Hey, I'm sorry for the late update I have been busy but here it is.

The morning breeze drifted through the open window sending shivers down my spine as I pealed my eyes open. The harsh light flooded in as I lay back onto the soft fluffy cushions beneath me. My hand reaches out to grab my glass of water and I tip it backwards to my lips. The sweet fragrance of a rose finds its way up my nostrils and I notice a single red rose standing still in my glass.

I pick it up and the thorns pierce the skin on my finger slightly and, a drop of crimson coloured blood trickles slowly down my finger and I wipe it clean. Bewildered, I place the rose back on my bedside table and discover a note written in curvaceous, old fashioned handwriting on.

You can't see the wood through the trees.

I stare at it for a while before getting up and placing it in my diary not wanting to think of how it got there let alone what it meant. I got up and ready for my day at school, first by showering and allowing the warm water to try and wake me up. I massage my head with my coconut shampoo, relaxing as I do so. Despite knowing I shouldn't I can't help but think about Damon Salvatore. He and Jeremy had connected so well, it was weird because Jeremey hates any boy that's a friend of mine, in particular Mason. Shaking it from my head, I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my body before planning an outfit for the day. Shorts and a camisole will do. Afterwards I sluggishly go downstairs to get my breakfast and Jeremy comes bounding past me.

"Elena when's your friend next coming round?"

"He's not my friend Jer,"

"But do you have his number," he asks nudging me in the ribs.

"Yes I do, know go away," I huff and he just grins back like an idiot.

Caroline and I are sitting at our table at the back of our class with some boys from the football team that just so happened to make it into the top English Literature class. I try and take some notes on the text we've been given but Caroline's constant blabbering makes it near to impossible. I try to usher her a little bit but, she is having none of it. No, instead she tells the boys about how her Dad is opening up a sports Bar with his new partner. The aggravation builds up inside of me until I can't take it no more without slapping her.

"You know I'm going to go outside for a while, I feel a bit queasy and need some air." I tell them all pulling my chair out and starting to walk out. I can feel all the boys' eyes on me like the perverts they are, if only Mason was here then they wouldn't dare. I walk out into the corridor and make my way to the library, I open the creaky door and am hit with the initial musty, old book smell since this place is so ancient. I continue manoeuvring my way around the library and its shelves to find my own little secluded spot which no one knows about.

I sit there on the worn arm chair and grab a classical book of my choosing from one of the enclosing shelves. The chair is positioned directly where the sunlight comes in through the small, stained glass window otherwise there would be no light to read. I open the book and read until the bell goes to signal lunch.

I re-join the others at the table standing up still. Big arms slither their way around my waist as they pull me to reside on the seat, so that everyone can see the king and queen of the school.

"Hello babe," he says in my ear as I sit on his lap.

"Hi," I respond with a kiss to my darling boyfriend. I eat my lunch whilst listening to the goings on of other people's day. Not really paying attention as per usual until Caroline opens her mouth yet again.

"Elena are you pregnant or something?"

"WHAT?" I screech and everyone looks towards me.

"Well you've been acting strangely recently," she says in a very condescending tone so as to belittle me.

"That doesn't mean I'm pregnant Caroline, Jesus Christ how dumb are you?"

"Well you've been feeling sick as well,"

"One sick day does not mean I'm pregnant,"

"And you've gained a few pounds," she says with a shrug and I can't help but feel offended.

"It's true Elena you do need to lose some weight," Mason interjects and I turn to face him

"Are you serious, I'm on birth control Mason," I exclaim

"I know that I'm not saying you're pregnant Elena. I'm just saying you're getting fat," he tells me and I feel like I've been slapped.

"Whatever I'll leave you guy's to fantasize together about a phantom pregnancy but, if you're going to be rude and damn right nasty I think I'll leave," I say whilst trying to get out of Mason's arms but he holds tighter.

"You're not going anywhere Elena, so sit back down," he whispers in my ear venomously so that no one else would hear.

"Yes I am, in future don't insult me and then there wouldn't be a reason for me to leave," I tell him firmly before breaking free from his grasp and leaving the cafeteria back to my book corner ignoring his protests. Wanting to leave the feeling of betrayal behind, I pick the book I was reading before and open it. Just as I do, a note on thick paper with the same curvaceous handwriting falls out of the pages. I pick it up and read it.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Who the hell is writing me these notes? How could they possibly know this place and what book I was reading, without being here themselves? And how did they get a note in my bedroom? Weird. I hid out there like a scared little girl. I have no idea what I'm doing anymore. I love Mason or at least I think I do however, the way he's been treating me recently. He had every reason to be angry at me on Sunday when he hurt me but, was he taking it too far? I also caught him with that waitress. I know what I did with Damon was wrong but I never outright cheated on him. Moreover there was no need to call me fat when I'm a size 6. A standard healthy size for someone my age and height.

