Hello readers, I know nobody likes to scroll through author notes, but I just wanted to thank all of you who have favorited and followed and rated and commented (all positive comments!) that came overnight. I love that and you are all so sweet and appreciated . I will be continuing this story as you can see and hope to update nearly every day. I do apologize for the short chapter, (out all day - familly day) I would have written more tonight but it's almost 2 AM and I should be alseep! TY :*

The sun was above the horizon, and Caroline knew it was time to leave, preparations began at 8:00 for the Miss Mystic Falls Pageant, and Caroline had promised to be there early. "Elena" she started "I know you, you think of others first, and rely on everyone elses happiness before you let yourself breathe, it's quite a thing,it really is, but before you carry this out with Damon, I want you to think about Elena and who she wants. You've heard my opinion, but I'm not the one in love with those boys, that'd be you." She finished her speech with a little decisive huff and let Elena respond.

"Caroline, you are right" Elena said "And I will work on that."

Caroline paused, smiled and said "Okay Elena if your going to be that agreeable, then let's go to Bonnie's, break the news and decide on my dress for the pageant!"

Elena laughed and nodded and they made their way to Bonnie's.

Damon woke up to a constant shuffling and creaking all around the house. The sunlight came in through the old window too early, he had forgotten to pull the blinds, simply due to laziness. He glanced at the clock as he rolled out of bed "7:30 Stefan?" he called out into the house "would you slow down with the wall punching?" No answer, just more creaking. Damon got up and got dressed, now a little on edge with the non-responsive noise in the boarding house. Speeding downstairs, he ran right into the Stefan who dropped his bag on the encounter. His bag? They stood and looked at each other "Morning brother" Damon said breaking the short silence "Thought I'd grab some OJ, do some morning birdwatching. I'm assuming the binoculars are in the duffel?" Stefan made a long, low annoyed sound and picked up the bag.

"What are you doing Damon?" he asked, emotionless.

"I think I should be asking that Stefan" Damon replied. the silence was tense, Stefan pursed his lips, looked at his feet and slowly brought his eyes back to his brothers face "I'm going to talk with Klaus.

Damon took a moment, and countered "What's the bag for then Stef?"

"I have some of Elena's things that I'm just...returning."

"...Why?"

Stefan sighed "Elena...and I broke up."

"Oh" Damon said, he was actually speechless for a moment, no snarky sarcastic comment, he wasn't prepared to hear that. At least not yet, he had just talked to Elena the day before, put Stefan in the lime light. He was surprised Stefan wasn't bawling in a dark room, but he feared that may happen, that he might break. His calmness was odd. "I'm sure it's just a rough spot...with the transition...stress, and all."

Stefan gave a short, flat chuckle and glared into Damon's eyes "Let's not pretend like this isn't the best day of your life." Stefan hissed, and turned to walk out the door.

Damon stood in the hallway with his eyes wide after Stefan left. After a few seconds he was just puzzled, Stefan is back he thought his humanity is back and now they split. I just don't get it. He decided he better not get his hopes up. His history with women was like Alaric's, and he wasn't a man who had truly been loved. He simply did not believe she loved him, this was about her and Stefan. Not him.

"So it was about Damon too then?" Bonnie asked

"Well...yeah. We both kind of agreed that I have feelings for Damon." Elena confirmed

Bonnie hesitated, but asked anyway "Do you love him, Elena?"

There was Bonnie asking the hard questions. She was an objective kind of girlfriend. Caroline hadn't asked, but was ready to hear as they walked to the Lockwood Mansion Elena looked forward, she felt a little guilty to say it "I think I could. I'm not really ready to say it yet, you know?"

"Is that as far as we're gonna get today then?" Caroline asked with a friendly smirk.

"Yep, because we have to get you and April ready for the pageant. Life goes on remember?" Elena answered. And she was ready to do just that until she looked across the lawn and saw someone. A dark-haired, vampire someone looking right at her.

Thanks so so so much or reading, you have done a good deed today by boosting my ego :* r&r (What a super hip thing to do) Love all you...people in the world. Any advice? Nice or harsh comments are all good here, I accept all advice. :*