AN: Sorry guys if it took me so long! But you know RL and school are being pretty hard.. :\ I hope that you enjoy the update, though.

Please review! Your reviews mean a lot to me. I hope you know that. Keep them coming. :)

It had been three days and she still didn't have the balls to ask Damon out for a stupid date. Which, to be correct, wasn't even a real date. But just a favor that she would ask him, right? She didn't want to sound needy, or too invadent for that matter. He would probably think that she didn't have anyone else to ask beside him, and having pity of her, he would have accepted.

Elena looked at herself in the mirror, and taking a deep breath, she tried some poses and ways to ask him.

"Hey, Damon..I was wondering if you would go with me somewhere." She said in a low voice.

No. Too mischevious, she thought.

"Hey Damon. Would you come with me to a party?" She tried, shrugging her shoulders casuallt and smiling widely.

No no no. Too girly!

"You. Me. To a party together. Friday night." She spat firmly.

Oh my god, what was that? She could as well have been a robot.

She sighed in exasperation shooking her head. What a disaster she was.

It had been too long since she went out with a guy, and to be quite honest she had never asked a guy out, even if this really wasn't a real date.

Maybe she could ask Matt, she thought. After all, they were still friends, he would have helped her out. Being the coward that she was, she decided to call Matt. She quickly dialed his number and he answered in a few seconds.

"Hey Matty! How are you?" She asked, smiling. They now met often at the Grill where Matt had a job, but they weren't in touch as before.

"Elena! Fine, thanks..what about you?" He replied, though he seemed a little distracted.

"All good. Listen, I was wondering if you would be my date at Meredith's party on Friday. Don't worry, just as friends." She said a little tense, reassuring him.

He seemed hesitant for a moment, and when he finally spoke, she could understand from his voice that it was no good.
"Look Elena..I would love to, really. But I'm already going with someone. Actually..I'm seeing Meredith." He said very uncomfortably.

And hell yes she could understand why he was so freaking uncomfortable. Meredith Sulez and Elena weren't friends, at all. They were back in highschool, but she had been a total bitch with her, and when after her parents' death Elena decided to stop with her feisty lifestyile, Meredith completely shut her out, and told everyone that the old Elena 'died with her parents'.

When she heard that comment Elena had been devastated for months, not able to understand how a person could be so cruel and mean.

Meredith had apologized, but it didn't matter anymore, they were done.

Actually she didn't know why she wanted to go at that stupid party. After all it was organized by a person that Elena couldn't stand, but going with Damon as her date and proving to that bitch that she was living and enjoying her life gave Elena satisfaction.

"Oh. Whatever then, see you at the party." Elena cut off shortly, before she would curse at him on the phone for having betrayed her like that.

That gave her more courage to ask Damon out and she quickly headed downstairs where Damon was watching a movie with Jamie.

They were sitting on the couch, and Elena leaned closer to Damon, whispering into his ear.

"I have to ask you something." She whispered, not wanting to disturb Jamie who seemed pretty much into that movie. Damon on the other hand was just texting on the phone.

He quickly turned around, so close that their cheeks were almost touching and Elena immediatly felt uncomfortable. Her heart started beating a little faster and the low voice that he made didn't help.

"Anything you want, honey." He said smirking cockily, rosing up from the couch.

His cocky attitude annoyed Elena at first, it actually made her kind of uncomfortable, but now she was used to it. She actually liked that.

They were now in the kitchen and he still had a bit of his smirk in place. Holy crap, Elena thought. She wasn't usually an insecure person, though her self-esteem sure wasn't of the highest, especially when you had to ask out one Damon Salvatore.

"I..uhm…" Stop acting so awkwardly, she yelled at herself. "I have a party to attend this week-end and I would really like if you came with me."

His smirk became a grin, and Elena felt more relaxed. She had somehow managed to finally spat what bugged her mind for three days, and she did fine.

He came closer, crossing his arms. "Mmh..I would come with you everywhere." He said mischeviousely.

Elena was confused at first, but blushed immediatly when she understood his sexual innuendo. Pig!

"Quit the crap, Damon." She said punching his arm and rolling her eyes. "So?" She then asked, crossing her arms.

"Okay. When is it?" He asked still with an amused look on the face.

"Friday night, around 9 or 10pm." She said.

