Drained \\ infxriore
College, the place her best friend Caroline described as having no shortage of alcohol, sex and freedom. Every time Caroline's eyes playfully flared when she spoke of those things Elena Gilbert couldn't help but giggle. She wasn't interested in the parties and she imagined that with all of the classes she was signed up for, freedom was going to be the last thing she had the pleasure of enjoying. Straight A's and more honors classes than she could count had gotten her a partial scholarship into Whitmore and her parents were beyond proud. Becoming a teacher had been her lifelong dream and she was finally going to make it happen. Mystic Grill, the place where she was probably going to miss hanging out at the most. She and Caroline, Bonnie, Matt, and Tyler usually spent their weekends at the Grill shooting pool, singing karaoke and having a good time. This time in particular was a celebration of sorts, one last hurrah before they went off to start the next chapter in their lives. The Mystic Grill held a special place in Elena's heart, she used to sit at the bar for hours just talking to Matt and watching him work when he got his first job. They only dated briefly, deciding they were better as friends than young lovers. The group made a pact to come here for a night out once a month and Elena really hoped that it was possible. Her front porch, the place she learned how to tie her shoes, the place she had her first kiss, and the place where she sat quietly and watched as her younger brother Jeremy played in the yard. Elena was going to miss laying on the swing and reading or having a heartfelt conversation with her mom at midnight. College was a new beginning and she wished that it was more like high school where everything remained constant for twelve straight years. Nostalgia was really hitting her as she began her walk home from the restaurant, but it brought a smile to her face instead of tears, Elena had a wonderful childhood filled with amazing friends and memories and she hoped college would treat her just as well as the last 18 years of her life had treated her. With her purse slung over her shoulder, Elena zipped up her jacket and began to lightly kick a rock along the sidewalk as she thought about all of the things she still needed to get packed for Sunday when her parents drove her to Whitmore and helped her get moved in and settled into her dorm room. Elena never paid attention to the shadows and walking alone never was something that scared her. The most exciting new in the papers was about the rare blooms in the Lockwood garden or if the football team won or lost the game. There was nothing to be afraid of. Nothing bad ever happened in Mystic Falls, after all.