Tears pooled down her cheeks as she furiously tried wiping them away, and even when wiped away they continued to fall. Twenty year old Elena Gilbert had officially reached her breaking point thanks to a certain Professor at Whitmore who seemed to have no problem telling her where she stood.

Miss Gilbert are you sure writing is where you wish to see yourself, because in my opinion you are not suited to be in this career. Your submissions lack that certain draw that the audience always latches onto. It's still early in the semester so if you wanted to turn your attention towards another major there is still time. I'm sorry if I'm too forward with my assessment, but as your professor I feel it's only right to guide you into the right direction and this field isn't it.

Guide her? He hadn't guided her. More so he had pushed her straight off the cliff, and now she was making her decent progressing closer and closer to hitting the ground. Ever since she had been a little girl Elena had been drawn into writing. So much so that when her parents had given her a diary she had squealed going on about how one day that book would be published into memoirs of her life. Sure, she had been young at the time, but those dreams remained the same throughout the years, changing to a little more practical, but now? Now it was as if her entire world had suddenly shifted and she was trying to grasp onto anything that would keep her upright.

The sound of a ding alerting Elena of a new message, reaching into her purse as she fishes around for her phone, and retrieving it. Seeing that it's from Stefan she clicks on 'read now' and the second the message pops up she finds her stomach dropping, and a fresh set of tears forming.

[TEXT] Good luck on your meeting with your professor. I know it's going to go great, you deserve to succeed and you will beautiful. You have no idea what the future has in store for you ;)

Right now she didn't have the strength to reply. Elena knew Stefan wasn't the type to judge her. After all they had been together for years. Most people dreamed of finding true love with their high-school sweetheart and she had been lucky and blessed enough to find that with Stefan. Sure the couple had faced their hurdles but fast forward to today and they were still as strong as ever. When it came to real life Prince Charming's Stefan fit the bill perfectly, and it was one of the things Elena loved and hated about him, because sometimes she thought he was just too perfect.

They rarely ever fought and if they did he didn't stay mad at her for long. Stefan was always the one to apologize even when at times she had been the one at fault. Stefan never debated with her over anything, and he'd always let her win or do what she wanted. Sometimes Elena wanted to fight, really fight because she wanted to feel the passion vibrating between the both of them. Elena wanted to be chest to chest with him as they argued hotly over a topic. She wanted someone who would challenge and test her, and Stefan just didn't do that, but she loved him more than anything, but sometimes she couldn't help but wonder if that love was enough?

Not having the power or the mood to face Stefan just yet she tosses her phone back into her purse. Elena's gaze drifting towards the building up ahead this isn't usually my scene though she had been here before to meet with classmates to work on projects or study sessions she had never actually come here at night. I need a distraction and this is it with decision made she grabs her purse, slides out of the driver's side and closes the door behind her.

Approaching the establishment she pushes the glass door opens and steps inside taking notice of how the place seems to be packed and from the slurred words she catches onto she knows most of these people have already started drinking. Spotting a familiar face behind the bar she lets her feet carry her over, weaving through the flood of people until she's able to take the last open seat, plopping down and setting her purse on the bar counter.

"Hey Elena surprised to see you here at this hour."

Great, was she really that predictable? "Hey Matt" offering him a warm smile. Matt Donovan had been in one of her general studies courses last semester and he was the definition of the all around jock, Captain of the football team, all around heart throb but instead of a douche bag he was a sweetheart. Whenever he wasn't at practice, playing a game or in class he was here working his ass off as a busboy or bartender, really it all depended on the day. Elena was more than sure he had developed a crush on her, but he never vocally had admitted it to her because he knew she was in a relationship, and rather than pursue her he respected her. "Yeah" giving a sheepish smile "bad day" she confesses "I don't usually turn to this, but I'm breaking the rules for a change." Technically speaking she wasn't of age to get served. It's not like Elena hadn't drank before, but she was lucky that Matt seemed to let it slide and served her.

"Then what can I get for you" he asks placing the towel over his shoulder.

"Um" don't be predictable, don't be predictable her inner voice chants "vodka."