He seemed thoughtful for a moment. "Mmh, the only problem is where we can leave Jamie. Or maybe you could ask one of your friends to stay with him? I would pay her, obviously." He said.

Sure Elena had some casual friends, but her closest and the ones she trusted completely for something like that, weren't available.

"You know what..maybe it's a wrong idea. I really have no one to ask, at least no one that I trust completely. You should stay." She said with disappointment in her voice.

"No way." He said a little too quickly, which only made Elena feel a little smug inside. He really did want to come with her.

"I mean I can ask to one of his friends mother, or I can ask to one of my friends." He said, shrugging.

Elena raised her eyebrows, amused. "Why..you have any girl friend?" She asked incredulously.

"Oh gee thanks Elena, it's not like I screw with every girl I know, you know." He said, rolling his eyes. When he saw that she still had that 'oh really?' expression on her face he snorted. "Okay fine..I may have slept with almost every woman I know." He admitted a little annoyed.

"But.." He pointed out, and his smirk returned. "you and me are friends..aren't we?" He asked.

Elena gulped tightly. "Sure." She replied giving him a little smile. "Let me know if you find someone, okay." She said, heading out of the door and going back upstairs.

Little did she know that Damon stared at her the whole time with that knowing smirk of his.

Elena took a deep breath once in the room. Damn that Damon, he made her feel like an highschool girl at her first crush. Or maybe she was just crushing on him, but she didn't quite remember the feeling of really liking someone ever since Matt. But even with him, the attraction never really was like that.

Caroline was bugging her every hour, dying to know if she asked Damon or not, so she dialed her number to finally tell her.

"Hello?" Caroline's girly voice answered.

"Care? I asked him!" Elena said smiling amused, already predicting her friend's reaction.

In fact, she was already squealing. The girl really got excited for nothing! "Awww! Good girl. And what did our sexy beast say?"

"Caroline!" Elena said blushing. "Anyway he said yes. But now I'm panicking..Caroline, I really like him. He's the first guy that I really like since Matt and I don't know how to act around him. He makes me feel uncomfortable." She admitted.

"Elena, he's no good news. I already told you. Going out and having fun for a night, yes. Thinking about having something more with him, no." Caroline said in a warning tone. "And he makes you feel uncomfortable because he probably sexs you with his eyes every chance he has." She then said, and Elena could imagine her rolling her eyes.

"My god Caroline, don't jump to any conclusion. I just said that I like him, that's it." Elena said annoyed. "So..do I curl my hair or not?" She then asked, quickly switching argument.

"Mmh..yes, why not. But just a little bit of curls at the end." She said. "And oh, did you already decide the outfit? You have to see how much I bought here! Did I already mention that I've pratically sabotaged all the shops in this goddamn city? And the other day I went to a perfume shop and while I was trying a lipstick one of the shop assistants aksed me if I wanted to try some of their make-ups and they actually tried on me lipsticks, mascaras..everything! I got out of the shop that I seemed an actress." She started squealing over the phone.

"Wow Care, that's great. Have you bought me something in your maraton of shopping though?" Elena teased.

"Pff, of course, silly. One pair of shoes and a shirt. They're so you." She said.

They probably weren't really her style, more Caroline's wanna be, but still Caroline had usually good tastes.

"Thank you Care. But you didn't have to..it's too much. A stupid thing would have been okay you know that."

"Yeah, yeah right..I know that you're happy and you sure as hell didn't want a stupid crappy thing Elena." She said. "Now I have to go! I reserved a massage at the hotel SPA. Aw Lena, when I get back and Bonnie comes to visit we have to go on a girls week-end alright."

"I'm jealous, I want a massage too!" Elena whined.

"You can always ask Damon.." Caroline teased.

"Good bye, Caroline." Elena cut her off, rolling her eyes.

Two days passed quickly and now it was 8pm, which meant that she had to get ready..she wanted to appear flawless.

The party didn't start until 9 or 10, but Elena wanted to be perfect in every single detail. She took a hot and relaxig bath, appling some body cream after to make her skin more soft and scented. She even decided to apply some purple enamel. Elena wasn't usually the type for enamel, at least not colored ones, but it was a night party and it made her look quite fiesty.

She then put her make-up on, paying attention to every deatil. She put some black eyebrow pencil, mascara, phard and a light rouge lipstick that matched perfectly with her olive skin. She then curled her hair just like Caroline told her.

