Hello! I smiled a lot reading your reviews from the last chapter, so I decided to show up early to post a new one ;)

Ok, so this one is a little different. It's actually a flashback I needed to show before anything more happened between them. It's their first meeting.

And I promise that I didn't lie when I said the moment it's coming. Honestly, I just need to show you this and then one more thing before the confession/kiss/whatever.

I hope you like it.

Chapter 11: The princess in the sand castle

DAMON POV

2016

I looked up at the new message that flashed on my college Hiroshima Whatsapp group: great. Apparently the freshmen were throwing a party and all classes had been cancelled. And here I was, walking to the building of the New York University like a moron because I forgot to check my texts before leaving the dorm. Fan-fucking-tastic.

I could just head to the party, yes; but because Enzo asked me to borrow him a book, I was carrying a backpack with me tonight, instead of my usual black pen hanging on the pocket of my black leather jacket. I never carry more than a pen with me since I tend to take notes on my cell phone — it's far quicker than handwriting them.

Besides, Enzo didn't need me to bring the book for him, he's literally my roommate! And you know what the fucker said when I asked why he hadn't told me about this party? He said that he did tell me, but I was too occupied drooling over the clumsy hot girl, from this class we shared with the med students, to even process the words he was saying.

Marvelous, I know.

In my defense, she was really, really hot. And those doe eyes, man.

If you know anything about Enzo then you might be surprised to see this guy as a Psychology student. Fear not, because he won't be your listener in the future. Nope, once he discovered that giving an oral to his patient is not in the "how to treat them" list, he decided to change paths. Or, in other words, he will go to the Criminal Studies field, pursuing a career in the FBI and researching the crazy folks that seemed to be the real-life version of Hannibal Lecter.

Me and Enzo actually met at a bar. We drank, laughed and ended up doing a Devil's threesome with a red-haired chick. Then, a few months later, after I dropped Law School, I finally stopped floating around and decided to pick up a major. I had been alternating between crashing at the Mikaelsons' castle and Katherine's place because my father refused to give me money. So we made a deal that I could have access to some if I chose a degree. And guess who my roommate in college was?

Anyway, back to the rolling of the dice…

I was all ready to drive to our room, drop my backpack on the floor and ride back to campus, though to the right location where the party was actually happening this time; when the universe decided I should hang out in the silent building for a while.

I climbed the stairs to the rooftop to watch the stars. And no, that's not an out of character trait because I tend to do it sometimes when I'm high on bourbon, ok! However, when I got to the roof I saw her. The hot clumsy girl.

I was surprised to find her here, wearing a night outfit from all things. See, the first time I bumped into this girl was when I gathered the books she had dropped on the floor in class… And yes, I was attracted to her, how could I not? She was blushing furiously as she apologized shyly and ran to her seat, letting her dark-brown locks fall like curtains to cover her face. I watched her as she sat in the corner of the room; then she glanced back at me, catching me staring. Well, damn you, princess, for capturing me so.

Still, I can safely say this is the first time I'm indeed laying my eyes on her. The side of her beautiful face, masterpiece made, as she leaned against a half-wall in the opened corridor of the highest floor in the building, one that offered just the perfect view of the night sky and was just a few steps from the actual rooftop. Aaand she was blowing smoke with a fucking hookah resting in her hands! I mean, sure, I wouldn't be attracted to a girl who is not capable of misbehaving, but making smoke rings that would have made anyone proudly jealous of her skills is certainly not what I expected to find beneath her soft exterior.

— Plot twist: the geek girl is a minx. — I said with a smirk, suddenly feeling grateful for being stuck here, alone with her.

She turned to face me, wearing a grin so innocent that could have tricked you, even with the grey dancing buzz hovering in the air. — And the gentleman is a bad boy? — She fired back.

I laughed, dropping my backpack into the floor next to her. — I just put on a leather jacket and suddenly I'm a bad boy, huh?

She shrugged; but, instead of answering, she smoked on the hookah.

— And… — I continued. — Why does chivalry need to be separated from it? I can do both.

— I bet you do. — She raised an eyebrow at me, blowing the thing off.

I tilted my head to one side. — I'm Damon.

— Elena. — She introduced herself, coming closer to blow the rest of the smoke in my face. I closed my eyes briefly, breathing in the herb I didn't recognize. She laughed; and I shook my head, amused. God, I loved that laugh already. And I don't know what happened to the girl who was completely focused the first time I saw her, hypnotized by the teacher's lecture, because she seemed to be replaced by a goddess with an angelic enchantment.

