A/N: Shame on me, shame on me. When I say that life got hectic, I seriously mean that my laptop has been out of my reach since the last chapter was updated.

I went on holiday and was gone for two weeks and then I had a summer camp I was attending and I really just didn't have time to even open my laptop. But, I'm back now with so many great memories and a strong desire to write this chapter!

So, a big apology to those of you who were waiting around for this because I know I left it with more of a cliffhanger than anything.

I love you all so much!

XOXO- ESS

Disclaimer: I own nothing; simply my own ideas.

Chapter III

I spent the next week locked away in my ivory tower, also known as my bedroom, refusing to come into any face to face contact with any member of my family. Avery was the only one allowed into my room to bring me food and sleep with me during the restless nights. Sometimes she would bring some paper and color on the floor while I stared out the window at absolutely nothing, the image of Matt staining my brain and causing a flood of tears to trickle down my face very unwelcomed and very unwanted given I was pretty sure I'd dehydrated myself with all the crying. Of course Jeremy, John, Jenna and even Anna had tried to come in and get me to speak to them about what had happened but I wouldn't budge. I didn't check my phone. I didn't pick up my guitar. I didn't do anything. I was still wearing the Duke jersey and blue jean shorts and my body had begun to reek of laziness and cigar smoke that was still tangled in my sheets.

"Avery," I whispered quietly to the silent five year old that was busy piecing together a puzzle with a grinning Mickey Mouse holding the hand of a blushing Minnie Mouse displayed on the top of the box. The picture was beginning to take shape, but she still had a ways to go.

"Yeah?" she replied, tilting her head up and pushing some stray curls out of her impossibly green eyes. Avery crawled up onto her feet and jumped up onto the foot of my bed, swinging her legs against the side. "You okay?" she asked, her thin brow pulling together.

"No, but I'm getting there. Could you hand me my phone? I'm gonna go shower and head downstairs to grab a bite to eat. I'm hungry," I admitted, running my hands over my stomach which growled at the mere thought of food. I hadn't eaten a real meal since that family breakfast and I was sure I had dropped a pound or two due to the lack of nutrients entering my system. My hair was also looking stringy and my face was so tight from all the crying. A hot shower was exactly what I needed.

She tugged my cell phone from the charger and tossed it towards me, gingerly stepping around the puzzle put together at her feet as she made her way towards the door to my bedroom. Grinning happily she placed her hand on the handle and pushed it all the way open, "Finally. I'm going to play with—uh, what's his name? SDT or something like that," she said with a shrug, disappearing into the hallway just as a fit of giggles erupted from my lips. Although I was furious he'd even brainwashed my little niece into keeping things from me, it was nice to know that I could make her smile even in my darkest days.

I was gathering my things for a shower just as the door to my bedroom was kicked in and in strode a very angry looking Bonnie Bennett dressed in her usual attire; skin tight jeans with a black tank top and knee high biker boots for all her travelling needs. "What part of 'call me back' did not register in that fucking pea brain of yours. I've been worried sick about you, bitch," she exclaimed a lot louder than I'd hoped for, her breathing shallow due to the coursing rage pumping through her system. Crossing the room in three easy strides, her arms enveloped me in a bear hug and I squeezed back as hard as I could, more than elated to have my best friend here with me in a time like this. "Fuck Matt Donovan," she murmured into my hair, pushing me back at arm's length to examine my roughed up appearance. "Dammit, Elena," she muttered, shaking her head and pushing me away, "There are press lined up for blocks outside of your house and you look like death. Shower and meet me back in here for a much needed clean up session," she said sternly, smacking my rear and shoving me towards the door. "Fifteen minutes. Go."

After my fifteen minute shower, I emerged from the bathroom dressed in an oversized t-shirt and no pants with a towel wrapped like a turban atop my head. My eyes were cast down at my hands, chipping away at the nail polish just as I ran into a rock of a person, almost knocking me off balance as I exited the bathroom. The sweet scent of peppermint and honey filled my nostrils and I inhaled slowly, savoring the way it tingled deep in my stomach. I didn't need to look up to know exactly who was standing in front of me. "Please get out of my way," I snapped, not wanting to deal with anything that had to do with the man in front of me.

"Your friend invited me to go out with you girls tonight," His rich voice said, causing me to snap my eyes up to meet his. He wore that damned smirk that I wanted to slap right off his perfectly chiseled face and his own eyes danced alight with amusement.

"We're not going out."

"Apparently you are. I'll see you at eight," He said, sliding around me and disappearing into the bathroom, closing the door with a soft click.

