Disclaimer: I don't own TVD. They belong to The CW and L.J Smith. I own my OCs.

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened- Dr Seuss

In movies, cheerleaders and popular girls are always portrayed as either ditzs, bitches and evil manipulators. The stereotype is so hardwired in everyone's brains, even normal girls, off-screen, convinced themselves that being a ditz, bitch or an evil manipulator is expected from them.

Elena, Caroline and Bonnie were cheerleaders, and none of them fit the stereotype. None, well, except Caroline. Just a little bit. In the sense that she's perky, blond and a wee bit bitchy. But the point is moot because she's a vampire now.

So yeah, cheerleaders or the IT girls. While I was away in New York, shacking up with one Salvatore brother, a power struggle had raged in Mystic High. I was gone for three days and suddenly The Supernatural Trio had been replaced by The Unholy Trinity at the top of the food-chain. And my friends had a lot on their plate which was why they weren't fighting back. At least Elena and Bonnie weren't. Caroline was bidding her time. Stefan had her in a vice grip, lest she sinks her fangs into Slutty Sophie's throat just for kicks.

What does Slutty Sophie and her two equally slutty bitches have anything to do with me? The answer is a boy.

Isn't it always a boy. One named Mick Holloway. AKA Mr. Cool And Withdraw. An ex-boyfriend of Slutty Sophie. An ex-boyfriend she wasn't over. And apparently I was in the way. So she was out to get me.

Oh joy.

"Slut." And then Slutty Sophie flicked her blond hair before sashying away, making a point of bumping her shoulder against mine roughly and sending my books flying. Her two bitches sneered, high-fived and chased after her. I stood there, silently laughing at myself. I had to deal with this as well as vampires. My life was one hot mess.

As I crouched down to retrieve my books, another pair of hands joined mine. It was Mick, wearing an apologetic smile. I accepted his help.

"Sorry about that." He cupped the back of his neck. One of his nervous gestures. We've only hung out a couple times since I got back and I could already read his every emotion. Mick was one of those few people who wore their hearts on their sleeves. Like Caroline. A polar opposite of Damon.

Damon. Instantly, I felt like a slut. I was in a secret relationship with Damon, going behind everyone's back and leading Mick on who pretty much made his intentions clear as soon as I got back and just wouldn't take no for an answer. Maybe Slutty Sophie was onto something.

"I could say it's okay, but then I'd be lying," I told him frankly. "Besides, it's not like this is the first time I had my rep tainted by the Queen Bee-atch. Really, Slu- Sophie..." I corrected myself. "Sophie is comparatively tame compared to Mercie from my old school."

Mick didn't buy it. "Still, she had no right to do that. We were over. For a long time."

Hint. Hint.

I started walking to History class. "I gotta ask though, how did you manage to date her to begin with. Not that I'm implying that you aren't a catch because you totally are.." I grimaced at my choice of words but prowled through. "What I mean to say is, how in the name of all things Holy did you manage to not punch her face in?"

He let out a bark of laughter, it was open and sincere and infectious. Slutty Sophie was glaring daggers at me from a few feet away, promising me more tortures were headed my way.

Bring. It. On.

"Well, for starters, we didn't talk much," he admitted with a straight face.

I slapped his arm in mock outrage. "Mick Holloway, you're shameless."

"I'm also honest. And totally single." We stopped outside Alaric's classroom. I waved to him and he smiled back. "And totally into you."

I was rendered speechless. A feat near damn impossible. But Mick knew how to douse out the fiery sass in me and make me feel like a hopeless girl with a huge crush. He was smiling that transformative smile and staring down at me and I felt like such a bitch.

"Mick...I can't," I told him, avoiding his gaze. "You're a nice guy, an amazing guy I'd kill to have under other circumstances. But I can't."

He reached out and cupped my elbow, rubbing his thumb against my skin. Elena and Stefan both gave me strange looks as they walked by us and into the class.

"Are you seeing someone?" he wanted to know.

YES. "No."

"Do you not like me?"

"Boy, don't be stupid." I glanced at his face. He seemed thoughtful. "I like you, Mick. A lot. You're a special person. So special in fact that you give total randoms your car keys without a second thought. Is that how you pick up girls? Were you busting your game on me?"

Mick flushed red, eyes twinkling. I let out a sigh, glad to have deflected his questions.

"Nah. I-I don't have game."

"So that was out of kindness."

"You can say that."

