For the millionth time tonight I shot up into a sitting position with my eyes wide open. My breathing was erratic and my heart pounded like crazy in my chest while I looked around without any sense of where I was until I slowly recognised the hospital room. I closed my eyes for a few seconds and tried to even out my breathing. But calming down wasn't that easy with the constant beeping of the monitors attached to me.
It had been two days since my accident in the woods and I still couldn't recall what really happened. Everything I remembered was that I tried to get away from Jeremy and then… nothing. Everything was just in a blurr. According to the doctors my nec looked like a wild animal tried to take a bite out of me and the bump on my head was probably because I fell and hit a stone or something. Because of that I had a minor concussion and slight amnesia.
But even if I didn't remember, I still had nightmares. But even those were more like a distant and fading memory as soon as I woke up. Everything I remembered afterwards was me being scared to death. I shook my head. It was about time I got out of here. I would take any bet that I had nightmares because of being in the hospital. I just hated them.
"Alie?" I was shaken from my thoughts by an all too familiar voice and I looked up a little confused. Jeremy stood in the door which a nurse must have left open and gave me a concerned look.
"Jeremy?", I asked with a raspy voice and cleared my throat. "What are you doing here?" Since I woke up two days ago, there had been a constant stream of visitors. First allowed to visit had been my family, of course it had only been Tyler and my mother since dad was too busy. But I had expected as much. Tyler had been concerned enough for five people anyways. Sometimes he was a real sweetheart. Apart from my family Elena and Bonnie had dropped by on occasion, bringing me get-well-soon from classmates. Even Caroline had come in and apologized that training with the cheerleaders had kept her occupied. Since I was one of the team I had gotten my lecture on how to best catch up on my training. But apart from that nobody had bothered visiting up until now, especially Elena's little brother had kept his distance.

"I…", Jeremy started, apparently not sure what to say. "I just wanted to…" He cleared his throat. "How are you feeling?" He looked at me with worry in his eyes and I wasn't sure if I found it sweet or creepy that he might have waited beside my bed for hours until I woke up.
"Pretty much okay actually.", I answered and sat up a little straighter. "I might even get discharged today if I am lucky." At least that was unless like yesterday the nurse found me way too pale to go home. If she delayed again I would demand a real doctor come to look me over.
"That's good." Jeremy's voice was low as he approached the bed and I let out a sigh. I still remembered our fight and he wouldn't get away that easily just because I was in the hospital.
"What do you really want?" I raised my eyebrows at him and he looked confused.
"I wanted to know how you were doing.", he answered while tilting his head to the side.
"Jeremy we fought…" He stopped me right there.
"You went into the woods because of our fight! So it is my fault now you got attacked?!" He was very upset and didn't even give me the chance to say anything. "Besides why shouldn't I make sure you're okay? I was the one who found you!"
"Wait! What?" I was completely taken aback and looked at him uncertain if I heard him right in the first place. He had found me in the woods?
"I found you… I followed you. I know I shouldn't have but when I think what could have happened to you if I hadn't…" He stopped when I put my hand on top of his next to my bed. I didn't know why but his words extinguished the flame of anger burning inside of me and replaced them with a warm feeling in my chest. He possibly had saved my life despite me having yelled at him before.
"Than you." I gave him the first genuine smile in months. A little surprised he looked up at me, obviously anticipating a totally different reaction. He suddenly made another step towards me and took my hand in his, his thumb caressing the back of my hand which left me with a tingly feeling.
"Alie", he looked deep into my eyes and tightened his grip on my hand just a little. "I know you don't want any more excuses and I am not going to try and apologise to you again… I just want to make things right. Not only the attack but also the way I acted the last couple of months…" He gave me his best puppy-dog-eyes and I felt my resistance crumple despite me trying to be headstrong. There he was, the old Jeremy I had missed so much. But how long would it last before he returned to being the asshole he had been for the longest time? I couldn't count on him changing back for good. I couldn't possibly…
"I miss you Alie!", he blurted out and slowly sat down on the bed to get even closer to me. "I miss you like crazy and I promise you that I will change." He looked away and to the floor. "Please, I only want one last chance." He looked back at me and I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. Where did this feeling of longing for him suddenly come from? My body betrayed me and took away every ounce of resistance I had been holding on to. I had been convinced there was nothing more left between us than a minor amount of interest. And after just a few words of sorrow I was ready to throw myself into his arms again? What the hell was wrong with me?!

