Happy New Year everyone. Sorry for such a late update. Holidays... Either way I enjoyed writing this chapter. I hope you all enjoy reading it. Don't forget, it doesn't hurt to review! I like hearing from you guys! :)
Chapter 13
"Thanks for letting me come with you guys," said Bonnie as she slid the stud in her ear.
"Thank us for what? We're your friends!" said Caroline adjusting her curls.
Both girls stood in front of the mirror. Bonnie's hair was styled in finger waves; Caroline's was curled.
Caroline's room smelled like vanilla. Rituals were no surprise to Bonnie, with being a witch and all, but she wasn't the only one acquainted with the practice. Caroline had a few of her own, one being scented candles. She said the smell set the energy for the night. The ritual isn't ancient, but it might as well have been since Caroline has been practicing it for years. Mainly, she just enjoyed the dim lighting and the smoky smell of vanilla.
"I would have gone with Matt, I'm sure he would have done me the favor, but he's away with his father for the holidays." Something about her statement caused Caroline shock, "Do you the favor? Please, he would have gladly asked you to be his date. Come on Bon!"
"Whatever," she rolled her eyes and went for Caroline's bed.
"Seriously Bon, you're a great person and you're hot. Guys would be trailing after you. Don't let Jeremy bring you down," she said sitting at her side.
But it wasn't Jeremy that had her down. It was keeping secrets that had her depressed. It was the fact that she liked a boy that she couldn't parade around with.
"Come on, just inhale-" Caroline took a deep breath, "the smell of vanilla and exhale..." she breathed out. Bonnie followed. The sweet smell filled her lungs and it made her hungry, aside from relaxing her a bit. For Caroline's sake, she pretended to be cured.
"Ready for the dance," Bonnie asked rising from the bed. Caroline smiled widely and nodded.
Tyler waited downstairs. His eyes widened when he saw Caroline emerge from the top of the stairs. She was wearing a purple satin dress. Bonnie was wearing an olive green dress that made her caramel skin glow.
"You guys look beautiful," he said approaching the foot of the stairs.
Caroline wrapped her arms around his shoulders and went in for a peck, "You don't look so bad yourself, tiger." He pretended to growl then went in for a kiss. Bonnie couldn't help feel a bit awkward and slightly... upset.
"Here's your corsage…" he said slipping it into Caroline's wrists. "And here's yours, Bonnie. Don't forget, you're also my date!" he smiled and slipped it into hers.
"Thanks," she said, feeling grateful, but guilty for being a third wheel.
The Mystic Falls Winter Formal was the event of the holidays; the theme: Old Hollywood. It mainly consisted of the Robert E. Lee student body, faculty and the town's council.
"Hey guys!" said Elena approaching the trio as they arrived. Damon trailed behind her.
"Hey," Bonnie and Caroline greeted in unison.
"Well let's enjoy this night. It's the only night we don't have to constantly watch our backs," said Elena
"Come on babe, let's dance," said Tyler dragging Caroline by the arm. Walking by, he gave Damon a dirty look before pulling Caroline in front of him.
"Little bitch," said Damon with a smirk on his face.
"Damon," Elena scolded then rolled her eyes.
"You okay Bon?"
Why did everyone assume she wasn't okay? Bonnie began realizing that she had become some sort of wounded animal everyone was looking after and it was honestly beginning to annoy her.
"I'm fine. I'm here to have a good time. Stop worrying about me," she tried to hold back the irritation with polite restraint.
Elena sighed, "Sorry... you're right. Let's have fun," she said grabbing her hand.
As they headed for the dance hall, they noticed Damon hang behind. A figure emerged from the shadowed hallway. Hands tucked into a pair of pockets, Stefan appeared. Bonnie's heart began to race.
"I love this song!" Caroline cheered.
Weaving through the crowd, Damon appeared... with company. Stefan fanned out and stood beside him. Both of them were in a suit and looked prepared for some Bond-like mission. Bonnie's stomach fluttered. So did Elena's lashes, her eyes looking directly at Stefan.
"Ladies," said Damon.
"Hey," Stefan shouted above the music.
He stood there, hands slipped stylishly into his pockets with the flaps of his black jacket draped above his wrists. His tie was tucked neatly beneath it, and pressed close-to-tight around his neck. His Adam's apple just barely revealed from underneath the collar of his white shirt. His jaw remained tightly clenched, but his lips were a contrast-relaxed and gently glossed. His nose was stern but not as tense as his jaw. Above it a pair of glistening dark green eyes-shadowed, as they usually were, by his dark brown eyebrows. His hair was slightly tousled, but attractive nonetheless. He was attractive and Bonnie wanted to be beside him not across pretending that all they had was mutuality.
"Soooo," said Damon in his ever-sarcastic tone. He looked just as attractive. He too donned a close to black suit. One hand slipped in his pocket, the other held an alcoholic beverage. His eyebrows became tight at the bitterness of the powerful liquid.
