Stefan's POV

I was waiting impatiently in front of the principal's office for my brother to come out. He's been inside for more than forty minutes already and I was starting to get worried. I know I've made some mistakes and that my grades were awful, but I wasn't sure it was necessary for them to ask for one of my guardians comes here today. Then again, I've lied about the parents-teacher's meeting and tried to cover up the fight I was involved in three weeks ago, so I guess, they might have been a bit right to call at home and ask for a private meeting. When mom hung up the phone she was beyond furious. I think the last time I've seen her like this was when Damon crashed the car into a three half an year ago. All I wanted to do right now was light a cigarette, so I can calm myself down and think again of how awful my life has been lately, since I couldn't really go to practice with my hand so screwed up, and how everything was going downside. I still haven't talked to mother about my intentions to really leave, because Damon's been doing everything to prevent this from happening. Lately, he was trying to act all responsible. He often came to my room to talk and made sure everything was fine, that I wasn't in pain and that I was keeping out of trouble. No matter what the time was, when he came back from work, his first stop was my room. I liked spending time with him- he usually brought me some beer and we watched the sports, but he was sometimes a pain in the ass. Especially when he was trying to make me understand that I have to find my way and start doing things right. I never fought with him, though, I only remained silent or didn't listen to his words at all. I was trying to just make him understand that I have my own view of everything in life and he doesn't need to constantly go beside me, support me and make sure that I won't get into another mess. Honestly, one of the reasons I wanted to leave, was because I didn't want him to worry so much about me and feel on edge every time I got back late home, wondering if I've done something ridiculous again. Since mom was working today, he had to come here and deal with it all, which he accepted with open arms. He was very good at scolding me, even better than mom, and he was looking forward to giving me another big speech. Once the door finally opened and him and the principle exchanged a few words, he headed back to the bench I was sitting on and I stood up, feeling a bit nervous.

He gave me a very stern look and slapped me on the back of my neck.

"Oh! That hurts, Damon!" I protested, but he continued looking at me with the same determination that he always had when he was thinking that now is the time to kick my ass and make things right.

"That's only the beginning, Stefan. I promise you." he said seriously and walked down the hallway. "How stupid are you exactly?"

"Damon I-"

"No, I don't wanna hear your stupid apologies. You think you can make me feel bad for you-you can't!" he suddenly stopped and turned back to me, but I bowed my head down, since I was afraid to face his fierce eyes right now. "You've screwed up, Stefan. Big time. You're failing almost everything and you were in a fight a few weeks back. When were you planning on telling me that? Let's not mention how many classes you have skipped. The principle was on the verge of expelling you and warned me that if you don't get yourself together he'll make sure that happens. You be glad that mom isn't here or right now those hallways would be echoing with her angry voice." he spilled out and continued walking, when he suddenly make a right turn instead of continuing forward to the exit, and I wondered what he had in mind.

"Damon it's not that simple. I had to go to practice and-"

"Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me about that' he stopped again "You're no longer going to practice. Actually, forget about basketball at all."

"No way!" I almost yelled and then realized how glad I was that the classes were over and there was no one else left here, except, I guess those who had practice and the tutors. "I worked hard to get where I am, I'm not stopping now."

"I don't give a damn, Stefan. You need to get your grades up and fix everything you've messed up."

"You can't do that to me! You don't understand." I protested again, now sounding more desperate, which made me hate myself even more. I wasn't a weak person, I didn't want anyone's pity.

"Oh I understand, believe me. But the thing is-I don't care. I'm not watching you ruining everything anymore and I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you make things right." he suddenly stopped and I realized that we were in front of the tutor center. I was so blinded by my rage against him that I didn't really watch when were going. So what now-he was going to make me sit down and study? "Get in!" he said, but I didn't make a move "Now, Stefan." he continued and I finally made a few steps. I hated him for doing this. It was my own damn life and I could do whatever the hell I want with it. I sure as hell wasn't staying here playing by his rules. I only needed the school year to be finished, so I can leave and never come back to this goddamn town, which I already hated with my guts. My brother can stop playing hero here, when he hasn't even fixed his own life, but was trying to do so with mine. I didn't want to talk to him, or mother, or anyone for that matter. I was angry and full of rage, since things were going on the downside this past week. I wasn't able to go out, I was still in pain sometimes and I couldn't sleep. It was impossible to find some peace anywhere around this house and they didn't let me go outside much as well as they were controlling freaks and needed to make sure I don't go too far to get in trouble.

