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Before You Were Mine- Chapter Eight
-Damon-
"I'm an idiot. Maybe Stefan's right." I comment, watching Matt roll his eyes and huff out a breath.
"You're an idiot for not marrying, Bonnie. We know. That's kind of why you're on my shit list." I hear a voice shout out into the locker rooms, causing me to turn around and see Stefan with a wide smirk on his face.
"I haven't seen you this happy since you lost your virginity to Makayla." I chuckle out, getting a playful shove off of the bench I'm sitting on. Matt and Stefan both laugh when I fall to the floor, glaring at them.
"Shut up and don't be an asshole today, Damon. I didn't sleep well last night." Stefan groans, running his hands over his face as I give him a perplexed look.
"Oh, are you fixing that broken heart of yours?" I tease him, watching him yawn as he shakes his head. "Not exactly. I stayed up too late, talking to Elena" He confesses.
"Elena, the waitress from Rosies? The one I told you to get her number. That Elena?" I ask, watching Stefan smile a little as he laughs. "Yes, Damon. That Elena."
"Huh, does she know that she might end up being a rebound girl for you?" I question, watching Stefan roll his eyes as he shakes his head and clasps his hands together.
"It's not like that with her. She's different. I actually want to get to know her before I even attempt anything. I guess, you just wouldn't understand." He says, getting up from the bench as I look over at him.
"I just don't want you using this girl and making her think she has a chance with you. When in reality, you'll probably just end up sleeping together and that's it. Stefan, the girls you sleep with...The one's you've been with. Those chicks are crazy. Remember that one that claimed and had almost convinced you that she was pregnant with your baby. But, really is was her ex-boyfriends and you had never even touched her!" I exclaim, hearing him let out a laugh.
"Oh, I touched her. I just never touched her like that if you know what I mean." He winks, grinning as I place my hand on to his shoulder.
"Just, if things get too weird with this one. Promise me that you'll break it off. I don't want another repeat of Makayla Murphy." I explain, seeing Stefan get up and start to yank his shirt over his head, changing into a nice, new crisp one while catching my gaze.
"I'm not dating her, Damon. I want to take my time with this girl and really get to know her. We're friends, that's all we are right now. But, if we go out on a date every once in a while. It doesn't mean that we're dating." He clarifies as I smile at him, nodding.
"Sure, keep telling yourself that. Trust me, Stefan. In a few months, she'll be your girlfriend. Then, you'll have all your anxieties about committing to her just like you had them with Makayla. Tell me, brother..You didn't want to marry Makayla because- what was the reason again?"
Stefan bites his lower lip, sliding out of his sweatpants and into his work pants as he sighs. "I didn't want to marry her because I was afraid of committing myself like that. That's also the reason, I never told any of the women I was with that I loved them. Because, I know that in a few months, somewhere down the road- they'll expect things from me that I can't make happen." He adds on, shutting the door to his locker with a loud thud.
I laugh, throwing my shirt at him as he allows it to fall to the floor. "You don't want to get too close to her. So, you're keeping your distance? Hm, I used to do that with Bonnie. And, now look at us. You know, speaking of my girlfriend. I asked her to marry me last night." My words must come as a complete shock because the look on my brother's face is priceless as he glances in my direction with bright eyes and a smirk.
"You're kidding." Stefan begins to say as I nod.
"Nope. I asked her to marry me and her exact words were. I'm not home enough and that she's afraid that she won't be a good enough wife…" My voice trails off as Stefan's lips twist into a contorted saddened smile.
"Ouch, that must of been hard to hear." He comments, watching as I shake my head. "You have no idea. I love her, Stefan. I want her in my life because she is the best thing that has ever happened to me. So, I promised her that we would take it slow and figure things out as they went along. I don't want to pressure her into marrying me when everyone else is already doing that. You know, Bonnie's mom, Abby called the other night because she wanted to know if we were engaged yet." I explain, closing my eyes and exhaling heavily when we both hear Matt's voice booming coming from the walk way.
"Stefan, someone's out here looking for you!" Stefan rolls his eyes, shoving himself up from the bench when he smiles at me. "Damon, don't take forever to marry her. And, stop listening to what everyone else tells you. Just, follow your heart and when the moment comes and it feels right- ask her." He advises, leaving me in the locker room all alone, smiling at his words.
-Stefan-
I jog out into the lounge area as I glance at Matt who's leaning against the wall outside of the locker rooms. "Who's looking for me"?" I ask him, watching as he nods towards the large cafeteria tables and that's when I see her. Her hands clutching a book as she reads it intently, as if she's mesmerized by it.
