Chapter Twenty-One
Waking up in her own bed never felt so good. Elena relished being back in her own room after so much time away. It was exactly the same as she had left it, full of memories from when her life was so much easier. She would give anything just to feel carefree again. Now she just felt burdened and troubled all of the time, even when her darkest emotions were kept deep beneath the surface.
Living with her aunt and brother wasn't so bad. Jenna always was up in time to make them breakfast, which was evenly devoured between the two siblings. Even with no parents, the role of the guardian seemed to be fulfilled. And of course, Meeko was around, making Elena's days brighter to a fault. She knew that Jeremy wouldn't be staying in the house much longer, as he was getting married to Bonnie in May, and they'd be moving in together.
Even though everything seemed to be getting back to normal, Elena knew that it would be far from that. She could sense people walking on eggshells around her, afraid that she could snap any moment. It was a dangerous game she was playing with her feelings, and she was well aware. The thing was, the only person who Elena had shared everything with, practically her entire mental state, was in another city, so far away. Phone calls were received, but this wasn't something Elena could talk about over the phone. She wanted and needed to confess everything face-to-face.
Elena cleared her mind from her endlessly churning thoughts and quickly got ready. Today was the Mystic Falls Historical Society Volunteer Day. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed these town events until this one had occurred. Elena half hoped that Bonnie and Caroline would pretend that nothing had changed, that they were all the same people, but she knew that wouldn't be the case. She was too broken to pretend anything, but it'd be a nice thought.
Elena shuffles down the stairs and sees that Jenna and Jeremy are already sitting at the table. After giving a soft smile and wave, Elena goes to pop a piece of toast into the toaster.
"So, are you going to participate in Volunteer Day, Elena?" Jenna offers Elena a glass of orange juice, which she happily accepts.
"You know me, always ready to get my hands dirty," Elena smiles genuinely. "It really sucked how there weren't any small events in New York like this."
"What time did you leave the party yesterday?" Jeremy questions after shoving a forkful of eggs into his mouth.
"Ah, Jeremy, you know how disgusting it is when you talk with your mouth full?" Elena scolds, but her voice is edged with her typical teasing tone.
"Well, you do it all of the time, 'Lena. I thought it didn't faze you," Jeremy remarks with a smirk.
"Yeah, but it's only disgusting when you do it," Elena sings and steals a piece of bacon from his plate. Jeremy swats at her hand, but two pieces have already been confiscated.
"Get your own bacon," Jeremy complains.
"Why would I do that when yours is right here?" Elena's about to take a sip of her orange juice but nearly spills it when the toast pops out.
"Karma by toaster," Jeremy chuckles.
Jenna grins at the two siblings playful banter, silently wishing that her own sister was alive. In all honesty, she wished that she had both of her sisters with her, but that wasn't the case in the cold, hard world that they lived in. Jenna's brooding was interrupted by the sheer sound of her cell phone ringing.
"That's yours, Jenna," Elena exclaims before taking a huge bite from her toast.
"I got it," Jenna jumps over the back of the couch and lands neatly on the cushions. She eventually finds her phone under the cushion she was sitting on and answers. "Hello?"
Elena and Jeremy stare wide-eyed at Jenna, amazed at her efforts to answer her phone. Although pretending to be engrossed in a conversation about gas prices, they were really eavesdropping. The siblings exchange meaningful looks when they realize that Jenna was on the phone with Alaric.
"Okay, yeah, I'll meet you there," Jenna says with a smile. "Of course. Bye now, Ric," she finishes before hanging up the phone. When she turns around, Jenna sees the smiles that are way too big plastered on Elena and Jeremy's faces.
"Aww, Jenna, do you have a crush on Ric?" Elena giggles and raises an eyebrow at her. "Wait, wait...you do realize that Ric is your dead sister's ex-husband…?"
Jeremy's eyes widen and Jenna's mouth falls open. "Oh my god, no…"
"You had another sister?" Jeremy looks as confused as ever, looking from Elena to Jeremy.
"Yeah, but she died," Elena says, putting an emphasis on died. He nods his head in understanding. "Look, Jenna, just because Alaric was Isobel's husband doesn't mean that you can't be with him. As sad as it is, Isobel is dead, and he's moving on. If you guys like each other, go for it."
Jenna ponders for a moment and then nods. "Thank you, Elena. You know, you give some pretty damn good advice."
Suddenly, Jeremy begins singing "Jenna and Ric sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g, first comes love, then comes marriage-" Elena slaps her hand over Jeremy's mouth, which only manages to muffle the singing.
"I apologize on behalf of my brother's incessant behavior. Trust me, he's the most annoying in the morning," Elena informs Jenna, who's still an unnatural shade of dark red.
"No, it's fine. I'm used to this kind of stuff," Jenna laughs. "I had two other siblings."
