A/N: WOW. Just WOW. I've been gone for way too long, and I am so sorry for that. Life, you know? Anywho, I'm finally back after this long hiatis, and with a few updates for this week. Thank you for sticking with me. Shoutouts in the next chapter!
NOVEMBER 30th
School, cheer practice, homework, sleep. My life had become so routine – so normal – and in all honesty, I hated it.
At first, I'd welcomed the break from Damon and his world of psycho vampire murderers. I didn't have to worry about losing my sanity due to daily battles for my life.
But then a week passed. And then another week passed.
'Two days. Two days and it will be three weeks.' I thought, staring out of a nearby window.
Three weeks since Damon took me to Georgia.
Adam was being eerily quiet. No appearances from the crazy vampire I'd crashed into the night Logan shot me.
'Wasn't that Career Night?'
The ringing of the school bell brought me out of my thoughts as – as one – everyone around me began packing up their belongings to leave for their next period. I fell into step with Matt as we walked towards English class.
"Are you doing anything after school?" He asked, throwing an arm around my shoulders.
"Maybe. Depends on how Ryan's day is going."
"He still giving you a hard time about crashing your car?"
"No, he's over that. Now I think he's just concerned that I might total his truck."
Matt chuckled. "I still can't believe he gave you his pickup."
"Borrowed, Matty, borrowed." And he only left it with the promise that it wouldn't be driven anywhere but to and from school. "Walking everywhere is so annoying. I'm lucky Mystic Falls is such a small town." I laughed, waving at Elena and Caroline as we got to the classroom. Upon noticing the blonde's glare, Matt pulled his arm back, but stayed by my side. "Anyway, I'm going this weekend to get a new car."
"Well, hey – if you need a ride to a dealership, let me know. I'll take you."
Before I could give my thanks, Miss Hilton started in on today's lesson, and I started back in on counting down the minutes till the final school bell.
When I was finally pulling out of Mystic High's parking lot – with Jeremy in the passenger seat – relief flooded through me.
Until I caught a glimpse at the frown he was wearing.
"You know Jer, 'happy' is still legal in all fifty states."
"What?"
"You haven't smiled in days!"
"Sorry. I'm just... distracted."
"Ahh. Does it have anything to do with this mysterious new girlfriend of yours?"
"Anna? No. And she's – she's not my girlfriend."
"Uh-huh. But you like her, right?"
"I mean, she's cool I guess. But I'm not ready for that yet."
"I've found that the best relationships – of all kinds – are the ones that happen when you least expect them to."
"You've been hanging out with my sister too much."
"That's because Elena hasn't been ditching me every night to meet up with her 'non-girlfriend' girlfriend." I teased, glancing over at Jeremy.
"Yeah, sorry 'bout that. I've just been busy with school stuff. Catching up is harder than I thought it'd be."
"You know I can help you with that, right? My tutoring skills stretch far beyond Freshman History."
"I know, I know. But I want to do it myself."
"Okay, just keep in mind that the offer still – Oh shit!" I exclaimed, slamming on my breaks as a shiny red Mustang pulled out in front of me. Frantic, I turned to Jeremy. "Are you okay?!"
"Yeah, I'm – I'm fine. Who was that? I didn't recognize the car."
"I don't know. Are you sure you're all right?"
"Yeah, let's just get out of here."
The rest of the drive home had been uneventful, so I left out the near-accident when I called Ryan to let him know that his "baby" was still in one piece. He must have been in a good mood, because he told me I could drive it to the Grill.
With my usual order (a burger and fries) I made my way to the pool table where Matt and Tyler were setting up to play. Matt perked up when he saw me.
"Well, look who it is – Danica Williams!" Tyler smirked. "Finally gracing us with her presence."
Matt scowled. "Don't be a dick, Ty."
"It's all right, Matty. Lockwood's just worried that I'll challenge him to a game and win. Again."
"You wish, Williams." Tyler growled.
As Tyler was racking up for another game, he asked, "Dude, have you talked to Vicki recently?" Immediately, I wanted to be anywhere but there.
"Not since she left the night of the Halloween party." Matt answered.
"Uh, guys? I'll be right back." I said, excusing myself as I practically ran away. I decided to take the time to use the restroom. As I was about to join them again, I bumped into a six-foot-one modern-day Adonis. Before I could stumble back, the guy reached out and grabbed my arms.
"Whoa... you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I have seriously got to stop meeting people this way, though." I admitted, rubbing my shoulder as I took him in: short golden brown hair that he was currently running his fingers through, slight facial scruff... and those eyes! Those deep ocean-blue eyes that I could just drown in...
'What is it with me and blue eyes?!'
"Hey, I'm not complaining." He said, letting out a deep chuckle and pulling his hands back. "I'm Colton."
"I'm –"
"Yo, Danica! You planning on coming back anytime soon?" Tyler interrupted, waving a pool stick around.
"... being summoned, apparently." I finished, rolling my eyes at Tyler and earning a smirk and a wink in return.
"Well, I won't keep you from your boyfriend."
Confused, I shifted my attention back to Colton. "Boyfriend?"
"The self-assured jock calling for you."
My nose crinkled as I realized who he meant. "I don't have a boyfriend. And if I did, he most certainly would not be Tyler Lockwood."
Colton's rich laughter filled the air between us, bringing a smile to my face. "In that case, and forgive me if I'm being too forward, but can I see you again? I'd very much like to get to know you."