"Jer… I…", I started but stopped at the lack of words. My heart was screaming for him but my mind still told me it was useless. Why couldn't my body decide on one thing already?
"What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here just yet!" Both of us turned towards the door like children caught doing something forbidden. A nurse was standing in the doorway and shot Jeremy a pissed look. "Visiting hours start at nine!" She entered the room and checked the monitor which had started beeping a little faster. So much for discretion, stupid heart!
"I know, sorry…", Jermey tried to calm the nurse but him still holding on to my hand went against him showing remorse.
"She needs to rest." The nurse nodded towards the monitor and rolled her eyes.
"She is in the room and conscious!" I was pissed, I hated it when people talked about me as if I wasn't right there. The nurse ignored my words and laid her hand intently on Jeremy's shoulder.
"Out with you." Jeremy let out a sigh and stood up, leaving my hand with an empty feeling. At the door he stopped and looked back at me once more.
"Can I come back later?" His voice was full of hope and my lips formed into a small smile on their own.
"I'd say yes but I might get discharged before you even leave school." I shook my head and he gave me a cheeky grin.
"Who needs school?" I gave him a disapproving glance.
"I thought you wanted to change…" I raised my brows at him again and he let out another sigh which made me smile.
"Out. Now." The nurse was getting impatient and pushed him through the door for good this time.
"I'm getting out today, won't I?", I asked before she could leave as well.
"Honestly I'd like to…"
"Oh hell no! You kept me prisoner in here long enough! I'll get out today if you like it or not!" I cut her off and didn't care if I was being rude. I shot her an angry glare when she huffed in annoyance.
"Fine! But you are acting against medical advice."
"Yeah, whatever." I waved her off and couldn't suppress a relieved sigh. I could finally leave here. I'd sleep much better in my own bed than in this stupid hospital.

"Finally!", I mumbled while exiting the huge white building. After hours of working through forms, I finally finished up, packed my stuff real quick and was ready to leave this disease rotten hell house. Sadly my parents were both busy with work and Tyler was still in the middle of his classes which left me with taking a cab as the only option. Or I'd be walking again. Maybe find another handsome stranger to embarrass myself in front of some more…
Still wondering about it I made my way towards the street, sipping on the coffee I had bought with the last few dollar bills in my pocket. Of course I hadn't taken my purse, which I would probably have lost during the attack anyways, to the bonfire. Even when an animal would have been less interested in its contents. At least I still had my emergency credit card to pay a cab if necessary, of course my father would lecture me for this not being an emergency in his eyes later.
I stopped my pondering when I felt dizzy all of a sudden. Feeling light-headed I stopped in my tracks and closed my eyes for a second. Damned blood loss! Lying down I hadn't felt the effect that much. Normally I would have tried to brace myself on something and steady myself but that was kind of out of the question since one hand was holding my bag and the other my cup of coffee. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes to take a careful step forward. Just my luck my legs didn't seem to have gotten the message and I felt them give up their job immediately.
I felt the cup slipping from my fingers and braced myself for an unpleasant encounter with the ground when I suddenly felt a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist and break my fall. The unmistakable scent of leather hit my nose, paired with something heavy and very masculine, which was obviously a very expensive perfume. I also got some hints of trees and earth, it just didn't make sense together with the other scents. Holy shit! My head was so messed up by now that I was honestly worried about something I smelled.
In this moment I realised I was motionless in someone's arms. Hesitantly I opened my eyes and looked up. It took my sight a moment to clear up so I could see the person, the man, that was holding me up.

