This chapter is dedicated to "Collide" by Howie Day.
Collide
Stefan's POV:
I get ready for the concert I held in the ballroom where I knew that Elena wouldn't watch. Well, I owed her an apology after all the mistakes I've made. I hurt me as much as it hurts her, but I know someday, she would forgive me and accept me back in her life. I heard the MC announcing the audience to sit in their seats. In the seating chart, I specially reserved a chair for Elena. I doubted that she would come and see me performing here. I don't care though, I really need to tell her about this and I couldn't hold it anymore longer. "Ladies and gentlemen, Stefan Salvatore." The MC announced my name and I heard the curtains close. That's my cue to go, I thought. I walked to the mike stand and picked up my guitar. "Let her be there." I whispered as the curtains begin to open and a single spotlight shone on me. "Elena, if you're there, I have something to tell you." I said before I started singing.
The dawn is breaking... I'm open, you're closed.
A light shining through...
You're barely waking...
And I'm tangled up in you. (Yeah)
Where I'll follow you'll go.
I worry I won't see your face
Light up again.
I scanned the seats while I sing. She's not here, I thought as I saw the seat I reserved for her is empty. I close my eyes and let the emotions flood through me.
Even the best fall down sometimes.
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme.
Out of the doubt that fills my mind,
I somehow found you and I collide.
I heard the ballroom door being opened and closed again. I looked up to the door's direction and saw Elena standing in front of the door. I looked into her eyes, and hers met mine. We stared at each other for a few moments while I sang.
I'm quiet, you know, Even the best fall down sometimes. Don't stop here...
You make a first impression.
I've found I'm scared to know,
I'm always on your mind.
Even the stars refuse to shine.
Out of the back you fall in time
Somehow find you and I collide...
I lost my place...
I'm close behind...
When I'm about to sing the next part, she surprised me by continuing the song. I saw her walking straight to stage and a spotlight shone on her. I played the music and sang together with her.
Even the best fall down sometimes.
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme.
Out of the doubt that fills your mind
You finally find, you and I collide.
You finally find, you and I collide.
You finally find, you and I collide.
The song ended and the audience erupted into applauses, but not our stare. We stared at each other, not caring about another thing. In her eyes, I saw the love, longing and pain. I was sure mine reflected the same. Right now, I wanted to hug her tightly and never letting her go. But, I highly doubted that she wanted to be hugged with me right now. I turned my face to the audience and bowed. The curtains close and the stage was now only lighted with a dim light. I took her hand and led her to the light. "Why?" She asked when we've reached the light. Time to face the truth, I thought as I took a deep breath. "Cuando la noche comienza, I only saw stars. They're there for points and reasons, but I didn't have any moon in the sky. Criba a partir del pasado always haunted my mind and I always thought that nothing could make this pain go away. I was wrong. Un momento en otoño I met you. I felt something in my heart when I saw you, and I knew it was love. Corazón complicado. I just can't hold myself again when I knew that you are the one for me. I've learned la paciencia es algo digno de todo y un destino precioso que debes luchar para. Una noche de mil amors y secretos, when I found out the truth of my past and I discover my real love for you. Después de todo el mil veces te lo he dicho Te amo, ¿cómo pudiste dejar que una palabra romper tu fe en mí? Esunaexcusapobreparalo queestoy haciendo, perosigue siendocierto. No puedo vivir sin mi vida! No puedo vivir sin mi alma! Please Elena…" I whispered the last part, feeling suddenly tired. I have told her everything I needed to tell her and I could only wait for her to respond.
Elena's POV:
I felt tears on my cheeks and my heart begins to swell. Stefan, I don't know what I'm gonna do without you, I thought as my hand went to his face. I stroked his cheek and I saw him closing his eyes. "Corazón complicado…" I said, my voice wavered. "Sólo se puede ser más importante que lo que quería... lo que yo necesitaba. Lo que quiero y necesito es estar con ustedes, y sé que nunca seré lo suficientemente fuerte como para dejar de nuevo. Tengo demasiadas excusas para quedarse, gracias a Dios por eso! Parece que no puede ser seguro, no importa cuántas millas pongo entre nosotros." He continued and I pulled away my hands from his cheek and balled my fists. "I would never get over with this feeling, when you hurt me much. I never knew that it hurts me so much that I wouldn't believe that true love really exists." I whispered as I felt his hands went up to my chin and forced to look at him. "How I can convince you? Time… I supposed is the only way to gain your trust back in me…" Stefan said as he looked me squarely in the eyes. Seeing no other choice, I stared at his eyes. The usually hazel-blue eyes I saw is full of happiness are now full of pain, misery. Love stood out beyond anything else, but he couldn't hide it away from me. I closed my eyes and let the silence surround me.
We stayed in silence for a few moments. "Separar las alas de nuevo…" I whispered and I saw Stefan opening his eyes. He froze. "Say that again." He said, shocked. "Cuando la noche comienza, separar las alas de nuevo." I said. He hugged me tightly, and I return it. I buried my face in his chest and let the love spread. "Te amo." He whispered in my hair. "Te amo, Stefan." I said, ending this night.
Translations:
Cuando la noche comienza : When the night comes
Criba a partir del pasado : Mysteries from the past
Un momento en otoño : One moment in autumn
Corazón complicado : The complex feeling
La paciencia es algo digno de todo y un destino precioso que debes luchar para : Patience is something very valuable and fate of no value to you should strive for
Una noche de mil amors y secretos : A night of thousands love and secrets
Después de todo el mil veces te lo he dicho Te amo, ¿cómo pudiste dejar que una palabra romper tu fe en mí? : After all the thousand times I've told you I love you, how could you let one word break your faith in me?
Esunaexcusapobreparalo queestoy haciendo, perosigue siendocierto. : It's a poor excuse for what I'm doing, but it's still true.
No puedo vivir sin mi vida! No puedo vivir sin mi alma! : I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without soul!
Sólo se puede ser más importante que lo que quería... lo que yo necesitaba. Lo que quiero y necesito es estar con ustedes, y sé que nunca seré lo suficientemente fuerte como para dejar de nuevo. Tengo demasiadas excusas para quedarse, gracias a Dios por eso! Parece que no puede ser seguro, no importa cuántas millas pongo entre nosotros. : Only you could be more important than what I wanted… what I needed. What I want and need is to be with you, and I know I'll never be strong enough to leave again. I have too many excuses to stay—thank heaven for that! It seems you can't be safe, no matter how many miles I put between us.
Separar las alas de nuevo : Flap your wings once again
Te amo : I love you