Stefan was driving quietly thinking things over in his head. He was seeing all the different ways that Grayson Gilbert was going to kill him and bury his body so no one would find out. He had done the unthinkable and married Grayson's pride and joy. It was no secret that Elena was his favorite. Katherine didn't mind because that meant the pressure was off of her. Grayson adored Elena in a way that any father should adore his daughter, but the bond between the two was unbelievable. Grayson was so proud of Elena always praising her for her accomplishments. He was the one who took her side kicking Stefan out when the break up happened. Stefan had looked up to Grayson as a father figure and assumed he would show him some sympathy in the situation but of course he didn't. He took his little girl's side because apparently Stefan had broken her heart. After that Stefan was like chopped liver to the man, he was useless. Grayson made it clear that he did not want Stefan at their house ever again or around Elena unless it was with friends or school functions. He became very protective of her after the break up when he walked outside one night to see the two in a very heated argument. Things were growing out of hand but as usual Stefan got the blame and was at fault in his eyes. Stefan decided then and there after Grayson threatened him that he'd never step foot on their property again. He hadn't besides the occasional nights where he was drunk and wanted to see Elena to start a fight, but Grayson didn't have to know about that. Stefan and Elena wouldn't dare tell the man in fear of his reaction. Elena was just one thing you did not mess with or you had to deal with Grayson. Her ever loving father.
"Stop fidgeting." Stefan snapped at her as he drove. Damon and Katherine were following behind them and Stefan was tempted to slam the brakes on if Damon rode his tail any harder.
"I can't help it. It's what I do when I get nervous." She sighed heavily sitting ontop of her hands.
"Bite your nails or something like you used to." Stefan was panicking just as much on the inside. Grayson Gilbert could be a scary man when it came to his daughters. The only reason why the man tolerated Stefan anymore was because of Damon. It seemed like Damon had filled his shoes after the breakup.
"I need a drink, a strong drink." Elena was trying to stop fidgeting because she knew it was irritating Stefan and they needed to be on the same team at the moment. They had to play together and nicely if they wanted this to work out in their favor. Elena as well was seeing all the ways this could utterly go wrong, oh so wrong. She feared her dad's reaction just as much as Stefan did. He was right when he said he was driving towards his death because it sure felt as if they were. Uneasyness was not a word to describe what they were feeling.
"Under your seat." Stefan said keeping his eyes on the road. His grip on the wheel was tightening with each mile that they got closer to the house. His posture was tense and he was on edge. One would think the cops were after him with how tense he was driving and how every two seconds he was looking behind him like if Damon was not there then he would turn around.
Elena shot him a look but reached under the seat pulling out a bottle of vodka. Stefan reached into the backseat quickly pulling out a bottle of cranberry juice. She thought it was strange for him to keep vodka and cranberry in his car considering he didn't even drink the stuff. She did. He looked at her motioning for her to take a drink with an annoyed look on his face. He was being very impatient with her and Elena almost snapped at him to stop, but she bite her tongue for once. She did finally take a drink after waiting another moment to irritate him some more for being rude. Stefan rolled his eyes when she cringed at the taste feeling the immediate burn but she took the open cranberry juice from him swallowing a drink of it. Stefan repeated her actions and Elena took one more as did he.
"Better?" He asked as they hid the evidence. It was unlike Stefan to keep any alcohol in his car but Elena was adding it up to the fact that she didn't know this man beside her very well anymore these days at all. She wasn't quite sure how he spent his time outside of school unless they were in a group. She knew that he was growing indifferente towards her and Matt, like he was becoming numb to the fact that they ever dated but she didn't seem to know him anymore. That thought alone bothered her because at one point she knew everything about this boy from his head to his toe.
"A little." She looked straight ahead. Soon they were pulling up to the all too familiar house. Stefan had not walked through the front door of this house in almost a year, he usually snuck in her bedroom window after everyone was fast asleep. When it was safe for him to make an appearance, an unwanted appearance at that.
"Look Elena." Stefan said putting the car in park and turning to look at her. "Whatever happens in here we are in it together." She should have felt relieved at this statement but she wasn't.
