A/N: Thanks for the reviews as always!

Ok... I have to be honest. I think I screwed up with this chapter. I wrote this story so long ago, so now that I am going back to edit I have a lot of insecurities on how I went about this part of the story. I'm not sure you will like this one. I know for a fact that as the story goes on, there will be a lot more conversation to be had between them two, don't worry. So hopefully you keep that in mind. We are maybe half way through this story? There is still a lot more for them to navigate, and there is a twist that will come later on in the story that I don't think you'll see coming ;)

I hope you don't hate it lol. Enjoy!

EPOV

I woke the next morning to a very gloomy day. It was cloudy, and constant rain all day. Everyone decided to go to the casino that was about an hour drive west from the cabin. Since the weather was not great, and Jeremy just turned 18 a couple months ago it was the perfect opportunity. I decided to stay back because I had to finish reading a book for my English class, and then I had to write a paper on it. It wasn't due for another week, but I might as well get a head start. I wasn't taking any chances on my grades from now on.

I stayed in my room for half the day, enjoying the peace and quiet of the constant rain pinging on my window. By the late afternoon I made my way downstairs to make myself a turkey sandwich. I only had about 30 pages left to read on my book, which made me feel good. I usually enjoyed reading but this book was incredibly dull. I had to walk around sometimes, just to keep from falling asleep from boredom.

"I didn't know you were home," Damon's voice surprised me from the living room.

I jumped, not knowing he stayed back either. I was left speechless after last night. I had gone off on him, and he stayed silent before I went up to bed. It felt good in a way to finally lay it all out there. He was my best friend and I never wanted him to feel bad for me, but it was hard. High school was a hard time for me, and it was frustrating to me that he didn't get that.

But I also felt guilty. Just because the past was hard, didn't make up for the brat that I became. I wasn't myself, and that wasn't his fault. I didn't want him to think I blamed him for the person that I became. That was all me. It was my decision.

Which left us in even murkier water than before. I felt like we have tarnished our friendship beyond repair. We were both full of anger and resentment. I knew that I would do anything to have him back, but I had no idea how he felt. He was pretty quiet last night. For the first time in a while, he was talking to me, and then it took a bad turn. I probably ruined it. I made things worse…

"I had some school stuff to do," I finally answered.

He sat up from the couch, that he had been laying on, turning to face me. "About last night"-

Before he could finish his sentence a big crack of thunder followed by lightning struck close by and all the lights went out in the house. "Shoot," I set down my half-eaten sandwich.

I fished out my phone using the flashlight to navigate my way through the house. I went down to the basement where I knew the fuse box was. I flicked the switch a few times and huffed when I realized we had no power.

I turned around to head back upstairs. I slammed into Damon, who I hadn't realized followed me. "Holy shit!" I gasped. "You scared me!"

"Sorry," he had the faintest smirk that I saw from the glow of my phone. I hadn't seen him smirk like that in so long. I missed it.

I hesitated for a few seconds, before I made my way back upstairs. I searched through storage trying to find some matches. Thankfully my mom had an obsession with scented candles. The cabin was going to smell like a bakery when they got back.

The candles were all lit, making it a little easier to see and navigate our way around the cabin. "Why didn't you go?" I asked Damon as I started a fire in the fireplace.

"I was tired," he stood a few feet behind me, his hands stuffed awkwardly in his slung low sweatpants. He wore an old Mystic Falls Timberwolves hoody, and he looked like he had just spent all day in bed. His hair was a mess, but in a good way. "I didn't fall asleep for a long time."

"I'm sorry," I turned around to face him, after I got the fire going. "I didn't mean to place the blame on you. It's not your fault that I turned into a self-centered jerk."

He shook his head aggressively. "You were right. I never thought about what it was like for you in high school, because you always made it seem like you were ok. I should've asked. I should've noticed." He took another moment to collect his thoughts. "I wasn't mad at you. I was hurt."

"I know," I swallowed. "I was a terrible friend. I should've spent time with you when you were home. I wanted too… I just"- I chewed on my lower lip. "I like who I am with you. And when we hung out that night it felt so good to just be myself. But I was afraid of losing the girl I had worked so hard to become. I had confidence, and attention from people like I never had before. I was just mad because I knew I had to choose one or the other. And I chose the wrong one."

