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I heard the reverberating footsteps
Synching up to the beating of my heart
And I was positive that unless I got myself together
I would watch me fall apart

And I can't let that happen again
'Cause then you'll see my heart
In the saddest state it's ever been
This is no place to try and live my life

*Who I Am Hates Who I've Been – Relient K*

Waking up this morning, I had to internally laugh at myself. I was so certain that I'd see that stupid crow from last night, still sitting outside the motel window, that I crept over to it and peered around the curtain, letting out a breath and opening it fully when I didn't see it.

I heard my phone buzzing when I stepped out of the shower, so I quickly wrapped my hair in a towel and ran to the bedside table, unplugged it from the charger, and answered it.

"Hello?" My voice was slightly breathless.

"Dani? It's Elena. I'm with Bonnie, and she was wondering if you wanted a ride this morning?"

"Sure, that's fine. How long will you be?"

"About ten minutes."

"Okay. I'll be ready." I answered, hanging up my cell and blow drying my hair. I had no choice but to leave it down today, since I didn't have a whole lot of time to do anything with it. I ran my brush through it after parting it and fixing my bangs.

I dressed in a pair of jeans, a black tank top, and a pink jacket, along with a pair of black sandals. A car honked outside the room as I was picking up my backpack. Both girls greeted me as I climbed in the back seat of Bonnie's white Prius.

"So... I saw Stefan last night. After the gathering, I mean." Elena broke the silence.

"You did? That's awesome! What happened?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Well... we kissed." She answered, blushing.

"What?!"

"Bonnie, this is good news. Right?" I wondered if Bonnie's reaction had anything to do with whatever had happened last night at the Grill.

"Yes, it is." Elena stressed, furrowing a brow at Bonnie.

"I just... I don't think it is. I think you're moving too fast with him. I mean, what do you really know about Stefan?"

"What are you saying?" Elena questioned. We'd reached the school by now, and we all got out of the car.

"I'm not saying don't date the guy. I'm just saying take it slow."

"You were the one who said to go for it." Elena said, exasperated.

"Actually, I think that was me." I interjected, earning a slight glare from Elena. "And I stand by it!" I explained quickly.

"Now I'm saying take it slow." Bonnie restated.

"Why the about-face?"

"It's not an about-face. You're single for the first time in your entire high school career. It's the perfect time to play the field."

"Oh, because I'm so that girl. Seriously, what are you not saying?"

"It's stupid." Bonnie replied.

"Bonnie..." Elena grabbed Bonnie's arm and stopped walking, causing both of us to stop as well.

"What?"

"Spit it out."

I glanced between both of them.

"Does this have something to do with last night?" I asked. Elena glanced at me, and Bonnie looked down.

"What happened last night?" Elena asked, looking from me to Bonnie. "Bonnie, what happened?"

Finally, Bonnie sighed and looked Elena in the eye. "I accidentally touched Stefan. And I got a really bad feeling."

"Is that it?" She grabbed Bonnie's arm again when she started to walk away. "Bonnie."

"It was bad bad!"

"Is this the whole witch mojo thing again?" Elena asked in a slightly joking manner.

"You know what? I'm just concerned. This is me expressing concern about my best friend's new boyfriend." Bonnie explained.

"And I love you for it, I do. But I feel good. It's been a hard year, and I'm starting to kind of feel like things are getting back to normal again. And you know what? Stefan is a big part of that."

Bonnie sighed and smiled at her, and I let out a breath that I didn't even know I was holding. We started walking again, but were quickly stopped by Stefan.

"Good morning, Elena. Good morning Bonnie, Danica."

"Hey, um, I gotta find Caroline. She's not answering her phone. So I'll see you guys later." Bonnie said, walking off. Stefan turned his attention back to us.

"She doesn't like me very much."

"She doesn't know you."

"In his defense, Elena, she doesn't know me either, not really."

Stefan gave me an appreciative glance as Elena started speaking again.

"She's my best friend. She's just looking out for me. But when she does, she will love you." Elena explained as we started walking again.

"And you? How do you feel about me?" Stefan asked, looking at me again. I held my hand up in a gesture of peace.

"I know you about as much as you know me, but I'm on whatever side makes Elena happy." I smiled at him. "All right, well, I officially feel like a third wheel, so I'm gonna go." I started to walk away, but Elena grabbed my arm and pulled me back, holding Stefan with the other arm.

