It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing
Chapter 12
Elena rested her head against the coldness of Damon's pillow as he looked up at the ceiling having the best time that she had in a while. She wished that this moment would never end. Unfortunately everything had to as Damon opened the door with a displeased look on his face.
"What's wrong?" she asked pulling the blankets closer to her.
"My mother is starting to ask questions."
"about what exactly?"
"She wants to know why you're still here."
Elena's breath hitched slightly. No, this couldn't be happening.
"Well what did you tell her?"
"I told her that your situation was serious and that you need a few more days here to get yourself straightened out."
"How many more?"
"She gave us a week at most, but Elena I'm can't keep making up excuses. We either have to get you some real help or you're going to have to come clean to her."
"I'm sorry, but that's not going to happen."
"Elena I'm being serious. Can we just talk about this for a second?"
"Well it looks like we don't have a second to spare."
Before Damon could say another word, Elena sprang off the bed gathering clothes into her bag for when she got kicked out of yet another place.
"Please Elena, just hear me out for a second."
"What is there to talk about Damon? If she wants me out then I have no choice but to leave."
"You know there are ways to change her mind."
"Fine. I guess I'll entertain you for a while. What do you exactly mean by that?"
"You know that we can't keep this between us anymore Elena. We need real help. From an adult."
Elena bit back a harsh laugh as she looked outside the window to where two kids were just plying in the street having what looked to be a good time. She wondered how she would have turned out if she had had a normal childhood just like everybody else. Would Damon have cared about her as much as he did now? She knew she would never find out, but it was defiantly something she was intrigued by.
"You don't think I;ve tried that already? All they ever did was give her a slap on the wrist and send me back to her where she beat me senseless. If I go to them again I'm afraid that I won't make it out alive this time."
"Don't say that."
"What? The truth? Sorry Damon but that's exactly what this is."
"But it doesn't have to be. "
"What do you expect me to do then?"
"I expect you to try" Damon yelled as if he had lost his patience with her"
Elena stepped back feeling her heart pound as she looked around the room. She didn't know why she was feeling this way but she felt like she was about to bolt and never come back.
"Listen Elena I'm sorry I snapped at you, but you have to get how serious this situation is."
"Trust me Damon for once this is something I get more than you know." she said as she walked towards the door.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going for a walk if that's okay with you. Or is that on a time limit too?" she asked opening the door and walking out before he could say another word.
Elena sat down on the park bench shifting through her thoughts as she looked on to the park goers living their everyday lives as if there was nothing wrong with them. She envied people like that all her life and now it hurt ten times worse.
She had been sitting here in peace for the last hour gathering her thoughts on what she was going to do when a shadow passed by her line of vision and sat down right next to her. She didn't have to look over to see who it was, it was as if she already knew.
"What are you doing here?"
Damon looked at her fondly as a puzzled look crossed his face.
"I was worried about you."
"So you decided to come save me from what exactly? A fate that I'm preparing myself for."
"Why do you think you can't have a better life than the one that you're in?"
"Because that kind of life isn't for people like me."
"You know that's not true. You could have any life you wanted to if you just tried to make it happen. Don't let your past affect your future or I guarantee you, it's not going to end up in good way."
"I guess you're right, but I don't know what I'm supposed to do about it and I'm not going to lie to you Damon I'm really scared."
"It's okay to be scared. I understand that this is a scary situation for you and I know it won't get easier, but I'll be there for you every step of the way."
"What should I do first?"
"First I think it's time we tell my mother what's going on and after that she'll get in touch with her lawyer who will want to talk to you about your mom. Do you think you can handle it?"
"I'm not sure, but I know that I'll regret it if I don't at least try."
Damon squeezed her hand as she smiled at him.
"are you ready for this?"
"No, but it has to be done."
With a squeeze of his hand. Damon helped Elena up as she prepared to do one of the hardest things she could imagine she would do for the rest of her life.