"Easy now. Getting quite attached, are we?" I heard his voice and felt the dizziness fade instantly. Probably thanks to the adrenaline coursing through my system. I had heard that voice before. It was the man I had thought I'd never see again. I must have had the same expression on my face as the deer caught in the headlights of a car when I looked up into his face. I had to literally will my jaw to stay in place. The darkness, which had made seeing him clearly last time, hadn't been playing tricks on my mind. He was hot as hell. His face was flawless, his hair still ravenblack and his eyes the most vibrant blue I had ever seen. SHit, that guy had to be born from some genetic laboratory.
"Is it my extraordinary good looks that you don't talk or did I scare you that much again?", he asked with that damned smile. I thanked whoever for the lack of blood in my system right now or I would have flushed a deep crimson. Apparently it still wasn't that hard for him to see right through me.
No, I… I…", I cleared my throat to buy some time and regain hold over my thoughts and tongue. "I just didn't expect to ever see you again." Great Nathalie! Get your shit together!
"The way you dropped into my arms I'd say you were quite excited about it." He grinned down at me and I got very aware of the fact that his arms were still supporting my whole body.
"S-Sorry.", I mumbled and couldn't get some space between us fast enough. "It wasn't my intention."
"Obviously. I didn't think the coffee was bad enough for you to just drop it." He motioned towards the cup and the spilled fluid on the ground.
"Shit!" I let out an annoyed groan. "That was the last of my cash…" I kicked the cup and sent it flying. "Why did my body need to do that?", I mumbled more to myself than to the man next to me. He let out a soft chuckle which earned him a death glare from me.
"If you're not that well shouldn't you walk into instead of out of the hospital?", he asked with a smirk and I shook my head no.
"I'm going in there again when hell freezes over!", I snapped at him and he smirked before looking at me directly.
"I might know something that helps with the dizziness…" The way he said that sent a warm shiver down my spine, his eyes on me didn't exactly help with that either. Was it on purpose that his offer sounded so… suggestive?
"And what might that be?" Again I was glad that I couldn't really blush at the moment. The smirk was back on his face when he answered me.
"Sugar.", he stated matter of factly and I almost made a disappointed sound to which I shook my head about myself inwardly. Jesus, what was wrong with me today? As if somebody like him would try to hit on me. This time my imagination really got out of hand.
"And where do you suggest I get some sugar?" I raised my arms, making a general towards our surroundings. I tried to smile while still trying to calm down my racing mind.
"Well…" He turned a little and pointed down the road. "Over there's an ice cream parlor, maybe you can find some there." He turned back towards me with an amused smile.
"Yeah, thank you. Great idea with no money. The last of it was spent on that coffee." I shrugged my shoulders. I would definitely never leave the house without my wallet ever again!
"I could of course invite you to a cup of fresh coffee that's not on the ground." My heart started beating like crazy at the dark haired man's words. "Sadly you would need to tell me your name for that." Did he really just ask for my name and to grab some coffee with him? Was he flirting with me after all?
"Nathalie." My voice was barely a whisper as I was too shaken by what just happened.
"What? No surname?" The question helped me regain some self confidence. He seemed to be really interested.
"I don't give you anything until you tell me your name.", I said and gave him a challenging smile.
"Fine. Damon Salvatore, pleased to meet you." I was a little surprised when he took my hand and placed a soft kiss on the back of it. My legs felt like jelly but for a totally different reason this time. Wait a second. That name seemed familiar.
"Salvatore? As in Stefan Salvatore?" He smirked.
"Yes. My baby brother. I think you are in the same year at school?" It was more of a statement than a question and I nodded with a little scepticism. He made it seem like I was still in my pigtails. "So that makes you Nathalie Zoey Lockwood.", he added and I looked at him with indifference. How would he know my full name?

