Bonnie was pleasantly surprised that her gut reaction at the sight of Damon Salvatore had been to claw his eyes out with her perfectly manicured fingernails instead of bursting into tears. For a second she was sure he was going to open his smart-ass mouth and say something snide and rude, and she thought for a moment that she wanted him to say something. The feeling passed though and she was preoccupied the rest of the night with Meredith and wedding details to think any more of it.

Bonnie had to admit that Elena's cooking wasn't all that bad, and she might have even found herself mildly enjoying the blondes company at times during the evening. She was surprised at how easily the group had slipped back into comfort after being absent from each other's lives for so long. Bonnie thought it a testament to how true and loyal friends they had all once been, and she wondered during the course of the evening if they would ever get back what they had lost.

Their conversation drifted from Meredith and Alaric's upcoming nuptials, to Matt's new job as the high school football coach, and even Elena and Stefan's recent jaunt around the globe. Eventually, just as Bonnie had feared they would, Meredith asked about her life in California. She didn't know why she was so scared to share the information; her life was an open book to anybody who happened to pick up any tabloid or watched the talk shows her publicist scheduled her for. These were the people that she should be wanting to share the details of her life with, but she couldn't help the nagging feeling that letting them in on any part of her new life would somehow make it less hers. It was silly and irrational, but for once she had something that was totally hers and she wasn't ready to share it. Especially not with Damon or Elena.

"Oh, really busy. A lot of movies and parties. It's all rather boring actually." Bonnie said, trying to keep her answer as casual and vague as possible.

"Oh come on Bonnie! You just got done working with George Clooney in Paris, France! How can you sit there and say your life is boring?!" Meredith squealed as they all sat round the dinner table, enjoying the last few crumbs of their chocolate dessert.

"Yes, Bonnie, tell us what it's like being the hottest thing to hit Hollywood since Marylyn Monroe?" Matt added jokingly. Suddenly Bonnie felt like they were back in high school and she was about to regale them with the tale of what it was like to kiss the quarterback of the football team. It was familiar, it was normal, it was fun. Nevertheless, Bonnie was not ready to share her world with them. Maybe if she took the time to rationally analyze her feelings on why she didn't want to share the details of her life as an actress, Bonnie would realize that she was acting foolish and in short, childish. Until that time though, she decided to keep the details vague and to a minimum.

"Really you guys, it's not as big of a deal as you make it out to be." She protested

"Being number one on People magazine's top ten most beautiful people list is not nothing." Meredith replied. Bonnie quickly realized that she was not going to get out playing twenty questions with Meredith any time soon, so she decided on her next best option.

"Okay, I'll dish." Meredith and Elena's eyes lit up with anticipation and Bonnie almost felt bad for what she was about to do, almost. "Tomorrow though. I promised my folks I'd be in early, and I'd really like to be able to catch them before they head off to bed." Bonnie could see the disappointment in their eyes, but she also knew that they would understand, and would press the issue no farther. The plan didn't get rid of their questions, but did buy her time to come up with answers that would both satisfy them and keep the details to a minimum.

"Okay, but this isn't over McCullough." Meredith said as Bonnie got up and made her way to the front door.

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it." Bonnie said, rolling her eyes, but still smiling. Meredith got up as well and walked her to the door. "I wish I could stay longer, but I would really like to catch up with my parents for a little bit tonight yet." Bonnie apologized as she slipped on her jacket.

"Don't worry about it. Just know that I will have a detailed explanation of what it was like to make out with Brad Pitt by the end of tomorrow." Meredith stated

Despite herself, Bonnie laughed. "Very hairy." Bonnie answered with a light laugh. "I'll see you tomorrow." With that, Bonnie hugged her friend briefly and headed out the door to her car.

Bonnie found herself rifling through her purse for the second time that day, this time she was searching for her car keys, and again she found herself cursing her choice in handbags. By the time Bonnie had made it to her car she had her bag almost turned inside out, and she was about to give up when she heard a jingling from behind her. Bonnie turned are cautiously, scared of what she might find.

"Looking for these?"

"Give them back Damon." Bonnie demanded between clenched teeth. She was not in the mood to play games with him.

"What will you give me for them?" Damon asked with a stupid smirk gracing his lips.

Bonnie sighed and closed her eyes. She hoped that when she opened them again he would be gone, but unfortunately he was still standing in front of her. Bonnie gathered all of her strength and searched for something to say to him. Before she could think of anything though Damon spoke again.

"You see if I give these back to you, you might drive off again, and I'm having so much fun." Bonnie was outrage, and she decided that she could no longer be held accountable for what she was about to say.

"Funny, that's not what you said eight years when you left me alone in our apartment to go fuck Elena." When Damon just stood and looked at her for what seemed like and eternity without a word, Bonnie started to grow concerned. Then she saw the shock wears off and she thought she might have even caught a glimpse of hurt flash through his eyes. With Damon it was always hard to tell though. She knew that she had at least succeeded in pissing him off when he threw the keys at her feet and dashed off into the night at vampire speed. 'Good riddance' Bonnie thought to herself. As soon as she had unlocked her car door and climbed in though, she felt the tears prick at her eyes and suddenly she was right back to where she was all those years ago. Longing after a man she'd never have.

Author's note: Wow, I'm really sorry that I haven't updated for so long! I'm also really sorry that this chapter is so short, but I really wanted to get something out there, and I finally kind of figured out where is this story is headed, so I wanted to pick up the pace a little bit. Hopefully the updates will be more constant. Also, thank you to all my reviewers and readers. You guys totally rock!