"Here's what we're gonna do. Are you two free tonight?"

"Yeah." I answered at the same time that Stefan said, "Yes."

"Perfect. Dinner, my house. 8:00. You, me, Dani, and Bonnie." Elena explained, turning her attention to Stefan. "You three will spend some quality time and they'll get to see what a great guy you are. Mission accomplished."

"Sounds good to me. Now, where might I find Jeremy?" I asked, dreading the answer.

"Try the Stoner Pit. It's out back." Elena suggested.

I walked away from them, intending on finding Jeremy, but decided against it and instead went to sit on a picnic table and soak up some sun. Groaning when the bell rang, I made my way to History. I was deeply surprised by how fun the class was when Stefan outsmarted Mr. Tanner.

After school, Bonnie roped me into trying out for cheerleading, despite my admission of being prone to occasional clumsiness. I looked over at the football field when I heard Mr. Tanner yelling at someone.

"Mr. Lockwood, is there anything you're good at? 'Cause it isn't history, and it sure as hell isn't defending the ball!"

"Wow... that guy is hideous!" I said, turning my attention back to stretching.

"Yeah, he's pretty much everybody's least favorite teacher." She explained. I heard someone clear their throat, but was blocked by Bonnie's body as she stood up straight.

"Oh, my God! You're here!"

I leaned over and looked around her, seeing Elena.

"Yep. I can't be sad girl forever. The only way to get things back to the way they were is to do things that were. Oh, and you're coming to dinner tonight." They sat down and began stretching.

"I am?" Bonnie smiled at her.

"Mmhmm. You, Dani, me, and Stefan." After seeing the look of disgust on Bonnie's face, she added, "You have to give him a chance."

"Tonight's no good. Have you seen Caroline? I texted her like a hundred times."

"Don't change the subject, Bonnie Bennett! You're going to be there."

"Fine." Bonnie gave in, sounding like a child who'd just been told they had to wait until after dinner for dessert. "I'll go."

"Good." Elena smiled, and I chuckled at the annoyed expression on Bonnie's face.

"Did you know about this?" She turned on me.

"I... may have found out about this this morning." I responded, sheepishly. She glared at me. "Don't give me that look! I might have to cancel due to some broken bone or something from this." I gestured to the other cheerleaders. "We're even."

She sighed, and went back to stretching. After a few minutes, she checked her cell phone.

"Seriously, where is Caroline?" She asked in frustration.

"I don't know. It's not like her."

"I'll try her again." Bonnie sighed, hitting a number on speed dial and putting the phone to her ear. A car pulled up, and Elena and I looked at it. I recognized it instantly.

"Uh..." Elena began, but not getting anything out past that. She pointed towards the car.

"Oh, my God." Bonnie said, following our gazes. "That must be the mystery guy from the Grill."

"That's not a mystery guy. That's Damon Salvatore." Elena explained as we stood up.

"Salvatore, as in Stefan?!"

"The one and only." I responded. They both looked at me. "I met him in California. He's actually the one who told me about Mystic Falls."

We watched as Caroline leaned over and gave him a kiss, and then got out of the passenger side.

"I got the other brother. Hope you don't mind." She said, snidely, as she walked between us.

She started practice, and Damon looked at Elena with a smile on his face. He wiggled his eyebrows at her once, and then locked his eyes on me before driving away.

Focusing on the cheer, I managed to keep up without falling or hitting anyone. Elena, however, did not have as good of luck. The first time she messed up, Caroline called her out on it.

"Elena, sweetie, why don't you just observe today? K?"

I wanted to wipe the smug look off her face as Elena moved to stand behind me. Not wanting her to be alone, I stopped practicing and sat down in the grass.

"I don't have to like everyone you know, do I?" I asked, sending my best glare in Caroline's direction.

"No, you don't." Elena laughed, trying to do part of the cheer before being distracted. I glanced to my left to see what she was looking at, and saw Stefan running to the field in football gear.

"Tell you what, why don't we ditch this and go watch some hot guy-on-guy football action?" I asked her, laughing when she nodded.

A few minutes later, she was leaning against the bleachers as I sat on the edge of the bottom bench.

"So, I know which one I'm watching, but what about you?" She asked, nudging me with her elbow.

