Eight
A Midsummer Night's Dream
"Seriously Caroline would you just shut up already!" Bonnie yelled finally having had enough. We had been getting ready for the Midsummer Night's Dream gala in my house and Damon was the only thing that Caroline was talking about. "Damon is just not as into you as you are into him, so you have to stop trying so hard."
"Bonnie." I warned glancing at Caroline who looked like she was on the verge of tears. Crap.
"No Elena, she's right. Damon could care less about me. He only asked me because Stefan asked you first. Everyone knows he's in love with you." She said looking at me.
"Care that's not true," I said trying to reassure her.
"Yes it is. Everyone can't stop talking about that fight between the two of you. No one knows what the two of you were arguing about but they say it was so passionate the two of you could have lit the square on fire and he almost kissed you." she said shrugging, "And everyone is saying he hasn't been out with anyone else since."
"Because he's going out with you Care."
"Please I wish but I haven't seen or heard from Damon at all this week. It's ok Elena we all know who he'd rather be going with." she said looking straight at me and I felt as horrible as I did when Matte confronted me about this very same thing and she told me she was tired of coming up second best to me all the time.
"Caroline I…"
"No it's ok Elena. You said you don't like him and I believe you. If he has a thing for you, I can't blame you for that." she said giving me a small smile that made me feel even worse. "I'm going to go to this gala with Damon and I'm going to show him exactly how amazing I am and what he's been missing out on." she said straightening up and wiping her tears.
"You are amazing Caroline and Damon Salvatore, he never deserved you." I say sincerely and we hug.
"Ok enough of all of this sappiness. We have a gala to get ready for." Bonnie said and Caroline and I pulled away and she looked at the clock and screamed "Oh no we only have 2 hours left to get ready!" she said as Bonnie and I laughed.
I sighed and turned and pulled my dress from the hanger. The week leading up to the gala was chaotic to say the least, but surprisingly normal which with everything that had been going on was a pleasant change. Caroline had been on a rampage trying to find the perfect dress. According to her she had to look more than amazing for Damon. I had found my dress easily enough after Caroline had dragged Bonnie and I to the mall in Richmond. I chose a one shoulder Grecian style pale pink gown that was beautiful.
While we were waiting for Caroline at the mall, I had asked Bonnie what she was going to tell Stefan when she showed up to the ball without a date, but she told me she actually did have a date but refused to tell me who it was and I had absolutely no ideas. As far as I knew Bonnie had been busy with her grandmother.
Jenna and Jeremy wouldn't stop teasing me about my argument with Damon. According to them I was in denial about my feelings and it only got worse when they discovered I was attending to the gala with Damon's younger brother. Jenna was convinced that I would be what came between the two brothers. If only she knew she was sort of right, just the wrong girl.
Then there was Alaric, who seemed to be up to something and it somehow involved Damon. At first I was concerned that something had happened but when I had run into Stefan in town he explained that Alaric had Damon busy with all kinds of extra errands for some sort of surprise. He said it must be something big because his brother was trusting him to roam around town unchaperoned. Interesting.
The strangest part of the week came in the form of the lack of visits from Damon or rather the fact that he was around but wasn't really. He no longer visited my room every night which I didn't know how to feel about. I did however see him on a couple of instances at my house. When I came home, Damon would heading out saying quickly that he just stopped by and the only person in the house was Jeremy. After this I started noticing a change in Jeremy, he was less moody, he picked up drawing again, and was even talking to me. It was as if my brother was finally coming back to me. I was happy with the change but I had this nagging feeling that Damon had something to do with it.
When the day of the gala finally arrived I couldn't have been any more relieved but I was also excited with anticipation. This was the first big even that I would be able to go to. Caroline and Bonnie came over early so we could all get ready together and Jenna joined us as well.
Two hours later the door bell rang and Jeremy ran downstairs to answer it. "It's your date's girls." he yelled up to us.
"Why do I feel like I just got finished getting ready for the prom?" Jenna asked as she retouched her lipstick.
"Because this basically is the prom for grown ups, but instead of spiked punch you actually get to drink alcohol." I said glancing at myself in the mirror again.
