*rises from grave* I'm….I'm alive! Hello people from the interwebs. So…I'm so sorry. I know I've said that a lot the last few chapters, but wow, over a whole year? I'm soososososososo sorry. I hope someone is still out there reading this 3 Have faith my people, I will finish this. :'D

So, I'd just like to say, this whole story isn't during any certain part. It's just kinda in the middle of nowhere. I'm not gonna go by the show or the books timeline, I'm goin my own way B) *bad ass loner look*

I jogged forward to catch up to Damon, my new oath burning bright in my heart. He turned to look at me. He gave me a big smile and chuckled. That smile was so pretty. How could someone so beautiful be hated so horribly?

"Thank you for leading me Damon. Not a lot of people would have patience with the new kid."

He looked down at me with a warm smile. I watched as it reached his eyes and made them sparkle more than before. Then he looked away. "Stop thanking me for stupid stuff, and come on. Do you have any idea why you are being called down to the office?"

I thought about it for a minute. What if Peter was caught? This would never work. He couldn't stay in there. What was I thinking?

As I was pondering I realized that Damon was still waiting for an answer. He looked worried.

"Damon?" I asked hesitantly.

"Yeeeees?" he asked with a smile, but not as easy going as before.

"Why are you here?"

"To help students such as yourself m'lady." He bowed mockingly.

I rolled my eyes. "Really. From what I understand, you are more selfish than to come here for the good will of other people."

"Ouch. You don't beat around the bush, do you?" I shook my head. "I'm here to keep an eye on things…you know, Skype things out. There are problems around here." He paused for a minute. He seemed to be contemplating something. "I like you. I think that you should leave town on the 29th. Trust me."

A million more questions flew around in my head. I stopped walking and looked up to face him directly. Just as I was about to let the words fly out of my mouth, his eyes became guarded. He put his pointer finger on my mouth and just shook his head. "Not now; maybe another time. For now, let's get you to the principal's office."

I nodded, but I would remember to ask him. I wouldn't forget this, but I would let it pass for this moment.

"Let's go."

"No sir. I had no idea." I stopped myself from turning to the girls next to me and biting their heads off.

The principal sighed. "Okay. Tiffany and Courtney. In school suspension. 2 weeks. Now get out of here." The two blondes ran out.

The principal, Mr. Ursa, looked at me again. "I'm sorry about this Selene. I hope you weren't scared. I hope all of your classes are going well. You can go back to your class. Actually," He looked at his watch "You can make your way to your next period class." He smiled at me. "Have a nice day!" And he just walked me out of the room and closed the door before I could respond to anything.

I walked out of the office not paying attention to where I was. I was busy studying my map, trying to figure out how to get to my next period class from where I was. Then I walked into someone.

"Whoa, there." I was caught by strong arms, and looked up, only to be completely lost in crystal blue eyes. I quickly had to shake it off though, and stood up on my own.

I laughed nervously. "Hi, Damon. You waited here? I thought you'd have gone back to the library to help some more than willing girl."

"Nah! They're all overrated in there." He looked down, towards his shoes. "Thought I'd help a certain maiden in distress find her way around instead." He gave me a small smile and looked up at me through hooded lids.

The breath caught in my lungs for a minute. I wasn't used to any man treating me like this; let alone someone as beautiful as Damon. I looked away from him, and stared at my map again. "I can do it myself. Look. I have a map!"

He chuckled. "Listen kiddo, I don't wanna go back in there. You saw how they glared at me. Do you really expect anyone to put themselves in that kind of a situation? Now. How about you just let me be the amazing chivalrous, gallant gentleman that I am, and let me walk you to your next class?"

I blew my bangs out of my face. "You're sure you don't have somewhere better to go? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'd love to walk with you, but, I mean—"

"Then it's settled! Let's go kiddo."

"Why do you keep calling me that? I'm not that much younger than you. I mean, I know I'm younger than most kids in my grade, but you're only, like, twenty something, right? Or are you younger? Or older? I'm sorry, I'm not good at—"

"Do you usually have a rambling problem?" He started to laugh. "I'm a bit older than I look kiddo. How old are you anyways? Sixteen?"

I glared up at him. I had just turned seventeen a month ago in November. "I'm seventeen, for your information."

"Really? Hmm."

"What? Why 'hmm'? "

He just smirked. "Whatever do you mean?"

I just rolled my eyes and went around him to get to class.

"Hey kiddo, you're going the wrong way. Class is this way!" He pointed in the opposite direction that I was headed. I just turned and walked past him again, in the right direction this time.

He shook his head and laughed, but followed me.

After a few moments of silence he looked down at me. "Do you like it here so far?"

"It's different. I generally like the people. Like Kaylene and Elena and Stefan, and Jeremy, and—"

"Wow you met the whole troupe, didn't you?"

"Is that a bad thing?" I didn't say this with anger, it was more confusion.

"No, they're all good people."

I looked up at him, trying to read through his expressionless mask. "Why do they hate you so much Damon?" I breathed

"I can't explain it. Trust me, if I could, I would tell you. Maybe eventually you'll find out. Then you'll stop being nice to me."

"Why would I do that?"

"Cus they might tell you some horrible things. Things that I may not be able to deny truthfully."

I opened my mouth to erase his doubt, the promise to myself ringing in my ears, but he suddenly halted in front of a door and looked down at me with a casual cocky grin on his face. "The Salvatore express ends here madam." He bowed. "I'll be seeing you later then."

He lifted himself from the bow, and was about to turn to walk away, when I embraced him in a tight hug. I was embarrassing myself. I quickly turned and walked into the classroom without looking at him again.