I've started to combine chapters to make them longer and because I feel a bit like it's dragging on; too many filler chapters. So they should be a bit longer. Battling with writers block, if you couldn't already tell, so thanks for sticking with me :)

I was discharged six days after the surgery, the Tuesday of the following week. Six days of physiotherapists and doctors shining lights in my eyes, I'd say I was ready to head home, feeling entirely fine. But the thing was I wasn't going home, no…no I was going to my old home where I was instructed to 'take it easy' for at least another couple of weeks to go. And in the eyes of my over-protective brother, that meant I wasn't allowed to do a thing.

I went in to the hospital once for a postoperative appointment with the surgeon but, apart from that, everything was pretty normal from there on. I was content to follow the orders of that week to lie around in bed, normally in the company of my friends, watching endless hours of Netflix and eating as much food as I could. I could hardly complain about the excuse to live through my lazy side. What I could complain about, however, was not having Damon here because I was silly and just wanted to be around him all the time. Who was whipped? I was. Did it work this way around? Or was I turning into a clingy girlfriend who felt lonely when their boyfriend was absent? It was practically my nightmare to be a clingy girlfriend but that was how I felt. I missed him.

We spoke every day, without fail. Be it texting or a phone call or Skype…I could tell he wanted to be here but what would I do without him sending all this lovely homework my way? I was being very good about it, I must say; actually setting time aside to get the work done and only complaining in jest that the amount of it was making my head hurt. No-one seemed to appreciate my brain-centred jokes, taking it too seriously and asking me if I wanted any more Tylenol. I told them they needed to lighten up and they gave me unamused eye-rolls in return.

Who else did I talk to then, aside from those I'd already mentioned? Well, since Damon had told everyone in Mystic Falls, mere hours after his arrival back there I'd been receiving various calls demanding to know my status, when I was coming home, how I felt, whether or not my head hurt, if they could come and see me, where I was, who I was with... I laughed, ensuring them that everything was perfectly fine because, surprisingly, it was. Sure I didn't feel normal, so to speak, but as long as I took the occasional prescription painkiller and took things easy, it was alright. The walks around the apartment meant that within ten days I could walk properly (if a little slowly) and the doctors' orders to concentrate on speaking meant that was fine too. You think it's just a little not-too-invasive surgery but it is still your brain. One little slip up and you could lose your ability to talk just like that. It wasn't nothing, it wasn't safe…it was just practised and focused until mistakes were rare and few. I tell you though, all these people who cared so much...I was more than a little taken aback by it. I wasn't popular, but right now...well I felt it a little.

I bet you wanted to know what I looked like right now, right? Well body-wise, not a lot had changed. Granted my bones were begging for exercise after so long sitting down, but rather than putting on weight with that combined with the food, I'd noticed I'd lost it. Not a lot, in fact barely any, but it didn't really make sense. My hair…that's probably what had changed the most. The scar was about two inches above my right ear, curving downwards for about three or four inches. The stitches made it uncomfortable to sleep on but they'd go soon and it'd be alright, until then it was quite tender beneath the thin white padding. My hair had been shaved to make way for it, but it was already starting to grow back slightly and it was a look that I could almost pull off. Almost. If I switched the side my parting was on you barely noticed it but if not, my friends informed me that it looked quite cool and I had to be thankful for the 'thick hair' genes I inherited from my mothers side of the family.

Principal Lockwood called me on the Friday, how she got my number I have no idea, but she was inquiring as to why I'd been absent from school for so long and whether or not the rumours were true. When I asked what rumours, nervous because no-one had told me about any rumours, she said that she'd overheard my friends when they were at the Lockwood's one night, mention of tumours and me. With the relief that it wasn't circulating the whole school, I relaxed slightly, telling her that they were true but I didn't want the news to be spread. Can you blame me? I didn't trust her not to tell everyone anyway. I couldn't exactly not tell her...what other excuse could I make up on the spot for being out of school for so long? She told me she'd talk to my teachers so they understood but that I had to keep up with homework as much as possible. Like she had to say; I was determined to graduate this year and get to university in the fall.

