I woke up to the sound of my phone begging for attention. I opened one eye and snuck a quick peep at the alarm clock setting on the nightstand before finally reaching for my cell. It was 10:52, although it might as well have been 6:52 considering I wasn't any less tired than I would have been waking up to go to class. I answered the phone, put it on speaker, and set it beside me while sitting up and stretching.

I half yawned half said, "Hi Care"

"Elena! Oh, my God where the fuck are you? I've been calling and texting for hours!"

"Well Caroline, if you haven't realised, it is summer. And not everyone wakes up at 6 in the morning all summer like others." I said, putting extra emphasis on the others because she was already getting on my nerves more than usual. I loved Care, but damn that girl was loud.

"Well Elena" she said mimicking my tone, "Like you so politely pointed out, I haven't slept all day and I'm ready to go, so get your perky ass up and pack because we're leaving in an hour."

I groaned and mumbled something about not wanting to go on this stupid trip anymore. After she laughed and hung up, I ran into the bathroom, cut on some slutty Ke$ha song, and hopped in the shower. The familar scent of my mango shampoo I only used in the summer because I didn't think the winter deserved such an amazing smell, woke me up and cleared my head. When I actually thought about this trip I got butterflies stronger than any guy could ever give me, and smiled uncontrollably. This was going to be a life changing summer because I simply wouldn't accept anything less.

On the walk back to my room after blow drying my hair and slightly curling it even though I knew the sweat from the heat would flatten it, I overheard a bit of Alaric, Jeremy, and Jenna's coversation.

"Are you sure you guys want to go? It's not to late to cancel, you know?" said Jenna in a panicked tone.

I heard Alaric chuckle and Jeremy resond with something like "we'll be fine Aunt Jenna. Especially since..".

I didn't have time to eavesdrop. I had around 30 minutes before we left for the annual camping trip that usually lasted about three to four weeks. Normally our parents took us, but they had passed away about a year and a half ago, so we skipped last years trip. But Jer and I had decided it was time to get back into our normal habits. I was shocked when Alaric and Jenna didn't mention the fact that we'd be going alone this year because neither of them camped, but I kept my mouth shut not trying to ruin the fun.

Speeding down the steps taking them two at a time I ran right in to none other than my exboyfriend Matt. He awkwardly chuckled since we haven't spoken much since the break up, and handed me a Starbuck's cup, to which I mumbled a quiet thank you. Even though I wasn't as grateful for the awkward encounter as I was for the coffee, I was glad Matt was here. Maybe we could go back to being friends.

I turned to right to see what I had left of my family, and the majority of my friends watching steadily for my reaction. I cleared my throat, smiled as big as I could manage and said "Ready!"

It seemed as if the whole room let out a breath they'd been holding and a few of them even laughed. Alaric let go of Jenna and walked to the center of the room, picking up the remote and muting the ridiculous gossip talk show that was on. Caroline probably put it on. I glanced over Alaric to see who they were bashing or complimenting now. I realised it was neither. The girls on the TV were actually swooning over the nice looking but not so nice to people, Damon Salavatore. I'm not so niave as to think all celebrities are humble, but this guy was so full of himself. He knew exactly how attracive he was and he defintely used it to his advantage whatever chance he got. Damon was sitting beside a ditsy blond on a black leather couch while whispering something into her ear and rubbing her thigh. I assumed it was something dirty from the way he smirked and the way she fanned herself with the interview question sheet, breathing heavily. I don't know what he could possibly be saying that was having such and affect on her, but I do know I'll never find out, so I yanked my eyes away from the arrogant dickhead on the tv and forced myself to listen to what Alaric was announcing to the group.

"I want you all to know we trust you, but you guys are all still teengagers. You know raging hormones and all of that" he paused when Tyler, the guy I had nicknamed The Hook-up because that was all he ever was to anyone, chuckled. Alaric shot him a dissaproving look and continued. "Jenna and I decided it wouldn't be any fun for anyone, including us, if we went. So I called up a good friend of mine-"

He was interrupted by someone banging on the door. Alaric cringed, and when no one answered the door a deep voice shouted "Yo Ric! Open up! It's hot as-"

"Coming!"

When Alaric swung open the door my eyes met piercing blue ones. I looked him up and down as he did the same to me. He had almost jet black hair and pouty pink lips. I could tell from his tight fitting black t-shirt that he was in amazing shape. The black jeans he wore hung low and fit perfectly clinging to him in all the right places. My eyes made it back up to his face to see he was smirking at me. My mouth snapped closed and I grimaced as he stepped in, set his bag down, and announced "I'm Damon Salvatore, and this is my little brother Stefan. And we'll be your chaperones." Gesturing to the boy beside him who didn't look much younger. I hadn't even noticed there was someone with him. Holy Shit.