"The Notebook. Sounds depressing and boring." I comment, watching her smile grow when she places the book down on to the white colored table and looks up at me when I pull a chair up from across from her, straddling the chair and placing my hands firmly upon the back of it.
"It's a romance book. You don't look like the romance type of guy anyways. You'd be that guy making fun of almost everything that was in it." She says with a stern tone, locking her eyes on to mine.
" Yeah, I'm pretty sure that I would be. But, why are you reading about all that romance stuff. When you could be living it." I joke with her, seeing her roll her eyes at me.
"Are you being serious right now? Who could I be living a romantic life with?" She asks in a sharp tone, nearly glaring at me.
" Oh, I don't know, Elena. But, I'm sure you could easily find someone instead of keeping your nose shoved in a book." I tease her, realizing that she's getting a little irritated with me.
"I came here to talk about last night and say thank you. I didn't come here for you to critique my reading choices. So, thank you for being just what I needed and staying with me." She replies flatly, watching as I smile at her.
"You should stay for lunch. It's my turn to make some food for the crew and it would be my way of making it up to you." I comment out loud, watching her glance up at me.
"Make what up to me? You haven't done anything." Elena remarks with a curiosity in her eyes.
I laugh, grabbing the book from her hands and flipping through the papers briskly as I disagree. "Sure, I have. I've made you eat burnt pancakes and I've just spent a good five minutes making fun of your reading choices. That's grounds for making you a "Please forgive me for being an asshole lunch."
She looks around the room, covering her mouth as she laughs. "You're ridiculous."
"I actually need to be at work later. But, how about you meet me at the diner?" I sigh out a breath, smirking a little.
"I have a better idea. I pick you up from the diner and I make you dinner at my place. Tonight." I offer, watching as she gives me a surprised look.
"I.." Elena begins to hesitantly say as I lean forward, smiling.
"It's not a date. It's just two friends, eating dinner and maybe watching a stupid movie. You can pick it of course. Just, none of these silly over the top romance chick flicks, please." She smiles, nodding and agreeing to it. However, the moment I look back at her, she looks hesitant again.
"So, I don't need to like dress up?" She asks as I lift myself up from the table, leaning forward a little and whispering out my words. "Elena, you look nice in whatever you wear."
Her eyebrows knit together. "Are you hitting on me?" She questions, tilting her head to the side with a small smile curling upon her lips.
She watches me shrug my shoulders when I reply to her question with a straight face. "Maybe, just a little."
Her mouth drops open. But, she's at a loss for words. "Hey, you're beautiful. Just, take the compliment and lets not makes this awkward." I tell her, just about to walk away from the table after telling her that I should get back to work.
"Stefan?" She says my name in a questionable tone as I pivot back on the soles of my boots, waiting for her to speak. "Thank you for everything." Elena comments, grabbing her book as she puts it underneath her arm and walks over to me. She looks me over, as if she's examining the dark black and blue bags under my eyes from not sleeping well.
"Take care of yourself." She says in a low and soft voice as she leans into me, embracing me tightly. I don't know where to place my arms. It's one of those sudden and a little awkward hugs as we stand there and she keeps herself pressed up against my chest when I finally gently place my arms around her back, pulling her closer. I inhale her scent of a welcoming lavender and vanilla perfume. She smells nice and feels so warm. If this wasn't awkward, I could hold on to her for days, just like this- with her chest against mine and her face buried into the curve of my neck.
"See you later tonight." Elena tells me sweetly as she backs away and smiles.
I nod, grinning and brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear that's sticking to her cheek. Before replying with an even toned. "I'll see you tonight."
-Caroline-
"Carol." I comment with a sharp sigh, taking a seat in her office as she looks up from her stack of notes and folders, sprawled across her dark brown desk.
"Caroline." She replies in the same matching tone, looking up at me through her light framed brown glasses, pulling them upward with the tip of her finger.
"It's nice to see you." She adds in, smiling just a little as she looks up and see's me cross my legs over one another, placing my left hand with my diamond ring on top of my knee when I take a seat. I inhale deeply. Don't get me wrong, I like my husband's mother. It's just, she's a bit nosy and a bit pushy..And, she can't stand me. Overall though, Carol Lockwood is sweet and wonderful. However, she's just not so sweet to me. Her husband, Richard Lockwood is a lawyer who has always wanted Tyler to be the best and follow in his footsteps. The Lockwood family comes from wealth, lots of it and they probably always had thought that their son would marry someone with money. Instead, Tyler married me. Going against his family's wishes and now his parents don't really like me or the choices that Tyler and I have made thus far in our relationship.
"It's nice to see you too. Listen, I'm not here alone, Tyler's parking the car. So, don't worry- we don't have to keep up this fake facade of liking each other." I tell her, watching as she looks me over, shaking her head.
