Chapter 3: Gifts before School
The rest of my night at the Salvatore house had been painless.
After I had decided to go to school Stephan said any more arrangements could be made in the morning and that I was welcome to the guestroom (one of multiple, apparently) upstairs, first door to the left-on Damon's floor. I had thanked Stephan profusely (even though my room was on Damon's floor), promising repeatedly that I'd be on my best behavior at school tomorrow- he'd accepted all the praise graciously, nodding once before he headed upstairs. Now alone in the living room with Damon, he strode toward me, away from the vicinity of the fireplace in a vain attempt to irk me. Rolling his eyes, twirling a bauble-y ring in-between his long fingers, he found his voice.
"Ah, Stephan. Always such a good little brother." I watched him out of the corner of my eye with caution, not quite getting his meaning-his tone was sarcastic, yes, but I had this nagging feeling that said there was underlying regret and possibly past issues. Wait, they were brothers? Mixed up in the mystery of Damon Salvatore I didn't waste my breath-things were too complicated already. In a millisecond I was in my bed, asleep, swearing to enjoy my stay here in Mystic Falls and to find him. And to make him pay.
The next morning shed light (figuratively-If there was any sunlight I'd be a French fry with a red wig) on my room, which I hadn't had the time to study the night before. The walls were an off beige and/or dark peach color all around, one bookshelf full of Classics occupying the space in between a large curtained window and my plain white bed. Across from the base of my bed was the simple white wood of a bathroom door-surprise, the bathroom was all white tile. Looks like both men, Damon and Stephan, needed a splash of color in their lives-I half wondered if I could paint the room then just decided against asking. Hell, if I wanted to paint it I would. Rushing into the bathroom for a shower, I glanced at the singular black clock that ticked above my bed-6:45. What time did school even start? Irritating anticipation quivered in my stomach and I cursed every deity I knew of for making me feel again before shutting the bathroom door.
Ten minutes later, (I didn't have patience for much. This included languorous showers.) I wrapped an immaculate white towel around my damp body, opening the door and stepping into my room without a second thought- and then I paused. Glancing over to the left I saw my bedroom door lay open a crack, which it hadn't before-I took in a deep breath and smelled it-him. I'd never really caught his scent before but I was stunned by it now. It was delicious and it stood out on its own, a highlight among the other normal scents that surrounded me. As I sniffed again, a bout of dizziness suddenly struck me-gasping I slammed my eyelids shut, holding them there. A yard-beautiful, green open-a white, parasol with lace trim, above my head-storm clouds, icy cold rain, laughter as we are both wet to the bone…
Forcing my eyes to open I banished the images, only to find my head facing the white sheets of my bed-where there was something on it. Something I hadn't put there, but my intruder had. My eyes still glued to the object on the bed I raised my voice, my words slightly shaky as my confusion was about to implode on itself. "Damonnnn-" His response from the living room cut me off completely: "You can thank me later." I gritted my teeth, throwing a burning glance to the hall outside my room before slamming the door and facing the 'gift' on the eggshell sheets. This was not a good way to start the day.
At around 7:20 I descended the stairs into the living room, where Stephan (in a grey tee, blue jeans, and black leather jacket) happened to be waiting at the bottom. I smiled warmly at him, feeling confident -and as much as I wouldn't admit it, Damon's 'gift' had to get some credit for making me feel so good. Stephan returned my grin, handing me an odd plastic bag at the bottom of the stairs. The delicious smell that wafted over me was absolutely tempting-I lifted my head from the top of the bag, meeting Stephan's eyes.
"Blood?"
"Yes. From local blood-banks; we have a fridge full of these in the basement. It'll take the edge off your hunger for most of the school day." There was a small pause-and then he pointed to my dress, asking: "Is that new?"
His question was a taboo, for Damon appeared around the corner grinning like a Cheshire cat. My mouth fell into a flat line as I replied from behind tight lips: "Yes." Damon's 'gift' was a brand new dress made of grape colored silk. It had wide straps that led to a zippered up back; the luxurious material followed my curves tightly 'till about an inch above my knees. The pleated bodice and sweetheart neckline gave me a fair amount of cleavage that called for no bra, which I'm sure Damon knew.
His step light with amusement, Damon beheld his creation, coming to a halt behind his younger brother. Seeing them together, side by side, caused a momentary flood of dizziness-I shook it off easily enough, but not before I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I heard, clear as day: "Miss Vielle, I would like the honor of presenting you with my boys…" All my muscles went on lockdown-the words were at my ear, right now, uttered in some silky woman's voice-had they heard it? Apparently, not, as Damon moved on.
"It's my treat-" Damon jovially supplied, eyes locked with mine, "you needed some clothes that weren't covered in mud." I grimaced half because of him, half because I was pretty sure I was going crazy.
Stephan halfway turned toward Damon, who now lurked behind him in a classy black button-up and jeans. Stephan met his brother's eyes incredulously, as if he couldn't quite believe it.
"A little too fancy for school, don't you think?" He murmured. Ignoring the situation that was unfolding rapidly I tore the top of the blood bag off with my teeth, sipping at it like a Kool-Aid package while I watched. Damon's grin grew impossibly wider: "I just thought purple was Val's color, Stefan." The pause was wrought with tension-I sipped some more, a little peeved that Damon said 'Val', once again. The brothers continued to stare each other down. "Are you saying Valerie doesn't deserve new clothes? Stefan!" Damon threw his hands up in the air, taking a casual step backward as if Stefan had personally shoved him. " I'm appalled at your lack of manners." Stephan nodded slowly, holding their gaze, as if he had expected that much from his older sibling. Finishing my blood bag off with an overly loud slurp, I broke up the conversation, catching both men's attention. Stephan appeared concerned and Damon's nose wrinkled in disgust at my eating habits-I almost laughed at the contradiction they presented.
"Time for school?" I suggested, instantly perky with now that I was full of AB positive. Stephan agreed wordlessly, passing his brother and going to the opposite end of the house. Not wanting to be left alone with Damon I sped up so that I was right behind Stephan, who opened a large door that presented a garage. "Be back later." He shouted over his shoulder-I was about to follow him when my wrist was ensnared, something metallic pressed into my palm-"Don't say I never did anything for you." Damon whispered harshly.
My wrist was thrown down roughly, and upon release, I looked behind me, but no one was there.
"Valerie?" Stephan called-I jerked back to the present, running to join him and leaving Damon behind in an empty mansion. "Coming!"
~What do you think Damon gave Valerie? And what do you think is up with Valerie anyway... Tune in next chapter to see...Reviews are welcome. xoxo-MsArtemis~
