Damon POV
The pain in my head only got worse as the day progressed.
I let out a sigh and took a glance around the bustling cafeteria. It was lunch time and I was hungry as hell. But nothing seemed appetizing.
I glared down at the "chicken" sandwich that lay on my tray, along with an apple and soda.
My stomach growled and I groaned in annoyance. I glanced back at the apple and decided I had to try and eat something.
I picked up the okay looking fruit and took a bite. It was crisp and full of flavor, basically everything I wasn't expecting. I shrugged and took another bite.
Stefan walked into the crowd of still settling teens and looked around immediately. I rolled my eyes then focused back on my brother, who was having a hard time finding me. He kept sweeping the room with his eyes but was still having difficulty. I could tell by the look he wore that he was listening for me too.
"Looking for someone, brother?" I murmured and his eyes snapped to me instantly. I was at an empty round table that only held my tray. He walked over as took the chair to my right.
"Anything else happen?" He asked while watching me carefully.
"Hello to you too." I dodged with sarcasm.
"Damon-" he didn't get to finish what I assumed was going to turn into a lecture. What had stopped him was someone violently pulling out the chair next to me and sitting down.
I turned quickly to find myself a couple dozen inches away from Seth.
"Hello, Alex." He said slyly, putting extra emphasis on 'Alex'.
"What do you want?" Stefan all but growled.
"I came to make peace. Here, to prove it, I'll share something that your oh so precious Damon has been hiding." Seth suggested with a smirk creeping onto his lips.
"Please. Like Damon would have anything to hide lately." Stefan said while glancing at me, doubt casting a shadow over his face for a split second.
"Really? Wow. The rabbit food has weakened your sense of smell." Seth accused.
"What do you mean?" Stefan asked while glaring at the other vampire.
"What? You can't smell how you're brother isn't completely human? Are you that thick? Go ahead! Take a whiff. He won't smell like a human. Or a vampire for that matter. But maybe, just a mixture of both." Seth said while grinning at me. "I have better things to do with my time than point out the obvious. So, I'll be seeing you in class, Alex." Seth stated smugly before getting up and walking out of the cafeteria.
"What does he mean by that, Damon?" Stefan asked in a low whisper.
"I - I was going to tell you..." I lied.
"No you weren't. So what he was saying is true?" He asked, gaze never wavering from my face.
"Yes. It is true." I said while looking down at the table.
"Why didn't you tell me? We have to turn you back now. If what he was saying is the truth, we can't let Klaus or any of other creatures that what us dead find out." He spoke quickly and stood.
"No! That's why I didn't want to tell you! I don't want to go back to being the loner big brother that no one cares for!" I said a bit too loudly, though none of the teens noticed.
"What? You think no one cared about you before?" Stefan asked now that we were both standing.
"No one had any interest in me until I got turned into a five year old. I don't want to lose that, Stef. I'm tired of being alone all the time and everyone hating me for my past." I said softly and to the floor. I was too ashamed and embarrassed to look up.
I was Damon Salvatore! What was I doing moping around and admitting things I'd never fess up to if I were back to the way I was before? I heard Stefan sigh.
"Lets just figure out what's happening to you for now, okay?" Stefan said after a moments pause. I nodded but remained silent.
My brother turned and walked out of the cafeteria and I followed quickly after. We walked out of the school into the bright midday sun and walked over to my old Camaro. We both climbed in without uttering a word and drove towards the boarding house.
We arrived a good ten minutes later and climbed out. Stefan unlocked the door and we headed into the deserted parlor.
"Okay. So what has even happening?" Stefan asked while he staid standing and I sat on the couch in front of him. I felt like a chastised child.
"It started with headaches. Then I went into the bathroom and saw veins under my eyes. I stood in the sun but it didn't burn. At lunch, nothing seemed appetizing. I don't know what's happening to me, Stef." I said with a slight quiver in my voice.
"It'll be okay. I'll figure something out. I'm going to go talk to Bonnie. Go get some sleep, maybe it'll help your headache." He said while not looking at me. I could tell he was disappointed.
"Stefan, I'm -" he stopped me.
"Just go get some sleep." He said dismissively.
I looked at him for a moment before swallowing hard and getting up. I took one last glance at him before leaving. I went up to my room and closed and locked the door softly.
I went to my bed and crawled in numbly. Stefan must have known how tired I was, because I didn't know until my head rested on the pillow. I pulled the blankets up over me and sunk in to the point where it seemed I'd just disappear.
I sighed and silently apologized for making Stefan upset. The last thing I wanted to do was lose him and I feared that I had.
It was irrational, but I knew that no one would want me after the way I act whenever I do have someone.
I knew then that I'm only alone because I push everyone else away.
Maybe I pushed too hard this time.
Maybe I was completely alone now.