Elena looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. She was really satisfied with herself.

She put on the dress that she bought at H&M and it fitted perfectly, it was sexy but not too outragerous. Putting her black heels on she was ready.

But she wasn't ready, she thought. At all. Her heart started beating like a drum and her hands trembling. She had the need to throw up, but she knew that it was just mental. God, she was so nervous that she only hoped that Damon didn't notice it.

She took a few breaths before finally opening the door and heading downstairs.

Damon was waiting for her just under the stairs and the look on his face when he saw her was priceless. She smiled smugly when she saw his eyes wide and his jaw drop open. He composed himself quickly, but the look on his face still spoke volumes. Elena blushed slightly..not even Matt looked at her like that.

"You're...you're flawless, Elena." He said sincerely, and that was exactly what Elena was hoping for.

She then really looked at him and she could have sworn that her knees went weak a couple of times. He was perfectly shaved, the smell of his cologne or after shave was intoxicating. He was wearing black jeans, and a black t-shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was the one who was flawless. He was for sure the most handsome man that she had ever seen.

She swallowed nervousely. "You too." She said with something that came out as a whisper. They just stared at each other for a few seconds, like they were sinking into each other's eyes. God his eyes…

They were quickly interrupted by Jamie who was waiting at the door. Damon talked to one of his friends mother and agreed to let him stay there for the week-end.

"Lena! You're beautiful." Jamie said with a naive smile.

"Thank you, Jam." Elena replied smiling, kneeling down in front of him, kissing his cheek.

"I agree.." Damon said to himself. It's not like he hadn't noticed how genuinely beautiful Elena was..but fuck, he got hard just looking at her all dressed up fancy like that. She was by far the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her doe eyes, her long chesnut hair and long legs were something to pay for.

They dropped Jamie at his friend's house, and then headed to the party.

During the way, though, Damon could sense that Elena was getting always more nervous.

"Is everything okay?" He asked a little concerned.

"Yes…no." She sighed. "The girl that's throwing the party..I can't stand her, she's the classic superficial bitch. We used to be friends in highschool but she sort of backstabbed me and then it all went to hell.." She explained quickly.

"Elena..we don't have to go, if you don't want to. Why do you even want to go in the first place?" He asked softly.

"Because I want to prove her that she's wrong. She thinks that I've become a boring and annoying person ever since my parents died..and somehow this totally bugs me because she doesn't know the first thing about me. Plus, she's even dating my ex now. Wonderful, uh?" She said with sadness in her voice.

"What a moron." Damon said in a bitter voice, gripping the steering wheel a little too tight and shooking his head. "And your ex is even more." He said, and Elena chuckled.

"Hey.." He then said, "we'll prove her wrong, okay?" He said winking at her.

He definitely calmed her down. After all, he wasn't such a douche as everyone thought. It was just his superficial wall, but if you got to know him, he would probably let it down.

Damon parked a little bit far from the house. It was a maison, a little like the boarding house, but definitely smaller.

They could already see lots of cars parked and loud music coming from in, and Elena felt nervous again. She wasn't really the type who loved these kind of parties.

"Shall we?" Damon asked with a smirk, offering his arm.

Elena smiled nodding, quickly linking arms with him.

It was a little after 9:30pm, and the party was already a mess. Elena could bet that all Mystic Falls highschool was there.

"I'm gonna find a place for the jackets, be right back." Damon said and quickly disappeared.

He couldn't have chosen a better timing, since Meredith was heading towards her with a big fat fake smile plastered on her face.

"Heeey..Elena Gilbert! How are you, sweetie? I'm so glad that you decided to come." She said hugging her.

"Hey Meredith..I'm fine, thanks. And thank you for the invitation." Elena said, awkwardly hugging her back.

Matt joined them and Meredith immediatly took his hand, smiling smugly. What a bitch. Elena wasn't jealous, she had no more romantic feelings for Matt but still she felt betrayed. He had to move on..but not with Meredith, for god's sake.

"Aw..I'm sorry that you came here all alone, though. Matt told me that you were looking for someone." She said smirking.

Just when she was about to reply, Damon came back, putting his arm around her waist.