By the beginning of the next week I was bored. So unbelievably bored. During the day my friends had to go to school and I was stuck with Jeremy who, naturally, wouldn't let me do a thing. He wouldn't even let me go on my computer for more than an hour because he thought it'd be bad for me. All there was to do was to watch TV, read a book, talk to my friends, or sleep. It was alright at first but…Jesus I was getting bored of it. Believe it or not there was a limit to even Netflix. The thing that made it so much more frustrating was I felt fine now. Perhaps it was a fast recovery, I don't know, but I honestly felt fine. Yes, maybe I got a little nauseous or dizzy when I was walking around for too long and maybe I did have to take a painkiller every once in a while but what do you expect when you have a massive cut on your temple?

Something wonderful happened on the third Friday after the surgery though. I was just at home, curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea cradled in my hands, an episode of Friends playing on the TV while Jeremy sat in the armchair on his computer. I don't think I'd gotten out of my pyjamas in weeks, wearing my Thai elephant trousers and tank top but with my black kimono jacket pulled on over the top. I'd tied my hair up into a top knot, careful not to rip the stitches but the care I put into it only made it messier than usual. Honestly, I couldn't care less. But then, just as Joey entered the apartment wearing all of Chandler's clothes, the doorbell rang. Pausing one of my favourite moments, I hesitated…the desk hadn't called up to say someone was here…

Glancing at Jeremy, he shrugged, dismissing it as either one of my friends or a neighbour (someone that the security guards knew at least) and I stood up to answer it. Half expecting it to be Rose or Lexi or Jake having forgotten their key, I was stunned speechless when the door opened to reveal…

"Oh my god!"

"ELENA!"

I was laughing before I realised, greeting each of them with a hug. I knew they'd been talking about coming to visit me but I was actually expecting them to do it! Especially now that I might be able to go home soon. But alas, before me in my hallway stood Caroline, Bonnie, Klaus and… "The last to be noticed huh?"

A guilty smile tugging up the corner of my mouth at the sight of my unimpressed looking boyfriend, a smirk playing on the corner of his mouth as I ducked past Caroline to slip my arms around his waist, ignoring their 'aws' as he hugged me close, pressing a kiss to the top of my head, "Missed you." I murmured so only he could hear, looking up at him to see that familiar spark in his eyes.

His smile only widened, pressing a kiss to my mouth as one of his hands rose to turn my head a little, looking at the incision, "Missed you too. Does it hurt?"

Laughing because he clearly had his priorities sorted, I grasped his hand and turned around again, "Go on in, I think Jer just stocked up on tea and coffee."

"Only because you've been complaining for the past week." My brother counted from where he sat, greeting them with a wave, "I'll make it-"

"-No, I will. Stop treating me like an invalid broski." I objected, smiling at the argument we'd been having constantly. My heart was pounding a little faster with the excitement of them being here...perhaps finding it a little surreal at the same time as I led them all into the kitchen, holding onto Damon's hand like if I didn't he'd disappear. "Who wants what?"

I'd spoken to them all a lot this week, not Klaus so much but sometimes he was there when I spoke to Caroline or Damon. My point was that there was no need to go over all the 'how are you feeling' or 'how did the surgery go' questions because they already knew, and that was quite nice to be honest. I got as far as to fill the kettle and open the cupboard where I kept the teabags before I felt Damon's hands land on my waist, pulling me backwards gently and, with a smile in response to my questioning look, he pushed me in the direction of the bar stools. I relented without a fuss, letting him take over and sliding into the chair opposite the other two, Klaus leaning against the counter beside Damon across the room.

"This apartment is amazing Len," Caroline said in awe, looking around the room, "I thought the other one was nice but this one…it actually looks lived in."

Laughing, I shrugged slightly, "Well I have lived here for a few years; it'd make sense. I have heating here too; you'll be pleased to know."

"I don't believe you."

"And carpet too! You are treating yourself." Bonnie said with a smile, "But you can admire the decorations later Care. Why don't we talk about Elena; you look good." She told me, obviously referring to the recovery.