Big lumps of water trail down my face melting into my long chestnut hair. Drips of mascara combining with the tears making the innocent steaks, dark and black. Is Jeremy right? Maybe it's just a fluke. Or am I just being naïve and fooling myself into thinking that all these idiots care about me and are actually my friends? Or are they being caring in a very blunt way?

I was leaning against Masons BMW M3 in blue waiting for him with my arms crossed and after about 15 minutes when the car park was more or less empty he shows up. His dirty blond hair styled perfectly, his white teeth showing off as he flashed me a grin. He kissed me on the cheek before unlocking the door leaving me to open my own door. Mason drove to the Salvatore Boarding house talking all the way about himself, and trust me it was the last thing I wanted to hear.

When we got there I got straight out and went to the front door. It was already open so I walked straight through to the back of the house.

"Elena where do you think you're going?"

"I've been here before I know my way to the back of the house, it's straight through," I tell him, continuing to lead the way and he follows quietly. I reach the French doors that lead out on the decking and garden and, open those to reveal the large expanse of green that surround the house. I see a figure dresses in black come out from the small outhouse to the edge of the field. He beckons us towards him and we start to amble across the field.

"Hey Elena you alright?" Damon asks me as I get to him. He looks past me and sees Masons dawdling behind. I nod my head silently in response remembering Mason's words about killing him if he comes near me. "Hey Mason hurry up before the snails get ahead of you," he calls jokingly whilst Mason gives him a dirty look.

"Why are you so eager to get started?" Mason asks

"I hate gardening so the sooner we get started the sooner we can finish and, I can amaze Elena's taste buds again with my cooking," he laughs and Mason's eyes transfer to a darker shade of blue before finally reaching our spot and gripping my hand tightly in his. "Right then Mason and I will cut the vervain, Elena you need to put the equivalent of 50 stalks into each of the 10 baskets. Feel free to use gloves," he says before putting some on himself and tucking the sleeves of his black shirt into them.

I grab one of the baskets and trail behind the boys as they begin to walk into the midst of the woods, Damon taking the lead as we follow. After a short while we reach a clearing and as far as the eye can see is purple fields after purple fields. I crouch down and pluck a lavender coloured plant from the ground observing the shape and complex structure.

"So what medicinal purposes does it carry?" I ask still admiring the plant.

"It's used to prevent damage to the mind," Damon says hesitantly

"How so?"

"It's obviously good at protecting the mind from dangerous things. Ask your Dad I'm sure he knows more being the doctor and all," I nod still curious however accepting his answer. The boys begin to hack into the overgrown plants and I follow behind silently picking up the stalks and separating them into their allocated baskets. The sun was beating down on my back as I worked on organising Damon and Mason's chaos. I could see Mason getting frustrated trying to cut down plant after plant and I noticed how Damon took joy in it.

"Elena how much more do you need?" Mason huffs

"Umm about 43," I tell him and his face grows tighter as his jaw clenches.

"Come on Mason what's a little bit of hard work? Don't tell me those muscles are the work of steroids?" Damon jokes which only furthers Mason's frustration and I can see him grinding his teeth. After about 20 minutes I finally shout out to tell them that we are done. We trudge back to the house and I place the baskets on the veranda. I go into the enormous kitchen and rinse my hands in the sink; ridding them of all the dirt.

"Elena, next time your Dad volunteers you to do something make sure you decline," Mason growls into my ear as he stands behind me.

"Come on it wasn't that bad and you didn't have to come,"

"I did because you would be around that creep and who knows what you could have gotten up to?"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean Mason?"

"It means that he has motives. He's not interested in you, only your body," he snarls before moving away from me.

I frown as my mind begins to roll over what he just said.

I listen in to their conversation growing increasingly agitated at his words. I am interested in Elena for both her body and her personality which is more than I can say for him. Elena simply compels me towards her and she doesn't have to do anything to do it. When I hear the shuffle of feet away from the sink I walk in so as to start cooking. Elena has her back to me her long, brown hair pulled up into a pony tail on top of her head. She wore a beige camisole which had been smeared by dust and dirt. It was paired with some denim shorts that were way too high than what I'm sure her Dad would find appropriate. Her converse were also covered in dirt but it was kind of sexy.

