DON'T HATE ME!

This is LONG overdue, I'm aware. I was dealing with a CRAP-ton of personal stuff. Plus I needed a break after the last two updates. It was hard for me to write, due to some stuff from my past. But I'm over it.

I had a COMPLETELY different idea for this, got stuck, started over. Then got stuck again, erased everything, and redid it. And that's how this chapter was created.

I've decided to open up to a new possible 'ship' between my OC and Matt. Sorry in advance if this seems a little TOO sudden. And if you were really set on a Damon pairing or Jeremy pairing. I promise you, neither are out of the picture. I'm just playing around.

This is a long author's note, so... SHOUTOUTS AT THE END! along with a special request :D

Never say never say never
Say the sunken ship
For you never know where you're gonna go
When the anchor lifts, oh lifts

Pry my fingers off
Loosen the deathly grip
You can't be tethered to a ghost, to a memory
You've got to swim

*It's Alive – A Fine Frenzy*

September 26th

I was startled awake when my phone went off. In my struggle to find it without opening my eyes, I managed to knock my lamp off the nightstand, shattering the bulb.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Danica. It's Matt. Sorry to wake you."

"Don't worry about it. What's up?"

"I was calling to see if you wanted to hang out tonight?"

"Sure. What'd you have in mind?"

"Well, I kinda thought we could catch a movie."

"Yeah. Sounds like fun. What time?"

"Uh, around 6?"

"Okay. I'll be ready."

"Maybe we could grab some dinner, too. If you don't have plans?" He added, sounding nervous. Which completely brought me out of my still-slightly drowsy state.

"Matt?"

"What?"

"Are you asking me to go on a date with you?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I am."

"Huh. Okay. Yes."

"You don't have to say yes."

"But I am saying yes."

"It doesn't have to be a date, exactly."

"Matt, I just –"

"We could just go shoot some pool at the Grill or something."

"MATT!"

"Yeah?"

"I said yes." I laughed, finally getting to answer him.

"Oh, okay. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"All right. You pick the movie. What do you want to see?"

"How do you feel about The Ugly Truth?"

"Uh..."

"Kidding! I won't make you sit through a chick flick. Hang on."

I used my cell to check the movie listings. I went with Paranormal Activity, which started at 6:45. Matt seemed a little too happy about my choice, but I figured that's just because he wouldn't mind 'coming to my rescue' during the parts that would make me jump.

I thought about what I'd just agreed to while I was showering for the day.

A date.

After how things had turned out with Adam, I didn't think I'd be so willing and excited to get back into the dating life. Being single had seemed the better option. But Matt was the definition of 'good guy'. Besides, it was just a date.

'Why not give it a shot, right?'

So, I finished my shower, blow-dried my hair, and walked to my closet knowing exactly what to wear. I put on a red dress with tank straps and a rounded neckline, a stretchy bodice, and a scoop back. I added a thin white belt before slipping on a pair of white pumps and grabbing a black purse.

A knock sounded on the front door just before 6. Pre-date jitters kicked in as I went downstairs as carefully as possible in my heels. I was a little surprised to see the Gilbert siblings standing on my porch, Jeremy just a few feet behind Elena. Their eyes seemed to double in size when they looked at me.

"Hey, guys. I wasn't expecting you."

"We were coming to see if you wanted to join us for dinner, but... wow. Look at you!" Elena said.

"Uh, I have a date."

"Oh."

"Anyone we know?" Jeremy asked, stepping forward.

"Yeah, actually. It's Matt." I answered, biting my lip.

"Matt Donovan?"

"Yep, that's the one."

"Wow. Didn't know you had a thing for him." There was something in his tone I couldn't quite figure out.

"Wow. Didn't know you could be so jealous." I joked, pushing on his chest lightly.

"I guess we'll talk to you later, then. Come on, Jer." Elena said, starting to walk away.

"Hey, are we okay, Elena?" I asked, causing her to turn around.

"Why wouldn't we be?" She asked with a smile.

"I... I know you and Matt were, uh, together before... I just don't want this to cause any problems with us."

"Honestly, it's fine. Matt should be with someone who can return his feelings."

"I don't know how this will end up, Elena."

"You're giving him a chance. That's all I could ask for." With that, I watched as she and Jeremy made their way next door.

Matt pulled up in his truck ten minutes later. I opened the door just as he was pressing on the doorbell. He was holding a bouquet of purple hydrangeas and pink peonies. He held them out as he reacted similarly to my appearance as Elena and Jeremy did.

"Hey. Uh, these are for you."

"Thank you. They're beautiful!" I said, taking them and stepping back from the door. "Let me just put them in something quick."

After filling a vase with water from the kitchen sink, I took the flowers to the dining room to use as a centerpiece for the table. I could see Matt sitting on the couch in the living room as I set the vase down. He stood up as I leaned against the wall opening between the two rooms.

"You look amazing, Dani. I should've worn something different."

I glanced at what he was wearing. Sneakers, jeans, and a light brown checkered button-up shirt. Of course, he also had on his Timberwolves jacket.

"I like what you're wearing. It's entirely 'Matt Donovan'."

"Entirely 'Matt Donovan'?" He asked, eyebrow raised, as he walked over towards me.

"Yeah. You know, it's your look. I wouldn't change a thing about it. Except maybe your hair." I joked.

"What's wrong with my hair?"

The way his face scrunched up was adorable.

"Absolutely nothing. It just needs a trim, is all." I laughed, stepping forward to run my fingers through it.

I became aware of the fact that we were 'having a moment' when Matt's eyes snapped to mine. My breath caught in my throat as his hands rested on my waist. Before I knew it, he was pressing his lips against mine.

"Was that okay?" He asked, apprehensively, when he pulled away a few seconds later.

"That was perfect." I whispered, a little dazed. Then I blushed and cleared my throat when I realized what I'd said. "I mean, yeah, that was fine."

He chuckled before saying something that caused the jitters to return.

"Ready?"

Blehlove: I'm glad you enjoyed learning a bit more about the Adam/Dani relationship. There's more 'back story' to come! Also, you need to update!

SomebodyWhoCares: He might be lying. He might not be lying. We will all just have to wait and see ;)

BIG THANKS to: tazsgirl6969, Turtleluv19, Lauren. C. Powell, HelloBob12345, Sparks024, SomebodyWhoCares, DreamingUntilForever11, kari10, babynora1983, noblandmakeup, GreenEyesAlwaysLie, PatonxJulia, and PatchyFog for following and/or favoriting!

Also, thank you to any other readers out there.

You are all amazing. EACH. AND. EVERY. ONE. OF. YOU.

MY REQUEST: If you're reading the rest of this A/N, I'm asking for help from anyone/someone who can create a banner for Live, Learn, Life, Love, Die, Dust, Gone. If you're interested, please DO NOT hesitate to PM me or something. Your work will NOT go unappreciated. I have ideas of how to pay you back :)