that was accompanied by soft eyes. It how he managed that she didn't know. Her attention was taken away from the man as the blonde girl who was next to him walked up to them. Her eyes partly widen when she was saw who it was. Caroline Forbes.

The blonde girl pulled her sunglasses from her face when she came face to face with Elena Gilbert who along with Bonnie along stood a few feet from her.

"I got the other brother!" She announced like a proud child to their parents.

It took Clarke a few moments to process the statement. A few days ago Stefan had told her about him dating the Gilbert girl. She remembered making fun of his boyish grin as he spoke of her, he looked like the typical lovesick teenager you'd see in the movies. And unlike Jeremy, Elena was a nice enough person to be around. Not that she'd had much experience given age difference and no mutual friends but still.

For a moment she thought. Caroline had said "other brother" to Elena. Meaning that whoever Elena was dating, Caroline was now dating their brother. Only Clarke knew who Elena was dating. Her cousin.

Clarke found herself turning to Elena.

"H-hey I'm sorry but... what does she mean by other brother?" She nervously asked, her finger pointed in Caroline's direction. Elena looked down at the few inches shorter younger girl.

"Oh that was Damon Salvatore. He's Stefan older brother." Elena said in a causal tone, like what she was saying was obvious. Clarke felt her stomach drop and heart beat rapidly against her thin chest.

"W-what?" She stumbled out, skin paling at the revelation. She felt Bellamy come to her side and pear down at her in concern but she ignored to focused on what she'd just discovered. Damon. Or Damon Salvatore was her cousins brother.

Meaning he was... her cousin.

She had two cousins?

Why didn't Stefan tell her? And most importantly.

Why had her father said nothing?

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As it turns out it was in fact a last minute decision. Apparently Elena Gilbert convinced the boy to go for the team since that morning he almost too perfectly caught a ball that was thrown at him (definitely on purpose) by Tyler Lockwood. She had decided not to confront Stefan about Damon but instead turn her attention to another for answers. Upon entering her family home in the early hours of dusk, Clarke was met with the familiar silence that always greeted her upon returning home. One of the many things she was acquainted with when living in a massive house with only one other person. Two. Now two other people. Or... was it three now?

She shook her head at the thought as she reminded determined to find the person who inevitably could answer the question. She rounded the corner and began to make her way up the carpeted steps towards the second level of the family home. There she walked down the hall until she came to an opened door which led to the familiar room of her father's office. A small size room with a large wooden desk in the middle and shelves to outline the walls covered in books, files and paper work (an aspect of her fathers job she knew he hated)

Sat at in an office chair at the desk was the shape of her father hunched over looking to be twiddling with something between his fingers. His expression brought her some worry. He had yet to notice her presences.

"Dad."

The man startled at the sound of his daughter's voice. His eyes immediately shot up and whatever he had in his fingers safety hidden away from view. He met bright brown eyes filled with worry. He stood up from his chair safely tucking away the necklace he held in the back of his pocket.

"Hey honey! Sorry I didn't hear you... you're home late." He said in his usual up beat tone for the face he had on just moments ago. He leaned back against the desk, his hands holding onto the desk behind him.

Clarke nodded.

"Ah yeah sorry I was with Bells, it was the cheerleading tryouts and I wanted to be there for her." She answered. She didn't feel too bad as it wasn't a total lie. She wanted to be there for Bells, however the main reason she was there remained only to her. Speaking of which.

"Dad why didn't you tell me Stefan had a brother?"

A hand that gripped his desk fell as Zachs face formed into one of shock and surprise. Clarke almost winced at how bluntly she had asked him having decided on the spot not to beat around the bush.

Her father's mouth moved but no words came as he looked to be trying to find the right words to say in his time in shock.

"W-who... h-h-how... y-you??" The poor confused man stumbled out his words still trying to regain his grip on the desk.

"I met him." She spoke simply.

Like a switch, her father's confused and shocked demeanour turned to one of seriousness and concern. His hands cupped both her cheeks, with one combing through her hair with eyes scanning her almost as if he was expecting to find an injury on her person.

"What do you mean you met him? What happened? Did he do anything? Are you hurt?!" His concerned voice rapidly asked.

Her eyes widen in absolute shock at the change her father showed. She blinked a few times trying to get over the shocked feeling.

