The cemetery was dark for 6 in the afternoon but Elena still walked among the rows of tombstones to the plot that held her parents for the rest of eternity.
"Hi mom, hi dad, I've missed you guys," wiping the wisps of hair from her face, Elena Gilbert sat in front of the headstone and placed a wilting bouquet of flowers on the ground. Coming to visit her parents seemed to be taking a heavier toll on girl than it used to. Taking a small book from the bag at her side she took a few deep breaths to calm herself and looked to the grave, as a way to collect her thoughts.
Where do I start? From the beginning? Where do I begin my story?
Dear Diary,
Who am I? I'm Elena Gilbert, fashion plate and Robert E. Lee Senior and Queen Bee. I know I'm beautiful, I've heard it my whole life. To not know I'm beautiful would mean I would never have looked in a mirror or heard a compliment. With skin like porcelain and flawless, with eyes the deep blue of lapis lazuli with gold flecks, and hair liked spun gold (according to my mom), most people would call me angelic. Being the Queen of Robert. E Lee isn't what it used to be anymore. Before all I could think about was being on top and how many boys worshipped at my feet. After the accident it all changed. I didn't think of boys as trophies anymore...I felt hollow inside, always wanting more but never quite finding it-
A rustle in the grass caused Elena to drop her pen in alarm, normally no one but her was foolish enough to enter the grounds this late, scrambling up and squinting into the twilight trying to pinpoint the noise, the snapping of a twig had her spinning around blindly in the dark towards the tombstones again, causing a foot to snag the messenger bag on the ground. Heading face first towards the tombstone and all she could do was throw her hands out to stop herself.
In what seemed like a second all the air was squeezed from Elena's body as she was pulled back into the arms of someone...
Arms that were wrapped in a leather jacket. Dazed, she blinked and looked behind at her savior and immediately lost what little air was left, because staring into violet-blue eyes were the deepest, darkest eyes to possibly ever exist. And following those bottomless eyes was a slim aristocrat nose, eyes trailing down to his slightly parted full lips and back to his sharp cheekbones. Biting her lip and sucking in air, she mouthed a silent "Thank you" and he smiled and released his firm grasp, stepping back only cornered Elena against a tombstone with an angel perched on top. Taking a shaky breath and brushing hair from her eyes, the young beauty queen smiled softly, 17 years of Virginia manners branded into her system had her offering a hand to this mysterious leather clad boy.
"Hi, I'm Elena,"
Instead of shaking the offered hand he grabbed it, leaned forward and kissed it. Where his lips met electric shocks shot up her arm, eyes widening she pulled her hand away and raised an eyebrow.
"It's customary to introduce yourself as well"
With a smirk, a genuine smirk that lit up those midnight black eyes he presses Elena against the tombstone and put his lips to her ear.
"I'm Damon, and I know who you are Elena."
Ohh shit that voice was like honey dripping sex, as he spoke a shiver ran through her body, and with a start she turned her head toward him, unable to move.
Something about this strange boy had her pinned to the tombstone, closing her eyes and parting seashell pink lips. He chuckled and then pressed those full rose petal soft lips to meet hers softly, with the slightest brush of lips the pressure was gone in an instant. Opening blue-violet eyes with a start all they found was an empty cemetery where seconds before there stood a gorgeous man...
~x~
Dear Diary,
It's been two weeks since I'd seen Damon. To be honest Diary I still can feel the way his lips pressed against mine, the way his lips set shocks up my arm. I may have a reputation as Elena Gilbert the Queen Bee but I have always been the one in control when dealing with boys. No one and I mean no one has ever made me feel the way Damon made me feel in those brief few minutes. But really I'm getting ahead of myself. I should start from the beginning like I said I would before Damon showed up. Well you see, Matt, Meredith, Caroline, and I have been together since birth and High School hasn't changed anything. Well...except for last year when Matt and I felt we owed it to ourselves to try to be more than friends. With him it always felt more like a brother/sister relationship..he can't give me what I'm searching for in this life. I just need more Diary. Maybe even something the town of Fells Church can't give me. I'm supposed to meet Meredith and Caroline before school today. I've been blowing them off lately. But I can't help but feel like things are going to change. I'm not sure yet if for better or worse...
