The afternoon sun rays peeked through the lace curtains' tiny holes and into Elena's eyes, finally waking her up. Her hair was a complete mess, and her covers were everywhere but on herself. She stepped off the bed, stopping to adjust herself to the cold hardwood floors. She stretched out her back and arms, and then made her way down to the kitchen for some much needed breakfast. Red solo cups littered the floor and counter tops. Elena laughed to herself as she thought of the fit Caroline would be throwing once she awoke to find such a mess in her house. She snooped around the cabinets for some kind of food, but ended up settling for a crunchy mess of "gluten free" cereal. It wasn't the best, but it was food none the less. Once she finished she rinsed out her bowl and went back up to the room to get ready for the day. Her phone was buzzing as she entered. She ran over to her bedside table to grab it before it rang out to voicemail.
"Hey, hello," she asked, hoping it wasn't too late.
"Good morning sunshine," Matt called out.
"Matt, it's like seven am there right now. What are you doing up," she groaned.
"You seem to forget I have a business to run. I have to be an early riser. I just thought I'd call and check up on you this morning."
"Well nothing has changed since I talked to you last night. I actually just got out of bed. Might go out and do some shopping, go see a few more friends, I'm not totally sure yet."
"That's good. It's weird to think you're all the way on the east coast right now. It's been one night and I'm already ready for you to come back home," Matt chuckled.
"I'll be back before you know it, trust me. Well I'm going to get off of here and get myself going. I'll talk to you later, kay," she felt like she was rushing him off.
"Okay, bye Lena." When Matt finally hung up she let out a deep breath. He was already trying to smother her. Calling her both before she went to bed, and when she got out of it. Hopefully this wouldn't be an every day occurrence.
She took her time in the shower, enjoying the hot spray of the water. The minty scent of her shampoo filled the bathroom as she scrubbed it in her hair. Once she stepped out and wrapped a towel around her she drug the comb through her knotted hair and applied her makeup. She sifted through her clothes and pulled out a nice fit and flare white sundress. Might as well try and look as pretty as possible while she was down here. Show everyone that California had been good to her. It was very evident by her appearance that she was much healthier now than ever. Her skin that was once a constant olive tone was now lightly tanned, her hair had lightened up, and her delicate tattoos now brought out a new character to her. She realized once she was done primping, she was all dressed up with nowhere to go.
She could hear someone awake down stairs by now. Judging by the lack of a hissy fit it had to be Stefan. Elena grabbed her phone, purse, and wedges and went to go greet him. As soon as she stepped off of the bottom step and into his view, his eyes got visibly wider for a moment before returning to normal.
"You look nice Elena, going somewhere," he inquired. She fiddled around with her things before flashing him her most persuasive smile.
"I would if I had somewhere to go, and somehow to get there," she batted her long eyelashes.
"Take my car, I'm off til Wednesday. Just don't wreck it. And if you happen to run into Damon, don't let him smoke in it." With that, he tossed her the keys and she thanked him graciously. Then she realized what he had said. Don't let Damon smoke in it? Since when was he a smoker. Seems like Damon left out a lot of his story last night. He had said he was upset, but what would drive him to cope with cigarettes. He had always deemed it a disgusting habit, and assured her it was one he would never take up. Turns out, he lied.
Elena slid her shoes on and went out front to find Stefan's car. His little red Porsche stood out immediately and she unlocked it. Th car roared to life under her. She felt like a million bucks in that moment. Who really got to drive a car like this anymore? Today, her. She decided to head into town and grab some lunch at The Grill and then maybe make a stop at the cemetery. She felt guilty for not having been by the visit her parents' grave in two years, granted she was in California.
The Grill was packed with the usual lunch crowd, but despite the crowd Elena found a seat at the bar rather quickly. Liv, the bar maid, took her order and started on her drink. Elena looked around, seeing how much had changed while she was away. Nothing at all really, other than the new wait staff, and different bar stools. Bonnie, one of Elena's closest friends now worked there. After she noticed her, she realized she had not been at the party last night. She hadn't seen her yet. There's no way she hadn't known Elena was visiting, almost everyone knew. When you live in a town as small as Mystic Falls, every event, every rumor spreads like wildfire.
"Bonnie," Elena called out as she left a couple's table near the back. She smiled and frantically waved to her friend. Bonnie looked up, but then cast her eyes back down just as quickly. Well, that went great. A young man took the seat next to her.
"Well if it's not Miss Elena Gilbert," his voice was deep, but kind. She looked over at him, taking him in.
"Oh my gosh, Tyler Lockwood. Look at you all dressed up in uniform. I guess the Police Academy spit you back out on the right side of the law now," she smiled.
"You don't look so bad yourself, Gilbert. What have you gotten yourself into. I heard you moved out West."
"I did. I'm helping my friend run a bar right now. It's pretty fun most of the time, but the job gets old after a while."
"I know all about that. Liv complains about it every night. She hates it, but it helps pay the bills. You'd think cops get paid more than they actually do. Not the case. It actually kinda sucks too. You have to put up with everyone's crap all the time. Your boy Damon can't seem to stay out of it lately. Straighten him up while you're in town, will ya?"
