Chapter 8: Need to Talk

The heat was slowly building, the atmosphere only becoming that much more intense. The flame flickered once again, the room fading into darkness and soon enough it found light again. The sun shined in through the windows, the rays giving the area a comfortable glow. The music was on low, the incredible harmony flooding through the stereo speakers. Moans and groans, cursing and squealing echoed throughout the room, the heat intensifying by each passing second.

"Can I not just squeeze it?" Elena moaned.
"No, you can't squeeze it, you have to be gentle." He told her.
"But I want to squeeze it!" The brunette once again replied.
"Elena."

Elena groaned as she buckled over her own feet, ONCE AGAIN. What was going on in her head today? Usually, she had such good coordination. Maybe it was just the blue-eyed god who was distracting her. With a roll of his eyes, he gave her an earth shattering grin and pulled her close, dipping her to the ground as she burst into laughter. It had been a week since she had asked Damon to be her date to Miss Mystic and not an ounce of doubt or regret flooded her system. She hadn't been this thrilled and happy in such a long while.

"Uh, you suck!" Elena whined as he pulled her back up to her feet.
"You're the one with the two left feet." He smirked.
"Yeah! Well," She stammered, "It's all your fault!"
"Pffft, I beg to differ." He laughed, lifting her against him.

"Damon," She smiled shyly, "How do you know the dance?" She tilted her head.
"I was taught," He shrugged, placing her back down, "A while back now."
"Why?" She raised her eyebrows, running her hands down his arms.
"Maybe I predicted that one day, I would get a chance to dance with someone so beautiful, such as yourself."
"Oh...my god," Elena laughed, "That was garble! Especially coming from you!"
"Oh, was it now, huh?" Damon grinned, tickling her.

Shrieking, Elena tried to move away, but he held her close, pinning her arms by her side as he continued the torture. Laughing, she felt the pulling of her muscles as her stomach clenched from the sensation. It was like all your nerves coming together and attacking you in a wild frenzy. With all of her strength, she gave him a push as he lost his balance and tumbled back onto the couch, still holding her close.

She looked down at him, settling herself more comfortably as she moved her legs, straddling him. Damon stared up at her, reaching up to stroke his knuckles across her cheek as she leaned into him, her eyes fluttering shut in the process. The fire sparked and flickered before settling down again. Elena opened her eyes, chocolate meeting blue, thrilling meeting calm. Laying herself down on him completely, she stroked her fingertips against his forehead as he closed his eyes in response, inhaling.

"Hi." Elena murmured against his cheek.
"Hi back." He responded, kneading circles into her lower back with his thumb.

Smiling, she cupped his face in her hands as she began peppering soft kisses to his eyelids and cheeks, enjoying the sound of his quiet moans. Stroking his hair back from his face, she studied him and pecked his lips lightly as he opened his eyes, grinning lazily.

"Lena?"
"Hmm?" She murmured, stroking her finger across his cheek.
"Can I ask you something?" He furrowed his eyebrows.
"Yeah, of course you can." Elena answered, trailing her finger down his neck.
"Why me?" Damon questioned.

"What?" She looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Just...I mean, why? Why...pick me?" He frowned.
"Oh Damon," She kissed him softly, stroking his cheek, "Why wouldn't I? At hello, YOU had me. I was captured, intrigued, even interested. I asked you what I wanted and you told me. You told me exactly what I wanted to hear, NEEDED to hear. I am...picking you because I need to see if what I feel is real. I like you Damon, I like you...more than I've liked anyone. I...I may not know everything about you, but I'm okay with that. When the time is right, you can tell me."

A smile made its way onto his face as he placed his hands on her neck and pulled her down, kissing her with every ounce of passion he was feeling at that moment. Kissing him back, she pressed her hands against his chest and bit on his lower lip as he moaned out and threaded his fingers into her hair, tilting her head back as he kissed down her throat, inhaling the jasmine.

"Elena."
"Shh. I know." She whispered, kissing him again as she laid her head down on his chest.

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, stroking his hand down her back as he held her close, inhaling. What was this feeling? He closed his eyes, running his hand up to her hair as he began playing with it and massaged his fingers into her scalp. Why did he feel so drawn? Opening his eyes, he swallowed. He never felt this way about Katherine. He looked down at Elena, studying her features as her eyes were closed and she was drawing steady breaths, obviously nodding off from his massaging. Was he...in love? He frowned, biting his lip and kissed her temple, holding her closer as he buried his face into her hair. What the hell was going on?