"Together is what got us into this mess in the first place."
Stefan shook his head at her response. "Elena you said it yourself the best chance we have is to do this together."
"I know, I'm just afraid of how they are going to react. Sure we've had our fair share of trouble but never this bad."
Stefan nodded in agreement. "They are going to be so unbelievably pissed that they are going to say a lot of things they probably won't mean and it will be more so directed towards me than you." He tried to assure her knowing how ugly things could get inside. "I want you to let your dad get angry, I want him to remember why he doesn't want us together. The more bad thoughts he has the more he will want to give us his permission to get an annulment. Say what you have to say I won't take any of it to heart."
"Stefan I don't think that's a good idea to try and piss my dad off anymore than he already will be." Elena said shaking her head.
"Your dad has to be given good valid reasons for us to erase this mistake. If I'm not qualified for his daughter then he will make this disappear like it never happened." Stefan said like he had it all figured out.
"You seriously think that will work?" She raised a curious brow at him.
"It's worth a shot, but you have to follow my lead. If at any time we need to abort the plan by all means jump ship." Stefan smiled for the first time in a while. "Just remember if you jump ship you can still swim."
Elena smiled at his words.
"Well Mrs. Salvatore shall we?" Stefan was surprised at his own words but he humored himself anyways and was nice about it.
"We shall." They exited the car and meet Damon and Katherine before stepping on the front porch. Stefan was shaking with nerves. Damon gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder. Stefan closed his eyes trying to think of a time when he was ever this nervous. It wasn't like this was his first time at this house before.
Stefan stood before the door nervously as he prepared to ring the doorbell. He wasn't sure why he was nervous about this because it wasn't like it was his first time to be here. In fact he had spent many of days at this house while growing up but yet he had never knocked ont he door with these intentions before. Stefan was sure that today would be the day that his life would change forever. He was positive that the girl behind that door was the one for him. How could she not be? She was his dream come true in every sense of the word. Stefan may have been barely sixteen and new to the whole concept of love but he was sure of his feelings for her. She had to be the one because everytime she smiled or talked his stomach got these crazy butterflies. That had to be sign right?
Taking a deep breath Stefan wiped his sweaty palms on his pants. He took in his own appearance hoping he looked nice enough for her. He took Damon's advice to keep his attire simple but he went against his advice and went ahead and bought her some flowers. Stefan knew it was probably a bit much but the girl deserved to have flowers every day for the rest of her life if she wanted it. He would do anything for her and she didn't even know it. Stefan finally worked up the nerve to ring the doorbell and none other than Grayson Gilbert opened the door.
Stefan swallowed hard not sure where his voice went in all of this. Usually he was a very well put together young man but it seemed as if today his nerves were getting the best of him. Grayson had always been a ncie man to Stefan while growing up and been inviting whenever he came around but Stefan had never been the boy knocking on his door to take his daughter out. Any father in their right mind wouldn't be happy about a teenage boy coming to take their daughter out on their real first date. Stefan had no one in his life to prepare him for this situation because he had lost his father years ago and Damon had no good advice to give because he wasn't the boy who went about dating the right way. Stefan was in a learning process all on his own scared to death to get it wrong.
"Steafn it's nice to see you." Grayson greeted him with a bright smile. Stefan sighed relief knowing the man wasn't going to eat him alive.
"You too Mr. Gilbert." Stefan stood with his hands around the boquot of flowers. "Is Elena ready? I know I'm a few minutes early."
Grayson shook his head with a laugh moving aside and motion Stefan to come in. "Not quite yet. She's having a bit of a hard time deciding which shirt to wear, Miranda and Katherine are trying to help her."
Stefan smiled with a nod entering the house. He felt different knowing he was here to take Elena on a date with him, but it was a good different. The idea of spending an evening out with her got him excited inside. They had always been friends growing up but now he had a chance to act on his feelings and he was more than ready to take that on. He had waited patiently for his turn for years now watching as boys came and went trying to win her over.
"So where do you guys plan on going tonight?" Grayson asked as they stood in the livingroom.
