A/N: Thanks everyone for these reviews! This is my first fanfic and love hearing what you guys think of it. I have had requests for couples and may try to put some of them in. Thanks again!
Stefan was standing by his locker. There was the usual crowd at school today. The people having hangovers but forced to come to school, people trying to keep the partying alive a day after and the people trying to make it as if the night never happened and today is just a normal day. He was trying to keep today as normal as possible but his meeting with Elena at lunch kept popping into his head. He turned and saw her coming in, only catches her staring at him. Quickly, he diverts his gaze but not quick enough.
'You really have a thing going for her don't you?' said Tyler coming up behind him with one of his friends, Kol.
'Why do you care?' he snapped back.
'Well, I think it would be very foolish for you to spend so much time talking about how awful and stuck-up that girl is to go to wanting her and even being with her. But I can't complain, the more you screw up and look foolish, more chance I have of being our team's captain, who will make the right moves.' Tyler said. He had gotten smarter. Stefan knew Tyler wanted captain, but he had to make sure he didn't get it. If he did the whole school would start taking advantage of each other and it would be a mess because Tyler doesn't care who gets hurt, as long as he gets what he wants but as much as it annoyed Tyler, Stefan made sure he always stood in the way.
'I don't want her her, nor do I want to be with her. Unlike, you I care about people and helped her get home, the same thing I would do to anyone in the school. That of which gives me the honour of being captain because I don't act stupid, I act smart and will always be loyal to those who follow me. See you at practice.' Stefan said, walking away.
When he got to class, he sat down in her usual sit and was joined by Kol and Klaus on either side of him. They were talking about their girlfriends, of course. Apparantley, Lexi (who was Kol's girlfriend) had already come up with his Christmas present which was 3 months away, so now these 2 guys were freaking out about what they should do and what they should get them.
'Stefan, you are close with both Lexi and Caroline do you have any ideas?' Kol asked.
'Well, remember I am only close to them through you two, so I only know what you tell me! Isn't there some kind of to die for chocolates out there?' he asked, clearly bored with the conversation.
'No! Never get a girl chocolate! Especially near Christmas, I got Caroline a box for fun in summer and she got so mad at me and accused me of wanting to make her fat and ruin her summer body. Stefan, can't you at least pretend to be helpful, I swear, you are as moody as Caroline on her period!' Klaus said.
The bell rang before Stefan could respond. Elena just walked in and glanced at him. He had convinced himself that she had completely forgotton about that night but maybe there was still hope. No Stefan, you have to choose her (a near-stranger who doesn't give a damn about you) or football captain (something you have wanted forever). Well, he would only want to be with Elena if she remembered and he was sure she would only want to be with him if she remembered. So technically if she did, she would also remember how much football meant to him which means everyone wins.
She walked in and saw him. It was as if a light was turned on in her, even though he probably thought she hated him. She sat down in the same spot she sat in every class. About 2 seats across and 1 seat back from Stefan's desk, giving her a great view of him, she knew she shouldn't be looking at him as much as she was but she couldn't help it, after that night she has felt something towards him that hasn't been hate.
When the bell rang, everyone moved on to their next class. Elena was walking with Bonnie, Lexi and Caroline.
'So Elena… Stefan Salvatore, you now like him?' asked Lexi.
'Shhhhh, you weren't meant to ask, that might ruin what they could have' said Caroline.
'What? Stefan? No! What are they talking about Elena?' asked Bonnie, suddenly alarmed Elena was keeping secrets from her.
'Well, no one knows what it is but that entire lesson, Elena couldn't take her eyes off him and instead of acting in her usual disgusted ways when Stefan's name is mentioned, she smiles. Obivously, something happened at the party and Elena will be the captain of the football team's girlfriend!' said Caroline as her and Lexi jumped up and down with excitement.
'Elena? Tell me this isn't true.' said Bonnie, trying not to seem disappointed in her.
'What!? We talked after the party and I realized that he isn't actually the guy I thought he was and being football captain's girlfriend, isn't a bad thing is it?' responded Elena.
