"Be not disturbed at being misunderstood;
be disturbed rather,
at not being understanding."
.
.
It was winter break, during my second year of college, and everyone but anyone was out of town for the weeks. Three whole weeks of freedom, relaxation, and peace. Something I would usually kill for during the long and tedious school days.
Being apart of the constant chatter and gossip of the town was something people always wanted, right? At one time, I did too. Sitting on my bed with a cup of hot coco was sacred.
Growing up I had always been the golden child, everyone wanted to be my friend and the ones who weren't wished they were. During my high school years I loved being the center of attention, I'm being honest, I was that girl in school. I glanced at a picture sitting on my dresser of my 'old life' and sighed. They didn't understand that that's not who I am anymore.
To be blunt, I was happy that most of my friends were out of town for the holidays. That sounds petty but it feels as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I could breath again. Caroline was at her dads, Bonnie was out of town with her parents, and Matt and Stefan had gone away to God knows where. I was enjoying the tranquility.
After my parents died I wasn't the same rebelious girl who looked for trouble. I changed and everyone around me hasn't caught onto that, it's as if they're all expecting me to go back to that girl. But she's lost.
I appreciate things I had previously overlooked or took for granted. My ex-boyfriend, Stefan, had even broken up with me because I wasn't as 'fun' as I used to be. Excuse me for mourning my parents.
A loud crash bellowed through the house, and yelling soon followed. Jeremy hadn't been dealing with things any easier then I have, he was just much better at showing his grief in a mroe vocal and violent way.
The yelling is constant lately, considering Jeremy's always picking fights. Aunt Jenna is new at the parental thing and John, my uncle, had recently became a new member in the house.
Making problems ten times louder and worse.
An ear-piercing 'fuck you' was echoed through the walls. I put my head in my hands and let out a frustrated sigh. I couldn't take this anymore. I lept off my comfortable bed, thowing on some jeans boots and a coat.
"Well, guess what? I don't give a fuck what you say!" I rushed down the stairs in the middle of John and Jeremy going at it. I didn't stop my hurried escape, snatching my keys off the mantle and ignoring Aunt Jenna calling my name.
Where was I going? I don't know. The cold was slicing right through my fluffy clothes and I pulled into the local coffee shop that I haven't been to in years because my friends thought it was too 'boring-looking'. To me, it was perfect.
I took a seat by the window, dropping my head in my hands, letting the smell of coffee beans surround me. My phone started beeping and I let out a gutteral growl that made a few heads turn in concern. I had ten unread messages and in that instant I did the unthinkable (according to Caroline) and turned off my phone; tossing it back in my purse.
"What can I get you?" I jumped at the girls voice.
"Hot chocolate, thanks." She nodded, popping her gum as she walked away.
I ran a hair through my already unruly hair, taking a quick look around the place to make sure nobody I know is here. I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized the coast was clear but whipped my head back around as my eyes took in what was probably the most beautiful man I've ever seen.
He was sitting alone, with a sketchbook in front of him. He had jet black hair that fell over his eyes, which contrasted to the spectaular brightness of his eyes. They were just too blue. All together, he had the bad boy appearence down to a 'T' and I found myself wanting to know the man behind the blue eyes.
Considering what a small town this was I was surprised I hadn't seen him before because, surely, I would have remembered.
Hot chocolate was placed in front of me, popping me out of my thoughts. On a whim, I stopped the waitress from walking away hoping to find out anything I could about the blue-eyed stranger.
"Excuse me, but do you know who that is?" I gestured discreetly toward him and the scoff from the waitress just intrigued me even more.
"You don't know? That's Damon Salvatore." She scowled. "Don't even bother he's an ass from what I've heard." The waitress walked away before I could reply and all she did was leave me even more curious. Curiousity killed the cat, Elena.
I didn't realize I was staring until his blue eyes snapped away from his paper and met mine for the briefest second. I looked away, feeling the blush consume my cheeks. I looked out of the corner of my eye but he was back to sketching.
Get a grip.
I sipped my hot chocolate slowly, trying to savor my time at the coffee shop just so I could secretly admire the stranger drawing.
I was trying my best to convince myself to introduce myself I almost cried when I looked at the time and realized I best be heading home. After all, who sits in a coffee shop for two hours drinking a cup of coco? Me.
I noticed that blue-eyes had gotten up to use the restroom or something. An idea popped into my head and before I could wimp out I grabbed a napkin, scribbling something down. I placed it gently on his sketchbook, biting my lip, second guessing my decision.
I shook off the feelings and ran to my car, watching through the glass of the shop what his reaction to my note would be. I ducked in the car, self-conciously, and observed as he picked it up and then glanced around the room, searching for whoever could have written it.
He plopped down in his seat, stuffing the message in the pocket of his sketchbook, eyebrows furrowed. I smiled inwardly as I thought over the message I had quickly written. One word, two letters very creative I know.
Hi
I bit my lip, pulling out of the parking lot, already knowing I'll return tomorrow.
Hey guys! Let me know what you think? It's 2:30 in the morning and I typed this up real quick! Thinking about running with it :)
xox Kerri