With anger boiling inside of me, I stomped into my bedroom and slammed the door, pointing my finger straight into my best friend's face, "Bonnie Bennett how dare you invite STD along to a girls night!" I roared, flinging the first item my hand came in contact with, my hairbrush, towards her head. "I can't stand him and now he's going out with us? You've got to be kidding me!"

Bonnie dodged my hurled brush and held her hands up with a sly smile on her face, "What? He's hot and apparently he can dance, too. He suggested this Latin masquerade club just outside of Wilmington that's always got a load of people. His friend it the body guard dude and they're letting us in early! Come on 'Lena! It will be perfect revenge for Matt Donovan to see you walking into a sexy club with a hunk by your side! Please!" she exclaimed, folding her hands together and dropping to her knees in front of me. "Please, please, please, please—"

"Fine, we'll go. But I'm not dancing with him."

I barely had time to react before Bonnie tackled me into a hug and we rolled into mass of giggles and squeals across the hard wood floor, no doubt causing disturbance to my family below. A quiet knock on the door silenced us both and we tore apart from each other, assuming bored positions around my room. Bonnie was sitting at my vanity and I perched on the foot of my bed, scrolling through my cell phone, "Come in!"

Anna's almond eyes appeared from the other side of the door, "What's this I hear about a Latin Masquerade?" We all burst out into a fit of snickers as she locked the door behind her and launched her lithe body across my bed. "I've always tried to take Jeremy out dancing with me and he's always refused but I can't believe he's agreed to going tonight! I'm so excited!" She clapped, a wide, excited smile pulling on the corners of her lips.

"Bonnie," I asked, lying on my stomach and batting my eyelashes at her, "Will you make us look pretty for los chicos?"

"Isn't that my job?" She asked with an exaggerated eye roll, "Of course I will!"

An hour and a half later, we all three sat in front of a mirror, taking in the work Bonnie had done on us. She should seriously be awarded for the wonderful work she was able to pull off with such limited supplies.

Anna's dark hair was tousled to perfection and pulled halfway back to show off her beautiful almond shaped eyes and high cheekbones. A few red flowers, curtsey of the plant sitting in the foyer, were pinned throughout, accentuating the cherry colored lipstick that stained her lips. Heavy black eyeliner shaped her pointed eyes and baby pink blush gave her cheeks a natural flushed look. Dressed in a one shoulder, tightly fitted black dress with red beads down the side and a pair of strappy heels that were an ideal height for dancing, she looked good enough to catch any man's eye, although she only had eyes for one man tonight.

Bonnie looked stunning as well, with her long brown hair straightened to a point and then pulled back into a tight ponytail with her teased bangs hanging right above her eyebrows. Her bright eyes were highlighted with a shimmery gold eye shadow and her lips were glossed in a natural nude color, mainly because she didn't want to leave any residue on the men she'd be kissing up on tonight. Dressed in a sequined, long sleeved dress that reflected off her dark skin tone and a pair of sky high heels, she looked like serious eye candy.

My hair had been curled into large, loose ringlets that hung all the way past my breasts and brushed against my rib cage when I was sitting down. A few pieces had been braided off my face and pinned back with shimmery red bobby pins. Glittery red shadow was painted across my lid with a smoky black accent in the corners. Bonnie had also applied false lashes, insisting that I needed them to complete my look. Red gloss tainted my natural lip color and gave them a deep shine that matched Anna's. The dress I'd found hidden in the confines of my closet was a strapless scarlet number with a sweetheart neckline and a plunging v that reached all the way to the small of my back on the opposite side of the dress. Simple yet elegant, I was utterly shocked to find that the dress was a perfect fit, hugging my body like a glove. The leopard print shoes hidden in a box matched perfectly and gave the dress a wild feel to it.

"Damn we look hot," Bonnie muttered, shimmying in the mirror causing a disco of reflections to bounce off the walls and around the entire room. She stuck her butt out and rolled her hips, earning a laugh from Anna who shook her head and held up her phone to snap a quick picture of the three of us grinning ear to ear.

A knock at the door broke us out of our reverie and we all yelled at the same time, "Come in!"

Jeremy, dressed in a pair of black slacks and a white linen shirt rolled up to his forearms entered my bedroom, his jaw hanging from the hinge as he took in the sight before him. Anna stood from her position in front of the vanity and sauntered towards him, running her hands along the front of his shirt, "You look nice," she murmured, placing a kiss on his cheek before sliding out of the door behind him. A red lip stain stood out against his cheek and we could all see the heat the flushed his face.

"You're so whipped, Jer'," Bonnie teased, rolling her eyes and disappearing behind my brother. I could hear her footsteps trotting down the stairs and a quiet giggle erupted from her lips from somewhere in the heart of the house.

