A couple of days had gone by since that night. I tried my best to shake off the nagging feelings and battled to ignore Damon's strange behavior. But then again I knew Damon wasn't very predictable and he never had been. I managed to eat a few full meals around Jenna so that was an improvement. Jeremy still wasn't speaking to me all that much but I don't believe that either one of us had the emotional energy to focus much on the situation.

"I think we should just go out and have some fun, maybe go to the pub and play pool like old times. What do you think?" Bonnie chirped, digging for books in her locker.

"Yeah, that would be nice." I answered. I meant it. Things had gotten so heavy recently I just needed to get out and have a good time. Stefan had been suggesting the same thing so I knew he would be up for it. Stefan and Bonnie had both been working constantly to try to make me feel better so I would feel bad if I didn't at least give it a little effort.

"Alright, so tonight then? Maybe around eight?" She asked, closing her locker.

"Sure." I agreed.

The day seemed to be dragging on and by lunch I considered ditching again but I had done that a little too often in the last week or so. Stefan and I were waking to our last class when a shrill voice called my name from halfway down the hall. I turned to find Caroline skipping down the hall towards us with Matt in tow.

"Hey guys!" She called, clearly more excited then usual.

"Hey." I turned as she came to a halt in front of me. "What's going on?" I asked.

"I just wanted to give you this." She said, a huge smile spread across her face and she tucked a lock of her blond hair firmly behind her ear as she always did when she was bursting with excitement.

I took the pale pink envelope from her hands.

"It's an invitation to the party for my birthday this Saturday. It's going to be awesome. This is for you, Stefan and Damon. He needs to come..I have a friend visiting from Florida that he has got to meet. She's a knock out and so is he so it's kind of like...perfect." She laughed.

"Alright, thanks Caroline. I guess we'll see you then." I smiled trying to shake off a fresh wave of that horrible feeling. She smiled and then whisked away as quickly as she had come to continue giving out her invitations.

Stefan and I made our way out the parking lot in our usual parking spaces.

"So do you just want to go to the house with me until we go to the pub tonight?" Stefan asked smiling lightly.

"No, I'm just going to go home and unwind a little, it's been a long day." I explained opening my car door.

His face fell. "What's going on Elena. You usually love to hang out with me after school." He pouted.

"Im sorry." I sighed. "I'm just trying to work through all these changes. I'm just a little stressed." I explained. He gave me a long steady look and then nodded. I watched him turn and begin to walk to his car.

"Stefan?" I called. He turned around and came back to me. "Look, I'm sorry I've been acting so weird. I really am. I've just been feeling so strange and I didn't really want to bring this up but Damon has been acting really strange around me. Like, more then usual. He's being...well, not even flirtatious but ...sweet. Like relationship sweet and he's just making me feel so strange." I watched him shift his weight in annoyance.

"Look Elena. Damon and I have been arguing, a little more then usual. He's just trying to get a rise out of me so don't let it bother you okay? He'll get over it and leave you alone eventually." He explained. I nodded and smiled even though it felt like my heart had just fallen out of my chest. I kissed him quickly on the cheek and made it out of the parking lot before the tears began. How could I have been so stupid to think Damon actually felt something. Of course it wasn't about me, how typically Damon! How did I not see that for myself!

I made it into the house and up the stairs before I could be bombarded by Jenna's constant questions and worried stares. I paced the floor for what seemed like forever, thinking and rethinking to everything Damon had said and done. Trying to make sense of why I could have taken it so seriously. I couldn't find any conclusion but I would not fall for it again. After a while I realized I needed to get dressed and get going if I was going to meet them by eight. I hurried through it all building myself with determination to stop this ridiculous weakness and be strong.

I walked into the pub right at eight and spotted them instantly across the room at the pool tables. Stefan, Bonnie, Matt and Caroline. I took a deep breath and readied myself for the night. I could do this, I told myself. I could just relax and be happy.

"Missed you." Stefan said quietly kissing the top of my hair as I joined them. I smiled back up at him and then grabbed a pool stick.

"Omigod, I cannot wait till the party this Saturday!" Caroline repeated for the fifth time since we had started playing.

"So how did your mom manage to have this place closed just for your birthday?" I smiled up at Caroline as I was leaning in to take a shot.

"She carries a gun?" Caroline shrugged. We all chimed into laughter. I hit the ball and managed to pocket three balls.

"Yes!" I jumped up and cheered. I grabbed Stefan around the neck and kissed him. For the first time a felt a little more relaxed. I wasn't sure if it was pure will and determination or if I was actually beginning to feel okay. After a long kiss I laid my chin on his shoulder as we hugged. That's when I spotted him across the room sitting at the bar. He was looking right at me. His eyes were sad and even looked horrible tired. He looked down for a second like he hadn't even noticed me. He threw back the glass he had in his hand and polished off whatever was in it and then he was gone. Disappearing in a flash. I saw the door slam as he made his way out. I backed away just in time to notice a strange glance between Bonnie and Stefan and then he looked back behind him at the door that had just recently closed. I started to worry and maybe even contemplated racing to the parking lot to see if he was okay but remembered what Stefan had told me earlier that day. I wouldn't fall for it. A couple of more hours passed and we finally decided to get home.

Driving home I cranked up the music and tried to forget Damon storming out of the pub and the questions that arose in my mind when I saw the strange look that Stefan and Bonnie exchanged. I was done with the questions. I was done with the worry. That is until I saw another flash in my mind that caused me to slam on the brakes. A vision of Damon burning in the sun and Stefan pulling me away from him.

(Salvatore's House)

Damon & Stefan.

Stefan made his way inside just as he saw Damon grabbing keys and walking towards the door. Damon stopped suddenly when he saw Stefan.

"Where are you going?" Stefan asked. Damon stood for a long moment starring at Stefan.

"I know why Katherine didn't make you forget." Damon replied.

"Really and why is that?" Stefan asked staying calm and controlled.

"She wanted us to hate each other." Damon said taking a few steps closer.

"Is it working?" Stefan asked closing the door the rest of the way and making his way past Damon into the livingroom. He glanced back at Damon who didn't bother turning to look at Stefan.

"Yes." he answered simply. He walked to the door and began to leave.

"You didn't answer my question, where are you going?" Stefan asked.

"I'm going to Katherine." He answered.

"What are you going to do, get her to make Elena remember? You know she won't." Stefan shaking his head.

"I know she won't that's not what I'm going for." He answered.

Stefan stormed back to the front door right up to Damon. "Then what are you doing Damon?"

"I'm doing what I have to do." Damon answered and then he was gone.

Tell me what you think! :D