1. Keeper of My Heart
Dear Diary,
It's that day again. Three-hundred and sixty-five days later, it returns without fail. And it's today. It's Valentines Day. Valentine, what does that even mean? What does today resemble? What's the significance of today that has girls all over the world totally and immensely stricken by love? Even though it didn't really signify much to me before, it does today. Because this time last year, I wasn't spending it alone all cooped up in my bedroom, listening to Birdie on repeat, afraid to go outside incase I'd bump into him. No, this time last year I was helplessly in love and… happy even. But everything's changed since then. I've changed. I've grown stronger – according to him. But I feel weak inside. As if any moment now my heart will stop beating, stop fighting to live and just give up. Why? Because I feel as though something's missing, as if…
Elena immediately shut her book as Damon lightly knocked on the door and smiled.
"Morning" he said, grinning cheerfully at her.
"Damon, what are you doing here?" she asked, sitting up in her bed and pushing her book under her covers as Damon wandered round her room to her bedside. He perched lightly on her double bed, toying with a red ribboned box in his hand.
He shrugged, a smile playing on his lips as his bright eyes took in her somewhat what sad expression. "I got you a present" he said. Elena seemed slightly confused.
"Here, open it" he said, placing it on her knees.
"What's it for?" she asked, even though she knew the answer, she still was surprised.
Damon rolled his eyes, "Oh c'mon Elena. Surely you know what day it is".
Elena just stared back at him, slightly uneasy. But he just smiled politely, his eyes hinting at the box.
"Open it" he insisted.
Elena hesitated at the small square box wrapped up in red and an exquisite ribbon with a small heart shaped tag engraved with her name that sat on her knees.
After a moment she pulled the ribbon off and began to tear into the soft, velvety paper. She shot Damon a disapproving glance but he only laughed.
Inside was a leather red box. Gently, she opened the lid only to reveal a sharp glint of light. Elena scrutinised where the light came from until she saw a red, oval-shaped crystal dangling from a silver bracelet, each facet trapping and reflecting the light escaping through her window. Alongside the crystal was another, but a darker ruby red. But in it was a small silver figurine; Elena couldn't quite make out what it was.
"It's a key" he answered, "let's just say, you have the key to my heart. Literally". The corner of his lips twitched up to reveal his smile. Elena knew he wasn't joking. He wasn't joking about anything these days. Especially when he declared his love for her time and time again.
The last charm was a sphere embezzled in tiny little red and white stones. It was beautiful, Elena couldn't deny that fact.
"Damon, I can't take this. Why are you giving me this?" she asked, placing the antique back into the box.
"Well because, firstly it's Valentine's day" his eyes sparkled as Elena glanced at him "and secondly, it's not like my brother would give you anything, he's too busy running after blood and Klaus to actually go out and do anything and lastly. Because I thought you'd like it" he said truthfully.
He could read Elena's expression and knew that she wouldn't take it.
"Don't you like it?" he asked, his tone turning serious in the hope that she's take it, but even if she didn't, he'd make sure she kept it before he left. Damon was determined.
"No, it's beautiful Damon but…" Elena looked at the bracelet again, admiring the beauty.
"Then its perfect" he said, complimenting just how perfect the present was; beautiful enough for the most beautiful girl in his life.
"Damon-" she began but he cut her off.
"The red crystal was my mothers; her grandmother passed it down to her mother who passed it to her. She left it to me when she died, hoping I'd give it to someone as a token of my love. And here I am." he finished.
Elena's eyes were wide in awe.
"Damon, I can't take this", Elena persisted, but Damon just blinked as if she'd not said anything in protest.
"Yes you can" he said gently, standing up and walking towards her door, "Because I love you Elena. Even if you still can't figure out that you love me too, I love you. I'll wait 'til you feel the same. But for now, just know what you have my heart. Keep it" he shrugged, opening the door.
"Oh, and, Happy Valentines Day" he said, giving the most gentle, breathtakingly beautiful, heart-melting smile and then closed the door behind him.
It was silent after he left, and Elena just stared at the bracelet in her palms, a teardrop trickling down her cheek.
Her eyes welled up uncontrollably. Because the moment that had just passed summed up what she felt was missing. It fit into her like the perfect jigsaw puzzle.
She was missing that other part of her and that part wasn't Stefan nor did it belong to him. And in comparison to this time last year, today truly resembled to its name. Because now, in this moment in time, Elena - for the first time in what felt like ages – wasn't confused anymore. Or scared. Or weak.
She was… happy once again. And it was because of Damon. And the fact that she finally stopped denying her emotions. That she did love him. She'd finally figured it out. And she wasn't afraid to feel it anymore. There was nothing to hold her back. No one to hold her back. It was like she'd finally opened her eyes.
Brushing away her silent tears, she opened the clasp of her bracelet and put it on her hand. And the moment the February morning sun struck the crystals, a million and one reflections awakened the walls in her room. Elena gave out a light laugh, her tears still strolling down her cheeks.
Admiring the little crystals, her attention caught on the little engravement on the clasp. It read:
"Forever yours".
Elena's smile was now beaming as another round of tears enveloped from her eyes.
She didn't need persuading anymore, she didn't need reasoning or anyone to tell her how to feel, she knew how she felt and it was total and utter bliss. Throwing back her duvet, she began looking for something to wear.
It had taken her this long to figure out and fight off those other emotions to finally truly figure out where and who her heart lay with; she'd finally found the answer. Only now, she needed to say it to the person that really counted. And she couldn't wait. Couldn't wait to finally say those words back, to return them with sheer compassion. To shout it off the rooftops if she could.
Grabbing the keys off her desk, Elena ran out, the smile still not fading from her lips. She couldn't wait to see him.
Couldn't wait to see those mesmerising eyes, that beautiful smile and his gentle, soft touch. She longed for him like never before.
It would only be a matter of moments now, before she gave her heart away. After all, she was the keeper of his heart.
Thank you for reading. This story will most likely be split into 2 with the final part published on V-Day :) But only if you comment and tell me what you think :P So please review, i'd lovee to hear from you all! :) Thanks again! :)