I repeated her name out loud, mainly to myself than anything else. — Elena. — I let it dance in my tongue, loving how it sounded. — I liked it.

She shook her head. It made me proud I still managed to make her blush, the high version of her and all. Her hands slid the hookah through the top of the half-wall towards my hand. — So… — She said, and I didn't miss the way our skins touch when I catch the thing. — What are you doing here, Damon? Not feeling like joining the party?

And I loved how my name sounded in her lips too.

I raised an eyebrow to her, choosing not to answer just yet. I guided my hand from the base to the mouthpiece, parting my lips just enough to close on it. Inhaling naturally, I drew in slowly and lightly with a few breaths between the puffs. It tasted good, but I still couldn't recognize the flavor when I pulled back.

Before I could say anything, the hookah was off my hands; and, when I finally exhaled a medium smoke ring, Elena was already taking her last puff and blowing a smaller one that went inside mine before both of them faded away in the air. I laughed, mesmerized, because she was such a pro at. She laughed too, timidly and mischievously, all at once, without a care in the world.

I took the hookah again, because whatever it was she put in it was damn good. Repeating the previous process, but careful not to take too many consecutive pulls so the thing wouldn't burn it all in one go. As I blew, her fingers went to the water bowl, her eyes observing the bubbling before it disappeared in the liquid.

— What's your poison? — I asked, curious. I would definitely look for more once I did this again with Klaus. — I never had it.

Elena took off a packed shisha from the back of her light-blue jeans and placed it in the pocket of my dark-black jacket. — It's called vervain. — She drifted apart, giggling a little when noticing the way my eyes were glued on her. — It's a herb you can easily find in my hometown, and not so easily anywhere else.

— I appreciate the gift. — I winked seductively.

— Oh, Damon, if you think I won't taste too when you blow it, then you need to do some better character analysis. — She teased, but it held a promise in it, a promise that I couldn't wait to fulfill.

I laughed. — Well, it's a good thing I'm doing a major in Psychology then. So I can improve it.

— Not a doctor?

— Nah. — I let the hookah rest as I supported my ankles at the top of the half-wall. — But I suppose you were one of the medicine students in last week's class.

She nodded. — I need to find a way to reduce the smoking damage if I'm spending my free time tasting herbs.

I laughed again. Is it possible that I can already see myself falling for this girl? It's ridiculous, I know that, but she's clearly flirting back, and she's… she's something else entirely. Gorgeous, funny, smart, with beautiful eyes that instantly lit me on fire and melted me in her chocolate pools… long delicate hands that held the hookah tightly and gently at the same time… and I just knew they would fit perfectly around my cock too.

Maybe I will find out by the end of the night.

Elena took our toy, one hand in the base, the other in the neck of it, then she slid her body to the ground, sitting that seductive butt of hers that I would love to grab. I followed her movements, leaning against the white concrete behind me, my equally sexy butt on the floor, too.

I liked how she was making us comfortable. I liked how she didn't even ask my name before offering a puff. I liked how she was so easily relaxing next to me — and it could be just the buzz, but, deep down, I knew it wasn't.

We just instantly clicked, that's all.

Hence why I was opening up without thinking twice about it. I wanted her to know me in a way I never let anyone in, not even Klaus, Enzo, fuck, not even my own brother.

Elena and I gazed at the starry night in awe. Enzo had a theory that all the Philosophers and Painters did their thing slightly buzzed; or, if the stuff was really good, completely high. And, as the stars began to grew bigger in a yellow tone, brushing its color in the dark-blue panorama, very much like that Van Gogh painting, I was starting to think his argument make some sense.

— I can read most people like a book. — I said, watching as she rested her head on the wall; I did the same. It was so easy to follow her, it felt like our movements had their own conjoined rhythm. — And I like New York because I lived here when I was younger. And so do my friends. But, mostly, I needed to get the fuck out of my house, so I chose what seemed to fit me the best, and… Here I am.

Elena didn't ask further. I would have told her all the ins and outs that laid in between the brief, yet sincere explanation I gave her. And I know I will eventually, she will ask later. But for now, she just wanted me to feel comfortable with her, and she was waiting patiently until the words would find their way out of my mouth on it's own.

She shared a bit, too.

It came after a deep breath, so I knew it was bad even before she verbalized it. — My parents died in a car crash at this bridge in my hometown.

I looked at her deeply, trying to tell her I was sorry and that I, somehow, understood. Because I really did. And she got it, just by looking back at me, as if she had known me my whole life, within past lives and everything. She looked at me and she listened to all the unspoken words I was not saying.

