Chapter 4: Addiction

Elena sat at her window and watched as the stars aligned and sparkled in the sky. It was a cold, but beautiful evening. The sky was clear, not only did it show how could it was, but it made the stars shine brighter. The brunette leaned back against the wall as she moaned in annoyance. It was always this time of night that she felt the boredom creep in. She was completely restless and wasn't sure what to do with herself.

Rubbing her hands against her thighs, she looked around as the urges started creeping in. The thirst for alcohol was close to tipping her over the edge. Pushing herself up, her toes dug into the softness of the carpet as she moved over to the bed. She needed to beat this addiction. The buzzing on her bedside table disrupted her thoughts as she looked over to see her phone lighting up.

"Hello?" Elena called out in boredom as she picked at the covers.
"Miss Gilbert, you sound bored." The blonde laughed, "I have a solution."
"Please tell me the solution Caroline."
"Well, get your ass ready because you are coming out with me."
"Going out where exactly?" Elena raised an eyebrow as she looked over at her wardrobe, the ideas of what to wear already floating in her mind.

"Well, Tyler is throwing a party at The Falls, so we are going."
"Hmm, I suppose I can't argue with that logic."
"Yes!" Caroline smiled in victory, "You have an hour, make it quick!"

The line went dead as Elena puffed her cheeks out and stared at her wardrobe. Now it was just the debate on what she was going to wear. Was it going to be something warm or something mildly warm?

Pressing her lips together, she stared into the mirror as the red lipstick glimmered, giving her smokey eyeshadow a satisfying finish. She decided on casual/dressy which means she was comfortable. Her outfit consisted of black jeans, a red tank top, and a black leather jacket with her black converses. The choice of colour mean she would have been hidden in the shadows, wouldn't stand out to the crowd in case word got back to her parents. Her brown locks were in loose curls, hanging just below her shoulders.

"You're ready to go girl." Elena spoke as she looked over at her bed, formulating a plan in her head. Going over, she tucked the pillows under the blanket and checked it. Realistic enough. Lifting her phone, she slipped it into her pocket, "Easy goes it."

Opening the window, she carefully climbed out and held her breath as she looked down. That looked like a drop and a half, which more than likely would end with her getting a twisted ankle or worse. Looking over at the tree, she slowly reached out and gasped for breath as she lost her footing, but managed to grab the tree quickly. Lowering herself to the ground, she seen Caroline parked across the road and ran over, getting into the passenger side.

"Nice going double O." Caroline laughed as she started the engine.
"Hardly ha! Just drive." Elena commented dryly.

Music sounded through the air, the beat hitting the dancing teens in all of the right places. The air was cold, but not too cold that it had people shivering. There were people in the lake swimming, which either meant they couldn't feel the cold or that they had some kind of death wish. The rest stood in groups drinking or others were making out against a tree.

"Crazy right?" Caroline raised an eyebrow, "I can't even cope dry."
"Mmh, its pretty nippy out here, the water must be worse."
"So, how are you finding school? I feel like I'm struggling at the moment. There is so much one person can take and god, the endless amount of homework at the moment."

"Unfortunately school brings out a lot of tough times. Especially with homework, but I guess it's better ourselves." Elena scoffed, "To fulfil our dreams, even though we may not get them."

"Sounds like the problem with your parents still stands." Caroline commented, "What's going on now?"

"Honestly, it will bore you to tears." Elena responded, looking at the ice buckets scattered around, which were filled with bottles of beer. The temptation was building inside her. It was taking all of her energy to control her urge; the urge to lift a bottle and drain its contents. The blonde moved over and lifted two bottles by the neck as she turned back to Elena, "Caroline, what-"

"Have a drink El, come on. It will relax you." Caroline held it out for her, tilting her head.
"Oh no." Elena swallowed thickly, "I really shouldn't."
"Why? Come on El, have one!"

Caroline pressed the beer into her hand as she turned to greet one of the girls from their History class. Staring at the beer, Elena took a shaky breath. There it was, her addiction in her grasp of her hand. Fighting it was where the problem lay, it was having the strength to put the beer back. Unfortunately, she didn't have the strength she needed to hold back her addiction, no one to pull her back from the edge.

Unscrewing the cap, she threw it over her shoulder and slowly brought the tip of the bottle to her lips as she took a gulp. The taste woke her nerves as she tilted the bottle, the rest of the beer disappearing as she swallowed it without a flinch. Dropping the bottle into the bin, she lifted another bottle from the ice bucket as she unscrewed the lid and took a gulp, her skin flushed as she looked around at everyone. Was this a bad idea? Yes. Did she care? No.

Numb. A feeling that Elena remembered more than anything else. It was then she remembered why she turned to drinking in the first place. After so many, the feeling of numbness take over. In this case, Elena had just finished her 11th beer in the passing hour as she made her way through the woods, her vision blurry. At the time, she thought it had been a good idea to go for a walk, but now she was lost.

