"One Day Isabella"

For the tenth time, I tried to snatch the cotton ball from his hands but he continuously pulled it away from my reach, adorning a small smirk with every feeble attempt. Like a stubborn child, I crossed my arms over my chest and pouted while glaring at him. "I'll be fine. I heal quicker than humans" I snapped petulantly.

"You know, it is scientifically proven that vampire blood is better than Tylenol or any old pain killer" he smirked.

This time, I crossed my legs beneath me but remained tenacious as I shook my head, "I don't need your help" I argued, pushing him away again.

"Clearly" he rolled his eyes at me and didn't make a move to budge as teased, "Probably didn't need my help when you were turning into shish ka Bella - barbecue" he pushed out his lips at the end so I covered them with my palm.

"I already said thank you" I sighed and quickly removed my hand when his tongue poked out. With a grimace, I shook my hand in disgust but couldn't stop myself when voicing previous thoughts. "I have to admit, I am surprised that you even tried to save me"

He shrugged and began his first aid once again, "Well now you owe me" another signature smirk as he dabbed on the cut on my forehead. "Plus, pretty face like yours doesn't deserve to be roasted" he muttered.

This time, I reached up to hold his hand and slowly pulled it down so I could get a good look at his expression. "A-Are you – are you flirting with me?"

He placed his arms on either side of me, quirking up an eyebrow as he challenged, "What if I am?" he leaned in close, his nose only inches away from me as he trapped me with the intensity of his gaze.

"I advise you not to" my reply was curt and abrupt as I pushed myself back a little, creating the necessary distance between us.

When he didn't say anything, I rolled over, trying to get on my feet as I jumped off his bed. Still, he wouldn't let it go because he continued to follow after me, right behind my heels, "Because..." he urged while I picked up my shoes from the floor.

I spun around, taking another step back when I found he was right before me. "I don't fuck with men that love other women" I retorted angrily, silently pleading for him to stop pursuing me. "No, wait – let me rephrase that. I don't fuck men with fangs" I hit his chest with the shoes and whipped back around, trying to head towards the staircase.

"What crawled up your ass and died?" he hissed.

I turned again, raising an eyebrow at his audacity, "Excuse me"

"Let me rephrase" he mocked and I rolled my eyes, "…what did a vampire do to you, to make you hate us all?" he questioned, now searching my eyes for an answer.

"Goodnight Damon" I retorted.

"Diversion" he lowly murmured, tapping a finger to his chin and then his eyes landed back to me once again, "A defence mechanism, I know so well" he claimed and I could tell that behind his joking tone, there was truth behind his teasing words.

I trudged down the stairs but his hand reached out to grab my arm, pulling me back and pushing me onto the wall next to the staircase. Not giving me a chance to argue, he pressed his body close to mine, trapping me between his hands which were placed on the wall to each side. "It's late" he pointed out.

"I can see that"

He dropped one hand to his side. "I'm too tired to drive you"

"I wasn't asking you to" I argued.

Oddly, his fingers trailed down my arm but what was even stranger was the fact that I didn't move away or try and push him away. "You need to rest - heal" he added, peering down at me with a meaningful gleam in his eyes that I couldn't comprehend.

I crossed my arms and jutted out my jaw, "I'm not staying in your room"

"Then pick another" he continued to argue his case and when he saw me part my lips, ready to put up a fight, he hastily added, "Just until you heal"

Falling back onto the wall, I silently deliberated "Lead the way"

I ignored the victorious grin that he flashed me.

-XxxxxX-

After looking through Caroline's clothing selection, the most modest was a grey and white striped camisole and cherry red cotton shorts. My hair was now damp after the much needed shower. It was slightly curly as I'd simply towel-dried it, not bothering to blow dry it.

As I fell back onto the bed, the door was swung open and in strode Damon as if he owned the place – yes I know he does own the place but still…

"How's the guest?" he questioned, "Room isn't too hot? Too cold?" he joked and I knew that even if I complained – not that I needed to – he would probably tell me to suck it up.

"Its fine" I nodded.

He sidled his way to the bed and fell down on the edge next to me, "We make a great team" he remarked but I simply kept quiet, braiding my ponytail. "Aw come on, admit it" he nudged my side playfully and I fought against the smile as he continued, "Admit it, you're starting to like me" he added in a sing-song voice.

"I'm tolerating you" I maintained my stony features.

Clearly not pleased with my broken walls remaining unperturbed, he sighed, "Whatever you say" he slumped his shoulders in defeat but the determination in his eyes didn't fade out. "Un Isabella Giorno" (One day Isabella) he breathed, "un giorno" he repeated with a shake of his head.

"You can keep dreaming"

Still, he didn't make a move to leave but twisted around to look at me, placing one hand on the side of me, "Oh I will" he vowed.

Once I was done with my hair, I let the ponytail fall down my shoulder and glared at him, "You can leave or I can throw you out" I warned, narrowing my eyes at him.

"If you have any nightmares or just can't sleep…" he paused at the doorway and leaned, "…you know where my room is"

I scoffed but silently confessed that I didn't want to kill him as much...

Of course, my hatred for their kind still raged but not as much for Damon. I tried to pretend that it was because of Elena and deny the nagging thought that it was because of something more.

The weight of the whole day and my erratic mind had me exhaling and falling back onto the comfort of the pillows. A small creak was sounded with my whole form landing on the bed, so I reached across me and switched off the lamp that held the only glow in the room.

A relaxed sigh left me and I prepared for the peaceful slumber that would help in reviving my body.

Once my phone vibrated, I whipped out my hand, snatching it from the bedside table and pressed the home button, seeing the screen light up with an unsaved number but I didn't need a name to tell me who it was. Reading the simple message was more than enough.

I miss you.

Come back to me.

After a lengthy minute, I reached up to tap at the message box causing the keyboard to emerge.

What felt like endless hours, ended up being only seven minutes, of me simply staring at the small screen of the Samsung as I waited for something - anything. Silently hoping that the letters would form some kind of sentence – maybe even one word. However, nothing seemed right and no words that materialised seemed comprehensible.

Tired and exasperated, I set the phone back down and rolled over, pulling the duvet over my head as I waited for the sleep to steal me away.

A/N: Who is texting Bella? Review your suggestions…