Thanks for the follows, favorites and reviews. They really mean a lot to me. This chapter is a little longer than the last as I'm still trying to figure out how long I want them to be. I like longer chapters myself but don't want to include too much in 1 posting. Also, we are getting closer to earning the "M" rating. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 2: School
Ugh. The first day of my last year at Mystic Falls High. I should be more excited than this but it's hard to get excited when I think about what's missing. When I go downstairs the first day blueberry pancakes that my mom always made will not be there. Instead it'll be a granola bar and coffee. Dad won't be teasing Jere about girls this year. Jenna is doing the best she can and I love her for it but it's not the same.
Anyway, dwelling on it isn't going to change anything. With everything coming up, I'm barely going to have time to breathe which is a good thing. Cheerleading practice officially starts after school today (although Caroline started putting us through our paces right after camp), football season starts next Friday, then we have the Miss Mystic Falls pageant, Founder's Day, Homecoming, and our cheerleading competitions. We also have all of our school dances including prom. Not to mention actually attending school and applying to college.
Since the bbq two days ago, whenever I start thinking about all the stuff coming up, my thoughts inevitably turn to Damon as my escape from reality. I haven't seen him since then and I have no reason to expect that I will. He was probably just being nice when he said he wanted to see me again. When I look in the mirror I honestly can't see anything that would interest him. He's so beautiful and I'm just me, with my long brown hair, brown eyes and olive toned skin.
Shit. I have got to get moving. I can hear Jeremy and Jenna downstairs already.
"Hey Jere, Jenna. Jere, do you need a ride to school today? I have to get Caroline and Bonnie but you can ride with us," I ask as I pour my coffee into a travel mug.
"No offense but riding to school with the three of you is way too much drama first thing in the morning. Kol's parents gave him a new car so he's going to drive me and then I'll be home late this evening. We're going to the Grill after school."
The Mystic Grill is our hangout after school and on weekends. It's really the one and only hangout in town but they have the best burgers and shakes so it all works out.
"Awesome. Jenna, remember I have cheer after school and then we'll probably go to the Grill too."
"Will anybody be home this evening? Or are you all abandoning me?" Jenna smiles at us. "Seriously, I'm glad you two are getting into the swing of things. I have a group project at school so I'll be in late also."
"Ah, the beginning of a new school year. What's Ric going to do with you on campus so much?" I ask, gathering up my stuff.
"He'll be preparing to teach you ungrateful teenagers and hanging out with Damon, probably at the Grill." Jenna rolls her eyes. It's no secret that Ric and Damon meet at the Grill in the evenings for a couple of drinks to unwind.
At the mention of Damon possibly being at the Grill, I blush and rush out calling, "I'm headed to Caroline's. See you guys tonight."
It was a long day at school with everyone either staring at me, apologizing for my parents (which is nice but weird) or ignoring me altogether. Our group has Ric for our Virginia history class so that's a plus. We finally have the senior spot for lunch but let Jeremy and Kol hang out too. Not a moment too soon, it's time for practice. We get out on the field and the cheerleaders have one end and the football team has the rest of the field, with the track team running relays on the sides.
"Okay guys, let's get started." Caroline yells as we gather around. She leads us in our warm up, runs us through our routines (Rebekah, Bonnie and I are the ones flying this year), and leads our cool down. After our showers, we decide to head to the Grill.
"Elena, have you talked to or seen Damon since Saturday?' Caroline questions, as we reach my SUV. After I unlock the doors, she hops up front with me while Bonnie climbs in behind her.
"No. Why would I?" I ask, as I start driving to the Grill.
"First of all, you guys were making serious eyes at each other. I mean, if you could have sex from looks alone we would have all needed a cigarette," she says, as Bonnie and I screech, "Caroline!"
"Caroline, what? You know I'm right," she says flipping her hair, while glancing back at Bonnie, "and then yesterday he asked me about you while I was at Stefan's."
"What were you doing at Stefan's?" Bonnie asks. Both of us look at Caroline shocked. It's no secret they've gotten closer but we didn't realize they were hanging out alone.
"We were just hanging out, no big deal. Anyway, Damon tried to casually ask how old you are. I think he was pretty excited that you're 18."
"There is no way he's actually interested in me. He's just being nice." I pull into a parking spot outside the Grill and notice that it looks packed already.
"Come on, Elena, you do not give yourself enough credit. You are a hot, 18 year old cheerleader. Which means you are a legal cheerleader. Every guy's dream."
"Caroline, let's not jump the gun." Bonnie warns, trying to reel her back in, while I'm still processing.
"Elena, this could be exactly what you need for a new start. After what happened with your parents and Matt, this could be good for you."
