Chapter Twenty-Nine
"Good Morning," Ella breezed as she opened the door for Elena and Caroline early the next morning. Jeremy had called them a little while ago and explained the situation, but not before he and Ella had said good morning in a very hot and steamy fashion. It was difficult for Ella to keep the smile from her face even with the impending situation.
"Someone's in a good mood," Elena mused, stepping into the front hall.
"Yeah," Caroline nodded, eyes narrowed in Ella's direction. She stared at her for a few moments before her eyes widened and she smiled brightly. "Oh My God! You had sex!"
"What?!" Ella stuttered, her smile disappearing, replaced by a familiar burning heat in her cheeks.
"You totally had sex; you have that 'I just had my cherry popped' look all over your face!"
"Ugh," Elena moaned, looking just as uncomfortable as Ella. "That's my brother you're talking about Caroline…wait…it was Jeremy right?"
Ella couldn't answer; she was not at all comfortable with the unexpected direction this conversation had taken. She understood that girls usually did this, talked about boys, and maybe if it had just been Caroline she would have been fine with the discussion. With Elena there however, it just felt wrong.
"What was Jeremy?" a voice asked from behind her.
Ella's heart stopped in her chest as she heard Jeremy descend the stairs. She couldn't imagine this conversation getting any more awkward, the four of them standing around her front hall discussing her recently acquired sex life. The only way she could think that this could get any worse was if her father showed up, which she prayed to any God out there didn't happen.
"Nothing," Elena shook her head, smiling in greeting at her younger brother.
"Ella?" Jeremy pressed, frowning at his sister. He didn't believe her sweet and innocent look for a second, he'd grown up with that look.
"It's nothing," Ella told him, her voice cracking under the strain and giving away her lie. Her eyes were wide and she turned to Jeremy, forcing what she hoped was a convincing smile onto her face.
"You're not a very good liar Ella," Jeremy pointed out. "What's going on?"
"Oh for god sake," Caroline exclaimed. "We were just talking about how you de-virginised our best friend last night."
"Oh god," Ella whispered.
"Caroline!" Elena exclaimed again.
"It's not a big deal guys, it's just sex. We all do it," Caroline shrugged.
Jeremy stepped up to Ella, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. "It may not be a big deal to you Caroline, but it is to us. It's private," he told them, surprising them both.
Elena's brother had never been one to care who he discussed sex with and it made the two women realise just how in love he truly was. For so long Elena had worried about Jeremy, he had gone to such a dark place after their parent's death, but now seeing him with Ella she knew that he was going to be fine. Ella would be the best thing that ever happened to him, she'd be good for him and he would be good for her too.
"Sorry Ella," Caroline said, putting a hand on her friend's shoulder. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, I'm just so happy for both of you."
"Its fine Caroline," Ella smiled at last. "Thank you."
Elena didn't say anything, but she beamed at her brother over Ella's head and he smiled back looking happier than Elena had ever seen him. That was all she needed to be happy that he was dating one of her friends.
"We should get going," Jeremy said, checking his watch. "We're gonna be late if we wait around any longer."
Ella froze, her vision coming crashing over her again, smashing through her happiness. Jeremy, having sensed her distress, pulled her around to face him.
"You're going to be fine," he promised her, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "I promise we're not going to let anything happen. You've already changed the vision by telling us, we'll be with you no matter what."
"You won't leave me?" Ella whispered, her delicate hands clutching Jeremy as if she would never let go.
"Never," he swore and she knew that he meant it on more than one level. He truly wasn't going anywhere and that was all she needed to give her strength.
Looking over her shoulder, Elena and Caroline both nodded. They weren't going anywhere either, they'd stay with her too.
"All right," Ella nodded, relaxing slightly. "Let's go."
*VAMPIRE DIARIES*
They arrived at school with minutes to spare, parking in the exact spot that Ella had parked in in her vision. She took a deep calming breath when she spotted Jamie through the windshield exactly where she had expected him to be.