Caught completely off guard, my body could only respond by handing him my cell phone when he asked for it. After punching his number in and sending himself a text, he gave it back with a warm smile before saying goodbye.
An hour later, I was walking up the pathway to my front porch when the clearing of a throat sounded from right behind me. Spinning around brought me face to face with Damon.
"I swear, it's as if you can hear my thoughts sometimes."
"Hm... Thinking of me again?"
"The only thought involving you was about how happy I'd been with you gone." I sighed, plopping down on a porch step. "Well?"
"'Well' what?"
"I know you well enough to know that you only come around when you want something. So, what is it now?"
"I just stopped by for a friendly chat. Or if you prefer, you could invite me in and we could pick up where we left off in Georgia."
"Not happening." I responded.
"Oh, come on! You know you missed me."
"Yes, Damon. I've missed nearly dying every day that you come around."
"Aw, don't be like that. I really did come to talk."
"Finally going to share what Bree said about me?"
"Mm, not yet. But soon. Promise." He said, sitting next to me. "But you're right. I came to ask you for a favor. How does a second date sound? I'm thinking picnic this time."
"A picnic? Um, okay... I'm assuming you have some hidden agenda with this 'date'?"
"No agenda, just hoping for a nice afternoon with a beautiful woman. Think about it: you and me, spending some quality time together. You know what? Let's make it a double! I've been meaning to spend more time with Stefan."
I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "After the last attempt to bond?"
"Doesn't count. You two tricked me. This time, no ulterior motives."
"And you want me to convince Elena and Stefan that this isn't some scheme."
"Well, you can be very persuasive."
"They're going to have questions."
"I'm confident you'll be able to answer them."
Uncertainty aside, this did seem like the perfect opportunity to come clean about Adam. And I couldn't deny how great it would be to be around the only human in our group (aside from Bonnie) who understood the struggle of being around vampires.
"Okay, I'm in. When are we doing this?"
That evening, I had dinner with the Gilberts. After we ate, I followed Elena up to her room and proposed the double-date plan.
"You want to do WHAT?" Elena shouted. Clearly, she wasn't on board with the idea.
"It'll be fun! We'll do some tanning, hang out with a couple of hot guys, eat some awesome food –"
"Or end up as the food. I don't trust Damon."
"And you don't have to!" I stated, sighing when she continued to glare at me. "I... I could really use this. I have some stuff I've been meaning to get off my chest, and I can't go to anyone else."
"Stuff? Like what?"
"Uh, not now, okay? I promise, I will tell you everything – just get Stefan to come with us."
"This secret... does it explain why you've been so jumpy lately?"
"Yes."
"And you're okay with Damon knowing?"
"He already does."
"How can you trust him so much, after everything? Are you – are you in love with him?"
"No! I – I'm not."
'In love with Damon?' I thought carefully.
No, that wasn't possible. Not after such a short time.
However...
"I can tell you honestly that I am not in love with Damon Salvatore. But I can't stand here and tell you that I don't feel something for him. That's not why I trust him, though. He's saved my life so many times... and he didn't have to. He could've let me die. But he didn't."
"Stefan says you think there's good in Damon..."
"He's not a monster, Elena. He just needs someone to show him that."
"I don't think I'll ever be able to agree with you, but okay. If this is really what you want, I'll talk to Stefan."
"Thank you. It'll be great, you'll see!" I assured her, giving her a quick hug before heading home.
The next afternoon, the four of us were spread out on a massive blanket in front of old gazebo in the backyard of the Salvatore Boarding House. My head was resting on Damon's chest while I watched as the clouds rolled by. He had his head propped up by his right arm, his left wrapped around me. Stefan had his eyes locked on Elena. Her eyes had been glued to a spot on the blanket since she'd gotten the cliff note version of what the vampires already knew.
"Can someone please say something?" I groaned while sitting up. "It's been an hour. I think this silence might actually kill me."
"I'm sorry, Dani." Elena said, looking on the verge of tears. "I didn't know."
"That's kind of the point of having a secret, 'lena." I joked.
"How can you be so calm?"
"Trust me, I am freaking out on the inside." I shrugged.
Facing Damon, she asked, "Isn't there anything you can do?"
"About a stalker and a jealous ex-douchebag?"
"Damon, this isn't funny! Danica's in serious danger!"
"This isn't his responsibility, Elena. I'm sure Adam and whoever this mystery vamp is will show up again."
"And what happens then?"
"Then we'll deal with it." Stefan promised, wrapping his arms around Elena and pulling her to him.
"I'll talk to Jenna. You can stay with us for now."
Damon cut in as I shook my head in rejection. "Already tried that, Princess."
"You can't stay on your own. It's not safe!"
"Elena, I'll be fine. You're right next door if I need you. And as long as Stefan and Damon are around, I doubt Adam will try anything."
"But you don't know for sure!"
"Look, I – I can't hide away in fear of what might or might not happen. I have to believe that every thing will end up exactly as it's meant to."
"At least come over for the weekend." Elena begged. "We'll slumber it!"
I sighed. "Because I know you won't stop asking until I give in, okay. But only for the weekend." I clarified. "Now let's move on to something else."
"Anyone up for Naked Twister?" Damon suggested, earning a glare from his brother and Elena. "You're right, Stef. Let's not cross that line. Ever."
