Julie was sitting in her car. She was still upset about Elijah's visit and she hadn't moved for a few minutes. She could still feel his gentle touch on her cheek. She had been scared, for sure, but she wondered why he came to her, why he wanted her to give the message. She wasn't friends with any of them. She had nothing to do at all with their problems.

So maybe he wanted her involved. Maybe...

Julie sighed, confused and annoyed with herself. She took a deep breath and finally started the car. She wasn't paying much attention on the road but luckily she made it to the school safe. She tried to find Stefan but she couldn't find him near the school. She looked around and saw Bonnie with a student she had never seen before. They were joined by Jeremy and she watched the new guy walk away from them which meant she had no excuse now and she had to go talk to them.

"Bonnie?" she said with a small voice and then cleared her throat.

"Oh! You're Julie, right? Bonnie asked.

Julie looked up at Jeremy and gave him a polite smile.

"Yeah..." she nodded. "I have something...uh...important, to tell you," she said. She sounded scared and both Bonnie and Jeremy noticed her behavior. He frowned but Bonnie's phone rang and interrupted them.

"Who is it?" Jeremy asked when he saw her frowned.

"It's Damon..." she sounded surprised. "We need to leave, now."

"What is it you wanted to say?" the Gilbert boy asked Julie.

"It's about Elijah..."

"Don't worry about him, Julie, he's dead," Bonnie tried to reassure her.

"No, he's not. He was at my house 20 minutes ago. He wants me to give a message to Elena."

"What?!" they both shouted which made Julie jump.

"He said not to do anything stupid and that he'd be around," the last part was probably more something he just told her than an actual threat.

"Come with us," Bonnie said, taking her hand and dragging her to her car.

"Wh...where?"

"We need to tell Damon," she said.

"But...can't you tell him?"

"He'll want to hear it from you," Jeremy said, opening the door.

"Look, I don't want to get involved in this," Julie said. "You can tell him." She was ready to walk away but Bonnie stopped her.

"Elijah was at your house," she said. "He knows who you are and now he knows where you live. You're gonna need protection."

"You're already involved," Jeremy told her.

Julie looked at the two people that were trying to scare her into their mess.

"Look," Bonnie sighed and took one step towards her. "We know this isn't easy. But you're not safe."

Julie sighed. She really didn't want to get into that car. "No," she said and walked away from them.

Julie couldn't concentrate in any of her classes. When her day was over she went to the Mystic Grill because she was too scared to go home. She felt better in public, safer. She did her homework and stayed as late as she could but when night came she had no choice but to go home. She had to cook dinner for Robert, even though he probably wasn't going to be home to eat it. She drove home and was relieved when she didn't see Elijah anywhere around. Which was really a paranoid way to think. For sure, he had better things to do, and if he wanted her dead, she would be dead already. She cleaned, took a shower and cooked dinner. She left her stepfather some leftovers in the fridge and went to bed.

She spent a horrible night. She was too scared to be relaxed enough to fall asleep but when she finally did, nightmares kept waking her up. When morning came, she was exhausted. She thought a cold shower would wake her up. When she was ready to leave, she stopped in front of the door, too scared to open it. She took a deep breath and slowly turned the handle and was relieved when she saw nobody was standing behind the door. She stepped out and let out a nervous laugh, she was feeling silly.

"Julie!"

Julie screamed so loud probably the entire street heard her. She gasped and her bag fell on the ground.

"Bonnie, damn it!" she shouted when she saw the witch standing next to her car.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I just wanted to see if you were okay..."

"So your idea was to give me heart attack?!"

"I'm sorry," she repeated. "It's just..." she sighed.

"What?"

Bonnie sighed. "Elena did something stupid yesterday," she said. "I just thought maybe Elijah wouldn't be happy about it..."

"I didn't see him."

"Okay...good."

Julie sighed. "I'm sorry for yelling at you," she apologized. "You startled me..."

"I understand, it's okay," she said. "You need protection from Elijah, Julie. He's dangerous, you can't stay alone, you need fr..." she stopped.

"What? Friends?" Julie finished the witch's sentence. "I think it's clear you can't protect me from Elijah," she said. "And I don't have friends," she muttered, walking towards her car.

"Julie," Bonnie sighed. "You really can't stay alone," she insisted.