"So what?" said Elena crossing her arms. She seemed to be annoyed with him, much so lately. If Bonnie didn't know better, she'd think she was doing so to push him away. Perhaps, she was sensing his true emotions for her and was too scared to face them, especially now when her ex-love is back in town. Frankly, Bonnie found it almost sad how she was treating him. Sure the bickering and bantering was normal between the two, but now it's become almost spiteful on Elena's part.
"Nothing. This is lame... I need more alcohol," he said before turning on his heel and heading for the bar.
"Don't you go and get wasted," shouted Elena from behind and sighed.
"Wow, I'd think he was your brother, if I didn't already know he was mine," said Stefan and his voice caught Elena's attention.
"Well he might as well be," she said and an awkward silence followed.
"I'm going to find Tyler," Caroline said to Bonnie before disappearing in the crowd.
"You guys look nice," said Stefan observing both of them, his stare lingering on Bonnie.
She cleared her throat and said, "Thanks. You look pretty suave yourself, Salvatore."
He smiled and they exchanged stares. Elena also cleared her throat. "Yea, Stef you look really good."
"Thanks," his s strung out and he smiled at her. Bonnie couldn't read him. She knew he wanted to play it safe, but was he completely ruling out the idea of their relationship being more than just a secret? Was he planning to fall for Elena again and a mistress she would become? She suddenly became annoyed.
"Here you go brother. A little bit of the happy juice," Damon brought the glass to Stefan hand.
"Thanks brother," he said before splashing the drink into his throat.
"Let's dance E-lena," said Damon grabbing her hand and throwing her arm around his shoulder. She tried tugging it away, but his hold was much too strong and she figured she'd give in to avoid any confrontation. She sighed before looking longingly at Stefan.
"So, Ms. Bennet, care to join me out on the dance floor," asked Stefan looking flirtatiously into her eyes.
As much as she wanted to scowl at him, she agreed to.
Lightly placing his hand around her waist, he took a hold of her. She placed her arm on his shoulder and gently slipped her other hand into his. He gripped it tight and the touch of his skin made her spine tingle. Slowly they stepped into the rhythm of the music, a Frank Sinatra tune, as their bodies swayed together; Stefan guided her.
Soon they were melting into the melody of the music and Bonnie felt weightless, like they were on some sort of cloud. He pressed her tighter against him, a gesture that caused her shock. She quickly looked around; Elena was busy with Damon, she seemed... upset.
"This feels nice," Stefan whispered, diverting her attention back to him.
"Yea, I didn't know you had moves," she replied.
He gave her a conniving smile before spinning her around and dipping her. Her stomach tightened by the sudden rush of adrenaline.
He brought her right back up to him. "Have moves." Their faces were so close she thought he'd kiss her. Oh the terrible shock that would cause...
"Hey, let me have this dance," said a voice breaking the tension between them.
Damon stood beside them, his back was tense, and his eyebrows were hunched above his blue eyes, and possibly sweat trickled from his forehead.
"May I?" he seemed to have ordered rather than asked.
"Um, Da-" Stefan began, but Damon looked onto him sternly; it was a request.
"Why don't you go dance with Elena? I'm sure she'd like your company."
Stefan's lips parted for a moment as if he were to say something, but decided not to. He gave Bonnie a smile before leaving.
"Damon what was that?" she angrily said. He ignored her and instead pulled her tightly against him.
"I need to talk to you," he said, then violently spun her around.
"What? And can we please talk without you manhandling me on the dance floor?" she said through gritted teeth.
Damon slowed down and set a slight space between them.
"What is wrong with your friend?" he angrily asked.
"Who Elena? Why?"
"She's being a total, a…"
"A what Damon?"
"A bitch! And not your usual bickering kind of bitch, like she actually hates me. What the hell did I do?"'
Bonnie sighed and then smiled. Damon looked so funny angry, like the way his nostrils flared and his eyes bugged out.
"Why do you think she's acting that way?" she asked.
"I don't know. I've done nothing. I mean yea, of course, I give her rap for a lot of things, like her flimsy punches and her nice girl attitude," he said still barely touching the surface of what really was occurring.
"Maybe Stefan's return has her troubled," she suggested.
"Troubled about what?" he said and Bonnie rolled her eyes.
You can't be this stupid
"It's Stefan, Damon, they had history."
"Yea, and science and math," he pretended to be oblivious.
"Oh come on! You know what I mean!"
"I know... I know," he sighed.
"Or, perhaps you're the one feeling something here..."
He quickly snapped his eyes onto hers.
"What?"
"It hurts doesn't it?" Bonnie turned to look at the pair of old lovers at the other end of the dance floor.
They were laughing, sharing smiles and glances. He held her gently as she followed along with the movement of his body. Stefan and Elena seemed to have never separated. It was like time had stopped and it was now returning. Bonnie felt an ache, not quite specific, but around her chest.
"I know how you feel," she continued and he now looked onto them.
"It's like you were the only person they counted on and you were the only one who could help. Like some secret alliance you two shared. And now... you're no longer... needed," her words were haunting and they made the pain worse.
Damon stopped dancing. The words had seemed to seep in, penetrating and he turned to her.
