Isaac Fell is an ordinary teenager with an extraordinary amount of baggage. Raised without a mother, he was only three when she passed away. His father, unable to cope with the loss, turned to alcohol, leaving Isaac to navigate life largely on his own. Though he has a wide circle of friends, Isaac only feels truly at ease with two people: his girlfriend, Bonnie Bennett, and his best friend, Tyler Lockwood.

Growing up, Isaac found solace in the home of his aunt Meredith, often seeking refuge there whenever his father’s struggles became too much to bear. To most, Isaac’s life seems like a typical teenage experience, but the truth is, few know the weight he carries or the depths of his pain—except Bonnie.

Isaac and Bonnie have been inseparable since they were sixteen, their bond growing stronger with each passing year. They’re often found at each other’s houses, their relationship a quiet but unshakable constant. It’s a love everyone around them envies.

Despite the admiration Isaac receives from those around him, Bonnie remains his anchor—the one person who truly knows him, flaws and all.

Isaac leaned casually against his locker, his eyes following Bonnie as she packed her books for her next class. He couldn’t help but smile as she animatedly told him about her morning.

"And then me and Elena saw a new guy," Bonnie said, her eyes wide with excitement. "He looked so awesome. Not as awesome as your, though." She shot him a playful grin, her voice filled with admiration.

Isaac grinned back, his heart fluttering at the compliment. "You’re cute," he said, his voice soft and genuine.

Bonnie rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless. "Thank you."

She closed her locker and stood next to him, her shoulder brushing his as they stood in comfortable silence for a moment. The hallway bustled with students hurrying to their next classes, but in that brief moment, it felt like time had slowed down for just the two of them.

"Hey, Isaac!" Tyler’s voice broke the moment, pulling Isaac’s attention away.

Isaac looked over and saw Tyler standing a few feet away, a grin plastered on his face. "What’s up?"

Tyler waved him over. "We’ve got to go now! Football practice."

Isaac glanced at Bonnie, his face filled with that familiar reluctance he always felt when he had to leave her. "Sorry, I have to go, but I’ll see you after school, right?"

Bonnie sighed dramatically, her lips pouting slightly. "Caroline is dragging me for shopping," she said, rolling her eyes.

Isaac groaned in mock frustration. "Not even at the Grill?" he asked, trying to keep his tone light.

Bonnie shrugged, a playful smirk forming on her lips. "I will see you there," she promised, her voice soft but teasing.

"Perfect," Isaac said, his expression lighting up. "Can’t wait."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead, a quick but meaningful goodbye. As he pulled away, his hand lingered on hers for a moment, his thumb gently brushing across her skin.

"Be good," he whispered with a wink.

Bonnie chuckled and waved him off. "Always."

With one last smile, Isaac turned to leave, heading toward the football field with Tyler, but his mind was already racing back to Bonnie.

"See you after school," he called back to her, and her smile was the last thing he saw before he disappeared around the corner.

---

Isaac stepped into the house, the familiar scent of stale beer hitting him the moment he walked through the door. The front door creaked shut behind him, but there was no sound of movement from the other rooms. He could feel his shoulders tense, a weight he’d grown all too familiar with. His dad was home.

He dropped his bag by the door, his heart sinking as he heard the faint sound of a muffled snore from the living room. Isaac hesitated, taking a deep breath before walking toward the sound.

As he rounded the corner, he saw his dad slouched on the couch, his face flushed and his shirt wrinkled from hours of being crumpled in sleep. Empty beer cans littered the coffee table and the floor around him, the remnants of another night lost to the bottle. Isaac's stomach twisted, but he kept his expression blank, a mask he had perfected over the years.

"Another one," he muttered under his breath, barely able to contain the bitterness in his voice. His father had been like this for as long as Isaac could remember—distant, angry, and more often than not, drunk. Isaac used to try to talk to him, but now he just didn’t have the energy.

He stood there for a moment, staring at the man who was supposed to be his father, but felt more like a stranger. Isaac didn’t know how to fix this. Didn’t know how to get through to him. So instead, he did what he always did—he silently grabbed a blanket from the couch, covered his dad up as best as he could, and left the room.

"Good night, Dad," he said quietly, though he knew his father wouldn’t hear him. He didn’t expect him to.

