Chapter 9: Official

Lilac. Lilac paint. Why lilac? What made her paint her room lilac? Sure, it was a girl colour, a typical girl colour along with pink that is. The paint wasn't fresh, but looked as fresh as the day that it was painted. The window ledge that the brunette sat on was decorated with cream silk plush cushions and 3 warm knitted blankets to make the surface a bit more comfortable to sit on. Sighing, she took one of the plush pillows into her arms and hugged it close to her chest.

Was it going to get easier? This life? Sooner rather than later she hoped. Looking outside the window, she groaned as she seen the swarm of paparazzi camping out on her lawn. What were they playing out? Other than trying to get a story. Ever since the news about her and Damon came to the surface, the crowd has been growing bigger by the hour, hoping for some quote on her relationship with Damon. Picking at the frays on the cushion, she closed her eyes, replaying her and Caroline's earlier conversation in her head.

"How? Just...how? How did it happen? How did I miss this? When?" Caroline asked, grinning like a cheshire cat.
"One question at a time," She laughed, biting her lip and sighed softly, "We started dating two months ago. We...well we went on that first date-"
"Wait? Did you...did you guys keep in contact straight after that? Did you...?"

"Look, Damon...he was, he showed up a week after the date and uh-"
"A week? He came to see you?" She shrieked, clapping, "That is so wow."

"The first date, it was incredible beyond words you know? I seen a different side to Damon, one that I had never seen before and I'd be shocked if anyone else has. It made me that much more curious to see more of him, "Smiling big, she rubbed her cheek, "Then after that time he came to see me, I couldn't stop. I needed to see him, it was growing like an addiction. He would make surprise visits to the studios, take me out. He was so sweet and-"

"Damon Salvatore sweet?" The blonde scoffed, "Really? Come on."

"Caroline, I'm 100% serious. We then decided to kind of...take it a step further. Take it steady, one day at a time, not putting a label on it. We still are. I'm just...so wrapped up in him and I guess, I just hope...he feels the same way."

"Hmm, from what I have been seeing on the television, I have a feeling he does. You know, I'm happy and thrilled for you that your...wrapped up, even though I believe he is still bad news...just be careful."

"Uh, Caroline, he is not ba-"

Jumping, she snapped out of her thoughts and looked over at her bedroom door as she heard knocking on it. Who was it? Caroline? Biting her lip, she went to get up to answer it, "I'm coming."

"Elena?" The door opened as Miranda walked in, a gentle smile on her face as she tilted her head, "Are you okay honey?"

"Ah, I guess I've been better. When people aren't prying into my life." Elena answered hesitantly, sitting back on the window bay, "Are you still angry?"
"I might be." Sitting on the bed, Miranda sighed, "Elena, why didn't you tell me about you and Damon?"

"I-I didn't know how to mom. We-I...I was following the path, seeing where it took me. I wanted to keep it quiet mom. Its me...you know? I don't like anyone usually, don't have an interest in anyone usually, but he...Damon is different. To me anyway. I know everyone will laugh and make judgement, but they can say that he's bad news, they can say what they want but I like him and I want to see where this goes."

"Hmm, so you REALLY like him?" She smiled.
"Enough to want to see where it goes mom." Elena answered honestly, chewing her lip.
"Then I'll accept it...as long as you are happy and he doesn't hurt you."
"Mom, thank you. Just wait and see okay?"
"Sweetheart, I will be here if you need me."
"Thank you mom."

Miranda's phone started ringing as she smiled at Elena and left the room. Okay, that talk didn't go as bad as she thought it would. Looking back out the window, she crossed her arms. Was she gonna be able to live freely anytime soon? Closing her eyes, another memory hit her like a ton of bricks.

"Elena, that was fantastic! I have NO idea what's going on with you, but keep it up, I love it!" Steven told her grinning and gave her a thumbs up.

"I'll try my best," She laughed, butterflies evident in her stomach as she thought back to the blue eyed heartthrob who took her on their first date a week ago and it wasn't one she could forget either. She really couldn't get him out of her mind, although she hadn't seen him since, it was strange, "Next song?"

"Take a break sweetheart. I'm going to the shops, have a mess around." Smiling, he grabbed his jacket from the stand and walked out.