— Yeah, so I, too, needed to leave home. — She smiled sadly. — I moved here with my little brother. He is eighteen. And I chose Medicine because it's one of the two things I love the most.

— What's the other?

Her smile was a lot lighter now. — Writing.

— I'm sorry about your parents. — I told her; she nodded. And I needed to keep on lighting the mood because I couldn't screw up her night with sorrows, even if we weren't exactly going for small talk. — Getting into people's head it's the second thing I'm good at, too.

She threw back my question from before. — What's the other?

— Cooking. — Her eyes automatically widened with surprise; I chuckled. It's a good thing I can amaze the most interesting girl I've ever met. — My last name is Salvatore. I guess my Italian bloodline it's responsible for it. But, yeah, I love it. Mixing drinks, too. Mostly cooking, though. And ever since I cooked a big meal for the first time, on a Christman evening, I've known that I want to have my own place to keep doing it forever.

— So, why go for the Psychology major? — She asked. — Don't get me wrong, but given your expensive clothes and the fact you're using that Creeds Spice & Wood cologne, I'm sure money it's not the problem. You could have left home to pursue this, instead of going to a college that seems to be just your second option.

I smiled, not expecting her to recognize the labels and the perfume. — And my last name was a good hint. — I offered.

— Yes. — She admitted, proud of herself for getting it right. — Come on, everyone knows your Dad's name in the Law business. — And she seemed to get that as well. — Oh, that's it, isn't it? He doesn't approve.

I reached for the hookah, suddenly needing it again. Taking the base from her hands and placing it in my lap, I sucked in the vervain, letting it float to the inside of me with all its poison, exalating as slowly as I could.

I sighed. — My baby brother, Stefan, is going to carry the family's name. — I laughed sarcastically. — Dear old dad should be happy that at least one of us was born to advocate, but of course he wasn't. I guess it's something we have in common, the oldest Salvatore men always want more.

Elena waited for me to continue. Hell, she even slid herself closer to me, her fingers going to mine as she touched the water bowl. She didn't take it to her, though; no, she just waited a few seconds before moving her fingers until it reached the mouthpiece, taking up to her lips… then to mine. I accepted, holding her hands beneath mine this time, tighter than I should, but tighter as I needed it, sucking and inhaling the herb once more.

She pulled back as I blew.

The smoke clouded my eyes, and I was ready to continue. — He slammed the door in my face when I told him what I wanted to do. He even threatened to disinherit me with his hands around my neck, holding me against a wall… But Mama wouldn't let him.

I sucked my breath, feeling my throat a lot drier than it should be. My voice was also cracking more than it should. Then, to surprise me even more, Elena let her head rest on my shoulders, her right hand sliding through my arm and conjoining our fingers. It fit perfectly too. And just like this, I was safe. Just like this, I wanted to know her, too, all of her darkest secrets. I wanted her to trust me with them. I wanted to find a way to get in, to find my way that led it to her, turning it all upside down just so I could see what was truly hidden on it. Because that was exactly what she was doing with me.

— My mother was the one who suggested the college thing. — I finally said, softly, as I always do whenever my Salvatore queen is the subject. — I hated it at first, but I also got to move back here, it will give me a degree… And, with time and with the money I will earn it, you know, my family's money that I sort of can finally take it now… Eventually I will climb that mountain no one besides her believes that I can.

I laughed, dazzlingly hurt. — Don't get me wrong, I love my friends. And they tasted my food already and they know I'm good at it. But I bet even Klaus, who is my closest friend, thinks I will drop this childish dream and set up with a major that I am, in fact, enjoying it more than I thought that I would.

My guesses were that she would be silent for a few minutes, before telling me more of her own story or saying some generic encouragement words. She didn't. She answered me right away, opening a bit of her Pandora for me, and showing all the secrets that the box keeps.

— I need to taste your food someday to be sure. — Elena said teasingly, drifting from our interlaced fingers to look into my eyes as she continued. — But I know a few things. Three, to be exact. — She took a deep breath and smiled, but her voice was firm and serious. — First, dreams are never foolish. So what if they began in our childhood? I have been writing in my journal since I was ten. And sure, I didn't go for this in my major, but I know I'm good at it. I know I could write the next bestseller if I wanted to, even if it all started when I was a kid.

She shrugged. — If your daughter tells you she wants to be a doctor, like I chose, her dream won't be silly once she's grown. So why should my writing be? Why should yours?

I smiled. There's one thing I always admired about my mother: whatever the secret to happiness is, she has it. Because she gets what's more important, what's the most vital to us, she gets life, and she holds the keys of its answers in the tip of her tongue. Elena might be young, and she might not have all the paths cleared up yet, but she does get this, too. Not the ways; but the importance of the mountain and why we should keep trying on climbing.

