Chapter 4

Elena was one pissed off bitch two days later... Instead of being at the beach house she and Stefan ended up at a hotel that Caroline and Tyler were in. They were supposed to be in Panama City but instead they ended up with their friends in Pensacola, 2 hours away from their destination. Stefan and Elena were invited to their hotel party and since it was on the way they couldn't say no to their friends. But once they got there Caroline was pissed because somehow Katherine had got word about the party and since she and Tyler are friends she hopped on over to them. Caroline had thought that Katherine was supposed to be in Richmond, Virginia not Florida, she had apologized to Elena for their nightmare showing up and even though Elena had told her that she knew it wasn't Caroline's fault she still hated having to see the curly haired spawn of Satan. For the most part though she tried to ignore the bitch, but then some way or another she would look and see her talking with Stefan. They were either taking shots together, laughing it up about something or posing for selfies on Katherine's phone.

Elena knew that Stefan was already friends with Katherine, but she still hated that she had all of Stefan's attention. She barely spoke three words to Stefan the whole night and Caroline kept watching the two as well and had begged Elena to knock her out again, but she simply refused saying that as long as she stayed away from her all would be kosher. The next morning though Elena was ready to get back on the road, she was waiting by Stefan's car when she caught sight of him coming out of Katherine's room. Katherine came running out in a hot pink nightie that barely covered her ass reminding Stefan that he left his watch. After she had given it to him, the two kissed on the lips and Stefan came over to the car. 'So much for his promise' Elena thought to herself. In the back of her mind Elena knew that Stefan didn't belong to her and that she had no claim on him, yet he had never broke a promise to her and that was what killed her inside. Stupid, childish, immature virgin Elena, I'm just jealous and that's the real problem. She thinks while she watches Katherine walk back to her hotel room. "Ready?" Stefan asks her with a bright smile. Elena's full expression is hidden by her big sunglasses so he can't see the disgust and disappointment in her eyes. "Yeah, I can't wait to get as far away from Katherine as possible." she says while entering the car.

Stefan gets them back on the road and he sees that Elena is distant and cold, "Something you want to share with the class?" he asks her kind of annoyed. Elena shakes her head, "Nope, just ready to be at the beach is all." Of course Stefan didn't buy it, he's known her since they were kids and he can clearly see that something is eating at her. "You sure, you haven't even spoken to me at all." Elena's head snaps towards him and she snatches her sunglasses off, "I'm sorry Stefan, but I don't like people who say one thing and do another." Stefan is floored, where's this coming from? Was she on her period or something? "I have no idea what you're talking about Elena." Elena sighs and puts her sunglasses back on, "Can we just not do this, my summer vacation has already been set back and I don't want to fight with you of all people because this is our summer. I'm just tired, lack of sleep and slightly hangover is all." Finally they arrived in Panama City Beach, Elena had slept the rest of the drive since they had gotten in the car and Stefan was more than eager to get out and stretch his legs. He unpacked the whole car telling her to go unlock the door and start settling them in. Once they had their bags unpacked Elena wanted to take a swim in the ocean, but a storm had started up and made that impossible. While Stefan's taking a nap on the couch and she's sitting in her room thinking over everything that had happened. She came to realize that its not just about him breaking his promise to her, it goes far deeper than that. So she decides to stop being in a piss poor mood and start enjoying their time together. After all he would be gone by summer's end and she would be left with memories and phone calls until the holidays.

