Chapter 2

First Impressions


Sunday morning dawned far to bright for my taste as i peeled the covers off and sat up in bed.

I could feel the way my long dark hair stuck out all over my head like the before picture in a shampoo ad but i new myself well enough to not even bother with it until i could stumble my way to the shower.

The yellow sunshine walls of my room where mocking me as i slowly made my way to the bathroom. Looking at them was like having a bull horn in your face screaming "Wake up! Be happy! DO IT NOW!." I was going to have to paint them, and soon.

After i had pulled myself together enough to pass for decent i walked over and pressed my ear to Jeremy's door. i could hear the low hum of a fan and figured he like me he had decided to sleep in till noon to.

All that moodiness he possessed lately did seem pretty exhausting work. As I headed down the stairs towards the kitchen i could her Jenna muttering a mixed bag of profanity and nonsense words to whatever had made her frustrated. Rounding the corner i saw a box full of donuts on the counter next to my aunt who had books, papers, notes, and her laptop open while she hunched over it frantically typing keys and jabbing the backspace button repeatedly whenever she left the CapsLock on. "Morning" I said as she plunked down on the stool and grabbed a tempting chocolate donut. Jenna looked up from her screen daze and blinked a few times. "More like Afternoon. I thought you might have gone into a coma." She joked as she saved her paper and closed her computer down. "Ha. Ha." I stuck my tongue out at her. "No coma's here. Im just still feeling tired from yesterday. Six hours of silence can take its toll on a person." I yawned drooping my head on my arm in a drastic fashion. "Wait, you mean you two didn't talk the entire car ride? Geese. What happened there?" she raised her eyebrows in curiosity. "Oh you know the usual. Jer became a true teenager over night and decided that he needed to start acting sixteen or something. He spends the majority of his time listening to his ipod and drawling. It's fine if thats how he needs to process everything thats happened and who am I not to give him his space? I think he'll come around eventually." I peeked up from under my arm to look at Jenna.

"I mean theres been days where I just want to shut the world out to and I did a lot after they were gone. Life didn't get any easier though." Jenna's soft green eyes started at me waiting to see id go on but we just sat there looking at each other.

"I know its not the same but I miss her everyday. She's my big sister wether she's here or not." Jenna quickly turned away as tears pooled at the corners of her eyes. "I''m sorry Elena. I should have been here. I'll never forgive myself for not being here." She sniffled a little in the silence. "You don't need my grief on top of your own." She wiped her eyes a few times trying to cover her sadness.

"Honestly it's nice to be able to share the pain with someone else. You understand. Where everyone else just says they understand but they never really can." I reached over and hugged her aunt letting months of sadness wash away with the comfort my shaking arms could give. "Look at us sitting here both to stubborn to just have a good cry. We need help" she laughed. "You'd be the expert since your majoring in psychology." I said stifling back my own tears.

"So I was hoping to go into town today. I need to do some painting in my room and i'm gonna need a second opinion on my options of black or really black…" Jenna laughed pulling away from me.

"Well if I knew you had such a brutal decision a head of you we should have left hours ago. "

"Is that a crack at my careful decision making skills?" I accused my aunt half heartily.

"You mean your obsessive compulsive need to think everything out till it turns ancient and dies of old age.." I laughed my smirking aunt wondering if i was really that bad at decision making. "Im not as bad as I used to be." I added defensively. Jenna laughed again. "I bet you still are. I just don't think theirs anything wrong with being a little impulsive. Its good for you once in awhile to do something without thinking to hard about the out come." I scoffed at her " I think most people would call those impulses, regrets the next morning." Jenna shook her head, gathering her mess up into her messenger bag. "I prefer to think of it as living in the moment. Sure, their are regrets mixed in there but still worth it. Now, Im gonna be gone till tonight at a study group for my back breaking Lit class. Do you think you could go to the grill and pick us up some Cheeseburgers for dinner tonight?"

'" Yes, Wait No. Actually yes, then again maybe not. I put her hands in the air mock weighing the question in the air. " I just cant seem to make a decision."