"I don't need a tutor." I said grumpy, but he just put his hand on my shoulder and led me to the desk where Mrs. Smith, who was in charge of the library and the tutor center, was dealing with some paperwork. When she heard our heavy steps approaching she looked up and gave my brother welcoming smile.

"Oh, Damon Salvatore" she remembered everyone of the previous students here "What bring you here?"

" Mrs. Smith, I'm pleased to see you again." Damon said politely. He could charm the hell out of every woman, no matter what age they were "You haven't changed at all." he continued with the compliments.

"Oh" the old lade blushed "You're a liar. What can I do for you?" she asked now even more willing to help until her look stopped on me and she furrowed her eyebrows lightly, just for a slight moment, only so that could help me read her thoughts-she wasn't fond of me. I once lend a book from her library and never got it back. And she surely had a good memory, no matter how invisible I was in this school.

"My brother here needs a tutor, I thought you can give us a hand at who's best." he continued with the same flattering voice

"Tutor in what subject?" she asked and got her look back from me to my brother, which immediately brought a smile to her face.

"Oh he's failing almost everything" my brother continued talking for me "But I guess Biology and Chemistry are his worst right now." I only let a slight grunt, but it was loud enough for Damon to hear it and step on my shoe, before I could make a comment on the subject.

"Oh well, then you should probably go to Elena Gilbert. She's the best in that area." What? Elena! No freaking way! I am not letting her tutor me under no circumstances.

"No." I said harshly interrupting Mrs. Smith and Damon, who put his hand on my shoulder again and gripped it for s light moment.

"Where can I find her?" he asked again without paying any attention to my words. As if I wasn't next to him, but he still felt as if he had the right to decide what I do from now on. I was pissed off at him. Yelling at me, for my own actions-that's all fine, but setting me up with Elena as a tutor was completely another.

Mrs. Smith stood up and took him to another room, where the tutors were giving their lessons and my brother ordered me to stay here. I was on the verge of just taking my back and walk away, I wasn't up for this. I didn't want to get my grades up or satisfy my mother. I just wanted to play basketball and get the hell out of here. There wasn't anything else for me anymore. I know I was being absolutely stubborn right now, I was realizing it and yet I didn't want to let go of it and just accept it all. I wanted to get out of this school and go throw a ball at the court so I can calm down and forget about how screwed up everything was. I know, I wasn't right. I know Damon only wanted the best for me, I know he cared. But the thing is-I didn't want him to care, I just wanted it all to be over with. I wanted my hand not to hurt anymore so I can play like I want, I wanted the school to be over with, I wanted to just do whatever I liked doing without thinking of the consequences. But mostly-I wanted to be left alone and I knew that wasn't going to happen anytime soon since Damon was so bend up on making sure I get my life straight. What does this even mean, I wondered. He can't just fix things like this, he was only deluding himself. But then again, I cared for him as well. I didn't want to cause him trouble, I wanted him to be proud of me, which was the only reason I was sitting down on this chair right now-I cared too much about him to disappoint him more than I've until now.

When I heard the door open again I was unwilling to turn around, but as I heard her gentle sweet laugh I couldn't resist myself. As I saw her next to my brother, I realized that I didn't like him being so close next to her. It made me furrow my eyebrows even more than they already were, but when she met my look, I suddenly softened and gave her a light smile, only for a short minute, even though I was feeling so mad and betrayed inside. She wasn't supposed to be helping me. Moreover-I didn't want her to help me.

"Hey Stefan" she greeted me enthusiastically. I immediately noticed the childish innocent spark in her eyes, which wasn't present in our last conversation and it made me want to smile as well, but I was just too mad and angry that I was being played like this so I didn't show her in any way how glad I was that I was actually seeing her.

"Hey" I responded silently and looked back down at my shoes. I didn't look good today-my clothes were a bit shabby and their colors were fading away, which only made me look more like a person who doesn't belong to the present than I initially even wanted to be. "Ready to find your love for Biology again?" she asked a bit shyly and looked up at my brother who nodded approvingly. I felt very stupid in that moment. As if we were two kids who were listening to what their bigger sibling was saying and they had no other choice but to silently obey.