Three hours later the rain stopped and Stefan woke up on the couch and saw Elena sitting outside enjoying the slightly chilly breeze. The opening of the sliding glass door got her attention as she looked up and saw him standing before her with pleading eyes. "I saw you coming out of her room this morning, I saw the kiss and I was mad." Elena tells him as soon as his pleading eyes meet her sad ones. Stefan says nothing as he joins her on the deck and sits next to her. "Anyway, it's none of my business, so please let's just not talk about this and go grab some dinner, I'm starved." Stefan decides to drop it for now, he's hungry and just wants to have a good time, so he nods at her and stands up. "Ok, I'll go shower and then we'll go." Elena smiles at him and joins him inside going their separate ways to get ready. As Elena looks at all of her clothes on the bed in her room with a towel wrapped around her and one on her head she feels clueless on which outfit to wear. She knew she should've called Caroline before getting in the shower, yeah she needs her other best friend's fashion advice. Not just because she is going out to dinner with Stefan, but because well... She's single and maybe she'll met some guy that might take her confused mind off of her hot best friend. "You can do this Elena, you do not need to Skype call Caroline for help." Elena whispers to herself. Rolling her eyes she picks up a pair of white, short jean shorts and a bright neon orange tank. Once her clothes are on Elena brushes out her long locks and decides to let it hang in natural waves down her back. Then she puts on her bronze eye make up, black eye liner and sticking on fake eye lashes just for the hell of it. "Now what shoes to wear?" She asks herself. Finally she decides on her white slip on Converse, grabs her phone and purse and walks into the living room.

"Stefan?" "In here." Stefan calls out from the kitchen, Elena makes her way over to him and sees that he's poured them two shots of Patron. "You look beautiful as always Miss Gilbert." Elena giggles feeling like they're back to being their normal selves which makes her relax. "So do you Mr. Salvatore." Elena sees that Stefan is wearing his signature jeans, a dark green button down shirt and his black riding boots. Yeah, that's her Stefan and he's one freaking handsome guy. "What are the shots for? Trying to get me drunk before dinner?" Stefan winks at her, "No, just one shot to start our wonderful vacation." Elena picks up her shot and the two clink their glasses together before tossing the drink back. "Damn Stefan, Patron really?" Elena laughs wiping her mouth. Stefan shrugs as he takes another shot, "Damon bought it."When they're walking to Stefan's car Elena realizes that they never picked out a place to eat. Stefan opens her door and she slides in on the cool leather seats, the rain storm earlier had chilled the temp a bit, but Elena wasn't Stefan joins her in the car she turns to look at him smiling, "Where are we eating? If you say McDonald's I'll punch you in the face." Stefan places a hand over his heart, "And here I thought my Elena would love the idea of me letting her pick whatever her heart desired off the dollar menu." Elena slaps his shoulder, "Jack ass. Really where are we going to eat?" Stefan smiles at Elena tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "Damon told me about this awesome seafood and oyster place, its called 'The Back Porch Seafood and Oyster House'." Elena clicks her seat belt and relaxes into the soft leather seat. "Sounds good to me, I just want some butterfly shrimp." Backing out of the driveway Stefan smirks, "What no oysters to get you all riled up?" Elena makes a gagging noise, "That's gross Stefan and has it actually ever been proven?" Stefan shrugs, " I have no idea and I don't plan on trying it. I have other ways of getting turned on." Elena's heart flops, but she just shakes her head and watches the city as they drive.

"So tell me more about you wanting to take the year off after graduating instead of going to college." Stefan says as the two get walk to the entrance of the restaurant. Elena sighs and stops him from entering. "Look I know you're probably mad that I didn't tell you, but its only because it was a thought I had. Nothing is set in stone Stef, I mean I still have another year of high school left." Stefan nods his head at her statement, "So what brought this on?" Shrugging her shoulders Elena tells him, "I don't know, its just that after I graduate I'll be free of school you know? It would be nice to go travel or something, instead of jumping right back into school after summer. I won't have to worry about studying my ass off all of the time." Elena finishes with a laugh making Stefan chuckle. "Like I said its not set in stone, so let's not worry about what I'll be doing a year from now and just enjoy the now here with each other." Stefan throws an arm around her pulling her to his side and kissing the top of her head. Breathing in her shampoo and perfume Stefan relaxes and nods his, "Alright let's go feed you and enjoy the now." Elena giggles and snuggles closer to his side as the two walk in side. "I'm glad you're with me Stefan." Stefan smiles at his best friend, "Me too."