People walked in and out in a rush, panicking, hyperventilating and cursing. The Miss Mystic Falls was upon them and all the girls in the running were freaking out. Elena sat in front of the mirror, her heart racing as she smoothed the lip gloss across her lips. What was going to happen when everyone seen her with Damon? Closing her eyes tightly, she rubbed the heel of her palm against her chest and looked around the room, watching the other girls begin to get ready. Caroline sat on the other side of the room, shooting daggers every few seconds, not helping the nerves in her stomach.

"Elena honey," Jenna walked in and over to her, sitting next to her, "Hey you."
"Jenna, I'm scared." Elena replied quickly, turning to her.
"Why? What's the matter honey?" She tucked her hair behind her hair, being careful not to mess it up.
"Damon. I'm dancing with Damon. Everyone...everyone watching, no one knows."
"That what? You're dancing together? Its only dancing."

"Jenna, I-" She swallowed, a lump making its way into her throat.
"Oh my god...Elena," Jenna stared at her, shocked, "You...you-"
"Nu uh...no. I do NOT."
"Girls, chop chop. Its almost time!" Caroline Lockwood gave them all a look and walked out again.
"You better go." Elena rubbed her neck, looking in the mirror as she checked her make up.
"Do you want me to go and get him, hmm?" She raised an eyebrow as Elena stared into the mirror.
"Uhmm."
"I'll get him."

Jenna kissed the top of her head, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze as she walked out, and went downstairs quickly and looked around. Where were they? She furrowed her eyebrows, scanning the rooms and walked into the back room that was under the stairs and looked inside. She seen him standing at the window, or at least she thought it was him. Biting her lip, she went over and tapped him on the shoulder as he turned around and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Are you Damon Salvatore?" Jenna questioned, tilting her head.
"Yeah that's me, I'm sorry, do I know you?"
"Oh no, I'm Elena's Aunt Jenna, I was just speaking to her. Uhm...she's pretty nervous about this whole ordeal you two have-"
"Wait, what-"
"Just go and speak to her...by what I've heard, she trusts you."

She gave him a soft smile and walked out, leaving him to himself. Licking his lips, he walked out of the room and made his way upstairs, feeling nervous for some reason. Was she feeling the same way that he was? Rubbing his jaw, he got to the landing and looked around, listening out as he heard Elena. Biting his lip, he followed her voice and poked his head into the room, seeing her sitting in front of her vanity, talking away to herself. Seeing a few others and one that he remembered as Caroline, he walked in slowly and over to Elena.

"Lena."
"Damon," Elena looked up, biting her lip, "You're...here."
"Of course I am," He bent down in front of her, taking her hands, "What's the matter?"
"I just...I don't know, god. I'm so worried Damon."
"Is this about your dad and mom?"
"Yes." She answered honestly.

"It will be alright." He wrapped his arms around her, rubbing soothing circles on her back.
"Why do I always feel so calm when you're around?" She whispered into his ear as she twined her arms around his neck.
"Because you have the same exact effect on me." Damon replied, kissing her cheek as he pulled back, "Now get yourself ready and be the strong, independent girl who doesn't care about anyone elses opinion. You are ready for this and your mom and dad might finally see that they have to let you go, because you're your own person."

Grinning slowly, she leaned forward, pressing her lips against his in a light kiss as she swiped her thumb across his bottom lip, removing the lip gloss. Smiling, he kissed her hands and got up, leaving the room as she turned back to the mirror, catching Caroline's gaze in the mirror. All that mattered is what happened next.

The girls had gone down one by one, 7 girls remaining to take their place in the line for the Miss Mystic Falls dance. Elena waited in the room as the girls waited on the landing. She needed her space to think about what was going to happen. She could do this, Damon was right. She was a grown up. An independent woman who deserved to be listened to. Smiling, she laced her fingers together and let out a shaky breath. If she wanted to take this step with Damon, she needed to take the biggest step yet. Standing up to her parents and being on a moral high ground. Hearing the creaking of the door, she turned on her heels quickly, her blue silk dress swiveling with her movements as she seen Stefan.

"Stefan." She swallowed, raising an eyebrow.
"Elena, we need to talk."

A/N: Hey everyone, I hope you have enjoyed! Let me know what you think :)

Shauna

xxx