A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I hope you enjoy this chapter.

DPOV

I was a fucking idiot.

In what world did I think it would be ok to make out with Elena?

The entire drive home she was quiet staring out the window. She didn't say a thing. Stefan and Caroline were both drunk in the backseat being all snuggly and gross. Making things even weirder than they already were. I only had two beers and she only had one drink, so I knew we weren't even close to being drunk. So, I didn't even have the hope that she would forget this tomorrow.

I don't think she was mad, because I knew what a mad Elena looked like. She was just silent. We had pulled up in my driveway after dropping off Caroline and she gave Stefan a hug goodbye, before I walked her to her front door. She had been silent as we walked but when we reached the door, she thanked me for taking her, and she gave me a quick smile before turning to go inside. And that is the moment I knew I fucked up.

Things were never weird between us. We were always comfortable around each other and for the first time I wasn't sure what she was thinking.

So here I lay in bed. I didn't get a wink of sleep and I had no idea what to expect today. My parents had invited Elena's family over for lunch before my dad would drop me off at the airport today. It was a little tradition between our families. We were all very close. Would she even show up? And if she did, would she be normal? Or would the weirdness continue on into today?

I thought about that kiss all night.

On one hand I thought I was truly making things easier for her. She was so insecure about being so inexperienced, and if she just got it out of the way she would realize she was making a bigger deal than necessary.

And then that damn kiss changed everything.

I would've never guessed that she's never made out with someone before. She seemed relaxed. She didn't just sit there, and she wasn't over the top either. She was the perfect amount of push and pull. I got lost. I got lost in all of it.

The thoughts of this being Elena Gilbert went completely out the door. She was gorgeous. She was making my heart race. She was pulling on me, like she liked it. I know that I liked it.

The second we pulled apart I knew that it was a mistake. And not because it was bad. Not because she was Elena. But because it changed something.

I tried pushing it down. And perhaps I've been trying to push everything down for a long time, and it finally came to a point where I couldn't anymore.

She's always been the first person I get excited to see when I get home. She usually is the first person I come see. She understands me, and I understand her. She's the only person I can be vulnerable with. She's the only person I can act like a five-year-old with. And now… I had this pull towards her. Something I never felt before. Or at least I never let myself feel before.

But I would have to ignore that. Because I wasn't willing to lose my best friend over some weird feelings that I wasn't sure were even real or not.

I felt like ass even after I took a shower. I didn't function well on little sleep. I threw on a white t-shirt and some dark wash jeans. I made my way downstairs, and my mom was in the kitchen finishing making lunch.

I stole a strawberry off the tray she had made up. "Hey!" She smacked my hand. "Don't be rude."

"You forget that I'm the guest of honor," I teased her.

She gave me a stern look before stirring up the potato salad. "The guest of honor can take that outside to the deck," she gestured to the fruit tray and pitcher of lemonade. "And go see if your dad needs help grilling."

I took the tray and pitcher and brought it outside chuckling to myself. My face dropped for a second when I saw Elena and her family sitting at the table chatting with Stefan and Caroline. Elena's eyes fell on me, and I gave her a smile, so she didn't feel awkward. But it was too late, she smiled back before quickly turning her attention back to the conversation, pretending like she was into it.

I set the stuff down on the table and turned to my dad who was flipping burgers onto a plate "Need help?" I asked, praying he would say yes.

"I'm just about done," he gave me an appreciative smile.

My mom opened the door, setting down the potato salad, and took a seat next to Elena's mom Miranda. My dad took a seat next to my mom, which meant… I was next to Elena.

I pulled out the chair, as she awkwardly shifted making room for me.

"The food looks amazing," Miranda spoke.

"Thanks," My mom smiled at her.

Everyone served up their plates, "Does it go fast Damon?" Miranda asked me. "Your time home."

"Yeah," I cleared my throat after taking a sip of lemonade. "Yeah, it does."

"We sure miss him when he's gone," My mom frowned.

"Don't act like you don't get a little excited when I leave," I teased my mother.

"Well, I have to admit I don't miss the spike in the grocery bill when you're home. But other than that, I miss seeing your face." She made me roll my eyes. I was always teased for being a mama's boy, but she didn't need to be all mushy in front of everyone.

"That's enough theatrics mother," I said shoveling the burger in my mouth.

"I love your hair like that Elena," My mom changed the subject.

"Thanks," Elena flushed, her fork playing around in her potato salad.

"And your outfit is adorable," my mother observed.

"She's really gotten into her appearance lately," Miranda noted. "I think she looks great!"

"I know, isn't she?" Caroline chimed in. "I'm so glad we did the face framing; it really compliments your beautiful eyes and cheek bones."

"Ok stop," Elena blushed. "Can we talk about something else?"

"How about the fact that you guys didn't bring me to that party last night?" Jeremy jumped in; his mouth full of food.

"Maybe because you're still in high school," Stefan clapped Jeremy on the back.

