EPOV
Lexi and I walked out of the store and Damon and Stefan were waiting for us.

"Oh," Damon said, taking my bag from me. "What's in here?" I put my hand over his to keep him looking.

"Be good, and maybe you'll find out." I whispered in his ear before I kissed him.

"Really?" He smirked. I nodded, my legs feeling a little weak under his intense stare. I was worried that I would collapse until my phone rang.

"It's Caroline. Excuse me." I said, and walked away, thankful that she always called at the right moments

CPOV
I sat at the perfectly set table with Tyler and his mom, feeling out of place.

"So, Caroline," Mrs. Lockwood said, looking intently at me, "what do you want to do when you graduate."

"Oh, I want to be an event planer."

"Really?" I nodded.

"Yes. I plan all the events that the cheer squad holds, everything from food to decorations."

"Oh...I've always found those events to be quiet tacky." I ducked my head and stabbed at my salad.

"Mom..." Tyler whispered.

"And they're boring, I must have almost fallen asleep a million times. No, dear, I don't think that that's a good career choice for you."

"Mom!"

"I need to go- I'll be back." I said, standing up. I retreated to the bathroom and some tears ran down my face. I tried to take some deep breaths to calm down, but I couldn't breathe. I dug through my clutch and found my phone, hit Elena's speed dial and waited.

"Hello?"

"I think I'm having a panic attack." I gasped.

"What? Why?"

"Because she hates me! She hates me and she won't ever let him be with me."

"Who?"

"Tyler! His mom hates me! And if she hates me then he'll never go out with me again. And I like him Elena, and I know he likes me-"

"Since when has a boys mom ever gotten in your way?"

"Tyler's a Lockwood, Elena." I said.

"So..."

"They're high class and powerful." I could almost hear her roll her eyes.

"And your Caroline Forbes! You don't let anyone get in your way if you want something. And you want Tyler, right?"

"Yes."

"Then go get him. And if he lets his mommy make all decisions for him, he doesn't deserve you."

"You're right. You're always right. Thanks, Elena."

"No problem. Bye."

"Bye." I ended the call, fixed my make-up, and walked out of restroom.

"Did you get lost?" Mrs. Lockwood asked, as I was about to sit down.

"Okay, I've had enough of this." I said, not caring if anyone turned to look at me. "Ever since Tyler and I got here all you've done is criticize my clothes, my hair, and my plans. Well, I'm going to let anyone walk all over me just because I'm not rich! And you," I looked at Tyler. "I like you. I really like you, but if you're going to let your mother decided who you should be with, then I want nothing to do with you."

I grabbed my jacket and walked out of the restaurant, then let all the tears I'd been holding back run down my face.

"Caroline!" Tyler yelled behind me. "Caroline, stop!" He grabbed my arm and spun me around.

"What?" I said, trying to get away from him.

"That was amazing." He said. "No one has ever stood up to my mother like that."

"Well, someone had to!"

"You're right. And I'm going to start, with this." He leaned down and kissed me.

EPOV

"So..." Damon asked as we drove away from the mall. "How did you Lexi?"

"She was nice. And she knows embarrassing stuff about you, so it works." He groaned and I laughed, taking his hand. "I'm kidding." I wanted him to laugh, he hadn't been himself since we left Stefan and Lexi. "What's wrong?"

He sighed and closed his eyes for a second.

"We need to talk, Elena." Cold fear ran through my veins. That was what Matt told me when we broke up.

"About what?" I asked, trying to stay calm.

"My dad." He said softly.

"Did he hurt you?" I looked over what I could see of him. He shook his head.

"No...Elena, my dad wants to be a part of my life now." I shook my head slowly, trying to make sense of it.

"Why?" He shrugged.

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking I might want to be a part of his, too."

"What? No! After what he's done-"

"You don't get it." He cut me off. "I've never had a family, and I want one! That's all I ever wanted. And now I'm getting the chance to have one. Do you think I want pass that up?"

"You want him to be your family? After everything he's done to you?" I whispered. He let go of my hand and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I don't know yet." We were quiet after that. I looked out the window, wondering why I was so angry. I didn't have any right to try to control Damon's decisions. He sighed and took my hand again.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you. I just...I want this and no one understands."

"I'm sorry, too. If that's what you want, I'll help you how ever can." He smiled and we talked good naturedly the rest of the way home.

"I had fun tonight." I said as we walked up my porch steps. "I haven't been on a double date in a while."

"I've never been on a double date." He admitted. "You're gonna hate me for this..."

"What did you do?"

"I told Stefan I'd babysit his sister tomorrow..."

"But tomorrow was going to be our night alone."

"And it still will be. Pretty much. I have group until six, you're not coming over til seven, and she has to be in bed at eight. Your curfew is twelve. We'll have a few a hours to watch a movie." He looked at the bags in my hand, his eyes focusing on the Victoria's Secret one, then he looked back at me, his eyes a little darker.

"Or not watch a movie." There was a tap on the window next me, and rolled my eyes. I sat my bags down and wrapped my arms around Damon's neck.

"My dad's watching us right now." I whispered.

"Really?" I nodded.

"And, for some reason, I really want to piss him off." He grinned down at me.

"I can do that." He said, before pressing his lip to mine.