Since That Night

Bonnie sat at a corner table at the Grille, her head bent over her Chemistry textbook. She looked up to stretch her neck when she saw Damon walk into the restaurant. Their eyes met and Damon nodded and gave her a closed mouth smile. Bonnie made the same smile in return. She watched as he sat at the bar and got the female bartender's attention.

Since that night when Damon displayed his hurt over Elena, Bonnie had been watching him. Not in the creepy I'm-going-to-follow-you-around-and-find-out-all-your-secrets kind of watching. But more like observing. Since she realized how human he truly is, even if only in private moments, she has tried to look for his humanity in every act he performs.

And since that night, Bonnie and Damon still argued, but they never pushed too far. Bonnie thinks it's because they both appreciate what they saw in the other: humanity, pain, empathy, and compassion.

Bonnie giggled to herself as she noticed Damon flirting with the bartender. Some things sure never change. She sighed and went back to reading. After ten minutes or so Bonnie closed her book.

"Hey Bonnie!" She looked up to see Damon and Luka, the new kid and also warlock from school. She could tell Damon had been walking towards her from the bar and Luka had intercepted from the pool tables. Damon looked annoyed.

"Hi Luka, Damon. How are you?"

"I'm good, could use a little help with French though. You're in that class, right? "

"Yeah. But I'm struggling too. Elena's the one who's really good." She noticed Damon still standing there, sizing up Luka.

"Oh, Luka this is Damon. Damon, Luka; he's new to town."

"So I gathered." Luka extended his hand to shake Damon's. But before he could, Bonnie opened her eyes wide and slightly shook her head at Damon. All she needed was for the other witch family in town to know Mystic Falls was swarming with vampires.

"Great to meet you, kid" but Damon sounded anything but great as he looked at Luka's hand. "Sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to Bonnie."

Really? Was he really doing this to her?

Luka seemed a little put off and looked at Bonnie as she answered, "I actually have to get home; I'm cooking dinner for my dad tonight. But here's my number. I'll try to help you if I can." She wrote her number down in her notebook and tore off the corner.

"Thanks," Luka gave Bonnie a big smile and looked into her eyes (Damon rolled his). "Bye Bonnie. Damon."

Damon gave Luka a sarcastic smirk. Bonnie smiled at Luka and then glanced at Damon and proceeded to walk out of the restaurant. She knew he was behind her. When they were outside the Grille, Damon spoke, "When were you going to tell me there's another witch in town?"

"He's actually a warlock."

"Same difference. When were you going to say something?"

"I don't know. When it became important."

"Anything new or out of the ordinary in Mystic Falls is important, Bonnie."

"Don't scold me like I'm a child!"

"I'm just looking out for you. Well, mostly this town. You should stay away from him."

"Not listening. Goodbye Damon. I have to get home."

"Don't say I didn't warn you, Judgy. Let me know if you need help with chemistry" Damon said as he wiggled his eyebrows.

Bonnie just rolled her eyes and walked to her car. Couldn't she catch a break? Just when she was going have time alone with Luka, he comes along.