Chapter 3: New Encounters

I do not own The Vampire Diaries or any of the characters in this story (except for Melody and a few others). All rights go to L.J Smith and Kevin Williamson.

Elena, Bonnie and Caroline offer to go with me to the Grill after school. On our way there, Elena informs me of everything that has happened in Mystic Falls since I'd left. I'm shocked to find out that Elena's parents had died and that Vicki Donovan is missing. I feel terrible for not being here for them through all of that. When we arrive, we decide to eat before I go about asking for a job. After we have ordered, Elena and Caroline go to the bathroom leaving Bonnie and me alone at the table. I have never noticed it before but Bonnie seems to have a certain aura surrounding her. I squeeze my eyes shut and lightly shake my head back and forth hoping it will help, unfortunately it doesn't. I seriously must be losing my mind.

"So," Bonnie begins, snapping me out of my thoughts, "how have you been since the uh attack?" she asks while biting her lip.

I sigh loudly as I realize that my earlier wish has failed to come true. "Things have been rough but I'm still managing to keep it together" I smile gently at her. "How has Elena been since her parents died?" I ask, giving her a worried look.

Her face contorts into a look of anguish and concern, "She's not like she used to be, and I don't think she ever will be. The old Elena that we knew is long gone. I've always tried my best to keep her safe from things that will hurt her and I feel like I'm failing her because I don't know what to do anymore" she grimaces. Her words and tone seemed very ambiguous, but I still reach out to grab her hand.

When my fingers touch her skin, I feel a surge of power course through me that boils my blood and causes the hairs on the back of my neck to rise. We both gasp and draw our hands back under the table. I look at Bonnie to see her hazel eyes wide with fear and confusion, which I'm sure mirror my own bewildered expression.

Elena and Caroline finally return from the bathroom just as our food arrives. I haven't realized how hungry I am until I smell the rich aroma of tomatoes, peppers, meat and pasta as a plate of piping hot spaghetti is placed in front of me. My mouth begins to water just from looking at it. We quickly dig into our food and begin making light conversation. Throughout the conversation, I describe my visit to Ireland and how funny the Limerick accent sounds. Elena asks about the food and Caroline asks about the boys. She's disappointed to hear that the majority of boys there were ginger haired with pale skin and plenty of freckles. Her horrified expression causes the rest of us to erupt in laughter.

I tell them how Aidan has grown up a lot in the last few months, that he finally turned three and what his reaction to everything that has happened has been. I notice however that Bonnie hasn't spoken a single word since our little incident earlier. Every time I look at her, she just stares back with suspicion and confusion in her eyes.

"Ugh here comes Damon. He's seriously starting to piss me off" Caroline huffs, turning away from somebody.

I raise my head to see a tall man with jet-black hair and gunmetal blue eyes make his way towards us. He's wearing black jeans, dark boots, a black leather jacket and a black v-neck t-shirt that highlighted his buff body. He is beyond gorgeous. He reminds me of a Greek God -Gothic style.

"Hello ladies" he greets us as he saunters over to our table.

"Get lost Damon, you're not wanted here" Caroline sneered. There's obviously some bad history between the two of them. Knowing Caroline, she probably dated him and things ended badly.

"Well I couldn't give a damn about what you want Blondie" he glares at her before turning his piercing gaze to me. "Why hello there beautiful, and who might you be?" he smirks.

"Damon this is one of my best friends, Melody Parker. Melody this is Stefan's arrogant and cocky older brother Damon Salvatore," Elena answers while glaring at him. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe everybody hates this guy. For some reason I get the same feeling I got when I met Stefan, except this was much stronger and it sent chills running down my spine.

Damon ignores the look Elena sent him and keeps his gaze on my body, eyeing it up and down as if I'm a piece of meat. "You forgot to include incredibly better looking and far more intelligent" he replies with the same arrogant smirk plastered on his face. I'm now beginning to understand why everyone hates this jackass.

"Well somebody clearly needs their eyesight checked" I mumble while rolling my eyes.

Damon's head snaps up to look me in the eyes, "And here you seemed like a nice quiet girl" He comments.

"Hmm yeah I always do at first" I smirk at him, causing his mouth to hang open a little and his eyebrows to furrow. "Close your mouth," I say sweetly, "you'll catch flies" and with that I stand up from the table and wave goodbye to the girls, giving Bonnie an awkward smile which she thankfully returns, and go in search for the manager.

*Damon's POV*

"Great gal, woo she's got spunk" I smirk turning to Elena.

"Damon seriously, stay away from Melody" she frowns.

"Well, I take that as an invitation" I reply with a wink and a mischievous smirk on my lips.