Bonnie sighed. 'No it isn't but Elena, what will you do when the cheerleading squad find out? You have spent almost 2 years saying 'don't get caught up with boys' or 'never swoop down to their level' or 'boys will just use you and drop you when you need them most' , yet here you are going against that and planning to be with the boy who is leading them all. I get that you didn't know that but if you want to be head cheerleader you have to actually follow your own advice or how can you expect anyone else to?' Bonnie asked. She felt bad for coming on her friend like this but someone had to say it.
Elena thought about it. As much as she loved being around Stefan and she felt like that night after the party was the first time she has truly lived after her parents died but her parents told her to try and reach head cheerleader. She can't give up on that, she would have to tell Stefan at the meeting at lunch.
Stefan was outside the sports office just as bell went. He could see Elena walking down the hallway towards him. He played the perfect gentlemen and opened the door for her, then sat down across for her.
'Stefan, we have to talk. I remember the night after the party, I have a blackout until I fell on to your lap but I remember everything from there on out. I know, it was a nice one night thing and I'm sorry but that's what it has to be. I can't let you get in my way of head cheerleader, if people find out, I suddenly like you after everything I have said, they will never trust me to be a leader let alone head cheerleader… So we have to pretend as if that night never happened, Ok?' she said.
Stefan was not expecting this. He thought she at least wouldn't have remembered the night or maybe would have wanted to be with him. He didn't know why he was disappointed that she didn't want to be with him but he had to get over that.
'Good, I was going to say the same thing. People wouldn't want me as captain if they found out, I went back on everything I said. How about we make a pact? So, no one will ever know about that night but us and from here out we act like we are simply forced to work with each other. We only talk to each other in these meetings or at the events and throughout this time we only spend time together when we have to.. Deal?' he asked. He could hear a little voice at the back of his head, begging for her not agree.
'Deal. So what are your ideas?' she asked, moving on to more professional things.
They spent the entire lunch talking about ideas and decided that this weekend, they will have a car wash with both cheerleading and football team, since everyone part of them has great bodies they will be able to raise heaps of money. The only contact they made was at the end when they both tried to go through the same door at once, they laughed it off but neither one of them could shake that feeling of one another's touch.
The week went so quickly, around school Elena and Stefan never talked to one another. In class however, Elena enjoyed looking at him as much as she wanted. Whenever they had meetings at lunch or met up after school, they kept is absolutely professional. At times it was extremely obvious, they could see each other holding themselves back, stopping themselves from going to far. It was hard but they knew that soon it would all be worth it.
On Saturday, Elena lay in bed with a smile on her face. She knew today was going to be a good day, she would be around all her friends and she would have fun. Something she hadn't had in a long time, she tried to keep the thought of the real reason why she looking forward to this out of her head. It was because of him.
When she was getting ready, Caroline rang her.
'OMG! OMG! OMG! I am having a mental breakdown! I don't know what bikini I should wear! I want to wear my red one but then I don't want to look like I'm desperate but I don't want Klaus looking at any other girls, I want him to think I look the most beautiful out of everyone.' She said.
Elena hadn't considered this, Stefan didn't even like her yet here she was dragging him to event filled with much more beautiful girls in bikini's. How could she have been so stupid? Just the thought of Stefan close to girls wearing almost no clothes made her blood boil, she was the one who needed Caroline's help.
'Excuse me! I am the only one who is allowed to be having breakdowns. What bikini will make me look the best out of everyone? I will soon be head cheerleader so I need to look the best and you can look the second best.' She said trying to sound as convincing as possible.
'Really! So this has nothing to do with impressing that football captain of yours?' Caroline asked.
'Nooooo! Can you be serious for a second?' she said, knowing with Caroline this was not at all doable.
'Ok. Wear your high waisted denim shorts and your black triangle bikini's with your hair out. That way you look sexy and simply at the same time, now what should I wear?' she asked. Caroline had the best fashion sense but always wanted someone else's opinion.
