CHAPTER ONE

A FACE IN THE CROWD

The intense smell of men's body spray and sweat filled the air. Bodies were pressed tight next to each other all moving in an endless rhythm that was familiar to all. The music pounded through the speakers so loud you could feel your heart beating deep inside your chest ready to burst out. Smiles and loud cheers rang off the delicately designed walls. The lights were dim and the strobes had just been flicked on by the less than "groovy" DJ. About 300 teenagers were jammed in this room expected to all have a good time while being shoved around on a small dance floor and bodies being thrown around in fits of happiness. I had never been to a dance like this before and was a little less than excited.

I knew my friends were having a great time. I glanced at Caroline who was grinding on some random guy and whipping her blonde hair around like she was in one of Beyonce's music videos. Bonnie was moving in the endless rhythm with all the other hormone-crazed teens. I knew this was the weekend that I was supposed to get over Matt. I was supposed to leave the painful memories of him back in Mystic Falls before we left for Springfeild, Massachusetts. This was supposed to be my weekend; at least those were the words that Bonnie had been drilling into my head all week preparing her for this. Convention was a chance for teens all over the US to get together and talk about their recent community service projects, also known as key club. Bonnie persuaded me to join just to go to the "amazing" dances and meet new people.

I saw Bonnie studying my less than excited gaze and I quickly threw on a large smile, Bonnie smiled back curiously. I knew I had to just act like I was having a good time. I threw my hands up to the chorus of 'Raise your Glass' and danced in the same familiar rhythm. Forming a cup shape with my hand like the rest of them. Everyone in the crowd screamed the chorus louder than the speakers and the DJ turned it up louder with the crowd's approval. I swayed my hands in the air and sang along to the chorus with Bonnie.

"ARE YOU HAVING A GOOD TIME?" Bonnie shouted over the blaring music.

I nodded my head in approval and she smiled a genuine smile.

I may have lied a little but I tried to cover it up as Lady Gaga's Bad Romance blared through the large speakers. The strobe light came on again and it was like a dream. Flashes of light hit on everyone in the crowd and I found myself feeling lightheaded.

"Im going to go get something to drink." I yelled to Bonnie.

"Do you want me to come?" she asked.

I shook my head.

" No that's fine." I yelled. " Someone has to watch Caroline anyways." I smiled.

She glanced over at Caroline who was still grinding with the random boy who was sporing aviators and a cowboy hat. She smiled when she saw us watching.

Bonnie continued dancing as I pushed and found my way through the crowd. I could see the area in the back where the crowd was thinner and there was more room to breathe. I rounded the corner through the last of the people and headed through the door.

My eyes glanced to the left just before I opened the door. He was gorgeous. He was tall and leaned against the back wall, his eyes watching my every move. They were piercing and from the light of the dance floor they were dark and mysterious. I stood still while staring at his shadowy figure. I could tell he was muscular just from the first glance. My heart skipped a little and I found myself pushing through the large doors out into the lobby. We were staying at the Marriott and everything was overdone. I pushed the button for the elevator and waited, I rolled my eyes at the block. With thousands of kids there for the weekend the elevators were sure to break. I headed for the back stairs. It was like alley ways they were dark and not as fancy as the rest of the hotel.

Our room was on the 9th floor so I had a long ways to go. I looked down quickly and then felt my body crash into something hard. I felt my body start to fall backwards to the bottom of the stairs but something abruptly grabbed me and pulled me back up. The blood rushed to my head and I felt dizzy. When my vision finally caught up with my body I was face to face with him. His dark black hair framed his face perfectly. His jaw was distinctive and very manly. His complexion was perfect and his skin was a perfect mixture of tan and pale. His eyes were what caught my attention. The crystal blue colored eyes pierced at me with the look of affection not anger. They examined me closely and stared directly. He was tall and muscular. The gray T-shirt he was wearing showed off his body perfectly and I felt embarrassed staring at him this closely. I looked away quickly.

I felt his hold on my arm loosen and his full lips started to part as though he was going to speak.

"Im s-sorry." I stuttered out of embarrassment.

"No please excuse me Elena." He said.

His voice was deep and husky like and his eyebrows raised at me when he spoke.

"Im Damon." He said in a raspy tone.

I smiled and then blushed a little at his gaze.

"You were just in the ball room how did you-" my voice cut off. I was clearly sounding like and idiot in front of him.

He looked at me questioningly.

"Nevermind." I said quickly.

He studied me carefully and a smile flashed his white teeth, another thing that made him perfect looking.

"Are you here for the convention?" he asked me.

I nodded. "The dance was a little too much for me." I smiled brushing a piece of my dark hair behind my ear.

"Are you?" I asked him hoping to get a good answer.

"Something like that." He smiled.

I looked at him with many more questions until the sound of Bonnie's voice brought me back to reality.

"Elena?" she yelled. "Are you up there?"

I rolled my eyes and looked at Damon helplessly.

His name rolled around in my mouth a little as I mumbled it under my breath hoping he would not hear.

I heard Bonnie's footsteps coming up the stairs.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me out through a side door.

I found myself let this beautiful stranger pull me around.

We swirled through a number of doors until we found ourselves outside the hotel in the gazebo area.

"Thank you." I said. " You do not understand how bad this whole dance thing is."

He grinned.

"You weren't that bad of a dancer."

I felt myself blush and I looked at him closely. How did he see that I thought to myself.

" I should probably get back to my room, curfew is midnight." I said looking into his blue eyes.

He nodded.

"Thank you again Damon." His name rolled out of my mouth and I felt my lips pull up into a smile. His name suited his appearance so well I could almost see why his parents fell in love with the name Damon.

He nodded and pointed to the door we came out of.

I turned on my heel and prayed to god that I would not fall again in the presence of him.

I walked quickly and turned back to take one last look at him.

He was gone.

My lips pulled down into a frown and I realized that him leaving made me sad.

I shook the thought from my head and continued through the large doors. I made my way into the elevator as 12 other people all jammed in.

A thought finally struck me. How did he know my name?

My heart sped up and then I realized I was wearing a name tag.

That had to be how he knew it. Right?