"Always does." I couldn't help but laugh at Damon's comment as he set a steaming mug of tea in front of me.

Caroline scoffed, rolling her eyes, "Oh shush. We're not talking about how pretty she is." She said in mock-irritation, accepting the tea he passed her before sitting down beside me.

I felt myself blush a little, making a noise of disapproval at the untrue compliment but it went ignored, "Weren't we? Judgy said she looked good, I couldn't agree more."

"Oh please-"

"-Mate you're whipped as fuck."

"Can't deny it. So are you."

"Fair."

Laughing at the exchange, I just rolled my eyes and pointedly turned back to the girls, "What do you think of my bald patch?" I joked, turning my head to show them; with my hair up like this you could hardly miss it.

"It looks beaut!" The blonde called, "Can't wait to see what it'll look like when it's growing out."

Making a face, I nodded, "It'll be awful. But at least it'll hide the scar."

"Yeah that's gonna be pretty big. But a good story!"

Smirking at the thought, I shook my head, "Seems like I'll be having a few of them." I said it lightly but I felt Damon tense beside me, glancing at him and wincing slightly…I hadn't meant it like that. "You know what I mean. Brain surgeries, being arrested…it's been an eventful year." An eventful few years. Let's not forget the main event. I wouldn't mention it now since I don't think Bonnie and Klaus knew and, well…perhaps now wasn't the best time to announce it. I got the impression they were still reeling from this revelation. "So how was your journey? How long are you staying? Do you have my weekly stack of homework with you?"

.

.

We spent the afternoon in the apartment, as if that wasn't stating the blatantly obvious; talking about everything and nothing and just relaxing. Somehow it seemed so much more enjoyable with friends here, even more so with different friends. No offence to the old, I loved seeing them, but it was also nice to mix it up a bit. With the radio on in the background, we just lounged around on the sofas for hours on end. It's what I'd been doing for the past few weeks but this was different. A different group, different conversation, different people, different memories

Midway through telling them about the surgery in greater detail (as they insisted they wanted to know, even though I didn't know that much more than, say, Damon did. I was unconscious) I was interrupted by the sound of the front door swinging open on the other side of the room and the arrival of three new people, "Oi Gilbert where are ya?"

Laughing at the charming greeting, I waved at my older friends as they ambled into the room, not seeing us immediately as they dropped their school things by the door, "Hey guys," I called, not bother to stand up from where I was curled into Damon's side on the armchair, only looking over to see Rose, Lexi and Jake there (as always). As they wondered over, slightly surprised by the number of people here, I looked to the other three, seeming taken aback by the sudden invasion but I was so used to it by now. They'd always had keys; back when I lived here full-time it'd be perfectly normal for me to arrive home and find them all here, having dinner or watching TV or something. "Rose and Lexi you've met Caroline and Damon before, then this is Bonnie and Klaus, and this is Rose, Lexi and Jake. Old friends, meet new friends." Getting the introductions out of the way first before they all settled down on the floor and remaining sofa. "How was school?"

Hearing just grumbles and mumbles in response, I laughed as Jake stood again almost straight away, "I'll make some tea. Anyone want anything?" Just them, we'd already had about four mugs this afternoon, "Hey Len did you get any of that-"

"-Top cupboard." I answered before he could finish, knowing exactly what he wanted; the fancy Lapsang Souchong he had an obsession with at the moment. With a laugh, he made his way to the kitchen with the orders.

Rose was quick to speak, "Okay, so this is great, you all being here. Bigger celebration. We have a plan, Lennie…what's your stance on the idea of leaving the building-"

"-Nope."

The excitement was killed in a second as Jeremy cut her off in a bored tone from the other side of the room, "Jer…" That was my warning voice.

"You're not going out."

"Can you let her finish her sentence please?" He just scowled at me and I smiled, looking back to my friend, "Continue."