"Ohh, the burden of siblings," Elena nods in agreement.
"More like the burden of sisters," Jeremy says once he manages to pry Elena's hand off of his mouth. "So, what did Ric ask, hmm? Did he maybe want to see you later tonight?" Jeremy wiggles his eyebrows in a suggestive way.
"Oh, no! God, no," Jenna stammers, the blush returning with full force. "I'm just going to meet with him at the park for Volunteer Day."
"Yeah, Jer," Elena admonishes lightly. "Jenna's teacher crush is none of our concern anyways." The only response Elena receives is Jeremy's saliva getting wiped in her ear.
"Oh my god! Jeremy Gilbert, how dare you stick your disgusting, saliva-covered finger in my ear!" Jeremy quickly rushes from the kitchen and up the stairs with Elena hot on his trail. Jenna smiles to herself, seeing that two full-grown adults could still act like little children.
—
Elena, Jeremy, and Jenna all arrive at the park, ready to start their volunteer work. After they disperse, Elena makes her way over to Caroline and Bonnie who eagerly wait for her.
"Elena, you're here!" Caroline practically squeals in her ear as she tackles Elena in a hug. "It's just like old times! The three amigos, together again to help better the town park."
"Bonnie, get in on this delightful hug," Elena says as she reaches for Bonnie's arm and pulls her into the embrace.
"You...guys...are squishing me," Bonnie breathes out.
"Sorry," Elena pulls back and grins sheepishly. "God, when was the last time Mystic Falls had a Volunteer Day?"
"It's been a while. Too long, honestly, because this park sure looks rundown," Caroline comments, looking around.
"I'll say," Elena adds. She creases her forehead and glances between Bonnie and Caroline, who look oddly distracted. "What?"
Bonnie and Caroline give each other knowing looks before faking smiles for Elena. "It's nothing," Caroline chirps. "Mrs. Lockwood was just about to give her speech, so…"
Elena skeptically raises her eyebrow but shrugs with indifference. They all turn towards Carol and listen.
"This is all part of the Historical Society, continuing efforts to give back to the community. Thanks to the generous donation from the Fell family, we are now standing on the sight of our newest public park. Thank you to everyone who showed up today to lend a helping hand," Carol announces before stepping away.
"How inspirational," Elena deadpans before she picks up a paintbrush and begins stroking the veranda with white paint. Caroline and Bonnie join her and they all efficiently get the job done.
Elena dusts her hands off once she sets the brush down and looks at Caroline. "Where's your husband?"
"Um, he's around here somewhere, I think," Caroline states while looking around the park.
"Where's my brother?" Elena suddenly inquires, copying Caroline's movement.
"He's over there with Jenna and Ric doing trash duty," Bonnie observes. She offers him a small wave and gets a wink in return.
"Ugh, don't let Jeremy's charm fool you. He stuck his saliva-covered finger in my ear this morning," Elena informs Bonnie who looks equally disgusted.
"Nasty indeed," Bonnie agrees with a grin.
"You guys don't see Stefan around here, do you?" Caroline continues to look around for him with the help of Elena and Bonnie.
"Caroline, remember, we saw…" Bonnie trails off, looking apprehensive of finishing her thought.
"What, Bonnie? Did you see him somewhere?"
Bonnie swallows as she looks from Caroline to Elena, who are both wearing confused expressions.
"Remember, he was walking with, uh, with Damon," Bonnie quickly finishes, quickly closing her eyes and waits for Caroline's outburst.
"What?! I didn't see that! Bonnie Bennett, why didn't you tell me? I mean, we did see Damon here, but I never saw him with Stefan."
"Damon's here?" Elena softly inquiries.
"Umm, yeah, unfortunately. We didn't tell you because we honestly had no idea what your deal was with him," Caroline hastily explains. "Now, Bon, where did you see them walk off to?"
"Why do you guys sound so nervous?" Elena's gaze switches between her two best friends.
"Because it's Damon! Ugh, I don't want to even think about what could be happening. We need to find them quickly. Bonnie, where were they headed?"
"Into the woods," Bonnie tells her and the two of them tread in that direction with Elena trailing close behind.
"I think you two are overreacting a little, don't you think? Stefan's his brother. No matter how bad Damon's gotten, he'd never hurt his only remaining family," Elena tries reasoning with them but they both shake their heads.
"You don't understand, Elena. It's not the same Damon you used to know," Bonnie quietly informs her before taking off after Caroline again.
Elena runs her hands through her hair in frustration and follows them once more. Her eyes widen and she speeds up when a shot is heard ringing through the trees. When Elena catches up with Caroline and Bonnie, she slowly takes in the scene unfolding in front of her.
Damon's leaning against a tree with one hand clutching his stomach while Stefan points a gun loaded with wooden bullets at his heart. Elena gapes at Damon who's vamped out but too weak to move. Caroline and Bonnie look just as stunned, not moving a muscle.