"We'll see but first how about we get a milkshake before I get my new start?"
We walk into the Grill laughing and talking as we look for our friends. I glance over at the bar and Ric and Damon are sitting on the bar stools having their evening drinks. Damon looks up and I feel that jolt of electricity as he gives me a small wave.
"Elena, Caroline, Bonnie, we're over here," Rebekah calls from across the room. She, Stefan, Tyler, Jeremy and Kol have taken over the pool tables and the surrounding area. We walk over to them and while I still have Damon in my sight, he can't see me without turning his head. Crap. Matt's working tonight. It's really hard to think about starting something with Damon while Matt is around.
We order burgers and shakes and have fun just decompressing from the first day of school. It's great to see Jeremy out and having a good time with our friends instead of sitting alone in his room doing God knows what. After our food arrives, I glance over and see Ric has left Damon alone at the bar. He catches my eye and walks over.
"Elena, can I talk to you for a second?" Damon asks.
"Sure." He takes my hand and pulls me outside. God, what is it about just holding hands with this man? The butterflies in my stomach are going wild. Once we get outside, he lets go and I can't help the pang of disappointment and loss that I feel.
"I wanted to do this without an audience and while Ric is otherwise occupied. I'm not sure that he will approve, not that I really care, but it'll save an argument for now."
"Okay. What's up?"
"I know there's an age difference between us and we just met but I would really like to take you out."
"Me? You want to take me out?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I?"
"Because you're you. Have you seen you?"
"Elena," Damon starts, as he cups my face with his hands, "you are absolutely stunning and any guy would be lucky to go out with you."
Is he serious? I gulp and manage to say, "Sure. I would love to go out with you."
"I'm so glad," He says as he leans down to place a gentle kiss on my lips. However, once our lips meet all gentleness is gone. The kiss explodes as my arms go around his waist and his hands move around to the nape of my neck. Both of us are trying to pull the other closer as I allow his tongue access to my mouth. I can feel this kiss from my head to my toes and it is easily the best of my short life. We pull apart only when we hear someone cough from behind us and, of course, it's Ric.
"Elena, I think you should go back inside while I talk to Damon."
I look at Damon and he nods his head. "Go ahead. I'll get your number from Stefan and give you a call."
I walk by Ric absolutely mortified and quickly make my way back to the group. When I get there, I grab Bonnie and Caroline and usher them to bathroom. As I do this I hear Matt ask Rebekah what's going on and she replies that she's not sure but thinks it has something to do with Damon Salvatore.
"Okay, so what happened? And why are you glowing but also look like you could die of embarrassment?" Caroline starts questioning as soon as I close the door.
"Damon asked me out." At that announcement, Caroline squeals, grabs me and jumps up and down. "Chill. That's not all. When I said yes he kissed me and it was the best kiss of my life. Definitely better than any high school boy."
"That's wonderful," Bonnie hugs me. She has always been so supportive of me and I really don't know what I would do without her strength.
"Then, of course, during the best kiss of my life, Ric catches us and tells me to come in while he 'talks to Damon'. That's why I'm so embarrassed. Ric and Jenna are never going to approve of this but this is something that I want. I need to see where it goes or if it even goes anywhere. I have never felt this way before."
"Honey, you know Care and I will always be here for you and of course Jenna and Ric are going to worry but they know that you make good decisions and they'll trust your instincts on this one."
"You really think so?"
"I do. Care, how about you?"
"Definitely."
As predicted, when I get home, Jenna has heard all about Damon and me and decides to give me her opinions and this is when Jeremy decides it's a good idea to give me a hard time.
"So what's this I hear about you and Damon going out?"
"I heard they were making out in front of the Grill. Not ladylike behavior at all."
"Jeremy, we were not making out and you are not helping. Damon asked me out, we kissed, Ric interrupted, end of story."
"Elena, have you thought about this? He is way older than you and more experienced. Other than one serious relationship in college, he has never dated anyone more than a couple of times."
"Why does he want to go out with you anyway?" Jeremy jabs.
"Jeremy, go play with your Xbox and leave your sister alone. We know why he wants to date her, we just don't want him to hurt her."
"That's gross and I'm leaving."
"Jenna, I know that you are just looking out for me and I appreciate that but I have thought it through and I really want to go. I'm not going to let Damon pressure me into anything I'm not ready for and if he can't deal with that or we only go out a couple of times, where's the harm? Please let me do this."
"Honey, I don't have to let you do anything. You are an adult but I just want you going into this with your eyes wide open." Jenna pulls me into a tight hug.
"I am Jenna. Thank you."