She shot a faux-glare at my brother before carrying on, "Just going for dinner. We were thinking about getting take-out but then thought you've been locked up in this apartment for weeks, you're practically under house arrest, you need to get out. It wouldn't be late…well not too late." She was now aiming all this at my brother, the prison warden, "Please Jeremy! Please, please! I promise you we won't let her drink; she won't get within five metres of any sort of alcohol or drug!"

He scoffed, "She better not! She's not even 18 yet."

"I'm almost 18-" I was ignored.

"Exactly! She wouldn't get served! You have nothing to worry about."

"Oh I always have something to worry about when you lot go out; you get served in bloody hotels," he exclaimed, referring to the big 5-star hotels that littered the Upper East Side, famously strict on ID-ing people.

Lexi rolled her eyes, leaning back on the sofa, "That's only because we know people."

"Exactly!"

Making a noise of annoyance, I set my empty mug down on the table, "Jeremy I swear on your life…I will swear on the lives of every person in this flat…I will not touch anything alcoholic tonight and I will physically run away from anything containing a drug, that includes cigarettes. And if I feel remotely bad, I'll come straight home. Despite what you seem to think I do care about my health and I do want to get better," As if I wasn't already, "Just please, I beg you, let me out of this bloody apartment."

We got our way in the end.

To be honest my poor brother never really stood a chance. He just settled for giving me a lecture and threatening Damon enough to make him listen and abide by his rules. There was no need to be entirely honest; Damon was just as cautious as my brother was. But the difference was he understood the fact that keeping me cooped up in this flat wasn't helping anything. Even Dr Salvatore had said that it'd be a good idea for me to start going outside. Granted he probably didn't mean going out to a loud restaurant but…still. I needed fresh air beyond an open window and to leave the confines of the apartment building. I actually let out a sigh of relief as we stepped out of the lobby, a wall of cool air and sound hitting me.

"So where are we going?" Bonnie asked as we all piled into the two taxis that were required to take us to the restaurant. I slid in between her and Rose as Damon sat up front with the driver of the yellow cab.

"Good question, Rose…where are you taking us?"

She grinned, "Only to the greatest place in this entire city."

Looking at her in confusion for a moment, it didn't take long for me to realise what she meant, "Hal's?"

"You got it chica," She confirmed with a grin, leaning forward to give the driver directions and I turned to Bonnie.

"Okay, it's like the best diner in the whole city but no-one knows about it, basically because it's not in such a nice area. I love it, it's amazing, we used to go there all the time."

Her eyes literally lit up, "Oh I can't wait. You've seen Mystic Fall's response to a diner…"

Laughing, I nodded, thinking of the sorry excuse of a café just on the road out of town. We went there once and asked for a cheese burger…I can't say I'd ever understood when people said cheese tasted like plastic before, "Urgh, that place is grim. This…best burger you'll ever have in your life. I'm so excited."

"When are you not excited about food?"

She made a fair point…

Hal's Diner was always perfectly busy. Never overcrowded but never lacking the buzz of a crowd. There was always a spare booth, but it always seemed like that booth had just been saved for you. It wasn't decorated to look like one of those 50's diners…no, it was one of those 50's diner. It had been here the whole time, barely changing at all but still in perfect, authentic shape (discounting the half century worth of graffiti on the sides of the metal tables). We must have spent months here over the years after discovering it on a summer's day about six years ago. Now the waiters new our names and Rosie, the lady who now ran the place, would send milkshakes over on the house, teasing that we were the ones that kept her in business. I missed it. I missed a lot about this city but all those afternoons spent in this building...they were special.

We arrived a few minutes before the others since their taxi was behind ours, but that was just enough time for us to get inside, pausing by the 'wait here' sign behind a couple who were seen to in seconds and then… "Ah my girls!"

Grinning at the voice, I looked up to see the lady herself walking towards us, beaming as she held out her arms and, in an instant, Rose and I was scurrying over, laughing as she pulled us into that familiar maternal hug. She wasn't a tall woman by any means, and not fat either but…soft…kind; giving off the aura of someone who was simply impossible to dislike. Everyone loved her and she loved everyone. Hell, she even liked Dom.

