Summary: After Damon and Stefan rescue Elena from Elijah, they forget to also rescue Maddison Bennett, also known as Maddie. Elijah ends up finding her and as time passes they grown an instant connection with one another. Maddie knows that it's wrong and she ultimately shouldn't be with Elijah, but she doesn't care. This is her story.

Review Responses to Chapter 51

Guest – Maddie is smart. She's got this lol. Thank you for reviewing.

NicoleR85 – Thank you for reviewing, as always lol. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Faby0411 – Yes, had to put that little twist in there to throw everyone off lol!

Bella-swan11 – No worries. Cordelia is fine. She just doesn't want to talk to Klaus at the moment. Thanks for reading.

Shaniia . anonymous – Thank you so much for reviewing. And yes, trying to write and update all summer. Hopefully this story is done by the end of August/ early September, or earlier.

Kineret – Ha ha, glad you liked it. Thank you for reviewing!

Before the Sun Sets

CHAPTER 52 ~ Over It

I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

February went by fast. Like really fast. After finding out that she was expected into Loyola she knew that she would have to go and visit and New Orleans to actually see it. She didn't want to just turn it down without visiting. On March 2nd she received an acceptance letter from the University of Virginia. On top of that, she had been dealing with lacrosse workouts and then tryouts. She had of course made the team. Not that she or anyone else was shocked. She and Hanna were named the team captains for the year. With that they were now a team of 15 girls which included Maddie, Hanna, Katie, Rachel, Mary, Kristen, Courtney, Chloe, Jayne, Cecelia, Rae, Taylor, Beth, Zoe and Tia.

They had to find the balance of working together to become a team. Maddie and Hanna decided that they were going to take the lead and have a team sleepover as soon as possible to get to know the new girls. It hadn't happened yet because of crazy scheduling but they had all been able to get together one time after practice and get food at the grill together. They had already had three games, which they had won. Maddie admitted to herself that she didn't mind Paul. He was actually a very good coach, she just had to get used to the way he did things, which were completely different from James, but they worked. James had even come to the first game that they had. She could tell that it was going to be a good season.

Time was just going by so fast. It was almost the middle of March. It was crazy for her to think that within three months she would be out of school, waiting to celebrate her last prom and then graduate right after. She wasn't sure whether or not she was ready for it. She was just glad that her sister was going to be home for the week because she was out on spring break. Her lacrosse team didn't have any games so Cordelia didn't have to stay.

There had still be no sign of Elena. Maddie was fine with that. School was actually going by quite peacefully. Just the way she liked it.

Now, as she sat down next to Matt, taking notes in Biology she wondered how the rest of the year would go. She could only hope that it would end on a high note and that no one else would end up dead. Things were going so great for their senior class. And they had lost a lot of people along the way. They didn't need to lose anymore.

"Did you understand anything that's on the board?" Matt leaned over and asked.

Maddie chuckled. She had found some time to look ahead, as this was their last unit, before they just focused on going over stuff for the A.P. test, so she kind of understood. "A little bit. If you want I can come over later and help you out."

"Rain check?" He wondered. "I'm working tonight."

"Just let me know when you are free."

She knew Matt was struggling. He had missed school after Jeremy died. Some days he came and then left early and others he hadn't come at all. His attendance for February was not good, which meant that he didn't learn material, he missed quizzes and tests so his grades weren't good. She hadn't asked but she was pretty sure from some of his questions and the sudden call to the guidance office last week in Ric's class that he was on the verge of not graduating. She wanted him to graduate. With all of the shitty stuff that he had gone through this would be something good to look forward to. That and prom. She wanted him to go. And most importantly, to have fun.

"Maybe this weekend if you don't mind. I actually have off Friday night."

"I'm glad. Make sure you use your time wisely."

"If you mean catching up with work then yes, that is what I'll be doing."

"Then I will come over," she said. A smile on her face. "What subjects do you need help in?"

"All of them. I'm just glad Ric is giving me time to hand in History stuff. I don't want to take to long though. Don't want him to think that I'm taking advantage."

She nodded, understanding. She knew that Ric had also been taking Jeremy's death hard, "Don't worry, I will help you."

"Maddie, wait up!"

Maddie turned, slightly adjusting her bag. She put a smile on her face seeing William Bach, or Will, as everyone called him, running towards her. "Hey, what's sup?"

"Nothing much. I didn't get a chance to talk to you in math today." They had been having math together all four years of high school. It was actually pretty funny. They weren't best friends but they did occasionally talk and sometimes hung out within the same friend group.

She smirked, "Well no one really talked, considering everything that we learned was like learning a new foreign language."

He chuckled, "You're right. But you have nothing to worry about miss top fifteen."

She rolled her eyes, "Um, you are probably in the top fifteen to so don't even start."

"I hope so." He said honestly.

"What is your rank now?"

"Last time I checked it was fourteen." Oh, he was close then. But he was really smart so Maddie had no doubt he would be on there with her.

"I'm sure you are on there. Besides, I heard earlier that the second quarter was the last one before they announce it, so as long as you did well, which I have no doubt about, you will be in that stupid top fifteen picture with me."

