World So Cold

I styled my hair expertly. It hung in loose curls and shined when caught by the light. I was wearing the perfect dress. Everything was spectacular. The only thing missing was some arm candy. I was unfortunately going single. Probably for the best since anyone I’d bring would end up being a snack.

Stepping into the dimly lit gym I recognized most of the people that also went to school dancing with each other. I hung more in the back, in the shadows. The only reason I came was so that I had an excuse to dress up. It was Homecoming after all.

I took something from one of the snacks they had laid out. Popping it in my mouth I watched the party unfold. Many couples came that I was not expecting. It was as if everyone had to be with someone or they couldn’t come. Oh, I loved being a rebel.

I then noticed Stefan enter the room looking very good in his tux. He always wore a tux the best. It was just him. On his arm was a girl with auburn hair. I believe her name was Caroline, Caroline Forbes. She was a very catty girl. I didn’t like her one bit, especially because of the way she threw herself at Stefan.

Tossing my hair over my shoulder I decided to approach a random guy. A good song had just come on anyways. It was a good waltzing song and I was perfect at waltzing. “Dance with me,” I compelled the guy. He readily got into position.

He was a bit clumsy on his feet. I couldn’t help but look jealously over to Stefan and his date. He moved with such precision and elegance. He should be my partner, not this guy. Moving so that I was closer to Stefan I broke into their group.

“Trade with me,” I compelled Caroline. The guy who I was dancing with had no problem and just as clumsily danced away with Caroline.

“Why did you do that?” asked Stefan frowning at me.

“The guy was tripping over his own feet. You know how to dance.” We then started the waltz where it had left off. The movements we made were like liquid. They flowed nicely and evenly. I felt the stares of the surrounding humans, the envious looks.

Stefan and I were very compatible. Both of us were stunningly good looking and mysterious. Two strangers in a new town pretending to be someone we weren’t. We moved to the edge of the crowd as soon as the song ended.

“I’m sorry, Stefan,” I apologized softly. I then quickly walked away knowing Stefan didn’t want to see me anymore than he had to. I moved back into the shadows at the edge of the party. Back to where I belonged.

As I moved away Elena approached Stefan. She was wearing a dress the color of iced-violet. Her hair was twisted expertly into a soft mass of gold. She looked radiant. Much like Katherine once had. Stefan looked equally as elegant in his tux.

“Hello,” said Elena once she approached. Her voice was quiet and self-assured yet I could feel the nervousness and excitement underneath. So many years around people, they don’t fool you anymore. “Are you having a good time?”

Stefan simply stared at her. I could tell he was struggling with the bloodlust. He wanted to rip her throat out and feed on her blood. He might have done it too if we hadn’t been in a room filled with people.

The band started up, a slow dance. Stefan still stared at her. Even in the dim light I saw his once green eyes start to darken and go black with desire.

“Would you like to dance?” asked Elena softly. Suddenly a frightened look crossed her face. I heard her heartbeat pick up. Stefan’s eyes were now black, defeated. He slowly stretched out one hand to her.

“Why, Elena, how sweet you look,” said a voice. Appearing out of the crowd came Caroline. I guess she finally ditched that loser guy. She slipped one bare arm through Stefan’s and smiled lazily up at him. “And that little dress is so pretty,” continued Caroline. “I told Stefan we simply had to stop by for a moment, but we’re not going to stay long. So you don’t mind if I keep him to myself for the dances, do you?”

“No, I don’t mind,” said Elena calmly. Stefan and Caroline then moved away from her and into the crowd of people dancing. People were looking at Elena from all around. Turning around she came face to face with Matt.

“You knew he was coming with her,” she accused.

“I knew she wanted him to. She’s been following him around at lunchtime and after school, and kind of forcing herself on him. But…” Matt trailed off knowing that whatever he was going to say Elena didn’t want to hear it.

“I see,” she said still calm. I could see that any moment though she could lose it in either a burst of despair or anger. Elena then turned on her heel away from Matt and towards the girls’ rest room. Meredith and Bonnie followed loyally behind. I watched them go before silently following.

“Yes,” I heard Elena say. The room then emptied of people and I was again reminded of the power these girls held at the school. I was again reminded of the respect I held for Elena. It wasn’t easy being queen. I waited patiently outside.

“Maybe it isn’t such a bad thing after all,” she said quietly. “I mean, you haven’t thought about anything else but him in weeks. Nearly a month. And so maybe it’s just for the best, and you can move on to other things now, instead of…well, chasing him,” I heard Bonnie say through the door.

“Thank you so much for your support,” Elena said bitterly.

“Now, Elena, don’t be like that,” Meredith put in. “She isn’t trying to hurt you, she just thinks―”

“And I suppose you think so, too? Well, that’s fine. I’ll just go out and find myself some other things to move on to. Like some other best friends.” I then heard her footsteps coming towards the door and quickly disappeared back into the dance.

As Elena came into the room I grabbed her arm. She stopped and whirled on me. “Let go of me,” she said icily, her eyes cold. I then pulled her out of the way of the entrance and into a dark corner where nobody would be able to see us. “I said let go.” She jerked her arm and I let her go not wanting to hurt her. “What do you want?” she asked bored and obviously not wanting to talk.

“Think of me as your new best friend,” I said grinning.

“I don’t need new best friends,” she hissed. “And especially not from you.” She turned to go on her heel.

“I saw what happened,” I told her.

“Oh, so you’ve come to brag? I told you I don’t care about Stefan. He’s Caroline’s anyway.” She said the last part so quietly that I’m sure I wasn’t supposed to hear.

“I know how to make him yours,” I said. This stopped her from leaving and she turned to look at me surprised. There was a guarded curiosity on her face.

“What do you know?” she snapped.

“I knew Stefan before. I know what would make him forget all about Caroline.”

“What do you have in mind?” asked Elena interested. I grinned wickedly and the grin slowly spread across Elena’s face. We were both queens after all and we knew how to control our subjects.