Chapter 6 – Dark Side

by Kelly Clarkson

There's a place that I know

It's not pretty there and few have ever gone

If I show it to you now

Will it make you run away

Or will you stay?

Even if it hurts

Even if I try to push you out

Will you return?

And remind me who I really am

Please remind me who I really am

Everybody's got a dark side

Do you love me?

Can you love mine?

Nobody's a picture perfect

But we're worth it

You know that we're worth it

Will you love me?

Even with my dark side?

Monday – 2 weeks later

Even with my Gran gone, I felt like my life was getting better. I had settled down with my dad, something I would have ever considered possible. In the first week I did have doubts over his claims that he had changed. I kept waiting for him to drop his shield and snap in front of me, but he never did. I started to believe it was true. He had changed and for the better.

School had been going well and with only one week until the end of the semester, everyone in and around the place seemed to be restless. I just couldn't wait for a quite week of bliss without any worry or drama. That's what I wanted.

But before that, I had to make it through first period history with Mr Saltzman. He was an amazing teacher not only in the way that he delivered his lessons, but also in the way that he interacted with his students, almost like we were all just a group of friends having a mass discussion.

"Right now, who can tell me when the town clock tower was built?" Mr Saltzman opened the question up to the class and when no one seemed to want to answer I raised my hand.

"The building of the tower started at the beginning of 1865 but wasn't completed until 1866, to commemorate all the lost lives from the civil war."

"That's correct. I'm guessing your Gran taught you more than a thing or two about the town." Mr Saltzman beamed at me as the bell rang for the end of class. I was more confident around people now and wasn't as scared as when I have first arrived.

I met Elena outside my classroom as we made our way to my locker. We were laughing and having a good time, until I noticed a boy from across the corridor staring at me. I locked with his eyes for a moment as he made his way over to me.

"You think you're so perfect, don't you? Trying to show the rest of us up in class with your sweet little girl antics, constantly trying to be the smartest kid in class. Well I got news for you honey; you ain't nothing but some attention seeking whore."

I was visible shocked. No one had ever spoken to me like that ever.

Elena stepped in front of me. "Go the hell away, James. You're the only attention seeking piece of shit here." She turned to me taking my hand. "Come on, Alice, let's get out of here." I nodded and went to follow her.

"Your Gran was a whore as well, you know. Pathetic waste of space. She got everything that was coming to her." I face dropped and what I did next was a complete blur.

I ripped my hand from Elena's grip, balling it in to a fist and sending it flying right in to James smug little face. I heard the crunch as my knuckles collided with his nose, sending blood splashing across the wall. I'd broken his nose and I knew it.

I looked up at the shocked expressions from my class mates; Bonnie, Tyler, Caroline, Matt, Stefan and Elena. By this point a crowd had gathered around all looking at me. I couldn't take it anymore. I elbowed my way through I thick of people, headed for the back door and ran. I didn't know where I was going; all I knew was that it was far away from here.

I couldn't get the mental image out of mind. I'd hit him, another student! Not only that, but I'd broken his nose and him to bleed. I'd never lashed out like that before, but I couldn't control myself.

I just felt this angry and rage boiling over to the point that I couldn't handle it. I wanted to hurt him, make feel pain and make him scream. He was just another human and they were all the same no matter how much they tried to deny it. They were selfish, vindictive and spoilt creatures that desired nothing more than to rot in the pits of hell!

I suddenly came to an abrupt stop. What was I saying? Where had those thoughts come from? I was actually thinking these vile thoughts and letting these images cross my mind. I was a monster.

I let out a ragged breath and began a paced walk and when I was sure that I was a fair distance away from the school, I found a small bench in the park and tried to relax. There was something seriously wrong with me.

"Well, well, well, fancy meeting you here." I jumped slightly looking to my right. Damon. He gave me his trade mark smirk as I shifted awkwardly on the bench to distance myself from him as he sat near me. My body felt like it was covered in pins and needles just by being in his presents. "Skipping school again, I see. What happened this time; another nose bleed?"

I scowled. How did he know that? I hadn't even known him then. It freaked me out that he seemed to know so much about me. But it wasn't just that, it was the way he looked at me like I was a product in a store, as if he were constantly checking me out to see if I was his type. It made me feel sick yet intrigued.

I wanted to know him.

