Chapter 1:
Practice was almost over. He was hot, sweaty, but not uncomfortable; he was well acquainted to this feeling because this was how he felt at every practice, game, workout he had ever been to. This was his normal, something so ingrained in his routine he would miss it if it were taken out. These were some of the only times he was ever really comfortable if he was being perfectly honest.
The athleticism had always been there inside Damon Salvatore. Coiled tightly, but dripping obviously off his body everywhere he went, in everything he did. Nothing about him was normal, everything was extreme from his perfect chiseled features: fine bone china skin, jet black hair, blood red lips, piercing blue eyes the color of precious stones; to his supernatural athletic talents and abilities. He was a walking enigma, someone everybody knew, but at the same time, someone nobody knew. He drew in the eyes of everyone who saw him. Something about him shouted to the world, "Look at me!" even though he wished he would just blend in. The eyes were unwelcome, they made him feel like a freak, like an attraction, not a person, not a normal person anyway. You could say he didn't revel in the attention.
When the coaches had dismissed them, he was walking home with his closest friends Klaus and Alaric. They were in a good mood and looking forward to their first game of the season the following day. They had been on the team together as freshmen and now they were the team captains as seniors. "Salvatore, are you coming to the Grille tonight for the team dinner?" It was Klaus, starting an argument.
"Not this time, I wish though. I don't think my dad would be happy about that. You know he's weird like that."
"Dude, you can't miss it. It's the first pre-game dinner of the season, the rest of the team will want to see their captain there. You have to give us a rousing speech."
"The team has three captains, Klaus, and both of you will be there, you give the rousing speeches. And besides," he shrugged, "I don't do rousing."
"Damon, he's right," Alaric interjected, "You're the one they really want to hear from, not us jokers…Coach will miss you." he added. That was probably true. Head soccer coach Joseph Bell doted on Damon, they were extremely close. There wasn't anyone Damon respected more since he had met the coach the first day of tryouts freshmen year.
"I can't make it. End of story."
"Bennet will be there. Over at the girls' table. Don't you want to go so you can see her?" Klaus teased.
"I see her everyday." Damon muttered.
Klaus got excited, smelling blood. "Oh, really? You see her everyday, do you? Because I think tonight might be the prefect opportunity for you to grow a pair and actually talk to her." At this, Damon ducked his head and blushed furiously, while Alaric cracked up beside him.
"I'll ask my dad, but don't expect to see me there." Damon said before he walked up the steps to his house. The two other friends high fived each other in victory.
