Chapter 12

Elena

I have lived in Mystic Falls for almost a month now. Damon and I have been dating almost the entire time. I stand outside my front door waiting for the girls to show up. Matt is letting Rebekah borrow his car so they can bring me to Illusion to shop for a Winter Formal dress.

The car pulls into my driveway and Caroline opens her door. "Get in bitch," she says laughing.

I get in the back seat next to her and shake my head. "I don't know why you always call me a bitch."

She bumps my shoulder with hers. "Because it's funny. And so not true either by the way."

We all have easy conversation on our way to the store. Once we get inside; Bonnie comes over to me with a few dresses on her arm. "We decided to all pick out 3 we liked for you to try on."

She hands them to me, and Rebekah does the same. "Winner gets bragging rights" Rebekah says walking away.

Caroline finally comes up to me and tells me that her choices are already in the dressing room. I follow her and shut the door to change. I try on a few dresses that I'm not in love with. I see the price on the last one and my eyes bulge. I have money saved and mom made sure to give me extra, but almost $600 is a lot of money.

As if she hears my thoughts, Bonnie yells through the door. "I work here part time. So, 20% employee discount. Stop worrying about the price and show us already."

I pull it on and gasp. It's a red embellished lace open back by Jovani. I step out of the dressing room and all 3 girls' jaws drop. Caroline makes a spinning motion with her finger and I turn a slow 360. "That's it! Holy shit."

"Damn girl!" Bonnie says. "You are so buying that."

"You're fucking hot. Damon will probably drop at the sight of you." Rebekah says and we all laugh.

I nod my head and agree. I have a pair of black 'fuck me pumps' that will go perfectly with this dress. I change back into my jeans and tee; sliding my Tom's back on. I adjust the dress on the hanger and head out to pay.

Bonnie hands her employee discount card to the cashier and places my dress on the counter. The cashier scans the dress tag and the discount card; smiling handing it back to Bonnie. Your total is $449.44" the cashier says and I hand her my debit card. She swipes it and I sign for it. She places it in a garment bag and hands it over to me. "Thank you for shopping at Illusion. Have a good night."

We head out of the store and walk over to Matt's car. "Let's get dinner." Caroline says and we all agree. I place my dress in the car and Rebekah locks it up. We all walk over to Subway and order.

We sit at a table and my phone pings with a new text. I unlock it and smile at a text from Damon.

Damon: What are you doing?

Me: Having subway with the girls. I just found a dress for tomorrow.

Damon: Tyler told me they're all planning to go to Violi's before dinner. I want to take so I will pick you up at 7 instead.

I smile and reply okay; then place my phone in my lap. "What are you smiling for?" Rebekah asks putting down her sub.

"Damon texting me." I say still smiling.

"Oh. My. God." Bonnie says grabbing my arm exclaiming; "you're in love with him!"

I shake my head. "No. I really like spending time with him." I'm not in love with Damon. It's too soon. Besides even if I was it would probably freak him out. No. I know for a fact I'm not in love with him. I'm possibly falling for him if anything.

"Uh huh. Sure. Whatever you say." Caroline says grinning. "The way your face is right now is exactly how I looked when I fell in love with Tyler."

"Is it too soon?" Rebekah asks. "Because I'm pretty sure I love Matt. But then again, I've known him forever."

Bonnie shakes her head. "It is never too soon to fall in love."

We finish our dinner, and all get into Matt's car. Rebekah drops us off at Caroline house because we're spending the night to get ready for tomorrow. We relax on the couch together when Rebekah comes back in the house. She sits down and laughs.

"What's so funny?" I ask her.

"When I stopped by Matt's with his car, Tyler and Damon were there. They're having a sleepover."

I full belly laugh at that. "Pillow fights too?"

"Picture that?" Caroline asks laughing.

My phone pings and I look to see 2 new texts. The first one is from my mom asking if I'm all set for tomorrow night. I tell her yes and I will be home Sunday afternoon. The second text is from Damon.

Damon: I'm bored.

Me: Not having a fun sleepover?

I laugh at my question.

Damon: Fucking Rebekah lol. What are you all up to?

Me: Watching SVU.

Damon: Are you excited for tomorrow?

Me: Yes! I love my dress.

Damon: Do I get a preview?

Me: Nope. You're going to have to wait and see.

