Hello! I came back a lot quicker this time, huh?

So before getting into the chapter, let me just answer some questions you seemed to have. About Elena's feelings… I promise she feels the same, and when she finally realizes it, you'll see her love for him it's just as deep. Buuut she is currently in denial, so you guys will just have to wait until the right time comes ;)

Luckily for those who asked for it, a bit of her feelings will be shown in this one!

Btw, that's the dress Elena will be wearing if you want to check it out: https/pin.it/1P5Gjba https/pin.it/7zNOMiY

Aaand, the decoration of the Mikaelson's party: https/pin.it/4Ftg0Vi

Now, finally… I hope you like it!

ELENA POV

Two days ago the mail boy delivered a big white box with the dress I'm wearing this evening; and I kept closed in the corner of my bedroom without even taking a glance, because I trust Klaus' taste, yes, but mainly all blame goes to the job that's sucking my entire soul in a daily basis like a Dementor. I am currently feeling and looking like a dead girl walking, so, forgive me, Kol, if I did consider bailing on you this time. But, when my hands undid the ties, revealing that the Mikaelseons never cease to amaze me, I was looking at the reason why I was suddenly eager to spend my day off tiring myself.

It's a light blue ballgown dress with one layer of the finest piece of tissue I've ever laid my fingers on, covered by a second transparent layer much thinner and softer. At the edge of it, there's a silver line of sparkling glitter that looks very much like shooting stars falling. The handles were made to fall gently on the arms with just a tiny inch of ocean lace to be held by the shoulders. Those details were perfectly calculated to allow the girl's back to be exposed in a classy but seductive way. And, as if it all wasn't enough, there are actual tiny diamonds decorating some of the layers of dress, precisely where the tissue is a little more tight, at the dimples, at the bottom of the spine, and at the front, on the belly and breasts.

So, yes, Kol wasn't lying when he said I would be looking like Cinderella. I'm feeling in a Disney movie already and I haven't even dressed the damn thing.

Bonnie is the one who's helping with my hair. Our boy managed to get her a day off at the hospital as well, so she could come along with her boyfriend, who also happens to be a friend of Damon's, Enzo. He is a tall good-looking guy that is just the bad boy she wanted to date, since she so quickly refused when Damon tried to set her up with Stefan.

Things went very differently when I met the younger Salvatore though.

Looking uncomfortable and slightly possessive, Damon made a disgusted face and warned me. — My brother is off limits.

— What?! — I was shocked because the idea never even crossed my mind.

He sighed, then explained. — I know he is your type. — I rolled my eyes at him, but he proceeded to list. — Nice guy, blonde, good manners and calm nature.

— Fine. He is my type. — I admitted, hating how much he knows me.

— But, please, don't date him. — And he was almost begging, the lightly threatening tone quickly being replaced by a soft request.

I gave him the most sincere answer I had, the one I knew it would be enough for him. — If I didn't date you, then I'm not taking any Salvatores, don't worry.

And yes, fine, I have considered having something else with Damon. But, it's normal, right? I mean, who never looked at your best friend secretly hoping that the perfect chemistry you two have could be more than just friendship because it is, after all, the one person that gets you like no other. Not to mention that it's a bit hard to miss how ridiculously hot he is, to quote my aunt Jenna's words. Damon's also impulsive, reckless and passionate in an exciting dangerous way, which, deep down, is just one of the many things I love about him. And, we would work, because he knows my moods like the palm of his own hands and can get me through each of them with a kindness that makes me laugh until I'm crying tears of joy.

But, and there's always a but, it could all go incredibly wrong too, to the point I would lose the person I care about the most, and this is not a possibility, not ever. So, these thoughts are much safer locked in a "Do not open" box that is hidden in a place inside my head that I never dare to look at. Plus, he made a move on me once when we were both high, so I'm pretty sure I'm the only girl to whom he flirts as an actual joke.