"Ah-h n-no what? why? Dad what's going on? Why would I be hurt?" She asked, with each question getting more and more nervous. This seemed to calm her father as his features relaxed. He removed his tight grip from her shoulders and stood level.

"How did you meet him?" Her father asked blatantly dodging her immediate question. She tended as the memories of her first encounter with Damon came circling back.

Looking down at her hands, playing with her finger tips, she nervously answered.

"I met him at the Grill." Was what she decided to go for as her opening. Her father before her father of course pressed on, raising his eyes brows waiting for the story to continue. Clarke internally winced as she told the next part.

"I was up at the bar ordering fries for me and Bells when... some guy walked up and umm... he ahh... was sort of flirting with me." She nervously spoke out her eyes narrowing in her tense state. She watched her father's eyes widen at words.

"I got my food and went to walk away when he grabbed me." At this her father looked just about ready to kill just about anyone.

"B-but before anything bad happened Damon showed up and got the guy to walk away... even managed to get an apology out of him." She admitted thinking back to her saviour and what he'd done for her. At this her father's eye brows dipped in confusion before his eyes morph into some sort of realisation that only he knew of. It took a few minutes for her father's murderous eyes to vanish and he returned to a semi normal state. He looked like he was trying to find a way to respond, like he was relieved but confused at the same time. Why was he expecting worst from her first meeting with her oldest estranged cousin. What wasn't he telling her?

"Why didn't you or Stefan ever tell me of him? What didn't you mention I had another cousin?" She decided to ask again before her father could form his thoughts. She could see him trying to come up with a response.

"Well... honey... Stefan and his brother don't get on well and he asked me not to speak about him. I didn't even know he was coming to town." Zach lied right through his teeth. Zach Salvatore was a terrible lier which was ironic given his job. And he always had dead give away signs that he was. And he just about exhibited most of his give aways when he came up with his answer. But Clarke wasn't going to press on it knowing that although her father was a terrible liar he was always amazing at keeping a secret.

Deciding that the matter was put to rest, her father put into hand into his back pocket pulling out whatever it was he was holding earlier.

"I was thinking of your mom today?" He softly said looking down at the trinket in his hands. This caught Clarke completely off guard as her full attention returned to her father and what he was holding. A small sliver necklace with a heart sharper locket sat delicate in her father's hands. She had never seen this one before. She had seen a lot of the things that use to be her mother's that he father had shown or given her... but this one was never among them.

"This was your mamas. I was going through my draws today and found it safety tucked away at the back... you must have been seven when I last held it in my hands." He spoke nostalgically, his gaze locked onto the sliver lining of the necklace, a soft smile gracing his features. Clarke found herself smiling. She didn't remember much about her mother. She remembered her soft voice. The gentle melody that always came whenever she sang to her. The way her hands would hold her so delicately, like she was the most precious thing in the world, as suppose any mother would hold their little girl. And she remembered her rose scented perfume that always reminded her of a spring garden.

Her father always told her she looked just like her mother. Same bright brown eyes and soft wavy hair. Same toothy grin and looks. Clarke only wished she could remember and agree. She could only rely on the word of her father that what he spoke was true, for she simply didn't remember. Her heart began to fill her sight anger directed at the world for being so cruel as to take her mother from her. But when she felt the sensation of her father grasping her hand softly, she felt herself thanking the universe for leaving her Zach Salvatore.

"She use to wear it all the time.... said it was something her mama gave her when she was a little girl... and that one day she wanted to give it to her little girl." He spoke meeting her soften eyes. She felt her heart lurched at the words. A necklace that a mother who was no longer here wanted to give to her. Because it had been what appeared to be a family tradition. She bit her lip wanted to fight the emotions bubbling in her stomach but felt her eyes water up regardless.

A tear must have slipped from her eye as her father's hand moved up to her cheek to wipe it.

"I miss her too baby." He mumbled giving her a sweet smile that made her give a teary one back. Moving his cheek away from her face he walked around standing behind Clarke as his hands holding the necklace came in front of her. Clarke pulled her hair away as her father connected the chain of necklace. She smiled as he appeared back in view. He had given her the necklace. She could smell the necklace. It smelt of roses.

"It smells like mama." She smiled lifting the necklace to her nose to smell it. Thoughts of Alycia Salvatore filled her mind and she found herself feeling her mamas warm arm wrapped around her in an embrace accompanied with her soft lips touching her forehead in an act of love. She found herself praying for the arms and lips to be real.