"I already know why you're here." She spits out, the atmosphere shifts the minute she says those words and I'm pissed off, wanting to get up and leave.
"He told you?" I ask her, seeing her give me that saddened look. I hate that look- the one people give you when they don't really know what to say. However, their eyes tell you everything- mostly how pathetic they think you are.
"I know what you're thinking- Caroline Forbes- Lockwood is a mess. My son, Tyler, married trailer trash and now she can't give him a child. But, let's face the facts. I love your son, Carol. I love him and even though you're not my favorite person and this isn't my first choice in fixing our problems. I'm here for him." I quickly tell her, hearing her huff out a breath and just as she looks at me to say something, the door swings open and Tyler appears.
"Sorry, I'm late. I got a call from work." He says, taking the car keys out of his pocket and handing them to me when we both hear his mother get up from her seat.
She hugs him tightly, exhaling as she steps away and says. "My son, always working. So, tell me. How's the job?"
Tyler smiles at her, taking a seat beside me. He stops a moment, leaning into me and kissing my cheek, grabbing a hold of my hand and intertwining our fingers. "Good, the job keeps me busy. But, you know that's not why we're here."
Carol nods, smiling just a little as she looks from me to Tyler. " Funny, that was what your wife was just saying. So, both of you want to talk about your marriage. What seems to be the problem?"
I'm nervous suddenly. I can feel my palms become sweaty and all I want to do is shout out all my frustrations. But, before I can even formulate how I'm going to tell my mother in law about what's bothering me. Tyler speaks first.
"I took a vow to be by her side in whatever comes our way and I meant it with my whole heart. But, Caroline wants to become a police officer and that scares me to death because all I can think about is how many things could go wrong on the job. I don't care what you think about my wife or our relationship, mom. All I care about is how we're going to deal with all these changes in our marriage. Because, right now..I don't know where to start and that is why we're here. Because, I trust you and you're one of the best therapists that I know and even though this is probably a conflict of interest. I don't care. I just need your advice on how to help us." The room goes silent as Carol exhales heavily, tapping her pen against the yellow legal pad on her lap. She looks up at me through her thick glasses.
"Caroline, what do you have to say about that?" She asks as I tighten my grip against my husband's hand and I blink my eyelashes at her. "I have a lot to say, actually." I comment, opening my mouth and nervously looking up at my mother in law and my husband before I speak my mind.
-Bonnie-
"So, did you tell her how much you don't like her?" I ask her jokingly, watching as Caroline rolls her eyes and wraps her fingers around the Styrofoam cup in her hands. I texted her after her appointment with Carol because I was going crazy at being in the apartment alone since Damon left early this morning for work and I needed some girl time with my best friend.
"No. I just told her that it was stupid for Tyler to be so worried about me and that I want a baby and he doesn't- right now, at least. Also, that I went to her office because of him and that I wasn't there for her to judge me. Instead, I was there for her to help fix us." Caroline spits out, taking the basket of french fries between us and scooting it closer to her, taking one of the crispy and golden looking fries from the basket and dipping it into the over sized ketchup bowl beside them.
"So, you heard most of my gossip. How are things with you and Damon?" Caroline asks me as I smile at her question.
"We're good. You know, he asked me to marry him the other night." I comment casually, watching Caroline's eyes grow as she chokes on the straw she has in her mouth, coughing loudly and causing a few people to look at us.
"Shut up! He did not!" She exclaims, intrigue in her blue eyes as she leans forward with a grin. "And, what did you say?"
"I told him, no." I reply flatly. Caroline leans forward against the table, lowering her head down and whispering out her words. "What do you mean, you said no!"
She watches me shake my head, smiling a little. "I didn't mean, no forever. I meant. I'm not ready for that yet. I love him, Caroline. He's my best friend and he's amazing. But, we still have a lot of growing up to do. Both together and by ourselves." I tell her, hearing Caroline let out a loud chuckle.
"Bonnie, you're scared. Just like I was before I married Tyler. You're scared and you don't want to admit it to yourself. Honey, he loves you. He's stuck by you through almost everything. The day your parents divorced, the night you told them both that you wanted to try and become a lawyer instead of going to school to become a nurse and then when you finally told them that you were going to be moving in with your boyfriend that you had only known for a little less than a year. They were so upset with you that you chose Damon over going to school and that you got a regular 9-5 job. But, Damon helped them understand that it wasn't a bad idea and he proved to them that he would take care of you no matter what. Bon, what I'm trying to say is that you two belong together as husband and wife. Because, from an outsider point of view. You're perfect for each other. And, I know you're scared and that you think that you might not be good enough." She pauses, taking a deep breath and grabbing a hold of my hands when she states. "But, you are, Bonnie Bennett. You are amazing and wonderful and Damon Salvatore is a lucky man to have you in his life."
