New World(Revised)

2009

Stepping off the bus, I was struck by how Mystic Falls felt like a town frozen in time. Quaint streets lined with antique lampposts and faded storefront signs—"Grayson Hardware," "Evergreen Florals"—whispered nostalgia. But I wasn't here for charm. This was where it all began.

Adjusting the strap of my satchel, I blended into the small crowd dispersing from the morning bus. Two elderly women bustled past me, their chatter about a bake sale merging with the hum of an idling delivery truck outside the Mystic Grill. Normalcy wrapped this town like a mask, but I'd seen enough to know better. Danger simmered just beneath the surface.

I pulled a folded map from my bag and scanned it briefly. Mystic Falls High School wasn't far. The clock tower loomed in the distance, its spire slicing through the sky like an arrow, pointing the way. The streets felt familiar yet alien. I walked with purpose—not too fast, not too slow—blending in like someone who belonged. Every step was measured. I had one chance to get this right.

The school came into view just as the first bell rang. A strange mix of old brick and modern renovations, Mystic Falls High seemed torn between preserving its history and embracing the future. Students swarmed the parking lot, laughter and chatter bouncing off car hoods and backpacks. I lingered for a moment, taking in the scene.

My hand tightened on the strap of my bag. The new guy. People would notice me—that was unavoidable. The trick was controlling how they saw me. Not too aloof, not too eager. Just mysterious enough.

Inside the office, fluorescent lights cast everything in a pale, lifeless glow. The secretary, a thin woman with perpetually pursed lips, barely looked up from her computer.

"Name?" she asked, her tone clipped.

"Hunter Zolomon," I replied, sliding a stack of meticulously prepared documents across the desk. Forged transcripts, a fabricated address, enrollment papers—everything in perfect order.

Her sharp eyes scanned the papers, narrowing slightly. "Savannah, Georgia?"

"That's right," I said evenly. "My family's been traveling for a while. Needed somewhere stable."

The lie rolled off my tongue effortlessly. After a moment, she nodded, stamped the papers, and handed me a schedule and a school map.

"You'll need to see Mr. Tanner for History and Ms. Beauford for Chemistry," she said. "Welcome to Mystic Falls High. Try not to get lost."

I pocketed the papers and offered a polite smile. "Thanks."

Not even a few seconds of stepping away, I nearly collided with two girls—Elena and Bonnie.

Bonnie's eyes scanned me with interest, a playful grin spreading across her face. "You're new, right?" she asked, her tone light like she was sizing me up but not giving away any judgment. She nudged Elena with her elbow, who looked up at me briefly before glancing down at her notebook again.

"Hunter," I said, introducing myself with a slight nod. "And yeah, first day."

"Bonnie," she replied, gesturing to herself. "And this is Elena. Small town—no one stays a stranger for long."

"Nice to meet you," Elena added, her voice soft but warm. Her smile was polite, but there was something in her eyes—a quiet sadness, maybe—like she was carrying more than she let on.

"So Savannah, huh?" Bonnie tilted her head, a smile lacing her face. " I Couldn't help but hear; it's a big change. What brought you to Mystic Falls?"

"Family," I said, keeping it vague. "Needed a fresh start."

Bonnie raised an eyebrow. "Mysterious. I like it."

Before I could respond, Caroline appeared like a whirlwind, all sunshine and energy.

"Elena! Oh my God!" She threw her arms around Elena in a dramatic hug. "How are you? It's so good to see you. Are you okay? You look good. Do you feel good?"

Elena laughed, a bit stiffly. "Caroline, I'm right here. I'm fine. Thank you."

Caroline leaned back, studying her like she was inspecting a fragile artifact. "Really? You're not just saying that?"

"Yes," Elena said firmly. "Much better. Thanks."

Caroline hugged her again, sighing. "Oh, you poor thing."

"Okay, Caroline," Elena said, gently prying herself free.

Caroline's bright blue eyes shifted to me, narrowing slightly as she sized me up. "And who's this?"

"Hunter," I said, keeping my tone neutral, but I couldn't help noticing the way her gaze flicked over me—like she was piecing me together.

"Well, Hunter," she said, flashing me a dazzling smile. "Welcome to Mystic Falls. Don't let the small-town vibes fool you. It's not as boring as it looks."

"Guess I'll find out," I replied, matching her smile with a raised eyebrow.

Caroline grinned. "Oh, you will."

