Stefan's POV

I felt her warm, small lips pressed on mine-she was giving in and it was the sweetest feeling in the world. For the first time in my life I felt like I was complete-I was genuinely happy. I felt her falling deeper and letting me lose myself in her. Yes, that's right-she wasn't losing herself in me, it was the opposite-I was ready to give my whole life just to remain like this forever. Her hand went at the back of my neck and gently caressed my hair, while I moved my hands up from her waist, without letting myself go any further. I have no idea what happened to us both, I just know that it was the most naïve and innocent thing to do. Ever since I felt her body pressed on mine, when she hugged me, I knew that I wouldn't be able to hold myself together. I was ready to lift her up in my lap, bring her to the bench next to us, and never let her go, but I didn't do that-instead I kissed her, even though my heart was about to burst out and God, I surely did not regret it. I won't regret it till I am alive on this earth and probably after that. She smelled so good, her soft hair was tickling me gently on the neck causing me to feel even more hot than I did already, irritating me to the point where I wanted to continue kissing her, without having to catch my breath. I finally let myself feel good about it all-from the minute we collided, I knew that there was no way back-I was falling in love, for the first time in my life. And I was both confused and calm at the same time, because I was sure that this was the best person I could've fallen for and no matter what happens from now on, she will remain the best choice my heart has ever made in the past seventeen years.

For the first time, I was sure that I wasn't making a mistake and it felt so good that I realized that my fingers trembling as I was slightly caressing her back. Her t-shirt was moving up , as if it was trying to help me give in her more and more, but I was careful, because I didn't want to scare her, so I tried to remain appropriate and moved my hands to her sides. It was hard for us both to catch our breath-I couldn't figure how long we were like this, but to me, personally, it seemed like years. I suddenly felt her pulling away from me-abruptly and I unwillingly opened my eyes, only so I could see her angry expression, which was certainly the last thing I expected from her. The moment I saw her eyes-that dark brown full of hatred and anger towards me, I knew that things were about to mess up. She pushed my chest with her small hands, which however caused me to lose my balance for a moment and make a step back. I gave her a questioning look, being unable to find the right words at all and then before I knew it she made a step towards me and slapped me on the face.

"You bastard!" she yelled as I was rubbing the place where she had just hit me "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Elena, I-"

"You can't do this, Stefan!" she yelled and I finally dared to look back at her. There were tears in her eyes-tears ready to fall down. She didn't care that she was crying and honestly-there wasn't anyone, who would see her-the bell has rang a long time ago, announcing the begging of the first class after the lunch break-we were all alone, drowning in the desperate silence that this godforsaken place was providing. "You are leaving for God's sakes! You can't kiss me then get on the road and forget this ever happened!"

"Elena, please-" I repeated desperately

"No!" she interrupted me yet again "That's bullshit! Whatever you say is just bullshit. Was this your plan from the beginning-to make me believe that you need help, seduce me and the fucking leave me?" I shook my head in desperate attempt to show her that I never had such intentions, but she seemed bend on letting out everything she was thinking right now "You are a coward, Stefan, that's the whole truth-just like the rest of the boys, you want to have fun and then bail on me. "

"I never had such intentions" I raised my voice now and she looked me in the eyes, but she didn't believe me. She tossed her hands in the air as if she was so fed up with me, that she had no words anymore and she tried to pass by me with her small, but fast pace. I gently touched her shoulder, trying to stop her, but she just jumped away, as if she was afraid I'll do something to her. Did she really believe I could do that? That I would hurt her? Me, who kicked the asses of those boys, only so I could make sure she gets home safe. Didn't she know better than to put me on the same level as them? I was so stunned by what has happened in those past few minutes, that I couldn't even comprehend a single sentence, while she obviously didn't have any difficulties expressing herself in that moment-she was pissed off at me.

"Stop it, Stefan." she said now silently "It's done. I don't want to see you, I'm surely not going to help you anymore, since it seems like you're pretty smart to deal with it all by yourself. I don't want you looking for me, do you understand?" she said it as a question, but I know she needed no answer, she just wanted to make herself extremely clear "Have a nice life." was her last sentence as she stormed away from me.