Stefan set the flowers down on the coffee table and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I thought we could go and have dinner at The Grill, then head to a movie or to the putt-putt course and play a round or two and race some go karts." Stefan knew the date didn't scream romance but he wanted this date to be different than most. He didn't want to just go have dinner and watch a movie where he couldn't spend his time talking with her. Stefan loved nothing more than hearing Elena talk, he didn't care what it was about he just loved hearing her voice. She could talk for hours upon hours and he would never tire of her voice. It may have been one of the reasons why Stefan always sat quietly when they were together hanging out just listening to her. Her mere presence was calming to him after such years of heartache growing up. She was a calming melody in to him. A comfort he never wanted to lose. He wondered at times if she ever felt the same about him. Of course they were young but he was captivated by everything she did.
Grayson nodded his head with a smile. "Stefan she is going to love that." Grayson was impressed to say the least. He was lucky enough to know that his daughter was going out with Stefan tonight. He was very well respected around town and he knew she would be in good hands. Grayson also knew that Elena was crazy about this boy and he was glad she was finally getting the chance to go out with him. Even though Grayson wasn't thrilled about the idea of his little girl growing up he had to admit Stefan was the best choice for her. He was harmless and he was good for her. Too good at that Grayson was sure, but Elena was pure at heart as well so he knew it would work out perfectly.
Grayson and Stefan began to engage in a conversation about football when Elena finally came down the stairs with Katherine and Miranda. Stefan turned around when he heard her footsteps. There he stood in awe. She was dressed just as she would for any other day but there was something about this moment that was life changing for him.
"Elena." Stefan smiled picking up the flowers and handing them to her. "These are for you I hope you like them."
Elena's smile was contagious as everyone else in the room witnessed this moment. It was nothing out of the ordinary but there was a spark that couldn't be denied. "Thank you Stefan." Elena took them. "I'll go put them in some water."
"Let me." Katherine said taking them from her. She walked towards Stefan and gave him a warning look. "I will hurt you if you ever break her heart." Katherine whispered and Stefan nodded his head. He had no intentions of ever hurting this girl before him. Never could he dream of it.
"You two kids have a good time tonight." Miranda smiled hugging Elena.
"Be home by midnight." Grayson reminded. Even though he did trust Stefan to bring Elena straight home he could never be too catious. Kids would be kids and if there was a party with their friends they might stop by.
"Yes sir." Stefan said. "Thank you for letting me take Elena out tonight. I promise to have her home by curfew." Stefan reached his hand out shaking Grayson's hand. "Mrs. Gilbert have a good night." Stefan gave her a nod and a charming smile.
He followed Elena out the house and to his car where he opened her door and helped her in. As they drove off Stefan felt as if this was the beginning of their story.
"You look beautiful tonight." Stefan turned his head to look at her as he drove.
Elena blushed looking down at her clothes. She didn't have anything too special on. Just a nice pair of jeans and her leather jacket since it was a chilly night. "Thank you." She said quietly. It was so different being in this situation with Stefan. They had always been just friends but the feelings had always been there. She was more than happy when he finally worked up the courage to ask her out on a date.
"I hope you don't mind having dinner at The Grill tonight."
Elena shook her head. "The Grill is perfect."
"I thought so too." Stefan smiled.
While eating dinner Stefan was surprised that they had not run into any of their friends yet. It was a Saturday night and The Grill wa spacked but there was no Caroline or Bonnie in sight. Not even Lexi. Which Stefan had warned to leave him alone for the night and not to ruin this date for him. He was sure that she was probably at the house with Damon annoying him endlessly with questions about pointless things.
"So did you finish writing your paper for English?" Elena asked. They had been talking about school mostly.
"Yeah I finished it up earlier this week. What about you have you gotten past the introduction?" He laughed knowing Elena always waited until the last minute to do anything school related. She was extremely smart but she was a bit of procrastinator.
"You know me." Elena laughed with him. "I have been stuck on the the first sentence for a while now."
"I'd be more than happy to help you." He offered.
"I'd like that." She told him.
