I'm not going to pretend that Stefan's admission didn't shock me, or that I didn't tense up. I'd have to be stupid to not get wary of him. He's a ripper, and even if I'm new to vampires I know about the Ripper of Monterey. We went over him in history once. Sure that is pretty scary, but from his journal, our few encounters, and how Bonnie talked about him. I'm sure that he doesn't want to be a ripper. From his fast pace and straight back I'm positive he thinks I'm disgusted.
"Stefan," I call out hesitantly. He turns around and looks at me warily. "I'm not going to say that I understand how you feel. But I think I can sympathize with you. Something dark is in you. You think that you should be able to control it, but you can't. It makes you feel weak, but you can't help but succumb to the urge."
He stares at me in disbelief. His jaw working, but his frame still tense. With as much caution as I can muster I take small steps towards him. I keep moving until I'm right in front of him. Bringing my hand up I run it through his light brown hair.
He gives me a shaky smile and lifts a strand of my hair. "Why'd you dye it?"
"Needed a change," I reply returning his grin.
His grin becomes more genuine. "So what color are you naturally, redbird?"
"Don't start Stefan." I say shoving his shoulder back while laughing. "Light brown if you must know."
Stefan laughs too throwing his arm back over my shoulder. I resist my urge to lean into him, but I do wrap my arm around his waist. We keep walking to his house, but when we get closer he forces me to get on his back. Reluctantly complying I squeal as he runs the rest of the way. We end up at his place faster than it took us to travel a few feet. It takes a bit of coaxing for me to get off of Stefan's back. When I do, my legs are a bit shaky and I collapse on the ground. At least I would have had Stefan's arms not wrapped around me and supported my weight. Staring into his eyes I can't help but get a bit dazed. His face is inching closer to mine, and just as our lips are about to meet there's a throat cleared next to us. Stefan whips me up and behind his back facing whoever it is that interrupted us. Looking over his shoulder I see Elena. Tear stains on her cheeks, hair mussed, and lip trembling.
"Elena?" Stefan asks wonder and wariness in his tone.
Stepping away from him. My eyes search the space in between them. What's going on here?