She got out of the shower and took a sit on the bed. She started shaking as soon as the memories of last night came back to haunt her. Suddenly she didn't want to be alone. She got up and went straight to Jeremy's bedroom. She opened the door and called him:
- Jeremy, are you there? When no one answered she gently pushed the door and got inside. It was empty. Scared and alone she returned to her room. She jumped back when she saw Damon sitting in the middle of her bed.
- Jesus, Damon, you scared me!
- Sorry, that was not my intention. By the look on his face he was clearly lying.
- What are you doing here?
- I had a feeling that you don't wanna be alone right now.
He was right but she won't admit it, not to him anyway.
- I'm fine Damon. I don't need a babysitter.
- Cut the crap, Elena! I know you are scared, I can tell just by looking at you. And that right there is driving you crazy.
Was he able to read minds? No, he couldn't but he was able to read hers. And yes, this was driving her crazy. She had no idea how to respond to that.
- Last night, when I got in bed next to you, you were shaking. I figured you were scared, so I took you in my arms, maybe I could make it go away. And you know what? It worked! You pushed your little body closer and you stopped shaking.
She knew he was telling the truth. She remembered, oh yeah, she remembered being scared, she remembered feeling his arm around her, feeling safe the moment he touched her. She also remembered wishing he would never let go. Scared by her own thoughts, she opened her mouth to protest, but Damon's finger on her lips, stopped her.
- I don't want a "yes" or a "no". This was not a question, Elena. This is a fact and no matter how much you deny, it you know that too.
She didn't say a word. After all what could she say that he was right? No, no, no, definitely not! She started to brush her hair, thinking that doing something with her hands will take her mind of things. Didn't work, so, frustrated, she almost yelled at him:
- Do you mind? I wane get ready. I promised Stefan I'll met him at the boarding house tonight.
- Are you sure you are going to be ok?
- Yes Damon, I'm sure!
She blinked and he was gone. She looked in the mirror; Damon's words came into her mind: "I know you are scared. I can tell just by looking at you". She was trying to see what Damon saw, find that thing that give her away. But, the only thing she saw was a conflicted and confused little girl staring back.
She quickly got dressed and practically ran out of the house.
It was Damon not Stefan the one how opened the door when she arrived at the boarding house. Low rise jeans, unbuttoned shirt, seductive smile… Elena's heart start beating so fast that she was afraid that Damon would be able, not only to hear it, but to see it as well. He couldn't look hotter, not even if he were naked.
- Stefan… she mumbled.
- Damon actually, but feel free to do with me, whatever you were planning to do with him!
As soon as she heard his suggestion, she realized that she was standing in the doorway, starring at his perfect body. She stepped inside and asked:
- Where is Stefan?
- Hunting poor, defenseless animals. He should be back any minute now. I can offer you a cup of coffee if you want.
- You drink coffee?
- Can you just answer like a civilized guest, with yes or no?
- A cup of coffee would be nice!
- There you go! I'll be right back.
Damon went to the kitchen and poured two cups of coffee. He stopped, looking at the black fluid, thinking, questioning if he started imagining things or Elena's heart beat start racing, when she saw him at the door earlier!
Still trying to convince himself that he should stop assuming thing like that, he took the two cups from the table and got out of the kitchen.
She looked so childish, so delicate and so naïve, just standing there on the couch, feet under her, biting her lower lip. All he wanted to do was to hold her in his arms and tell her that he will always be there, protecting her. Too tell her he would never let anything bad happened to her. But that was his brother's job…
- Here! He said, giving her one of the cups in his hands.
- Thanks. You can button your shirt now!
- Why? It's bothering you?
"Yes, it's bothering me, because I can't stop looking at you!" She didn't say that out loud of course. Instead she said:
- No, it's just… she stopped, not knowing what to say.
- Just! That's your reason?
- Well, it's not polite, you have guests. She answered, looking at him for the first time since he returned from the kitchen. "God, it should be illegal to have a body like that!" Elena thought.
Ten seconds later, Stefan walked throw the door.
- Stefan, Elena called, jumping from the couch.
- Elena, how long have you been here?
- Just ten minutes.
- Are you ok? Come on, let's go upstairs!
- I'm fine Stefan. Elena put on the table her untouched cup of coffee and took Stefan's hand. She looked back just in time to catch the disappointing look on Damon's face, as it instantly disappeared.