Bonnie ties my hair up, letting out just two soft locks falling on each side of my face, and she finishes holding it together with a hair clip that is attached to this beautiful blue flower. I'm wearing my mother's earrings as well, because they are silver-white, matching the outfit perfectly, and because I need to carry a piece of my parents with me whenever I go.

She is smiling at me through the mirror. — You look beautiful, Elena.

— Thank you.

— It's easy to see why Kol insists on bringing you along every time.

I puff. — Yeah, 'cause there's nothing to do with the fact that the boy is incapable of setting down.

An hour later, after I had helped Bonnie with her golden dress that it's equally stunning, we both left my bedroom to meet our dates who were chatting with my little brother in the living room. Well, at least mine was, there was no sight of Bonnie's.

Kol walks towards me with a smug smile playing in his lips. — Oh, the only pet name I'm using with you tonight is Cinderella, princess.

I laugh, placing a kiss in his cheeks. — And I will break some rules to call you Aladdin.

— That hot intern sure knows how to nickname his superiors. — He jokes. And, for some odd reason, my brother is blushing. I suppose there's something to do with the fact that his new closest friend is also my long time college buddy, coworker, and the one who escorts me at dances. If Kol noticed, though, he didn't mention, because he quickly turned to Bonnie. — You look beautiful, too, cupcake. — He winks.

— But, where's Enzo? — I ask him, wondering if I should call Damon to check, although I'm not even sure if my best friend will be going to the party.

It's Bonnie who answers. — The disadvantage of dating a bad boy: they take longer than you to get ready. — She gives us an annoyed look that I know it will be gone as soon as he pops up in a tux. — He texted me telling us to pick him up on the way to party.

— Should we go, then? — I ask, glancing from Bonnie to Kol.

He shakes his head. — Ah-ah. None of you complimented me yet. — Bonnie and I laugh, but, to our surprise, he turns to an embarrassing Jeremy, answering my question about whether he had noticed my brother's shyness or not. — Come on, Jer, tell me how handsome I am.

Jeremy swallows, blushing even harder and mumbles. — Yeah, hm, you look, — He clears his throat. — You look great, man.

Bonnie so-done-with-Kol's-shit Bennet passed over us, taking both me and my date as her temporary arms candies, walking us out while she shouts at my brother. — Bye, Jeremy!

I didn't even get the chance to tell him that there's frozen food in the fridge and money above the wooden-made kitchen's counter, because in less than two minutes we were already getting into Kol's car while he drove us to Enzo's place. Weirdly, I'm wondering if Damon will take a date if he happens to show up, and even more weird, the idea of seeing him with a girl makes me feel a pit in the stomach.

The Mikaelson castle is beautiful tonight.

At the old Oak tree right in the entrance, ropes of crystals are hanging glasses with little candles on the edge of it. And, while I let Kol guide me to the inside, my mouth is agape. — Oh my god. — I gasped. My date just shrugs, since he is used to all this. And, given that I have been attending these events for years now, I should be too. But it's very different when you live surrendered by fancy things ever since you were a baby in a golden crib, to be a girl that is friends with the royals' families of New York, but needs to work hard to pay the shared rent with her little brother.

Thin strips of stickwoods are placed all over the yard, hanging next to the sky as if it is actually touching the darkness and shining through; golden lights are attached to the handles in just the right amount to overwhelm the guests without being too much to blind them. White yellowed sparkles are falling in the center, thousands of them, and each piece is divided in four lines of gold-colored wires that mixes perfectly with the lightning. The floor is the usual dark-green grass, except for the middle dance floor that is now decorated with black and white squares that resemble the ones of a chess board. Circling it, rectangles and rounded tables are spread around, each made up with a white cloth that highlights the small arranged plant of dark-green leaves, with little candles next to each plate, and a medium size golden sculpture in the center of it. Above the tables the wires and lights are messed up together to shape the few bright golden red-ish balls that are hanging on the stickwoods strips. And my mouth is still open in wonder when the first of the Mikaelson's brothers comes to greet me.