"All of them." I laughed. "Well, almost all. Salvatore's off-limits and that Tyler guy's a real dick. Not bad to look at, sure. But I wouldn't want to have to put up with him too much."

When practice was over, I had Bonnie drop me off the motel so that I could ditch my backpack and drive my Tahoe to Elena's. I also wanted to change my clothes.

I decided on a white dress that ended just above my knees. It had a tutu skirt attached to a flower-bursting bodice, with an illusion neckline leading up to a halter collar. I replaced my sneakers with slip-on silver pumps. A light blue jean jacket completed the outfit.

I left my hair the way it was, only combing out the tangles before transferring my money, credit card, and IDs to a silver clutch purse. I snatched up my car keys from the room's table and left.

I heard a noise from behind me as I raised my hand to knock on Elena's door. Lowering my hand, I turned around and took a step towards the stairs, looking both ways down the street. The door opened, and as I spun around and tried to take a step forward, my left heel caught on my right shoe, and I fell forward. Strong hands wrapped around my arms, holding me up.

"You okay?" I heard, and looked up into Jeremy's eyes.

"Oh, um, yeah, I think. Thanks. You'd think someone as accident-prone as me would learn to not wear heels." I laughed.

"You look... dressed up. Special occasion?" He asked, giving me a once-over.

"Dinner with your sister. She wants me and Bonnie to 'get to know Stefan better'." I explained, finishing with an impression of Elena's voice, earning a smile from him.

"Well, have fun. I was just leaving. Going to the Grill. See ya later?" He asked, his hands still on my arms.

"Sure. I'll come join you when we're done." I smiled at him.

Walking inside, I heard voices drifting from the kitchen. Setting my clutch and jacket down, I made my way towards them.

"Hey." Elena greeted me as I stepped through the entryway. Bonnie nodded at me and handed me a take-out container.

"What's this?"

"Dinner."

"I thought you were making food?" I asked Elena.

"Trust me, you do not want me cooking." She responded, eliciting a giggle from me.

"What were you two talking about before I showed up?"

"One guess." Elena said, clearly amused by the previous topic.

"Ah, the witch thing."

"Yep."

I wasn't surprised. This was pretty much all Bonnie talked about.

"It's starting to get really freaky, guys."

"Why, because you get a funny feeling every once in a while? I do, too. Maybe I'm a witch." I joked.

"Fine. Well, how about this? Today I'm obsessed with numbers. Three numbers. I keep seeing 8, 14, and 22. How weird is that?" Bonnie continued, opening an aluminum bowl Elena gave her.

"Like a premonition?" I questioned for clarification. She nodded.

"Maybe we should play the lottery." Elena laughed. "Have you talked to your Grams?"

"She's just gonna say it's because I'm a witch. I don't wanna be a witch. Do you wanna be a witch?"

"I don't wanna be a witch." Elena answered, dumping the food into a bowl.

"No, thank you." I replied.

"And putting it in a nice bowl isn't fooling anybody." Bonnie told her, causing her to snicker.

"I have to agree with Bonnie on this one." I chuckled.

"Okay, serving spoons. Where are the serving spoons?" She asked herself, looking through a drawer.

"Middle drawer on your left." Bonnie said, pointing.

Elena looked at Bonnie in confusion, earning a shrug. Pulling the drawer open, she picked up a couple of serving spoons.

"Okay, so you've been in this kitchen like a thousand times." Elena said, sighing.

"Yeah, that's it." Bonnie responded as the doorbell rang. Elena set a spoon down, and Bonnie grabbed the other one from her.

"Okay, he's here. Don't be nervous. Just be your normal loving selves." Elena looked at both of us before walking off to answer the door.

Bonnie set the serving spoon on the counter and looked at the drawer in front of her.

"Birthday candles." She said, opening it and revealing that there was indeed a pack of birthday candles on top.

"Thinking maybe your Grams is right?" I asked her, slightly freaked out.

I picked up a couple of bowls and took them to the dining room, Bonnie right behind me with silverware and glasses balanced on top of plates and napkins. Elena filled the glasses with soda and we all sat down for dinner. The first few minutes were filled with silence and awkward glances. The only thing that could be heard was the clinking of dishes against each other.

Eventually, I couldn't handle it and looked up at Elena and attempted conversation.

