N: I am sorry, I know it took a while to get this chapter to you, but I hope you'll find that it was worth waiting for.

I couldn't help but notice that you guys have reviewed the last chapter more than the others. I suppose I should insert a Stelena smut paragraph in every chapter to get you to write me your thoughts, uh?

Thank you Ella for looking over this and Phyrfli for the beta work, you girls are amazing, really. Your help and support means a lot to me.

Open your eyes!

I woke up half an hour early as the alarm had yet to go off. I had this feeling in my gut that something had gone terribly wrong in the world, but I didn't know why or what was causing this stupid feeling I had. I reached into my handbag and grabbed my keys. I unlocked the small drawer on the bottom my desk and took out my journal.

Dear diary,

It's been so long since I made time for you and I'm sorry for that. There's no one to blame but myself…and maybe Caroline for keeping me busy with school projects. She more like pretended to need my help to keep me busy, because I know for a fact she could've handled everything without my help.

So, I finally 'sealed the deal' with Stefan. It was amazing… he was so sweet and tender with me. We connected in a way we hadn't before and it felt good. I always feel safe and…as if I belong with him. Every time he puts his arms around me, he makes me feel like everything will be ok no matter what.

We had a girls' night out yesterday. Caroline, Bonnie and I… and we had fun. Caroline's preparing another one of her charity events – a festival; I guess it will be nice, a little fun just before the winter exams. Bonnie pretty much just talked about her new boyfriend; Lucas or something, he's in college, so he doesn't go to school with us. I've only met him once and he seemed like a good guy, but I'm sure he won't last long; none of them do when Bonnie's involved.

Now I'm getting ready for school. I need to pass by the boarding house to pick up Stefan. Don't even get me started on how come a guy that was around when the car was invented and all, doesn't have one…I have no idea. He told me he would buy one soon. I hope he does, I prefer to be driven around than to drive and my old van's barely moving.

I have a strange feeling that something's wrong… You know the feeling when you do something bad and you expect the consequences; or the one when your mother comes home from a school meeting and tells you 'we need to talk' and you just know it's bad? Yes, well…that's the kind of feeling I have today, only worse.

Anyway, it probably is just me being paranoid or I had a bad dream that I don't remember. I'm going to take a shower maybe that will calm me down.

26, September 2011

I put the little diary back in place and locked the drawer. No one could read this little notebook…no one could know what Stefan was. He told me about these vampire hunters and that if they found out there's a vampire in Mystic Falls, they would come for him.

***black and white***

Forty-five minutes later I was opening the door to the boarding house. Loud music and resonant giggles filled my ears and I was wondering when Stefan decided to have a party at 7:45 in the morning. I closed the door behind me and made my way towards the living room. Since Stefan wasn't there, I turned around to go look for him in his room and walked directly into…a man.

I gasped at the contact with his strong chest and looked up. I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came out of my mouth. There they were: the beautiful silver-blue eyes that had been haunting my dreams. I was desperately trying to find my words, but they were all stuck in my throat. It was like the entire English language had just vanished from my brain. The air around me wasn't enough to keep me oxygenated, because I felt dizzy and ready to pass out.

"D-Damon?" I asked when I finally remembered how to talk. A part of my mind still refused to believe this was actually happening. I was expecting to wake up from a dream any minute now.

"Hello Elena," he murmured and I felt chills run down my spine. His voice was as cold as ice and his eyes were frozen. I knew I wasn't dreaming. If I had been dreaming, his voice would've been warm, low and seductive, not deep, cold and menacing.

The funny thing was that even if his voice was scaring me, there was still a part of me that felt drawn to him. His familiar smirk painted his beautiful, demonic face and I felt myself desperately fighting to back away from him.

"I see you met my brother," I heard Stefan's voice close to me and took a few steps back. My eyes flew in Stefan's direction and I was sure my mind was playing tricks on me, because I could swear I heard him say 'my brother'.

"Damon, this is Elena, my girlfriend. Elena, meet Damon, my brother," Stefan said.

I just stood there like a damn statue. My muscles seemed numb and my mind was foggy. The words 'Damon, my brother' were echoing in my head. Suddenly I felt a cold hand grabbing mine and I shivered slightly from the contact.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Elena," I heard Damon's velvet voice and the next thing I felt was his soft lips on the back of my hand. From reflex, my eyes slid from the wall, to my hand and our eyes locked as he pulled back. I'm 100% sure we both had a déjà vu from 'that' night. The double meaning of his words didn't go unnoticed by me. I held his gaze, begging him with my eyes not to say anything to Stefan and I saw him nod subtlety.

