I wince as Jenna tightens the corset around me. God, these things hurt so bad. I pick my necklace off the table that Caroline gave me and put it around my neck. I also slip on Stefan's vervain bracelet, knowing it looks stupid but I always wear it. I can't afford not too.

"Ugh, this thing hurts like hell." I groan as Jenna ties some ribbon thing around my waist.

"Suck it up baby." Jenna smirks and pins some off my hair back. I knew I should have never done the Miss Mystic thing, now I'm stuck riding on the float with Tyler. We are both dressed up from clothes in the 1800's because that's when our town originated or something like that.

Jenna steps away from me, smiling at her work. "You look beautiful Aria." I roll my eyes and look at my reflection in the mirror. I look exactly like that photo of Katherine that Stefan has. If people thought I looked like Katherine before wait till they see me now.

"Thanks, Jenna. I have to go meet Elena now, I think I'm late." I frown and try walking but I almost trip and fall right away.

Jenna laughs, "You have to hold your dress up when you walk Aria or else you will trip." I shoot her a glare before picking up my dress and walking out of the room.

I stand at the top of the stairs, looking down in horror. How am I supposed to walk down the stairs with this on?

"Good luck." Jenna teases passing by me and walking down the stairs quickly. I glare as I watch her walk down so easily.

"You could have at least helped me, meanie!" I yell and slowly start inching down the stairs. Thank God, for railings. It takes me five minutes to walk down the stairs. FIVE MINUTES! Normally it takes a few seconds.

"Wow, you look..." Elena trails off as she walks into the living room.

"Exactly like your boyfriend's and my best friend's dead vampire girlfriend." I finish for her with a bitter smile.

"Yeah, it's a little creepy." Elena frowns.

"Tell me about it." I sigh.

"Did you talk to Jeremy last night?" Elena asks hesitantly.

"No, more like yelled and screamed." I shrug.

"Aria." Elena states disapprovingly.

"What? He deserved everything I said to him, he was being stupid. I'm guessing he's not too happy with you either?" I guess taking in her solemn expression.

"He basically told me that he hates me for what we did." Elena sighs, shaking her head. "I didn't want him to find out like this."

"I know, Lena but he did and we can't reverse time. So we have to deal with it and try to figure things out." I state.

"Why do you always give me such good advice?" Elena smiles.

I smirk, "Because I'm God damn awesome."

Elena laughs, "Who is going to be your escort on the float today, Damon or Tyler?" she suddenly asks making my smirk disappear.

"Tyler, he is technically my official escort." I shrug.

"But you want it to be Damon right?" Elena frowns.

"I honestly could care less, they're both my good friends." I lie and she sees right through it. Elena gives me a disapproving look but doesn't say anything else.

"Let's get going, we don't want to be late." Jenna says handing Elena her bag.

"How am I even going to fit in the car with this thing on?" I grumble as Elena and Jenna just laugh at me.

----------------

"I wonder what Damon and Stefan's reaction will be when they see you." Elena smiles.

"I think we're about to find out." I state and see them up ahead. Stefan has his back toward us but Damon spots us right away. When he sees me, his mouth almost drops open. Stefan turns around and has the same look on his face. I guess I must be a blast from the past.

I smile and curtsy at them, holding up my dress. They still look like they're going to shit their pants, it's actually quite humorous. Elena loops her arm through mine and we walk down towards them.

"Miss Gilbert, you look stunning." Damon smirks as we approach them.

I roll my eyes before smiling at him, "Thank you Mr.Salvatore." Elena lets me go and walks over to Stefan, he wraps his arm around her waist. Awww, it's so cute. Like a bunny. No, I'm joking.

"Listen I hate to ruin the mood but we need to tell you two something." Stefan states. Elena and I look at each other then back to the brothers. What is it now?

"What happened?" Elena asks nervously.

"Uh...we think we found out who your Father is." Stefan looks down at the ground nervous. Why is he nervous? Isn't this good news?

"Who?" I question not liking the expression on his face.

"You have to promise not to kill us Aria." Damon frowns looking at me.

"I can make no promises, so spit it out." I glare at them.

"We think it's John." Stefan drops the bomb. I look at Elena and see she looks just as shocked as me.

"John? Is that even possible?" Elena asks horrified.