Walking the six blocks to Robert E Lee High School was a familiar walk among the old Victorian houses to the sprawling parking lot where seniors and faculty parked. Amid the honks and laughter were Elena's two best friends Meredith and Caroline, Meredith was a tall olive complexioned beauty with auburn hair and deep gray eyes and Caroline was a tan brunette with emerald eyes and who ran practically every committee at the school. The three of them made up the schools royalty, they ruled the high schools hierarchy and that's the way it had always been. That is, until the accident and the realization the Elena may want more than to just be someone that is both idolized and feared in a small town.
Smiling she walked up to her best friends and was instantly enveloped in a frenzy of the schools "In" crowd, pushing her way past a pair of Freshmen and linking arms with Meredith she led the group of gossiping pretty people into the schools main building.
As they walked past the office Elena caught sight of a boy who's back was to her; the thing that caught her eye was that he had dark hair and was wearing a leather jacket...a jacket of which she'd only ever seen one other boy wear.
Pulling Meredith to a dead stop in the middle of the hall, Elena shamelessly and openly stared at the back of this strange yet familiar seeming boy.
"Elena's got that look again!" turning she blinked into the face of Meredith,
"Which look?"
Meredith simply replied with a cool, "You know Elena, your predator look,"
Biting her lip she turned back towards the office, and heard Caroline's cool tone utter
"Come on Elena! You've already got Matt, what can you do with two that you can't do with one?"
"The same thing, only longer" with a smirk she shook her head at Meredith and reluctantly followed as she was dragged to her locker.
She wasn't going to give up on the strange new guy, could he be Damon? Scanning the crowd she quickly caught sight of one of the Freshmen from this morning and motioned her over. "Becky right? I need you to see what you can dig up about the new guy from the office, but keep it between us." her flat brown eyes lit up and she smiled.
"I'll see what I can find by lunch!" And like that she scurried away, hearing a snicker Elena turned to Caroline on her right and shrugged, "Well what's the point of being the Queen of this school if you can't pull some fucking rank once in awhile?" With that they headed to first period, while Elena hoped she could reign in her eagerness waited until lunch.
~x~
With the ring of the lunch bell, students trickled out of their classes and into the cafeteria, grabbing only an apple Elena took her seat at the table in the center of the room, Meredith filed in on her left and Caroline on the right. To keyed up with anticipation she tuned out the mindless chatter and retreated into her own head. Matt has only been in one of her classes so far and upon seeing her walk into the class his clear blue eyes lit up, only to dull with the remembered fact that they were no longer a couple.
She owed it to him to be honest, he deserved better. He deserved a girl who would see his All American good-looks; with his blond hair and sweet blue eyes and want to start a family. Because if she was being honest with herself, Matt wasn't going to leave Fells Church like she wanted to...fuck...like she needed to! He would start a family here and open a car dealership. It sounds bitchy and selfish but it was the truth, and she knew that she had made the right decision to end it when she did.
"ELLLLEEENNNA!" her name being shouted into her face snapped her from her reverie and she narrowed her eyes at the annoying Freshmen from earlier today.
Squaring her shoulders she raised an eyebrow, "So do you have the information I asked for?" With an eager nod she told Elena that the new guys name was Stefan Salvatore and that he was a Senior who transferred from Italy.
Hearing his name made her drop her shoulders slightly and upon waving her away both Meredith and Caroline asked what the interest in him was in the first place.
"Just curiosity." she lied-so she hoped- convincingly, but the look in Meredith's eyes told she didn't believe Elena.
~x~
At the end of the day as seventh period came Elena walked into class and was met by the sight of Matt saving a seat for her and Stefan Salvatore staring at her with emerald eyes. Sliding in beside Matt and tossing golden hair over a shoulder she sees Stefan go rigid out of the corner of her eye, shrugging she turned her semi-undivided attention to Mr. Tanner up front.
Throughout the period the unmistakable feeling of a pair of eyes boring into her head was prominent, but she refused to turn around because she knew it was Stefan that was staring. Since finding out he wasn't Damon she hadn't given the guy a second glance. It wasn't like he wasn't gorgeous, with his spring green eyes and dark brown waves of hair. But Stefan wasn't Damon and immediately denounced any sort of interest.
