I just need enough of you to dull the pain

Just get me through the night 'til we're twins again

'Til we're stripped down to our skeletons again

'Til we're saints just swimming in our sins again

"You did what?" said Meredith, her eyes widening almost comically.

Elena hushed her and crossed the room to close her bedroom door. She and Meredith had been working on homework for their history class when Meredith had brought up Damon. Elena was practically bursting from not being able to talk about it with anyone. She didn't want to keep talking with Damon about it, knowing how he felt, and she knew she couldn't say anything to Bonnie or Matt. Meredith was safe, though, and despite her shock, Elena knew she wouldn't judge her. She loved Meredith that way. She didn't make decisions until she had all the facts and she was always calm and collected.

Elena was blushing as she sat back on her bed next to Meredith, but when she looked up, Meredith was smiling. Elena's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Sorry," Meredith said quickly. "It's just – well, I couldn't figure out why you two were so distant the other day. Now it makes sense. So, let me guess, Damon's in love with you, but even though you don't feel the same way, he's not going to stop being your friend."

"Meredith, sometimes your observation skills scare the crap out of me," said Elena, shaking her head. Meredith laughed. "But, you're right. That's pretty much exactly what he said, if not in so many words." Elena took on a serious tone. "I feel awful about it, Meredith. Part of me wishes we'd never had sex so things would be like before. The other part of me wishes I felt something for him, you know, other than friendship. I do love him, but it's not like that. I know it's hurting him to have practically bared his soul to me and not have me feel the same way. Especially after sleeping with him. It's got to be a slap in the face."

"I see what you mean," Meredith said. "But ultimately, it's his choice if he wants to stick around. And I don't think there's anything that would make him leave you. He values your relationship too much, even if it's not quite where he wants it to be. Didn't you notice it's the same with Matt?"

Elena opened her mouth and then closed it quickly. She looked at Meredith in surprise. "It really is, isn't it? I mean, I always thought it was a mutual break-up, but looking back, I think he just kind of saw it coming so he went down without a fight." They were both quiet for awhile, until Elena spoke up again. "God, Meredith, I'm an awful person."

"Come on, now, none of that," Meredith said sternly. "You are most definitely not an awful person, Elena Gilbert. You're kind and compassionate and thoughtful. Not having feelings for someone else doesn't make you a bad person."

Elena nodded, sniffing. "Yeah," she muttered, "but what about sleeping with them?"

"We've all done things we regret, Elena, but where would we be if we kept repeating those mistakes in our heads? You've got to put it behind you. It happened, and now it's over with. Damon doesn't hate you – he feels the opposite, in fact – and he doesn't blame you for it either. I think you're being too hard on yourself."

"You're probably right," Elena acquiesced.

"Probably?" Meredith raised an eyebrow at her.

"Okay," Elena laughed, "you're definitely right. You're always right."

"Oh, stop, you're fueling my ego."

It was clear the conversation was over and the girls dissolved into laughter before turning back to their homework.

Late that night, Damon was pacing his room. He was between a rock and a hard place on this one. He had finally been honest with Elena, told her how he really felt for her, but it hadn't been enough. She didn't love him back. Well, she did, but not in the way he'd hoped. After they'd slept together, he'd been certain his feelings were reciprocated. It had been almost otherworldly, their night together. They'd connected on a deeper level than before and Damon felt impossibly close to her. When he fell asleep with her next to him, everything felt perfect, like this was how life was supposed to be. But his life wasn't that good. He didn't deserve someone like Elena. He'd been orphaned at a young age and he and his only brother got on poorly. At the moment, his brother was studying in Italy, but he'd be back in a few weeks, at the end of May.

Stefan was a year younger than Damon and they never saw eye to eye. Stefan claimed Damon had no moral compass, had no regard for others. Damon saw Stefan as weak and kind to a fault. People were always taking advantage of Stefan and Damon was past the point of caring. They'd had one too many fights and he was of the mindset that he wouldn't bat an eye if his brother never returned from Italy.

But Damon didn't want to think of his brother now. All he could think of was Elena Gilbert, with her flowing brunette hair and her endless brown eyes and her pale, porcelain skin. She was the girl he'd been waiting for. There had been countless others before her, always disappointing in some way. None of them compared to Elena. Her flame burned brighter.

"Damon," a voice whispered. The voice was high, beautiful, and it danced over his name in a way he knew so well.

"Elena," he answered back, calling to her.

"I'm over here, Damon," said the voice.

"Elena," Damon said, this time more insistently. He couldn't see her, but her voice sounded so close.

"Silly Damon." The voice giggled. "I'm over here."

Now the voice was coming from the opposite direction and Damon whipped around just fast enough to see brown hair disappearing behind a tree. It was then that he realized he was in the woods, in the middle of a very small, very dark clearing, with the only light coming from the crescent moon above him. His eyes were slowly adjusting to the darkness, but he still couldn't see her. She was playing with him, leading him in circles around the clearing while she stayed just under cover of the trees. Something inside him told him to keep away from the voice, keep out of the woods, but he was drawn to her. He wanted her so badly – he just had to see her.

"Come on, Damon, don't you want me?"

"Yes. Yes," Damon murmured. He'd heard the voice directly behind him and he was close to the edge of the woods. He spun as quickly as he could and he could scarcely believe his eyes.

Standing there, skin glowing ethereally in the moonlight was Elena, but she looked different. Damon realized it was her expression. She looked angry, very angry. She took a few steps toward him and Damon knew he must get away, but she was moving quickly, with an air of deadly calm.

"I thought you wanted to see me, Damon," she said.

Damon didn't answer. He was slowly backing away from her, but he had nowhere to go. Elena was close enough to touch him now, and she did. She touched his arm and leaned in and kissed him. Damon was hesitant to return the kiss. Every fiber of his being was telling him to run, but he couldn't. Elena pulled away from him and her face contorted horribly. Damon wanted to scream and run away as fast as he could but Elena grabbed him. And everything went black.

A/N: So there's chapter 3! I hope everyone is enjoying the fic so far! I'm having fun writing it, that's for sure.

I've been listening to Fall Out Boy's new album nonstop since my preorder arrived and it's such a spectacular album! Blows Save Rock and Roll out of the water, honestly.

Anyway, please leave reviews, favorite, follow, etc.! Any feedback makes me a happy camper.

Until next time,
Taylor