Chapter One

( Sometimes people feel like nobody is watching over them, no angels, no god, nothing, but today I felt alive. I felt like someone was watching me when I needed it the most. I think they brought you back to me) ~Bryce

"And welcome back everyone! Joining me today I have Bryce Obin here talking about her infamous battle with heart failure"

I smile and nod while Alexis waves to me from behind the stage.

"Thank you for having me Ellen, its been a dream to be here watching this show let alone to be on it."

Ellen smiles, "well here you are after a crazy last 7-8 months, am I right?"

I nod, "Yep, I was diagnosed with Heart Failure in December of 2013, and in March everything started going down hill, I was told I'd only have a few weeks to live with the state my heart was in and I fell into a deep depression."

"Wow.." Ellen shakes her head.

"My sister Alexis, she's backstage fooling around somewhere, was with me every single step of the way. Always trying to cheer me up and keep me smiling to the best of her abilities while I was crammed in a hospital for four months"

The audience awes and claps and I smile.

"So what happened, what got you through to where you are today?" Ellen leans back in her chair.

I tilt my head slightly, "well.. I had an unexpected visitor sometime in May"

"Wow they said a few weeks and you pushed till May, we've got a fighter everyone!"

I laugh and feel the blood rush to my cheeks, "I had a lot of help keeping me above water, I'm sure you all know who came to visit me in my hospital room?"

The crowd screams and cheers and I laugh harder, "Well Ian Somerhalder had stopped by to say hello after my parents had secretly sent him an email about my situation."

"Ooo and how did that go?" Ellen smirked sitting forward, my face was getting redder by the second.

"Amazing, he's a very sweet guy. Pretty flirty actually."

The audience cracks up and I shake my head, "Ian if you're watching this I'm sorry" I shrugged.

"What did you guys do while he was there?"

"Well I was an emotional wreck actually, he comforted me a lot and forced me to eat"

"Did anything else happen?" Ellen was on the edge of her chair.

I thought for a second about our kiss and slowly shook my head, "nope.." I sigh, "That day though my doctor told me I had till the end of the week. I believe there was a blood clot that was slowly clogging my main artery, and a few hours later Ian had to call the nurses in because I could barely breathe or move. They miscalculated how long it would take the clot to completely stop the blood flow I guess."

"How do you miscalculate something that important?!" Ellen threw her hands in the air shaking her head and I shrugged.

"No idea" I chuckled, "your guess is as good as mine, but they rushed me into emergency surgery and I was gone."

"What do you mean by gone?" She takes a sip of her coffee.

I tilt my head slightly, "well.. I died.."

The audience gasps and for some reason I could help myself from smiling. Probably because Alexis was dancing like an idiot with some of the stage hands right in my view.

Ellen set her coffee down and crossed her arms, "how are you here today?"

"Well turns out they had a heart. A car accident victim had just passed away sadly, luckily on my account the heart had no problems with it, he was a very healthy man, they did an emergency transplant and after a day or so I woke up. I felt weird. There was no pain, I could breath easy. I felt completely fine apart from the stitches and staples in my chest cavity."

"..Wow.. That is incredible"

I smile, "it really is.. And two months later here I am!"

The crowd cheers and Ellen claps, "and Thank God for that! Bryce Obin everybody, were gonna take a quick break and be right back with more of her incredible life changing story"

The camera guy nodded and I leaned back sighing.

"Are you alright? Do you need or want anything?" Ellen said adjusting her mic.

"Nope", I shook my head, "Its just tiring, doing tons of interviews and shows, I never imagined my life to be like this."

She smiled, "I'll be sure to bring that up in a minute, how's your sister back there?"

I smirk seeing her flirt with security, "she's wonderful.. couldn't be better.."

She laughs, "good"

"Ellen, were on in, 5.. 4.. 3.. 2.."

"Welcome back everyone! Sitting with me is Bryce Obin, here to tell her courageous battle with Heart Failure. So Bryce, before the break you were telling us all about when you got sick, and how you got through it. We just found out you were saved just in the knick of time"

I nod and smile crossing my legs, "Yes Ma'am."

She smiles back, "Now I wanna know about everything else up until now. How was recovery, and all of that?"

"Well recovery was pretty difficult actually. They had to keep me in the hospital for almost two months after surgery just to make sure everything would be alright and the heart would acclimate to my body"

"Did Ian ever visit again?"

I scratch my arm and sigh, "actually I don't think he even knows I survived."

The audience awes and frowns.

"How does he not know by now? You're all over the Television."

"I don't think he's watching much, I believe he just finished filming a movie and should be starting with season five of The Vampire Diaries."

"So he doesn't even know you survived that morning?"

I shake my head and look over at Alexis who is no longer there and roll my eyes wondering where she ran off to now. I feel like I need to get one of those child leashes for her sometimes.

"Did you ever think to call him?"

"Well he's a busy man and I didn't want to burden him with some insignificant girls life"

Ellen tilts her head, "you are most certainly not insignificant... And to show you that, we have a surprise for you.." She reaches down beside her chair, pulls up a bag and hands it to me.

