Chapter 4: Where have you Been?

Elena looked into the mirror applying some mascara as she thought back a couple of weeks ago with Damon. That night in her car. It was perfect, she had felt so safe. A changed person. When she had woke up, he was gone. Obviously, she could have seen that coming, they were just friends. Were they even that? Could they calls themselves friends? They were still...just people getting to know each other. At least he'd come when she needed him, she couldn't exactly complain. There was no commitment as such.

Brushing her hair back into a ponytail, she went into her room and stripped down, pulling on her cheerleading outfit. Practice in 20 minutes, Caroline would NOT
stop mentioning it. Pulling on her trainers, she grabbed her school bag and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her. The only question on her
mind was, when would she be seeing Damon again?

Walking out onto the field, Elena seen Caroline and Bonnie with the rest of the girls and walked over. Bonnie grinned, waving at her as the blonde looked over her shoulder, her face like stone. Stomping over, she shot daggers at the brunette as she furrowed her eyebrows, waiting for her to come over to her.

"Where the hell have you been? Practice started 10 minutes ago!"
"Sorry, I was-"
"No, you should have been 10 minutes earlier. I keep on telling you Elena."
"Caroline don't you think you're overreacting?"
"No, I don't think I'm reacting enough."
"It's not the end of the world, you know?"
"Just go. Come back when you're committed.

The blonde stormed back over to the girls as Bonnie looked at the brunette in confusion. Shrugging, she turned on her heel as she walked back inside and up the hall. Looks like someone got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning. Shaking her head, she continued up the hall, gasping when she banged into someone.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry." Elena apologized, her eyes wide.
"It was my fault." His green eyes glazed over as he smiled at her.
"Right." She returned his smile.
"I'm Stefan." He told her, sticking his hand out.
"Oh, I'm Elena." Giving his hand a shake, she looked over his shoulder.
"Do you mind helping me out?"
"Sorry, I really wish I could, but I have to get to the Grill. Good luck."
"Thanks anyway."

Nodding, she moved past him and rushed down the hall, keeping an eye on the clock as she watched the time. Her mom was going to kill her, as if she didn't have enough to worry about. Now she'd have her mom on the war path.

Walking into the Grill, she looked around when she seen her mom and Jenna sitting in a booth, talking away. Rushing over, she fell into the booth, tidying herself up as much as she could.

"You're late." Miranda spoke, sipping her lemon water.
"Sorry, I had school and cheerleading practice to attend."
"Awh Lena, you're growing up so fast!" Jenna hugged her tightly.
"Right, let's get this filled out. We have to go home and get ready for the founders party, remember?"

Elena rolled her eyes, pulling the sheet towards her as she began filling all the information out. Stefan, he had a familiar look to him. She didn't know what it was, most probably wasn't important. Licking her lips, she got to the end and signed it. Well that was the Miss Mystic Application form completed. Thank the heavens.

"Run along now. Go and get ready for tonight."
"See you later Lena." Jenna gave her a comforting smile.

Elena gave them a soft smile and left the Grill as fast as she could. Now she had to go and get ready for the Founders party at Mayor Lockwood's house. Was she in the mood? No, she wasn't. Where was Damon, when she needed an escape?

Everyone was queing along the grass, waiting to be granted entrance by Mrs Lockwood. Everyone was dressed to a suitable standard. Elena looked around her at the other couples and people entering as Matt tugged her forward and closer to the entrance.

"Awh, hello you two." Mrs Lockwood greeted Matt and Elena."
"Hey." Elena smiled softly as she ushered them inside.

Walking insid

e, Matt smiled at Elena as he walked off to find Tyler. Biting her lip, she walked into the next room, examining the wall art as she tilted her head to the side. There were SO many beautiful pictures. Letting out a breath, she walked out to the back, watching everyone dance under the gazebo.

"Oh honey, you look beautiful." Turning around, she seen her mom and dad standing there.
"Thank you mom."
"Where's Matt?" Grayson asked her, raising an eyebrow.
"Out there somewhere with Tyler."
"Me and your father are going to dance!"

Elena watched her mom and dad go to the dance floor with the other couples and begin dancing, causing her to smile. They looked so carefree, no worries in the world. Looking around, she seen Caroline dancing with that guy Stefan. Tilting her head, she laughed. Hmm, good luck to him.

Elena was sitting on the grass outside of the house, looking at the stars and the moon as she rubbed her arms, shivering. She just wanted to travel the world, see everything that needed to be seen. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she looked behind her to see Matt standing there with a goofy grin. Great, that only meant one thing. He was drunk, which meant another thing. The future talk.

"Hey babe." Matt slurred as she pushed herself to her feet.
"Matt. Come on, I'll bring you home."
"No, I'm not ready to go home. I wanna stay."
"Fine then."
"When will we get married Lena?"
"Matt-"

"Have our children, our own house, a swing set?"
"We're in high school."
"I'm planning ahead."
"Well stop! We've already discussed this many times before!"
"But Elena-"
"No, I'm not doing this over and over again with you Matt!"

She glared at him, turning around as she walked away from Matt and the house. She couldn't do it anymore, she wouldn't. Everyone needed to get off of her back, she wasn't bad person, she didn't deserve all of it. Tears began to fall as she swallowed and walked down the road quickly, needing to get away. Hearing a car horn, she looked around, her eyes blurry as she seen a car stopping by the side of her. The window rolled down as she swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Elena!"
"Damon?" She questioned, her voice hoarse.
"Get in."

Swallowing, she moved over to the car as she got in and closed the door behind her. Damon drove off as Elena stared out of the window, no words being exchanged. It wasn't awkward, it was comfortable, they both knew there was nothing to say. She exhaled and wiped at the tear streaks on her cheeks as she went into a world of her own. He looked over at her, biting his lip as he drove off down a dirt-path, stopping at the falls.

"Talk to me." Damon turned in his head, looking at her.
"I'm done." She whispered, looking out of the window.
"With what?" He furrowed his eyebrows, looking her over.
"Getting the blame put on me," She looked at him, smiling through her tears, "Everyone just wants to take a shot at me, kick me down. They don't care if I get back up. They do their damage and leave. End of."

Swallowing, she looked around as she wiped at the tears falling. Covering her mouth with her hand, she held back a sob. She was sick and tired of the blame and the judgement. He frowned, tucking her hair behind her ear as she slowly looked at him.

"You need to let all of those worries go over your head."
"I can't," She whispered, looking at him, "It's constant. It's finally getting to me and its so...irritating."
"Listen to me Elena-"
"I haven't done anything wrong in my whole life! I'm a good person, I've never hurt anyone or been a bitch."

Damon watched her rambling on and licked his lips. Leaning closer, he brushed his lips against hers, silencing her rambling techniques as she relaxed in an instant, melting against his lips as she brought her hand up, tangling her fingers into his hair. Moving his hand, he placed it on her neck, smoothing his thumb back and forward against her pulse. Her own question now was, where have you been?

A/N: Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed :)

Shauna
xxx