'Caroline, you look amazing in everything but you should make your hair look bouncy, wear your red bikini and your black skirt.' She said, knowing Caroline was probably already wearing that.
'You are the best, I'll pick you up in an hour.'
'Sounds great! See ya later!'
Elena fell back onto her bed, today, no matter what happened she determined to have fun.
Caroline arrived exactly an hour later. She looked great and she managed to convince her cousin to let her borrow her Ferrari, they wouldn't stick out too much since most girls had mini coopers or Volkswagen bugs and plenty of guys had Porsches or Mustangs. They were both worked up and decided they needed to loosened up. So they put on their sunglasses and pumped up the music on full blast. Singing along to 'I love it', 'Never, ever getting back together' and 'Incredible', they pulled up into school and everyone who was there was looking at them but they didn't care.
'Ok, everyone, great to see you are here!' said Elena with a big smile on her face. 'I set up everything yesterday so the hoses are by the gym and all the soap and towels etc. are near the entrance to the parking lot. Now, we are all going to take turns throughout the day, washing, drying and being in charge of the money but for now just grab what you want and try to raise as much money as possible!'
Everyone went over to grab everything as the first person pulled up for their car to be washed. She was organising all the money and explaining to a bunch of girls and guys what to do. She stayed with the money to start with and made a list of everything she had to do and check. She was trying to find as many things as possible to do to avoid Stefan, she promised Caroline, she would have fun and being around Stefan with their little deal wasn't fun.
'Hey, Bonnie can you help me with these towels? I need to take them to the laundry area in the school.' She asked, while trying to pick up a pile of towels, left lying on the ground.
'I can help you if you want.' She heard someone say from behind her. She knew that voice anywhere, she turned around hoping she heard wrong but she heard perfectly clear. Stefan was behind her picking up towels.
'Sure.' She said and made her way over to the school.
They walked in utter silence. Probably, because Elena was keeping her distance from him, when they arrived in the room, Elena said 'Ok, thanks for your help, I'll be fine now.' And turned around to start loading the towels into the washing machine, when she was done, she turned around to see Stefan still standing there. 'Is there anything else I can help you with?' she asked.
'Did I do something to offend you?' he asked as they started walking back.
'No, why would think that?'
'Then why are you avoiding me? I mean, what did I do?'
'How was I avoiding you?'
'Well, this is the first time today you have talked to me which is understandable but you haven't even looked at me all today.'
'Ok, then Stefan, happy?' she asked, stopping and looking at him.
'Seriously Elena, what's going on?' he asked, grabbing her arm to face him when she started walking again.
'Tell me.' He said.
'Stefan, you said so yourself we have to pretend that night never happened. Before it happened I avoided you and now I am trying to get into the same habits. If anyone should be wondering what's going on, it's me. Because you claim and act like you want nothing to do with me, yet you turn around and get defensive when I don't look at you. You need to get over it and get used to the fact that I'm going to start avoiding you again because that is the only way both of us will be able to get what we want. Ok?' she said. He just stood there in shock and when he didn't say anything, she turned away and walked back to the car wash ready to pick up where she left off.
Stefan was left standing in the parking lot alone. He couldn't wrap his head around what happened. It was his fault, he was the one who told her to pretend the night never happen and here he was trying to bring it up again. He couldn't stop himself, he saw her so happy today and then he went and ruined that. He knew stuff like this would keep popping up, people might think it is unrealistic for one night to change a relationship between people so much but he told her everything and she understood. He then listened to her say things about herself as well and he couldn't help but think how amazing she was or how perfect she was. It was how this year and next year would most likely play out and Elena was right, avoiding each other was what they had to do to stamp out those feelings instead of being like him and letting them grow. His brother has come home over the last few nights hating being football captain, with so many responsibilities.
Stefan was torn. What could he choose? What if football captain isn't as great as he imagined? What if after a few months Elena dumps him and he can't be football captain? That would leave him with nothing. He had chosen football but how will he ever know if it's the right choice?