"We have no proof but he dated Isobel when she was a teenager. And he was the one who brought her to your Dad's office for the delivery." Stefan explains.

"My whole life, I've never liked this man, I..." Elena trails off running a hand through her hair.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to tell you before Damon told Aria and then she told you in some inappropriate way." Stefan frowns.

"Excuse you, standing right here." I glare at him. He looks at me for a moment before shrugging. Wow, I'm so hurt.

"No, I'm glad you told me. I just really hope it's not true." Elena sighs and I nod, agreeing with her.

"So what do we do just walk up and be like 'Yo John, what's up? Oh and by the way are you are Dad?'" Damon laughs and I think I even see Stefan crack a smile.

"I guess when you two are ready." Stefan shrugs.

"We will never be ready." Elena says.

"Plus we already have problems with the family we care about. Jeremy hates us because he was a little snoop and went through Lena's journal. I hope you're not an annoying little brother Stefan." I smirk.

"He is." Damon agrees causing me to scoff.

"Oh and I'm sure you're the perfect older brother." I tease and he gives me an award winning smile.

"Alright you two, enough." Elena sighs, "But Aria is right, Jeremy hates us. I mean my journal gave him every reason to."

"He's just hurt and confused." Stefan says trying to make Elena feel better.

"He's never going to forgive us for Vicki, for taking his memories away." Elena shakes her head.

"He's your brother, he'll forgive you. Just give him a little time." Stefan smiles. I look up at Damon and he avoids my eyes. He should take Stefan's advice, they are brothers and it's been plenty of time. Like 150 years.

----------------

"Ladies and gentlemen please welcome our stunning Miss Mystic Falls court and there handsome escorts." Mrs.Lockwood announces causing everyone to cheer.

I put on my best fake smile and wave to everyone trying to look like i actually give a shit. "This is fun." Tyler whispers sarcastically in my ear causing me to laugh.

"Miss Caroline Forbes, Miss Mystic Falls." Mrs. Lockwood says causing everyone to cheer louder. I look up and give Caroline a big smile. She deserved this.

I look out into the crowd and spot Elena and Stefan with Bonnie. I can't help but smile and wave to them like an idiot. They smile back and Elena and Bonnie wave. Suddenly Damon steps in front of them smirking at me and blowing me a kiss.

My smile drops and I roll my eyes looking up at Tyler who is glaring at Damon. After a moment of glares, I finally smile back at Damon and give him a wave.

We quickly pass by all my friends so I have to smile and wave at random people. That's always a joy.

"How much longer do we have to endure this pain?" I ask Tyler still smiling and waving at he crowd. I'm pretty sure if I stop his Mom would kill me, slowly.

"About 45 minutes." Tyler responds, also keeping on the fake smile and waving at people. I groan and lean back into him, wishing to get off this stupid ass float being pulled by a friken truck. How stupid is that?

----------------

I walk out of the restroom and towards the pool table towards my sister and Stefan but Damon walks in front of me.

"I like you better like this, the period look, it didn't suit you." Damon smiles referring to my sweater and jeans. Yes, I finally changed out of that horrid dress.

"Is that an insult?" I question smiling slightly.

"Actually Aria, it's a compliment, of the highest order." Damon smiles causing me heart to melt. Ugh, stupid heart and feelings.

"Look I know Elena doesn't approve of us hanging out and-" I don't get to finish because Damon cuts me off.

"Did she say something to you also?" Damon questions.

"No, did she mention something to you?" I ask but I think I already know the answer.

"No...nothing worth repeating." Damon frowns.

"Alright...I just wanted to say that Elena can be very judgmental at times so don't think I'm going to listen to her about you. I mean I'm never one to listen to what people tell me. But, you don't need to keep provoking her, alright?" I say and he nods slightly. I spot Jeremy sitting at the table behind him. I should really talk to him. "Excuse me." I whisper walking past him and heading over to Jeremy.

"Jer, I'm sorry about last night, I had no right to yell at you. I get it, what Elena and I did was wrong but we can move past this. You're my brother Jeremy, and I love you. So please, tell me what I can do to make this better. I hate this, us fighting." I tell him not being sarcastic or mean for once. I need him to know how I feel. I know that it's not like me but I really hate being in a fight with him.