Matt's brow arching at her request "sure about that" but seeing her determined expression he raises his hand in surrender, and disappears as he goes off to fix her drink.

While Matt had gone to prepare her drink Elena began to scan around the room, taking in those around her. As a writer past tense she miserably thinks, but as a writer one of the things she loved doing was paying attention to all the details. Soaking everything in so that when she wrote about it whoever was reading it was able to see whatever Elena was narrating right before them.

It was the typical scene like always as she saw some guy trying to pick up a girl, women seated at the table chatting away and enjoying their time together. People on the small dance floor whether it be a date or getting to know each other slowly swaying to the music. Those that were past drunk and trying to keep themselves from not tumbling over causing Elena to shake her head, because never could she imagine putting herself in such a position that she'd lose sight of her judgment. Moving her attention away from the room she focuses on who is seated at the bar and immediately she's drawn to a man sitting to the right side of her. He's decked all in black and she assumes it's his signature color, appreciating the leather jacket he's sporting and knowing full well he's going for the typical bad boy look. Raven locks that most likely coax a woman to want to run their hands through or tug onto in the throes of passion. That thought alone causing Elena to blush and then scold herself for thinking such a thought seeing as one she didn't even know the guy, and two his face was hidden because his head was bowed down.

From the way his finger was tracing along the rim of his tumbler and his head remained down she sensed he was trying to conceal himself from the rest of the world. Now that man has a story drawing her attention away as her drink is placed in front of her "thanks Matt."

"Sure thing so" he begins "I know we aren't all that close but you hinted that you aren't having a good night" re-picking up the towel as he starts to wipe down the counter "you want to talk about it?"

The mention of 'bad night' instantly causing her to squirm on her bar stool "it's silly really." Elena trying to brush it off, but seeing Matt's 'go on' expression she releases a soft sigh. "Today my professor pretty much told me I wasn't cut out for writing. That I had chosen the wrong career path and advised me to drop immediately."

"Ouch, that's kind of harsh" licking his lips "so what are you going to do?"

"Honestly" a look of defeat crossing her conflicted features "I have no idea. I mean I dreamt of being a writer ever since I was a little girl." A sheepish smile playing on her lips "it's what I've always wanted; I can't imagine myself doing anything else but that." Recalling her professor's words causing her smile to drop "he told me my writing lacked that draw that the audience would latch onto….that I seem detached" shaking her head as she blinks back tears "but maybe he's right, maybe I'm just not meant for this and I need to let it go."

"Screw him"

A third voice cutting into the conversation and to her surprise it had been the man she had been observing a few moments ago. It's different this time though, because rather than keeping his head lowered he's looking right at her.

The sight of him alone causing Elena's breath to hitch in her throat as she's met by the most striking blue eyes she's ever seen. It wasn't just his eyes though it was the fact that he was by far the most agonizingly handsome man she had laid eyes on, and for a second guilt crept up inside of her because of Stefan I'm looking not touching. Seeing the smug smirk curl on his lips, the type of smirk that she just wants to slap off she realizes her sudden silence must have been enough for him to assume she was checking him out, and she was, but he didn't need to know that "ex-excuse me?"

"Your professor" he repeats not once showing a hint of shame for eavesdropping "screw him."

Why the hell did his voice have to come off sounding as soft as silk? "Excuse me sir but I find it rude of you to participate in a conversation that you aren't a part of.

Rather than seeing a look of shame cross his dark features or muttering an apology he surprises her even more "my apologies mam" giving her a sideways smirk and she can sense he's taunting her. "In my defense though you are speaking in a public place, I am seated at the bar it would be impossible if I didn't overhear your conversation not to mention your sniffles signaling you'll be crying any moment. Which is a damn shame because you're beautiful and more so you shouldn't just hand over power to that prick of a professor" he states in a matter of fact tone.