Jeremy snapped his fingers in front of my face to catch my attention, "Wow, Elena, you look beautiful," he said with a casual shrug, closing the door behind him and taking a deep breath, "Look, I know that you and STD don't have the greatest relationship of all time, but he's really not—"

"Jeremy, you don't have to defend him. Just because I don't like him doesn't mean I'm going to sabotage your friendship with him. Although I'm not sure why you guys are really friends in the first place, he's your friend regardless," I explained, swirling a ringlet around my finger and popping my lips together in the mirror, feigning nonchalance.

His hand grabbed the door knob and his brow arched up, "Just promise me one thing," Jeremy requested, twisting the knob and taking a backwards step.

"What?"

"Promise me you won't fall in love with him."

"Why do you care so much? Not that I have any intention on doing so, but why would it matter?"

"Because I do and the fact that you didn't give me a very straightforward answer proves that I should be a bit worried," and with that Jeremy scampered out my door, leaving behind an annoying laugh in his wake.

After a quick check in the mirror once more, I grabbed my cell phone and followed Jeremy down the stairs, only to be welcomed by the scent of margaritas and salt. Bonnie sat on the couch with her ankles crossed, sipping on a large green drink. "You look so freaking hot, Elena!" She yelped almost choking on the alcoholic beverage in front of her.

"Where can I get one of those?" I asked, pointing at the drink in her hand.

Bonnie grinned and nudged her head towards a door behind the couch, "Basement. Bring me a bottle of vodka and a jar of salt too," she smiled just as Jeremy and Anna appeared from the kitchen.

"Five minutes and we're leaving. Elena, you and Damon are riding together." Before I could protest, Jeremy explained, "Bonnie, Anna, and I are going to distract the press while we get you out of here. We're going out the front, you two out the back. It will look more believable if Bonnie is with us. We'll hide Anna's face and pretend she's you."

"Are you sure?" I asked Anna, my brow creasing in sincerity.

"Of course! You need a night out and I'm willing to take one for the team," she said with a wide smile that crinkled her almond eyes at the corners.

"Okay, we have a plan," I agreed with a reluctant smile, opening the door to the basement and trotting down the carpeted staircase to where I could really smell the lime and salt mixing together. I could hear the faint snippets of a heated argument going on in the room to the left and I poked my head in to match a face to the hushed voice. As soon as I saw a shock of black hair, I turned and made my way towards the bar, determined to fix myself a drink to shake off my nerves, silently listening to the conversation going on in the opposite room.

"No, Rose, I'm not— would you please just listen to me?" A long pause before he spoke again, "You're seriously breaking up with me right here, right now over the fucking telephone?" I could almost hear him shaking his head, "No, no, you're right. This hasn't been working for months now. We're not compatible and all that shit. Do whatever you want. I've been in this relationship by myself for almost a year now anyway. You can keep the damned ring; I really don't give a fuck about you or your decisions anymore. We're done. End of story." And then the room was silent.

I made myself appear busy by grabbing the bottle of tequila and pouring two shots. As STD emerged from the room, I slid one of the glasses his way, "Girl problems?" I asked, downing my own shot with a wince. The tequila was dry and strong and burned the entire way down my esophagus. When I looked back up, he had crossed the room and was standing on the opposite side of the bar. The black dress pants her wore hung low on his hips in a way that would be a turn on to any of the entire female population. A white linen shirt, matching Jeremy's, was loose against his torso, but with the top three buttons unfastened, it was sexy as hell. His hair was messy and I ached to run my fingers through it.

He picked up the shot and downed it, slamming the glass down on the bar top before nodding towards it. I refilled it and poured a bit of salt out onto the counter trailing my fingers through it before licking it off and piling it up again. I could feel his gaze raking over my body but chose to ignore it and instead downed another glass filled with the tequila. His voice caused me to choke on my drink a bit and I burst into a fit of coughing which ultimately burned like hell.

"Damon Salvatore. I'm Damon Salvatore," he confessed, swirling his fingers around the rim of his glass, "I'm twenty eight years old. I went to the University—"

"Elena! Are you down there!?" Jeremy hollered.

"Yeah!"

"It's time to go. You and ST—"

"Damon."

"Seriously, man, seriously? Fine, you and Damon head out the back door and we'll meet you there, okay?"

"Who's got the masks?"

"I do," Damon said quietly, producing car keys from his pocket. "Let's go," He said emotionlessly, heading towards the double doors that led into the backyard where a baby blue Camaro was sitting, the paint glinting in the dim lighting from the house. The engine already purred, just waiting for a driver to take her for a whirl.