He chuckled, "You really aren't into at all. I thought it was a joke when Matt said it."

She smirked, thinking about his best friend Turner, who was also a friend of hers, "I'm flattered that Turner talks about me."

Will smirked, "Yeah. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something."

"I figured."

"They're having a dodgeball tournament next Friday. It's like a fundraiser for prom. Caroline stopped me and gave me a paper this morning that she was hanging up. I want you to be on my team."

She nodded, "Sure. You can count me in." It sounded like fun, and if it helped raise money for prom she was all for it.

"Awesome. It's five dollars per person. We have to do team shirts or whatever." He looked around at the walls, "Caroline probably didn't get to here yet but there are flyers around the school with the rules."

"How many people on a team?"

"Ten. You have to have five boys and five girls."

She nodded, "Kind of like in middle school."

He laughed, "You still remember that?"

"Of course. My mom has pictures of our team win on her camera."

In middle school they had a dodgeball tournament. Not to raise money for anything, but just for fun. Will and Maddie, had then been on the same team. Turner had been on their team that year, and Matt and Hanna as well.

"I already talked to Turner. He's down. I have to find Matt."

"Donovan?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I haven't seen him today yet. But I sent him a text asking. I also need to find Hanna."

"You just missed her, but I can text her if you need."

"I'd appreciate it."

"So how many do you have so far?"

"Just Turner, you and myself." He grinned. "Not everyone knows about it yet so I'm trying to get my players in early."

"Smart boy."

"I try." His smiley face turned serious for a moment, "I have another question for you."

"Sure."

"Do you know if Hanna has a prom date yet?"

The middle of March was now here. Cordelia was home for the week due to being on spring break. Maddie and her lacrosse team were still undefeated. That meant that they would be playing in a county championship game on Wednesday at Whitmore College. Everyone was so excited about it. If they did win, which they were hoping, they would get a banner for the school, a plaque and a trophy. They had been doing longer practices. Instead of going from two until five, they were going until seven. They would even have morning practices, which were a pain but understandable. If they wanted to do well they would have to put in the work.

After Maddie got out of practice on Monday she went to Elijah's. She hadn't had a chance to see him. She had been so busy the weekend, helping Matt with school work, babysitting and then she and Hanna had hung out for a bit. Their whole dodgeball team was complete so they went to a Michael's craft store outside of town to get shirts and an assortment of paints and iron on letters and numbers. They weren't sure what they were doing just yet but they would come up with a plan. They were going to work on them Wednesday after the game and Thursday so that they were all ready for Friday.

"I'm sorry," she murmured to him.

"For what?"

"I'm all dirty," she said, gesturing to herself. She was still in her practice clothes. She had some strains on her shirt and shorts. She had taken off her shoes when she got in her car and slipped into a pair of crocs. And she knew that she needed a shower. "I just really wanted to see you."

"I'm glad you came," Elijah said, taking both of her hands in his. She smiled looking up at him, gazing into his eyes. She wished that they could just stay in that moment forever.

Leaning up onto her tippy toes, she gave him a quick peck on the lips. She had missed that this weekend to. His kisses, his arms, just him in general.

"Come on," he spoke, taking her hand in his again.

"Where are you taking me?" She wondered, a smile spread across her face.

"I'm going to feed you and then take you upstairs."

Her smile grew wider, "Can't wait."

"Did you tell your parents about us yet?" Elijah asked. They were together in his room. A TV movie was playing but neither one them were paying attention to it. They were too busy staring at one another and leaning in to give each other kisses every few minutes.

Maddie frowned, "No." She didn't want to have that conversation with him.

"And why not?"

"Can we not."

"I think now is a perfect time to talk about it."

"Well I think now is a perfect time to have sex." She was only half joking. Elijah wasn't amused by her though.

"I want you to tell them. And if not both then at least one."

"But why?" Her voice whined. She hated how it sounded. She didn't want to be a whiner. "I mean aren't we happy?"

"We are."

"So why not keep going like this?"

"Where you have to lie to them all the time about where you are."

"You act like I want to lie to them." She didn't. But she didn't seem them taking it well either. Especially when they asked about his age. What was she supposed to say?

"It feels that way."

She frowned, sitting up from her comfortable position, "It's not just that simple Elijah. It's complicated."

"No, I don't think it's anymore complicated then you are making it."

She was officially annoyed. "You tell your family we're together and they could care less. I tell my parents and they will probably want to admit me to a psych ward."

"I would get you out." Her frown turned into a smile. He could be charming when he wanted to be. "But on a serious note I want you to tell them."

"And if I don't."

"Then I will."

She raised an eyebrow, moving away from him more, "You aren't serious?" His face didn't move. He was serious.

"You will tell them nothing. When I decide to tell them is when they will no."

Elijah continued to look at her, "I have given you more than enough time."

"Whatever," she said rolling off of his bed and getting to her feet. She was ready to go. "I got to go. We can talk later."

He didn't even try to stop her as she left.

Thanks for reading!

In this chapter … Will asks Maddie to be on his dodgeball team. Elijah wants to know why Maddie hasn't told her parents about them yet.

Next Chapter … An important announcement is made.