The drive back was tense to say the least. Unsaid words and feelings hung in the air. Weighing down on you. But you had zero idea how to even make them go away. You hadn't said anything to each other since you dropped his jacket at his feet and climbed in the car. Elena was still knocked out, apparently all that alcohol caught up with her. And she was snoring like a freight train which was starting to make you consider finding something to smother her with. "You're important to me too," Damon told you breaking the silence and turning down the music he had switched on.

"Damon don't. It's fine," you pressed your forehead to your hand and kept your eyes on the changing landscape outside even though it was practically dark.

"No it's not. I do care about you. I still do. But I'm not the person you knew. I'm not someone that deserves someone like you anymore. I'm the person that deserves someone like Katherine. And you deserve someone like Kyle. He's good for you. But it doesn't mean we can't be around each other," you felt his hand raise to touch you but he retracted it just as quick.

"Damon just stop please. I'm tired and I just want to go home," you choked out trying to swallow the sobs that were building in your throat you could feel the last of the color drain from your face. You curled back into the passenger seat staring at the floorboards of the car. Attempting to get comfortable and settle your upset belly. You needed Kyle. You needed his arms around you. You needed to be away from Damon. So you could breath and think clearly again. Your head was pounding. The burns around your mouth had finally healed and disappeared. You needed sleep. You needed to see your best friends. And find your phone. Something.

Hours later...

"By the way," Damon started whinding his arm around the back of his seat into the pocket.

"I found your phone at the crash. I just figured you deserved some time without it," and he handed the phone over to you. You wanted so badly for him to look at you. To get that warm feeling you always get when he does. To feel him touch your skin. Anything. It hurt not doing what every fiber of your being wanted. This was why you couldn't continue being around each other. At least not till you could control yourself and swallow your feelings. You took your phone having a million missed calls and texts. But of course none from your family. Which didn't surprise you but still stung a little. You were the least of their worries. Which has been the story of most of your life. There was always something more important for them to be doing. Or hovering over Tyler like he was some saint.

Megan: Kaylee what the hell? Where the hell are you?

Hello?

You're pissing me off dude I need to talk to you.

I swear to god.

Okay I've been to your house. You're not there. You're not at Charlie's or Jeremy's. So where the fuck are you?

Jeremy: yo we're suppose to be working on our project?

Are you good? I feel like I haven't talked to you in days.

Kaylee?

Leo: woman can you please call one of us so Megs stops being insane.

You're literally going to be the death of me.

If I'm dead whenever you decide to resurface it's 100% your fault.

Charlie: Kaylee? Are you okay? I found Elena's car? Where are you guys?

Are you okay?

What happened?

Call me.

Dude

I need to know if you're okay.

I've looked everywhere for you. WHERE ARE YOU

Dude you're gonna give me a heart attack.

I need to at least know you're alright. Please call.

Kyle: baby?

What the fuck happened? Everyone's asking me about you?

Stefan said you're in Georgia with Elena and Damon?

Why are you there?

Are you okay?

I'm worried about you. Please call me. Or someone. I just need to know you're okay.

I know it's a lot the first time you turn. I'm trying to find you answers. Please come home.

The messages went on and on and on. The voicemails to match. You didn't even need to listen to them to know what they all said.

You added them all to a group chat.

Me: I'm fine. I'll be home soon. I'll explain when I see you guys.

As fast as you sent it all of them started answering and your phone buzzed over and over.

Megan: um? No? Explain now. I've been worried sick. Why didn't you call?

Leo: She hasn't slept still, she's going insane. SOS

Jeremy: we need to finish our project like as soon as possible.

Charlie: are you okay?

Kyle: we can meet you at your house?

Me: yeah I'd like that. Should be less than an hour. Talk soon. And I get it Jeremy.

You locked your phone wishing you had your earbuds so you could just zone out for the rest of the car ride. Or at least drown out any and all thoughts about Damon. It was weird knowing everything now. Having turned already. It felt like everything just got more powerful. Like you needed to be around him being being around him only clouded your judgement. And brought out the darkness in you. The darkness you were scared to even admit you had. And even more scared to let anyone see.

"Someone's popular," Damon pointed out as your phone continued to vibrate against your thigh every couple seconds.

"My friends are insane," you chuckled awkwardly. You were trying to be distant giving him simple answers as an attempt to make this easier for you. Both of you I guess.

An hour later...

"Here we are," Damon put the car in park after pulling next to your car.

"Thanks D. See you around," you pushed the heavy door open and swung your feet out. The ground was cool under your feet even through your shoes you craved being on all 4's again. The freedom of the woods. The feeling of the soft dirt under your paws. It was comforting. And it made you wish you could control when you turned because right now that was all you wanted. You grabbed the door helping you out when Damon caught your wrist jerking you to look at him, "I love you k. And I know you're trying to push me away. And if that's what you want I'll stay away. But don't think because I want to find Katherine doesn't mean I don't care for you," the tears you had been swallowing the whole ride home teased the corner of your eyes. "Damon please. Don't make this harder than it needs to be," You whimpered trying to collect yourself to stand your ground. "I'll always be with you," he pointed to the locket around your neck. And as a reflex you ran your fingers across it, forgetting you were even wearing it.