"So I was basically a charity case, is what you were saying?"

"Alright! So I was busting a move, in hopes of getting a little somethin'-somethin outta of it. But I think I'll have to up the ante from here on out."

There he goes again, I thought. Before I could open my mouth, the warning bell rang and Alaric made a show off taping his invisible watch.

Mick pushed himself off the wall and sent me a smirk. "I'll catch you later, Charlie." I watched him walk away, grudgingly enjoying the view of his washed-out jeans, Doc Martins and snug white tee. Yeah, I was a fool for letting him go. When I spun on my heels and entered the class, hushed whispers and narrow eyes greeted me. Holding my head high, I took my seat right behind Stefan and next to Bonnie. Elena sat right in front Bonnie and kept me sending me knowing smiles.

Apparently she had forgiving me for keeping her hanging for three days and crawling back home in the middle of the night. Hugs were shared and eyes got moist as she told me how worried she had been and that next time I pulled a stunt like that she would stake me herself.

Ten minutes into Alaric's lecture, my phone buzzed against my thigh, signaling an incoming message. Slouching out of sight and using Stefan's bigger built as a shield, I opened it. I couldn't help the goofy grin on my face.

Going thru your I-pod. Shit u got is older than God?

I bit my lower lip to keep from laughing.

Says you, I replied to Damon's message.

Says Parliament. And B-52. And Sinatra.

Sinatra is classic. And my parents loved the other two. Grew up with it.

At least u got gr8 taste. Unlike most of this generation.

That's me. A whole lotta awesome.

I paused for a moment, fingers hovering over the letters. Should I or shouldn't I? Oh to hell with it. Can't wait to see you 3

My heart thumped, waiting for the small buzz. Dreading it. Stupid, stupid girl. I mentally groaned, knowing I've ruined ever-

Been counting the minutes since morning! Same time and place?

A rush of deep breath escaped my lips and my racing heart went back to it's slow and steady tempo. This was good, perfect even. Which was a worry in and of itself. Since when did things go perfectly in this town?

Fighting off the smile I typed back: C ya later then!

When I looked up, Bonnie, Elena and Stefan were watching me with interest, small smirks playing on their lips.

Oh boy.

"So you and Mick huh?" Elena looped her arm through mine while Bonnie took the other, effectively boxing me in. I struggled a little but they held on strong. There was no escaping this.

Sighing, I dropped my head. "There's no Mick and me."

"It's not what I've been hearing," Bonnie replied.

"Or been seeing," Elena added.

"They're rumors," I explained to the girls as we marched through the hallways. "Slutty Sophie made them up."

"So you're saying that my eyes have decievd me and that it wasn't you he was walking with in the parking lot."

"And the cafeteria."

"And outside the classroom."

"We are just friends, guys. Really." We walked to the bleachers were we usually eat our lunch, away from the crowded cafeteria.

Bonnie chuckled and sat down, taking out her red apple and biting into off. "Isn't how it always starts. Friendship. And next thing you know, you're skipping down the aisle, a ring around your finger and name changed to Charlie Holloway."

Elena titled her head to the sky, soaking in sunlight with her eyes shut. "I call dips for picking out the braidsmaid dresses. And of course, I'll be godmother of your first born."

I gaped between the two. They were smiling, literally glowing with happiness. It's as if they have had a complete personality change.

"Why are the two of you channeling your inner Caroline?"I asked them, bewildered. "It's seriously creepy. And I hate to burst your bubble but nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing is going on between Mick and I. He just lend me his car for my trip to New York and we've been friends ever since."

Bonnie cocked her head to side, studying me."So why do you look like cupid's latest victim?''

Shit.

"You've stared at nothing, smiling to yourself for no apparent reason and you've been singing," Elena informed me.

Shit.

I schooled my features to stay blank. I crossed my legs and said with an air of nonchalance, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh no you don't!" Elena scooted closer and I wondered whether she didn't have some stupid supernatural crisis to avert instead of grilling me for information. "You've been singing silly love songs."

Bonnie made a noise of disbelief. "That's number four on my top ten things I'd never see Charlie Sanders do." She nodded her head at my glare. "Singing love songs. Which ones did she sing?"
"Silly love songs," Elena replied.

"It's Paul Friggin McCartney!" I yelled at them in exasperation. "It's a classic! I don't have to be love sick to listen to it. I've listened to it for forever." I looked them in the eye. "Legends have it that I came out my mother's womb performing it."

