Hey guys so here's chapter 11! This deals with going back to their real lives after what happened in Colorado and seeing how it's effected them. Obviously we know they like each other, they're just being stubborn and stupid, but they won't be able to simply get back to normal, and you'll see that through the next couple chapters. They also haven't really discussed what happened so I think they're kind of on slightly different pages. As usual a big thank you to my beta Mallory and all you lovely reviewers out there. Please keep reviewing!

Chapter 11

EPOV

The second I got out of Klaus' car I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, I can enter the confines of my bedroom and coil into a pathetic little ball without having to face Damon again. I hurriedly made my way up the stairs with my luggage grateful that my parents won't be home until tomorrow so I can have at least one night of peace.

"Hey Jer," I said knocking on my brothers open door announcing myself.

"Hey how was your trip," he asked sitting up from his bed with a small smile.

"Uh it was good," I said forcing a smile," I'm just tired."

"Okay well you have a visitor," he said smirking," Caroline Forbes came over so I sent her to wait for you in your bedroom."

"Caroline's here," I asked him confused.

"Yeah she said she thought you'd need a friend tonight," he said furrowing his eyebrows," is everything okay?"

"Oh yeah just Caroline being dramatic," I said brushing him off," I'll see you later."

I should've known Caroline would be here, she's been worrying about me like she's my own mother. I suppose I should just appreciate the fact that I have a new friend outside of Damon, it wasn't healthy how much I depended on him anyways, and now that he's the source of my problems I can't exactly go to him for help.

"Elena you're home," Caroline said excitedly jumping up from my lounge chair to hug me.

"Uh hi Caroline," I said dropping my luggage and hugging her back.

"I hope you aren't mad that I came I can leave if you want I just thought maybe you'd need someone to talk to," she said sheepishly as she pulled away from me.

"No I'm not mad at all," I said smiling gratefully," I'm a little relieved actually."

"Well I suppose you want to shower and change after your trip," she said sitting down at the end of my bed," but maybe after we can talk."

"Yeah I need to get the smell of airplane off me," I said sighing and walking towards my bathroom. I stripped out of my clothes tossing them in the hamper before stepping under the hot spray of the shower relieved at the feeling of the hot water cascading down my back. After hurriedly washing my hair and body I stepped out combing through my wet hair and wrapping the towel around my body. When I walked back into my room Caroline was gone so I changed into my pajamas before walking out into the hall and spotting her coming up the stairs with food in her hands.

"What's all this," I asked with a puzzled grin.

"I figured this talk would be better with junk food," she said smiling and dropping everything on my bed," so here have an Oreo."

"Thanks," I said smiling and sitting down across from her on the bed and taking the cookie.

"So what went down with you and Damon after we hung up," she asked curiously," did you talk or just awkwardly ignore each other? I could see it going either way."

"We talked a little but it was pointless," I said taking a bite out of the cookie," we basically just apologized and decided to put it behind us, but that's not possible, I think we both know that. It was a short conversation on the way to the airport and we hardly uttered a word to each other on the plane ride or drive home."

"Yeah I kind of figured it would make things weird," she said sympathetically," but this is one of those things that takes time. If you truly want to put it behind you and stay friends you'll have to talk about it eventually, but sometimes you just need to spend some time apart before that happens. I know you're humiliated, but I'm sure he is too it isn't like he wasn't reciprocating from what you told me he wanted it too he just decided to be a gentleman."

"Do you really think that's what it is," I asked her confused," he was being a gentleman? Because I think he just came to the realization that he didn't want to be with me."

"Elena if you say Damon doesn't want you one more time I will literally hit you up side the head," she said rolling her eyes," because that boy has got it so bad he might as well write 'I'm in love with Elena Gilbert' across his forehead. I know it, Klaus knows it, and god the whole damn school knows it. Why do you think nobody was surprised to hear you guys were dating? Because no two people make it obvious they want each other more than you and Damon."

"You're a very up-front person Caroline," I said smirking at her.