I tare the paper out and find a small booklet with two tickets and a plastic pass.

I got you a ticket to Atlanta Georgia and a VIP pass to the set of The Vampire Diaries... For the whole season.."

I gasp and smile, "holy crap that's amazing! Thank you so much!" I reach over and hug her as she laughs, "you're very welcome.. But there's a catch.."

The crowd dies down to a low murmur.

"You need to have a chaperone..."

I roll my eyes and smile, "I'm 22 years old and I need a babysitter?"

Meanwhile my chaperone silently walks out from behind the stage and holds their finger up to hush the audience, not wanting to give themselves away.

She laughs harder, "With how popular you're becoming, yes.. They're right behind you actually.." She nods and I turn my head and gasp, standing.

The crowd goes wild as Ian crosses his arms and smirks, "Hello there.. Your babysitter has arrived.."

I cover my mouth with my hand as tears fill my eyes. I run towards him and he engulfs me in a hug.

"Miss me?" He whispers into my hair.

I nod not being able to find words, something he does to me often. Looking back I see Ellen just sitting there smiling. I mouth the words thank you and she nods.

Ian lets go and ushers me to sit back down, as he sits beside me.

"So Ian, you've been on here a few times, welcome home" Ian nods and smiles waving to the audience.

"Thank you Ellen, it's always a pleasure"

"So what do you have planned for here?"

He looks down at me smirking, "if I told you that, I'd have to kill you"

I look away feeling my cheeks burn and Ellen laughs.

"Well thank you so much for being here and telling the world once again your amazing and inspirational story, it shows us that no matter how bad things get, don't give up."

The crowd cheers, "Bryce Obin and Ian Somerhalder everybody!"

Ian and I wave and the camera guy nods. I stand and slap Ian's shoulder.

"Um, ow?"

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to be here?! I felt like an idiot not being able to control my emotions!"

He smirks, "because that's what a surprise is.. We're you surprised?"

I shake my arms, "well, duh"

"Then my job is complete" he leans back smiling.

I roll my eyes and Ellen taps my shoulder, "your sister is behind the stage eating all the muffins.."

I groan, "sorry.. She has an eating disorder called Eat-Everything-in-site-us"

Ian snickers and stands, "better go get her, we're leaving in.." He glances at his watch, "two hours.. So we should start heading to LAX so we don't need to wait in line.. I hate getting swamped at the airport.."

"Alright" I smile and jump up and down feeling extremely excited that ill get to meet the cast of my favorite show. I turn around and hug Ellen, "thank you so much for all of this.."

She laughs, "you're very welcome, enjoy the rest of the year!" She waves goodbye as Ian and I walk backstage to see Alexis sitting on a table shoving mini chocolate chip muffins in her mouth.

"Alexis!"

"Hm?" She says, mouth full in a high pitched tone.

"Hi.." Ian waves and she starts freaking out and mumbling with her mouth full.

"He's here!" She manages to Get out before she jumps off the table.

"I know! It's amazing! And guess what else?!"

She smiles, "what?!"

"I'm going to Georgia with him to watch them film the vampire diaries!"

Her smile fades quickly, "oh..."

I laugh at her face and hold up the second ticket, "you're coming to"

She swipes the ticket and points at me, "not cool bro..." She smiles.

"So when do we leave?"

Ian shrugs, "Two hours"

Her mouth drops, "I need to pack! Lets go people!"

Ian looks at me, "You wanna ride with me back to your hotel?"

I fidget with the hem of my shirt and look at Alexis, "um.. She isn't the best driver so I think I should drive her back.."

He nods, "alright. See you there" he turns and starts walking out the door.

Alexis's eyes burn holes in my head. "What. The Fuck. Bryce.."

I shrug, "I told you, he's a movie star, he's not gonna find any actual interest in me so I'm not going to give in to his flirting."

"Yeah but he clearly wanted you to go with him!" She points at the door as he leaves the building.

I sigh, "lex, I don't wanna be one of those 'celebrity couples' that lasts all of three days"

"Bryce he kissed you..."

"Because I asked him to!"

She groans and slaps her forehead, "Let's go.." She turns and walks towards the exit and I follow behind.

"..you know I'm right-"

"Oh shut up and drive Miss Daisy..." She shakes her head walking to the car and I climb in starting it up.

Ian pulls beside us and honks, "I'll follow you.."

I nod and he pulls off to the side letting me pass him.

"I can't believe you won't just give him a chance Bryce.." She shakes her head playing with the radio.

"I told you I can't-"

"Yeah but how do you know he's not a sweetheart? Or a major fluffy marshmallow? Damon is a character he plays, that's not how he actually acts.."

"Lex have you seen all the interviews? Or looks backstage? He's exactly like him.. In almost every way apart from being a vampire." I cut a corner a little to fast and she slides out of her seat.

"Slow it down there skid row.."