As we exited, Damon's hand on the small of my back quickly pushed me towards the car. My heels kept sinking into the grass, slowing down my strides, but I was able to keep up with his long legged strides, reaching the car and sliding into the passenger seat before he could even open his door. The smell of musk and cigar smoke filled my nostrils and I inhaled deeply, spotting the stack of masks on the dashboard. Damon slid in just as I picked them up, looking through the different ones made of many different colors and materials. "Which one is yours?" I asked as he pushed the car into reverse and sped away from the house, a few flashes of cameras fading in the distance.

"The black ones are mine and Jeremy's. I figured you girls could decide amongst yourselves who gets which one between the other three," he explained, adjusting his review mirror to get a better look at the disappearing house behind him. I thumbed through the three other masks and smiled to myself. They were each perfect for our outfits; a glittery gold one for Bonnie, a matte red one for Anna, and a sequined black one for me.

"These are amazing," I said, stroking the ribbon that attached to the bases of each of them.

"Yeah, I know," He grinned, eliciting an annoyed groan from my lips. So maybe I had gotten past his name, but he was still annoying and seriously got on my last nerve with every word that came out his arrogant lips. "Like I was saying before Jeremy interrupted, I attended the University of North Carolina and got a degree in early childhood education. I'm currently a teacher for a local kindergarten class here in Wilmington. I have a brother. I just recently broke things off with my fiancée," he cut his gaze towards me and then shifted it back to the road. "Now we're even," Damon said, reaching up to turn the radio up a bit louder. "Any preferences?"

"Nope," I replied quietly, staring out the window as the small town passed by in a rush. This was definitely not the summer I had planned out for myself. Bonnie and I were supposed to crash in LA and stay at her condo all summer with Luka and party until we couldn't see straight. Matt and I were supposed to have another bland summer, going bowling on the sixteenth of every month and eating pizza at his house every Friday that football games were on, and finally begin preparations for my upcoming world tour which he would be attending with me. Yet, here I was, in the passenger seat of some stranger named Damon Salvatore's car, in the middle of nowhere, about to enter a Latin Masquerade ball with my brother and his fiancée!

I was just about to turn and say something to Damon when I caught his voice, carrying out the lyrics to Mirrors by Justin Timberlake. It was rough and rich, easily keeping me intrigued with each word that passed through his lips. I tried my hardest not to stare, but my efforts went up in flames the second chorus started. It was so raw and passionate and I couldn't help but think that he'd be perfect on my next album. I could already hear the way our voices would meld together into one and I couldn't erase the grin on my face no matter how fucking hard I tried.

I tore my eyes away from his chiseled profile just as he pulled into the parking lot of the club. The music pulsed from the shabby building and a line about a mile long waited at the door. After he cut the engine, he produced five tickets from his pants pocket, sliding one over towards me. "If you give this to the guy at the rope, he'll let you in before any of the others," Damon explained, pulling out his cell phone and thumbing through the internet absentmindedly. "Jeremy, Anna, and Bonnie should be here in about five minutes. The paps were blocking the driveway and they had to drive around the entire house before they could get onto the road," he said with a disgusted look on his face, "How do you deal with it?"

"It's not easy," I said quietly, running my fingers across the silk ribbon, twisting it around my wrist over and over again, "they tend to be everywhere I am. That's one of the reasons I came out here. The people here don't really care who I am or what I've done. I'm just a human. That's all I've ever wanted to be," I finished as the other car filled with my friends stopped in the space beside us.

We all exited the cars and dispersed the masks, "Masks on until we leave. No exceptions," Jeremy said, eyeing Damon warily who only returned the look with an eye roll and a shrug.

Bonnie jumped happily in her short heels after she tied the mask over her eyes and I immediately noticed how it was a lot harder to recognize her than I thought originally. Anna requested help from Jeremy to do her own as we all loitered around the parking lot, waiting for everyone to prepare themselves for the party we were about to enter. I quickly knotted the silk band behind my head and pulled my curls around my face, taking a few deep breaths. I hadn't been in a place this crowded since my incident and I was not exactly sure if the anxiety I was feeling was going to subside any time soon. Jeremy noticed my panicking and quickly came over to help calm me down. "It's okay, 'Lena. We're gonna have fun and we're not going to think about that dumb ass boy who cheated on you."

"He's an idiot," Anna chimed in, linking her elbow through mine as Bonnie did the same on the other side.

"It's going to be a great night," Bonnie muttered as we approached the gate and the boys handed over our tickets, "I can already tell."