Isabella's POV
So, I wasn't going to do the extraction right now. But I did want to see Serena. School had been awkward for Stefan and I. I mean, we weren't really dating. It was Elena he loved. I found it extremely hard to concentrate in English, especially now that Elena was there too, and she could feel his elbow brushing against mine, and she could hear the soft sounds his breathing made. She wanted nothing more than to hold his hand. I had ended up sitting on my hands throughout the lecture to avoid the temptation and to make it extra hard for her to control my arms.
After the bell rang, I freed my numb hands and collected my things together. Stefan swiftly did this for me and looped my bag over my shoulder.
"Thanks," I said, shaking off the pins and needles in my hands. "My hands fell asleep."
Stefan chuckled as we left the classroom. "I can see that. How're you doing?"
We arrived at my locker and I opened it. "I'm fine."
"No, really," he took my arm. "There's something important I have to say."
"Okay," my heart rate sped up a little. "What is it?"
"I don't want you to feel like I'm using you," he told me. "I don't want this to hurt you. I...I've just really missed Elena."
I forced a smile. "I know that, Stefan." There was so much more I wanted to say, but I didn't have the heart to say it. After all, if he meant what he said, somewhere along the line he must care enough for me to say that. My smile became more real, and everything brightened instantly. Stefan kissed my forehead gently.
"I think Elena appreciates that," I said.
Stefan looked down, embarrassed. "That was for you, Isabella. Thank you."
"You're welcome," I smiled, and I suddenly felt warmer inside.
After school I walked down to Water Lily Cafe. It wasn't very busy and I immediately spotted Serena at the counter.
"Hey Serena," I smiled, sitting on a stool opposite her. She was wearing a work apron and her black hair was tied back in a scruffy ponytail.
"Hey," she said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you, actually. You got a minute?" I asked.
She glanced around the cafe. "Well, it's not too busy. We can talk here, if you like."
"Okay. Did you know that it feels like someone's tearing your insides out with a knife when you release the trapped soul into your body?" I stated; my tone matter-of-fact.
Serena's eyes widened. "You released her on purpose? Why didn't you just wait for it to happen naturally?"
"Because I want the extraction to happen quickly," I said. "I don't want to become too attached."
Liar, Elena chastised. You want to get yourself out.
I didn't lie. I just left out the whole truth.
That's called lying.
No, it's called manipulating my words.
Lying, she argued.
I sighed and ignored her, focusing on Serena. "Well, did you?"
"Yes," she said; this time her tone matter of fact.
"Couldn't you have warned me?" I said in exasperation.
"I didn't know you were planning on doing it!" she retorted defensively. "Otherwise I would've definitely told you!"
I sighed. "You're right, it's my fault; I'm sorry. I should've been patient."
Serena smiled. "It's okay. Hey, you seem a little stressed. Is everything all right?"
"Peachy," I said grimly. "Apart from I've got a two hundred year old reincarnated soul sharing my body, but other than that, I'm good."
Hey! Elena snapped. I can hear you, you know.
I know.
Serena giggled. "So, you said you released her? Can you hear her? Can she hear me?"
I grinned. "You're the expert. Answer that for yourself."
She smiled back. "Hey there, Elena."
"She says 'hi' back," I told her.
"Has she figured out how to control you yet? How strong is she?" Serena enquired.
"Oh, she can't do much," I said. "She's really not that strong yet."
Why are you lying? You can trust her, Elena reminded me.
I'm not lying. Seriously, you're pretty weak. The only reason you controlled me before was because I let my guard down when I kissed Stefan. Remember? I sent her a mental image of last night.
Yep, she replied. Got it.
The bell above the door chimed and announced a newcomer to the cafe. I glanced around absently to see Damon standing in the doorway. His gaze fell upon me, and he walked toward Serena and me.
"Ladies," he said, bowing his head, before sitting next to me and turning to Serena. "I'll have a coffee to go, please," he looked down and noticed I didn't have a drink. "And what about you, Isabella?"
"I'm fine, thank you," I replied.
He shrugged. "Okay. Just the one then, please."