I watched her as she went away and didn't dare to make a single step, because I was thinking that I don't want this moment to end. I don't want to start walking back home, I don't want to forget how it felt when I had her pressed next to me, I didn't want my damn poor heart, which just got stomped over, to start beating normal again and yet it was already. I looked up, the sky was dark, it was about to rain, though the only thing surrounding me right now was complete silence, I couldn't even hear the teacher's voices from the classrooms, because they were on the other side of the school. There was a light breeze, which strengthened its influence every once in a while, gently moving my basketball jersey, which I was wearing as a consolation prize for the fact that I couldn't play right now. My look came back to place where she was standing right before me, just a minute ago. I wanted to be mad, to get angry at her, to tell her that she was wrong, but the only thing I did was smile lightly at myself, because deep down I knew she was completely right. I wasn't any different from any of the other guys-I was misleading her. It wasn't fair to give in somebody, give them hope that you'll be there for them and then just disappear. Even though my heart was bleeding, I fully realized that she was the best thing that ever happened to me despite the fact that she had just walked away from my life. It was the best journey I've had in my life, no matter how short-lived it was. I would still put it right next to the first time my dad took Damon and me to a football game or the moment when uncle Zach told me how proud he was with me after that summer I spent working with him in Boston.

I shook my head as I felt the first drops falling on my forehead, but I still didn't move. I picked up a cigarette out of my box, hidden in the back pocket of my shabby jeans. I didn't wore my new ones today. I was saving them for Friday, when I planned to ask Elena out after our lessons. Out for more than just an ice cream-out for a dinner. My brother gave me half the money I was paid for working at his place, he even lent me one of his shirts when he understood that I had the intentions of going out with a girl. I've ironed it last night and now it was hanging on my wardrobe door-a blue plaid shirt. Elena's favorite color. Now I was terrified at the thought of coming home and seeing it there when I knew I wouldn't get the chance to put it on. I was sad, honestly. I wasn't devastated, or at least I liked to think so, but I was completely and utterly shattered by sadness. I put the cigarette in my mouth, but didn't light it on right there. In a few minutes, when the rain became heavier the cigarette soaked and I hid it back in my pocket. If anyone has caught me smoking here, I would probably be out of the school in matter of hours. Not that it mattered anymore, not that it has ever mattered in the first place.

I looked up at the sky and closed my eyes as the drops were covering my whole face and then I kneeled down and bended my head. The only thing I was able to listen to was the sound of the rain falling down, colliding with the ground, making a mess of the earth, screwing up everything around me by mudding it, turning the dust into a wet soil of nothingness.

I was getting cold, so I stood up and headed to the entrance. I was passing by the empty hallways and rows of lockers, putting a trace of wet steps behind me. I was leaving a path for somebody to find me and yet I knew that the only person I was willing to allow and do so, would never even consider it. Just as I was about to pass by her locker, I noticed something and stopped abruptly. There was water coming out of it. Caroline has done her the trick, with flooding everything Elena had in there, again. I looked up at the clock hanging on the opposite wall, only to realize that I have about half an hour until the class is over and this hallway becomes the most crowded place in the school. Half an hour before she would be humiliated for yet another time. I took off my backpack and get on trying to unlock it, which wasn't hard since Caroline was here before me and didn't even decide to close it properly. I took all her stuff out then cleaned the space with some paper from the male bathroom. I couldn't really fix her books, which were soaking but I opened them up and put them back in, so they could at least start drying. I was sure that at least now there wouldn't be a surprise for her when she comes to look out for her stuff and nobody would find out what that evil cheerleader has done. People like her were getting me out of my skin.

I thought a bit about leaving Elena a note, but decided that it would be too selfish. I closed her locker and stood for a few minutes, wondering about whether to go with the idea that has just popped up in my mind.

I decided to leave my bag on the floor. I still had less than ten minutes to do something good for her today, because she surely deserved it.

