Once again-this is purely fiction. I understand events in this story are either unlikely or impossible in real life.
Chapter 1-Two Years Later:
Elena sat in the doctor's office going through several tests to check how her vision was and to check if she improved at all.
Elena was able to make out some colour but shapes and lines were impossible to differentiate between. She wasn't able to make out if a person was there because every colour that entered her eye would become a kaleidoscope of blurs, shapes and colour.
She left and was told the same thing as last month. Her vision had improved slightly but more testing would need to be done in the future.
Elena thanked the optometrist and was on her way. Elena used the taxi to go to the mall after calling the secretary at the foster care centre.
Elena knew she had one year to find a job. Once she turned eighteen she would be forced out of the foster home, having to survive at the homeless shelter. It was not likely that she would be able to make something of her life if she didn't get a job and start saving for her schooling.
Yet, where could she get a job with her "disability". How she hated the word but it seemed the only appropriate word to use. She would have to wait until her sight was restored.
After stopping someone that sat close to her on a bench and asking for directions, she walked into Hollister, a store where the foster care worker would take her for clothing, and used her touch to work her way around.
She knew she couldn't buy anything or try it on without someone to help give her the sizes but she dreaded the thought of returning to the foster center where there were screaming children and the same four white walls of her bedroom.
She was shaken from her thoughts by a voice.
"Are you done feeling up our clothing?" A deep, velvety voice said.
Elena was about to turn and face whoever gave her the rude comment but realized she didn't know exactly the direction the voice came from so instead she kept her position facing the clothes. "Excuse me?" She asked him with a tight frown.
"I've seen you pick up about twenty shirts and put them down, probably after getting a look at the price, and judging by today's attireā¦" he said and she could hear the pause, although she couldn't know that he was looking her up and down "you have subjected yourself to thrift stores and hand-me-downs. Am I right?" He asks, and although she couldn't see she assumed he had a sly smirk on his face and his eyebrows raised.
"You know nothing about me!" She scoffed turning to where she heard his voice from, frustrated by the young man's assumptions of her life, no matter how true they were.
"I know enough to see that you don't belong in here. Try the value village next door." He said and not knowing she couldn't see it he gave her a sarcastic and fake smile.
Elena was thankful she folded up her cane and wore the sunglasses. She didn't want him to know she was blind. She wanted to deal with the asshole without any sympathy. "Sorry, what was your name?" She said in the most polite voice she could muster.
"Damon, Damon Salvatore." He said, and she could hear the pride in his voice.
"Fuck you Damon Salvatore." Elena spat before turning and although it wasn't dramatic, she slowly worked her way through the store, thankfully not walking into anyone or anything.
Once she was out of the store she elongated her cane and kept her head high walking through the mall.
She called the taxi service that she was acquainted with and soon she was back in her little white room, fuming about Damon Salvatore and thinking how much she would've stuck it to him if she could just see him.
The next day Elena's specific foster care worker-Jenna Sommers came in to her room and sat on the bed by Elena's feet.
"I have some news." She said with a smile.
Elena perked up at this, looking in the general area where Jenna was, giving her full attention. "Well, go on! What is it?" She asked anxiously.
"There's a family looking to adopt a teenager. They didn't want a specific gender but they just knew that adopting was something they'd always wanted and they heard that very few teens get adopted." Jenna explained. "Joseph told them that we had one teenage girl who's been looking for a home since she was twelve. He went on to tell them about your great behavior, good grades and even how well you got by with your disability."
"He told them about my disability?" Elena said slowly, shocked. "And they didn't run?"
Jenna shook her head before tacking on a "No", a bright smile lighting her features. "They think it's honorable how you coped with everything so naturally."
"Have they seen my records?" Elena asked curiously, feeling as if it was too good to be true.
"Yup!" Jenna replied, popping the 'P'. "They took the time and let us explain how you were mistreated and abused in these homes. It made them even more eager to give you a real home and real family. They want to meet you today at four."
Elena couldn't help but let a wide smile set on her face. "I have to get ready. I need a shower and my hair. Oh my gosh, do they have any kids? Do they seem nice? What are their names? Elena rambled.
"Calm down. Yes they have one son. He's eighteen and he's taken this year off of school. He's working for the rest of the year and planning on college next year."
Elena nodded understandably as she gathered her supplies for a shower.
"They seem like wonderful people Elena. They seem to be everything that you would want and need. Everything the parents in your past weren't." Jenna confirmed. "Their names are David and Miranda Salvatore."
Elena froze in her place. "Salvatore?" She asked slowly.