"Ok ladies let's go." Caroline said picking up her clutch.
Per Caroline's instructions we each walked down one at a time, Caroline first, then Jenna, me and Bonnie last since her date was meeting her at the Lockwood Estate. I suddenly felt shy walking down the steps and I kept my eyes down for the first few steps and when I finally brought them up I was met with Damon's beautiful crystal blues. He looked amazing in his perfectly tailored black suit. We gazed at eachother until Caroline cleared her throat. "Stefan why are you on the porch?"
I took my eyes off Damon and noticed that Stefan was in fact standing out on the porch awkwardly. I turned my gaze to Damon and he raised his brow and shrugged giving me a pointed look as if to say, 'Stefan is not invited in.'
"Oh I just didn't want to crowd the foyer." Stefan said before I stepped out and looked at him. "You look beautiful Elena."
"You don't look so bad yourself." I said eyeing him in his light grey three piece suit.
"Ok now this really does take me back to prom." Jenna said watching us and she added sarcastically. "Who has a corsage? Anyone? Maybe we should all get in line and take a group photo."
"Prom huh? Well just wait you haven't seen anything yet." Alaric said and Jenna eyed him curiously until he pulled her out onto the front porch where I was standing with Stefan and he pointed to a limo that had been parked in the driveway that I had failed to notice.
"Yup definitely just like prom." she said smiling, "Let's just hope I don't get wasted and have sex under the bleachers again!"
We arrived at the Lockwood Estate laughing as Alaric, Jenna and Damon (who seemed to have many) regaled us with their old prom stories. As neared the front of the door, I immediately spotted Tyler standing outside on the porch.
"What's Tyler doing?" Caroline asked as Tyler stood up straighter as our limo approached.
"Uh…he's waiting for me." Bonnie said shyly.
"Tyler Lockwood is your date?" I asked surprised and she nodded her head. When Bonnie said she was meeting her date at the Lockwood's I never would have imagined it would be because he lived there. "Ok you're definitely going to have to explain that one to me later."
I took Stefan's arm as I stepped out of the limo and when we reached the house, I noticed Stefan hesitate in front of the open door.
"Oh go ahead and go in guys. Everyone is spread all around the house and the property." Tyler said from behind us.
Stefan visibly relaxed and took a step and easily walked in. I looked behind me and Damon walked in as well with no problems. We ran into the Lockwood's and I introduced them and what seemed like the entire town to Stefan. Everyone eyed us curiously especially when I told them he was Damon's younger brother. Obviously Damon and I really were the talk of the town. Just great.
"Would you like to dance?" Stefan asked as we walked down the steps towards the dance floor.
"Sure." I said smiling and he led me to the dance floor where a fast song I didn't recognize was playing. Stefan moved awkwardly but when he looked at me and I made a funny face he laughed and stopped trying so hard and loosened up.
From the dance floor I could see Jenna and Alaric standing with Sheriff Forbes, Alaric looking especially uncomfortable or nervous. I couldn't tell which. Tyler and Bonnie were standing at the refreshment table and it looked as though Tyler was being sweet with Bonnie and Caroline was surrounded by a bunch of guys while Damon stood there amused.
The song suddenly changed to a slower song and Stefan looked at me and I simply nodded my head. "It truly is amazing how little has changed in this town." Stefan said suddenly after we had been dancing silently for a bit and I pulled back a little to look at him. "The clothes of course are different, but there are still the balls and galas, the same historical buildings. It really is good to come home."
"When was the last time you were in Mystic Falls?"
"My last extended stay was 40 years ago." he said and something changed in his eyes at the memory. "It wasn't one of my better visits."
As difficult as Damon was to figure out, Stefan was proving to be just as difficult. They were so different from eachother, but there was also something so familiar about both.
"Is it hard for you to be around large crowds like this?" I asked looking around.
"No it's actually easier than locking myself away and staying away from people. When I do that and then come across someone, the blood lust is too powerful." he explains, "But being around people makes it easier, but it's always a struggle."
"Damon says one paper cut or scrape could be bad." I say cautiously.
