A/N: Hey, everyone! I'm really sorry it has taken this long to post a new chapter. I kind of lost inspiration to write, but a friend told me to continue so I did.

Mila, since you are the reason I continued, this chapter is dedicated to you (I know it's not shipp-y - I promise the next adorable chapter will also be dedicated to you - but I had to dedicate it to you)

I know this is super short. I'm sorry!

I hope you enjoy it!

Elena was at the locker to put away most of her text books when she saw Caroline walking up to her. She put on a warm smile for her best friend but the blonde wasn't smiling. The smile faded from Elena's face to be replaced with shock and then understanding. Elena knew what was coming and she forced herself calm. She loved Caroline and didn't want to say something that would jeopardize their friendship.

„Hey, Caroline."

„'Hey, Caroline'? Don't 'Hey, Caroline' me. You should explain what you're doing with Stefan Salvatore." Caroline's words didn't give Elena confidence but the look on the blonde's face did. It was obvious that she wouldn't leave her side.

„I bumped into him yesterday. We went out for pizza. It's no big deal," Elena shrugged and took a few books out of her locker to shove them into her bag.

„You went on a date? With Stefan Salvatore?"

„I'm sorry, I know I should've told you. I was going to tell you in the morning but then Stefan showed up at our school and I totally forgot."

Elena couldn't read anything from her best friend's face except for shock. „You should have told me before you went on a date so I could've talked some sense into you! I can't believe your parents were okay with it."

„I didn't tell them," Elena said and closed her locker. „They don't have to know every move I make."

„The Salvatores are bad people. You can't trust them. Haven't you heard any stories?"

Elena looked at Caroline and raised an eyebrow. „Actually, no, I haven't. Because my parents won't tell me." Elena was getting frustrated and she was starting to regret she had closed her locker. That didn't leave her with the opportunity to slam the door and walk away which she really wanted to do. „And besides, what could be so bad? You don't know Stefan. He wouldn't harm me."

„It's an act, Elena! He is using you!" Caroline had shouted the sentences and it looked as if she truly believed it. Elena couldn't stay mad at her.

„It's not an act. He likes me. I like him. I won't stop seeing him just because you and everyone else doesn't approve," Elena replied after taking a deep breath. „Now if you would excuse me, I promised my mom I would go home right after school."

„We are not done talking, Elena!"

„I really have to go," she replied again, hugged her best friend and quickly left.

She had promised her mom to go home as soon as possible, but she mostly wanted to get away. Caroline meant well. Elena knew that. But she would have preferred to have her support. Elena didn't understand why everyone was so against the Salvatores, especially if all of them were as sweet as Stefan. She shook the depressing thoughts out of her head and concentrated on what made her happy.

Although they hadn't made anything official, Elena was sure that she and Stefan were a couple. He had started high school for her. High school must have been a torture when you were an outcast which made Elena more surprised that Stefan had done it for her.

Now she just needed to show everyone that Stefan deserves their love.