"Yes. Do you know them?" Jenna asked curiously.
"No-I mean I think I might have heard the name somewhere." Elena said, swallowing nervously. "By the way, do you know if the son will be at the meeting today?" She asked curiously.
"Yes, but he will be a little late. He is working at the mall today until four and won't be able to get here until about 4:30 to 4:45." Jenna confirmed.
Elena nodded in understanding but felt her stomach clench. The man from Hollister, the very man she told to 'fuck off' was the very man standing between her and getting adopted.
After showering, getting Jenna to do her hair, makeup and choose a nice outfit, Elena made her way to the room where the meeting would be held in. Jenna informed her she was ten minutes early but together they sat down and waited for the Salvatore's to arrive.
Elena couldn't stop biting her lip, realizing that she may have blown her chance today with the perfect family.
"Don't be nervous." Jenna said, taking her hand. "They'll love you."
"Don't be so sure." Elena whispered back as a knock sounded on the wooden door.
Elena heard shuffling as Jenna stood up from the table and opened the door. A couple in about there late forty's walked in with warm smiles on their faces. They both squeezed Jenna's hand, saying hello and getting reacquainted. Although Elena couldn't see their faces, the couple's voices sounded warm and welcoming.
Elena stayed planted in her seat and heard the voices getting closer. Soon she heard Jenna return to her spot beside her, as the Salvatore's took their place across the table.
"Mr. and Mrs. Salvatore, this is Elena." Jenna announced.
Elena gave a smile in their direction. She chose to keep her sunglasses on. She believed people were more uncomfortable when they saw her eyes rotating, looking everywhere but them.
Elena extended her hand, hoping she was close to her target. A firm grasp took her hand squeezing it gently. "Hello Elena, I'm David." She heard from in front of her.
"Nice to meet you." Elena said with a warm smile. She liked the sound of the man's voice. It was gruff yet carried an innocence and warmth.
As soon as he released her hand, a more petite hand took his place. She wrapped both hands around Elena's one and gave it a small, protective squeeze.
"I'm Miranda." said a powerful yet sweet voice.
"It's really nice to meet you." Elena said.
"So, is there anything you would like to know about Elena?" Jenna asked, attempting to get to business.
"Well, what have you done for schooling? I realize it's the Summer, but what are your plans for September?" Came David's voice.
"I have one more year of high school, but I get home schooled with a teacher that has been trained to teach someone with my er, setbacks." Elena answered politely.
"What would you like to do in the future?" Miranda asked quietly.
"As of now my options are limited." Elena replied, trying not to sound to disappointed and whiny. "After I get my sight back, which will hopefully be sometime this year, I hope I can pursue a career in teaching, possibly an art teacher. I hear the way these artists talk in interviews. They sound so passionate and caring about each piece they make. I can't even see them but I know the art must be beautiful in their eyes. I would like to care about something that much." Elena said with a wistful smile.
"That sounds wonderful." Miranda commented. "So you do plan on going to University?"
"Hopefully, yes. I was thinking of attempting a scholarship. My grades have been quite good these last few years. The teacher helping me really gets me to understand the material. I just worry about how long it will actually take me to get adjusted to normal life." Elena said with a small frown before returning to her smile.
"That's understandable." David said.
"Do you think Damon would be able to help her once she gets her sight back?" Miranda asked David quietly. Elena nearly flinched at the name. She thought there could still be a possibility that it was someone different but apparently not according to the name. Luck was never on her side.
"Siblings usually are great with helping their sisters, or brothers, recuperate." Jenna said helpfully. "Elena would need to relearn what the numbers and letters look like. She would need to learn how to write properly. An eighteen year old boy would easily be able to help her with something like this."
"Does Damon know about my blindness?" Elena asked the couple quietly.
"Not yet. We thought it would be better seeing how the first portion of the meeting went." David said, trying to spare her feelings.
"But he is very mature. He won't make rude comments or say anything inappropriate." Miranda assured her.
I doubt that. Elena thought as she gave Jenna a tight smile. She felt her hand being squeezed in hope.
"Well, I see nothing stopping this from happening. I just can't wait until Damon comes to meet you." Miranda said. Elena could hear the joy and excitement in her voice.
A knocking sounded on the door.
"Speak of the devil." David said, sounding amused.
Jenna's chair creaked across the floor as she went to open the door.
Elena heard the door hinges squeak as the door opened.
"You!" The deep voice from earlier spat.
"Damon!" David spat back.
"Damon!" Miranda scolded.
"Damon Salvatore." Elena said quietly.
"I'm surprised there isn't a 'fuck you' before that." Damon growled from the doorway.
