The week after the Lake House passed just as all those before. Slowly. I'd spend more and more time with Damon though, texting a lot more than before…just about the little things. Like how annoying Stefan was being on his part. I'd said it before; I did like him and I did like talking to him…I didn't see anything wrong with it. Stefan and Bonnie both did apparently, more so the latter who'd told me point blank that she thought I should stay away from him, the Monday after we got back. I didn't really understand it to be honest, but I told her nothing was happening and that seemed to make her a little happier.

I still called Fran, Rich and Jamie more or less every day, or every other. One of the things that scared me the most was losing contact with them…not that it would ever happen; we'd been friends for longer than I could remember, but the risk was always there. These were transatlantic relations…how could they ever be easy?

The thing that started changing, I think around half way through the following week, was suddenly Katherine was a lot more present. She didn't like me…it didn't take a genius to figure that out. If I was going to be honest I didn't like her much either but I didn't broadcast it so much. It wasn't that she made any huge gestures of her dislike for me, but she wasn't remotely hospitable when she was present. I ignored it on the most part, figuring she'd just get used to it eventually and get over herself.

Was it a surprise to hear that I still couldn't sleep? And it was getting bloody annoying now. I was groggy, couldn't concentrate, lost all sense of balance and looked even worse than before…a fact that friends, both old and new, didn't fail to point out. How lovely of them.

What was I getting at? Well tonight was a party…and I really wasn't in the mood. But as I'd become so used to, I had no choice about whether or not I went. This one was hosted by Lexi, so I really had no choice, but not at her house…no, it was at the Salvatore Boarding House. Mr and Mrs Salvatore, Damon and Stefan's parents, didn't live here…in fact they didn't even live in the state. Whether it was legal or not, they lived in New York and only came back for a week or so in the holidays. I wasn't exactly sure on my views of that, but they weren't good. Of course that meant leaving a house to two teenage guys who, try as they might, were not responsible. It was a tip and it looked like a frat house half the time. But oh well; it was fun.

They'd put a theme on this one…superheroes…which was great; except I'd never liked dressing up. It was such a Lexi-theme… Bonnie and I went to Caroline's beforehand to get ready and, typically, Caroline was Superwoman and Bonnie was Spider Woman…they even had proper outfits. But have no fear! Caroline was here.

Lord help me, she brought a spare costume.

To be fair it really wasn't that bad. But I'd rather wear my own clothes. I went into the bathroom to change, looking at the tight black material cautiously, thinking up ways to get out of this…not like they'd let me. Letting out a sigh, I stripped down and pulled on the costume. It was basically a black matt-lycra all-in-one…with leggings and long sleeves that have one of those strings that connect the sleeves between your thumb and forefinger. All I could say was thank you god for their being no inappropriate cut-outs or anything...except the zip that went up the front allowed for a bit too much cleavage. But at the same time it was so tight that extra skin was hardly needed...lets just say it left little to be imagined. There was a darker strip/belt around the waist and the same on the legs to make it look like I was wearing over-the-knee high boots, when really it was just my black wedges for me.

Make-up already done; just dark eyes and dark red lipstick, I tied my hair up into a high ponytail and let out a sigh…was this really happening? The zip at the front of the costume only stopped around my chest which could be just a little revealing, should it slide down. Well, at least I was wearing a nice lace black bralet, that's all I could say.

They both fell silent when I opened the door…fuck me, "I'm not wearing this." I announced, no hesitation in my voice.

"Yes you are." Bonnie…no help.

"Lena…you look hot. I don't swing that way but hell, I would do you right now." I laughed at that, just a little surprised by how deadly serious she was.

I glanced down, pulling at the tight material, "I look like a slut."

"I would never let my friend go out looking like a slut. You don't…you look sexy. Damon will love you in that."

Shooting a scowl at her, I glanced in the mirror again. At least I didn't have any extra weight because you'd be able to see it all; god bless the gym…and insomnia that somehow made you lose weight. Could be awkward otherwise… "I cannot wear this." I muttered…I did look good, I suppose; but it was borderline slutty. Sure so were both their costumes but this was different.

"Elena! You look like a god! Wear it or…or-"

I turned to Caroline, raising an amused eyebrow, "Or what?"

Her eyes darted around the room, finally resting on something on the chair by the door, "I know…I'll steal your leather jacket."

My eyes widened, "Hell no! I love that jacket!"

"My point exactly! Be Catwoman Elena, you are Catwoman."


On arrival I comforted myself a little seeing what everyone else was wearing. Apparently Playboy bunnies were superhero characters? If you think about it…that's both sad and true for some men.

It was like a chorus of wolf whistles, walking through the house; whoever they were directed at, I hoped it wasn't me. I spotted a group of the 'soccer' team (football!) and just thought that they must be having the time of their lives (cheerleaders were superheroes? Some people needed revise their Marvel…) Another thing that Caroline had insisted on was masks, so I had one of those small black masks covering only my eyes…and I'd made a bet with myself that it wouldn't be there any longer than half an hour.