"Why do you care?" Julie asked. She wasn't angry or anything. She was truly curious why Bonnie was here. "I am alone anyway, so what can you do?"

"I can be your friend," she answered. She took a few steps towards Julie and crossed her arms over her chest. Julie chuckled.

"Right, we've been in the same school for years and three days ago you didn't even know I existed."

Bonnie frowned. "That's not true." Julie raised an eyebrow and imitated the witch and crossed her arms.

"Really?" she said, doubtful.

"Your name's Julie Johnson, you moved here 6 years ago with your mother and stepfather, you're smart, your favorite class is history, you paint, you like to read and you got better fashion sense than Caroline."

Julie was surprised by all the things Bonnie knew about her. "How do you know all that?"

"Unlike what you think, I care," she answered with a smile. "And even though you're right, I can't do anything to protect you from Elijah, you'll still be safer with me than on your own."

Julie looked at Bonnie for a minute in silence. Being friends with Bonnie, being friends with a witch, that was scary. Because that meant getting involved in their drama. With vampires. And maybe she was wrong. Maybe she'd be safer away from all that.

"I don't mean to be rude or anything," Julie said. "But I really don't want to get involved." She opened the car door and throw her bag on the passenger seat.

"Elena mentioned you couldn't be compelled," Bonnie said. Julie had trouble to get the point.

"So? That's a good thing, from what I understand."

"It also means you're not human," Bonnie said. "Witches can't be compelled."

Julie raised her eyebrows and laughed. "What? Now I'm a witch?" This was getting ridiculous. "I'm not a witch, okay. I'm human."

"If you're not a witch then I don't know why you can't be compelled."

"Who cares why?" Julie asked.

"Werewolves exist."

"What now?" Julie was confused. Though she really shouldn't be surprised that werewolves existed.

"I'm not saying you're a werewolf. From what I know, they can be compelled. But aren't you interested to know what you are?" Bonnie seemed more interested than she was.

"I know what I am, Bonnie. I'm human. I'm not a witch, I'm not a werewolf and I'm not a fairy either."

Bonnie gave her a funny look. "Fairies don't exist."

"What do I know?" Julie threw her hands in the air. "Look, Bonnie," she sighed. "You seem nice. And you look like you actually care about my safety. But I wasn't involved in Elena's mess and I still got kidnapped by two 500 years old vampires anyway. I don't want that to ever happen again."

"I understand," Bonnie nodded. "But you said it yourself. You weren't even involved you got hurt anyway." She really wouldn't let this go. "The advantage of having friends is they will know if something's wrong. And next time you get kidnap, somebody will notice."

"Next time?" Julie echoed. "Do you guys get kidnap a lot?" she joked.

Bonnie laughed. "It happens," she answered. "Plus, I'm a witch. Are you really saying no to having a witch friend?"

Julie laughed and then sighed. "I guess not."

"Great!" Bonnie squeezed. She hugged Julie who was surprised by her behavior but she hugged her back anyway. "I'll see you at school!"

Julie watched Bonnie walk away and get into her car. She sighed and then chuckled before she got into her own car and drove to school.

When she arrived at the school, Bonnie was waiting for her.

"Come on, I'll introduce you to Caroline," she said.

That's gonna be fun...

The blonde was at her locker with Tyler Lockwood. She was spending a lot of time with him, lately.

"Caroline!" Bonnie called her friend. She turned her head to see Bonnie and Julie walk towards her. Tyler was gone by the time they reached the blonde's locker.

"Care, this is Julie."

"Nice to meet you," Julie smiled politely.

"Hi, yeah I recognize you, I love your dress!" she said, looking her up and down.

"Th...Thanks..."

"Oh wait, you're the girl that got kidnapped with Elena!" she remembered.

"Yup, that's me," she nodded.

"Oh my God, are you okay?" She looked really worried.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Caroline sighed, relieved. "God, I can't imagine for you to find out vampires exist like that..."

She shrugged. "How did you find out?"

"You don't know?" Bonnie asked.

"No," Julie shook her head. "Did you get kidnap too?" she tried to joke.

"No," the blonde told her. "I got killed."

"What?" Julie lost her smile.

"Caroline's a vampire," Bonnie told her.

"What?" Julie repeated in a loud whisper.

"Yes, Katherine turned me," Caroline said, her voice full of hate.

"You do know who Katherine is, right?" Bonnie asked.