"Whatever," Jeremy rolled his eyes. "None of you are 21 and I know you all drank, don't lie."

"I'm 21," I corrected him. Last month was my birthday, but I was drinking before the age of 21.

"I don't want to hear it," Elena's dad Greyson shook his head.

Our parents weren't dumb. They knew we dabbled here and there; they were kids once too. But that didn't mean they were ok with it. They just liked to pretend we were all perfect children.

Lunch went by quickly, but as usual Elena's parent stayed for a while chatting with mine. Jeremy, myself and Stefan tossed a football in the yard while Elena and Caroline sat in the grass under a tree talking.

I tried my best not to make too many glances her way. I didn't want her to think I was still thinking about last night. I hoped she wasn't thinking about last night. I wanted to talk to her alone. Especially before I left. I'd probably be gone for about six months before I'd be back, and I didn't want to leave like this. So awkward and detached.

After a while I noticed Elena give Caroline a wave after she stood up. She walked over to her house, and I felt gutted. She wasn't even going to say goodbye to me?

"I'll be back," I tossed the ball to Jeremy, and lightly jogged over to their house.

I opened the door and didn't see her anywhere, so I figured she was up in her room. I walked up the stairs and lightly knocked on her closed door.

She opened the door and seemed surprised to see me, "What are you doing here?"

"Were you really not going to say goodbye to me?" I walked past her, sitting on the end of her bed.

"You seemed busy," she turned towards me, but her eyes were glued to the floor.

"I'm sorry but that's bullshit," I called her out.

Her eyes finally flickered to mine.

"This is about last night, isn't it?" I swallowed.

She just nodded, her cheeks turning pink.

"I'm sorry," I sighed. "I don't know what I was thinking."

"It's fine," she stood with her arms crossed behind her back. It was her uncomfortable stance. I never thought in a million years that I'd be the reason she felt uncomfortable.

"Did you feel like… I took advantage?" I gulped feeling a lump in my throat form.

She stood up straight thrown off by my question. "No," she shook her head. "Not at all."

"Then why are you so distant?" I asked.

She let out a breath and then came to sit next to me on her bed. Her one leg was tucked underneath her. "Because you're Damon," she explained. "And I'm Elena."

I knew what she meant. She didn't even need to explain. "I'm sorry," I apologized again.

"Don't be," she shook her head a small reassuring smile formed on her lips. "I needed to just rip the band aid and do it. But I couldn't."

"Was it really that hard?" I teased her.

"No," she giggled. "It was a lot less intimidating than I thought it would be."

"Good," I was glad her walls were coming down a little. "I'm glad all this awkwardness wasn't for nothing."

"You're full of jokes, aren't you?" She rolled her eyes, but at least she was smiling.

"Just don't come asking me how sex works," I pushed back until I was resting against her headboard, crossing my one foot over the other. I threw my hands behind my head, making myself look comfortable. "I don't know if we could ever get past that."

"You're sick," she crawled up to grab a pillow and smack me in the face with it. "And get your dirty shoes off my clean sheets!" She scolded me.

"These shoes are the only dirty thing these sheets have seen," I smirked before following her orders and rolling over to stand up off her bed.

She picked up another pillow tossing it at my back.

I chuckled grabbing my phone out of my back pocket. My dad texted me telling me we needed to get going. I flashed Elena my phone, "Looks like it's time for me to go back to being a hero."

I noticed her frown slightly, as she got off the bed. We walked to her bedroom door. I stood out in the hall as she leaned against the doorframe. "I'm going to miss you," her doe eyes looked so sad, it made me want to just melt into a giant puddle.

"I'll miss you more," I gave her a half smile.

"Be safe," she stood up on her tip toes to wrap her arms around my neck.

I tightly wrapped my arms around her lower back. This was always the worst part. Knowing that goodbye was a lot closer than hello. Winter seemed like centuries away. And the longer I held onto her, the more I didn't want to let go.

That spark reignited in me. The same one from last night. The one that made my stomach turn, in both a good and bad way. She didn't pull away, and neither did I. But when I heard the front door open downstairs, we pulled apart.

I looked down at her, and she had a sad look on her face. So, I pulled up her chin, so she was forced to look at me, "I'll see you later wife," I smirked.

"Bye," she barely whispered, but I got a slight laugh out of her.

"What was that? I didn't hear you?" I pretended to act like I didn't hear her.

She groaned throwing her head back. "Goodbye my husband."

I chuckled knowing she hated that I was teasing her. She hated the fact that I still made fun of her for forcing me into playing house all those years. So as punishment, I was her pretend husband, until one day she had a real one.

I leaned down and kissed her on the check, and she quickly returned the gesture, before I turned to leave. "Bye loser," I called over my shoulder.

"Bye asshole!" She yelled as I descended the stairs.

A/N: Kind of a slow and short chapter. But hopefully you still enjoyed it. What do you guys think will happen next?

See you guys next week :)