Here we are guys, sorry it has taken a while - I had a really awful essay to attend to! We pick up where we left off! Hope you guys enjoy it as much as I loved writing it! xox

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my words. (Although I wish I owned Damon!)

"I am nothing like Damon. He is cold-hearted, selfish and-"

"Right here." Damon appeared on the balcony, stepping forward with a menacing gleam in his blue eyes. "Now now Stefan, there is no need for name calling."

"Damon."

"Hello, brother."

Damon leant against the wall casually, enjoying the shocked look on his brother's face. "It's been a while baby bro. Have you been working out?"

"What are you doing here, Damon?" Stefan questioned, clearly wanting to skip the pleasantries.

"Nice to see you too." Damon scoffed. "I come home for the first time in over 15 years and all I hear is you insulting me." In truth, he had learned to expect nothing less from the younger Salvatore; their bond of brotherhood had become somewhat strained a very long time ago.

"Force of habit." Stefan replied bitterly. "Why have you come here?"

"I just wanted to visit our dear nephew." Damon responded sarcastically, eyeing his human relative up and down. If his brother was going to play dumbass and keep asking the same questions, he may as well have some fun with it.

"Cut the crap brother, you know as well as I do that you couldn't care less about family." Stefan snapped.

"Hmm maybe you are right. You caught me; I quite fancied a bite to eat, actually." Damon smirked as Zach gulped and took a step backwards.

"Damon." Stefan warned his brother, speeding to stand in front of him.

"Really?" Damon pouted playfully, loving how easy it was to get under the vege-vamp's skin. "Can't a vampire make a little family meal joke without being judged? You're no fun."

"I'm done with your games Damon, just tell me why you are here."

Could he not say anything else? Damon paused for a moment and raised his eyebrows cockily. "You need a new vocabulary Stef." Leaning in he brought his face within two inches of Stefan's. "Never demand answers from me."

With that Damon turned away and approached his nephew, who had backed himself against a wall. Leaning in close he whispered in his ear. "Don't worry Zach, I draw the line at eating relatives... Unlike Stefan."

With that he gave his brother a final glare, noticing the mixture of hurt and anger that had etched itself upon his face. "It's always good to be home, isn't it?"

Tuesday 27th May 2009

Dear Diary,

I woke up this morning and I felt good, happy to be alive. Yesterday I did what I told you I would and ended it with Matt. I expected to be more upset than I was, but in all honesty I feel as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders! Today feels like the beginning of the new Elena Gilbert, a girl who will know what she wants and do her best to get it.

It is going to be an excellent day, I can sense it.

Elena

Bright and cheery Elena ate her breakfast with her family, who were still joking with each other about the previous night's antics.

"I mean, why Dracula?" Miranda laughed, poking her husband playfully.

"I liked the book when I was at school, sue me!" Grayson replied with a grin.

"Aren't vampires supposed to be sexy or something?" Jeremy queried, trying to seem interested in the conversation.

"How are they sexy?" Miranda responded, with an unusual hint of concern in her voice. "Elena, back me up here, vampires aren't sexy are they?"

A mysterious, handsome stranger with a thing for nibbling on necks sounded quite hot in Elena's opinion, but wanting to play the innocent she shook her head in response.

The family finished their breakfast with smiles and laughter before Elena and Jeremy left for school together.

"How are you doing today?" Jeremy asked with a soft and caring voice.

"I know it sounds strange Jer, but really good." Elena responded brightly, smiling at her brother.

He grinned back at her, the siblings happily continuing their conversation until they arrived at the school gates.

"See you later!" Elena waved to Jeremy before heading to her first class.

"Hi Elena!" Bonnie greeted her best friend in the corridor, giving her a warm smile and a big hug.

"Hey!" Elena replied, returning the hug with just as much love and care.

"Oh my God Elena!" chimed a rather loud but familiar voice behind the pair of friends. "Are you okay?"

Elena turned to face Caroline, noticing the look of sympathy on her face.

"Hey Care, I am fine, you don't need to worry."

"Does that mean you will be at cheerleading practice after school?" Caroline questioned, tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder. "We missed you yesterday you know!"

"Yeah, I'll be there, I even promise to give my ponytail 'juzz', as you call it." Elena smiled before playfully winking at her friend. "Maybe we could all go to the Grill afterwards?"

"Elena Gilbert you are always full of good ideas. I love you!" Caroline cried out before bounding into the classroom, Elena and Bonnie close on her tail.

The day passed quickly and with only one real awkward moment - when Elena had bumped into Matt in the cafeteria. He had a pained expression on his face but nonetheless greeted her with a smile. 'Time is the healer of all wounds' Elena thought positively to herself, with the promise of cheer practice spurring her through the rest of the afternoon.

She had always enjoyed cheerleading with her girls, and this afternoon was no different. The group laughed their way through their routines, twirling around in their matching uniforms. As she danced, Elena closed her eyes, feeling the gentle breeze across her face. She felt free as a bird.

