Chapter 2 – Spirit in the night

"Hi", I said a bit suspiciously.

He said nothing, he just kept looking at me, and in the meantime he had come in front of me. Now I could see him more clearly. He was wearing a black leather jacket and dark jeans. His hair was short, straight and black. And then his eyes… They had one of the most beautiful shade of blue I had ever see. They were almost sparkling.

I was still smoking my cigarette and he was still looking at me, with his hands in his jeans pockets. None of us were talking, we were just… looking at each other, curiously. As I finished my cigarette, I grew tired of this game though. I lit out my cigarette, threw it away and broke the silence.

"Who are you?"

He looked at me with a weird expression, then he smirked and said: "My name is Damon Salvatore. Can I ask yours?"

"I'm Peyton. Sawyer.", I added quickly.

"Do you mind if I sit with you Peyton? Unless you don't want company."

" It's a free country.", I said indifferently, when in fact I was a bit curious.

He came ant sat beside me on the fallen tree. For a few moments he said nothing, but then he spoke, disturbing the deadly silence of the forest.

"Are you new here Peyton? I'm sure I would notice you in such a small town."

"Yeah, I just moved here from Tree Hill, North Carolina."

"Aren't you a bit far from home?" he asked, still lookin at me curiously.

"Home is where your heart is", I replied rather cryptically.

He stared for a moment and then he started laughing.

"I'm glad I amuse you." I said slightly annoyed at his reaction.

He laughing died a bit and said: "I'm just not used to hear such deep things from pretty girls." I raided an eyebrow on that one. " Also, it's hard to believe your heart is in a place where you just moved."

"Touché.", I said defeated. I couldn't argue on that one.

We stayed silent again, for a few moments. I lit another cigarette and looked at him. "So what's your story? You live here long?"

"A couple of weeks."

"Oh.", I said, not really knowing what to say next.

He didn't say anything else. He was just sitting there, looking straight ahead of him, lost in his thoughts. After I finished the second cigarette, he finally spoke.

"Why are you here in the woods alone, so late at night?"

" I have sleeping issues and I was bored at home." I said truthfully. "You?"

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Why?" I asked, curiously.

And then he looked right into my eyes and his pupils dilated. Weird.

"I said, I'd rather not talk about it, so let it go."

I stared at him, debating what to say next. His tone was strange, persuasive I could say. Finally I decided.

"I could let it go, but you just triggered my curiosity. So I'm gonna ask you again… but not now."

He looked surprised and I smiled crookedly at him. Then I stood up and he looked startled.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Home. You made a good point. It's late and I have school tomorrow."

He also stood up, trying to recollect himself, although he seemed more surprised than a person, usually would be.

" Can I least walk you home? It's not safe to walk alone at night."

"Thanks, but I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself.". I said, rather annoyed.

Before he could respond I said: "Goodnight, Damon Salvatore,"

I turned my back on him and started to walk away. After a couple of seconds, I turned my head to see him, expecting him to be in the same spot. But he was gone. I didn't look much into it, I liked mysteries. So I went home, feeling suddenly excited to be at Point Arena.

*****

It was 5:30 when I got home. After I left the forest, I walked a bit more, thinking about the unexpected visit I got in there. Damon. He was gorgeous obviously, but something was off about him. He's hiding something. Aren't we all, I thought bitterly. After that I didn't spent much time thinking about him, cause probably I wouldn't see him again.

I walked into my room and I began sketching. There wasn't really anything else to do for a couple of hours anyway. I started drawing lines it took me a while to realise that I was drawing a scene in the woods that happened not even two hours ago. What the fuck? He's just a guy I just met! Surprised and mostly angry at myself, I turned the page and I began drawing again. In a few minutes, I had completely forgotten about him.

At 8:00 o'clock I was pulling on the parking lot of my new school. Point Arena Union High. There were barely 200 students, also enrolling from nearby villages. Great. In Tree Hill High we had 1000 students at least. I sighed, I took my bag and I closed the door of my Comet drawing more attention to myself, if I hadn't already. I ignored the stares and went to find the administrations office so I can get my schedule. I was about to ask someone where it was, when a dark haired boy popped in front of me.

"Hi, I'm Drew Freeman. You are new here, right?"

"Yeah. Do you know where the administrations office is?" , I asked in a hurry.

"I can show you if you tell me your name" , he smiled.

"If you show me, I'll tell you" , I said, a little irritated.

Thankfully, he didn't seem to pick that up and he smiled more widely. "Follow me"

We entered the building and turn to the left. Drew looked at me and began the small talk.

"So where are you from um….", he raised his eyebrows in question.

I decided to put him out of his misery. "Peyton. I'm from Tree Hill, North Carolina."

"Right. So what brings you here to the other side of the country?"

"Um, we moved with my dad cause of his work." He didn't need to know the truth.

" Is he a military man or something?"

" No." I said simply.

He looked at me quizzically but didn't ask further. We were now outside of the office so he turned at me and said: " I hope we see each other again today Peyton. And welcome to Point Arena."

I nodded and entered the office. The lady behind the desk was at her 30's, blonde, with blue eyes, kinda like a Barbie Doll. She knew who I was, how couldn't she in such a small town, and gave me my schedule. Then she asked me why I didn't attend last week, I explained to her the whole situation with my dad, how he left and I had to do the moving in by myself. Thankfully she told me understood and that my absences wouldn't count since it was my first official day. So I thanked her, saw that I had English first period and rushed there before I got into trouble.

* * * * *

Lunch time came rather quickly. I found a table at the cafeteria and sat there, with my iPod, slightly bored. I didn't last long. As I was listening to Funny Little Feeling, a figure came above me. I lifted my eyes to see Drew and 3 of his friends.

" Hi Peyton. You mind if we join you?"

I shrugged my arms and pointed the table with my hand. Drew and the others, one boy and two girls sit, staring at me. Drew spoke first.

" How was your first day so far?"

"Like any other day at school"

"Really? That boring huh?" he chuckled. "Well, I hope we can change that."

"You can try." , I said.

He continued, more confident this time. " I'm sure, Peyton, by the end of the school year we will become really great friends."

I glared at him for a second, I smiled seductively and said: "But you haven't introduced me yet to me future really great friends. That's kinda rude, isn't it?

Drew was taken aback while the others laughed. One of the girls, the one who had long brown hair and was average looking, introduced herself first. "I'm Alexis and this is Faith and Liam", she said while pointing to the other boy and girl. "Whoever puts Drew in his place is a friend of ours."

I couldn't help but smile. They were nice after all. And if I was going to be here for another year and a half, as might as well make the most of it.

I hope you like it so far! I know the chapters are small, but I'll try in the future to make them bigger. Also please have in mind that my native language is Greek and not English, so any mistakes should be forgivable.

Damon and Peyton OOC for reasons that WILL be explained later. But I promise that Damon will be back in his hot self we all love pretty soon. :)

Song referenced in Chapter 1 is Stripped by Shiny Toy Guns and in Chapter 2 Funny Little Feeling by Rock 'n' Roll Soldiers.

Please review! I'd like to know what you're thinking, good or bad.