I spotted Tyler and Matt across the room and made my way over, glad to recognise someone, but then they both froze as they saw me and I paused mid-step, "What's up?" I questioned over the music, looking at each of them.

"You're gonna kill Damon."

It only took me a minute to realise what they meant, letting out a sigh, "Well you should wait to see your girlfriends." They both swallowed with some emotion between nerves and anticipation…men. I spotted Superwoman and smiled, leaving them to it and starting towards the kitchen, only for another voice to stop me near the doorway.

"Hey English."

That had apparently become my nickname around the school; whether or not people knew my actual name, they knew I was the newbie from England…hence my new name. I turned to see a familiar guy…I'd seen him around Damon a lot…Mason Lockwood…that was it. He seemed nice enough…except he was with Katherine and was a ridiculous flirt, "Mason." Why was it that the boys didn't dress up to these things? He was just wearing a suit…which was a bit smarter than I'd expect, though granted he did look good, "Who are you meant to be?"

"A young Hugh Hefner."

I couldn't suppress an eye roll, smiling at the ridiculous choice, "Of course, you dress up as an old man."

He raised an eyebrow, stepping closer until there was practically no space between us. I frowned a little, no liking the proximity, "I said young."

"Course. And I guess the bunnies in the front room are yours?"

He smirked, nodding proudly, "You should join them; I think you'd look good in the costume."

Laughing for lack of any other reaction but a grimace, I nodded, "Bye Mason."

"English." And off he went. I tried to keep the frown off my face, completely confused by his manner but that thought was forgotten in a second as I spotted a flash of dark hair across the room, blue eyes wide as they'd just found mine.

There was a girl dressed as…something slutty beside him but was apparently being ignored. I didn't move for a minute, being rendered momentarily paralysed as his eyes raked up and down my body, shivers just at that. He was dressed in some black trousers and a plain black shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a tumbler of something that looked strong in his hand. Smiling a little, I made my way over and he shrugged away from the wall as I came close, surprising me by wrapping an arm around my waist, his mouth by his ear as he spoke, "You look incredible."

Blushing just a little, I shrugged a little, "Caroline made me wear it."

"I'm glad."

Lord above he couldn't say things like that! The girl seemed to give up and walk away…unnoticed by Damon for which I felt just a little bad, "Who are you?"

He smirked, glancing down at himself, "Damon Salvatore of course. Saviour of women everywhere." There seemed to be a common theme here...

At that I burst out laughing, rolling my eyes and shaking my head, "Arrogant prick." He just grinned and I stole his drink out of his hand, taking a sip and barely wincing at the strong bourbon burnt my throat. Having drunk enough through school I'd built up quite a high tolerance, and my dad had certainly been a big whiskey drinker.

He seemed surprised by my move, taking back the glass, "Whiskey?"

"Whiskey." I responded, licking the excess off my lips and trying to ignore how he watched the move, his eyes darkening a little…but that may have been my mind…right?

"What did Mason want?"

I shrugged, pulling my hair over one shoulder, "Nothing much. Apparently he's Hugh Hefner and I should be a bunny." Clear sarcasm there.

He grimaced a little, just as I had done, "Please don't," I raised an eyebrow in question and he sighed, "It's more the sluts and the desperate cheerleaders who dress up like that for these type of parties. You're not one of them."

Feeling just a little pleased that he said so, I glanced pointedly down at my own outfit, "I'm sorry…are you saying that this isn't slutty? I don't think I've ever looked so hooker-like in my life. Fran, Jamie and Rich would be speechless. This zip is all that keeps it on."

Laughing, his eyes went straight to that zip, darkening a fraction more but then he shook his head, one hand pulling a little at the material by my waist, "At least a high class one."

Gaping for a moment, I shot him an amused scowl and shook my head, trying not to give in at the teasing sparkle in his eyes, "You're mean Salvatore."

"But you said it yourself." He smirked in response, his arm pulling me a little closer around the waist and I lost my breath for a second as I bumped into his chest, "I'm not so mean."

"I think you are." He raised an eyebrow, "First you compare me to a whale, now agreeing with me that I look like a hooker. You really are digging yourself a hole."

Just for a second he didn't know what to say, mouth open a little and watching, that small smirk never leaving his face, "You make me sound so bad."

"You are so bad."

"You're so bad."

"How am I bad?"

He sighed, pressing an unexpected kiss to the corner of my mouth, his arm holding me close to him as my hands slid up his chest to keep my balance, "You're not an idiot Lena, what you're wearing…how you look? That's bad in the best way."

Rendered entirely speechless, there were butterflies fluttering all around my stomach, only those bottomless blue eyes connected to mine. I barely even got a chance to gather myself because suddenly Lexi arrived; pulling me off somewhere else and I had no strength to oppose. Before turning the corner I glanced back, except that space we'd been standing was empty and there was no sight of him anywhere. "I'm sorry; did I just interrupt a Delena moment?"

