Hello there! Before the season starts next fall I decided to write my own version in a novel format. This will be intelligently written and grammatically correct, though some mistakes may occur. I am trying to keep it completely in canon and how the story might naturally progress. For instance, Bonnie is a ghost. Stefan is in the bottom of the lake. Silas is still running around. Jeremy is alive and living in the Salvatore boarding house. Damon and Elena are happily together. However, I am taking some artistic licensing. None of the characters will be OOC. I am fast forwarding the summer months, so you need to use your imagination to fill in the gaps. What I'll post will be more or less "half" episodes with songs as the titles since TVD has such good music :)

Anyways, I hope you enjoy an alternate "Season 5."

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another."
-Anatole France

Intense light from the sun was glaring through the windows illuminating the entire room. A few posters hung on the walls. There were textbooks on creative writing and literature placed on the carpeted floor by a wooden bed post. The dorm was quite small and fitting two twin-size beds, desks, and a double-closet overflowing with clothing left barely any walking space. The closet was filled with brand new clothes some with tags still attached. On the wall above a mini fridge was a shelf with shot glasses stolen from the Mystic Grill. The fridge contained blood bags and alcohol shared between the two occupants of the dorm. On the neatly made bed closest to the windows was a school ID with the name Elena Gilbert written below a picture of a brunette, brown-eyed girl smiling back.

At her desk, Elena began writing in her new leather bound journal she picked up at the school store along with her required books. It was August 31st and tomorrow would begin her first day of college classes. She had dreamt of the day her father would help her move into her first dorm room. It seemed like another lifetime ago and her father, Grayson, would never get the chance. Jeremy, her seventeen year old brother, offered instead. During the summer, Elena granted herself an entire day with Jeremy picking up things that were destroyed by the fire. Jeremy got a new Xbox and Elena got an entirely new wardrobe. Another thing being a picture frame which now stood on top of her desk. Inside was an up-to-date picture of the two of them embracing each other.

She tried to focus and write down what was on her mind, but there was too much commotion going on outside her room.

All of a sudden, the door that led to the outside hall swung wide open. Elena turned around and looked up at the familiar face sporting a new short haircut. Needing a new change, Caroline asked her stylist for a shoulder-length, layered bob.

"Elena, you'll not gonna believe what I just heard!" Caroline smiled enthusiastically as she shut the door behind her.

"There's a freshman party on Main Street? I know I heard you talk to the girls down the hall."

Caroline sat down on top of her bed. "Yeah! But, we, like, have to have to go! The key to the full college experience is meeting new people!"

Elena nodded. "You're right. We should all go." She then dialed Bonnie's number on her phone. It went straight to voice-mail. "You know that's the eighth time she hasn't picked up. We gave her all summer to be incognito. I'm beginning to really think something's up."

Caroline glanced down at her shoes and then back at Elena. "Please, Jeremy said she needed a break from everything and everyone. She's with her mom. I'm sure she's safe. Bonnie can handle herself and just because she didn't pick up the phone—"

Elena cut her off. "That's usually means that something bad has happened."

"Seriously? This is the first time in forever that we can actually just exist without worrying that Silas or someone else is out to kill us all." Elena still had a trunk full of weapons and a bottle of vervain under the bed just in case.

"I know. Don't you just find it strange that Stefan and Bonnie both haven't contacted us in a while?"

"Since when do you keep track of Stefan? If I'm not mistaken you've been distracted by the other Salvatore all summer long."

After graduation, Stefan had told Damon and Elena he was taking a road trip and wouldn't be back until the fall for college…or so they thought. With each passing month, Damon grew more suspicious. No one has heard from Stefan since. It was true, Damon had been a little side-tracked this summer.

Elena looked at Caroline with contempt. "Caroline…"

"Sorry, I know. I know. In fact, if you must, invite him over tonight." She then coyishly grinned, "I probably won't end up back here tonight anyways."

Over the summer, Caroline finally broke it off with Tyler. It wasn't fair to him knowing she had growing feelings for Klaus. However, Caroline was excited for a fresh start as a single college freshman, albeit, vampire. There were endless possibilities at Whitmore College.

"Thanks Care, but I wouldn't want to put you out on the second night here."