His eyes were wild as they normally were, but within them there was this deepness, an emotion she couldn't quite name, but one she had never seen before, not directed at her that is. He leaned forward towards her lips and noticing his intention she leaned away.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"No, I am," he said his eyes lost in thought. His eyebrows became tight and he suddenly darted.
"Damon wait," she called out to him.
She walked quickly behind trying not to lose sight of him in the crowd. He was heading out to the hallway.
"Damon," she shouted, but he disappeared through the doorway.
She made it to the hallway, but there was no sight of him.
"Bonnie!" she heard a phantom voice shout. It sounded like screeching pipes. Suddenly something gripped her arm.
"Hello again," said a voice just beside her ear and it made the hairs on the back of her neck standup.
Turning slowly, her fear was realized. Standing before her was the blonde figure from the bar, the same one who intruded on her shooting session. Bonnie felt her heart sink down her chest dropping right onto her stomach.
"Gregory," he sarcastically said assuming she would ask when she slightly opened her mouth.
"Surprised? I know you weren't expecting me, but…"
"What are you doing here?" she said, trying to control her breathing.
"You know exactly why I'm here. Your boyfriend owes me something. I've waited long enough, now I have to get it myself... this sucks, really, don't think it doesn't," he said tightening the grip around her arm.
"Let go of me," she sternly said.
He chuckled. "Not until I get my due."
"We said we'll have it to you-"
"Yes and I gave you a deadline."
"It's only been two days,"
"Two and a half. I decided I couldn't wait that long,"
Bonnie began to feel the panic settling in. She tried tugging, but he held on tighter.
"Now, let's go and don't you dare scream. I got a couple of my buddies waiting for a signal. If you as much as open your mouth, all of your friends and those innocent people in there, having fun in their little ball gowns and tuxedos, will be drenched in their own blood."
Bonnie couldn't risk the lives of others; it was in her nature to protect. So she agreed to go quietly, but outside, she was determined to put up a fight. Strategically slipping her corsage out of her hand, she dropped it onto the floor.
"Get inside," he said directing her into the passenger seat. She calmly got in, relaxing herself in preparation for an attack.
After he slipped into the driver's seat, they sped off.
A few miles back, in the same exact spot where she was "abducted" stood Stefan, Damon and Elena.
"Where could she have gone?" she said scanning the entire hallway.
"You said you went to the bathroom," Stefan asked Damon who also searched for any sign of her.
"Yes and when I came out to meet up with her she was gone," Damon's eyebrows were tight.
"Are you sure?" Elena asked and her ill tone made him angry.
"Yes, I'm sure. What you don't believe me?"
"I don't know. It's just weird that Bonnie would randomly leave on a night like this..." Elena suddenly became fixated on a spot on the floor towards the end of the hall.
Stefan followed her gaze. Noticing what she had spotted, he quickly approached, knelt down and reached for the item.
"Oh, my God it's Bonnie's corsage," Elena said, her eyes widening in realization.
"What's it doing on the floor," said Damon.
Stefan's eyes looked toward and beyond the front door. Realization came over him and his heart sank. His mouth opened slightly; for a few seconds nothing came out of it.
"I think I know where she is..." he finally said still staring out onto the moonlit sky.
"Stefan?" Elena said reaching for his shoulder, but he quickly turned.
"She's in danger,"
Damon's eyes widened. His jaw clenched. "Fffuck!" he yelled punching the wall.
"Damon!" Elena shouted, on the verge of tears.
"She was coming after me," he confessed, his eyes and voice were low.
"What do you mean? Stefan where is she? Who has her?" she turned back to Stefan.
"She was following you?"
"Yes, we had a little disagreement, I left and she came after me. I went to the bathroom, I figured she stopped trailing me," he explained still avoiding eye contact.
"Disagreement about what," Elena asked, growing angrier.
"Did you hear anything?" Stefan interjected. "See anything?"
He nodded no.
"The bathroom's in the left hallway leading out of this one. If it happened it happened down here. I couldn't hear anything," he explained.
"Ok, let's split up. You guys go ask people if they saw anything. I'll head out and search the lot," Stefan ordered. Both of them nodded and headed back into the hall. Stefan burst through the front doors and spilled onto the moonlit parking lot. His mind was racing and he felt anxiety looming.
"Come on Bonnie. What else did you leave me?"
His eyes wildly searched the scenery: a dark lot with scattered parked cars lit by systematically lined lamps and the moon; it was full and intense in lighting. He looked onto it as if in it, he could find her, like looking into a psychic's magic crystal ball.
He went for his phone violently digging it out of his pocket. He quickly dialed her number. Surely she carried her phone with her.
Ring...Ring...ring... no answer
"Damn it!" he yelled, spit flying out of his mouth; dark silhouetted droplets outlined by the moonlight.
"Where the hell did he take you…?"
His glimmering eyes looked onto the white large moon once again, begging for its brightness to reveal a fortune that would calm his heart.
"Don't worry Bonnie, I'll find you…"
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