"Where's Jenna tonight?"

"Um, I think she went to a friend's or something."

It fell quiet again until Elena spoke up.

"Did Tanner give you a hard time today?" She asked, looking at Stefan.

"Well, he let me on the team, so I must have done something right."

Elena laughed, glanced at me, and then looked at Bonnie.

"Dani, Bonnie, you should have seen Stefan today. Tyler threw a ball right at him, and –"

"Yeah, I heard." Bonnie cut her off. I had heard, too. It was the talk of the school, how Stefan had turned and caught the football at the last second and threw it back to Tyler, hard.

More awkward silence followed. I was just about to say something when Elena tried again.

"Why don't you tell Stefan about your family?" She asked Bonnie. Bonnie gave her a glare before looking at Stefan.

"Um, divorced. No mom. Live with my dad."

"No, about the witches." She continued when Stefan looked at her. "Bonnie's family has a lineage of witches. It's really cool." She finished, giving Bonnie a pointed look.

"Cool isn't the word I'd use." She retorted.

"Well, it's certainly interesting. I'm not too versed, but I do know that there's a history of Celtic druids that migrated here in the 1800s." Stefan stated, looking at her.

"My family came here by way of Salem." She explained.

"Really? Salem witches?" He seemed genuinely interested.

"Yeah." Bonnie chuckled.

"I would say that's pretty cool." He said, glancing at Elena. She let out a small laugh.

"Really? Why?" Bonnie pressed.

"Salem witches are heroic examples of individualism and nonconformity." He explained.

"Yeah, they are." Bonnie sighed.

The doorbell rang, and Elena look puzzled as she started to stand.

"I wonder who that could be."

"So, Stefan, what's the deal with your brother?" I asked, trying to fill the silence as much as possible until Elena returned.

"How do you know Damon?" He asked, looking slightly worried and surprised.

"I met him in California a couple of months ago." I shrugged.

"Oh, no." I heard him grumble quietly, before standing up and going towards the door. Bonnie and I exchanged confused glances.

Five minutes later, I was still confused about what was going on around me. Elena and Stefan were sitting on the couch, Bonnie was in a chair, and Caroline was sitting on the edge of the chair that Damon was sitting in, across from Bonnie. I was on the floor on the side of the table opposite Stefan and Elena.

I mentally shook myself from replaying the last few minutes and tried to focus on the conversation.

"Elena wasn't so lucky today. It's only because you missed summer camp. God, I don't how you're ever gonna learn the routines." Caroline scoffed.

"I'll work with her. She'll get it. Danica, too." Bonnie stated. I smiled at her, mouthing the words 'thank you'.

"I guess we could put her in the back." Caroline was lost in her thoughts. I didn't miss the annoyed look that Elena shot her way.

"You know, you don't seem like the cheerleader type, Elena."

"Oh, it's just 'cause her parents died. Yeah, I mean, she's just totally going through a blah phase. She used to be way more fun." She said, laughing before catching the glares that Elena, Bonnie, and I were sending her way. "And I say that with complete sensitivity." She added, losing her smile.

"On that note... Elena, where's your bathroom?" I asked, standing up and grabbing my purse when I felt my eyes tearing up. Caroline's comment was like a smack to the face.

"Down the hall." She said, turning on the couch to point behind her and Stefan.

I threw my jacket over my arm and kept my head down as I made my way out of the living room, desperate to not have to explain anything if I suddenly broke down in front of them. Once inside the bathroom, I leaned against the closed door and let a few tears slide down my cheeks. I heard a knock on the door and then Bonnie's voice.

"Danica? Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I just need a minute." I responded, sniffling.

"I'm coming in." She warned before turning the door knob. She stepped inside and shut the door before turning to look at me.

"I'm fine, Bonnie, really."

"Like hell you are." She replied, wiping some tears from my face. "What's going on?"

I could hear the concern in her voice, which only made me feel worse.

"I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner, but..." I took a deep breath before continuing. "my parents died the same month that Elena's did. There was a fire. I survived, but they didn't. That's why I came here. I couldn't stand being in a city full of memories anymore. So when I met Damon and he told me about Mystic Falls, I took it as a sign that I needed to be here. And I'm so glad that I came, and met you, and Elena, and Jeremy, and Ma–"

She cut me off by pulling me into a bone-crushing hug.

