After a while Stefan climbed into the bed and pulled me into his arms. There were no words, just the gentle stroke of his hand over my hair as I lay there crying. I came to the sudden realization that I had become a monster. Stefan was laying there comforting me. ME! While I cried over his brother. I couldn't imagine how he was feeling. I was turning into a monster for sure. I was turning into Katherine. I knew in that instant that, that must have been how he felt. Like he was reliving all of this from so many years ago. It was this that made me cry even harder.

"Elena, please talk to me." He spoke so softly. I turned my red swollen eyes up to his. His lashes casting deep shadows under his eyes his lips falling into a pout, he was beautiful. Why did that have to be. I tucked my head into his chest.

"Elena, you can talk to me. No matter what it is." He continued. I closed my eyes , comforted by the deep vibrations in his chest when he spoke.

"I love you Stefan." I managed to squeak out. He looked down at me and tried to smile.

"I know you do." He said.

"I love Damon to." I said beginning to cry and throwing my head back into his chest. Waiting to embrace whatever he had coming.

"I know you do." He replied softly. I looked back up to him. His eyes were soft and kind and even understanding. There was no trace of anger or resentment.

"Why aren't you angry Stefan, you should hate me." I said, my voice finally coming back.

He smiled. "I will never hate you, Elena. And I'm sorry about earlier today when I lost my cool. I was more upset because everything I knew was going to happen, did. I guess I had just talked myself into believing I was being paranoid." He said running his thumb over my cheek.

"So what now?" I asked.

"That's kind of what I wanted to ask you." Stefan replied. We lay in silence for a while side by side facing each other. He ran his fingers up and down my arm.

"If you will still have me then, I guess we just carry on with our lives as usual. Nothings happening with me and Damon and I'm sorry about everything. I guess we go to the ball tomorrow and founders day as planned. I guess we just …. carry on." I smiled weakly up at Stefan. He smiled in return. He seemed peaceful and relaxed. He leaned in a kissed me and I was thankful to feel the jolt of electricity I felt every time he kissed me, every time he touched me. He pulled the covers up over our heads and we sank into a deep kiss. Later that night as I drifted off to sleep, Damon was waiting for me there in my dreams. Isobel was right. I was definitely doomed.

The next day I felt much better. I stood in the bathroom for hours getting my hair ready for the ball. I had more hope that day. I loved Stefan and I was happy with him, I truly was and Damon was better off without anyone according to him. So my life could go back to normal. As normal as my life can be. I was even growing excited about the ball tonight. The entire town was going to be there and it couldn't have come at a better time. I just wanted to dance the night away with my beautiful Stefan and have a good time. I stood curling my hair when I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in!" I called. Jeremy came into the bathroom and took a seat on a padded stool not far from me. He stared curiously at me with his head slightly cocked to the side. It was almost comical if not annoying.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." He finally said.

"I'm doing a lot better. Thanks for checking in on me last night." I answered.

"so umm......Damon? Salvatore?" He asked shaking his head.

"It's really complicated Jeremy." I answered struggling with one of the curls I was trying to accomplish.

"Yeah, it's complicated because he's an asshole Elena. What are you thinking?" He asked growing frustrated.

"He's not an asshole." I snapped. His eyes widened.

"Elena are you being serious?" He stood up and took the curling iron out of my hand turning me to face him.

"Jeremy, he's not as bad as people think, he just really.....misunderstood." I answered shrugging.

Jeremy shook his head. "Right, so is this the same guy you were crying your eyes out over last night?" He asked sarcastically.

"Jeremy, thank you for your concern seriously. It's really sweet. But you really don't have to worry. Everything is fine. Stefan and I are fine and I am no more than a friend to Damon so just don't worry okay?" I picked up the curling iron.

"Alright." He shrugged and turned towards the door.

"Jeremy, are we okay now? I mean can we talk about everything?" I glanced at him behind me through the mirror.

"I love you Elena and I was concerned, but as for everything else. No, we're not okay." He left before I could reply.

Stefan opened the passenger side door and held out his hand to help me out. The town banquet hall was absolutely stunning. It was decked in white strung lights, thousands of dollars worth of flowers and decorations. Huge white lanterns and added archways. The crowd was huge already, gorgeous gowns splashing color everywhere you looked. Arm in arm we made our way inside. The huge dome like ceiling was lit up with spotlights and the place had never looked more grand and outstanding as it did now.

"Elena!" I heard a voice ring out. I looked over by the huge ivory fountain where I saw Caroline and Matt. She waved excitedly and motioned for me to come over. I looked up at Stefan who nodded and we made our way over.

"Omigod Omigod! Elena you look amazing!" Caroline chimed.

"You to!" I replied. Stepping back to get a better look at her dress.

"Hey Stefan." Matt held his hand out to shake Stefan's hand. I noticed there was a small hesitation and then he took his hand. I looked up to see Stefan's face but he was frowning and concentrating on something over the crowd.

"What's wrong?" I asked. He kept looking but then his face relaxed and he shook his head.

"Nothing, everything's fine." He smiled but it seemed forced.

We made our way around the place saying hello to everyone. I was right, the entire town had made it here. Before I could stop it I wondered if he was here. Suddenly all I could think about was if Damon was here somewhere. I couldn't bring myself to ask Stefan. The energy of the place seemed to grow stronger to almost a buzzing. I found myself searching rapidly through the faces.

"Would you like to dance?" Stefan asked smiling down at me.

"Sure." I answered. We made out way through the crowd and onto the huge dance floor. The floor was absolutely alive with people dancing and moving about. Stefan led me to a small open spot and faced me. He pulled me close and we began to turn and sway. I continued my search but wasn't as discrete as I thought I was.

"He's here." Stefan answered my silent question. I looked up and noticed a slight sadness in his eyes when he noticed I was searching for him. I looked at him stunned not sure what to say. So instead he just nodded towards the balcony above us. I looked up and saw Damon looking down at us. He smiled lightly and nodded once. He swirled the wine in his glass just the slightest bit and then turned, disappearing out of sight. I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked back to Stefan. He was studying my face carefully. I smiled.

A little while later we found ourselves standing in a group that was My brother, Anna who was seemingly more quiet tonight, Caroline, Matt, Bonnie and a guy named Corey. We were laughing and having a good time, although I had the nagging thoughts in the back of my mind I was having a pretty good time. While we were all talking Stefan's hand that had been running through the back of my hair abruptly stopped and I felt him tense up at my side. I turned to see what was wrong. I followed his gaze to see Damon taking a shot of whiskey, and then another and another one. He sat it down and leaned against one of the ivory pillars almost like he was trying to hold himself up. Then I noticed the girl with her back against the pillar. He leaned in with a wide grin on his face and whispered something in her ear. She giggled ridiculously. My stomach twisted in knots and I looked quickly to the ground.

"Good guy." Jeremy stated sarcastically looking over at me. I looked up to Stefan. He looked uncomfortably away. When I looked back over Damon and the girl were gone.

Stefan wound up inviting over all of our friends to the Salvatore house when he realized that I didn't want to be there anymore but we still needed to have a little fun. Us and about five other cars followed us out. We all walked into the house to be met by loud music filling the air. Stefan, myself, Caroline, Matt, Bonnie, Corey and about six other people made our way into the living room and found a party already taking place. Apparently Damon already had party plans of his own. People were everywhere. I finally spotted him sitting on the couch with that blond girl straddling his lap kissing his neck. He reached over picked up a glass of scotch and downed it and say it back down. As she moved her mouth to under his ear he looked up and caught my stare and smiled darkly.