As the bell rang Elena quickly gathered her things and started to walk to the door when someone grabbed her arm, narrowing dark blues she turned to see who the fuck had the nerve to touch her. Turning she was met with soft maple leaf green eyes,
"I'm sorry...I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Stefan Salvatore,"
Putting her best Prom Queen smile on she nodded and tugged her arm from his grasp.
"I'm Elena. Elena Gilbert" she didn't miss the slight flash of hurt in his eyes when she pulled my arm away, what was that shit anyway?
So standing there in the doorway she tilted her head and raised an eyebrow, watching as he shuffled his feet awkwardly.
"So did you want anything else Stefan or..?" his eyes snapped up and he shook his head.
"Well no but I could walk you out" waiting for no reply he walked through the door and took her hand, this time she didn't pull away.
So steering her to the front of the school she kept her head down until she heard the rev of an engine. Elena's head snapped up and her eyes went to the sleek black Ferrari, biting her lip, the tinted windows rolled down and Damon leaned over and opened the passenger side door.
Shock. She was in utter shock, the person that she had been searching for is now sitting in the hottest fucking car she'd ever seen. Stefan dropped her hand like it burnt him and started down the stairs towards Damon, following behind him she stopped in front of the door and smiled slyly. Taking a finger and tracing the top of the door,
"I've been looking for you" Stefan must have thought she was talking to him because he took a step closer to her and Damon gracefully unfolded himself from the fuck sexy car. The sight of him took her breath away, he strolled over and put an arm around her shoulders.
"All you had to do was call Elena..."
Which was a strange thing to say because she didn't even know his last name let alone his phone number. A chill ran down her spine as cool fingertips traced her spine through the thin top, spinning them around Damon steered her to his car and helped her fold herself into it. The whole time Stefan's eyes never left Damon's face
Huh, maybe they'll fight. Over me? Oblivious or uncaring, Damon strolled over to the drivers side of the car and leaned against the doorframe finally turning his attention to Stefan. "Ogling a woman isn't very polite brother. Especially when she's already taken."
Elena's body tenses immediately, because fuck, he called him brother! Stefan and Damon are brothers! Gripping her bag, she wiped her head back and forth between the two of them, what was I going to do?
The strange boy who seemed interested in her was related to the one who she had not only dreamt about but lusted over. And what did he mean by saying she was already taken!
In the back of her mind her subconscious whispered nastily at her.
You've gotten yourself in a shit storm now Elena. Dumbass.
And Elena agreed with her.
Elena's eyes finally rested on Stefan and the barely concealed anger she saw there, his green eyes were smoldering and his mouth was set in a thin line. The urge to run and soothe his anger washed over her.
Why would I do that? I don't even know him!
Damon must have gotten tired of the stare down because he climbed into the car and squealed out of the schools parking lot, Elena was thrown into the dashboard and her head clipped the window.
"What is your fucking problem" she spat and turned to glare at him, having the pleasure of seeing his hooded black eyes widen momentarily.
"You should have buckled in Elena, I can't do that for you." she blinked, this response was cold and his tone was icy and distant.
Folding her hands in her lap she looked out the window. How could she allow herself to get into the car with this person that she hardly knew? Where did my life take a turn down Shitty Lane?
Damon was distant and cold. And one thing for sure, Elena didn't fucking like it. He must have caught on to her mood because he reached across the seats and took her hand and massaged his thumb on the back of her pale hand softly, sending small sparks up and down her arm. The contact was unexpected, but she welcomed it. His touch set her body on fire and Elena yearned for him to touch her all over. She peaked at him from under her lashes, his eyes were on the road and she wanted nothing more than to kiss him. But they needed to talk first.
"D-Damon? What did you mean that night in the cemetery when you said you knew who I was?"
Biting her lip she turned to face him, waiting..hoping for an answer. He raised an eyebrow and looked at her,
"You've peaked my interest Elena, so I did my research. You're 17. You live with your aunt Jenna. And you're parents died last summer in a car accident which you were the sole survivor of. And you're not happy here in this town."
His words had her eyes watering, that was something she never told anybody about the fact that this lifestyle wasn't suiting her anymore. Only her Diary and this stranger somehow knows the innermost secret and it scared the shit out of her!