"Yeah well I'm not going to lie to you," she said shrugging," and I get that you're scared, hell I'm sure he is too. You need to realize that he isn't just your friend, he's so much more than that."

"But he's been my best friend since kindergarten Caroline," I said pleadingly," literally we've been through it all together and yeah I've always had a bit of a thing for him, but I mean what girl doesn't? He's totally gorgeous, he has those amazing blue eyes that make you melt, and god those abs."

"Elena," she said smirking at me," you're seriously in such denial it kills me."

"Well at least by being in denial I don't have to risk losing the best friend I've ever had," I said sadly.

"Look Elena the best lovers are people who are also your best friend," she said enthusiastically," the fact that you've been so close for so long and know each other so well would only make your romantic relationship that much better. And if you're afraid of not having him as your friend remember you've got me."

"Really," I asked shyly.

"Well duh," she said smiling and rolling her eyes dramatically," we've gotten pretty close lately and I'd consider you to be one of my closest friends."

"You too Caroline," I said smiling and nodding," I guess it's just been a while since I've had friends that are girls. I kind of forgot how it works."

"Don't get me wrong I love boys but they're also clueless creatures," she said giggling," you need another girl around. Plus, you can't really talk to boys about boys."

"This is true," I said grinning," speaking of boys how are you and Klaus? I hope he's being good to you."

"He's amazing," she said with a huge smile on her face," seriously I never knew a relationship could be so perfect. He makes me feel so loved, and I trust him completely, which I never had with Tyler. Not to mention that the sex is remarkable."

"I'm happy you're happy, but did not need to know that," I said scrunching my nose up.

"Oh come on sex is an important part of any relationship," she said shrugging," plus it's always better when you're in love. It's just a way to connect with someone on an intimate level, for the first time I actually understand where the phrase 'making love' comes from. I always thought that was so cheesy before, but I get it now."

"I've never had that," I said lowering my gaze," I've never been in love with any of the guys I slept with. I mean, I really liked Matt and that's why I lost my virginity to him, but I didn't love him. All the other guys were merely distractions I guess, after what Matt did to me I didn't want to be in a relationship again."

"What exactly happened with you and Matt," she asked curiously.

"Well we dated for like 4 months freshman year," I said grabbing another cookie," and I really liked him. He was my first everything. I really thought I liked him so after we'd been together a little while I decided I was ready to have sex with him. He dumped me a week later, and on my birthday. He didn't care about me at all he was just using me the entire time."

"That's awful," she said sympathetically.

"Yeah well I'd still take him over Mason Lockwood," I said frowning.

"Mason just sees you as a game," she said rolling her eyes," he likes the chase, and you present a challenge. He thinks he'll eventually get you to want him and that gives him satisfaction."

"Yeah well it'll be a cold day in hell before I even touch him," I said scowling.

"Damon would break every bone in his body if you did," she said with a proud smirk.

"Damon would break every bone in his body no matter what the reason if he could," I said narrowing my eyes at her.

"Nothing fuels a man's rage like jealousy Elena," she said defiantly.

"Maybe so but Damon doesn't get jealous," I said pointedly.

"Whatever you say Elena," she said still smirking.

"Let's watch a movie and you can stop spouting nonsense at me," I said turning away from her and flipping on the TV.

"Poor naive Elena Gilbert," she said sarcastically giggling at me as I glared at her.

Thankfully she didn't press the issue again and after a screening of Easy A and stuffing myself with enough junk food to last a lifetime we fell asleep. I woke up the next morning to the pounding of rain outside and Caroline snoring softly with her stuffed pig clutched tightly in her arms.

"Hey wake up," I said shaking her as she slowly started to stir.

"Ugh no I hate Mondays," she said groaning.

"I'm not too fond of them either," I said yawning.

"Do you mind if I use your shower," she asked slowly sitting up.

