So so SO sorry this is a late update! One week I was gone visiting my Dad, then the other week I was freaking out (still am) because my first day of high school is tomorrow. :P

It just takes some time,

little girl,

you're in the middle of the ride.

the middle - jimmy eat world

Finally, it was lunch time. The cafeteria was filled, loud chatter and laughter reminding me of my old high school days. But I quickly pushed those thoughts away and let confidence take over me as I walked over to get some food.

"Damn," I mumbled, looking at the cafeteria choices. Still the same as when I was younger. Sighing, I picked up my tray and managed to find some decent food.

What was harder, though, was finding decent people to sit with. Nearby were Katherine and Rebekah, and though we hadn't had a good start, I still walked over to them and set my tray on their table, hoping for a do over.

Rebekah looked up at me as I slid onto the bench, a thin eyebrow lifted in disgust.

"Hi!" I said brightly as I pulled out a notepad. Might as well get some notes.

"And what are you doing here?" Katherine sneered, her arms folding across her chest.

"Well I know we didn't start off well but I was hoping I could ask you guys some quest- ah!" I had my arm positioned to write in my notepad, but my elbow hit my chocolate milk, drenching me. "Oh no," I groaned.

Katherine smirked. "Maybe that'll teach you to not where that awful scarf."

Ouch, I thought. That stung. I quickly got up, stopping the chocolate milk from spilling any more.

"Hey, you alright?" someone from behind me asked.

"Oh, um," I turned around, coming face to face with Stefan. "Uh… well, I… spilled some of my, er, chocolate milk and…" My face burned and I knew I had to stop mumbling so I just gestured lamely at my ruined outfit.

Stefan tilted his head to the side. "I… see."

Before I could mumble any more, I grabbed my bag and ran out of the cafeteria.

My next period had already started, but I didn't care. The washroom - completely empty except for me - allowed me to relax and calm myself. My chocolate milk stained clothes were in my bag and I had changed into the spare ones Caroline had packed for me. The white scarf I was sure would make me look cool was in the garbage, Katherine's mean remark lingering in my mind.

I pulled my phone out of my bag, dialling Caroline's number.

"Hello?" came Caroline's bubbly response.

"I messed up. Bad."

Instantly Caroline's voice changed. "Aw, Lena, c'mon."

"I spilled chocolate milk all over my clothes in front of the most popular girls at school, then turned around to face the hottest gu- student. I messed up," I said glumly.

"Oh, hottest student. Does that mean there's a hotter teacher or what?" Caroline asked excitedly.

I rolled my eyes. "That doesn't matter, Caroline!"

She sighed. "Fine, fine. What do you want me to do?"

I shrugged, glancing around the bathroom. "I don't know… save me."

Caroline burst out laughing. "Sorry, hun. Can't do that. I gotta finish this article I'm working on."

I pouted. "Fine. Bye, Care."

After I hung up I walked over to the sink, splashing cold water all over my face. I didn't care that I was ruining my makeup. I reached over and grabbed some paper towel, drying my face.

This was going to be a long day.

I swear, my car was parked in this exact space. Except it wasn't. Nope. Just an empty parking space. Frustrated, I ran a hand through my hair, spinning around.

"They do it to all the new kids."

I whirled around again. Bonnie stood there with a small look of pity, holding a textbook in one arm.

"They as in?" I asked, suddenly feeling watched.

Bonnie nodded her head in the direction of the upper floor classroom windows, and I saw Katherine, Rebekah, Stefan, and other kids I didn't know smirking and laughing, high fives being exchanged.

"The popular people."

I tried covering the hurt on my face. "Oh… So then where is my car?"

Bonnie smiled. "Lets go to the Mystic Grill, then we can find your car when everyone has left."

I smiled back at her. "Sure."

Once we both got into her car, an awkward silence fell over the two of us. I had never been close with much people - in high school my only friend was someone I felt bad for, and now my only actual friend besides family was Caroline. I opened my mouth multiple times to start a conversation, but each time I stopped, not knowing what to say.

Finally Bonnie broke the silence. "So where are you from?"

My back straightened and my eyes widened. "Er," I said, trying to buy time. "Um, Toronto," I finally answered, remembering Toronto being mentioned in the news last night. "Canada."

I looked over, hoping she bought it. Bonnie raised her eyebrows, still looking straight ahead. "Wow, Toronto. Are you liking the change?"

I felt a rush of relief and slumped back in my seat. "Yes, yes I am."

The car stopped and Bonnie smiled at me. "Come on, lets go. The Mystic Grill has the best food ever, trust me."

I followed Bonnie out of the car, agreeing with her silently in my head.

"Hi, my name is Jeremy and I'll be your - Elena?"

Crap. My attention, which was focused on Bonnie, turned to Jeremy, dressed in his work outfit.

"Hi Jer," I said, but my eyes said, "Don't you dare blow my cover!"

Bonnie looked between us. "You two… know each other?"

I scratched my head. "Um, yeah. He's my brother."