I inhale a shaky breath, squeezing a hold of Caroline's hands when I smile at her and through the tears in my eyes, I softly whisper. "Thank you for understanding what I'm going through."
Caroline laughs, opening her mouth to say something. But, the loud ringing above the door inside of Rosie's diner makes her eyes widen when she mutters out. "What the hell is Stefan doing here!"
"Stefan?" I question his name as he walks past us and I watch Caroline reach out to him, latching her hand on to his elbow. "Stranger! What are you doing here?"
His green eyes are warm, a bright smile is on his face and he's got his dark brown motorcycle jacket on, a dark pair of blue jeans and his work boots indicating that he must have just came here from the station. "Off work so soon?" I ask him, watching him slide into the seat beside me, stealing a french fry and popping it into his mouth before he replies.
"Yeah, I was just on my way here to pick up, Elena." He comments, like it's not that big of a deal. But, when I look over at Caroline. She looks stunned and he must notice the shock in our faces. "Shut up! You and Elena Gilbert!" Caroline blurts out as I give her a look and tell her to keep her voice down.
Stefan laughs, placing the helmet on to the table and placing his hands on top of it as he quickly corrects himself. "We're just friends."
"Sure you are. Isn't that what you used to say with Makayla too?" Caroline asks him teasingly as my foot nudges her underneath the table and she yelps a bit.
Stefan closes his eyes, shaking his head and exhales through his nose before he states. "Makayla and I were friends with benefits. Elena and I, are just friends. There is a difference you know."
Caroline scoffs, smiling widely when she places her hands over Stefan's and adds in. "We know the difference. One of them is just sex and the other is strictly friends. Although, with that other one..Somewhere down the road it'll get serious and you'll have sex, and feelings. And, it will get complicated. Even more so than then friends with benefits thing."
He looks over at me, raising his eyebrows as if to say "Are you hearing all this?" I nod though, laughing a little and placing my hand on to his shoulder. "Just, don't be stupid. Elena seems like a nice girl and knowing you. My boyfriend's little brother who is a very handsome little playboy and doesn't stay with certain girls for very long. You'll do something to sabotage your friendship with her if either of you get too close."
"Get too close to whom?" Elena asks with a smile, walking up to us and untying her apron. "I was going to stop by my mom's and change. But-." Caroline and I both turn our heads as Stefan gets up and winks at us, without having Elena notice it.
"Oh, it's nothing. So, Bonnie. Caroline. Elena will be seeing you both at the charity event this weekend. Maybe the three of you will get close with each other." He comments, placing his hand to fall to his side as he leans over and grabs his helmet.
"We should get going. I still have to make dinner and impress Elena. Anyways, see you both later." Stefan says, pivoting away from the table and walking out with Elena following behind him.
The moment they walk out of the diner together, Caroline gives me a wicked smirk. "We should make a bet. Have Tyler, Matt and Damon all join in."
I tilt my head to the side, smiling just as much as she is when I ask. "A bet on what?"
Caroline slams her hands against the table, once again leaning forward and whispering out her words with pure excitement. "Oh come on, Bonnie. We should make a bet to see how long it's going to take for those two hook up. I mean, unless Stefan's really changed from his breakup with Makayla. Knowing him, he'll be all over her by the end of the week!"
"After Makayla, I think Stefan's got a little smarter. Don't you think?" I ask her as she leans her head back, laughing hysterically.
"Sure he has, in a way. But, it's Stefan we're talking about. He's reckless and now, he's just met another girl. Who seems so nice, with a pair of better boobs and a better ass than his ex-girlfriend. Stefan hasn't changed at all. Just wait until he tries to go after her and it blows up in his face. Unless, she plays hard to get." Caroline tells me, rolls her eyes and grabbing another french fry from the basket in front of us and popping it in her mouth as she grins at me. "Just wait. Stefan trying to make a move on Elena is going to be an epic disaster. That is, unless he really has changed and has started thinking with his head."
-Elena-
"So, this is where I spend the other half of my time." Stefan comments, unlocking the door to his apartment as the door creaks open and I'm half expecting to be scrunching my nose at the smell of stale air and hitting my toes on empty beer bottles scattered across the floor. But, the moment we both walk inside and he turns the lights on in the hallway. I'm speechless. Because, everything inside of his apartment is perfect and spotless.