"Right now?" I asked hopelessly and gave my brother another one of my angry looks.

"We have test next week so we better start up right away" she said again, which pretty much surprised me. I've never heard her talk so much, not in school anyway. I noticed that her cheeks were no longer red-ish, she seemed eager to start doing something and I honestly admired her willingness to keep moving forward in life, no matter how much it lacked sense right now. I let a deep sigh out, ran my fingers through my hair, nodded slowly, again completely helplessly and followed her outside, under my brother's approving and finally happy look. At least one of us would be satisfied today, I thought as we were finding our way to the big room full of kids teaching other kids subject that didn't really matter in real life. She led me to one of the tables in the corner, which seemed more remote-I guess she liked solitude as well. We sat down, but I didn't really dare to look up and meet her eyes again. There was something inside me that wanted me to do so, but I was trying very hard not to give in to it. "So, look" she started and I had no other choice, but to meet her beautiful brown dove eyes "I know that you're not up to doing this, but it's for your"

"Own good. I know, Elena" I interrupted her, but not harshly. I only wanted to tell her that I understand "Let's just get this over with." she nodded and opened up the book.

"Do you have a pen? A notebook?" she asked when she saw that I'm not attempting to show any productivity in our first lesson. I shook my head feeling embarrassed and stupid. She didn't judge me though, she didn't let an annoying sigh out and she didn't scold me for being so irresponsible. Instead she smiled and dig up in her own bag only so she would get out a clean notebook and a black pen out of it and hand them over me. "Here you go." she said politely and I felt even worse, unable to speak up and even say that I'm grateful, so instead I nodded and tried to give her a smile, though very unsuccessfully. She moved her chair closer to me and I suddenly tensed, while still refusing to really look up and meet her kind eyes again. She didn't pay any attention to my shyness. Instead she pulled the book closer to us and started explaining.

We spend the next three hours there and every time her hand accidently brushed mine, while turning another page or writing something, I felt my heart clenching from her gentle touch and my cheeks turning red, but I tried to remain silent and understanding. I didn't want to cause her any trouble, so I listened carefully to everything she was explaining. We stopped for a break only once and in that time she went to get herself coffee, while I remained on the same chair, trying to figure out how to solve the previous test. She was very strict when it came to me understanding stuff and answering the best way possible. She even scolded me from time to time for being too lazy to write something out even if I knew it and I never opposed her, I only did what I was taught, because she was a person I wasn't looking up to disappointing. Once we were finished, I felt completely exhausted while she continued to be this full of energy and eager to learn and teach more girl. She took my notebook and wrote me when our next meetings will be and my heart clenched at the thought of us being so close to each other again. I couldn't figure out what was going on with me-I didn't like girls, I never fell in love. I was just indifferent to it all-until she came along and confused the hell out of me, making me feel so strange around her, so lost and found at the same time, making me unable to figure out how is that even possible.

"You know" she started as we were both gathering our stuff "You're pretty smart, Stefan. I don't know why you have such bad grades. "

"I really…don't care much about school" was my honest answer as I finally stood up and found the courage in me to give her a light smile. I guess she expected me to leave her, but I decided to wait and send her on the way home, since I felt like I owe her. When she was done we walked slowly away from the enormous room, being one of the last few remaining there, because she was caught up in explaining me as much of the lessons as she could as we didn't have much time till the next test. When she was talking about Biology was as if she was explaining literature-she made it all look so logical and even easy to understand and read that I actually started to like it even though I wasn't eager to admit it.

"How's your hand?" she asked once when as we were out and I noticed her staring at the bandage on my hand.

"Oh, it's better, thank you." I hurried to assure her while trying to figure out what to ask her next since she was the one to start any kind of communication with a subject different from school.

"I bet you miss playing already." she made a good guess and tucked a strain of her hair behind her ear nervously.

'Yes, it a lot. And I'll keep missing it until I get those grades up, I guess."

"I don't think that's something to worry about" she said, trying to calm me down, in which she was surprisingly succeeding. "You'll make up for the bad ones in no time." I smiled gratefully and nodded in appreciation for her words.

"Thank you for agreeing to do this. I know you have other students as well."