The way that this stranger was speaking to her coming across as if he had actually known her and it surprised her, because she wasn't use to such boldness. The moment that he called her beautiful she had to deter her gaze away, dropping it to the bar counter in hopes that he couldn't see the sudden tint in her cheeks. Just as she was about to tell him to screw off she hears the last of his statement causing her to fall silent for a moment. This man didn't know her. Why the hell was she curious suddenly about what he thought? "Suppose I humor myself and ask you what you think I should do?"

Instantly the blue eyed man flashes a smile, showcasing his pearly white. Fingers coiling around the tumbler as he slips off the stool, approaching her and taking a seat right beside her "well" setting his glass down, shifting his body so that he can give her his full attention. "You toughen up. You stop playing this little woe is me game. You put everything you can into this, do everything you can and work your ass off. When that day comes and you get published you write a dedication to him thanking him for his negativity and lack of faith in you, because it was the push you needed to drive yourself to succeed."

"Wow" trying to play it off like she wasn't in awe of his suggestion "that's a great plan, but you're forgetting I apparently am detached when it comes to my writing."

Lifting the tumbler to his lips he takes a short swig before setting it down on the counter "the only one that can change that is you. Perhaps his assessment was correct, but could have been gentler about it. As a writer your sole mission is to attract your audience which gives them something worth turning the next page for. You have to in a way compel them to keep reading, and the only way to do that is giving them characters and scenarios that they can relate to."

Lips pursed together as she lets his words sink in "and how do I go about doing that?"

"You give them what they want" he simply answers.

"Which is" she curiously asks.

"What everyone wants."

"And that is" she trails off wondering why he has to be so cryptic, and why he can't just put it all out there.

"A love that consumes them" brilliant baby blues meeting her entrancing brown eyes "they want passion, adventure and even a little danger; deliver all of that and they're hooked."

Elena found it difficult to keep her eyes locked on him, because the way he was staring, or rather gazing at her was as if he was trying to see into her very soul. "You make it sound easy" she comments "I've never come close to experiencing any of that" she confesses suddenly feeling very self conscious of herself.

"Open yourself up to it."

"How do I do that" she can't help but ask as curiosity gets the best of her.

"Get to know me."

The strangers suggestion cryptic as ever how is that going to help "and how is getting to know you going to help me" half expecting Matt to suddenly swoop in and ask if this guy is bothering her, but when she casts her gaze around she finds he's no longer behind the bar, but instead at a table.

"You strike me as the type who doesn't take risks" he's quick to point out. Lifting his finger to silence her from protesting "the type who remains perched on the pedestal that everyone put you on and does everything by the book" seeing the look of offence on her gorgeous features causing him to chuckle. "By the book you wouldn't get to know me, you'd walk away brushing me off as some guy you met at the bar, but that kind of person isn't the person people want to read about. They want to take a journey with someone who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty, someone who as they get to know and understand find themselves rooting for."

Elena couldn't fight him on this, and it irritated her even more that this stranger that she literally had just met seemed to be able to read her like an open book.

"Care to share whatever is turning around in that beautiful head of yours?"

There is was again 'beautiful' he hardly knew her and yet he complimented her as if it came naturally. The flattery alone causing her cheeks to warm "I'm deciding on if I should trust you or not."

"Well don't leave me on a cliff hanger now."

The smart choice would be to deny him this. To walk away and head back to Mystic Falls were her devoted and caring boyfriend was waiting in open arms to comfort her when needed, but tonight she had ended up here for distraction, and this man he certainly seemed to be the definition of distraction. Hesitating for a moment before rolling her eyes at his sarcastic quip "don't make me regret this."

The smirk that had been displayed on his lips transforming to a brilliant smile "so I suppose an introduction is in order" he suggests as he arches his brow perfectly to the side and offers his hand out to her.

Eyeing the strangers outstretched hand oh relax he's not going to bite you it's just a hand reaching out grasping his hand and maintaining eye contact with him "I'm Elena."

The moment that she accepts his hand he feels an electric current shoot through him and he can't help but wonder if she had felt it too. Marveling at the way her hand fits into his he keeps his cobalt hues locked on her as he brings it to his lips pressing a chaste kiss against it.

"Pleasure is all mine Elena, I'm Damon."