Chapter 6

" We're All Mad here"

The best part about being on the Founder's Committee is that every meeting had unlimited wine and tea provided. Seeing as these meetings were always long-winded and unbearable most of the women chose the wine. I was looking forward to this meeting after my rather warm run-in with Lydia to see if I could foster our budding alliance. The women in the group sat perched around the room waiting for our Hostess to make her fabulous and completely not on purpose dramatic entrance. They were all primping around the room slipping in little brags to show off to each other in coy conversation.

"Ladies thank you for gathering here today, I know the majority of us have very busy lives," Carol dramatically looked at me, the only non-homemaker/non-employed person in the batch. " As you know I will be hosting the Founder's Party here in my home. I thought it would be fitting seeing as my husband is the Mayor." The brag did not go unnoticed in the cult and many had to control their faces to keep from rolling their eyes.

"We are ready to help," one of the Karens named Charlotte cut in on Carol's speech. I wanted to snort at the way she tried to eagerly please Carol. Carol did not seem to think much better of her as the residue of a sneer boiled beneath her lips hinted through her thinly veiled veneer. Things were getting saucy and I was so ready to watch the show unfold.

" As the President of the Founder's Committee " I could feel the dig sent to Charlotte and took a sip of my wine to keep from laughing at her misery. " I planned on using this committee to do their purpose and support the Founders Party in any way I see fit." Someone just fell in the pecking order and I hope that means they fell below me.

Lydia's eyes made contact with mine across the room," What would you like for us to do Carol."

"I would like those from the main branches of their family to gather together any artifacts and catalog them for us to display. Those who do not have any artifacts," Pointed stares were directed to the "diluted" founding family members such as Lydia and Charlotte. " Will be helping out with creating décor and helping with catering." The direct descendants started to preen in their good fortune while the others began to scowl at their assigned roles. Decorating for events like these were often intensive and few would willingly volunteer for without cause. "We will be doing this heritage project to honor Mary Gilbert and all her hard work in years past."

"I can volunteer to help the Gilbert items in order if they need help. I know they have no longer have a family member on the committee but they may still want to contribute if they had help." I offered not minding the possibility of helping Jenna and her pseudo spawn out.

"Thank you for taking the initiative," and I swear to god Carol smiled at me. "I have already called ahead so if you could go collect them this Friday at three o'clock."

Charlotte began to stare daggers at me from across the room and I gave her a pointed smile in return. After a while, the meeting dissipated and it was established I was no longer the lowest man on the totem pole. I left the house feeling taller and I was ready to take on the town.

XXX

That Friday I was ready to collect all of the artifacts from the Gilberts. The drive over was rather quick and I was hoping to chit chat with Jenna some and seeing as the last time we had really talked I was in borrowed clothes in front of her family and very hungover I did not feel like I had left the best impression. I was hoping to make a better impression on the children and not come off as such a moral degenerate who pushed their aunt to the dark side.

I was at their door sooner than I realized regretting not calling ahead, but Carol had assured me it would be fine and she had set everything in place. I knocked on the door lightly feeling unsure of myself. The door opened revealing the littlest Gilbert.

"What are you doing here? Are you back to fuck my Aunt for real this time?" Jeremy said thinking he was so smart a crude smile set on his face.

"Nah I figured I would wine and dine her first, it worked so well last time." I push my way past him stepping into his foyer.

"Just bring her back by ten this time."

" Why Jeremy are you trying to watch? I didn't think you were into that Alabama backwater shit." My comment made Jeremy's cheeks flame and I knew that I had won this verbal spar.

"Why are you even here?" A scowl formed over his face his punk self-returning in full.

"Carol arranged for me to pick up a box of stuff," I shrugged in response I was but a mindless errand girl in this circumstance.

"I have it!" Elena came out of nowhere with the items just when I needed someone to save me from her brother. "Hey Belle, are you going to the Founder's Party tonight.