Isaac stood for a moment in the hallway, the weight of the moment settling over him. He’d learned to live with this, but that didn’t make it any easier. He could hear his own thoughts swirling—thoughts of Bonnie, of his friends, of a life where he wasn’t just stuck in this cycle of disappointment and anger. He could almost feel the pull of the outside world, of a life beyond this house, but for now, he was trapped.

Shaking his head, Isaac made his way to his room, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click. He collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling, thoughts of his dad, Bonnie, and the emptiness of it all swirling around him.

For the moment, all he could do was sleep, hoping that tomorrow might bring something different.

---

Isaac needed to get out of the house, away from the mess his dad had left behind. He grabbed his jacket, slinging it over his shoulder, and left the house without another word. His mind was clouded, but he knew one place he could find a sliver of peace—his Aunt Meredith’s house.

Meredith was different. She was his escape from everything that felt broken. The cool aunt who always had time for him, who listened when he needed to vent, and who always seemed to know exactly how to make him feel better. And even though she was a doctor, with her busy schedule, she made sure Isaac knew he could always count on her.

When Isaac arrived at her place, he immediately felt a sense of relief. The moment he opened the door, he was greeted by the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of the TV playing in the background.

"Hey, kiddo," Meredith called out from the kitchen, her bright smile greeting him like a warm hug. "You look like you could use a cup of coffee."

Isaac smiled, grateful for her presence. "You know me too well," he replied, sinking into one of the chairs at the kitchen table.

She handed him a mug and sat across from him. "You okay?"

Isaac nodded, but the exhaustion in his eyes betrayed his words. "Yeah, just… tired. My dad’s home. He’s passed out again."

Meredith’s expression softened, and she sighed, clearly upset by the situation. "I’m sorry, Isaac," she said quietly, her hand resting on his. "I know it’s hard."

Before Isaac could respond, the sound of the front door opening caught their attention. Isaac's uncle Logan walked in, tossing his jacket over the back of a chair. Logan was the middle sibling, and although he was a news guy who had a reputation of being a bit of a jerk to everyone, Isaac found that Logan was one of the few people who actually treated him decently.

"Well, well, look who’s here," Logan said, eyeing Isaac with a half-smile. "You running from the old man again?"

Isaac rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips. "Yeah, you know how it is."

Logan sat down at the table, his eyes flicking between Isaac and Meredith. "You look like you could use a drink," he said, reaching for a bottle of whiskey in the cupboard.

Meredith shot Logan a warning glance. "Don’t start, Logan," she said sternly. "Isaac’s here for a reason, not to watch you drink yourself into oblivion."

Logan chuckled, unfazed by her glare. "I’m not gonna get drunk, Mer. Just one glass." He poured himself a drink and then leaned back in his chair.

Isaac watched the exchange, appreciating the way Meredith always looked out for him, even if Logan was... well, Logan. Despite his abrasive attitude and tendency to push buttons, Logan had always been kind to Isaac. There was something in his eyes when he looked at him that made Isaac think he might actually care.

"So, how’s work?" Isaac asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from the tension that had started to build.

Logan took a sip of his drink, the corner of his mouth curling up in amusement. "Same as always. News never changes, kid. But it pays the bills."

Meredith rolled her eyes, but there was affection behind the gesture. "Maybe you should try being a little less of an ass for once. Might make life easier."

Logan shot her a look but didn’t argue, clearly used to Meredith’s sharp tongue. Isaac couldn’t help but smile at their sibling dynamic—it was chaotic, but in a strange way, it worked.

Isaac sat back in his chair, letting the warmth of the coffee settle in. "I’m glad I came here," he said quietly, his voice reflecting the comfort he felt being in this room. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better than what he had back home. "I needed this."

Meredith’s expression softened, and she reached across the table, squeezing his hand. "You’re always welcome here, Isaac. You don’t have to go through this alone."

Logan gave Isaac a rare, genuine smile. "Yeah, kid. Just... don’t expect me to be all sweet like your aunt," he teased, but it was clear he meant it in his own gruff way.

Isaac couldn’t help but feel grateful for the strange family he had. It wasn’t perfect, but it was his. And right now, that was enough.