"Theirs some paper on the table if you feel the need to make a pro, con list. Jenna swung the bag on her shoulder and bumped Elena's hip as she walked by. "Have fun today. I recorded three different chick flicks for you in case you where feeling like a little female empowerment. I for one would love to be watching Reese Witherspoon nailing the bar exam and storming Harvard in heels instead of studying for my own degree. Oh well. Snaps for Elena anyway." I laughed right along with Jenna.

Don't forget the mustard please!" and with that last comment Jenna left.

I moved over to the couch and hunkered down in its soft leather for the duration of the day thinking movies would be perfect way to waste some time.

After vegging for three hours in front of the t.v, I forced myself to go to the store and buy my paint. It took about thirty minutes for me to finally settle on a deep purple. Maybe Jenna had a point about my over thinking things. I drove back home and went straight up stairs to get started. I unpacked all my stuff and shoved everything in a big pile in the middle of my room readying it for my painting party. When I finally came back down stairs to find a snack I saw that Jeremy had left a note on the counter while I had been at the hardware store saying he'd gone out and not to wait up. But I probably would anyway. I checked the clock and decided I could finish painting before I had to head over to The Grill. Three hours later my yellow walls had died a cheery death and my room was now the sultry deep color of purple to reflect my new personality. Satisfied I grabbed my cell and ordered our food while my stomach grumbled in anticipation. My arms were speckled in paint but I figured I could slip in and out of the restaurant with out two many looks. Boy was I ever wrong. As soon as I stepped into the cool air conditioned Grill at least five people out right stared at me. I blushed and moved towards the bar where the take out would be waiting, But of course it was all the way at the back of the restaurant and I had to walk by every table to get there. I kept my head up and pretended like I didn't notice the whispers or pitying looks that certain tables were giving me.

"Elenaaa!" a familiar perky voice called to me from my left. Caroline was running at me with a huge smile on her face. Her blonde curls bounced down her back in the happiest way. I smiled as she came crashing into me talking non stop. "Oh my god! I cant believe your finally back! When did you get here? Why didn't you call? What are you covered in? Why is there purple in your hair? You look great though. You grew your hair out! Its longer then mine now. It defiantly makes you look more sophisticated for sure. How come you…" I covered her mouth with my hand. "Hey Caroline. I missed you too." And I really had. She may be a never ending fountain of perkiness but it made her endearing and her happiness was usually contagious. She bit my finger hard and took it down a few notches. "Fine, I get it. Im just happy your home." She walked with me back to the bar. "Theirs so much to tell you. I totally dumped Josh last week. That loser cheated on me with Samantha Carington. I mean, Come on. At least have the decency to end things with me first. It was already over but still common decency you know?"

"Im sorry Caroline, but at least you didn't really wanna date him anymore anyway." I interjected sympathetically.

"Thats okay. Iv had my eye on someone else lately but I don't wanna put all my hopes with this guy if its not going to go anywhere."

"Who could possibly deny you?"

"You have an excellent point. Still he might be even out of my league and thats saying something." She blushed.

" What? A guy who could intimidate the great Caroline Forbes? Okay, I have to meet him."

"Shut up!" she laughed and bounced up to the bar counter where a muscular blonde had his back turned to us.

"Excuse me." I said trying to get the servers attention. "I'm here for a pick up order."

The guy turned around and smiled his big clumsy smile. "Elena, Hey!" He talked like Matt but I barley recognized him. The guy that had taken over Matts body was built and had grown at least two feet.

His hair was cut short out of his face and it showed his blue eyes nicely.

" Hey! Wow! I was only gone for a few months Matt. What the heck happened to you?" I laughed taking him in.

He smiled sheepishly looking away. "Yeah well FootBall camp this summer was intense. They defiantly believe in bulking up there." He smiled again and seemed to be the same old matt.

"Its really good to see you. For awhile their I thought you weren't coming back. Im glad you did though."

"For awhile we weren't sure we where coming back, but Jenna's term finally ended and she was able to transfer to the University here."

"How is Jeremy and Jenna?" he asked quietly like he was trying to see how I'd respond to a simple inquire.