"It's all right. You don't need to explain. I get it. But don't let Caroline get to you. She can be dumb sometimes and say hurtful things, but in the end, she means well." She pulled back and smiled at me.

"You're right. I know. It's just... I don't know, it's like what she said about Elena was just a reminder that I'm in that situation. Trying to be someone you're not anymore, I mean. Things are so completely different now." I said, going over to the sink to splash water on my face. I dried my face and hands, and left the bathroom.

As we were walking into the living room, I realized that I'd forgotten my stuff.

"Oh, crap. I'll be right back." I said, turning around.

Passing by the kitchen on my way to the living room, I stopped when I heard Damon and Elena talking.

"Earlier, did you mean... Katherine?" Elena asked. I was about to start walking again, but I was intrigued. I must have missed this part of the conversation.

"Mmhmm."

"How did she die?" My breath caught in my throat at her question.

"In a fire. Tragic fire."

"Recently?"

"It seems like it was yesterday." Was his response. I could hear them putting dishes in the dishwasher.

"What was she like?"

"She was beautiful. A lot like you in that department. She was also very complicated and selfish and at times not very kind, but very sexy and seductive."

"So which one of you dated her first?" Elena asked.

'Valid question.' I thought, thinking back to what little Elena had told me about Stefan's ex.

"Nicely deduced. Ask Stefan. I'm sure his answer differs from mine." He responded.

I heard the clicking of the dishwasher being shut, and took a step back. I had two options, stay in place and risk getting caught, or act like I never heard anything. Option two seemed like a better way of handling the situation, so I quietly made my way back to the bathroom, faked a cough started walking down the hallway again.

I was just about to pass by the kitchen when I felt someone grab my arm, right above my elbow, and pull me back to where I'd just been. Once we were far enough away from everyone, I was pushed up against the wall, my purse and jacket landing on the floor with a soft thud.

"Don't you know it's rude to eavesdrop?" Damon asked, his face just inches from mine. His hands were on my arms, fingers pressing into my skin.

"Damon, you're hurting me!" I exclaimed, trying to get my arms free. "Let go!"

He didn't loosen his grip. Instead, I felt his fingers tighten even more. I could feel his nails drawing blood.

"You really shouldn't have done that." He stated, leaning in just close enough that I could feel his breath on my lips. My eyes fell on his mouth for a few seconds before I tore my gaze away and looked him in the eyes, determined not to show the uneasiness that I was feeling from his proximity.

That was when I noticed it: his eyes. Veins were protruding around them, and they were red around the irises.

"Da-Damon? Are you..." My mouth was suddenly so dry that I was having issues speaking. "Are you okay? Your... your eyes..."

The next thing I knew, I was alone in the hallway. Looking over my arms, I saw little crescent-shaped marks, small streams of blood trickling down from them. Taking the few steps left to the bathroom, I found some antiseptic and band-aids to stick on them. I slid my jacket on to avoid any questions before going back to the living room. Seeing Caroline, Bonnie, and Elena in the kitchen, I decided to join in with cleaning up, if only to avoid Damon.

"I need a drink." I stated, sitting down at the kitchen table and starting to fold towels. The other girls laughed.

"So Dani, what's with you and Damon?" Bonnie asked. I heard Elena gasp and Caroline scoff.

"Nothing. I met him before I moved here. I knew him for like, two days."

"I don't think you're his type, anyway." Caroline declared snobbishly, going back to putting a lid on a bowl of leftovers.

'Jealous, much?' I thought, rolling my eyes.

Later that night, I sighed as I walked into my motel room, closing and locking the door behind me. The rest of the night at Elena's was a lot more fun after Damon and Caroline had left, and I'd even swung by the Grill for about an hour to watch Jeremy beat Matt in a game of pool before calling it a night.

I took a quick shower, relieved to see that the marks Damon had left on my arms weren't deep enough to scar, and pulled on my pajamas.

While brushing my teeth, I deliberated over leaving my hair the way it was or combing out the tangles. The latter of the two won out. During my attempt to get rid of a knot, the brush fell out of my hands, hitting the tiled floor with a loud thunk. When I straightened back up and looked in the mirror, I squealed in horror.

Damon Salvatore was standing right behind me, his eyes red, with veins standing out around them.