Chapter 1 Echo
Elena sat in the middle of the living room. She clung to a blanket, wrapping it around her like she needed the warmth. She was a vampire now. It took a toll on the young girl. Her words echoed in her head and with every repetition it grew louder. I don't want to be a vampire. I never wanted to be one. She felt truly alone now. Yes, she had Stefan, but Damon was gone. She didn't feel whole anymore. Elena grew too close to Damon over the fall. She was starting to feel something for him. There was no denying it and everyone could see it, she was too scared to admit it. If she admitted it, it would make her just like Katherine. It's okay to love them both. I did.
A loud thud erupted through the house and Elena jumped. She turned around and tried to focus on where the noise came from. A bright flash of light entered the house and she turned her head to the windows in the kitchen. No doors were open. The house was completely silent. Then the thud came rolling in and it clicked in Elena's brain that it was thundering outside. She walked over to the kitchen and picked up her phone. She started scanning through her contacts. She kept scrolling down and stopped at one name. One little name. Damon. Her thumb moved over to hit call but she knew it wouldn't do her any good. He wouldn't come. He was gone. She kept scrolling down faster until she hit Stefan. She didn't hesitate to hit call. She listened to it ring and bit down on her lip. The phone made a click noise and Stefan's voice followed it. "Elena? Is everything okay?" he asked. She shook her head, "No. Nothing is okay," she said and tried to hold back tears. "Can you come over? I don't want to be alone," she pleaded. "Yeah of course. I'll be right over," he said. "I love you, Stefan," she said. "I love you too," he replied and hung up the phone.
She set it down on the counter and walked up into her room. Elena looked at her bed, half expecting Damon to be there holding onto her bear and laying down on her bed. She swore she saw him. He had a ghost appearance and when she blinked her eyes it was gone. Her bear was sitting in between her pillows just like she had left it. There was a knock at the door and she turned her head around and looked at the door then back at her bed. She knew it was Stefan. She rushed down the stairs and opened the doors. She rushed towards him and wrapped her arms around him. Stefan's shirt was soaking wet from the rain but it didn't matter to Elena. She needed someone to be with her. I don't have anyone anymore. A slightly cool pressure landed on top of her head and she tilted her head up slowly. "You're going to be fine, Elena," he assured her and unwrapped her arms from his waist. His hands brushed against the side of her face and he brought her lips to his. "It's just a thunderstorm," he reminded her. Elena gently pressed her lips back to Stefan's. "I know. I just don't want to be alone right now," she said. She stepped out of the way and let Stefan walk in before shutting the door behind him.
The young brunette sat down on the middle of the couch and wrapped herself back up in the dark brown blanket. She looked up at Stefan as he sat down next to her. She rested her head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her. Letting her know that she was safe and not alone. You have me.
The two just sat there on the couch for hours, waiting for the storm to pass. Listening to the sound of each other's breaths. She didn't feel so alone with Stefan, but she still felt empty inside. The storm subsided and Elena pulled herself away from Stefan. "Thank you," she said, her voice caught in the back of her throat. "Anything for you," he assured her and kissed her gently. "I can stay if you want you know," he offered. She nodded her head. "I know, but I think I'll be fine," she said. She pulled herself off the couch and reached for Stefan's hand. They started walking towards the door and he kissed her one last time. "If you need me. I'm just a call away, okay?" he assured her. "I love you," he said. "Thank you," she said again. "I love you too," she said and tried to smile. Stefan gave a reassuring smile and started walking down the porch. She waited until he got into his red car to shut the door.
Elena heard the familiar sound of his car drive down the road before she slid down the door. Stefan was the person who made her feel alive again, why didn't he anymore? Her hand clutched at her chest and tears started rolling down her cheeks. The memories flooded back to her. The ones she woke up with when she first opened her eyes as a vampire. One stood out more than the other though. It wasthe first time he told her he loved her. I just have to say it once. You just need to heart it. I love you, Elena. And it's because I love you that I can't be selfish with you. He wasn't who everyone thought he was, but he didn't show it to anyone but her. He opened himself up to her. She broke down his walls but she kept rejecting him. This was her fault. This was her punishment for hurting him, for dragging him down with her. She wasn't going to try and find him like she tried to find Stefan. This was a decision that she would have to live with the rest of eternity. The painful loss of losing a best friend and almost lover.