Damon's POV

I heard the front door open and slightly smiled to myself-Stefan was coming home. I distinguished the sound of him putting his shoes off in the corridor, slowly as if he wasn't eager to come in at all. Mom was at work all day and he knew I would be the only one in the house. Lately, ever since I dropped the stupid package on my feet, he's been there for me all the time. It almost felt as if we were kids again-we were joking around, laughing and playfully punching each other in the arms. I loved seeing him smile, being energetic and I hated myself for needing his help right now as I knew that he could spent his hours outside with Elena and enjoy himself with her. It turned out that my idea about making him go to the tutor center was the best thing that I've ever done for him in the past year or so. I noticed how bright his face was every time he came back home after a lesson with her and even though he was denying that they were anything more than friends I knew, by the look in his eyes- he was falling in love. And that honestly was the sweetest thing that I have ever seen happen before me. It was so innocent and childishly beautiful that I found myself rooting for them from the moment I saw them sitting together on that table in the tutor center. She was such a lovely girl-she was smart, honest, a bit shy, just like him. But above all-I think she understood him and my brother surely needed a person like this in his life right now, because neither me, nor mother were able to fully comprehend whatever was going on in this blond head of his. There were moments he wouldn't speak a word out, others when he was away all the time, avoiding coming home, evenings when I caught him smoking in his room, trying to figure out how to write a homework and countless other times when he was just not part of this world, which truly scared me. Not that he hasn't been like this since he was a kid, but now it was different. In the moments when he was supposed to be finding himself, figuring what to do with his future, he was doing the exact opposite-hitting rock bottom and it's not that I felt sorry for him-yes, that as well, but I was above all-worried. Mom, well…I'm not sure she could figure out what was going on with him, because she wasn't here those months when we were losing ourselves while she was in Boston, treating her disease. As every parent she was trying to protect him, to do what's best for him so it was completely logical to her to treat him the way she did right now-he deserved her stern behavior or at least that's what she thought.

"Hey, brother" I yelled, thinking that he was still undressing himself when he was actually entering the kitchen. He didn't make any attempt to answer me though, his clothes were let and he was walking towards the fridge with his head bend down. "Stefan?" I asked and he finally looked up at me. I noticed that the end of his fingers were..orange? As if he has painted something, but decided not to push that matter right now, since he seemed as if he was about to collapse in matter of minutes. His look was screaming-don't talk to me right now and he pulled a beer out of the fridge. I pushed myself up and sat on the couch while he was drinking eagerly from the bottle "Stefan! What's going on? Weren't you supposed to be still at school?" I looked up at the clock and realized it was quite early. He should've had a lesson with Elena.

"I'm not going to the tutor center anymore." he said calmly and slowly came by my side, with the beer in his hand. He pulled up a chair right before me and sat down, with his wet clothes. It was as if that didn't bother him at all.

"What? Why?" I asked surprised by his words, but grateful that he has decided to talk, which however didn't last long, because he remained silent again and buried his hands in his hair "Is it Elena? Did you get into a fight?"

He looked up-his green eyes were full of tears and it made my heart clench. For about ten minutes we just stood like this, him silently finishing his beer and me looking at him. He didn't need to tell me anything-obviously things between them have screwed up and now he was hurt. I silently cursed myself for being happy just minutes ago with my decision to meet them. I didn't need to know the whole story, it was enough to look at him-he was a broken boy, right in this moment and I could see how he wanted to scream and toss stuff and be angry at the whole world, but he wouldn't do so, because he was calmly and silently weeping inside and that was slowly ruining him. I stood up, and staggered, because I couldn't really walk normally yet. As he saw my attempt, he caught my hand and prevented me from losing his balance. He threw his arm on my shoulder and thought that I would want to move around, since I haven't been up the whole day, but I stopped and he gave me a questioning look. When I pulled him into a hug, he didn't try to get away as usually, he remained there as I was gently rubbing his back, but he didn't embrace me right back either.

"I'm sorry, Stefan." I said silently as I was finally letting him go.

"It's fine. It's for the better anyway." he helped me walk around a bit and then, when I got tired I sat back on the table while he went to make some coffee and then change his clothes. There was nothing but silence surrounding us and I surely didn't want to interrupt it, because I knew he needs some time just to process whatever has happened. I didn't dare ask him what exactly happened, I didn't like pressuring him.

"You know" he started after a while with a serious voice as he climbed up on the kitchen plot where mom usually cooked, just as when we were kids "When I leave..you're gonna take care of mom for me, right?"