So she did what she does best, she lashed out at him, wiping her eyes, Elena glared at him, "You don't know what I want Damon, and those few tidbits you DO have means nothing other than you have stalker tendencies."
Turning her back to him and yanking her hand from his, she stared out the window.
He doesn't know you Elena, he's messing with your head.
Then why do I have the feeling I know him already? All I had was a name and the fact that he had a sibling.
You don't even know him and you're already willing to give yourself to him? Way to go Queen Bee.
Life was already shitty enough and now this! I was fucked...
They didn't talk the rest of the car ride, she noticed that he wasn't taking her home, which is ridiculous because how could he possibly know where she lives? He was driving out towards old Mrs. Flowers Boarding House on wickery road. If things got bad she could just walk home from here or even call Caroline, she'd pick her up. Damon parked along the side of the Boarding House and he shut off the engine, taking in the silence she took this moment to admire him. He was dressed head to toe in black; black leather jacket, black v-neck cotton shirt, black pants and black soft leather motorcycle boots. He even had black Ray Bans folded on his shirt for fucks sake! He looked sinful in all black, she wanted to lick-
Mind out of the gutter Elena! he's talking to you!
Blinking, she widened her eyes, "I'm sorry Damon I wasn't paying attention. Would you repeat that please?" He smirked and angled his body towards hers, the atmosphere became charged.
"I said we could go into the Boarding House to talk princess, or..." the way his lips moved had her skin tingling with want, his words had a double meaning and she wanted to jump his bones. Elena dazedly nodded and opened her door, on shaky knees she held his hand into the three story home and up to the second floor.
Unlocking the mahogany door in front of them he bent and swiped me off my feet, bridal style they crossed the threshold into his room.
She looked around and took into account the huge queen size bed covered in what looked like dark gray sheets and a black and gray spiral comforter. There was bookshelves stacked with books and journals, a door to the left of the bed must lead to the bathroom and an armoire stood adjacent to the plasma mounted to the wall. She wrapped her arms more securely to Damon's neck and leaned against his chest, she could feel his midnight eyes on hers so she turned her face to his.
"I like your room." that was all she could come up with, she was pathetic.
Her, Elena Gilbert who always kept a cool head around boys was practically eye fucking someone she'd only met twice! Damon Salvatore was that hot...no that beautiful. Hot seemed too bland a word, Damon was beautiful.
She giggled as he set her to her feet but placed his hands on her elbows. "Mind sharing what's so funny Miss Gilbert?"
"Nothing, I was just thinking to myself about something that happened earlier today." and in what seemed like a flash she was laying flat on her back on his bed and he hovered above her, his legs between hers.
"Liar,"
He leaned down and licked her neck, it was the single most erotic thing she had ever experienced and it set her body up in flames. Squirming under him she pleaded with her eyes.
"We need to talk Damon, I don't know a thing about you yet you know a lot of personal shit about me."
His eyes seemed to harden and he leaned down to take one of her earlobes between his teeth, "Why do you want to talk when we can find better ways for you to use those beautiful lips?"
Gahh! He couldn't say things like that, he'd just make her want to tear his clothes off that much more.
Breathing through the lust filled haze she was in she stammered, "Because I want to know you..." like she shocked him, Damon leaned back and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.
"Then we'll talk," pulling her with him he sat up and pulled her into his lap, things were moving so fast between them, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth she cleared her throat
"First off, how old are you exactly?" she looked up at his perfectly sculpted face.
"I'm 19, next." okay not as old as she thought.
"Well how do you know so much about me?"
He rested his chin on her head and it sounded like he was growling deep in his chest. "I'm an observer Elena, and you are very much worth observing. Fascinating really."
Elena traced his bottom lip lightly with her pinkie finger, she couldn't help it. It was like some part of her had to be touching him at all times, she was in deep and couldn't care less. This is the first time she'd felt alive in months, and she was reveling in it.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, "Damon, what was that between you and Stefan at the school? It looked like he wanted to strike you dead." he pulled her closer and held them still, the only sounds coming from their breathing and the crickets in the dawning dusk. After what seemed like forever he shifted and relaxed his hold on her.
"That's an extremely long story Elena, it's not a story with a happy ending. But you shouldn't worry, you're safe with me and you're mine."