"Go to hell Aria." he glares at me before getting up and leaving the Grill. I turn around and watch him go. I feel tears brimming in my eyes but I force them not to fall. I sit down at the table he was sitting at and just stare off into space. He's never been so rude to me before.

I don't even notice someone sit down at the table, in the chair across from me.

"Caroline." I frown, surprised to see her.

"Hey, we haven't talked in forever." she smiles and I feel my anger rise up.

"Why do you think that is? Oh and I'm sure Bonnie keeps you from getting lonely." I glare at her and I know, I sound pretty jealous.

Caroline sighs, "You have every right to be mad at me but I don't want you to be. I know I'm a terrible friend. I should have never just let you walk away after I heard you with Damon. You were upset and I just stood there like an idiot. I want you to be happy because you haven't been in so long. So if Damon will make you happy then I'm alright with it." she nods with a determined look in her eyes.

"Woah, Care, calm down there. You realize that Damon and I aren't dating, right? He doesn't even like me the way I like him." I shrug looking down at the table.

"Oh please, that man is so in love with you. If you asked him to jump off a bridge he would." Caroline smirks.

I roll my eyes having heard this before, "Damon doesn't do anything he's asked."

"For you he would." Caroline teases and wiggles her eyebrows.

I laugh and shake my head, "Whatever, don't we have festivities to attend?" I stand up and grab her hand pulling her along with me. I need to hang out with her, she can get my mind of Jeremy and Damon.

"How many guys do you think we can make hit on us in one hour." Caroline smirks letting her hair down from her ponytail and ruffling it up.

"At least ten." I smirk back, this will be fun.

----------------

"The fireworks are going to start soon, I didn't realize we were in there for so long." Caroline laughs as we walk outside.

I laugh along with her, "Oh my God, that was so fun. I think every guy in the whole bar was hitting on us."

Caroline smirks and flips her hair, "We're hot stuff."

"Aria, I really need to talk to you." Damon says coming out of nowhere and grabbing my hand, pulling me away from Caroline.

"Damon." I protest but he doesn't slow his pace. "Sorry Care, see ya later." I yell and try to turn around but Damon tightens his grip on me, not letting me go. I use all my strength and pull out of his grip, stopping him. "Alright, what is going on Damon?" I question glaring at him.

"The tomb vampires are here and they want to kill Founding Families. That is why I need you to go find Stefan and Elena." Damon commands.

"No, hell no. I'm staying with you!" I argue not wanting him to leave me.

"No, you're not. You're going to find Stefan and Elena." he glares at me.

"We're wasting time Damon, I'm coming with you. End of story." I say and he sighs knowing I'm too stubborn to go anywhere. He takes my hand again and starts dragging me through the crowd. Everyone is listening to Mayor Lockwood give his speech then the fireworks will go off. I hope Elena and Jeremy are safe, I'm sure Stefan will make sure they are.

"We have to find John." Damon mumbles to himself. John? He has something to do with this? Why does he want humans to be killed? Has he gone officially insane? Damon suddenly veers to the right so I'm guessing he heard John. We keep pushing through the crowd for a few minutes before we arrive in front of a building. It looks oddly familiar...

We walk into the building and there, sure enough, is John. "Do you have any idea what you've done?!" Damon seethes walking towards him.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do." John says and turns back around, moving something on the table in front of him. Damon starts to advance towards him but suddenly he clutches his head, crying out.

"Damon!" I yell worried running over to him. Damon falls to his knees, screaming in pain. "What's wrong? Damon!" I cry as he falls to the ground. His screams are getting louder, he's in so much pain. "What are you doing to him!" I scream at John, trying to comfort Damon. I see John take out a syringe from his pocket. Vervain, I'm guessing.

"No, you're not getting anywhere near him!" I yell standing in front of Damon, protectively. John rolls his eyes, not happy I'm protecting a vampire, and pushes me back, away from Damon. It takes me a few seconds too long to recover my balance, I watch horrified as John stabs the syringe in Damon's neck. Damon stops screaming and slowly his eyes droop close.

"You're evil!" I scream trying to run to Damon but John catches me around the waist, holding me back. "Let me go!" I try to get away but he's a lot stronger than me.

"You shouldn't side with vampires, Arianna." John whispers in my ear before everything goes black.