"We gotta go or we'll be late for school," I said and Stefan mumbled an 'I'm good to go'.

***black and white***

Four hours later and I swear my skin was still burning where Damon had kissed me back at the Boarding house. I hadn't been able to concentrate on school at all and if you had asked me what the teacher said just a minute ago I had no idea. My head hurt from the million and one questions I had. Did that really just happen? Was my 'dark lover' really Stefan's brother? But, that would make Damon a… a vampire as well…. My pencil just 'flew' out of my hand and reached the ground with a loud sound.

"Is there something you'd like to add Miss. Gilbert?" the teacher asked pushing her glasses further on her nose.

"No," I said with an obviously fake smile retrieving the lost pencil from the floor. I vividly saw Bonnie rolling her eyes at me and I responded with a quick shrug.

"Maybe Miss Bennett would be kind enough to explain to you today's lesson after classes since you've been too busy studying your pencil." The teacher said and I scoffed.

Another hour of school was all I needed to make this day the worst of my life. I looked over towards Bonnie; ever since our second year, she had started tutoring kids after classes. She had always been the smart one, Caroline the popular one and I…well, I was both and neither. The bell went off and I immediately picked up my books and got out.

"Elena, wait!" I heard Bonnie yell after me, but I didn't stop. I only stopped when I reached the girls' bathroom. I placed my handbag on the edge of the sink and took a deep breath. This couldn't be happening, I thought, it had to be a nightmare. 'Come on, Elena, wake up!'

"Hey, are you…what's wrong?" Bonnie asked as soon as she entered. She came beside me and placed her tiny hand over my own. I pulled back like it burned me.

"Nothing, I just…bad day, that's all," I said washing my hands, just to do something with them. I felt like I was about to explode at everyone.

"Alright, see you after class," Bonnie said turning towards the door. "Elena?" she whispered over her shoulder.

"Huh?"

"You would tell me of something was wrong, right?" she asked.

"Sure, why wouldn't I?" I said smiling.

"Okay; I have to go, I have bio and Mr. Paul is a pain if you're late," she mumbled and in a hurry.

***black and white***

Bonnie Margaret Bennett had never been a normal girl. She was able to see things in her pretty little head before they would happen. Her grandmother once told her she was a special girl, with special powers that one day would help save her life and the life of those she cherished. Of course Bonnie thought the old lady just had too much to drink. Yes she was aware she was some kind of harbinger, but special powers…that was another story.

Bonnie took a detour at the end of the hall and walked over towards the geography lab. She often went with her gut and her gut was telling her to go find Stefan. Something was obviously wrong with her friend and Stefan might have the answer even if he knew it or not.

She was in front of the big, white door in less than a minute and she waved at Stefan to let him know she wanted a word with him. He let his pencil drop on the deck and left the classroom.

"Bonnie. Is there something wrong?" he asked.

"It's…uh…"

"Did something happen to Elena?" Stefan immediately assumed and Bonnie couldn't help but think something fishy was going on with Stefan as well. He seemed careful and on edge; unusual behavior for his usually calm self.

He took off his, always present, sunglasses and Bonnie couldn't help but appreciate the bright beauty of his green irises. A slight trace of jealousy passed through her and she gave herself a mental slap for being a bad friend to Elena. It was one thing to find your best friend's boyfriend cute and another to actually desire, even for a split second, to be in her place.

Yes, Stefan was an incredibly handsome guy, but it was more than that. There was a…vibe that made Bonnie want to…discover him. She shook her head to drive all those thoughts away.

"No, she's ok…I guess. I was going to ask you if everything's ok with the two of you. She seems kind of…off today," Bonnie said and Stefan's 'worried face' intensified.

"Thank God, you noticed it too. I thought I was going crazy or being paranoid. She's even more agitated than usual and she seems be in another world most of the time, like, she's plotting world domination and it takes away all her concentration…"

"So, you two didn't fight or anything like that?"

"No…"

"Oh, well then, maybe it's just…you know…that time of the month…"

"It's not…" Stefan said interrupting Bonnie and she raised an eyebrow at him.

"How do you…oh, never mind…I… I forgot you guys are…uh, just forget I said anything. I'll talk to her later."

Bonnie didn't wait for Stefan to reply; she turned on her heels and practically ran towards the biology lab. She would figure out what was wrong with her friend. She would make Elena talk, after all, they hadn't been friends since forever for nothing, and Bonnie knew how to push her buttons to make her talk.

***black and white***

"Elena…are you even listening to me?" Caroline asked irritated.

"Sure," I mumbled.

"What was I sayin' then?"