The next text is a picture message of Damon. He is shirtless and biting his bottom lip. I send him a pic of me crossing my eyes.

Damon: Lmfao. Still beautiful. Good night.

I smile at that and respond with a good night and kisses emoji.

Damon

I finish getting dressed and put on my black dress shoes. I check my reflection in the mirror. I'm wearing a long sleeve black button up dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows. I have a black vest on as well. My shirt is tucked into my black dress pants. I'm also wearing my nice black belt. I run my hand through my hair and add a little gel to it. I put on some cologne and nod to myself.

Matt has already left to pick up Rebekah and Bonnie. Tyler and Caroline are riding with us. I head out the door and see Tyler looking at his phone. "Ready to go?" he asks looking up from his phone. Even Tyler is dressed up for tonight. We're all fucking whipped. I swear it.

I nod my head and we head out. We make it to Caroline's house and we both hop out of my car. I follow Tyler to the front door, and he tries to open it but finds it locked.

"What the fuck?" he asks knocking on the door.

I laugh and Caroline opens the door dressed in a long silky black dress.

"Wow babe." Tyler says reaching for her. She kisses him and lets us in the house.

I walk in and see Elena standing near the island. I stop dead in my tracks; jaw dropped. I look her over with a smile. Elena's hair is down. Her dress is long, tight, lace and red.

I shake my head and walk over to her. "Hey."

"Hey," she says grinning.

"You look beautiful." I say telling her the truth. I don't think it's possible for her to ever look bad. She is mine. And that thought has me wanting to act like a caveman. I need to get myself under control.

I close the distance between us and grip her back pulling her into me. Holy shit. Her back is open. Bare skin. I lean down and kiss her. "Ready?" I ask pulling away.

"Yup," she says as I take her hand in mine. We walk out to the car and I open the door for her. Because my mom raised a gentleman. She gets in and I shut the door. I see that Tyler and Caroline are already in the back seat and hop in the driver's seat. I back out of the driveway and head to Violi's. It is a nice Italian restaurant.

We finish eating and make our way to the school for the dance. I place my hand on Elena's back as we make our way into the school gym. We get up to the desk and I take my wallet out, pulling out the 2 tickets I bought for tonight. We make our way to the table that Matt and Rebekah are sitting at.

"Where's Bonnie?" Elena asks them.

Rebekah points to the dance floor and Bonnie is dancing with a guy.

"Let's dance." I say pulling Elena by the hand onto the dance floor.

We dance for a few songs and head over to get punch. As I pour Elena a glass, Kat and Mason come up to the table.

"Grab me a glass baby." she coos to Mason. Of course, obeys her commands. Good dog.

I snort a laugh at my thought. But of course, since it's Katherine, she is incapable of fucking off.

"Problem Damon?" she asks raising her brow.

I shake my head and smile at her. "Nope. Not at all actually."

She giggles and moves closer to Mason; wrapping her arm around his back. "Don't be jealous. You had your chance."

"Ugh." Elena groans from beside me. "Could you fuck off?" she says to Katherine.

"Me? Really now?" Kat laughs. "I can't help it if he misses the best fuck he's ever had."

Elena huffs and tries to walk away but I don't allow her to. I grab her hand pulling her to me. I lean down and whisper in her ear "don't let that bitch bother you." I kiss the corner of her mouth and smile at her.

Kat taps her foot impatiently. She wants a response and I'm not going to give it to her. I wrap my arm firmly around Elena's back and pull her back onto the dance floor.

We dance until 'Need You Now' by Lady Antebellum comes on. I pull Elena tight to me; my hands gliding up and down the bare skin of her back. She closes her eyes as I lean down and kiss her. I kiss my way down her neck and her head tilts of its own accord. I place my face into her neck and just enjoy the feel of her in my arms. She runs her fingers through the hair on the back of my head and I close my eyes. Elena hums along to the song and I smile into her neck. She means everything to me.

Holy. Shit. I am in love with her. I've never been in love before and I know that's exactly how I am feeling. My heart speeds up when I lift my head and tilt her chin to look her in the eyes. I kiss her trying to convey how I feel in the kiss.

I pull back and she opens her eyes. She smiles at me; that breathtaking beautiful smile.

I tell her I love her, but the words don't come out. I clear my throat. "I love you Elena." I stroke her cheek with my left hand. "I'm in love with you."