"She'd been so proud of you." Her father's warm voice spoke as he moved to wrap his arms around the girls shoulders. Her arms linked behind his back and she felt herself smiling into her father's chest.

"She'd been proud of you too." She replied looking up at her father. Zach grinned placing a quick kiss on her forehead before smiling, starting into space briefly looking up as he spoke softly.

"She'd be proud of both of us."

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

The gathering league of teenagers quickly filled the stadiums and outer fields as players and cheerleaders began to get ready for the game. Dusk soon fell to early nightfall as many of the young crowd gathered around the stage platform they had set up just off to the side of the great big field. As the crowd roared Mr Tanner, one of the schools history teachers and head coach of the football team, stepped up onto the platform and beckoned for the crowd's attention

"Wait, wait, wait, Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait. Let's be honest here. In the past, we used to let other teams come into our town and roll right over us!"

Some people in the crowd began to boo.

"But that is about to change.We've got some great new talent tonight starting on the offense, and I'm gonna tell you right now, it has been a long time since I have seen a kid like this with hands like these. Let's give it up for Stefan Salvatore!"

The coach yelled making everyone including the figure of Clarke who stood just off to the side clapping her hands together in support. She smiled brightly at the sight of her cousin standing within the group of young men who had just run out onto the field. Her smile increased when their eyes locked and he gave her a small wave.

She could see members of the team giving Stefan pats on the shoulder accompanied by warms smiles and what looked to be words of encouragement in his direction. His smile told her all she needed to know. He was happy. He looked at home in that bright red uniform with the big 17 printed along the front and back.

Whenever was within the company of her cousin he always gave off the temperament of an adult who's seen much and lived longer. Eyes that held secrets. He sometimes spoke in a tone you'd expect your great grandfather to speak in. But in rare moments, you could see past the tone and look and see the eyes of a youth longing for happiness. Those were the eyes she was seeing now. The happy ones that were thinking of nothing but his game and his team.

"That have been waiting for us to put a check in the win column, I have only one thing to say to you...Your Timberwolves are hungry!" Coach Tanner cheered causing an eruption from the supportive crowd. Loud claps and cheers were heard left and right. The cheerleaders in their red and white skirt uniforms came out and stood to the side of the footballers shaking their pom-poms yelling out supportive cheers. Among them was her smiling best friend who grinned widely when she caught sight of Clarke. Bellamy waved a red and white pom-pom in her direction seemly doing a wave. Clarke returned the gesture with an equally wide smile.

Soon enough the parties dispersed and many gathered around simply standing in their own groups idly chatting before the game. Bellamy had briefly come over holding a bag of butter popcorn that the two had shared while talking. She had shown Bellamy the necklace her father had given her saying it was from her mother. Bellamy had complimented the beautiful sliver and the way it was polished so nicely looking almost brand new. After a while Bellamy was summoned away by the other cheerleaders for some last minute rehearsal time before the game.

It was only when she had just walked over to the rubbish bin and thrown out the empty popcorn bag that she heard the sound of the first punch. The loud smacking sound rang through the small space causing many students to gather – Clarke amount them. That was when she made out the two sharps that were fighting.

Jeremy landed on the rough grass field after Tyler Lockwood, the mayor of Mystic Falls son, directed a punch right to his face. The sounds of girl older than both her and Jeremy were heard begging Tyler to stop and leave the poor Gilbert boy alone. She watched and saw one of Jeremy's hands reaching forward along the field picking up a glass beer bottle and stood preparing to take a swing at the older boy. Before she could process what was happening someone was stood between the two fighting boy catching the bottle in their hand.

"Jeremy, no!" Elenas voice yelled out as she was seen running over to the scene grabbing the front of the jacket her brother wore and began dragging him away from the scene. It only lasted a few moments however because the boy angrily pushed her away muttering something Clarke couldn't quite hear before storming off into the dispersing crowd. She could feel the bruised boy anger from where she stood. She didn't know who started the fight or even what it was about. She had never seen Jeremy and Tyler interact, granted she didn't spend much time around the two but still.

What could they possible be fighting over. Maybe it was the girl? The one Clarke only now realised was the one from the Grill. The one who had taken her order and brought it out to her. She seemed nice, but maybe that was just her customer service talking. She shrugged at the thought deciding that the reason for the fight wasn't important right now. The girl they were supposedly fighting over was currently standing at Tyler's side looking almost like she was comforting him.

