Brace yourselves...Katherine meets a lot of new faces in this chapter ;) Hope you enjoy it!

Katherine stands on the grassy grounds of the exclusive Whitmore College, her new course schedule in hand. Personally, Katherine never would have taken these classes, but Elena Gilbert had always wanted to be an English major, so Katherine is stuck with things like Advanced Expository Writing and Introduction to Cultural Criticism. Luckily, Katherine was able to fit in an Acting Fundamentals class for her own pleasure. After all, she deserves some me time.

She repositions her designer shoulder bag on her arm and begins to walk when someone bumps into her, sending her bag into the mud. Katherine groans. "Ever heard of looking where you're going?" she snaps as she reaches down to get it. Unfortunately, the stranger has the same idea, and the two bump heads. Katherine cries out in pain and looks up at him, rubbing her head. "Who the hell do you think—"

Katherine stops talking, mesmerized by the man in front of her. He looks like an ancient Roman god, with a face sculpted like a Michelangelo piece, light green eyes that sparkle in the New York sun, and short, light brown, luscious hair. And don't get her started on the beauty that is his sensuous, perfect mouth.

The man's cheeks are flushed from embarrassment, but he smiles at Katherine. "I'm sorry about that. Really…can I buy you a new bag?"

Katherine is about to snap back a witty retort, but then she remembers: she can't be Katherine. She is Plain Jane Elena Gilbert. Even if Stefan had never met the other girl, if he ever spoke with Jenna and Alaric, they would figure out the discrepancies between her true character and her fake, I'm-an-innocent-virgin act.

"It's okay," Katherine says, trying not to grit her teeth at the loss of the bag. She couldn't even afford it with a year's salary at the Pizza Kitchen. Not that Elena Gilbert would care about such things. She forces a smile. "I'm Kaaalena. Elena Gilbert," she says, catching herself before it's too late. "And who might you be?" Her smile turns more playful. She can't help but flirt with the man; he's sex on a stick, for God's sake. And yes, she's with Elijah…but Elena Gilbert isn't with Elijah.

"I'm Stefan," he smiles back. "Stefan Salvatore. Are you a freshman?"

Katherine snorts. "Oh dear God, no. I'm a transfer. From USC," she lies.

"Oh, well good," Stefan chuckles, adding sarcastically, "because being a college freshman is the worst possible thing on the planet."

Katherine giggles. "No. No, no. The worst possible thing is when some idiot bumps into you and knocks your bag into the mud."

Stefan laughs. "Hey, I said I was sorry."

Katherine nods, continuing to giggle. She moves some of her hair out of her face, wanting Stefan to be able to admire her. Thank God she decided to dress more Katherine-y today, wearing some of the new clothes Jenna had bought for her once Katherine had finally moved in.

"Are you busy at six?" Stefan asks abruptly, once again wearing the charming smile that makes Katherine want to do naughty things to him right then and there.

"No, I'm not. What did you have in mind?" Katherine replies sultrily, forgetting the Elena façade for a moment in order to properly seduce the man.

"My friends and I are meeting for dinner and a movie. Want to join?" Stefan asks. Katherine almost frowns at the offer. So it isn't a date, then.

However, the Elena in her accepts, knowing that she needs to find friends anyway to keep up the ruse. "Absolutely. Here. Let me give you my number…" Katherine, seeing the phone in Stefan's pocket, reaches over and pulls it out slowly, making sure to "accidentally" brush him a little bit with her polished fingers. She feels him jump a little against his touch, but he doesn't pull away, which is always a good sign.

Katherine starts typing her number into his phone, then takes a picture of herself. "So you'll always remember me," she giggles, handing the phone back to him.

Stefan smiles at the picture. "I love it." He hands her back her bag. "I'll text you the address. See you at six." With that, the mysterious Stefan Salvatore disappears, leaving Katherine to swoon in private for a little bit.

She's always been turned on by attractive men, but this is…different. There's more than the thin layer of sex appeal that cute men exude. Stefan is…Katherine sighs. She can't put a finger on it yet, but she hopes that whatever this dinner and a movie thing is will give her a little clarity on all things Stefan.

The little café that Katherine walks into at exactly 6:10pm is more hipster than she was prepared for. Multiple groups of college-aged students sit in circles, discussing foreign films and poetry slams. A man with a handlebar mustache mans the coffee, a lopsided grin on his face as he helps numerous kids in hipster glasses, striped or plaid shirts, and skinny jeans that would stop a person's blood flow.

It takes her a few seconds to notice a small group in the back corner of the café. There sits Stefan, two other guys, and three girls. As she walks over to them in her heels (unfortunately not stilettos; those aren't on the Elena Gilbert wardrobe checklist), Stefan sees her and smiles, waving. As he does, the rest of the group turns to look at her, examining her from head to toe. One girl in particular with long, dirty blonde hair and brown eyes nearly glares Katherine down to the ground. Oh God, what if that's his girlfriend? she thinks to herself. She might still want Stefan, but Elena sure as hell wouldn't steal someone else's man.

Stefan moves over on the small couch he's sitting on to make room for Katherine and pats the empty space. "You made it," he grins as she takes her seat as gracefully as possible.

Katherine moves a strand of hair away from her face. She spent a lot of time on her makeup and hair for him, and she'd be damned if he didn't notice it. "Of course I did," she smiles back at him. "Wouldn't miss it."

