A/N: This fic is set in late April of Elena's senior year of high school. (Honestly, I can't remember if they've established what year Elena is. For the purpose of this fic, season 2 is her senior year. For the detail oriented: Since the first episode this year took place immediately after last year's finale, this fic is set a year later, Spring 2011.)

"Don't do this," Damon said.

"You know, I really thought Stefan would be the one telling me to go." Elena turned on her laptop and got out her credit card.

"I'm not always a selfish bastard."

"Could've fooled me. Damon, I'm sending in the deposit."

"For your casket? That's what you'll be asking for if you stay."

Elena sat down on her bed. "Damon—"

"Honestly, Mystic Falls Community College? Don't you want to live in a dorm? Experience away from home things?"

"Away from home things? Wow, you know how to advertise really well, don't you? There isn't anything wrong with Mystic Falls Community College. It'll save my family a lot of money too."

"I'll pay your tuition."

"Damon, you can't—"

"Yes, I can," he sat down next to her on the bed. "I've been saving money for the last hundred and forty five years. Believe me, I could pay for you to go to whatever college you want."

"We're not even friends, Damon. Why should you even get a say in where I go to school?"

"We could be friends," Damon raised his eyebrows and smirked.

"You could've not killed my brother."

"Honestly Elena?" Damon sighed, "That was almost a year ago."

"You still did it."

Damon turned serious. "And you know what I'm trying to do now? Keep you from getting killed."

"It's too late. I'm already involved with all this vampire stuff. Going out of town isn't going to stop Katherine."

"It's only too late when you're dead."

"Damon…" Elena trailed off.

"Elena, I don't care if you hate me. I don't care if you say that you don't want me near you. I ineed/i you alive."

"This was always the plan, Damon. I didn't even apply anywhere else."

"Liar. There are acceptance letters from NYU, Princeton, and Georgetown under your bed."

"Damon! That's private!"

"Not nearly as private as what Jeremy has under his bed."

"iDamon./i"

"Pick one and go…and you won't have to ever see me again."

"What?"

"I will stop everything. I won't watch you. I won't get involved in your life. I'll be listed as the payer of your tuition on bills and that'll be the extent of our relationship."

"You'll leave me alone? Completely?"

"Yes."

"No."

"Really Elena? What is it that you want? I will give it to you, whatever it is. You just need to leave!"

"I don't want you out of my life," she said quietly.

"You don't?"

"No."

"I thought it was too late for us to be friends?"

"Well I'll need someone to drive me home from Georgetown on weekends."

Damon pulled her close to him and kissed her forehead. "Thank you."

A/N: Let me know what you think!