It's Elijah, wearing a beautiful suit, which makes me laugh softly because it's not very different from all the other times I've encountered him. I swear I can count on my fingers the times I've seen him in casual clothes. By his side, Katherine Piece is wearing a beautiful silver-black dress, making her look like a dark witchy princess; and her curly waves are falling beautifully in her shoulders.

— Good evening, Elena. — Elijah says politely, actually taking my hand to kiss the back of it because he is that much of a gentleman. — You look bewitching this evening.

Katherine smiles at me. — You really do. — And in opposition to Rebekah, who hates me because I'm the only girl who is close to her brothers besides from Elijah's girlfriend, the Pierce woman is a good friend of mine.

— Thank you. — I say sincerely, adding as I point between them. — You two are the perfect royal power couple, as always.

— Excellent, since the secret reason behind all this is because I'm announcing our engagement. — Elijah's eyes darkened as he looked at the woman in his arms.

Katherine scolds him. — Yes, and it will be no surprise if you spill to everyone like that.

He's laughing in a way that only she can make him, then he whispers secretively to me. — I already told you and the man who served us with the drinks.

— You should never trust him with anything. — I tell Katherine who laughs along, rolling her eyes in agreement.

Kol is walking towards me again, with two glasses of champagne in his hands; and his brother, Klaus, who is charmingly smiling at me, is coming right behind. I told you, they are all devilish princes.

I greet him with a warm kiss on his cheek. — Hi, Klaus.

And, when I'm back in Kol's arms, Klaus asks playfully. — When will you date my brother for real?

Kol raises an eyebrow to me. — Yes, Elena, when will you?

— Never. — A velvet voice interrupts us, and in a heartbeat my best friend is standing next to me. I hold my breath at the sight of him, because not even Niklaus, with his blonde curls, british accent and a dark blue tux, is as handsome as Damon. He nods to the boys, kisses Katherine in her cheeks and whispers at me. — Hey.

— Hey. — I said back, my gaze locked in his, until a cough interrupted us.

Klaus is staring questioningly at Damon. — So?

Damon shrugs, with his own questioning look. And it's Katherine who clarifies. — Where is your date, Salvatore?

— She is currently stuck as your little brother's arm candy. — He tells Klaus. And I know it's selfish, but I'm relieved. Not that we have anything, nor me and Damon, or me and Kol, for that matter, but the night wouldn't be this pleasant if I had to put up with Damon flirting with someone else. I don't get why I'm always a bit jealous of him, I suppose it's a best friend thing since he is the same with every boy that comes closer to me, even when I'm already dating them.

— Lucky me. — Kol winks, gabbing my hand in his and placing at my other free one of the glasses of champagne. — So, excuse us, 'cause I'm going to show off Cinderella here to all my friends. — And I giggle while he takes me away from the group.

The night goes by very quickly, and in a blink of an eye it's almost midnight. Elijah's engagement announcement made me drop a tear because he speaks so eloquently it's difficult not to be hit by his words, and, in my case, to wish things didn't end with Matt. Although all my friends would have disagreed, he was good for me. Maybe I wasn't in love, maybe there wasn't real passion in it, but I loved him dearly, and that alone is already hard to find.

So, there is a reason why I have spent the last days working harder than usual. Kol told me that if I didn't stop to just breathe every once in a while, he was certain that I would have cured cancer by the end of the year.

Speaking of my Original boy, he has been the best the whole evening. It's a shame we never looked at each other in a non-platonic way, because he is so much more fun than Matt ever was. We danced to pretty much every song, since he would drag me away from anyone I was chatting with, telling how it was the perfect one playing and we needed to dance. I didn't mind at all, but I'm also thankful that my hard work allowed me to have the entire weekend off, because, right now, my feets are definitely in pain.

