Outlook on Life

Chapter 4:

Elena

She quite enjoyed volunteering, it had been a month and she had come every second day for their sessions. To the boys surprise she matched each of their inappropriate comments with one of her own, she didn't mind their jokes on her behalf and she never gave in to their pranks.

In fact, she had come to like the group; not that she'd ever tell them that.

"Guess who's back" she smiled as she entered the hall, not missing the few surprised smiles. Apparently this was the longest any volunteer had stuck around this group and today was her one month anniversary, which she was sure meant extra torment for her.

"Elena, looking sexy as always" Alaric grinned at her "Why thank you Rick" she smiled back and continued into the hall to place the box of homemade cookies she brought with her on the table.

"While I love a girl in leather" Klaus smirked and Elena rolled her eyes to hide the dread that his comment swirled in her "When am I gonna get to see you without that sexy jacket?" he asked but all she did was smirk his way and shake her head slightly with a chuckle.

Not today! Not ever! was what she wanted to say... yesterday she had spent extra time here and was late getting to the apartment. Tyler was waiting and he wasn't happy. That beating had been bad and she knew it was a risk coming to a place where she would be analysed but she couldn't let them down.

Elena knew if she took off her jacket they would see her entire back and arms covered in bruises. It was bad today and her skin was a dark purple colour, barely an inch was left untouched.

"Doc" she smiled when Lexi entered the room announcing they should be getting started, happy to escape this conversation and further questions. Elena walked over to the chairs and slowly took her seat next to Alaric and Klaus with a quite and sharp intake of breath as she sat down. "You okay?" the question was directed towards her and her eyes flew open to see the group was looking at her.

"Shit sorry" Elena apologised "I'm fine" she assured them before looking to Lexi to continue which she did but not without a second unsure glance at Elena. Elena mentally cursed herself every time one of the boys looked at her unsure... it was stupid to think she'd be able to hide from them. They had each been trained to pick up on signs of distress and slight movements around them, it's that instinct that kept them safe in the field and now she'd made them all nervous.

Fucking smart, Gilbert. she cursed herself.

It was like the first day she had volunteered a month ago, each time they opened up they'd glance at her with uncertainty and the others would watch her reactions closely. Elena was doing all she could to not react while they were all talking, but it was taking a lot out of her. In all honesty she was exhausted and her body hurt like a bitch...a mother fucking bitch!

When the session ended Elena quickly made her way into the kitchen where she could breathe for a minute. With her back to the group she closed her eyes and tried to push away the pain that just breathing caused. "You okay?" a voice sounded from behind her and she jumped in her spot slightly but managed to stop herself from whirling around. She was off her game and so distracted she hadn't heard anyone behind her. "Something's wrong... I've never snuck up on you before. You've got instincts that rival our own" she could hear the frown in Alaric's voice but she didn't dare turn around because he'd see the pain on her face.

"I'm fine" Elena insisted while she started opening up the box of cookies and the sandwiches Lexi brought.

"If it's something we said-" Klaus started also behind her and she turned around, she couldn't let them think it was their fault. "No" she cut him off firmly "I'm off my game today, just jumpy... I didn't mean to make you think it was you guys" she assured them and they nodded seeing the certainty in her face.

Alaric held out his arms to her and she hesitated but slowly walked into them knowing he needed the assurance. She had thought she could keep a straight face but when his arms went around her and his hand rested firmly on one of her gashes on her back from Tyler's belt she froze in his arms and cursed herself for the sharp intake of breath.

Alaric swiftly pulled away with frantic concern "I hurt you" he started to panic but Elena grabbed his hands, looking him in the eyes "You didn't hurt me" and before she could say anymore Lexi was behind her.

"Can I ask who did?" The question was soft and full of concern. Elena turned to see Lexi's eyes glued on her and she frowned at the Doc. Did she think one of them had hurt her?

"He didn't-" Elena started to explain but Lexi cut her off "I know he didn't Elena...but someone did, your right, your off your game tonight and I caught the signs" she said shaking her head at herself "I can't believe I missed them for a whole month, I should have known-"

"Look doc, I'm off my game but that's it...I'm exhausted" Elena said shortly cutting Lexi off and turning back to the cookies and muffins, taking them to set out on the table for all the boys to have. Elena spent the rest of the hour ignoring Lexi and the looks she was getting from both Klaus and Alaric.

She wasn't embarrassed or trying to protect Tyler, she didn't love him. Elena knew that as soon as she didn't need him to pay for water, food and heat that she would be outta there. Opening up to people just wasn't her thing and it only made it worse that it was people she considered friends. Elena didn't want to risk the friendship she had, and for the first time in her life she found herself caring what other people thought about her; a feeling foreign to her and she wasn't sure of she liked it or not.

Thankfully none of them pushed, they weren't giving up but they weren't pushing for an explanation that she was already resigned to not giving; at least not while she was still living with Tyler.

Elena was walking back to Tyler's place when she passed the street with the bar she had an interview just over two and a half months ago at and saw that the place still had the 'help wanted' sign outside. Shaking her head at her impulsiveness Elena pushed open the door and stepped in to see Stephen setting up the chairs and tables. "we're closed" he replied automatically not even looking up.

"I was hoping I might be able to get you to reconsider hiring me" she told him and his eyes shot up to meet hers with slight recognition. She saw him open his mouth to reply but she stepped forward quickly adding "I really need a job and bartending is the only thing I'm actually qualified for"

The man, Stephen, seemed to be considering it and she bit her lip anxiously before he motioned with his head to the bar "Show me what you can do and I'll think about it" he said taking a seat and Elena quickly followed, going behind the bar. Without much thought she shrugged off her favourite leather jacket with a smile knowing she was a confident and skilled bartender. Elena was happily mixing her special concoction that tasted like cherry bourbon without the actual cherry. Elena poured it into a glass and placed it on the bar in front of Stephen who had been watching her intently.

A frown spread on his face and for a minute she doubted herself. She was about to ask what she had done wrong when he looked up at her with...concern? Elena's head instinctively tilted to the side in curiosity.

"Are you okay?" Stephen asked his voice full of concern but Elena didn't understand what had happened until he scanned his eyes over her body, lingering on each of her bruises. Realisation hit her fast. This wasn't people's normal reactions and nobody had ever said anything to her about it before, even when she was looking worse than this... a few bruises were nothing in her experience.

"I'm fine" she assured "I just got hurt accidentally" she lied, confident that she could handle her situation "try" she encouraged returning his focus to the point of her being here. She watched as he sipped the drink and smiled looking pleasantly surprised.

"It's good" he agreed looking deep in thought "can you work a trial shift today?" He wondered and Elena nodded eagerly, after all, she had nothing better to do.

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