Here we go with the sympathy.

"There both as good as they can be with all thats happened." I tried to keep my voice polite but I don't think Matt caught on. "What about you? I haven't heard anything form you and I cant imagine what you v been going through. I mean if you need someone to talk to…" he was looking at me so pityingly like I was a lost puppy.

"Oh come on, Elena's as strong as they come. Plus she's got cheerleading and College applications and helping me obtain the affections of a new guy. She'll be fine. Right Elena?" Thank God for Caroline. Now probably wasn't the right time to bring up my resignation form cheer this year.

"Yep."

"Oh no, there's another one Carr? Already? You and josh just ended yesterday." He shook his head like a disapproving big brother. "Hey! He went off with another girl so I'd say im free to like whoever I want as quickly as I want to. Besides this one may take some time his attention doesn't seem to be as easy to capture as normal boys.

" More like take prisoner…" he muttered under his breath as he turned around and grabbed my lonely bag food setting in front of me.

"I heard that. I don't appreciate your low opinion of my love life. Its not like you haven't been seeing not one but TWO girls." Her voice rose at the end making sure everyone at the bar could hear her. Although they all looked a little to tipsy to care. "ITS NOT LIKE THAT!" Matt got all sputtery and red in the face. "I went out with them at different times and it wasn't even anything serious." He glanced over at me and then back at her.

"Sure, Sure but it looked pretty serious to me when I saw your truck up at Fosters Point with the windows steamed over." She laughed as Matts face got so red it started to look crimson. "I donttt..What are you talkinggg….its not…" he was so indignant he couldnt even finish a sentence while Caroline's laugh just kept getting louder.

I was more then ready to get out of there. I slipped a twenty on the counter and grabbed my food. " I'll see you guys tomorrow." Shaking my head at them both knowing they wouldn't even noticed me leave. It didn't sound like much had changed with them at least. They still drove each other crazy. Sometimes I used to think they'd be good together but then I realized Matt would probably strangle her after she announced how good he kissed on a scale from 1-2. I left the restaurant laughing at my friends and the ridiculous idea they could ever work.

I mean I couldnt imagine any two people more different.

Thats when I walked right into someone and dropped all the food on myself while laughing like a crazy person.

"Well that was graceful." A low, laughing voice said as I stared down at my mustard covered shirt. Jenna just had to have mustard I grimaced. "Right? I guess you don't splatter yourself with food very often" I sighed and looked up into the warmest green eyes I'd ever seen. He looked to be about my age and was ridiculously good looking. His dark brown hair was styled up in that messy on purpose look that a lot of guys wore but on him it was a whole new category of sexy.

"No, not really. I usually eat my food instead of wear it, but im traditional like that." He shrugged his lean shoulders and bent over to pick up my sad looking cheeseburger. Im not going to lie my brain got little fuzzy when he spoke. His smile was just so dazzlingly white that I couldnt stop staring at him. I know I needed to say something. Anything. Just standing here while this good looking guy picked up my soggy lettuce was not an option.

"Yeah I thought a little tomato and purple paint on my shorts would set me apart." I laughed nervously hoping he didn't hear it in my voice. Pull it together right now Elena!" I bent down to put the empty containers back in the bag. "Some how I get the feeling you didn't need to create a new fashion trend to be set apart from everyone else." He stood up then and brushed off his jeans and slim fitting black shirt that clung to him in the best way possible. I paused and frowned a little. Was he trying to say I was that weird? "Well thanks for the help. Sorry I bumped into you." I turned and started walking back towards my house. Of course when I'd left id thought it be a good idea to walk in the early evening air. Now I was cranky that hands down the best looking guy id ever met thought I was strange.

He caught up with me within just a few yards away.

" Did you mean you were sorry you walked into me or sorry you meet me in general?" he asked with a curious half smile. "That depends on wether you meant that I was a complete freak or just different them most girls you'v meet that sets me apart so decidedly." My annoyance with him was making it easier to talk to him normally. He thought seriously for a moment and his brows creased in concentration. "I'll make you deal. I'll answer you and then you answer me" he dug his hands in his pockets and ducked his head to look up at me in that im so innocent look.