"Sorry, he's riding me and its irking me"

"Not yet he isn't" she winks and I slap her leg, "what?! I was being honest! It's bound to happen.. Who knows you may even get to stay with him in his trailer.." She pokes at my arm and I slap her hand away.

"I highly doubt that one." I roll my eyes and she starts dancing, "Bryce has a sexy vampire boyyfriend.. Bryce is dating a vampire-" I tap the breaks and she slams her face off the dash.

"...what just happened.."

"Oh.. Uh.. A bird flew by.." I nod

She rubs her face, "there's birds everywhere Bryce its called the sky..you see a humpback whale in the road, then you tap the freaking brakes... bitch.." She slaps my arm and looks back at Ian who's completely straight faced as he drives.

"He seems sad.. You should cheer him up.. With your lovely lady lumps.."

"Wanna kiss the dash board again?"

"...no.."

"Then shut it.."

Ian pulls into the space beside us as we get out of the car, "remind me to never drive with you.. Taping the break in the middle of the freeway.." He shakes his head, "Crazy lady", he says widening his eyes in his signature 'Damon' look.

I glare at him, "I'm bad? Honey next time you ride me, remember to pull my hair first please."

Ian steps closer, till we're just barely touching, "..is that what you'd like me to do to you..?" He whispers glaring down at me, "because i would love to give you what you want.."

I can already tell how frustrated ill become with him.

Alexis steps between us pushing us apart, "alrighty, too much sexual tension for one day. How bout we go pack, okay? Okay.." She grabs my hand and tugs me to the elevator. With Ian in tow we open the door and head to our beds, tossing clothes in our suitcases carelessly.

"Ready.." Alexis picks her bags up and walks towards the door and I follow.

"Alright you're following me this time.."

I roll my eyes and step out of the elevator, "whatever you say captain"

We walk out the door and back to our cars, "he's totally perfect for you.. You're a smartass, and he's a cocky bitch." She smiles.

I start the car and honk for Ian to get moving, "Gonna make out with the dash again lex..."

She rolls her eyes, "I mean it. Perfection."

"he's just a player.. Have you seen how many relationships he's had in the last two months?!"

"Um, no..? And I don't really care? He's an actor they're gonna say he's with everyone and they're mother because they need a story to print Bryce.."

I sigh and look out the window, watching planes take off above us, "if you say so.."

I glance back just as Ian taps the brakes and I swerve slightly, honking at him. We pull into the parking garage and I step out of the car.

"You think you're funny don't you?"

Ian smirks, "sometimes, depends on the day.." He walks towards my car and grabs our bags.

"What are you doing?" I walk over to him.

"I'm taking your bags.." He looks at me and then nods to the bridge, "lets go we have an hour."

I huff and start walking beside Alexis. She leans over and whispers to me, "chill out, he hasn't done anything wrong.."

"Yes he has, he flirts like its his job,."

"So? Him and every other guy in the world.."

"Ladies, please step through the scanner" I go off and the man waves his magic wand around me, "all good" he nods. Alexis and Ian get through no problem.

"We want A4.. Umm.. Right there.." Ian points and we head to the counter to hand the lady our tickets. Of course she freaks out over Ian and flirts with him, and he with her. He signs her notepad and I clear my throat.

"Alright, bye sweetheart" he smiles and nods at her before following us down the gate and onto the plane.

"See? He's ridiculous.."

She rolls her eyes at me, "Bryce chill..."

I glare at Ian as he sits beside me, "Ready?"

I nod and Alexis smiles, "very! I can't believe were in first class!"

"Neither can I, Ellen is so sweet! Remind me to write a thank you letter."

"This is gonna be the best few months ever!" She cheers and I laugh as the flight attendant walks by glaring at our enthusiasm.

Ian clicks his seat belt as the captain comes on the intercom.

"Folks were gonna be taking off in about five minutes, we have clear sky's that will make for an easy flight, the ride to Georgia is about eight hours so make yourselves comfortable. Temperatures in Georgia right now are in the upper seventies which is beautiful this time of year. Be sure to buckle up as we make our way onto the strip for take off."

I look at Alexis and smile at her giddiness. "I've never been to Georgia, I can't wait!"

I turn and look over at Ian who has a pair of headphones in and his chair slightly reclined. I grip the armrests as we begin to take off, I always hated flying. I have a huge fear of heights and I can't stand the feeling of taking off or landing. I feel something cover my hand and look down to see Ian intertwining our fingers, his eyes still closed. I glance at Alexis and she just smiles With an 'I told you so' attitude and looks out the window. I lean my head back and sigh closing my eyes. Ian smiles and squeezes my hand slightly and I can't stop the smile from crawling onto my face.

Even though I'm still beside a man I've loved since ever, it's not that big to me anymore because of all the people I've met. Alexis and I have been everywhere and spoken to tons of different celebrities; however, Ian still has a different effect on me. He gives me a warm funny feeling, even when I'm so angry I could slap the shit out of him. Thank god I have Alexis to make sure we don't kill each other.