---

Isaac sat on Bonnie’s bed, his fingers tracing the edges of her book collection on the shelf. He always loved spending time in her room—it felt like a sanctuary, a place where the world outside could disappear for a while. Bonnie was in the bathroom, getting ready for their night at the Grill, and he could hear the faint sound of her humming as she picked out an outfit.

It was a Saturday night, and the Grill was always buzzing with people—music, laughter, the usual crowd. It should have been a normal night, but Isaac still felt that weight pressing down on him. The scene with his dad earlier lingered in his mind, a reminder of the chaos he was trying to escape. But Bonnie always made him feel like everything would be okay. She had a way of grounding him, of helping him forget, if only for a little while.

Bonnie’s voice called out from the bathroom. “What do you think of this one?” Isaac looked up and saw her stepping out, wearing a casual yet stylish top that matched perfectly with her jeans. Her hair was styled loosely, falling in soft waves around her shoulders.

Isaac couldn’t help but smile. “You look amazing, as always,” he said, his voice light but full of affection. He stood up from the bed, moving toward her as she adjusted her shirt in front of the mirror.

Bonnie turned to face him, flashing him a teasing smile. “You sure you’re not just saying that to get out of trouble?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Isaac laughed, shaking his head. “I don’t need to get out of trouble,” he said, his voice playful. “But seriously, you look beautiful.”

Bonnie blushed slightly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “You’re so sweet,” she murmured, stepping closer to him.

Isaac pulled her into a gentle hug, holding her for a moment longer than usual. She was always his safe place, the one person who could make the world seem a little less heavy.

“You know,” Bonnie said after a beat, her voice quieter now, “I was thinking we could do something different tonight. Maybe we could actually have a nice time at the Grill? Just enjoy ourselves?”

Isaac pulled back slightly to look at her, his hands resting on her shoulders. “I like the sound of that,” he said softly. “I’ll do my best to keep the stress at bay.”

Bonnie smiled, her eyes softening as she reached up to touch his cheek. “You don’t have to pretend with me, Isaac. I know things aren’t easy at home. But you’ve got me.”

Isaac’s heart clenched slightly at her words, the vulnerability in her voice grounding him once again. “I know,” he whispered, grateful for her presence. “I just don’t want you to see me like this all the time.”

Bonnie’s expression softened, her fingers brushing through his hair. “You don’t have to hide from me. We’ll face everything together, okay?”

He nodded, the warmth of her words washing over him. For the first time that day, he felt a little lighter. “Okay,” he said, his voice full of sincerity.

Bonnie stepped back with a smile, giving him a playful push toward the door. “Now, let’s go before Caroline texts me about how long we’re taking to get to the Grill,” she said, rolling her eyes.

Isaac chuckled, grabbing his jacket and following her out of the room. As they made their way downstairs, Isaac couldn’t help but feel grateful for the night ahead. Whatever chaos awaited him, Bonnie was there, and that was enough for now.

---

Isaac and Bonnie walked into the Grill, the familiar hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses filling the air. The moment they entered, Isaac’s eyes scanned the room for their friends, but he didn’t have to look long—Caroline, Tyler, and Matt were already at their usual booth, their laughter spilling across the room.

"Looks like we're late," Isaac said with a grin, nudging Bonnie as they made their way over.

Bonnie laughed, her hand brushing against his as they walked. "Well, we had to make sure I was perfectly presentable for my friends," she said, the teasing smile on her lips.

As they reached the booth, Caroline was the first to spot them, her face lighting up. "Bonnie! Finally!" she exclaimed, standing up and practically tackling her best friend in a hug. Isaac chuckled, but the smile quickly faded when he noticed Caroline’s eyes flicker over to him—then back to Bonnie.

"Alright, Caroline, ease up," Isaac said, raising an eyebrow. He knew what was coming next.

Caroline didn’t even acknowledge him, her attention fully on Bonnie. “Come on, Bon, I need you!” she said, pulling her away from Isaac’s side before Bonnie could even protest. "I need to tell you about this guy I saw at school today—he’s so dreamy."

Bonnie shot Isaac an apologetic glance, but before she could say anything, Caroline was already leading her away.

Isaac, left standing there with a bemused smile, crossed his arms and shook his head. “Every time," he muttered, watching as Caroline whisked Bonnie away without a second thought.