"Then, you don't mind if I have the room? Just in case…"

Elena rolled her eyes. "If this whole roommates thing is gonna work out, we should set some boundaries."

"Like not letting anyone else touch our mini-fridge."

"Well, yeah," Elena tilted her head to the side, "but you know what I mean." Sometimes, Elena wondered if sharing a dorm with Caroline was the best idea.

Caroline stood up and gravitated towards the door. "I'm gonna go to the student center patio and check out all the clubs and activities. They have interest tables out for freshman to sign up." She paused for a moment. "You think they'd have a Vampire Support Group?"

Elena chuckled. "I highly doubt it. Let me just grab my bag, I'll come with you."

-v-v-

The Salvatore Boarding House was quiet. Jeremy had work early at the Grill while Damon, in his usual black attire, sat in his living room reading a book. A woman identical to his girlfriend took a seat next to him on the couch. "Oh, good you're up." Katherine stated with vexation. "I'll have eggs with a side of toast and some orange juice."

Damon didn't flinch or even glance up at the newly turned human. "Do I look like a bed-and-breakfast?" He sighed, "Why are you still here? I thought we went over this already."

"Believe it or not Damon, it's tough finding a competent vampire to feed you his blood without just wanting to kill you beforehand. If it was, trust me, I'd be long gone."

Meredith Fell had also stopped administrating Damon's blood to patients at his request for the time being so Katherine wouldn't go after her.

"No luck at the Vampire Strip Mall huh?"

Katherine pouted but shifted closer towards Damon. "I did, however, pick up on some interesting information on my way out this morning."

Damon rolled his eyes and continued to read Moby-Dick by Herman Melville.

"It has something to do with your brother," Katherine added nonchalant.

"My curiosity is piqued." Damon put the book down. "What is it?"

"I'd tell you, but-"

Damon quickly cut her off. "Katherine, you're human now. There is not a chance in hell that I'm going to give you the opportunity to turn. Spill before I rip your head off."

"Your so-called pal, Silas? Yeah, he isn't a big bag of rocks so much after all."

"He's in a box at the bottom of the lake." Damon was in disbelief. "There's no coming back from that."

"That's just what I've been hearing. Especially with there being so many "animal attacks" in the surrounding areas. Not to mention, what with Bonnie being dead and only little Gilbert being able to contact her...maybe her magic wore off." Katherine stood up, flipping her hair to the side. "I can see I over-stayed my welcome. I'll be going now." She stopped in the middle of the entrance arch.

Damon contemplated this new information for a moment. However, something began to click in his head. His blue eyes widened. "It wasn't Stefan who said he would take a trip this summer away from Mystic Falls."

Katherine turned around just before exiting the front door. "Probably not."

-v-v-

Trees as tall as skyscrapers waved side to side as the brisk wind picked up. The air was moist and the temperature began to fall. The only sound heard for miles was the few taps of raindrops hitting fallen leaves scattered all over the place. A piercing crack in the sky illuminated the spot where a boy laid in a deserted patch of woods. Tangled, unkempt bushes in every direction and bare trees circled the one clear patch of land where he rested.

Too weak to move, his body was gaunt with sunken cheeks from being submerged under water for so long. His skin was the color of ash.

"You look like hell," a voiced called out to him. "Good thing I brought you a snack." The tall blonde opened up a blood bag.

The boy's nose crinkled. He mustered enough strength to open his mouth. The smooth liquid slid down his throat, rejuvenating his whole body back to life. His eyes blinked.

"Caroline?" He croaked. Disoriented, he stood up, wobbling before finding balance. His eyes did a double-take. "How are you..."

Her warm smile seemed like the only brightness in the dark woods. "I came back to find you, Stefan, of course."

Stefan took a swift glance around his surroundings. "I have to find Damon. He needs to know Silas is still alive and that he looks like me. We could all be in a lot of danger."

Caroline's demeanor suddenly changed. "It's too late for that," she answered with dead-pan eyes. "Silas has replaced you."

Confused, Stefan's brow furrowed. "No, it's impossible. Damon would tell the difference."

"He's too busy with Elena to care."

"No! I don't..." Stefan trailed off. His head was still hazy. His thirst was still barely quenched. He needed more blood. "I don't believe you."