"Actually, she's with me." Damon said smirking, displaying the same bitchness as Meredith's. Oh right..Elena forgot that Damon could be quite the asshole.

The look on Matt's face was priceless, he seemed a dummy. He so didn't see that coming. And he looked a little jealous too, which only made Elena more smug. Takw that.

Meredith suddenly seemed surprised and pissed off. She acted all bitchy, when Elena actually came with the hottest guy in Mystic Falls.

"Damon Salvatore." He quickly said, heading his hand to Matt and then Meredith.

"I know who you are.." Meredith replied numbly, still looking at Damon in shock.

"Well, have fun, guys." She then said with that fake smile on her face.

She quickly disappeared in the crowd with Matt, who was still staring at them and in fact received a kick on the shoulder from Meredith.

Elena let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding.

"Thank you." She said to Damon, sincerely.

"And for what?" He replied, winking at her. "You were right anyway. The girl seems quite a bitch." He said while taking a glass of beer or whatever it was.

"Tell me about it.." Elena muttered, taking a drink too.

"And was that your ex?" Damon asked like he seemed surprised.

"Yes..why?" Elena asked a little confused. Why did he care?

"Oh nothing..it's just that he seems, you know, pretty lame. A bit dull." He said shrugging.

"Hey!" Elena said, punching his shoulder playfully.

"What? You can have far better.." He said casually, with seriousness in his voice though.

Elena smiled widely at him, taking his hand.

"Let's dance." She said, taking him where everyone was dancing.

Damon seemed a bit surprised at her movement, but pleased at the same time.

For the whole time they had been here Elena could see all the girls eyeing Damon and whispering and giggling everytime he passed. It somehow annoyed her, but when she saw that she was the only one he was paying attention to and looking at, her heart melted a little. And how he was looking at her.

They were dancing at the notes of 'Futuristic Lovers', song that Elena loved.

It was revealed that Damon had really good moves on the dancefloor, and Elena got always more excited.

She had her back against his chest, her arm wrapped around his neck, their faces only inches apart. She could smell his fresh and intoxicating scent and all she wanted to do was kiss him and take him right there.

Along with her heart now something else was throbbing with desire..

He quickly spoon her around, making her collide against his chest once again.

She smiled at him and he returned her smile with a mischevious one. His hands were everywhere and Elena had the desperate need to kiss him.

When she was about to do it, though, he spoke.

"I'm going to take a drink." He said a bit huskily, and Elena unconsciously licked her lips.

They had been dancing for half an hour, she was exhausted and her feet hurt, so she waited for him sitting on one of the couches.

Damon was taking two glasses of water, when he felt someone's hand on his shoulder. He quickly turned around and saw Meredith making doe eyes at him.

He wanted to roll his eyes, but she wasn't even worth that.

"So..you're with little Elena Gilber, uh?" She said amused, getting closer.

"That's right, I'm with her. Got problems?" He said sarcastically, crossing his arms. He wanted to reach the point of this pointless conversation.

"Mmh..I see..well she's no good for you, Damon. I know what kind of girls you like. And she isn't stuff for you, she's lame." She said smugly, running a hand through his chest.

Damon just looked at her in disgust. The girl was really viscid. He gently but firmly took her hand off him, ready to leave.

"You know, that's a very handsome shirt." She said flirtariously.

He got closer, returning her flirtarious smile.

"That's a very pretty dress too.." he said, smirking. "But you should know that it gives you back fat." He then said codly.

He quickly left, leaving a speechless and pissed off Meredith behind.

Where was Damon? Maybe he found some girl that he liked? Elena thought, since they weren't even on a real date, he was allowed to do whatever he wanted.

She felt someone flopping on the couch next to her, but it wasn't Damon.

"How ya' doing, baby?" Tyler Lockwood.

Elena rolled her eyes, ready to leave. He was the classic manwhore jerk. Caroline dated him back in highschool but she got burned pretty bad.

"Bye, Tyler." She said annoyed.

He gripped her wrist, too tight. "Not so soon, honey." He said firmly.

He was quickly joined by his other friends, who were looking down at her, smiling and chuckling amused.

She felt like in highschool all over again. They used to bull her even back then.

"I have to say that you're quite changed..you're so much hotter now. Look at these boobs." Tyler laughed, pulling her dress.

"Don't touch me!" Elena yelled, shrugging him off.