"Free alcohol, men in suits, and bitchy conversations, there is no way I would ever pass up a founders event. Plus it was a good excuse to buy a cute dress I was eyeballing." The littlest Gilbert sensing that the conversation was turning toward the more girlie side took this moment to depart from the conversation without a word.

" I will see you there then! I am bringing my boyfriend." A smile took over her face and she looked happy.

"I have to say I am a little jealous, but good for you Elena, I look forward to meeting him." I leaned in close to fake whisper to her, " If you point him out I promise not to flirt with him."

Elena chuckled at my lame excuse of a joke and we exchange a few more pleasantries before I departed from their household looking forward to tonight's festivities.

XXX

Getting ready for a big event alone sucks. I couldn't even pregame this event because all the cabs in town were busy and I am pretty sure Logan would throw a fit if I arrived buzzed… now leaving the event drunk was another thing. I had attempted to give myself some classic Hollywood waves but I just ended up giving myself loose waves and honestly it was probably a happy accident. I was super excited to wear the new dress I got in town this week and couldn't wait to show it off. It was a saucy satin red dress that had an A-line skirt that ended quite a bit above my knees. I wanted to break hearts and take phone numbers.

Since I was a direct descendent from the Fell line I was not required to be at the party early and I was very pleased on that matter. When I arrived at the Lockwood Estate the place was packed. The valet took my car away and I was left to me lonesome to descend into the fox den. Carol was guarding the door pure smiles greeting all who passed her threshold.

"Belle, lovely to see you, it thanks to you we were able to get artifacts from all the Founding families." Her voiced raised so others around her- the Karens- could hear her.

"Carol so happy to be here, thank you again for hosting. I was only happy to be able to do my part."

" Well enjoy the party," she said and with that, I knew I was dismissed. I had arrived at the party late and it seemed to already be in full swing. I beelined my way to hunt down the closest waiter carrying champagne and grabbed two. I ducked around a corner pretending I was going to pass one-off only to chug it and set it on an empty surface.

"Hello Stranger." A sultry voice called over my shoulder. I warily looked for the source thinking it could possibly be my brother because no other male would be looking for my forever alone soul.

"Damon." My brain stalled and that's all I could think to reply. The man who stood me up had the balls to come to talk to me. I tried to walk off but he trailed my steps to the garden to where the white tents were set up to give shade and another location to drink our cocktail than inside the house. People bustled around and enjoyed the sunny outdoor weather and it was truly beautiful.

"Not so fast," His hand wrapped around my wrist before I could further try to flee his presence. "You didn't let me explain why I didn't show up at the Grill. I had a family issue and I had to fix it, there was no getting around it. I would never stand up a beautiful lady for a drink on purpose." It made sense we had never exchanged phone numbers so if a family emergency did arise he would have been unable to get in contact with me.

"Fine, how do you want to make it up to me?"

" Let me get you a real drink from the bar, and we can see where it goes." A smirk played on his lips and I trailed after him over to the outdoor bar. He grabbed my champagne glass and put it on a random serves tray as they walked by us. He did it so fluidly it was honestly awe-inspiring. " I'll have a whiskey neat and the lady will have…"

"An Old Fashion, please."

"Strong drink choice though a little cliché."

" I wasn't trying not to be cliché, I learned I like my alcohol straight forward. The fancier it is the more of a headache it is later."

" Sounds like there's a lesson in there somewhere." He looked at me with pensive eyes and I just laughed it off.

" I have never been one to take my lessons too seriously." I winked at him trying to come off as flirty and seductive but feeling way out of my league.

"So what's a girl like you still doing in Mystic Falls?"

"I tried to leave but I ended up coming back. My dad passed away recently so I came back to town, I guess I haven't found a reason to leave yet." I looked him over trying to imply some kind of innuendo but coming up short. " What brings you to town?"