"I'll just have to knock some sense into you!" Caroline then knocked Stefan against the head with a branch.

Stefan again re-opened his eyes to utter darkness. He realized he was still underwater locked inside the box. He couldn't scream or move and the pain from thirst was almost too much to bear. He was going mad.

-v-v-

Elena stared up at a large brick building with massive windows and revolving doors. The outdoor patio was crowded with students. Tables upon tables were lined up with different clubs and organizations in alphabetical order. Asians United, Campus Players, GSA, Religious groups, club sports. Flyers were all over the place but most were simply crumpled up and thrown into nearby trashcans. At one table giving away free water bottles stood Matt Donovan. Elena noticed him instantly.

She hastily walked over to his side. Caroline followed suit. "Matt!"

He looked up, recognizing the voice and smiled. "Hey guys. Funny seeing you here."

Elena laughed. "I turned all my applications in late. I practically had to compel my way into Creative Writing 101, but I'm here!"

"I'm so happy to see you!" Caroline hugged him. "How was summer?"

"Rebecca showed me all these places across Europe. It was incredible, but it's good to be back."

"Speaking of the Original where is she now?" Caroline asked as she crossed her arms.

"New Orleans, uh, apparently Klaus needed her for something."

"Good the farther away from me, the better." Elena said after picking up a water bottle and taking a gulp.

Caroline glanced around the tables before locking on a specific one with a huge banner attached. "Ooh! Ah! I'm going to be just a minute." Caroline moseyed over to the Student Government Association and signed up for student council.

Matt stared into Elena's eyes. "So, how are you doing?"

"Really good, actually." With Jeremy back from the dead, Elena was able to revert back to herself, although with much more self-assurance and understanding. She was content with her choices. It was then Elena noticed at the bottom of her foot a flyer for a club that specialized in all things the Occult. She bent down and picked it up. "This is strange."

"What is it?"

"Do you believe in Vampires and Witches? Would you like to know ways to defeat a vampire? If so, come out to the interest meeting 9/5 at 6pm in the Science Building." Elena paused. "Shane was a professor here who always talked about witches. Maybe some people who liked his class started a club. I doubt it's anything to be worried about."

Caroline walked back and snatched the flyer out from Elena's hand. "Please tell me you weren't thinking about joining the creepy-kids club."

"Caroline, read what is says."

She glanced down at the piece of paper and read the headliner. "Oh. So, we're gonna go?"

-v-v-

A few hours passed and Elena was back at her dorm room debating on what to wear to tonight's festivities. Dropping a few options on her bed, she suddenly heard footsteps out front. She opened the door before the person had a chance to knock.

A tall, attractive man with gorgeous cheek bones, piercing blue eyes, and an affinity for black leather jackets stood in front of her. His black hair was perfectly tousled.

"Damon!" Elena hugged him. His touch sent warmth throughout her whole body. "You're early."

"I wanted to drop by and see the dorm." His eyes peeked around the cramped room. "Next time, compel the RA for a bigger room."

Elena giggled before closing the door behind him. "Caroline wanted the full college experience."

"What do you want?" He whispered seductively.

Elena went up on her tippy toes and kissed Damon. His arms wrapped around her body. Damon then playfully lifted her up and placed her down on the bed. He left a trail of kisses down her neck filling her with desire. Her breath hitched and blood rushed to her cheeks making them a beautiful, irresistible rosy color.

"Damon! Stop it." She grimaced, but couldn't hide her excitement. "Caroline could come back any minute."

"This is why you should have opted for an apartment." Damon caressed her hair gazing at her softly. He couldn't keep his hands off of her no matter how hard he tried.

Elena gently kissed him one more time before slightly pushing him off and sitting up. "So why are you early?"

Damon gave a heavy sigh. "We may have a problem."

Elena could tell by the look in his eyes. "It's Stefan." Elena shook her head. "I knew it." She realized Stefan had yet to come back and with school starting tomorrow, it didn't seem like him.

"My suspicion was confirmed today. I think Silas isn't at the bottom of the ocean and has done something to Stefan."

The title for the episode is Change of Seasons by Sweet Thing.

Let me know if you think I should continue the story! Next part will have more Jeremy and Bonnie. Thanks!