"Did Stefan tell you that?"
"Yes. He must have gotten that from his new girl. What was her name?" He thought about it for a second. "Ah yes. Elena." I was so going to kill her! How could she do that to me? She knew I didn't want people to know about my stupid second name! And now the exact wrong person found out about it. Just great! Oh she was so in for it once I got my hands on her. And Stefan likewise!
"So, Zoey. May I treat you to a fresh cup of coffee?" Damon pulled me from planning my best friend's funeral with his question.
"I don't really use that name. My friend's usually call me Alie…", I tried explaining to him.
"Hmm. But we aren't friends, are we?" Once again Damon had interrupted me and gave me that stupid suggestive grin that I just wanted to wipe off his face.
"And what exactly are you then?" I smiled back.
"Why don't you find out?" He winked at me and finally let go of my hand. I hadn't even realised he had been holding on to it the entire time. He turned and made his way towards the parlor. Without thinking much of it I followed after him. Change of plans! I should leave my wallet at home more often.

Smiling with content I leaned back in the passenger's seat and watched the landscape pass by. Damon was next to me and driving the car. We didn't talk, the only noise being Taylor Swift on the radio and I highly doubted that this was his kind of music. The silence wasn't awkward since we had been talking a lot during the last hours. It was almost scary how fast the time had passed.
I cast a shy glance towards Damon who was focused on the road. I still couldn't believe someone like him would actually be interested in someone like me. Still he had asked so many personal questions about me while we were sitting in the parlor, almost as much as I had bugged him. I had found out quite a lot. For example he loved Bourbon, he thought everyone was crazy who hated pickles, his favourite colour was of course black and he had a thing for sarcasm same as me. Still I had the feeling I didn't know anything about him. As if there was something more hidden behind a thick concrete wall which kept me at arm's length. But that could always be just my imagination running wild again. The only thing I was sure about was that I wanted to see him again. I wasn't exactly sure if today counted as a date but if so I wouldn't be opposed towards another one. Or a first?

"That's it." Damon's voice pulled me from my thoughts and parked the car which made me look out of the window in surprise. We actually had arrived at the Lockwood mansion already.
"Thank you for giving me a ride." I smiled at him and he returned it with a curtly nod. I was glad I didn't have to take a cab after all, my father would have thrown a tantrum because of it.
"I enjoyed the afternoon with you."
"Me too." His response caught me by surprise and I looked at him with wide eyes until I realised I said that loud. Again I was glad I wasn't able to blush right now and reached for my bag at my feet when something else crossed my mind.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" Damon raised his brows at my question.
"A little late to ask for permission, don't you think?", he asked and I let out a soft laugh.
"Right…", I mumbled and took a deep inhale of air. "Are you going to be at the party tomorrow?"
"What party?", he asked and gave me one of those mischievous grins that seemed to be a constant part of his general attire. He probably already saw right through me again. Another quality I found rather nerve racking. I avoided direct eye contact with him, feeling my anxiety rise.
"Well, you know… Tomorrow is the night of the comet and the city is having a public event because of that. In fact it is really boring. You light a candle and just look at the stars…" For an endless moment it was completely silent in the car and it took all my courage to seek for his eyes again. Our eyes met and I wasn't sure anymore if it had been a good idea to ask him if he was going. His face gave away nothing which only further added to my anxiety.
"I am sure we will be able to find each other there.", Damon finally answered and I had to bite my tongue in order to not scream out of joy. Instead I forced myself to stay calm and just smile at him with a short nod.
"Good.", I turned slightly and opened the door before I turned back around one last time. "So… Good night, Damon."
"Good night, Zoey.", he answered and I left the car. "Sleep tight and have nice dreams." I smirked and had to admit hearing my second name come from his lips was kind of nice. I looked back at him one last time before closing the door and making my way over to the front porch. It was already getting dark but with a little luck I was the first to return home. I carefully opened the door and watched Damon's oldtimer drive off before entering. The car had style, I definitely needed to ask Damon what the model was. When I met him again. The thought alone had my heart racing in my chest.
I leaned against the door and paid attention to the noises inside the house. Apparently I really was the first one to come home. I flinched when suddenly my phone started buzzing. Quickly I pulled it from my pocket and took a look at the display before answering.
"Elena you're not going to believe this!"