"Damon you will behave." Miranda hissed, embarrassed by her son. "Come sit down and start acting like a gentleman."
Elena heard the padding of feet getting closer and was able to make out the subtle sound of Damon taking a seat.
"I will act like a gentleman when she acts like a lady." He grumbled.
"You two have met?" Jenna asks, shocked.
"Briefly." Damon answers.
"I take it that it didn't go well?" David said, aiming it at his son with a disapproving tone.
"That's one way of putting it." Damon said, chuckling without humor.
"Well, we are going to put that behind us now." Miranda said quickly. "Elena I am so sorry about that."
Elena shook her head. "No, no. Really, it's not like I don't deserve it." She whispered.
"Of course you don't." David said, and she guessed it was his hand that was laid on hers.
"Okay, let's continue on." Jenna said after a moment of tension-filled silence. "So Damon doesn't know about-"
"No, we were planning on telling him with Elena." Miranda interrupted. "We wanted her to be able to explain. There are things we know we won't be able to, and things we know she won't want to share."
Elena couldn't express the gratitude through her unseeing, glasses-covered eyes, but she really wanted to.
"Damon," David started.
"Let me guess, you are adopting her. Hurray!" He spat sarcastically. "Don't I get some say in who will be living with us?"
"One bad encounter with you is not designating the future of this beautiful young girl." David said angrily before changing his tone to one more tight and controlled. "What we were going to say is, well Elena, would you like to explain?"
Elena took a deep breath before explaining, thankful for once that she was blind and couldn't see the man before her. "Well, I'm blind." She said quietly. "The reason I was feeling the shirts in your store and putting them down was I didn't really have much else to do. I was just wasting time trying to act like a regular teenager. I'm sorry if I bothered you, and snapped at you." She said truthfully.
The rest of the Salvatore's were confused, but Elena heard Damon's sharp intake of breath.
"Um, what happened? I mean how? Were you born like this or-" he asked, his voice letting on how nervous and stupid he felt.
"My stepfather, they believe it was him at least- poured bleach in my eyes when I was three." Elena interrupted him before having to hear any guesses.
Elena couldn't see it but Damon's eyes became wide and his jaw dropped. He instantly felt like an ass for treating a blind girl the way he did.
"Damon, I think that if Elena is comfortable with telling you, that you should know her whole story. Maybe we all should." Miranda said quietly.
Elena nodded. "I completely understand. You don't want a stranger full of secrets in your house. I guess I can tell you everything. I don't have anything to hide."
Once again, under the table, Jenna took Elena's hand offering her support.
Elena explained to the three Salvatore's about what she learned from the detective. She was able to continue strongly for the fact she wasn't able to see their pained and shocked expressions.
"Every house I've been to I've been taken advantage of. All the parents wanted was a disability check, not the blind kid. So I was either dubbed the punching bag, or stuffed in a closet where I wouldn't bother anyone." Elena explained.
"W-what were your injuries like?" David asked, feeling as her future guardian he should come to terms with what the young Elena has been through.
"I've had my nose broken twice. Three ribs, two different toes, and one arm." She said mechanically. "Each leg has been sprained a minimum of four times, although there isn't any real way of telling exactly how many time. I broke my wrist five times in the twelve houses. I've had two cases of internal bleeding, and required a visit to the hospital a total of nineteen times." Elena rhymed off.
She heard the collective gasps and imagined the looks of pity but kept her head raised high.
"Well, I can assure you that will not happen in our home." Miranda said forcefully.
"Does this mean you plan on going through with the adoption?" Jenna asks slowly. "We can give you a minute in private if you would like."
Elena couldn't see what was happening in the silence but David and Miranda looked at each other with smiles, knowing the other was thinking the same thing. "Damon, do you want to talk with us in private?" David offered.
"I see no problem in going through with it." Damon said honestly. After hearing what she had to say, Damon had a new appreciation for this girl Elena. He felt bad but admired her strength, her story.
"We would definitely like to go through with it." Miranda said with a bright smile.
Elena and Jenna squeezed each others hands tightly in excitement and a bright smile lit Elena's features.
She's actually quite beautiful, was Damon's thought as he looked at the strong, young woman before him.
Quite a long chapter for me! I understand that bleach in the eyes is irreversible but in this story I would like for Elena to eventually regain her sight-so thank you PheobeTheQueenOfDragons. I know that Elena staying blind would be interesting as well but just not for this story! (:
Thanks you for the reviews! Please take a moment and tell me what you thought of this chapter? It took me hours to write and it only takes a second to leave a review!
