Both Alaric and I could never come to an agreement on what we were but we came to an arrangement. The basics were that we were not friends, and most definately not together in any way other than physical. Town meetings always seemed tense and any town events meant we stayed on opposite sides of the room. Like today. The Lockwoods' were hosting a party at their house which every town member was meant to attend, whether they wanted to or not.

Jenna and I stood to a side, both holding a glass of champagne, watching a room full of 'merry', also known as drunk, people dance dreadfully to music that would make people turn in their graves. "Hello handsome..." Jenna muttered under her breath to herself.

"Who?" I asked, leaning close to her trying to follow her eye line. As soon as I saw the general direction she was looking in I knew who she was talking about.

"Alaric Saltzman," she replied. "A man to be admired; not only for his looks but also his body. Maybe also some of his personality, but who in their right mind wants to have sex with personality?" She giggled to herself, proving just how much she had drank, and after draining her glass she handed it to me. "And I think I may need to dance with him. Wish me luck!" She winked at me before sauntering off.

Dropping her glass on one of the many tables that were scattered across the room, I wandered the rooms of the ground floor of the house.

"How does it feel?" A voice whispered, standing so clode I could feel each breath against my neck. "Your Aunt has a thing for your Lover. But then again, is he your lover?"

"No, Damon!" I sighed turning around. "He is not my anything. I don't want him, he's just there! And anyway, I'm ending it! With Jenna involved I'm not taking any chances. So there, now you know! Feel free not to tell anyone or I'll stake you so fast you won't know what hit you." I quickly finished my glass, before trying to excuse myself stating I needed a refill.

"I'll come with you," he replied, grabbing my arm and leading me towards the main room, grabbing two more champagne flutes off a waiter on the way, passing one to me.

"What are you doing, Damon?" I asked, trying to pull my arm from his grasp. My attempts were feeble and he knew I wasn't trying to escape. I was helpless again vampire strength, yet standing next to Damon I got another sense of helplessness- a sense of falling. A sense that eventually I'd hit the ground painfully to the point where I'll break both legs, an arm, numerous ribs and possibly end up with a fractured skull. He is bad for me. He is bad for me. He is bad for me...

He leaned in, smirking when I didn't pull away. His lips pressed to my cheek before slowly turning his head so that he was looking me straight in the eyes, standing so close his nose was touching mine. His lips hovered over mine.

"Proving my hunch," he whispered, his breath fanning over my face before he let me go, stepping back and staring at me before walking away chuckling to himself.

Glaring at him I shouted a quick "bastard" before storming out of the room, draining my drink as I went. Finding an empty room I closed the door before throwing the glass I held tightly in my hand against the furtherst wall, screaming. He was the first man to ever stand up to me. The first man to ever play me at my own game, and for that I hated him.

"I hate you!" I shouted at the wall, not noticing the door open behind me.

Lips pressed against my neck, an arm wrapping around my waist. I wrenched myself out of the grasp, whirling around and coming face to face with Alaric. "Why are you here?" I asked harshly, spitting the words out.

"I heard you screaming, I thought you could use a distraction." His reply was too comforting and relaxing to make me feel better. He wanted me to feel better. Eventually this would lead to some other emotion I didn't intend to ever feel towards him. He would experience love, and I'd only ever experience lust towards him. Neither one of us could win.

"No," I spat. "I don't need your distractions! What I need is for you to leave me alone. I need you out of my life. The agreement we had? It's over!"

He recoiled slightly and I knew the agreement had already gone too far. "What do you mean?" he asked, stepping forward, trying to take hold of my arm but I stepped away just in time.

"I mean it's over. I've had enough. Jenna likes you and she is all I have left therefore this can't happen. I'll never fall for you and even if I do, I'll never want you. You need to move on and find someone who can love you because that's what you need. You need someone who'll be there, someone who'll love you and want to listen to you. What we have is sex, pure and simple, and that is where it ends. Go talk to Jenna, you'll like her and sure, it'll be awkward for a while between us but we'll have to get comfortable, won't we?" I knew what I was saying wasn't making sense to either of us but it was my way of release.

"Bella..." he whispered, his arm reaching for me before it dropped loosely to his side.

"Sorry," I quitely replied, watching as he turned around and walked out the room.

This was another part of our arrangement. That if it was called off neither one was to fight the other about it. However I found myself regretting my choice. Sure, it was for Jenna but over the past few weeks I'd learnt to like him. I didn't love him but I liked him none the less. But now I just had to hope I hadn't ended it needlessly. Him and Jenna could make a good couple, a better couple that we could have ever been.

For the rest of the night, I found myself sitting alone in the same room, watching the shadows of people crossing the doorway and listening to the joyful laughter of excited , as well as drunk, people. I sat alone and thought of life- of how short it could be- and for the first time in my life I wished for love. I wished that I could find someone I wanted to spend my life with- find someone who suited me like my Father suited my Mother. Find someone as self-loathing and as sadistic as myself.

Someone like Damon, the one man that stood up to me.

Sorry this is so late but I'm in the middle of exams, speaking of I have one in less that nine hours so I should probably get some sleep. I hope you like the chapter and it would be wonderful if you could review ~hint hint~. Thanks again!