Once again, I thank you for your lovely reviews! They're honestly such an encouragement. And just to clarify one small matter for those who are unaware; although Meredith is awesome, she's not my OC. Meredith was a major character in the Vampire Diaries books, but she never made it into the TV show 'verse. It seemed fitting to bring her back as Elena's flatmate. Meredith doesn't get nearly enough attention. A bit of a filler chapter, to be honest, but there should be some real action very soon for anyone who's getting a little bored. Again, any input you have is the best thing you can give me. :D
A week passed. Elena had to resist temptation when it came to Damon's mysterious duffel bag. She'd eventually moved it into her room, but she refused to open it. She didn't want to know what he had brought with him. She was still convinced it would be something horrific that would make her wish she'd never gone prying, so she decided what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her. She tucked his bag in the bottom of her wardrobe, assuming he'd come back for it eventually. The bag was, she supposed, one small comfort. It meant he was coming back. Didn't it?
Elena's life moved on without Damon around. Meredith was curious about him, but she wasn't one to pry. She left the subject alone once it became clear Elena didn't want to talk about it. But Elena could still tell that Meredith was interested. Elena never raised the subject, and neither did Meredith, so it never came up. Meredith supposed that this Damon must have done something while Elena was away, however. Because for the first time in months, she felt that Elena was living her life. Meredith was heading out to meet some friends from her class, and asked Elena along. Previously, Meredith was only being polite, because Elena always refused. And when Meredith came back, she usually found Elena in her room, a collection of old trinkets before her. A necklace, a bracelet, what looked like an old pocket watch and a few old photos. Meredith seriously attributed it to mourning.
She was surprised, however, when Elena agreed to come with her. More to the fact, they had fun. They'd all laughed and joked and played some pool and danced for a little while. It was the first time Meredith could truly say she'd seen Elena happy. So Meredith really wished she knew what Damon did, because it seemed like nothing short of a miracle. Meredith could tell that Elena wasn't completely healed. She was still, on the odd occasion when she was left to her own devices, sad. Meredith had never broached the subject before, but due to Elena's newfound freedom, Meredith chose to ask, just once. Elena's reply mystified her.
"I miss my friends." Elena had said sadly, concluding with a small sigh. "Oh, you would have loved them, Merry." Meredith smiled at Elena slightly. It was the first time Elena had used her nickname. It was a good sign.
"Tell me about them," she'd implored. And so Elena had. All about Caroline, who was the blonde fashion crazy girl. She was paranoid and a little frivolous at times, along with verging on being a control freak but she was strong and brave and Elena was so proud of her friend. And then there was Bonnie. She was calm and strong, but she was a little silly at times. She knew how to let loose, and Elena had explained how the three of them had used to have so much fun together. But she said she hadn't seen the fun side of Bonnie for a long time. They hadn't been allowed to be just friends for a long time. When Meredith asked why, Elena wouldn't answer. She just said she hadn't heard from either of them in a very long time.
Meredith wondered what kind of friends they were, leaving Elena like this.
Elena, meanwhile, didn't realise she was getting better. Ever since Damon had returned, Elena had felt better. She had felt that she wasn't completely abandoned. That people still loved her, and maybe, just maybe it hadn't been her fault that everyone had left. She felt less guilty. Less like she was driving everyone away by simply existing. After all, Damon had come back. He still liked her enough to be around her. He cared about her enough to stay. It made a difference, although it was one Elena would never notice. Meredith noticed, though. Elena was drinking less. She was moping less, starting to go out and enjoy herself. She also, finally, seemed genuinely interested in her coursework. Meredith was pleased. She knew Elena was still sad, still lonely. But she was better. No one could deny any small improvement in Elena Gilbert's condition.
Two weeks after Damon Salvatore, Elena was actually looking forward to class. It was nothing short of a miracle, but she was looking forward to walking into this lecture and learning something. Only when she'd tried to test herself on everything she'd already covered did Elena realise how little she'd actually taken in. She'd spent a lot of time going over her old notes and materials, trying to learn everything she'd been too spaced out to notice before. Elena walked into the lecture hall and took her usual seat, up in the back corner of the room. She began pulling out her notebook and pens, looking up at the screen at the front of the room. It was blank still. It was a good sign - it meant Elena was early.