"You've been awfully quiet last time you were here all we did was talk," I say and she turns to face me with a towel in her hands. Her hair whipping behind her as her chocolate eyes bore into mine with a sad look. I know why she's said. Hibernating in an enclosed space in library hidden by books is where she had been hiding. Away from those so called friends I just wish that she would see that they don't care about her.

"I… er… haven't been feeling well today that's all,"

"So nothing to do with the over possessive boyfriend who thinks I'm a threat?" I say while getting the cooking utensils out.

"He's just looking out for me,"

"I would never hurt you Elena, there's no need for you to be protected around me," I say softly looking at her and I watch as her face contorts in guilt and grimaces in pain like she regrets telling me to stay away.

"I know but after dancing with you and what happened in the car park he took a dislike to you,"

"You didn't do anything wrong Elena, you danced with a friend. If he doesn't want you to interact with the male species than he has a serious problem,"

"He doesn't have a problem with the male species, he has a problem with you." Her words swirl around me as if they are poison. This guy has his hooks in her so deep that she can't even see what he's doing to her. He's bullying her emotionally and depriving her of her freedom to make her own choices and friends.

"Just because it's his problem doesn't mean that it's yours princess. Now do you want me to teach you how to cook a delicious casserole whilst Mr OTT is off doing God knows what?" I ask trying to sound more chipper. She nods meekly and I begin to order her around the kitchen telling her what ingredients to add in, how to cut the vegetables in a way that makes them small without cutting her fingers off. Not that I minded blood.

She stands over the pot stirring the sauce and I walk to stand behind her back with a spoon. I dip it into the liquid and bring it to my mouth. Perfect. I bring the spoon to Elena's mouth so that she could taste our work of art. I watch as her eyes close and her long lashes tangle together. She opens them with a smile on her face her white teeth gleaming with pride. She lets out a soft moan of appreciation and boy was it a turn on.

"Well don't you two look cosy," Mason snarls from his spot leaning against the door frame. I had been so absorbed in all things Elena I hadn't even heard him approach us. I feel Elena detangle herself from me as she tries to make space.

"Elena was just helping me cook dinner and the sauce tastes amazing I must say," I say with a grin. Mason's eyes flicker to me before he give Elena a very nasty and dangerous glare. Hearing her heart skip a beat I begin to worry. Not because I feel threatened by him but because, he must have done or said something to make her this scared and jumpy.

"Where have you been Mason?"

"Talking to Tyler. Apparently there's a party by the falls tomorrow night. How long till dinner?"

"Another 20 minutes and were good to go," I say

"Well in that case Elena and I will go sit outside and wait until you've finished it," Mason says abruptly and quite rudely and he goes to Elena. I don't miss how he grips her arm tightly making her wince as he practically drags her outside. I peer out the window watching the couple. Mason towers over her in a threatening stance as she cowers and shies away from him. I see his lips moving rapidly and decided to listen in on their conversation.

"I thought I told you to stay away from him Elena!"

"He was only showing me how to cook there was nothing more to it Mason," I hear her desperate voice shake in fear.

"Oh really? Nothing more to it when you let him put his hands on you again. Let his body near yours. Let him breathe your scent and hear your voice!" I hear him holler at her.

"It wasn't meant in that way,"

"Maybe not to you but I'm pretty sure it was to him Elena,"

"Please Mason it was harmless,"

"I already told you what I would do if he ever came near you again Elena,"

"NO," she gasps her eyes widening in horror.

"I will make him regret ever laying his eyes on what's mine,"

"You can't be serious! He was teaching me how to cook!"

"I'm deadly serious Elena, and I will make it as painful as possible for him."

I frown not sure on what to think about the situation. I'm not scared of Mason he's a pathetic little human however, I was scared for Elena. The guy seems impulsive and a danger to be around. I had to get her away from him. But how?

I finish up with the food and put it on the plates before placing them in the dining room and poured some drinks. I walked into the garden and gestured for them to come in. Elena's head is hanging slightly and her eyes downcast. They sit beside each other Mason facing opposite me, his posture is stiff but his face is glowing. We begin eating our food and I can tell by the gleam in her eyes that she is enjoying it but, it is also shadowed by the fear that consumes her.

"So there's a party tomorrow by the falls that is strictly guys are you going to go Damon?" Mason asks his smirk widening.

"I didn't know I was invited and aren't I a little old to be hanging around teenage boys?"

"Never stopped you hanging around teenage girls,"

"I was simply helping Elena with her car if that is what you are referring too,"

"And the after party,"

"Was simply a way of saying thank you. That's a form of manners maybe you should look it up. How's your food Elena?" I ask and she glances upwards at me timidly as I try to change the subject.