Seeing a bridge, she moved across it and leaned over the side, her head falling into her hands as the world was spinning around her. When was she going to climb out of the black hole she was trapped in? Lifting her head, she pushed at her sleeve as she studied the white scars across her wrist. It had been a while since she had thought about lifting a blade to her wrist.

When arguments or fights happened with her step-father, she always turned to the blade or alcohol to take the edge off. When the urge became too much, she couldn't take control of the situation. If only there were distractions; ones that could take her mind off of her urges.

"Elena!" Her head lifted, alarm in her eyes as she covered her wrists, "You here!?"
"I'm-" Elena began but her words slurred, "Here!"

"Oh, thank god. I thought that I lost you." Caroline sighed in relief as she made her way over, "Come on, I said we would stop by the Grill to see Matt before we went home."
"Uh, yeah." Elena pushed away from the bridge, staggering in her steps as she grabbed onto Caroline, "Oops."
"Woah!" Caroline grabbed onto her arm to steady her, "How much have you had to drink El?"

"Uh, I-" She shook her head in response.
"Tyler!" Caroline called as she helped Elena through the woods.
"I got it." Tyler jogged over, lifting Elena into his arms.
"Come on, we gotta go to the Grill. We can get her some water."

It was its usual kind of quiet, the regulars keeping to themselves as they cradled their drinks. Matt wiped the bar down, a yawn slipping from his mouth as he looked around. Dead as night.

"Another bourbon." An empty glass was set on the bar in front of him.
"Ah, Damon." Matt gave him a nod, topping up the glass.
"Working a late shift tonight Donovan?"
"Like every other night," He laughed, "Waiting for friends."

"Tyler, watch her bloody head!" Caroline scolded.
"Speaking of." Matt raised an eyebrow, moving out from behind the bar, "Guys?"
"I am trying my best!" Tyler narrowed his eyes, holding Elena's arm over his shoulder as he led her over to the bar, "Matt, a glass of water please."

"How much did you let her drink?" Matt frowned, grabbing a glass of water.
"We lost her, so god knows. She can't even tell me how many." Caroline looked over at her friend.
"Very well done guys." Placing the water down, Matt looked Elena over, "El, you alright?"

"Fine, perfect even." Elena sat up on the stool, leaning her cheek on her hand.
"Miss Gilbert." Damon commented, amusement in his eyes as he looked over at her.
"Huh?" Looking over, she smiled bashfully, "Well if it isn't the piano man."

"Piano man?" Caroline questioned with a frown.
"Oh," Damon held his hand out, "Damon Salvatore, piano teacher."
"OH! You're Damon!" She looked at Elena in realisation and nudged her as she shook his hand quickly.
"You have heard of me then?"
"Yes!" Biting her lip, she shook her head just as quick, "I mean no. No."
"Caroline, Tyler, a word please." Matt brought them over to the booth.

"Drink that in small sips and keep your head up." Damon told her, studying her frame as she was leaned over the bar. "The spinning will stop eventually."
"Sometime soon would be wonderful." Elena moaned, forcing her head up as she took a sip of the water. "Think I would prefer another beer."

"I think you've had enough by the looks of it." He responded, looking her over.
"It is never enough." She told him, her voice quiet, "The thirst and the urge is still there. The numb feeling can only last so long before it all comes rushing back at full force."
"Elena?" Damon furrowed his brow, lowering from the stool as he moved over to her, "Do you want to talk?"
"Talk about what?" Elena looked at him and laughed, "How about we talk about the ruins of my life and my step-dad which-"

In the midst of her speech, she managed to slip from the stool, her form nearly dropping to the floor as Damon caught her in his grasp. Gasping in shock, Elena stared up at him as she looked into his eyes, the colour more brighter than she had seen it. He looked down at her, concern in his eyes as he looked over at the booth where Matt, Tyler and Caroline were talking.

"I think it's time you got her home." Damon called out to them, bringing her up so she was standing.
"Oh! Good idea." Caroline rushed over, wrapping an arm around Elena, "You feeling alright?"
"I-" Elena looked at Damon again, a dozen thoughts flying through her mind, "I'm perfect."

Damon furrowed his eyebrows, taking a breath as he watched Caroline and Tyler leading Elena outside. Turning around on the stool, he looked around at the glass in front of him and gulped back the rest of the bourbon as Matt walked along, taking the bottle of bourbon in his hand from the stand.

"No. Thanks Donovan, I need to...go home." Pushing himself up, he placed money down on the bar and made his way out, his mind spinning with confusion.

