Chapter 2: Mysterious Stranger

Everyone was pushing against each other in the crowd, everyone getting into the music as they watched Caroline and Bonnie carry on their little side step dance on top of the bar. Elena stood in front of Damon lost for words. What did she say to him? She never thought she would see him again, never the less have him catch her either. Oh dear, what if he was watching her on the bar dancing like a lunatic? A blush reached her cheeks as she cleared her throat and crossed her arms, trying to relax.

"I uh, just...didn't expect to see you. That's all." She replied nervous as she brushed herself down quickly, trying not to look like an idiot in front of him.
"I'm a regular believe it or not. Or I use to be." He told her, his eyes glinting with a hidden meaning as she stared up at him.
"I'm sure if you were a regular, we would have met sooner, surely?" Raising her eyebrows, she watched as he let out a laugh, the same butterflies erupting her stomach again.

"Surely, you wouldn't be asking so many questions and WE would be doing something more fun." Damon told her, squinting his eyes in amusement as she went wide-eyed.
"Oh, right, I...oh yeah I'm coming! Gotta go!" She nodded at him, moving through the crowd quickly, her heart beating like a drum as her face felt heated. How embarrassing.

Damon smirked, knowing how riled up he was getting her. She had to stop running because he had to compel her sooner or later. He didn't get the chance at first, but he needs to do it now. She has too many connections. She looks like Katherine, that's a starter, although not the same. It was confusing all the while. Licking his lips, he watched her trying to occupy herself with something to do and chuckled, looking around at the talent. Who could he dig his fangs into tonight? Or? Looking back over to Elena, he raised his eyebrows. He wondered how she tasted. If she tasted as good as she smelt, then he was going to be in heaven. He seen her looking his way and moved from the crowd as quick as he could.

"Elena, can you go outside and get my bag from my car?" The blonde shouted down to her as she gave her a thumbs up and caught the keys.
"I'll be right back." She called back to her, pushing through the crowd, dodging people as they were grinding.

Getting to the door, she threw it open and rushed out as she let out a breath and tilted her head back, staring at the sky as the wind blew against her face and sent a cold chill down her spine. Running her fingers through her hair, she looked around for Caroline's car and smiled, running across the road as she pressed the button on the key, hearing it open. Pulling the door open, she leaned into the car, reaching for the bag and moved back, screaming as she hit a hard solid body and turned around quickly, her eyes wide with fear.

"Damon! Seriously? God." Pressing her hand to her face, she tried to calm herself. What was this guy trying to do to her?
"Sorry, did I scare you?" He questioned, the same smirk on his face as he listened to her heart pounding against her chest.
"Scare me!? You just have me a heart attack! I'm surprised you can't hear my heart now, its beating so loud." She replied, rubbing her chest as she bit her lip.
"Hmm, if only huh?" Raising an eyebrow, his eyes twinkled with mischievous.

"That always happens." She whispered softly, furrowing her eyebrows.
"What always happens?" He replied, his voice husky as he stared down at her.
"Your eyes, you always say something with a hidden meaning and your eyes give it away." Elena swallowed as he raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"They do, do they?" Damon studied the brunette in front of him and tilted his head to the side, "I think I may have misjudged you."

"So, what? You're saying you already judged me after our first meeting?" Her eyebrows furrowed as she crossed her arms.
"I had my theories. Still having them," Licking his lips, he put his arms either side of her, leaning her back into the car, "You see, I have to come to a crucial decision."
"I...is that so?" Chocolate eyes met blue as he stroked his finger down her neck, almost feeling her pulse through her skin.
"Hmm. I have to do what I have to do unfortunately. Personal reasons, you wouldn't understand." Inhaling, he was swept up in the smell of jasmine and closed his eyes.

"You're confusing me." She whispered nervously, biting her lip.
"Elena," He looked at her, licking his lips as he began his compulsion, "You're going to forget you ever met me, about our encounter. You're going to live the life you want."

He watched her as she stared back at him as if she were in a trance and felt a pit of disappointment in his stomach. He frowned, not knowing why he was feeling like that. It was the right thing to do, there was too much of a similarity and there was a hidden meaning behind it. Something was wrong, he just had to find out why Elena and Katherine looked so alike. He was thrown out of his thoughts when a sudden hand came in contact with his face, resulting in a slap. He held his jaw wide-eyed as he looked at Elena. Fury was burning in her eyes as she glared at him and stepped away from the car.

