Past

Part Six

"So what are your plans tonight beautiful?"

I glanced over to Damon as we finished loading my trunk with the groceries. I felt his smirk and chest against me, and I casually turned to face him after closing my trunk shut.

I grinned lightly, "Your handsome brother and my cousin have invited me to come join him and his gang to the Grill."

"You like Saint Stephan then?" Damon asked with emphasis on the word saint. I laughed at that.

"Yes, I am looking forward to getting to know him and the rest of their friends." I said with a smile. Damon took a few steps closer to me, ensuring I could not move myself back for I was against my 2003 light grey Nissan Altima. He carefully closed the space between us. Again Damon's attire was a black T-Shirt, black leather jacket and dark jeans. It seems he is always cloaked with an ominous shadow. You would think I would try to stay away from his perfect, almost other-worldly appearance. Well, I was told to stay away from Damon, and I can see why they all would think that.

Actually, I did not mind his lack of colorful fashion because he must know how to entice his already florid blue eyes. I then noticed Damon's eyes began to deepen and look almost hungry. I felt nervous over his attraction to me; I could feel his hot breath intermingle with mine.

Then his lips parented to release his silken voice, "Do you look forward to getting to know me as well?" He asked slowly in a husky tone.

I responded quietly, "Yes I do. Though there is something wrong with that."

Damon's voice sharpened, "What?"

"My family and your brother advised me other-wise."

"They what?" His abyss blue eyes darkened angrily.

"Elena, Stephan and mostly Jeremy said you are not to be trusted and are 'dangerous'. They spoke in riddle; like I was supposed to guess what they had meant-it was very confusing."

"Do you believe them?" he said after a long pause and after another close step. I feared my voice would fail me as I began to breathe heavily due to the cold and Damon's uncomfortable closeness and gaze. It was nearing 8:00 I presumed. I wrapped my arms about myself and responded frankly.

"Would I be allowing you to stand this close to me if I did?"

He smiled and stood strait now rather than leaning his upper body towards me. He shrugged his shoulders and smirked saying "Maybe."

Damon stood in silence for just a moment, within that brief second I stared at him dreamily only for a second. How could Jeremy, even Elena have such a negative opinion on Damon? Even his own brother seems to reject him from how he was brought up earlier today. It must be family troubles. But then why are Elena and Jeremy involved? My thoughts were cut short when Damon stepped back and leaned against the trunk of my car, in the same position as me. I looked over to him and grinned and watched as he began to speak.

"So Joanne, you wouldn't happen to have an escort for the Grill tonight would you?" Damon said with slight cockiness in his voice.

I was about to answer him then my phone started ringing. I apologized to Damon, he smiled and waited. Looking down, I saw my phone read "Jeremy".

"Hello Jer is there something wrong?"

"No Jo, I am calling you cuz' Bonnie and I are at the Grill now. We kind of, well, 'went out' today and yeah…" He spoke bashfully.

I squealed, "Aww Jer! So Bonnie is her name! Will I meet this lovely Bonnie soon?"

"Yeah, she is staying for tonight. She is one of Elena's good friends. She is cannot wait to meet you!"

"Tell her the same!"

"Jo, are you on your way?"

"Uhh…no, I will be a little late. I've been busy this entire day with errands. I'm sorry, but my estimated time of arrival is T-minus 45 minutes at the very least."

"Well hurry up Jo! Matt is finally off his shift. Get those errands done! ASAP!"

I laughed, "Yes of course Jeremy. I will be there in a jiffy! Alright good-by Jer, see you soon!"

I was about to hang-up when Jeremy told me to hold on. "Yes Jer?"

He paused before he spoke, "Be careful alright Jo?" I then chuckled.

"There is no need to fret Jer- I'm a big girl." I assured him.

"I know, it's just…" He paused once more as his voice weakened, "-I just worry okay? This town is not as peaceful and quiet as it appears to be. You can't trust anyone, you hear?"

I did not understand the meaning behind his words again. But I agreed and chose not to argue so he wouldn't get all worked up.