He was still so far away from me, but I could tell he was listening. His eyes seemed to stare into my soul as he took in my words, "I don't think you have to choose," he spoke softly. "I think you can choose the good parts of both. Because quite frankly it was good to see the confidence in you. Something you never had before. I think you can still go to parties and have a good time. You can make a ton of friends and have a boyfriend. I just want you to still be you. I want you to still be the number one student and geek out about the History channel. I want that girl who wears SpongeBob t-shirts to bed, but that doesn't mean you can't dress up when you want to too. I like the glasses, but contacts are good too. I like the girl who can still play with me at the park, but can also have a beer at a party," he continued down his list of reasons I can be both without losing myself or feeling isolated from the world.

"You didn't like the person I was becoming," I reminded him.

"Because deep down I knew you were always my dorky best friend that forced me to play school, and liked to watch documentaries on Asian beetles," he smiled. "And I didn't want that part of you to go away."

"That Asian Beetle documentary was a one-time thing," I glared at him playfully.

"It was boring," he rolled his eyes.

"I won't," I promised him. "I won't be afraid to be me anymore."

"Don't be afraid to filter in the new Elena too," he smirked. "She was fun at times. And really hot."

"Really?" I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes.

He just chuckled, and it felt so good to hear his laugh. I missed that. I missed him.

"So, are we friends again?" I asked nervously.

"I was an idiot for ever thinking we weren't," he stepped closer, his face unreadable. "Elena"- he took a deep breath. "The truth is… I"-

From the corner of my eye, I caught the sight of our fishing boat, through the window. "Shit, Jeremy," I cursed under my breath.

He must not have tied it up tight enough last night, after fishing with Stefan. So, I ran outside, in the pouring rain. I jogged out to the lake and jumped in trying to catch it before it took off in the wind.

"Are you crazy?!" I heard Damon yell after me as he followed me out to the water. "Lightening and bodies of water, are not a good combo."

I tugged the boat closer to the dock, where Damon met me grabbing the rope to tie it tightly on the pole. "It was my grandads fishing boat," I explained. "My dad would be heartbroken if something happened to it."

"Well, you're his one and only daughter," he helped pull me out of the water so I could tie the front end. "I think he'd be a little more upset over the loss of you."

He was probably right. It was a stupid idea. "Well, it saved Jeremy an ass kicking."

Damon chuckled, and I made my way closer to the cabin, away from the water and the metal dock, "I love storms," I threw my hands up in the air, loving the feel of the cool rain wash down my skin. The air was warm, so it was a nice balance.

"Really?" He yelled over the sound of the rain. "What's so great about them? It leaves you wet, cold, and muddy."

"Don't you remember?" I turned to face him reaching my hands out for his. "It's like a natural sprinkler!" I pulled him behind me, running around the grass, until my foot slid on a puddle of mud, and I went tumbling down, taking Damon with me.

I laughed hysterically as he fell beside me, not so happy about his now muddy clothes, and hair. "Opps," I giggled uncontrollably.

"You're not helping your case," he grimaced.

I sat up, so I was looking over him, "Don't worry, the rain will wash it away."

"Or we'll get struck by lightning first," he sat up on his elbows trying to wipe the mud that was plastered to one cheek.

"Don't be such a wuss," I giggled. "You wanted the old Elena, and this is exactly what I would've done!" I grabbed his hands and helped him stand up.

"I forgot how childish she could be," he teased with a smile.

I threw my hands up and twirled in several circles, feeling like I was seven again. "Try it," I encouraged him. "It's fun!"

He just stood watching me make a complete fool of myself, his face was very serious, and it made me stop and look at him. "What?"

"I was hurt," I could see him physically gulp. "And it wasn't because I thought you were different. It wasn't because you weren't spending time with me. It wasn't because you made friends. It was because of Tommy."

"Tommy?" I asked confused. "Oh right," I remembered their rivalry. "You guys didn't like each other."

"It's not that," he shook his head. "I would've been hurt by any guy."

I blinked a couple of times not really understanding. "Were you afraid they were going to make us stop being friends? Because you're a guy."

"No," he shook his head.

"I don't understand."

"I love you Elena," he said it in a way, that had my brain foggy, and my heart completely stop. "At first I thought I was being a typical guy seeing you differently. And I was kind of mad at myself for being that shallow. But it didn't matter if you were dressed like a super model or a homeless person because I loved you for you. It freaked me out… It still does."

I was stunned into complete silence. I couldn't think. I couldn't speak.

