.

I figured it'd be a regular thing for Bonnie, Caroline and I to get ready for these type of things together. To be honest it was quite fun, throwing various outfits around the room until you found 'the one'. I'd told them about everything this week, just yesterday in fact. Bonnie's Grams invited Caroline and I over for dinner and, mainly because they asked, naming themselves as the new 'non-judging-Breakfast-Club'…I told them. I guess it was easier now or something like that. Why shouldn't they know? Caroline cried, which I thought was quite cute, pulling her into a hug and laughing quietly at her silliness. I wasn't getting over it, by no means, but at least I was starting to find it easier talking about it. I was accepting it...just about. Blake thought it was a good thing for me to tell the people I trusted…and that's just what I did.

My point was that now that they knew I didn't have to keep the wounds hidden all the time. If I wanted to I could wear a tank top without them asking questions…that type of thing. So right now I was sat on my bed in some black tracksuits and said tank top, staring at the dress they wanted me to wear, currently hung up on the open wardrobe door. Behind me they too were looking at it, waiting for my approval.

Sighing heavily, I tilted my head to the side, "But won't you be able to see the bandages?"

"Try it on and find out."

They weren't going to let me get out of it. So, reluctantly, I picked it up, heading into the bathroom, stripping down to my black lace underwear before pulling the dress on. Looking good generally meant you felt good…right now, looking in the mirror, I couldn't make up my mind. I was 'on the fence' as my old history teacher used to say all the time. The dress was tight, black almost bodycon, the solid colour cutting off as a bandeau with a sweetheart neckline. But then it went higher in a sheer black material, ¾ length sleeves to hide the healing cuts and yellowing bruises on my arms. It shouldn't take four weeks for bruises to go…what the hell was wrong with me? Just go already!

Letting out another sigh, pulling my black tights up a little, I returned to my room, "I don't know guys. It's kinda tight..." I said, tugging at the material lightly and not quite noticing their silence. In the mirror the wound on my shoulder didn't seem quite as obvious as I'd expected through the material, only visible if you really look.

Glancing up, I froze, mid-tug, seeing them both staring at me with mouths slightly open, "Elena Gilbert if you don't wear that dress I'll make you watch Taken."

Eyes widening at the blondes threat, I swore quietly. It really was a great film but all the gun fights… "That's mean. But I'm serious, I would have worn this a few months ago but-"

"But what?! You look hot! Damon won't know what to do with himself."

Frowning at that, I pulled a little more on the short skirt. To be honest it wasn't that short, just halfway down my thighs; I always wore dresses this short to parties, sometimes shorter and at least I was wearing tights…still, "You know he doesn't like me like that...he's made that pretty clear." I said, giving in on the dress argument and moving across to the bottom of the wardrobe where all my shoes were dumped. After a few minutes debate I picked out the black platform ankle boots wedges, about 5 inches high but I had plenty of practice walking in them. I was one of those weird people who preferred heels to flats…don't ask why.

I could feel both of them staring at me as I sat on the edge of the bed to pull them on, thinking if I kept quiet they'd leave it, "Do you like him?"

Nope…what wishful thinking; of course they wouldn't drop it. I shrugged, forcing an almost convincing smile as I met Bonnie's chocolate brown eyes, "Doesn't matter." Because it didn't, did it? I went to stand by the mirror next to Caroline, fiddling through my make-up bag.

"Yes it does... you do like him. Like you actually like him-"

Sighing, I closed my eyes for a moment, "Okay, I do but what does it matter? Trust me; he doesn't like me like that. We're just friends. I like being his friend."

And still their eyes were on me, unconvinced and waiting for something more. I tried to focus on doing my make-up a little bit of dark eye shadow, some black eye-liner curl my eyelashes, mascara…still staring, focus, don't crack, "I actually think he likes you too." Caroline's announcement rang through the silence, her tone light and chirpy as if she was saying the weather was quite nice today. Deep breath…keep doing your make-up "I mean, if you think about what he's like with all the other girls, he doesn't treat you anything like them. I swear he actually respects you and this is Damon Salvatore we're talking about; the epic man-whore. He's a complete player-"

"-Yes, he's also a complete player who completely friend-zoned me. So no…maybe he does treat me different but that's because he sees me as a friend." It was quite amusing having to drill it into her mind so much.

