The unbearable blare from my alarm pulls me from a deep sleep. The sun streams through the cracked window, causing an unpleasant sting to my eyes. Mondays can literally kiss my ass. I begin to plot my reasoning for being late to class, already knowing that I will be moving extra slow this morning. Maybe that fourth glass of wine last night with the girls was not such a great idea. Bonnie and Caroline are such bad influences on me, but I love them. I chuckle to myself as I begin the long process of getting ready for the day.

I turn my shower on full blast, already feeling the air of my bathroom thicken with steam. The hot water burns my skin in just the right way. I take my time washing my hair, with no concern of being late to history. Mr. Saltzman won't be terribly happy, but one of the perks of having your teacher date your aunt is having a little leeway room.

I would do just about anything to not go to school today. As much as I love seeing my friends and going to soccer practice, I love to sleep in more. Not that I would ever tell them that.

After a very prolonged shower, I wrap a towel around my body and begin searching for the perfect outfit for this absolutely retched Monday. Hey, just because I feel like crap, doesn't mean I have to look like it. I should really start enforcing my personal rule of no drinking when I have school the next day. But knowing Bonnie and Caroline, we will be right back at Bonnie's house next Sunday, wine in hand.

After ten minutes of going through my closet, I slide into a pair of black skinny jeans and a long blue top. I complete my look with short black booties, silver hoop earrings and—as always—my locket. My finger traces the swirling design of the oval front, bringing back memories of the day it was given to me. Feeling my eyes begin to water, I push the memories from that day far away. I quickly apply a touch of makeup and head downstairs.

"Morning Aunt Jenna." I say as I walk into the kitchen to grab something for breakfast.

"Good morning Elena. Running late again I see." She chuckles. "You know, you really shouldn't take advantage of the fact that I am dating your teacher."

"But what fun would that be?" I smirk.

Jenna shakes her head, trying to act disappointed, but nothing can hide the smile prying at the corner of her lips. Laughing to myself, I grab a bottle of water and an apple to eat on my way to school.

"Alright, you win. Here I go, off to school. I might even make it in time to hear half of Rick's lecture today!" I say with clear sarcasm.

"Have a great day Elena. Don't forget that we are having people over for dinner tonight!" She shouts as I head out the front door.

I throw my bag into the back seat of my red Mini Cooper and begin my drive to school. As usual, I stop to grab an Iced Espresso Carmel Macchiato from Starbucks to keep myself at least partially awake for the morning. Caffeine is definitely necessary today more than usual. I pull into the school parking lot just as the bell rings. I grab my bag and head to my locker to pick up my history book. After trying my locker combo a million times, I finally decide to give up and head to class.

"Ahhh Miss Gilbert. Nice of you to join us." Rick greets me in his "teacher voice".

"Sorry Mr. Saltzman."

"Surprisingly, you are not the last to arrive today so I am going to let it slide."

I look around the classroom to see who wasn't there. Before I have a chance to look at everyone, the door swings open.

"Mr. Salvatore, I presume you have an excellent excuse for being twenty minutes late to my class." Rick states

"As a matter of fact, I do Mr. Saltzman. You see…I was on my way here when I heard someone cry for help. Given my selfless nature, I was determined to find the person. It ended up being an 80 year-old woman whose cat was stuck in a tree! It took me at least five minutes to get up to where it was and another five to get it to let go of the branch. But in the end, I was able to get it down. So Mr. Saltzman, in conclusion, I am twenty minutes late to class because I am in fact…. A superhero."

The classroom erupts with laughter. Even Rick can't hide his grin. Damon stands there proudly, knowing that he is not getting in trouble today.

"Alright Damon, take a seat." Rick states while trying to gain control over the laugh that was escaping his lips.

I smile at Damon as he heads towards his desk. Damon is by far the best looking guy at our school. I can't help but notice that he is looking extra sexy today, wearing his signature look of all black. His jeans hit him low on the hips and hug his butt perfectly. His plain black t-shirt does absolutely no good of hiding his well-defined biceps. He has his leather jacket draped over his shoulder like he should be posing for a magazine and his hair is slightly messy just like I prefer it. He basically looks like sex dressed in black. Like most girls, I have had a crush on him for what seems like forever. Who wouldn't want to date Damon Salvatore? Star of the Mystic Fall's soccer team, movie star good-looks, and the most dazzling smile all wrapped up with classic bad boy behavior. Yup… he is basically every teen girl's dream.

Class drifts on, but my mind is nowhere near the history of World War II. My thoughts are only on him and his piercing blue eyes.

The bell rings, signaling that it's time to move on to the next torture chamber of the day. Once again, I head to my locker, in hopes of being able to open it eventually. As I try to remember my combo, I hear laughter from down the hall. I turn my head to see Damon and the soccer team standing in a circle doing stupid guy things. I swear, boys never grow up. I turn back towards my locker and imagine what it would be like to be wrapped in his strong embrace. Warm, safe, and at home. While lost in fantasy, I didn't even hear someone walk up behind me.

"32, 17, 24"

I jump at the sound of his voice. After giving myself a brief moment to push my fantasies as far away as possible, I punch in the combo and the door swings open.

"Thanks Damon…. I don't understand why you can remember my combo but I can't." I exclaim with clear frustration at my lack of memorization skills.

"We both know that I have a better memory than you Elena, always have and always will." Damon smirks.

"And you will never let me forget it." I laugh as our eyes cross paths, sending butterflies through my stomach.

"Never have and never will." he responds without breaking eyes contact.

Oh…. Did I not mention that Damon and I are best friends?