Bonnie snorted. "Caroline loves playing Mystic Falls ambassador."

"Someone has to!" Caroline shot back, flipping her hair with a laugh. "Not everyone can be mysterious and brooding."

Elena's voice carried a warning edge. "Caroline…"

"What? It's a compliment," Caroline said innocently before flashing me another bright smile. "Seriously, though. If you need someone to show you around or help you survive Mr. Tanner's history rants, I'm your girl."

"I'll keep that in mind," I said with a small smile.

Just as I was about to walk away, I interrupted, my voice calm but laced with interest. "Actually, I was wondering—could I tag along to Mr. Tanner's class with you two? I'm not too familiar with the layout of the school, and I'd love to take you up on that Mystic Falls hospitality you mentioned."

Bonnie raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard. "You really want to walk to class with us?"

"I mean," I shrugged, a playful glint in my eyes, "if it's no trouble, I'd love the company. Besides, don't want to get lost on my first day."

Caroline was the first to speak, a bright smile lighting up her face. "Sure! We'd be happy to show you the way. It's not like we're in a rush anyway."

"Great," I said, keeping my cool. "Lead the way."

As the three of them started walking toward Mr. Tanner's class, I fell in step behind them, listening to their chatter. I caught Bonnie glancing at me every now and then, her expression thoughtful, while Caroline continued to chat animatedly about everything and nothing. Elena stayed quiet, but I could feel her gaze flicker to me occasionally—there was a mystery there, just like me.

When we reached the classroom, the door swung open, and all eyes turned to me as I entered. The unspoken questions—Who's that? Where's he from?—were there, but I had long since learned to ignore them.

The teacher, a balding man with a coffee-stained tie, paused mid-sentence and gestured toward the class. "Everyone, this is Hunter Zolomon. He's joining us from Savannah. Hunter, take an empty seat, and with introductions out of the way, let's get back to the Civil War, shall we?"

I nodded, scanning the room for an empty desk. My gaze flicked over the faces turned toward me, and three girls stood out once again.

Mr. Tanner's voice rang out as he paced in front of the classroom, the tension thick in the air. He was knee-deep in history, but this wasn't just any lecture—it was about the Civil War, a war that seemed to echo through the bones of Mystic Falls itself.

"Once our home state of Virginia joined the Confederacy in 1861, it created a tremendous amount of tension within the state. People in Virginia's northwest region had different ideals than those from the traditional deep south. Then Virginia divided in 1863 with the northwest region joining the Union," Mr. Tanner explained, his eyes scanning the class.

He stopped and faced the room, a challenge in his gaze. "Now, let's discuss the Battle of Willow Creek. Who can tell me how many casualties were reported?"

I didn't hesitate. I leaned forward, already certain of the answer. "346," I said, my voice steady, cutting through the murmurs in the room.

Mr. Tanner looked at me, his expression registering a flicker of approval. But before he could say anything, Stefan spoke up, his voice smooth but laced with that certain confidence I knew too well.

"There were an additional 26 civilian casualties,".

Mr. Tanner's eyes narrowed, turning toward Stefan with a bemused smile. "Ah, Stefan, as a member of one of Mystic Falls' founding families, you should know this history, regardless of being new to Mystic High," he said, his voice sharp. "However, your answer, while an interesting addition, is still incorrect. There were no civilian casualties in that battle."

Stefan, undeterred, met Mr. Tanner's gaze, though I could see the slight hesitation behind his cool demeanor. He had tried to add something to the narrative, but Mr. Tanner wasn't having it.

Meanwhile, the class began to chuckle at Mr. Tanner's rebuke. I leaned back in my chair, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

Mr. Tanner turned back to the board with a swift motion. "Perhaps one might do well to learn a little more about the basics of the town's history if you wish to pass my class. Take Mr. Zolomon, for example."

The snickers grew louder. I could feel their eyes on me, some admiring, some begrudging, but none of it fazed me. I'd already won this round.

Mr. Tanner continued, his tone shifting as he returned to the lesson. "The Battle of Willow Creek wasn't just about military casualties—it was about the rifts that tore through the local community. Even within the families that still hold power in this town."

I stayed quiet as the class settled, my mind already drifting ahead. The history of this town might be a textbook matter, but I knew it was more than that. It was in the blood of everyone here, and one way or another, I was going to make sure I stayed ahead of the game.

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1,644 Words 

POWER STONES!!!

PLEASE REMEMBER ITS AN AU.