" My little brother is staying in town, I wanted to make sure he stayed out of trouble seeing as I am all he has left." He looked mournfully out to his drink and I couldn't help reaching out to him and placing my hand on his shoulder feeling a connection.

"You're a good older brother."

"So tell me more about your family, what does that entail?" As his questions turned more probing I began to feel like he was becoming more interested in me. I was beginning to become enthralled by him which seemed dangerous.

"I am a Fell so I am on the Founders Committee, which mostly plans all the big events you see around town. It is all founding women so it gets to be a mean girls club at times. My brother Logan is in the Council which makes more of the heavy-hitting decision for the town," I explained. It honestly wasn't that interesting but I was kind of glad he asked.

"Oh, you have a brother should I be scared?" Damon leaned in salaciously.

"Probably he is my older brother, he works for the local news channel so I am sure he could find some dirt on you."

"So where were you before coming back to Mystic Falls," He questioned.

" I traveled around after I got out of college and just floated around for a bit."

"Anywhere I would know."

"Around, "I furrowed my brows not wanting to get into it.

"Yeah, but where in specifically?" Damon's line of questions becoming more and more inquisitive.

"I don't remember the specifics. "I tried to remember the names of some places but my mind was coming up blank.

"Don't you find that weird?"

" I drank a lot of alcohol and smoked a ton of pot. I was kind of on a bender last year." The answer came out of my mouth automatically before my brain could even function what I said almost like it wasn't my own. We tittered on with our conversation the flirting becoming more and more forward as time wore on.

" Would you like to dance?" His hand outstretched towards me to grasp. I put my hand in his to follow him back inside, I felt like I was on cloud nine. I had a dreamy boy wanting to dance with me. I felt my cheeks begin to burn with elation my skin feeling coming alive with excitement and alcohol.

"Damon, there you are I have been looking all over for you." A young-looking girl with blonde hair in loose curls woven into a braid a scarf wrapped around her neck a glass of champagne in hand came bounding over to us her eyes locked on to Damon like a missile seeking its target. She stopped and glanced at our locked hands and seemed taken aback. "Damon, it isn't kind to leave your girlfriend alone at these types of things. I know your new in town, but you're supposed to be my guest, Damon!" She squared up to me putting on her most vicious debutante smile. " I am so happy you could keep him company Belle but there really is no need for it now."

"Caroline!" Damon tried to cut her off as she speeds through her soliloquy. I dropped his hand like it had burned me and drew myself together with what little pride remained inside me.

" Oh how lovely to meet you, you have the pleasure of knowing my name but I don't have the pleasure of knowing yours how rude of me."

"I am Caroline Forbes." She raised her head proudly as if it was something to be admired.

"How cute, you're the Sheriff's daughter, I didn't know you had graduated high school yet congratulations." My fake cheer beamed from my face as I continued to compose myself.

"I haven't yet. "She murmured out confused about where I was leading.

"Mhmm, what a shame it seems I have made acquaintances with a cradle robber. I do hope your mother can keep a better handle on this town than she can with her daughter and the men she keeps company with. Excuse me I see my brother over there, lovely speaking with you, I hope we don't do this again." With that, I tried to keep my head held high despite my utter embarrassment. I wanted to crawl up in a hole and have someone roll a stone in front of it. Hopefully, I would emerge again in three days a new and complete person. As I walked away I could hear the two exchanging callous words but I really didn't want to pay any mind to them.

In my haste, I accidentally approached Tyler and Carol in their secluded corner as they exchanged some words, "That's what you get for bringing trash." I heard Carol as she leaned in to talk to her son before she turned around to see me. " Belle, would you mind keeping Tyler company. I want him to get to know what the right sort of people looks like." With that Carol walked back to the party.

" Shit I got knocked down to babysitter because of you." I nudged Tyler jokingly.

" I am not in the mood," Tyler huffed as he sat down on the white iron wrought bench behind him. I took a seat beside him and settled in a kind of over everything at this moment.

" Neither am I, you want to get fucked up?"