"Absolutely" I tried to assure him with a light smile. He bowed his head down again, while holding his cup, looking at the coffee and obviously thinking about stuff. When I saw him like this, so lost in his own mind, I often worried that he's thinking things he shouldn't be. Like that the reason mom got sick was because of him, because he was a bad son, causing her troubles. Or that he was a burden to us, an unnecessary weight on our backs. "Stefan." I said his name calmly, more as a plead as of anything else "I know I told you that I don't approve of you leaving" a few days back we had a big fight about this and I kept yelling at him about how this is probably the stupidest thing he's ever done, while he remained wisely silent and only nodded his head every time I accused him of being unreasonable. He was hurt from my words, for the way I was so desperately trying to keep him here, by my side, but he was shrugging his shoulders and letting it be, because I knew that he had this bigger reason to do it all and even though I wasn't sure what it was exactly, I could see it, in his eyes-he was convinced that he was doing the right thing. He wasn't doubting himself and I should've respected that, not yell at him. "But if that's what you really want" our stares met "Then I'm perfectly okay with it."

"Thanks, brother." he said silently, stood up and gave me the coffee he has prepared for me. I nodded thankfully as he sat beside me and went through the channels to find the game that I was supposed to watch alone, because he should've been outside with Elena. Instead, now he was right next to me and I tried to cheer him up, but he seemed just so tired that I felt guilty for even making him respond to me. In fifteen minutes he was asleep and I gently pushed him down so he could lie down on the couch and smiled to sadly to myself. Even though, I was so mad at him every now and then, he was a person I could lean on, every time I needed to. I knew he would never let me fall.

Elena's POV

I was the last one to leave the room since I had too much books to carry and Mrs. Williams decided that it was time to talk with me about college and my future plans, which was probably the worst moment she could've done that as I was still so affected by what has happened with Stefan and couldn't think of anything, but his lips pressed in mine and the sad green look he has given me once I've pushed him away. I'm not sure I would forget this anytime soon, simply because it hurt him as much as it hurt me. It's not that I'm indifferent to him. Every slight touch we had until now, every caring look he has given me, every time he has embraced my bare shoulders with his jacket in the evenings before he's send me home-those were all stuff I would remember before I fall asleep. I really cared for him, more than I've ever cared for a friend in my entire existence. And even though I've called him a coward, the truth is that I am one. I was scared, I didn't want to get involved with someone in this way, I didn't want to fall in love, because I was afraid I would get hurt.

My thoughts were interrupted by the noise coming from the hallway. As soon as I got out, I saw a bunch of cheerleaders surrounding a crying Caroline in the corner while a few from the jocks were staring at the lockers, obviously trying to figure out something. Everyone around me were whispering, though I couldn't quite distinguish the words, until I finally passed behind the boys from the football team and stopped abruptly.

There was a big orange sign on the lockers saying Caroline Forbes sucks.

For a moment all I wanted to do was jump up and scream how this bitch deserves it and how much I want to hug the person who's done that. I noticed her already talking to the principle and swearing how she would find that sick bastard who did it and make sure they expel them as well as a bunch of other pretty extreme swears concerning them, before she was prevented from going on further and warned to watch her language. I hid in the corner next to my own locker and smiled as I opened it up, because honestly-I was happy. For once there was justice in this world and I couldn't be more grateful. That was until, I realized that my locker's been flooded again. I furrowed my eyebrows as I saw the open wet notebooks, but the dry shelves inside. Someone's been here, I thought.

And then it hit me.

I turned around, afraid to look back at the big orange letters, because I didn't want to confirm my suspicions. I was with my eyes closed, my head bowed down-I didn't want to look up, so I waited patiently until the bell rang and people started moving away, which wasn't for another minute or so. Once I couldn't hear anyone's steps anymore, I dared to get another look at it. I've been seeing his handwriting for quite some time now and I remember even joking around with him for the way he wrote some letters like he was still in kindergarten, in that innocent childish way as if words don't carry any message at all, as if they are just a way of unnecessary communicating. I sighed and I felt getting both angry and grateful at him and I still wonder how that's possible. He was the one who cleared my locker and then wrote the sign on the wall.

That stupid fucking idiot. I buried my hands in my hair helplessly and realized that there are tears in my eyes, which were trying to find their way out for the second time today, because of the same reason, because of the same person. I wanted to curse and scream and yell and just say out loud how stupid the boy I was actually willing to admit I'm falling for, was. I was desperate and yet I managed to get myself, together, gather my wet notebooks, which I was sure would put on the window in my room so they could dry, and pray that my mom won't see them and ask what has happened again, cleaned my tears with the back of my hand and clenched my jaw, because I was desperately trying to prevent myself from crying. I wanted to appear strong as I took off to his house, even though I had two more classes and lessons at the tutor center.