"Yeah go ahead I showered last night so I'm not gonna use it," I said gesturing towards the bathroom with my arm before tiredly getting out of bed and walking towards my closet to decide on an outfit. I can't help myself from feeling nervous about going to school today, I'll have to see Damon, and the idea of having to face him makes my stomach churn. I pulled out black jeans with a long sleeve shirt, my leather jacket, and boots adding a scarf and hat. When Caroline and I were both ready we made our way downstairs and grabbed a quick breakfast before she left and I waited for Jeremy so we could leave too. When he came downstairs he had a curious expression on his face until I pulled out of the driveway.

"Care to explain why you're looking at me like that," I asked him smirking.

"I'm just confused," he said shrugging," I mean you had a sleepover with Caroline Forbes, and she said you needed a friend so obviously you were upset about something. What's going on? Did something happen in Denver? Did you and Damon break up? Are you pregnant?"

"Oh my god no none of that is true Jeremy," I said looking at him with wide eyes," honestly Damon and I just had a stupid fight in Colorado and I called Caroline because I needed to talk to someone. You know how dramatic she is, she made a big deal about it and came over to make sure I was okay, it's really nothing."

"What did Damon do," he asked frowning.

"I don't want to talk about honestly it was just a lame disagreement," I said trying to get him to drop the subject.

"Okay," he said eyeing me skeptically," well you know if he hurt you I'll kick his ass."

"That's sweet Jeremy but he'd kill you," I said giggling.

"Well maybe but it's the thought that counts," he said smirking.

"I appreciate the offer," I said smirking back at him as we pulled into the school parking lot. It's still pouring rain with the occasional roar of thunder, my favorite kind if weather. Since we're already running late I opened my umbrella and hurried into school barely making it to my physics class the second the bell rang.

"You're cutting it close Ms. Gilbert," Mr. Simon said eyeing me as I took my seat.

"Well I'm here on time aren't I," I said annoyed as I sat down dropping my crumpled wet umbrella on the floor next to me. Damon was already in his seat and I could feel his eyes on me.

"Hey Gilbert," he said turning towards me as Mr. Simon took attendance.

"Hi Damon," I said awkwardly smiling as I tucked some hair behind my ear.

"So you clear with your parents about Colorado," he asked pressing his lips together," they didn't find out did they?"

"No they weren't even home they get back today," I said with a half smile.

"Salvatore," Mr. Simon said calling Damon's name for attendance.

"Present," he said with his signature smirk that I love so much. I rested my head on my hand propped up on my elbow, unable to break my gaze from him. He has on a blue Henley under his leather jacket and I can't help but think about how much it brings out his eyes. No matter what he wears he looks perfect, but I love him in blue, or black. Actually, I'd rather see him in nothing at all, but that won't be happening anytime soon.

"Ms. Gilbert," Mr. Simon said pulling me from my day daydream.

"Yeah," I said quickly facing forward.

"I was asking if you could tell me what string theory is," he said looking at me and adjusting his glasses.

"Uh I don't know," I said nervously biting my lip.

"Well maybe if you spent more time listening to the lesson and less time staring at Mr. Salvatore you'd be able to tell me the answer," he said smugly eliciting a few laughs rom the other students and making me turn beat red. I fucking hate Mr. Simon.

"Sorry," I said annoyed and unable to stop myself from glaring at him angrily. I purposely made sure not to look anywhere close to Damon's direction for the rest of class. When the bell rang I hurriedly got out of my seat, but Mr. Simon stopped me asking me to come to his desk.

"Look I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention it won't happen again," I said sighing and looking at him pleadingly.

"Well I certainly hope it won't," he said pointedly," but that's not all I need to speak with you about. Your grade in this class is inexcusable Elena, you're failing after that last test, and you need to pass this class to fulfill your 11th grade science requirement. I'm sure you don't want to wind up in summer school, or taking it next year as a senior with all of the kids younger than you."

"I'm failing," I said with a disappointed sigh," I thought I had a C."

"Well you did before the last chapter test," he said folding his hands," you're grade was so low it brought you down to an F. I know this subject can be hard, but you need to study, or perhaps get a tutor. Either way we have a quiz tomorrow so make sure you're ready."