"Sounds fair." I conceded interested in why this guy wanted to keep following me.

"Good. So im sorry if I made you think I thought you were a freak. I don't think that at all."

He sounded truly sinecure and I nodded my head to let him know I was still listening.

" In fact, I find you refreshingly interesting. Most girls don't spill all there food on themselves and the ground without shrieking incessantly about how their clothes are ruined. You made a joke out of it and just went with it. I like that. You are different but in a way that I like." He finished with another glowing smile at me and I didn't get completely side tracked but it defiantly wasn't simple to ignore his easy charm. "Alright. I understand what type of girl you mean. I am glad not to be categorized with that and thanks for the compliment, Im not exactly the norm around here anymore."

His eyes turned quizzical but he didn't comment on my words. "Its my turn then. Whats your name?"

I asked "I thought you were suppose to answer my question now?" he accused me but that odd half smile never left his face. "And im getting to it, but unlike you I need a little more information before I can answer your question honestly." He turned around to face me then and stopped walking. " Sounds fair" he echoed my earlier sentiments playfully. " My name is Stephan. I just moved to town two months ago with my older brother. We inherited our uncles family house last year after he passed away. We decided to give small town living a try. I own over five hundred books. I don't watch much television, I spend more time outside then in and I find the way people say "Like" after every other word extremely annoying." He looked straight into my eyes for a few moments longer before continuing our walk. He'd lost someone too. I wasn't going to say sorry, I wanted to say something actually meaningful. "Well i think your doing a wonderful thing by living in your families home. Its a nice way to honor your uncles memory, especially since most of the homes here have been around since the 1800's." Stephan looked at me like my answer had surprised him. "Yes. I think he would be happy that we decided to come back here. I believe I am now too." Stephan didn't even bother to hide the meaning in his words like most guys would. We had arrived at my house and I found myself reluctant to go inside. The lights were all on which meant that Jenna was home. " I should really go inside and break the bad news to my aunt" I said to break the tension his lingering gaze on my face made me feel. It worked. "Bad news?" he asked confused. "Yeah. She might actually have to cook something. I'm pretty sure she's allergic to it." I smiled thinking of Jenna's fear of all unprepared food. Stephan laughed and rolled his eyes at me. "Im glad you pay so little attention to where your walking. It made my day to meet you." It was my turn to roll my eyes at him. "Stick around and I'll be sure to do an endless amount of ungraceful things as you put it earlier." I started up the walk to the door. "I plan to" he said. It was good my back was to him cause I could feel the blush creep into my cheeks. I turned around when I thought I'd be to far for him to see it. "Im not sorry for either one by the way" I said lightly smiling. He ran is fingers through his hair in that boyish way and actually looked a little abashed for the first time since I'd hit him. Thats when Jenna opened the front door. I turned my head towards her doubled over figure."Oh good, your home. Im starving! Give me that dead cow before I pass out from hunger Elena!" she said theatrically in that over the top way she had about her most days. She then proceeded to stumble back into the house laughing. I turned back around to see what Stephan thought of the whole act, but instead of him being in the street where I'd left him he was just one breath away from me. If I wasn't so surprised I'd probably crack a joke about personal space but there was nothing funny about this moment. Stephan reached out his hand and rubbed a fleck of dry paint off my cheek. "Goodnight, Elena." He whispered my name softly like a gentle caress. "Goodnight" I breathed back, then with every bit of will power I could muster I turned around and walked the rest of the way to the house. I looked back outside right before I shut the door and saw him still standing there in the darkening twilight but with that attractive smile back on his lips again. I tried to smile back before I closed the door but I wasn't sure it came out right. I wasn't sure of anything at that moment except I wanted to see Stephan smile at me again like that.


* New updates.

Its a long chapter but so worth the read! =]

What did you think of Elena & Stephan's first meeting?

There's much more to come. Its just the beginning of their story.

Damon is coming up in the next few chapters. Stay tuned, its gunna be a bumpy ride for our favorite trio!

REVIEW ME! I need feedback so i know if i should continue with the story...