Damn you Lexi.

She didn't sound remotely apologetic, and the apparent nickname kept me stumped for a moment more as we stopped on the back porch, "Um…what? No- What's Del-?"

"Delena, we made it up. Damon and Elena; see you already have a couple name. Beside the point…what did he say? You looked like you were about to faint."

I sighed, frowning and shaking myself out of it, "He always says those things doesn't he? Things you just don't know what to say back."

"Oh I can always find an answer…because usually when he says something to me it's revolved around my hair colour and that stereotype. What did he say to you Len?"

"Nothing…it's fine, I just was a little speechless…I guess." It wasn't really nothing; she knew that straight away, but I didn't want to tell her exactly what he'd said. It wasn't that it was embarrassing or I didn't like the fact that he'd said it…because somewhere under the…yeah I guess modest awkwardness, I was somewhat flattered by it. Had it been…I don't know, Mason Lockwood, who'd said it; then yet I wouldn't have liked it…but it was different with Damon.

She watched me for a moment, a small smile on her face, as if she'd just realised something, "You really like him don't you?"

"What?"

"Damon…you actually like him. I mean we all already knew, Caroline spilled the beans but I didn't realise... We know all about your little bet and I'm just telling you now, I'm siding with her. You better be ready to give up that jacket." Ahh yes, the bet; forgot about that. I swear every day I spent around him it felt a little more possible that I would lose. But I couldn't…how could I jump headfirst into a relationship and then leave? Because that's all it was…about six months before I went back; just after 'finals' so the beginning of the summer.

"I don't know Lexi, I guess we'll see."

I didn't talk to Damon again for a few hours. Believe it or not I actually managed to make a few friends! First a girl called April, then another called Vicky and by the time the clock was striking midnight I found myself sat on a sofa casually sandwiched between the first and a guy named Adrian, mask long since abandoned and pushed onto the top of my head. By this time in the night alcohol levels were running high and hands were wondering to places they shouldn't…had I been completely sober…and what a strange drunk this was; not unlike any I'd experienced before… but only one that didn't result in anything good. But no…that would never happen again. This drunk wasn't fun…and that was coming from someone who'd had their stomach pumped. One of 'Adrian's' hands, for example had found its way onto my thigh as I talked to April about…something…or other. The girl talked so fast.

I think I was getting used to being suddenly grabbed and pulled away before I knew what was happening or who it was. One second I was on the sofa, the next my hands were being grabbed and I was seemingly flying through the crowd, then a door slammed, a light blinded me and the party-sounds were muffled, three angry looking girls standing around me with their arms crossed across their chests. Wow…that all happened way too fast for my brain to compute, "Elena Gilbert what are you doing?" An equally drunk Caroline demanded, slurring her words as she told me off.

"Huh?" What did I do?

Lexi was the next one to shout, "Flirting with hot-soccer guy when everyone knows you like Damon! Damon who also likes you! What are you doing Gilbert?"

Oh lord this was so scary when you were drunk. My back was pressed against the door of the small toilet…in fact I wasn't quite sure how we'd all crammed in here so easily. "What? I'm not…flirting, who with?"

Nothing they said was making sense. Why didn't they make sense? You know what I missed? I missed English accents…I was determined to keep mine. There were phrases and words that I just didn't understand this side of the Atlantic, "Yes you are! Or at least you look like you are and Damon's seen it. You remember him?"

Frowning, I blinked a few times. Why was everything spinning so much? Ugh white spots...this was horrible, "God she's wasted."

"I'm not!" I was not wasted. Maybe I would have difficulty walking in a straight line but wasted I was not, "I've only had-"Counting slowly on my fingers, "Th-three! Three drinks! At home…I can b-beat Jamie at shots! He's the king." It all came out more as an incoherent mumble but what was I to know?

"Whatever you say Lena. Either go find Damon or we're taking you home."

I felt myself frown a little more, a hand lifting to press against my throbbing temple as my too-bright vision swam in front of me, "Lena? You alright?"

"Fine," I muttered, "Damon-"I could just about hear them talking around me but my blood was pumping too loudly in my ears to decipher words. Before I really knew what was happening we were back in the party; a whole new sort of sound deafening me.

I don't really remember moving…there were more just pictures flashing in my head before I crashed. This was utterly pathetic I knew, but I'm sure I'd find out the reason when I woke up. I saw couples…everywhere; not being remotely subtle in their dancing. People around the keg…Bonnie and Matt, Caroline and Tyler, Damon and Katherine-

-Wait…

What?

Oooh dear! Do you hate me? I hate me. It can't all be perfect can it.

Not gonna lie…I've never seen the Avengers. My friends would really hurt me if they knew. Outrageous, I know. I do like Iron Man though...but maybe that has more to do with Robert Downey Jnr...

Reviews = love for my muse = updates...even though I'm updating a lot because I wrote a Christmassy chapter but that's not going to be up before tomorrow.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! I LOVE YOU ALL but I love you more if you review...hint hint