"Not what you expected?" He asks with a laugh, tossing his jacket on to a wooden coat rack near the door as he turns around and smiles at me, waving me over so that I can look at the view from his place.
"My uncle Zach helped me get this place. We don't have a great relationship. He's closer with my brother, Damon. But, he watched me to have something nice and so, the apartment was something we both agreed that I needed. Since, Damon and Bonnie had already moved in together. Zach thought that I should have my own place, so he's been helping me pay for it." Stefan explains, opening up the cream colored blinds that are covering up the sliding door. The light from the city below illuminates the room as he looks over at the light mocha colored couch and says. "Make yourself at home. I'm just going to go the kitchen and start making us dinner. Pick a movie from that stack over there." He tells me, pointing to the over 50 movies that are all lined up perfectly on this large bookshelf that also has a few of his personal pictures on it.
I can feel his eyes on me, watching me slowly walk over to the bookshelf, running the tip of my finger over the cherry colored wood. "I take it, you'd hate to watch a romance movie with me. After dinner?" I ask, hearing Stefan turn the running water on in the kitchen as he laughs. "I wouldn't mind it, as long as you promise me that you won't start crying and that it's not too sappy. I actually think Makayla left a few of hers here..Trust me, Dirty Dancing is not from my movie collection." He admits in between laughs. I turn back around, shaking my head and laughing with him.
"Anything you can't stand eating?" He suddenly asks as I make my way towards the kitchen, leaning my shoulder on the wall that leads into where he's standing, near the stove.
"Not really. I'll eat just about anything. As long as it isn't completely burnt." I tease, seeing him smile at me with a glistening in his eyes.
"I let them cook too long." He states, trying to defend himself as I walk over to him, smiling and standing beside him. "Well, since I'm a horrible cook. I can't say much. Although, whatever it is you have planned to make for us tonight. I just hope you don't overcook that too." He leans into me with a laugh, nudging his shoulder into mine as he playfully says. "Don't worry. I promise that this will taste a lot better than those pancakes. I'm making pot roast- something I'm really good at making." His prideful voice makes me smile as I take a step back, walking into the living room again. Leaning down towards the bookshelf, just about to pick out a movie for us when I blurt out. "I hope so."
He was right, it was delicious and I must have overeaten too much. Because, as the movie starts up and Stefan walks into the living room with a large plush and warm red blanket, I'm already half asleep on his couch.
"You look exhausted." He comments, covering up my chilled body with the warm blanket as he sits down beside me and places his arm over the top of the couch, his fingertips brushing against the tips of my hair.
"You look even worse." I reply back jokingly, turning my head to look at him. Neither of us are even paying any attention to the movie that's just started to play on the TV when Stefan leans towards me. We're so close that I can smell the mint on his breath, taking in the dark circles under his eyes that must match my own. And I'm pretty sure that he's suffocating from the amount of perfume that I sprayed on in his bathroom just a little while ago. But the smile on his face and the feeling between us,of what feels like a push and pull towards me- makes me stop to wonder if he likes the perfume or just sitting so near to me.
"I'm pretty sure that I do look worse. At least tonight I'm not covered in soot and dirt. Like I usually am after a long day at work." He tells me, smiling. I gasp a little when his hand slides off the couch and gently brushes against my shoulder.
"Sorry." He mutters out, watching my eyes follow his hand that's gliding down my arm, stopping near my hand.
"Stefan, I know that you just broke up with Makayla and I think you're just looking for something in me that you won't be able to find." I comment, noticing that he's frowning at me, giving me a perplexed look.
"You think that I want you as a rebound girl because I'm still heartbroken over my ex girlfriend?" He questions as I nod, seeing the glistening in his eyes fade.
"Elena, you're a breath of fresh air to me. You're beautiful, funny and not to mention a good friend. But, if I was an idiot and wanted a rebound girl to help me mend my broken heart over my ex-girlfriend. It certainly wouldn't be you." He must see my eyes widen as I back away a little, embarrassed by what I thought he wanted out of me.
"You're the type of girl that guys fight over because they want you with them for as long as they can. You're not a one night stand type of girl. I can tell. And, trust me- If I wanted a one night stand with someone. Don't take offense- it wouldn't be with you." He tells me, in a serious tone.
"I want your friendship and I don't want to ruin that. If we get to be more, somewhere down the line. Then, that's great. But, I don't want to ruin this by being stupid with you." He exhales heavily, watching me glance over at him with a small smile.
"Oh come on. I'm sure the moment you saw me. You thought about how easy it would be to get me in your bed." I retort back, hearing Stefan laugh as he bites down on his lower lip.
"I'm a guy. Of course I did. But, then I slowly started to get to know you. And, I want to keep getting to know you before we get to that point." He says with a serious look, watching me pull the blanket over my body, yawning.