"Stefan, what are you doing…?" Elena cautiously approaches Stefan with her hands up. "Put the gun down…"
"I can't, Elena. I'm doing what should've been done the second Damon died all those years ago. He should've stayed dead."
"He's your brother," Elena attempts to reason with him. "Your only family member left…"
"He's not my brother. This is just an empty shell of who he used to be. There's nothing left. Nothing," Stefan grinds out, cocking the gun. Damon's eyes flare but he doesn't make an attempt to get up.
"Look, yes, he's damaged, but he's not gone. If you do this Stefan, it will kill you inside. Please don't do this," Elena pleads.
"Luring me out in the woods to kill me, that's malicious on a whole new level, brother," Damon spits out, casting a menacing glare at him.
"I'm not stooping any lower than you ever did, bro," Stefan replies coldly.
"If not for him, then for me. I can't lose any more people in my life. You know how well I take emotional grief, Stefan. Just please, no matter how you feel about him, he will be gone forever if you do this. I don't know if I'd be able to handle that," Elena shakily admits. "If you care about me, you won't do this."
Stefan turns his head, locking eyes with Elena and notices her desperate expression. He sighs and turns back to Damon, taking his gun and shooting him in the leg. "Congrats, Damon, you get to see another day. I'm only sparing you because of Elena. I won't hesitate a second time," Stefan grumbles before stalking away. Bonnie and Caroline stare at Elena, clearly stunned, before following him.
Elena approaches Damon and kneels next to him, running her hands on his bloody shirt. She narrows her eyes at him before hesitatingly lifting it up.
"Why," Damon coughs and groans in pain, "Why did you do that?"
"Believe it or not, Damon, I actually do care if you live or die. I never expected Stefan would do this," Elena murmurs while digging for the bullet in Damon's stomach.
"Yeah, well, Stef's fickle like that," Damon mutters, not taking his eyes off of Elena.
"Maybe you should stop antagonizing him," Elena advises as she pulls the wooden bullet out.
"You're telling that to the wrong person," Damon replies, squeezing his eyes shut as Elena pulls out the bullet in his leg.
"Well, maybe you both need to hear it," Elena says sternly as she attempts to wipe the blood from her hands onto the grass.
"Maybe," Damon repeats quietly. "Thank you, Elena. Seriously. I'd be dead if you didn't say anything."
"You mean more to me than you think," Elena whispers, more to herself, but Damon hears it and weakly smiles. "I saved your life," Elena suddenly grins.
"That you did," Damon chuckles softly.
"And don't you forget it," Elena sings before standing up. Damon rises next to her, still looking a little weary. "Um, so, you're going to need some rest," Elena states. "And a change of clothes."
"I'm not so sure I'd be welcome back at the boarding house. They've grown to hate me."
"You just need to stop living up to their worst expectations," Elena reminds him. She inwardly cringes at the next thing that's going to come out of her mouth, unsure if it'll be a mistake. "Listen, I, uh, still have, er, some of your clothes in one of my drawers. You're...welcome to stay at my place until you get that target off your back."
"You still have my clothes?"
Elena narrows her eyes. "That's what you got out of my generous offer to stay with me?"
"Sorry. I'm pretty sure your brother has a vendetta against me as well. Practically everyone in this town does."
"Well, you could always stay with Katherine," Elena mutters under her breath.
"I haven't been with Katherine for months. We were never together either."
"But Caroline and Bonnie…"
"They hate me. I never was in a relationship with Katherine."
Elena inadvertently breathes out a sigh of relief. Her eyes flicker up to Damon's, "So you just used her for sex?"
"No strings, no feelings," Damon confirms.
"I guess it's only fair for me to tell you that I'm not dating Liam," Elena confesses.
"You're not?" Damon's eyes widen slightly from surprise.
"We had a relationship, but I wasn't as invested as him. He always helped me through my issues, and we ended things on a good note."
"He said that he loved you," Damon says matter-of-factly.
"And I never said it back after all those years."
They both stare at each other, both gazes seemingly penetrating their souls. Elena suddenly snaps out of it and blushes at the ground. "Look, we both have a lot of dark stuff in our past that we're not ready to share yet. A lot of things happened between us before I left, things we need to talk about. But I'm willing to put forth the effort to have a friendship," Elena swallows, "at least for the time being."
Damon automatically nods his head, "Fine by me. I just...after everything that happened, I need to apologize for being such a dick to you these past years. And weeks. I'm sorry."
"I know. I forgive you for that, and everything else will come with time. So…" Elena holds her hand out, "Friends?"
Damon grips Elena's hand gently and shakes it, "Friends," he agrees. They make their way out of the woods, each not willing to pull their hand away from the other's.