A/N: So I just want to give a special shout out to Mari my beta who I really could not have done this without 3
Also to Mickibelle who was the first person to review! she's a sweety. Also to alllliiiiisa and neylujulyen who also left me encouraging review. I also wanna say thanks to those who have but this story on their alerts, favourite and favourite author's list. THIS is what inspires me. You guys :]
Disclaimer: I do not own the Vampire Diaries or any of it's awesome characters.
EPOV
"Remind me WHY you're mad that Damon Salvatore is your partner again?" Caroline Forbes, my other best friend asked me confused.
"Because Care, he's such… such a pig." I replied, wishing I had a better excuse. Wait, I did have another one? "And besides I'm going to have to do all the work now."
"A sexy pig." Caroline added dreamily.
"Speak of the devil," Bonnie said just as Damon nearly ran us over on our way to the parking lot in his blue vintage Camaro.
"Salvatore, what the hell! You nearly ran us over!" I hissed, frozen at the fact that I was this close to being run over.
"Hey partner! Glad you're worked up to see me. I just came by to thank Blondie here for inviting me to her big party at the bar and grill." He sped off with a roguish smirk at my outraged expression.
"Caroline … you WHAT!" I whipped my head in her direction.
"What? Just because you don't like him doesn't mean I can't give him a try. Besides it's my party." She winked.
"I agree with Lena, he kind of gives me the creeps," Bonnie added.
"Guys, calm down it's not like you're going to have to baby sit him. I'll take care of it." Caroline strode off to her car, heels clacking on the pavement. As she got in her car, she rolled down the window and added, "See you guys tonight at the grill. Remember, we're going to have fun. Just like the old times." With a wink, she drove off.
I looked in the mirror and inhaled slowly. Crimson crop top that exposed a modest amount of skin, dark navy jeans and black pumps. That should be festive enough. I looked at myself again wondering whether I looked too ordinary, too Elena. I rummaged through my make-up and picked up a deep red lipstick. Without thinking too much about it, I applied the crimson lipstick. I mindlessly played around with my hair in hopes of doing something new with it tonight. Eventually I got frustrated and reverted back to my usual straight hair.
This felt stupid. I felt stupid. Going out since my mom and dad died just seemed like the last thing on my mind. And yet here I was, attempting to be a normal teenager. This wasn`t me.
As I waited for Bonnie, my mind started to wander. The topic I had been avoiding all night once again made an appearance. Adopted. I was adopted. And my parents didn't even bother to tell me. I'd been playing it off for a few weeks now. I heard Jenna arguing with John about the ordeal. Maybe that's why it was harder to just move on and be normal. I couldn't let these things get to me. I had to be strong. For Jeremy, for Jenna, and most of all… for my sanity.
I paused for a moment really looking at my face. With all these thoughts running wild in my head I still wore a composed face. Practice makes perfect, I thought with a bitter smile. I brushed off the heavy thoughts and smiled again trying to see the finished look. The smile didn't reach my eyes.
A familiar chime from my phone broke through my thoughts alerting me that someone was texting me. I made my way to my phone and saw that it was Bonnie telling meto come out. Still clutching my phone I grabbed my purse and with a last look around my room. Here goes nothing. I mentally braced myself and turned the lights off.
"Damn, Caroline really outdid herself tonight!" Bonnie whistled as she looked around the grill that was pulsing with music and swarming with dancing bodies.
"I know! Everyone is practically here." I replied as I looked around. There was one person however who wasn't here yet, Damon.
Caroline practically beamed as she came to our table in a slinky purple number. Her blond curls creating a halo around her head. "What do you think? Almost everyone is here!" She squealed. And before she even said it, I was already aware.
He was here.
"Including Salvatore, excuse me girls." She excused herself and she slyly sauntered up to him.
As she welcomed him a little too eagerly, I could feel his piercing stare on the back of my head. I slowly turned around and was sucked in by the all too intense gaze of Damon Salvatore. I realized that I was staring, but I couldn't seem to look away.
Noticing this, Bonnie interrupted my thoughts, "Earth to Elena!" She waved her hands in front of my face. "Looks like it isn't Damon doing ALL of the checking out, is it?" She raised her eyebrows. I felt heat rush to my face, and I realized I was blushing. Why was I even blushing over a mongrel like Salvatore? Even as I thought that, my eyes wandered back to his. Caroline was hanging off of his arm, and this caused a fire in my stomach for a reason. I wasn't…jealous, was I? And why did he keep staring? It made me feel powerless, like I couldn't control myself around him. He saw my heated look and smirked.
I turned away and looked for a distraction, any distraction. My eyes stopped on a guy sitting at the bar, alone. The corners of my mouth turned up slightly.
Perfect.
I turned to Bonnie and cocked my head in the direction of the cute guy sitting in the bar. Her approving nod encouraged me as I sauntered towards the bar, gaining confidence with every click and clack of my heels.
I took a seat in the empty bar stool next to the cute college guy pretending to wait for the bartender. He noted my presence immediately squaring his shoulders in my direction. Without hesitation he introduced himself, "My name is Andre, you must be?"