"Don't you speak to her!" Mason yells

"Since when did you own her?" I yell back

"She is my girlfriend and I don't appreciate other guys trying it on with my girlfriend!"

"I didn't try anything you moron!"

"Do you know what? You invitation still stands out of manners but, if you're not going to hang around teenage boys then stop trying to hang around teenage girls!" He stands up abruptly grabbing Elena by the arm and dragging her out of the house, a glass smashing on the floor as he did so. I could hear Elena's pleads for him to stop and calm down and, in the back of my mind I knew I should have followed them. But I didn't.

Mason shoved me into his car before moving to his own side, putting on his seat belt and starting up the engine. He starts driving as he rambles on about Damon. Damon. I feel so bad for him knowing that Mason was going to hurt him probably at this party. His stunning blue eyes that reminded me of a clear sky. His messy hair and how sexy he looked as I saw his muscles through his shirt whilst he worked.

"Lena are you listening to me?" He half yells

"No not really," I tell him being blunt looking out the window. He glares at me momentarily before speaking in a horse yet calm voice.

"Elena, whatever is going on in that stupid head of yours needs out. You are not being yourself as of late and it does make me wonder whether you're as innocent as you're making out,"

"What are you taking about?" I snap facing towards him now.

"I'm talking about you and your guilty conscience," he says boring his eyes into mine.

"I don't have a guilty conscience I haven't done anything wrong!"

"Well then what has made you as distracted as of late?"

"You being an awful boyfriend is what's wrong,"

"What the hell are you going on about Elena?" he yells

"I caught you actually cheating, you called me fat in front of everybody! Don't forget what happened on Sunday Mason. And also the fact that you have told me that you are going to hurt Damon!"

"Don't say his name,"

"Oh I'm sorry, even if he's not in the equation what about Sunday?" I say sarcastically

"What happened on Sunday was a misunderstanding and it lead to great things," he smirked

"Oh my God Mason you are an absolute idiot!"

"This is about him isn't it?"

"About who Mason?"

"About Damon Salvatore, he's been playing with your mind I swear Elena I told you to stay away from him and, you've been seeing him behind my back. Haven't you? What else was said whilst you was cooking? What else did you do?" He accuses with a face as cold as stone.

"Nothing has happened Mason your paranoid. He showed me how to cook,"

"You jumped at the chance of having dinner with him though didn't you?"

"You had not tasted his cooking!"

"Well neither had you apparently," he tells me with an emotionless stare.

"Do you think he let me starve for the 5 hours I was with him on Saturday?"

"Well if you managed to fit in dinner,"

"Lunch actually," I interject mid-way through his sentence

"Then what else could you have found the time to do?"

"Fix my car and talk,"

"Oh so you talked now,"

"Well I wasn't going to ignore him when he had offered to fix my car,"

"Oh is that your excuse now?" his voice is condescending as he stares down at me.

"I didn't sleep with him Mason,"

"Did you do anything else?"

"Of course not Mason, I would never cheat on you! Your my boyfriend not my fuckbuddy,"

"No but your probably his though,"

"No Mason, I'm not,"

"Listen here you little slut, I will find out the truth tomorrow night and if you did anything with him, even gave him a hug. I will personally see to it that your life is over." He threatens me grabbing my chin a harsh grip, with only one hand on the stirring wheel.

"Mason why are you being like this?"

"Because I love you Elena, and I don't want anyone near you that might want to take you away from me…" the car makes a sudden jolt as it crashes into a tree. It skids towards the cliff hang near Wickery Bridge. I feel the car tilting slightly on the edge and hear the squeaks coming from the battered metal. Mason's side is hovering over the water whereas my side is still on land.

"ELENA GET OUT NOW!" I reach for the handle to find that is jammed.

"Mason it won't open," I cry tears streaming down my face. He reaches over and tries to open it but to no avail.

"Move out of my way so I can break the door down!" He yells at me and I climb carefully into the backseat as the car tips slightly more. I watch with misty eyes as he begins to kick the door down; the glass in the window beginning to crack. After a few more kicks the door comes off and he climbs out.

"Elena take my hand we need to get you out!" he calls with a worried expression, his hand held out for me.

I take it and begin to climb towards the door and out of the car. Suddenly I hear a rumble and the car shifts towards the river. "Quick Elena before it…" he didn't finish his sentence. I feel Mason's hand leaving mine as I fall into the aphotic hollows of the river.

I know I am mean for the cliffhanger. But you could show me how much nicer you guys are by leaving a review because the lack of them is really depressing.