"Mess around huh?" Laughing, she sat down on the stool, running her fingers along the piano and hummed, smiling happily. It was weird, she felt extremely happy like she had just been told that Santa was real. Maybe it was the fact that she couldn't stop thinking about her perfect date with Hollywood's bad boy, or so everyone wanted to call him. Laughing more, she shook her head, biting back a grin.

"Someone is happy."

"Huh?" Swiveling quickly, she gasped and fell off of the stool and onto the floor, "Oh."
"Falling for me already?" His blue eyes lit up with amusement as the famous smirk graced his lips, "Take my hand."

"Thank you." Placing her hand in his, she felt a shock and swallowed, staring into his eyes as he pulled her to her feet, his smirk changing into a genuine smile as he slowly let go of her hand, crossing his arms, "What are you, uh...doing here?"

"Oh sorry," Damon grinned, pointing his thumb at the door, "Missed the sign saying 'Damon Salvatore Banned'. My bad."
"Hardy ha ha." Elena laughed, tucking her hair behind her ear, "Either you came to be an amusing jerk or you came here to see Steven who popped out."
"Or option 3." He reminded her, wiggling 3 fingers.
"Ah, I didn't realise there was a third option." She bit her lip, raising her eyebrows.
"Pfft, please. There is ALWAYS a third option." Taking his sunglasses off of his head, he tucked them into his jacket pocket.
"Which in this scenario would be?" She scrunched up her nose in confusion.
"I actually came to see you."

"Say what?" Elena's eyes widened in shock. He was here to see her? Sure, she had been thinking about him a lot since the date, more than she should, but she never thought she'd see him again for a good while and that he'd maybe try and avoid her. "Me? Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that there's only one Elena Gilbert I took out on a date a week ago...maybe gave her a little kiss and haven't seen her since."
"Oh, right. That is me." She blushed embarrassed, "I didn't think-"
"I'd be back? Come on, the date wasn't THAT awful," He tapped his finger under her chin, smirking, "You weren't too bad either."
"Hey!" She reached to swat his arm, but he moved back laughing, "Like you can talk with your jive moves dancing all over a fountain."
"Oh please! You were more than a LITTLE impressed with my moves." He winked.
"I've seen better."

"Oh sweet," He laughed, grinning as he tilted his head, walking closer, "I've got moves you have NEVER EVER seen."
"Mmmh." Swallowing, she stared at him, trying to control the pace of her heart, "Then...your here to?"
"Take you out of course. I was thinking maybe we go out for the day?"
"With paparazzi. I see that being a very stressful day out." Elena pointed out.
"Who said there are going to be paparazzi?"
"Unless your planning on-"
"Taking you out on my helicopter for the day? Yes that would be correct, god you're smart." Lifting her coat off the chair, he turned to her.

"Uh...helicopter?"
"Then my boat. But, we can get the helicopter there." Damon smirked, raising an eyebrow.
"Boat?" She stared at him in amazement.
"I'm glad we have come to terms that you know your English. Come on now, things to do, places to see." He grasped her hand, tugging her.
"But Steven?" Elena reminded him, following him slowly.
"Ah, I'll give him a ring later." He laughed, pulling her down the corridor.
"Yeah, I somehow doubt it." She pulled the door shut, rushing after him while laughing.

"Elena?" Caroline's voice called through the door as she pushed it open, "You okay?"
"Ah, yeah. Just...thinking." Elena told her, smiling softly.
"You wanna go out?" She smiled, raising an eyebrow.
"Go out? You're kidding right? Have you seen it out there? I'll get swarmed." The brunette pointed down to the lawn.
"Come on. You're gonna have to go out sometime. Just ignore them. You need to get out of this house."
"Eh, I don't really know..."
"Come on, it will be good. I promise."
"Uh fine."

Pushing herself up the bay, she pulled on her boots and zipped them up, stretching with a moan. Grabbing her leather jacket, she followed Caroline out of the room was grinning like a fool and skipped out, going downstairs. Laughing, Elena shook her head and followed her downstairs, seeing her mom in the kitchen on the phone still.

"You ready?" Caroline raised an eyebrow, grabbing the handle for the front door.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Sighing, she waved her hand at the door, "Open it."