Caroline watched Tyler as he led Elena up the steps to her front door, the worry of being caught making Tyler and Caroline nervous. Caroline followed up after him, searching the flower pots for the key, wondering where they hid the spare. Lifting it, she sighed in relief as she seen the glint of the silver key sitting. Lifting it, she looked at Tyler who nodded at door, holding Elena against him who was falling in and out of consciousness.

"Just open it, I've got her." Tyler whispered, watching the house for any sudden movement.

Inserting the key into the slot, she turned it slowly and pushed it open as the heat hit them in a rush. Tyler led her inside as Caroline followed him, leaving the door open for their quick escape once they got Elena to bed. All of a sudden, they winced in pain as the lights came on, the brightness blinding them for the first few seconds until they blinked to find David standing at the kitchen doorway, his arms crossed.

"What the hell is this?" He asked with a glare, looking at the three of them, his gaze landing on Elena.
"Uh, sir, we-"
"Get out of my house."

Tyler looked at Caroline, conflict in his eyes as he didn't know what to do. He shook Elena slightly, trying to wake her from her daze as the brunette looked at David, a laugh leaving her lips as she rolled her eyes, "Guys, I'm fine. You can go. Daddy daycare is going to shout until he gets his own way."

"Elena-" Caroline began, but was cut off.
"She told you to leave." David narrowed his eyes as they looked at Elena one last time and made their way out, closing the door behind them, "Where the hell were you?"
"I was out obviously, which is why I came through the front door?"

"Don't you dare take that attitude with me!" He raised his voice, stepping towards her, "I'm in the right min-"
"To what? Hit me? Go on...give it your best shot. I dare you. I'll tell mom and contact the police. THAT is your choice to make."

Elena glared at him as David clenched his fists, stepping closer to her until she was pressed back against the wall, her breath caught in her throat as she stared up at him. "Oh no Elena, I'm feeling to do so much more worse...believe me. Now...get to bed."

Within a second, Elena spared a glance at David before making her way upstairs quickly, trying not to trip over herself as she could still fill the drink flowing through her veins, causing a light headed sensation in her head. Taking a shaky breath, she went into her room, closing the door behind her as she locked it and buried her face into her hands. She couldn't take this anymore. She didn't want to be in this house, she didn't want this life and all the while her head was spinning like she was on a merry-go-round.

Throwing the covers back from her bed, she fixed the pillow and collapsed onto the bed into a heap, her face buried into the pillow as she took slow breaths, trying to stop the throbbing that was pulsing through her body. How much longer was her body going to cope with her addictions and her step-father? Only time would tell, but for now...she needed to sink into a world of darkness and forget.

Music blasted through the radio sitting on her bedside as she jumped from the comforts of her bed and looked around, her eyes wide as she studied her surroundings. Huh? What was going on? Looking over at the radio, she seen it read 8:00am. Pressing her hand to her forehead, she felt the early signs of the hangover kicking in as her head was pulsing with a forming headache and her stomach felt like a knot. Why did she set her alarm so early? Was she crazy? Banging her hand over the radio to silence it, she lay back and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. That's when realisation hit in.

Piano lesson.

Jumping from the bed, she looked into the mirror and winced. She looked awful. Smudged make up and the same clothes from last night. Stripping quickly, she made her way into the bathroom and tripped over her jeans which were trailing behind her and kicked them off as fast as she could. Flicking the switch for the shower, she brushed her teeth quickly and jumped in under the hot water. Sighing in relief, she tilted her head back and closed her eyes as she tried to fight the memories of yesterday and her binge on the bottles of beer. Why is there something else she isn't quite remembering? It's sitting in the back of her mind, but she can't put her finger on it.

Rushing down the stairs, she hooked her bag over her shoulder and looked around for any sign of David or her mom. Luckily for her, she couldn't see or hear any of them which meant she must have been in the clear to make a lucky escape without questions or a fight on her actions last night.

"Elena Gilbert! Get into this kitchen right now!"

Elena winced at that. Looks like her mom was around after all, just hiding in the kitchen. Making her way into the kitchen, she held her breath as her mom sat at the counter, cradling her cup which seemed to be filled with coffee. It was strange, ever since David had come into the picture, they drifted apart. Maybe it was her addictions or the fact that David was using her as a punching bag when he wanted to. The problem was her mom didn't know, but if she did, the fights wouldn't be so much with her.

"Would you like to explain your actions of last?" Miranda raised an eyebrow.
"Mom, I went out with Caroline-"
"When you were specifically told not to go out?"
"Look-"

"No Elena! I have had enough of this! David told me you were a mess when you came in last night and that is not what I want to hear! He tries his best for you and he tries to look out for you, but you do not make it easy. I want your attitude to change Elena. Until you learn, you are grounded from going out other than school for a month."

"But mom! That isn't fair! You listen to David too much! You won't even hear my side of the sto-"
"No! I have said my side and that is it. You are grounded."