Again with the possessiveness... she could tell he wasn't going to give her anymore information. At least not tonight. Sighing she slid from his lap and stood at the foot of his bed, "I want to go home now Damon."
If he was going to shut her out then she wasn't going to sit here all night trying to pry answers from him. He just sat there staring at her, raising an eyebrow and tapping her foot on the hardwood below her feet she waited for some response. Running a hand through his straight crow black hair, he stood up and took her forearms in his hands. Being this close to him she had to admire his beauty, being half a head taller than her put her eyes in perfect line with his full lips. He was lean with the fainest of muscles showing through his fitted leather jacket. Damon wasn't bulky but he definetly had strenght, his posture alone exuted power and menance and that scared her.
"Are you sure you have to go?" rubbing his hands up her arms he smirked.
"Yes, my aunts already going to kill me for not calling and I don't have my cell phone so I'm in for it." wincing she remembered the bitching she got last year for not calling her parents to tell them she was going to be late. Jenna was not so strict but she still demanded knowing where Elena was.
Taking a step towards his bedroom door he grabbed her hand and without a word he lead them downstairs and outside. Damon was demanding. She actually liked it. Where his hand held hers sparks shot up and down her entire body. This was getting insane. Unlocking the car they got in and he focused on the road, "My house is about ten minutes from here, so take a left at the Stop sign and a right at the nex-"
His hand covered her mouth and he smirked, "I know where you live Elena..."
As his hand pulled away her mouth formed an 'o', he really did have stalker tendencies! It excited her in a really twisted fucking way. Damon doesn't open up easily, she could tell that just by spending the past hour with him. He just doesn't trust.
With zero regard for the speed limit he sped down the roads towards her house. He pulled into the driveway alongside Elena's aunts black VW Bug. Elena looked out the window at the two story Victorian that she called home; with its wavy glass from the Civil War, black shutters, white paint job, and flower bed it was a typical Fells Church home. Standard. Biting her lip she nodded her head towards the house, instead of getting out Damon shook his head and chuckled.
"Maybe next time princess..." leaning over me he opened my door and she nodded. Clutching her bag, Elena got out of the car and looked at him... waiting for something... anything. After closing the door he rolled the window down, maybe he'd change his mind?
"Will I see you tomorrow?" Twisting a lock of hair around her finger she looked at him.
"Maybe. Most likely. Just do me a favor?" Waiting for her answer she rolled her eyes and nodded her head, "Just stay away from my brother Elena. You're mine."
Anger flooded through her,who was he to say who she could talk to? She stared at him incredulously and he flashed a 500 watt smile, pulling from the driveway he sped off.
Her eyes burned with unshed angry tears, stomping up to the front door she pulled the keys from her back pocket and unlocked it.Stupid. Cocky. Arrogant. Bastard. In her rage she didn't see her aunt standing right in front of her.Fuck. Jenna was usually all smiles with her warm hazel eyes, charm, and good looks but now those warm eyes were hardened and that smile that men chased after was gone. Yup, Elena was dead.
"Elena! Where have you been? I called your cellphone and you didn't answer. I even called Meredith and Caroline." crossing her arms over her chest , Elena licked her lips and shrugged apologetically.
"I'm sorry Jenna... I... I went to see mom and dad. I left my phone at home and I realize that I should have been more responsible and I'm just sorry." finishing in a rush se brushed a strand of hair back and waited for the lecture.
But it didn't come. Her eyes softened and she sighed, "I was just worried about you, I don't want you walking around town alone. Especially after a body was found drained of blood under the bridge at the cemetary this morning!" This was a surprise, the town must be up in anticts about the whole thing. Nodding she shouldered her bag and walked around her to the stairs.
"I'll be more careful aunt Jenna, I promise. But I have alot of homework to do so I'll see you for dinner!"
Elena ran upstairs to her room, dumping her bag onto the bed, she went to sit in front of the vanity. Normally immaculate hair was a mess and tangled, violet-blue eyes looked too bright and her cheeks were on fire! Running a brush through the knotted hair she mentally scolded myself.
All this from an hour with Damon... and she was completely a mess!
From downstairs she could hear Jenna talking to someone at the door, dropping the brush onto the cluttered vanity,Elena walked over to her bedroom door and listened to the conversation going on downstairs.
"Just got home..."
"Ohh I'll call..."