"I should probably get back home. You probably have work in the morning and-." The feeling of his hand gliding across my heated and beat red left cheek causes me to momentarily forget what I wanted to say all together.
"Stay here. Just for the night. We can finish this movie and keep talking until we fall asleep. I don't sleep very well at night when I'm alone, anyways. Having someone here helps. I can even make you pancakes in the morning. One's that aren't burnt. And, I'll be a gentlemen and even sleep on the couch. You can have my bed all to your self." He offers, adding in that he has a few days off and that he's been hand picked by his ex-girlfriend's dad to set up for the charity event in a few days at the firehouse.
I don't know what to say to him. I don't even know what to tell him. But, all I keep thinking about is how much I don't want to deal with my mother and that maybe I am better off with him than I am at my mother's house just for the night. Although, the idea of staying over with Stefan, even if it's just for the night causes a few doubts. I clear my throat, nervousness is heard in my voice as I state. "I should go home and apologize for the other night to my mom." I reply, watching his face fall as he shrugs his shoulders back and nodding in understanding.
"Let me drive you home then." He says sweetly, pushing himself up off the couch as he waits for me to get up as well. I pause for a minute, looking up at him and then I utter out. "Just for the record and so that you know. You're a good friend too."
The beaming smile on his face widens as he offers me his hand and I take it, helping me get to my feet. Stefan quickly releases the grip he has on my hand, running his fingers through his hair when he says with a sincere tone. "I meant it. The other night, when we talked on the phone. If you ever need anything, a place to stay or someone to talk about things with. I'm here."
He watches me grab a hold of my jacket, my fingertips running over the smooth fabric as I softly reply. "I know."
"So, gossip travels fast. You and the fire fighter guy, huh?" Luke asks me the next morning the minute we step in front of the diner's doors and begin to unlock them for the day.
"We're just friend's, Luke." I comment quickly, brushing it off like it's not that big of a deal.
"Sure you are. Because, that's how all the normal relationships start. First he gets friend zoned until you feel the need to take him out of that pesky little area that most guys are dying to get out of. Then, you both develop feeling for each other. Then, after you two establish that..It all goes to hell!" He states bitterly as I pat him on the back, giving him a saddened look.
"It didn't work out well with Eric. Did it?" I ask him as he shakes his head.
"No, He left me." Luke says as he follows me, both of us walking back to the two registers that are behind the counter, making sure that they're ready for the day.
"Oh, Luke. I'm sorry." I'm genuinely saddened by the news. Because, I really did think that he had a chance with his boyfriend of a few months, Eric. And, without him knowing. I secretly thought that they were prefect for one another.
" Eh, it's okay. He wanted something different out of our relationship than I did. Anyways, tell me more about the friend zoned firefighter. I forgot his name." Luke comments, grinning from ear to ear as I watch him look past me, just when the doors push open and we both turn around as he smiles and states. "Good morning, Mr. hot stuff. We were just talking about you."
Luke glances over at my face. It must have gone pale at the sound of his familiar voice and his laugh that makes my stomach have butterflies when he simple says. "Good morning to you too, Luke. Haven't seen you in a while."
"Well, that's because Elena over here has been hogging you all to herself lately. Isn't that right, sweetie?" He questions as I feel my throat go dry and all I'm able to whisper out are a few words, while looking down at the mud I tracked in with my converse shoes. "Oh no, it's not who I think it is. Is it."
Luke nods, smiling his perfect pearly white smile at Stefan. "Oh yes, it is and he looks good." I feel Luke nudge my shoulder as I look over at Stefan when he adds. "Look who it is, Elena. Don't be rude."
I close my eyes tightly, inhaling and realizing that I feel so damn exposed, trying to calm my nerves just at the sight of Stefan.
"Stefan, what are you doing here? You're disrupting my work." I mumble out with a rough tone, taking my notepad out of my apron as he looks around the empty diner and sits down in one of the chairs right across from me, his green eyes intently keeping track of my movements.
"You don't look too busy to me. So, I'm sure that last statement was a lie. And to answer your other question. I need your help. I was going to ask Caroline or Bonnie to help me. But, I can't reach either of them on their cell phones. So, I came over here to ask you." He explains as my eyebrows lift and I glance over at Luke.
"I don't get off work until later in the day. And, then Luke and I were planning on going out." I lie to him, hearing Luke huff out a breath and speaking up loudly from somewhere in the back.
"She's lying! We weren't going to go out at all. Elena, the poor guy came all the way over here to ask you. So, help him." He interrupts as Stefan smiles at me and then over at Luke who walks back behind the counter with a stack of plastic clear drinking glasses.