"It's fine. I wanted to do this." she emphasized on the her last words and I seriously started wondering what she meant by that "I wanted to do something for you, just like you did something for me." ah, now it all made sense. She was still trying to make up for me helping her that night. Why was she so bend on making us even? It wasn't about this at all-it was about being human. But I wasn't up for arguing with her, we all had our own perspectives on things. If she needed this so much then I didn't mind, maybe it was her way of achieving personal satisfaction-by helping the dumb basketball players, who weren't even basketball players at this right moment, but only pathetic skinny boys with shabby jeans.

"So, what's up with your friend Caroline? I haven't seen you two together lately?" I finally found something to ask her about as I remembered seeing Elena all alone in the hallways this week, which made me actually feel bad for her, but since my pride was too big and I didn't really know her after all, I never went by her side or sat with her. I was a loner myself and she seemed to be okay on her own, which is why I never make any attempt to go and talk to her. Then it hit me that she was a girl and girls liked attention, they liked being surrounded by friends and discussing the gossip going around school. But now Elena was the gossip for the others, she was the black sheep, who was keeping away from the cheerleader herd. That was just so screwed up and sad that I had no words for describing the stupidity of some people in our small, weak, lacking any kind of common sense teenage community.

"Well" she started and I sensed the bitterness in her voice, which made me immediately regret my question "I realized she was just one of those friends you have who only use you for writing their homework and assignments, for cheating on tests and dealing with everything in group projects and nothing else. So I told her to get lost and now the whole school hates me."

"I don't hate you." I said a little too fast and she looked up at me surprised, which made me blush a little and look back down at my shoes, but I looked back up, now trying to sound determined "You're a good person, Elena. And because of that people think they can treat you according to their preferences. I'm glad you're smart enough to not let them do this."

"Thanks." she said gratefully and gave me one of her big genuine smiles "You know, I thought I would feel pretty lonely once I finally speak up my mind and tell her to just leave me alone, but it's actually…pretty much liberating. I never thought I would feel so good."

"Loneliness is a good thing" I responded "Because it gives you more time to think, to observe and that helps you understand everything around you better." I wasn't trying to sound wise or anything like that, I was just speaking my mind, and she was carefully listening to me. I don't think anyone ever paid so much attention to my words as she was right now. Every time I spoke up I always felt like a dumbass. I wasn't good with words…I sucked with words. I liked reading and I wrote my English assignments in a relatively acceptable way, but when I had to actually talk to people-I fucked up. With her though, it seemed like I'm letting it all out just like that, without thinking, and they actually made good sense "But sometimes we all need a friend by our side, because there are moments in life, you just need to share with someone, otherwise they lose their value, they become insignificant when they are supposed to have the greatest meaning." I finally dared to look back at her and noticed how serious her expression has become, which made me regret speaking up all those things. She was lonely now, she has just lost her friend and I told her that she'll need one. Am I stupid or what?

"Is that how you've been feeling?" she asked out of nowhere and I stopped abruptly only so she would follow my lead and stand still by my side, expecting me to give her a respond "Because I've never seen you with anyone in school and I just thought-" now she was regretting her words and was trying to say something that would make us both forget the initial question

"It's fine, Elena" I said reassuringly "Yes, I don't really have any friends. Maybe it's better this way. I'm not a very good person to begin with, I would probably bring trouble to whomever decided they should get close to me."

"I don't think so." she opposed and hurried to look away "I just think that sometimes in life things mess up and there's nothing you can do about it." we started walking again "I'm sure you deserve a friend."

"You do as well" I hurried to assure her as well and she smiled again. God, she looked so beautiful when she smiled "But not like Caroline." I added and she giggled.

"I hope we both find the right person then" she said and stopped again, but this time because we were approaching her house

"Thanks a lot for agreeing to do this." I repeated, feeling like a total idiot in front of her, unable to make another compliment or say something else different from what I have until now.

"It's fine." she reassured me again as if she knew I needed it "I'll see you on Monday, yeah? And reread everything I explained today or you'll be in trouble. You need an A on the test, okay? "

"Really? I was hoping for a C."

"My students never get a C" she said with determination "And don't you dare disappoint me, Salvatore or I'll kick your ass."

"Oh really?" I said and giggled only so I would get a reaction out of her "And how exactly are you going to do this?" I challenged her and she punched me surprisingly in the arm, which made me drop the book I was carrying.

"Ouch!" I let out and she suddenly got all worried and leaned down to get my book "That was unexpected."