Jumping, Jenna yelling for Elena, she stopped at the top of the stairs and bit her lip. "Elena! I said there's a boy here to see you!"
She smiled to herself, maybe it was Damon deciding to take up her offer to come inside, practically bounding down the stairs she smiled and looked to the door where Stefan Salvatore was standing. Skidding to a stop her eyes widened.
Stefan Salvatore was at her door. Damons' brother. The one she's supposed to stay away from. Shit. Could the day get any worse?
ElenaPOV:
Staring at Stefan her mouth fell open. What was she supposed to do? Slam the door in his face? Jenna was standing right in the living room trying to non-chalantely listen to the conversation or lack there of. She'd be pissed if Elena slammed the door on Stefan. Stepping aside from the door she held it open for him
"Would you like to come in?" motioning towards upstairs, she turned on her heel and walked up the stairs towards her room, not looking to see if he was following. She could hear his motorcycle boots on the creaky steps, her lips twitched. They always followed.
Opening her bedroom door, Elena sat on her bed and crossed her ankles, he was dressed in a white tee with dark blue fitted jeans which were tucked into his boots. Stifling a laugh she watched as he looked around the room. "Have you ever been in a girls room before Stefan?"
Rolling his eyes he looked at her dubiously, "Yes I've been in a girls room before Elena...it's just been awhile." he walked around the king sized canopy bed towards the cork board beside her window seat that held awards, pictures, and notes. She watched him as he wandered towards the white vanity that sat adjacent to her closet, shuffling through the various bottles of makeup and perfume bottles, he picked up her diary. Shit!
Jumping from her bed she grabbed the precious book from him and clutched it to her chest. "Did you want to talk Stefan because I'm pretty busy." granted she could have sounded like less of a bitch. But he touched her diary. No one touches the diary. No one.
Smirking and looking scarily like Damon he held his hands up and took a step back, "I just wanted to see if you got home okay. I know you were with Damon, and taking the risk of sounding jealous I wanted to know how you knew him."
Huh. He was worried about her being with Damon and Damon was worried about her being with Stefan. These men were insane. Gorgeous, but insane.
"Not that it is any of your business Stefan but we met in the cemetery awhile ago, and today's the first I've seen of him in two weeks. Now please close your eyes so I can put my Diary in its hiding place!"
Humoring her he placed his hands over his eyes and she ran to the painting hanging above her bed of Van Gogh's "A Starry Night" and slid the diary into the back of it. Smiling she backed away from it and caught the edge of her bed and just about landed on her ass if Stefan hadn't wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him.
"Well you Salvatore's seem to have a thing for saving me and my clumsy ass!" laughing she pushed away from him and hoped to portray her gratitude through her eyes.
Taking a step towards her he reached out and trailed his hand down her cheek, "Elena..." widening her violet-blue eyes her breathing hitched and he continued to stroke her cheek, using his thumb to lightly caress her bottom lip. Damn if his eyes didn't look so beautiful and he looked so edible!
She had to get a grip. She wanted Damon. She was not that girl anymore.
Jenna, being the Saint that she was called her to dinner from downstairs and Stefan jumped back. "Y-you should go Stefan, I'll see you tomorrow at school." Nodding, he walked out of her room and she followed him downstairs to the door. Before he turned to leave he laughed and she raised an eyebrow.
"Well this visit was short and awkward. It wasn't what I had in mind." he looked at her again and smiled sadly, someone so beautiful shouldn't be sad. Closing the door behind him she locked it and sighed deeply.
Jenna made pasta and spinach salad with French bread, it was her favorite but she didn't feel like eating. Her mind was a world wind of black and green, dazzling smiles, hidden secrets, and danger. After she helped with the dishes she climbed the stairs two at a time and changed into a pair of flannel shorts and a black tank top, pulling down her purple and blue floral comforter she climbed into bed and stared at the ceiling. When Damon touched her it set fire to her body and started the fire in her soul that she'd been missing. When Stefan touched her tonight it surprised her to feel the warmth that coursed through her. Shaking her head she laughed bitterly. The Salvatore brothers were going to be the death of her. Shutting her eyes and trying to will away the chaos in her head she drifted to sleep, dreaming of the scent of leather and danger and a voice like honey dripping from silk wrapped in sex.