Elena put on her best fake smile and nodded. What the hell was going on with Damon? In one day she had found out about his smoking habit, and now run ins with the police. Things really must have been rough on him. Speaking of, she would be giving him a call soon. It was well passed the afternoon and he hadn't bothered to try and meet up with her like he had promised the night before.
Live brought her food and set it in front of her. Elena nodded and smiled in her direction. Liv turned her attention to Tyler, placing a quick kiss on his lips before rambling about the rude guys at the other end of the bar. How cute, she thought. Elena popped a few fries in her mouth and distracted herself by twirling the alcohol around in her glass.
"Drinking without me I see," an all too familiar voice rang out from behind her. Elena smiled before spinning around to greet him.
"You stalking me," Elena cocked her eyebrow at him playfully. Damon looked handsome in his navy blue button down and dark wash jeans. His hair was naturally messy. He flagged Liv down and ordered a bottle of top shelf Bourbon before taking a seat on the other side of Elena.
"Hitting it heavy this early," she questioned him. He smiled lazily at her and nodded. His baby blue eyes glistened in the dim lighting of the room. Liv returned with his Bourbon and two small shot glasses. He poured a few shots, sliding one to Elena. She pushed it back to him, shaking her head.
"Not right now. Maybe a little later. It's too early for me," she insisted. Damon shrugged and downed both shots himself.
"You'll come around in the next few minutes or so. Believe it or not, I didn't know you'd be here and agreed to meet Katherine for a late lunch. She should be here soon. You still have time to escape if you'd like." His tone was light, but his eyes told a different story. Something was bothering him. She was about to take up his offer and agree to meet up later, but she was too late. The double doors swung open and in walked the she devil herself. Katherine was all dolled up in a tight cocktail dress and heels. Her dark brown hair was high, and her long nails were perfectly manicured, as per usual. A tight feline grin was on her face until she spotted Elena next to Damon. If looks could kill, that would've done Elena in right then and there. She pulled a waiter aside and asked for a table, for two, Elena assumed. Next, she made her way to the bar.
"Elena." Her green eyes pierced daggers into Elena. She coyly walked up to Damon and wrapped her arms around him from behind. She moved to his side and turned his face to meet hers. As sensually as she could she kissed him hard, biting his lower lip and pulling it out slightly. This was all an act. She just wanted to rub the fact that she could do whatever she wanted with Damon into her face. She hit a nerve, so obviously Katherine's plan had worked. Elena grabbed the filled shot glass and threw it back before standing up and walking away from the bar. Damon reached out for her.
"Lena, don't go. Come on," he begged her. Katherine was still hanging around his shoulders, never taking her eyes off of Elena. This was stupid. Elena decided the minute that woman had walked through the door that this wasn't worth it.
"Yeah E-lena, we have missed you so much please don't leave us again. Or go. Either one suits me just fine," Katherine remarked sarcastically.
" I'm just going to go. I'll see you guys around. I have things to do." Elena's voice was cold, and she meant it to be. She wanted it to hurt Damon. With that, she walked out and back to Stefan's car. When she sat down all of the rage from inside had finally hit her. She hit the steering wheel with both hands before turning the car on and driving away. She found herself driving to the cemetery, but not willing herself to get out. She hadn't been here in so long. She had nothing to say to the headstones. Not anything that mattered anyways. It wasn't her parents. It was a rock, stuck there taunting her, reminding her that they were dead. That they couldn't hear her apologies anyways. So she stayed in the car and rested her head on the steering wheel.
She hadn't missed California yet until this moment. When she was there she never had to worry about this depression washing over her. Here, it was just one thing after the other piling on. Elena put the car in drive and turned around to go back to the house. Her phone rang a few times, but she dismissed it. She didn't feel like talking to anyone just yet.
When she pulled in the boarding house driveway, she noticed Caroline's car was there too. Finally she would be able to have some girl time with her. Elena threw the car in park and grabbed her belongings before rushing in to the house. Caroline was sprawled out on the couch when Elena walked in. She looked absolutely drained.
"What happened to you? I think someone needs a drink," Elena tried to be extra cheery, despite her dwindling mood. She grabbed a bottle of wine, and two glasses from the kitchen and filled them up with the red liquid. She handed one over to Caroline, who slowly sat up and accepted the drink.
"You're a life saver. I had a long day at work. It seems like there's always one complaint after another." Caroline ran her own interior design business, and her most recent job was on Mayor Lockwood's Mansion. According to Caroline, Carol, the Mayor's wife, was being extremely nit picky with each renovation Caroline had suggested, in turn driving her nuts.
"My beautiful blond hair is falling out because she's stressing me out so much! This is bad Elena. Geeze I'm sorry. You come down here to visit and all I am doing is working, and bitching. I'm sure that's not what you were looking forward to." Caroline set her drink down and massaged her temples with her finger tips. Elena shrugged and took another swig of wine.