"Are you okay?" she said with concern in her voice and took up my injured hand, which still had the bandage on "Does it hurt you?"

"You punched me in the arm, not in the palm, Elena." I said while arching my eyebrow and she cleared her throat nervously, without really paying any attention to my words, instead she made me open up my hand since I've clenched it in a fist and made a disgusted expression

"You should change this, it's too dirty!" she protested and I gently pulled my hand away from hers with a light reassuring smile on my face.

"I would make my mom put anew bandage tonight." I promised and she nervously pulled a few steps back with her hands behind her back.

"Yes, you should definitely do that" her words started lacking any sense and all I wanted to do was just laugh out loud, but I knew it would hurt her so I just nodded once again and we said our goodbyes, after I also made the promise that I would reread all the lessons tonight. I waited until she got back to her house and then slowly took off with a smile on my face.

Damon's POV

When Stefan finally decided to come home, mother and me were having dinner. He seemed pretty mad at me for making him go to the tutor center today, but honestly, I didn't really care about how much he resented me in this moment. I was worried about him. I knew he wasn't sleeping much lately and not being able to play drove him to an edge. Today when I told him that he won't be going to practice anymore, I saw pure hatred in his eyes and then..I realized that he felt helpless. We were taking everything away from him, just because we were so desperate to make him participate in real life, have good grades and become a responsible person. He hated us for this, he hated us for wanting to change him and I'm sure he realized that we were doing all this because we were worried, yet he couldn't really stop his emotions-he felt betrayed. I was always the careless brother, the one to bring trouble and doing whatever on earth I want and I now I was putting boundaries all around him, making him feel hopeless and even more sad. When he entered the kitchen he tried to get away from sitting on the table, but mother gave him a judging look and he decided to join us, though he didn't really said a word. My mom didn't make any attempt to talk to him either, she thought that he should be the one trying to communicate with us, but I could see he was nowhere near getting there.

Later after I've just brushed my teeth and was ready to go to bed I noticed that the kitchen light was still on, which made me suspicious since I thought mom has already gone to bed. She has been working the whole day and she was exhausted. I came by the door only to notice Stefan sitting on the table and her clearing his cut and gently putting a new bandage on his hand.

"You shouldn't leave it like this. It was too dirty, you can infect it" she scolded him, but in a way which expressed her concern. He didn't say anything, though, just patiently observed her as she was carefully cleaning the dirt from his hand.

"Mom" he said after a while as I was just about to head back to my room "I want to go to uncle Zach in Boston after the school year is over." she suddenly stopped dealing with his cut and looked up at him surprised "And stay there." he added.

It took her a while to answer him, I could see how confused she was, he has totally taken her by surprise so she tried to hide her confusion by looking back at his palm and the bandage. I noticed that her hands were trembling a bit and so did he, because he caught her with his healthy hand and made her look back at him.

"Why?" she asked before he could speak up again. I almost wanted to laugh. Was she seriously questioning him right now? This was her idea in the first place, now what? Was she changing her mind all of a sudden?

"I think it's better this way." he sighed "There isn't really anything for me here." he spoke up the same words he said to me

"What about me and your brother? Aren't we enough of a reason for you to stay?" she said sounding hurt. He stood up though, she has finished patching him up.

"I just wanna leave, mom." there was such deep sadness in his voice that it made me want to go inside, kick his ass and hug him in the same time, that's how much his words really affected me. She nodded slightly and gave him a tired, but full of disappointment smile. He nodded in appreciation and I headed to the door. I hurried to hide back in my room. Yes, exactly, to hide. Because I couldn't face him and his sadness right now. I couldn't figure why he was so bend on leaving. Did he feel left out when he heard us talking with mom that night after the fight? Did he think it was better this way-to just get the hell out of here so that we could be happy, calm and free of all kinds of problems? Because that wouldn't be the case.

I couldn't really fall asleep for the next few hours. I kept thinking how I would feel if the room beside mine was completely empty. I kept trying to figure out how would I feel without my brother by my side. I kept wondering if that's what loneliness is? Is that what he's been feeling like all this time?

A/N: How sweet are those two idiots exactly, huh? Anyway, I'm sorry for not updating earlier, I've pretty much convinced myself to stop writing for this story, but I guess I changed my mind. Hope you enjoy!