— Second. — She told me. — I believe with all my heart that if you have any idea of what you were put here to do then it would be a sin to the universe not to do it.

Yeap, she understands. The questions, why we should be making them. She comprehends me, and, fuck, it's been so long since anyone looked at me like they could actually see me. I guess the "falling in love" had just started, whether I realized it or not.

I kittenned my eyes. — You said three things, what's the secret you're holding from me?

— The one you already have, but I suppose it might do some good to know I share it. — I frowned; and she patted my chest with her index as she whispered. — I believe in you, Damon.

This was the first time I felt every bone in my body and every string of my heart begging for me to kiss her; and like all the other times in the future, I didn't.

Eventually, the conversation shifted to easier topics. That is, after I smiled a big grin to show her how much I appreciated her support, saying "thank you" wouldn't be enough. Right now, however, we were playing that game people tend to play when they want to know silly things about someone. And, to my surprise, she was the one who started it; which kind of tells me she was just as interested in me as I am in her.

Elena told me her favorite color is purple and before I could open my mouth to answer with mine, she added. — Yours is black.

I laughed. — Is that obvious?

She narrowed, eyeing me from my black boots and jeans to my black leather jacket. I laughed harder. — Ok, you've got a point. Favorite movie?

— Pride and Prejudice. — She said without a second though. And when I raised an eyebrow, she knew exactly what I was thinking. — I didn't lie before when I said I love horror movies, it is my favorite genre. But… It's Mr. Darcy. — She emphasized her Prince Charming name like it should explain it all.

I rolled my eyes. — Well, my favorite one is Gone with the Wind. — And it was her time to look like she was not buying it. — Franklin, my dear, I don't give a damn.

Her eyes widened as she recognized the quote. — Oh, my God. — She cracked in laughter… But soon she recomposed herself and teased me back with a line of her own. — I'm very high and I intend on getting even higher before the evening's over.

May the gods be damned if this girl wasn't made for me! I shook my head, laughing too. — I guess our favorite books are obvious, so… Biggests turn on?

I expected her to dismiss the question, arguing that it was too personal, but she didn't. The answer didn't come as quickly as the previous ones, but it came anyway. — Emotional connection, witty conversations, neck kisses and someone that knows how to put on a hero's facade.

— I was doing just fine until the last one. — I sighed with an exaggerated look of defeat, and she blushed. — Dark brown hair, doe chocolate eyes, free spirits and… those innocent girls who are secretly badassess. — I listed mine, literally describing every single one of her features.

— You can't be serious, not even for a second, can you?

I shrugged, loving how her cheeks were crazy red. — What, it's not my fault you have all the qualities I look for in a girl.

— You're impossible.

I laughed. — Yeah… But, seriously, I do prefer brunettes. I'm too outgoing, so even my guy buddies need to know how to have fun. And… There's just something about girls like you, who look like princesses on the outside, but are powerful queens on the inside.

— You don't even know me, Damon. — She argued quietly, looking away.

— Oh, but I think I do. And, come on, — I touched her crossing legs, bumping on them with mine, and smiling playfully. — It's the first time I'm talking to you… And I feel like from the moment you open your mouth you've deconstructed the sand castle people must always make of you.

Her eyes glanced back at mine and I could see right away that I've got it right because they were shining in wonder. — Maybe I've misjudged you. — She offered kindly.

— You're letting go of the whole bad boy judgment, aren't you?

— Oh no, you are a bad boy, this I am certain. — I rolled my eyes, but I guess my smirk just confirmed her assumptions. — I meant the "not knowing how to character analyze" thing.

I smiled smugly. — So, I got it all right, didn't I?

She punched my shoulder gently. I touched the spot above my leather jacket where he had "beat me". — Ouch. — I winced fakely.

— You know. — Elena said after some time. — After my parent's death, I kind of shut myself from everything. — She sighed, looking at her own hands as she spoke. — I study too hard, work even harder, and spend most of the days making sure my little brother is ok. But, there's another Elena, a fun Elena, that makes some small appearances every now and then. But, mostly, she's hidden. And I guess that's what people usually see when they look at me…

— The princess in a sand castle. — I completed it for her

She looked up at me with a mouth-closed smile and nodded. — Yeah.