"Elena." I smiled playfully and shook his hand.
"So what's a pretty girl like you doing sitting in the bar alone?" he asked with exasperated curiosity.
I knew he was being cheesy but I could still feel the icy glare on my back, so I continued to play it up. "I wanted to play pool but I'm not too good,"
"I can teach you, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve," He gave a seductive grin, offering me his hand.
I felt silly but I looked at him and gave him a played 'shy' grin and put my hand in his.
I snuck a glance and saw Damon scoff from the other side of the bar as we made our way through the crowd to the billards section of the bar and grill.
Grabbing a stick from the wall Andre came from behind showed me how to hold it. I knew perfectly well how to play. In fact, I was really good but I just went along giggling. What he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.
After "playing" for a few minutes the tall blonde once again came up behind me and whispered in my ear. "You're getting pretty good at this. I wanted to dance but I'm not too good." he playfully mocked me from earlier. Looks like I was caught.
Not really in the mood I looked around the room, my eyes immediately going to the bar where Salvatore was, but found his seat empty. Confused, my eyes wandered around, set on the finding him, until I spotted him swaying to the music with Caroline. He caught my stare and gave one of his famous smirks. My temper flared and I grabbed Andre's hand and pulled him to the dance floor. I would show him he didn't affect me.
Making our way to the little dance floor Caroline had set up I felt Andre's hand lingering around the small of my back, stroking the little bit of exposed skin. I shook off the uncomfortable feeling that formed in my stomach.
I got excited as my favourite dancing song "Dirty Dancer" came on and immediately put up my arms to and moved my hips to the beat. Seeing this as encouragement Andre moved closer. A little bit uncomfortably close putting his hands on my waist and swaying with me to the beat. A few beats later I turned my back to him to get some space but he took it as an invitation to softly grind on me. Not saying anything because I had flirted with him, I continued swaying my hips to the music. I tilted my head in the direction that Damon was earlier. He wasn't there. Oh, I thought. Was I disappointed?
No. I was relieved. Seeing as I had accomplished my mission I slowly started to disentangle myself from Andre only to find he pressed me closer to himself. I still had my back to him but that only encouraged him to explore by wrapping his arm around my body. He began to put hand his under my shirt, inching his way to my chest when I caught his hand and stopped him firmly. He persisted so I turned around and warned him, "Woah there, not so fast," I went to walk past him only to have him block my way.
"What's the matter, you don't wanna play anymore?" he demanded, shoving his face mere inches away from mine.
"No... thanks. I'm gonna find my friend." I replied hesitantly over the booming music. Instead of letting me go, he once again wrapped his arm around me, bringing his face closer almost as if… oh hell no. He wanted to kiss me.
"NO." I said sternly, getting more pissed by the minute.
"Chill out, you know you've been wanting this all night." he murmured smugly, nuzzling my hair as I squirmed to get free. Why did the music have to be so loud? Just as I was ready to slap him, there was a tap on Andre's shoulder allowing me to free myself from his slimy touch.
"I believe the lady said no," an all too familiar velvety voice spoke.
"I don't think it's any of your business, dude." Andre spat.
I looked at Damon only to see a dangerous look flash in his eyes. He looked directly into the tall blondes grey eyes. "Dude? Ok, dude. Let's clear something up. Elena doesn't want to dance with you. You're going to go home and not bother anyone else tonight. Got that, dude?" His voice was firm, and demanding. Andre's face fell slack and his eyes went blank.
"Okay man, whatever you say." replied the other boy monotonously and walked away. What just happened? He looked like he was hypnotized. I slowly turned back to Damon.
"Thanks, but I could've handled it" I said, avoiding his knowing eyes.
"I'm sure you could have." he smiled mockingly.
As if right on cue, the music transitioned off into a slow song. I was aware that Damon was inching towards me. He took hold of me and placed one of my arms on his shoulder and he held the other while his arm supported my lower back.
"Salvatore usually when you want to dance with a girl, you ask them." I rolled my eyes. I wondered if he could hear my heart suddenly beat faster or feel my palms get clammier. Ew. This was Damon. If anything I should be filing a restraining order for stalker-ish tendencies.
He replied back smoothly "And I'm sure if I asked you would have said..."
"No." We both said at the same time. He laughed, "Exactly."
Before I could think, he leaned in closer whispering, "I just came over here to say,"
I held my breath. A waft of a faint masculine scent of leather and cologne filled my nostrils. I felt light-headed as he leaned into my ear, breathing cool air. A shiver went down my spine.
"... Saturday morning, my place. We can work on the project."
Before I could even protest his eyes bore into mine, daring me to decline. I wanted to say no. I wanted to tell him he was creepy, but at the same I wanted to admit that I couldn't think properly around him. That even though I didn't know him, he there was something that drew me in. A little dazed, all I could do was nod.
"Saturday it is." He winked. Before I could shake off the agreement he left me standing the on the dance floor by myself; stunned.
What the hell just happened? I asked myself