Stefan and Elena continued to talk about everything under the sun. They were content being together. Nothing was forced or awkward. The two had known each other all their life but tonight was like a new experience of getting to know one another. Even though Stefan and Elena had always been close they did not know everything about each other. Not like Lexi did Stefan or Bonnie did Elena. They were just simply friends, but Stefan wanted more, he wanted to know everything about this girl. What he didn't know was that Elena had felt the same way for a long time.
After finishing up dinner Stefan paid for it and they made their way down to the putt-putt course. Elena's eyes got big at the sight before here. She couldn't believe he was taking her to play.
"I love putt-putt."
"Yeah?" Stefan smiled with relief knowing he had gotten something right for her. He was afraid she wouldn't enjoy this.
"My dad used to take me all the time growing up. I am like a pro."
"Is that so?" Stefan laughed as he paid for their stuff.
"Oh yeah definetly I am. I'm going to be the next big thing in the pro mini golf series." The two laughed at her statement as they set up to play.
"We could always play for a friendly wager." Stefan questioned.
Elena eyed him wondering how good he actually was but then again it didn't matter because she considered herself to be the best. "That depends what's the deal?"
Stefan rested his putter on his shoulder as an innocent look came across his face. "If I win you have to go on another date with me."
"And if I win?"
"You get to kiss me at the end of the night." Where his confidence was coming from he did not know. She made him a bumbling fool anytime he was near her any other day of the week, but tonight something was changing. They were changing. Elena felt a smile tugging at her lips and she tried not to let it show because she wanted to be in control of this situation. Stefan realized his mistake quickly when she didn't answer so he began to open his mouth to say something but Elena stopped him.
"You're on." She winked at him before setting her ball up to take the first shot.
Stefan felt his heart skip a beat. He knew he would be kissing Elena Gilbert by the end of the night because he didn't know the first thing about mini golf. He was horrible at it. Lexi had forbid him from going out in public and playing with her because he was so bad. Hopefully Elena wouldn't be that embrassed of him by the end of the night.
Thankfully by the end of the game Stefan had only lost three balls landing God knows where. Elena couldn't contain her laughter when she realized how horrible he was. But he had tried like hell to win even though he really had no chance.
"You could have told me you were that horrible." Elena laughed at him.
Stefan shook his head tryinmg to hide his huge grin. "It was a bad night." He shrugged.
"Whatever you say." Stefan tossed the score card in the trash not needing to add it up to know Elena had kicked his ass at mini golf.
They returned their clubs before Stefan paid for go karts. "I am good at go karts." He informed her.
"I'll believe that when I seet it." She told him as they headed to go race go-karts.
Stefan helped her into her car before choosing his carefully.
"Anyother friendly wager?" Elena asked.
Stefan couldn't contain the grin his face as he nodded. "What's your conditions?"
"I you win you get to kiss me tonight." Stefan's eyes grew at the realization of that. He was alreayd going to get to do it tonight, but not if she didn't want him to. He'd never overstep his boundaries.
"If you win?" He asked.
"If I win I go on another date with you next weekend." Elena smiled. She was going to go out with him either way next weekend and every weekend after that if he would have her anyways though. The games were just too fun to pass up though.
They prepared for the race and before they knew it they were taking off. It was a four lap race and Stefan knew for a fact he could win this. He wanted that kiss tonight, but he also wanted that date again because more dates meant more games and more games meant more kisses. It was a delima he was stuck in by the third lap. Elena was right on his tail trying to work her way past him but Stefan wasn't having any of it. It was the last and final lap and Stefan looked back to see Elena right behind him. Her hair was blowing in the wind and her face had this look of determination like she wanted to win more than anything. Stefan thought she looked adorable right then. Then she did the not so adorable thing and bumped his kart with hers. He shot her a glare and she smirked at slight bump had caught him off gaurd causing him to swerve as Elena made her way beside him. Stefan pressed the gas pedal harder only to feel that it was already pressed down all the way. Her rode beisde Elena neck and neck as the finish line came up. He couldn't just let her win after that little stunt. No not at all. He was determined now to beat her since she wanted to play dirty. Another date be damned he would make up another game on the way home ti win another date fair and square. Just as they approached the finish line Elena's kart sped up just a notch and she was an inch in front of him beating him.