She was also looking forward to the peace and quiet of her course. The pre-medical class wasn't huge - therefore all the space in the hall was not strictly required. The one upshot of this meant that Elena sat alone. She was left to her own devices; where clusters of students littered the rest of the hall, Elena was in isolation. She liked it. She'd used to like it because it meant she could think without distractions. Now, she liked it because she was free to focus without anyone else attempting to pull her attentions elsewhere. Elena had spent all too many a class back in high school, passing notes to Caroline or Bonnie when she should have been paying attention. But that was all going to change now. Elena was determined to be a better, less depressed student. Admittedly, it would take time. But now she knew something was wrong, she could try to make it right.
Therefore, Elena's surprise was explicit when someone sat down in the seat on her right hand side. Elena tried to ignore the newcomer, but eventually, her curiosity overtook her. He (for Elena could tell it was a guy) had a notepad out, and a few pens, but it was pristine. He was clearly new. And this wasn't high school; new students didn't just waltz in half-way through a term. Elena let a curtain of hair fall over the desk, intending to subtly peek up through her lashes, hoping to be discreet. She wanted to know who would sit next to her, after all this time.
She should have guessed, really. She never thought she would have underestimated his persistence.
"You know, I never pegged you for a medical student." Damon's voice was lazy, mocking. Elena could only stare with a mixture of horror and surprise. Damon was there. There in all his glory, a grey shirt rolled up to his elbows, black jeans on as per usual. His black leather jacket was slung over the back of his chair, a bag at his feet. Elena blinked, trying to marry Damon Salvatore up with university. But he was there, a perfect actor in the role of a student.
"What are you doing here, Damon?" Elena hissed. Damon rolled his eyes, leaning forward to rest his weight on his elbows, propped up on the desk.
"You know, Elena, you really need to come up with a better greeting. One day, you will say 'Damon! I'm so glad to see you' rather than acting like it's all one big surprise."
"This is a pre-med class." Elena pointedly out. Damon shrugged.
"And I'm a medical student now. Hey, if I stick around long enough, we could be this cool Doctor-slash-Nurse combo."
"Life isn't a TV show, Damon," Elena said, turning back to her notebook, doodling on the page. She didn't need this. Not now, not ever. She wanted to get her degree, not drop out thanks to Damon.
"Isn't it?" Damon proposed. Elena frowned at him. He was so awkward sometimes.
"How are you even here? Students don't get to just walk in."
"I will have you know, Elena, that I'm a transfer student." Damon told her.
"Oh really? Where from?" Elena challenged. She didn't know why she was being so stubborn, but she didn't believe him for a second. He was here to look after her - she was sure of it. But Elena hated it. She didn't need looking after, didn't need to be coddled.
"Il Università degli Studi di Firenze," Damon spoke with near enough the best Italian she'd heard from someone so clearly not Italian. Elena didn't know how she knew it was Italian, but she did.
"In English, please," Elena demanded quietly. Damon smirked slightly.
"Florence."
"Can you even speak Italian?" Elena challenged once more. She knew fine well that the name of the university could have been lifted from just anywhere.
"Amo pensare di sì." Damon flashed his winning smile, but Elena merely sighed. Trust him to be able to speak Italian for heaven's sake. "Did you really spend all this time thinking 'Salvatore' was a nice, wholesome, American name?" Damon teased her. Elena turned back to her scribbles in her notebook. She didn't want to stand his witticisms any longer.
Elena was dying to ask him why he'd chosen to do a medical degree, but she didn't bother. She knew she'd get some sarcastic evasion that did everything but answer her question. And she stood by her previous thought. She didn't want or need protecting. Elena was, however, about to call him on whether he was telling the truth or not. She still couldn't believe he was actually playing student. Elena wouldn't put Damon past lying, just sneaking into class to annoy her. She was going to ask. But then the lecturer came over to them, looking at Damon apprehensively.
"Mr Salvatore?" he spoke cautiously, like he was unsure. Damon turned towards him, and Elena knew he was throwing one of those 'winning' smiles.
"Yes?" Damon said politely. Elena turned back to her notebook, eyes focusing on the page.
"Ah, you're the guy from Italy? You don't sound very Italian." The professor narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Elena half expected Damon to compel him away. She was surprised when he actually answered.
