A/N: I am so, so sorry for the wait with this story! I've been blocked for so long and I just couldn't find the inspiration to finish the chapter but I finally did it. I'm also sorry it's short, I could work on it longer or re-write it but that would make the wait even longer so I thought I should just go ahead and post it. Also, thank you for your support, I hope it's not too terrible and you enjoy!

10: Fly Over States

"So, you've had us walking everywhere, yet you've had a car the whole time?" Elena mused, raising her eyebrows at Damon, climbing into the cerulean blue Camaro.

Damon had offered to drive Elena to the airport to pick Bonnie up and she had gladly accepted, because the alternative would have been two rather expensive taxi journeys and she knew what she preferred. Plus, spending an hour in a car with Damon seemed like a far better option than sitting in awkward silence with a strange taxi driver. The past few days, they had spent so much time talking and getting to know each other. They both were afraid of the relationship label, but their connection was undeniable. So they had agreed to take things one step at a time and just continue what they were doing. Because Elena knew she couldn't commit one hundred percent until she told him everything, and she wasn't ready to do that, no matter how much she trusted Damon.

"Have you tried driving around New York City?" He asked rhetorically, raising his eyebrows at her and climbing into the driver's seat. "So, how long is your friend staying for?"

"Just the weekend. She flies back Monday morning. Why?" She questioned, raising her own eyebrows at him.

"No reason." He replied, putting his keys in the ignition and starting the engine.

"You can stay over Monday night." She told him, knowing that having Bonnie stay over meant that they wouldn't be able to share a bed the whole weekend; something that had been doing frequently this past week.

"But that's three nights away." He pouted and Elena couldn't help but lean over and kiss those lips.

She pulled away and smiled. "You'll just have to wait."

Damon groaned and pulled out the parking space, starting the drive to the airport. "But I don't wanna wait."

"Tough." She smirked at him.

"So, how was your class today?" Damon asked, changing the subject. It was crazy to think that a month ago he didn't even know Elena and now he couldn't get enough of her. He even agreed to drive her to the airport, despite the fact that he hated city traffic, just so he could spend some time with her.

"Awful." She mumbled in reply, playing with her fingers. "Alaric Saltzman has asked the campus councillor to meet with me."

"Really?"

"I'm furious."

"Is he allowed to do that?" He asked, glancing across at Elena.

She shrugged. "Apparently so."

They sat in silence for several minutes before Damon spoke again. "Are you going to go?"

"I don't know. I've spoken so, so many therapists and councillors over the years and I don't want to bring things up again. I just… I'm so angry!" And she was. She was just reeling at the thought of it, and the more the thought, the angrier she got.

Dan reached over and placed his hand on her knee while he kept the other on the wheel. "Wanna talk about something else?" She nodded. "Okay, are you coming to our open mic tomorrow night?"

"I spoke to Bonnie last night, and she said she's up for it, so yes. Plus, I think I need a drink." She added as an afterthought.

Damon chuckled. "I think I can arrange a few drinks for you, miss not-twenty-one-yet."

"Shut up." She retorted, letting a smile creep across her lips.

For the rest of the drive they chatted and joked, Damon having successfully cheered Elena up. They parked at the airport and got out of the car, heading towards the arrivals gate at the terminal. Elena was beyond excited; she hadn't seen her best friend in what felt like forever and she desperately needed this weekend. As they stood waiting, she was practically bouncing up and down in anticipation, watching as people walked out to greet their loved ones, keeping an eye out for one specific dark skinned girl.

The second she spotted Bonnie, Elena darted forward, running towards her friend and embracing her in the biggest hug she could, sending Bonnie's bag falling to the floor. Damon just stood back and watched the two friends reunite. He loved to see Elena this happy and if that meant giving her up for a weekend, he could do it. Plus, if she wanted to talk, surely her best friend was the right person to listen?

"Oh my god, Elena, you're squishing me." Bonnie squeaked as her friend pinned her in a hug.

She finally let her go, grinning from ear to ear. "Sorry, I needed my Bonnie hug."

"It's fine." She giggled, picking up her bag again. "So, are we getting a taxi to yours?"

"Actually, Damon drove." She gestured over to where he was standing, leading Bonnie over to him. "Bon, this is Damon. Damon, Bonnie."