Serena nodded and left to make Damon his coffee. Damon poured a little sugar onto the countertop and began to draw circles in it. I studied him thoughtfully. He looked very different compared to his brother. His hair was much darker and longer, and his eyes were more piercing. He had the same, well-toned body and ivory skin.
"You're staring at me," he stated, not removing his eyes from the sugar.
I shrugged, nonplussed. "I was curious."
"About me?" he asked.
"What do you think?" I retorted.
He chuckled. "So, where's your boyfriend?"
"I don't have a boyfriend," I said curtly.
"That's not what it sounded like last night," he remarked. "Friends don't make out with each other."
"Oh, that..." I looked down, embarrassed. "That was...experimental. I was seeing if Elena could break past me."
"I heard," he shot back, and then his tone softened. "You don't have to do that, you know."
"Do what?"
"Pretend you're happy when you're not. You don't have to be Stefan's Elena fill-in."
I glared at him. "Who are you to tell me if I'm happy or not? For your information, I am perfectly happy."
"Really," he said sceptically.
"Yes!" I snapped. "I don't see why you should care anyway."
"Who says I care?"
He does care, Elena thought to me. He pretends not to.
Why? I demanded crossly.
I don't know. It's how Damon functions; he always acted like that with Stefan and me.
"Who says I'm the only one pretending, Damon?" I retorted.
He seemed surprised by what I had said, and he cocked his head to the side. "What?"
Before I could respond, Serena was back with the coffee. "Here you go. Consider it free."
"What's the catch?" Damon asked cautiously.
Serena burst out laughing. "No catch, brave boy. I'm being sincere."
I glanced at the pair of them in confusion. "Wait, do you two know each other?"
They exchanged looks, and then Damon spoke up. "I came to see Serena and Vonda yesterday about reincarnation."
"Why?"
Damon shrugged. "I was curious. Well, thank you for the drink, Serena. I'll see you soon," he turned to me. "Bye, Isabella."
"Bye," I mumbled, watching him leave.
"Go after him," Serena whispered.
"Why should I?" I muttered darkly.
"He was really concerned about you yesterday," she replied softly. "No matter what he says; I'd say there is a part of him that really cares about you."
"That's just because I look like Elena," I told her.
"No," she shook her head. "His concern was mostly for you."
I sighed and stared after him. From here, I could just make out him unlocking his car door. Huh. Why did he drive here? It wasn't too far from his home. Lazy vampire.
"Okay," I pulled my bag on my shoulder. "See you later, Serena."
"Have fun," she winked. I rolled my eyes and left the cafe, hurrying after Damon. He was driving a red convertible and I listened out as the engine purred to life.
"Damon! Wait up!" I called, knowing he could hear me even if I'd whispered it. He turned in surprise as I placed my hands on the passenger door.
"What's up?" he asked.
"Um, where are you going?" I asked stupidly.
He shrugged. "Don't know. I was just gonna drive."
"Oh," I said, my hands sliding away. "Cool. Bye."
"You could come, you know," he offered.
"Um..." I hesitated.
"Come on," he leaned across the passenger seat and opened the door. "Get in."
Don't, Isabella. How do you know what he'll do? Elena warned.
I thought you trusted him!
I do, but it's just...you're not on vervain, and Damon can be a little...unreliable sometimes.
I'll be fine, I assured her.
"Can I trust you?" I asked.
He grinned. "Nope."
"I'm serious, Damon," I sighed. "Will I be safe with you?"
He looked stricken. "Huh. Funny. Elena asked me the same thing many, many years ago."
"Well, now I'm asking. Can I trust you?" I repeated.
His eyes became sincere. "Yes, Isabella. You can trust me. I promise."
"Okay," I opened the car door and slid inside, dumping my bag down on the floor.
"All buckled in?" he asked mockingly, despite the softness in his eyes.
"Yep," I said, fastening my seatbelt. "So where exactly are we going?"
He grinned. "I don't know. That's the beauty of it all."
A/N: thanks for the reviews! new chapters will be posted soon! xx