"Hey Rosie," I greeted as she let us go.

"How are you sweetie? You've been gone a long time."

Shrugging slightly, I glanced across to the other two to make sure they were okay, "Yeah, the others told you I left town for a while."

"Hmm, they sure did. You should've said you were leaving and we'd would've thrown a leaving party!" She said in her thick New York accent, making me smile at the way she treated us like family and always had, "Come on then, I'll show you to your booth."

Did she say our booth? Yeah…we had our own booth. Well obviously not exclusively for us but it was where we always sat; the big one in the corner. Conveniently it was always empty when we wanted to eat, perhaps because there were a few others of the same size. I let the others go in first, sliding in at the end beside Damon as the others arrived, loudly, I might add. With laughter and loud greetings through the hatch to the kitchens (two of them at least) they all took their seats in the booth. It was amazing how well everyone seemed to get on…was I right to say that? Of course they were all friendly and kind people, but it was so lovely seeing them all laughing together with no tension whatsoever. Why would there be tension, you ask? Well only in one area…think of Damon when I'm around any guy that's not him or one of his friends. He gets all possessive and…Grr-like (think Mason). Secretly I kind of like it when he gets like that (within reason) but he hasn't with Jake, and whether it's because he likes him, or because he trusts me, or perhaps because he thinks he doesn't stand a chance…I was happy.

"This place is awesome Els," Damon told me as the others were swept up into another conversation.

The smile on my face seemed to be a permanent future as I nodded, "I know, I love it. We always come here."

"Yeah I got the impression you knew the owner." He said in his teasing way, nodding towards where Rosie was taking another tables order, a wide smile on both her face and the little girl that she was talking to.

"Rosie's one of my favourite people ever. She's so lovely." He wasn't looking at her anymore though, and when he said nothing I looked back at him to see him looking at me with an expression so warm that I almost found myself blushing, laughter dancing in his eyes as he shook his head a little, "What?"

He laughed quietly, dipping his head to kiss me gently, "You're so cute."

"Hey!" It was an insult but it made my stomach feel all fuzzy, "Cute people don't have scars and bald heads."

He rolled his eyes, shaking his head in amusement, "I think you're cute."

Narrowing my eyes in a mock-smile, failing at a look of 'toughness', "Well I'm not."

He shook his head, "Nope, you'll have to prove it."

"Oh I will," I told him, aware of the others still wrapped up in their own conversation so shifted forwards a little, leaning in and pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth but pulled back before he could turn his head and return it, "But not right now. That wouldn't be appropriate."

His eyes flashed dark at the suggestion, a smirk pulling up the corner of his mouth as he made a low noise, shaking his head, "Cute but evil. That's what you are."

"I never said a thing." I teased, a faux-innocent smile as I turned to the others, "So are we going to order or what?"

With a round of approving 'yes's', Rosie sidled up to the table just a moment later, notepad at the ready, "So what'll it be today? Three cheeseburgers, one plain, one with extra pickles...What else?"

Naturally everyone went for burgers, and as was to be expected the boys all asked for a ridiculous amount more than necessary but…why the hell not? This was a celebration! Of what exactly I couldn't be sure but it just felt like we had something to celebrate.

Conversation flowed without a moment's hesitation, laughter drifting from the booth loud enough to be an annoyance to the stern looking family in the next but sue us for having fun. I couldn't imagine being much happier to tell the truth, sat with friends old and new, an amazing boyfriend and a delicious mountain of food in front of me. What more could I ask for?

It didn't take long to get to the reminiscing stage, but rather than thinking back years, we were talking about when I first moved to Mystic Falls…more specifically when I first met Damon. "Let's not sugar-coat it, shall we? Damon you were an asshole." Caroline said simply and we all burst out laughing, looking at Damon to see his mouth open slightly, surprised and trying to justify himself.

"I wasn't-"

"-Yeah you were." She cut in, "I mean, you've always been a rude git but you were just a bit of a bitch to Elena."

