"It does seem that way. You're handling this very well."

"I need him. He's strong and he helps me handle... everything."

“If there are things I need to know, we should get them out of the way now. Far as I can tell, there’s a lot of dangerous stuff out there.”

"I am dangerous. If I lost control- it's happened before, before we started using the wolfsbane. I broke free and killed somebody. I'm also an Alpha. Which means if I bite someone, they can become a werewolf too. Or they die."

"I'll be careful. This doesn't change how I feel about you, it just means I need to look out for myself. I've been doing that a long time."

"There are ways. Druid magic is powerful. You might be able to learn some of it..."

"I do know someone that could help with that."

Zach leaves.

"Is he going to be okay?"

"Dad has... he gets stressed. Damon being around does that."

"I get that. I'm not exactly his biggest fan, either."

"He's not sticking around, is he? He never does...."

"I'll take care of it."

“Maybe we should talk about something else. Stefan, what’s going on with you?”

"I've been offering my services as a mechanic, helping out in town. It's a hobby."

"Are you planning your annual birthday trip to New York? You'll be gone over Halloween, won't you?"

"That's Lexi's plan. She was hoping you'd join us, but I'm sure you have other things."

“We made other plans. If you want to go, I don’t mind.”

She kisses him.

"Nowhere I'd rather be."

Kiss!

...

"We should probably study."

"I suppose if we want to be successful at this high school thing."

She sighs dramatically and they go do that.

They study. They kiss, but they mostly study. Matt insists, he actually does need to study, he just likes her company.

Eventually, Matt has to leave.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Juliet."

He kisses her goodbye.

"Farewell. God knows when we shall meet again."

The next day, Erica sits next to her in homeroom.

"Hey, beautiful. You have a good night?"