Stefan chuckles and turns to the rest of the group, not giving her the I-think-you're-hot once over that she's expecting, forcing her to hide back a small pout.

"Everyone, this is Elena. She's new to Whitmore," Stefan says to the group. "Elena, this is Matt, Tyler, Caroline, Bonnie, and Lexi."

Katherine looks each member of the group over as Stefan introduces them. Matt has a cute-but-I-don't-know-it thing going on, which Katherine finds extremely sexy. With those big, earth-shattering baby blue eyes behind hipster frames, who could resist him? Matty Blue Eyes, she thinks to herself with a small giggle.

Tyler is another wonderfully attractive specimen, but Katherine is sure he knows it. With his rather large muscles, dark hair and olive skin, girls must be flying at him from every angle. And Katherine knows that someone like Tyler doesn't stop girls. Ever.

Speaking of girls that are into Tyler…the one named Caroline seems to be particularly fond of him. Katherine can't help but notice how the girl's cat-like green eyes venture toward him every five seconds. She also is sitting next to him rather closely. There's no way that Caroline isn't trying to get into Tyler's pants. Maybe she already has, but she's trying for more than a one night stand. She'd have to see which was correct later, once she infiltrates this group of friends more properly.

Next to Caroline is the one named Bonnie. She's sporting a pixie cut, which Katherine despises. But she does have a nice, dark complexion and piercing hazel eyes, which are completely focused on observing Katherine's body language. Katherine moves on quickly, not liking the mutual eye contact.

She doesn't find much relief when she turns toward Lexi, the one who was giving her a death glare earlier, and also the one sitting on the other side of Stefan. Lexi is still staring her down with those narrowed brown eyes of hers, as if she's annoyed with the girl. Katherine knows Lexi will be the hardest to win over among this group of friends.

"It's nice to meet you all," Katherine smiles, giggling nervously. "I was so worried that when I transferred, I wouldn't meet anyone friendly, but here I am, so I must be doing something right."

"Stefan, if you'd told me that Elena was such a babe, I wouldn't have been worried about her joining the group," Tyler grins, much to Caroline's dismay. Katherine holds back an amused laugh at Caroline's distaste, but a smug grin can't help but creep on her face.

Stefan and Matt roll their eyes. "You had to take it there," Matt says only half-seriously, clearly amused by Tyler's remark.

"It's fine," Katherine replies, forcing herself to blush a little bit. "Thank you, Tyler. I'm flattered."

"Don't be," Lexi inserts, "he says that to every girl he lays eyes on."

Katherine can't help but feel insulted, but she doesn't want to tell off this pretentious bitch just yet. The good girl show must go on. So Katherine looks down at her feet and says softly, "Oh."

Stefan chuckles and unexpectedly leans into her, his mouth on her ear as he whispers, "Don't be nervous. Lexi can smell fear."

Katherine's heart starts pumping the instant Stefan leans in, something that she's never quite experienced before from a simple touch. After being with Elijah for so long…it's as if Stefan is a defibrillator that is restarting her cold, lifeless heart. Also, such close contact must mean he's single…right?

Katherine giggles as Stefan pulls away, letting herself be more confident now that Stefan has encouraged her. If Lexi thinks she can get away with thinly veiled insults, she doesn't know who she's dealing with.

Just as Katherine is about to sass at Lexi, she notices another man walk into the café. With his all black ensemble, topped off with a highly expensive, black leather jacket, he definitely doesn't fit into the hipster stereotype. As the man walks closer to the group, she can't help but stare at those big blue eyes that are somehow even more attractive than Matt's.

When the man stops in front of her and Stefan, she can't help but wonder…is he a part of this group? She glances around at her new "friends" and notices not a single one of them looks happy to see him around; in fact, they look downright annoyed that he's even shown his face. How intriguing.

"Stefan, I need a place to crash for a few days. Father is ready to kick my ass again. Do you mind?"

Stefan sighs, obviously not excited by the prospect. "Yeah, that's fine. Just…no parties that end up in the apartment being set on fire, you hear?" Stefan looks up at the man, giving him a stern look.

The man chuckles mischievously, and Stefan's look hardens. "I'm serious, Damon. No trashing the apartment."

Damon puts his hands up, as if surrendering to Stefan. "Hey, I got it. No need to worry brother." He gives his brother another playful grin before turning to leave.

However, he's stopped when he notices the beautiful woman at Stefan's side. He focuses his attention on her, ready to seduce Stefan's new buddy. "And who might you be?" he asks Katherine, his visage still playful.

Katherine giggles. "I'm Elena," she replies to Damon. God damn, if sex had a picture in the dictionary, it would be Damon. She licks her lips in anticipation.

Damon takes her hand and kisses it gently. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Elena," Damon responds, making Katherine giggle again. She couldn't believe how stupid he must think she is. He's trying way too hard for this to work on any girl with a brain. However…she could always use him to get information about Stefan, and maybe even to make Stefan jealous. I mean, it's not like Damon wouldn't be using her for his own personal reasons, as well.

"The pleasure is mine," Katherine says, looking directly into Damon's blue eyes for a couple seconds before he releases her hand and turns back to Stefan.

"I'll see you around, Stef." With that, Damon walks out of the bar, and Katherine's eyes trail after him, hoping that Stefan is watching her. Yes, Damon is the perfect pawn for Katherine to use, and she can't wait to begin.