I couldn't help but laugh, not quite ready to jump to his defence, "Lena! Defend me. And I resent being called a bitch, of all things."

Giggling (yes giggling), I slid one hand up his arm, resting it on his shoulder; "Well you weren't the nicest of people at first. But then again I probably wasn't either-"

"-Gilbert don't you dare justify his douchebaggery."

I couldn't stop laughing. Every time they said things like that, I just couldn't help it; I had the giggles. And he may be trying to act offended but he was just watching me with that same 'you're cute' smile on his face but I could not help myself! "All those comments about money and wealth and being spoilt" She went on.

"Yeah they were a bit harsh," Bonnie agreed, everyone grinning as they played along.

"And hypocritical."

"Whoa, when did this turn into an 'attack Damon' dinner? Maybe I was a bit of an ass at the beginning but it didn't last long. Let's not forget I was the one who took you home when you got roofied-"

"-Wait that was you!?" Bonnie and Caroline exclaimed at the exact same time.

Still laughing, I nodded, "I swear I told you that…"

"You clearly didn't! That was nice Damon!" The blonde said, utterly shocked by the idea. Oh my stomach hurt…

He shot her a sarcastic smile, "It has been known to happen."

"Certainly not before that one came along." Klaus quipped…oh the final straw.

"Mate," Damon began, betrayed by his best friend.

"Oh everyone stop being mean." I cut in, not quite as sincere as I should be but I meant it, "He had his douchebag moments but he's lovely so stop being mean." I informed them, eating another chip as I did so and laughing at the sounds they made at my intervention. I backtracked slightly, just to annoy him, "Though you do still have moments…"

"Okay, Jesus. Why isn't anyone ripping her apart?" He cut in in exasperation, on the surface annoyed but it'd be believable if you couldn't hear him fighting laughter as everyone else was failing apart, "Elena tell them what happened when you first woke up after the surgery. It has to be the bitchiest thing you've ever done."

Eek, "Well if it had worked it would have been." I agreed, before turning to the others to explain, "When I woke up and he was there and he was being all cute," Pointed look, "and worried, and I…being the awful person that I am, went and asked who he was." All their mouths dropped open in absolute shock. I know, it was mean, "Or rather I would have if I hadn't started laughing."

"Elena! That's horrible!" Lexi scolded, shocked by my poor attempt at a prank. Or perhaps the poor execution of it...

"See, she's not so innocent." Damon said in a 'hurrah' type voice, leaning back and slinging his arm over my shoulders, pulling me closer and I snuggled in. "I freaked out for a minute."

"But then it could just be revenge for all the times you had her confused out of her mind-"

"-Rose!"

Too late. Oh lore embarrassment, "What's that?"

My best friend just grinned, knowing exactly how much I didn't want her to say that. I mean, sure I'd told him when I was confused (the millionth time) and that's basically how we got to this point but…oh why did I have to tell them anything? "Oh yeah…" Bonnie said, catching on as Caroline laughed at my obvious embarrassment.

"Oh you mean…?" Klaus began, looking to his girlfriend who gave an affirmative nod, "Ahh…"

I wanted to bury myself in a hole and die. Even Jake knew! I never told him! Oh god this was so humiliating. "What the hell?" Damon didn't like being the only one not in the know, looking at all the others then to me and back again, "Confused about what?"

With a groan, I buried my face in his shoulder, "Urgh, confused about what I told you about. You lot are terrible people."

"Come on, it was hardly a secret." Lexi said with an amused eye roll.

"Wait this is the New Year's confusion, right?"

Shoot me, please. "Oh no long before then. I mean, Lena here's a pretty chilled person and she'll pretend like it doesn't affect her," I was here. I was embarrassed. Stop talking please, "but every time you and her got off at a party and it was never mentioned the next day, we'd know about it."

"Let's get dessert-" It was worth a try. They only laughed at me. I was sure my face was bright red, "You're all horrible people. Let's get dessert and stop embarrassing me."