Tyler, who had been watching the whole thing with a grin, raised his eyebrows. “You know, I think Caroline might actually be trying to steal Bonnie from you,” he teased, nudging Isaac with his elbow.

Isaac rolled his eyes and took a seat at the table. “She’s been doing this since we were sixteen,” he said dryly, glancing over at Bonnie and Caroline, who were deep in conversation across the room. “I’m pretty sure she doesn’t realize she’s still in competition with me.”

Matt, who had been quietly observing, laughed. “I’d say Bonnie’s got a pretty good balance, though,” he said, smirking. “She’s got you, she’s got Caroline… I’d say she’s winning.”

Isaac grinned, leaning back in his seat. “Yeah, well, I’ll just have to keep winning her back,” he said, playfully raising his glass in Bonnie’s direction.

Tyler looked between Isaac and Matt, his grin widening. “And you’re still okay with that? With Caroline swooping in like that?”

Isaac chuckled, shaking his head. “At this point, I’ve given up. It’s like Bonnie’s own personal fan club.”

Tyler laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, if I were you, I’d be worried. She’s gonna start being more popular than you at this rate.”

Isaac rolled his eyes again but couldn’t help the chuckle that followed. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. As long as she knows who she’s going home with tonight,” he added with a wink, leaning back in his seat.

Matt smirked. “Ah, now we’re getting to the real reason behind all that patience.”

Isaac just grinned, enjoying the playful banter with his friends, even if Caroline had just stolen his girl for the moment.

---

"How's Elena holding up?" Matt asked as he sat next to Isaac and Bonnie.

"Her parents are gone, Matt. How do you think she’s doing?" Bonnie replied, her voice thick with concern. Isaac nodded in agreement, his expression somber.

"Has she said anything about me?" Matt pressed, hoping for some sort of clue.

Isaac shook his head. "My girl is not getting involved in any of that right now. You’re the one who needs to make the call, Matt. Pick up the phone."

Matt sighed, looking down. "I feel weird calling her. After everything, she broke up with me..."

Isaac spoke up, his voice firm but kind. "Give it time, Matt. Trust me."

Just then, the door opened and Elena walked in, followed by a new guy—Stefan. The trio at the table exchanged surprised glances, their eyes wide.

"More time, huh?" Matt muttered under his breath, glancing at Bonnie and Isaac.

Later, everyone gathered around the table. Caroline, never one to hold back, turned to Stefan with a series of questions.

"So, you’re from Mystic Falls?" Caroline asked, raising an eyebrow.

Stefan nodded, a slight frown crossing his face. "I was born here, but I moved away when I was young."

"Parents?" Caroline pressed, clearly curious.

"My parents passed away," Stefan replied, his tone softer now, more guarded.

Caroline’s eyes softened in understanding. "I’m sorry."

Elena, who had been listening quietly, now chimed in. "Do you have any siblings?"

Stefan hesitated for a moment, then answered, "None that I talk to. I live with my uncle."

Bonnie, sitting nearby, crossed her arms and looked at Elena with a knowing expression. "So, Stefan, since you’re new to town, you probably don’t know about the party tomorrow night," she said, cutting in before Elena could.

Isaac glanced at Stefan. "It’s the back-to-school party at the falls," he explained. "A lot of drunk teenagers, typical stuff."

Stefan raised an eyebrow. "Are you going?" he asked, his gaze turning to Elena.

Before Elena could respond, Bonnie jumped in. "Of course she is," she said, giving Stefan a teasing smile. "What, you think she’s going to miss a chance to party?"

"Not on Caroline's watch." Isaac muttered and Caroline hit him in the head. "Ow!"

Elena laughed softly, a little embarrassed but clearly enjoying the banter.

----

Isaac walked into the house, the familiar stench of stale alcohol hanging in the air. His father was sitting at the kitchen table, a half-empty bottle of whiskey in front of him. The soft clink of the glass being set down echoed through the silence as Isaac closed the door behind him.

"You're late," his father muttered, his voice slurred and rough from the liquor.

Isaac didn’t respond. He had learned years ago that silence was often the safest option. His mother’s absence still felt fresh, even though it had been months since she passed away. She had always been the buffer, the one who tried to keep the peace. But now, it was just him and his father, and the house felt emptier than ever.

His father’s eyes narrowed as he looked up. “Where were