"Yeah, she's Elena's doppelganger," she nodded

"She's also a psycho bitch," Caroline added.

"I'm starting to get that," Julie replied.

"So," Caroline sighed. "Is Elena trapped?" she asked.

"Yes, it's done," Bonnie nodded.

"What are you talking about?" Julie asked, confused.

"Elena's stupid thing she did yesterday was going on a suicide mission," Bonnie told her.

"She thinks getting killed will make us safe," Caroline rolled her eyes.

"But we're not going to let that happen," Bonnie said. "That's what friends are for," she smiled at Julie. "So I used a spell and trapped her in her house."

"I see," Julie said. Maybe being friend with a witch wasn't such a good idea after all. "So you're going to see her after school?"

"No," Bonnie sighed. "I have some important witch stuff to do."

"Yeah, and I... have plans," Caroline said. Julie frowned. That was awfully vague.

"Hey!" Bonnie said like she had just had an idea. "You could go!"

"Excuse-me?" Julie was confused.

"You could go," she repeated. "She'll be bored and I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

"Why would she be happy to see me?" Julie asked.

Caroline chuckled. "Elena's worried about you. She kept asking to make sure you were fine."

Julie was surprised to hear that. Now she had to go and make sure Elena was okay. Besides, it would be a good opportunity to get to know her and...make friends.

"Sure, I'll stop by and say hello."

"Great!" Bonnie smiled, happy.

"I'm gonna be late for class," Julie told them. "See you later."

"Bye, Julie," Bonnie smiled.

"It was nice meeting you!" Caroline said.

Julie didn't see Caroline or Bonnie after that. After school, she drove directly to Elena's house. She didn't find it right away and actually got lost before she found her way and parked in front of the Gilberts house. She knocked, timid, and Elena's aunt, Jenna, opened.

"Hi," she smiled. "Can I help you?"

"Hi, yeah," Julie cleared her throat. "I'm Julie. Elena's...friend. Is she here?" Of course she was here, she was trapped inside.

"Oh, yes. I remember you," Jenna said. "We've met before."

"Yes, it was a few years ago," Julie nodded. She didn't want to talk about it.

"Julie?"

They were interrupted by Elena who was walking down the stairs.

"Hi," Julie waved at her. "Bonnie told me you were..." she stopped and looked at Jenna. How much did she know? "That you were here," she cleared her throat. "I thought you might want some company."

Elena nodded and smiled. "Sure, come on in." Jenna moved to let her in and then closed the door.

"I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything," she said.

"We'll be in my room," Elena told her. "I'm happy to see you," she told Julie. "It's so nice of you to come."

"Well, I thought you might be bored," she shrugged.

"Yeah, it's not much fun being stuck here," she complained.

"Stefan couldn't be here?" Julie found it strange her boyfriend wasn't keeping her company.

"Oh, you don't know," Elena said with a sad face.

"Know what?"

Elena sighed. "Stefan is...stuck in a tomb with Katherine."

"What? What tomb?"

"It's a long story," she sighed. "Come on."

They got to her bedroom and they sat on the bed.

"I heard Elijah came by your house yesterday."

"Yeah..." Julie sighed.

"You must have been scared. I'm sorry he threatened you."

"He didn't threaten me," Julie told her.

"He didn't?" Elena frowned.

"No," she shook her head. "He said not to be scared. That he wasn't going to hurt me...He..."

"What?" Elena encouraged her to talk. Julie sighed.

"He was...nice," she looked up at Elena who seemed surprised.

"Elijah saved my life yesterday," she said and now it was Julie who was surprised.

"Bonnie mentioned you went on a suicide mission."

"I called Klaus' men and Elijah killed them," she explained. "I just don't get it!" she said. "I thought..."

"He wanted to sacrifice you?" she finished her thought. "Me too..."

"I don't get it," she repeated. "So that's why I'm stuck in here," she sighed.

"Well...You did do a very stupid thing yesterday."

Elena chuckled.

"Who's Klaus, anyway?" Julie asked.

"He's like Elijah," she answered. "He's very old and he can't be killed."

"And he wants you..."

"Yes," Elena looked down. "And he'll kill everyone I care about if he doesn't get me."

"That's why you tried to surrender."

"Yes."

"I understand why you did it," Julie told her.

"You do?" Elena sounded surprised. "Everyone was mad at me."

