Hey guys! I am really excited, this idea came to me earlier today and I just had to get it started! Hope you enjoy it.

Love, Amy xox

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my words!

Elena awoke to the sound of her alarm, the early summer sun streaming golden rays through her bedroom window. She lay there for a moment, deep in thought about what the day was going to bring. Sighing gently she climbed out of bed and headed towards her window seat, where she sat pensively for a time. Deciding she needed to focus her thoughts, Elena grabbed her journal; the friend who would always listen, but never judge. Opening it at a clean page, Elena took her pen and began to pour her thoughts and feelings into the little leather-bound book.

Monday 26th May 2009

Dear Diary,

Today there is something I need to do. I have written to you before about how Matt and I seem to be growing apart. More and more he brings up our future and to be honest with you it scares me. I am 16 years old and I am not ready to think about those things yet. We even got into a fight about it at the bonfire on Friday and I had to call my parents to come and pick me up. The scary thing about that was that on our way home we nearly ended up driving off of Wickery Bridge. Something ran out in front of the car and Dad had to swerve to avoid it. We were lucky that Dad had hit the breaks so we were going slow enough that the barrier stopped us. Otherwise I don't know what would have happened. We are all okay, but it did make me think about a lot of things, especially my life with Matt.

I do love him, but only as one friend loves another. I'm not in love with him, and being truthful I don't know if I ever have been. Bonnie was right, it is unfair to string him along. So, today I am going to break up with him. I know he will be hurt at first, but Mom says I will be setting him free. It will be better for him, in the end.

As for me, I feel hope. Something tells me that love can be so much more than this, and I want that. I want a love that feels unpredictable, a love that consumes me. I know I will find it one day, somewhere. I will get what I am looking for.

Elena

With bright eyes and a lightened heart Elena got dressed and headed down the stairs.

As she entered the kitchen she was greeted by her mom. Miranda Gilbert was inherently beautiful and the kind of mother anyone would wish for.

"Morning Mom" Elena smiled as she kissed her on the cheek.

"Morning sweetie" Miranda responded brightly, tucking a lock of Elena's brown hair behind her ear. "Do you want breakfast?"

Elena shook her head and began to head towards the door. "No thanks, I just want to get to school. There is something I need to do."

Miranda nodded and Elena sensed she knew exactly what she was talking about. "You are doing the right thing, I am proud of you."

With that Elena smiled, bid her mother goodbye and walked out of the house. It was time to be brave.

"Elena!" Bonnie exclaimed as she ran over and engulfed her best friend in a hug. "Are you okay today? You sounded really down on the phone the other night!"

"Yeah Bon, thank you. I did a lot of thinking over the weekend and I have decided you are right. You and my mom both are."

Bonnie nodded in understanding. "So when are you gonna tell Matt?"

"Tell me what?"

The two friends gulped as they heard Matt's voice from behind them. Bonnie smiled at Elena before mouthing 'talk to you later'. With that she walked towards the building, leaving the couple alone. Looking at her boyfriend Elena gave him a serious smile and pointed towards one of the picnic tables. "Shall we sit down?"

Matt gave her a quizzical look as she sat opposite him. As his blue eyes gazed at her nervously, Elena sensed that he knew what was coming.

"Matt..." Elena hesitated, knowing what she needed to do, but unsure of how to do it. He was her first boyfriend, she had never broken up with anyone before.

"Elena" Matt interrupted. "I know what you are about to say, so please just get it over with."

Taking a deep breath, Elena told him everything. How she loved him, really she did, but that sometimes love just isn't enough. That she was sorry to hurt him, but he deserved someone who wanted the same as him. That if she stayed with him, she would only be stringing him along. This would be better for both of them. All the while she tried not to notice the way his normally bright eyes grew duller with every word. Feeling her eyes beginning to sting with tears, she concluded her speech with six painful but liberating words. "Matt, I am setting you free."

Sighing and glancing down at the table she let out a little sob. She had always been a caring girl and hated the thought of bringing pain to anyone. Composing herself, she looked up at the boy sat across from her. His expression was vacant but defeated and Elena knew she just needed to walk away from him. "Goodbye Matt" she whispered, before standing up and walking slowly out of the school grounds. She couldn't face going to class right now, not after that.

Elena sat quietly at the table, a warm cup of coffee soothing her wounds slightly. Due to the fact she was meant to be in school, she hadn't wanted to risk going home. Instead she had headed to the Mystic Grill, the town's local bar. Writing empty thoughts into her journal, she had no idea that she was being watched.

Damon Salvatore hadn't believed his eyes when he had seen her walk in to the bar. Elena. There was no way he could have forgotten her name, or her face. She was beautiful. When he had met her a couple of days ago, she had taken his breath away. She looked like someone he had lost a very long time ago, Katherine. It only took a second however, to realise that this girl was different; full of goodness, purity and light. As Damon thought of how she had gazed at him curiously with her doe eyes he couldn't help but smile.

When the time came for her to leave he had compelled her, making her forget about their meeting, about him. Perks of being a vampire he chuckled to himself. Whilst she would not know him from Adam, Damon could not so easily forget about her. Throughout the 145 years since losing Katherine, he had never felt remotely alive. But Elena, she had stirred something inside him he long thought dead: hope.

So there he sat, watching her, mesmerised by her.

Some time later Elena closed her journal, placing it back into her bag. Drinking the last dregs of her coffee she stood up and carried the empty cup over to the bar. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a man, sitting quietly with his drink. Though she wasn't looking at him directly she could sense that he was looking at her. Thinking nothing of it she thanked the bartender and headed out into the sunshine.

Considering it a reasonable time to go home, Elena strolled casually along the quiet tree lined streets that led to her house. At one point she could have sworn she was being followed, but she had turned around to be faced with an empty sidewalk. Shrugging her nervousness off as a mere side effect of her emotional day, Elena soon arrived home. With a turn and final glance at the empty street behind her she headed inside.

Stepping out from behind a tree, Damon smirked at his stalking abilities. Whilst he couldn't believe he had bothered to follow her, he also felt deeply curious about her. Reading the name on the mailbox outside the house he raised an eyebrow. She was a Gilbert - interesting. Sensing movement on the first floor he looked up to see that Elena had seated herself by her window. He froze as he suddenly saw her focus on him. For the briefest of moments their eyes connected, brown on blue. A curious expression fell across her face as she took him in; almost a smile, Damon thought. However, a blink was all he needed to disappear from her sight.

Speeding away with an unusual warm feeling in his stomach Damon was able to conclude one thing - he needed to know Elena Gilbert.

So, there it is. The beginning of what I hope can be something beautiful. I look forward to you coming on this journey with me.

As a new writer I am interested in what you think, so please review and give me your opinion! :) xox