"Yes he's right, although I hope I have more control than that." he says and I worry a little and he must notice because he squeezes my hand lightly, "But I made a promise to you that I would leave before I let the blood lust get the better of me and I intend to keep that promise."
I nod my head in understanding and we dance a little without talking for awhile before dinner is announced. "How does a teenager get involved with vampires anyways? I assume it isn't just because of Damon." he asked as we walked to our table.
"No I'm actually on the Founder's Council." I said and realization seemed to dawn on him. "When my parents died I took their place. Damon is actually the first vampire that I have ever met and you're the second."
"And obviously she met the best vampire first." Damon said coming up beside me smirking with Caroline in tow looking unhappy and I just glared at him. Stefan pulled my chair out and I smiled at him as I sat down while Damon took the seat next to me frowning leaving Caroline standing there awkwardly. Thankfully Stefan noticed Caroline standing there and pulled out her chair as well making her smile and Damon roll his eyes.
"Oh crap." Tyler said making everyone look up and I saw him and Bonnie looking behind me. I turned in my seat and saw Matt and Vicky headed in our direction. Oh crap indeed.
"Hey guys mind if we join your table. It looks like you have room for two more." Vicky said smiling brightly, glancing at Tyler as the vacant seat was next to him. Behind her Matt shifted uncomfortably fidgeting with his collar. I met his eyes and smiled.
"Of course." Alaric finally said when no one said anything.
"Great." Vicky said smiling pulling Matt along. As she took her seat right next Tyler, he shifted his body so he was facing Bonnie and Vicky scoffed.
"I didn't know you had come back from Florida already Vicky. How's Kelly?" I asked.
"I actually just got back yesterday. Didn't really want to come back but I couldn't leave Matty here all by himself." she said glancing at her brother. "My mom is good. We had a blast. Florida is so much fun."
"I'm sure Kelly taught you so much." Caroline said looking sweetly at Vicky but I knew she meant it as a dig. Vicky glared at her and before looking around the table.
"Hi I'm Vicky Donovan, I don't believe I've met the two of you before." she said smiling at Damon and Stefan.
"Oh we've met." Damon muttered but still loud enough for everyone to hear and I kicked his leg knowing he meant the night Matt and I broke up and he had to compel Vicky and Tyler. He glared at me and I gave him a pointed look in return hoping no one would notice our exchange.
"We have?" she asked, "I think I would have remembered meeting you."
"You work at the Grille or at least you used to. I'm pretty sure you served me once." Damon said impassively effectively dismissing and belittling Vicky.
"Oh." Vicky said blushing and Matt and Alaric glared at him.
"I'm sorry for my brother Damon's rudeness. I'm Stefan Salvatore. It's a pleasure to meet you, Vicky was it?" he said charm just oozing off of him.
"Oh yeah I'm Vicky." she said blushing even more again Stefan's gaze. He was definitely smooth. Stefan turned his attention to Matt who just looked plain uncomfortable.
"Oh I'm Matt, Matt Donovan."
"It's a pleasure." Stefan said again. Damon scoffed beside me and motioned to the waiter for another drink. The first course arrived and I think we all let out a sigh of relief.
This was going to be a long night.
By the time dinner ended it was fully dark outside and for me dinner couldn't have ended fast enough. A five course meal was simply far too long. I immediately disappeared into the main house to use the restroom and to get away from our group. When I was coming back outside a hand covered my mouth and lifted me and pulled me away from the crowd. I struggled until he pulled me behind a tree and turned me around to face him.
Damon!
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I yell angrily pushing him away.
"We have to go. They already left." he said looking towards the woods anxiously
"What are you talking about? Everyone is still here." I say looking out in the party and spotting Bonnie and Tyler dancing as well as Stefan dancing with Caroline.
"I meant Alaric and Jenna. He's proposing…soon." he said nonchalantly before walking towards the woods. "Do you want to see this or not? I have to go or Alaric is going to kill me if I'm late."
"Alaric is proposing now?" I ask quickly walking after him.