They exchanged side-eyes and turned back to me. "What we want to say is that," Elena draped an arm over my shoulders. "We're just glad you're happy."

I blinked, thrown off-guard. "Uh...thanks."

"He must be special," Bonnie stated.

Oh, special, he is. "Yeah. But just so we're clear, it's not Mick."

"So who's he?"

"Some guy I met in New York."

Bonnie nudged me with her foot. "Does Mystery Man have a name?"

Damon. "Kyle," I lied smoothly. "Kyle Jones."

What they didn't know was that, Kyle Jones was actually my ex, a two timing jackass that ruined the name Kyle for me. Just hearing it would want to make me shoot at something. But at least he served a purpose here.

For a few seconds, I fantasized about telling them the truth about Damon. It ended in a bloodbath. Yep, it would be ugly and awkward. I guess it was a smart move to keep it low, especially with everything that's been going on in Mystic Falls. Besides, I never understood the need for everyone to display their affection to the entire world. It made me cringe when I saw couples overly top PDA, even couples as nauseatingly cute as Elena and Stefan.

My relationship with Damon was mine. Not anyone else's business and people had the annoying tendency to throw in their two cents, unasked. Elena would probably try to talk me out of it, Caroline would slap my head off and Bonnie silently judge while they sent Stefan my way with his sage and imploring eyes. And let's not even begin with Jenna.

Life is much easier this way. But it didn't lessen the guilt at all.

"What's he like?"

Sighing, I proceeded with my charade, while in my inner theater I recalled all the moments with a certain dark haired vampire.

It's been almost a week since Damon and I exchanged snappy words and sarcastic quips. Nowadays, we exchanged hot kisses and touches. To be honest, the only thing we did when we got the rare chance to be completely alone is make out. And I'm not talking about the sweet ones where we declared undying devotions and complimented one another.

Nah. We did the hot and heavy stuff that left me burning with desire and panting like a fricking dog in the heat. Which is awesome because the man has had over a century of practice.

"You drive me crazy," he whispered in my ears, his breath -cold and delicious- sending shivers up and down my spine. He then nibbled on my lobe and I snaked my hand under his shirt, tracing his abs.

So we had a wild, physical relationship with barely any communication. I'm not complaining, at all. Talking usually led to confrontations and I wasn't ready for that. Damon and I were as different as two people could get. I wasn't blinded to his flaws. They were glaringly obvious.

Damon had his own set of rules he followed and they all tended to end in either murder or deformity. He was selfish, slightly psychotic, emotionally unhinged and manipulated people. I knew all of this and despite it, I cared for him deeply. If that makes me stupid, so be it.

Talking about it would just bring it out to the surface and I feared I wouldn't be able to continue kissing him like my life depended on it.

Suddenly, he stopped peppering my neck with kisses and leaned back on the reclined seat of his Porsche. "Everything alright there, Shortie?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

He ran a long finger down my cheek, studying the motion. "You seem a little out of it."

I was not ready to talk about it. So I chuckled, "Damon, I'm straddling you and kissing you, inside your tiny car in the middle of the woods. And in case you're wondering, yes it is as uncomfortable as it sounds."

"Now I'm positively sure there's something up." He gave me a cheeky grin. "Is it that time of the month? Are you pms-ing on me? Because that's kinda hot."

"You're hot," I shot back and captured his lower lip with mine and tugged. "So can we please go back to the previous scheduled make-out session."

"Any other day and I'd more than gladly continued but," He lightly pushed my shoulders. I huffed in annoyance and tried to get back to the passenger seat but he held onto me. "Stay. I just wanna talk."
"Are you okay? Because forgoing screwing around for talking is not typical Damon behaviour."

A grin played on his lips. "Is that what we're doing here? Screwing around?"

The color drained from my face. Apparently The Talk would happen sooner than I thought. Running a hand through my hair, I said, "I don't know what we're doing but I like it."

"I like it too." He nuzzled my neck and stroked my bare arms. "I like it alot."

"So that's it. I don't see any reason for us to talk about it."

Damon caught my eye and held it. I didn't back down. I couldn't afford to back down. If we had a heart-to-heart, I was sure I'd have to tell him that I'd have already fallen for him, probably scaring the shit out of him and he'd be forced to drop me like a bad habit. Damon was nowhere near over Katherine. A hundred and forty years of obsession doesn't go away over-night. And certainly not when a clone of said obsession was always in his sight. I was no fool. I could see the way his eyes softened whenever Elena walked into the room. It was natural. Instinctive. Impossible for him to hide. But just because I understood it didn't mean I liked it and so I was keeping things to myself until that soft-eyed quality was directed at me.

