Isabella's POV

We were driving in a peaceful silence. The sun was still bright in the sky, and Damon had the top down as we drove; meaning my hair was billowing around me; flying into my mouth and eyes. Damon kept one hand on the steering wheel, and absently caught threads of my hair between his fingers in his other hand. I didn't protest; in fact, I didn't say anything.

"What music do you like?" he asked.

"Anything," I shrugged.

He clicked the CD player on, and Radiohead's '15 Step' blasted through the speakers of the car. It was a catchy tune with a good beat, and I smiled to myself as I heard Damon sing along softly.

My phone buzzed and I glanced down to see a message from Stefan: Hey. Where are you?

I recited the message to Damon. "What do I reply?"

Damon smirked. "Tell him I kidnapped you and turned you into a vampire."

"Funny," I said sarcastically.

He grinned. "I'd love to see his reaction to that. Or I could bring you back with loads of fake blood dripping from your neck. That would be hilarious."

"You're not helping," I snapped.

Damon rolled his eyes. "How well do you really know me, Isabella? You know I don't 'help'."

I sighed, and simply ignored the message. "I'll reply later," just then, my stomach growled with hunger. I remembered that I'd skipped lunch to do some last minute homework, and I hadn't eaten since breakfast.

Damon laughed. "Have you adopted the 'Stefan Diet' of eating furry animals? It sounds like something's alive in there."

I giggled. "I skipped lunch."

Damon winked and touched my neck. "Me too." I glared at him and brushed his fingers away.

"Quit messing around."

"You're such a buzz kill," he groaned. "I bet you'd be fun if you were drunk."

"Well, you're not going to see me drunk," I retorted.

"So you're telling me you've never got wasted before?"

I decided not to reply. The truth was that I hadn't ever gotten that drunk before – I'd drunk in small doses with friends, but never anything major.

"Let's stop at a pub," he suggested. "Then you can get some food in you. And I can get a drink."

We soon found a nearby pub and parked up in the small car park. There weren't too many cars around, and when we entered, the barman came and greeted us.

"Damon!" he beamed heartily, shaking his hand. "Long time no see, huh? And who's this pretty little lady?" he gestured to me with a friendly smile.

"Isabella," I replied, returning his smile.

"It's nice to meet you. What can I get you both?" he asked.

"I'll have the usual, Ted," Damon said. "Along with two cheeseburgers and two portions of chips. And Isabella would like a beer."

"I am not getting drunk!" I told him. "Can I just have tap water, please?"

Ted smiled warmly. "Of course. Well, make yourselves comfortable. I'll be over with your order soon."

Damon put an arm around my shoulders and leaned down to whisper in my ear. "Buzz. Kill."

I elbowed him in the ribs; which probably hurt me more than it hurt him. We found a small table for two by the window.

"So how do you know Ted so well?" I asked.

He shrugged. "He's the owner. I'm a regular. I get drunk, and usually make the night memorable for everyone."

"And what's your usual?"

"Bourbon," he replied.

"Should you be driving after drinking?"

He laughed. "You worry way too much, Isabella," he lowered his voice."I'm a vampire, remember? No one's catching me."

"Of course not."

Our food arrived soon, as did the drinks. As we ate, Damon offered me his bottle.

"I dare you to try some," he said.

"No way," I replied.

"Oh, go on, brave girl. Just a sip," he held the bottle right under my nose. "Coward..." he sang.

"Fine," I snatched the bottle of him and took a gulp of the drink. It was bitter and to me, absolutely revolting.

"Ugh!" I choked in disgust, placing the drink on the table. "That's so disgusting; how can you drink that?"

He looked offended. "It's an acquired taste. You obviously don't have it."

I shuddered and shoved a load of chips in my mouth to get rid of the taste.

"Better?" he asked, taking another huge swig from the bottle.

"Yeah."

"Right, I'm gonna get another drink. And you? Gonna stick to your gay tap water all night, poof?" he taunted.

I glared at him. "Your ego is becoming a problem here."

"Really," he said sceptically.

"Really. Get me a beer," I ordered.

He grinned. "Finally! Right away, Miss Blake."

Damon gathered our empty plates and glasses and left me. I smiled, glancing out of the window absently.

You're not seriously going to get drunk, are you? Elena asked.

I don't know. It's Friday, though. Why not?

Don't do anything stupid, will you?

I'll try to behave, I thought back sarcastically.

Just as I was about to look away, I noticed someone watching me. He was quite tall and bulky, and he was wearing a black leather jacket with a grey hood. He had loose, faded blue jeans and on his feet were a pair of scruffy Converse. He was standing by a blue Merc, and his eyes were focused on me intently. I watched as he opened the car door and got in, but still, his eyes never left me. I felt a shiver crawl up my spine and Elena felt anxious as well.

What do you think he wants? She enquired nervously.

I don't know. He may not even be looking at us, I reasoned.

Then tell me why he's staring straight at us from his car on his own! I've got a bad feeling about this, Isabella...

Damon's here. He won't let anything happen to us, I assured her.

She sighed, and I was distracted as Damon came back with our drinks. I jerked my head away from the window and focused on the huge beer Damon had brought me.

An hour later, and I had managed to finish off the beer. Of course, by the time I'd finished Damon was all ready on his fourth glass of Bourbon. I was feeling slightly light-headed, but I knew I wasn't completely drunk. That was a good thing.

My phone was now filled with worried messages from Stefan and my dad. I texted my dad that I was at Serena's for a sleepover, and I just told Stefan that I was feeling ill at home, so he shouldn't come over. He seemed to believe me, which was all that mattered.

You shouldn't lie to him, Elena reprimanded. He's just worried about your safety.

I'm completely safe! I argued. Quit worrying so much.

Damon sighed happily. "As much as I would like to continue this night with you, Isabella, we should probably go."

I nodded. "Okay. But I gotta use the bathroom first."

"I'll go pay the bill. Go pee and meet me by the bar," he instructed.

"Okay," I walked to the ladies' bathrooms, stumbling a little, but feeling proud of myself for being able to walk in a straight line. Once I'd used the loo, I washed my hands at the sink. I let the water fill my hands absently, while I glanced at a painting on the wall. As my eyes moved back to my reflection, I gasped. The man in the car was standing right behind me. Just as I was about to scream, he pushed me hard against the wall with inhuman strength and speed. He was a vampire. His hand slapped across my mouth and he pulled my face so his lips were by my ear.

"Make it easy on yourself, Katherine," he whispered, holding a wooden stake to my stomach. "And don't try anything."