With a glass of white wine between my fingers, I walk to the bandstand, that it is also covered with golden wires and white lightning, but it is located at the corner of the yard, so there isn't no one there, making it the perfect spot for me to sit by myself to get some rest.

Well, not all by myself, because there's someone there, after all.

My best friend is sitting in one of the stairs' steps, a bottle of bourbon resting besides him, against the white wood. His hair is messy, the grey tie is resting around his neck and the first two bottoms of his shirt are lazily open. Damon Salvatore, the bad boy who can rock any outfit, but always looks like the fancy clothes are suffocating him.

He smiles at me, while I take off my heels, letting it rest, just as my own feets and legs do the same, then I put my now empty glass away and sit next to him. — Is the alcohol hitting yet? — He asks, nodding at the wine I just drank.

— No, I'm just getting tired. — I tell him, observing more carefully how beautiful the decoration is. Rebekah and I might not be the best friends in the world, but that girl can throw parties like almost no one else, because Caroline Forbes is just as good, maybe even more.

Damon sighs. — Kol is the eternal frat boy, isn't he?

— Pretty much, yeah. — And I want to laugh, but there's something about the way he is quietly watching me that stops me from doing it. — Hey. — I place a hand on his shoulder, staring gently at him. — Are you okay?

Damon takes a deep breath and explains. — Well… My new patient is a six years old little boy who is now an orphan because his father murdered his mother in front of him, stabbing her repeatedly before cutting his own throat.

— Is he… — I suck dry. — The boy from the news that it's playing all over this week?

— Adam Young, that's him. — Damon looks at me with a sad smile. — I'm sorry. The party is great, you're having fun with Kol, which makes me glad because you need to, and… — He trails off. — I really shouldn't be ruining your night.

I shake my head with a gasp. — What you shouldn't do is bear this kind of stuff alone. Damon, I know there's a lot going on in my life, but if I can take one night off to be here with Kol, then I can be at your doorstep to make you company whenever you need me to.

He gives me a half-smile. — Thank you. — And he always says with such honesty, putting every emotion on it, that I can understand why he is such a great therapist. Then, his expression shifts to a smirk, his eyes scanning the outfit I'm wearing. — I know it's obvious, but you look breathtaking tonight, Lainey.

I glance over my own dress. — It's very Disney-ish, but I loved it.

— Cinderella. — He says. And Kol has been calling me by that silly nickname the whole day, but when the word dances in Damon's tongue, somehow, it feels different.

My eyes dropped at his rumpled suit. — You're not so bad yourself.

— Yeah?

— Yeah. The whole charming dark prince all messed up in fancy clothes is definitely one of your most attractive looks.

It's breathtaking as well, I add to myself; which I could have said, because we are complimenting each other and friendly flirting all the time, but it would mean more this time, so I swallow the words. And, while I watch Damon's head going backwards as he laughs, exposing his beautiful sculpture jawline, I can't help to think that this is dangerous. My best friend shouldn't give me goosebumps, but he does, oh, he does, like no one has ever got under my skin before; but I just shake it off this feeling that seems to be consuming my whole self.

Damon looks back at me, flashing a boyish smile, like the one Kol has, but, then again, so much more beautiful. — Peter Pan was wrong, you know. — I frown so he can elaborate it. And yes, that's Damon's nickname for Kol. — He might be the one who escorts you to dances, but I'm the luckiest because I'm the one who gets this part of you.

I laugh and say teasingly. — The drunk flirty one?

— The soul doctor who cures people's sadness. — He says sincerely. And I swear it's not normal how badly his words are making me want to be held by him right now.

Do you know that box I mentioned earlier? The one that should stay locked forever? Yeah, well, I'm certainly discovering the path that takes me to that Chamber of Secrets with Damon looking at me like this. It's the alcohol, it has to be the alcohol, for what other reason should his eyes appear to be bluer than ever?