"Goodnight," you smiled through the pain but you knew he wasn't convinced. "Make sure she gets home safe," he just gave you a small nod releasing his grip on your arm. And you closed the door heading inside knowing what was waiting for you there. You watched his headlights partially light the room as you closed the door behind you. Watching his red taillights till they were out of sight. But it now gave you the time to see how disgusting you looked. Your clothes were in shreds, old blood soaked most of your blue top and speckled your jeans. It was unclear where your blood ended and Brees began. Your hair was in tangles. You looked like you had just returned from a wildness trip. And every single one of your muscles ached. All of them throbbed only worsening your headache. But you swallowed the feelings and took the stairs slowly taking them one by one. Each step making you cringe at the pain pulsing through the muscles it took to step them. You stopped just outside your room taking a deep breath and drying the tears that had escaped your eyes despite your attempts at keeping them inside. Your ears perked up hearing their breathing through the door.

"You've got this," you murmured to yourself before wrapping your hand around your door handle and shoved it open with the little strength you had left. All their heads turned to you, "wait!" You shouted watching them all come towards you. "It's been a long day and my body hurts so please be gentle," You hummed biting the inside of your cheek. "Are you okay? You look like hell," Megs came closer inspecting you more. "Can I borrow the 2 girls in my bathroom please?" You need some girl time and Megan to work her magic on your knots. "Yeah of course," Leo said nudging Jeremy who hadn't even looked at you since you walked in. "We will be down the hall," Kyle stopped in front of you and you looked up at him "we will talk in a few," You said softly leaning forward and kissed him softly before following Megan and Charlie into the bathroom.

"I'll start a bath," Char turned and plugged your bathtub and adjusted the water so it was hot enough to help your body hopefully. She took a bottle of your favorite lavender bubble bath soap from your window seal and squeezing some in. "Here let me help," Megan helped you stand again and discarding all the bloody fucked up clothes in a pile beside your feet. "The bath is ready," Charlie softly said turning back to you guys. Megan took your hands again and helped you in. The hot water half burned but seemed to ease your muscles a little. "Do you wanna talk about it?" Megan asked as she poured some conditioner in her hands and spread it through your hair as much as she could. You just shook your head cradling your chin in between your knees and holding your legs to your chest. Charlie was gently washing all the blood and dirt off of you. Her hands were so soft, she felt like velvet against your skin. "It's okay we don't have too," from Megan's voice you could tell she had kicked in to mother mode. You two had both done this for each other mostly when one drank to much and threw up all over themselves. It made you miss the old days. When all you had to worry about was drinking or smoking to much. Simpler times. The scent of the lavender soap soothed your mind helping release some of the tension in your body. Megan quickly getting the tangles out of your hair, she was a magician when it came to anything beauty related, especially hair. Charlie rung out the washcloth and set it on the side of the porcelain bathtub standing and grabbing a robe for you. "There you go love," Megan smiled as she washed out the last of the conditioner. She came around the front side of you again grabbing your hands and helping you up and out of the tub. She was so strong for how tiny she was. And Charlie wrapped the robe around you. "Are you okay? Seriously?" You snapped out of your daydream and looked at them tying the robe around you. "Yeah I'm fine. I just need to sleep really," you yawned hoping it would be convincing enough for them. "Well we can sleep in the guest room. I know Kyle really wanted to talk to you," you didn't say anything and all of you filed out of the bathroom. "Get these on," Megan grabbed a pair of pjs out of your dresser and set them next to you. "We'll send Kyle back, in a few minutes," Megan hummed kissing the top of your head. "Sweet dreams," they echoed slipping out of your room and down the hall. You slipped the robe off and pulling on the pjs, throwing the robe over the arm of your couch. You threw back your comforter from where Megan had placed it after making your bed and tidying your room like always. But you climbed under anyways and got comfortable switching off the light on your nightstand and the room fell dark. "Come in," You whispered hearing Kyles footsteps at the door before he even knocked. He came in silently closing the door with a quiet click before padding over to you and climbing into the other side of your bed inching himself as close to you as he could but seemed to also be keeping a careful distance.

"I missed you," you nuzzled into his body closing the distance he had left between you. You laid your cheek against his bar chest running fingers over his soft skin. You instantly felt better as your skin practically melted into his. And he placed his hand on top of your head slowly running his fingers through your clean hair. "I missed you too love."

"Are you okay?" You knew the room was pitch black but you could see everything clearly. Every detail more vividly. "I don't know," you answered back examining the cracks in the drywall across the room. Where you threw Damon. God that seemed like a lifetime ago.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" You did. Just not with him. But even with your girls the words wouldn't come out of your mouth. You didn't know how to say what you even wanted to say. You peeled your body off him and sat up only to place both of your legs on either side of his abdomen running your hands across his skin digging in slightly till you reached his neck pulling him up to you his chest pressed against your chest and you leaned down and kissed him releasing every emotion in your body in that one simple kiss. Breaking away only to perch yourself next to his ear, "I love you too," you whispered speckling his neck in wet kisses. You had only hoped this was the right thing to do...