"No! You can't tell me what to do! I won't listen. I am going out whether you like it or not. Maybe I'll find somewhere to live while I'm at it!"
"You will stay in this house, you cannot leave!
"No mom. I'm practically 18. I can do what the hell I want."

With one last glance of sadness and anger, Elena left the kitchen and grabbed her jacket on the way out the door. She wasn't going to play along anymore and pretend David was perfect when he was anything but. The amount of times she has argued with David and her mom always takes his side. This was the last.

Knocking on the door, Elena held her back close as nerves were turning in her stomach. What was wrong with her? Sure Damon made her nervous, in a good way. But this felt different than usual, like she had more to be nervous about, besides the fact that she was late ONCE AGAIN. Within seconds, the door opened as she came to face with him.

"Elena, I didn't think you would show." Damon spoke in surprise, looking her over.
"Oh," Elena tucked her hair behind her ear nervously, "Sorry I'm late, I had a...I had to speak to my mom."
"Right, well. Come on in."

Walking in pass him, she looked around and glanced into the mirror that was hanging on the wall in the hallway. She had gone very casual today. Her hair was hanging in lazy waves as she couldn't be bothered to lift the straightners, so she just dried it. She had a white tank top with a black cardigan, leggings and her ankle boots. Obviously, she wasn't going for the dress to impress.

"Did you want a drink or anything? Maybe water?" Damon followed behind her as she made her way into the parlour.
"Water?" Elena raised an eyebrow, turning to him.
"Well, I figured you had enough to drink." He responded, biting his lip as he rubbed his hand up the back of his neck.
"Wait, I'm...confused." She swallowed hard, tilting her head.
"Last night at the Grill?"

The Grill? Elena's eyes widened as she stared at him, her brown eyes connecting to his blue ones. That's when the forgotten memory came flying back to her. She was at the Grill last night and had seen him. She almost spilled all of her life secrets to him and told him about David, about her addiction.

"Oh god, the Grill. Damon I-"
"Hey, it's okay. You were drinking, everything was fine." He gave her a comforting smile. "If you don't want a drink, its okay."
"Right, uh, thank you Damon." Elena returned his smile, the nerves calming slightly as he ushered towards the piano, "You want me to play?"
"Well, that is the theory of today's lesson. I want you to play."

Placing her bag down, she made her way over to the piano, falling in love with it all over again as it was like a precious gem she didn't want to lose. As she previously mentioned, it was unique and fragile like. Sitting down at the piano, she looked at the bench and frowned. Was this different?

"I changed the bench, so that there was more room for us to sit." He laughed, making his way over as he sat next to her, "Couldn't have you falling off now while you are trying to concentrate and play."

"Oh!" Elena laughed at that, a blush rising to her cheeks as she ran her fingers over the piano slowly, the song she had been listening to that previous night in her head.
"I see that you're slowly getting the hang of playing by ear." Damon tilted his head, watching her with fascination.
"I'm trying, but its better than nothing." She spoke softly, continuing to play when she seen her sleeves rolling up and quickly pulled at them.
"What is it?"Damon frowned, looking at wrist to catch a glimpse of the white scar before she pulled the material down to cover it.
"N-nothing."

She looked up at him as she seen concern in his blue orbs, the kind of emotion she didn't see often and it scared her. Hearing her phone ring, she jumped and rushed over to her bag as she pulled the phone out of her bag and looked at the screen to see her mom calling. Now what? She had just got here. When was she going to have time for a full session?

"Hello?" Elena greeted.
"Elena, get home this instant." Miranda told her sternly.
"Mom-"
"No Elena. We had this discussion this morning and it stands, so you get home this instant or you will be grounded for longer."

"But-" Before she could answer, the line went dead as Elena took a shaky breath, anger and sadness building up inside of her against as she moved the phone from her ear, gripping it in her grasp. That was it. She had to figure something out before she broke down all together and became a mess. Turning to Damon, she seen he was watching her with curiosity. "I have to go."

"Go? You just got here Elena."
"I know, and I'm sorry. Honestly, I would like to give an explanation, but I can't. I will call you with the next book in, I promise."
"Elena-"

Before he could finish, she had grabbed her bag from the floor and bolted out the door without a second glance. Sighing, Damon ran his fingers through his hair and ran his fingers along the piano, a sound of beauty echoing the room as he was lost in thoughts. He seen her wrist and knew, he knew it was a scar. After yesterday and how she was, he knew it was something serious, as well as the addictions that she was speaking about, was that one of them? And her parents, her step-dad? He knew it was none of his business but there was something inside of him that made him want to protect her.

It didn't matter, because all he knew is that he was going to protect her.

A/N: Hey everyone!

I hope that you enjoyed this. There will be a lot more Damon and Elena coming into it, I'm working a slow build up. Thank you for your patience and I hope you enjoy the last week of April!

Thank you.

Shauna