AN: Hi guys! I had my usual 'sorry for the lapse in updates' speech ready filled with the usual excuses 'sorry but I wanted this chapter to be perfect' and even though those excuses are genuinely true, I still feel bad about not updating because I hate waiting for updates myself. I really like the way this chapter turned out (I spent a lot of time on it, lol) so I didn't want to potentially ruin it by continuing, which is why it's so short compared to my other chapters (which aren't that long either). I'm working on two new stories right now (actually they aren't new because I've been writing them for a long time and haven't ever finished or posted them).I hope you like this chapter and take the time to review letting me know what you thought. I love talking to people about writing; so if you ever wants to talk about my stories or your stories then please send me a message. Be sure to let me know what you thought of Corinne and Damon's interaction!
They were settled in the living room drinking coffee and talking about school and sports – particularly football and cheerleading. "I cannot believe that Mr. Tanner let you on the team today," said Caroline, happily sitting on the arm of Damon's lounge chair. "Tyler must be seething, but good for you. Go for it," she added, ignoring the look of discomfort on her best friend's face when her ex-boyfriend's name was mentioned.
"That's what I always tell him," Damon interjected, the forced level of enthusiasm in his voice obvious to everyone listening. "You can't just sit there and wait for life to come to you. You have to go get it."
"Yeah, Elena wasn't so lucky today," Caroline admitted, looking sadly at Elena. "It's only because you missed summer camp. God, I don't know how you're ever going to learn the routines."
"I'll work with her, she'll get it." Bonnie interrupted, shooting Caroline a warning look that the blonde completely ignored. "I guess we can put her in the back," Caroline mused, more to herself than to anyone else.
"You know, you don't seem like the cheerleader type, Elena," Damon observed, sounding like his goal was to ease the tension between the group. Elena forced a fake smile onto her face, taking a long drink of her coffee to hide her annoyed expression behind her cup.
"Oh, it's just 'cause her parents died." Caroline quickly explained, her tone of voice casual like she was talking about the weather and not the death of two of her best friend's parents. "Yeah, I mean, she's just totally going through a blah phase. She used to be way more fun."
Corinne wasn't sure how to feel about or handle the situation; on one hand, she didn't like the way Caroline was talking to and about Elena and that she was clearly making her sister feel uncomfortable in her own home. On the other hand, she knew that Caroline didn't realize she was crossing a line or being so insensitive and that she never would've been so hurtful on purpose. But, Elena was her sister and this was their house.
"And I say that with complete sensitivity," Caroline added, sensing the glares being sent her way in all directions.
"Care, can you not talk to or about my sister like that? Thanks." Corinne asked, phrasing it as a question when it was meant to be taken as a warning. This was the first time she'd spoken since Caroline and Damon arrived unannounced. The more she thought about the fact that they weren't invited in the first place, the more the situation pissed her off.
"God, it was the exact opposite with Corinne. She spent the summer dancing and partying in Europe and she still nailed all the routines," Caroline happily exclaimed, oblivious to Corinne's exasperation when her time in Europe became the topic of yet another conversation.
"Europe?" Damon asked, suddenly taking an interest in Corinne's presence. "Anywhere in particular?"
"Paris, Milan, Vienna, London, Prague, Amsterdam, Berlin." Corinne revealed, not sure where the conversation was going. "I'm a dancer," she explained, glancing upward to make eye-contact with Damon for the first time.
"Hmm." He mused, staring intently at the younger girl who looked so much like both Elena and Katherine. There were differences, mainly that Corinne was somewhere between two and three years younger than them and that she was so much smaller in both size in height.
She was far too young for him, but she could still be fun to have around; to entertain himself and to irritate Stefan. He leaned forward, prepared to compel her before Stefan could give her vervain. However, upon his moving towards her, she shot out of her seat. "Excuse me, I have to help Elena with the dishes," she said, immediately disappearing into the kitchen.
"Huh," Damon said to himself. "That was new."
Corinne entered the kitchen just as Caroline and Bonnie were re-entering the living room. "Hey," she mumbled, boosting herself onto the counter so she could talk to Elena while she washed the dishes. "Well, tonight was... interesting...to say the least," Corinne said, attempting to start a conversation instead of sitting in awkward silence.
"Yeah, you could say that," Elena agreed, turning to look at Corinne, who looked surprisingly happier than she had this morning. "Thanks for defending me. I know you don't like arguing with Caroline." Corinne shrugged, "I have to defend you; you're my sister," she said, downplaying the situation. "Anyways, you're welcome."
"Corinne, you looked upset when Caroline mentioned Europe. Why is that?" Elena hesitantly asked.
"I—"
To be continued...
(Next is Chapter 11. which will include a long Elena/Damon/Corinne conversation!)