"Yes Jeremy. I will be careful. Don't worry." I said with a smile and happily added, "I love you Jeremy,thank you."

"I love you too Joanne."

"Have fun with your girl Jer; don't have too much while I'm not there though. Ha-Ha, see you soon! 45 minutes!"

Jeremy laughed, "Okay Jo, see you soon. I'll let Elena know."

"Roger that." I said and hung-up.

I looked over to see Damon, but he was gone. I didn't give it any other thought and walked to the front of my car in a hurry. I needed to get home to get the food in my house so I could make it on time. I pulled out my keys from my purse and unlocked my door. I stepped inside and was moving my hand to place the keys in the ignition when I saw a figure fly in the passenger seat. I dropped my keys with a yelp and grasped my chest when I found out who it was.

"Damon!" I yelled and cradled my head because of the scare. He only gave me an arrogant smirk.

I yelled at him again, "Why would you scare me like that? You scared the B-Jesus out of me!"

"Believe me it was not my intention at all my-sweet."

"How could it not be your intention when you are creeping about like a creature of the night? My goodness!"

Damon laughed at my comment, "I was not creeping, and if you haven't noticed, I am a creature of the night." He said that rather darkly, and his grin matched that of his voice. I scoffed at him and picked up the keys that have somehow found their way under the very back of my seat.

"What are you plotting here?" I asked while I was struggling to fit my hand between the corners.

"Plotting?" I heard Damon say.

"Yeah." I grunted, barely able to let out a breath to release a single word. Darn those keys!

"I'm coming with you."

"What?" I shot up with a start to his response and then yelped as I bumped my humorous. At least I had brought those stupid keys up from out of their heavily guarded prison. I winced and rubbed my arm.

I look over and see that Damon had that devilish grin plastered on his square face. He laughed at my clumsiness. Everyone does it so it was not offensive and joined him. However his response startled me and I had to ask why.

"I am merely helping you with your oh-so important errands my dear."

"Damon you don't have to, anyway, didn't you say you came here with your car?"

"I lied."

"So you followed me." I stated.

"Maybe, does that bother you?" He said with a smirk.

"What?" He was beginning to confuse me.

"Does me following you disturb you Joanne?" Damon questioned me maliciously; he was being a little odd.

"It wouldn't me as much if you would simply walk up and say 'Hey!' and join me or some kind of friendly interaction, such as that. You staking me down like a predator is strange enough Damon."

He laughed and said, "Well, what's so wrong with me being a predator and staking his prey? I find you to be a most appealing and delicious deer."

"Ha-Ha, I'm more of an old Ox or some sort of low creature. I'm hardly graceful or gentile." I chuckled light heartily.

"And who told you that?"

"Well if we continue this friendship you will find that out yourself I can assure you." I smiled.

I watched his gorgeous eyes widen with surprise, "You are letting me be your friend? Didn't Elena, Baby Gilbert and my dearest brother tell you something quite the opposite?"

I looked at him slowly and watched Damon as he turned his body towards me; shifting his position in the passenger seat with a questionable look upon his face. I noticed the deepest eyes I have ever seen study me, waiting for my response; like it was very precious for him to know how I feel.

I decided to tell him exactly that. "I won't develop an opinion of someone based upon others'. I don't really care if my friends don't get along or don't approve of my other friends."

I pause and quietly shrugged, "If you are good to me, I am good to you. That's all." I ended with a small plain smile and observed Damon as he smiled brightly and turned away. I sighed after waiting for Damon to abandon me, but he stayed, waiting for something to happen.

He turned his head sharply, "Well-what are you waiting for? Let's go!"

"You are being serious?"

"Uh-Yeah! Now hurry up and go! Let's see how fast you can drive this baby!" He spoke fast with a laugh in his voice. I smirked and revived my engine.

Okay so sorry for not updating sooner, I would like to at least get to the climax and plot of this story. I really do hope you all like this story. If not, im up for any of your suggestions and ideas for this story. And if the characters need anything more to their personality please let me know. Tell me anything! Thank you and please review!