As I walked through the doors of the Mystic Grille was the first time I saw him. He was perfect. His chiseled features and tousled, raven locks were completely gorgeous. He was more like Adonis than he was man. He was sitting at the bar, alone, nursing a tumbler of bourbon as he flirted harmlessly with the busty blonde waitress who was practically undressing him with her eyes. I sat two seats down from him and caught the bartender's attention along with the mystery man's who looked pretty intrigued by my presence. That's when I noticed his eyes. Slightly bloodshot from the amount of alcohol that he must have drunk but they were still the most brilliant shade of cerulean I ever set my eyes upon. I was about to smile but then remembered my pain and said cockily, "Can I help you? You seem to have a problem with staring." The man seemed taken aback by my forwardness but quickly composed himself and replied, "But you seem to have a problem with that attitude of yours." I quickly retorted, "My attitude is not nearly as bad as your drinking one now is it?" His eyes flashed with hurt but they were quickly with anger, "And what business is it of yours?" I smirked and said, "None at all but it is you liver's." I got up on that note and moved to the other side of the bar. He followed me and slurred, "What gives you the right to judge me?" I didn't bother to turn and face him as my scotch came and said, "No one. I didn't ask for permission." His jaw dropped and I picked up the tumbler of scotch and swallowed it in one gulp. I patted his jaw and said, "Watch it, you'll catch flies." I walked away from the bar, towards the door with a hot drunkard on my heels. "Unless I'm mistaken, you must have a reason to be out drinking alone on a Friday night" he smirked. "No, I'm on my way to a party actually. I just needed to calm my nerves so I could enjoy myself," I replied. "Well, don't let me stop you from leaving but perhaps I could join you?" he questioned. "I'll pass but thanks." I sauntered towards my car and he was still following me. He just couldn't get the hint. I turned around and dropped my phone. He picked it up just as it started to ring. It was Jeremy. I could tell by the ringtone. He saw the name and questioned, "Who is Jeremy? Your boyfriend?" I replied, "Why do you care?" He shook his head and said, "I don't." He gave me back my phone and said, "Maybe, if that wasn't your boyfriend, I will see you around. I'm Damon." I replied, "It was my brother and I doubt it. I don't date self-absorbed asses. I made that mistake once and I will never do it again. But anyway, I'm Elena." We smiled at each other and I said, "Would you like to join me at the party?" Damon nodded and got in the passenger seat of my Mercedes 2013. "Where did you get the money to buy this? It's the first I've seen." I gulped, "My parents, uh, they left me some money." Damon's eyes widened, "I'm sorry, Elena. I-I didn't know." I nodded and said, "How could you know? You believe the façade. No one knows who I really am because of him and that stupid, reckless, little," I stopped myself before I said too much. I realized I was venting to a complete, drunk stranger. "Who made you like this?" Damon questioned, his face etched with concern. "It's no big deal. Really, I was just rambling," I said firmly. "Who did this?" he said just as firmly. "Let's just get to the party. I want to get there before everyone is too drunk to stand." I smiled a fake smile and put the car in drive and we were on our way to Caroline's house party. Damon looked deep in thought as we winded our way down the path to Caroline's. We pulled up and I typed in the code for her driveway and pulled my new black convertible in. "Are you ready to party?" I questioned. "Of course," he replied with a smirk. We walked in and there were already some drunk college kids but as always, Caroline was poised and elegant with a glass of white wine in her hands. She rushed over and hugged me and gave Damon and inquisitive glance. I smiled and just shook my head and we caught up for a few minutes. She glanced over my right shoulder and paled instantly. "What's wrong, Car?" I went to turn around to check and she grabbed my shoulders and said she felt dizzy. But her being my best friend, I could tell she was lying. I turned around and I saw him. "What the hell are you two doing here?!" I screamed and it got deadly quiet. "Elena, I swear I didn't invite them. I would never do that to you!" Caroline whispered urgently. "I know, Car." Damon walked back into the room after getting a glass of bourbon from Caroline's liquor cabinet. "What's wrong, Elena?" he questioned. He noticed Stefan and asked, "What's Stefan doing here?" I was extremely confused so I just screamed, "You know this asshole?!" Damon stepped back, shocked from her outburst and said, "That asshole is my brother, unfortunately." Stefan interrupted, "How do you know my brother?" I replied, "I didn't even know you had a brother let alone that it was Damon, you asshole. We dated for 3 years and said that you had no relatives. I hate you Stefan. Get out!" I lunged at him but was stopped by Damon's constricting arms but I was still screaming. "And you, you little bitch! You were my best friend for 18 years! And then you just completely backstabbed me! You knew I loved him!" Bonnie stepped back. She was about to talk but I cut her off and restarted my screaming. "Yeah, I know! You love him! But guess what, I hope he rips your heart to little, tiny, microscopic pieces. And when you have no one, don't come running back to me or Caroline or anyone because you got into that relationship knowing that you would come out of it with no one but yourself!" I ranted and raved until I was red in the face and Bonnie was on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry, Elena," she apologized. "Well guess what, Bonnie, I don't care! I don't care about you or your little boyfriend! He wasn't good anyway!" With that Damon started laughing at my snide comment and I smirked at him. I went over to him and grabbed him by his gorgeous, raven locks and crushed my lips to his. He all too easily obliged and his tongue grazed my bottom lip and allowed his access. He tasted like bourbon and a completely unique taste that I could only label as 'Damon.' I pulled away to find a surprised but pleased Damon. Stefan and Bonnie's jaws were on the floor. I grabbed Damon by the hand and pulled him out the front door. I turned around with a devious smile and said, "Have a good night guys. I know I will." With that, I left the two slack-jawed idiots and a proud Caroline behind the closed door.