I hung up the phone after saying bye to my mom because I know Damon is going to appear very soon. I needed to get my mind ready to give a Meryl Streep level of performance.
It's going to be hard seeing him again but can't touch or kiss him, or to tell him I love him.
Then I heard a whoosh sound and he was right there.
"Katherine" He called out, looking at me with a confused expression.
"Um, no I'm Elena," I said. Although I was doing a cartwheel on the inside, I still hate being called 'Katherine' in any capacity.
"Oh. you just look..." He said and stopped when he realized his mistake, I know he could hear my heartbeat.
"I'm sorry" He apologized, he still looked a little puzzled.
"You just remind me of someone." He said giving me a baffled look while walking closer to me slowly as not to spook me I presume.
"I'm Damon." He introduced himself. I was trying my best not to get out of character when all I want to do is jump him and kiss his beautiful face.
I kept my emotion in check while I try to remember how the conversation went the last time because one false move he might decide to make a meal out of me.
"Not to be rude or anything, Damon." I pressed on.
"But it's kind of creepy that you're out here in the middle of nowhere." I teased him.
"You're one to talk." He said mocking me and doing the famous eye thing I claimed to hate.
"You're out here all by yourself." He said. I was enjoying myself watching him trying to charm me.
"It's Mystic Falls nothing bad ever happens here." I retorted. Wishing we could do this all night.
"I got into a fight with my boyfriend." I quickly continued with the 'script'.
"About what?, If I may ask." He asked as he made a gesture to indicate it was up to me to answer.
"Life, The future. He's got it all mapped out." I replied rolling my eyes.
"And you don't want it?" He retorted with his signature smirk.
"I don't know what I want," I said playing along.
"Well, that's not true." He replied in a playful manner.
"You want what everybody wants..." He continued.
"What?" I asked with a smile.
"Mysterious stranger who has all the answers," I said flirting back.
I couldn't help but stare at his beautiful icy blue eyes, It's so mesmerizing. My man is gorgeous I thought to myself.
"Well, let's just say I've been around a long time." He declared.
"I've learned a few things." He said.
"So, Damon...Tell me. What is it that I want?" I asked.
He thought about it for a second before saying the famous words which described our lives in the future before the doom.
"You want a love that Consumes you. you want passion and adventure, and even a little danger." He declared. Flashing his legendary smirk.
When I realized I was gawking at him.
"So what do you want?" I quickly asked. A little sad knowing our time is about to end.
He was about to answer when we heard approaching car honks. My parents right on time. I have a conflicted emotion right about now. On one hand, I want to hold on to Damon and tell him not to leave me again. Then I have my parents who're about to lose their life yet again. I'm such a bad daughter, I should be concentrating on my parents at this moment. But all I could think about is Damon walking away from me. At least I will be seeing Damon again after summer, but why is my heart aching like I'm gonna die.
"That's my parents," I informed him.
Oh, here comes the compulsion. Pretending I didn't know what he was about to do, I nonchalantly touched his upper arm.
"Damon, I'm glad we met. I hope to see you again". I told him. He gave me a strange look like he was trying to figure me out.
He started compelling me, I stare at him blankly giving him my best impression of compelled look.
"I want you to get everything you're looking for. But right now I want you to forget that this happened. I can't have people knowing I'm in town yet. Good night, Elena." He finished and then whooshed away into the night. I miss him already.
On the drive home with my parents, they were bantering with each other and laughing at their own jokes. I changed my mind about my decision to just let things be and panicked, I told my dad to turn around and take another route. He looked back at me through the car mirror like I was crazy, Bonnie chose that moment to call and my dad insisted I answer it.
She wanted to check on me since she never saw me again at the bonfire after I walked away with Matt.
I swear it happened so fast, before I knew it my dad swerved off the road and we were at the bottom of the Wickery river fighting for our lives. I tried breathing and water filled up my lungs, I was trying and failing to tell them I love them before everything went dark around me.
When I woke up two weeks later at the hospital, I had everyone fawning over me. I shut off my emotion completely. Even though I've been through this before and knew what was coming, It didn't stop the depression from hitting me hard. I didn't speak to anyone for days, even after I got discharged.
I wasn't trying to punish anyone, I just didn't have anything to say. At the hospital, I got into the habit of holding on to Jeremy's hand, without saying anything to him. Maybe I was doing that because I was supposed to be helping him and here I was useless.
After getting home from my parent's burial, I finally broke down and cried for two days straight locked up in my room. Then I emerged the third day a new woman, the crying helped a lot. Time to concentrate on Jeremy, luckily for me he hasn't shown any sign of spiraling yet.
I guess he was so worried about me that he's not had time to do anything stupid. Jeremy shows maturity when he feels responsible for people, I'm going to use that quality to my advantage to help him. I have to play helpless for a little while longer, so he can play protector.
Jenna was barely holding it together, losing her only sister was bad enough and now she's entrusted with the welfare of two teenagers but I still think she's doing a great job considering.
