Out of the remaining four classes, Bryce was in two more classes with her. He was in her English class with her, Bonnie, Elena, Stefan who was still gone, Caroline and Matt. The other class, which was a business class, it was just him and her. In both of those classes, Bryce either sat behind her or beside her. Bryce's presence around her began to become noticed by many and not just the circle of people that Cassie knew. Other people she didn't even know were beginning to notice so before the day was up, people were already wondering if they were going out.

Cassie sat on top of one of the outside tables and was soaking up the sun's rays while Elena waited for her brother, Jeremy. Her head was tilted back and eyes closed as she sat there and leaned slightly back with her arms holding her up. A cool breeze stirred and swirled around them causing strands of their hair to gently wave.

"So do you have any idea what they needed to go take care of?" Cassie asked Elena.

"The council discovered a abandoned house on the edges of the city limit line that had several drained bodies in it. Damon told Stefan that the Sheriff and the council are growing more anxious. So Damon volunteered to go out there and search for it but they don't know if it is one vampire or two so Stefan went with him. As far as anyone knows it could have left or is here in town somewhere now." Elena said softly so that her voice wouldn't carry.

"Hey soaking up rays huh?" Cassie opened her eyes and saw Bryce approaching them.

Cassie sat up a bit straighter. "Yeah while I can. In a few months it will get too cold to really enjoy it so…" She shrugged. "I enjoy it now."

"Makes sense." Bryce sat down on the seat of the table beside them and put his feet up on the seat next to where Cassie's own feet were. He leaned back against the table edge and somehow managed to look not only comfortable as if he were sitting on a chair instead of a metal table but also very attractive. "I've come to see if we could come to a understanding."

"What kind?" Cassie asked as she pushed loose strands of hair away from her face.

"Well, I am very inclined to ask you out on a date and want to know what you think of that." Bryce's smile was flattering and charming.

Cassie wasn't exactly shocked but she hadn't expected this so soon. Bryce seemed like a great guy with politeness, friendliness, intriguing mysterious aura and sort of half good guy/bad buy attractiveness going on. It was interesting to think of maybe becoming more acquainted with him but like she had told Elena and Bonnie earlier, she was not in any rush for any guy. However she did like him and didn't want to give a flat no to not ever possibly dating him.

"That is a interesting offer I admit and it's not one I will dismiss. It's just one I will have to think on. I'm not one to rush into things." Cassie replied while meeting those stormy grey eyes that were a bit hypnotic.

There was a sparkle in his eyes that flashed then smoldered. "I can go with that. It's not a no, it's just a not yet. It's do-able. I don't give up easily." He stood and flashed her a grin. "I'll see if the answer is different tomorrow."

He turned away and left, heading towards the parking lot. Cassie watched him leave for a moment until Elena's voice caught her attention and she obligingly turned to Elena.

"Cass, you might want to be careful." Elena strongly suggested.

Confusion flitted across Cassie's pretty face. "What do you mean? You think something is wrong?"

Elena stood then sat on top of the table next to Cassie. "I mean that if Bryce starts getting into the picture, it might not be so great. Believe me Cass for I can tell that Damon is really into you more than you know. Truth be told, Stefan told me that he thinks Damon is more determined about you than he was with Katherine. Damon isn't going to give up easily, if he ever gives up at all which I doubt he will. Damon will not be happy if you willingly let Bryce into your life but not him."

Cassie sighed and her tone was firm. "What am I supposed to do Elena? Do you want me to give up and in to Damon? Do you want Damon to win?"

Elena shook her head adamantly and her tone became firm too. "No Cassie that is not what I meant. I will go with whatever you choose for it is your choice. You have the right to choose for yourself but somehow you need to deal with Damon. He will not give up so you need to decide what you are going to do about it. Whether you like it or not you have to face the fact that Damon is going to be in your life."

Cassie thought about Elena's words and could see her point. "Ok I get what you are saying but I'm not thrilled about it. If I decide to try to make something work with Bryce, Damon will be there. Do you think he would try to ruin it?"

Elena looked away out to the football field with a thoughtful expression. "I'm not entirely sure. Damon has changed a good bit since I've first known him. He use to be cruel, uncaring, stubborn to a fault and entirely selfish no matter the cost. That was his vampire nature though that was ruling him. All the while I could see traces that underneath it, there was a good side to him that could be charming and amazing. Now after mine and Stefan's steady encouragement, he is closer to that than he ever has been."

Elena looked back to Cassie. "It doesn't mean that he is perfect or that he doesn't have any faults anymore. He will always do things differently but that's just Damon. He'll always be stubborn and determined but he can be thoughtful, caring, and loyal to someone he cares for. I've seen it. From what I can tell so far, that is what he is towards you. I know that he will never harm you because he cares for you and wants you to be happy. Happy with him."