"YOU can't tell me what to do or what NOT to do. You don't control me you bastard." Elena pushed past him, head back towards the Grill as Damon watched her in shock.
"What the hell?" Moving his jaw about, he licked his lips, a red hand print visible on his cheek. Thinking about it, he groaned and tilted his head back, "Vervain, she's on vervain, fuck."

Walking into the school, she looked around and fixed her cheerleading uniform as she looked for Bonnie or Caroline. Making her way down the hall, she gasped in surprise as arms encircled her waist, pulling her into their embrace. Looking at the sudden intruder, she seen Matt and smiled softly, letting out a small sigh of relief. She hadn't talked to him since the bonfire where she then met Damon. Damon. That stupid name hadn't left her head for a week now. It was driving her crazy. How dare he try and tell her what to do? The guy had some nerves.

"Hey Lena." He leaned down and kissed her as she returned the kiss slowly, "I'm sorry about last week. I know I keep badgering you about the future."
"Its the same fight again and again Matt. I don't know what I want." She told him, her mind frozen as words slipped into her mind.

You want a love that consumes you. You want passion, an adventure and even a little danger.

"Oh seriously?" Elena sighed, rubbing her neck and seen Matt looking at her weird, "Sorry. Thinking to myself. Uh, I gotta go. I'll see you after class."

Walking down the hall, she exited out of the side door, knowing no one ever went out there. Walking toward the back of the school, she moved through the woods and continued walking, not thinking about where she would end up. Swallowing, she held her bag closer and let out a breath. She was so sick and tired. Being told what to do, living up to a reputation. Everyone looking up to her, so she had to play perfect. She couldn't do it anymore, she'd had enough of it. Her parents were always wanting something from her, her friends, the teachers. Jenna and Jeremy were the only ones that understood her. Maybe even Damon. Getting to the falls, she stopped dead, staring up at the falling water and hugged herself as a gust of wind swept past, sending a shiver down her spine. That felt all too familiar. Turning around, she froze in her spot and stared across as Damon was leaning against a tree.

"Hello Elena." Damon spoke as he looked up at her, the same smirk on his face.
"You." She answered in reply, wrapping her hands around her bag strap as she pulled it closer, studying him.
"Ah. Still upset with me, hmm? See, this wouldn't have happened if you had forgotten like I nicely asked."
"If you have nothing good to say, then don't say anything at all." Elena snapped, glaring at him as she walked past him, moving past the trees and climbing over logs.

"I didn't take you as the bunking type."
"And I didn't take you as the stalking type. Seems both of us are getting a surprise." She hurried along, not wanting to continue the conversation any longer.
"Elena, watch out." Damon warned her.
"Why, I'm not afraid of you." She turned her head to give him a quick glare and continued walking, but got her foot stuck in a root and went flying forward and toward the hill.

Waiting for the impact, she closed her eyes, not wanting to see it happen and gasped in surprise as arms wrapped around her, holding her close, saving her from a harsh fall. Opening her eyes, she stared up at the intense blue ones, not believing what just happened. He was far behind her. How did he just catch her and SO fast?

"Didn't I just tell you to watch out, huh?" He furrowed his eyebrows at her as she returned his gaze, seeing a difference in his eyes.
"You." She murmured softly as he lowered her to her feet, making sure she was steady.
"You're bleeding." Rubbing a hand over his face, she watched his eyes as they were a normal crystal blue again.
"R...right. Sorry. Right." Elena nodded and moved backwards, turning around quickly as she walked on, needing room to breathe.

He was intoxicating. She felt suffocated. He was making her feel things that she'd never felt before. The constant butterflies, the nerves, the mysterious hidden meanings. Looking behind her, she seen him gone and let out a breath as she shook her head lightly and turned around again, letting out a gasp as he appeared in front of her.

"Here." He reached up gently, loosening the band from her hair as it fell below her shoulders.
"T...thanks." She looked up at him as he took her wrist, putting the band on.
"You look nice with your hair down Elena." He murmured softly, narrowing his eyes slightly, a small smirk on his face.
"Many girls do." She told him honestly, pinging the band, noticing the graze on her knee.
"I only care about you." He told her, lifting her hand as he pressed his lips to it, "I'll see you around Elena."

He walked off as she bit her lip, a blush reaching her cheeks and the butterflies banging against the rim of her stomach again. Oh, if this is what she felt like all the time he was around, she wanted him around more often.

A mysterious stranger that has all the answers.

A/N: Hey everyone, let me know what you thought :) Got my laptop back FINALLY! :D

Shauna
xxx