"But I thought you just moved from Canada, and I've seen Jeremy a million times here," Bonnie said, confusion painted on her face.

"That's because I lived in Canada with my dad," I quickly explained, the lies coming to me just as I said them. "I just moved back here with Jeremy and our mom because my… my dad died."

Which wasn't a full lie. My dad was dead - it's just that he died 8 years ago, along with my mom. But the sadness in my voice was real.

Bonnie's face softened automatically and she placed her hand on mine, her brown eyes looking at me sincerely. "Oh, Elena, I'm sorry."

I looked down, pretending I was about to cry, but I was secretly wondering if the special cakes were on sale.

Jeremy cleared his throat, ending that moment. "What can I get for you two?"

After we ordered (the special cakes were being sold today! Woo!) and our menus were taken, Bonnie leaned onto the table.

"I can't believe Jeremy's your brother!" she whispered excitedly. "I've always secretly had a crush on him!"

I smiled awkwardly, shrugging.

"How old is he?"

"23." I watched her shoulders slump and her smile fall from her face.

"Okay, yeah, I assumed that." Bonnie smiled softly and I forced a smile back.

Time flew by quick after that. When I looked over at the old brown clock, it was no longer 3.

"Crap!" Bonnie's eyes widened as she followed my gaze. "It's 5! Elena, I'm so sorry, but I got to go, I have a meeting with the Denominators - this group I'm in."

"Oh, it's fine," I said, but I was wondering how I was going to find my car now.

"Hey… before I leave, how good are you at math?"

I shrugged, trying to fight the urge of saying, "Please, I got high 90s in everything when I was in high school."

But instead I settled with, "Not bad."

Bonnie's grin grew. "How would you like to join the Denominators? We go out for pizza sometimes, we have competitions with other schools, we even have sweaters!"

I couldn't help it; suddenly I was so excited that I forgot about my car. "I would love to! But I can't go to the meeting tonight."

Bonnie frowned slightly. "Oh, why is that?"

"I'm meeting my friend Caroline tonight."

"Oh yes, you probably want to catch up with some of your old friends," Bonnie said, nodding.

At first I was confused. Then I remembered my lie and smiled awkwardly. "Um, yeah."

"Well, I should go. Bye!" Bonnie turned around and headed towards the exit.

"Wait!" I practically lunged at her, stopping her from leaving. "My car. You said you know where it is?"

Bonnie gasped, her hand covering her mouth, and I couldn't help but think she can be quite dramatic at times. "Your car, I'm so sorry! I wish I could help… It's most likely at the back of the school, hidden behind the trees."

Great. Hidden behind trees. "Thanks, Bonnie. Bye!"

Hidden behind trees…

Yeah, my car was hidden behind trees. I don't know how they got it there. I almost winced at how many scratches were on it. It took me forever to get it out - once I decided I couldn't crash through the fence, I had to just squish my car through the trees and bushes. My shirt had 3 holes in it now and leaves were tangled in with my now wrecked and sweaty hair.

It's all happening again.

I'm still Insane Elaine. Nothing will change that. I'll never be popular. That crowd and I just won't ever get along.

So maybe, a little voice in the back of my head said, you need to act like Elena Holt, 17 year old high school student.

That's what I was going to do. I was going to get home, shower, and discuss with Caroline new ways to make me not me. I couldn't be myself anymore at this high school - no, I had to be -

"Elena?"

No, not him, I begged, frozen in spot. My hand held my car keys, which was unlocking my car door, but now dropped to my side.

"Uh, Mr…. Mr. Salvatore," I stammered out, turning around and awkwardly waving a hand. "Hi."

His arms crossed his chest, amusement clear in those damn blue eyes of his. "Please, call me Damon."

I scratched my head, then remembered my keys were in my hand when they tangled in my hair. My face flamed a red as I yanked them out, bringing some hair out with it. I shoved my keys in my pocket, shielding his view from it.

"Right," I said after an uncomfortable silence. "Damon."

"So what are you doing here at 6 o'clock?" The amusement hadn't left his eyes - no, now it filled his voice too.

"Just, you know." I made a gesture with my hand, hoping he would just nod along and understand what I meant.

A smirk formed on Damon's lips. Why was he acting like this? He's a teacher. He shouldn't be making his students feel all flustered.

To change the direction of the conversation around, I asked, "What are you doing here?"

A small, almost mysterious smile replaced his smirk. "I was planning a pop quiz for tomorrow. Guess it's no surprise for you now though."

I forced a smile - I seemed to be forcing them a lot today. Then, to end the awkwardness, I looked down at my wrist and faked a convincing gasp. "Is it 6:07 already! Oh my God, I'm so sorry, I've got to go!"

Once I got in my car, I slammed on the gas. I prayed he hadn't noticed my "watch" was actually a thin, braided purple bracelet that Caroline made me as a friendship present.

But mostly I just prayed that I wouldn't have to see him any other time besides English.

Review? :)