I think Damon noticed my apprehension to the topic and let it go. He cupped my cheeks in a burst of rare tenderness and gave me a searing kiss. A loud beeping forced us apart. Reluctantly I rummaged through my purse and checked the message. I couldn't help the gleeful squeal.

"Justin Beiber is in town?" Damon guessed. Rolling my eyes, I clambered to the passenger seat, ignoring his protest.

"We gotta get back," I told him.

"Is he really here?"

"No you doofus. But some friends of mine are."

Damon eyed the I-phone, probably deciding if it was wise to wrestle me out of it. He started the car instead. "Is it the line-backer bitch of yours."

Just like that, he was back to the dick we all knew and loved. My hackles rose. "I still haven't forgiven you for breaking his hand, you know."
"Get over it, Shortie," he replied with indifference, backing the Porsche out the woods and back to the highway. "It happened a life-time ago."
"Still," I argued with a bite in my words. "And you don't get to call him a bitch or any other douche-baggery words. He's my best friend, Damon. You gotta learn to respect that."

A tic worked in his jaw. "Just keep him on a tighter leash this time around and no one will get hurt."
This is the reason why I wasn't crazy about the communication between us or the lack of it. We always managed to piss each other off.

"Drop me off at the Grille," I mumbled and turned to stare out the window, every few minutes rereading the message and biting my lower lip to keep from breaking into a goofy grin. The ride was mercifully short thanks to Damon's insane driving. The silence was stifling and uncomfortable but I soldiered through it. He needs to realize that I wasn't a pushover. That he can't use me the way he wanted to without consequences. I wasn't going to be another Caroline.

My heart clenched tightly at the thought of the bubbly blonde. I couldn't help but glance at the man beside me. I've heard the story, not fully but the gist of it that I managed to decipher from Elena and the cloud of vagueness she enshrouded it in. It's easy and hard to picture the cruelty in Damon. Because I know he's capable of it yet, I just don't want to believe he would do that to her.

"Take a picture, babe. I've got mad photogenic features."

Blushing, I averted my gaze back to the window and noticed that we were parked across The Grille.

I grabbed my purse and opened the door. "Thanks for the ride. I'll call you."

He held my hand and pulled me forcefully back in. My face was inches away from his. "Eager to leave, aren't you." His eyes skimmed over my face with intensity, making me feel self-conscious. "If I was a lesser man, I'd be offended. Jealous even." I took in a shuddering breath. "But I'm Damon Salvatore. I've enough faith in my uh...abilities to know you'll come back for more in the next" He made a show of calculating. "Twenty-four hours."

I smiled. We were in the clear. "You're awfully full of yourself."

A deep kiss. And then, "Keep your window open tonight."

I got out and waved at him before crossing the street. Right outside the Grille sat a familiar 67 Chevy Impala in pristine condition. I quickened my pace and there they were by the bar, looking exactly like the last time I've seen them. I snuck behind them, tapped their shoulders and stood back, waiting for them to turn around.

"Well, long time no see," Dean Winchester said with a heart-warming smile.

Sam, his younger but taller brother enveloped me in a bear hug. "It's so good to see you, Charlie."

It was good to see them too.

A/N: OH MY GOD! It's been a long while hasn't it. I'm super sorry. Just to let you know, I haven't abandoned this babe. And I won't. It's just that, life's been hectic lately. Between lectures assignments, physiotherapy and my part-time job, I can barely think, let alone write. But I'll try harder. I promise.

This was more of a filler chapter. To kinda get myself into the mood, explore the relationship between Damon and Charlie which is very, very fragile and yes...to introduce the long awaited Winchester brothers! FINALLY! PHEWW! I think I've mentioned at the start of the story that I was planning to include them and been referring to them throughout the chapters. And here they all.

Also, I expect almost everyone to know about the Winchester brothers. If you're of the few who've been living under a rock, they are the main protagonists of the best. ...SUPERNATURAL. Check it out.

That said, I wanna thank all of you for your patience and encouragement. You are my inspirations.

Read and review as always. They make me want to write.

Remember, it takes hours to write, but only a few seconds to comment.

xoxoxoxoxoxo