Royal Blues

"Elena, why are you up so early?" Jenna's voice drifted from the kitchen as she walked in, eyes still bleary from sleep.

Elena looked up, carefully setting down a polished silver goblet and straightening with a small smile. "Just finishing a few things for the Heritage Display. They want it all shined up for the Founder's Day stuff."

Jenna raised an eyebrow. "So you're telling me this obsession with ancient family heirlooms isn't just a phase?"

"Hey, it's for extra credit," Elena replied, shrugging as she buffed a candlestick.

I came downstairs just then, catching the last bit of their conversation as I secured my hair into a loose ponytail. I paused on the last step, folding my arms as I watched Elena squinting at the tarnish on another piece. "Obsessed is right," I teased, drawing their attention. "Honestly, Elena, that silverware is probably cleaner than our dishes."

Elena rolled her eyes, but her smile didn't waver. "Well, not all of us are planning to avoid the Founders Party entirely."

"I'm not avoiding it," I retorted, grinning back. "Just preparing in my own way. Actually, I was thinking of doing some shopping today. I'll need something fabulous to wear if I'm going to show up with you."

Jenna chuckled, looking between us. "Good luck. You two have about four hours before Mystic Falls' only decent dress shop is swarmed with people."

Right on cue, a knock sounded at the door, and we all turned. "That'll be Stefan," Elena said, brightening as she hurried over to open it.

As Stefan stepped inside, his eyes flickered over us, lingering briefly on me. I couldn't help but notice the careful way he acknowledged Jenna and me, always polite but detached, as if he were constantly measuring his words.

"Hey, Stefan," Jenna said, flashing him a friendly smile. "You're brave, coming into a house full of Gilberts before 9 a.m."

"Hey, Jenna. It's not so bad." Stefan's voice was warm, his gaze shifting to Elena. "You ready?"

Elena nodded, and they both headed for the stairs, but not before Elena shot me a look that seemed half-apologetic, half-conspiratorial. I knew she wanted alone time with him. "Don't mess up my work," she whispered playfully, gesturing to the heirlooms.

I raised an eyebrow and mock-saluted. "Yes, ma'am."

As their footsteps retreated upstairs, Jenna poured herself a cup of coffee and raised her mug to me in a silent toast. "You're up early too. Must be something in the air."

"More like I have a date with the Mystic Falls fashion industry," I replied with a grin, reaching for my bag.

"Oh, let me guess," Jenna mused, sitting down at the counter. "The Founders Party shopping trip."

"Bingo," I said, grabbing my phone and giving her a quick wave. "Let's just hope I can find something that says 'effortlessly mysterious' and not 'extra credit project.'"

Jenna snorted into her coffee, waving me off with a grin as I made my way outside. The morning air was crisp, and Mystic Falls was quiet, the streets bathed in soft light as the town slowly came alive.

---

As I strolled into the quaint little boutique downtown, I took a moment to breathe in the soft smell of lavender and old wood. I was ready to lose myself in racks of dresses and fabric textures, mentally setting aside my tense run-in with Damon the previous night. But, of course, that was easier said than done. Every now and then, my mind would drift back to his taunting smirk, the way he seemed to revel in his own mystery and menace.

I shook my head, sifting through the racks. I wouldn't let him get under my skin. Not Damon, not anyone. Today was about picking out something that would make an impact, not rehashing his vague threats and unsettling flirtations.

"Need any help with that?"

The sudden voice startled me, and I looked up to see Caroline, her usual bright smile a little forced but determined nonetheless.

"Hey, Caroline." I flashed a quick smile. "Just looking for something for the party."

"Let me guess. Something dark and edgy? Something that says 'I'm way too cool to be here'?" Her eyes sparkled with her usual sharp humor, but there was warmth there too.

"Exactly," I said, laughing as I pulled out a sleek, black dress that was simple but bold. "But not too much since my hair makes me look like a tomato."

Caroline's eyes softened, and she nodded. "So, you're going for mysterious, huh?"

I nodded, feeling a strange mix of emotions I couldn't quite place. "Yeah, I guess so. I need something that makes a statement."

Caroline's smile wavered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "I get it. We all need that sometimes." She glanced at a nearby rack, pulling out a lacy, royal blue dress. "Now, this one—definitely fits the bill."

I raised an eyebrow, admiring the way the dress caught the light. "I'll give it a try. Thanks, Caroline."

As I stepped into the dressing room, the weight of everything settled in—the tension that still clung to the air, the odd sense of being watched, Damon's parting words echoing in the back of my mind. His presence lingered, a constant shadow, but I pushed it aside as I focused on my reflection.

"Effortlessly mysterious," I muttered to myself, smoothing down the fabric.