"Have you not been listening, that's what I just said." he said and I glared at him but continued to follow him. I stumbled a bit when my heels dug into the grass but he grabbed me before I could fall frowning. "Get on my back." he instructed.
"Excuse me."
"We're never going to beat them if we stay at this human pace especially with you stumbling around like a baby that just learned how to walk." he stated and I looked at him annoyed. "I can get us there is a second."
I pointed at my dress and he muttered something under his breath before picking me up bridal style and I think I heard him warn me to "hold on tight" or something to that effect before I felt the wind on my face and saw a blur shapes whiz past me. It was amazing. I had never moved this fast in my entire life. I didn't know whether I should scream or throw up. Damon soon started to slow down until stopping in the middle of the woods. He looked down at me, his eyes sparkling and small smirk forming on his lips.
"Wow." I said without thinking and I wasn't sure if I meant by it exactly.
"Yeah pretty incredible." he said quietly gazing at me.
We stayed like that silently for awhile just looking at eachother until I became very aware that Damon was still carrying me. "Uh Damon you can put me down now." I said quietly.
"Oh uh… yeah they're almost here anyways." he said putting me down and his eye lingered on mine for a moment before he turned and stepped behind a tree as I looked around. Other than the light of the moon, it was completely dark. We were alone in the middle of the woods This was where Alaric was proposing, this couldn't be right.
"Damon where are we exactly, and why on earth would Alaric propose out here in the middle of the woods?"
"Shhh, they're nearly here." he said coming up beside me and turning me so I was facing the right direction but I still couldn't see anything.
"Damon…" I started to say but he put his fingers to my lips effectively silencing me. A moment later I heard a familiar laugh and saw light bobbing around from a lantern.
"Seriously Alaric when I suggested we go find a quiet spot to make out I didn't mean we had to go deep into the woods." Jenna said laughing
"Don't worry we're almost there." Alaric said.
"Where is there exactly Ric? We're in the middle of the woods, there's nothing out here."
"Seriously did she not see the trail of rose petals they've been following?" Damon whispered complaining and I noticed held some kind of controller in his hand.
"What is that for?" I asked motioning to the thing in his hand.
"You'll see." he said smiling, looking out into the distance. "In 3…2…1"
Damon pressed the button and suddenly lights lit up all around Jenna and Alaric creating a canopy of lights around and above them. Soft music started playing in the background and I could see the ground was covered in a blanket of pink and red rose petals. The look on Jenna's face said it all. Wow.
"You should close your mouth a fly might go into it." Damon whispered in my ear and I shoved him in response.
Jenna kept looking around her like she couldn't quite believe it and I didn't blame her. What Alaric and I'm guessing Damon had done was truly impressive. Alaric grabbed her hands and she looked at him with her eyes wide.
"Jenna you are so amazing. I didn't think it was possible to fall in love again. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would spend the rest of my life alone, but then I came here and you…you were like this burst of fresh air. You brought so much light back in my life. You are so beautiful. Everything you are… everything you have done for Elena and Jeremy, well you are so good Jenna and I don't know how I even deserve you." he said touching her face before suddenly getting down on one knee and pulling a box out from his pocket and opening it while Jenna covered her mouth with her hands in surprise. "I…I can't imagine my life without you in it anymore…I don't know if I can live without you in my life. All I see when I look into the future is you. Jenna Sommers will you marry me?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Jenna screamed out nodding her enthusiastically. Alaric slipped the ring on her finger before standing up and they threw their arms around eachother and he spun her around kissing her.
A tissue appeared in front of me and I looked at it curiously before taking it and wiping my eyes. I hadn't realized I had been crying until that moment. I was just so happy for Jenna. "Thank you." I whispered to Damon and he nodded his head in understanding. I found myself looking at him as he watched Jenna and Alaric dancing around. There was a content and happy look on his face that I don't believe I had ever seen cross Damon's face before. He looked genuinely happy.
"Stop staring its rude." he said giving me a sideways glance.
"You know I don't understand you. How can you be this guy, the guy that helped his best friend put together and execute the most romantic marriage proposal ever, but also be this complete jerk to everyone else especially Caroline." I asked and he looked at me and shook his head before he started to walk away.