"So, it's settled. You'll help me?" Stefan asks as I open my mouth to reply and once more, Luke interrupts. "Of course she will. Elena loves helping people. So, aside from dancing around your feelings like you both are clearly doing right now. You both have that in common too."
I watch Stefan point to Luke, laughing when he says. "I like this guy. He's pretty funny."
I roll my eyes and lean my elbows against the counter top, placing my face into my hands when I hear Luke sigh before adding in. "I like you too. And, don't worry about her not showing up. I'll make sure of it. I'll drop her off if I have to. Elena will be there, at your place or wherever you need her."
"At the firehouse." Stefan tells us as I finally lift my head up and see Luke's gleaming eyes and his face light up with excitement. "Great." He states when Stefan sits silently as we both hear the phone ring and he answers it, giving us a moment to ourselves.
"You didn't come here to ask me for help. Did you?" I ask him as he taps his hands against the table and smiles a cheeky grin.
"Not really. I actually came here to see you again. I've been doing a lot of thinking about what I said to you the other night. And, for the most part I meant most of it. But-." I cut him off, swallowing the lump in my throat and lifting my hand up in the air to stop him from going any further.
"But, what?" I ask as he sighs out a breath, clearly nervous.
"I like you, Elena and I want you as a friend. But, I also want to see where this goes between us and, I think we should go on a date." He explains as I pause, opening my mouth to reply and shoot him down. Although, Luke butts in just in time as he grabs my arm and pulls me back into the kitchen, telling Stefan to excuse us for a minute.
"What are you doing! Don't you dare tell him no." He hisses out as I narrow my eyes on to him, crossing my arms over my chest.
"And, why shouldn't I?" I ask him with an agitated tone as he shakes his head.
"Because, if you did. That would just be cruel. Elena, that guy out there who is trying really hard to get out of friend zone that you threw him in. You might not see it. But, I do. He likes you! And, honey, if you haven't noticed. He really is interested in you. So, go out on this date with him and get to know him more. Going out on a date doesn't mean that you're going to marry him after the first one!" Luke exclaims as I heavily exhale.
"You don't get it, Luke. Do you? I like the friendship that he and I have. And, if I start going out with him. Feelings will get in the way. And, what if he breaks my heart?" I ask as I watch Luke take a step towards me, licking his bottom lip, obviously frustrated.
"I'll be there to help you pick up the pieces. Just, take a chance- because, I highly doubt that he'll take no for answer." He says with a laugh, turning me back around and marching me out back behind the counters. Where Stefan's still sitting, drinking a cup of coffee and reading something on his cell phone.
I hand him a menu, watching his eyes scan it as he stops and places it back down with a smirk. "I forgot to say that I won't take no for an answer. So, I'll see you later today and we can talk about it some more. Thanks for the coffee." He states, turning the swiveling seat so that his back it to me as he gets up and smiles over his shoulder. "Luke's right you know. Going out on a date with me, doesn't mean that we're going to get married after the first one. For all we know, it might make us realize that we'll never work out in a real relationship."
"You heard that?" I ask Stefan as he laughs, shrugging his shoulders and leaning forward, grabbing a hold of my hand and running his thumb over the top of it before I watch him lift my hand up towards his lips, leaving a soft kiss against the top of it.
"I heard most of it. And, he's right. Take a chance on me, Elena Gilbert. I might just prove you wrong." He says, releasing my hand and leaving me awe struck as he leaves the diner, turning back to smile at me once more before he says once again. "See you in a few hours."
"Have fun with him." Luke winks at me, dropping me off in front of the station as I glare over at him.
"This was all your doing." I state coldly as I grab my purse, feeling Luke grip a hold of my wrist as he stops me from stepping out of the car all irritated.
"Don't act like you don't want to spend more time with him as much as he wants to with you. He has other friends and yet, he came over this morning just to specifically ask you for help. He obviously likes having you around. So, enjoy it. Call me or text if he takes you home." Luke comments in an annoyed tone as I shake my head.
"Fine." I reply, getting out of his car and walking towards the firehouse, hearing Luke's car peel out in the parking lot and leaving me in front of the building.
I slowly walk towards the entrance, pulling the doors open and walking inside. The firehouse is nearly empty at this time of night, I notice as I confusing walk through the halls, in search of someone who can tell me where Stefan is. I'm too busy texting my mother and telling her that I went to go help a friend with a project to even notice the thin, chatty cathy blonde that's walking down the hall at the same time as me and chatting with a friend on her cell phone. I'm just about to add into the message to my mom that I won't be home until late when we crash into each other, both of us falling to the ground with a loud thud.