"I remember when you told me you didn't get embarrassed about things," Caroline mused, then…oh I knew what she was going to say, "Oh wait, what did I say next?" She was looking at me with a downright evil glint in her eye, a grin on her face as everyone hung on her every word, finding hilarity in my humiliation. Why was I friends with these people? Why? I was clearly not in my right mind. "Yeah, I wanted to know what embarrassed you so I asked what made you squirm and blush and that the answer couldn't be Damon Salvatore-"

"-Oh my god I'm going to cry!"

"And you blushed like a tomato. Just like you are now."

They were literally roaring with laughter, clutching their sides with tears in their eyes. Face buried in my hands, I found myself laughing too but I couldn't be sure if the tears falling from my eyes were from laughter or mortification. What was I saying? Definitely mortification. I could feel Damon laughing beside me, his arm around my waist and pulling me closer but I refused stubbornly, shaking my head, "Els c'mere," His voice was shaking with mirth as the others still rolled around with it, he couldn't even try to hide it.

Dropping my hands, I bit back my own, "Caroline Forbes we're no longer friends."

"You're actually crying!" Lexi exclaimed, the hilarity only mounting more at the fact but before I could duck my head again Damon's hand caught it gently, tugging me gently around my waist and making me look at him and I turned, only to bury my face in his chest, shaking my head.

"Aw babe stop crying," he laughed, gently guiding me up to look at him.

Looking at him, I shook my head, "No. I'm embarrassed." I said, but the smiles threatening to form ruined it.

Grin widening, he reached both hands up to frame my face, his thumbs stroking the tears away, "I can't believe you're actually crying."

"This is your fault."

"Why? Because I make you squirm and blush."

Moaning in frustration, my head fell onto his shoulder, "I hate you all." I was never going to live this down. Never…ever. This was the most humiliating thing ever and it was all their fault, my best friends. And I didn't even have the ammunition to get revenge. Sitting up again, I tried to put together a full sentence, "Wasn't one of Jeremy's terms for me to stay calm? I am not calm! I am embarrassed. Stop embarrassing me."

"The best thing is that she can't even get us back for this."

"Because there's nothing we've done that's that bad."

"I wish we filmed this."

"I got a bit-"

"-What!?" My gaze snapped to Rose who was holding her phone, a shit-eating grin on her face.

"The best bit…"

"What did I do to deserve this?"

In response Damon only curled his arm tighter around me, pulling me nearer and pressing a kiss to the top of my head, "Never say nothing embarrasses you, you're just asking for trouble."

"You embarrass me."

"And I will never let you forget it." He said proudly, "Now everyone give her a break, let's get this dessert."

As if he held all control, they did as he asked, only sending me teasing looks but stopping with the comments soon after and I couldn't be anything but thankful. It was funny, I'll admit it, but at the same time so mortifying for little old me.

Jake called Rosie over and we ordered our dessert, receiving them all in ten minutes; ice cream and waffles and pie… "El aren't you getting anything?" Care questioned and I shook my head, not really in the mood for anything just yet but, mere minutes later, Rosie appeared again, a smile on her face and a tall glass in her hand, "On the house," she stage-whispered, setting it down in front of me as if she knew my appetite better than I did and my eyes must have lit up at the sight of the milkshake because they all laughed.

"Oh my god, thank you."

She smiled, squeezing my shoulder before going off again to serve another table and I leant forward to drink some through the two stripy-straws. Oh what could be better than a banana and Reese's peanut butter cup milkshake? Chocolate, peanut butter and banana…it was like magic made in heaven. "See now she's happy," Jake teased, shaking his head in amusement.

Flipping him the bird, I drank away, "I love my milkshake."

Too wrapped up in the drink, I didn't notice what my older friends noticed at first, "Looks like it brings all the boys to the yard."

Looking up at them, I was going to smile at the reference but then saw them looking at something by the door behind me and frowned. Apparently I didn't get the Kelis reference...? "Huh?"

"Incoming,"

Well that never meant anything good…

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A lil bit of drama? Who just entered?

I'm going away for a few weeks tomorrow so I hope this extra long chapter makes up for it.

Please review!

Thank you for reading

M