"Okay I'll figure something out," I said glumly as I exited the classroom. I ran into Damon who was standing by the door waiting for me, which is a good sign. If he were mad or uncomfortable with me he probably wouldn't have waited.

"Hey what did Simon want," he asked curiously," he wasn't seriously bugging you for not knowing an answer was he?"

"No he was telling me that I'm failing his class and I need to raise my grade," I said disappointed.

"Oh," he said dropping his smile," I can help you if you want."

"Damon Salvatore when have you ever studied," I asked him smirking as we made our way down the hall.

"I don't study but I happen to be really good at physics," he said shrugging when I stopped at my locker," I got an A on the last test and all I did was read a little the night before."

"You really are miraculous you know that," I said turning to face him. It's true, he's too smart for his own good. I don't know how he does it.

"I'm aware," he said wiggling his eyebrows.

"Well I suppose I could use some help," I said sighing and ignoring his cockiness," there's a quiz tomorrow and I'd rather not fail."

"Okay I'll come by later," he said as I closed my locker," I'll see you later I have to get to English."

I watched as he walked away and made his way down the hall before turning the corner. I guess I'm relieved that things seemed a little less weird just now, but there's still a heavy tension looming between us. I wonder if it'll ever go away after what happened. Despite my failing grade my mood has improved a little bit because of the semi-normal behavior with Damon earlier, that is until I got to English and Mason Lockwood took the seat next to me. I've been successfully avoiding him over the past couple weeks by sitting next to Monica Fell, but she's absent today so unfortunately the devil himself has taken her seat.

"Elena it really has been too long," he said smirking at me.

"A million years wouldn't be long enough," I muttered under my breath as I pulled my notebook and pen from my bag.

"You and Salvatore break up yet," he asked in a condescending tone. That's a good question; I have no idea if Damon and I are still in our pseudo-relationship. We haven't talked about that yet, baby steps I suppose.

"Why do you care," I asked annoyed," even if we did I would never go anywhere near you, so it really doesn't matter now does it?"

"You can only pretend you don't want me for so long Elena," he said elongating the sound of my name.

"Were you dropped on your head as an infant," I asked him angrily," seriously how many times do I have to tell you to leave me the fuck alone? I don't speak any other languages, but I have a translator app I could put to good use if you don't understand English."

"Okay everyone I need you all to clam down," Mrs. Pearl said effectively silencing the class and taking away Mason's opportunity to respond back to me. She took attendance quickly before getting back up and writing something on the board. After the bell rang I hurriedly rushed out of the classroom and met Caroline near our lockers.

"Hey how's it going," she asked curiously," have you and Damon talked yet?"

"Yeah we did in physics this morning," I said shrugging," but not about Colorado, just normal stuff. It still feels a little weird though."

"Well that's to be expected," she said smiling softly," at least you guys spoke. Obviously he's making an effort."

"Yeah I guess," I said with a deep breath," anyways you want to eat lunch?"

"Sure," she said closing her locker and following me to the cafeteria. We sat down at a table in the corner and talked until the bell rang. My last two classes went by quickly, and since my month of detention is finally up I actually get to go home straight after school. Jeremy met me by my car, and when we got home I saw the Louis Vuitton luggage sitting in the foyer, which can only mean one thing, my mom is home. My phone beeped saying I had a new text from Damon.

You want me to come over now?

I swear I'm insane, I mean I have to be. I obviously have feelings for my best friend, and I threw myself at him less than 48 hours ago. I shouldn't be tormenting myself like this, but here I am. I can't not see him, and I really do need help if I'm going to avoid failing physics.