The rest of the summer went by quickly. I spent it at the lake house bonding with Jeremy, we shared stories about our parents, cooked and work out together. He agreed to live at the lake house with me for the summer because I told him that's what I needed to get better but in all actuality I doing it to take him away from his potential druggie friends.
It turns out if you treat your annoying little brother like an adult, he'd actually behave like one. I made sure Bonnie came over for weekends, subtly trying to play matchmaker. They don't have to date but I want him to know he has options. At least he wasn't home getting high with Vicky Donovan. Jenna comes over from time to time to check in on us.
I secretly got a small infinity tattoo, on my inner wrist. Small enough to be covered with concealer every day. it's not much but it's enough to tell me apart from Katherine if you know what to look for. I know I have a heartbeat and all but Katherine go above for her sick games of impersonating me.
If I cut my hair, it's easy to find a wig to match it, but if my tattoo remains a private knowledge there is no way she could replicate it in time to play me. I'm not taking any chances with her this time around.
Time to get back to school to play a naive school girl once again, oblivious to the supernatural world. All the running and exercise I did with Jer at the lake house in preparation for the doom coming our way, is still not helping my confidence level right about know. Operation Jeremy was a success, maybe everything else will work out perfect too. Who am I kidding this is Mystic Falls after all.
I prepared myself mentally for the pity look that was going to be directed at me. Most of them haven't seen me since the accident. I added the daily dose of vervain to our coffee like I always do. It has become a habit now, Jenna and Jeremy still don't suspect a thing.
Bonnie picked me up from school, she seemed very happy for the first day of school. Then she went into a monologue about the latest in the 'psychic' revelation.
"So, Grams is telling me I'm psychic, you know our ancestors were from Salem, which isn't all that, I know... crazy. But she's going on and on about it, and I'm like, put this woman in a home already. But then I started thinking, I've predicted a lot of things that came true, there might be something to..." She stopped talking and glanced at me.
"Elena, are you even listening to me?" She said when she noticed I was zoned out.
"Yes, Bonnie what if your Grams is not crazy at all and she's telling truth," I finally responded.
"Are you saying you believe me now?." She asked.
"Sure why not, anything is possible you know," I said assuring her.
"I guess you're right." A bird came out of nowhere and hit the car, Bonnie almost lost control. I hope that's just a random bird and not Damon controlling it.
Bonnie exhaled and said, "I predict this year is going to be kick ass." She declared.
I chuckled on the inside. She wasn't far from the truth.
She ruined it when she added, "And I predict all the sad and dark times are over, and you're going to be happy."
We arrived at school, saw a lot of happy faces excited for the first day of school. Unfortunately, this is not my scene anymore. I tried to keep up with the gossip just for Bonnie.
Then we went to our lockers, Bonnie directed my attention to Matt watching us from his locker area. I tried waving at him but he didn't acknowledge my gesture. I guess he's still not over the breakup.
"He hates me," I said to Bonnie as we watch him walk away.
"He doesn't hate you, that's a 'you dumped me, but I'm too cool to show it' look," Bonnie said trying to make me feel better.
Of course I know he will get over it later, but for now, I have to play along before I out myself for acting differently.
Oh boy, here comes Caroline. She looks amazing as usual, I'm sure she bought up the whole mall in preparation for school.
"Elena. Oh, my God. How are you?" She hugged me in her special caroline dramatic way
"Oh, it's so good to see you." Then she turned to Bonnie asking her about me like I wasn't standing there.
"Caroline, I'm right here. And I'm fine, ok. thank you." I said.
"Really?." She said. what the nerve on her.
I forgot what a big bitch she used to be, being a vampire really mellowed her. She still gets on my nerves sometimes but she became a better friend.
"Oh, you poor thing" She gave me another hug. I've already met my quota for hugs today.
She finally left us, I guess to find someone else to harass. I love her but the girl drives me nuts.
As we were walking through the hallway, Bonnie caught sight of Stefan's backside and was ogling. I was laughing on the inside because she has no idea he could hear all the ways she was objectifying him.
I saw Jeremy walked into the men's restroom, I wasn't worried to check on him like I did last time because thank God he's not doing drugs or Vicky. Besides I need to avoid colliding with Stefan, he's my friend and all but the idea that he's been stalking me all summer is really creepy. The last time I never even thought about it like that, it's eye-opening to see things from a different perspective.
Even though I avoided the restroom, he still jammed into me later knocking my history book down, ah, I think he did it on purpose. I decided to get it over with and introduce myself business like, I don't want him thinking this is romantic encounter or something. The last time he knew everything about me and I was in the dark. Now I know more than he does, which is thrilling.
"Hi, you're new here...I'm Elena,"
"I'm Stefan, nice to meet you," He said gazing into my eyes. "And yes I'm new"
"Welcome to Mystic Falls High, you will like it here. Alright see you around" I said.
"Thank you" he replied. I quickly left him standing there and made my way to class.
