Elements of an Ill-fated Romance

{Wow! I'm at 100 reviews. That's crazy and absolutely awesome! I've never gotten a hundred reviews for any story so I just want to say thanks for all of those who reviewed this story... I really appreciate it. This next chapter is short but hopefully there will be another update before the weekend is over! Thanks bunches!}

Chapter Seven Part Two: Hunger Be Thy Enemy

Playlist: Something about us By: Daft Punk

They drive in silence. The only sound is the steady hum of the engine and Bonnie's breathing. It's tense but not uncomfortable. Each one of them silently pondering what the other has said; harsh words soaked in truth that they are forced to swallow like a bitter pill.

Damon shifts lanes as he drives down the highway passing a burgundy '95' Honda civic that has most definitely seen better days. When his speedometer hits 90mph Bonnie looks over in his direction. The words 'slow down' are clearly written all over her face but he doesn't reduce his speed. It's almost as if he's challenging her to say something. And for a moment their eyes meet before she turns back to the passenger window and he goes back to the road. They haven't spoken in over an hour and quite frankly it is a bit annoying. This was not how he had seen this road trip going… not that he expected them to be all friendly and gossiping like the carefree teenagers that they obviously weren't… but perhaps some witty banter…

Instead she remains tucked in her corner, her mind shut down and blocked to him. He knows because he's tried to pry… and he's not sure if she's doing it consciously or if it's just a natural reaction but it's frustrating as hell and annoying him all the more. He's not used to being denied and right now whether she knows it or not she's doing just that.

He could have started up some kind of conversation but that would almost be like admitting defeat and regardless of whether or not this was a competition he's not willing to forfeit any kind of victory no matter how small. So he remains stubbornly silent and drives on until…

The sound is low and if not for his vampiric hearing he might have missed it…his eyes cut to her, a smug grin of triumph firmly in place as he watches her scowl at her stomach as though it has betrayed her. The sound comes again louder this time; a low but distinct rumbling that can't be ignored. Her tummy is growling and it's given him the perfect opportunity to break the ice… as well as this insufferable silence.

"Sounds like someone is in need of an afternoon snack." He remarks.

She shifts in her seat throwing an arm over her midsection and pressing down as though to keep the grumblings of her abdomen silent. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh just admit that you're hungry... even if I wasn't a vampire I could hear that… hell people in the next state could probably hear your stomach calling for food!" He joked with a sigh.

She rolls her eyes but she can't deny that she's starving. "Well I didn't eat breakfast and someone abducted me from school before lunch so forgive me if I'm a little hungry." As if to contradict her word of 'little' her stomach grumbles louder.

She stares at him for a moment. "I hate you."

"Ohhhh little Bonnie is cranky when she doesn't eat huh?" He speaks to her as if he is talking to a five year old. "No worries… I know just the place." He smiles and if she had bothered to look at him she would have seen the mischievous glint in his eyes that would have warned her that something was up.

Twenty minutes later…

They pull into the parking lot and as she gets out she looks over the hood at him. He's smiling and she's shaking her head in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? Are you freaking kidding me? I'm not eating here!"

"There's not another respectable place for at least 40 miles." He shrugged and watches her squint her eyes in suspicion.

And perhaps he was lying…perhaps he was telling the truth… who could really tell; either way they were eating here and that was that!

She stares him down for a moment, wanting nothing more than to smack that ridiculous grin off his face.

Shrugging on his jacket he comes around to her side and stands in front of her. "Look it's not that bad…besides I thought you would like this place… it's right up your wholesome, do-gooder alley, right?" He taunted. "What's the big deal; this is an established family restaurant." He points out as he watched her cheeks flush in anger.

"It's Chuck E. Cheese!" She snapped pointing out the oversized display of the gray mouse hanging over the building.

"It's either here…or Hooters; you pick!" He smiled dropping the shades over his eyes to shield from the blazing of the sun and perhaps her penetrating gaze. He never noticed how probing those orbs could be especially when they caught the rays of the sun. Pupils of emerald became a kaleidoscope of green hues that he never noticed until this moment. And as the wind picks up and blows dark tresses over her cheeks he feels something almost like a twinge in his fingertips to smooth them away. He refrains because the impulse doesn't make sense and unnerves him more than he's willing to admit.

She shook her head from side to side completely oblivious to the inner workings of his mind. They stood there for moments, neither one saying a word but thinking oh so much. Running her hand down her face she rolled her eyes. "Fine… but you're paying… and I'm real hungry!" She practically growled before turning on her heel and walking away from him.

He watched her retreat his grin just a bit wider. "Since I'm paying does that mean you're going to put out?" He called to her and chuckled when she responded with her middle finger.

Shoving his hands into his pockets he smiled before following. Now this was more like the road trip he had in mind!