"Actually, I punched another student in the face," I sucked in my bottom lip waiting for his reaction "…and broke his nose."

I watched as Damon's face lit up in pure amusement.

"Wow. I knew you were tough, but I didn't really think you had it in you." He chuckled and moved a little closer. "I guess that's another thing I underestimated you on." He gave my body a once over before his eyes reached mine again. Was he trying to intimidate me? Well, two could play at that game.

"What are you doing here then? Don't you have a job or something to be getting to?"

"Well, I am actually supposed to be in a meeting with the sheriff in about…" He looked at the invisible watch around his wrist and grinned. "…30 minutes ago."

"Ah, I see. So you resorted to stalking people in the park?" I tried my best to mimic the look he was giving me, but just started giggling like some hyperactive idiot. My emotions were seriously on hay-wire today.

"Let's just say, I saw a sad little girl in the park that I thought needed a bit of company." It took me a few seconds to realise he was talking about me. The happiness crumbled away and I again felt the pain and pressure from the day weighting back heavily on my shoulders.

I shook my head and looked forwards, feeling a hot tear rolling down my cheek. I tried to disguise my hurt as I furiously wiped away the tears.

"Why are you crying?"

"I just feel… empty. I want to think I am happy and just get on with life, but I can't. I have so many emotions and I'm so confused I don't know whether to laugh or scream. I don't know what to do anymore." I peered up at him, startled at how close he suddenly was.

"You want to know what I think." I could feel his warm breath on my cheek as he reached out and grazed my hand with his figure tips. His voice was laced in a purely seductive tone. "I think you need to let it all go, let the madness take hold. You never know, you might surprise yourself by discovering a new side to yourself that you never knew existed."

His figures stopped suddenly when coming in to contact with my ring. I hadn't taken it off since the day my Gran had given it to me. Damon's brows fused together as he studied the ring, then his face returned to its typical Damon look, complete with a grin, as he gazed in to my eyes.

"That is one fancy ring. Where'd you get it?"

"Thank you, it was my Grans. She gave it to me as a parting gift." I tried to pull my hand from his, feeling uncomfortable with the long term contact, but his grip was firm.

"I'd very much like to have a closer look." I was fixated on his eyes as his pupils began to dilate. "Please give it to me." His stare was captivating and unnerving at the same time. He didn't blink or even twitch.

"Are you okay? You look like you might have something in your eye…?" Damon pulled his face away from mine, blinking while his smirk was replaced with a look of pure confusion.

I was anxious, shooting up from my seat, taking a step back from him.

"I need to leave. I have to get home to my dad and sort out this mess at school. But it was nice to see you again." I was lying through my teeth, but I just couldn't stand to be in his company any longer.

I looked over at his face, which appeared to have a smirk plastered all over it yet again as he stood to close the gap between us. "It was a pleasure, darling. But I have to ask, will you be attending the Founders Day party on Friday?"

"No. I wasn't invited." My Gran had been invited and I wanted to take her place, but I had been told I had to be 'personally' invited by the mayor. Bloody town with its stupid rules.

"Huh. Well, I happen to be a founding family member and I would be honoured if you would accompany me." I was stunned. He was asking me?

"I would…but I…um…"

"Oh come on, please, one evening." I bit the inside of my cheek. I wanted to go, but did I really want to go with him? A man I knew virtually nothing about. He leaned forward, our faces inches apart.

"Please, I enjoy your company far more than anyone else in this God forsaken town. And besides, I don't bite…much." I shuddered under his words. He sure didn't give up.

"Fine then, I'll go with you. But this is not a date or anything like that. I'm only doing this so I'm not the only sad loser who wants invited. "

He pulled back with a satisfied expression.

"I'll pick you up around 7-ish. Oh, and wear something pretty." I raised my eyebrows at him, too tried or in the mood to argue with him, so I turned on my heels and headed out of the park. "I'll see you around, princess."

I wiped my head round, but he was gone. This day was just getting weirder and weirder.


Ahh! Finally, a scene with Damon as well as a bit of story development. I really enjoyed writing this chapter not just because of Damon but the fact that I have been able to explore the story a lot more. Again, there are some key points in this that you may want to keep in mind (Hint: the mood swings and the ring) Don't worry, it will all be explained soon ;)

Oh and thank you guys for the positive feedback, it really helps and motivates me! Stay tuned for more!