A/N: Again, thanks so much to all who are reading. I know it's been forever since Bonnie and Damon have had any moments together and I will be focusing on them for a while. So, I hope you enjoy.
As usual, I do not own the characters. They are the property of LJ Smith and CW network.
Chapter 10
The park had always been a peaceful place for Bonnie. She sat far enough in the back as to not be disturbed by the boisterous shouts of toddlers and elementary school kids. Sometimes, she just needed some fresh air. She could feel a little claustrophobic in her house if she didn't get some outside time once in a while.
Elena had completely surprised her – showing up out of the blue and bringing up Damon. Bonnie was in no way ready for the conversation, but she handled it. She was proud of the way she handled it too. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice they guy running towards her.
"Bonnie?" The young man questioned.
"Yes?"
"I thought it was you. How are you?"
It was taking a minute for Bonnie to place him. She knew she had seen him around school. But, he wasn't in her grade. Maybe, he was the year below, making him a junior.
"Good. I'm good. And you?"
"Sweaty and hot. I'm just out for a jog."
"Exercise is so important." What?! What did I just say? Have I completely lost the ability to talk?
"I guess," the young man chuckled, sitting next to Bonnie on the park bench. "You have no idea who I am, do you?"
"Would it be completely rude if I say no?"
"Yes, but I'll forgive you. I'm Josh."
And that was all it took. Bonnie remembered him now. He was a year below. She had seen him around the campus last year – track, yearbook club, and a few of her AP classes. She had never really noticed him before. But, now that he was in front of her, she was definitely noticing him now.
"Yes, Josh, hi."
"Hi Bonnie. You looked so serious earlier. Everything okay?"
"Fine. Just thinking about some things."
"Anything I can do?"
Who says chivalry is dead? This boy is a cutie. "Thanks, but no. Just girl stuff."
"What's going on here?" Damon asked.
Bonnie hadn't even noticed Damon approaching them, so she was completely surprised when Damon's voice interrupted the conversation. I must be off my game. Two guys approached and I didn't notice a thing.
"We're talking." Josh answered, giving Damon a look that shouted get lost. Bonnie almost laughed at the situation. Josh didn't know he was trying to intimidate a centuries-old vampire who could dismantle him in mere seconds. Damon just looked bored.
"What are you doing here?" Bonnie asked Damon, hoping to diffuse the situation.
"Just walking. You know me, I just love taking walks," quipped Damon sarcastically.
"You also love picking flowers. There's some. Go over there." Bonnie replied sweetly.
"Not when it's obvious you need me."
"Need you for what?"
"I can see that you're being bothered by this boy here."
"Excuse me." Josh entered the conversation. "We were chatting and then you came."
"Is that how it happened?" Damon retorted being deliberately obtuse.
"Yes." Josh and Bonnie simultaneously answered.
"Oh, well, since I'm here, I might as well stay." Damon shrugged.
"Or you could go." Bonnie suggested.
Looking between Bonnie and this other guy, Josh wondered what was going on between them. It was something. Maybe undefined, but definitely something.
"Are you two dating?" Josh wondered aloud.
"Absolutely not." Bonnie said emphatically.
"Funny you should say that. She's kind of like my stalker. Completely obsessed with me."
"I am not!" Bonnie nearly shouted. Oh, how she would love to give Damon an aneurysm and have him howling in pain. But, she wouldn't do it with Josh sitting right next to her.
"She always denies it. But, truth is, she's got the hots for me." Damon winked.
"So not true. I mean, none of it. We're friends. That's it. Honest." Bonnie tried to convince Josh. She didn't want him believing that she was some crazy girl.
Bonnie couldn't believe Damon. There is no way there could ever be something between Damon and I.
Josh stood up to leave. Although he didn't believe this other guy, there was definitely something going on. "Bonnie, I'll just see you around. Bye." He said with a nod and started jogging again.
"Why would you do that?" Bonnie half shouted at Damon.
"Oh, come on. He didn't believe me."
"Not the point, psycho."
"Words can hurt, Bonnie." Damon added, taking the recently vacated seat next to her.
"For the record, I don't have the hots for you."
"Are you sure? I'm told that I'm hard to resist."
"And who says that? Girls you've compelled? Hardly a reliable source."
"Them, yes. And others. In fact, your own ancestor Emily may have used the word charming once or twice."
"Before or after you devoted yourself to Katherine?"
"Ha ha, Bennett. Both."
"Doubt it."
"Well, since there's no one here to disprove it, you're going to have to take my word."
"Not the issue Damon. You embarrassed me. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were jealous."
"Delusional now, are we? Maybe you've been in the sun too long?"
"If I were, you definitely would not be here with me. I'd aim a lot higher."
"Higher than this? You are delusional."
"And you were jealous. Admit it."
"I'm admitting to nothing. I just came for something…no, someone to eat."
"Damon, you better not be spilling innocent blood."
"No one is innocent."
"Damon. I mean it."
"Sure, Judgey. I'm listening."
He is so frustrating sometimes. Just when you think he's decent, he becomes a total asshole. Rising to her feet, Bonnie focused on the blood vessels in Damon's head. Pain exploded in his skill as Bonnie gave him several aneurysms.
"Listening to me now?" Bonnie asked rhetorically as she started the walk back towards her house. I think I made my point.