"Uh…" something about donuts…focus Elena! Donations…yes, she was talking about where the donations from the carnival would go. "You're talking about the donations from the carnival," I said proudly. My mind was a mess right now and I was amazed I was able to still think.

"Well, yeah. So, what do you think?" Caroline asked and I was lost again. What do I think about what?

"About?"

"Where should the money go…?"

Oh crap, I was supposed to remember all the charities she mentioned? I had no recognition of any of the charities she had enumerated. If I could only remember one…just one…but I couldn't.

"I don't know Caroline, it's your choice."

"Yes, but as my friend, I'm asking for your opinion."

"I'm not good at these things…" I protested.

"Oh for Christ's sake Elena, I'm not asking you to organize the event. I love you and all, but that would be an epic failure."

"Gee, thanks," I said and Caroline smiled. One thing important about Caroline, this girl was not afraid to speak her mind.

"Alright, I think you should go with the one for the kids," I said. There's always a charity for kids.

"Which of the two?"

For a split second I was tempted to either yell at Caroline to leave me the hell alone or hit her in the head. I didn't know which, I just wanted to make her stop and leave me and my thoughts alone.

"For the sick kids," I said praying there was one.

"Okay, we'll go with that one then, thank you," she said and I smiled politely.

We talked – more like Caroline talked – about the charity for another ten minutes or so, then she left and I went to my after-class, tutoring session.

***black and white***

"What is it, Elena? There's something troubling you, even Bonnie sensed it," Stefan said as I pulled in the Boarding House drive way. He took my hands into his and caressed my flesh with his thumb. It felt good for a minute, but then I remembered this morning and seeing him and it all went to hell again.

"It's nothing, really. I'm having some trouble with economics and physics and French and pretty much all the other subjects and it's a bit overwhelming." The truth was that I was a bit behind on all my homework, but nothing I couldn't handle; I had to give him something though. Of course he knew something was wrong, because I was acting like a zombie.

"Ok, come on, let's go inside, I'll make you a cup of tea and we'll go over one of the subjects tonight, I'm sure we can manage," he said smiling. He got out of the car and in a split second he was opening the door for me. I must admit, every time he did something sweet and polite I fell even more in love with him. He was just so kind and paid attention to the details, I mean, what woman would pass on a guy that's actually paying attention to her needs?

"Alright, but seriously, je très suck at French," I said pouting and he smiled again.

He opened the door and made a sign with his head for me to go ahead, but I just couldn't move. I knew Damon would be there, I could feel it. All of a sudden I was so damn scared of facing the blue-eyed vampire that I was unable to move.

"Elena…" Stefan murmured softly, "…what's wrong? Are you ok?" he asked concerned.

"Yes, I'm fine. I just remembered I left my books at school."

"It's ok, you don't need books to learn French. We'll work on the other ones later this weekend," he said simply. He always made everything seem so easy.

With slow, unsure steps, I stepped over the threshold. The loud music wasn't there anymore, all the blinds were closed making it almost impossible for me to see and the temperature had dropped a few degrees.

"My brother doesn't like the sun," Stefan offered as we advanced through the darkness. "Or the heat," he said as I shivered slightly.

"Doesn't he have a…ring like you?" I asked. He had told me about the ring Katherine's witch had made for him even before he turned. As long as he was wearing it, the sun couldn't harm him.

"Well, you see, the ring protects us so the sun rays won't kill us, but, it's still pretty uncomfortable. I prefer to take the slight pain and discomfort than live without sun. Damon…keeps to the dark. Elena," he grabbed both my hands, looking directly into my eyes, "he might come after you…"

"Because I look like her?" I asked. I felt like yelling and throwing things right now. The fact that my dark lover's passion that night was actually meant for another woman with a face like my own made me furious. The way he touched me…the way he looked at me and the way he whispered shameless words into my ear; no! No! I refused to believe all that had been a lie. What did it matter? I loved Stefan, the fact that Stefan didn't think of me as Katherine should've been enough if you think about it. Stefan was after all, my soul mate, the one I loved. But I couldn't help the jealousy that was growing inside of me.

"That's one reason; also because your mine. You don't know him, Elena…he's ambitious and stubborn, he doesn't give up until he gets what he wants…and the worst part is…" oh so there was an even worse part of this madness? I asked myself sarcastically, "that I can't stop him."

There was a moment of complete silence. My mind was just refusing to acknowledge the words coming out of his mouth. What the hell did he mean by that? That I was going to be Damon's new toy, because Katherine was dead and he needed a replacement? That he might kill me, just because he could?