"We should leave them alone before they get NC-17 on us." he said.
I stared at his retreating form for a second before glancing back at Jenna and Alaric who definitely needed their alone time now and followed quickly after him which was proving to be much more difficult than earlier with the gown, the heels and the darkness. I was able to catch up to him quickly probably because he was gong at an alarmingly slow rate for a vampire.
"I know that you're not the horrible jerk that you insist on projecting to the rest of the world so why do you always act like that?" I ask.
"Don't try to analyze my behavior Elena or try to see something good in me because I am not a good guy."
"Yes you are. Otherwise you wouldn't have helped Alaric with his proposal, protect me, or even hang out and talk to Jeremy." I said and he looked at me curiously, "He told me that you've been helping him, talking to him, encouraging him. Thank you. I feel like my brother is actually going to be ok."
He simply nodded his head in acknowledgement and I was half surprised he had done that. "Look Damon, I know you're capable of being a good guy but you're determined not to show it to anyone else so for the rest of the night can you just do me one favor?" I asked peering at him hopefully."
"It depends on what the favor is."
"Caroline. Even if you don't like her she is your date and she deserves to be treated better than you have been treating her. Dance with her, make her feel like you actually want to be here with her. For the rest of the night make her think she's just too good for you and then tell her at the end of the night that you just don't think the two of you were meant to be."
"Ok, but you have two do me a favor as well." he said and I grimaced. "Don't worry it's nothing horrible I promise. All I ask is for one dance.."
"One dance that's it?" I ask skeptically.
"That's it I swear."
"Ok." I said after a moment.
"Ok." he repeated and I smiled. We walked the rest of the way back in silence and before we broke into the clearing I touched Damon's arm lightly and he peered back at me.
"Thank you for taking me to see that. It was beautiful."
"I just figured if I had to sit through all of that sugar I might as well have some company and I figured you may want to see your aunt commit to tying herself down to one person for the rest of her life."
I just smiled and nodded my head and started to walk away but he grabbed my hand. "I thought you agreed to dance with me." he said.
"Here?"
"Can you think of a better place?" he said putting his arms out, "We can hear the music, the moon and the stars are bright, plus if we dance over there it will just get everyone talking again."
"You heard about that huh?" I said feeling myself blush.
"I hear everything Elena."
He held his arms out and I placed one hand in his and the other on his shoulder. We swayed silently to the music and I felt his arms tighten around me and my hands snake around his neck. Alone dancing under the moonlight, it all just felt right.
Damon released his hold on me suddenly and sighed, glanced at me briefly then looked toward the large manicure bushes.
"Stefan."
Stefan sheepishly came out and into view. "How was it, the proposal?"
"You knew?" I ask surprised looking between Damon and Stefan.
"Well Damon and Alaric were doing their planning at the Boarding House and even from my room I could still hear them, plus Damon asked me to keep Caroline busy while he brought you to watch your aunt get engaged." he explained.
"Wow, ok. I wasn't expecting that." I say not knowing what to say.
"If you'll excuse me, I should go find my date." Damon said walking away and I watched him walk away.
Stefan came up beside me and put his arm out, "May I escort you back to the party?"
I smiled and took his arm and grabbed a champagne flute from a waiter that we passed along the way, "So how was it?" he asked again.
"It was beautiful. Perfect."
"Would you like to dance?" he asked as I finished the contents of the champagne flute I had and I nodded my head smiling.
As we stepped onto the dance floor I noticed Damon talking to Caroline near our table. Her arms were crossed but he was talking to her and he put his hand out and after a moment she took it. I watched as he took her into his arms when they reached the dance floor and he brushed her hair back and look at her adoringly. I don't know why but I felt a small stab on pain watching them. This was exactly what I wanted him to do, what I had asked of him and I should be happy that he was doing it, but I felt the opposite. I watched as he pulled her closer and as they spun around the dance floor, Caroline's face adorned with a wide happy smile he caught my eye and in that moment I knew that I had been completely wrong about everything. I had misjudged Damon Salvatore and I had been lying to myself this whole time because there was definitely something going between us.
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