During history class, I didn't have to look to know Stefan was staring at me. Matt was watching him watch me... it was weird. How did I think this was cute before. Bonnie texted to tell me the hot new guy was watching me. I texted her back saying not interested, I don't want her getting any ideas. I also want her to relay that info to Caroline later.
Caroline only went after Damon the other 'new guy' in town, when she was flat out rejected by Stefan. Without me there as a love interest for Stefan she has a shot, and will not be throwing herself at Damon ergo she will not be available to be turned into my boyfriend's personal juice box. The fact that she won't have a legit reason to hate him in the future is a bonus.
After school I skipped going to the cemetery like I always do, I didn't want to run into Stefan or Damon's crow. This family sure know how to stalk their prey. I don't want to hang out alone with Stefan yet until he understands we can only be friends and nothing more.
I dressed up and went to the grill to meet up with Bonnie and Caroline for the night. Matt was there too, it seems he was talking about me to Bonnie because he got all quite as soon as I sat down next to Bonnie. Caroline was chatting it up with Tyler by the pool table.
It wasn't even five minutes later Stefan walked in, and all eyes went to him. The grill is a favorite hang out for the high school students and it was a busy night. He stood in the middle of the grill not knowing where to sit. I didn't want to be the one to invite him to join us because the whole school will be talking about us dating by tomorrow. Luckily Caroline saved the day. She saunters over to him and invited him to join our table.
Matt got up, said hello to Stefan while sizing him up then he walked away. Bonnie started firing questions at Stefan.
"So you were born in Mystic Falls.? She asked
"Yes, but we moved around a lot when I was younger" He answered.
"Parents?" Bonnie asked again.
"My parents past away" He answered again. He kept looking in my direction.
"Any siblings?" I finally asked
"None that I talk to." He answered. He was telling the truth but it still hurt my heart to know they wasted precious time over that stupid bitch, Katherine.
"I live with my uncle." He continued.
"So, Stefan since you're new then you don't know about the party tomorrow." Caroline piped in.
Stefan turned to me trying to catch my eyes. "Are you going?" He asked me.
"I'm not sure yet," I replied.
"But Caroline and Bonnie are going." I quickly added. He looked disappointed. I gave Bonnie a look before she says anything and she understood that was my way of turning him down nicely.
"Of course, I'm going and you can come with me." Caroline boldly told Stefan.
"Sure, why not." He shrugged his shoulders.
For the rest of the night, he kept trying to catch my eyes but I kept concentrating on Bonnie and Caroline, without making him feel left out of our conversation of course. I could see Caroline was happy that Stefan's interest in me was not reciprocated. Mission accomplished.
When I went to get a refill of my drink, he followed me.
"Are you really not going to that party or you just didn't want to go with me?" He asked me straight up.
I decided to give him a straight answer too.
"Both" I answered. He looked at me confused.
"I'm not sure if I'm going yet because, I have something important to take care of but, if I finish on time then I would go" I explained and he nodded.
"And the second part?" He asked looking apprehensive.
"I don't want to be your date because I'm not looking for a boyfriend" I tried to explain. He looked a little hurt by my statement.
"I just broke up with my ex not too long ago, and I'm nowhere ready to date again."
"What I need in my life right now are good friends," I said looking at him seriously. He tried to smile in understanding but I can see through it.
"You can hang with me and my friends, anytime you want. Besides, I think Caroline has a crush on you." I teased him.
"What if I'm willing to wait until you're ready." He pushed on not giving up.
I looked him dead in the eye and said: "Then you will be wasting your time." I saw a glimpse of anger in his eyes for a second.
He moved a little closer to me, staring into my eyes. I swear I thought he was going to compel me but he didn't. It wouldn't have worked anyway, I'm full of vervain.
"I will be your friend for now, but things might change later" He declared.
"Trust me it won't" I blurted. He frowned at me.
"I have a feeling we going to be great friends" I quickly explained my reasoning.
I noticed Caroline watching us from our table impatiently. I extended my hand to him and said,
"Let shake to friendship." He did but wasn't happy about it.
"What took you so long?" Bonnie asked when we got back to our seats.
"What was that shake about?" Caroline questioned.
"We were shaking to friendship" I announced happily. Caroline gave me a questioning look as if asking what does that mean.
"We decided we're going to friends duh," I said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I could tell Stefan was feeling a little uncomfortable.
He stood up and politely excused himself to go home. Caroline invited herself to go home to hang out with him. He politely declined, telling her he's not allowed any guest on a school night.
Wow, that lie was smooth and very believable. I thought to myself.
After he left Caroline wants to know everything we talked about. I just summarised it, you never know he might be listening in on us from somewhere. The last thing we need is a pissed off ripper.
Caroline reminded me that she has dibs on him as if I've been speaking an unknown language the whole night.
"Caroline, I swear I have no interest in him, he's all yours," I said clearly.
"If it doesn't happen for you two, it's won't be because of me okay." She finally believed me.
I went home that night exhausted. As I got ready for bed I mused over the problems waiting for me. Like how do I prevent Damon from attacking Vicky tomorrow night? I fell asleep thinking about ways to accomplish my goals.