In the small Virginia town of Mystic Falls, teenager Elena Gilbert and her brother Jeremy can't come to grips with the fact their parents have recently died and are both looked after by their aunt, Jenna. Elena becomes emotionally withdrawn over hiding her grief, while Jeremy turns to drugs and jacking off to avoid dealing with his own feelings. Nothing goes as planned for both of them during their first day back at school when a mysterious new student, named Stefan Salvatore, attracts Elena's attention, leaving her ex-boyfriend Matt jealous and her semi-rival Caroline unaware of what's happening. Elena's friend, Bonnie, suspects something off about Stefan as does Tyler Lockwood. After Matt's sister Vicki is bitten by something they believe to be an animal, it's discovered that Stefan is a vampire. Stefan (who does not feed on humans) realizes he is not the only vampire in town. Stefan's brother Damon enters the picture; they have not seen each other for 15 years.