As they opened the door, everyone rushed to stand as the flashes of cameras started, blinding the girls. Caroline walked out first, waiting for Elena as she followed close behind her, forcing a smile as she lifted her hand to cover her eyes from the flashes. Were they trying to fill her with unbelievable stress.

"Elena, Elena over here!" They shouted, trying to grab her attention.
"Sorry, I-"
"Elena is it true!?"
"Are you dating Damon Salvatore!?"
"What were you doing in Damon's hotel room!?"

Breathing deeply, she got into the passenger seat of Caroline's car and slouched into the seat as she covered her hand over her face, sighing. Caroline got into the drivers side, starting the engine as quickly as she could, looking over at Elena as she drove off down the road.

Caroline was right. It wasn't peaceful, the Mall was full of people getting on with their day to day life shopping as well as she was trying to. Elena had brought some sunglasses to slip over her face as she walked through the more, wanting to avoid the stares of people. They had walked around, talking for the past couple of hours and looking in shops to see if there was anything they wanted to buy. No sign of paparazzi in the Mall yet, but she was sure they would be in soon to drive her crazy and annoy her into the closest asylum. Walking near the entrance, they took a deep breath, taking a quick look out.

"Yeah, still not good."
"No, not good at all." Caroline led her over to the smoothie bar, watching the door as Elena ordered their drink, "I wonder what's going on?"
"What do you mean?" Elena questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Look." She pointed over at the entrance for the mall.

Frowning, Elena looked over, raising her eyebrows as she seen a big commotion by the entrance, people gathering around and looking outside the door. What was going on? Turning around to grab their smoothies, she gave Caroline hers as they looked back over at the door in confusion. What was it? Sipping her drink, she laughed as Caroline was talking about how they looked like tourists. Maybe it was randomly snowing in summer? That happened a lot, although it might be suspiciously like The Day After Tomorrow.

"Oh my god! Its him!" Someone shouted.
"Look!"Someone else shouted.
"What the hell is going on?" Caroline questioned.

The door to the mall were threw open as a crowd walked in, paparazzi not far behind as they were flashing pictures. Oh no. What the hell was going on now? Why were the paparazzi in here? Next minute, he walked through the crowd, pushing past everyone, looking around in a hurry.

"Damon?" Elena whispered in shock, wide-eyed as she removed her sunglasses, looking over at him.

Watching him, her heart stopped as his eyes met hers, their eyes sharing so much emotion and talking through to each other. He was here. He'd come to see her, he left New York for her. She felt Caroline taking her smoothie out of her hand.

"Elena!" Damon called out for her, walking faster towards her.
"Damon." Swallowing, she walked quickly and broke out in a run towards him.

As soon as they reached each other, he lifted her up into a hug, holding her close as she wrapped her arms around his neck, closing her eyes tightly, relief and peace flooding her body as his touch always seemed to calm her down. Breathing deeply, he stroked her hair back and closed his eyes, hugging her closer.\

"Damon, there's people-"
"I don't care Elena," He pulled back, cupping her face in his hands, his eyes searching her face, "I don't care about anyone, but you. Are you okay?"
"I-I..."
"Elena, Damon! Are you dating!?" The paparazzi shouted.

Elena closed her eyes tightly, her heart racing as she felt more than a thousand eyes on them, all staring in curiosity wanting to know what was going on between them. Is this what they would always have? It hadn't even been 3 months yet and the hassle had already begun.

"Damon! Are you dating!?"
"Not that its any of your business, but yes!" Damon yelled in anger and frustration as the Mall was filled with silence.

Gasps of shock began filling the silence from onlookers and paparazzi who were watching the scene in curiosity, along with Caroline who was staring wide-eyed, her jaw nearly hitting the floor. The one who was the most shocked within the Mall was Elena who was staring at Damon in shock.

"What?" Elena whispered, staring up at him.
"Yes we are." Damon confirmed, his voice quiet as he stared back at her, all their emotions becoming clear and to the surface.

They were official.

A/N: Well, that's a new chapter out for this! Thank you for being patient! I am still just getting back into this writing thing, so take it easy on me please! :)

I will get new chapters out when I can, I want them to be good enough for you to read, so I will be taking the time I need

Thank you!

Shauna

xxx