Ya thank you

DPOV

I'm torturing myself, literally torturing myself. I'm in love with my best friend, and now I'm on my way to her house so I can help her with her homework when all I really want to do is kiss her, and be with her. Once again I find myself wondering why I'm such a fucking masochist. Damon Salvatore is not a masochist. I do things for myself; I do things that make me happy. I sleep with skanky willing girls, I pull immature pranks simply for entertainment value, and in general I don't do things unless I want to. I don't want to go to Elena's right now because I know I'm going to spend the next couple hours trying to explain physics to her instead of doing what I know I'll want to. I can't even be in the same room as her without remembering how she looked the other night, all hot and needy, and that black lacy underwear that barely covered her. I want her so bad it hurts, but I can't take her, so instead I'm going to help her pass physics. I should be making fun of myself, that's how utterly pathetic I've become. When I pulled up to the large brick house that's come to haunt me in many of my dreams I hurriedly ran towards the front porch ringing the doorbell.

"I'm here for Elena," I said to the maid the greeted me with a plastered grin on her face. I'm sure she likes more than the actual owners.

"She's up in her room," the woman said before walking away from me. I made my way up the stairs and back towards Elena's bedroom where I found her sitting on the bed surrounded by books and papers.

"You get started without me," I asked her smirking.

"Yeah I'm trying to comprehend this shit," she said with a deep sigh.

"Well that's why I'm here and we'll make sure you don't end up in summer school," I said trying to sound enthusiastic.

"So you really understand all this bullshit," she asked me skeptically as I sat down next to her on the bed.

"I have a good memory and science tends to come easy," I said shrugging," but you know about my inability to write an essay so I'm not good at everything. I'm sure that surprises you."

"Ugh please put away the ego," she said shaking her head and laughing. She's so beautiful when she laughs, I love nothing more than seeing her happy.

"Okay let's take a look at the study questions," I said smirking at her before diving in. After a very long and torturous three hours she finally felt ready for the quiz, and I needed a cold shower. Sitting so close to her, and seeing her perfect face as she slowly began understanding was the highlight of my day. If I could actually act on how I feel I'd be on cloud nine.

"You can stay for dinner if you want," she said as we got up off her bed.

"No that's okay I have a frozen pizza at home," I said with a half smirk," but I wanted to ask you something."

"Okay go ahead," she said nervously tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Isn't that beauty pageant thing coming up," I asked eyeing her suspiciously.

"Yeah it's a week from Saturday," she said biting her lip," are you rethinking being my escort? Because I totally get it, I mean I don't even want to do it so I can only imagine how much you don't want to."

"No no no I'm not rethinking it," I said putting my hand on her shoulder delicately," I just wanted to make sure we're still on."

"Oh," she said with relief in her tone," well it's not like I've found anyone else."

"Lena I promised you I'd do it and I'm a man of my word," I said smirking at her.

"I know I just…," she said trailing off.

"You just what," I asked her softly.

"I don't want you to be mad at me," she said almost in a whisper, but I caught what she said.

"Why would I be mad at you," I asked stepping closer to her and resting my hands on her shoulders.

"After what happened the other night," she said gulping as her cheeks turned pink.

"I'm not mad at all," I said surprised that she would even think that.

"I guess I just assumed you were upset," she said stepping back from me and running her fingers through her hair uneasily.

"Well I'm not upset I promise," I said stepping closer to her again and cupping her face between my hands," you're my best friend and I have no intention of changing that."

"Okay," she said smiling as her brown doe eyes looked up into mine under her thick lashes Unable to control myself I wrapped my arms around her tightly, as she reciprocated wrapping her arms around my neck and resting her head against my chest. I could smell her shampoo, her perfume, and her amazingly perfect general scent that's all Elena. When she's this close to me all I want to do is pull her lips to mine and kiss her, but instead I'm simply being a good friend. No matter how much I hate this, it's the right thing to do. I just don't know how much longer I'll last before I snap.

So how much longer do you think they'll last like this? They have to cave at some point or they might burst. I so badly just want to get to the amazing hot sex we know they desperately want, but you gotta have a build up. Don't worry it's coming soon I promise, let me know what you think in the reviews! And don't forget to check out the outfits on my polyvore the username is "emilygasper".