He snorted. "God..you're always the same bore, Gilbert. Screw you." He said annoyed, then gesturing something with his head to his friends.

She saw them looking at each other amused, and then they quickly thrown all their drinks on her. They all laughed devilishly.

"Sucks to be you." Tyler said, throwing his own drink on her face.

They left laughing, and Elena felt tears blurring her eyes. She rose up running through the door, feeling more crappy than she had ever felt in her whole life.

"Hey I got.." It was Damon's voice, she bumped into him who had two drinks but she didn't care, she kept running through the exit.

Once she was out she started pacing even more faster, finally arriving at the car. She fell on the ground, now sobbing hard.

It was so humiliating, she felt like shit. Why did they have to do that? Just because Elena wasn't one of those sluts who agreed to sleep with that douche of Tyler? All her make-up was on her face and her dress was completely wet, and she started to get cold.

"Elena!" She heard someone yell.

In a second Damon was kneeled in front of her, with the most worried expression she had ever seen him wearing.

"Elena..what happened?" He asked, taking her hands from her face.

She just shook her head numby, really not knowing what to say.

She rose up, looking helplessy into his eyes, and he looked at her vulnerabily too, full of sorrow and even anger. "Oh, love..come here." He said, immediatly taking her into his arms and holding her tight.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, sobbing into his chest.

"Sshhh.." He said smoothly caressing her hair, kissing the top of her head.

"Why did they do that.." Elena sobbed, tightening her grip on him.

He then looked intensly into her eyes. "They who? What did they do to you, Elena?" He asked firmly. "Tell me…please." He said with rage, but trying to sound soft.

"Tyler Lockwood and his friends. They're friends with Meredith since highschool, I bet that it was her idea. They all hate me because I didn't follow their lifestyle..and today Tyler tried to hit on me again, but when I refused him, they thrown drinks at me." She said.

He didn't say anything, but she felt his breaths becoming heavier and when she looked up at him his jaw was clentched and his eyes were cold.

"Son of a bitch." He just said, escaping from her embrace, and heading for the house again.

"No!" Elena shouted. "Damon no, please. He's not worth it.." She said softly.

"No, Elena. Look at what those assholes did to you. They don't get to do that thinking that there won't be consequences." He said firmly. "Plus, I still have to get our jackets back. You stay here, I'm going." He then said with a devilish smirk.

Elena snorted in frustration, knowing that it was no good. Though she felt secretly happy about Damon kicking Tyler's ass.

She was nervously leaning against his car when 5 minutes later he got back, a smug smile on his face.

"Here's your jacket." He simply said, heading her the jacket.

He didn't have bruises or something.

"Damon.." Elena started.

"Tyler Lockwood is that tiny midget, right? I kicked his ass just a little. No worries." He said smirking.

She smiled too, feeling relieved that finally someone beat him up.

"Thank you." She said, hugging him.

He was stiff at the beginning, but then he quickly wrapped his arms around her too, pulling her closer.

"You're welcome." He said softly.

"You're my hero. Jamie would be proud of you." She teased giggling, and he chuckled too.

"I'm sure.." He said still smiling.

Just then Elena realized how close they were, and how badly she wanted to kiss him. She looked down at his lips, and then looked up at him.

Next thing she knew was that her lips crashed on his, savoring him. He seemed surprised, but he eventually deepened the kiss, their tongues battling for dominance.

She had never been kissed like that. Never. She could spend her whole life being kissed by Damon. A moan escaped from her mouth, which caused him to groan in response, cupping her cheeks with his hands.

Elena put her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as she kissed him more passionately.

He quickly stopped though. They were both catching their breaths.

"Elena.." He started, and she smiled when she saw that his lips had her lipstick on. Just when she was about to kiss him again, he stopped her.

"Stop." He said firmly, softly taking her whirsts.

She looked up at him confused, as she felt rejection taking form.

"I'm sorry Elena, but we can't do this." He said, and she felt like she had just been stabbed. "I'm not what you're searching for, believe me. I don't do relationships or girlfriends. You would just end up hurt and I respect you too much to do something like that to you." He said, with a pained expression on his face.

She just looked hurt and rejected. She thought that he really liked her, but she should have listened to Caroline. Damn, how she hated herself right now.

Inable to reply, she just stood there, while he got into the car.