Bonnie cut in then, bumping her hip into mine to make us move over to make room for her in front of the mirror, all leaning forward to do our various makeups, "You so don't know Damon." She muttered, almost sounding exasperated, "I'm not gonna lie, I hate the guy; I think he's a total D-bag and just rude and horrible. But I've never seen him treat a girl like he treats you, even after just four weeks. The way he looks at you, he's always finding some excuse to touch you, he always sits next to you…you might not notice it but I certainly have. I know Kol has, same with Klaus, Caroline…even Mason. He does like you Lena."

Frowning, the mascara wand hovered aimlessly in my hand, staring into the mirror at nothing in particular, "Well he's made it pretty clear verbally that he doesn't think of me like that."

"Then why don't you make the first move?"

I looked at the blonde with a raised eyebrow, wondering if she really just asked me that, "Caroline, with my history? No chance."

"Well maybe that's what's stopping him! I mean you have said a few times that you don't want another boyfriend. Maybe that's put him off…it's possible."

"But he's hardly one to have something like that put him off." Bonnie reasoned, cutting herself off when she realised she was arguing the wrong side and I laughed quietly.

"Let's not do this right now, let's just get ready and go to the party. They'll be here in ten minutes-"

"-SHIT! Why didn't you say?!"

It was a bit like those prom nights you see in high school rom-coms to be honest; how when Jenna opened the door there stood three guys in suits. I tried my best not to laugh at the whole situation. We'd planned for the other two to be picked up here as well just so we could get ready together. Jenna and Alaric were about to leave ahead of us, their car just pulling out of the driveway now. Then Jeremy was going with his friends. It was all very well organised.

If there was one thing that I noticed though, it was that Damon Salvatore looked damn fine in a suit. It was very simple, a well-fitting black suit and crisp white shirt, a skinny black tie…he looked good and he knew it. But that was just normal wasn't it. There was a moment of silence after the door opened, broken quickly as the others erupted into greetings and conversation but all I could focus on was Damon, feeling myself blush a little as his eyes ran way too slowly up and down my body. We shouldn't have this chemistry if he didn't like me like that. He shouldn't be looking at me like that if he didn't like me and I shouldn't be doing the same and blushing...god dammit.

As the others made their way to the kitchen for whatever reason, he stepped over the threshold, still not taking his eyes off me which wasn't helping his case "Hey…" I managed, giving a small smile and remembering every word spoken upstairs just twenty minutes ago.

A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth, nodding once, "Hey to you too." I could feel my pulse beating faster and faster but kept calm inside, a mantra in my head telling me he didn't like me like that, it was my imagination, he didn't like me like that… "You look amazing."

Oh holy mother of god, "Don't look too bad yourself." I said with a smirk, keeping the tone as he wanted it…friendly. Maybe I was to blame for this too, but what could I do about it?

"You ready to go?"

Nodding as the others returned with a whole lot of noise, trying to ignore the looks I was receiving from my friends, I whacked on a smile, "Let's go then."

.

I don't know if I expected it to be like it was…if that made any sense at all. Everyone seemed so dressed up, the Mayor and family greeted you on the door, there were smartly dressed waiters carrying around trays of champagne. I liked it. Bonnie, Caroline and co. had all come in Klaus' car, seeing as it was big enough for four but I'd gone in Damon's amazing blue Camaro in which, on the drive, he told me all the things to look out for.

Naturally, it took me all of five minutes to reach the first 'danger' on arrival. "Oh my god, Elena Gilbert!"

Turning at the sound of my name, I saw a woman, probably about forty something but looked younger (tried to look younger more like; there was a certain age that the length of your skirt should really lengthen slightly), heading over with a huge smile on her face, "Hi…" Glancing up at Damon for some sort of identification, I noticed the exasperated expression on his face. Who was this crazy lady who seemed to know me so well?

She grabbed my hand, shaking it all too eagerly, "I'm Carol Lockwood, the Mayors wife. It's so good to finally have a Gilbert back in town."

Ah... I smiled as the confusion seeped away, whacking on my 'talking-to-responsible-grown-up's-and-I'm-one-too' attitude, "Well it's great to be here-"

"-You must come over for coffee one time." Okay, I was not a fifty year old woman, and I really didn't like coffee that much. What a strange suggestion for a teenager...but have no fear, lady rushed on, I had no chance to speak, "Will your parents be around?"

Trying my best not to smile at her ways, I shook my head, "No, they're in Richmond. But I think they said something about visiting soon."

"I'll give them a ring. Lovely to see you." And off she went.

The second she was out of earshot we both started laughing, feeling a little confused, "That was weird."

"That was Carol Lockwood. The woman is weird." Laughing quietly, I turned more to face him, looking over his shoulder and around the crowded room, my hand unconsciously moving to my shoulder as I took in all the extensive gowns and suits, "You alright?"