It was my turn to lean closer to her, letting the side of my forehead touch hers. She wrapped her arm with mine, comfortably relaxing beneath me as she rested on my shoulder again. And I know I should be questioning why it feels so easy to snuggle with someone I just met, but I'm more comfortable with this girl than I've ever been with anyone else, so I just went with the flow, doing what my body seemed to demand of me. Besides, given that she was purring with closed eyes, going to interlock our fingers one more time, I'm pretty sure she feels the same.

— You shouldn't blame yourself, though. — I said, at last. — For shutting yourself down. I mean, sure, it's a shame that the world is missing the chance of knowing the carefree version of you, because, hey, she's a lot of fun. — She drifted apart to smile beaming, doing things with my heart I was not familiar with. — But you lost your parents, Elena, both of them. It's ok to take your time to heal and to let yourself feel again. And there's probably much more terrible ways to cope than being responsible and studying.

— Yeah, I think you're right. — She took a deep breath. — I just… I just wish I could be more like this. This carefree version of me that you made came out today.

— This is easy to solve.

She squinted her eyes. — Is it?

I nodded. — Absolutely. You just have to keep me around so I can keep making you enjoy yourself.

Elena didn't say anything, but her smile and the way she snuggled back on me, was the best answer I could get. In fact, we both didn't say anything for a while as we fell in a comfortable silence I didn't know you couldn't even have with a person you have known for less than a few hours. But, then again, I had just opened myself completely to this girl, just like she seemed to be doing with me, so it wasn't like we were going by the rules anyway.

Nonetheless, our connection was there. I mean, we were practically cuddling on that dirty floor of the NYU rooftop, for heaven's sake! And damn, it felt good, everything about her did.

Then, of course, something needed to interrupt our evening. It was her little brother, Jeremy Gilbert, because that boy always had impeccable timing, I tell you that. He was just texting to check if she was ok, but like the great big sister she had always been, Elena quickly called off the night, telling me she needed to go home.

Before she headed out to call for a cab, I chased her all around the building. To tell the truth, I don't know how it even started; but we had stopped by a drinking fountain in the corner on the fourth floor, and as we took turns to drink the fresh water, Elena split some drops of it at my face playfully. After that, I ran after her until we reached the second floor, when I finally caught her in my arms, spinning her around as she tried to escape from my grip, both of us laughing carefreely and wildly happy.

As expected, our childish banter attracted the attention of the security guards who scolded us, warning that we had no business running around like that, especially when there wasn't really anyone in the building since the classes had all been cancelled. And they were still muttering something annoyed, as we waited for the cab at the entrance; the cold wind blowing up her hair as she unsuccessfully tried to secure the messy dark-brown locks behind her ear.

I put the hands in my front jeans' pockets, narrowing my eyes at her. — You know, I came here driving, I could take you home. — She looked from her phone to me, a little hesitant, which was a first for us tonight. And I had no idea why I sounded nervous like a high school boy with a crush, but I was. — If you want. — I added with a smirk.

— I don't know if that's a good idea, Damon.

— Your brother is eighteen, he won't be able to kick my ass, and… — I shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. — I'm dropping you home, not spending the night.

She gave me a look. — You are most definitely not spending the night.

— Oh, I don't know… — I stepped a bit closer, doing the eye-thing that puts me in trouble just as much as it takes me out of it. — I really liked you, Elena. — I told her sincerely, because she was not a night-stand type of girl, one I would conquer with a cheesy pick-up line. No, she was the girl you kiss goodnight and take out on dates; and I might not be the usual boyfriend material, hell, I don't even know if I would know how to be, but I do knew, from the moment I saw her, that she was someone that made me want live the cheesy romance instead of what I was used to. You know, those sappy stories, with hearts, flowers, and all that crap that give girls goosebumps and butterflies in the stomach.

The problem was the feeling didn't seem to be mutual; which did come as a surprise because I was sure she had been flirting back with me the whole night. But it could be just due to the buzz of the hookah, although I already knew in my heart that our connection was real, whether it would involve something else or not.

Elena noticed the way my gaze was shifting from her eyes to her lips as I began to lean in in slow motion, but before I could close the distance between us for good, she placed a hand on my chest to stop me.

She sighed. — I liked you, too, Damon. I really did. — She explained with a smile that I couldn't quite figure it out at the time. — And that's exactly the reason why I'm not sleeping with you. — I frowned in confusion; and Elena laughed, as she, again, knew all about the secrets of life that I couldn't reach just yet. Then she continued, adding my consolation prize of the night. — But I will accept that ride, bad boy.

So… That's how it all began. It was just the two of them talking, and it took me back to a similar night that happened when I first started college; but I just hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing.

A new face will appear on the next one.

Have a wonderful weekend, guys! And thank you for reading.