But, then again, I have been in Kol's arms all night, who also happens to be a very handsome friend, and not even for a second I felt the things I'm feeling with Damon. I wish I knew why everything is like this between us, even though I'm not sure I really want to know.

It is Damon who breaks the silence. — How is Jeremy? Does he still want to go to live with the French folks?

— He does. — My voice fails a little, and I hope he won't notice or read too much into it, because there's nothing to do with my brother and everything to do with his intense gaze. — Which made me realize another problem I will have to face if he moves. — Damon raises a brow, and I say. — I will need to find a new roommate.

It's true 'cause, sure, I could still pay the rent by myself without Jeremy's part, that is if I didn't feel inclined to help him out in the beginning. He will be using our inheritance to cover a bit of the costs and I know Damon will send him money as well, but I don't want to rely on my best friend's help.

And, of course, there is the real reason: I can't live by myself. No, really, I can't. Whenever my brother needs to travel for school or goes to hang out with his friends outside the state, I spend most of my nights at Kol's, Bonnie's or Damon's. See, ever since my parents drowned in the bridge of our hometown I can't sleep alone in a house without having nightmares. It's my only trauma that the therapy never cured. Not because my doctors were bad, but because I never really had to face the problem. Not until now, anyways.

And I pull myself from the wandering of my mind to ask why is my best friend suddenly so quiet. — Do you think it's a bad idea that he will move?

Damon shakes his head. — Nah, it will be good for him. I'm actually thinking about your roommate problem.

— Yeah, I'm screwed. — I sigh, placing the free lock that is failing in my cheeks to behind my ear. — I mean, Bonnie would be an option if she wasn't almost living with Enzo.

— There's always Kol. — He jokes, I give him a look, he laughs.

— Right, because that would work so well.

Don't get me wrong, I love Kol. But one thing is being friends with a boy who lives wildly like he's still a teenager, another very different is to share a loft with them. Especially when I need a quiet place to study. Shane is a great advisor, but he makes the circles around my eyes grow even darker. And, I also need to rest without having to worry about my roommate throwing a party all weekend.

— And there's always me. — Damon says, a bit too slowly, a bit too hesitant.

I smile. — It would be perfect, if you didn't love your place so much. — I can't think of anyone better than him for that; damn, he might even be a better roommate than my own brother. — Which is fine, you have the coolest apartment in the whole New York city, I wouldn't want to leave, too.

— But, would you want to live there?

I wait for him to say it's a joke, yet he doesn't. No, he just keeps looking at me, watching me, carefully and in expectation. — Shit, you really meant it.

— I do.

— Are you sure, though? — I need to ask because even if we are the closest friends in the universe, I don't want him to feel like he needs to offer me this. — Because I would in a heartbeat, but…

He cuts me off, frowning. — You would?

— Yeah. — I chuckle with how surprised he seems to be. — Damon, come on, you know how much we get along and how much I love your place.

— Then, it's settled. You're moving in after Little Gilbert's departure.

I open my mouth to protest, but he cuts me off again. — Lainey. — He says firmly, going for a gentler tone right after. — Don't even think I'm offering it just because I care about you not having nightmares. You know how much I love having you around.

With a smile, I reach out to take his hand, squeezing it. — I love you, you know?

He smiles, too. — I do know, yeah. — I roll my eyes, and he squeezes back before saying it. — I love you, too, Cinderella.

And I'm laughing again because he needed to use the nickname to light up the moment. I snuggle myself closer to him, interlacing my arm in his while I sigh and rest my head in his shoulders. I know I should be thinking about how I won't be able to run away from that box once we are sharing a roof. But, honestly, I'm just glad to have at least this bit of my life solved. Besides, we don't just get along well, he is my best friend in the world, and… His place is pretty awesome, too.

So, they will be roommates, huh? What do you think? It was actually my idea from the start, I just wanted to play a little bit with them before making it happen.

Thank you for reading. Have a nice weekend!