"I know it sounds crazy and exaggerated, but I don't think he'd kill you or hurt you…"

"Thanks I feel much better now that you think that!" I shouted. I didn't know if I was yelling because I was mad at Stefan or mad at Damon, all I knew was that I just had to scream so I wouldn't choke with all the anger that was threatening to pour out.

"He is much stronger than me, Elena. Fighting him would be useless; he could kill me before I even got close to him."

"It's because of your diet isn't it?" I asked.

"And many other factors; remember how I told you that a vampire's power grows with time?" I nodded, "well, it grows because of the human blood you take. The blood is the essence of life for us, the more we get the stronger we are. It also takes a great deal of power to walk in the sun even with a day-ring…"

"Did you get to the part where you have to take a human's life to complete the transition?" Damon asked with a malicious grin on his face that sent chills through my spine. He was standing in the doorway, blocking the entrance to the kitchen. His hands were crossed in front of his chest and his head was slightly tilted.

"She already knows about it, Damon," Stefan said advancing towards his brother. "Where are your guests?"

"Fatti i cazzi tuoi, fratello!*" Damon shouted and I startled. I had no idea what Damon said, but it definitely sounded like a threat.

"Vattene e lo farò *," Stefan returned and Damon smirked.

"Grazie, ma penso che resterò, le cose si sono appena fatte interessanti,*" Damon said and in a blink of an eye he was gone. I heard Stefan let out a heavy sigh and I couldn't help but wonder what they just said. It was frustrating that I didn't understand a word.

"I know I'm really bad with languages, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't French," I said and he smiled weakly.

"No, it was Italian. We tend to speak it when we argue…which is pretty much every time we see each other," he said sadly. I followed him into the kitchen and watched him in silence as he made tea. The last thing I wanted now was tea, but I knew he needed to do something to calm himself and I didn't dare take that away from him.

***black and white***

"So what part gives you a hard time?" he asked after I finished my tea.

"Uh…the French part," I answered with a smile.

"Alright…I suppose you're familiar with the basics, right? The verbs and tenses?"

"Oui," I answered proudly. "I have trouble putting the words together in the right order," I said and he nodded that he understood.

"Well, tell me something in French and I will tell you what's wrong with it."

"Je t'aime," I said softly.

"Moi aussi, mon amour. Je pourrais vivre sans soleil, sans la mer, sans nourriture et sans eau, mais pas sans toi; jamais sans toi," he returned.

"Could you…say that in English, please? I'm pretty sure I understood, but I want to be sure. It sounds so sweet and romantic," I said and he smiled. He was so beautiful when he smiled and I loved to see him smile.

"I love you too, my love. I could live without the sun, without the sea, without food and water, but not without you; never without you."

My heart was melting and my knees were about to fail me. They weren't just words because I knew he meant them. I could feel his love, each time he looked at me, touched me, kissed me…I belonged to him and he belonged to me, there was no other explanation.

I was washing my cup a few minutes later when I managed to cut myself with it. It was just a tiny scratch, but it was enough to get Stefan all…'excited'.

"I should really go hunting," he said.

"Didn't you do that this morning?" I asked.

"Do you eat only once a day?"

"Uh…no…sorry…I still…I don't know how it works," I said slightly embarrassed that I didn't understand the way his body worked. I took a quick peek at my watch, it was already 6pm. It had been twelve hours since he last ate; of course he was hungry.

"It's alright," he said sweetly.

"Well, go hunt then. I'll wait for you here," I said unsure.

"You sure, my sweet?"

"Yes, go! I'll be fine," I said with a confidence I didn't actually have. No, truth was that I did not want to be left alone with Damon in a house in a middle of nowhere, but I didn't want to starve my boyfriend to death either.

As soon as Stefan stormed out the door, I started counting my breaths in a failed attempt to calm down. I'd only gotten to eight when I felt Damon behind me.

"Mia farfallina," he purred in my ear and I turned around to face him.

"Don't even try…" I started as my fingers tangled around my necklace. There was something about the way he was looking at me…Stefan told me about vampires and their ability to play with humans dreams, thought and desires, even read their minds. As long as I was wearing the necklace, I was safe from Damon's influence.

"Do you really think that vervain can keep me out of your mind?" he asked in a low voice. My heart stopped, my throat got dry and my knees started shaking slightly. What was he going to do to me? Could he really still play with my mind, even if I had on the necklace?

***black and white***dictionary***black and white***dictionary***

*- mind your own business, brother;

*- leave and I will;

*- thanks, but I think I'm going to stay, this just got interesting

N: So, that's it for this chapter. Did you like it? What do you think about Elena's reaction? Please review and let me know your thoughts.