I have no idea how much it took me to get there. I had so much going on in my mind that I wasn't really watching where I was going. All I could think of was that I want to yell at him and be mad at him for the fact that he was the stupidest person I've ever known and yet deep down, I felt so much gratitude towards him, which I was stubbornly trying to deny. I practically ran to the door as soon as I got into their front yard and started knocking on the door with all the strength I had. I was about to probably open it with my harsh slams until finally someone opened it. As soon as I saw his ruffled sandy hair I just stopped and my hands fell beside my sides lifelessly, as if I've lost all desire to do anything else, as if I had no strength anymore. He looked at me surprised, confused. His eyes appeared sleepy, a bit watery even, as if he was trying very hard not to cry and as usual the big circles under his them were present, suggesting that he hasn't slept really good in days probably. I dropped my bag on the ground and the slight thud it made disturbed the silence between us. He took a step outside and carefully shut the door behind him since he understood, from my look that I definitely had no intentions of going inside.

"Elena" he said my name with so much weight as if by speaking it out loud he was learning how to breathe again. He let a deep sigh out, he seemed worried as he made the realization that I was slightly trembling.

I suddenly felt so angry, so mad at him, just as I've figured out that he was the one to write the sign.

"You idiot!" I pushed him on the chest and he made a step back "You stupid stupid idiot!" my hands clenched into fists and I started punching him with all the strength I had while he leaned on the side of the house, but didn't move in any way, didn't even try to stop me "Why on earth did you do this? Don't you understand?"

"Elena." he said it as a plead now, he didn't want to intervene and catch me. It was almost as if he wanted me to make him feel even more pain that he had already. I noticed him closing his eyes, trying to deal with the pain I was causing him, a pain I was sure, wasn't physical.

"You fool! Now they'll expel you! Why on earth did you do this?" I continued bashing on him as I felt the tears coming down my face again. He finally opened his green ocean of sadness and caught my wrists.

"Elena" he said my name for the third time and for a moment we started at each other intensely. He was trying to calm me down with just one look, he was trying to make me understand "It's fine." he gave me a sad smile "It's all fine." he gently put his hand at the back of my head and pulled me in for a hug. For a few minutes the only thing I could hear was the beating of his heart and then I silently continued crying in his arms, while he stroke me and put a small, gently kiss on the top of my head.

"I'm so sorry." I said still in his embrace "I didn't mean anything I said today, Stefan. You're not a coward…I just" I was suddenly unable to find the right words, but he didn't interrupted me, he waited until he realized that I probably won't continue, simply because it was impossible for me to do so.

"I know, Elena." he didn't say it just like that. He said it, because he meant it. He didn't need my explanations, he was perfectly capable of understanding how I felt, because he felt the same way and the stupid me only realized that right now. I was the selfish one today, thinking that he was just another boy, who wants to use me. Was I so blind that I missed the hurtful look in his eyes only hours ago? He was in pain as well, he was suffering. And him feeling all those confusing emotions, that I was also experiencing, was even more self destructive, because he knew he would be leaving, he knew he would have to take off and never look back. "I understand" he added and when I finally looked up, I saw his slight sad smile trying to comfort me as usually. Because that's what Stefan always did-trying to protect and help the people in his life.

He found my hand and intervened his fingers with mine, then smiled again and brushed the tears on my cheek with his thumb, after placing another one of his small gently kisses, full of so much affection, on my forehead. He was dressed in one of those plaid blue shirts, which was a bit too big for him, but that somehow made him appear even better, as if he was older, somehow wiser, as if he has been through too much in his life and honestly, that wasn't far from the truth, since I was already aware of some of the most desperate things he had to go through. He nodded towards the alley.

"Do you want take a walk with me?" he asked with silently, because he wanted me to be the only person, who would hear his words, not that there was anyone near us. I smiled and tightened my grip in response and we walked slowly down the street with my head leaning on his shoulder.

I realized that I was pretty much willing to go anywhere with him right now and I would never even doubt that determination I felt, because no matter how many decisions we make out of fear, they remain insignificant whist the ones provoked from pure courage, find their special place inside our hearts and mark our souls, in ways hard to be fully understand, but important nonetheless as they set the first step towards great adventures.

And right now, for once, I am not afraid.

A/N: Hm..Elena has some anger issues that she needs to take care of.Anyway, I hope you guys do not hate me after this chapter. Thank you all for reading and reviewing.