Meeting his eyes in surprise at the question, I nodded, "Yeah, why?"

"Your shoulder…?"

"No…it's fine I just don't like the fact that you can see it." I said with a smile, shrugging it off.

"You can't, unless you're looking for it." he assured me, a smile tugging on his mouth, "I like the dress."

Feeling myself blush a tiny bit I looked down, smiling, "They made me wear it. If I had my way I'd be rocking up in my onesie. Then the real Gilbert's would have arrived. You think my mums really smart and proper but at home she just wonders around in a onesie and Ugg boots."

He laughed at that, imagining it "Sounds better than these strait-jackets. But I can't imagine Carol Lockwood in a onesie somehow. I don't really want to..."

"They're the best invention ever. You just feel like a massive baby…best thing to sleep in."

"Oh I prefer to sleep in nothing."

Bursting out laughing at his pointed look and blatant sleaziness, I couldn't help but roll my eyes, "Typical Damon."

He just grinned, shrugging his shoulder, "Don't bash it till you've tried it."

Raising an eyebrow, I took a sip of the expensive champagne, "Who said I hadn't?"

.

-Klaus' POV-

I never thought I'd see the day that Damon Salvatore actually liked a girl. But then I guess the same could be applied to me…although I'd already secretly admitted that I liked Caroline and I got the impression that everyone knew...damn. But with him it wasn't just the fact that he was always going on about her (just my favourite conversation, you can imagine), or the fact that it was, at first, almost always his decision to go sit with them at lunch…it was just the fact that he wasn't bored of her yet. That was not meant as an insult, I promise you, she's cool; I liked her. But the notorious man-whore that is Damon Salvatore does not not get bored of girls after a week...if they're lucky.

What was it that made it all ever weirder? The simple the fact that he hadn't jumped the girl yet. He blatantly liked her. I was pretty sure she liked him…but maybe she didn't because from what he'd said she was pretty clear on the 'friend' thing. I think something happened to her, what I have no idea but that guy Blake that was always around her acted more like some sort of security guy than a friend sometimes. My third grade English teacher always said I had a crazy imagination...Anyway, maybe she just didn't like him like that. Which I'd never seen before. It was really quite disgusting how much girls drooled over the guy, even Carol Lockwood flirted...ew...

Why was I thinking about them so much when I was with Caroline though? Seriously dude, get it together.

Personally I found the fact that she insisted on keeping up this front that she didn't like me hilarious. The girl should never be an actress; she can't lie for shit. We were stood by the fireplace across the room from the other two, conversation perfectly easy and I was trying my best not to smirk when everything sounded like an innuendo or flirting. She just couldn't help it.

However long it was, she let out a sudden groan, making me blink in surprise, following her gaze over to her new friend, "Those two are so fucking annoying you have no idea."

Again trying not to smile at the language, I drank some champagne, "And why's that love?"

She shot me a glare before answering, intent on acting like she didn't like the nickname, "Well he clearly likes her but she thinks he doesn't and she really, really likes him. It's just really pissing me off. She thinks she's been 'friend zoned' or whatever but you can see! You've know Damon for years, how painfully obvious is it that he actually likes her. Urgh it's so annoying."

Now that surprised me, looking at the two again, "I don't think he knows that."

Her tone was frustrated when she cut in, "Knows what?"

"That she likes him. I think he thinks she just wants to be friends."

"Well then they're both idiots!" I could hardly dispute that. They were! I could see the cogs turning in her head, a diabolical master plan forming in her mind, the nerves creeping in…what was she going to do…oh god I didn't want to be part of this. Where was the nearest exit... "Niklaus, you are so clever."

Shit… "Well I know, but why this time?"

"We are going to fix this."

Oh double shit, "And why would I have to do anything?"

"Because if you help I'll go on a proper date with you."

God damn her right to hell, "Bitch."

She just grinned, knowing she'd won, "Good. Now you go get Damon outside, tell him all."

Wait a moment… "And what are you going to be doing?"

"Distracting her of course." She was gone before I could complain, instead grumbling quietly to myself as she made her way to the pair, not giving Elena any warning before dragging her away from Damon. So they'll just go have fun and I'll be left to figure out how the hell to explain this to the most dogmatic guy in school. Great. Thank you Forbes. You're an angel.

How was I whipped already?

.

.

Review, Review, Review!

Thank you thank you thank you :)

I'd say we're getting there...almost.

But tell me what you think and I'll write more more more