The four of them climbed out of the car, and Ella saw one of Jamie's friends nudge him and nod to where they stood. Jamie turned to look at them, seeing Jeremy's arms wrapped around Ella's shoulders, holding her tightly as if shielding her from the world. Jamie didn't glare as he had in her vision, he didn't storm over and begin yelling, he just watched them curiously.
"Jeremy," Ella whispered, extracting herself from his embrace. "I need you to do something for me."
"Anything," he agreed at once, looking down at her.
"Please stay here, no matter what happens just wait here and don't move," Ella instructed.
"I don't…" he started before noticing Jamie over her shoulder. "No, you're not talking to him Ella."
"Just stay here, please. Elena?"
"I'll keep him here," she nodded, catching up with what Ella planned quickly.
"Good," Ella breathed then turned to Caroline. She didn't need to say anything to her friend; she knew that Caroline would already know exactly what to do.
"I'm right here," Caroline nodded.
Taking another deep breath Ella forced her expression into one that was open and friendly, then squaring her shoulders she walked over to Jamie. As she walked she could feel three pairs of eyes boring into her and it gave her strength. She knew that Caroline would come to her aid if she was needed and Elena would do her best to keep Jeremy away.
"Hi Jamie," Ella greeted him brightly. "Do you have a sec?"
"Um…sure," Jamie nodded, walking away from his friends. They only walked away a few feet, but Ella sensed more than saw that Caroline had also moved.
"Jamie, I just wanted to apologise again for Friday night," Ella explained, her voice still bright and breezy. "I don't know what happened, I hadn't been feeling well all day and thought it was just nerves. I feel awful for passing out like that, I'm such an idiot."
"You're not an idiot," Jamie shook his head, putting a comforting hand on Ella's shoulder. She felt a spike of anger coming from Jeremy, but thankfully he stayed away. "Everyone gets sick; it's not your fault."
"I know, but I should have just called and told you I wasn't well. I was looking forward to it so much though that I didn't want to disappoint you," Ella smiled shyly, allowed a small blush to colour her cheeks. "I'm so sorry that I ruined the evening for you."
"Its fine Ella, really don't worry about it. Things happen," Jamie smiled and there was no anger or malice in the gesture. "I'm just sorry we won't get a chance to do it again."
"That's another thing," Ella rushed to explain. "There was nothing going on between me and Jeremy before our date, I swear. He was just a friend, in fact I didn't even think he liked me all that much at first. But then when I was in the hospital, I dunno, things just sort of clicked, you know?"
"It's hard to imagine anyone not liking you Ella," Jamie laughed, his smile crinkling his eyes at the corner.
Ella blushed again, this time for real. "Thanks Jamie. So…friends?"
He paused for a moment before nodding. "I'd like that."
"Great," Ella beamed. She leaned forward then to give Jamie a quick hug. "Well I had better get going. We don't want to be late."
"I'll see you later Ella."
Meanwhile…
Standing several feet away Caroline and Elena were watching their friend in shock. The way Jeremy had explained Ella's vision they had both been so certain that there would be no reasoning with Jamie and that they would need to intervene.
"How does she do that?" Caroline whispered as Ella hugged Jamie then turned to leave.
Jeremy shrugged. "She's Ella."
"She's good," Elena laughed.
"Very good," Caroline agreed. "How the hell did she ever think she could possibly murder anyone?"
"No idea," Jeremy shook his head. A smile broke over his features as Ella returned to them and stepped automatically into his arms.
"I did it," she beamed, seeming as surprised as the rest of them. "I changed my vision."
"I told you," Jeremy beamed down at her.
"It's all because of you," Ella told him, her expression turning serious. "I couldn't do this without you, any of you. I love you guys."
"We love you too," Caroline responded.
"I know," Ella shrugged, then laughed. She took a step away from Jeremy and reached out a hand to Caroline, who took it, squeezing her friend's fingers gently. "Let's get to class."
TBC…
A/N: So Ella managed to stop herself from becoming a murderer with the support of her friends. Her life seems to be going pretty well now. She has some great friends, a loving boyfriend…what could possibly go wrong?