"I promise I'll take a day off this week and we will go shopping, and get mani pedis, and have a full out girl's day. No work, no drama, and no guys. But for now, I need to get dinner started, so I can eat, drown myself in another bottle of wine, and then sleep." Caroline hugged Elena and sauntered off into the kitchen. Elena went upstairs to the guest room and locked herself in. She changed into her pajamas early, turned the TV on, and tuned it to some cheesy romantic comedy. She laid in bed watching it until he phone started ringing again. Elena rolled her eyes as Damon's name popped up on the screen, but she reluctantly answered it.
"What," she said bluntly.
"What's wrong now. I know Kat was out of line earlier, but you don't have to take it out on me. Let me come get you. We can go out, or take a walk. Anything. Just let me see you," Damon pleaded.
"I'm busy right now, Damon. You saw me earlier. You're fine," Elena sighed heavily, not wanting to drag on this conversation.
"You are such a liar. You're locked in your room, in your pajamas, probably boring yourself with some movie. Anything could be better than that." She had to admit, he knew her well. That didn't mean she was giving in.
"Actually, I'm on the other line with Matt. He was just telling me how much he misses me and what we are going to do when I get back home Sunday," she tried her best to feign a stuck up demeanor.
"Well get off the phone. I'm down stairs, and I'm coming up right now. Caroline's in on it, I told her you had a rough day, blame her." He hung up. She could hear his boots pounding against the stairs as he ascended them. The door was locked, he couldn't get in, nice try though. He wiggled the door handle.
"Elena open the door," he demanded.
"Go away. I don't want company right now." She stuck true to her stubborn roots.
"Elena open the door right now, or so help me God, I will kick it in." Elena still didn't budge. He wouldn't actually do it. Caroline would kill him before he broke her house.
"I'm being serious here. I'll give you until the count of three or this door is coming down. One. Two..." Elena hopped out of bed and swung the door open just as he was raising up his foot. Her expression was far from amused. She simply turned around, and went back to sit in bed.
"Well now that that's taken care of," Damon spoke to no one in particular. He closed the door behind him and walked over to join Elena. He kicked off his boots as he raised his legs to lounge on the bed.
"So I would apologize, but seeing as I did nothing wrong this time I'm not going to." Damon stuck his hands behind his head and leaned back against the headboard. Elena rolled her eyes again, and focused back on the TV screen. She tried her best to ignore him. They sat in silence until the credit rolled, and she no longer had any excuse to avoid him.
"What do you want Damon. Go home to Katherine. I'm sure she wants you around," she said bitterly.
"You want me here too, or else you would've kicked me out by now."
"I tried, but your stubborn ass refused. So I let you stay by default,"
"Elena don't sit here and argue with me. I've had to miss you for two years. I didn't get to speak with you for two years. My life went down the drain...in two years. You have no idea how much power you have over me, and it's driving me nuts that you just keep trying to push me away," Damon's dam of emotions broke, and he was the tidal wave. Elena just looked down at her hands in silence.
"You are the one who left me. You are the one who didn't give a shit about me. You moved over a thousand miles away without even saying one word to me. How do you think I handled that? Going from being inseparable, to just poof-gone. Two whole years. You were living it up in that bar of yours, while I was here miserable trying to take on a family business I didn't even want, and trying to force myself to be in love with Katherine." Damon was sitting up straight now. His electric eyes were wild, his face was flushed. He was losing his temper.
"Damon. Stop it. I left because I needed to. I couldn't sit there and watch you and Katherine all over each other every single day. When she convinced you to move out and stay away from me, I thought our friendship was over. It broke my heart and I wasn't healing. I would see you at bars, and you wouldn't speak to me. I would call your phone, just to get your voice mail. I pushed you away because you tossed me aside like garbage once Kat came into the picture. Don't deny it." Elena wouldn't make eye contact with him. She was shaking slightly from her nerves. She didn't like confronting these feelings with him, because he didn't feel the way she did. He didn't understand.
"You could've stayed Elena. Things would've gotten better. You just had to hit that little bump in the road, but you couldn't handle it so you fled."
"Would they have gotten better? Tell me, would you have acknowledged my existence again after a few months of ignoring the shit out of me? You know what. If we are going to fight about this, I'll just go ahead and tell you everything. Better to be pissed at me now for the right reasons, than to hate me for the wrong ones. I loved you. I've loved you ever since high school, but did you ever take into account my feelings? No. You dated a new girl every week. At least that wasn't as horrible as Katherine. Katherine was your downfall. She is the one that ruined our friendship. You knew deep down it was her fault, and what do you do? You go and marry her! That just makes it all better, right? I might have made mistakes, but all of them stemmed from loving you." Elena spat out the last sentence. Immediately she regretted saying it, all of it. She could see the anger in his eyes transform into complete devastation.
"So you resent me for not loving you the way that you did, or do, me. Maybe you should've just stayed in California after all. I wanted you to come back home to me, but not if we are just going to hurt each other more. It's best for both of us if we just stay far apart." Without another word, or even a glance, he got up and left. She didn't hear from him again that night.