"My mother's side of the family's from Virginia. I've spent a lot of time here, rather than in Italy." Damon explained smoothly. He spoke with such conviction that Elena herself almost believed him for a second. Almost.
"Well, Salvatore, I don't think you've missed much. I'll get you the list of what we've covered at the end of the lecture. After that, you're on your own." The professor spoke sternly, obviously trying to regain some authority.
"Of course. Thank you, sir." The professor grunted noncommittally and walked away. Elena looked up at Damon, her eyes saying what she could never say as well. 'What the hell was that, what are you doing Damon? Have you lost it? Have you officially gone insane?' Damon only smirked at her.
"Yes, Elena?" Damon asked, as if he had no idea what the look was for. Elena shook her head sadly, turning away.
"Nothing."
So much for focusing on class.
Elena was desperate to flee back to her flat after class, and leave Damon in the dust - but it was impossible. She tried to leave him in the lecture hall, but he just followed her. She tried to shake him off, get some space. But it was impossible. He wouldn't give up. Eventually, as they were walking out of the campus, Elena snapped.
"Damon, what do you want? Really?" Elena spoke sharply, pent up frustration spilling out. She was hit by the irony of the situation - Damon was normally the one that snapped in two after long enough, not her. How things had changed.
"Who says I want anything?" Damon asked innocently, gazing at her intently. Elena sighed heavily.
"Damon, be serious. You..." Elena paused. She was going to have trouble getting the next sentence out. "You mocked Stefan for going to high school. You don't do study or class or university." Why did Stefan's very name drive needles into her skin? Why did the very thought of him make her heart break and pine for him all over again? Elena even thought she saw a flash of some unspoken emotion in Damon's eyes when she mentioned his brother. Stefan had always been such a comfort before. A lynchpin of safety and security and everything good in the world. Why did he hang over them like a dark shadow now? Elena breathed in deeply, steeling herself. "So if you're here for the joys of student life, why this sudden change of heart?"
Damon held her gaze for a moment, and behind the amused, surprised mask, she could almost see the faintest shadow of an emotion. Something Elena couldn't see or name, but she could feel something there. Damon was at Duke for a reason. She didn't know why. She wished she did.
"Does it really matter, Elena?" Damon asked her seriously. Elena opened her mouth to reply. "Because I think you should think things through before you start accusing me of anything." Damon told her, sounding vaguely dangerous. Elena paused. It was true. It didn't matter. She had been so glad to see him, wanted him to stay so badly. Why would it matter why he was here, as long as he was?
"I'm just a little confused. Things aren't easy right now." Elena admitted. Damon smiled a little ghost of a smile. Elena stared at him for a moment. "What?" She didn't understand Damon at all these days.
"Which is why I'm staying." Damon spoke so softly, in so muted a tone, that Elena swore she almost missed it. She could have imagined the whole sentence, it was so understated. Elena gazed at Damon, a small frown gathering on her brow. What was he talking about? Before she could ponder it further, however, Damon was talking again. "We're going out tonight," Damon announced.
"What?" Elena said, surprised.
"It's what you call it when you leave your house, remember?" Damon spoke confidently.
"And where are we going, exactly?" Elena said vehemently.
"There's this party, and apparently it's going to be fabulous." Damon spoke, humour colouring every word.
"Damon, we're not even invited," Elena protested. She didn't want to go to a party. She knew what they were like. Everyone got a little crazy and there was far more underage drinking that there should be. Although she didn't know what she was thinking - she drank every night.
"No, but I'm sure darling Meredith is, and she'll invite you and I'll just tag along for the ride," Damon explained briefly. Elena stared at him, stunned.
"Damon..." Elena said, warningly.
"Go home. Get changed. And sue me if I'm wrong." Damon shrugged, walking away before Elena could protest further. Elena blinked. Why was it that when she wanted him gone, he stayed, and when she wanted him to stay and explain himself, he ran off?
Sure enough, when Meredith arrived home, she told her a friend of a friend was throwing a party, and wanted to know if they would come. Stunned at Damon's prediction for only a moment, Elena agreed. The last time she had avoided a party, Damon had burst into her life and dragged her there. God knows what he'd do this time, if she stayed at home.
There was one thing to be said for Damon. He had an art of getting his way.