"That's because they love you. They don't want to lose you."

"That's why they trapped me in here," she sighed. "Thanks for coming," she smiled. Julie smiled back and then shivered.

"Are you cold?" Elena asked.

"No," Julie answered. "Weird..."

"Come on, I'll make some tea," Elena said, getting up.

They walked down the stairs and Jenna was blocking the way to the kitchen. She was looking in the cupboard under the stairs.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Elena asked her aunt. Jenna looked up and smiled when she saw the girls.

"Hey, perfect timing!" she said, placing a box in Elena's arms.

"Wow," Elena said when she realized the box was heavy. "What is this stuff?" she asked.

"Your mom's files from the historical society," she answered. "I got roped in to helping Mrs. Lockwood," she told them. "And by roped I mean I'm very excited to participate," she said, sarcastic. She closed the cupboard and Julie and Elena gasped when they saw who was standing behind it.

"Hey. I'm Elijah," he said with a smile.

"Elijah's in town doing research on Mystic Falls," Jenna explained, taking the box from Elena.

Elijah was only looking at Julie when he took a few steps towards the girls.

"It's a pleasure," he said, handing his hand out for Elena but his eyes were still on Julie. Elena hesitated but finally shook Elijah's hand.

"So, you know, you're welcome to stay here and rummage through this stuff," Jenna said. Julie could feel Elijah's gaze on her and she blushed, looked down and got closer behind Elena. "Or, Elena, Julie and I could help you load it into your car," she said. Elijah finally moved his eyes from Julie and looked up at Jenna who was talking to him.

"Yeah, or I can get someone to pick it up tomorrow."

"Also a good plan," Jenna said.

"Thank you so much for inviting me into your home, Jenna," he said, walking pass Elena and Julie. He laid his eyes once again on Julie and this time she looked up. She watched him too, and their eyes met for a few seconds. She quickly looked down. She was blushing even more than before. She hoped nobody would notice but Elijah's grin showed her he did. "Elena, Julie..." he started to say and they turned around. "I hope to see you again sometime soon," he said. His eyes were once again on the confused girl who didn't look away this time. She looked him in the eyes and maybe that's why he didn't leave right away. He paused and then turned around. "Thanks for your help, Jenna."

"Anytime," she answered, closing the door.

Elena took Julie by the arm and dragged her upstairs. She rushed at her brother's door and knocked hard. But when she was about to open the door, a hand stopped her. She jumped, scared and Julie gasped at the sudden appearance of Elijah. Elena took a step back and she bumped into Julie, who was behind her. Elijah slowly placed a finger on his lips, silently asking them not to say anything.

"What is it?" Jeremy asked after he opened the door.

"Uh..." Elena was trying to find a good excuse. "Jenna was just asking me to get you to help with the boxes," she said. Jeremy looked at Julie who politely smiled at him, hoping her face wasn't betraying how she really felt.

"Uh, yeah," he nodded and walked down the stairs.

"That's a wise choice," Elijah said.

"What do you want?" Elena asked, taking Julie's hand.

"I think it's time you and I have a little chat," he answered. He walked pass the girls and entered Elena's room. Julie gave a worried look to Elena who squeezed her hand before she dragged her in her bedroom.

"Sorry for the intrusion," Elijah said after Elena closed the door. He was looking around the room. "I mean your family no harm."

"Why did you kill those vampires when they tried to take me?" she asked. Julie stayed close to Elena even though she was surprised Elena had the courage to speak up.

"Because I didn't want you to be taken," he answered, sitting down on the window seat. Julie frowned and Elena gave him a puzzled look. He smiled, amused by her confusion. Elijah's eyes fell on Julie for a few seconds before he looked away. "Klaus is the most feared and hated of the Originals but those that fear him are desperate of his approval. Word gets out the doppelgänger exists there'll be vampires eager to take you to him, and I can't have that," he shrugged and then looked up at Elena.

"Isn't that exactly what you're trying to do?" Elena asked.

"Let's just say that my goal is not to break the curse," he answered, which surprised both girls.

"So what is your goal?" Elena asked.

"Klaus' obsessions have made him paranoid," he explained. "He's a recluse. He trusts only those in his circle."

"Like you?" Elena asked.

"Not anymore," Elijah shook his head. He looked calm and not threatening which should reassure Julie but it didn't.