Chapter Text
Growing up, Eliana, Elena, and Jeremy were all very close. Eliana and Elena did everything together and confided in each other about everything. Jeremy was also a significant part of their tight-knit family, which included their parents and their mother’s sister, Aunt Jenna. Eliana was always naturally smart and had a unique inclination toward nature, crystals, and anything related to witches and folklore.
Eliana had always known that Matt was in love with Elena, but before they started dating, Elena was seeing an older boy named Ethan Rogers. Eliana didn’t like him and sensed that he was bad news. Elena discovered she was six weeks pregnant the summer before their freshman year. She confided in Eliana first, who was incredibly supportive and helped Elena break the news to their parents. Though shocked, their parents recognized that it was Elena’s choice. Ultimately, Elena decided to keep the baby. When she told Ethan he wanted nothing to do with it, he moved away with his family. Eliana supported Elena through everything. Their parents and Jeremy were there for her, but Eliana was her rock.
On April 6, 2008, Elena gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Nina Amelia Gilbert. Soon after, Elena and Matt began dating. Although Elena and Eliana share the same friends, Elena is closer to Bonnie, while Eliana bonds more with Caroline. Still, all four of them were best friends.
On May 23, 2009, they attended a party in the woods. Their parents agreed to let them go only if they were responsible and called if they needed a ride. They also offered to watch Nina for the night. Halfway through the party, Elena and Matt had a huge fight, and Elena decided she wanted to go home. Eliana offered to accompany her. They carpooled with Bonnie and Caroline, who were too drunk to drive, so Elena and Eliana called their parents. They were relieved that the girls chose to call rather than drive under the influence.
Their dad picked them up and, while driving on Wickery Bridge, lost control of the car, sending it off the side and into the water. Elena and Eliana somehow survived, but their parents did not. Eliana’s heart had stopped for almost ten minutes, and doctors were amazed when it started beating again without any lasting damage. After their parents' funeral, Aunt Jenna moved in to help care for Nina.
In the wake of the tragedy, Elena withdrew into herself, focusing on being a great mother to Nina, while Jeremy turned to drugs, and Eliana became everyone’s emotional rock. However, they all became increasingly protective of Eliana, knowing that she had technically died for a brief time. Eliana had enough credits to graduate that June but decided to stay in school to support Elena, Nina, and Jeremy, taking only three classes a day: English, history, and biology, all alongside Elena.
Soon after the accident, Eliana began to develop unusual powers. Elena discovered this when she walked in on Eliana practicing. Initially surprised and shocked, Elena became intrigued and supportive, further deepening her protective instincts over her sister. Nina was fascinated by Eliana’s powers, and the sisters practiced in the woods while Nina watched for hours.
During one training session, Eliana unexpectedly transformed into a tiger, leaving them both in shock. They soon realized she could transform at will, which was entirely painless. Eliana also learned she could partially transform, and Nina adored her tiger form, affectionately calling her “Kitty.” Eliana even gifted Nina a stuffed tiger, which she loved.
Though Elena initially wanted to keep Eliana’s powers a secret from Jeremy, Eliana eventually confided in him anyway. They agreed to tell Elena about their conversation. Although Elena was initially unhappy, she later realized it was for the best. Jeremy thought Eliana’s powers were amazing and wanted to learn everything about them. He also became even more protective of her.
Eliana also shared with them the strange dreams she had been experiencing since gaining her powers. These dreams featured flashes of two pairs of blue eyes, one set with black hair and the other with blonde hair, attached to two men who always wore smirks. However, she could never see their faces clearly because a scarlet hue obscured them.