Let Me Go
Chapter 1: I Have to Leave
Standing here, in the middle of the old house I had come to love felt so strange. I could hear Damon upstairs rustling around, getting ready. I have always felt safe around him; I mean he has always protected me. That's why this lunch is insanely difficult for me, I just don't know if I can say goodbye like this. I have to, my plane leaves tomorrow and he needs to know I'm leaving. I don't know why I am so nervous, it's not like this is the worst news I'll ever give to someone. I start to think of how to tell him when I hear footsteps behind me and I hear:
"Hello Elena" Damon said as I turned my head.
"Hey Damon" I say trying to hide the fact that I want to cry.
"You ready to go?"
"Sure"
He opened the door and we stepped out into the beautiful lawn of the old house. We walked to his car that I have grown to love. We were going to the Grill so the drive would be just enough time to think of a plan. The whole drive I was lost and thought, Damon must have noticed and decided not to interrupt until we got there. When we sat down inside the Grill was when he started questioning.
"Someone's quite, what's wrong?" he asked sympathetically.
"Nothing, just thinking about something"
"What?" he asked in nosey tone.
"Nothing that important" I say forcing a smile that obviously didn't work
"You're such a bad liar" he smirked, "c'mon tell me"
"Damon it's not important"
"Elena, I'm gonna get it out of you, just tell me," after a pause I decided just to spill.
"You aren't going to like this, but I really need to tell you;" after a long pause I finish. "Damon, I'm leaving for New York tomorrow," I said trying to hold back any emotions, 'cause if I start crying I won't stop.
"So you got into NYU then, well that's great Lena" I could tell he was unhappy, but being Damon he would never show it.
"That's all you're going to say?" I say not being entirely surprised.
"What do you want me to say? That I'm sad that you're leaving? Or I don't want you to go? Well, I'm not sad so deal with it,"
"Well you're obviously upset so, why?" I say trying to keep my cool.
"I'm upset because knowing you you'll find a way to get yourself into something that will get you killed." He paused before continuing, "New York is far enough away for you to get hurt, but too far for me to save you" he said as he stormed out to his car, I followed out and got in.
The ride back to his house seemed longer than the way to the Grill. I tried to figure out why Damon was so upset, it was more than just me. Then it hit me, he'll be alone here, Stefan is gone and I am the only one here that knows about what he is and doesn't hate him for it. As we got to the door, I felt terrible about myself, I didn't even think about how he was going to be alone. Before we said goodbye I had to say one more thing:
"I'm sorry for leaving you alone here, I didn't think about how if I left you would be alone, and I'm sorry for that"
"Elena, I've lived on my own before I'll be fine don't worry"
As I walked to my car I knew he was lying. He wouldn't be fine, he would probably go on a killing spree while he's day drunk. I almost turn back and tell him I'll stay but I just can't make myself; I just need to get out of this town for awhile. Tonight will be a rough night and I know he won't come to see me. I just need to make it through tonight; tomorrow I will be on a plane to New York starting a new life at college.
I woke up in a haze. I was hoping everything was a dream; that I wasn't leaving and that I wouldn't be so far away from Damon. I force myself to get up and get dressed. It was five in the morning and for some reason I was full of energy. After I was dressed I went downstairs only to find the one thing I had been wanting all night.
"Damon" I say trying not to hug him "what are you doing here?"
"I felt bad about how things were left yesterday, I'm sorry I snapped," he said apologetically.
"You had a right to; I mean it can be expected based on our history,"
"And that is supposed to mean what?" he said sounding agitated.
"It means that when something happens that isn't your way, you lash out" I say trying to keep my head.
"I lash out because I hope that it will make you want to stay; because you'll see how much of a mess I am at only the thought of you leaving"
He has a point it did make me want to stay. I could see that he was going to fall apart, but I didn't want to admit it. I need to leave. If I don't then I'll fall apart, its been hard enough with Klaus on the loose and with Jenna gone, I can't take this town anymore.
"Well it sort of worked, but I need get out of this town." I say reaching for my suitcase. Jeremy was planning on driving me, but I think that the plans have changed.
"Okay, I won't stop you, let me help you with that," he grabbed my bag and started heading for the door.
I looked to Jeremy as he nodded his head, confirming that Damon was taking me. I hugged him goodbye and followed Damon out the door. These are my last steps in Mystic Falls for awhile. The ride to the airport was surprisingly nice; there were no more fights and no small awkward talk. At the airport was a little harder:
"Damon, I want you to know this isn't permanent, I will be back I promise" I say giving him a hug, and fighting the tears coming to my eyes.
"Elena I know you'll be back, it's just a matter of time before you begin to miss me" he said giving me his half-smile. He's got a point, I will miss him.
"Goodbye Damon"
"Goodbye Elena" I started walking toward security when I turned around and said
"Damon, I-" I didn't even finish because he wasn't there; he was gone so I just stood there for a moment and cried. Then I carried on and boarded my plane. As I sat down in my seat I wondered, why did he run? That kept playing in my mind.
Why
Did
He
Run?