"Elena, it's spring break. Next year we're going to be seniors, and we'll have to go visit colleges!" Caroline gushed. "You can't skip out to hang out at home with Stefan, it's not fair to us!" Caroline had been trying to bribe me all afternoon. The junior class was having a huge party down by the falls - ironically the same place they hold the back to school party - and Caroline and Bonnie were begging me to go.
It wasn't that I had a huge aversion to the party. I just wasn't really...what? I didn't know what I wasn't. Ever since Stefan had reverted back to drinking human blood, I had been completely on edge. Maybe a party was what I needed, though I wasn't sure if Stefan would be able to go.
I looked up to see Caroline looking down at me with a concerned expression on her face. I realized that I had been completely spacing out.
"Sorry. Um...actually, I think I will come. You're right. You only get to be a junior on spring break once." I said with a grin. Caroline clapped her hands together as her face lit up with enthusiasm.
"Good! I will see you there!" Before I had the chance to say goodbye, Caroline had booked off in the opposite direction to make some sort of transportation arrangement. I shook my head at her happy go lucky nature and constant enthusiasm. I walked across the parking lot to my car. I opened the door and slid in to the drivers seat. As I drove away from school, I began to look forward to the party more and more.
"Hey, Damon. How's Stefan?" I asked with the phone cradled between my shoulder and my cheek. I was slicing up an apple and decided to check on Stefan.
"He's the same as the last time you called...twenty minutes ago. Honestly, Elena. He's going to be fine. It's Friday night, go out, do something!" His critical tone immediately put me on the defense.
"I do go out!" I protested. "I'm going to a celebrating spring break party tonight." I stated smugly. I heard scoffing on the other line. "Well, I have to go get ready, if you don't mind." I snapped, hanging up quickly. I threw my sliced up apple in a bowl and ran upstairs to get ready.
I took a long, hot shower and stood in my closet trying to decide what to wear. I hadn't gotten dressed up in way too long. I couldn't even think of what was appropriate to wear. I grabbed a pair of jeans and an embellished tank top, it would have to do. I did my hair and makeup and called Bonnie.
"Hey, I'm almost ready. When are you picking me up?" I asked.
"I'll be there in ten minutes." I could hear Bonnie's smile through the phone. She was just as excited as I was about going out, and she needed it about as much, too.
When I got to the party, I was disappointed to find that I was bored. Bonnie had immediately left to chat up some guy, and I was left standing awkwardly alone. Just when I thought about calling Jenna to see if she'd come pick me up, a familiar face appeared in front of me, with an arrogant grin to match.
"Damon, what are you doing here?" I said in an irritated tone, though I couldn't help but smile. He grinned back at me.
"Well, I heard there was a party, and I never could miss a good party." He said offhandedly. "Plus, I figured you could maybe use the company." He added in a softer tone. I laughed and hooked my arm through his.
"Get me a drink?"
"Absolutely." He guided me over to where the keg was located. I couldn't help but feel a little glad that he'd come. He was right, I had needed the company, and I had grown rather fond of Damon's witty repertoire. Much to what I assumed was Stefan's dismay, I had become relatively close to Damon. He was my friend, and only my friend. I thought of him in a purely platonic way. But, if that was the case, why did I feel so guilty about feeling so glad that he'd come to the party? My mind ridded itself of these guilt ridden thoughts and I focused on what I'd become set to do tonight. Have fun.
With a drink in hand, a good friend on my arm, and no responsibility, I remembered what it felt like to be relaxed and carefree again. By the end of the night, I had achieved what I had come to the party to do: forget. I hadn't forgotten Stefan, but I had forgotten his recent downward spiral, I had forgotten witches and vampires, despite the fact that I spent the entire night with one. For one night, I was just Elena Gilbert again. And it felt good.