Stefan slammed his fists on the wheel as they Elena stuck her tongue out at him going and doing a victory lap. Stefan couldn't help but to smile at the girl. She had won and she was the cutest thing ever while doing it. He was sure that he had probably just fallen in love with her tonight. Although he would never tell her such a thing.
Stefan had parked his car outside of her house not wanting this night to end but knew it was growing late. They had decided to go out for ice cream after the race and stayed there talking for a couple more hours just enjoying each other's company. Elena had made sure to rub in his face that he had not won anything that night. But Stefan let her do it because what she didn't know was that he was a winner. Being with her was worth more than any of those games. He would lose any day of the week just to see her smile.
"I had a great time tonight Stefan." Elena said taking off her seatbelt.
"So did I." Stefan smiled at her making her heart melt. How could a boy make her feel this way in just a short time? Maybe it was because she had always been crazy about him even from a young age. "Can I walk you to your door?" Stefan asked.
"That would be nice." Elena told him as Stefan got out and opened her door offering her his hand in which she took.
Stefan stood in front of her on her porch wondering what his next move would be. It was only 10:45 so he knew her parents were probably waiting on the other side of her door to come through it. He was afraid they might be spying on them so he decided he wouldn't kiss her tonight.
"You know you lost both bets right?" Elena asked crossing her arms over her chest. Stefan laughed nodding his head.
"I wasn't very good tonight I admit." He was embrrassed by his lack of racing skills. He was a boy after all and he should have won that, but the look on Elenas face when she won had been pricelss.
"Mini golf? No." Elena smiled at him. "Go karts, you were." She gave him that much. "but you still lost and if I understand we had a deal." She couldn't just let their deals go to waste. She had really tried hard to win both times wanting that kiss and that date.
Stefan nodded his head taking a small step towards her. "We did." He agreed quietly.
"I won, so that means I get a kiss." Stefan was nervous once again. Maybe more nervous than he had ever been, way more nervous than when he was when he came to pick Elena up. Nothing would ever trump this moment in his life. Elena uncrossed her arms when she realized that Stefan was about to kiss her. He was moving slowly to her gently taking herhand into his as his other hand reached up and brushed back a few locks of hair behind her ear.
"You're so beautiful." He whsiepred to her so close but yet so far away. "I've waited so long to do this." With that he closed his eyes and cupped her cheek into his hand and brought her lips to his. The kiss was slow and gentle, everything a first kiss should be. The kiss was innocent but full of promise. Elena had to let his hand go grab ahold of his shoulders to steady herself because her knees were going weak from the kiss. Stefan finally pulled back but kept his eyes closed for a moment just wanting to savor the kiss. He had just kissed Elena Gilbert. The girl of his dreams and it felt amazing.
Elena was left speechless, she couldn't believe Stefan and her had just shared their first kiss. It was something she wanted to do again and again. "Pick me up next Saturday at 6?"
Stefan nodded eagerly as he felt Elena stand on her tip toes and kiss him again. This kiss was much like the first one but if it could be even more enjoyable. "You should get inside I think I hear footsteps." Stefan whispered against her lips. "I'll call you when I get home if you'd like?"
Elena nodded. "I'd love that." Stefan watched her go inside and he stood on the porch for a few more minutes witht he stupidest smile on his face. He was in love and he was in love with Elena Gilbert nothing would ever change that or take this night from him. He slowly backed away not watching his step as he fell smooth off the front porch. Looking around he quickly got up brushing his clothes off before walking to his car. He was so head over heels.
Stefan opened his eyes to look over at Elena. A lot had changed since that night. They were no longer those two teenagers who were crazy about each other. Elena's eyes met his and it was as if she knew he was remembering that night as well because she gave him a sad smile and reached for his hand but he pulled his hand away from her when Damon rang the doorbell. He couldn't afford for her to see him like this or for anyone to see her touching him. He had to put on his bad boy front now. Everything had changed.