If they were fighting over the girl it was clear that Jeremy had loss. She looked over to the far left towards the car park and saw that her cousin was currently stood was Elena on the outskirts of the field talking. Deciding that her cousin was in good hands and promising herself she would check on his possibly hurt hand later, she walked over in the direction Jeremy had stormed off in.

It didn't take long to find the moody boy. Pressed up against one of the cold steel posts that supported the bleachers, he held a smoky cigarette that she watched him pull from his mouth. Unlike with her father, Jeremy noticed her right away giving her an almost emotionless sideways look. He didn't speak, just stared at her like his eyes were doing all the talking. Either one of them spoke up both just starting at one another. Deciding to end the wordless conversation she opened her mouth.

"Hey." She started off with. She cringed at the way her voice sounded, its high pitch tone cutting the tension filled air.

"Are you ok?" She continued on wanting not a fight but a simple conversation. She saw as his features sharpen and he looked confusing angry.

"Do you care?" He responded, narrowing his eyes in her direction. Shrugging her shoulders lightly decided not to bait him she calmly replied.

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't." To this he rolled his eyes looking away with a huff.

"I'm fine."

"You look it." She caught herself snapping back. Wanting to take it back but refusing to say the words she decided to take a different approach and ask the question.

"Why did you get into that fight with Tyler anyway? Was it over that girl?" She asked. She watched Jeremy snap his head in her direction and straighten up glaring like a hawk zoning in on its prey.

"Why do you care? You hate me?!" He suddenly snapped back again placing he cigarette to his mouth and blowing out another puff of air.

"I didn't say I hate you... I just don't like you... there's a difference." She confessed. She frowned to herself. But was it true. Did she not hate him? No she didn't hate him... she didn't hate anyone. She found hate to be an angry emotion that only hurts yourself not others, but that didn't mean she had people she didn't like. But did Jeremy Gilbert fall into those people. Of course he did, he irritated her and annoyed her to no end. But did that mean she really didn't like him?

"Yeah well I don't really see it that way Salvatore." Jeremy muttered but loud enough so the girl stood a few feet from him could hear.

"Well you should... because believe or not your not a horrible person... your just a bit annoying." She found herself saying. She was surprised with the way she was speaking and what she was saying. But what was more surprising was that her response got her no glare or snapping combat but a laugh. A small chuckle but a laugh nonetheless. The boys lips were curled up sightly and he shook his head as the happy sound escaped his pink lips. She found her heart rate increase and her palms become sweaty as the short lived sound still rang in her ears. Was that the first time she'd seen him sort of kind of laugh?

"Yeah well you ain't exactly Polly perfect either." He responded giving a sly smirk. She scoffed playfully folding her arms across her chest.

"Hey at least I wasn't fighting Mr Tyler mayor son Lockwood... although I have to say I saw that the guy was nursing some pretty serious bruises... someone must have given him a serious beat down." She smirked knowingly at the boy. Both teens broke into smiles and began laughing simultaneously both having grins that actually reached their eyes.

However the moment was short lived when they both caught themselves at the same time realising that they were doing and who they were doing it with. Clarke looked down to her old converses while playing with the sliver heart of her necklace. She didn't know what else to say. It wasn't like she was this boys friend. No they didn't like each other... and yet just moments ago they were laughing with one another. She shook her head looking up at the boy who was surprisingly already looking at her. Was he watching her the whole time?

"Well good night Gilbert." Clarke began to trail back but not before stopping and looking at him.

"Oh and ah... don't take this the wrong way or anything... but I think you're better than that girl... you shouldn't have to be getting into fights with another guy just to prove something to her." She finished giving a half smile before walking back towards the growing crowd, missing the way the boy gave a genuine smile as he watched her go.

"Good night Salvatore."

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◞ ྀི◟ ͜ ◞ ྀི◟ ͜ ◞ ྀི◟

╰┈➤ authors note!!

clarke and jeremy are literally the cutest and that's like no joke

stefan and clarke are gonna have such a cute relationship - gonna be one of my favs to write

But tell me you didn't get a little bit emotional with Zach and Clarke like come on... it made me tear up a bit

but their first kiss is literally so far away your probs gonna hate me for how long I'm making y'all wait for it