"But he can still resort back to that vampire side of him can't he?" When Elena didn't deny it Cassie continued. "He has not mistreated me but I don't know him like you do Elena. I have to trust him to be able to seriously think or try to work out a relationship with him. He would have to prove that his vampire nature won't always rule him. Till then, I'm staying out of it as much as I can…which so far is hard. He has been following me around lately."

Elena nodded and gave a small smile. "I'm not surprised. He is being protective of you and enjoys seeing and being around you. Being away from you was why he was hesitant to leave to go take care of the matter on the edge of town but he knows that he has too for his and Stefan's own secrecy as well as our protection."

"Thoughtful." Cassie softly said as she gazed at the tree a little ways before her.

Elena grinned and hopped off the table. "There is Jeremy. Let's go."

Cassie swung her bag over her shoulder and went with Elena to meet Jeremy. They walked to the parking lot together where Elena's and Cassie's car sat.

"There is this party tonight over in woods by the wooden bridge. I think we should go." Jeremy announced as they reached the cars.

"Jeremy, that is not too far from the old cemetery. I don't know." Elena looked skeptical.

"I know but it isn't that close. There will be a lot of people there. I heard Caroline and Matt are going so why don't you and Cassie go along? Cassie can meet more of the town's people and have fun." Jeremy leaned against the hood of Elena's car.

"It sounds kind of neat." Cassie mentioned.

"Ok we will go for a little bit but I'm not staying out there till like one in the morning. We've done that before." Elena unlocked her car door. "You can ride with us Cassie so come over to my house at ten."

"Sounds good." Cassie went over to her own car and climbed in.

Elena pulled out of her parking spot and drove out onto the highway. Cassie backed out of her spot then turned onto the highway but headed downtown instead of home like Elena and Jeremy were doing. Cassie had soon discovered, after going there twice with Elena, that a café downtown had really good milkshakes so having a craving for one she went to the café.

Inside the café it was kind of chilly so after she ordered her chocolate milkshake, she went outside to sit at a outside table. The milkshake was nice and creamy and tasted excellent. It was a nice afternoon treat to have while watching downtown. When she was casting her gaze along stores to her right, she caught a glimpse of two familiar people.

"Bryce! Greg!" Cassie called to get their attention.

Greg McLane was five foot six with short curly red hair and soft grey eyes. He was more of the country boy type but there was something more to him that was always hard to describe. It was like he could be any type of person he wanted to be and he was full of confidence but a cool guy. He had just started coming to the school not but a few days after Cassie did and already he was quickly making many new friends.

Bryce was the first to look up and though she couldn't see his eyes because of the aviator sunglasses he wore that made him look stylish, she could see the smile that appeared on his face. He strode down the sidewalk with Greg till he reached the table she sat at.

"Hey Cassie!" Greg greeted her enthusiastically.

Cassie waved her hand at the empty chairs. "Want to take a seat? Get a milkshake? They are delicious and probably the best milkshakes ever."

Bryce sat down in the chair next to her and relaxed back in it with a pleasant smile while Greg remained standing. "You may think it's crazy on passing it up but I don't want one. I appreciate the suggestion though and I'll take your word for it that they are the best."

Greg shook his head too. "No I'm good. I can't stay long. Got to run in a bit."

Cassie grinned and shrugged. "Too bad. I guess I just get to have the milkshakes all to myself."

She took in the sight of them and while Greg was a cute guy, she had to admit that Bryce was the one who could hold her attention. Maybe she should give him a bit more of a chance to spend time around her. He seemed like a cool person to hang out with. "Hey I got a proposition."

"What kind?" There was hints of laughter in his voice.

"Well, I am inclined to see if you two want to meet me at a party that I'm going to with some friends. I won't know everyone there but I'll know a few. It will be a chance to meet more people and have fun outside of school." Cassie smiled teasingly as she used the same beginning sentence that he had used when asking her for a date.

Greg nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah sounds cool."

"Where and when?" Bryce asked.

"It is tonight. I think the parties can last almost all night but Elena, Jeremy and I were going to go at ten. It is a wooden bridge not too far from the old cemetery. I'm not sure exactly where it is…" Cassie explained.

"I know where it is." Bryce stated. "I over heard some kids in one of my classes talking about it. I can find my way and meet you there."

"Same here. I'll find it and meet everyone out there. Hey I gotta run but I liked hanging with you Cassie." Greg waved his hand in farewell. "See you guys later." He gave Cassie a wink before he walked away.

Cassie turned to Bryce. "Man you are learning more about this town sooner than I am." She teased.

"Oh I'm learning some things but I'm sure you've learned a lot in a short time too. You probably know important things about this town that I may not know." Bryce replied in a way that gave Cassie a odd twinge that she wasn't sure how to describe. Unease? Suspicion?

Cassie shrugged it off and gave a friendly smile. "Well I'll see you there."

Bryce stood up from the chair and tilted his head to her. "Later."

After giving her a flirty smile, he went down the sidewalk. Cassie finished up her milkshake then went back to her car. The next place she went was home.

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