"Watch it!" She shouts, pushing herself up and dusting herself off as I get up too.
"I am so sorry. I didn't see you at all." I tell her with an apologetic tone as she glances at me and sighs. "It's fine, just watch where you're going next time." She says bluntly.
She brushes past me, shaking her head and rolling her eyes as I watch her start to talk on her phone again. But, my comment stops her in her tracks and makes her drop the cell phone in her hand to her side. "I was actually looking for someone. I was hoping that you could tell me where he's at. His name is Stefan Salvatore. He works here."
Her pissed off expression changes so quickly that I'm taken back by her reaction when I mention Stefan's name. "Oh, I know Stefan. I know him, really well." She says sarcastically. Giving me a dirty look as I hear her snap her fingers together.
"You must be my replacement." She states, pointing to me.
"Replacement?" I question.
"Oh, he hasn't said anything about me to you? How rude of him. Well, let me introduce myself then. I'm Makayla. Stefan's ex-girlfriend. And, honey. Let me warn you right now just in case no one has already and you do become my replacement. Stefan only wants to have fun right now. He might have told you all that crap about being just friends. But, take it from someone who knows him better than anyone- it's all an act. Trust me, all you'll ever be to Stefan is a notch on his belt buckle. Until, he's done with you. Then, he'll leave you. Just like he did me." She says with a threatening tone, extending out her hand with a wide blue eyed grin as if she's trying to ice over the fact that she's jealous or something.
I shake her hand, releasing it quickly as I hear that familiar sound of his boots hitting the ground and my stomach tightens. Makayla's wickedly mischievous smile widens when she says."Oh, speak of the devil! Look who it is. Stefan, my handsome ex-boyfriend!"
"Makayla, leave her alone." He says in a rough and low voice, watching as she rolls her eyes, spinning a strand of her hand in between her fingers when she laughs. "I was just introducing myself to this girl here, will you relax."
"Leave. Now, Makayla." He tells her as she runs her hand over his chest before walking away with a wink. "Fine. But, trust me. I won't be far away when whatever you have going on with her becomes too much for you to deal with and you need a release from all that stress. You know where to find me."
The instant that she leaves us standing in the hallway, I hear my voice shaking as I ask. "So, that's your ex-girlfriend?"
He nods, looking embarrassed when he places his hands into his pockets and adds. "Whatever she said to you. Just ignore it. She's a liar." He points out.
My softly spoken voice is firm and a little agitated by my run in with her and my feelings for him. Meeting Makayla has suddenly opened my eyes to lots of things and one of them is making me doubtful that a friendship is all that Stefan wants from me when I state simply. "Don't worry, Stefan. Makayla just told me what I'm trying to protect myself from when it comes to you."
He scratches his head, asking me out of curiosity. "And, what are you protecting yourself from when it comes to me?"
I shake my head, giving him a half smile as it quickly fades and I respond rigidly. "That's a simple answer." I pause, crossing my arms over my chest. Looking him directly in the eyes as I state. "I'm protecting myself from becoming more than your friend and my heart from getting broken by a guy that would hurt me the minute I gave him the chance to do so."
"That's what you think that I'll do to you? That I'll hurt you without a second thought?" He scoffs at my words, shaking his head before he continues. "Elena, I'm trying to be your friend. I'm trying to gain your trust. But, you're making it hard on me by not trusting what I'm telling you. I'm being honest and telling you the truth. I like you, Elena. I like you so much so that I don't want to ruin this by being foolish with you. I made mistakes with Makayla, I made a lot of them. But, I swear that if you just give me the chance. I'm not going to make the same ones with you." He stammers out his words, his eyes are glazed over and watery as he exhales heavily and speaks once more before I can even open my mouth. "Please, just trust me. Don't listen to what Makayla says to you. She's just jealous and pissed off at me for all the mistakes I made with her. Truthfully, I don't blame her. Because, I'll admit without shame that I was an idiot. To be honest, I still am a pretty big idiot and I'm still screwing up. But, I'm trying to change."
He hears me inhale, noticing me giving him an apologetic look when he adds. "Elena, you can protect yourself from me as much as you want. But, eventually we both know that you won't be able to do it for long and all this fear you've built up. All these doubts that you have about who I am or what my true intentions are. They will all come crashing down. And, it's going to take some time for you to open yourself up to me. I know that and that's what I'll be waiting for. But, sooner or later you're going to recognize that I'm not as bad as you think I am. And, that I want to take this slowly with you because you could be the best thing that has ever happened to me."
A/N: The tension between Stefan and Elena is killing me...ugh, stop being silly you two and hook up already. :p
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-Until Next Time!-