"Hey." He greeted, offering his hand to shake.

"Nice to meet you, Damon. I've heard a lot about you." She shook his hand and sent a knowing look to Elena.

"Oh god, that doesn't sound good." He chuckled. "Here, let me take your bag."

"It was good things." She assured him, laughing.

"Okay, let's go to the car before things get awkward." Elena interjected, leading her friend to the car park. Damon held back, allowing the friends time to catch up.

"You never told me he was yummy." Bonnie whispered, nudging Elena's arm.

The brunette simply replied with a glare in her friend's direction.

"What? I'm just stating facts. Anyway, I like him. I approve."

"You've only just met him."

"It's a vibe. He gives me a good vibe."

"Because he's yummy?" Elena taunted.

"No! People just give off a vibe and I'm usually right about it. Just call me psychic." She grinned smugly.

"Oh, I've missed you." Elena grinned back, hugging her friend again.

The two friend spent the rest of the evening catching up and exchanging college stories and basically filling in gaps on what the other had missed. Elena shared how life with her dysfunctional housemates was and everything about Damon, after Bonnie had begged three times. In return, Bonnie told her about how she was finding Chicago University, or more like how she was not enjoying it, and how her Dad and her Grams were doing. This went on for hours until they both fell asleep, much like they have before when Elena used to sleep over. It was so much like old times and Elena went to sleep with a smile on her face.

The next day, the girls explored New York City. They visited all the cliché landmarks, which were also mostly first time visits for Elena. Even though she had been living in the city for a little over a month, she was still yet to explore the place properly. I guess it's not very fun to walk around by yourself, but with Bonnie, she was having a blast. They stood on top of the Empire State building, gazing across of at the vast city and simply took it all in.

"I want to live here." Bonnie whispered as she got lost in the breath-taking view.

Elena's lips twitched into a smile, looking at her best friend. "Move here then."

"But college…"

"You hate it."

"My dad and Grams…"

"Will still be there to visit whenever you want."

"Elena…" Bonnie started, her eyes meeting with Elena's.

"Why not?" She asked, her smile turning into a grin.

"I'll think about it." She stated, turning her head to look back out at the city, but the idea had her grinning. She was definitely going to look into transferring to NYU when she got home. Maybe. If she could do it. And if her family would let her.

Damon strummed the chords on his guitar as he went over the set list for tonight's gig. He was excited, Elena was going to see him play properly, but he was also worried. What was Elena and her friend going to think of him and his band? He never invited girls to watch him. Sure, they always showed up but he never openly invited them. Not like he did with Elena.

Usually, he'd check the set list, go over the songs once and he was good to go. But he'd been in his bedroom, playing his guitar for almost two hours and he was only halfway through. God, what was this girl doing to him. He didn't get attached, he didn't catch feelings, but Elena had somehow crawled into his life and there was no shaking her. Not that he wanted to, anyway.

As his phone buzzed, he looked over his shoulder and saw Elena's name show up on the screen. He couldn't help the schoolboy grin that crept over his lips as he rested his guitar on the floor, picking up his phone.

Elena Gilbert: Getting ready now, can't wait to see you! But what sort of thing should we wear?

He chuckled to himself as he read the message. Girls, right? He shot back a reply and picked up his guitar again, starting to play something else that wasn't on the set for this evening.

Damon Salvatore: I'd suggest clothes. Or I won't be held accountable for my actions. But in all seriousness, jeans are fine. It's pretty casual there. But you'll look pretty whatever you wear.

His fingers plucked the strings and he began to sing softly to himself. It wasn't anything that was finished, but he had been playing with some lyrics recently and wanted to test them out.

"I might be drinking

At a bar down the street

I might be listening

To some song on repeat

I might be in my bed

But I won't be asleep

Don't you worry 'bout me

You ain't gonna wake me up

Call me up when you're lonely

You ain't gonna wake me up

'Cause I'm up and I'm only

Thinkin' about waking up with you

I miss you, I wish you'd

Come on and drive me crazy

It ain't ever too late baby

You ain't gonna wake me up"

The next chapter will pick up from the open mic night. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. I've also made a twitter page where I'll post live updates and we can also fangirl together. It's bourbonstreet0 so go follow that!

Please review because they make me smile and also follow this story so you get notified when I update. Love you all!

-P x