Memory Lane

"Sometimes, the past comes back to haunt us... literally"

Elena was rummaging through the dark and dusty attic of the Salvatore place when she found the diaries.

At first, she didn't think much to them- a pile of beaten leather books. But then a fading silver name caught her eye; Damon Salvatore.

Then she looked at the fading date, quickly did the maths in her head, then came to a conclusion- he was ten years old.

Mystified, Elena opened the book and realized it was a diary- Damon had never mentioned he kept a diary like Stefan had done. Then again, Damon would never admit to writing down his true feelings in a book, much less leave them lying around...

She stared at the front cover, eyes tracing the lines in the leather. Could she do it-? Open it and read his childhood-? His true thoughts-?

She sighed and put them with the others; it was his choice. Elena couldn't invade his privacy and intimate thoughts.

But she did do one thing; gathered them all up into her arms and descended the stairs.

Elena stood before Damons room, wondering if he was in and knock, or open it and walk in. She decided to knock, and the door was open in a flash.

'Hello, Elena.' He said, cocking his head and raising an eyebrow.

Elena didn't speak at first, but then she held up the books, and she saw his face whiten a little. Elena hurriedly said. 'I didn't... read them, if that's what you're worried about. I-'

Damon scowled, then took them, making Elena suspect there was something in there he didn't want anyone to see. Damon rolled his eyes now, then said. 'Anything else you wanted?' Elena shook her head, then backed up quickly as he almost shut the door in her face.

Damon stood there for a moment, his past in his hands, dumbstruck.

He'd forgotten about them...

Forgotten her.

He looked at the battered leather books in his hand, then a very old memory surfaced... Damon glanced at the time- it was just gone six in the afternoon, and the evening was approaching.

But there was one more thing he had to do.

He swiftly hit the books under his bed, then opened the bedroom door, stepping out onto the landing- Elena had left. He'd heard the door softly closing and her annoyance at having the door shut in her face.

But now he left too.

Damon walked along the bank of the lake, eyes tracing the familiar landscape of his childhood. Now he stopped in front of the cherry tree, one memory shining above the others.

One summers day, in his teens... and the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen.

Lydia.

He cocked his head as he saw the letters in the tree, running a hand over them with a frown; D.S+L.F, with a heart around it, of all things.

Damons frown deepened now that he thought about her. It had been so long... He looked up as a cherry blossom landed on his arm, then blowing off as the light wind carried it away.

He stared after it, watching it land in the water and settle there. Damon stared at it a moment, then turned away.

Damon sat on his bed, retrieving the books from under it, then lay back, opening it and reading the first page of his ten year old self.

It was very straightforward- he spoke on how he got annoyed by his six year old brother Stefan following him around like a lost puppy. But even though Stefan annoyed him so, he loved his little brother.

Damon raised an eyebrow- the feeling wasn't quite so mutual now.

He now sat up, eyes wide.

The book was now sitting on top of the black silk sheets, Damon staring down at it as memory lane invited him for a stroll...

It was early June, the air warm and moist how he liked it. Ten year old Damon Salvatore was in the stable, brushing down a dark oak colored mare as it ate from his younger brothers hands.

Damon looked around the horses silky side to see his brother grinning, offering the horse more hay.

'Damon?' Stefan said now, walking around to his brother, shaking the hay of his jacket. Damon went. 'Mmhmm?' Stefan looked up at the horse now. 'I'm sorry about letting... leaving the gate open I mean.'

Damon looked at his little brother, then shrugged. 'It wasn't your fault Stef; that horse would have jumped it anyway.' he continued brushing. 'It was a wild horse that hadn't been broken yet.'

Stefan watched his brother in silence now, still worried that he might be mad. Damon had took the blame when the wild horse had gotten free, smashing down the gate as it did so- their father wasn't happy at all, and when Stefan was going to admit to it, tears in his eyes, Damon had spoke up and took the blame of having no dinner that night.

But hey- what were brothers for?

Damon sighed, running a hand through his longish ebony black hair, and staring at the summer sky- the sun was setting, and the sky was pink shot with gold; the clouds a golden color.

'I'll be back later.' He said to his brother, then walked off, not looking back.

Damon sighed, his black booted feet treading the hard baked ground, crushing roots and weeds as he walked along the path by the lake. He turned around, staring back the way he came, walking backwards.

Then crashed into something, knocking both him and the other over, making a female voice say panicky.

'Oh my- I am so sorry!'

Damon stood up now, brushing the mud of his clothes. Then he saw the other person he'd knocked down; it was a girl of his own age, maybe a fraction older. She was sat on the dirty ground, her soft pink dress stained a little, her long curled white blonde hair fluffed up a little. Damon stood there for a moment, then blinked, shaking his head and helping her up.

'My apologizes.' He said, then she looked up and Damon met the girls deep emerald colored eyes.

She smiled, then said. 'No, I'm sorry.'

Damon noticed the book on the floor, then picked it up, giving the girl it back. The girl smiled, taking it. 'Thank you.' Damon chuckled, then said. 'I'm Damon Salvatore.' The girl inclined her head. 'Lydia Faulks.' then she frowned. 'Salvatore-? That big house over the way?' Damon nodded, then said with a frown. 'Why are you out alone? It's nearly dark.'

Lydia shrugged. 'I wanted to see the horses- I never saw any when I lived in England. All London was was walls and grey, and yet more grey- like a prison.' She smiled. 'This place is bright and sunny.'

Damon found himself transfixed by this new girl- sure, he was only ten, and he wasn't allowed to "mingle" with them- his father had forbidden it.

But now he heard the words; May I escort you home safely? come out of his mouth, and Lydia smiled.

'I'd like that.'

Damon closed the diary now, remembering- he had escorted Lydia back to her home, kissed her hand like the young gentleman he was and bade her good evening.

Now he closed his eyes for a second, remembering once more...

Their meeting had only just been the start...

Of a long story that ended in heartbreak...

And so, we begin my first Damon/OC story! For the people that have read my story "Back to December" in which Damon has a daughter, you will like this just as much! Sooo much planned for this story, and people that like Damon/OC stories will like this immensely(= The next chapter will be up very soon! Reviews much loved! X Nicola