An hour later, a bubbly Elena, Bonnie and Caroline made their way to the Grill, arm in arm and giggling just like girlfriends should. Walking through the door the group found a booth and piled in. They ordered their drinks and sat chatting with each other without a care in the world.

Fed up of being stuck in the house with the 'vampire-who-couldn't', Damon had chosen to take a stroll in the afternoon sunlight. Whilst human he had always cherished the warmth of the sun on his skin and as a vampire this was no different; he just had to wear a ring in order that he wouldn't become charcoal.

Passing through the town square he approached the Mystic Grill, deciding to engage in his other favourite past-time - drinking. Heading towards the bar he plonked himself upon a stool and ordered himself a Bourbon. He sighed to himself as the delicious honey-coloured liquid trickled down his throat, warming him to his very core. His ears perked up when he heard a group of girls very clearly talking about him.

"Look at that guy over there, he is smoking hot!" one girl commented.

'Tell me something I don't already know.' Damon smirked to himself.

"Oh yeah Caroline, you are totally right!" another joined in the compliment fest.

"I swear I have seen him before..."

Damon's eyes widened at the voice of the third girl; there was no mistaking the soft tones of Elena Gilbert. He shifted slightly on the stool so that he could see the three girls out of the corner of his eye.

"Really? You have seen that gorgeous man before today? How did you not jump on him?"

'The blonde girl makes a good point, Elena.' Damon thought playfully, rather enjoying his ability to listen in on this very interesting conversation.

"Well, I saw him yesterday... Here in fact." Elena recollected. "I came to write in my journal after I broke up with Matt and I saw him staring at me!" Elena let out a little giggle.

Damon did not miss the way her cheeks ever so slightly blushed as she glanced his way. Her humanity was beautiful, so pure and innocent.

"You are right though, Caroline. He is rather good looking." Elena continued.

"Rather good looking? That's an understatement!" Caroline replied. "Let's play a game Elena. Would you..?"

'Did the blonde seriously just wink? This conversation gets more intriguing every second.' Damon found himself almost leaning in for Elena's answer, despite the fact no one knew he was listening.

"Haha. If this is only a game then I may as well be honest. I would gladly..."

Damon nearly choked on his drink as he witnessed Elena wink one of her doe eyes at the others before giggling like the school girl she was. Holy shit.

"Go over to him!" Bonnie said to her friend, giving Elena a nudge in the ribs.

Elena shook her head. "I can't do that! I haven't even met him before!"

Damon let out a little sigh as he considered the mistruth behind her words. She had met him before and she had been captivated by their chemistry, just as he had before he made her forget it all. He almost wished he hadn't.

"Fine, I'll go speak to him." Caroline piped up before strutting confidently over to the bar as the eyes of the other two followed after her.

Damon found it highly amusing as Blondie tried to look casual; perusing the menu, stood a mere three foot away from him. She was very attractive, but she was no Elena.

"Hi there." she greeted him, batting her long lashes and wearing an almost fake smile.

"Hello." Damon replied simply, not wanting for a moment to engage with this girl.

"Do you want to buy me a drink?"

"Not really, no."

Wow that pissed her off. Blondie's eyebrows furrowed for a moment before her fake smile returned.

"Don't you see anything you like?" she shot at him, tossing her long hair with a subtle move of her head.

"Why yes, I do." Damon began, deciding to try his luck. After all, what did he have to lose? "How would you like to introduce me to your friend over there?"

Caroline frowned at him, seemingly disgusted that he could flat out refuse her like that. Without another word she turned on her heel and stormed back to the booth.

"That didn't go well did it?" Bonnie chuckled, slightly amused by the grumpy look on Caroline's face.

"You think? The man is an ass."

'Not my choice, but a fine judge of character.' Damon shrugged.

"What did he say?" Elena questioned her friend, showing a genuine level of interest.

"It doesn't matter. Let's just leave."

The girls clearly did not wish to argue with Blondie as they all nodded in agreement before standing up to leave.

"I'll meet you outside." Elena informed her friends, before walking towards the restroom.

Two minutes later she reappeared and began heading towards the door. Damon felt himself sighing in disappointment as he watched her leave the bar without even a backwards glance at him. But then he spotted it - her jacket. She had left it at the table where they had been sitting.

'It's now or never Salvatore.'

With one swift movement he leapt from the stool, grabbed her jacket and exited into the sunshine.

It didn't take him long to spot her; she had already parted from the other two and begun her walk home. Damon sped towards her, stopping only a few feet behind.

Taking a deep breath of air he didn't even need he took a small but very significant step as he called after her.

Damon watched her nervously as she slowly stopped and turned to face him, curiosity spreading across her face. He was once more drawn to her eyes, getting lost in their intensity, and couldn't help but notice the slight increase of her heart rate as she made eye contact with him.

"Can I help you?" she questioned him softly, her voice almost like a caress.

Smiling at her he let his gaze drift away from her eyes and down to her lips, which had curved to form the hint of a smile. Damon then uttered the four words that unknown to him were going to change their lives forever.

"You forgot your jacket."

Yay! So this is where the epic-ness can really begin! Hope you liked the chapter! Please review, it would mean so much to me!

Amy xox