"You're all I can think about. And its always kind of been that way, I just always told myself you're too young. Or we're practically siblings. Or that there is no way that you think that way about me too. And even if there was the slightest chance that you did, it wouldn't work. How could we risk our friendship for something that might not work out?"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was starting to think the sound of the heavy rain and wind, was disturbing my hearing capabilities, and he was really just talking about someone else, and I missed that part.

"You should know the truth," he quickly brushed his sopping wet hair back, so it would stop dripping in his eyes. "I was jealous. I didn't want to see you with someone else. So, I disappeared, and I cut off communication because it hurt."

"I was stupid," he kept his intense stare focused on my eyes. "Because losing you as a friend is much harder than having to deal with seeing you with someone else."

"Why are you telling me this now?" Was all I could come up with.

"I don't know," he looked disappointed with himself. "Maybe it's because you look all cute with your Save The Orca's t-shirt on and mud on your cheek," he reached up, to gently wipe the mud from my cheek. "Maybe it's the fact that you've made me watch The Notebook 700 times and I was hoping you think this romantic confession in the rain would magically make you feel the same way," the way his crooked smile appeared on his face had me melting right into the mud beneath my feet, washing away from all the rain. "Or maybe I'm hoping that after I finish talking God will cast lightning right down on me so that we can forget this ever happened."

I was so surprised by what he was saying that my reaction time felt extremely delayed. I wasn't even sure what I should say or do. Because I have felt it too. I've thought that I was attracted to him, not just physically. But I always pushed it deep, deep down. Because I was afraid. But how much? Could I say I was in love with him?

I don't know.

All I know is that his confession scared me. But not in the way where it made me want to run away. It was in a good way. Kind of like when you're at the top of a rollercoaster and you're about to drop from the highest peak. You know that it is going to be exciting and thrilling, but there is that little bit of doubt in the back of your head that reminds you that there's a tiny possibility the train could come off the track and bring death upon everyone on the ride.

"I should've just"- he started to speak after a minute of silence from me.

But before he could get the words out, I closed the distance between us. My lips finding his, as my fingers tangled in his soaking wet black hair. He seemed surprised by my response, but he didn't hesitate to grip my hips with his fingers. He pulled me closer so that we were practically fused together.

It was as if we were one brain, because at the same time that I bent my knees to launch myself up around his waist, his hands reached down to hoist me up. I was now just above him, my legs wrapped tightly around his waist. My wet hair was cascaded around the two of us, as our mouths moved in sync.

I have no idea how, but he managed to carry me inside, and every once in a while, he'd bump into something, and I'd feel him smile, as I giggled at his not so smooth moves. I couldn't blame him. It was dark, we were wet, and we both refused to stop kissing.

He effortlessly carried me up the stairs, and I giggled to myself realizing this was almost exactly from that scene in The Notebook.

I had only lit a few candles upstairs, so it was even harder to see him once we made it to the top of the stairs. "What are you laughing about?" He said between kisses.

"I think you took notes from The Notebook," I whispered.

He kissed me lightly on the shoulder, as he stopped in the middle of the hallway, and let me down.

"What's wrong?" I felt the disappointment rise in my chest.

"I wasn't thinking"- he stammered. "I mean… Is this really a good idea? When we don't even know what this means?"

"It's scary," I admitted. "If you don't want me that way"-

"It's not that," his hand reached up to cup my face. "It's not me I'm worried about. I don't want you to regret anything."

I shook my head. "This could be the biggest mistake we ever make. But I didn't kiss you because I was hoping for some type of… release," I blushed. "I want to know what this is. Everything you said, I've felt too. I just haven't let myself feel it."

I could see a faint glow from the candle in the hallway, and his face was very serious. Contemplating. His eyes stared down at my lips as his thumb absentmindedly stroked my cheek.

"But I understand if you don't want to figure that out right now," I licked my lips. "I mean… We've kissed before, and I think we did a good job of acting like it didn't mean anything."

"You said it yourself," he pointed out. "This could be the biggest mistake we ever make."

"It could," I agreed.

His thumb was still brushing across my cheek, as his eyes moved back and forth between my lips and my eyes. As if the devil and the angel were on his shoulders, one telling him to stop, and the other telling him to keep going.

"We can choose to take chances, or we can remain friends," I told him. "One is clearly the safe route guaranteeing us a happy life. The other is a little riskier. We could end up totally heartbroken and alone. Or we could be happier than we've ever been before."

His thumb stopped stroking me, and my breathing stopped as he froze in place.

"So, what's it going to be?" I asked.

A/N: How much did you hate this chapter? ughh...

Have a great week, and I will see you next time :)