----------------

I groan and open my eyes, looking around the grey room. Where the hell am I? I feel like my head is about to explode. I put my hand on my forehead and it comes away with blood on it. I gasp and pull out my phone looking at myself. I have a cut above my eye... what happened to me?

Oh my God! I remember! Damon was in so much pain...then John! That friken asshole knocked me out! I get up quickly off the ground and grip the wall for support. I stand there for a moments letting the dizziness where off before I take off out the door.

I smell smoke...I look around and see smoke coming from my Dad's old office. John, it has to be him. But why is he burning a building? Ugh, I have to stop asking myself these questions. Who knows why John does what he does.

I don't think I've ever ran this fast in my life but I have a feeling Damon is in danger. As I turn the corner of the building I see John and some cops standing around it, guarding the entrance. I'm surprised to see Stefan and Elena standing in front of John. Before I know what I'm doing, I run towards John and before he even sees me coming, I punch him in the face.

"You knocked me out!" I scream and try to punch him again but Stefan stops me.

"Aria, you're bleeding." Stefan frowns causing Elena to go into protective mode.

"What! John did that to you?!" Elena question furious.

"Where is Damon!" I yell at John who is wiping the blood away from his lip. Good I punched him hard.

"He's in there burning with the rest of them. It's over for Damon." John states calmly.

"You're crazy." Elena glares at him.

"What? For doing what should have been done 145 years ago? This is the right thing Arianna, Elena." John says then looks over at Stefan, "Go ahead, you won't make it out. It will save me the trouble of killing you myself."

"You two both know the building well, is there another entrance in?" Stefan asks looking at Elena and I.

"Uh, yeah, utility door. There's one around the side." Elena tells him and he takes off towards the door. Elena and I start to run with him but he grabs Elena's arm, stopping her. She tries to pull away from him but he has a strong grip on her arm.

"If you take one more step, I'll alert those guards that they missed a vampire." John threatens.

"I'm asking you not to." Elena pleads with him.

"That doesn't mean anything to me." John says and I swear, I want to bash his face in.

"As our Father it should." Elena glares at him. Wow, Elena has got this one handled.

"You know?" John steps back releasing her arm.

"We weren't sure, now we are." I tell him, letting all the hatred I have for him seep into my voice. I nod at Elena and we walk away from him heading towards Stefan. I pray Damon is still alright, if he's not...I can't think about that.

When we get to the door we see Bonnie standing there looking shocked. "Stefan!" Elena yells once she realizes he went into the building. We both start to run in but Bonnie grabs both of our hands.

"You can't go in there! I'm sorry I lied to you." she whispers, I stare at her confused. Lied to us? The device! She lied? How could she?! I pull my hand out of hers and give her my best glare.

"How could you?!" I seethe at her and Elena gives me an alarmed look. Bonnie closes her eyes and starts whispering stuff in Latin.

"Bonnie I have to get in there!" Elena yells trying to pull away from Bonnie but Bonnie doesn't let her go. She just keeps chanting in Latin, I guess she's doing some spell. For some reason I can't move...Damn it! She's doing some spell on me also to keep me from going down there. Ugh...

After a few moments of her stupid chanting she opens her eyes and releases Elena. I take a few steps towards them so I guess the spell on me is off also.

"Bonnie what is? Are they going to be okay?" Elena asks as Bonnie just gives her a blank stare. Our questions is answered when we hear coughs and a groan from Stefan. Stefan walks out with Damon, his arm around him, stabling him.

"Damon." I cry out relived and jog over to his side. Elena runs to Stefan's happy he is alive. I feel the tears streaming down my face, I'm so happy he's alright. "Oh, I thought you were dead." I whisper before wrapping my arms around him. He smells like smoke and he's coughing in my ear but I don't care.

He pulls away from me and moves my bangs off my forehead, revealing the cut. I wince as he runs his thumb over it. "Are you alright?" he whispers. I nod and wrap my arms around him again, not wanting to let go. He's alive, that is all that matters.

----------------

"Aria, hey! Wait up!" Elena yells as I walk to my car. I take a deep breath before turning around and facing her. I probably look terrible, I was crying in Damon's arms for like 15 minutes.

"Hey, what's up?" I ask.

"The fire is out, the story is the building's